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Traditional Music Kongkil : The Meaning Of Philosophy And The Challenges Of Contemporary Life, Harpang Yudha Karyawanto, Moh Sarjoko, Heri Murbiyantoro

Journal of Urban Culture Research

Traditional Kongkil music from Bungkal Village, Ponorogo, East Java, Indonesia, constitutes a form of local cultural heritage imbued with philosophical and social meaning. As a bamboo-based musical tradition employing slendro and pelog scales, Kongkil reflects the relationship between humans and nature while articulating values of social harmony within the community. This study aims to examine the philosophical meanings embedded in Kongkil music and to analyze its transformation in response to contemporary social and cultural change. The research employs a descriptive qualitative method, with data collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and literature review. The data were analyzed comparatively to identify patterns …

The Subjectivity And Conformity Issues In Contemporary Practices Of Algorithmic Creativity, Tetiana Sovhyra, Larisa Babushka, Tetiana Andrushchenko, Olena Onischenko, Mykola Brovko

Journal of Urban Culture Research

This article examines the issue of subjectivity and conformism in algorithmic cultural practices (robotic performances and neurocomputer installations “A3 K3 Dragan Ilic," “Alone Together," “NOOR” and “AIBO”). The focus is on the technological features of algorithmic creativity, which is based on machine learning, stylistic imitation and computational data processing. In this context, ethical and legal issues related to copyright and the recognition of artistic works created by artificial intelligence are analyzed. In particular, mechanized artistic practices create the illusion of autonomous creativity, whilst retaining the decisive role of human subjectivity in the organization and interpretation of cultural processes. Algorithmic creativity …

Reflecting Role Of Culture In Place Branding : A Literature Review, Denny Indrayana Setyadi, Indrayana Setyadi, Gregorius Prasetyo Adhitama, Andryanto Rikrik Kusmara

Journal of Urban Culture Research

Culture is a complex and contested concept that cannot easily be understood through a single definition. Nevertheless, culture plays an important role in place branding strategies and is interpreted in diverse ways within place branding scholarship. This study aims to identify and reflect upon the various roles of culture in place branding through a review of previous studies, particularly within the fields of Social Studies and Arts & Humanities published between 2008 and 2026. Using a literature review approach, the study collected data from the Scopus database and employed thematic analysis to examine how culture is conceptualized and positioned within …

Analyzing The Transformation Of Urban Open Spaces In The Historical Process With Cultural Codes : The Case Of Konya Kültürpark, Ayse Tuzun Guner, Fatih Semerci, Suheyla Buyuksahin

Journal of Urban Culture Research

Urban spaces undergo significant physical and social transformations in response to changes in socio-cultural structures. In this process, the functions and meanings of public space are redefined. Urban open spaces, as key components of public space, provide important insights into social structure and cultural dynamics. This study examines Konya Kültürpark, located near the historical city center, through three main periods: pre-Republican, Republican, and post-Republican. The transformation of Kültürpark as an urban open space was analyzed through a literature review and interpreted using cultural codes. Cultural function diagrams were produced to represent spatial use, and a comparative analysis was conducted across …

Developing A Sustainability Framework For Enhancing Public Art Projects In Nigeria Toward Urban Regeneration, Peter Oluwagbenga Odewole, Olanrewaju Timothy Dada

Journal of Urban Culture Research

This study examines the role of public art towards urban regeneration, cultural preservation, and socio-economic development, addressing critical challenges in the Nigerian public art sector. It adopts a qualitative research design based on literature review, and Eisenhardt’s theory-building approach, drawing on secondary data to generate insights from case-based analysis. Two contemporary Nigerian public art initiatives were examined using within-case and cross-case thematic analysis. The study integrates placemaking, cultural economics, social capital, place attachment, and regulatory theories to develop a sustainability framework for enhancing public art practice and administration in Nigeria. The study’s findings indicate that sustainable public art interventions for …

Towards Rural Landscape Planning, The Importance Of Heritage Preservation In Oases In Mediterranean Countries – Case Studies : Siwa Oasis (Egypt), Ghardania Oasis (Algeria), Gafsa Oasis (Tunisia) And Figuig Oasis (Morocco), Mouatassim Souad, Anouk Den Ouden, Özge Özden

