Digital Commons Network^™

"Falling Hair And Drilling Bone": A Phenomenological Inquiry Into The Lives Of Adolescents Undergoing Chemotherapy, Rudolf Cymorr Kirby P. Martinez

Theses

This study, employing the interpretative phenomenological approach, explored the adolescents' experience of undergoing chemotherapy. Five (5) coresearchers were carefully chosen based on a present criteria set upon by the researcher and are as follows: 1) They are willing to articulate, share, participate, and describe their lived experiences, 2) They have undergone at least the second chemotherapy sessions, either as an in-patient or out patient, as one of their treatment modality for their cancer regardless of its type and severity. And 3) that they are adolescents between 12-18 years of age.

Modeling And Implementation Of Hfo2-Based Ferroelectric Tunnel Junctions, Spencer Allen Pringle

Theses

HfO2-based ferroelectric tunnel junctions (FTJs) represent a unique opportunity as both a next-generation digital non-volatile memory and as synapse devices in braininspired logic systems, owing to their higher reliability compared to filamentary resistive random-access memory (ReRAM) and higher speed and lower power consumption compared to competing devices, including phase-change memory (PCM) and state-of-the-art FTJ. Ferroelectrics are often easier to deposit and have simpler material structure than films for magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs). Ferroelectric HfO2 also enables complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) compatibility, since lead zirconate titanate (PZT) and BaTiO3-based FTJs often are not.

No other groups have yet demonstrated a HfO2-based FTJ …

Evaluating The Compounding Effects Of Weight Loss And Weight Gain In Choosing To Exercise, Courtney Wilson

Theses

The present study used healthy questionnaires to evaluate the compounding effects of weight loss and weight gain in choosing to exercise. The questionnaire was distributed to 31 participants via social media outlets. Demographic information was also recorded such as height, weight, ethnicity, and income. The height and weight recorded was used to correlate the BMI with the AUC values. This data did not show a strong correlation between body mass index with high or low AUC values, these values were evenly distributed between underweight, normal/average weight, and overweight participants. . The questionnaires designed to assess how people view exercise and …

Better Fit: A Conceptual Solution For Seamless Exercise Experience, Hongwei Huang

Theses

The development of fitness technology has changed the way we exercise over time, and each technology has allowed people to exercise independently in various ways, such as wearable devices, fitness apps, game consoles, and even social media. The consequence is that more people get used to exercising solely with their digital device and get motivated from virtual communities rather than in a real environment. However, the research shows there can be even more benefit for people by exercising with others in a physical space.

The thesis utilizes UX design methodologies to develop a seamless-workout experience that enables a user to …

Revitalization Of Controversial Sites In Downtown Banda Aceh, Ria Purnama

Theses

As issues pertaining to environmental, economic and cultural sustainability continue to persist throughout the world, the manner in which abandoned sites and properties are treated can be a means of revitalizing important resources, while simultaneously preserving cultural identities. For this reason, this research intend to offer ways to approach these problems by posing a central question: “How the abandoned spaces with specific issues be revitalized in relation to the continuity of cultural identity and place familiarity by providing the functions along with criteria and parameters that comply with the context, regulations, and culture?

In this case, specific sites located in …

The Soul’S Speaker: Give Your Eyes Some Rest, Fuye Zhang

Theses

The students studying in colleges often fix their eyes on books, on computer screens and archives for a long time to gain knowledge. As a result of this, their eyeballs often turn red out of fatigue. Researches have shown that college students lack the awareness of the benefits of giving their eyes some rest. However, there are few of eye protection advertisements which suggest the need for students to give their eyes some rest. As a designer, I need to let people know the important roles that eyes play in the human body. I feel it is important for designers …

Discover Yixing: Using A Mobile Application To Promote Tourism And Marketing For A Small Chinese City, Hanxi Xie

Theses

Tourism is an indispensable domain for many cities’ successful economic development. For tourists who are exploring popular cities and major resorts, there are a variety of mobile applications and websites can provide detailed information and instructions. It is convenient for independent travelers to use these tools to visit large and well-known cities. However, travel agencies, tourist applications, or multi-lingual travel guides do not cover some lesser-known cities. Although such cities may be underdeveloped in terms of economic conditions, some of these cities have potential to become valuable tourist resorts.

Many lesser-known cities can’t provide professional travel agencies and/or multiple language …

Audialtext: Improving Communication Accessibility For The Deaf Through Automatic Voice-Recognition And Wearable Smart-Technology., Ernest Roszkowski

Theses

Whether you are ordering food at a restaurant, asking for directions, or receiving a phone call from a family member, it is apparent that human communication is an important part of everyday life. Those who are deaf have limited communication accessibility compared to their hearing counterparts, and by default, obtain less public information and face more obstacles during social interactions.

