Search results

Title: Equipping Nurses to Better Manage Mental Health Issues in Florida Schools.
Creator: Edwards, Jerri Stone
Date Issued: 2021-07-04
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1617804865_cd9f56ff
Format: Citation

Title: Factors Influencing Controlled Substance Prescribing Behaviors Following Changes in Prescriptive Authority.
Creator: Reynolds, Annie M
Abstract/Description: Purpose: This evidence-based policy project was developed to examine the factors that influence controlled substance prescribing behaviors among Florida’s APRNs and the impact prescribing controlled substances has had on their practice following legislative changes in 2017.Methods: Using a quantitative design, 1,850 Florida actively licensed APRNs met inclusion criteria from the online email distribution via the Florida Health Care Public Data Portal with a Qualtrics survey link. We...
Show morePurpose: This evidence-based policy project was developed to examine the factors that influence controlled substance prescribing behaviors among Florida’s APRNs and the impact prescribing controlled substances has had on their practice following legislative changes in 2017.Methods: Using a quantitative design, 1,850 Florida actively licensed APRNs met inclusion criteria from the online email distribution via the Florida Health Care Public Data Portal with a Qualtrics survey link. We specifically focused on evaluating participants perceived readiness to prescribe, barriers to utilization of this prescriptive authority, and impacts on APRN practice. The data was analyzed using descriptive and nonparametric statistics with SPSS Version 23. Results: Overall, two years post-legislative change, 55.2% of Florida APRNs have DEA registration (n = 1021), with 59.1% of participants currently prescribing controlled substances in their practice (n = 1093). A large group of Florida APRNs felt very or extremely comfortable with prescribing (45.8%), with more continuing educations hours increasing feelings of preparedness ( = .418, p < .001), and overall feelings of preparedness improving comfort levels when prescribing ( = .703, p < .001). The most commonly selected response for impact to practice from prescribing controlled substances was the ability to efficiently meet patient’s needs (62.3%, n = 713) and the most commonly selected barrier to practice was that the APRN did not want to prescribe controlled substances (33.9%, n = 254).Implications: The DNP project results revealed that Florida APRNs are reporting impactful changes through the utilization of their prescriptive authority for scheduled II-IV substances, having proactively increased their education and feelings of preparedness, but there are some barriers that continue to persist in practice. Major Professor: Dr. Alicia Craig-Rodriguez, DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-BC
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-05-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1599772258_90ab7d3a
Format: Citation

Title: Heart Failure Knowledge in Rural Patients: Implications for Patient Education.
Creator: Young, Jacqueline Starr
Abstract/Description: Purpose: The purpose of this project was to utilize the Atlanta Heart Failure Knowledge Test (AHFKT) to assess heart failure (HF) patient knowledge among the rural population and apply the results to improve HF patient education. Methods: Using a descriptive design, current HF knowledge of patients in two rural counties in North Florida were examined based on whether they were readmitted within 30-days. Patients with HF (n=22) admitted to one of two participating hospitals with a diagnosis or...
Show morePurpose: The purpose of this project was to utilize the Atlanta Heart Failure Knowledge Test (AHFKT) to assess heart failure (HF) patient knowledge among the rural population and apply the results to improve HF patient education. Methods: Using a descriptive design, current HF knowledge of patients in two rural counties in North Florida were examined based on whether they were readmitted within 30-days. Patients with HF (n=22) admitted to one of two participating hospitals with a diagnosis or history of HF completed the AHFKT to assess patient HF knowledge. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: The average overall score for the AHFKT was 67.27%. Follow up telephone calls were completed 30-days after the AHFKT was administered and participants self-reported readmission status within that 30-day time frame. Out of the 22 participants, four (18.18%) were readmitted. The average overall AHFKT score of participants readmitted was 74.17% compared to 65.74% for those not readmitted. Discussion: Scoring lower than 80% on the AHFKT suggests a deficiency in HF knowledge. Only three out of the 22 participants scored higher than 80% and the overall average for the sample was below this marker. Although it is thought that a decrease in knowledge leads to readmissions, the data was unable to demonstrate this finding. Conclusion: The findings of this study show a deficiency in patient HF knowledge in all key areas tested. This demonstrates a need to improve patient HF knowledge starting at initial diagnosis and continuing throughout disease progression. An education toolkit was created based on the knowledge gaps observed. Major Professor: Lucinda Graven, PhD, APRN, FAHA
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-04-23
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1615159230_de110bfc
Format: Citation

Title: Nutrition in Primary Care: An Evaluation of Providers’ Knowledge, Confidence, Attitudes, and Barriers to Incorporation in Practice.
Creator: Snipes, Jaimie Lyn
Abstract/Description: Purpose: The purpose of this project was to identify primary care providers’ self-perceived knowledge, confidence, attitudes, and barriers to providing nutritional counseling to patients with lifestyle-related chronic illness. Determining where knowledge deficits exist in order to assist in establishing the need to incorporate nutrition education within medical curricula. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional designed study was employed, with a convenience sample, and used an online...
Show morePurpose: The purpose of this project was to identify primary care providers’ self-perceived knowledge, confidence, attitudes, and barriers to providing nutritional counseling to patients with lifestyle-related chronic illness. Determining where knowledge deficits exist in order to assist in establishing the need to incorporate nutrition education within medical curricula. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional designed study was employed, with a convenience sample, and used an online assessment survey that was distributed through the Florida Department of Health (DOH) public database via Qualtrics targeting licensed Primary Care Providers in the state of Florida. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data for examination of the project aims.Results: Positive attitudes towards incorporating nutritional counseling in the management of patients living with diet-related chronic conditions were found, yet despite this awareness, a majority of providers offered nutritional counseling to their patients’ half the time, rarely, or never; and when provided, the amount of time spent discussing nutrition with their patients was reported as 5 minutes or less. Providers expressed the continued need for further nutrition education and training to support them in their current role.Implications: To improve providers nutrition knowledge and confidence and increase nutritional counseling within practice, an expansion of nutritional education in medical and advanced practice nursing curricula is warranted. This project focused on primary care providers self-perception of their nutrition confidence, knowledge, and attitudes, but other specialties should be considered in future research as nutritional counseling does not solely take place within the primary care setting. Major Professor: Dr. Alicia Craig-Rodriguez DNP, MBA, APRN, FNP-BC
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-04-23
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1606846555_4571b090
Format: Citation

Title: Positive Screening in Primary Care, Now What?.
Creator: Usher, Cary M.
Abstract/Description: Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders in primary care settings, yet Primary Care Providers (PCPs) continue to underdiagnose and undertreat it. Patients with chronic health conditions are at increased risk for MDD and experience higher morbidity and mortality when it is not recognized or treated. PCPs report a lack of knowledge in diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of mental health disorders as barriers to recognition and treatment....
Show moreBackground: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders in primary care settings, yet Primary Care Providers (PCPs) continue to underdiagnose and undertreat it. Patients with chronic health conditions are at increased risk for MDD and experience higher morbidity and mortality when it is not recognized or treated. PCPs report a lack of knowledge in diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of mental health disorders as barriers to recognition and treatment. The purpose of this project was to improve PCP knowledge and confidence in the use of evidence-based guidelines for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) among patients being seen in a primary care setting through an educational intervention. Methods: This was a quality improvement project (QI) with a pre- and post-intervention design. The educational intervention was a 20-minute web-based presentation. Participants were 16 PCPs employed by CareATC, a national health care corporation. Pre-intervention measures of knowledge and confidence regarding assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of MDD were compared to post-intervention measure at 2-weeks using independent t-tests. Results: There were statistically significant increases in PCP knowledge (p<.001) and confidence p< .001 in assessing, diagnosing, and treating depression.Discussion: Brief, web-based educational interventions can be an effective avenue for reaching busy PCPs’ and improving their competencies in the recognition and treatment of MDD. Conclusions: Early recognition and treatment of MDD in primary care can reduce morbidities and mortalities among patients with chronic health problems in primary care settings.
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-04-12
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1618270712_872191ef
Format: Citation

Title: Quiet Time: A sleep promotion Intervention on a Postoperative Transplant Unit.
Creator: Johnson, Brittany
Abstract/Description: Purpose: The purpose of this Quality Improvement (QI) project was to compare perceptions of unit quietness and sleep quality in patients who received a unit-based sleep intervention to perceptions in patients who did not receive it and evaluate its acceptability in nursing staff. Methods: This QI project used a retrospective comparative design. Sleep and Rest Survey scores in patients who participated in the intervention were compared to survey scores in patients who did not participate in...
Show morePurpose: The purpose of this Quality Improvement (QI) project was to compare perceptions of unit quietness and sleep quality in patients who received a unit-based sleep intervention to perceptions in patients who did not receive it and evaluate its acceptability in nursing staff. Methods: This QI project used a retrospective comparative design. Sleep and Rest Survey scores in patients who participated in the intervention were compared to survey scores in patients who did not participate in the intervention. The intervention consisted in limiting staff interruptions between 0000 and 0500. This study took place at The Mayo Clinic (Jacksonville, Florida) on a unit specializing in Abdominal Organ Transplants. A convenience sample of 7 participants meeting specific inclusion/exclusion criteria was recruited. Results: Five out of seven patients rated their sleep as worse than prior to hospitalization. Two patients stated their sleep as the same as prior to hospitalization. None of the patients surveyed rated their sleep as “better” than prior to hospitalization. Moreover, although some patients expressed some satisfaction toward the intervention, the majority reported the occurrence of similar barriers that patients who did not receive the intervention. Of the twelve nursing staff members that were surveyed, all but one ranked this intervention as effective to very much effective in improving sleep and rest quality patient perceptions and 8 answered that they would be very to very much willing to comply with it. Discussion: Although some patients did not perceive worse sleep while hospitalized and expressed potential benefits of the intervention, most of them listed barriers to sleep and rest. Nevertheless, staff members expressed positive judgement of the intervention’s acceptability. Conclusions: Future research should be pursued and could include observational data. Nurses should continue to minimize stimuli such as better alarm management, decreased environmental noise, and bundling care to promote better sleep and rest.
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-04-07
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1617838705_7ea70790
Format: Citation