Journal of Urban Culture Research

As for this paper, it intends to evaluate the status of conservation of Mediterranean oases such as Siwa of Egypt, Ghardaia of Algeria, Gafsa of Tunisia, and evaluate Figuig of Morocco. The purpose is to outline the measures and recommendations that can be included in practice in order to reconsider heritage protection in Figuig with references to other oases. Hence, in this study, it analyses the main problems and solutions concerning heritage management based on the analysis of the literature and comparison of different cases. Thus, the results highlight the importance of sustaining the involvement of the local communities, the …

Governance, Smart Urbanism & Urban Resilience In The Western Balkans : Comparative Insights From Prishtina, Tirana, And Podgorica, Binak Beqaj, Shqiprim Ahmeti

Journal of Urban Culture Research

The imperative for urban resilience is intensifying globally, yet its application in the transitional context of the Western Balkans remains underexplored. Cities in this region, such as Prishtina, Tirana, and Podgorica, navigate post-conflict recovery, rapid urbanization, socio-economic pressures, and escalating climate threats. While smart technologies and sustainable urban development paradigms offer promising pathways to resilience, their effectiveness is contingent upon robust governance and supportive institutional frameworks, which are often fragmented in these environments. A comprehensive approach is therefore essential for sustainable urban development in the region. This study aims to critically analyze the factors shaping urban resilience in the Western …

Creative Urban Care For Older Adults In Thailand : Drama Therapy And An Innovative Expressive Arts Framework For Better Urban Ageing, Dovrat Harel, Nisara Jaroenkajornkij, Bussakorn Binson, Meytal Fogel Simhony

Journal of Urban Culture Research

This article examines drama therapy with older adults across three institutional contexts in Thailand: Chulalongkorn Hospital, Thai Red Cross Society; Kwong Siew Foundation Hospital; and Sawangkanives Housing, Thai Red Cross Society. Drawing on a practice-based qualitative study involving 60 older adults, facilitator observations, semi-structured interviews, reflective writings, and institutional descriptions, the article explores how drama therapy was adapted across medical, chronic-care, and senior residential settings. The findings suggest that drama therapy supported memory sharing, emotional expression, social connection, belonging, and quality of life among participants. The article argues that drama therapy should be understood not merely as entertainment or supplementary …

Mental Health Professionals’ Perspectives On Essential Elements Of Telehealth Family Psychoeducation For Major Depressive Disorder: An Exploratory Study, Obumneke Obieche, Jing Yu Tan, Sita Sharma, Daniel Bressington, Tao Wang

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Family-inclusive interventions, such as family psychoeducation (FPE), improve outcomes in major depressive disorder (MDD), particularly when tailored to the needs of individuals with MDD, their families, and carers. This study explored mental health professionals’ (MHPs) perspectives on the essential elements of telehealth FPE for MDD, including patients’ and their families’ informational and support needs. An exploratory cross-sectional study was conducted as part of the Supportive Program for Advancing Recovery, Knowledge, and Empowerment in Depression (SPARKED) research project, using an online questionnaire targeting MHPs within a regional area of Australia. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and quantitative and qualitative content analysis, …

The Past And Future Of Employment Arbitration At The Federal Arbitration Act’S Centennial, Imre Stephen Szalai

Elisabeth Haub School of Law Faculty Publications

This Article begins with an overview of the FAA's origins, century-long trajectory, and transformation. Next, looking ahead, the Article discusses the future of employment arbitration. In particular, the analysis will center on two significant exemptions from the FAA, the transportation worker exemption found in the original text of the FAA and the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2022. Unfortunately, there have been conflicting judicial decisions interpreting the scope of these exemptions, and these court decisions reveal the tension inherent in a statute originally designed for speed and simplicity and to address a narrow category …

Modeling Upper Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics In Response To Interannual Sea-Ice Variability In The Western Antarctic Peninsula, Catherine R. Czajka, Jessica S. Turner, Sharon Stammerjohn, Heather H. Kim, Oscar Schofield, Benjamin T. Saenz, Scott C. Doney

OES Faculty Publications

In the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP), marine plankton dynamics are tightly linked to the interannual variability in environmental conditions, including phenological shifts in sea-ice seasonality. To explore these linkages, we use a 1-dimensional vertical ocean-ice-ecosystem model (KPP-Eco-Ice, or KEI) that simulates physical and ecosystem conditions at a continental shelf mooring location in the Palmer Long Term Ecological Research program sampling grid. KEI allows for year-round examination of the ecosystem in a region where in situ observations on the shelf are limited to January. Comparisons are made between seasonal sea-ice retreat, mixed layer depth, primary productivity, and phytoplankton relative abundance, grazing, …