This thesis project will attempt to bridge this communication gap through the exploration of human interactions with user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design. The goal is to design and develop an application concept for wearable smart-technology that will …

Automatic Protein Shake Freestyle Vending Machine, Balaji Salunkhe

Theses

This paper discusses the design and implementation of an automatic protein shake freestyle vending machine. This machine is capable of providing protein shakes as per the customer’s requirement. Customers are able to decide what kind of protein supplement they want according to their fitness needs, and they can give the appropriate instructions to the machine to prepare their protein drink by use of a touch system. Other customers, who are unable to decide or new to fitness supplements can choose a pre-designed drinks according to their personal fitness. As such, the machine gives the freedom of selection to the customer …

Evaluating The Effect Of Contextual Variables On Discounting Of Health Related Behaviors, Jessica Hubrich

Theses

The present study used a discounting task with differing contextual variables to examine how variables effect discounting between studies and future health related behaviors. Thirty nine participants completed two discounting questionnaires, each included hypothetical food choices paired with a weight loss or stable weight. Participants were instructed to complete each survey based on either their current weight or a gain of 75 pounds, and each survey included two identical hypothetical menu options. One menu incorporated low calorie foods, while the other incorporated moderately healthy foods, and participants were instructed to select the menu they preferred based on weight loss/no weight …

Assessing Equivalent Temperature Trends In Major Eastern Us Cities, Mercedes Lissette Gomez-Jacobo

Theses

Summer (JJA) temperature (T) and equivalent temperature (TE) for 18 of the largest cities in the eastern United States are investigated for two time periods: 1948-2014 and 1973-2014. Because temperature provides an incomplete description of lower tropospheric heat content, we supplement with TE, which also accounts for the energy associated with moisture. An auxiliary investigation using air mass data from the Spatial Synoptic Classification (SSC) augments the investigation of T and TE trends. The trend analysis revealed significant trends in Tmin at all stations over the 67-year time period and over most stations for the shorter (41-year) period. Minimum TE …

Parent-Child Interaction Therapy For Children With Autism, Tiffany Thomas

Theses

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a pervasive lifelong developmental delay with a prevalence of 1 in 68 children. This growing epidemic occurs for unspecified causes and researchers continue to explore evidence-based treatments available. Parent–child interaction therapy (PCIT) is a parent training program, initially developed for implementation with typically-developing children. PCIT has shown effectiveness in increasing child compliance, minimizing disruptive problem, improving parent-child relationship satisfaction, and communication. The present study investigated the efficacy of PCIT as an evidence-based practice (EBP) for children with ASD by implementing a non-concurrent multiple baseline design across three participants. Results indicated socially significant increases in child …

Barriers To Implementation Of Lean Techniques In Printing Firms And The Impact Of Implementation, Sandeep Yellinedi

Theses

Lean practices including 5S Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma DMAIC and Value Stream Mapping are gaining more and more importance in a wide range of industries. Firms in various industries have implemented one or more of the techniques that comprise Lean techniques and have realized reduced wastes that in turn has contributed to increased profits. The researcher, being associated with the field of printing, has observed the Lean techniques practicing trends in the printing industry. This report builds upon the previously published research that has examined the implementation of Lean Methodologies, including studies that have investigated the impact of the adoption …

Multiscale Mechanistic Approach To Enhance Pool Boiling Performance For High Heat Flux Applications, Arvind Jaikumar

Theses

The advent of cloud computing and the complex packaging architecture of next generation electronic devices drives methods for advanced thermal management solutions. Convection based single-phase cooling systems are inefficient due to their large pressure drops, fluid temperature differences and costs, and are incapable of meeting the cooling requirements in the high power density components and systems. Alternatively, phase-change cooling techniques are attractive due to their ability to remove large amounts of heat while maintaining uniform fluid temperatures. Pool boiling heat transfer mechanism centers on the nucleation, growth and departure of a bubble from the heat transfer surface in a stagnant …

Living In Place: A Study Of Vitality Through Sense Of Place, Susan M. Wylie

Theses

The built environment can respond to human needs and influence behaviors. An approach to design that grows from essential human conditions arguably is a preferable means of structuring the built world in a responsible and sustainable manner. Although new and innovative building technologies can achieve great strides in sustainability, underlying and fundamental human needs and behaviors may be an equally important source of inspiration and creativity in the built environment.

