Digital Commons Network^™

Comparing Interactive Versus Static Educational Images On Student Learning Outcomes, Noah Schwartz

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Static images routinely accompany text in educational sources such as textbooks, articles, and websites to convey complex, educational information. These are generally effective; however, current technology allows for interactive images that seem to enhance engagement. How effective are these interactive images? The present study investigated whether an interactive image produced better learning outcomes compared to a static image using the same text. Specifically, this study examined whether interactive images affected comprehension, memory, engagement, and cognitive load differently than static images. In this study, data from 153 college student participants were analyzed. First, participants were assigned to read about the neuropsychology …

123 Studies Use In The Review, Abdul-Akeem Sadiq

Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Predicting Superconducting Critical Temperature From Composition-Derived Features: A Transparent Linear And Regularized Regression Study, Md Ahiduzzaman

Data Science and Data Mining

We study prediction of superconducting critical temperature (Tc) from 81 composition-derived descriptors across 21,263 materials. To keep the analysis transparent and repro- ducible, we focus on linear models: Ordinary Least Squares (OLS), Ridge, Lasso, and Elastic Net (ENet). All models share a single evaluation protocol (5-fold cross-validation with standardized inputs) and are compared on RMSE, MAE, and R2. On this feature set, OLS attains the best cross-validated performance (RMSE = 17.6 K, MAE = 13.3 K , R2 = 0.735), with Lasso/ENet essentially tied next (RMSE ≈ 17.7 K , R2 ≈ 0.734); Ridge underperforms (RMSE = 18.9 K , …

Comparative Analysis Of Lasso, Ridge, And Elastic Net For Variable Selection In High-Dimensional Maize Data, Md Ahiduzzaman

Data Science and Data Mining

In high-dimensional genomic data analysis, traditional linear regression techniques often struggle due to the presence of a large number of predictor variables relative to observations. Penalized regression methods such as LASSO, Ridge, and Elastic Net have emerged as effective solutions by imposing regularization, which helps in managing multicollinearity and enhancing prediction accuracy. This study applies these techniques to the Maize dataset to model the time to male flowering, selecting relevant genetic markers as predictors. Our findings suggest that Elastic Net is particularly effective for high-dimensional data with correlated variables, achieving a balance between prediction accuracy and variable selection. The results …

Handwritten Digit Recognition Using Machine Learning Classifiers, Md Ahiduzzaman

Data Science and Data Mining

This project explores and compares the performance of various machine learning classifiers for handwritten digit recognition using the MNIST dataset. The classifiers include Logistic Regression, k-Nearest Neighbors, and Convolutional Neural Networks. Each classifier is evaluated based on accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score, and confusion matrix analysis.

College Student Health Outcomes Through The Lens Of Social Class And Possible Interventions, Ann Mary Thomas

LEAD Scholars Academy Showcase

Social class is a key determinant of college student health that is often overlooked. This project explores how students from low socioeconomic status (SES) backgrounds face unique barriers to physical and mental well-being, including financial strain, food and housing insecurity, limited access to healthcare, and chronic stress. These inequities contribute to disparities in sleep, nutrition, mental health, and academic performance.

While universities have implemented general health initiatives, many fail to address the specific needs of low-SES students. Through an analysis of existing programs and systemic gaps, this research highlights the urgent need for targeted, inclusive, and sustainable solutions.

Promoting health …

Health Disparities Among Hispanic/Latino Community, Meriam F. Naguib

LEAD Scholars Academy Showcase

This research project is about health disparities among the largest minority group in the United States, which is the Hispanic/Latino community. This ethnic community offers a rich and deep culture that impacts the United States through new experiences and so much more. However, many individuals suffer from health disparities due to lack of documentation status. Through lack of documentation status, many are not able to receive insurance coverage. This is an issue because the United states healthcare field is very costly and require individuals receiving that care to have insurance to help cover the cost. This research will dive deeper …