Title: An Educational Intervention to Improve Nurse Knowledge and the use of Validated Pain Scales and Non-pharmacologic Interventions in Pediatric Patients at a Non-children’s Hospital Emergency Department.
Creator: Borja, Elizabeth
Abstract/Description: Purpose: Pain in pediatric patients may be poorly managed in non-pediatric emergency departments (ED). The purpose of this project was to develop, test, and evaluate an online educational program regarding pediatric pain assessment and management and determine the effect on registered nurses’ (RNs) knowledge and practices.Methods: This project used a quasi-experimental, one-group, pretest-posttest design. Eligible participants included RNs who work in the ED and provide nursing care to...
Show morePurpose: Pain in pediatric patients may be poorly managed in non-pediatric emergency departments (ED). The purpose of this project was to develop, test, and evaluate an online educational program regarding pediatric pain assessment and management and determine the effect on registered nurses’ (RNs) knowledge and practices.Methods: This project used a quasi-experimental, one-group, pretest-posttest design. Eligible participants included RNs who work in the ED and provide nursing care to pediatric patients at a central Florida hospital. The self-paced educational program included peer-reviewed information regarding pediatric pain assessment and management. Evaluation of nurse knowledge and practices were examined using the Knowledge and Attitudes Survey Regarding Pain tool and four investigator-created survey questions. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze results. Results: Four participants completed the educational program and pre-, post-, and 2-month surveys. The mean score decreased immediately after completing the educational program yet increased at the 2-month time point (pre-M=91.83 vs. post-M=88.31 vs. 2-month M=96.65). Higher scores indicate greater knowledge and attitudes regarding pediatric pain. At 2-months, four nurses reported using three or fewer validated pain scales, and one nurse reported using one new pain scale. At 2-months, all four nurses reported using four or more validated interventions, while one began using a new intervention from the program. Discussion: This project speaks to the nurse knowledge gaps regarding pediatric pain scales and non-pharmacologic interventions, although there were several limitations to the project’s evaluation. Conclusion: Due to the small sample size, this project cannot conclude that an educational program positively impacts nurse knowledge and practices of pediatric pain assessment and management. Further research of nurse knowledge and practices after administering an educational program could help determine whether an educational program may be an effective intervention for health organizations to improve nurse knowledge and practices regarding pediatric pain scales and non-pharmacologic interventions.Major Professor: Dr. Jessica Bahorski PhD, APRN, PPCNP-BC, WHNP-BC
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-04-06
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1617731939_b2d797c9
Format: Citation

Title: An Evidence-Based Educational Intervention to Increase Adult Depression Screening in the Primary Care Setting.
Creator: Ogunremi, Abiodun Oluwole
Abstract/Description: Title: An Evidence-Based Educational Intervention to Increase Adult Depression Screening in the Primary Care SettingPrimary Investigator: Abiodun O. Ogunremi, BSN, RNPurpose: To increase adult depression screening rate in primary care settings. MethodsThis study used a quasi-experimental pre-post test design to assess staff’s knowledge on depression screening. The first phase involved data collection of the number and percentage of patient health questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) completed for the...
Show moreTitle: An Evidence-Based Educational Intervention to Increase Adult Depression Screening in the Primary Care SettingPrimary Investigator: Abiodun O. Ogunremi, BSN, RNPurpose: To increase adult depression screening rate in primary care settings. MethodsThis study used a quasi-experimental pre-post test design to assess staff’s knowledge on depression screening. The first phase involved data collection of the number and percentage of patient health questionnaire 9 (PHQ-9) completed for the three months before intervention. In the second phase, a pretest was administered using Qualtrics via Zoom videoconference. A post-test was administered after the intervention to test for knowledge improvement. Finally, data collection of the number and percentage of PHQ-9 was completed three months after the intervention was completed. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the pre-and post-test data, and summary statistics were used to determine the efficacy of the training.Results The percentage of adults screened for depression (PHQ-9) before and after the training showed a mean of 59.2 and 67.4, respectively. The overall difference in percentage rate between the pre-and post-intervention data of PHQ-9 mean was 8.17, and the standard deviation difference was 0.68217. Given the significant difference, we can conclude that the percentage of adults screened for depression with the PHQ-9 after the training was higher by 8.17 percentage points than before the training. This implies that the post-test group was associated with increased test scores and an increased number of PHQ-9s. Discussion Educational interventions have proved to significantly increase the number of adults screened for depression in a primary care setting.ConclusionThe educational intervention seems to play a role in improving the knowledge of providers about depression and in increasing the number of patients screened for depression. It is essential that regular in-service depression training be provided to enhance the quality of care for patients.Major Professor: Eugenia Millender, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-04-06
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1617660592_6eab9f7c
Format: Citation

Title: Medical Marijuana in Florida: The Knowledge, Practices, and Attitudes of Providers.
Creator: Hemingway, Krystal
Abstract/Description: Title: Medical Marijuana in Florida: The Knowledge, Practices, and Attitudes of ProvidersPrimary investigator: Krystal Hemingway, BSN, RNAbstractPurpose. To describe the knowledge, practices, and attitudes of Florida Medical Doctors (MDs), Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs), Physician Assistants (PAs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) regarding medical marijuana (MM).Methods. We utilized a descriptive Web-based cross-sectional quantitative survey based on stratified random...
Show moreTitle: Medical Marijuana in Florida: The Knowledge, Practices, and Attitudes of ProvidersPrimary investigator: Krystal Hemingway, BSN, RNAbstractPurpose. To describe the knowledge, practices, and attitudes of Florida Medical Doctors (MDs), Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs), Physician Assistants (PAs), and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) regarding medical marijuana (MM).Methods. We utilized a descriptive Web-based cross-sectional quantitative survey based on stratified random sampling to yield representation within each group. The survey questionnaire was adapted from a Washington State instrument to reflect Florida Statutes. A link to this questionnaire was sent to 10,540 providers in Florida through Qualtrics®. After evaluating the response rate, a second sample with 10,540 providers was selected based on the same distribution.Results. A total of 561 providers completed the survey (242 MDs, 39 DOs, 221 APRNs, 59 PAs). Almost two-thirds (63.2%) of respondents were not familiar with Florida Statutes, particularly the conditions that qualify patients for MM. One-third (31.7%) have completed continuing education about MM. Many providers (86.8%) in Florida reported a lack of access to the MM registry. Provider attitudes included concern about lack of evidence-based practice. Only 8.3% (n =40) were qualified providers in the state. Of those qualified to provide authorizations, 57.5% (n =23) had provided a MM authorization. Of those who were not qualified to provide an authorization, 23.5% (n=132) had recommended a patient consult with a qualified MM provider.Discussion. This is the first study to report a knowledge deficit of Florida providers regarding MM. This finding is significant as it suggests limited access to MM authorizations for patients who qualify and might benefit from MM use.Conclusions. Despite legalization of MM in Florida, this research indicates providers have not educated themselves on its use nor are many offering MM authorizations. Future research could investigate whether receiving MM training influences provider practices and patient access. Florida policy makers should consider revisions to law making MM more accessible such as adding APRNs as qualified providers.Major Professor: Dr Geraldine Martorella, PhD, RN
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-04-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1617315089_5095445a
Format: Citation

Title: Assessing the Impact of an Educational Intervention.
Creator: Whitaker-Herring, Megan
Abstract/Description: Purpose: This project aimed to assess the impact of an educational intervention among Florida healthcare providers on hypertensive disease management while promoting lifestyle wellness strategies and evaluating for knowledge gaps after an educational intervention. Methods: This quasi-experimental gap analysis utilized a repeated measures design wherein the study participants served as their own controls. An introductory email consisting of a pre-survey, educational intervention, and immediate...
Show morePurpose: This project aimed to assess the impact of an educational intervention among Florida healthcare providers on hypertensive disease management while promoting lifestyle wellness strategies and evaluating for knowledge gaps after an educational intervention. Methods: This quasi-experimental gap analysis utilized a repeated measures design wherein the study participants served as their own controls. An introductory email consisting of a pre-survey, educational intervention, and immediate post-survey was delivered via Qualtrics survey software to 29,944 Florida healthcare providers. Four hundred seventy-eight providers responded to the initial email. Eight weeks after the online educational intervention, the follow-up posttest was sent via Qualtrics to all 478 providers who responded to the initial study. Percentages were used to calculate the percent correct on each question, on each survey with IBM SPSS Statistics version 26. Results: The total number of providers that responded to the survey was 478 out of 29,944 sent for a 1% response rate. However, only 451 participants answered the demographics survey. Out of 451 participants, five were excluded due to inclusion criteria, leaving 446 participants. The demographics for those 446 participants showed that most participants were white (80.7%), female (70.9%), ARNP's (68.6%) between the ages of 31-40 (25.6%), and have been practicing for over ten years (51.3%). Of those 446 participants, 327 completed the pre-survey andTwo hundred twelve providers completed the immediate post-follow-up survey after the educational intervention. One hundred thirteen providers completed the eight weeks follow-up post-survey.The results from this study show findings such as an increase in knowledge after a brief educational intervention. For instance, Question four: What percentage of adults in Florida have hypertension? The presurvey shows baseline knowledge at 49.2%. The immediate follow-up shows an improvement of knowledge at 81.1%. Slightly less than the immediate follow-up but still higher than the pre-survey experience, the eight weeks follow-up shows 54.9%. Five out of eight questions used to assess knowledge share this same pattern. The immediate follow-up shows an increase in knowledge when compared to the pre-survey. The follow-up survey eight weeks later indicates an increase in knowledge compared to the pre-survey but was less than the immediate follow-up survey. Discussion: The purpose of the evidence-based project was to explore Florida healthcare providers' familiarity with all proper hypertension disease management elements to promote a lifestyle wellness strategy for individuals, which will result in positive health outcomes. This project looked at provider knowledge regarding lifestyle management strategies and hypertension, barriers in providing the most up-to-date information on nutrition and lifestyle management plans, and providing education to providers to best serve their population. Conclusion: This study was significant because it shows an increase in provider knowledge after the educational intervention. It helped identify knowledge gaps in practice, assess time spent on educating patients, and assess providers' barriers. This study emphasized patient education and promoted healthy lifestyle management strategies. However, further research must be done to provide the best care and help patients adhere to a lifestyle management plan.
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-03-30
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1617155950_c1920d1f
Format: Citation

