Digital Commons Network^™

Reduction Of Cognitive Load In Immersive Virtual Reality With Multisensory Cues, Daniel Wilson

Theses

This study investigated the effects of multimodal interfaces and immersive virtual environments on cognitive load. Participants played a first-person target shooting game with either a virtual reality headset or on a monitor, using visual, auditory-visual, and a haptic-visual interfaces. Performance and self-reported data about cognitive load and spatial presence were collected for each interface. The study found that both immersive environments and multimodal interfaces reduced cognitive load. Additionally, an interaction was seen such that multimodal interfaces were more effective at reducing cognitive load in immersive environments. These findings indicate that the addition of more modalities into interfaces, especially in highly …

Physiological Effects Of Facial Expressions During Cognitive And Social Stress, Emily X. Sorrells

Theses

This study explored the dynamics of facial expressions during stress. This 2 X 2 (Facial Expression by Task) mixed design evaluated how smiling and grimacing affected physiological and self-report measures of cognitive and social stress. The study implemented continuous monitoring of electrodermal activity (EDA). Facial expression was manipulated between-subjects as a genuine smile or grimace using chopsticks in the mouth. Task was manipulated as a counterbalanced within-subjects as a cognitive stressor using the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT) and a social stressor using Cyberball. Time was analyzed as repeated measures of change from baseline of EDA. Participants provided ratings …

Florescence, Evan D. Jaccodine

Theses

Florescence is a photographic project that provokes conversation between mediums, methods, and attitudes in art and design. Starting as grainy, screened Risograph prints mounted into custom wood frames, the uniformity of mechanical reproduction is distorted by handmade craft elements. The images examine the materiality of making as part of the message they produce; they are both eclectic handmade objects and mass-produced products. These pictures intend to communicate an idea like an advertisement, except the message, meaning, or intention isn’t clear. I am interested in the moment when the viewer comes close enough to the image to see the prints' poor …

Review Of Literature On Efficacy And Safety Of Birthing Positions With Emphasis On International Cultural Influences On Obstetric Care, Ava E. Retsch

Theses

• Background: When examining most non-Westernized societies, parturients hold all the power in the birthing space with traditional birth attendants and medical staff serving as guiding forces and protectors, not directors of the process. Social media in Western countries is filled with stories from birthing people who felt unsupported, ignored, or discriminated against by their healthcare providers; this is particularly prevalent in parturients who express a preference for non-supine birthing positions. Methods: This work is a review of the existing body of literature on quantitative and qualitative outcome measures of alternative birthing positions. In total, 44 articles were analyzed …

Machine Learning Based Solutions For Detecting Social Media Spam And Phishing Incidents, Ahmed Al Shehhi

Theses

The growing digital interactions across various social media platforms increases the risks of phishing schemes and spam messages that compromise personal and organisational security. This thesis tackles such threats with the aid of machine learning and natural processing techniques that are utilized for detecting malicious communications with high accuracy. A total of three datasets were used in this study, two for phishing and one for spam. The research aims to explore the performance of classification models, including Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine, Naïve Bayes, and Linear Discriminant Analysis, as well as a hybrid model combining Logistic Regression and Naïve Bayes. …

An Overview Of Human Trafficking In The United States, Lin Welsh

Theses

This research paper delves into the multifaceted problem of human trafficking, seeking to provide a comprehensive understanding of its dynamics, root causes, and the myriad challenges associated with combating this serious crime. Drawing on empirical studies and criminological theories, the paper navigates through the factors that contribute to the perpetuation of human trafficking. The study begins by exploring the historical and theoretical contexts that create the demand for trafficked persons and the vulnerabilities that make individuals susceptible to exploitation. Additionally, the paper examines the legal and policy frameworks implemented at the national level to combat human trafficking. It aims to …

Convicting The Innocent: The Impact Of Wrongful Conviction In The U.S. Criminal Legal System, Aubrie Entwood

Theses

Wrongful conviction is a justice system error with far-reaching consequences. This capstone project looks at four different issues within wrongful conviction and exoneration in the U.S. criminal legal system. Chapter 1 focuses on the impacts of wrongful conviction for female exonerees, highlighting the way they are different from male exonerees, the factors that contribute to wrongful conviction that are more salient to females, and the specific ways the police and courts contribute to the wrongful conviction of females. Special attention is paid to the “crimes” of female exonerees and the additional psychological consequences that many female exonerees suffer. Ways in …

Sticks, Naomi Karen Miller

Theses

Sticks is a thesis consisting of allegorical sculptural objects informed by chairs and inspired by a transgender woman’s personal narrative. Derived from personal anecdotes and feelings, the objects form a constellation of moments in time. The body of work primarily consists of burned wooden chairs. The chairs are analogous to the self. Fire is applied to the chair to document change. My work is about the ways an individual is changed by small moments of interaction. It explores the relationship between identity, observation, perception, and time.

