Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Behavioral Skills Training For Teaching Implementation Of Natural Language Paradigm Program To Staff In An Early Intervention Setting, Abigail Kinnear

Theses

Due to the prevalence of language delays in children with ASD, it is important to provide effective treatment and ensure highly trained staff to implement language programs. Natural Language Paradigm (NLP) is a naturalistic approach that includes individualized motivating variables, natural reinforcers, and direct response to reinforcer contingencies to increase vocal communication and generalization of skills. Behavioral skills training (BST) is an effective strategy that uses instructions, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback to teach staff to implement specific programs. The current study replicated Seiverling et al. (2009) study on evaluating the effectiveness of using BST to train three staff to implement …

Teaching Adults With Developmental Disabilities To Ask "Why?", Mya White

Theses

Mands for information play an important role in language development and are important for successfully acquiring new information from one’s environment. Still, many individuals cannot effectively ask Wh- questions to mand for information, even though they may have extensive tact, intraverbal, and receptive language skills. Recently, Valentino et al. (2019) investigated procedures to teach the MFI “Why?” to children with language delays under the control of the establishing operation and examined the extent to which teaching resulted in generalization. The purpose of this study was to extend Valentino et al. protocol with three adults with developmental disabilities. The procedure involved …

Reach, Rachel Immel

Theses

Reach is a 2D digitally animated short film that is dedicated to exploring the sacrifices that are made to achieve our dreams. The story of my graduate thesis film follows Moe, a subterrestrial bat-like creature that dreams of being able to see the sky for the first time. Feeling suffocated by his dark and cramped surroundings, he rushes toward the surface as soon as a busted rusty pipe provides what appears to be an opening to the surface. What he does not know is that he is venturing into danger that will change him forever. This project is inspired by …

Generation Z’S Perspective On Work-Life Balance: Case Of Kosovo, Lorine Bajrami

Theses

This capstone project examines the perspective of Generation Z in Kosovo toward work-life balance by specifically looking at their preferences regarding flexibility, remote work, and the compromise of work-life balance with other work-related factors. People who are born between 1996 and 2010 belong to the Generation Z cohort, which is characterized by profound digital savviness, mental health awareness, preference for flexibility in workplace, and strong desire to balance work and personal life. The data for analyzing the Gen Z’s perspectives on life work-balance is collected through an online survey (n=174) and two focus group discussions. Global reports and existing research …

Music Education In The Urban Classroom: Issues Of Equity And Access, Lakeisha Walker

Theses

Music education in urban classrooms plays a crucial role in shaping students' overall development and academic success. The field of music education is not immune to the challenges of equity and access that exist in urban settings. It is essential to address these issues to ensure that all students have equal opportunities to participate in music programs and reap the countless benefits that come with them.

The importance of this topic in the field of music education cannot be overstated. Research has shown that students who participate in music programs demonstrate improved academic performance, enhanced cognitive skills, and increased creativity. …

Three Zafimaniry Carvings From The Southern Highlands Of Madagascar And Their Symbolic Meaning, Emily Krupp

Theses

The Zafimaniry people are a community living in the southern highlands of Madagascar, most known for their geometric, low-relief works of art that they carve onto wooden surfaces throughout their villages. The shapes that make up the designs signify the Zafimaniry people's ideologies, but motifs carved into the homes specifically represent their beliefs about marriage and societal structure. Three metaphorical symbols have been translated within the motifs by the Zafimaniry people as the patriarch, the family, and the community. A comparative cultural study between the motifs on Zafimaniry window shutters and Swahili doorways reveal similarities in material culture, visual elements …

Determinants Of Youth Entrepreneurship In Kosovo, Dren Hima

Theses

This research aims to analyze the determinants of the probability of youth in Kosovo becoming nascent entrepreneurs. Kosovo, a young nation with a youth demographic and post-conflict socio-economic challenges, presents a unique context for studying entrepreneurship. The study focuses on the impact of both demographic and perceptual characteristics of the youth on their entrepreneurial orientation. The empirical analysis combines secondary data with primary data collected through an online survey targeting the youth of Kosovo, aged 18-29. It assesses the impact of various factors, including gender, educational background, household income, entrepreneurial experience, and perceptual variables like opportunity perception, fear of failure, …

Impacts Of Professional Development On Researchers, Kayleigh M. Patterson

Theses

In this work, I study the effectiveness of Professional development for Emerging Education Researchers (PEER) using a framework adapted from one that evaluates professional development for teachers. Professional Development (PD) is the process of learning information after one’s main school for job settings. These cover job/career specific skills that are not taught during schooling, since they are normally more specific. While a Ph.D. does set up a lot of specific skills, due to a changing research climate based on discoveries and organizational standards, there are always more skills to learn for a researcher. Therefore, there are professional development for researchers …

