Digital Commons Network^™

Effects Of Matching Images Of Natural And Built Environments On Delay Discounting: A Systematic Replication Of Berry Et Al. (2014), Elizabeth Fillmore

Theses

Decision making is heavily influenced by the environment around us. Berry et al. (2014, 2015, 2019) showed that viewing images of natural environments during the delay discounting task resulted in lower impulsive choice, as compared to viewing images of built environments or geometric figures. Berry et al. proposed that attentional factors could explain this effect, however, recent attempts to reproduce Berry et al.’s findings in a different laboratory have been unsuccessful (Johnson 2017, 2018, 2019). The present study tested if manipulating the participants’ observing responses towards different types of images (natural, built, and no images) modulates the effect reported by …

Beyond The Page: Multimodal Lab-Based Research And Development In Creative Writing, Matthew Jacob Gordon

Theses

This collection acts as the supporting evidence of the hypothesis that, while acting as Graduate Director of SIU’s Digital Xpressions Lab, Matthew Gordon was able to successfully provide effective support for the digital expression of collaborator’s and client's domains of knowledge while forming innovative research partnerships with academics within the SIU system and beyond. A unique form for a MFA in Creative Writing’s thesis, this collection represents the multimodal creative work a contemporary narrative designer can undertake in a single academic year when given the ability to lead a facility like Southern Illinois University’s Digital Xpressions Lab. Qualitative evidence in …

College Students' Perceived Behavioral Expectancy Violations By Instructors In The Zoom Classroom, Kaleb Kronimus

Theses

As of the COVID-19 pandemic, video conferencing briefly usurped face-to-face as the primary medium of communication for education and professional settings. Even now in 2022 as the impact of the pandemic begins to be felt less, video conferencing remains an integrated part of educational settings, with Zoom being the most prominent video conferencing application in education. This study used expectancy violations theory to explore both the behavioral expectations students have of their instructors on Zoom, as well as what instructors themselves believe their students' expectations to be when on Zoom. This paper explores both the general expectations held by students, …

An Examination Of The Effects Of The Cost Volume On Vision Transformer-Based Optical Flow Models, Andrew Thompson

Theses

The optical flow task is an active research domain in the machine learning community with numerous downstream applications such as autonomous driving and action recognition. Convolutional neural networks have often been the basis of design for these models. However, given the recent popularity of self-attention architectures, many optical flow models now utilize a vision transformer backbone. Despite the differing backbone architectures used, consistencies in model design, especially regarding auxiliary operations, have been observed. Perhaps most apparent is the calculation and use of the cost volume. While prior works have well documented the effects of the cost volume on models with …

Lead Scoring Using Low Code Ml Library, Ayad Aziz

Theses

Scoring leads manually can be time-consuming and ineffective because it relies on subjective criteria and human biases. On the other hand, automated lead scoring uses advanced algorithms to analyse large datasets and accurately predict a lead's potential value to the business. It provides valuable insights into customer behaviour and preferences that inform marketing and sales strategies. Machine learning algorithms are trained on historical sales data to identify patterns and correlations that indicate a lead's likelihood to convert. They consider variables like demographic information, web behaviour, and marketing engagement to generate a lead score that reflects the probability of converting into …

Optimizing Voronoi Tessellation Façade’S Capability For Pollution Removal And Interior Daylighting In An Urban Environment, Simon Bai

Theses

Air pollutants are a major health concern in urban zones worldwide, and these unnoticeable air particulates and gases are detrimental to the individuals’ respiratory and cardiovascular wellbeing. Since buildings are the most abundant structure within these built environments, this study focuses on how to utilize the façade of these structures in an attempt to solve the escalating air pollution problem. In this case, titanium dioxide (TiO2) is introduced to give building façades the capability to deal with air pollution in addition to being inexpensive and chemically stable. A TiO2 surface makes use of photocatalysis under ultraviolet (UV) light to decompose …

Demonstration Of A Virtual Reality Driving Simulation Platform, Mingming Wang

Theses

Modern autonomous driving is undergoing a period of rapid evolution. Image processing, computer vision, and remote sensing, among others, have played crucial roles in the creation of safe and reliable robotic automobiles. However, some robotic vehicles still have difficulties in their driving mechanisms even though the current mainstream autonomous driving approaches seem to be effective in fulfilling driving duties. There have been several high-profile incidents in the early years of testing that have prompted some to question whether or not all relevant domains have been explored in order to attain human-like driving. The current sensor technique based on machine learning …

The Impact And Severity Of Non-Covid-19 Illnesses During Covid-19 Pandemic, Hanadi Alhammadi