Title: The Impact of an Educational Intervention on Florida’s Healthcare Providers’ Knowledge and Confidence to Identify and Manage Victims of Human Trafficking.
Creator: Parrish, Nicole, Barfield, LeeAnn
Abstract/Description: Purpose: The purpose of this project is to assess and describe current knowledge and confidence of Florida’s healthcare providers to identify and treat victims of human trafficking and assess for changes following an evidence-based educational intervention. Methods: The project utilized a quasi-experimental longitudinal design with pre- and post- surveys. A total of 1,663 (18.8%) of Florida’s healthcare providers completed the pre-survey. Participants completed an adapted version of the...
Show morePurpose: The purpose of this project is to assess and describe current knowledge and confidence of Florida’s healthcare providers to identify and treat victims of human trafficking and assess for changes following an evidence-based educational intervention. Methods: The project utilized a quasi-experimental longitudinal design with pre- and post- surveys. A total of 1,663 (18.8%) of Florida’s healthcare providers completed the pre-survey. Participants completed an adapted version of the Provider Responses, Treatment, and Care for Trafficked People survey to assess perceived knowledge, actual knowledge, and confidence levels. Participants were then given nationally accepted educational materials and 26.2% (n=435) of the original participants completed the post-survey one-month later. Results: Pre-survey results indicate that 21% of responding providers had previous contact with a trafficking victim while over 67% felt they have had not received sufficient training on how to assist victims. Fifty percent of respondents didn’t know what questions to ask or what to say/not say to a victim, 20.9% respondents felt they knew at least some of the indicators commonly exhibited by victims, and less than 24% were aware of local/national support services. Most of the responding providers did not feel confident in documenting trafficking (69.5%) or making referrals for victims. After the educational intervention, providers had significant increases in all areas of perceived knowledge and confidence regarding the identification and management of trafficking victims. The educational intervention also resulted in increased actual knowledge although the increases were not statistically significant at the 95% level of confidence.Conclusions: Florida’s healthcare providers frequently come into contact with potential trafficking victims but lack the confidence and knowledge to respond appropriately. Educational handouts have shown to increase levels of perceived knowledge and confidence, but further training is needed to assure victims are identified and managed properly.
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-03-30
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1617137511_cc3c83fa
Format: Citation

Title: A Descriptive Study on Depression, Delirium, and Dementia Recognition: A Quality Improvement Project Implementing an Educational Intervention in Licensed Nursing Personnel.
Creator: Rodriguez, Amy M.
Abstract/Description: Title: A Descriptive Study on Depression, Delirium, and Dementia Recognition: A Quality Improvement Project Implementing an Educational Intervention in Licensed Nursing Personnel. Primary Investigator: Amy Rodriguez, BSN, RN.Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to develop and test an educational intervention to improve the recognition of depression, delirium, and dementia among CNAs, LPNs, and RNs in the state of Florida. Method: This quality improvement project...
Show moreTitle: A Descriptive Study on Depression, Delirium, and Dementia Recognition: A Quality Improvement Project Implementing an Educational Intervention in Licensed Nursing Personnel. Primary Investigator: Amy Rodriguez, BSN, RN.Purpose: The purpose of this quality improvement project was to develop and test an educational intervention to improve the recognition of depression, delirium, and dementia among CNAs, LPNs, and RNs in the state of Florida. Method: This quality improvement project utilized a pre- and post-intervention survey to evaluate the effectiveness of an educational intervention to increase the recognition of depression, delirium, and dementia among CNAs, LPNs, and RNs in Florida. Results: Demographically, the largest respondents were registered nurses, those in the medical field greater than 10 years, and those with graduate level education. Clinically, there was a marginal increase in knowledge recognition among all respondent’s post-intervention survey compared to pre-intervention survey. Discussion: To improve licensed nurses’ knowledge and recognition within practice, an expansion of depression, delirium, and dementia education in curricula is warranted. The education should be conceived with each role and their respective scope of practice in mind. Conclusion: Education has been deemed an effective way to improve recognition and obtain prompt treatment and improve patient outcomes relating to depression, delirium, and dementia. This study, however, should be replicated with larger samples and expand to multiple states, and should test long term retention over a time period. Major Professor: Theresa Winton, DNP, APRN-C, FNP-BC, PMHNP-BC
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-03-28
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1616967506_28b873bb
Format: Citation

Title: Interprofessional Collaboration: Perceptions and Practice in Healthcare Providers.
Creator: Adkins, Gail L.
Abstract/Description: Purpose: This project explored the current perception and level of interprofessional collaboration (IPC) among healthcare providers in the sample population. It also investigated if a change in perception (or knowledge of definition) occurred after viewing a brief education intervention, measured the baseline level of IPC, and baseline comparisons of the variables. Methods: The Assessment of Interprofessional Team Collaboration Scale for Practitioners (AITCS-II) was used to measure level of...
Show morePurpose: This project explored the current perception and level of interprofessional collaboration (IPC) among healthcare providers in the sample population. It also investigated if a change in perception (or knowledge of definition) occurred after viewing a brief education intervention, measured the baseline level of IPC, and baseline comparisons of the variables. Methods: The Assessment of Interprofessional Team Collaboration Scale for Practitioners (AITCS-II) was used to measure level of IPC, and a questionnaire was developed to evaluate current perception (or knowledge of definition) of IPC before and after viewing the educational intervention. The level of IPC among those participants with “correct” perceptions of IPC was compared. Independent samples t-tests and cross tabulation was applied to evaluate and summarize relationships between the variables.Results: Nineteen respondents participated in the project. 52.6% indicated a favorable pre-intervention perception (or knowledge of definition) of IPC, with a post-intervention increase of 10%. Overall AITCS-II measure of level of IPC indicated movement toward collaboration. Comparison of level of IPC measurements with correct definition of perception (or knowledge of definition) of IPC reported a mean score (82.2) versus those with an incorrect perception (96.5).Discussion: These results, albeit small, may indicate positive movement toward authentic IPC, though inference is strongly cautioned. Consistent lower mean levels of IPC among respondents with ‘correct’ perception may be attributed to a greater understanding of the authentic concept of IPC, signaling a lesser level of IPC may be occurring in earnest in these practice settings. AITCS-II subcategory analyses also indicated potential incongruencies related to leadership. Conclusions: Progressive shifts towards IPC may be underway. Ongoing appraisal and education are suggested for its continued successful integration.
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-03-19
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1616182193_920155da
Format: Citation

Title: Skin Lesion Education in the Primary Care Setting Recognizing Normal Versus Abnormal: A Video Intervention.
Creator: Rich, Anna Kaitlyn, Greenhalgh, Jolynn
Abstract/Description: Purpose: While skin cancer diagnoses are increasing rapidly in the United States, the majority of skin cancer education has focused on written or verbal communication. In response, this project was created to assess for increased knowledge following an educational video intervention regarding normal and abnormal skin lesions and skin cancer prevention practices among patients at a primary care clinic. Methods: An informative 8-minute video intervention guided the project. A quasi-experimental...
Show morePurpose: While skin cancer diagnoses are increasing rapidly in the United States, the majority of skin cancer education has focused on written or verbal communication. In response, this project was created to assess for increased knowledge following an educational video intervention regarding normal and abnormal skin lesions and skin cancer prevention practices among patients at a primary care clinic. Methods: An informative 8-minute video intervention guided the project. A quasi-experimental pre-test post-test design and descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results: The sample concluded with 30 participants that presented to a primary care clinic in Wewahitchka, FL. An improvement was reported in the number and percentage of correct lesion responses post video intervention in all lesion categories. Assessment of prevention behaviors revealed an improvement in four out of five prevention strategies and remained consistent in the pre-test and post-test across one category. Intervention acceptance revealed 24 participants (80%) either agreeing or strongly agreeing that the intervention was acceptable to provide the education. Discussion: The project was effective at increasing identification of normal and abnormal skin lesions and skin cancer prevention behaviors among patients at a primary care clinic. Conclusion: A video intervention in the primary care setting could be an efficient tool to promote skin lesion education and skin cancer prevention behaviors. The video education was significant because it bridged the current identified gaps in health knowledge and literacy, and has the ongoing potential to improve health outcomes regarding skin cancer identification and prevention in a variety of settings.
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-03-08
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1615220811_e0c8d49f
Format: Citation

Title: Integrative food allergy education: Effects on parental anxiety and quality of life.
Creator: Taylor, Michelle Lynne
Abstract/Description: Purpose: To improve anxiety and quality of life (QOL) in parents of children with food allergies, thorough food allergy education using methods beyond routine verbal education is essential. The purpose of this project was to develop, test, and evaluate an innovative, online food allergy educational program and to determine the effect on parental anxiety, QOL, and satisfaction.Methods: This project utilized a quasi-experimental, one-group, pre-test/post-test intervention design. Eligible...
Show morePurpose: To improve anxiety and quality of life (QOL) in parents of children with food allergies, thorough food allergy education using methods beyond routine verbal education is essential. The purpose of this project was to develop, test, and evaluate an innovative, online food allergy educational program and to determine the effect on parental anxiety, QOL, and satisfaction.Methods: This project utilized a quasi-experimental, one-group, pre-test/post-test intervention design. Eligible participants included all parents or legal guardians of children diagnosed with food allergies from an allergy clinic in Southwest Florida. The evidence-based educational program comprised of three asynchronous webinars and downloadable reference material displayed on an online domain. Evaluation of Parental anxiety and QOL were analyzed using the Food Allergy Quality of Life-Parental Burden tool. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze results.Results: Two participants completed the educational program, and pre/post questionnaire QOL scores improved after completing the education program (pre-M = 35 vs. post-M = 15.5, higher scores indicate poorer QOL). Anxiety scores improved in one participant (from a score of two to zero), and all participants were extremely satisfied with the program. Discussion: The project addresses the gaps in parental food allergy education needs, but there were many limitations that impeded the projects evaluation (i.e., the Coronavirus 2019 pandemic).Conclusions: Due to the small sample size, this project cannot conclude that an online food allergy education intervention positively impacts parental anxiety and QOL. Further examination of parental anxiety and QOL after completing an integrative educational program could help to identify if an online program might be an innovative and effective tool for food allergy specialists to establish in their practice in efforts to improve parental anxiety and QOL. Major Professor: Dr. Jessica Bahorski, Ph.D., APRN, PPCNP-BC, WHNP-BC
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-03-05
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1614887820_16ed474c
Format: Citation

