Digital Commons Network^™

Societal Sickness: An Exploration Of The Racially Biased Stereotypes Found Within American Historical Fiction Novels, Josephine Robbins

Masters Theses

This thesis explores the complicated nature of stereotypes in American historical fiction, particularly around black oppression and the Civil Rights Movement. The artist statement explores the personal and literary influences that led me to explore and further research this topic. The critical paper explores how historical fiction novels over the last few centuries have used black suffering as a vehicle to promote white moral development, causing a rise in the white savior character archetype. Finally, the creative manuscript, The White Washing, is a novel that develops African American characters morally and gives them a central role in their own story, …

From Classroom To Conference: A Branding Toolkit For Educators, Danyel Burgett

Masters Theses

From Classroom to Conference: Branding the Educator investigates how design methodology and research-based instructional frameworks can support educators in developing cohesive professional identities. As educators are increasingly expected to present, publish, and maintain digital presences, formal preparation in visual communication and professional branding remains limited within teacher preparation and professional development. This thesis addresses that gap through the development of an instructional design solution. Grounded in John Hattie’s Visible Learning framework, adult learning theory, and Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle, the project applies principles of clarity, reflection, feedback, metacognition, and experiential learning to professional identity development. The resulting design solution includes …

Returning To The Third Place: For Mental And Spiritual Well-Being, Angela M. Creason

Masters Theses

This study investigates the impact of Generation Z’s (Gen Z’s) digital immersion and post-COVID lifestyle patterns on their interpersonal relationships. The literature shows that anxiety, continuous online connectivity, and pseudo-relationships developed through social media hinder their ability to form and maintain face-to-face connections. Using case studies, visual analyses, and research-grounded graphic design, the project examines how Gen Z utilizes coffee shops as a hybrid space for work and selective social interaction. The analysis shows that this generation is open to in-person engagement when environments feel convenient, low-pressure, and aligned with their values. These findings inform the development of Percolate, a …

Correlations Between The Army Combat Fitness Test (Aft) Events And The 12-Mile Ruck March, Isabella Huner Cruz

Masters Theses

The Army Fitness Test (AFT) consists of maximum deadlift, hand-release push-ups, sprint-drag-carry, plank, and a 2-mile run and is used by the United States Army to assess a soldier’s ability to meet occupational demands. The AFT is designed to ensure soldier readiness and maintain physical and mental well-being. In addition to the AFT, soldiers are often tasked with a loaded ruck march across various distances. Loaded ruck marches are a frequent occurrence in the Army as a mode of testing, training, and combat. Due to the AFT’s role in predicting soldier task performance, it would be valuable to identify any …

In Vitro Modeling Of Macrophage And Cd8+ T Cell Activation: Evaluating Immortalized Cell Lines For Use In Undergraduate Immunology Laboratories, Lucy Groothuis

Masters Theses

The immune system is a complex, highly coordinated network of cells and signaling molecules that protects the body from infection and disease. Immunology is therefore a fundamental component of undergraduate education for students pursuing careers in medicine and biomedical research. Despite its importance, many undergraduate immunology courses lack a laboratory component. To address this gap, we developed an open-access immunology laboratory manual and evaluated its ability to generate meaningful data using primary murine cells and commercially available cell lines. Given the cost and logistical constraints of using mouse models in an undergraduate laboratory setting, we evaluated whether immortalized cell lines …

The Use Of Tactile Stimulations To Mitigate Somatic Anxiety Responses: A Pilot Study, Abigail C. Robbins

Masters Theses

Anxiety is the body’s response to detected danger or stress. Physiological responses include shallow breathing, increased heart rate, sweating, shaking, and muscle tension. Roughly 33.7% of the population experiences anxiety, with approximately 40 million adults in the United States being affected by the disorder. Anxiety can create severe personal, social, and economic burdens. Traditional treatments of anxiety disorders such as medication and psychotherapy can be effective, but present multiple barriers such as cost, accessibility, and side effects. As a result, there is a growing industry for non-invasive, low-cost solutions that can help individuals regulate their physiological anxiety responses and reduce …

