Digital Commons Network^™

Civic Conservation Workshop: A User Manual For Creating A Makerspace Dedicated To Historic Preservation, Building Repair, And Civic Engagement, Madeleine Bean

Theses and Dissertations

Research Abstract:

Democracy depends on citizens’ participation at all levels, from local to national; moreover, engagement in one’s community is directly correlated with greater reported feelings of happiness and trust (Cox et al., 2021). This research examines how makerspaces can act as civic hubs that promote inclusive community interaction, facilitate the exchange of cultural and skills-based knowledge, encourage civic discourse, and serve as sites for political engagement through the provision of tools and resources that focus on historic home repair/preservation and craft-based trades. Specifically, this study proposes the development and design of a preservation-focused makerspace in Jackson Ward, a historically …

Annual Report Of The Registrar 2024/2025, University Of Northern Iowa

Institutional Effectiveness & Planning Documents

Contents:

--- Definitions
--- Some Comparisons
--- Annual Report Data
--- Summary of Attendance
--- Attendance by Session
--- Full-Time Equivalency Enrollment
--- Degrees Granted 2024/25
--- Degree Summary 2024/25
--- Program Certificates 2023/24
--- Miscellaneous Enrollment Information
--- Degrees Granted by College, Degree and Racial/Ethnic Classification

Drafting In The Digital Age: Contract-Design And Web-Based Consumer Contracts, Ben Fernandez

UF Law Faculty Publications

Consumers often do not read the contracts they sign. They know the basic terms of the deal and take the risk that it is enough to avoid being sued for breach. Even sophisticated businesspeople often do not read the documents they sign; they rely on their attorneys to tell them what they need to know. If the sole purpose of documenting a contract is to protect the party that has the financial resources and the leverage to hire an attorney to draft it, then the attorney doesn’t do their client a disservice by focusing solely on the contract’s enforceability. A …

Outside The Workshop: Alternative Spaces Of U.S. Printmaking, 1935–1977, Michelle Donnelly

Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Dissertations

The studio, the land, the camp, and the home are vital locations of print production. Yet scholars have overwhelmingly focused on prints made in the workshop, or an institutional facility stocked with specialized equipment and overseen by “master printers.” This dissertation investigates how women artists and artists of color expanded the parameters of printmaking outside the traditional site of the workshop from 1935 to 1977 in the United States. Each spatially organized chapter centers on one artist: David Hammons, Sari Dienes, Matsusaburo “George” Hibi, and Ruth Asawa. All four artists practiced what I call emplaced printmaking: an engagement with the …

Performance Of Standard Medical Mllms On Ecg Image Data, Prisha Anil

Masters Theses

This work presents a structured benchmarking study of multimodal large language models (MLLMs) applied to electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation tasks. We evaluate three representative architectures: MedGemma, HuatuoGPT-Vision, and LLaVA-Med, across progressive experimental stages involving text-only structured prompt normalization, text–image fusion with ECG plots, and full multimodal fusion incorporating time-series signals. A standardized five-section cardiology prompt was designed to enforce consistent output structure and SCP-code alignment, enabling reproducible metric computation across models. Quantitative evaluation using BERTScore, token-level F1, and diagnostic accuracy demonstrates that HuatuoGPT-Vision achieves the highest semantic and diagnostic alignment, while MedGemma exhibits superior formatting stability and reproducibility. In contrast, LLaVA-Med …

A Feminist Narrative Shaped By Bangladesh’S Threads, Salma Akter

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This thesis explores the intersection of feminist theory and artistic practice, examining how materiality and abstraction reflect gender norms within the socio-political, religious, and colonial context of Bangladesh. It is grounded in four key theoretical frameworks: judith butler’s gender performativity, bell hooks’ intersectional feminism, julia kristeva’s abjection and systems theory. Together, these frameworks provide a comprehensive lens for analyzing how gender inequality is constructed, maintained, and resisted within the socio-political, religious, and colonial context of Bangladesh. Textile-based media serve as a means to engage with these layered systems, drawing from traditional nakshi kantha embroidery to explore patterns of labor, domesticity, …

Vietnamese Gen Z'S Perception Of National Brand Identity Through Cộng Cà Phê Packaging Design, Ngoc Thao Chi Nguyen

