December 5, 2025

Mpox Resurgence Factors

In recent years, mpox has re-emerged in several regions, spreading beyond previously known geographic patterns and challenging public health systems. What key epidemiological, environmental, and social factors have contributed to the resurgence and global spread of mpox? Additionally, how should health systems strengthen surveillance, community awareness, vaccination strategies, and rapid response mechanisms to prevent future outbreaks—particularly in areas with limited public health infrastructure?

What key epidemiological factors have contributed to the resurgence and global spread of mpox?,
What environmental factors have contributed to the resurgence and global spread of mpox?,
What social factors have contributed to the resurgence and global spread of mpox?,
How should health systems strengthen surveillance community awareness vaccination strategies and rapid response mechanisms to prevent future outbreaks?,
How can these strategies be applied particularly in areas with limited public health infrastructure?

Answer:
The resurgence and global spread of mpox can be attributed to a combination of epidemiological, environmental, and social factors. Epidemiologically, mpox spreads primarily through close contact with infected humans or animals, and waning population immunity following the cessation of smallpox vaccination has increased susceptibility. The absence of cross-protective immunity has allowed more frequent outbreaks in regions where the virus was historically confined. Additionally, increased travel and trade have facilitated the movement of the virus across borders, creating opportunities for outbreaks in previously unaffected regions.

Environmental factors also play a significant role in mpox transmission. Deforestation, habitat encroachment, and increased human interaction with wildlife reservoirs, such as rodents and non-human primates, have heightened the risk of zoonotic spillover events. Climate change and alterations in ecosystems may further influence the virus’s natural reservoirs and the frequency of human exposure, creating conditions conducive to the spread of mpox. Urbanization and population density in certain regions amplify the risk of human-to-human transmission once an initial spillover occurs.

Social factors such as cultural practices, community behaviors, and levels of public awareness influence the dynamics of mpox spread. Communities with limited knowledge about the disease may not adopt preventive behaviors, increasing transmission rates. Stigma associated with infectious diseases can also discourage individuals from seeking timely medical care, thereby contributing to further spread. Social gatherings, travel patterns, and close contact networks can amplify outbreaks, particularly in urban centers or regions with interconnected communities.

To prevent future outbreaks, health systems should strengthen disease surveillance by establishing early-warning systems that detect cases promptly and track trends over time. Community awareness campaigns are crucial to educate the public about transmission routes, preventive measures, and symptoms to ensure early reporting. Vaccination strategies, including targeted immunization in high-risk populations or ring vaccination around detected cases, can limit outbreak expansion. Rapid response mechanisms should be developed to ensure swift isolation, contact tracing, and medical care for affected individuals.

In areas with limited public health infrastructure, these strategies must be adapted to local contexts. Mobile health units, community health workers, and partnerships with local leaders can help implement surveillance and awareness campaigns efficiently. Resource allocation should prioritize training, communication networks, and access to vaccines and treatment. Additionally, leveraging digital reporting tools and integrating outbreak preparedness into existing healthcare services can enhance response capabilities, even in resource-constrained settings. Ultimately, a coordinated, multi-faceted approach that combines epidemiological, environmental, and social interventions is essential to controlling the resurgence of mpox globally.

December 5, 2025

Microbiology Oral Presentation Assignment

By Academic Wizard Blog

Microbiology Oral Presentation Assignment

Purpose You have already completed the research by writing your paper. Now it is time to work on your communication skills. This assignment is designed to help you practice the following skills that are essential to effective communication and continued learning. As a healthcare professional, you will be communicating with patients and colleagues from various educational backgrounds. Learning to communicate effectively and clearly to all audiences is critical. Secondly, the field of medicine is constantly changing and you will need to be able to continue the learning process to keep up with current practices, protocols, and procedures.

You MUST submit both the oral video presentation as well as the power point file in the drobox by the due date in order for this assignment to be graded. No points will be awarded if only one of these two items are turned in.

Skills In this assignment you will practice the following skills that are essential to developing effective communication and the process of continued learning:

Create a well organized presentation Research, locate, and evaluate credible sources on a topic Identify and organize important information Summarize and communicate new information to peers Oral communication to an audience

Knowledge This assignment will help you become familiar with the following important knowledge in microbiology:

Common fungal and protist pathogens Diseases caused by fungal and protists Treatments for fungal and protist infections How to use PowerPoint

Basic Task 1. Sign up for one of the fungal or protist pathogens 2. Research the organism 3. Create a Power Point presentation of your organism and present it to the class 4. Submit the completed Power Point presentation to Dropbox by the due date

Detailed Task Presentation title (1 point)

Give your presentation a creative title Oral Presentation (15 points) MUST BE INCLUDED to meet the requirements of the assignment and eligible for grading.