Left-Hand Technique And The Limits Of The Possible, Ricardo Iznaola

Soundboard Scholar

This article conceptualizes classical guitar left-hand technique through a physiomechanical framework that places coordinated movement—particularly shifting—at the center of technical practice. Challenging traditional positional doctrines that privilege static hand forms and digital independence, the author argues that such approaches often disregard the functional anatomy of the limb, resulting in inefficiency, unnecessary tension, and potential injury.   Advancing the principle that form must follow function, the study proposes shifting as the fundamental technical category governing all left-hand procedures. A systematic typology—interpositional, intrapositional, and compound shifting—serves as the basis for analyzing arm-wrist-hand coordination across diverse technical contexts, including extensions and contractions, barrés, slurs, …

Gradient-Based, Post-Optimality Sensitivity Analysis With Respect To Parameters Of State Equations, Gene Hou, Jonathan Degroff

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Design optimization is a computational tool that can enable a designer to investigate the effectiveness of a design concept in an organized format. However, this design process requires the design variables, constraints, and objective function to be properly defined and expressed in mathematical forms. Post-optimality analysis thus becomes a necessary step to investigate different variations in the problem formulation and parameters to ensure that optimization produces a stable and trustworthy outcome. One efficient way to achieve this aim is to compute the local derivative of the optimized objective function with respect to the optimization problem parameters, such as bounds on …

Uncertainty-Aware Estimation, Planning, And Control For Tracking Multiple Drifting Patches In Flow Fields, Daniel O. Akanji, Krishnanand N. Kaipa, Cong Wei

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

In this study, we present a replay-based framework for uncertainty-aware persistent tracking of multiple advected surface patches using an autonomous marine vehicle operating in spatiotemporal-varying currents. The method combines three components: local flow estimation, covariance-aware patch-boundary propagation with intermittent boundary fusion, and mission-level scheduling over multiple patches. Each patch is represented by a polygonal boundary, whose vertices are propagated through the estimated flow field while carrying per-vertex covariance, thereby quantifying uncertainty growth during advection. A flow-aware gain-scheduled linear quadratic regulator (LQR) was designed to shape the desired surge speed to take advantage of favorable currents. When the vehicle services a …

Influence Of Motion Artifacts On Instantaneous Frequency Based Heart Rate Variability Of Arterial Pulse Signals Measured By A Tactile Sensor: An Analytical Study, Mamun Hasan, Zhili Hao

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Objective: Heart rate variability (HRV), quantified via the instantaneous frequency (IF) of arterial pulse signals, is a key indicator of cardiovascular (CV) regulation. This study presents a theoretical and experimental investigation of how motion artifacts (MA) influence IF-and thus HRVmeasured with a tactile sensor, emphasizing underlying mechanisms rather than population-level validation. Approach: Building on a previously developed single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) model of the tissue-contact-sensor (TCS) stack between the sensor and the artery, MA is represented as low-frequency baseline drift and time-varying system parameters (TVSP) of the TCS stack. Analytical expressions quantify the effect of MA on the IF of each harmonic …

Mechanical-Medical Convergence In Heart Failure: Artificial Intelligence, Finite-Element Modeling, And 3d Printing For Diagnosis And Prognosis, Quazi Noor E. Sabrina, Quazi Md Zobaer Shah, Quazi Noor E. Sohela, Md Mahabub Hasan Mousum, Md. Moyeen Uddin Chisty, Quazi Md. Akbar Shah

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Heart failure remains a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, yet routine clinical indices often miss the regional biomechanical disturbances that drive progression and shape treatment response. This State-of-the-Art review examines how finite-element (FE) modeling, additive manufacturing, and artificial intelligence (AI) are converging to improve the diagnosis, phenotyping, procedural planning, and prognostic assessment of heart failure (HF). Although these technologies have matured in structural heart disease and transcatheter intervention research, their greatest translational potential may lie in HF, where patient-specific ventricular remodeling, myocardial stress–strain heterogeneity, valve-ventricular coupling, and device-tissue interaction are incompletely captured by conventional clinical indices. We synthesize …

University Of Central Florida Graduate Catalog, 2025-2026, University Of Central Florida

UCF Catalogs

No abstract provided.

The Untold Art History Of Grillz: An Introduction Exhibition At The Ica, Helena Opuama

MA in Fine and Decorative Art and Design Dissertations

The Untold Art History of Grillz: An Introduction Exhibition at the ICA is a prompt multisensory exhibition scheduled to open 15th April 2028 in celebration of World Art Day, at the Institute of Contemporary Arts, in London, UK. The exhibition critically utilises postcolonial frameworks to explore the dismissed decorative history of dental adornment and its influence on contemporary grill design today.