The Implementation Of Trauma Informed Design In The United States Prison Campus: A Standardized Design Methodology, Quille A. Hughes

Theses

The concept of spaces for punishment has been a topic of conversation for centuries. Only now are members of the community touching the surface of concepts that rewrite the methodology behind the design of these spaces in the hopes of providing a different outcome: rehabilitation. Trauma-Informed Design as a concept is in its infancy, and therefore requires decades of research into the effects of its installation; there is no greater need for this consideration than in the United States criminal justice institution. This thesis will not attempt to cover the changes necessary to United States prison policy. It will instead …

One Man’S Trash, Jordan Tavan

Theses

This thesis explores perception through ambiguous mixed-media sculpture in order to create the potential for people to question their assumptions of what “is.” Judgments, categorization, and assumptions are big parts of the ways we make sense of our world. Often, we’re wrong about them. This artwork is created in response to the lifelong experience of existing outside the lines – the experience of breaking social rules and the desire for others to realize the potential for multiple truths.

From Chinese Language To Female - Him, Humans And Us, Dandong Ouyang

Theses

To establish a new sense of ownership of the female figure in my studio practice, this thesis investigates the unspoken secondary existence of women implied in the structural systems of both language and portraiture.

Planty: The Fitness App With A Plant, Zixin Alice Ouyang

Theses

It is common knowledge that physical exercise has multiple physical and mental benefits, yet many often find it challenging to maintain a consistent exercise habit. How can we design a more motivating exercise experience so more people would exercise? The proposed solution is Planty, an innovative fitness app. Planty aims to change the user’s exercise habits by providing an alternative motivation behind physical exercise by locking a live plant inside a terrarium. Users can only care for the plant through the Planty app through exercise. By linking users’ behavior to the livelihood of a live plant, Planty forces its users …

The Sacral Museum: An Analysis And Application Of Design Within Museum Architecture, Derek Shultz

Theses

This research focuses on the similarities between museum architecture and architecture found in religious, spiritual, and sacred structures around the world. Personal experience and academic research will be used to help convey and understand the effects of architecture on its occupants. This thesis examines how architectural design can facilitate a profound internal journey through learning, contemplation, and connection. Through analysis of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, it is shown that traditional and contemporary architectural elements can achieve these effects by creating a sacred, ritualistic experience, thereby enriching the cultural, educational, and emotional value of the museum visit.

The Women Of The French Royal Academy: An Improved Online Exhibition Experience, Nicole Chapman

Theses

The purpose of this project is to demonstrate the capabilities of digital spaces to engage and create in-depth teaching opportunities for museum educators. The final deliverables consist of a mock museum website and virtual exhibition that features artwork created by the female artists of the French Royal Academy during the Eighteenth-Century. The content within is tailored for Advanced Placement curriculum and the public.

Application Of Ai In Financial Sector: Earnings Call Dataset Analysis, Kesa M. Abbas

Theses

Deep learning has emerged as a cornerstone in diverse scientific domains, demonstrating profound implications both in academic research and conventional applications. The utilization of deep learning has branched to the financial sector for stock prediction, management of assets, credit score analysis, etc. During the end of the financial fiscal year, top executives present their companies’ growth and losses in earnings calls. These earnings calls invariably webcasted, furnish stakeholders with insights into a firm’s fiscal performance during a given period. These audios along with transcripts are published on the company website for the general public. If these audio and transcripts are …

Unveiling Identity: Exploring Afrofuturism In Ekow Nimako’S Contemporary African Diasporic Sculptural Art, Kandra James

Theses

Identity expressed within African diasporic arts has historically been connected to traditional genres such as portraiture. Over time, contemporary artists have explored identity through genres beyond portraiture and through the use of non-traditional materials. The sculptural practice of Ghanaian Canadian artist Ekow Nimako, a fine arts sculptor based in Toronto, Canada, employs the unconventional material of LEGO® to offer a multi-generational perspective into deep diasporic memory. Examining Nimako’s sculptures through the perspective of colonialism and de-colonialism, materiality, and Afrofuturism, this thesis investigates the artist’s exploration of Black historical pasts to shape identities and construct narratives of Black futures. The monumental …

