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Revisiting The Phenomenology Of Merleau-Ponty In The Context Of Contemporary Cognitive Science, Gareth E. Smith May 2024

Revisiting The Phenomenology Of Merleau-Ponty In The Context Of Contemporary Cognitive Science, Gareth E. Smith

Theses

Maurice Merleau-Ponty was a mid-twentieth century French philosopher whose work was influenced by the German phenomenologists Edmund Husserl and Martin Heidegger. Merleau-Ponty went on to influence existentialism, philosophy of perception, the study of consciousness and subjectivity, and, eventually, contemporary cognitive science. His work uses phenomenological methods to examine embodied perception. He grapples with inherited philosophical questions about mind-body dualism and methods of inquiry. Like most twentieth century French philosophers, Merleau-Ponty engages with philosophical problems that were set by René Descartes in the 17th century. In fact, his main thesis—that the mental and the material are continuous through one's experience as …


Only That’S Not Enough, Joe Cuccio May 2024

Only That’S Not Enough, Joe Cuccio

Theses

My emotions and feelings towards life have always been a bit all over the place. At one moment I feel the world is full of joy and serenity, and in the next moment, I feel it is a string of disorderly events with no rhyme or reason. As my internal feelings turn, I continue to remain engaged with an image-making practice. My camera allows me to venture into the world and follow my heart as it guides my eyes to respond to what is around and inside my head. Making images became an extension of my presence in the most …


A Study Of The Impact Education Level Has On Unemployment Rates For Youths In Emerging Market Countries, Alia Aldhaheri May 2024

A Study Of The Impact Education Level Has On Unemployment Rates For Youths In Emerging Market Countries, Alia Aldhaheri

Theses

Economic stress endured by countries globally can be due to numerous socioeconomic factors, including unemployment, measured by the unemployment rate expressed in percentage (%). Various micro and macro socioeconomic variables, including the quality of education and vocational training in the countries and the availability of it, cause high unemployment rates. This study assesses the impact education has on unemployment rates and focuses on youths in emerging market countries to determine the nature of the relationship between the two variables. In addition, the study aims to predict which continents will have increasing unemployment rates for youths in the next five years …


Investigation On The Synthesis And Characterization Of Novel Phase Change Materials For Packaging Application, Sriram Srinivasan May 2024

Investigation On The Synthesis And Characterization Of Novel Phase Change Materials For Packaging Application, Sriram Srinivasan

Theses

Phase change material (PCM) is one of the majorly growing techniques used for thermal heat storage in various fields including construction for insulation and packaging industry. PCMs are widely used to increase the shelf life of the produce and prevent from harsh climatic conditions during transportation. In this present investigation, a PCM system was developed in the form of microcapsules using lauric acid (LA) and capric acid (CA) emulsions in melamine formaldehyde (MF) solution and polyurethane foam (PUF) using polytetrahydrofuran, isoprene diisocyanate, and polyethylene glycol (PEG). Acetic acid and triethylamine were used to control the pH during microcapsule preparation. The …


Biomass Estimation Of Mature Mangrove Trees In The Uae Using Spaceborne Remote Sensing Techniques, Yasmine Ashraf Heikal May 2024

Biomass Estimation Of Mature Mangrove Trees In The Uae Using Spaceborne Remote Sensing Techniques, Yasmine Ashraf Heikal

Theses

Mangrove forest ecosystems play an essential role in diminishing the effects of climate change caused by the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Estimating mangrove forest aboveground biomass (AGB) and hence aboveground carbon (AGC) can assist in decision-making for conservation, sustainable use, and protection of these forests. The goal of this research project was to map the AGB of mangrove forests along the coasts of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) with the aid of Landsat-8-9 satellite imagery data acquired in September 2023. 12 AGB estimation models were developed based on the combination of in situ measurements and Landsat-8-9 derived …