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This study examined how Vietnamese Gen Z perceive national brand identity expressed through Cộng Cà Phê's packaging design. Through online questionnaires, 247 Gen Z respondents aged 18-27 evaluated the packaging design across four dimensions: cognition, emotion, language, and action. Results showed strong recognition of cultural design elements, particularly the color palette and retro typography that reference Vietnam's subsidy era. Emotionally, the packaging evoked national pride in Vietnamese identity among respondents. Linguistically, participants rated the design as highly authentic in conveying national character. Behaviorally, many respondents indicated they would choose Cộng Cà Phê to introduce Vietnamese coffee culture to international friends. …

An Analysis Of The Impact Of The Korean Dramas On Image Building And The Promotion Of Thai Tourism : A Case Study Of King The Land, Episode 10, Sopittha Sintutepparat

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This research aims to study and analyze the impact of the Korean drama King the Land on Thailand’s national image and tourism in various dimensions. The researcher collected data from two main sources: primary data and secondary data. The primary data were obtained through in-depth interviews with five individuals directly involved in the filming of Episode 10 of King the Land in Thailand, including one government representative, two members of the Thai production team, and two local business owners at the filming locations. The secondary data consisted of the content analysis of the drama, academic articles, research papers, relevant policies, …

Exploring The Lived Experience Of Moderate To Severe Premenstrual Symptoms In Women With Histories Of Emotional Maltreatment: A Thematic And Art-Based Inquiry, Hen Polat

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Premenstrual Disorders (PMDs) profoundly impact women’s daily lives yet remain under-recognized and undertreated, despite evidence that most sufferers report histories of childhood trauma, particularly emotional maltreatment. This study had three objectives: to explore the lived experiences and meaning-making of women with PMDs and emotional maltreatment histories; to examine perceived connections between premenstrual distress and past trauma; and to evaluate the role of drawing as a research tool for accessing experiences difficult to verbalize. Fifteen women aged 24–43 from nine countries were recruited through online support groups and screened with the Premenstrual Symptoms Screening Tool (PSST), the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF), …

The Key Factors Of Thai Traditional Cultural Festivals That Attract International Tourists : The Case Of Songkran Festival, Jieyi Chen

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

AbstractThis study focuses on traditional cultural festivals in Thailand, particularly Songkran, to examine the key factors that attract international tourists and analyze the uniqueness and appeal of Thai culture. Findings indicate that authenticity, participatory experiences, festive atmosphere, and symbolic rituals are essential elements that attract tourists. However, challenges such as the risk of over-commercialization, uneven international promotion, and issues of cultural preservation remain. By adopting literature analysis and case study methods, this research investigates these key factors and the potential for future development, including the international influence of Thai traditional festivals and their contributions to local tourism development and the …

Connecting Bicyclists And Transit: A Multimodal Routing Tool With Bicycle Facilities Scoring, Raphael Y. Mrema

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This research develops a comprehensive, data-driven framework for assessing multimodal bicycle accessibility using open-source technologies and real-time routing data. Traditional active transportation studies often depend on proprietary GIS tools and static network datasets, which limit scalability, reproducibility, and integration with live mobility systems. In contrast, this study introduces a Python-based approach that leverages GeoPandas, the Google Maps Directions API, and General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) data to dynamically evaluate infrastructure quality, operational stress, and multimodal connectivity. The framework was applied to Duval County, Florida, to examine how roadway design, facility type, and transit availability jointly influence bicycle network performance and …

The Horrors Of History: Gender, Folklore, And Puritanism In Robert Eggers’ The Witch, Trinity Stuckey

Undergraduate Scholarship

This paper examines Robert Eggers' 2015 folk horror film The Witch as a legitimate form of historical interpretation that illuminates the intersection of gender, folklore, and religious belief in 1630s colonial New England. Through analysis of primary sources including Cotton Mather's Memorable Providences, Samuel Willard's possession accounts, and Salem witch trial records, this study demonstrates how Eggers' meticulous attention to historical detail creates a narrative that captures the psychological and sociocultural dimensions of Puritan experience. The paper argues that by taking seriously the theological worldview of its subjects rather than dismissing supernatural elements as superstition, The Witch achieves a …

More Than What You Say: Nonverbal Communication In The 21st Century, Stephanie Montgomery

Textbooks

Nonverbal communication is a distinct form of communication, transcending the spoken word. It is communication through our gestures, eye behavior, vocalics, and body language. Nonverbal communication is often misinterpreted, though, because accurate interpretation depends on a variety of skills. This is not an easy or natural ability. However, with education, awareness, and training, errors can be minimized.

