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Title: "Dawn and Doom Were in the Branches": Religious Tension in Zora Neale Hurston's Their eyes Were Watching God and Ernest J. Gaine's A Gathering of Old Men.
Creator: Benson, Kathryn A., College of Arts & Sciences
Abstract / Description: Given that religion, specifically Christianity, plays such an important role in the creation, definition, and maturation of both Hurston ' s and Gaines’s characters, I believe it is imperative to evaluate the role that this religion plays in the lives of the black characters in two seminal texts by these two authors. Clearly religious concerns are at work throughout both texts, so too, then, is the issue of race in that the black characters, via their enslaved ancestors, inherited...
Show moreGiven that religion, specifically Christianity, plays such an important role in the creation, definition, and maturation of both Hurston ' s and Gaines’s characters, I believe it is imperative to evaluate the role that this religion plays in the lives of the black characters in two seminal texts by these two authors. Clearly religious concerns are at work throughout both texts, so too, then, is the issue of race in that the black characters, via their enslaved ancestors, inherited Christianity as they knew it from white slaveholders. Thus, the study of Christianity in the lives of black Southern characters necessarily must also address racism. This analysis, then, speaks to the role that white Christian ideology plays in the shaping of black Southern characters, in terms of both identity and religion.
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Date Issued: 2007
Identifier: fgcu_ETD_0465
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: "OTHERING" ONESELF: EUROPEAN CIVILIAN CASUALTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS OF GENDERED, RACIAL, AND RELIGIOUS IDEOLOGY DURING THE INDIAN REBELLION OF 1857.
Creator: Babb, Stefanie Anne
Abstract / Description: This thesis demonstrates that European civilians were direct targets for attacks during the 1857 Rebellion, that there were apparent gendered experiences for the victims, and that these killings were a result of the latent racial and religious tensions in India, which were deepened by the socio-political reforms introduced by the British. Therefore, through early imperial philosophy, racial and moral anxieties, and their own homogenization of and hostility towards Indians, the British caused...
Show moreThis thesis demonstrates that European civilians were direct targets for attacks during the 1857 Rebellion, that there were apparent gendered experiences for the victims, and that these killings were a result of the latent racial and religious tensions in India, which were deepened by the socio-political reforms introduced by the British. Therefore, through early imperial philosophy, racial and moral anxieties, and their own homogenization of and hostility towards Indians, the British caused themselves to also be treated as an entity by their enemies during the Rebellion, allowing for civilian deaths. British social and moral anxieties were responsible for not only categorizing Indians, but the British themselves, as "others" in India, therefore, strengthening the barriers between the "occident" and "orient"--to borrow Said's terminology--causing a lack of distinction between "civilian" and "enemy" in terms of being targets for attacks by the rebels. The marked categorization of people into groups--even if the groups were constructed with abstract boundaries--created a space for violent and gendered attacks on civilians during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: Babb_fgcu_1743_10053
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A CASE REPORT OF MYCOBACTERIUM AVIUM COMPLEX AND LADY WINDERMERE SYNDROME.
Creator: Cathey, Payton
Abstract / Description: Bronchiectasis is a common precursor to a patient developing a Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection. Patients that are affected by MAC infections, typically have an underlying form of pulmonary disease. Often times, Lady Windermere Syndrome (LWS) is diagnosed when a patient presents with a MAC infection following right middle lobe or lingular bronchiectasis. LWS presents most commonly in female patients that are tall and slender who are lifetime non-smokers. These patients voluntarily...
Show moreBronchiectasis is a common precursor to a patient developing a Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection. Patients that are affected by MAC infections, typically have an underlying form of pulmonary disease. Often times, Lady Windermere Syndrome (LWS) is diagnosed when a patient presents with a MAC infection following right middle lobe or lingular bronchiectasis. LWS presents most commonly in female patients that are tall and slender who are lifetime non-smokers. These patients voluntarily suppress their cough, which causes a reduced clearance of secretions from the right middle lobe and lingular lobe that have narrowed bronchi. Due to this, subsequently can lead to becoming infected with MAC. Mycobacteria are found in various organic reservoirs throughout the United States. Mainly, mycobacteria are found in soil and water. Well-known sources of water include, lakes, pools and hot tubs. Mycobacteria are thicker cell wall that makes them resistant to heavy metals, disinfectants and antibiotics. This is a case report outlining a patient in a pulmonary clinic that presented with a mildly productive cough and shortness of breath with exertion. Her history was significant for 2 recent bouts of pneumonia. She was a tall, slender lifetime non-smoker. The patient noted that she uses her pool daily. Throughout this case report, MAC, LWS as well as bronchiectasis are described in detail and the specific treatments are discussed.
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Date Issued: 2019-12-14
Identifier: fgcu_ETD_0318
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A comparison of a web-based and a traditional face-to-face off season training program for Division.
Creator: Spencer, Ashley Cecil
Abstract / Description: Objective; To examine two methods for implementing summer off season training programs for college softball players. Design: Non equivalent pre test - post test Setting: On and Off Campus training facilities. Subjects: A non probability convenience sample of 25 subjects was assigned to two groups and one control group. The exclusion criteria were: injury and athletes under the age of eighteen. Interventions: Group W.B. was made up of players who were away from campus during the break; this...