Emulsion Stability, Rheological Properties, And Combustion Characteristics Of Water-Jojoba Biofuel Emulsion, Ihab Mohamed Helal May 2024

Emulsion Stability, Rheological Properties, And Combustion Characteristics Of Water-Jojoba Biofuel Emulsion, Ihab Mohamed Helal

Theses

This thesis comprehensively investigates the stability, rheological properties, and engine performance implications of Water in Jojoba Biodiesel (WJBD) emulsion. The research delves into multiple aspects, including the influence of diverse surfactants and water concentrations on emulsion stability. It also yields valuable insights into the development of stable water in jojoba biodiesel emulsions, specifically tailored for diesel engines. These insights contribute significantly to the body of knowledge of positioning emulsion fuels as viable alternative to traditional diesel fuels. The anticipated benefits include notable reductions in emissions, improvement in combustion efficiency, and lower production cost. Importantly, this study underscores the critical importance …


Head Impact Measurement Using Piezoelectric Sensors, Huda Abdulla Alnuaimi May 2024

Head Impact Measurement Using Piezoelectric Sensors, Huda Abdulla Alnuaimi

Theses

The importance of safety measures cannot be overstated, especially when it comes to protecting the human head. Head injuries can have severe, life-altering consequences, as the head is crucial for controlling the entire body. Unlike machines that store data, the human brain's capacity to retain thoughts and memories can be significantly affected by even a single injury. This thesis introduces a method for predicting the specific area of the head that might be injured during an impact. The prediction is based on the intensity and duration of the impact. The innovation of this thesis lies in the use of piezoelectric …


Attentional Alchemy: Crafting Meaning In The Fabric Of Experience ---An Argument From Attention For The Content View, Ling 鳕鱼 张 Zhang Apr 2024

Attentional Alchemy: Crafting Meaning In The Fabric Of Experience ---An Argument From Attention For The Content View, Ling 鳕鱼 张 Zhang

Theses

Abstract: In the realm of philosophy of mind, a central inquiry concerns whether perceptual experiences have content. This paper aims to construct an argument, termed Argument from Attention, which asserts that all visual experiences have content in the minimal sense, drawing upon insights from phenomenological features of attentional experience and mechanisms of attention elucidated in The Erotetic Theory of Attention. To achieve this goal, the paper begins by clarifying the essential features of contentful experience in Section 2. Furthermore, the second subsection scrutinizes Siegel's Argument from Appearances, highlighting the susceptibility of her Weak Content View to the …


The Normativity Of Social Role Concepts, Robert Laurent Iii Apr 2024

The Normativity Of Social Role Concepts, Robert Laurent Iii

Theses

This paper argues that social role concepts are both descriptive and normative. A "social role concept" is any concept that describes a person’s station in life from the point of view of society as a whole. Social roles are usually positions into which one is born and which are difficult if not impossible to renounce from within the conceptual system. Social roles are therefore not mere jobs or descriptions. They place certain obligations upon a person that are meant to apply absolutely. This paper first discusses the normativity of rule-governed practices and the rules involved in concept use. The paper …


An Egalitarian Approach To Explanations In Mental Disorders, Eli Driskill Apr 2024

An Egalitarian Approach To Explanations In Mental Disorders, Eli Driskill

Theses

Explanations of mental disorders come from a wide array of disciplines and epistemologies. How we conceive of and order these explanations has great importance for agency. Yet, psychiatry as a discipline has long suffered from the assumption that these explanations are multi-level. That is, some lower-level mechanism (i.e. neurobiology) constrains the information produced at a higher-level behavior. I argue that this approach is unsatisfying, and offer a new perspective: the egalitarian approach to mental disorders. The egalitarian model of mental disorders is non-hierarchical, dynamic, and cross-cultural. The paper begins by highlighting an inherent feature of psychiatry which I coin the …


