University of North Carolina at Greensboro
The University of North Carolina at GreensboroNot a member yet
38807 research outputs found
Sort by
Earthly and Heavenly Nostalgia: The Meanings of Places and Times in Literature An Analysis of the Presence of Nostalgia in Gone with the Wind, The Leopard, and The Lord of the Rings
Get PDFThis paper intends to explore the conversations of these three modes of nostalgia, through three different texts. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell is a book about historical nostalgia: about a longing for the Old South. It demonstrates the desire for a return to the past, the earthly nostalgia of what has been destroyed. In analysing Scarlett O’Hara, Rhett Butler, and the Wilkes couple, one can clearly see how historical nostalgia influences the actions of both people and places; and through exploring the locations of the novel (Tara, Charleston, Atlanta), how this nostalgia is tied to specific locations. The Leopard represents the in-between, the mythological mode of nostalgia, as it explores the death of a family and the place they exist in, but also how this decay and destruction of their world is related to the death of faith and the “golden age” of noble Sicily. By looking at Don Fabrizio’s family story and the decay of their aristocratic Sicily, it becomes clear how historical nostalgia becomes mythological; and how this mythological nostalgia expands into spiritual nostalgia. Finally, The Lord of the Rings, while containing powerful scenes of mythological nostalgia, especially in Elven locations, is, at its heart, a story about spiritual nostalgia and why it is the condition of humanity to long for it. It represents the culmination of “nostalgic literature,” in this sense, and captures the concept of spiritual nostalgia. In exploring Lothlorien and the character’s reaction to “Elven Paradise,” we see the crux of Tolkien’s definition and belief about nostalgia, which pulls from all three modes. Nostalgia, in Tolkien’s world, is summed up by a longing for the beautiful on Earth, and the realization that this nostalgia points to the greater longing for the perfection of Heaven, that is, the ultimate beauty
Helping authors navigate open access publication funding options: Growing library support to meet challenges and opportunities [Slides]
Get PDFSlides from a presentation given April 18, 2024 for the All Things Open Conference, hosted online by Kennesaw State University. With open access established as a sharing and publishing practice in many academic disciplines, authors are increasingly expecting and seeking assistance in identifying opportunities and funding for their open access publishing activities. But navigating this landscape can be challenging, and libraries can have an important role in educating authors to help them understand options, costs, and benefits. By contributing to this open access support work, Libraries can help meet the needs of their constituents while also developing their own skills and knowledge in this area
An Educational Toolkit for CRNAs to Reduce Barriers to Opioid Sparing Anesthesia
Get PDFThe objective is to encourage the use of multimodal opioid-sparing anesthesia among certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs). This will be accomplished by providing education on opioid-sparing anesthesia and creating a toolkit for the implementation of an opioid-sparing anesthesia protocol using the most current evidence. The goal is to improve confidence and knowledge among CRNAs to facilitate the transition of this technique so that it can become standard practice
The effect of wearable activity tracker social behaviors on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity and exercise self-efficacy
Get PDFRegular engagement in physical activity (PA) offers significant health benefits across the various dimensions of wellness. Over the past three decades, substantial decreases in physical activity worldwide have caught the attention of health organizations, leading them to incorporate initiatives to increase PA participation. Of particular importance is PA done at or above the recommended level to yield positive health outcomes. Those crafting physical activity interventions are consistently trying to better understand health-related human behavior and employ techniques that will lead to long-term behavior change. Wearable activity trackers (WAT), typically worn as smartwatches, are useful tools in promoting physical activity engagement. Traditional interventions that have been shown to increase physical activity focus on eliciting support, self-monitoring of the behavior, and goal setting to promote change, and WAT often offer the very same features (e.g., self-regulation, goal setting, and opportunities to provide and receive support) (Myong-Won et al., 2020; Sullivan & Lachman, 2017). Current research has revealed moderate improvements on daily step count in wearable tracker users across all populations but consistent increases in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity are inconclusive (Brickwood et al., 2019; Ferguson et al., 2022; Laranjo et al., 2021; Li et al., 2021). Many health-related behavior theories highlight the role that social environments play in activity engagement. But the relationship between the use of social elements and contexts that are important to behavior choice on wearable devices is not well understood. The present study compared weekly physical activity of 112 adults from the greater New York City area randomized into conditions that employed either use or no use of the social engagement physical activity features on their wearable trackers over an 8-week period. Changes in exercise self-efficacy were also measured, given its importance to PA engagement, and the relationship between exercise self-efficacy and physical activity was evaluated. Although there was not a statistically significant difference between those who engaged about their activity with WAT social features and those who did not on weekly PA, there was an average increase of 60.5 ± 20.5 minutes of physical activity per week across all study participants. Exercise self-efficacy and physical activity were positively related (p = .004) and participants using the social comparison feature (the evaluation and comparison of one’s personal activity data to the activity data of those they are socially connected to on the device) most frequently had the greatest increase in physical activity. Given the prevalence of device ownership and digital communication in today’s society, these results suggest that conscious monitoring of WAT can significantly increase physical activity in an urban population