Show moreObjective; To examine two methods for implementing summer off season training programs for college softball players. Design: Non equivalent pre test - post test Setting: On and Off Campus training facilities. Subjects: A non probability convenience sample of 25 subjects was assigned to two groups and one control group. The exclusion criteria were: injury and athletes under the age of eighteen. Interventions: Group W.B. was made up of players who were away from campus during the break; this group participated in a web-based summer off season training program. Group F. F. included the athletes who remained locally or on campus and participated in a more traditional face-to-face summer off season training program. Group 3 were the athletes that participated in the testing, but did not complete the 12 week summer program (Control Group). Main outcome measure: 1 RM bench press and back squat were used to assess muscular strength. The vertical jump, 1 RM hang clean and push press were used to assess power. The one minute sit-ups and push-ups were used to assess muscular endurance. The T -test and 20 yard agility drill measured agility.The 20 and 60 yard sprint were used to measure speed. Flexibility was measured· with the sit and reach. The two-site skin folds were used for body composition. Anaerobic and aerobic capacity was measured with the 300 Yard Shuttle and 1.5 mile run, respectively. The following anthropometry measurements were also taken: weight, height, and resting heart rate. Results: Given the small sample size and large number of variables, the analysis (MANOVA) was not statistically significant. Therefore, descriptive statistics (crosstabs/frequency counts) were analyzed. When comparing the descriptive statistics the hypothesis that there would be a larger increase in the face-to-face group was only supported for the muscular performance tests. Conclusions: The utilization of the internet appeared to be a useful tool in the delivery of summer training programs. Future research should expand this study to larger samples and other sports or a study on delivery methods of home exercise programs.
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Date Issued: 2008
Identifier: fgcu_ETD_0454
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Comparison of Fish Community Structure Over Time 1970-2013 In a Southwest Florida Estuarine System.
Creator: Wilkie, Steven
Abstract / Description: Southwest Florida has experienced a significant increase in population since the 1960's. The increase in population has resulted in significant changes to the natural landscape and local watersheds. This study represents a long term evaluation of the fish community structure within local estuary waters between 1970 and 2013. The study takes place in the waters of Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The reserve was established in 1977, but prior to that a 2 year trawl study was...
Show moreSouthwest Florida has experienced a significant increase in population since the 1960's. The increase in population has resulted in significant changes to the natural landscape and local watersheds. This study represents a long term evaluation of the fish community structure within local estuary waters between 1970 and 2013. The study takes place in the waters of Rookery Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve. The reserve was established in 1977, but prior to that a 2 year trawl study was conducted in the waters that would eventually become part of the research reserve. The original study conducted between 1970-1972 provided the methodology to support replicate studies in 20 year increments 1990-1991 and again in 2011-2013. Since the original study a water control structure was constructed immediately upstream from the study location. This manuscript analyzes the fish community data in all three studies to identify potential changes that have occurred over a forty year time period that may be related to the anthropogenic alteration of the local watershed. Non-Parametric and parametric analyses were used to to compare the community structure of the three study periods. Results indicate that changes in community structure are most pronounced in the wet season and have a higher potential difference in community structure in sample sites closest to the upstream alteration of the watershed. Efforts to identify potential factors that contributed to the change in community structure centered around salinity, temperature, and changes in available habitat. Changes in the salinity profile of the estuarine system over time, increased water temperature and potential differences in habitat availability may have contributed to the overall changes of the community structure over the last forty years.
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Date Issued: 2018-04-28
Identifier: fgcu_ETD_0232
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Critical Analysis of Academic & Recreational Reading Motivation and Its Correlation to Reading FCAT Performance for 6th Grade Students.
Creator: DiBella, Karen S.
Abstract / Description: The purpose of this study was to measure the motivation for academic and recreational reading of 6th grade students in a middle school located in southwest Florida using the Elementary Reading Attitude Survey (ERAS). In this mixed methods study, motivation for both types of reading were measured, individual demographics of the population, such as gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, were compiled, and the students' performance data on the reading Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test ...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to measure the motivation for academic and recreational reading of 6th grade students in a middle school located in southwest Florida using the Elementary Reading Attitude Survey (ERAS). In this mixed methods study, motivation for both types of reading were measured, individual demographics of the population, such as gender, ethnicity, socio-economic status, were compiled, and the students' performance data on the reading Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) was collected. The quantitative research questions were analyzed using descriptives and a factorial ANOVA, which aimed to discover what relationships existed between academic and recreational reading motivation, as measured by the ERAS, and diverse 6th grade student's gender, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, and performance on the reading FCAT. The findings suggest that there was a statistically significant difference in gender and passing performance on the reading FCAT with recreational reading motivation and a statistically significant difference in socioeconomic status with academic reading motivation. For the qualitative section of this study, five individual interviews were conducted and aimed to answer in what ways familial and school literacy experiences influenced academic and recreational reading motivation. These findings supported the quantitative findings regarding socioeconomic status and academic reading motivation and a common theme emerged regarding the importance of early literacy experiences.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: DiBella_fgcu_1743_10042
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A high-resolution molecular method for identification of smalltooth sawfish prey.