Exploring National Identity Through Modern Monumental And Decorative Tapestry Of Kazakhstan, Baurzhan Doszhanov, Ainash Nauryzbayeva, Yerbol Kairanov, Mukhamejan Suleimenov, Malik Mukanov

Journal of Urban Culture Research

In the context of technical and global transformations, art persists in articulating national identity. The aim of this study is to analyze in depth the art of monumental decorative tapestry in Kazakhstan, with a focus on its contribution to the search for a new paradigm and national identity in contemporary visual arts. Methods of analyzing and comparing artistic works of tapestry artists of contemporary Kazakhstan were used. This research analyses chosen works and their impact on the cultural environment, demonstrating that current monumental and decorative tapestries in Kazakhstan serve not merely as aesthetic objects but also actively contribute to the …

Investigation Of The Human Temporal Styloid Process As A Bony Indicator Of Speech, Sommer A. Martin

Theses and Dissertations

The temporal styloid process in humans serves as an attachment point for the styloglossus, stylohyoid, and stylopharyngeus, which are involved in tongue movement and deglutition. I hypothesized that the length of the ossified styloid process in humans is the result of selection for increased musculature that would support tongue movements involved in speech. This hypothesis assumes that the relative length of the ossified temporal styloid process is unique to humans. A comparative analysis of the presence or absence of the temporal styloid process was conducted on ten genera of Old-World primates, and it was found that the length of this …

When Accomodation Bars Access To Justice: Implications Of Video Remote Interpreting In Legal Settings, Quincy Craft Faber

Mitchell Hamline Law Review

No abstract provided.

A Comparative Analysis Of Figurines From The Lower Rio Verde Valley From Oaxaca, Raynaliz C. Velazquez

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024

This thesis investigates 618 ceramic figurines from the Lower Río Verde Valley in Oaxaca, Mexico, to explore how figurine use varied across civic-ceremonial, domestic, and outlying contexts during the Terminal Formative and Late Classic periods. The central hypothesis proposes that figurines from the Río Viejo Acropolis, a civic-ceremonial center, would be larger and exhibit greater labor investment than those from residential and peripheral sites, reflecting more labor-intensive ideologies and ceremonial practices. Through typological, spatial, and material analysis, the study examines attributes such as size, surface treatment, production method, and the presence of musical elements. The dataset includes newly analyzed figurines …

Annual Report Of Undergraduate Research Fellows From August 2024 To May 2025, Office Of Research And Sponsored Programs. Morehead State University.

Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Reports and Publications

Annual Report of Undergraduate Research Fellows from August 2024 to May 2025.

Intergenerational Arts In The Classroom: A Win-Win, Audrey Klunenberg

Graduate Research Papers

This paper suggests that intergenerational arts programs, particularly those conducted in public schools, can help participants build empathy, a sense of community and belonging. Evidence of these changes was collected through informal observations during three intergenerational art classes in a first grade classroom, as well as through discussions with participants before and after their participation in the intergenerational arts programming. Empathy and community can be built through carefully planned collaborative art-making opportunities and the effect can be evidenced in the forming of relationships, the absence of behavioral problems, and the building of the facilitator’s personal network. The paper concludes that …

Enhancing Uk Electricity Price Forecasting Using Deep Learning., Stephen Cooke

ICT

Accurate short-term electricity price forecasting (EPF) is crucial for efficient operation of the UK’s multi-layered power market, impacting generators, traders, the ESO, and policymakers. Prices are highly volatile and non-linear due to renewables, demand fluctuations, and market coupling across Day-Ahead, Intraday, and Balancing Mechanism venues. Traditional statistical models often fail under such dynamics, while machine learning and deep learning approaches—particularly LSTM, GRU, and hybrid architectures—effectively capture temporal dependencies and exogenous drivers. Empirical evidence shows that these models outperform classical baselines, enabling more accurate scheduling, risk management, and financial savings.

The Role Of Post-Cloacal Gland Biofluorescence In Male-Male Communication In Plethodon Cinereus, Kasey Watterson

Masters Theses

Biofluorescence is increasingly recognized as a potentially important form of visual communication across a wide range of taxa, yet its ecological and behavioral function remains largely untested in many terrestrial species. In the red-backed salamander (Plethodon cinereus), fluorescence is a sexually dimorphic trait most strongly expressed in males, particularly around the cloacal region and ventral side of the tail, areas that are often displayed during territorial contests and courtship. Rival males also direct behaviors like cloacal investigation toward these fluorescent regions, suggesting a potential signaling function. Since fluorescence is often displayed during territorial contests, I hypothesized that fluorescence in male …

Canine-Assisted Spiritual Care Handbook: Integrating Facility Dogs Into Professional Chaplaincy Practice, Ann M. Snowberger