The year of the girl : nostalgia and girlhood portrayed in the music of Taylor Swift
Get PDFAmerican singer and songwriter Taylor Swift is known to be one of the most successful artists within the music industry. Her successes have been attributed to her songwriting capabilities as well as her skills in performance. Swift also has one of the most loyal fan bases that contribute to her success. Swift enjoys interacting with her fans through social media, dropping “Easter eggs” (or hints) about when her next album will be released. Swift also enjoys playing with her fans’ sense of nostalgia by incorporating themes of girlhood not only in her lyrics, but in her marketing and her performance. In this thesis, I examine how Swift uses nostalgia and themes of girlhood in various ways within her music to build and maintain a large fan base. In my first analysis chapter, Chapter II, I focus on Swift’s use of country twang as it relates to nostalgia. In Chapter III, I examine nostalgia and themes of girlhood in Swift’s songwriting and in her performance, looking specifically at different breathing techniques she employs. In the final analysis chapter, Chapter IV, I provide a larger context, focusing on themes of girlhood found in various areas of not only the music industry, but in the entertainment industry as well. 2023 was a significant year for women because it allowed women to embrace ideas of girlhood in confidence. Swift is only one piece to the larger puzzle of 2023 being “The Year of the Girl.
Impact of multidimensionality on unidimensional IRT linking and equating methods
Get PDFThe present study investigates the influence of multidimensionality on linking and equating in a unidimensional IRT. Two hypothetical multidimensional scenarios are explored under a nonequivalent group common-item equating design. The first scenario examines test forms designed to measure multiple constructs, while the second scenario examines a test aimed to measure a primary latent trait but contaminated with a nuisance factor. Classification measures and equating equity properties are used to compare the baseline multidimensional IRT and unidimensional IRT under these scenarios. The findings suggest that multidimensionality is not the primary factor influencing the behavior of linking constants A and B. However, interacting factors such as mean shift, covariance structure, and linking method do have an impact. Test structure alignment is crucial for achieving quality equating results, as equating bias constitutes a substantial proportion of the total error. Classification indices demonstrate that unidimensional IRT generally outperforms the baseline MIRT, with semi-equivalent test structures showing higher performance. Equating equity properties indicate that test structure alignment and choice of linking methods significantly influence equating quality and predictability. The study highlights the importance of considering factors in achieving accurate and precise equating results. Further, Approximate Multidimensional IRT True Score (AMT) equating is proposed as a possible solution to assess the impact of multidimensionality to address the limitations of conventional equating methods in capturing dimension-specific changes in scores between test forms
The keyboard sonatas of Marianna Martines (1744-1812) : contexts for performance, accompanied by a new edition from the earliest sources
Get PDFThis document encompasses the creation of an edition of the three surviving sonatas of Marianna Martines, the singer, pianist, and composer who shared fame and stage with the greatest musicians of the eighteenth century, together with a companion document that contextualizes her career and her three surviving keyboard sonatas. By considering her education, influences, and connections in her youth and mature years, I will comment on her compositional style and then explain how to read her notation according to the common musical language of the time. My suggestions will be supported by the most relevant eighteenth-century treatises and followed by a newly edited score with editorial notes. Most currently available sources for the sonatas are intrusively edited, and none includes extensive notes based on historically informed practices. The intention behind this new edition is to provide an accessible resource with the aim of advancing equity and diversity in the classical music canon by making the keyboard works of an important woman composer available in an edition that accurately reflects the original sources, namely, the first editions of the Sonatas in E and A Major, published in 1762 and 1765, and the 1769 manuscript copy of the Sonata in G Major
One work : a rhizomatic treatise on the creative act
Get PDFThis work is a phenomenological and formal investigation into the tensions between the human tendency toward creativity and the institutional structures that control how that work is shared, including museums, galleries, public-art-funding government, social media, and the Academy. It is common for artists to be expected to work between assignments or bodies of work, as it were—artifacts of a creative process with a beginning, middle, and end. In this model, the initial goal is to execute an idea, and the final goal is to publicly display the work when it is finished, often to exchange it for capital. I propose a different model, where one’s artistic life is devoted to the experience of inquiry and experimentation, where artifacts may become secondary to the process, and where the art objects are tools as much as the media that may have made them. These objects are impermanent manifestations of inquiry and may become assembled and disassembled without heartbreak or fuss, always in service to the process of learning. I find points of intersection and departure between my own multiple modalities as an artist, thinker, and educator and Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari, particularly as they address the concepts of, assemblage, multiplicity, repetition, accumulation, and ritual, and their metaphor for non-hierarchy, the rhizome. In a rhizomatic structure, all points connect through nodes, but removing a node doesn’t destroy the connectivity of every other node. In contrast to arboreal thinking, rhizomatic thinking tends toward weighing the connections between things as more powerful than the things themselves
