Digital Commons Network^™

Pain Is Personal: Understanding Pain Relativity And The Importance Of The Biopsychosocial Model, Riley Kathleen Magoon '22

Honor Scholar Theses

Pain is undoubtedly a universal concept; however, the way in which one experiences pain is vastly different depending on the individual. These variations are due to pain reflecting one’s identity which encompasses expansive factors including age, sex, ethnicity, coping mechanisms, and past experiences. Because pain is multidimensional, healthcare providers need to integrate a method that treat patients comprehensively. The biopsychosocial approach prioritizes extensive assessment and treatment as well as consistent communication between patient and provider. For healthcare to implement more effective and empathetic care, the biopsychosocial model needs to be integrated in more fields of medicine. This implementation begins with …

Property Blockchains Have Failed To Realize Their Promise, Alexander Walton '22

Honor Scholar Theses

We analyze the introduction of blockchain technology in the U.S. home sales market. The introduction of blockchain technology into the real estate industry has failed to meet high expectations to streamline operations and reduce costs. Required legal changes in the management of property deeds, high investment costs and unproven technology met resistance in a fragmented industry with many players, some holding monopoly control. Many parties in the complex chain of real estate transactions have resisted the natural Schumpeterian wave of creative destruction which, at the macro level, should bring huge savings. At the micro level, title insurers have the most …

Furthering Philosophy For The Future: An Exploration Of The Benefits Of High School Philosophy Education And The Barriers It Faces, Alexander Spencer '22

Honor Scholar Theses

In this paper, I will present a picture of how philosophy education should be integrated into American high schools, I will build a case for the benefits of this integration, and I will respond to some challenges to the process of bringing philosophy into the classroom. I hope to show that expanding philosophy education and encouraging critical thinking is important. American high schools are in need of new methods of instruction in this era of misinformation and fruitless political discourse. I hope to show that philosophy education is one tool in the project of improving education, and thus society in …

The Red Line: An Examination Of The Power Dynamics And Concepts Impacting The Bus Rapid Transit Plan For Marion County, In, Kelby Stallings '22

Honor Scholar Theses

I intend to apply critical theory to the relationship between historic Home Owner’s Loan Corporation (HOLC) residential security maps and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system currently being developed for Marion County, Indiana. This critical examination will aid in the visualization of current power dynamics contained within the Indianapolis city system, which are partial artifacts of the historic HOLC mapping of the city. Visualizing the Indianapolis city system from a critical perspective may in turn help to indicate who will be privileged by the structure and redevelopment of the Indianapolis city with the advancement of zero-emission and/or sustainable infrastructure in …

Public Art In The United States By Black Artists (1980s - Present), Anthony L. Treadaway '22

Honor Scholar Theses

The purpose of this project is to do further research on public art created by Black artists and to explore how their work has created change by looking through the lens of the specific mural and sculpture exhibits. I will be specifically focusing on artworks and artists from the early 1980s to the present day. In the end, this piece offers insight into the importance of public art in our diverse communities. Public art serves as a form of representation and historically Black voices have been silenced in this arena. The stakes of increasing the amount of public art that …

How Homeschooling Happens: A Phenomenological Study Of Educational Practices In The Home Education Setting, Bridgette Whitlow-Spurlock

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to examine the educational processes and expand the personalized education theory of gifted and twice-exceptional homeschooling through the lived experiences of home educators at the international level via internet communications. Two theories guided this study. The first was the personalized education theory of gifted and twice-exceptional homeschooling, as it is part of the central focus in expanding the theory to new populations and could provide insight into parents’ experiences in designing their children’s homeschool environment. Secondly, the social cognitive theory was integrated within the findings. The central question guiding this study was: …

Perspectives Of Librarians On Quality Assurance Measures For Admission Of Students In Distance Education Programme In Nigeria, Justina Ngozi Igwe Phd, Stella C. Nwizu Prof, Christian N. Olori Phd

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The quality assurance measures for admission of students into Distance Education (DE) programs in Nigeria were evaluated in this study. The study employed a descriptive survey design, with a total population of Librarians and learners in distance learning centers in Southeast in Nigeria, of which 206 librarians were used in the study. The librarians and learners were chosen using a multi-stage sampling technique. The data gathering instrument was a questionnaire. Three professionals independently validated the instrument. The questionnaire's reliability index was 0.97. The data was analyzed using the mean, standard deviation, and analysis of variance. The findings revealed that quality …