Doctor of Ministry

This project's researcher finds that Spiritual Care Facility Dog Teams (dog handlers and their dogs) lack resources and practical guides to advance Canine-Assisted Spiritual Care (CA-SC) in healthcare and facility settings. The Canine-Assisted Spiritual Care Handbook offers a comprehensive guide for establishing and sustaining CA-SC programs. It promotes standardized terminology, ethical practices, and interdisciplinary collaboration. By featuring practical tools, case studies, and training plans, the handbook supports the professional development of chaplains. Its holistic framework enhances spiritual, emotional, and physical wellness, while emphasizing the well-being of both handlers and their working dogs. The handbook’s focus on program sustainability and real-world …

Visual Legal Rhetoric In The Age Of Generative Ai And Deepfakes: Renaissance Or Dark Ages?, Michael D. Murray

SMU Science and Technology Law Review

The paradoxical development of visual generative AI tools, such as OpenAI’s DALL-E 3, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion, simultaneously signals a renaissance and a potential dark age in visual rhetoric and communication. On the one hand, these tools democratize the creation of visual content, empowering attorneys and others to become artists and illustrators of their legal communications without needing to learn how to draw. These AI systems can simplify complex legal concepts, bridge language barriers, and enhance advocacy. But on the other hand, the proliferation of deepfakes presents significant challenges for visual rhetoric. Deepfakes can quickly and easily create realistic but …

Implementation And Effectiveness Of Educational Strategies For Competency Development In Wound Management Among Healthcare Professionals: A Systematic Review Protocol, Effienia Daroibha Wahlang, Elsa Sanatombi Devi, Ashwath M Acharya, Ciraj A M

Manipal Journal of Nursing and Health Sciences

Introduction Wound care education is one of the most important and critical aspects in the healthcare sector, particularly with the prevalence of chronic wounds rising rapidly due to factors like age and increasing rates of diabetes and obesity. Traditional methods of wound care are evolving to incorporate new methods, technologies and teaching strategies, to better equip healthcare professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge.

Objectives This review aims to identify, describe and assess how various educational strategies have been implemented and how effective they are in developing wound management competencies among healthcare students and healthcare professionals.

Methods The Preferred Reporting …

Mark & Gesture, William E. Pugh

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This paper explores the development of my painting and printmaking practice through the lens of process, artistic influence, and creative community. At the heart of my work is a dedication to mark-making in printmaking and painting as gesture and authorship and as a visual language shaped by process, scale, layering, and texture. My work is influenced by artists such as Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Wayne Thiebaud, and Peter Max, as well as by my personal history with music. The paper reflects on how process, interdisciplinary influence, and artistic dialogue shape a practice rooted in both personal exploration and discovery.

Bridging The Rural Telehealth Divide, Deborah R. Farringer

Oklahoma Law Review

No abstract provided.

2025-2026 Graduate Catalog And Course Descriptions, Rochester Institute Of Technology

Graduate Catalog and Course Descriptions

No abstract provided.

2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog And Course Descriptions, Rochester Institute Of Technology

Undergraduate Catalog and Course Descriptions

No abstract provided.

Bridging Gaps With Occupational Therapy: The Unique Role Of Occupational Therapy In Women’S Day Shelters, Alex Sato

Doctoral Projects

Homelessness is a multifaceted, complex issue that we face as a society. Mainstream services provided to homeless or vulnerable populations tend to focus on housing and basic services. While these are essential and meaningful, literature suggests there is a lack in trauma and self-care support (Marzana et al., 2023; Milaney et al., 2020). Looking through an Occupational Therapy (OT) lens, there are a multitude of ways the profession can provide holistic care. Current OT service provision within this population most commonly focuses on obtaining and maintaining housing and addressing the survival occupations these individuals may be engaging in (Cunningham & …

Social Determinants Of Health And Aging In Africa: Structural Inequality, Vulnerability, And The Future Of Care, Aremu Umor Lukman, Sunkanmi Folorunsho, Abdulrauf Olaitan Taofeeq

Department of Sociology: Faculty Publications

Population aging is accelerating across Africa yet remains underrepresented in research, policy, and public health planning. This review critically examines how social determinants shape aging experiences across the continent, focusing on health, care systems, and structural inequalities. While traditional African societies have historically valued older adults, modernization, migration, and economic hardship have eroded support systems, leaving many to face old age with limited resources. Older Africans, particularly women and rural residents, contend with lifelong disadvantages including low education, informal labor, poverty, and gendered caregiving roles that contribute to poor health and social vulnerability. Health systems remain poorly equipped to address …