This thesis addresses social and psychological needs of the aging population in three communities in the vicinity of Rochester, New York. Through understandings of sense of place, the inquiry is …

Integration Of Daylighting Into Educational (School) Building Design For Energy Efficiency, Health Benefit, And Mercury Emissions Reduction Using Heliodon For Physical Modeling, Angela Read

Theses

This thesis examines the concept of incorporating daylight into a school using a heliodon device and Illuminance Rendering in Cloud for Revit software to create a physical and computer model of how the building will function in its given location as a tool to improve the institution’s economy, society, and environment. To properly design the inclusion of natural light in a school building, the climate and weather of the location and the unique timing of occupant use must be considered as daylighting design practices often include concepts that could increase glare or cooling loads. By carefully examining the impacts of …

Salt, Yi Yang

Theses

Memory and experience play an important role in the creation of my thesis work. I often reflect on moments that leave an impression me. I think these really touch my feelings and shape my creative mind. The feelings are always plain, they do not say anything, and do not unassuming, buried very deep. I see my jewelry pieces as small sculptures that carry stories, documenting important times and feelings that I experienced in my life.

For my thesis, I play and experiment with salt crystal and metal. For me, the growth of crystal is the same as the growth of …

Re:Act A Three-Way Communication Interactive Design System For School-Family Partnerships, Yoon Jin Lee

Theses

Using interaction design to create conversation to help create a personalized learning environment in and out of elementary classrooms for achieving students’ academic and mental success from a three-way communication between teachers, students, and parents

Many elementary school teachers encounter problems interacting with each student individually. Also, many parents are losing chances to track their child’s development and achievement closely in both physical and mental perspectives because of their busy schedules. There are several web and mobile applications to assist with these issues, but most of those are too focused on grading students’ positive and negative behavior and two-way communication …

American Teenage Vision And The Value Of Cool, Elizabeth Stegner

Theses

One quarter of American youth have a vision problem that, left untreated, can impact personality and academic achievement. The vast majority of these cases could be remediated with a pair of eyeglasses. However, even when kids and teenagers are prescribed glasses, many do not wear them. This thesis questions why this problem - which has a seemingly straightforward solution and clear benefit - has not been resolved. First, it discusses current literature and qualitative research on the prevalence of eye correction issues. This paper also focuses on how American teenagers specifically are impacted by this problem. Finally, it suggests a …

How Should You Plan Your App’S Features? Selecting And Prioritizing A Mobile App’S Initial Features Based On User Reviews, Rebaz Saber Saleh

Theses

The app market is extremely competitive, with users typically having several alternative app possibilities. To attract and retain users, it is imperative for developers to consider the ratings and reviews their apps receive. App reviews frequently contain feature requests, sometimes hidden among complaints. Developers use these complaints and requests to improve their apps, thus increasing their rating which is incredibly important for attracting new users. Unfortunately, developers of new apps are at a severe disadvantage: They do not have the benefit of existing reviews, with only the reviews of similar apps to potentially rely upon. To address this problem, we …

Wave: Brain-Computer Interface Connection And Biofeedback Monitor, Kurtis Unruh-Kracke

Theses

Over the last couple of years I have had the unfortunate experience of helping a loved one through multiple hospital stays. Anyone who has ever been in a hospital knows it’s not the most pleasant experience one can have. These experiences have lead me to the question of, how do I create a space to optimize and inspire the body, mind, and emotional centers to heal and engage support and community? By using empathy I can create solutions for the most extreme patients and use those solutions for other patients and other situations.

Through interviews with ICU patients, nurses and …

Moderators In The Relationship Between Child Maltreatment And Symptoms Of Depression, Sarah Nowalis

Theses

Experiencing child maltreatment is a risk factor for later psychopathology, however, not all survivors of child maltreatment go on to develop mental illness. Therefore, there are likely important moderators that interact with child maltreatment to contribute to the development of psychopathology. The present study examined attachment and stress severity of life events as possible moderators in the association between child maltreatment and later depressive symptomatology in a population of college students. Participants completed measures of attachment, stressful life events, current mood symptoms, and demographic information. An attachment style characterized by anxiety and avoidance, and greater cumulative stress severity were expected …

Study Of Y-Chromosome Str Markers In United Arab Emirates Population, Tareq Zeyad Mohammed Ahmed

Theses

The recently introduced 6-dye Yfiler Plus multiplex which includes 27 Y-STR loci (DYS576, DYS389I, DYS635, DYS389II, DYS627, DYS460, DYS458, DYS19, YGATAH4, DYS448, DYS391, DYS456, DYS390, DYS438, DYS392, DYS518, DYS570, DYS437, DYS385 a/b, DYS449, DYS393, DYS439, DYS481, DYF387S1a/b and DYS533) has been used to study 343 UAE Arab male individuals using Yfiler Plus® amplification kit. This set includes seven rapidly mutating loci (RM Y-STRs). These RM Y-STRs are useful for discriminating between closely related and unrelated males.. According to measures of genetic diversity the highest diversity were observed at loci DYS385=(0.94984), DYF387S1=(0.930523) and DYS449=(0.895402). Therefore, these loci should be considered the …

