Digital Commons Network^™

Between Sense And Nonsense, Holly Marie Hennessey

Theses

This project focuses on fiber art and its relationship to abject art, emotions, and the subconscious that are all evoked through sculpture. My project challenges ideas on societal norms, identity and ambiguity as I contribute to abject art and push the conversation forward within the contemporary world. I invite my audience to embrace the unfamiliar and to allow both beauty and oddity to coexist.

Unveiling: The Exploration Of The Self And Ego Dissolution, Joseph Gonzales

Theses

This project explores self and ego dissolution through painting, engaging with Buddhist notions of no-self (Anatta), Christian Mystical union, and Jungian psychology to challenge the idea of a fixed identity. Through portraiture and figurative representation, the work visually explores impermanence and the tension between the individual and the collective consciousness, utilizing transparency, multiplicity, and symbolism. This research is grounded in a multidisciplinary approach, synthesizing visual art, philosophy, and psychology. By integrating Eastern and Western philosophies, this work expands the discourse on identity in contemporary art, contributing to broader conversations on the self and the ego within wisdom traditions and psychology. …

From The Bleachers To The Browser: Redefining Fan Experience With Ar And Ai In Smaller Teams, Jennifer Lee Wunder

Theses

This project documents the creation and deployment of HootyHoo, an interactive augmented reality (AR) mascot experience designed for the O’Fallon Hoots, a small-scale collegiate summer baseball team. Built using accessible, open-source tools such as WebXR, Mixamo, Meshy, Botpress, Claude and ChatGPT, this prototype merges AI-driven conversation with animated 3D avatar interaction—redefining how fans engage with sports organizations digitally. Unlike enterprise-level applications used by professional franchises, HootyHoo is entirely browser-based, eliminating the need for app downloads and ensuring maximum accessibility for families and new fans with smartphones. The experience centers on Hooty, the team mascot, who answers questions about baseball and …

Framing Queenship: Gender, Power, And Political Representation In Holbein’S Portraits Of Jane Seymour And Anne Of Cleves, Kateryna Chernenko

Theses

This paper explores the intricate relationship between queenship, gender, and political representation as depicted in Hans Holbein’s portraits of Jane Seymour and Anne of Cleves, two wives of Henry VIII. By analyzing these works within the framework of Tudor England's gender dynamics, we can better understand how Holbein’s portraits transcend mere artistic expression to serve as critical commentaries on the roles of women in a predominantly patriarchal society. Recent scholarly trends emphasize the significance of gender in the interpretation of historical art, revealing how these portraits reflect, challenge, and reinforce the societal constructs of their time. This study focuses on …

The Queen Of Heaven: Evelyn De Morgan's Transcendence Of The Soul, Sarah Victoria Eller

Theses

This thesis examines the religious iconography in three key paintings by the Pre-Raphaelite artist Evelyn De Morgan, The Angel of Death, The Undiscovered Country, and Lux in Tenebris, and explores how they draw on Early Italian Renaissance visual traditions to depict themes of death and the soul’s transcendence. Recent scholarship has assessed De Morgan’s oeuvre through the feminist lens and emphasized her engagement with Spiritualism and the nineteenth-century revival of Swedenborgian philosophy. The Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli has also been recognized as an influential reference for De Morgan, particularly in her mythologically themed works. This study expands on that scope …

Nextgen Humanities: A Digital Art History Pedagogical Revolution, Analisa Soverns-Reed

Theses

In response to the urgent need for more accessible, inclusive, and technologically relevant humanities education, the NextGen Humanities project was conceived as a digital initiative to reimagine pedagogical practices within art history and the broader humanities. Traditional perceptions of humanities disciplines as elite and static have contributed to declining engagement, necessitating innovative solutions that integrate open-access resources, digital tools, and inclusive frameworks. This project developed a publicly accessible platform curating free, vetted resources grounded in artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and open educational resources (OER), emphasizing critical engagement, cultural inclusivity, and technological adaptability. Methodologically, NextGen Humanities combined extensive literature …