Driver’S Accident Behavioral Analytics Using Ai, Mohamad Amin Obaid Apr 2024

Driver’S Accident Behavioral Analytics Using Ai, Mohamad Amin Obaid

Theses

This comprehensive dissertation constitutes a significant contribution to the ongoing global discourse on road safety. Through a judicious utilization of advanced data analysis techniques, with a particular emphasis on machine learning applications, this research endeavors to address and bridge crucial gaps in our comprehension of multifaceted aspects related to road safety. Specifically, the study aims to delve into the intricacies of accident severity factors, driver characteristics, vehicle attributes, and the complex dynamics of road conditions. By systematically exploring these dimensions, the research endeavors to unearth more nuanced and precise relationships that influence accident outcomes. Moreover, a particular focus is dedicated …


Blockchain Applications And Industrial Development, Hamad Aiman Apr 2024

Blockchain Applications And Industrial Development, Hamad Aiman

Theses

World economies and industries are witnessing a rapid yet discreet change in the perception of data, information, and finance, paradigms that have been static for centuries. This shift is fueled by the expansive network of the internet, which is still far from being fully utilized. Emerging from this digital expanse, blockchain technology today influences how finance, services, and data collection are conducted. In a dynamically evolving economy, this innovative development prompts organizations and individuals with high stakes to accelerate their digital transformation. This research paper aims to educate readers about the potential impact of blockchain technology and digital assets across …


From Content To Composition: Equipping Non-Writing Instructors For Interdisciplinary Writing Proficiency, Taylor Weintrop Apr 2024

From Content To Composition: Equipping Non-Writing Instructors For Interdisciplinary Writing Proficiency, Taylor Weintrop

Theses

Academic writing is a fundamental component across disciplines in higher education, serving as a critical mode of communication and assessment of student understanding, proficiency, and mastery of course content. Despite its ubiquity, the responsibility for explicit writing instruction is often regulated to composition courses frequently housed within English departments, leading to a systemic and normative view that isolates writing development to a single field. This thesis critically explores the literature on writing studies, focusing on disciplinary attitudes toward writing, interdisciplinary movements, and how writing transfer occurs as students traverse academic fields. Along with the comprehensive literature review, this project includes …


A Most Despicable Hoax: Women, Crime, And Newspapers In Depression-Era St. Louis, Nancy Stiles Apr 2024

A Most Despicable Hoax: Women, Crime, And Newspapers In Depression-Era St. Louis, Nancy Stiles

Theses

This paper delves into the captivating saga of Nellie Muench, a St. Louis housewife whose life intersected with the burgeoning celebrity culture, evolving media landscape, and shifting gender dynamics of the early 20th century. Muench's involvement as a co-conspirator in the 1931 kidnapping for ransom of a wealthy doctor propelled her into the spotlight, where she navigated media manipulation to attempt to craft her own narrative. Secretly obtaining a baby and passing it off as her own child to gain jury sympathy and blackmail a rich paramour took interest in her case to sensational tabloid (and legal) heights. Drawing from …


On Learning Your Gender: A Comprehensive View, Audra M. Hazelwood Apr 2024

On Learning Your Gender: A Comprehensive View, Audra M. Hazelwood

Theses

This essay provides a metaphysical and epistemological account of gender. The metaphysics involves a ‘non-reductionist view of gender’, which is to say that gender cannot be reduced to a single factor. On this view gender begins with one’s innate gender inclinations (in the vein of Julia Serano). These inclinations pick out a specific range of gender possibilities from the gender spectrum that apply to a person. At the same time we live in communities and cultures with certain gender norms. This is where epistemology comes into play since our gender inclinations are filtered through gender norms and some people are …


Towards Erasing The Distinction Between The Computational And Syntactic Accounts Of Scientific Theories, Timothy Luft Apr 2024

Towards Erasing The Distinction Between The Computational And Syntactic Accounts Of Scientific Theories, Timothy Luft