Creator: Hancock, Taylor Lee
Abstract / Description: The foundation of food web analysis is a solid understanding of predator-prey associations. Traditional dietary studies of fishes have been by stomach content analysis. However, these methods are not applicable to Critically Endangered species such as the smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata). Previous research using the combination of stable isotope signatures from fin clips and 18S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples identified the smalltooth sawfish as piscivorous at high taxonomic...
Show moreThe foundation of food web analysis is a solid understanding of predator-prey associations. Traditional dietary studies of fishes have been by stomach content analysis. However, these methods are not applicable to Critically Endangered species such as the smalltooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata). Previous research using the combination of stable isotope signatures from fin clips and 18S rRNA gene sequencing of fecal samples identified the smalltooth sawfish as piscivorous at high taxonomic levels. Here, we present a high taxonomic resolution molecular technique for identification of prey using opportunistically acquired fecal samples. To assess potential biases, primer sets of two mitochondrial genes, 12S and 16S rRNA, were used alongside 18S rRNA, which targets a wider spectrum of taxa. In total, 19 fish species, from 7 orders and 11 families, native to the Gulf of Mexico were successfully identified, including one ray, the southern stingray (Dasyatis americana). Silver perch (Bairdiella chrysoura), bay anchovy (Anchoa mitchilli), tidewater mojarra (Eucinostomus harengulus), spotted seatrout (Cynoscion nebulosus), ladyfish (Elops saurus), and spot (Leiostomus xanthurus) were most prevalent in our analysis. The sawfish prey identified comprised diverse taxa, indicating that this species is a generalist piscivore. These findings and the molecular approach used will aid recovery planning for the smalltooth sawfish and has the potential to reveal previously unknown predator-prey associations from a wide range of taxa, being specifically desirable for use with rare and hard to sample species.
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Date Issued: 2019-06-05
Identifier: fgcu_ETD_0296
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A MIXED-METHODS STUDY ON THE PERCEIVED ROLE OF NOVICE ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS AND THE ESSENCE OF THEIR LIVED EXPERIENCE.
Creator: Santacrose, Diane
Abstract / Description: The purpose of this study was to identify how personal and professional job-related factors influence assistant principals’ perceptions of their role and to uncover the essence of the shared experiences of novice assistant principals. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was used to examine elements of school-based functions that affect the perceived role of assistant principals and the common lived experiences of novice assistant principals. In phase one of the study, 70 assistant...
Show moreThe purpose of this study was to identify how personal and professional job-related factors influence assistant principals’ perceptions of their role and to uncover the essence of the shared experiences of novice assistant principals. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was used to examine elements of school-based functions that affect the perceived role of assistant principals and the common lived experiences of novice assistant principals. In phase one of the study, 70 assistant principals from a southwest Florida school district participated in an online survey with items that related to seven themes that emerged from the literature: school accountability and initiatives, teacher and student performance, relationships with stakeholders, managerial functions, organizational socialization, mentorship, and feelings experienced. The major findings of phase one of the study indicated that assistant principals felt competent and confident performing their leadership duties. They gained support and guidance from others in the organization who provided mentorship. The findings also revealed assistant principals frequently experienced frustration and anxiety. The particular aspects that influence novice assistant principals' perceptions of their role were further examined in phase two of the study. Phenomenological inquiry was used to refine and clarify the data gathered through the survey in phase one. In-depth interviews with eight novice assistant principals provided rich descriptions of the phenomenon. Three themes emerged from participants’ conversations: prior leadership preparation and experience is critical for successful transition into the role of assistant principal; mentorship and support increase assistant principals’ sense of self-efficacy; and novice assistant principals typically experience varying degrees of competence, confidence, isolation, and anxiety. The findings provide insight into the functions that influence novice assistant principals’ perceptions of their abilities and the support and mentorship needed as they transition into their role. Keywords: novice assistant principal, academic coach, mentor, protégé, mentorship program, organizational socialization, interpretive conversation
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: Santacrose_fgcu_1743_10207
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Narrative of Undergraduate Latina Students’ Resilience.
Creator: Arguelles, Ingrid Fernandez
Abstract / Description: This research study investigated the educational experiences of seven Latina undergraduate students. Although Latinx/a/o students are the fastest growing group in U.S. public schools and comprise more than one in four in K-12 public schools today (Krogstad & Lopez, 2015), their dropout rates among Latino students remain unacceptably high and their performance rates are the lowest in all measures of academic progress (Espinoza-Herold & González-Carriedo, 2017, p. 48; Krogstad, 2016; National...