Theses

The Covid-19 pandemic is a global crisis that occurred around the world and resulted in a large number of infections and deaths. As of September 2020, it was estimated that the Covid-19 pandemic had killed 976,000 people worldwide, healthcare facilities were burdened with containing this pandemic and made great efforts to treat and protect people, but in turn the focus on containing the pandemic led to many side effects, one of these effects is death from causes other than Covid-19. During the pandemic, people were afraid to visit hospitals to avoid contracting the COVID-19 virus, and hospitals were under great …

Combating Systemic Racism With Truth Commissions, Katherine E. Miles

Theses

The main form of justice practiced in the United States when it comes to criminal proceedings and individual wrongdoings is a form of justice called Retributive Justice. Retributive justice is committed to following these three principles, 1: that those who commit certain kinds of wrongful acts, morally deserve to suffer an equivalent punishment; 2: that it is intrinsically morally good—good without reference to any other goods if some legitimate punisher gives them the punishment they deserve; and 3: that it is morally impermissible to punish the innocent intentionally or to inflict disproportionately large punishments on offenders. From the three principles …

An Examination Of The Association Between Microaggression And Select Disordered Eating Behaviors Within The Transgender And Non-Binary Community, Dee Murray

Theses

Background: Microaggressions experienced by transgender and non-binary (TNB) individuals differ from those experienced by non-TNB individuals. Limited research has explored the association between TNB-focused microaggression and disordered eating behaviors. Methods: An online survey consisting of validated instruments was administered to respondents (N=194) over a 96-day period. The instruments included the Satter Eating Competence Inventory (ecSI 2.0TM), Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-18), Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14), and the Transgender Discrimination Scale (TDS-21). Associations between characteristics were assessed with the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: Microaggression was positively associated with negative eating behaviors such as cognitive restraint (r= 0.41; p

A Graph-Based Approach To Studying The Spread Of Radical Online Sentiment, Le Nguyen

Theses

The spread of radicalization and extremism through the Internet is a growing problem. We are witnessing a rise in online hate groups, inspiring the impressionable and vulnerable population towards extreme actions in the real world. Though the body of research to address these issues is growing in kind, they lack a key understanding of the structure and behavior of online extremist com- munities. In this thesis, we study the structure and behavior of extremist online communities and the spread of hateful sentiments through them to address this gap in the research. We propose a novel Graph-Based Approach to Studying the …

Moodify, Jiaqi Liu

Theses

Abstract Degree: Master of Fine Arts Program: Visual Communication Design Authors Name: Jiaqi Liu Advisors Name: Mike Strobert; Adam Smith Thesis Title: Moodify This paper proposes a research and solution to address the major psychological risk factor of pathological rumination, which can lead to depression, anxiety, and other chronic conditions. Rumination and worry are identified as key components of mental illnesses and may be underpinned by the same cognitive process. This paper proposes a combined approach of Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) treatments to reduce worry and/or rumination. The proposed solution aims to assist users in …

Redesign A Pet Bottle: Creating Possibilities For Future Recycling, Shen Liu

Theses

As a case study, I evaluated the difficulties faced by millennials in recycling PET bottles and their potential expectations for recycling systems. My design includes a visually appealing, compressible PET bottle with a delicate appearance. It helps consumers save four-fifths of their storage space during recycling. That means consumers can easily carry it around until they are ready to recycle. This change is more likely to improve the storage efficiency of bottles and the possibility of bottle recycling. In addition, designing a brand is an important step in building customer trust in sustainable design, helping to connect consumers with their …

On Groundless Fears, Justin Aungst

Theses

I often have dreams in which I’m chased or followed. Sometimes there’s an urgent life-threatening pace where I’m running from a pursuer. Often, it’s slower and less immediate, and in some cases, I don’t turn around to see if someone is behind me. The feeling of being followed is enough to keep me moving. On Groundless Fears is a photographic series that focuses on subconscious anxieties where the root causes are not readily apparent to us. Untethered from reality, these fears loom and seep into the mundane. The setting of an American suburb is meant to be familiar and unsuspecting; …

A Study On The Design Of Public Speaking Preparation And Social Anxiety In Young People, Jacqueline Qiu

Theses

Modern society is demanding more and more from young people. Young people need expertise and speech skills to succeed professionally. These skills need to be good enough to be appreciated and recognized in public presentations. However, most young people need clarification when it comes to speaking. They must integrate their expertise, presentation slides efficiently, and other speech skills so that the audience or leaders can comprehend. The people who are the best at public speaking become the most successful. This paper concerns a study on speech experience, presentation skills, and presentation effectiveness as indicators to improve presentations. This project was …