Title: Improving Delirium Nursing Assessment and Interventions in The Acute Care Setting.
Creator: Riley, Amanda
Abstract/Description: Title: Improving Delirium Nursing Assessment and Interventions in The Acute Care SettingPrimary Investigator: Amanda Riley, MSN, RN, ACM-RN Purpose: The purpose of this project is to explore the potential benefits of early identification of delirium for geriatric patients in the acute care setting using a standardized assessment tool that will lead to the use of evidenced based nursing interventions to improve overall health outcomes.Methods: This quality improvement project was a...
Show moreTitle: Improving Delirium Nursing Assessment and Interventions in The Acute Care SettingPrimary Investigator: Amanda Riley, MSN, RN, ACM-RN Purpose: The purpose of this project is to explore the potential benefits of early identification of delirium for geriatric patients in the acute care setting using a standardized assessment tool that will lead to the use of evidenced based nursing interventions to improve overall health outcomes.Methods: This quality improvement project was a retrospective chart review exploring the effectiveness of the bCAM assessment tool in identifying delirium in geriatric patients. Target population consists of geriatric patients age 65 and older with variable diagnoses. The hospital protocol consists of registered nurses on the 3 units to conduct bCAM assessments every 12 hours for every patient who had a positive delirium screening and use of evidence-based interventions minimize severity of delirium sequelae. This design ensured effective evaluation of delirium assessments and evidence-based nursing interventions. Chi-square tests of linear trend were used on the aggregated data for each aim to test for significant change across the six months of observation, October 2019 through March 2020. Results: The rate of use of the standardized assessment in this study revealed overall increasing use and identification each month following staff education and the implementation of the delirium protocol. The statistical significance was mixed depending on the unit; however, the results of the QI project are consistent with other studies that revealed an improvement of the assessment technique utilization through nurse driven quality initiatives. This study revealed that there were no significant trends of the type of nursing interventions employed and documented however, Benzodiazepine orders and notifying the MD were the most prevalent interventions noted. Discussion: This study demonstrates that nurses in the acute care setting can have a positive effect on geriatric patient outcomes with future quality improvement projects aimed at increased early identification of delirium and swift treatment interventions.Conclusions: The geriatric population continues to grow and age, so will the demands on the healthcare system at large. Nurses in the acute care setting must be prepared for focusing on the geriatric patient needs and enhance the interventions implemented and healthcare services provided with an emphasis on decreasing morbidity and mortality. Assessment is a top tenet to all nursing practice and a foundational aspect in this study. Major Professor: Susan Porterfield, PhD, FNP-C
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-03-04
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1614866620_0e3675a1
Format: Citation

Title: Current practice, knowledge, beliefs, and confidence level of nurse practitioners in the state of Florida on tongue and lip ties before and after an educational module.
Creator: Fornal, Kayla N
Abstract/Description: Purpose: Tongue and/or lip ties (TT/LT) occur in 2-11% of infants and contribute to breastfeeding difficulties, speech delays, and dental conditions. The purpose of this project was to identify the current practice, knowledge, beliefs, and confidence level of nurse practitioners (APRNs) in Florida who care for infants regarding identification, symptoms, and treatment options for TT/LT; and to examine how these constructs change after completing an educational module on TT/LT. Methods: A...
Show morePurpose: Tongue and/or lip ties (TT/LT) occur in 2-11% of infants and contribute to breastfeeding difficulties, speech delays, and dental conditions. The purpose of this project was to identify the current practice, knowledge, beliefs, and confidence level of nurse practitioners (APRNs) in Florida who care for infants regarding identification, symptoms, and treatment options for TT/LT; and to examine how these constructs change after completing an educational module on TT/LT. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional project was employed, with a self-selected nonprobability sample. APRNs who care for infants in Florida were recruited via online sources. An educational module was developed with a pre/post survey measuring APRN practice, knowledge, beliefs, and confidence levels regarding TT/LT. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze data.Results: Forty-six APRNs completed the pre-survey. Most participants (78.1%) report inadequacies in education regarding TT/LT and 82.6% of participants agree that TT/LT are associated with breastfeeding difficulties. Most participants diagnose TT/LT, but 91% do not perform release procedures. Less than 35% of participants follow any guidelines regarding the management of tongue and lip ties. All participants found the educational module beneficial.Discussion: Findings from this project are consistent with the literature; increased awareness of TT/LT is needed. The lack of education reported by APRNs in this sample confirm that an educational module may meet this knowledge gap. Limitations to this study, such as a low number of post-module survey responses, limited the ability to evaluate benefit of the educational module.Conclusion: APRNs in this study recognize the importance of identifying TT/LT to prevent breastfeeding difficulties, however, lack of education in assessing and managing TT/LT was evident. Future research should identify how to implement an educational module in larger sample and validate benefit by examining change in APRN practice, knowledge, beliefs, and confidence in assessing and managing TT/LT. Major Professor: Dr. Jessica Bahorski PhD, APRN, PPCNP-BC, WHNP-BC
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-02-25
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1614294387_992f8551
Format: Citation

Title: Barriers to and Increasing Domestic Violence Screening in Nursing.
Creator: Fischer, Brandy L
Abstract/Description: Purpose: Our aim was to explore knowledge, frequency, and consistency of bedside registered nurses’ (RN) screening practices for domestic violence (DV) in acute care settings. Methods: A cross sectional-survey was used to understand screening practices of bedside RNs. A convenience sample of RNs, licensed in Florida, were recruited through the state Board of Nursing. They were emailed the purpose, consent, and modified PREMIS (Physician Readiness to Manage Intimate Partner Violence Survey)...
Show morePurpose: Our aim was to explore knowledge, frequency, and consistency of bedside registered nurses’ (RN) screening practices for domestic violence (DV) in acute care settings. Methods: A cross sectional-survey was used to understand screening practices of bedside RNs. A convenience sample of RNs, licensed in Florida, were recruited through the state Board of Nursing. They were emailed the purpose, consent, and modified PREMIS (Physician Readiness to Manage Intimate Partner Violence Survey) survey. Results: Out of 176,000 emailed, 808 bedside RNs responded. Results indicated that 25.7% had over 11 hours of DV training and 60.9% felt moderately to well prepared to screen for DV. Conversely, 57.7% reported that they knew none, to moderate number of appropriate screening questions, and 34.2% believed victims could not make appropriate decisions. Moreover, few RNs knew Joint Commission standards (35.7%), believed they had sufficient resources (39.1%), received enough training (20.9%), and screened patients regularly (45%). Finally, RNs reported significant barriers to DV screening, like lack of time (66.6%), private locations (21.5%), no protocols (60.6%), and unfamiliarity with protocols (55.7%). Discussion: Registered nurses are lacking in consistency and frequency of screening for DV. Their knowledge of DV screening, resources, and signs of abuse are also deficient. An effective screening tool and implementation, and adherence to workplace policies are needed in acute care settings to improve screening consistency, frequency, and knowledge, and remove perceived barriers. Conclusions: Workplaces should provide employees with expectations, training, and effective screening methods for DV. These are essential to improve DV screening by bedside RNs.
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-02-23
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1614096070_584eebc3
Format: Citation

Title: Initiatives to Promote Aging-in-Place in Local Communities: An Evidence-Based Toolkit.
Creator: Burch, Callie
Abstract/Description: Purpose: The purpose of this project was to create an evidence-based toolkit to guide local community leaders in the planning process of establishing Aging-in-Place initiatives. The toolkit highlights best practices for key components of Aging-in-Place infrastructures that provide sufficient support to allow older adults to remain in their homes as they age. Methods: Toolkit development was based on an integrative literature review, interviews with research experts and community leaders of...
Show morePurpose: The purpose of this project was to create an evidence-based toolkit to guide local community leaders in the planning process of establishing Aging-in-Place initiatives. The toolkit highlights best practices for key components of Aging-in-Place infrastructures that provide sufficient support to allow older adults to remain in their homes as they age. Methods: Toolkit development was based on an integrative literature review, interviews with research experts and community leaders of aging-in-place initiatives in the U.S., organizational resources on healthy aging and aging-in-place initiatives, and identified needs of local older adults. Results: Major themes in the literature were skilled healthcare professionals, modifications to the home environment, the importance of social engagement, and sustainability of aging-in-place initiatives. Similar themes were identified in the interviews but were more focused on the structure and characteristics of successful aging-in-place programs, including funding, community support and partnerships, leadership, program services and sustainability.Discussion: This toolkit can be utilized by aging-in-place leaders in Tallahassee to develop and maintain a program to provide support that allows to older adults to remain in their homes as they age. This will not only decrease the strain on the local healthcare system but improve the quality of life of elderly residents by allowing them to remain independent and maintain meaningful social relationships in their community. Conclusions: A growing demand for innovative ideas to address the expanding utilization of healthcare services exists due to consequences of aging such as the development of chronic disease and decreased physical mobility. The fact that Florida ranks last in the country in providing long-term care services and support for older adults should spark immediate action by state government officials (AARP, 2020). Research has demonstrated that aging-in-place programs are cost-effective, provide superior outcomes, as well as improve the quality of life of older adults.Major Professor: Eileen Cormier, PhD, RN
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-02-21
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1613939698_7e3db3e3
Format: Citation

Title: Coronavirus and Inequality: The Rich Get Richer, the Poor Get a Kick in the Behind.
Creator: Hendricks, Vincent F., Dunleavy, Daniel J.
Abstract/Description: A virus does not make distinctions. It just spreads, it just hits. But the ones who are challenged already are getting challenged even more. The richest countries in the world, making up some 13% of the global population, have ahead of time secured 51% of the COVID-19 vaccine. Like with many other societal inequalities, the Matthew effect kicks in concerning the novel coronavirus: “For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance
Date Issued: 2021-02-18
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1613670119_98084ffa, 10.5281/zenodo.4549049
Format: Citation

Title: Chemical Garden Membranes in Temperature-Controlled Microfluidic Devices.
Creator: Wang, Qingpu, Steinbock, Oliver
Abstract/Description: Thin-walled tubes that classically form when metal salts react with sodium silicate solution are known as chemical gardens. They share similarities with the porous, catalytic materials in hydrothermal vent chimneys, and both structures are exposed to steep pH gradients that, combined with thermal factors, might have provided the free energy for prebiotic chemistry on early Earth. We report temperature effects on the shape, composition, and opacity of chemical gardens. Tubes grown at high...
Show moreThin-walled tubes that classically form when metal salts react with sodium silicate solution are known as chemical gardens. They share similarities with the porous, catalytic materials in hydrothermal vent chimneys, and both structures are exposed to steep pH gradients that, combined with thermal factors, might have provided the free energy for prebiotic chemistry on early Earth. We report temperature effects on the shape, composition, and opacity of chemical gardens. Tubes grown at high temperature are more opaque, indicating changes to the membrane structure or thickness. To study this dependence, we developed a temperature-controlled microfluidic device, which allows the formation of analogous membranes at the interface of two coflowing reactant solutions. For the case of Ni(OH)2, membranes thicken according to a diffusion-controlled mechanism. In the studied range of 10–40 degree Celsius, the effective diffusion coefficient is independent of temperature. This suggests that counteracting processes are at play (including an increased solubility) and that the opacity of chemical garden tubes arises from changes in internal morphology. The latter could be linked to experimentally observed dendritic structures within the membranes.
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-02-08
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1612812134_47e54b44_P, 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c03548
Format: Set of related objects