Enchanted South Tarot: A Contemporary Interpretation Of Tarot, Hannah Mathis

Theses

This project uses qualitative research to create an original 78-card tarot deck. Its focus is to create a tarot deck informed by the rich history and symbolism of tarot while utilizing original art and unique experiences to create a one-of-a-kind deck. The deck’s artwork showcases flora, fauna, and manufactured objects of the Southeastern United States, referencing traditional tarot archetypes to select each card’s imagery. The deck’s guidebook introduces readers to some of the history of tarot and several historical and contemporary decks that inspired the Enchanted South deck. The project emphasizes tarot’s evolution and how each artist’s contribution adds layers …

Enhancing A Brand With The Introduction Of Merchandise And A Social Media Content Schedule, Rachel Imming

Theses

This project focuses on how to enhance a brand by incorporating merchandise for the brand and utilizing a social media content schedule to push out content consistently and uniformly. The primary beneficiary of this project is J.E.D.I. Brew Co, a small craft brewery out of Southern Illinois. The aim of the project is to study the important aspects of marketing and brand awareness, in order to help a brand better promote themselves. Ultimately, the project studies consumer engagement, advertising, experiential marketing, storytelling, and consumer behavior to help brands understand how these things affect and aid their business.

The Modern Artist's Psyche: Making Meaning In Art Through History, Jenna Banks

Theses

The Modern Artist’s Psyche: Making Meaning in Art Through History provides a way for students to study and analyze works by Modern artists that explore themes like loneliness, isolation, anxiety, and despair. By studying these artists and their works, students learn about topics like art appreciation and psychoanalysis; specifically, how each artist used their mental state to create their visual products. Students learn about art appreciation through the process of discussing and answering questions about specific art works. Students also study the concept of psychoanalysis, relating to theories and techniques that have been used by Modern artists. This connects to …

Impactful Interactivity Within Video Games, Luke Robert Maeser

Theses

Despite half a century of existence and dedicated academic programs educating next generations of game developers, conclusive evidence does not exist as to if video games are beneficial to learning or costly. Examining the notion of benefit versus cost, it is important to assess the value of video games when leveraged as tools for learning as traditional educational methodologies are not infallible. This paper explores how video games can generate psychological responses; and therefore, one must conclude learning has occurred. The following is encompassed: meaningful interactivity within video games (regarding narrative and gameplay), video games as educational tools, video game …

A Comprehensive Machine Learning Approach To Assess Fall Risk In Stroke Survivors: Integrating Common Clinical Tests, Motor-Cognitive Dual-Tasks, Wearable Motion Sensors, And Detailed Motion Analysis, Masoud Abdollahi

Theses

This PhD dissertation focuses on developing improved methods for assessing and reducing fall risk in stroke survivors. Falls are a major concern in this population as they occur more frequently and can lead to catastrophic injuries due to factors like hemiparesis, spasticity, impaired balance and cognitive deficits. The dissertation reviews fall risk factors (FRFs) identified in prior studies and finds balance, gait and mobility metrics to be most significant. It notes current assessment methods rely on subjective scales and lack detailed motion analysis. Dual-task testing is also overlooked despite revealing subtle deficits. To address these gaps, wearable sensors and machine …

Construing Children’S Perceptions Of Ideal Learning Spaces Based On Personal Construct Theory, Rawan Natheer Abdel Rahman

Theses

Learning is an intrinsic aspect of human experience, predominantly shaped by interactions within the socio-physical environment, including engagements with educators, peers, and the built surroundings. The design and character of these learning spaces influence children's cognitive, perceptual, and motor development while also embodying different pedagogical philosophies. Therefore, designing these spaces to align with educational shifts and enhance learning experiences requires a deep understanding of learner’s needs and perceptions. With the COVID-19 pandemic necessitating a shift to home-learning, there arose a unique opportunity to explore children’s perception of ideal learning spaces as they experienced both home and school settings. This research …

Novel Psychophysics Of Cognitive Color Appearance Phenomena, Luke Hellwig

Theses

Color appearance models can be used as an experimental design and analysis tool to better study high-level color perception involving brightness and chromatic adaptation. We investigate the experimental basis for the Helmholtz-Kohlrausch effect, the contribution of chromatic intensity to our perception of brightness. A new experimental method for measuring the brightness of chromatic colors leads to a model of the Helmholtz-Kohlrausch effect, which we use to extend CIECAM16, the color appearance model recommended by the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage. The model is tested on high-dynamic-range images. The process of building this model also leads to several improvements in CIECAM16 itself. …