Intentional Passing And Closeted Agency, Logan Bohlinger

Theses

It is characteristic of closeted queer agents that they behave so as to pass as heterosexual, cisgender, or otherwise as non-queer. Thus, I take it that an action-theoretic account of the phenomenon of straight-passing is essential to developing an action-theoretic account of the practical disposition of being “in the closet.” To progress towards a broader account of closeted queer agency, I endeavor in this thesis to clarify the patterns of practical reasoning involved in straight-passing with an aim to demonstrate that straight-passing, in all its forms, is something that a queer agent can intentionally do. However, a queer agent often …

Student Grade Prediction Using Machine Learning Methods, Hameed Al-Obaidi

Theses

This capstone project addresses the challenge of students' lack of awareness regarding their academic performance and potential grade declines throughout the semester. The project aims to develop a predictive model that offers students timely warnings about their predicted grades, enabling them to take proactive measures to improve their academic performance. Utilizing the CRISP-DM (Cross-Industry Standard Process for Data Mining) methodology, the project analyzes a comprehensive dataset comprising student demographics, curriculum history, and grades in various subjects. The model undergoes rigorous evaluation and validation to ensure its effectiveness in predicting students' academic outcomes accurately. The findings reveal that the linear regression …

Consumer And Business Barriers To Household Food Waste Solutions, Jessica Oehman

Theses

An estimated 35.3 million tons of food waste are landfilled each year in the United States, causing negative environmental, economic, and social impacts and almost half of that waste is from households (US EPA, 2017). To meet EPA goals for landfill diversion of food waste, the material can be captured as a resource and re-used through methods such as composting. However, participation in household food waste collection programs is lacking; there is a need to understand the interplay between the individuals’ responsible for providing the waste stream and the pickup services providing the infrastructure to collect and manage the separated …

Tourism, Mapping, Retail And Recreational Trails: A Case Study Of Connectivity Between Trails And Adjacent Downtowns In Anniston, Alabama, Usa, Jennifer Green

Theses

This study examines the estimated increase in economic impact on a geography’s local economy by creating cross-marketing efforts between expanding an established outdoor recreation trail to a closely located city downtown commerce district. This research will analyze the resulting potential rise in sales/lodging tax revenues for that city by mapping the trail and downtown district, and cross-marketing the other to users of both or either venue. Potential increase in economic impact will be estimated utilizing IMPLAN methodology by assessing the economic impact on the local economy that a percentage range of increased spending resulting from this cross-marketing effort could generate.

The Psychogeographic Relationship With Memories, Popular Music, And Identity: A Case Study From 1995-2022 Of The Grateful Dead, Margaret Lane Walton

Theses

This paper will explore sonic geography and its impact on human and cultural geography through popular music, specifically the Grateful Dead, from 1995 to 2022. This research focuses on the eventization of the band and popular music post-Jerry Garcia’s death, whereas previous research has focused primarily on the band from 1965 to 1995. The infamous psychedelic rock and roll band was widely known for the created and imagined communities that it forged over their 30-year run. Recent research on soundscapes and music’s role in the study of geography precipitated the need for more attention to music geography. This paper explores …

Escaping Tradition: An Exploration Of Optimized Learning Environments, Mak W. Friery

Theses

This undergraduate interior design capstone research focuses on understanding how forward-thinking design approaches can improve student success and teacher effectiveness in the classroom environment. Addressing the ever-changing needs of students, this research investigates variables of classroom environments such as the impact of color, lighting, acoustics, technology, space planning, furniture, and biophilia. Understanding these factors in the classroom environment can inspire new approaches to design and class flexibility whilst positively impacting student learning outcomes, teacher effectiveness, and overall well-being.

This capstone research is conducted at a time of change within educational design approaches as they continually aim to determine which factors …

Teacher’View About Dual Enrolment Of Student With Disabilities In Special And Inclusive Private School, Mahra Saeed Ismaeil

Theses

The education of children with disabilities is challenging. Special and inclusive schools cannot offer meaningful access to education to children with disabilities. Currently, schools strive to provide access to education in a dual context: a certain number of days at inclusive schools and others at special schools. However, information on how teachers are contending with such practices is limited. This study explored teachers’ views on the education of students with disabilities in the dual enrolment education system in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The social education model was conceptualised to understand teachers’ perceptions, collaborative efforts, resources and challenges to dual …