Through a limited chronological selection of physical objects, holographic projections, archival photographs, oral histories, and social media contributions; the exhibition co-narrates the history of dental adornment across four historical periods. These periods include Precolonial Traditions (14th-15th century); Colonial Evolutions …

Objective Assessment In Experiential Learning Contexts, Lily M. Brutger

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Experiential learning is widely recognized as a powerful approach to education; however, empirical evidence demonstrating its effectiveness remains limited. This gap in the literature is due less to the value of experiential learning itself than to the challenges of assessing learning within experiential contexts. Drawing on the foundational experiential learning theories of Kolb (1984) and Joplin (1981), as well as contemporary research on assessment validity and practice, this paper examines the relationship between assessment and experiential learning. It argues that purposeful, objective assessment is essential for maximizing student learning and supporting the credibility of experiential education. The paper synthesizes current …

Reading Comprehension And Secondary Education, Noah W. Hillman

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This literature review is designed to look at how reading takes place in a classroom setting and how teachers might support students as they read - primarily in secondary education (middle and high schools). Students at all levels need scaffolding and support to be successful when interacting with challenge texts. The instructional role of the teacher as it pertains to reading comprehension impacts the success of students’ skills. The literature review examines teacher practices and instructional strategies that can be used to support students’ reading comprehension at the secondary level.

Teaching Primary Sources To Increase Engagement And Build Literacy, Lindsey L. Beaulieu

All Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis reviews the use of primary sources in education. This literature review analyzes 30 articles regarding educators’ use of primary sources. There are four major themes within the articles: literacy with primary sources, engagement with primary sources, comprehension with primary sources, and examples of primary source units or lessons. While specific teaching topics vary, the overall consensus is that primary sources can help students’ skills with literacy, engagement, and comprehension. A main topic among the research is the educators’ understanding of scaffolding, pre-teaching, choosing primary sources, and re-using the primary sources, to be able to teach students effectively.

Meconium Metal Concentrations And Infant Temperament And Development, Fiona Fogarty

Dissertations and Theses

BACKGROUND: Prenatal exposure to metals poses significant health consequences for early childhood development. Understanding the factors influencing metal concentrations that infants are exposed to in-utero is crucial for developing targeted interventions, particularly when maternal characteristics and environmental factors, may contribute to varying levels. Meconium offers insight into in-utero exposures for the developing infant, and the effect of each individual metal may be mediated or exacerbated by another and therefore should be studied in the context of a mixture. The effect of metal mixture exposure, as measured in meconium, on milestone and temperament outcomes has yet to be determined.

DESIGN: …

Radical-Based Oxidative Pretreatment Enhances Biofuel Production From Lignocellulosic Biomass Via Hydrothermal Liquefaction, João Vitor Dos Santos, Louis C. Bondurant, Patrick G. Hatcher

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

The sustainable production of biofuels from lignocellulosic biomass is a central goal in the transition to low-carbon energy systems. However, hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), a promising thermochemical conversion pathway, is constrained by the high oxygen content and complex aromatic structure of lignin, which lowers bio-oil quality. Here, we used a model system of brown-rot-degraded white oak (Quercus alba) to test whether radical-based oxidative pretreatment could enhance HTL performance by converting lignin into more aliphatic intermediates. Oxidation was performed under simulated Fenton conditions using fixed Fe(II) (60 ppm) and two hydrogen peroxide concentrations (3 and 8 M), resulting in extensive lignin depolymerization …

Twenty-One Years Of Global Atmospheric Chlorine Inventories From Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment Fourier Transform Spectrometer (Ace-Fts) Measurements, N. Raymond, P. Bernath, C. Boone, M. P. Chipperfield

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

We present atmospheric chlorine inventories over 21 years (2004-2024) and five latitude bands (82-60°N, 60-30°N, 30°N-30°S, 30-60°S, 60-82°S) across altitudes from the surface up to 61 km. These inventories were calculated using the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment-Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS) version 5.3 retrievals of the volume mixing ratios (VMRs) of 13 chlorine-containing species. Of these, five are product gases: HCl, HOCl, ClONO₂, COClF, COCl₂, and eight are source gases: CCl₄, CH₃Cl, CFC-11 (CCl₃F), CFC-12 ( CCl₂F₂), CFC-113 (CClF₂CCl₂F}), HCFC-22 (CHF₂Cl), HCFC-141b ( C₂H₃Cl₂F), and HCFC-142b (C₂H₃}Cl₂F). Where necessary, ACE-FTS data were supplemented with data from the TOMCAT 3-D chemical transport model, …