Beyond Accuracy In Machine Learning., Aneseh Alvanpour

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Machine Learning (ML) algorithms are widely used in our daily lives. The need to increase the accuracy of ML models has led to building increasingly powerful and complex algorithms known as black-box models which do not provide any explanations about the reasons behind their output. On the other hand, there are white-box ML models which are inherently interpretable while having lower accuracy compared to black-box models. To have a productive and practical algorithmic decision system, precise predictions may not be sufficient. The system may need to have transparency and be able to provide explanations, especially in applications with safety-critical contexts …

Machine Learning Approaches For Early Prediction Of Hypertension., Heba Elsayed Mohamed Kandil

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Hypertension afflicts one in every three adults and is a leading cause of mortality in 516, 955 patients in USA. The chronic elevation of cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) changes the cerebrovasculature of the brain and disrupts its vasoregulation mechanisms. Reported correlations between changes in smaller cerebrovascular vessels and hypertension may be used to diagnose hypertension in its early stages, 10-15 years before the appearance of symptoms such as cognitive impairment and memory loss. Specifically, recent studies hypothesized that changes in the cerebrovasculature and CPP precede the systemic elevation of blood pressure. Currently, sphygmomanometers are used to measure repeated brachial artery …

Statistical Methods For Assessing Drug Interactions And Identifying Effect Modifiers Using Observational Data., Qian Xu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation consists of three projects related to causal inference based on observational data. In the first project, we propose a double robust to identify the effect modifiers and estimate optimal treatment. Observational studies differ from experimental studies in that assignment of subjects to treatments is not randomized but rather occurs due to natural mechanisms, which are usually hidden from the researchers. Many statistical methods to identify the treatment effect and select the optimal personalized treatment for experimental studies may not be suitable for observational studies any more. In this project, we propose a exible outcome model to select the …

Creating A Multidisciplinary Collaboration Service-Learning Experience In Design Education, Sacha M. Joseph-Mathews, Marie A. Lee, N. Kreidler

College of the Pacific Faculty Articles

The design process in most organizations is often collaborative and interdisciplinary in nature. Yet most institutions of higher learning do not offer students the opportunity to work in multidisciplinary teams. This study follows an experiential service-learning project over 3 years to explore the role of multidisciplinary project teams on design education outcomes. Findings suggest that the quality of designs improved over time and students consider experiential learning in multidisciplinary teams to be a valuable component in their education, increasing their job readiness upon graduation.

Internalized Racism Mediating The Effects Of Ethnic-Racial Socialization On Self-Esteem And Psychological Distress Among Asians And Asian Americans In The United States., Tianhong "Jojo" Yao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research has indicated ethnic-racial socialization can influence one’s ethnic identity development including ethnic identity and internalized racism. However, there is limited empirical research directly examining the relation among ethnic-racial socialization, internalized racism, and psychological outcomes including self-esteem and psychological distress among Asian populations in the U.S. The current research explored the influences of the three dimensions of ethnic-racial socialization (cultural socialization-pluralism, promotion of mistrust, and preparation for bias) on two outcomes (i.e., self-esteem and psychological distress) through internalized racism as a mediator in a sample of 245 participants identified as Asian and Asian American adults currently residing in the U.S. …

Poly Camtracker, Nickolas W. Ogilvie, Shawn W. Thai

Electrical Engineering

With the onset of the post-pandemic virtual classroom world, more and more classes are attempting hybrid-style instruction. To accomplish that, recordings of lectures are widely used, with presentation-sharing & audio recording capability. However, video recordings of lectures, with the ability to see the board, lab equipment, and the professor, are the optimal way to give the virtual students the best experience. Right now, technology is readily available for static camera recordings of lecture halls, but this may not suffice when it comes to larger lecture halls and lab demonstrations, where directed shots of equipment or the whiteboard are needed in …

Stored Labor: Spatial Practice Of Migrant Worker Accomodation In Hong Kong, Kristabel Chung

Architecture Senior Theses

This project examines the relationship between domestic labor laws and the “spatial practices” of migrant domestic worker (MDW) spaces in Hong Kong. The project asks, how do the designed and spatial practices of domestic worker accommodations inform us about the hierarchy and future of domestic space in Hong Kong?

In 2003, Hong Kong issued a law requiring domestic workers to live with their employers. For apartments without designed servant spaces, makeshift accommodations have been created within those apartments to comply with the law. The research studies these modifications within the home and creates spatial abstractions through diagrams and models.

The …

Composite Cohousing: Hacking Colonial Vernacular, Heather Skinner

Architecture Senior Theses

Martha’s Vineyard architecture can be traced back to its broader roots in New England vernacular. The cape cod, first period, Gothic, and Greek revival homes are not unique to the Island, yet the strict preservation has kept the formal and stylistic components intact. This hyper preservation the island has made it a catalog of sorts.