Theses

One of the main goals of philosophy of science is to give a proper account of scientific theories and their structure. One way that accounts of the structure of scientific theories can be distinguished is by the mathematical or logical structures that they involve. For instance, syntactic accounts of scientific theories hold that theories are axioms in a logical framework, whereas semantic accounts are more liberal in the range of mathematical and logical structures they take as pertinent to the structure of scientific theories. Paul Thagard (1988) offers a computational account of scientific theories, which holds that theories are complex …


Between Fodor And Sellars -- A Middle Ground For Language-Like Neural Representations, Hanzhe Dong Apr 2024

Between Fodor And Sellars -- A Middle Ground For Language-Like Neural Representations, Hanzhe Dong

Theses

The recent resurgence of the language of thought (LOT) hypothesis has drawn much attention. The history of philosophy and cognitive science has provided us with various versions of LOT. From Sellars to Fodor, theorists have offered us considerations on the vehicles, content, and functions of such a representation format. However, it’s been more than 50 years since Fodor’s publication on LOT (1975), and the resurgence suggests that we need a modern iteration of LOT to fit with recent developments in the study on cognition. Therefore, in this paper, I argue that we need a middle ground between Fodor and Sellars’s …


Improving Adaptation Of Deep Learning With Inductive Bias, Xiajun Jiang Apr 2024

Improving Adaptation Of Deep Learning With Inductive Bias, Xiajun Jiang

Theses

Human intelligence is strong at adapting to a small number of observations, partially because of the human ability to 1) use given knowledge and 2) distill knowledge from related but different data to guide learning for future tasks, where such ability is the inductive bias during learning. Deep learning shows a promising solution to artificial intelligence. However, generalizing or adapting deep learning models to heterogeneous tasks remains an open question. Existing data-driven models often ignore prior knowledge about the underlying problems of interest, or have limitations in incorporating complex knowledge into neural networks. The one-size-fit-all formula assumes the training and …


“Art For The Millions:” The Evolution Of Informal Learning From The Charleston Museum To The New Deal, Kristen Walker Apr 2024

“Art For The Millions:” The Evolution Of Informal Learning From The Charleston Museum To The New Deal, Kristen Walker

Theses

The advent of the first museum in the United States in 1773, The Charleston Museum, sparked a shift in the way education is perceived and how it can be conducted. However, only recently has the intentional implementation of programs and exhibitions been created in a digestible way for the public. This thesis discusses how informal learning has evolved since the establishment of the Charleston Museum and the legacy of the Federal Art Project regarding informal learning and art education. Key research methods include the examination of primary and secondary resources, including oral histories held by the Smithsonian Archives of American …


Use Of Force In Policing: Do Female Police Officers Use Unjustifiable Force As Often As Male Officers?, Carma Dobson Apr 2024

Use Of Force In Policing: Do Female Police Officers Use Unjustifiable Force As Often As Male Officers?, Carma Dobson

Theses

Use of force (UOF) is a common practice in policing. My study focuses on the disposition of the use of unjustifiable force in policing. Utilization of pre-existing data with 5,771 use of force incidents from the New Orleans, Louisiana police department in the years of 2016-2021 produces an answer to the research question: Do female police officers use unjustifiable force as often as male officers? The chi-square test of independence results in my study indicates that there is no statistical difference between males and females.


A Comparative Study Of A Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Associated Egfr Missense Variant Of Uncertain Significance, Vanessa Mejia Apr 2024

A Comparative Study Of A Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Associated Egfr Missense Variant Of Uncertain Significance, Vanessa Mejia

Theses

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a form of lung cancer that can be driven by heightened activity of epidermal growth factor receptor encoded by the EGFR gene. Genetic variants in EGFR have been identified that lead to abnormal cell growth and tumorigenesis. The objectives of this study was to 1) determine if an EGFR variant of uncertain significance (VUS) associated with NSCLC is potentially damaging based on evaluation of the ortholog let-23 in the model organism, C. elegans, and 2) identify conserved missense VUS loci associated with NSCLC. Through ClinVar, the EGFR VUS c.845G>C(p.Gly282Ala) was identified in …


