Digital Commons Network^™

Constructing Women Who Do Not Reproduce In Global Neoliberalism: Critical Approach To The Abolition Of Legal Ban On Abortion And The Struggle In South Korea, Yumi Kwon

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This study historically examines the abolition of the legal ban on abortion and the struggle in South Korea, focusing on the construction of the status of “women who do not reproduce”, and accordingly aims to critically analyze how neoliberal reproductive crisis in South Korea has been reorganized into the new order through the constitutive role of the struggle.

The results of the analysis are as follows: First, by examining Fraser’s theory, I explain that when the “boundary” dividing the realms of production and reproduction is a place of contradiction and struggle, the phenomenon of women not reproducing is centrally located …

Evidence For Interactive Effects Of Inhibitory And Prospective Intolerance Of Uncertainty And Stimulus-Level Uncertainty On Threat Safety Discrimination Learning, Kyoko Yazaki

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Fear is a fundamental component of human learning, critical for survival, and extensively studied through Pavlovian conditioning paradigms (LeDoux & Pine, 2016). This thesis examines the interplay between stimulus-level uncertainty and individual differences in intolerance of uncertainty (IU) on threat-safety discrimination learning. Using a within-subject design, participants were conditioned to certain (100% reinforcement), uncertain (50% reinforcement), and safety (0% reinforcement) cues through the pairing of colored visual stimuli with aversive electrical shocks. Discrimination learning was assessed using both implicit (SCR) and explicit (self-reported US expectancy estimates and unpleasantness ratings) measures.

The present study (n = 102) replicated previous findings showing …

Beyond The Sum: A Network Analysis Of Adverse Childhood Experiences And Behavioral Outcomes In Justice-Involved Youth, Jennifer Yang

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This dissertation examines gender-specific patterns of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among justice-involved youth using network analysis. Despite experiencing higher rates of childhood adversity, female youth show lower recidivism rates than males, presenting an empirical paradox. Using a sample of 19,454 justice-involved youth (75% male), this study applies novel network methods to understand how ACEs and behavioral outcomes are organized across gender. Findings reveal distinct network architectures: female youth maintain more integrated but vulnerable networks, while males show more compartmentalized but stable structures. Female recidivists demonstrate systematic network destabilization when compared to non-recidivists, characterized by a 39% reduction in network density, …

Chatgpt Didn’T Write This: Evaluating The Impact Of Llms With A Case Study In Grading Cuny Language Immersion Program Student Essays, Benjamin Inbar

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This study evaluates the capabilities and limitations of large language models (LLMs), specifically OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4o, in grading essays from students in the City University of New York’s Language Immersion Program. The program serves English language learners with diverse linguistic and demographic backgrounds, offering intensive language instruction to prepare students for academic success in college. Using a dataset of 30 pre- and post-program essays scored by program instructors and ChatGPT-4o under three paradigms, this research explores the alignment between human and AI-generated scores across five rubric-based competency areas. Findings reveal that ChatGPT-4o aligns moderately with human grading, with the strongest agreement …

Quantified Lives: Data, Bias, And The Cost Of Categorization, Colin F. Geraghty

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This project critically examines how statistical methods and data visualization have historically been used to categorize, rank, and control human populations. By exploring the works of key figures like Francis Galton, Karl Pearson, and R.A. Fisher, it traces the evolution of categorization frameworks from their eugenic roots to modern applications in artificial intelligence and global metrics like the World Happiness Report. Through interactive visualizations and historical analysis, the project invites users to question the legitimacy of these frameworks and reflect on their impact on society. At its core, this work emphasizes the need to move beyond rigid classification systems, challenging …

Quantifying Educational Impacts Under The Nypd's Stop-And-Frisk Era, Matthew T. Stanton

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This project examines the educational and economic impacts of the New York Police Department's "Stop, Question, and Frisk" (SQF) program, implemented predominantly under "Operation Impact" from 2003 to 2022. Using data from the NYPD and the American Community Survey, the study explores correlations between high rates of stop-and-frisk encounters and reduced educational attainment among targeted demographics, primarily Black and Hispanic young men. It contextualizes the socioeconomic consequences of SQF policies, including their effect on lifetime earnings and community trust. The project highlights the limitations of data correlation, advocates for further longitudinal and qualitative studies, and suggests frameworks for mitigating inequities …

Jamaica In The Olympics: The Rise Of Usain Bolt, Micaiah Davis

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The Summer Olympics is a global competition that encourages athletes worldwide to participate in various events. For many countries, especially smaller ones, it allows gaining national recognition for themselves and their country. This project offers insight into how an athlete's Olympic participation can impact their country and the event. Specifically, this project serves as intangible evidence that Jamaica has made an undeniable contribution to the sports world and its legacy by way of prominent athletes such as Usain Bolt. To that end, public Olympic data was analyzed and visualized in Tableau. The resulting visualizations are accessible through a website.