Broadened Positive And Emotion Congruent Attentional Biases And Emotion Regulation, Michael Mctighe

Theses

Attentional processes or concentration of mental faculties is a vast area of research in the cognitive sciences that is complicated by an abundance of other variables. Evidence overwhelming suggests that exogenous attention is biased toward emotional stimuli. Prevailing theories suggest that positive emotions can improve attentional processes, and that a participant’s emotional state can lead people to better attend to congruent information. Systems associated with emotion regulation overlap with processes related to biased attention. This study sought to further explore the theories of broaden and build, and emotion congruence, while also exploring how emotion regulation influences various types of attentional …

Bert-Boosted Adaptive Learning, Dibyanshu Chatterjee

Theses

Knowledge Tracing is a machine learning technique that aids in monitoring a learner’s knowledge in a given learning environment. This thesis introduces a unified approach to adaptive learning, specifically with the use of Knowledge Tracing (KT) and other relevant machine learning models, that can aid in creating a personalized learning environment for a learner on an Intelligent Tutoring System (ITS). While contemporary ITS exemplars, such as Knewton and Adaptemy, strive to provide seamless adaptive learning experience, most such ITS platforms do so by employing individualized models, each tai- lored to distinct tasks, for example, some models may predict correctness of …

Race As A Two-Sided Factor In Perceptions Of Policing: The Intersection Of Community Race And Police Race, Dani Wolfe

Theses

Police practices tend to produce disparate outcomes for people of color. Outcome disparities have been addressed in other industries by increasing representativeness within those industries (i.e., increasing “organizational diversity”), though the outcome of these efforts is less clear in policing. Despite mixed findings, examining the barriers and facilitators to diversity within policing has been a growing focus of related research. While research has been done that investigates the experiences of minority race officers and how the presence of minority race officers may affect perceptions of police integrity in communities, little research has focused on how minority communities perceive minority police …

Designing An Animated Presentation For Educating Physicians And Patients On Opioid Addiction, Jenny Phillips

Theses

The devastating opioid epidemic in the United States continues to wreak havoc, especially on those suffering from opioid addiction. Regrettably, the lack of reliable treatments and understanding of this disease has hindered physicians' ability to provide adequate care. As a result, those affected often feel ashamed and reluctant to seek help due to the growing stigma surrounding opioid addiction. These barriers prevent the successful treatment of this prevalent and treatable disease. To tackle this issue, Dr. Michael Peck and his team have been essential in traveling to different communities and illustrating the truth about opioids and opioid addiction. They developed …

Clinical Validation Of Patient-Specific Inverse Modeling With Surface Temperatures And Physiological And Geometrical Factors In Breast Cancer Detection, Carlos Gutierrez

Theses

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting the lives of many women and taking over 683,000 lives worldwide. Early detection of breast cancer through screening has been instrumental in reducing the mortality rate. However, current screening methods based on mammography have issues with patient discomfort, invasiveness, cost and low accuracy, mainly due to dense breast tissue in approximately 40% of women population. Infrared imaging (IRI) is shown to be noninvasive, cost effective, comfortable, and not affected by breast density. The present work describes a novel patient-specific IRI inverse heat transfer algorithm based on the digital model of …

Cellular Automata Modeling Approach Of Addiction, Ruba Hameed

Theses

The purpose of this thesis includes the application of a mathematical model, as well as cell automata simulation, to shed light on the behavior of addiction spread in a population. The model describes the key determinants of drug addiction which includes peer influence, availability of substances, support networks, and awareness campaigns. The research aims to gain insights into the underlying mechanisms and patterns of addiction spread to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies.

The study begins by creating a discrete dynamical system that captures the transitions between 4 different states of substance use, including non-users (N), experimental users (E), recreational …

The Association Between Body Image Satisfaction And Depressive Symptoms Among Young Women In The Uae With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Pcos) And Non-Pcos: A Comparative Quantitative Cross-Sectional Study, Shaima Abdrahman Al-Mekhlafi

Theses

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common syndromes affecting women of reproductive age, (Laggari et al., 2009). PCOS not only impacts women's physical health but also their psychological well-being, often leading to depressive symptoms and lower body image satisfaction, Wang et al. (2023). Recent research indicates a growing prevalence of PCOS among women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mirza et al. (2023). However, there is a noticeable gap in understanding the psychological effects of PCOS on women in the UAE, likely due to cultural sensitivities. This study aims to investigate the association of depressive symptoms and …