The Lack Of Mental Health Support In Caribbean Households, Arnoudly Bossicot

LEAD Scholars Academy Showcase

Growing up in a Caribbean household, mental health, amongst other topics, was something no one dared to speak about. Seeking therapy or talking to a trusted family member is not an option since you will look weak. When mental health issues are left untreated, long-term adverse effects on the emotional, social, physical, and behavioral aspects of life. In some instances, it may result in suicide. This research will explore the different elements that affect a person’s willingness to receive mental health treatment in Caribbean households. Would teenagers and young adults seek mental help if given the right resources and support? …

Volume Xxxii (2025)

The Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Journal of Florida Literature

No abstract provided.

Threads Of Home: Finding Rawlings's Florida, Rick Kilby

The Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Journal of Florida Literature

No abstract provided.

Mabel Norris Reese: A Courageous Journalist's Pursuit Of Justice In Jim Crow Florida, Joy Wallace Dickinson

The Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Journal of Florida Literature

No abstract provided.

It Takes A Village: Bringing Zora Neale Hurston Home, Deborah Dickey, Casey Wooster

The Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Journal of Florida Literature

No abstract provided.

Introduction To Hurston's And Sexton's Letters, Marvin E. Hobson

The Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Journal of Florida Literature

No abstract provided.

How Fiscal And Labor Policies Influence Hospitality Entrepreneurship: A Panel Data Analysis, Mehmet Altin

Journal of Hospitality Financial Management

This study investigates how state-level fiscal and labor policies influence the creation of hospitality firms in the United States from 2002 to 2022. Using a panel dataset and fixed- effects models with Driscoll-Kraay standard errors, we analyze the effects of corporate, sales, property, and income taxes, along with minimum wage laws and educational attain- ment. We separate the results among accommodation and food service subsectors to iden- tify specific policy sensitivities. Our findings disclose that tax and labor policy impacts are highly sector-specific and context-dependent. Especially, minimum wage increases are pos- itively associated with firm formation in lower-income, lower-education states, …

Smile, It Makes A Difference, Evan Jarosiewicz

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Fall 2025

No abstract provided.

Correlation Between Physical Inactivity And Mortality Due To Alzheimer's Disease., Steven Dimitrakakis

High Impact Practices Student Showcase Spring 2025

No abstract provided.

Damping Modulation Of Dampened Kapton Surfaces, Sebastian Esteban

Honors Undergraduate Theses

When droplets are vibrated or disturbed, they can exhibit a complex sloshing motion, an understudied behavior in drop physics. Droplet sloshing involves a complex combination of transverse and longitudinal motion that changes the droplet's effective weight on the surface the droplet is on. Our current understanding stems from preliminary work focusing on a cantilever beam of fixed thickness and variable viscosity of the liquid being sloshed. This investigation will focus on how variable cantilever thickness and constant viscosity for a liquid being sloshed affects the beam's deflection under consistent vibration. It will also investigate how the natural frequency of a …

Integrated Compliant Structure For A Hand Exoskeleton, Tristan R. Koopman

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis presents the design and prototyping of a wearable hand exoskeleton that integrates a flexible structural framework to assist with hand movement while maintaining comfort and anatomical conformity. The goal was to create a device that supports tendon-driven actuation through a compliant structure, combining elements of rigidity and flexibility to match the natural geometry and motion of the human hand. Traditional hand exoskeletons often trade off motion for structure or vice versa. This project aims to bridge that gap with a hybrid compliant design that balances flexibility and support. The design process followed an iterative approach involving rapid prototyping …

Fabricating Silver-Ceria Polymer Nanocomposite Scaffolds For Biomedical Therapeutic Applications, Shreya S. Pawar