Length: 5 – 8 minutes Must be clear, organized, and well-explained

Presentation Slide Do’s & Don’ts 10 points) Do’s

Create in Microsoft PowerPoint (you have access to this though your student Microsoft 365 account) Basic font that is easy to read – no script Font size should be no smaller than 20pt Each slide should have a title Slide background color and font color should contrast so the font is easily seen Use a variety of visual aids – tables, figures, diagrams, graphs, photos, etc… use bullet points

Include a Reference page at the end (Failing to do this is plagiarism and will result in a zero for the assignment)

Don’ts DONT Fill the slide with paragraphs of text DONT Use font & background colors that are similar DONT use sentences and or paragraphs on your slide DONT read the slides when you are making your oral presentation. You should add to and elaborate on what you have on the slide.

Presentation content (20 points) (graded based on both the power points as well as the oral presentation – again must submit both portions to be graded) Organism basics

Scientific name of the organism Common name of the organism (if there is one) Is the organism a fungus or a protist?

Organism cell structure Is the organism multicellular or single-celled? Describe the cellular features of the organism – does it have unique cellular features?

Types of organelles / cellular structures present (example: flagella, oral groove, etc…) Any structure that is not found in other fungi or protists Make sure to define any unique features that are not common to other types of fungi or protists

Pathogen life cycle Describe the replication cycle or life cycle of the fungus or protist

The replication and life cycle are the same thing…just two different ways to say it If the organism has multiple life cycles (one in host & one in vector) describe both

Disease, symptoms, & epidemiology What disease(s) does the organism cause? How is the organism transmitted?

Who or what populations are at risk for contracting the infection? What is the reservoir of the organism?

Where is the organism endemic? What are the symptoms of the disease? What is the progression of infection? Are there complications associated with infection? What is the mortality rate? (if available)

Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention How is the disease diagnosed? How is the disease/infection treated? How is infection prevented?

References (Failing to provide a reference page with working links will result in a zero as this would be considered plagiarism)

List all references used to gather information. These references can all be listed on the last slide of the presentation. You should include all of the URL (working links) directly to the page where you read the information that you are sharing.

Acceptable Sources Your textbook Centers for Disease Control and Prevention World Health Organization MicrobeWiki Any scientific Journal article A news article is not a source for facts only use if you are presenting about a recent outbreak or drug development for your pathogen.

Wikipedia is not an acceptable source!!! You may use a source other than those listed above if it is another textbook or a reputable scientific website. You can ask me if you are unsure! NOTE: Any form of plagiarism or academic misconduct will result in a zero for the assignment. It will also require paperwork to be filed for the academic misconduct with NSCC.

Sign up for one of the fungal or protist pathogens,
Research the organism,
Create a Power Point presentation of your organism and present it to the class,
Submit the completed Power Point presentation to Dropbox by the due date,
Include all required presentation content references and the oral presentation.

December 5, 2025

Nutrition & Lifecycle Guidelines

By Academic Wizard Blog

Nutrition & Lifecycle Guidelines

Discuss recommended guidelines for physical activity and nutrition during pregnancy. (USLO 10.1)
Identify recommended guidelines for nutrition in infancy. (USLO 10.2)
Discuss how a child’s nutrient needs will change throughout childhood and into adolescents. (USLOs 10.3, 10.4)
Discuss differences in energy needs between older and young adults. (USLO 10.5)

Discuss recommended guidelines for physical activity and nutrition during pregnancy.,
Identify recommended guidelines for nutrition in infancy.,
Discuss how a child’s nutrient needs will change throughout childhood and into adolescents.,
Discuss differences in energy needs between older and young adults.,
Prompt Choices: Choose two to discuss.

Comprehensive General Answer

(Below, I choose two topics and discuss them thoroughly.)

1. Recommended Guidelines for Physical Activity and Nutrition During Pregnancy (USLO 10.1)

Proper nutrition and physical activity during pregnancy are essential for maternal health, fetal development, and positive birth outcomes. Nutrient needs increase because the body supports both maternal tissue growth and fetal development. Pregnant individuals should consume balanced meals that include lean proteins, whole grains, healthy fats, fruits, and vegetables. Key nutrients include folate (to prevent neural tube defects), iron (for expanded blood volume), calcium and vitamin D (for bone development), and omega-3 fatty acids (for fetal brain and vision development). A moderate increase in calories is recommended—energy needs rise slightly in the first trimester but increase by roughly 340 additional calories per day in the second trimester and 450 additional calories per day in the third trimester.