Title: A Descriptive Study to Examine the Relationship between Preoperative Gabapentin Dose, Postoperative Pain, and its Effect on Sedation.
Creator: Kim, Eudeum Lee
Abstract/Description: AbstractTitle: A Descriptive Study to Examine the Relationship between Preoperative Gabapentin Dose, Postoperative Pain, and its Effect on SedationPrimary Investigator (PI): Eudeum Lee Kim, BSN, RN-BC Purpose: The purpose of this project is to describe the relationship between different doses of preoperative gabapentin on postoperative pain and sedation. Additionally, this project will explore how the patient’s length of stay in the recovery varies across demographic factors. This project may...
Show moreAbstractTitle: A Descriptive Study to Examine the Relationship between Preoperative Gabapentin Dose, Postoperative Pain, and its Effect on SedationPrimary Investigator (PI): Eudeum Lee Kim, BSN, RN-BC Purpose: The purpose of this project is to describe the relationship between different doses of preoperative gabapentin on postoperative pain and sedation. Additionally, this project will explore how the patient’s length of stay in the recovery varies across demographic factors. This project may be beneficial since the goal of the surgery center is to provide patients minimum sedation to facilitate the procedure effectively and promote successful discharge to home with the shortest recovery stay.Methods: This study is a descriptive and cross-sectional retrospective chart review performed at the Emerald Coast Surgery Center in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. 232 patient charts were selected based on the inclusion criteria: 15 years and older and received gabapentin preoperatively from January 2018 to April 2020. The association of preoperative gabapentin on postoperative pain relief, level of sedation, and length of stay in the recovery room across patients’ demographic factors examined.Results: There is no clinically significant difference among gabapentin dosages and postoperative pain scores, sedation level, but the mean length of stay increases with the higher dosages of gabapentin. Among other demographic factors, the age of 66 and older for all three gabapentin dosages reported the longest mean length of stay in the recovery room.Discussion: Findings from this project may support the prolonged sedating effect of gabapentin, which delays discharge from the recovery room. Conclusions: Preoperative use of gabapentin may decrease the pain. However, there were no dose-related effects on better relief. Higher doses of gabapentin increase the length of stay in the recovery, which indicates future studies related to possible factors that may lead to a longer stay in the recovery room. Major Professor: Susan Porterfield, Ph.D., FNP-C
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-02-04
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1612452098_08b80b85
Format: Citation

Title: Social work and the necessity of open access.
Creator: Dunleavy, Daniel J.
Abstract/Description: Access to research and scholarship is essential for the practice of social work and the development of intra- and interdisciplinary knowledge. Therefore “open access” is a necessity for the field of social work to function and thrive. This post explores some of these issues and makes suggestions for how the field may make its knowledge and tools more open. The consequences of this are non-negligible, as greater access will arguably aid in solving society’s most pressing problems.
Date Issued: 2021-01-19
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1610990014_0d171bd0, 10.5281/zenodo.4447502
Format: Citation

Title: Engaging Communities with Supported Interpretation: A Step-by-Step Guide to Developing Visitor-Centered Exhibitions Using the SI Model.
Creator: Viera, Alicia, Villeneuve, Pat
Abstract/Description: During recent years, a growing number of art museums and galleries have experimented with innovative approaches to exhibition development to create more meaningful visitor experiences. However, although commendable, their efforts to make exhibitions visitor-centered have still not been consistent, partially due to the lack of existing models for practice for these kinds of projects. This chapter focuses on supported interpretation (SI), a model for developing visitor-centered exhibitions that...
Show moreDuring recent years, a growing number of art museums and galleries have experimented with innovative approaches to exhibition development to create more meaningful visitor experiences. However, although commendable, their efforts to make exhibitions visitor-centered have still not been consistent, partially due to the lack of existing models for practice for these kinds of projects. This chapter focuses on supported interpretation (SI), a model for developing visitor-centered exhibitions that can help museum professionals better advocate for their audiences, engage community members in the process of exhibition development, and turn visitors into active participants who feel empowered to share content during their museum visits. The authors dive deeply into the guidelines for implementing SI, discuss prior iterations of the model, share lessons learned, and explore new scenarios in order to provide current and future art museum educators and interpretive planners with an easy-to-follow roadmap for developing successful visitor-centered SI exhibitions.
Show less
Date Issued: 2021-01-01
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1613513349_d9a22599, 10.4018/978-1-7998-7426-3.ch002
Format: Citation

Title: Echinaster Spinulosus Growth Rate, Predation on Encrusting Ascidians, and Population Dynamics in St. Joseph Bay.
Creator: Jaco, Benton R
Date Issued: 2020-12-11
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607710081_8dda3807
Format: Thesis

Title: Policy Gaps in Incentivizing Diagnosis and Treatment of Mood and Anxiety Disorders in Pregnancy.
Creator: Tolbert, Alexandria
Abstract/Description: Mood disorders and anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses prevalent in the United States. During pregnancy, these conditions have the potential to negatively impact the health of both the pregnant person1 and their offspring, especially if left untreated. Current research suggests that the benefits of treating these mental health conditions during pregnancy tend to be successful in mitigating the risks of adverse outcomes associated with untreated mental health conditions. The...
Show moreMood disorders and anxiety disorders are the most common mental illnesses prevalent in the United States. During pregnancy, these conditions have the potential to negatively impact the health of both the pregnant person1 and their offspring, especially if left untreated. Current research suggests that the benefits of treating these mental health conditions during pregnancy tend to be successful in mitigating the risks of adverse outcomes associated with untreated mental health conditions. The objectives of this project are to summarize current federal policy regarding prenatal mood disorders, to identify disparities in prenatal mood disorder diagnosis and treatment (pharmacotherapy and counseling/psychotherapy), and to propose a course of policy action to improve prenatal mental health outcomes in the United States. Current policy gaps surrounding prenatal mood and anxiety disorders indicate a need for vast improvement, especially given the detrimental effects that untreated mood disorders in pregnancy can have on both women and children.
Show less
Date Issued: 2020-12-11
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607705958_1b185f5b
Format: Thesis

Title: A Comparative Analysis of Gene Regulatory Networks.
Creator: Gonzalez-Xu, Kemp R
Abstract/Description: The advent of sequencing technologies has increased accessibility to large scale gene expression data. As a result, biology has become a more mathematically and computationally heavy field than ever before in order to efficiently process and analyze the data available. These large datasets allow researchers to ask comprehensive questions they could not before about gene expression at the systems level. The novelty of these technologies, however, is such that there is not yet a set standard...
Show moreThe advent of sequencing technologies has increased accessibility to large scale gene expression data. As a result, biology has become a more mathematically and computationally heavy field than ever before in order to efficiently process and analyze the data available. These large datasets allow researchers to ask comprehensive questions they could not before about gene expression at the systems level. The novelty of these technologies, however, is such that there is not yet a set standard for the modeling of biological systems. Previous studies that use gene regulatory networks in Maize to study regulatory molecules focus on the study of transcription factors (TFs) but rarely focus on other regulatory molecules. The understanding of other regulators like long non-coding RNAs’ (ncRNAs) regulatory functions are comparatively limited. Hench through the use of large datasets processed by certain algorithms, researchers can learn much about the pathways lncRNAs are involved in but have yet to be understood. The ensemble forest method employed by the gene regulatory network building algorithms iRafNet and GENIE3 make use of multiple randomized decision tree calculations to make the most likely possible regulatory molecule prediction for a gene. GENIE3 whose random forest method won the Dialogue for Reverse Engineering Assessments and Methods (DREAM) In Silico Multifactorial challenge was found to be less effective than the algorithm iRafNet under certain circumstances. iRafNet’s use of supplementary protein-protein interaction, time series, and knock out data allowed it to perform more favorably than GENIE3 according to the same criteria that the DREAM challenge used to rank GENIE3 the most effective algorithm of the challenge. The computational complexity of the algorithms is the same as is the language of implementation and type of input data. The effectiveness of each of these algorithms is mostly dependent on factors like data availability which for less studied regulatory molecules like lncRNA may be difficult. In the absences of the types of supplementary data iRafNet is capable of reading, there is no real advantage to its use.
Show less
Date Issued: 2020-12-11
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607678792_6480fa85
Format: Thesis

Title: Compound Ascidian Filtration Rates, Growth Rates, Recruitment, Damage to Seagrass and Distributions in St. Joseph Bay.
Creator: Hawkins, Morgan Elisa
Abstract/Description: Compound ascidians are common aggressive organisms that can encrust the blades of seagrass and cause damage to seagrass ecosystems. This interaction was studied in St. Joseph Bay, home to four compound ascidians; Botrylloides sp. A (yellow), Botrylloides sp. B (red), Distaplia sp. and Didemnum sp. This investigation sought to quantify the effect compound ascidians pose to seagrass meadows. During May - October 2020 field and lab studies were conducted measuring ascidian filtration rate,...
Show moreCompound ascidians are common aggressive organisms that can encrust the blades of seagrass and cause damage to seagrass ecosystems. This interaction was studied in St. Joseph Bay, home to four compound ascidians; Botrylloides sp. A (yellow), Botrylloides sp. B (red), Distaplia sp. and Didemnum sp. This investigation sought to quantify the effect compound ascidians pose to seagrass meadows. During May - October 2020 field and lab studies were conducted measuring ascidian filtration rate, growth rate, recruitment, damage to seagrass, and distribution over time in the Bay. The ascidians studied have a rapid growth rate, a high filtration rate, and cause damage to the seagrass. Botrylloides sp. A (yellow) had a high recruitment rate, and Didemnum sp. increased in abundance at the end of the summer. Further research with increased sample sizes and monitoring throughout the year will help to determine what circumstances favor these ascidians.
Show less
Date Issued: 2020-12-11
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607636967_5eef566f
Format: Thesis

Title: Examining The Relationship Between The Status Of Homeownership And Subsequent Emotional Distress In Hurricane Michael Victims And The Impact That This Has On Resiliency.
Creator: Philyaw, Adira-Danique
Date Issued: 2020-12-11
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607697099_295b4181
Format: Thesis