Knowledge Integration For Human-In-The-Loop Machine Learning, Ervine Zheng

Theses

Machine learning has evolved into advanced techniques for vision, language, and applications in different areas. However, human expertise is still essential in providing meaningful interpretations of the semantics for tasks in knowledge-rich domains, such as medicine, science, and security intelligence. It is beneficial to incorporate human knowledge into a machine learning system, and we consider human-in-the-loop an increasingly important area for future research. Human-in-the-loop machine learning aims to develop a reliable prediction model with minimal costs by integrating human knowledge and experience. In this thesis, we propose human-in-the-loop methods to address knowledge-rich data understanding challenges for different machine-learning tasks. Specifically, …

Nurses' Experience Of Family-Centered Rounds In The Intensive Care Unit, Kaitlyn King

Theses

A paradigm shift in the Canadian healthcare system has transitioned the patient and family from care recipients to integral and valued members of the multidisciplinary team. Implementation of family-centered care within the context of the adult Intensive Care Unit (ICU) remains slow to adopt in Canada despite evidence that open visitation and family presence offer many benefits to improve the delivery of quality care, and satisfaction with the overall patient experience. The COVID-19 pandemic has further complicated the ability of the healthcare team to effectively include patients and families into their daily multidisciplinary rounds. Restricted visitation policies, infection control and …

Biodov: A Tool Used To Encourage Discovery In Bioinformatics Through Gamification, Gregory D. Johnson Jr.

Theses

Expressing big data in a meaningful manner is exceptionally difficult. Scientists often struggle with the visualization of data due to several limitations. Currently, many scientists use two-dimensional figures to display and analyze meaningful data. However, I believe using game design theory and game technologies, we can create more robust visualizations. These visualizations will allow scientists to easily communicate science to the masses and make better discoveries. Therefore, we introduce BioDOV (Biological Data Oriented Visualization). This tool will utilize game design principles to expand upon current visualization methods in the scientific community. Through this proof of concept, we will create the …

The Psychological Motivations Of Attendees To Engage And Share Their Event Experiences, Denise Matoushek

Theses

Social media usage, content creation and consumption has increased steadily throughout the years. This facet has impacted the event industry and their audiences’ expectations of immersive and high-end digital opportunities with the goal of memory capturing and user generated content. In addition to providing digital event opportunities, meeting audiences on their psychological level when in attendance at events heightens the likelihood of revisits, word-of-mouth, and social media sharing. The two main psychological aspects to study are that of belonging and internal motivation. In the event field, belonging is the feeling or association to a community of peers and internal motivation …

Maladaptive Daydreaming And Social Anxiety: Prevalence And The Mediating Role Of Emotional Regulation, Riffa Fathima Abuthahir

Theses

Previous studies have generated mixed evidence regarding the magnitude of the prevalence of Maladaptive Daydreaming (MD). In addition, although previous studies have identified an association between Maladaptive Daydreaming (MD) and Social Anxiety (SA), literature is sparse in exploring the underlying factors such as emotional regulation difficulties that might mediate this relationship. The current study attempted to investigate the prevalence of MD and self-perceived levels of Social Anxiety (SA) among undergraduate students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It also attempted to explore whether difficulties in regulating emotions mediate the relationship between MD and self-perceived levels SA. A cross-sectional design with …

Examining The Relationship Between Help-Seeking Behaviors, Mental Health Perceptions, And Preferred Modality Of Therapy Services Among University Students In Arab Countries: A Comparitive Study, Roxanne Wolmarans

Theses

As mental health concerns continue to grow in the modern world, many are faced with barriers to seeking help due to attitudes, beliefs and self-stigma. This is especially true within Arab cultures. The main objective for this study was to examine how these attitudes, beliefs and self-stigma may impact a person’s help seeking behavior’s when compared to a preferred modality of treatment, namely online and face-to-face therapy. A cross-sectional study using online surveys consisting of the Self-Stigma of Seeking Help Survey (SSOSH), the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help Scale - Short Form (ATSPPH - SF), the Online Counselling Attitude …

Chaotically-Disengaged Family Functioning And Depressive Symptoms In Muslim University Students: The Mediating Effect Of Psychological Flexibility And Self-Compassion, Sabina Ioana Varga

Theses

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health issues among university students. Growing evidence suggests an association between impaired family functioning and increased depressive symptoms. However, there is a gap in the literature with regards to the factors that mediate this relationship. Psychological flexibility and self-compassion are two factors that have been previously linked to both family functioning and depressive symptoms. The present study aims to investigate the mediation role of psychological flexibility and self-compassion on the association between chaotically-disengaged family functioning and depressive symptoms in Muslim university students. Whilst previous studies have been conducted in this topic area …