Show moreThis research study investigated the educational experiences of seven Latina undergraduate students. Although Latinx/a/o students are the fastest growing group in U.S. public schools and comprise more than one in four in K-12 public schools today (Krogstad & Lopez, 2015), their dropout rates among Latino students remain unacceptably high and their performance rates are the lowest in all measures of academic progress (Espinoza-Herold & González-Carriedo, 2017, p. 48; Krogstad, 2016; National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), 2016). Recent trends prove that Latinas and Latinos are entering the university in larger numbers than in the past, yet retention and graduation remain areas for improvement and evaluation (Cerda-Lizarraga, 2015; Martinez, 2014; Solorzano, Villalpando, & Oseguera, 2005). Latina undergraduate students, especially, face challenges that are often exacerbated by cultural norms for their gender and families contradictory expectations. The methodology utilized was qualitative in nature and included a narrative (testimonios) study. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that Latina students identify as having an impact on their decisions related to attending college, their retention, and completion of a 4-year college degree. This study analyzed their interpretations and perceptions of their K-12 education. The data for this study was collected trough in-person one-on-one interviews, in-person focus groups, and journal entries completed by self-identified Latina undergraduate students of a mid-sized state university located in Southern North America. The data analysis included the organization of the narrative pieces in themes and in chronological order, as well as a triangulation of the information from different pieces using codes. The journal entries were used in the triangulation to support and sometimes clarified the information that the participants shared in the interviews. The themes that emerged from the data analysis included their perceptions of their identities as Latina college students, resilience in the form of hard work and leadership, familial influence, parents ‘sacrifice as source of motivation, scholarships, and Latinx/a/o mentorship as factors within the academic sector that positively influence Latina students, and stereotypes, microaggressions, and low expectations as barriers. The theoretical frameworks that guided the analysis of this narrative study are social constructivism, Critical Race Theory (CRT), Latino Critical Race Theory (Lat-Crit) and Latinidad as a conceptual framework for their constructed identities.
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Date Issued: 2019-05-20
Identifier: fgcu_ETD_0295
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A noninvasive method to collect Florida panther hairs for DNA analysis.
Creator: Cole-Corde, Aleczandre Nikoluas
Abstract / Description: The major goal of this study was to investigate whether hair could be collected by hair snares attached to scent posts from free-ranging Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) to determine species identity using DNA analyses of the hair samples. The five phases of the study are summarized below. For Phase 1, methods were developed and tested on captive animals with the intention of transitioning the effective methods to the field. In Component 1 of Phase 1, scent preferences of captive...
Show moreThe major goal of this study was to investigate whether hair could be collected by hair snares attached to scent posts from free-ranging Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi) to determine species identity using DNA analyses of the hair samples. The five phases of the study are summarized below. For Phase 1, methods were developed and tested on captive animals with the intention of transitioning the effective methods to the field. In Component 1 of Phase 1, scent preferences of captive Western cougars (Puma concolor stanleyana) were established in the Naples Zoo (Naples, Florida) where the cougars' reactions to various scents could be monitored closely. Four of26 tested scents attracted captive cougars in an initial pilot study. In 30 experimental trials, Bag Balm and Beaver Lure with Catnip were identified as the two most attractive scents stimulating rubbing response rates of93% and 67% respectively. In Component 2 of Phase 1, hair snares effective for collecting hair for DNA analysis were developed using captive Western cougars as test subjects in the Naples Zoo where behavioral interactions to snares associated with scent stations could be observed closely. Three types of hair snares were tested; a circular wire cup brush, a three-ring curry comb and a rectangle wire brush. The circular wire cup, most effective at capturing and retaining cougar hairs, collected 600 hairs, 75 of them with follicles attached. For Phase 2, scent stations (i.e., posts equipped with scent attractants and circular wire cup snares) based on prototypes developed at the Naples Zoo, were field tested on free-ranging Florida panthers in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Florida Panther National Wildlife Refuge (FPNWR) (Collier County Florida). A total of 72 hairs were collected from 12 scent stations in two separate trials. Scent stations were monitored with trip-motion 35 mm cameras. A total of 10 photographs documented free-ranging Florida panthers in the vicinity of scent stations and only one photograph recorded a panther directly interacting with a scent station. For Phase 3, hairs collected were analyzed in the lab. In Component 1 of Phase 3, hairs collected in hair snares in the FPNWR were visually examined for species identification. Twelve of 72 hairs were identified as black bear (Ursus americanus) and the species identity of the remaining 60 hairs was ambiguous. In Component 2 of Phase 3, hair collected at both the Naples Zoo and the FPNWR were analyzed to determine whether species identity could be confirmed using DNA analyses. A 215bp fragment of the 12S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) was amplified in 47 of 137 (34%) captive Western cougar hairs and in 20 of 60 hairs collected in the FPNWR. Sequences were obtained from four of the amplification products from captive Western cougar hairs, and as expected, all were identified as Puma concolor. Sequence data were successfully obtained from 20 hairs collected in the FPNWR; 17 hairs were identified as Puma concolor, one hair was identified as Ursus americanus, one hair was identified as Homo sapiens likely due to researcher contamination, and species identity in one hair was inconclusive due to insufficient DNA for identification. The 17 hairs identified as Puma concolor were independent sampling events collected from seven different scent stations on nine different collection dates. Based on the results of this study, scent stations equipped with the appropriate scents and hair snares can be used to collect hair with sufficient DNA from free-ranging and highly secretive Florida panthers under field conditions to obtain species identifications using DNA analyses. These are the first steps towards successfully amplifying nuclear DNA (e.g., as microsatellite DNA) and genetic identification of individual free-ranging Florida panthers. DNA was successfully extracted and fragments up to 215bp were amplified from hairs collected under field conditions in Florida. Thus, with some slight modifications, this inexpensive method may be used as a valuable addition or even an alternative to the invasive methods that wildlife managers currently undertake to collect genetic information from free-ranging panthers in Florida as well as other felid species from around the world.