Glp-1 Receptor Agonists And Disordered Eating: Clinical Indicators And Patient Narratives, Samantha E. Schulz

Masters Theses

Introduction: The use of the medication, GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA), for weight loss has increased exponentially in the United States over the past decade. The continuing rise in demand for the use of GLP-1 RAs for weight loss justifies the need to better understand the physical and psychological effects that can occur with significant weight loss. By combining a standardized screening tool for eating disorder (ED) risk with narratives from patients undergoing GLP-1 RA treatment for weight loss, this study examines associations between GLP-1 RA use patterns and risk of ED and explores patient experiences, including the role of …

Experimental Measurements Of The Forces Acting On A Submerged Beam Using High-Speed Videography, Madelyn Burrell

Masters Theses

The interaction of structures and fluids is highly relevant in many fields but difficult to accurately and reliably characterize. This study demonstrates a novel method of simplifying such problems by analyzing the structural deformations directly, without needing to explicitly solve for the fluid aspect. Six cantilever beams of varying properties were submerged in still water and released from an initial deflection at the free end: the cases consisted of three beam shapes (one of uniform width, one with a narrower free end, and one with a wider free end), with an end mass attached or detached. High-speed videography was utilized …

Distribution Mapping And Modeling Of The Invasive Japanese Knotweed, Jossalyn Rogalski

Masters Theses

This thesis investigates the distribution of invasive Japanese knotweed across Michigan. This plant poses significant challenges to land management due to its rapid growth, environmental impacts, and difficulty of removal once established. Using geographic information systems (GIS), remotely sensed data, and secondary environmental datasets, this research maps current infestations and analyzes key factors influencing the species’ growth and dispersal, such as soil composition, hydrology, land use, and a range of environmental variables, including climatic (annual mean temperature, temperature seasonality, annual precipitation, precipitation seasonality), elevation, vegetation and hydrological indices (NDVI, EVI, NDWI), percent tree cover, and distance to roads. Spatial analysis …

Does The Party Label Matter? Partisanship, Election Timing, And Ballot Drop-Off In Municipal Elections, Joelle Francis Whitaker

Masters Theses

This project examines if party labels drive participation in municipal elections. Progressive Era reforms removed partisan labels in attempts to weaken party machines and simplify local governance. Many cities continue to implement these reforms today. However, existing research suggests that party labels provide important informational and mobilizing cues that should increase turnout, especially in low-information elections. Using a comparison of four Michigan municipalities, this paper evaluates how partisan and nonpartisan systems shape local election turnout. The results show that the relationship is more complicated than expected. While party labels will still matter for how voters make decisions, election timing emerges …

Transformer Vulnerability To Geomagnetically Induced Currents Using Layered Soil Conductivity Models, Junior A. Sterling

Masters Theses

Geomagnetically induced currents (GICs) pose a significant threat to modern power transformers connected to long high-voltage transmission systems, particularly in regions with low subsurface electrical conductivity. During geomagnetic disturbances (GMDs), time-varying magnetic fields induce surface electric fields that drive quasi-DC currents through grounded transformer neutrals. These currents can bias transformer cores, leading to saturation, waveform distortion, and potential system instability. Despite extensive research, the role of regional Earth conductivity in shaping electric fields and transformer response remains an area requiring deeper investigation.

This study analyzes how contrasting Earth conductivity profiles influence GIC magnitude and transformer saturation risk using two representative …

Haunted By A Cheap Ghost: Objects As Identity, Caitlin Zachow

Masters Theses

I am haunted by a cheap ghost, surrounded by inherited memories that are not my own, preserved in heirlooms that leave little room for me to create souvenirs of my own experience. In response, my practice centers on the personal significance of collections as outward expressions of identity, personality, and lived experience. Rooted in themes of Midwestern Americana, this exhibition presents narrative tableaus and curated collections that examine how personal identity is constructed through objects of memory, and display.