Physical activity is also encouraged unless medically restricted. Most guidelines, including recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), advise at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity aerobic activity. Walking, swimming, stationary cycling, and prenatal yoga are safe, while contact sports, activities with fall risk, or heavy lifting should be avoided. Exercise helps manage weight gain, reduces risk of gestational diabetes and hypertension, improves mood, and supports endurance for labor. Adequate hydration, prenatal vitamins, and consistent medical monitoring ensure both safety and nutritional sufficiency throughout the pregnancy.

2. Identify Recommended Guidelines for Nutrition in Infancy (USLO 10.2)

Infancy is a period of rapid physical and cognitive growth, and nutritional needs are unique during this stage. Breast milk is considered the optimal source of nutrition for at least the first six months of life because it contains ideal proportions of nutrients, antibodies, enzymes, and protective factors. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, with continued breastfeeding alongside complementary foods until at least 12 months. For infants who do not breastfeed, iron-fortified infant formula is recommended to support healthy development. Cow’s milk, plant-based milk alternatives, and other beverages should be avoided during the first year because they do not provide sufficient fat, iron, or essential micronutrients.

Infants require a higher percentage of calories from fat, which is crucial for brain and nervous system development. Around 6 months of age, when developmental readiness occurs (sitting with support, showing interest in food), complementary foods should be introduced. Iron-rich foods—such as fortified cereals, pureed meats, and legumes—are essential because infant iron stores begin to decline after the first six months. Soft fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are gradually added to encourage nutrient variety. Foods that pose choking hazards, added sugars, excess salt, and honey (risk of botulism) should be avoided. Developing a predictable feeding routine and allowing infants to self-regulate intake helps set the foundation for healthy eating behaviors later in life.

December 5, 2025

Distance Runners

By Academic Wizard Blog

Distance Runners

Step 2: Organize your Presentation according to the following outline below. Look to include each of these areas related to your chosen culture, along with the specific categories included in the Cultural Practices Presentation Scoring Rubric (on the last page). Your outline and scoring rubric will help ensure you include all of the required graded criteria for your presentation. The outline is not to be turned in. However, if you need assistance with or clarification about the outline and resulting presentation, please contact your instructor.

I. Create 3-5 learning/behavioral objectives aligned with your presentation. You will include these at the beginning of your presentation. What do you want your viewers to learn by the end of your presentation? For assistance in writing learning objectives, please access the PDF in the “Assignments, Projects and Rubrics” module in our Canvas course titled “Writing Learning Objectives” from the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC).

II. Begin with a brief description of key historical or background points related to the culture or sub-culture you have researched. Include population statistics to give viewers a broader understanding of your group.

III. Define Health and Illness: Apply the 8 Dimensions of Wellness to explain what it means to someone from your culture or subculture to be healthy or ill? Are there specific criteria that are essential for your group to feel that they are well or sick?

IV. Health Care Practices and Resources: Describe the type of healthcare system and services typically available to your culture/sub-culture. You may want to contrast the health care available in the US versus what is practiced in the native country, depending upon the group you have chosen. Do members of your culture/sub-culture generally have access to acceptable and affordable health care or are there obstacles? Explain.

V. Health Concerns & Circumstances: Identify the greatest health concerns for this cultural group by citing prevalence and incidence rates (health-related statistics) for health problems. Some concerns may be related to circumstances (geographical area, living conditions, socio-economic status, etc.), while others may be due to factors such as genetic predisposition.

VI. Behaviors & Beliefs: Identify beliefs, values behaviors and/or social practices favoring health and those negatively influencing health among the culture/subculture.

VII. Socio-Cultural Factors: Research health risks typical within the culture/subculture. Describe motivating socio-cultural factors that influence risk and/or why someone might engage in “risky behaviors” to gain something deemed more important (e.g. gender, status, economic need, moral code). Include any “rites of passage” or traditional practices that might apply that places people from your culture at risk. Here are 2 examples:

#1: Preparing/serving certain foods high in fat may influence risk for obesity, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease but those foods are culturally important to maintain social role and identity; not following tradition means risking loss of social standing and identity

#2: Youth involved in violence risk injury or fatality, but violence plays an important role in symbolizing power and esteemed social roles. Not engaging in violence means risking victimization, low social status, and low access to certain resources.