Paul Celan And The Processes Of Survival In Post-Shoah Jewish Writing, Ari Savage Apr 2024

Paul Celan And The Processes Of Survival In Post-Shoah Jewish Writing, Ari Savage

Theses

The following is a study of the poetry of Paul Celan as a representation of psychological and social processes present in the written works of Shoah survivors. It begins with an analysis of the place of writing in Jewish culture, then identifies three primary processes which operate in sequence: alienation, individuation, and integration. By examining Paul Celan’s highly personal and autobiographical texts in the context of his life experience as a Shoah survivor it is possible to discern the social and psychological forces at work which compel survivors to express their traumas in written form, and to gain a better …


Learning From Disagreement In Human-Annotated Datasets, Tharindu Cyril Weerasooriya Apr 2024

Learning From Disagreement In Human-Annotated Datasets, Tharindu Cyril Weerasooriya

Theses

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems frequently need to learn from human decision makers, which aids in scaling systems for mass use. We see this in automated financial decisions, manufacturing processes, self- driving cars, and content moderation on social networks. These systems are built on human values and trained to mimic human decision-making through human annotation. However, different groups of human annotators, including domain experts, annotate content differently, leading to disagreements. Some practitioners treat dissenting opinions as “label noise”. A common approach to dealing with disagreement is to consider a majority vote, which effectively conceals the disagreements from the trained model. Although …


Transfer Learning Across Domains And Sensing Modalities, Chowdhury Sadman Jahan Apr 2024

Transfer Learning Across Domains And Sensing Modalities, Chowdhury Sadman Jahan

Theses

Transfer learning facilitates the training of a deep learning (DL) model with limited or no labeled data, by initializing the network parameters using a similar model already trained on a different but related dataset or task. This dissertation examines two special cases of transfer learning for image classification tasks: cross-modal supervised learning, and cross-domain unsupervised adaptation. This dissertation proposes to apply cross-modal transfer learning to guide the training process of a DL model on Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images via knowledge distillation from a DL model trained on corresponding electro-optical (EO) images. Furthermore, this approach explores class-balanced sampling strategies and …


“Jí'Dë'Ö:H” Means Bird: Decolonizing The Modern Birding Experience Through The Inclusion Of Narratives From Indigenous Communities Of Western New York, Angelique M. Armstrong Apr 2024

“Jí'Dë'Ö:H” Means Bird: Decolonizing The Modern Birding Experience Through The Inclusion Of Narratives From Indigenous Communities Of Western New York, Angelique M. Armstrong

Theses

This thesis explores the efficacy of combining Indigenous culture narratives with elements of traditional Euro-American field guides to create an alternative form of birding1 field guide. The desired outcome is to create a more inclusive and well-rounded birding experience that celebrates the wisdom and worldview of the people who inhabited the New World before its European “discovery.” The intention is to approach birding from the standpoint of the past and present Caretakers of the land; the members of Indigenous communities whose ancestors lived (and still live) in harmony with the land and living creatures (including birds). It seeks to answer …


Evaluating The Impact Of Hybrid Ventilation Strategies On Reducing The Cooling Load And Achieving Thermal Comfort Of Buildings: Regarding Arid Climate Of Uae, Sheikha A Hmed Al Niyadi Apr 2024

Evaluating The Impact Of Hybrid Ventilation Strategies On Reducing The Cooling Load And Achieving Thermal Comfort Of Buildings: Regarding Arid Climate Of Uae, Sheikha A Hmed Al Niyadi