Presence Through Absence: The Ark Of The Covenant And The Aniconic Image Of God In Early Israelite Religious Art, Natalie Rivas

Theses

This thesis investigates the Ark of the Covenant as a paradoxical visual and theological artifact within early Israelite religious art. While the Israelite tradition has long been characterized as aniconic (eschewing anthropomorphic representations of the divine) the Ark occupied a central role in ritual, worship, and religious identity. Prior scholarship has focused either on the Ark’s narrative function in biblical texts or its formal attributes as a cultic object. However, limited attention has been given to how the Ark embodies divine presence through the visual strategy of absence. This study argues that the Ark does not merely avoid figural representation …

Transforming Through Art: Trauma & Domestic Violence, Bridget Provan

Theses

In this thesis, I explored bodily transformation and resilience after trauma through the lens of personal experience with domestic violence. I created sculptural installations using my imagery of bruises, scars, and injuries to convey the ideas of reclamation, healing, and empowerment. The ephemeral quality of natural dyes reflects the impermanence of bruises mirroring the organic journey of recovery. I approach my work from a personal perspective. The sculptural forms serve as fragmented representations of traumatic memory. My artistic practice is deeply tied to materiality and process—choosing natural dyes, textiles referencing care and domestic spaces, sculptural forms derived from personal documentation, …

Mundane, Ordinary And Eerie Undertones, Yixuan Xia

Theses

When people encounter fear and uncertainty, their mental and physical reactions can vary. Drawing from my personal experience and the ‘Uncanny Valley’ theory [2], I explore various materials and juxtapose ordinary elements with unsettling imagery. In this project, I focus on donuts, transforming them by adding surreal details to imbue them with eerie undertones. For example, in one of my works, a delicious-looking donut appears perfectly normal at first glance. When viewers have a close look at the donut, its surface is crawling with worms, creating an unsettling contrast between the familiar and the disturbing. By altering these familiar items, …

An Investigation Of Electrical Surface Impact As A Three-Dimensional Low-Energy Defibrillation Method, Rhiannan Ruef

Theses

Ventricular fibrillation is a medical emergency that leaves the heart unable to beat properly, and is fatal within minutes if left untreated. Furthermore, it’s the leading cause of sudden cardiac arrest according to the NIH, killing over 400,000 Americans every year. Previously, we’ve proposed a new low-energy defibrillation method to restore the heart to its normal rhythm during fibrillation. Our method required further investigation due to the presence of several important dynamical processes. In this dissertation, we report the results of these investigations. First, we will present our results related to a novel behavior called “flopping,” which occurs when a …

Neural Patterns Of Self-Efficacy And Resulting Changes After Cognitive Rehabilitation In Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, Emma N. Tribbey

Theses

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) often leads to cognitive impairments, which can significantly affect recovery outcomes. Although there are many different interventions available for individuals with mTBI, evidence-based research has indicated that cognitive rehabilitation programs can lead to significant improvement in psychological symptoms as well as psychosocial and vocational functioning in mTBI. Additionally, clinical research has identified a construct, self-efficacy, or the belief in one's capacity to achieve goals, that may play a critical role in further improving cognitive rehabilitation outcomes. Current research examining self-efficacy and cognitive rehabilitation in mTBI has found that higher self-efficacy is associated with greater treatment …

Nietzschean Expressivism, Cameron Jackson

Theses

What is Nietzsche’s metaethical stance? Does he even have one? We can, I argue, reconstruct an interesting metaethical view from his writings. Rather than focusing narrowly on his claims about moral judgement, I explore Nietzsche’s philosophical psychology broadly in order to argue that he is best interpreted as holding an emotivist type of expressivism. The function of moral judgement lies within its affective and action-guiding nature, and its communal role of coordinating our evaluative attitudes with one another.

Enhancing Pedestrian Safety Around Jacksonville State University: A Gis-Based Perception And Crash Analysis, Husain O. Alegimenlen

Theses

This study uses a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) based approach to assess pedestrian safety around Jacksonville State University (JSU) by combining vehicle crash data with perception surveys from 111 pedestrians and 97 drivers. The research identifies high-risk areas, explores contributing factors, and recommends targeted safety improvements.