VIII. Introduce a hypothetical character through which you will explain how one would provide culturally competent care for someone within your culture/subculture via a short story. Develop your character by utilizing information gleaned from your interview; suggested areas to cover include your character’s general belief system, their age, gender and family structure, gender roles, sexuality and any ethno-medical beliefs. The use of a character is to humanize the conditions and practices of your cultural group.

IX. Culturally Competent Health Care: Conclude by describing what is necessary to uj culturally competent health care and/or services to your culture/sub-culture. This should be addressed in two areas:

a) Consider how to communicate, including language, how to address your patient or their family members, the use of eye contact, shaking of hands, etc. Think about what you need to do and understand prior to your patient trusting in your care. What do you need to do to communicate that your primary goal is to first understand your client?

b) What types of services, organizations, etc. would be helpful in addressing some of the health-related needs of your chosen culture/subculture? If applicable, identify government programs at Food Research Action Center (http://frac.org/programs) that would support their culture, but also consider outside organizations and services that may assist in other ways. Design this portion of your presentation with the idea in mind that you would be providing information to a client from your chosen culture/subculture with the intention to help improve his/her situation.

X. References: Remember, this is a research presentation. It is required that you include qualitative (e.g. interviews with people who are in or experienced with people in your cultural group or personal observations) and quantitative data (citing scientific research). Include in-text citations within your presentation and a reference list in AMA format to identify your source of information at the end of your presentation. Use at least 7 references including at least 1 professional journal article and at least 1 interview with a person who is knowledgeable about your chosen cultural group (or recorded interview for someone who is either from your chosen group or is familiar with the group). Examples of relevant journals include: The Journal of Transcultural Nursing; Social Science and Medicine; Western Journal of Nursing; Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; Annals of Internal Medicine; Occupational Therapy International; Annals of Family Medicine; Cultural Anthropology. Also utilize public health websites and document them fully.

You are required to use the writing style of the American Medical Association. This means that you will identify the sources of your information on each slide, using numbered citations, with a full reference list at the end. Do not let the citation of sources overwhelm your slides. AMA format style is recommended because reference numbers identify sources in-text, which minimizes space on your slides.

Step 3: Develop Your Presentation based on the information you gathered and included in your outline. Your presentation should last approximately 15 minutes if you were to read the slides and accompanying notes sections where appropriate, but there is no minimum or maximum number of slides required. * Slides should be informative, yet easy to read, and follow your Outline . Please use the “notes” option on slides that have a lot of information when needed so that it doesn’t clutter up the slide itself (if that option is available; you can also include an additional notes handout for your presentation reviewers along with your presentation if not), or add audio if you prefer narrating your presentation. Audio is optional, however.

Step 4: Submit your Presentation.

a. Post your presentation to the Cultural Practices Presentation assignment link in Canvas by the published presentation due date (as specified in the course Schedule/Calendar).

b. Receive four randomly assigned peer presentations to review the morning after the presentation due date and score in two steps, using the Canvas grading rubric (Step 1) and Google docs link (Step 2) by the published due date (as specified in the course Schedule).

Step 5: Scoring: The Cultural Practices Presentation is worth 100 points total; 80 points for the presentation and another 20 for your four peer-evaluations and one self-evaluation.

Presentations must be understandable, compelling, informative and provide a concise synthesis of the research on their topics. Overall visual appeal, including organization and use of graphics are important to communicating your message. It must contain college-level writing with few to no grammatical, spelling or punctuation errors, so PLEASE check your work prior to submitting (NO TEXT-SPEAK!).

IMPORTANT: Presentations must be respectful of the culture and/or subculture in which they are representing and/or discuss. Information that could be considered offensive to others may result in removal of a student’s presentation from the class and further steps as indicated by the ASU Discrimination Policy. Remember that as a student at ASU you represent the University, so 7 presentations respectful, non-judgmental, evidence-based and objective.

Investigate an area of personal interest related to cultural health.,
Locate and identify resources that providers may access when caring for a specific cultural or subcultural population.,
Investigate opportunities and challenges that a specific culture or subculture face in obtaining and utilizing unbiased healthcare.,
Report specific beliefs, customs, and behavioral patterns of a culture or subculture.,
Relate strategies to address the unique health care needs among various cultures or subcultures.

December 5, 2025

Cultural Health Presentation

By Academic Wizard Blog

Cultural Health Presentation

The objectives of this presentation are to:

1. Investigate an area of personal interest related to cultural health.

2. Locate and identify resources that providers may access when caring for a specific cultural or subcultural population.