Representing Color As Multiple Independent Scales, Hao Xie

Theses

The concept of color space has served as a basis for vast scientific inquiries into the representation of color including colorimetry, psychology, and neuroscience. However, the ideal color space that can model both color appearance attributes and color difference as a uniform Euclidean space is still not yet available. In addition, different color appearance phenomena such as the Helmholtz-Kohlrausch effect highlight the interference or lack of independence between the existing color metrics. Based on the alternative representation of independent one-dimensional color scales and the concepts of brilliance and zero grayness proposed by Ralph Evans, a series of psychophysical experiments were …

Cheating Detection In Online Exams Based On Captured Video Using Deep Learning, Aysha Sultan Alkalbani

Theses

Today, e-learning has become a reality and a global trend imposed and accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there are many risks and challenges related to the credibility of online exams which are of widespread concern to educational institutions around the world. Online exam system continues to gain popularity, particularly during the pandemic, due to the rapid expansion of digitalization and globalization. To protect the integrity of the examination and provide objective and fair results, cheating detection and prevention in examination systems is a must. Therefore, the main objective of this thesis is to develop an effective way of detection …

Assessing Self-Esteem In Uae Students With And Without Special Needs: Pilot Study Using Adapted Rosenberg Scale, Malak Mustafa Alsaad

Theses

Self-esteem is known to be the way that a person values and perceives him/herself. It is affected by many factors and impacts on the person’s life. The main objective of this study was to investigate possible differences on self-esteem between typical students and those who have been diagnosed with special educational needs. In addition, the study explores teachers’ awareness on the importance of self-esteem on children’s life and their recommendations for improving their students’ self-esteem in UAE schools. The study used a mixed methods design and was conducted in two phases. During the first phase a sample of 40 students …

An Investigation Of How Interior Design Elements Can Enhance Customer’S Interest In Fast Fashion Retail Stores In-Person Experience After The Covid-19, Qianyue Tu

Theses

The goal of this capstone project is to investigate how interior design elements can enhance customers’ interest in fast fashion retail stores’ in-person experience after the COVID-19 pandemic. To answer the research question, this capstone is organized into three parts which are the literature review, research agenda, and creative agenda. First, the literature review section of this manuscript examines consumer behavior and changes in fast fashion brands before and after the pandemic. The goal of the literature review is to understand four questions: 1) What are changes in consumer behavior after COVID-19? 2) Why are fast fashion brands retailing being …

Look At The Bigger Picture: Analyzing Eye Tracking Data With Multi-Dimensional Visualization, Anjali Jogeshwar

Theses

Eye tracking has proven to be a valuable tool for a number of disciplines such as imaging science, vision science, psychology, and neurology. They have used eye-tracking to study the human visual system and to understand how humans attend to their environment for different tasks. Analyzing the gaze data obtained from eye-trackers begins with visualizing the gaze point. By monitoring gaze we can answer questions including, ‘where was the person looking?’ and ‘what image region or object was the person looking at?’ Traditional methods aimed at answering such questions from gaze data: required frame-by-frame analysis of videos, manually annotating gaze. …

Understanding Environmental Art: A Case Study Of Jason Decaires Taylor's Coral Greenhouse (2019), Laura Dean Hinson

Theses

This thesis highlights the need for a new way to analyze environmental art. In the past, environmental artwork has been discussed in terms of the abstract concepts that drove their creation and the role they played in moving artists outside of the gallery space in the1960s and 70s. However, in recent years environmental artists are increasingly driven by themes of environmental conservation and preservation, using scientific research as the basis of their designs. Because of the shift in focus, developing a new way to discuss environmental art that takes into consideration the influence scientific research has on art production and …

Assessing The Perceptions Of School Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder Of Artificial Green Elements In Hot Arid Region, Hala Fouad Albalkhi

Theses

Recently, global statistics demonstrated a continued increase in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) worldwide, especially in Gulf countries, where the United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranks second in terms of autism prevalence. Studies emphasized the positive effects of green elements on the academic performance and skills of school children. The presence of indoor plants can lead to benefits such as stress reduction and positive health and well-being in children with ASD. However, green elements are less utilized in Al Ain schools due to difficulty in maintaining natural plants in buildings. This study aims to examine the perceptions of children with Autism Spectrum …

المواجھة الجنائیة للشائعات في التشریع الإماراتي – دراسة مقارنة, ھدى راشد العلوي

Theses

Spreading and propagating rumors is a dangerous weapon that causes the disintegration of nations and creates anxious societies plagued by psychological wars and internal strife, these acts have caused legal problems, especially with the advent of social media, which has paved the way for their commission. Penal provisions guaranteeing adequate criminal protection against the perpetrators of such acts, The United Arab Emirates' legislation is one of these penal legislations, which pays attention to the legal regulation of this crime by punishing the perpetrator by the Criminal and Penal Code, the Military Penal Code and the Law on Combating Rumours and …