Decades Of Division: Analyzing Hate Crimes In The Usa (1991–2022), Sangeeth Sajan Baby

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This project comprehensively analyses hate crime data in the United States, leveraging advanced data analysis and visualization techniques to unmask patterns and insights. By utilizing datasets of criminal offenses reported by law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, this study explores the dynamics of hate crimes across racial, religious, gender, and sexual orientation groups. The analysis reveals key findings, including the disproportionate targeting of African Americans and LGBTQ+ individuals, the prevalence of hate crimes in specific locations like residences and educational institutions, and the consistent patterns of attack types and locations across different racial groups. Analysis of crime data over …

Characterizing Malaria Infections In Caribbean Lizards: Parasite Niche Expansion & Host Response, Sarah J. Pangburn

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Malaria is historically one of the most severe parasitic human diseases and is still responsible for over half a million deaths annually. Plasmodium species, the causative agents of malaria, are often characterized by two hallmark features of their asexual stages: the invasion of vertebrate red blood cells and the presence of hemozoin pigment as a byproduct of host hemoglobin digestion. Despite their evolutionary relatedness to mammalian Plasmodium, wildlife malaria parasites are understudied, leaving their vast genetic diversity to be explored. Lizard-infective malaria parasites, for example, include over 100 species of Plasmodium and present a diverse array of phenotypes, some …

Beauty Comes With A Price: But How Much Is It Worth It, Fabliha Afia

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The global skincare market, valued at 104.24 billion dollars in the year 2022, is very heterogeneous, ranging from prestige brands to more drugstore types. Even when the same key ingredients are present, the latter often sells for much higher due to branding and packaging and the aura of prestige created. This capstone project entitled "Beauty comes with a price: but how much is it worth?" investigates if such higher costs are justified due to superior quality or are driven by non-functional factors. It systematically compared the high-end versus drugstore skincare products in categories like sunscreens, serums, and exfoliants with respect …

The Role Of Confined Hydration And Water Reorganization In Molecular Binding, Joe Z. Wu

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

An important factor in guiding the development of drug discovery efforts is the comprehensive assessment of a ligand or drug’s ability to bind its receptor. The metric used to measure this interaction strength is by calculating the binding free energy (BFE). To achieve this accurately, we combine two concepts: (1) Grid Inhomogeneous Solvation Theory (GIST) returns the local water thermodynamic and structural contributions to free energy; and the (2) Alchemical Transfer Method (ATM) obtains the absolute (ABFE) and relative binding free energy (RBFE) estimates between ligand pairs. In this work, we employ Alchemical Water-Transfer to tether bridging water(s) during the …

The Evolution Of The Electrical Market: A Texas Journey, David A. Sastre Perez

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The journey of electricity, transitioning from a scientific marvel to an indispensable service, has profoundly shaped our society. In the landscape of the United States, the power market of Texas stands out as a unique case study and offers us a peek into a future where renewables are not only possible but integral in the energy mix. Through a series of interactive data visualizations, this project aims to expose the rapid surge in renewables and their current state. This analysis will reveal some of the selective pressures that will determine the evolution of the electrical market in Texas and the …

Caedmon Records & The Power Of Youth: How Audiobooks Revolutionized Children’S Literature, Faihaa Khan

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The first known spoken-word recording was introduced to the world by Thomas Edison through the invention of the phonograph. Originally intended for a visually impaired audience to read without exertion, the first known recording was a recitation of the English nursery rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb" by Edison himself. The inclusion of a children’s nursery rhyme since the genesis of such an invention has become significant in observing the rise and success of the audiobook industry and its direct impact in increasing literacy proficiency in children.