Informed by research into the history of kitsch, Sigmund Freud’s concept of the uncanny, and the “outmoded,” my work considers how …

Extremum Seeking Compensation And Quantification Of Position Sensor Offset Error In Speed-Controlled Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motors, Tessa Biondo

Masters Theses

Position sensor offset errors present a persistent challenge in speed-controlled permanent magnet synchronous motor drives operating under field-oriented control. Even small, constant offsets in the measured rotor position can reduce torque effectiveness, requiring increased current and voltage demand to maintain the commanded speed and resulting in degraded speed regulation performance across a range of operating conditions. These effects are particularly problematic in speed-controlled systems, where speed loop dynamics cause increased electrical effort and limit overall performance. Many existing detection and compensation approaches are either dependent on the system model, require offline calibration, or are primarily designed for torque-controlled operation. This …

Coloniality In Blue, Aaron Rosa

Masters Theses

This research explores Puerto Rican identity through a diasporic lens. I investigate thematic underpinnings of colonialism and sovereignty in Puerto Rico, focusing on the intersectionality of colonial history, gender, memory, objectification, identity fragmentation, cultural resilience, narrative reclamation, and the color blue through autobiographical anecdotes. The recounting of these stories is interpreted through a variety of materials linked to my relationship with their colonial histories.

Through these relationships, I have created sculptures that reflect the materials to which these bonds are linked. Through the reflection of 451 years of colonial rule, my goal is to interweave the symbology of these materials …

Increasing Accuracy Of Mapping Local Climatic Zones Using Building Height And Spectral Unmixing, Ian Douglas Stauffer

Masters Theses

Local climatic zone (LCZ) classifications are traditionally done using reflectance, population data, and often climatic data. The goal of this research is to utilize Google’s new “Open Buildings Temporal v1” building data set as well as “spectral unmixing”. With the objective of testing, assessing, and implementing this data set into the workflow of LCZ mapping. After testing the quality of the data against a validated LiDAR data set from the same year as a given “Open Buildings Temporal v1” band, I implemented it into the Random Forest machine learning process. Secondly, I justified the use of spectral unmixing as a …

Changing Dynamics Of Microbial Communities At A Hydrocarbon Contaminated Site And Methanogenic Interactions With Iron Minerals, Jakob Sell

Masters Theses

Microbial life is not only ubiquitous but also plays a critical role in the geochemical makeup of our planet. While researchers have long studied easily culturable aerobic microbes, the influence of anaerobic life on soils and mineral cycling is less understood. Notably, knowledge about interactions between anaerobic microbes and inorganic elements such as iron has progressed with the discovery that magnetite influences how anaerobic archaea carry out methanogenesis. To better understand anaerobic bacterial metabolisms and how they interact with minerals and subsurface hydrocarbons, we extracted 16S rRNA genes from two adjacent subsurface petroleum plumes, sequenced the DNA, and analyzed it …

Transient Mitigation In Dual Active Bridge Converter Using An Auxiliary Converter With High-Frequency Selective Control For Load Step-Down Condition, Sachith Dilshan Wijesooriya

Masters Theses

Dual Active Bridge (DAB) converters are widely utilized in applications such as electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and solid-state transformers due to their high efficiency, galvanic isolation, and bidirectional power transfer capability. However, during rapid load transitions, DAB converters frequently exhibit significant output voltage overshoot and prolonged settling times, which increase device stress and adversely affect system reliability. This thesis proposes an auxiliary-circuit-based transient mitigation method to address these limitations. The auxiliary circuit, implemented as a bidirectional Buck–Boost stage, operates in Boost mode during load step-down events to absorb excess energy and suppress the resulting voltage overshoot. The design of …

Scholarship As A Means For Musical Performance: An Exploration Of Johannes Brahms Violin Sonata In G Major, Op. 78, Josh Zallar

Masters Theses

Developing a quality musical performance is a complicated and time-consuming endeavor. Endless hours are spent learning a musical instrument, developing technique, and growing into a mature sound. Learning the notes, rhythms, dynamics, and basic musical markings of a score compound this task, not to mention the preparation for performing by managing nerves, among other areas of concern. Amidst the undoubtedly enormous amount of work, however, often focus gets lost. Musicians forget that, despite the inherent fact that our inner voice is heard when we perform, that it is ultimately the composer whose voice and musical meaning must be conveyed in …