A total of 209 geocoded crash records (2021 to 2024) were analyzed using Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) and hotspot analysis in ArcGIS Pro. Crash clusters appeared along Pelham Road North and Mountain Street, marking key vehicular risk zones. Three major pedestrian danger areas were found: (1) Nisbet Street NW and Cardinal Lane NW, (2) …

Implementation And Dissemination Of The 'About Eating' Program: Evaluating Participant Engagement, Usability, And Module Interest, Justin Konrad Walker

Theses

Abstract Background: Online nutrition education can improve food choices among underserved populations. The About Eating New York (AENY) program is a web-based, self-paced series of modules designed to enhance nutritional literacy, resource management, and confidence in healthy eating. Leveraging dissemination and implementation (D&I) science, AE partnered with community organizations across New York’s ten fiscal regions to extend its reach. Methods: This study analyzed secondary data from the AENY dissemination effort. Participants were recruited via social media and community organizations. Pre- and post-program surveys and end-of-lesson surveys assessed demographics, engagement, and perceptions of usability. Quantitative analyses included descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVAs, …

Beyond The Food: A Scoping Review Of Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (Arfid)'S Comorbidities, Nutrition, And Growth Outcomes, Emily Szewczyk

Theses

Objective A scoping review design was chosen for this study to appropriately assess and understand the knowledge on ARFID and to identify psychological or developmental comorbidities, growth outcomes, and nutrient deficiencies and/or excesses in children and adolescents. Introduction Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a relatively new eating disorder, characterized by the DSM-5 in 2013.1 Individuals with ARFID exhibit selective eating due to lack of interest in eating food, sensory sensitivity, or a fear of possible vomiting or choking.2 The malnutrition seen in individuals with ARFID can result in physical health complications including weight loss, malnutrition, growth delay, decreased bone …

Bridging Human Expertise And Ai In Qualitative Research: Understanding Ownership, Trust And Bias In Ai-Assisted Coding, Anoushka Jagadeesh Puranik

Theses

Qualitative research is a multifaceted process involving data collection, transcription, organization, coding, and thematic analysis. As qualitative data analysis (QDA) tools gain popularity, artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated to automate aspects of this workflow. This study investigates researchers’ QDA practices, their experiences with existing tools, and their perspectives on AI involvement in qualitative research. We introduce ChromaScribe, a prototype QDA tool, and gather feedback to assess whether it addresses the limitations of current tools. Through interviews with 16 qualitative researchers, we examine their preferences for traditional coding, AI-initiated coding, and human-initiated coding, exploring factors such as ownership, trust and …

The Relationship Between Perceived Stress, Rumination, And Sleep Quality Among University Students, Aljazeeya Almansoori

Theses

Sleep is a crucial physiological function that underpins human health and wellbeing, profoundly affecting cognitive abilities, emotional stability, and the overall quality of life. Disruptions in sleep quality and quantity are commonly associated with increased perceived stress and rumination. This study aimed to investigate the correlations among perceived stress, rumination, and sleep quality in university students in the UAE, while also considering demographic factors such as age, gender, marital status, and educational level. It was hypothesized that higher levels of perceived stress and rumination would be associated with lower sleep quality. The study employed a cross-sectional design, involving a sample …

Human-Aware Reinforcement Learning For Adaptive Human-Robot Teaming, Saurav Singh

Theses

The rise of Industry 5.0 has shifted robotic systems toward human-centric design, emphasizing collaboration between humans and machines. While collaborative robots (cobots) are equipped with sensors for safety, they typically overlook human internal states such as fatigue, stress, and workload—factors that significantly impact performance. This lack of awareness limits their ability to adapt and collaborate effectively, particularly in dynamic, real-time environments where human conditions fluctuate. This thesis introduces a novel framework that integrates human internal states into robot decision-making to enhance human-robot collaboration. This research leverages reinforcement learning (RL) to develop methods that enable robots to adapt their behavior based …