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Improper healing of bone fractures and limited regeneration of bone following bone tumor resection remain a prevalent complication worldwide. Long-term effects of this include joint instability, limited movement, and arthritis. Bone infections (osteomyelitis), reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation via excessive inflammation, and underlying conditions such as osteoporosis can contribute to suboptimal bone tissue regeneration. ROS accumulation stimulates osteoblast apoptosis, while promoting osteoclast differentiation. These processes inhibit mineralization and osteogenesis. Conventional therapeutics involve the utilization of drugs and bone grafts. However, these approaches pose limitations and can result in subsequent complications. Microbial infections, ROS accumulation, and excessive inflammations are factors that …

Novel Nanomaterial-Based Platforms For Bio-Electrochemical Sensing And Photocatalytic Treatment Of Contaminants Of Emerging Concern In Water, Jonghyun Baik

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation presents the development of novel nanomaterial-based platforms for bio-electrochemical sensing and photocatalytic treatment of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in water, including heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and microcystin toxins. Conventional detection and remediation methods are often costly, time-consuming, and impractical for field use. To overcome these limitations, in this dissertation, five distinct platforms were designed, developed, and evaluated under various water conditions.

First, a microbial fuel cell (MFC)-based biosensor was developed for detecting heavy metals (Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺) and PAHs (benzene and xylene). The system exhibited rapid, linear …

Development Of A Data-Driven Decision Support System For Intelligent Traffic Management At Intersections, B M Tazbiul Hassan Anik

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Intersections are complex traffic environments where frequent vehicle and pedestrian interactions can lead to safety- and mobility-critical (SMC) conditions. Identifying these conditions promptly is crucial, as delays may result in missed interventions, thereby heightening crash risk, and diminishing operational efficiency. This dissertation introduces a data-driven, real-time decision support framework for the identification and mitigation of SMC conditions using High-Resolution Traffic Controller Data (HTCD) collected via Automated Traffic Signal Performance Measures (ATSPM) system and Connected Vehicle (CV) data from Signal Analytics. First, an end-to-end analytical pipeline was developed to transform HTCD into actionable safety and mobility measures. A Bayesian beta-binomial framework, …

Determining Essential Attributes For Experience And Satisfaction In The Customer 4.0 Era: A Kano Model Approach, Cintia Z. Buffon

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

The world is constantly changing, with rapid technological advancements and increased digital connectivity shaping daily activities. In this evolving landscape, customers have transformed into what is known as Customer 4.0—a new generation of consumers who expect high levels of personalization, digital engagement, and greater transparency from organizations. These expectations extend to higher education, where students demand more customized learning experiences, interactive content, and digital accessibility. This research investigates engineering students' preferences regarding educational attributes aligned with Customer 4.0 characteristics using the Kano model. While the Kano model has been widely applied across industries, its use in higher education remains limited. …

Investigation Of Combustion Properties Of Renewable Biofuel Blends Using A Hot Surface Ignition Assistant Device, Matthew Voigt

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

With global warming, fuel supply, rising fuel prices, and energy security becoming major concerns for countries around the globe, many countries have been researching methods to reduce carbon emissions. One option being considered is using Bio-derived fuels as a possible alternative to modern jet fuels due to their ability to produce less emissions. However, while they do produce less emissions, they are also characterized by their low cetane numbers resulting in low reactivity requiring more energy to ignite, lower total heat release values, and longer ignition delays leading to engine problems such as knocking and power loss. Ignition assistant devices …

Towards Safe And Reliable Ai Models, Zihang Zou

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, its applications have become indispensable in our daily lives. Emerging advanced AI models, from general-purpose Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT and Deepseek to domain-specific systems such as autopilot for autonomous vehicles, are changing the way we work and live by increasing efficiency and fostering innovation. However, these advancements also bring significant risks, as they may compromise data ownership or yield unreliable outcomes. In response, we focus on two critical areas: data safety and model reliability. To ensure data safety and promote lawful data processing, we investigate anti-neural watermarking techniques designed to …

Contagion Chronicles: A Spatiotemporal Analysis Of Armed Conflict And Infectious Disease, Devyn Escalanti