This thesis is structured into two parts the Code and the Hack. The code pertains to the documentation of existing conditions and the bylaws which preserve them. The code is defined as the laws, bylaws, and standards, both physical and rhetorical, put in place to …

A Case Study In Developing An Apologetic Discipleship Model Among Second Generation Haitians In Florida, Mesack Dieudonne

Masters Theses

This thesis seeks to demonstrate that equipping second-generation Haitian believers in Florida requires a contextually-appropriate, apologetics discipleship model. This project starts with an examination of the weakness or absence of the use of current apologetics discipleship among second-generation Haitians, which gives birth to unequipped second-generation Haitians ravaged by worldview conflict and who leave the church in record numbers. Building upon this foundation, this work sheds light on a cultural shift among second-generation Haitians. The objective is to isolate some key discipleship factors among second-generation Haitians in Florida by examining the fear of some Haitian pastors to address voodoo and its …

The Decline Of Middle School Music Programs In Major U.S. Inner-City Schools, Kuronde Washington

Masters Theses

This study examines the correlation of music programs in inner-city schools to affluent schools. This thesis will view the impact of socioeconomic status, living environment, retention of teachers, high-accountability testing, and how these factors affect the reduction of secondary music programs in inner-city schools. This research is intended to aid music teachers as well as administrative supporters improve the quality of music education in inner-city schools.

Homeschool 101: Using Visual Media To Promote Awareness Of Homeschooling, Steven Roscoe Sherlin

Masters Theses

Parents who are making decisions about the education of their children can benefit from a general awareness of the full range of schooling options available to them. Although the United States has seen its homeschooling population grow to all-time highs in recent years, many people are still unfamiliar with what homeschooling is actually like in practice. Some parents fail to recognize homeschooling as a viable option because of they are unfamiliar with its potential benefits, standard homeschooling methods, and resources for homeschooling families. This thesis reviews the homeschooling research literature and overviews relevant case studies to inform a visual solution …

Next Gen: Guiding Dads As They Spiritually Guide The Next Generation, Deylan Michael Smith

Masters Theses

The spiritual development during the teenage years are pivotal in determining the religious and spiritual values as teenagers transition into adulthood. As serious as this stage of development is, there is a lack of involvement in the faith development of teenagers on the part of parents, specifically Christian fathers. With this lack of paternal support during faith development, the percentage of those leaving the church during adolescents and early adulthood is rapidly increasing. The aim of the research was to understand important milestones in spiritual development of teenagers, why Christian dads are uninvolved in this development, and best strategies for …

On The Shores Of Perga: A Theological Analysis Of John Mark’S Departure From The First Pauline Missionary Journey And Its Implications For The Gentile Mission, Erbey Galvan Valdez

Masters Theses

In approximately AD 48, the Apostle Paul, his coworker Barnabas, and Barnabas’ cousin, John Mark, boarded a ship at Seleucia and headed for Cyprus to initiate their first missionary journey (Acts 13:4). It was during this mission that an unexpected setback occurred—John Mark departed from the mission shortly after their arrival at Perga in Pamphylia. Although Luke offers no direct reason for Mark’s departure, the events that soon unfold point to an unprecedented movement that occurs within the Gentile mission. This study examines the viability of the idea that John Mark's departure was potentially motivated by theological differences with Paul …

Family Lore And Believability In Historical Fiction, Amy Elizabeth Cimino

Masters Theses

This thesis began with a story of family lore about life at the Manhattan Project plant site at Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The artist's statement tells the story of lore passed down from grandmother to granddaughter during a road trip. As the family lore was written down on the page, the question of how to write believable historical fiction arose. Limitations in the research showed gaps in the narrative that the author needed to fill in. The critical theory paper evaluates how those research gaps can be used as opportunities for the craft of writing to bring this family story to …

The Pastoral Connection - Examining Parallels Between Pastoral And Political Rhetoric During The Revolutionary War, Abigail A. Zedwick

Masters Theses

This paper examines the parallels between rhetoric in sermons preserved from the Revolutionary War period and rhetoric in political speeches and writings from the same period. The aim is to establish the extent of the parallels in rhetoric and to demonstrate that the rhetorical stances from the pulpit preceded the same rhetorical stances in political, secular work through establishing the date each document was published or presented. Studying these sources alongside reliable secondary sources on both the political and religious rhetorical themes will demonstrate, when put together to form a more complete picture of the period, that the political rhetoric …