Continuous Professional Development (Cpd) For Inclusive Education In Uae Schools: Current Practices And In-Service Teachers’ Preferences, Hafsa Khaled Aishan

Theses

Professional development serves as a driving force in empowering teachers within inclusive education settings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perspectives of both general and special education teachers about the effectiveness of currently implemented professional development practices. Data were collected using explanatory mixed-methods design, which included a questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. This method was utilized to improve the depth of research through the integration of quantitative and qualitative data. The combination of these two methods strengthens validity, reduces bias, and increases reliability. Non-probabilistic purposive sampling method was employed to collect the data as a total of 115 …

The Impact Of Rubric-Based Feedback On Efl Writing Proficiency: Exploring Revision Skills And Learning Transfer, Ahmed Abdelraheem Elyan

Theses

This study explores how rubric-based feedback influences the writing development of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) learners, with a particular focus on their revision practices, learning transfer, and the challenges they face with cognitive overload. The research was carried out in a high school context in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), aiming to understand the real impact of structured feedback on students’ writing performance.

Twenty Arabic-speaking students participated in the study, completing four essay writing tasks over eight weeks. These included a pre-test, two feedback-supported drafts, and a post-test. Their essays were assessed using an analytic rubric designed to …

School Leadership Insights And Practices: Understanding Bullying Prevention Strategies Among Teachers In Private And Public Schools Across The Uae, Wissal Mohsen

Theses

This thesis investigates the detrimental effects of bullying on students, including its impacts on mental health, academic performance, and overall well-being. Addressing this issue necessitates a proactive strategy involving school leaders, teachers, and parents. Data was collected via a questionnaire: selected items employed a 5-point Likert scale, while others used a multiple-choice format. Analysis was conducted in SPSS and included descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, t-tests, and binary logistic regression. The t-tests indicated that leadership practices implemented to prevent bullying in both public and private schools were highly effective and statistically significant (p < .05). This research contributes to our understanding of how school leadership and teacher involvement influence the efficacy of bullying-prevention strategies. By using quantitative methods, the study offers a comprehensive examination of school policies, bullying-awareness initiatives, and reporting systems. The findings highlight the importance of adopting context-specific approaches to bolster prevention efforts within schools. Future research that combines qualitative and quantitative analyses may yield deeper insights into the real-world challenges encountered in bullying-intervention strategies, thereby bridging the gap between policy formulation and practical implementation to ensure anti-bullying programs are both effective and culturally relevant.

Understanding And Implementing Fashion Sustainability: An Academic Course, Paige M. Baldwin

Theses

This project outlined a fashion sustainability course meant to be taught at a degree-awarding educational institution. The course explores the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the fashion industry. Students learn about sustainable practices, materials, and design principles. Students also study consumer behavior, supply chain management, and government policies related to sustainable fashion. The literature and research looked at the current fashion industry landscape and the sustainability issues that are being addressed, the current educational landscape of fashion programs in the United States of America, and the current literature regarding building an effective curriculum in the 21st century.

Fragility And Strength In Times Of War: A Series Of Embroidered Watercolors, Alisha B. Whitman

Theses

This final project report follows the production of a series of embroidered watercolors that explore how war disrupts and can destroy the values which people manage to somehow both hold dear and take for granted. These values, such as peace and freedom, are fragile, and yet they can provide great strength in dark times. This dichotomy is explored through this body of work using the materials of painted paper and thread as symbols of both fragility and strength. Choosing to work with materials and methods historically seen as feminine work add additional meaning to that symbolism. Additionally, Jewish iconography and …

Framing The Gaze: The Transformation Of Storytelling From Chinese Scrolls To Persian Miniature Illuminations, Lindsey A. Maslar

Theses

Miniature painting represents one of the many exquisite traditions in Islamic art, flourishing particularly during the Safavid period (1501–1736 CE). Numerous power shifts throughout Persia during this time resulted in significant cross-cultural artistic exchanges, particularly with visual culture from the Ming Dynasty. The Mongol invasion of Persia in the 13th century facilitated a profound cultural diffusion, as Persian artists and patrons selectively incorporated Chinese motifs, techniques, and spatial concepts, adapting them to suit local aesthetic and ideological frameworks. This thesis examines how the adaptation of Mongol artistic elements in Persian miniatures influenced not only stylistic conventions but also transformed the …