We are not monolithic : exploring the intersectionality of multiple identities and professional experiences of Black African women evaluators in the United States
Get PDFHistorically, the field of program evaluation has been dominated by middle class White practitioners often lacking diversity in race, gender, and cultural perspectives (Fitzpatrick, Sanders, & Worthen, 2014). Recent years, however, have seen a concerted effort to promote diversity among evaluators. According to Hopson and Rodriguez (2014), this shift is crucial for bringing in varied perspectives, more so cultural elements into practice (Hopson & Shanker, 2023) that enhance the relevance and effectiveness of evaluations. In the field of program evaluation, investigations about the experiences of evaluators from a variety of backgrounds is emerging (Arias Orozco, 2022; Boyce et al., 2023b). Evaluators of color often face unique challenges and opportunities in the field of program evaluation. Their experiences are characterized by navigating professional environments that may not fully understand or value their cultural and racial perspectives (Arias Orozco, 2022; Avent et al., 2023; Boyce et al., 2023b). Black African women in the field of program evaluation in the United States occupy a unique intersection of race, nationality, and gender, because it shapes how they perceive their work and navigate their personal and professional lives (Symonette, 2009), yet the exploration of their professional experiences remains scarce. This dissertation ventured into understanding the distinct challenges and opportunities these women face, shaped by their multifaceted identities. It acknowledges the significant gap in empirical research regarding their experiences, especially considering how their combined identity of being Black, African, and woman influence their professional journey. This study’s theoretical framework draws from a variety of theories, namely critical race theory (Crenshaw, 1987; Delgado & Stefancic, 2017), Black feminist-womanist (Collins 2022; Crenshaw, 1990), Afrocentrism (Asante, 1991; Kambon, 1992), and transnationalism (Schiller, Basch, & Blanc, 1995). Collectively, these theoretical lenses provide a multifaceted perspective that helps to deepen the understanding of the experiences of Black African immigrant women in professional evaluation practice. Specifically, these theories offer critical insights into how race, gender, and immigration intersect to influence these experiences. This study utilized a qualitative methodological approach to understand the lived experiences of and advance the literature on the evaluation of Black African women evaluators. Specifically, this study employed semi-structured interviews with Black African women evaluators in the United States. The results of the study revealed the rich, complex narratives of Black African women evaluators, showcasing their professional journeys, the challenges encountered, and the strategies employed to navigate these challenges. Their stories highlighted the critical role of intersectionality, cultural competence, and inclusivity in shaping their professional practices and identities. The findings from this study not only contribute to the academic discourse on intersectionality, cultural competence, and inclusivity but also offer practical implications for fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion within the field of program evaluation. In conclusion, this dissertation is a clarion call to the evaluation field to acknowledge, celebrate, and incorporate the rich and diverse array of experiences, identities, and cultural values that Black African women evaluators bring to their work. It is a testament to their resilience, innovation, and the transformative potential of integrating diverse perspectives into evaluation practice, ultimately contributing to more effective and impactful evaluations
Improving the early identification of malignant hyperthermia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and serotonin syndrome for anesthesia providers
Get PDFBackground: Serotonin syndrome (SS), Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) and Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) are all potentially life-threatening conditions that share similar clinical features. Anesthesia providers need to be able to recognize the hallmark features and management priorities of each condition.Purpose: The purpose of this Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project was to investigate the use of a cognitive aid tool to help clinicians differentiate malignant hyperthermia (MH), neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), and serotonin syndrome (SS) in a clinical case scenario presentation. This DNP project aimed to improve the clinician’s ability to identify and appropriately manage each condition through prompt intervention. Methods: The DNP student designed a cognitive aid tool and conducted a mixed-method investigation of the use of the cognitive aid by anesthesia providers during case scenario presentations involving SS, NMS, and MH. Assessment of the anesthesia provider’s initial knowledge of the management of each condition without using a cognitive aide was determined through responses to survey questions. After a baseline response from the participants was obtained, a cognitive aid tool was introduced to the participants. The participants were asked to respond to a second series of case scenarios involving either NMS, SS, or MH. Their responses were collected (post-cognitive aid responses) and compared to the initial responses (pre-cognitive aid responses).Results: Anesthesia providers demonstrated improved mean score responses to the case scenario presentations after the introduction of a cognitive aid tool and educational presentation. The outcome of the DNP project indicated an enhanced ability to identify and prioritize the management of a patient experiencing either SS, NMS, or MH through the use of a cognitive aid tool. Recommendations and Conclusions: A cognitive aid tool is a practical and effective resource to improve recognition of these rare and life-threatening conditions during case scenario presentations