Evaluation Of Functionalized Magnetite Nanoparticles For The Removal Of Heavy Metal Ions From Aqueous Media, Khaula A. Ai Jahoushi

Theses

Sorption is one of the most efficient techniques for the removal of heavy metal ions from waste water. It involves the use of solid materials, known as sorbents, which can be natural of synthetic in origin. Recently, synthetic nanomaterials of various compositions have been used as sorbents. Among these materials, calcium phosphate; also known as hydroxyapatite (HAp), and magnetite were previously investigated as potential sorbents. In the current study, commercial HAp, and magnetite nanoparticles as well as their physical and chemical mixtures were investigated as potential sorbents for the removal of Cd²⁺ ions from simulated wastewater. A comparison is made …

Comparative Degradation Of Emerging Pollutants Using Chemical And Enzymatic Approaches, Khadega Abobaker Al-Maqdi

Theses

Organic pollutants, especially those found in water bodies; pose a direct threat to various aquatic organisms as well as humans. A variety of different remediation approaches, including chemical and biological methods have been developed for the degradation of these organic pollutants. However, comparative mechanistic studies of pollutant degradation by these different systems are almost non-existent. In this study, the degradation of two emerging pollutants an antibiotic pollutant, Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and a model thiazole pollutant, Thioflavin T (ThT), was carried out using advanced oxidation process (AOP), using UV+H2O2 or a peroxidase enzyme system. Optimization conditions for Sulfamethoxazole degradation by peroxidase enzyme …

Determination Of Primordial And Anthropogenic Radionuclide Concentrations In Agricultural Soil Of The United Arab Emirates Using Gamma-Ray Spectrometry, Rahaf Moutaz Billah Ajaj

Theses

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has initiated the first civilian nuclear power plant, and it will be operating four reactors between (2018-2020). The establishment of Barakah Nuclear Power Plant, which will employ the nuclear power to generate clean energy, is a significant step forward minimizing the UAE carbon footprint. Before the construction of any regulated nuclear facility, it is essential to investigate the environmental background radiation level in the country. Such an investigation is critical for providing the background data for the environmental impact assessment of the nuclear facility. The present study represents the first research effort in the (UAE) …

Mmtv Gene Expression Depends Upon A Short Cis Acting Sequence Within The 5' Untranslated Region Of The Viral Genome, Shaima Akhlaq

Theses

Retroviral genomes have been shown to contain regulatory sequences at the 3’ end of their genomes that have been implicated in critical steps of the viral life cycle, including nucleocytoplasmic RNA export, RNA stability, and post-nuclear export functions, such as translation. Recently mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) has been shown to encode Rem protein and its cis-acting cognate sequence located at the 3’ of the genome, the Rem-responsive element (RmRE). The binding of Rem to RmRE facilitates the export of genomic RNA (gRNA) from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. Using an expression system, our previous results have shown that …

Recent Works: Exploring Connections With Naturally Derived Materials Through The Context Of Art, Edmond Caputo

Theses

Recent Works is a body of art that arrived from my deep connection to the earth and nature. I was born and raised on a lake in upstate N.Y. and my childhood offered me a plethora of stimulation for my senses to receive and appreciate. It is a magical place to discover childhood, to experience as an adult, and one that remains my sanctum sanctorum. Growing up and bearing witness to a fluctuating and fragile ecosystem, where you can experience some of nature’s most triumphant moments and its transitional phases, has revealed itself in a way that has continuously informed …

Determining The Optimal Stockpile Level For Combination Vaccines, Sheetal Aher

Theses

By 2015, vaccine shortages still remained one of the major problems around the globe, as described in the annual secretariat report of the Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP). Despite multiple initiatives to reduce vaccine shortages, supply interruptions are unexpected and unavoidable. To mitigate the risk of such interruptions, vaccine stockpiles have traditionally been the tool of choice. However, the models used to determine vaccine stockpile levels have only considered the use of monovalent vaccines, which provide protection against a single disease. This study aims to determine optimal stockpile levels for combination vaccines, which provide protection against multiple diseases. First, through …

The Effect Of Time Spent Using Social Networking Sites Through Smartphones On The Quality Of Undergraduate Students’ Mental Health, Maja Bracic

Theses

The majority of people has already adapted to the unpredictably fast advancements in smartphones’ (SPs) and social-networking sites’ (SNS) technologies by using them on everyday basis (Jena, 2015). Always at hand, SPs are the most preferred way of connecting to SNS and if we add up the addictive nature of both SPs and SNS, young people tend to use them noticeably more than other age groups (Babdi-Akashe, Zamani, Abedini, Akbari & Hedayati, 2014, p. 94). Yet, little is known about the long-term effects of this newborn symbiosis on the quality of mental health. Thus, this research study focuses on exploring …