Interactions between children’s literature and the history of the audiobook have been many …

Mad At The System: The Mental Health Act Uk: Power And Control Of Racialized Women, Maithreyi Rajeshkumar

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

Whilst experiences of madness are multiple, fluid and multi-dimensional across spiritual and collective dimensions globally, the categorization and regulation of ‘madness’ have direct foundations in European colonial-capitalist-patriarchal frameworks, policies and systems. This work focuses on the institutions and structures of power, turning UK legislation and those who are trying to reform or change it, into objects of study. A particular piece of United Kingdom legislation is the primary case study for this work – the Mental Health Act 1983 which covers the rights, assessment and treatment of people diagnosed with a ‘mental disorder’. Women, who are detained under this Act …

China And Russia In Africa: The Case Of Togo, Eli J. Messanh

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This thesis examines the impacts of China and Russia’s influence in Africa and focuses on the case of Togo, looking into how the increase in China and Russia’s presence on the continent affects the latter, the similarities and differences of their engagements, and what Africans as well as Togolese think of the proliferation of China and Russia’s influence in their countries. Using a mixed-methods approach with discussions and in-depth literature reviews, the research concludes that China and Russia’s relations vis à vis African countries produce both positive and negative effects, however, the negative effects outweigh the positive. It is therefore …

Multi-Document Graph Visualizer: Bridging Computational Text Analysis And Interactive Visualization For Large-Scale Text Corpora, Atilio Barreda Ii

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

This thesis introduces the Multi-Document Graph Visualizer (MDGV), a tool designed to analyze and visualize relationships within large-scale text corpora, addressing a critical gap in computational text analysis. By synthesizing state-of-the-art natural language processing (NLP) techniques with advanced interactive data visualization, MDGV empowers researchers across disciplines—including the sciences, social sciences, and humanities—to uncover latent connections, relationships, and patterns in vast and complex document collections. Importantly, MDGV requires limited technical expertise from its users, making it accessible to a broader audience of researchers and practitioners. This approach draws on Haraway's concept of situated knowledges, which emphasizes interpretability and engagement in …

Testing Toxicity: Two Approaches To Toxicity Detection, Nelson E. Jarrin

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The current online environment is increasingly being polluted by polarization, echo chambers, and a lack of constructive dialogue between individuals with differing viewpoints. Social media algorithms, while intended to personalize user experiences and marketing areas, have been heavily criticized for inadvertently amplifying extremist content and contributing to the spread of toxic commentary. The current state of the internet hinders productive conversations, fuels misinformation, entices disinformation and contributes to online and offline societal division. This is fueled by algorithms that can create echo chambers and by the anonymity given by online platforms. While tools like the Perspective API exist to identify …

Minor Role Iii: Youth Under Age 18 And New York City Violence, Jeffrey A. Butts, Gina Moreno

Publications and Research

Researchers at the John Jay College Research and Evaluation Center analyzed NYPD arrest data from 2006 to 2024 to assess trends in felony assault, felony robbery, and felony weapon offenses across age groups. The study examined whether New York’s “Raise the Age” law, which shifted most youth under 18 out of adult court, influenced violent crime patterns. Although arrests rose across all age groups following the COVID-19 pandemic, trends among youth under 18 generally mirrored those of older age groups. The findings suggest no clear evidence that the law caused a youth-specific increase in violent crime.

Does College Guarantee Economic Mobility?: Incorporating Lost In-Kind Benefits Into The Calculation, Amy S. White

Publications and Research

Average salaries of college graduates are higher than salaries of those without degrees. However, the experience of graduating and out-earning the income requirements for in-kind or entitlement benefits like Medicaid, public assistance, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Plan, and/or Section 8 housing vouchers are not taken into consideration in any mobility calculation nor are students prepared to lose their benefits. Teaching at an urban commuter school in a financially disadvantage borough, I have identified a gap in the research literature and supportive services for these low-income students. This opinion piece further describes the problem and highlights areas for future action and research.

