JBC Commons (New College of Florida)
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REIGNING CATS AND DOGS: WOMEN, PETS, AND AGENCY IN COLETTE, WOOLF, AND ZOLA
No full textThis thesis examines what female characters’ relationships with their pets reveal about their romantic relationships with men in late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century fictions by Colette, Virginia Woolf, and Émile Zola. These interspecies connections reveal the amount of agency that the female protagonists have both in their romantic relationships and in society at large. Analyzing interactions between human characters and their animal companions is a unique way to explore topics such as a woman’s level of independence or the viability of a romantic relationship. In Colette’s The Vagabond and Woolf’s Flush, pet dogs serve as proxies for the female protagonists; the differences in the ways the dogs function within the narratives correlate with the female protagonists’ varying views on marriage. In Zola’s Thérèse Raquin and Colette’s The Cat, marital tension in two failing marriages is revealed and exacerbated by the characters’ pet cats. Ultimately, these novels’ emphasis on animal companions challenges societal stereotypes about women and pets as tied to male dominance. The description of the connection–or lack thereof–between women and pets may elicit reader sympathy for the female protagonists and underscore the value of independence in women’s lives
POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER, EMPATHY, AND AGGRESSION IN 911 DISPATCHERS
No full textThere is very little research on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in 911 dispatchers. This is because of the heavy stigma that surrounds the topic and the idea that dispatchers cannot suffer from PTSD due to the way they experience trauma. However, previous research shows that dispatchers can suffer from job-related PTSD. The aim of this study was to observe the relationship between PTSD and two of the traits it can affect, empathy and aggression in 911 dispatchers. Previous research shows a negative relationship between PTSD and empathy and a positive relationship between PTSD and aggression. The hypotheses for this study were that there would be a relationship between PTSD and empathy (either positive or negative), and that there would be a positive relationship between PTSD and aggression. An online survey was created which included measurement scales as well as open-ended questions. Data analysis showed that there was a positive relationship between PTSD and empathy and a positive relationship between PTSD and aggression. Participants showed the full range of scores on the PTSD severity measurement. Female dispatchers also had higher PTSD symptom severity than their male counterparts. This study showed that many dispatchers are suffering from PTSD symptomology that would be severe enough for an official diagnosis. Further research should look into the disparities between the study’s findings and previous literature for the relationship between PTSD and empathy. Further research should also be conducted on PTSD and 911 dispatchers as they are an understudied group
LO QUE QUEDÓ DE TI; VIOLENCE AT THE U.S.-MEXICO BORDER. AWARENESS THROUGH ART
No full textThis paper explores how artists use their work to bring attention to the U.S.-Mexico Border. Throughout the paper I discuss my thesis project entitled, Lo Que Quedó de Ti, which consists of six oil paintings. I discuss the significance of each painting by providing history on the militarization of the border and the rise of undocumented migration. My work serves as a memorial by highlighting the number of deaths that have occurred in the desert. I draw inspiration from notable artists who have created artwork alongside the border and who have explored similar themes
FROM ILLICIT CULTS TO SUPERSTITION: REGULATING WOMEN’S SPIRITUAL ACTIVITIES SINCE THE LATE QING DYNASTY
No full textIn China, women have long been engaged with praying, burning incense, and taking part in various temple celebrations and activities. As a result, China’s elites have consistently criticized women for their spirituality and attempted to control women by banning them from visiting temples. Despite the abundance of works in gender and religion in Chinese studies, many scholars have not sufficiently highlighted the intersection between these two fields. This thesis aims to fill this gap by analyzing the gendered motives behind temple bans in China since the late Qing dynasty. Moving chronologically from the late Qing period, to contemporary China, it examines the introduction of categories such as “yinsi” (illicit cults), “superstition,” and “religion” and analyzes how these terms have been used to categorize, ban, and suppress various spiritual groups, especially those with large followings of women. It also sheds light on the state’s repetitive failure to successfully suppress women\u27s spiritual practices, and how women\u27s religious activism has shaped the contemporary religious landscape of China. Overall, by tracing the changing classifications of women\u27s spiritual activities since late Qing Dynasty, this thesis aims to bridge the discussions of religion and women\u27s studies and further our understanding of the development of female popular spiritual practices in modern China
THE PHENOLOGY OF HUMPBACK (MEGAPTERA NOVAEANGLIAE), BLUE (BALAENOPTERA MUSCULUS), FIN (BALAENOPTERA PHYSALUS), SPERM (PHYSETER MACROCEPHALUS), AND KILLER WHALES (ORCINUS ORCA) DETERMINED BY PASSIVE ACOUSTIC MONITORING NEAR BARKLEY CANYON