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Date Issued: 2010
Identifier: fgcu_ETD_0485
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF THREE OUTDOOR ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN PASCO AND HILLSBOROUGH COUNTIES IN FLORIDA.
Creator: Youngberg, Melissa Catherine
Abstract / Description: Research and literature support the notion that environmental literacy requires a depth of knowledge and skills that go beyond simply being aware of or knowledgeable about the environment and environmental issues. Environmental literacy requires the learning of a skill set that builds a sense of empowerment and the attitudes that enable a person to adopt pro-environmental behaviors and to be able to take action by participating in the decision-making process on behalf of the environment. Two...
Show moreResearch and literature support the notion that environmental literacy requires a depth of knowledge and skills that go beyond simply being aware of or knowledgeable about the environment and environmental issues. Environmental literacy requires the learning of a skill set that builds a sense of empowerment and the attitudes that enable a person to adopt pro-environmental behaviors and to be able to take action by participating in the decision-making process on behalf of the environment. Two frameworks of instruction that have been recommended to develop the environmental literacy of students are Awareness to Action (A to A) continuum strategies and Place-based Education (PBE) models. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the environmental education (EE) programs of three exemplary outdoor EE sites to determine to what extent each program incorporates the two frameworks in their EE programs. Three forms of data were collected from each EE site, including interviews with instructors, observations of program delivery, and an analysis of the written curriculum. These data were then coded for the inclusion of both A to A continuum strategies and PBE models. The major findings of the study indicated a high concentration of the written curricula focused on the lower end of the A to A continuum, at primarily the awareness and knowledge levels. The findings showed a moderately-high rate of inclusion of PBE models which helps to build a sense of place and connect students to their local environment. The moderate inclusion of the higher levels of the A to A continuum occurred as a result of the skill and talent of the EE instructors at each site. The significance of this study is that it identifies an area of opportunity through which EE programs and curricula could be mindfully-designed to more fully develop the environmental literacy of students through learning the skills necessary for adopting pro-environmental behaviors.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: Youngberg_fgcu_1743_10162
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Reconstruction of Past Intense Hurricane Landfalls in Estero Bay Utilizing Back-Barrier Lagoonal Sediments.
Creator: Culligan, Nicholas
Abstract / Description: As hurricanes are one of nature’s most destructive forces, patterns in the recurrence intervals of intense hurricane landfalls are important to understand. Unfortunately, the modern instrumental record exists only as far back as 1860, which does not allow for geologically long-term hurricane trends to be studied. Paleotempestology is the study of ancient hurricane by means of sediment proxies, which allows for the hurricane record to be extended to before the modern record. Utilizing sediment...
Show moreAs hurricanes are one of nature’s most destructive forces, patterns in the recurrence intervals of intense hurricane landfalls are important to understand. Unfortunately, the modern instrumental record exists only as far back as 1860, which does not allow for geologically long-term hurricane trends to be studied. Paleotempestology is the study of ancient hurricane by means of sediment proxies, which allows for the hurricane record to be extended to before the modern record. Utilizing sediment cores that contain hurricane overwash layers (tempestites), the occurrence of hurricanes can be confirmed using moisture content, inorganic content, grain size analysis, and radiometric dating. Estero Bay is in a hurricane prone and extremely populated area. The recurrence interval for catastrophic hurricanes and the strength of the storm surge of hurricanes in this area is important to determine. This study utilizes paleotempestology to extend the hurricane record of Estero Bay and create a timeline for catastrophic hurricanes that have made landfall here. Additionally, this study serves to create a comprehensive guide to tempestite types found in Estero Bay and Southwest Florida. Hurricane Irma also occurred during the study period which allowed for the unique opportunity to study the tempestite deposition from a hurricane in which all parameters are known. Four confirmed tempestites from two sites ranging in age from 60-2000 years before present (YBP) were identified and classified. Additionally, characteristics and long-term trends of Estero Bay back-barrier lagoons were determined. This study is only the second paleotempestology study in Southwest Florida and the first which investigates an area that directly affects tens of thousands of people.
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Date Issued: 2018-08-24
Identifier: fgcu_ETD_0259
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A RETURN TO SPORT FUNCTIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM FOR THE JAVELIN ATHLETE FOLLOWING ULNAR COLLATERAL LIGAMENT INJURY.
Creator: Moreno, Gina Marie
Abstract / Description: The following case review discusses a javelin athlete undergoing rehabilitation for an ulnar collateral ligament injury. The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow is a frequently injured structure in the overhead throwing athlete. In critically reviewing the case, the athlete did not go through a sport specific rehabilitation throwing program. A javelin interval throwing program, that has been preliminarily reviewed but requires further research and validation, is compared to a...