Systematic Evaluation Of Regression Models For The Prediction Of Influenza Cases, Mukul Kandwal

Theses

This study systematically evaluates machine learning models to forecast influenza outbreaks, aiming to enhance public health preparedness through accurate predictions. Laboratory-confirmed influenza case data from the New York State Department of Health (2009–2023) were used to train and test five regression models—XGBoost, Neural Network (MLP regressor), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Random Forest, and Support Vector Regression (SVR)—with preprocessing techniques including differencing and phasing. A leave-one-season-out cross-validation framework and Symmetric Mean Absolute Percentage Error (SMAPE) were employed to rigorously assess performance. Key findings reveal that the Neural Network (MLP regressor) outperformed other models, achieving the lowest SMAPE score (23.7), underscoring the critical …

Reviving The Golden Age: Exploring Will Eisner's Legacy Through The Creation Of A Multiversal Sequential Art Story, Levi Atkins

Theses

Levi Atkins’ thesis explores the legacy of Will Eisner, a foundational figure in comic book history, through the creation of a multiversal sequential art story. The project combines a seven-page black-and-white comic with a scholarly analysis of Eisner’s storytelling techniques, focusing on his public domain characters from the Golden Age of Comics. Atkins examines how Eisner’s innovations—such as dynamic panel design, cinematic pacing, and genre blending—can inspire modern narratives. By reimagining characters like The Flame and Dollman within a multiverse framework, the thesis both honors Eisner’s legacy and demonstrates how historical comic forms can evolve to engage contemporary readers.

A Wayfarer, Roselyle Hang Zhao

Theses

This paper examines the making of A Wayfarer, a personal film that explores themes of identity, cultural belonging, and the experience of being a third-culture individual. The character Boaty represents the complexities of navigating multiple identities, as the film blends visual and sound design to convey the feeling of being "lost-in-culture." As part of my graduate thesis at the Rochester Institute of Technology, the film blends visual and sound design to convey the feeling of being "lost-in-culture." The paper discusses the creative choices behind the shift from humor to vulnerability, the challenges of depicting family dynamics, and the process of …

Enhancement Of Firefighter Mental Performance: A Review, Nicole A. Ness

Theses

Background: The life-or-death nature of firefighting exposes those who respond to calls to an increased number of stressors that can impact performance and overall well-being. To combat this, the mental element of firefighting can be optimized through psychological skills training programs and mindfulness training. Other tactical populations, such as the police force, military, and emergency medicine units have found success in implementing these interventions, Literature suggests a similar effect may be observed in firefighters because of their similar demands; although, little research exists regarding the effects of mental performance programs on firefighter populations specifically.

Methods: A review of existing literature …

Fake News Detection On X (Twitter), Sultan Mayoof Almutaiwei

Theses

The most important innovation globally is the internet, which is used by a huge number of people all around the world. People use the internet for different purposes. By using different social media platforms people share content and news. Thus, some people use these internet platforms to share false news or fake news among people. Propaganda against a person, group, organization, or political party may be present in this news. For an individual, it is difficult to distinguish between false and true news over the internet. Therefore, machine learning is the smart solution that can identify fake news on the …

Perceived Stress, Psychological Wellbeing, And Sleep Quality Of Passport Control Officers, Roudha Abdulla Almazrouei

Theses

Research on the stress experienced by officers has identified several key findings that illustrate the diverse nature of their workplace stressors. Research specifically addressing the stressors encountered by passport control officers is limited when compared to studies on other law enforcement roles. This study aims to assess stress levels among passport control officers, identify psychological health impacts, determine the intersection of personal and occupational stress, and investigate the effects of shift work on stress intensity and related psychological issues. A mixed methodology incorporating qualitative and quantitative was used. The sample included 166 participants with a job title of passport control …