3. Investigate opportunities and challenges that a specific culture or subculture face in obtaining and utilizing unbiased healthcare.

4. Report specific beliefs, customs, and behavioral patterns of a culture or subculture.

5. Relate strategies to address the unique health care needs among various cultures or subcultures.

6. Gain experience with peer and self-evaluation by reviewing and scoring fellow students’ presentations as well as your own.

You will research health issues related to a specific cultural or sub-cultural group of your choosing and then share what you have learned with others in this class via a PowerPoint, Google Slides or Prezi presentation.

Read through the following instructions, outline and scoring rubric in this document to help guide your research and presentation development. You will use the scoring rubric to conduct four peer evaluations in both Canvas (1st step) and Google via a link (2nd step), as well as a self-evaluation in Google via the same link (2nd step).

Instructions:

In order to learn more about the health and illness aspects of other cultures and subgroups, you will develop a presentation using PowerPoint, Google Slides or Prezi and post in the Cultural Practices Presentations assignment in Canvas to share with classmates. You will be randomly assigned four of your classmates’ presentations to conduct peer evaluations, as well as own self-evaluation, and your final score will be an average of these individual reviews.

Step 1: Choose a topic from among the suggested cultural groups or subgroups listed below (or feel free to select another not listed that interests you). As you consider your topic, know in advance that you will be required to interview at least one person who is either from that culture or who has first-hand experience with the culture (or find a recorded interview to use in its place). For example, if you chose the sex-trade sub-culture, you might interview an experienced health care provider (e.g. counselor or public health specialist). Interviews can serve to provide valuable information in which to create the hypothetical character, as well as supplement information on other areas of the outline, including provision of culturally competent care.

If you are doing a presentation of a culture outside of the US, you will want to ensure you provide a thorough background of the society, values, majority beliefs, and historical context to ensure that the groundwork is laid for understanding the culture or subculture of your choosing, which can include groups both in the United States and in their native countries. It is essential to understand the context that cultures operate within.

Suggested example cultural groups include:

“Health and Illness in..”

· Native American/Alaska Native/Yaqui

· Caucasian (Be specific: American South, European Immigrants, etc.)

· African American

· African immigrant (be specific: Ethiopian, Sundanese, Congolese, etc.)

· Asian (be specific: Filipino, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Hmong, East Indian, etc.)

· Hispanic (be specific: Mexican, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Guatemalan, Peruvian, Nicaraguan, etc.)

· Pacific and Hawaiian Islanders

· Middle Eastern (be specific: Iranian, Iraqi, Israeli, Afghani, etc.)

· European (be specific: Bosnian, Russian, French, German, Italian, etc.)

Topics can also include subcultures, which do not necessarily have an ethnic or racial component, but share a common lifestyle or interests. Examples include:

· Pennsylvania Dutch (Amish)

· Jewish

· Mormon

· Sufi

· Seventh-day Adventist

· Runaway youth

· Single parents (Mothers or fathers)

· Foster children

· Adoptive parents/adoptive children

· Military (Active military, military spouses, military families, etc.)

· LGBTQIA+

· Transgender

· Urban Street Culture

· Communities of illegal behavior (be specific: sex trade, drug market, or gangs)

· Athletes (be specific: body builders, distance runners, triathletes, gymnasts, etc.)

Investigate an area of personal interest related to cultural health.,
Locate and identify resources that providers may access when caring for a specific cultural or subcultural population.,
Investigate opportunities and challenges that a specific culture or subculture face in obtaining and utilizing unbiased healthcare.,
Report specific beliefs, customs and behavioral patterns of a culture or subculture.,
Relate strategies to address the unique health care needs among various cultures or subcultures.

December 5, 2025

Interagency Collaboration Case Study

By Academic Wizard Blog

Interagency Collaboration Case Study

Students will critically analyze a contemporary issue in criminal justice administration, evaluating its impact, ethical considerations, and practical implications. Students will conduct a case study examining real-world examples of interagency collaboration within the criminal justice system. The focus will be on how administrators manage partnerships across sectors—such as law enforcement, courts, corrections, and social services—to address complex social issues (e.g., mental health, substance abuse, victim services, or reentry). Students will evaluate administrative challenges, policy implications, and the impact of these collaborations on justice outcomes.