Title: Data Analysis of Sex Trafficking.
Creator: Forza, Amy
Abstract/Description: There is a multitude of contrasting laws and regulations applied to the profession of prostitution around the world. Laws regulating commercial sex are directly associated with sex trafficking operations since they appeal to the same clientele. This paper discusses countries that legalize prostitution or provide protections by legal statute and countries that decriminalize or prohibit the practice without any protections. It is difficult in many cases to determine when prostitutes are...
Show moreThere is a multitude of contrasting laws and regulations applied to the profession of prostitution around the world. Laws regulating commercial sex are directly associated with sex trafficking operations since they appeal to the same clientele. This paper discusses countries that legalize prostitution or provide protections by legal statute and countries that decriminalize or prohibit the practice without any protections. It is difficult in many cases to determine when prostitutes are engaging in this profession by choice, and when they are being coerced or forced to do so. Sex trafficking and labor trafficking are forms of human trafficking, also referred to as forms of modern-day slavery. Many prostitutes do not have the option to leave their profession due to being controlled either physically or emotionally by a pimp and often do not control their earnings, making their work technically classified as sex trafficking. Alternatively, there are places in the world where prostitutes operate legally and are afforded the government protections given to any profession. Due to prostitution and human trafficking being largely hidden practices, all data used is incomplete and relies on victim, law enforcement, and witness reports, which will vary drastically by region and resources. This study uses research compiled from multiple academic sources and empirical analysis to show that sex trafficking is least prevalent in areas of the world that provide prostitutes protections by legal statute. This study also finds that countries that prohibit third-party involvement in prostitution have lower sex trafficking crimes.
Show less
Date Issued: 2020-12-11
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607709044_53ddc2dc
Format: Thesis

Title: Novel Global Perspectives on Marine Redox Conditions During the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum.
Creator: Wadhams, Jane Alexandra
Abstract/Description: Recent trends in marine deoxygenation resulting from the unprecedented modern release of carbon have raised concerns regarding the future of the global ocean’s redox structure. Past hyperthermal warming events are studied in order to make inferences on possible climate scenarios and of these events particularly the most extreme, the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM; ~56 Mya). The PETM is characterized by a large and rapid negative carbon isotope excursion caused by a sudden input of 4...
Show moreRecent trends in marine deoxygenation resulting from the unprecedented modern release of carbon have raised concerns regarding the future of the global ocean’s redox structure. Past hyperthermal warming events are studied in order to make inferences on possible climate scenarios and of these events particularly the most extreme, the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM; ~56 Mya). The PETM is characterized by a large and rapid negative carbon isotope excursion caused by a sudden input of 4,500-10,000 of Pg of carbon into the Earth-atmosphere system. This study aimed to better constrain the timing of changes in marine redox during this critical event by applying a suite of geochemical proxies on samples from two localities (the Arctic Ocean and Atlantic Coastal Plain). FeT/Al, Mo, and V concentrations suggest that the Arctic experienced euxinia (anoxic and sulfidic water column) during the PETM, while the application of these proxies to the Atlantic section suggests the local depositional conditions were reducing but not completely euxinic. These local conditions are reducing enough to capture the global seawater signature. Each section records a positive shift in Tl isotopes at the onset of the carbon isotope excursion which tapered off during the carbon isotope excursion. These results suggest that oxygen quickly declined at the onset of climatic warming but steadily returned to oxic values as the hypothermal event terminated. The changes in redox during this event are likely a response to the massive warming and could provide a negative feedback to the associated perturbation of the global carbon cycle, providing a burial mechanism to the addition of carbon released over the event. Future work adding other proxies, such as Fe speciation, and higher resolution data could provide greater constraints to examine the plausibility of this idea.
Show less
Date Issued: 2020-12-11
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607696758_c012b1b2
Format: Thesis

Title: Mondays, Calls from your Mother, and All the Things We've Lost.
Creator: Wigglesworth, Emilee Anne
Abstract/Description: Mondays, Calls from your Mother, and All the Things We’ve Lost is a product of a period of intense loss. This thirty-one-poem collection is an accumulation of grieving over the loss of my close friend, Earle Kelly, in November of 2019, grieving over the loss of a childhood and the way I viewed my parents as figures of stability and unconditional love, and grieving over relationship losses-- all amongst the confusing nature of one’s own budding sexuality. The thesis works to make sense of the...
Show moreMondays, Calls from your Mother, and All the Things We’ve Lost is a product of a period of intense loss. This thirty-one-poem collection is an accumulation of grieving over the loss of my close friend, Earle Kelly, in November of 2019, grieving over the loss of a childhood and the way I viewed my parents as figures of stability and unconditional love, and grieving over relationship losses-- all amongst the confusing nature of one’s own budding sexuality. The thesis works to make sense of the confusing and conflicting feelings that come with loss.
Show less
Date Issued: 2020-12-10
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607659174_0207af6e
Format: Thesis

Title: The Creation of Meaning About Terrorism in the United States: A Social Construct.
Creator: Mergen, Nathen
Abstract/Description: Since the September 11 attacks against the United States in 2001, several studies have examined the US media’s disproportionate reporting biases of Muslim terrorists compared to other terrorist demographics; however, a thorough comparison of reporting trends predating the 9/11 attacks to those occurring after 9/11 remains to be accomplished. Via a content analysis of 103 US news publications from 1996 to 2006, the current study concludes that 9/11 had an exclusive and substantial effect on...
Show moreSince the September 11 attacks against the United States in 2001, several studies have examined the US media’s disproportionate reporting biases of Muslim terrorists compared to other terrorist demographics; however, a thorough comparison of reporting trends predating the 9/11 attacks to those occurring after 9/11 remains to be accomplished. Via a content analysis of 103 US news publications from 1996 to 2006, the current study concludes that 9/11 had an exclusive and substantial effect on publishers’ portrayal of terrorism in the US. Indeed, reports shifted from depicting terrorism as a political tool used by diverse populations before 9/11, to depicting it as a fundamentally Muslim ideological venture after 9/11. Reports on right-wing terrorists in the US had decreased by 75.0 percent after the attacks while reports on Muslim terrorists increased by 63.8 percent, despite statistically insignificant differences in the number of attacks and resulting casualties from both groups. This phenomenon had a profound social effect in the US, including the justification of the War on Terror and a domestic increase in hate crimes after 2001, whereas right-wing terror groups were collectively unknown to the public.
Show less
Date Issued: 2020-12-10
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607639245_e6aba804
Format: Thesis

Title: What Difference Does a Sales Education Make Anyway?: An Exploration of Goals, Attributes, and Lifestyles.
Creator: Wilpon, Trevor D.
Abstract/Description: The interview process in firms hiring salespeople is critical to developing an understanding of the applicant’s traits, behaviors, and aspirations to ensure proper alignment with that firm’s vision and culture. Though managers must decipher the applicant's projected performance, industry research lacks a universal heuristic to provide objective guidelines to an otherwise subjective decision. In hiring salespeople, firms are witnessing increased competition among qualified candidates as...
Show moreThe interview process in firms hiring salespeople is critical to developing an understanding of the applicant’s traits, behaviors, and aspirations to ensure proper alignment with that firm’s vision and culture. Though managers must decipher the applicant's projected performance, industry research lacks a universal heuristic to provide objective guidelines to an otherwise subjective decision. In hiring salespeople, firms are witnessing increased competition among qualified candidates as college graduates with a formal sales education present similar, yet additionally beneficial attributes as do professionals with prior sales experience, who previously dominated the industry’s hiring market. Using both qualitative data via phone interviews and quantitative data through surveys, the author explores the various extrinsic and intrinsic motivators that contribute to this phenomenon, providing firms with discernable attributes, backgrounds, and aspirations that lead to increased productivity. The combined results indicate that a formal sales education provides a deepened commitment toward a sales profession, building an applicant who understands an amorphous sales process and offers the flexibility, coachability, and ambition that help an organization achieve its goals. Hiring managers can narrow their search for these traits and realize a greater likelihood of selecting a successful candidate.
Show less
Date Issued: 2020-12-09
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607556488_26c1786c
Format: Thesis

Title: Geochemical Characterizations of Early Ceramics in the Aucilla Watershed.
Creator: Bentley, McKenzie R.
Abstract/Description: Excavations at the Page-Ladson site in the Aucilla River Basin in NW Florida have recovered a variety of artifacts, including a collection of some of the earliest ceramics in the Americas, dating between 3500 and 1500 years ago. The dataset chronologically brackets a transition from more mobile hunting and gathering subsistence strategies toward sedentary, potentially food-producing societies. This project is the first ceramic-focused study conducted in the Aucilla Watershed with the purpose...
Show moreExcavations at the Page-Ladson site in the Aucilla River Basin in NW Florida have recovered a variety of artifacts, including a collection of some of the earliest ceramics in the Americas, dating between 3500 and 1500 years ago. The dataset chronologically brackets a transition from more mobile hunting and gathering subsistence strategies toward sedentary, potentially food-producing societies. This project is the first ceramic-focused study conducted in the Aucilla Watershed with the purpose of determining whether the recovered ceramics are made using locally-sourced clays and whether the clays used correspond to different functional types of pottery vessels. Geochemical characterization was conducted using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy on a sample set of 101 ceramic sherds. For each measurement, 40 kV of energy was applied for 60 seconds to the exposed surfaces of each sample (interior, exterior, and naturally broken edge) and the internal clay body upon breaking a small edge of each sherd. The results of the characterization analyses have demonstrated three distinct groupings based on the concentrations of rubidium within the ceramic samples; these groupings correspond to clays sourced from multiple locations and likely prepared using different clay recipes. The findings of this study represent ceramics produced at the household-level through which the technical knowledge of pot-making appears to be passed down generation-to-generation. This reflects the results of similar studies conducted at other sites throughout southeastern North America.
Show less
Date Issued: 2020-12-08
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607461207_c8ffa15c
Format: Thesis

Title: Nonlinear current-voltage characteristics due to ion migration in low-dimensional organic metal halide hybrids.
Creator: van Deventer, Margaret Lydia
Abstract/Description: Perovskite-related metal halide hybrids are currently a hot topic in materials research because of their affordability, efficiency, and abundance. Rapid advances are being made in terms of improving the performance of perovskite-based photovoltaics, but the materials remain unstable in the presence of light, moisture, and heat. A more comprehensive understanding of the physical processes of these materials is necessary for us to make improvements to the stability and efficiency of organic...
Show morePerovskite-related metal halide hybrids are currently a hot topic in materials research because of their affordability, efficiency, and abundance. Rapid advances are being made in terms of improving the performance of perovskite-based photovoltaics, but the materials remain unstable in the presence of light, moisture, and heat. A more comprehensive understanding of the physical processes of these materials is necessary for us to make improvements to the stability and efficiency of organic metal halide hybrids. Specifically, much research in this field focuses on higher-dimensional (2D, 3D) structures. Lower-dimensional materials (1D and 0D) may provide more stability by virtue of their molecular structures, but require further investigation. One issue that is particularly relevant to stability is ion migration in these materials, in which mobile ions move as a result of an applied electrical bias and induce an electric field that opposes said bias. This research examines data taken from several lower-dimensional samples while they are exposed to a light source in order to gain a deeper understanding of the electrical transport properties of dimethylethylene diaminium tin iodide (C4N2H14SnI4). In particular, we will examine the effect that ion migration may have on the current-voltage characteristics of C4N2H14SnI4.
Show less
Date Issued: 2020-12-07
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607356368_f95d8f4a
Format: Thesis