Show moreThe following case review discusses a javelin athlete undergoing rehabilitation for an ulnar collateral ligament injury. The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow is a frequently injured structure in the overhead throwing athlete. In critically reviewing the case, the athlete did not go through a sport specific rehabilitation throwing program. A javelin interval throwing program, that has been preliminarily reviewed but requires further research and validation, is compared to a validated baseball interval throwing program. Baseball throwing programs have been utilized and reviewed. The javelin athlete should go through a similar throwing program specific to javelin athletes.
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Date Issued: 2014
Identifier: Moreno_fgcu_1743_10069
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: A Team Approach to Comprehensive Pain Assessment in the Skilled Nursing Facility.
Creator: Akhavan-Yazdi, Amir
Abstract / Description: Objective: The purpose of this DNP Project is to implement an evidence based-team approach pain assessment protocol in a skilled nursing facility in Southwest Florida. Significance: Untreated pain is a problem currently being faced by many older adults residing in the skilled nursing facility. The presence of this pain can lead to decreased levels of independence, functional decline of activities of daily living, depression, and anxiety. With the utilization of a team approach, the issue of...
Show moreObjective: The purpose of this DNP Project is to implement an evidence based-team approach pain assessment protocol in a skilled nursing facility in Southwest Florida. Significance: Untreated pain is a problem currently being faced by many older adults residing in the skilled nursing facility. The presence of this pain can lead to decreased levels of independence, functional decline of activities of daily living, depression, and anxiety. With the utilization of a team approach, the issue of untreated pain has a larger chance of being addressed. Methods: A DNP project based on the approach of utilizing a team approach in the skilled nursing facility was developed. A series of education presentations was conducted, and data was compared pre- and post-intervention utilizing Centers for Medicare reported Minimum Data Set 3.0. Conclusion: The need to promote the team approach to pain assessment and management in the skilled nursing facility exists. This is done by creating a team and educating them on the methods of pain assessment. Unfortunately, the results of this DNP project were unable to show significant improvement in ability to assess or manage pain by utilizing a team approach due to the limitations in data collection. Keywords: Pain assessment, pain management, skilled nursing facility, nursing home, team approach, and multidisciplinary
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Date Issued: 2020-04-28
Identifier: fgcu_ETD_0330
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: ABIOTIC INFLUENCES ON AND COMMUNITY DYNAMICS OF BENTHIC DINOFLAGELLATE SPECIES IN THE FLORIDA KEYS.
Creator: Schroeder, Jessica Elizabeth
Abstract / Description: Gambierdiscus is an epibenthic dinoflagellate genus containing some species that produce a toxin (ciguatoxin), which causes Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP). These dinoflagellates live on macrophytes that are consumed by herbivorous fish and invertebrates, thereby introducing ciguatoxin into the reef food web through bioaccumulation and biomagnification processes. Such grazers are later predated on by larger fish, which when consumed by people, can lead to CFP. Other dinoflagellates coexist...
Show moreGambierdiscus is an epibenthic dinoflagellate genus containing some species that produce a toxin (ciguatoxin), which causes Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP). These dinoflagellates live on macrophytes that are consumed by herbivorous fish and invertebrates, thereby introducing ciguatoxin into the reef food web through bioaccumulation and biomagnification processes. Such grazers are later predated on by larger fish, which when consumed by people, can lead to CFP. Other dinoflagellates coexist with Gambierdiscus spp., including potentially toxigenic Prorocentrum and Ostreopsis spp. The research presented here focuses on the community ecology of Gambierdiscus spp. and these other dinoflagellates, and the abiotic factors that affect their distribution, abundance, and compositions. New findings in this project have provided information about community dynamics and the influence of abiotic factors. The data suggest that physical and chemical parameters influence dinoflagellate densities and the differences in site community composition. These epibenthic dinoflagellates thrive in high temperatures but may compete in other environmental conditions. The three dinoflagellates were more abundant in the Florida Bay than Atlantic Ocean sites. The three dinoflagellates coexist, but there were no differences in abundances seasonally and between sites, suggesting subtle niche partitioning may be taking place.
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Date Issued: 2020-05-27
Identifier: fgcu_ETD_0337
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Academic and Recreational Reading Motivation of Teacher Candidates.
Creator: Lancellot, Michael
Abstract / Description: The purpose of this mixed methods study was to determine relationships among teacher candidates’ academic and recreational reading motivation. This study utilized a previously designed, reliable, and valid instrument called the Adult Reading Motivation Scale with permission from Schutte and Malouff (2007). The instrument included a pool of 50 items based on reading engagement theory. The four dimensions or subscales were (a) Reading as Part of Self; (b) Reading Efficacy; (c) Reading for...