The case study analysis is worth 100 points and constitutes 45% of the total grade. The case study should contain between 1500 and 2000 words, excluding references, cover pages, and appendices. The case study must include a minimum of 5 scholarly references/sources and must be written in APA 7th edition, 12-pt Times New Roman, 1-inch margins.

Case Study Options: Select One Topic

1. Interagency Collaboration in Law Enforcement:

1. Analyze a police-led initiative that collaborates with social services (e.g., Crisis Intervention teams, co-responder models) to address mental health crises, substance abuse, or homelessness.

2. Evaluate the administrative structures that support or hinder the partnership and its impact.

Requirements:

Section 1: Executive Summary (1 page)

· Provide a concise overview of the selected case, its significance, and key issues related to interagency collaboration and social service integration.

Section 2: Problem Analysis (2-3 pages)

· Examine the core challenges in the case, focusing on:

· Administrative Leadership: How criminal justice administrators facilitate or hinder collaboration.

· Policy and Legal Considerations: Relevant laws, policies, or mandates that shape the collaboration.

· Social Issues Addressed: How the initiative tackles underlying social problems (e.g., mental health, substance abuse, victimization).

Section 3: Interagency and Social Service Evaluation (2-3 pages)

· Assess the effectiveness of interagency coordination.

· Evaluate communication, resource sharing, and policy alignment between justice agencies and social services.

· Identify challenges such as organizational culture clashes, funding limitations, or conflicting priorities.

Section 4: Recommendations (2-3 pages)

· Propose strategies to improve the collaboration, focusing on administrative leadership, policy changes, or enhanced resource allocation.

· Discuss how the initiative could be expanded or adapted to serve other communities or populations.

Section 5: Conclusion (1 page)

· Summarize key findings and the broader implications for criminal justice administration.

Provide a concise overview of the selected case its significance and key issues related to interagency collaboration and social service integration.,
Examine the core challenges in the case focusing on administrative leadership policy and legal considerations, and social issues addressed.,
Assess the effectiveness of interagency coordination.,
Propose strategies to improve the collaboration, focusing on administrative leadership policy changes or enhanced resource allocation.,
Summarize key findings and the broader implications for criminal justice administration.

December 5, 2025

Research Article Summary

By Academic Wizard Blog

Research Article Summary

What is the purpose of this assignment?

Science and medicine are constantly changing, updating medications and procedures in response to the latest research. Knowing how scientists communicate through primary research article publication and developing the ability to quickly read and digest the key points of a paper are important skills for all STEM and health careers.

What is the assignment?

To earn any of this extra credit, you must do at least #1 OR #2. I would prefer you do all 3 parts. 🙂

Part 1. (15 points) Create a summary of the primary research article you were assigned and post a written or video summary about the article to your classmates in the Extra Credit #2 Discussion Forum in eCampus.

Part 2. (10 points) Provide feedback by writing up to two substantive (see below) replies to your classmates’ summaries (5 points per reply, so to earn the 10 points, you need to reply to two people).

Part 3. (5 points) Complete the post-activity reflection online form.

How does this group project help you develop Marketable Skills?

In this assignment, students will develop the following marketable skills:

Core Objectives	Marketable Skills
Communication	Employers want to hire individuals who demonstrate effective presentation skills by demonstrating ability to present ideas and information tailored to the appropriate audience and can facilitate discussion with others, including through active listening (which includes thoughtful reading) and providing constructive feedback and sharing relevant new ideas.
Teamwork	Employers want to hire individuals who demonstrate the ability to fulfill team expectations by accepting responsibility for their role, meeting deadlines and producing quality work that supports the team goal and are good at providing and receiving useful feedback using a constructive tone, providing evidence to support suggestions for change and acknowledging errors and making improvements to their own work when appropriate.

* This discussion will help you practice the specific marketable skills listed in bold in the table above.*

What do YOU need to do?

PART 1: Research Article – Summarizing Key Points (15 points)

Read the primary research article you were assigned (which relates directly to Chapter 16 on Cancer Genetics). Use the “Reading a Research Paper” guide to help you create a summary of the article in either written or video format (about 1/2 to 2/3 of a page or a 2 to 3-minute video), explaining what the article says and what the results mean. The audience is your classmates – write at college student level. Post your written or video summary in the Extra Credit #2 Discussion Forum in eCampus by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, December 5.