Title: The Career State Inventory (CSI): Applications in Practice.
Creator: Reardon, Robert, Christianson, Serena, Coleman, Rachel, Dozier, V. Casey, Hayden, Seth, Leierer, Steve, Miller, Adam, Peterson, Gary
Abstract/Description: The career decision state (CDS) is a condition of being or consciousness, a “snapshot,” with respect to one’s present career goals. The Career State Inventory provides a total score assessing the CDS, and assesses three components of it, i.e., (a) a person’s self–assessment of occupational preferences or lack thereof (career certainty), (b) an assessment of satisfaction related to the occupational preferences (career satisfaction), and (c) the strength of a person’s confidence regarding the...
Show moreThe career decision state (CDS) is a condition of being or consciousness, a “snapshot,” with respect to one’s present career goals. The Career State Inventory provides a total score assessing the CDS, and assesses three components of it, i.e., (a) a person’s self–assessment of occupational preferences or lack thereof (career certainty), (b) an assessment of satisfaction related to the occupational preferences (career satisfaction), and (c) the strength of a person’s confidence regarding the career decision-making process (career clarity). An individual’s career decision state may range from being highly certain, satisfied, and clear in one’s choice (first choice, no alternatives), to being completely undecided, dissatisfied, confused, and lacking confidence in making a choice (no choice, no options).
Show less
Date Issued: 2020-12-07
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1613413090_50463cd1
Format: Citation

Title: Collected Works.
Creator: Massardi, Isabella
Abstract/Description: My undergraduate thesis is a collection of short stories and creative nonfiction that Iwrote between 2019 and 2020. The original intention of this anthology was to create anoverarching theme regarding xenophobia and agnosticism, two subjects that captivated me foryears. Despite not straying fully from these topics, the works in this collection surprised me byuncovering a third, less prevalent theme: wanderlust. “Mamuschka’s Forest Fruit Diamond,” “ANigerian in Johannesburg,” and “Sal” are all...
Show moreMy undergraduate thesis is a collection of short stories and creative nonfiction that Iwrote between 2019 and 2020. The original intention of this anthology was to create anoverarching theme regarding xenophobia and agnosticism, two subjects that captivated me foryears. Despite not straying fully from these topics, the works in this collection surprised me byuncovering a third, less prevalent theme: wanderlust. “Mamuschka’s Forest Fruit Diamond,” “ANigerian in Johannesburg,” and “Sal” are all set in locations I aspire to tour in person, but neverhave. I crafted these stories through a mixture of research and imagination. Similarly, mynonfiction is inspired by locations I revisited with pictures in hopes of accomplishing an accurateyet sentimental depiction. Together, the six stories discuss the complexity of displacement, familial relations,friendships, and religion to the extent which I am able to contend as a college student.
Show less
Date Issued: 2020-12-05
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607153559_5441d4fb
Format: Thesis

Title: Investigating Cryptic Coloration and Color Change in Peucetia viridans.
Creator: Rodriguez, Zulay Caridad
Date Issued: 2020-12-05
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607204751_0c2e35a9
Format: Thesis

Title: Examining Psychopathic Traits and Physiological Indicators of Emotion Regulation.
Creator: King, Brittany T
Abstract/Description: Research has shown that individuals with psychopathic traits, and particularly trait boldness, demonstrate blunted physiological responses to aversive pictures when endeavoring to regulate their emotional response to aversive pictures. Studies of this kind have primarily focused on late positive potential (LPP) amplitude during effortful emotion regulation and self-reported reactivity to unpleasant stimuli, without investigating response to pleasant pictures or the self-reported success of...
Show moreResearch has shown that individuals with psychopathic traits, and particularly trait boldness, demonstrate blunted physiological responses to aversive pictures when endeavoring to regulate their emotional response to aversive pictures. Studies of this kind have primarily focused on late positive potential (LPP) amplitude during effortful emotion regulation and self-reported reactivity to unpleasant stimuli, without investigating response to pleasant pictures or the self-reported success of regulation efforts. The current study sought to replicate and expand on recent work by Ellis et al., (2017) examining emotional reactivity and regulation in individuals with psychopathic traits by determining (1) whether boldness-related reductions in LPP are specific to negative-valence images or if they extend to positive images as well, (2) whether boldness-related LPP reductions are driven by a specific unpleasant picture content type (threat, mutilation, or contamination), and (3) whether discrepancies in self-reported emotional reactivity and electrophysiology in high-bold individuals extends to self-reported emotion regulation success. Analyses revealed that none of the Ellis findings were replicated in our sample; significant associations between boldness and instruction type under the suppress-view conditions to nurturance images and suppress-view and view conditions to threat images implicated efficient neural downregulation of emotion in high-bold individuals to both content types. Additionally, greater self-reported success in downregulating the emotional response to threatening images further supported the notion that boldness is associated with more effective willful down-regulation of emotional reactivity to threat in both experiential and neural modalities. Due to contradictory findings from the limited studies which have investigated the role of psychopathic traits in relation to neural and experiential indices of emotion regulation, further investigation is necessary to reach firm conclusions in this regard.
Show less
Date Issued: 2020-12-04
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607109779_02ad4000
Format: Thesis

Title: 3D Printed Modular Structures.
Creator: Grand, Michelle B.
Abstract/Description: The surge of single-use plastics consumption has generated vast volumes of polymer waste, threatening water supplies, marine wildlife, and quality of life in low-income communities. Mechanical recycling is suggested as the most sustainable method to reduce polymer pollution because it may extend the life cycle for these products. This study aims to use 3D printing technology as a means to process recycled High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) to produce honeycomb sandwich core panels. These...
Show moreThe surge of single-use plastics consumption has generated vast volumes of polymer waste, threatening water supplies, marine wildlife, and quality of life in low-income communities. Mechanical recycling is suggested as the most sustainable method to reduce polymer pollution because it may extend the life cycle for these products. This study aims to use 3D printing technology as a means to process recycled High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) to produce honeycomb sandwich core panels. These structures benefit from the lattice design as it can provide greater strength with a relatively low weight nature, and is commonly used in the automotive, aerospace, and the architecture industry. Honeycomb sandwich core panel’s wide range of applications may benefit from the transition from directly sourced polymers to a recycled alternative.To test the hypothesis that recycled HDPE may be used as an alternative material for the fabrication of honeycomb sandwich core panels, the material properties were analyzed through a tensile strength test, geometries were modeled, verified and optimized under Finite Element Analysis, recycled HDPE filament was obtained in the laboratory to produce panels via 3D printing.
Show less
Date Issued: 2020-12-04
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607117479_483e9065
Format: Thesis

Title: The Relationship Between Spelling And Reading In Adults.
Creator: Bell, Logan Rigby
Abstract/Description: In English, a relatively opaque language, adults are sometimes required to spell words for which they do not have complete orthographic representations. Prior research does not give a clear indication whether phonological awareness, decoding abilities, and lexical knowledge helps adults to spell difficult words. This study used a correlational design to determine if in adult college students (N-65) reading and related measures are correlated with spelling infrequent words containing a schwa....
Show moreIn English, a relatively opaque language, adults are sometimes required to spell words for which they do not have complete orthographic representations. Prior research does not give a clear indication whether phonological awareness, decoding abilities, and lexical knowledge helps adults to spell difficult words. This study used a correlational design to determine if in adult college students (N-65) reading and related measures are correlated with spelling infrequent words containing a schwa. These words were chosen because the participants were unlikely to have complete orthographic representations of the words, and this means in order to spell the words correctly, participants needed to draw upon their phonological and lexical knowledge. The study found that better adult readers were better speller; and that phonological knowledge and lexical knowledge are significant predictors of spelling ability. The study also identified several recurring spelling errors in key examples.
Show less
Date Issued: 2020-12-04
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607100934_74e1a8b2
Format: Thesis

Title: Rape and the Aftermath in African American Women's Fiction.
Creator: Crawford, Samantha Natalya
Abstract/Description: This paper examines the ways in which sexual assault and its effects are portrayed by literary authors Toni Morrison and Gloria Naylor. The three works analyzed reflect the idea that in a justice system that systematically denies black women a chance at legislative justice, they believe that their only alternative is to take matters into their own hands. One of the ways that black female characters take some form of vengeance is through the usage of weapons in order to kill or attempt to kill...
Show moreThis paper examines the ways in which sexual assault and its effects are portrayed by literary authors Toni Morrison and Gloria Naylor. The three works analyzed reflect the idea that in a justice system that systematically denies black women a chance at legislative justice, they believe that their only alternative is to take matters into their own hands. One of the ways that black female characters take some form of vengeance is through the usage of weapons in order to kill or attempt to kill a male figure that serves as a stand-in for their rapist. The women mentioned in this paper however, are unable to murder the exact individuals that raped them and instead lash out at people who are entirely uninvolved with their trauma. Both authors also contend with the prospect of their characters never receiving justice and the emotional consequences that this has on the black female psyche.
Show less
Date Issued: 2020-12-04
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607114409_ac1fad7e
Format: Thesis

Title: Sodium Butyrate: A study on a commonly prescribed HDACi on chromatin structure.
Creator: Chang, Alana Helen
Date Issued: 2020-12-04
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607106393_b03bdcbc
Format: Thesis

Title: The Nature of Small Towns: A Speculative Analysis of the Codependent Relationship Between Humans and Nature.
Creator: Bradbury, Caitlin
Abstract/Description: An Honors in the Majors creative project consisting of nine short stories based in a fictional small town which is plagued by supernatural plant life attempting to overgrow the town. Explores themes of relationships, how plants and humans interact, how they have interacted throughout time, the blurry lines between humanity and nature, nutrition versus poison, and the handling of disasters.
Date Issued: 2020-12-04
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1605575321_12b857b6
Format: Thesis