Show moreThe purpose of this mixed methods study was to determine relationships among teacher candidates’ academic and recreational reading motivation. This study utilized a previously designed, reliable, and valid instrument called the Adult Reading Motivation Scale with permission from Schutte and Malouff (2007). The instrument included a pool of 50 items based on reading engagement theory. The four dimensions or subscales were (a) Reading as Part of Self; (b) Reading Efficacy; (c) Reading for Recognition; and (d) Reading to Do Well in Other Realms, along with the total scale called (e) Total Reading Motivation. The researcher utilized quantitative survey data and qualitative case study data from focus groups to examine relationships of 135 teacher candidates from June 2016 through May 2017. In the quantitative portion, 89% percent visualized while reading, 62% liked it when literature made them think, 24% thought compliments from reading were important, and 72% read to improve work or university performance. In the qualitative portion, parents, teachers, technology, school reading, and informed, inspirational teachers were significant. A better understanding of adult reading motivation may support teacher candidates as they learn content knowledge and influence the attitudes, beliefs and values of their own students towards reading.
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Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: Lancellot_fgcu_1743_10266
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Academic Success, First-Year Retention, Four-Year Graduation and Summer Bridge Program Participation.
Creator: Davis, Stacey Michelle
Abstract / Description: The first year of college is a critical time for students to set a foundation for learning and the academic success necessary to persist (Reason, Terenzini, & Domingo, 2006). However, a number of students embark on their college journey underprepared to meet this academic rigor (Jackson & Kurlaender, 2014). The development of summer bridge programs has been a popular college readiness intervention. In this study, I examined the relationship between academic success, first-year retention,...
Show moreThe first year of college is a critical time for students to set a foundation for learning and the academic success necessary to persist (Reason, Terenzini, & Domingo, 2006). However, a number of students embark on their college journey underprepared to meet this academic rigor (Jackson & Kurlaender, 2014). The development of summer bridge programs has been a popular college readiness intervention. In this study, I examined the relationship between academic success, first-year retention, academic momentum, four-year graduation rate, and summer bridge program participation. The sample consisted of two cohorts of first-year students who participated in the 2013 and 2014 summer bridge program at a four-year Florida State University System institution in Southwest Florida. I chose these two cohorts due to the adoption of Florida Senate Bill 1720 (2013), which changed regulations pertaining to Florida’s developmental education requirements. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze demographic and pre-college success data. I then explored the relationship between academic success and participation in the summer bridge program for each cohort. I also explored the relationship between first-year retention and summer bridge program participation. I then examined the relationship between academic momentum and summer bridge program participation. Finally, I examined the relationship between four-year graduation rate and summer bridge program participation. Significance was found for the relationships between summer bridge program participation and first-semester academic success, first-year academic success, and academic momentum. There was no relationship found between first-year retention or four-year graduation and summer bridge program participation. These findings contributed to the further exploration of the effectiveness of summer bridge programs. Future research should be conducted to further explore the impact of summer bridge program participation, including specific program components, qualitative outcomes, and demographics.
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Date Issued: 2019-01-14
Identifier: fgcu_ETD_0266
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: Acute Response of the Estuarine Crab Eurypanopeus Depressus to Salinity and Desiccation Stress.
Creator: Van Horn, Julie
Abstract / Description: An understanding of how organisms survive in oyster-reef habitat gives clues as to how they will respond to watershed alterations caused by humans. All estuarine environments experience natural salinity fluctuations, but anthropogenic activities have seriously altered salinity regimes in many areas. The changing tide in the shallow environment of the oyster reef means inhabitants risk exposure and desiccation, yet the reefs support rich communities. Population distribution, osmoregulatory and...
Show moreAn understanding of how organisms survive in oyster-reef habitat gives clues as to how they will respond to watershed alterations caused by humans. All estuarine environments experience natural salinity fluctuations, but anthropogenic activities have seriously altered salinity regimes in many areas. The changing tide in the shallow environment of the oyster reef means inhabitants risk exposure and desiccation, yet the reefs support rich communities. Population distribution, osmoregulatory and desiccation physiology and a generic basis for tolerance of extreme environments were investigated in the flatback mud crab Eurypanopeus depressus, a dominant species on oyster reefs in Southwest Florida. An analysis of abundance, biomass and size along a salinity gradient showed that although this species can survive extreme salinities, it is most common in moderate environments. In laboratory experiments, E. depressus hyper-osmoregulated in dilute salinities and conformed in concentrated salinities, achieving stable haemolymph osmotic concentration in less than 24 h. Water loss tolerance and the effect of desiccation on osmoregulatory abilities were also investigated. Eurypanopeus depressus, displayed average tolerance to water loss compared with other crustaceans and does not appear to be able to osmoregulate in air. Also, two distinct partial gene sequences from the peroxiredoxin antioxidant enzyme family were cloned from E. depressus. One of the cloned sequences is 465 bp in length and exhibits over 80% sequence homology with peroxiredoxins found in other arthropods and mammals. With further refinement of extraction techniques, peroxiredoxin gene expression in this intertidal crab could be used as a biomarker reflecting stress caused by environmental conditions.
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Date Issued: 2007
Identifier: fgcu_ETD_0417
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: African American Cemeteries:" For All Those Who Were Not Forgotten".