PART 2: Read and Reply – Providing Feedback (10 points)

Provide feedback by writing up to two substantive replies to your classmates’ summaries (5 points per reply, so to earn the 10 points, you need to reply to two people). This part can be done even if you did not complete Part 1. A substantive reply should include (A) comments about at least one thing you think the classmate did well, (B) at least one correction or concern you have about their summary AND (C) at least one question or follow-up thought you have about the research results (what are you left wondering about now that you’ve read this summary?). Post your replies in the Extra Credit #2 Discussion Forum in eCampus by 11:59 p.m. on Monday, December 8.

PART 3: Reflection – (5 points)

Complete the required survey by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9 (must also be AFTER you read or write at least one reply in eCampus) reflecting on what skills you practiced and what you thought about the activity – make sure to read any replies to your post before you complete this reflection. You can do this part if you participated in parts 1 and 2 both, or only part 1 or only part 2.

Create a summary of the primary research article you were assigned and post a written or video summary about the article to your classmates in the Extra Credit #2 Discussion Forum in eCampus.,
Provide feedback by writing up to two substantive replies to your classmates’ summaries.,
A substantive reply should include comments about at least one thing you think the classmate did well.,
A substantive reply should include at least one correction or concern you have about their summary.,
A substantive reply should include at least one question or follow-up thought you have about the research results.

December 5, 2025

Qualitative Methods Overview

By Academic Wizard Blog

Qualitative Methods Overview

Your presentation during last week’s meeting with members of the public, business owners, town council members, and lawmakers centered on research design for quantitative methods.

However, some of the questions and issues discussed at the meeting led you and your colleagues to conclude that additional research design is needed to gain insight into the perceptions of members of the public on factors in community policing.

For these types of data, you have determined that you will need to construct a research design that utilizes qualitative methods. Your supervisors are asking you this week to explain why additional research design may be needed.

You and your colleagues have decided to present some examples of how qualitative methods are being used in other sectors of the justice system to underline their utilities. In preparation for the meeting later this week, you and your colleagues agree to discuss recent studies in criminal justice that use qualitative methods.

Please address the following in your presentation and provide a transcript and closed captions for your presentation:

· Differentiate how observations, interviews, documents, and media forms facilitate the collection of data through qualitative methods.

· Support your response from Chapter 9 of the course textbook Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (Creswell & Creswell, 2023).

· Review Creswell and Creswell’s (2023) discussion of the advantages and drawbacks of each type in Chapter 9.

· Explain sampling in qualitative methods and at least one type of bias issue in qualitative research.

· Inform your response from Chapter 9 of the course textbook.

· Creswell and Creswell (2023) discuss these approaches along with other factors in qualitative methods.

· Examine the importance of ethics, reliability, and validity in qualitative research.

· Inform your response from Chapter 9 of the course textbook.

· Analyze findings in qualitative research in a study on probation, parole, or corrections published within the past eight years.

· How does the author(s) interpret the data in the study that you select?

· Discuss how qualitative methods could be utilized to address a question on social justice.

· Reflect on the types of research questions in qualitative research as discussed by Creswell and Creswell (2023).

The length of the script for your initial post should be at least 500 words in length. Support your claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly resources, and properly cite any references

Differentiate how observations interviews documents and media forms facilitate the collection of data through qualitative methods.,
Explain sampling in qualitative methods and at least one type of bias issue in qualitative research.,
Examine the importance of ethics reliability and validity in qualitative research.,
Analyze findings in qualitative research in a study on probation parole or corrections published within the past eight years.,
Discuss how qualitative methods could be utilized to address a question on social justice.

December 5, 2025

Enzyme Gel Lab

By Academic Wizard Blog

Enzyme Gel Lab

Materials

· 1 package of gelatin – any brand or flavor (If you cannot use a cow or pig-based gelatin for any reason, try using a vegan gelatin based on agar-agar or carrageenan.)

· 3 Styrofoam or plastic cups

· Small amount of fresh pineapple, kiwi, papaya, mango, or figs (must be fresh)

· Canned pineapple, fruit cocktail, or boiled (for at least 5 minutes) pineapple, kiwi, papaya, mango or figs

Procedure

1. Prepare for the lab by first filling out the table in the Background section (following the Procedure section).

2. Prepare the gelatin as directed on the package.

3. After preparing the gelatin, pour equal amounts into each of your three cups.

4. Label cup 1 as control. Do not add anything to the cup.

5. Label cup 2 fresh fruit and add several chunks of the fresh fruit to the cup.

6. Label cup 3 canned fruit, and add several chunks of canned pineapple, several spoonfuls of fruit cocktail, or several pieces of boiled fruit.