The Impact Of Outdoor Thermal Comfort On Users’ Walkability: Study Case In Al Ain Square, Al Ain City, Uae, Alyazia Saeed Alnehayan

Theses

Living in a hot dry arid climate limits the walkability of its inhabitants. The excessive heat and dryness of the weather undoubtedly make walking a less tempting, encouraging, and pleasant choice for getting around the city. For that reason, this master thesis analyzes the various strategies used to enhance outdoor thermal comfort. Outdoor thermal comfort is controlled by numerous factors, including street and building orientation, vegetation, shading devices, and water bodies. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between walkability and UTCI values (universal thermal comfort index) in the context of Al Ain Square, a neighborhood in …

Exploring English Language Teachers’ Selfefficacy Beliefs In Relation To Teaching Gifted Students, Shatha Mohammed Sobih

Theses

This study investigates the beliefs of English language teachers regarding their ability to identify and teach gifted students, focusing on how they perceive their own skills in teaching primary grade level students (grades 1, 2, and 3) with exceptional intellectual abilities in English language education. The study followed a qualitative research design and collected data using an open-ended survey consisting of questions that encouraged participants to provide detailed and unrestricted responses. This study also performed purposeful sampling to select respondents with the necessary knowledge and experience to offer rich and meaningful data. This study targeted English language teachers (n …

Salivary Microbiome Signature In Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Ghaidaa Mohammed Mesto

Theses

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex disorder characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). IBD mainly includes two distinct diseases, namely Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). To date, the precise etiology of these conditions is not fully elucidated, although a strong relationship between microbial dysbiosis in the GIT and IBD has been proposed. In general, limited data is available on the oral microbiome of IBD patients, despite its recognizable role in impacting gut health. There is a paucity of research on IBD in the pediatric population, although this disease is becoming more prevalent than in …

Exploring Emirati High School Students' Attitude Towards Reading In L2 (English), Seba Dabik

Theses

Reading in a second language (L2) is a crucial skill for high school students as it helps to develop their second language proficiency and broadens their understanding of the world. It also holds substantial significance in both their personal and academic endeavors. Additionally, proficient L2 reading skills pave the way for promising prospects and professional opportunities. This study examines students' attitudes towards reading academically and recreationally in L2 and the factors that contribute to these attitudes. The study sample comprised of 20 grade 11 UAE national male students (16-17 years old) enrolled in a public Applied Technology School (ATS) in …

Human-Machine Interactions For Behavioral Health Care, Zhiwei Yu

Theses

About one in four American adults (26%) and 20.3% of children aged 8 to 16 years reported behavioral health concerns in 2023. However, a substantial gap remains between demand for behavioral healthcare services and access to such services. In response, research efforts have been made to advance effective and accessible approaches to provide assessments and treatments for populations with behavioral health needs. Yet, two primary challenges exist in current practice and research: 1) self-reports and manual observation-based assessments are subjective and labor-intensive, as evaluations are limited to the availability of clinical professionals; 2) they only target the general experiences but …

Machine Learning Models For Enhanced Stock Trading Strategies, Alyaa Al Ali

Theses

The purpose of this research is to develop sophisticated machine-learning models that can predict stock price movements, taking into account the multifaceted influences that create volatility in financial markets. To navigate the complexities of market dynamics effectively, investors, financial institutions, and academia rely on precision stock price predictions. This research generates actionable buy and sell signals by using historical stock data, technical market indicators, Linear Support Vector Machines (LSVM), Neural Networks, and Logistic Regression. A distinctive feature of this model is it uses market indicators such as PPO, MACD, RSI Signal, Bollinger Bands, ROC Signal, and DX Signal instead of …

Examining Regulatory And Social Process Traits Associated With Experiences Of Shared Decision Making, Megan Kelly

Theses

Decision-making is an important part of healthcare. In recent years, providers have started to use shared decision-making (SDM) with consumers, wherein provider and consumer reach a decision together. Personal characteristics common to Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), such as emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, and difficulties with social communication skills may impact SDM. Self-efficacy was hypothesized to mediate this relationship, as it has been described as an integral aspect of SDM. This study utilized a sample of 141 undergraduate college students. We found that emotion regulation predicted confidence in SDM, as well as differences in how individuals with …

Deep Learning Approach For Detecting And Classifying Chaotic Driving Activity Using Video Surveillance, Fatma Abdulla Desmal Alhaddad