No full textCetaceans are often found far offshore and require continuous observation, making them difficult to study using traditional methods. To combat these difficulties, we used a passive acoustic monitoring dataset from a bottom-mounted hydrophone (average depth: 391.67 m) deployed by Ocean Networks Canada near Barkley Canyon off the West Coast of Vancouver Island, Canada, to determine when various cetacean species were present. Each cetacean’s presence was based on the detection of their vocalizations in time-stamped recordings from the first four days of each month in 2014, though additional data from 2013-2014 was used for killer whales. The main call types detected were tonal calls from humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), B calls from blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus), 20 Hz calls from fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus), and pulsed calls from killer whales (Orcinus orca). Humpback whales were present (heard) year-round, with a peak vocal presence in December. Blue whales were present in February and from September-December, with a peak presence in October. Fin whales were present from January-May and August-December, with a peak presence in January. In 2013, killer whales were present from May-August with a peak presence in August. In 2014, killer whales were present from January-April, July, September, and December with a peak presence in September. Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) were present from February-October with a peak presence in May. Sperm whales were also found to vocalize most often between 00:00-13:00. We discuss factors that may influence the seasonal patterns in presence for each species, such as seasonal migration, peaks in productivity or prey movement, and the differences between each stock/ecotype. Understanding when cetaceans are present near Barkley Canyon aids conservation efforts by identifying habitats that are important and adds to our understanding of each species phenology and vocal behavior. We also discuss the sampling volumes this study encompassed
Mask Wearing and the Cultural Divide: A Snapshot from the COVID-19 Pandemic
No full textCOVID-19 has killed millions of people worldwide, and while multiple studies have shown that face masks are effective at mitigating the spread of the virus there are many people who refuse to wear them. Using qualitative and quantitative survey data collected online through pro- and anti-face mask Facebook groups, this study attempts to trace whether or not empathy or other determinants play a role in one’s decision to wear a face mask in public. While the findings do not show a direct link between empathy and mask wearing in public, other determinants such as political affiliation and news sources were found to have a direct effect. The implications of this study along with the rest of the new literature coming out during the pandemic can help change policy decisions that in the future will help to mitigate the disastrous effects of pandemics
FEEDING KINEMATICS AND PREY CAPTURE MODULATION OF SANDBAR SHARKS (CARCHARHINUS PLUMBEUS)
No full textThis study investigated the feeding kinematics and prey capture modulation of 3 adult sandbar sharks (Carcharhinus plumbeus). High-speed footage was shot as the sharks were fed a diet of capelin, herring, and squid. The sandbar shark was confirmed to be a primarily ram feeder, like other requiem sharks. The order of kinematic events during the expansive and compressive phases was consistent with most sharks, but with a lack of cranial elevation. Each successful prey capture was categorized as either an engulfment (feeding event ends with prey fully inside the mouth) or bite (feeding event ends with prey held in the teeth). Analysis revealed significant differences (p \u3c0.5) in RSI, the distance traveled by the prey, and capture time. This showed that the sharks were using more suction during an engulfment than during a bite. There was evidence of modulation of capture based on prey type, capelin or herring. RSI, capture time, distance moved by the predator, and time to peak gape were found to be significant. The sharks used more suction on the long slender capelin than the shorter thicker bodied herring. This modulation could be a result of the size of the prey or just the type of prey
INFORMATION ASYMMETRY IN THE US HEALTHCARE MARKET AND APPLICATIONS OF DATA COLLECTION TECHNOLOGIES
No full textThis paper examines the problem of adverse selection induced by asymmetry of information between buyers and sellers of health insurance and the negative effects imposed upon both firms and consumers. After reviewing some traditional methods used to address this problem, this thesis discusses the significant potential that certain Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM) technologies may provide to address these issues and close the information gap. Specifically, it is shown that smartwatches capable of monitoring a wide array of health indicators including heart rate, body fat, respiratory activity, skin health, medication in sweat secretion, and other important vitals appear to be highly feasible in reliability of data collection, noninvasiveness, and consumer willingness to frequently wear and interact with daily. This analysis provides a framework for future data collection programs for health insurance providers to employ, utilizing RPM devices to regularly monitor consumers’ vitality levels to determine the risk involved with insuring them to narrow the disparity of information between provider and buyer, curbing the harm imposed by adverse selection. Several ethical concerns and limitations are addressed to ensure confidence in the security and privacy of the system as well as encourage frequent engagement. Finally, it is found that programs offering discounts for achieving healthy metrics create a virtuous cycle which improves consumer health and lowers overall risk in a loop of positive reinforcement
Challenges and Possibilities in Community Entrepreneurship: My Journey Building a Farmers Market
No full textIn this Senior Project I share the story of how I came to help build The Equinox Co-op (TEC). TEC began as an attempt to convert chicken houses into greenhouses, and eventually matured into the creation of a community farmers market. My intention is to inspire those interested in learning about the process of building a community. Learning from the mistakes and successes of others can avoid pitfalls, that’s exactly what this work wishes to accomplish. This senior project is divided in two parts, the first part contains 7 chapters written in chronological order as a detailed recollection of the development of The Equinox Co-op. The second part is a short biography of my experiences growing up, what has influenced my life, my way of thinking and college decisions. At the end, I share an analytical framework with the most important elements that I considered are needed when building a project from the ground up. I see both parts relevant because one is the action process and the other one is a reflection and analysis of the action. As a reader, you are welcome to jump around to what interests you more, but reading both parts will provide a better understanding and perspective on the approach that I’ve taken