7. Complete your Hypothesis on the next page.

8. Place the cups in the refrigerator and leave until the gelatin in the control cup has set.

9. Remove cups from the refrigerator.

10. Get a piece of paper and write your name and UAG student ID on it. Place the paper next to the cups. Then take a picture of the cups with the paper clearly showing.

11. Complete the Data Table on the next page, insert or paste your picture in the Evidence section, and answer the questions.

Background

To prepare for the lab, fill out the following table. Questions you are to answer are in the left column. Do a search either in your reading materials or on the internet to answer the questions. In the column Source, write down or provide a link to the source which provided the answer. In the Quote column, copy and paste what the source says which answers the question. In the Your Paraphrase column, write the answer to the question in your own words. You will probably only need only one or two sentences for each answer.

Question	Source	Quote	Your Paraphrase
What is the main ingredient in gelatin?
What is a protease, and what does it do?
What fruits contain protease?
What happens to an enzyme when it is heated to a very high temperature?

Hypothesis

Do you think that the gelatin in all the cups will set? Why or why not?

Data Table

Materials	Specific Material Used
Gelatin used (animal, vegetarian – agar, carrageenan, etc.)	(Type in here what gelatin you used: animal or vegetarian. If vegetarian, what was the gelatin using? Agar, carrageenan, etc.)
Fresh fruit	(Type in here what fresh fruit you used.)
Canned/boiled fruit	(Type in here what kind of canned fruit or boiled fruit that you used.)
Cup	Condition of Gelatin After Refrigeration
1 – Control
2 – Fresh fruit
3 – Canned fruit

Evidence

Insert the picture you took of your cups after refrigeration. Make sure the picture includes a piece of paper with your name and UAG student number clearly legible.

Conclusions (Write in complete sentences.)

1. Was your hypotheses correct? Explain.

2. Which cup(s) did not gel? Explain why.

3. Does the way that the fruit is prepared make a difference in the gelatin? Explain. Be thorough.

What is the main ingredient in gelatin?,
What is a protease, and what does it do?,
What fruits contain protease?,
What happens to an enzyme when it is heated to a very high temperature?,
Do you think that the gelatin in all the cups will set? Why or why not?

December 4, 2025

Social Environment Assessment

By Academic Wizard Blog

Social Environment Assessment

People are influenced by their environment. Through environmental exposure, people form worldviews, thought processes, and ways of interacting with others. For this assignment, you will need to identify and research local and state databases to identify the needs in your community environment. This may help you gain an understanding of how your environment influences you and how the environment could impact your future potential clients. Develop a 4-6 page paper (not including the title page and references) that includes the information noted below.

First: Provide a detailed overview of the community demographics including factors such as population, racial makeup, crime rate, income levels, etc. What are the most important things to know about your city? Are there any interesting facts? Also discuss why it is important for social workers to be knowledgeable of their communities.

Second: Evaluate the community where you live in two of the categories listed below . Identify the strengths (things your area may be doing well to address the issue) and needs (why is it an issue, what are the stats, what is its impact on the community) associated with both categories. Data and factual information should be provided to support need. Select two categories from the list of social issues below:

· Medical care/facilities and services

· Mental health services

· Crime

· Homelessness rate (adults, children, families)

· Substance abuse

· Poverty

· School systems

· Environmental Issues

Third: Discuss where social workers are employed in your community. Consider settings such as schools, hospitals, prisons, detention facilities, nursing homes, social service agencies, afterschool programs, Head Start, Veteran’s services, mental health agencies, etc. Name specific places . For instance, Freedom 424, an anti-trafficking organization in Forest, VA. employs social workers. Saying an anti-trafficking organization would not be enough information.

At least 3 community/environment or government websites, databases, etc. should be cited, for a minimum of 3 sources. There is not a maximum number of sources. Please follow the instructions carefully, use the template provided, and use current APA format. “Upload” your paper as a Word document; PDFs cannot be graded.

Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the Turnitin plagiarism tool.

Provide a detailed overview of the community demographics including factors such as population racial makeup crime rate income levels etc. ,What are the most important things to know about your city? ,Are there any interesting facts? ,Also discuss why it is important for social workers to be knowledgeable of their communities.,
Evaluate the community where you live in two of the categories listed below. Identify the strengths (things your area may be doing well to address the issue) and needs (why is it an issue what are the stats what is its impact on the community) associated with both categories. Data and factual information should be provided to support need. Select two categories from the list of social issues below: Medical care/facilities and services, Mental health services, Crime, Homelessness rate (adults, children, families), Substance abuse, Poverty, School systems, Environmental Issues.,

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