The Sacrificial Vs. The Luzhinian Figure: Comparing Sacrificial Love In Crime And Punishment, Pride And Prejudice, And A Tale Of Two Cities, Natalie Rose Kubala

Masters Theses

Many works of art and literature exploring the theme of love focus on trying to define what love is; in contrast, this thesis dives deeper into defining what love is not, specifically focusing on the relationship between love and sacrifice. This thesis argues that love is not the same as sacrifice because a true sacrifice requires that love is already present prior to the sacrifice being made. This thesis will compare those who perform true sacrifices to those who perform sacrifices for their own personal gain by exploring grandiose narcissistic characters who perform (or attempt to perform) sacrifices without love …

Sdn Controller For Distributed Quantum Computing, Firas Selmi

Masters Theses

Quantum networks promise transformative capabilities for computation [1], but current hardware remains limited; state-of-the-art quantum processors still operate with only a few hundred qubits [2], far below the scale required for practical applications. This limitation motivates the use of Distributed Quantum Computing (DQC), where computation is performed across multiple interconnected nodes. However, efficient DQC requires global network awareness and orchestration, a role analogous to Software-Defined Networking (SDN) in classical systems. In this work, we investigate the impact of SDN-inspired control logic on quantum networks by executing a scaled distributed implementation of Shor’s algorithm to factor N = 15 over a …

Exploring The Possibility Of A Salary Floor In Major League Baseball (Mlb), Tyler Michael Jones

Masters Theses

This non-experimental quantitative study examined the relationship between team payroll disparities, fan engagement, and perceptions of fairness in Major League Baseball (MLB). Guided by Competitive Balance Theory, the study sought to determine if perceived fairness influenced fan support for the implementation of a salary floor, and whether those attitudes differed across demographic and team context. Data were collected from 200 adult MLB fans residing in the United States and Canada using an online survey distributed via social media platforms. The instrument included demographic items and Likert-scale measures assessing fairness perceptions, fan engagement, and policy support. Data were analyzed using hierarchical …

The Intermediate State: Scriptural, Philosophical, And Scientific Evidence For Conscious Existence After Death, Timothy R. Perry

Masters Theses

This thesis examines whether Scripture and supporting evidence affirm that believers enter the immediate presence of Christ in a conscious and possibly embodied state prior to the resurrection. It argues that compelling scriptural, scientific, and philosophical evidence supports the doctrine that believers enter the presence of Christ immediately after death, in a conscious and possibly embodied state until the final resurrection. The study employs a multidisciplinary argument drawing upon biblical exegesis, philosophical reasoning, and relevant scientific insights from the emerging field of near-death experiences. This study uniquely frames the intermediate state as an apologetic issue, offering hope to Christians who …

They Write Themselves: Romancing The Vampire Of Lighthouse Landing, Dezi Vaile

Masters Theses

Many fantasy creatures have dark pasts; supernatural, often disturbing, stories that have been tossed in a sauce of romance to appeal to a wider palette. While vampires are typically regarded as creations of nightmares, these creatures of the night have been no exception to this cycle. Although legends of blood suckers far predate the birth of Bram Stoker, Dracula is arguably the most enduring and important example of vampire literature. By beginning with Dracula, alongside earlier works like The Vampyre and Carmilla, we will track what has and has not changed within the genre of vampire literature. With the passage …

Παράδοσις: A Comparative Analysis Of Paul And Oneness Pentecostals, John Calvin Carroll

Masters Theses

Tradition is an inescapable element of institutional life, including religious institutions. Traditions inevitably emerge whether in churches, corporations, families, or nations. Within the Christian faith, the critical issue is not the presence of tradition, but the authority and function ascribed to it. This study concerns itself with the role of tradition in both individual and communal expressions of Christianity. Traditions can foster cohesion and identity within Christian communities. However, their specific forms often vary across cultural contexts—for instance, between churches in North America and other continents worldwide. Traditions about men’s and women’s modesty may take on different forms between North …