Creator: Wade, Samantha
Abstract / Description: This study explores the ideas behind the separation of ancestry groups after death. With the movement of African peoples to the “New World” came the loss of identity; an identity the African American community struggled to rebuild through years of segregation and eventual integration. Stripping enslaved Africans of their cultural traditions and funerary practice forced them to create new customs after the abolishment of slavery in small rural towns. Jim Crow laws halted the expansion of the...
Show moreThis study explores the ideas behind the separation of ancestry groups after death. With the movement of African peoples to the “New World” came the loss of identity; an identity the African American community struggled to rebuild through years of segregation and eventual integration. Stripping enslaved Africans of their cultural traditions and funerary practice forced them to create new customs after the abolishment of slavery in small rural towns. Jim Crow laws halted the expansion of the African diaspora in the United States even further with the sanctions on movement, congregation, and political and economic establishment. From this came the creation of many black owned businesses including funeral homes and the institution of the black church. With the dismantling of the Jim Crow laws and the movement of African Americans to larger urban areas came the abandonment of whole townships along with its schools, churches, and cemeteries. This research presents the GIS database I created in the fall of 2012 that mapped 57 African American cemeteries throughout Florida. My GIS research sprang from forensic anthropology casework I conducted with Dr. Heather Walsh-Haney which included a case of wrongful cremation and improper burial practices within the Greenwood Cemetery in Jacksonville. The crime scene, a known African American cemetery, and its owner, Mr. Samuel Rogers, came under scrutiny in 1990 after a reporter and law enforcement found illegal burning piles on the property consisting of human skeletal material. This case fueled the mapping project and I researched the cemetery locations in correlation with Florida Census Block Group data that included demographic and socioeconomic data of African Americans populations surrounding the Florida cemetery locations. While Greenwood cemetery provided a platform for the bigger discussion of ancestry and death in Florida, I also conducted a forensic anthropological analysis of the skeletal material recovered from the cemetery which consisted of more females (n=9, nonmetric assessment; n=14, metric assessment) than males (n=8, nonmetric assessment; n=10 metric assessment), two individuals under the age of 18 years, and a population showing signs of osteoarthritis (21%), periostitis, and one case of possible syphilis. Within Florida there are several statutes (§497.284; §497.262; §497.266; §497.285 6a) focus upon protecting interred individuals and regulating cemetery operations. . This research found that Florida Statute 497.285 section 6a has not been followed. Therefore, in order to ensure the continuation and preservation of these cemeteries I propose methods that if implemented should begin the process of historical preservation. Many of the cemeteries (i.e., Turner Cemetery, Evergreen Cemetery) I documented cannot be found on present day road maps and some of those only exist due to oral tradition. As such, this important research serves as written record of Florida’s African American cemeteries as part of my effort to stop the disappearance of African American traditions and cultural identity on a larger scale.
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Date Issued: 2016
Identifier: Wade_fgcu_1743_10146
Format: Document (PDF)

Title: American Green Caviar: Analysis of sea grape algae (Caulerpa racemosa var. peltata) for bio-filtration and valuable co-production.
Creator: Gamel, Matt, College of Arts & Sciences
Abstract / Description: Rising global demand for seafood and declining catches have resulted in the volume of mariculture doubling each decade. The FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) expects such a growth to persist in the years to come. This exponential growth has created a subsequent need to find alternative solutions to wastewater generation. The use of marine algae as bio-filters for aquaculture wastewater treatment has been shown to be an efficient and cost effective strategy. For...
Show moreRising global demand for seafood and declining catches have resulted in the volume of mariculture doubling each decade. The FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) expects such a growth to persist in the years to come. This exponential growth has created a subsequent need to find alternative solutions to wastewater generation. The use of marine algae as bio-filters for aquaculture wastewater treatment has been shown to be an efficient and cost effective strategy. For this study, I selected Caulerpa racemosa (commonly known as sea grape algae) as a potential bio-filtration candidate for the mitigation of aquaculture effluent. Sea grapes are highly valued in Asian and South-Pacific cuisine, where they are referred to as green caviar. They are also high in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, representing a possible new marketing angle as a “super food.” This alga has been largely excluded from western markets, as the Pacific varieties are known invasives in the Atlantic basin. For this reason, I decided to utilize the native Floridian variety, which is poorly researched, despite being present throughout the Caribbean and parts of South America. For my study, I conducted laboratory growth trials to determine optimal conditions for both irradiance and nutrient concentrations. Floridian C. racemosa was found to be highly adaptable to a wide range of irradiance and nutrient regimes, with nutrient uptake efficiency greater than 90%. A clear set of optimal parameters could not be defined, however, as the treatment results were not significantly different. This finding demonstrates the high adaptability and resilience of this species. For the final trials, I constructed a 1500-L outdoor recirculating aquaculture system, raising juvenile pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides). The setup was designed to serve as a proof of concept, to test how good C. racemosa performed outside of the laboratory. The study produced mixed results, but found that a 4:1 fish to seaweed wet weight ratio was ideal in maintaining stable nutrient levels. Overall, the results designate C. racemosa as a strong candidate for commercial bio-filtration, and as a possible cash crop for the domestic sushi and algal supplement industries.
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Date Issued: 2017
Identifier: Gamel_fgcu_1743_10258
Format: Document (PDF)

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