Theses

The growing rate of urbanization in the city of Dubai has contributed to the increase in vehicular activity and the prevalence of risky driving behavior on the road. This project proposes a deep-learning-based system, VGG-16, for the identification and classification of different patterns of driving behavior. The research methodology used for the study relies on the compilation of datasets from various resources, including ImageNet, Kaggle, UAH-DriverSet, D²-City Dataset, and confidential videos obtained from the Dubai Police command center. The findings of the study will be categorized into two parts. The first part will involve the compilation of the features based …

Using Prediction Ml Algorithm For Predicting Early Student Attrition In Higher Education, Noora Ali Mohsen Alattar Alhashmi

Theses

Abstract This study aims to use predictive models in order to figure out students that are in likelihood of attrition as well as determine the factors that may contribute to this attrition. Student attrition is the occurrence in which students leave the institution without finishing their studies or taking the degree. It includes students either willingly or involuntarily terminating their education and failing to graduate. The findings will enable relevant parties to establish successful strategies or approaches and activities to assist in reducing the number of students who leave. With the testing and analysis approaches, it was recognized that SVM …

Exploring The Positive Impact Of Emotionally Designed Furniture On Alleviating Negative Symptoms In Individuals With Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-Ptsd): A Case Study Of Chinese Families Influenced By Traditional Confucian Culture., Guangxin Zhang

Theses

This study aims to explore whether emotionally designed furniture has a positive impact on alleviating negative symptoms in individuals with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). Through a combination of literature review and empirical research, the characteristics of C-PTSD individuals and their common negative symptoms, including anxiety, depression, fatigue, etc., were first reviewed and analyzed. Then, the hypothesis of the positive impact of emotionally designed furniture on individuals with C-PTSD was proposed. The study further explores how emotionally designed furniture enhances environmental comfort and fosters emotional connections in personal spaces to provide psychological support and alleviate symptoms in individuals with C-PTSD. …

Emotional First Aid Kit Design, Wenxi Qi

Theses

In contemporary society, the shift towards holistic well-being has highlighted the critical importance of emotional health in maintaining overall quality of life. Research indicates that emotional health issues now pose a greater threat to individual well-being and productivity than physical ailments. Despite this, there exists a significant gap in awareness and emphasis between physical and emotional health across various sectors, contributing significantly to the prevalence of mental health issues. This research paper introduces the "Emotional First Aid Kit," a novel design concept aimed at addressing emotional distress in everyday scenarios similar to conventional first aid kits managing physical injuries. The …

Visualizing Poems, Qiran Cui

Theses

With its profound expressions of emotion and insights, Chinese poetry has long been revered as a cultural heritage. However, its intricacies often challenge non-Chinese speakers seeking to appreciate its depth. This thesis proposes an exploratory approach to interpreting Chinese poetry, using geometric shapes and motions to discover potential emotional and thematic interpretations. The geometric shapes and their associated motions—circles for continuity, squares for stability, triangles for conflict, and rounded rectangles for historical depth—reflect their psychological and cultural significance in conveying specific emotions within the poems. From Chinese poetry's subjects, structure, content, and emotional resonance, the exploration delves into how visual …

Color Change: Illumination And Observers, Che Shen

Theses

While color change is often associated with physical or chemical alterations in an object, this thesis focuses on perceptual color changes due to factors like color inconstancy under different lighting conditions, observer metamerism due to varying color matching functions, and individual differences in hue perception despite identical tristimulus values. Based on the complexities of color change phenomenon, a psychophysical experiment was conducted to establish the threshold of color inconstancy, where observers were tasked with categorizing colors under varying lighting. A major advancement in this thesis is the development of the Weighted Geometric Mean (WGM) model, an advanced chromatic adaptation model …

Enola, Justin Gibson

Theses

Enola, is a photographic collection of visual fragments without a beginning or end. These moments reflect on my inner psychological landscape, translated from pieces of stories, dreams, recollections. My project, inspired heavily by the town that I once called home, Enola, Pennsylvania, acts as a cultural origin point for my photographs. This work highlights aspects of the uncanny, the quiet, and the unfamiliar tendencies of life. These formulations usually manifest as dreamlike scenes. My work weaves these disconnected pieces into a cohesive reflection.

The Effects Of Social Media In The Fashion Industry, Kirsten Leigh Whitaker

Theses

This project focuses on how social media is impacting the fashion industry. The primary focus is on the inner workings of social media within the fashion industry, and how it has changed the industry. The project aims to study problems found within fashion marketing, which are causing negative effects in the industry. The negative effects can be defined as environmental and unethical working environments, which are common topics of discussion within the fashion industry as a whole, but never discussed in tandem with the influence of marketing and social media. Furthermore, the project studies how these can be solved by …