Title: The Backpack and the Ballot: How Collegiate Civics Education Impacts Youth Voter Participation.
Creator: Pfingston, Chaston
Abstract/Description: Florida Governor Reubin Askew, in an address to the state legislature, said “to distrust the ability of government simply because it is government ... may be an easy way to get headlines in the newspapers or a few minutes on the evening news . . . but government will not work if we dislike and abuse it” (1976). Forty-four years later, it appears that he was right. Only fifty-one percent of Americans are able to name all three branches of their government, and only eighteen percent of them...
Show moreFlorida Governor Reubin Askew, in an address to the state legislature, said “to distrust the ability of government simply because it is government ... may be an easy way to get headlines in the newspapers or a few minutes on the evening news . . . but government will not work if we dislike and abuse it” (1976). Forty-four years later, it appears that he was right. Only fifty-one percent of Americans are able to name all three branches of their government, and only eighteen percent of them express trust in it (The Annenberg Public Policy Center 2020; Shapiro and Brown 2018).The neglected state of civics knowledge in the United States demonstrates the prescience of Askew’s remarks, and researchers have been quick to investigate the implications of such a lack of knowledge on political behavior. Institutions of learning have long served as sources of civic knowledge and, as a result, a great focus has been placed on the role of civics education in the development of political behaviors. But while we know that civics education has the potential to increase political participation, few studies have examined the actual impacts of specific education policies on voter turnout.Therefore, in this study, I sought to examine the impact of a 2017 law passed by the Florida Legislature that required students at all public colleges and universities to complete a civic literacy requirement before graduation. Using data from the Florida Voter Registration and Voting History Extract File, I conducted a three-tiered analysis to determine the impact that this law had on youth voter turnout following its implementation in 2018. This analysis consisted of a multivariate regression model conducted at the county-level and incorporated into an interrupted time-series anal- ysis. The results of these analyses were then plugged into a t-test, which found that the effect of age on voter turnout was reduced at a significantly higher rate in college counties than non-college counties in 2018. This suggests that, while collegiate civics education cannot be directly credited with increasing the turnout of college voters, it is also unable to be eliminated as a potential source of the effect.
Show less
Date Issued: 2020-12-03
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607036545_236ed521
Format: Thesis

Title: Faith Matters: Towards a Group Theory of Evangelicals’ Role in American Politics.
Creator: Clements, Gaberiel A
Abstract/Description: While scholars’ interest in the connection between white Evangelicals and conservative politics is far from new, political science as a discipline has insufficiently determined the role that religious identification has on political behavior. Because of this, I attempt to reorient scholarship on the subject by applying recent advances in political behavior, specifically Alan Abramowitz and Steven Webster’s Theory of Negative Partisanship and Larry Bartels and Christopher Achens’ Group Theory...
Show moreWhile scholars’ interest in the connection between white Evangelicals and conservative politics is far from new, political science as a discipline has insufficiently determined the role that religious identification has on political behavior. Because of this, I attempt to reorient scholarship on the subject by applying recent advances in political behavior, specifically Alan Abramowitz and Steven Webster’s Theory of Negative Partisanship and Larry Bartels and Christopher Achens’ Group Theory of politics towards the end of developing a working theory of Evangelicals’ Group identity concerning politics. Additionally, this project draws literature from religious history alongside sociology and psychology to better determine the correlation between Evangelicals’ religious and political identities. Therefore, this project seeks to better define the American Evangelical’s effect on political behavior by examining their perceptions of the political out-group and how this informs political determinations. To accomplish this goal, this project uses the Pew Research Center’s Religion and Politics Survey from 1994-1995, 1996, 2011, 2014, and 2016 to create a time series, with which I observe the effect of Evangelical religious identification on political views over time. The project’s central hypothesis is that as religious embeddedness (attendance, affiliation, and socialization) increases, so do negative perceptions of the political out-group, leading to solidifying religious identity with conservative political identity.
Show less
Date Issued: 2020-12-03
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607004336_bc2dfcd7
Format: Thesis

Title: Abelian Splittings of Right-Angled Artin Groups and Subgroups.
Creator: Barquinero, Enrique Miguel
Abstract/Description: In classical mathematics, variables usually commute under multiplication. On the other hand, in this thesis we are interested in a setting in which variables do not always commute. Useful for representing this information are right-angled Artin groups (RAAGs).RAAGs are defined using graphs, i.e. sets of vertices and edges, where vertices represent variables and edges represent a commutative relationship between the connected vertices. RAAGs are often used as a tool to convert problems...
Show moreIn classical mathematics, variables usually commute under multiplication. On the other hand, in this thesis we are interested in a setting in which variables do not always commute. Useful for representing this information are right-angled Artin groups (RAAGs).RAAGs are defined using graphs, i.e. sets of vertices and edges, where vertices represent variables and edges represent a commutative relationship between the connected vertices. RAAGs are often used as a tool to convert problems involving complex geometric phenomena into relatively simple algebra, as we can derive useful information directly from the geometric structure of the underlying graph. Bestvina-Brady groups (BBs) are normal subgroups of RAAGs, originally introduced by Bestvina and Brady to create subgroups of RAAGs which have exotic finiteness properties, such as subgroups which are finitely generated but not finitely presented.This thesis is focused on the problem of understanding splittings. Specifically, how to find an explicit description for some ways of decomposing the groups in terms of the geometry of the underlying graph. In this thesis, we review the findings by Groves and Hull for RAAGs and Chang for BBs, including details and full computations. The methodology used in this thesis relies upon three main topics: group theory, graph theory, and group actions on trees. In the last topic, we use Bass-Serre theory as a bridge between the group and graph theory.
Show less
Date Issued: 2020-12-03
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607048917_98114303
Format: Thesis

Title: Sponge Communities in Mesophotic Reefs of the Gulf of Mexico Before and After the Deepwater Horizon Oil Discharge.
Creator: Politano, Samantha Christina-Marie
Abstract/Description: Mesophotic reefs across the outer continental shelf of the northeastern Gulf of Mexico were examined for possible impacts of the Macondo well’s Deepwater Horizon 2010 oil spill. For weeks following the spill, Alabama Alps Reef and Roughtongue Reef were situated 60-88 m under floating oil, with Alabama Alps closer to the spill and under oil for 20 more days. ROVs surveyed the reefs in 2011, 2014, and from 1997 to 1999. Sponges were present, but they are difficult to identify with taxonomic...
Show moreMesophotic reefs across the outer continental shelf of the northeastern Gulf of Mexico were examined for possible impacts of the Macondo well’s Deepwater Horizon 2010 oil spill. For weeks following the spill, Alabama Alps Reef and Roughtongue Reef were situated 60-88 m under floating oil, with Alabama Alps closer to the spill and under oil for 20 more days. ROVs surveyed the reefs in 2011, 2014, and from 1997 to 1999. Sponges were present, but they are difficult to identify with taxonomic precision from photographic evidence. The sponges were visually quantified using still images captured from ROV video transects and the average number of sponges per photo for each site was calculated along with morphological forms. Following the spill, the number of sponges at Alabama Alps Reef notably declined while those at Roughtongue Reef increased. Both sites experienced growth by 2014, though Roughtongue Reef’s sponge population increased much more dramatically. Encrusting morphologies overwhelmingly dominated populations until 2014. These changes in morphology reinforce the numerical reduction in the number of sponge individuals and represent probable sublethal impacts of the oil discharge. Predation and disease, among other mortality factors, possibly influenced the changes within the populations.
Show less
Date Issued: 2020-12-03
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1607023300_3ac9f68d
Format: Thesis

Title: Theatre Congregation: Breaking Down the Bicameral Relationship Between Actor and Audience.
Creator: Slade, Elizabeth
Abstract/Description: Exploring how Call and Response can be used in a theatrical setting to increase audience and actor engagement.
Date Issued: 2020-12-02
Identifier: FSU_libsubv1_scholarship_submission_1606940322_61b99287
Format: Thesis

Theses and Dissertations (12781)	+ -
Digitized Theses and Dissertations (3381)	+ -
Undergraduate Honors Theses (1872)	+ -
Department of Physics (497)	+ -
Historical Undergraduate Honors Theses (476)	+ -

Florida State University Patents (465)	+ -
Department of Biomedical Sciences (361)	+ -
National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (342)	+ -
Department of Biological Science (247)	+ -
Department of Psychology (245)	+ -
Florida Learning Disability Research Center (243)	+ -
Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science (184)	+ -
College of Social Work (168)	+ -
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (145)	+ -
Department of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine (130)	+ -
College of Criminology and Criminal Justice (128)	+ -
2016 (124)	+ -
Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems (104)	+ -
University Libraries (91)	+ -
School of Teacher Education (78)	+ -
Department of Geriatrics (75)	+ -
Department of Nutrition, Food and Exercise Sciences (74)	+ -
Institute of Molecular Biophysics (68)	+ -
Center for the Study of Technology in Counseling and Career Development (66)	+ -
Program in Neuroscience (66)	+ -
Department of Family Medicine and Rural Health (62)	+ -
School of Information Faculty Scholarship (61)	+ -
Florida Center for Reading Research (60)	+ -
Department of Clinical Sciences (58)	+ -
Department of Scientific Computing (54)	+ -

Music (1094)	+ -
Psychology (665)	+ -
History (527)	+ -
Humans (495)	+ -
Education (472)	+ -

English literature (450)	+ -
Study and teaching (449)	+ -
Chemistry (363)	+ -
Educational psychology (344)	+ -
Meteorology (337)	+ -
Male (335)	+ -
Female (320)	+ -
Biology (300)	+ -
Oceanography (299)	+ -
Atmospheric sciences (293)	+ -
Physics (280)	+ -
Communication (272)	+ -
Mathematics (272)	+ -
Animals (257)	+ -
Biochemistry (250)	+ -
Arts (234)	+ -
Computer science (234)	+ -
Medical sciences (226)	+ -
Electrical engineering (224)	+ -
Statistics (209)	+ -
Mechanical engineering (197)	+ -
Neurosciences (195)	+ -
Education, Higher (179)	+ -
Information science (176)	+ -
Humanities (168)	+ -

Florida State University (10)	+ -
Veterans Administration Hospital (Coral Gables, Fla.) (5)	+ -
Florida State Hospital, Chattahoochee (4)	+ -
Veterans Administration Hospital (Augusta, Ga.) (4)	+ -
Veterans Administration Hospital (Gulfport, Miss.) (4)	+ -

Search In

Pages

Pages

Sort Results By:

Narrow results by:

Collection

Topical Subject

Name as Subject

Title as Subject

Geographic Subject

Temporal Subject

Genre Subject

Genre

Type of Resource

Florida (171)	+ -
United States (133)	+ -
Europe (29)	+ -
Latin America (17)	+ -
Georgia (16)	+ -

text (16601)	+ -
journal article (2381)	+ -
doctoral thesis (1255)	+ -
bachelor thesis (667)	+ -
utility (462)	+ -