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This dissertation examines the relationship between armed conflict and infectious disease transmission through a novel theoretical framework that integrates ecological disturbance and health systems resilience theories into epidemiological contexts. The framework conceptualizes diseases along a continuum from "pulse" to "press." Pulse diseases, like Ebola, are characterized by sudden onset, high mortality, and short-term outbreaks. Press diseases, like HIV, progress gradually with lower mortality and long-term persistence. Grounded in this pulse–press disease typology and ecological and health systems resilience, the theory suggests that the absorptive capacity, adaptive capacity, and resilience of community health workers in conflict areas can influence disease transmission, …

Shock Tube Investigation And Chemical Kinetic Modeling Of Green Propellants For Space Missions, Marley Albright

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Hydrazine thrusters have been used for decades to land spacecraft on other planets. While its use is common, handling hydrazine is difficult due to its toxicity; this poses a risk to humans during testing and loading the propellant onto a spacecraft. Occupational Safety and Health Administration has limited human exposure to 1 part per million (ppm) of hydrazine per eight-hour workday. Green propellants are promising alternatives because they have lower toxicity but do not sacrifice performance. Green propellant technology has been demonstrated in space and future missions are planned, such as NASA’s Green-Propulson Dual-Mode technology demonstration. At the University of …

Structure-Property Relationship For Silver-Incorporated Cerium Oxide Nanoparticles, Shanza Nusrat

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Cerium oxide nanoparticles are known for their applications across several domains due to their biocompatibility, high oxygen storage capacity, redox behavior, and stability. However, their intrinsic electrical conductivity is relatively low, which can limit their performance in energy storage applications. Doping cerium oxide with transition metals has proved to enhance conductive properties and, hence, their performance in related applications. This research investigates the doping of cerium oxide with silver (Ag) and its correlation with the properties of the material. Silver-doped cerium oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by wet-chemical synthesis at room temperature by a facile procedure. Cerium oxide was doped with …

Assessing Driving Performance And Safety In Managed Lanes: A Human Factors Study On The Effects Of Buffer Separation Treatments With Delineators, Sharfuddin Ahmed

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Buffer separation with delineators is one of the commonly used separation treatments across US highways to distinguish managed lanes (ML) from general purpose lanes (GPLs). As MLs continue to be integrated into US highway system for improving traffic flow and reducing congestion, this separation method has become more popular due to its flexibility and cost efficiency over more robust physical separations. While past studies have explored the effectiveness and safety of buffer separations with delineators compared to other treatments, none have examined how specific changes within the buffer design—like separation width and delineator height—impact driver behavior. It is particularly important …

Evaluating Pedestrian Behavior In Response To Innovative Detection Messages And Wait-Time Indicators At Signalized Intersections: A Virtual Reality Study, Nada K. Ahmed

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Pedestrian safety at signalized intersections remains a growing concern in urban environments, necessitating effective communication between pedestrians and traffic control devices. Traditional approaches often prove inadequate in addressing these challenges. This study utilized virtual reality simulation to examine how innovative detection systems and wait-time indicators affect pedestrian behavior under varying environmental conditions. Ninety participants evenly distributed across three age groups experienced 18 crossing scenarios that differed by detection type, wait indication, crossing time, crossing distance, visibility, traffic density, and time of day. Key behavioral measures including start-up lost time, crossing speed, and total crossing duration were analyzed using linear mixed-effects …

Strengthening Community Resilience Towards Infrastructure Disruptions Due To Hurricanes, Tasnuba Binte Jamal

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

Extreme events such as hurricanes can significantly disrupt infrastructures, leading to negative impacts on productivity, economy, and social wellbeing. Understanding community resilience against infrastructure disruptions in response to such events is crucial for effective preparedness, mitigation, and recovery efforts. The overarching problem addressed in this dissertation centers around enhancing community resilience against infrastructure disruptions due to hurricanes. Community resilience is defined as the ability of a community to return to normalcy following a disaster. One way to enhance community resilience is to strengthen its critical lifelines and infrastructure services (e.g., power, water, transportation, internet) and capital—to reduce the likelihood of …