Scanning Electron Microscopy As A Potential Tool For Distinguishing Charcoal From Dark, Oxidized, Biomass, João Vitor Dos Santos, Aleksandar I. Goranov, Lais Gomes Fregolente, Joao Marcos De Lima-Faria, Diego Stefani Teodoro Martinez, Patrick G. Hatcher

Chemistry & Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Condensed aromatic carbon (ConAC) is widely used as a proxy for organic materials derived from biomass burning. However, recent evidence shows that ConAC can be also formed through nonpyrogenic oxidative processes. This study presents a proof-of-concept investigation using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to distinguish charcoal from dark, ConAC-rich materials produced by ambient oxidation of biomass. Pine wood exposed to long-term iron-mediated oxidation was compared with unaltered wood and a controlled laboratory-generated charcoal reference. Conventional geochemical analytical methods, including benzenepoly(carboxylic acid) (BPCA) analysis, Fourier transform–ion cyclotron resonance–mass spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS), solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and elemental analysis, confirmed substantial …

College Athletes’ Perception Of The Specialization Process Through Youth Sport, Clayre J. Shaver

Masters Theses

This study explored the adolescent sport experiences of Division I student-athletes, focusing on early sport specialization versus sampling. Past research was seeking the influences that drive athlete and stakeholder decision making through adolescents up until college. Through in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, important themes emerged in these athletes’ stories, including family involvement, financial support, birth order, transitions within athletics and the athletes’ internal goals and motivations. The core finding of this research was the role family played in these athletes’ lives, both positively and negatively, that shaped their athletic and mental development. Athletes expressed how important it is to have …

The Effect Of Occupational Roles, Burnout, And Efficacy On Job Satisfaction Among K-12 Teachers, Chloe Schwahn

Masters Theses

The aim of this study was to investigate variables that may impact the ratings of job satisfaction by practicing Illinois K-12 teachers specifically examining if the variables of occupational roles, burnout, efficacy, and other relevant covariates are correlated and/or have predictive utility on teacher job satisfaction. A secondary goal was to raise awareness about the stressors teachers face in their work environments. Survey materials included a demographics questionnaire, an occupational roles catalog, the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, the Teacher Sense of Efficacy Scale, and the Teacher Job Satisfaction Scale. Seventy-six practicing Illinois K-12 teachers completed the study. Results of the current …

Implementing Gestures Into Vocabulary Instruction To Aid Recall And Retention, Emma Dilley

Masters Theses

This study highlighted the idea of incorporating gestures into vocabulary instruction to help the students recall and retain the new vocabulary words. The researcher predicted that with the incorporation of the strategy of gestures into instruction, kindergarten students will be able to retain more vocabulary words compared to vocabulary instruction that does not include gestures. A total of 22 students and one teacher from a rural town in central Illinois participated in the study. This study was a mixed methods study, which included quantitative data in the form of pretest and posttest and qualitative data in the form of a …

Crisis Communication Guidebook For Small And Medium-Sized Food Business: From Theory To Practice, Yixin Li

Masters Theses

This creative thesis aims to develop a practical crisis communication guidebook for small and medium-sized food businesses. Compared with larger businesses that have greater human and financial resources, small and medium-sized food businesses are often more vulnerable to the influences of crises on revenue and reputation. For this reason, they have a bigger need for practical and systematic crisis guidance. This project is grounded in crisis communication theory and analyzes existing literature in order to translate academic research and theoretical knowledge into an applied guidebook.

The guidebook is organized into three sections based on the timeline of crisis development: before …

Teachers' Perceptions And Professional Uses Of Artificial Intelligence In Education, Lexie Coartney

Masters Theses

This study explores Illinois teachers’ perceptions and professional uses of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. A mixed methods approach was implemented, including a survey completed by 137 Illinois teachers and four interviews. The research questions examined teachers' perceptions of AI, their professional use of AI, and their approach to students’ use of AI. Findings concluded that participants generally hold positive perceptions of AI, especially its time-saving abilities and being supportive, while also holding concerns including reliability, accuracy, and ethical issues. Results showed that 77% (n = 106) of teachers use AI tools mostly for lesson planning, creating assessments, differentiation, …