Theses

The hybrid ventilation system has shown considerable potential in managing indoor thermal comfort, preserving indoor air quality, and minimizing energy usage. This is achieved by integrating natural and mechanical ventilation. When natural ventilation is unfeasible, the system smoothly transitions to mechanical ventilation to uphold optimal indoor thermal comfort levels. However, the application of this system in extremely arid regions poses a challenge due to the high energy consumption linked to air conditioning and cooling during the summer. In these areas, air conditioning and cooling alone represent approximately 60% of urban energy consumption. This study aims to assess the viability of …


Pricing Asian Options During Crises With The Impact Of Exogenous Event, Moath Ali Bakour Apr 2024

Pricing Asian Options During Crises With The Impact Of Exogenous Event, Moath Ali Bakour

Theses

Asian options are financial derivatives products whose value depends on the value of underlying asset prices. These options are called path-dependent since their payoff is built on the prices of the underlying asset over some time. As in the case of the European options, the Asian option pricing problem is primarily subject to the prediction model for asset prices. The pioneer Black-Scholes model in the paper [2] suggests a GBM-Geometric Brownian motion. The Black-Scholes formula has several shortcomings. For instance, the Geometric Brownian motion does not take into consideration crises. Another problem in the Black- Scholes model is that it …


Satellite-Based Spatial And Temporal Characterization Of Rainfall Over The Uae, Yassin Ibrahim Ahmad Apr 2024

Satellite-Based Spatial And Temporal Characterization Of Rainfall Over The Uae, Yassin Ibrahim Ahmad

Theses

Studies on rainfall characteristics have been of particular interest in the arid and semi-arid regions, including the United Arab Emirates (UAE), due to its impact on the built and natural environment. Rainfall represents a vital water source and a potential threat to the built environment, particularly during flash rainfall. This thesis evaluates spatial and temporal variation of rainfall in the UAE. The UAE is classified into four ecosystems with a distinct distribution of precipitation (East Coast, Mountains, the Gravel Plains, and Desert Foreland). Satellite data on daily rainfall for the years starting from 2001 up to 2020 was obtained from …


Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant, And Anti-Breast Cancer Evaluation Of Haplophyllum Tuberculatum, A Medicinal Plant Native To The Emirate Of Ras Al Khaimah, Uae, Aaesha Mohammad Adam Apr 2024

Phytochemical Analysis, Antioxidant, And Anti-Breast Cancer Evaluation Of Haplophyllum Tuberculatum, A Medicinal Plant Native To The Emirate Of Ras Al Khaimah, Uae, Aaesha Mohammad Adam

Theses

Breast cancer (BC) emerges as the prevailing cancer type diagnosed in women, with more than 2 million new cases documented in 2020 worldwide. BC is the third leading cause of death after cardiovascular diseases and injuries in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). There are multiple treatment options for breast cancer including surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Nevertheless, these treatments often impact surrounding tissues and cause side effects. Consequently, researchers seek an alternative approach that offers high efficacy and reduced cytotoxicity. Medicinal plants serve as a promising alternative for cancer treatment due to their accessibility, efficacy, and lower toxicity. Haplophyllum tuberculatum is …


Expression Of Human Arginine Vasopressin In Arabidopsis Thaliana And Assessment Of Abiotic Stress Tolerance, Maitha Salem Aldarmaki Apr 2024

Expression Of Human Arginine Vasopressin In Arabidopsis Thaliana And Assessment Of Abiotic Stress Tolerance, Maitha Salem Aldarmaki

Theses

Human Arginine Vasopressin (HsAVP) is a nona-peptide that acts as an antidiuretic hormone. In human AVP regulates water permeability through the regulation of the water channel, aquaporin 2. The process begins with the binding of vasopressin to V2 receptor which activates cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA). PKA phosphorylates aquaporin-2 at Ser256 and allows the aquaporin-2-containing vesicle to fuse with the apical membrane which increases water permeability. The present study describes the functional analysis of the codon-optimized HsAVP overexpressed in Arabidopsis thaliana. The main objective of the study is to assess if HsAVP affects drought and salinity stress …