The Struggle For Identity: How Female Writers Find Their Voice, Allison Joanne Call

Masters Theses

The purpose of this project is to examine the value and purpose of the female voice in literature. In the first part of this project, my artist’s statement clarifies my intent as a writer and an academic. This statement describes certain specific works that have influenced my writing style and content, and my literary aspirations. The second part of the project is the critical paper, which analyzes the importance of the feminine voice and identity in literature throughout different time periods and through different lenses. Within this paper, I examine how male writers have dominated the writing world and explore …

Bias As A Worldview Engine, The Terminus A Quo Of The Problem Of Evil, Eric Spencer Mccrickard

Masters Theses

Evidential evil is an encompassing title for moral evil, natural disasters, disease, famine, divorce, suffering, or other calamities in life that yield dissatisfaction or discernable discomfort. This area of evidential evil is the focus of this paper generally, including the argument posed by William Rowe from evidential evil and contemporary treatments offered by Bruce Russell. The argumentation is God’s nonexistence from the platform, or derivative of no greater good observed or known, of the justification or allowance of evil. It is not a refutation of the premises, per se, but instead, the biases associated with them are de facto statements …

Chilling Parental Rights, Meghan M. Boone

Fordham Law Review

Despite this clear lack of consensus as to what constitutes ideal parenting, state actors have increasingly intervened in families when they feel that a particular parenting choice is wrong. These interventions increasingly occur through the use of criminal law and punishment.5 This criminalization extends beyond prosecutions for what would traditionally be considered abuse or neglect to a wide range of parenting choices that do not rise to this level. Although many scholars have critiqued this criminalization of parenting, the focus of these critiques has centered on the harm to the families that are actually criminalized and on how a disproportionate …

Studying Alive : An Application For The Wellness Of College Students During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Natasia Fernandez

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Mental health awareness has become an increasingly important topic over the past couple of years due the Covid-19 pandemic. Many individuals find it difficult to discuss their mental health. An individual’s mental health is a significant factor in maintaining their overall wellness. College students, specifically, face various hurdles and challenges that can affect their mental health. They have several responsibilities weighing on their shoulders which can lead to stress, depression and/or anxiety. College students may find it difficult to express these topics and seek healthy ways to cope. During the Covid-19 pandemic, additional challenges have been added onto college students …

Muslim Young Adult Graphic Novels : Destabilizing Perceptions, Sidra Habal

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This paper seeks to analyze common trends in the Muslim Young Adult graphic novels Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy and the Ms. Marvel comics by G. Willow Wilson. The main characters, Huda and Kamala, respectively, struggle to define their own identities beyond being Muslim as well as figuring out who they are, who they want to be, and how they wish to represent themselves. The common themes found within these novels include this question of identity as well as exploring family bonds, navigating romantic interests, and building strong groups of friends. These characters are trying to find a …

Screen Time, Sleep, And Anxiety, Michael Edward Turner

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Prior literature has found evidence for a connection between screen time and a variety of negative health outcomes. These negative health outcomes include symptoms of both generalized and social anxiety, as well as sleep issues involving poorer sleep quality and less sleep overall. There is also evidence that screen time has dramatically increased as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic. The present research project investigated the relationship between smartphone screen time and anxiety, both generalized and social, as well as sleep duration and sleep quality. This research project breaks down screen time into four separate domains, social media, video …

Affordable Autonomous Vehicles For Deployment After Disastrous Events, Shannon Abolmaali

Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering Dissertations - Archive

In disastrous events such as hurricanes and tornadoes, it has been observed that people get stranded and helpless without a feasible way to escape during those emergency situations. This became very evident during hurricanes, such as Katrina and Ida affecting millions of people seeking immediate rescue efforts. With the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning, we envision an autonomous vehicle, AV, which is able to find the most optimal and safest way to help those who are stranded to get them to a safe location. Electric vehicles, EV, and Autonomous Vehicles, AV, is becoming the future; minimizing the carbon …

Improving Post-Stroke Discharge For Individuals With Limited English Proficiency, Evan Kolesnick, Ms, Rebecca Hsu, Md3, Michelle Braslavsky, Do, T. Y. Chuang, James Lee, Md, Lucy Cobb, Md, Mina Na, Do, Nabeel Herial, Md, Mph, Anh-Thu Vu, Md, Ms3

Health Equity and Quality Improvement (HEQI) Summit

Project AIM: Reduce readmissions among stroke patients who self-identify as preferring to receive care in a language other than English by 25% in one year