Fostering Worship In A Countercultural Setting: An Ethnodoxological Approach To Secular Heavy Music, Jacob Lewis Ream

Masters Theses

Despite stylistic musical diversity within the evangelical church, many secular musicians and music fans have little to no desire to participate in corporate worship music. Specifically, those that engage in “countercultural heavy music (CHM);” namely, hard rock, punk rock, and heavy metal. Music that is often played for the purpose of corporate worship in the local church fails to resonate with many musicians in the corresponding local community. In addition, most evangelical worship ministries do not strive to reach the music communities outside of their local church. This study examines the reasons for this disconnectedness. “Worship as missions” is not …

Writing From The Rift: Queer Temporality And The Refusal Of Resolution, Daniela Ruiz Perez

Masters Theses

This thesis develops a phenomenological method for reading speculative literature as a site where queer ecological temporality is experienced rather than explained. Working with Annihilation (2014) by Jeff VanderMeer, The Day of the Triffids (1951) by John Wyndham, and Undrowned: Black Feminist Lessons from Marine Mammals (2020) by Alexis Pauline Gumbs, the project treats reading as a bodily practice shaped by forms of attention. Texts are not interpreted for stable meaning and instead I remain with moments where resolution is withheld. The work is informed by a Marxist attention to how capitalist time organizes labor, productivity, and value, and how …

Within Boundaries: Collecting And Exhibiting Chinese Contemporary Art In M+, Hong Kong, Lei April Liu

Masters Theses

This thesis investigates how M+, Hong Kong’s museum of twentieth- and twenty-first-century visual culture, collects and exhibits Chinese contemporary art under political and institutional constraint. It argues that M+ operates through adaptive autonomy, a condition in which curatorial and educational strategies transform limitation into method. By analyzing the museum’s formation, exhibition practices, and comparison with other Asian institutions such as the Asia Culture Center in South Korea, the Power Station of Art in China, and the National Gallery Singapore, the study reveals how M+ sustains visibility of Chinese contemporary art with political sensitive topic through 绥靖 (Sui Jing; subtle appeasement) …

Variances In Power Output Of Female Athletes During The Menstrual Phases, Julia L. Allen

Masters Theses

The purpose of this research was to examine if there are any variances in a female athlete’s ability to produce power, that could be correlated with the menstrual cycle phases. The study observed three elite female athletes throughout 13 weeks, collecting relative propulsive power and relative braking power data from their vertical jump performances which occurred multiple times a week. At the end of the 13 weeks, participating athletes were asked to download their personal Oura Ring data. The Oura data points included in this study were used to identify and measure several physiological factors such as menstrual cycle day, …

The Crucible Of Marriage: Faith, Formation, And Spiritual Autonomy In Jane Eyre, Diana Pitsch

Masters Theses

This thesis treats marriage in Jane Eyre as the crucible of Jane's unique, experiential, and individually crafted faith. It examines marriage as the primary arena in which Jane's faith is shaped, tested, and, ultimately, fulfilled. Situated within Victorian Evangelical culture and restrictive gender ideology, the study examines how Jane’s spirituality is shaped through personal discernment rather than submission to institutional authority. Through close readings of Gateshead, Lowood, and Jane’s encounters with Rochester and St. John Rivers, the thesis demonstrates how Jane’s faith is tested against both passionate attachment and prescribed religious duty. Her refusal of both proposals reveals a developing …

Life, Death And The Aftermath, Charlotte E. Smith

Masters Theses

This research analyzes McClocklin and Lengelle's 'Cures for the Heart': A Poetic Approach to Healing After Loss." It finds that poetry therapy may offer a healthy outlet for processing grief. Further research supports the therapeutic benefits in writing and reading poetry as a way to cope, find meaning, and make sense of it all, after the loss occurs. My thesis is a collection of 49 poems, in which I chronicle the life of my adult son, Justin, who struggled with an opioid addiction and passed away due to an overdose in the Spring of 2025. My work was inspired by …