Synergizing Tqm, Jit, And Green Supply Chain Practices: Strategic Insights For Enhanced Environmental Performance, Aamir Rashid, Rizwana Rasheed, Noor Aina Amirah

Publications and Research

Background: This study examined the role of total quality management, just-in-time, and green supply chain management practices to improve environmental performance. Methods: Data from 207 manufacturing industry respondents from a developing economy were tested through a quantitative method using PLS-SEM with the help of SmartPLS to validate the measurement model. Results: The results show that just-in-time significantly impacts total quality management and green supply chain management practices. Similarly, total quality management significantly affects environmental performance. However, just-in-time insignificantly affects the environment. Likewise, total quality management is insignificant and negatively affects green supply chain practices. Conclusion: This research provides practical insight …

Transform A Library Corner Into A Social Learning Space, Junli Diao

Open Educational Resources

This library project proposal outlines the essential steps to convert a library corner into a leisure reading space. The proposal includes opening narrative, justifications, work plan, outcome assessment, and budget estimation.

Gender Equity In Municipalities: Understanding Local Policy Priorities, Maria J. D’Agostino, Nicole M. Elias, Nicole Dimaria

Publications and Research

The purpose of this research is to examine policy priorities of municipal legislation designed to promote gender equity. We ask the following research question: How does municipal policy address gender equity? To answer this question, we identify New York City legislation that targets gender equity passed under the DeBlasio administration (2014–2022). Using Atlas.TI, legislation is organized around The New York City Commission on Gender Equity’s goals to identify policy priorities. Our findings indicate that despite progressive policy efforts, policy priorities remain focused on gender stereotypes and long-standing issues, particularly sexual harassment and violence.

Schlichting Hist 103 Syllabus, Kara M. Schlichting

Open Educational Resources

No abstract provided.

An Exploration Of Collaboration Between School Psychologists And School Administrators, Marian C. Fish, Nathalis Wamba, Tom Matuza, Julie Cooperstone

Publications and Research

Prior research has highlighted strong benefits from having a collaborative environment within schools. However, there has been limited research regarding factors that can promote a collaborative relationship between two key professionals within the school environment: school administrators and school psychologists. The first purpose of this study was to examine the nature of collaboration between school psychologists and school administrators. The second purpose was to explore ways to facilitate and improve this interprofessional collaboration within the school to promote safe, equitable, and supportive school climates and positive student outcomes. Using a qualitative methodology, we collected and analyzed data from three focus …

Rhythm Machine: Polyrhythmic Dimensions, James Elam

Theses and Dissertations

James Elam combines visual and aural mediums with technology to capture and manipulate sound. Here, Elam discusses how the repetitive elements in his work serve a practical purpose and add a conceptual and tactile layer to his sculptures and echo the hypnotic qualities in his DJ practice.

It Is Not Her Fault She Didn’T Know Mary Had A Lamb, Samer Ridikkuluz

Theses and Dissertations

“It is not her fault she didn’t know Mary had a lamb” is not an Arab Queer conflict. It is the genocide of everything they told me art was and the decolonial clarity of what art can be. Whether it be bridging the gap between the East and the West, the straights and the gays, or me and the world—I investigate the human condition, the parts we play, and how identity evolves and hides.

Ultraviolent, Jin Mateo Kim

Theses and Dissertations

How do you reconceive yourself in a society that has failed you? Jin Mateo Kim's works examine the reckoning of self-conception in postwar youth subculture of the 1960s.

You Are Not A Good Photographer, Byungsuk Yoon

Theses and Dissertations

This paper examines the medium of photography as a dynamic space for exploring the interplay between reality, memory, and imagination. It positions photography as an imperfect medium that operates on the boundary between predictability and uncertainty, embracing its inherent limitations as a source of creative potential. By addressing the tension between subjective experience and objective reality, this study redefines photography as a tool for continuous questioning and reinterpretation, highlighting its role in navigating the gaps between what is seen and what is imagined.

The Epiphany, Maja-Lisa Flodin-Ali

Theses and Dissertations

Maja-Lisa Flodin-Ali explores her interest in constructing spaces and occupying sets, while navigating the complexities of living with a mood disorder. She draws parallels between the multilayered nature of New York City and the layers of her own identity, retracing her personal history and examining its impact on her art practice. By engaging with classic narratives, such as Alice in Wonderland and The Wizard of Oz, Flodin-Ali reframes her journey and personal history, using these stories as a lens to explore healthier and more sustainable approaches to making.

Victim/Perpetrator, David D. Moy

Theses and Dissertations

Throughout this text, David Moy will discuss the inner working of his investigation on image overload and materialization. Through tactics of blurring, erasure, and layering he achieves obfuscation in his printed media. In doing so, he questions the compounding nature of image/text that negate themselves in the larger context of time in the digital age.