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EMBODIED LIMINALITY: THE RITUAL-DRAMA NEXUS IN PAN-TRIBAL NATIVE AMERICAN DANCE AND THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES
Full text linkThis study examines the intersection of ritual, drama, and liminality in pantribal Native American dance performances, emphasizing embodied liminality as a performative process shaping cultural continuity, identity transformation, and communal reinforcement.
Using an interdisciplinary methodology that integrates archival research, visual anthropology, and qualitative analysis, this study investigates three case studies: (1) the Ghost Dance movement as a liminal ritual of resistance and cultural revitalization; (2) pan-tribal powwows as sites of embodied liminality and cultural revitalization, and (3) contemporary Native American theater, analyzing theatrical plays through the lens of liminality, visual anthropology, theater and performance methodologies.
Examining embodied liminality in historical and contemporary contexts, this research explores how native American performers navigate sacred and secular spaces, tradition and modernity, and personal and collective identity. Native American performance dynamically expresses cultural resilience by extending the narratives through theatre and digital platforms, challenging dominant representations and reclaiming cultural sovereignty. This bridges the transition from sacred grounds to theatrical stages as sites of resistance, adapting and reshaping native American identity while influencing American theatre and contemporary artistic discours
FICTIONAL PROPHECIES: HOW KAZUO ISHIGURO’S NEVER LET ME GO AND OLIVIA WILDE’S DON’T WORRY DARLING FORESHADOW THE THREATS OF BIOTECH AND METAVERSE REALITIES
Full text linkThis thesis intends to embrace conversations about technological advancements and create space for examining the ways in which popular technologies of the 2020s are the beginning of a dangerous future for marginalized bodies if gone unchecked and under-regulated. This paper investigates the ways in which modern forms of technology are at risk of mimicking the novel Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro and the film Don’t Worry Darling, directed by Olivia Wilde dystopias and argues the need for more conscious consumerism of technology and media alike to acknowledge the ways in which the control of women’s bodies is a common trend and a harmful aspect to these advances that will hold real-world consequences of exploitation, violence, and disproportionate control of autonomy and self-determination
OASIS
Full text linkThis exhibition is about the media, the mesmerizing effects of tech-driven advertisements and their impact on consumerism, and global disasters as the consequences of this phenomenon. This is a critique of technology\u27s immense expansion of advertising\u27s reach. With the advent of the Internet, social media, and mobile devices, advertisers reach a global audience instantly. Using algorithms, digital advertising platforms allow precise targeting based on demographics, interests, and online behavior. This means that advertisements can be tailored to specific audiences, increasing the chances of reaching the right consumers with the right message. Michel Foucault, the prominent French philosopher and social theorist, does not explicitly focus on consumerism; his theories on power, surveillance, and discourse can indirectly relate to the dynamics of targeted advertising and consumer behavior. Foucault\u27s concept of disciplinary power and his examination of surveillance in modern societies can be connected to how targeted advertising operates.
Visual language is implicated in several ways as it helps with the operation and certain ideologies of consumerism. The visual elements that compose a brand\u27s identity, such as logos and color schemes, play an essential role in brand recognition. This visual identity influences consumer perceptions and choices through consistency, trust and credibility, emotional connection, etc., leading to excessive consumer demands that profoundly impact their identity and environmental degradation. The relentless cycle of mass production and consumption generates enormous waste, ranging from industrial byproducts to everyday consumer disposables. Improper disposal releases hazardous chemicals into the soil and water, contaminating the environment. Landfills overflow with non-biodegradable materials, while excessive packaging and single-use plastics pollute waterways and disrupt ecosystems
MBLAC1 KNOCKOUT MICE: BEHAVIORAL MODELING OF A NOVEL RISK FACTOR IN ALZHEIMER\u27S DISEASE
No full textAlzheimer’s disease (AD) involves progressive cognitive decline, with mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and copper (Cu) imbalance implicated in its pathogenesis. MBLAC1 has been identified as a risk factor for AD in individuals with comorbid cardiovascular disease (AD-CVD). Its C. elegans ortholog, swip-10, regulates Cu ion homeostasis and mitochondrial function. To investigate MBLAC1’s role, we examined behavioral phenotypes in Mblac1 knockout (KO) mice and tested the efficacy of the Cu chaperone elesclomol (ES). Male KO mice exhibited deficits in novel object recognition (NOR), which were rescued by ES treatment. Female KOs showed increased anxiety-like behavior in the Elevated Plus Maze, though ES rescue was not pursued. Marble burying assays revealed cohort-dependent anxiety phenotypes. These findings support a role for MBLAC1 in cognitive function via Cu regulation and highlight ES as a potential therapeutic. Further studies are warranted to assess interactions with AD-associated gene mutations and to clarify MBLAC1’s contribution to AD-CVD risk
JOY IN TEACHING: EXAMINING TEACHERS’ PERCEIVED EXPERIENCES OF CHOICE, SELF-EFFICACY, AND SENSE OF BELONGING
Full text linkTeacher joy is a critical yet often overlooked factor influencing teacher retention, instructional effectiveness, and student outcomes. This study explores how teachers describe their experiences of joy in the workplace, focusing on the roles of choice, self-efficacy, and belonging. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory and Attribution Theory, this research examines the extent to which teachers’ perceived autonomy, competence, and relational support contribute to teachers’ professional fulfillment. Through qualitative methods, including in-depth interviews and thematic analysis, this study captures the perceptions of educators across diverse school settings. Findings reveal that teachers experience the highest levels of joy when they have meaningful autonomy in instructional decisions, feel competent in their ability to impact student learning, and perceive strong collegial and administrative support. Conversely, external mandates, bureaucratic demands, and a lack of recognition often diminish joy and contribute to burnout.
This research contributes to the growing body of literature on teacher well-being by offering insights into the specific conditions that enhance or hinder joy in teaching. The study’s implications extend to policymakers, school leaders, and teacher preparation programs, advocating for systemic changes that prioritize teacher autonomy, professional growth, and supportive workplace cultures. By fostering environments that promote teacher joy, educational institutions can improve teacher retention, enhance student engagement, and create more sustainable and fulfilling careers in education
INTEGRATING THE FIVE As FRAMEWORK TO ENHANCE PERSON-CENTERED CARE FOR ADULTS LIVING WITH OBESITY
No full textObesity has adverse effects on physical health, emotional well-being, and mental functioning. To effectively address this highly prevalent and multifaceted condition, the use of a structured, evidence-informed framework is essential to support providers in delivering consistent, person-centered care for individuals living with obesity. The Five As is a powerful yet not commonly implemented framework in many primary care practices. The Five As framework (Ask, Assess, Advise, Agree, Assist) offers a structured model to guide clinicians in delivering consistent, supportive, and transformative care for individuals with obesity.
The goal of the project was to implement a timely and cost-effective protocol/tool that could be utilized for busy providers in the primary care setting to increase patients’ adherence with the standard of care guidelines on obesity management. Implementation of the Five As was expected to enhance patient engagement, promote sustainable behavior change, and support gradual weight reduction and improved health behaviors. Broader anticipated outcomes included increased provider confidence, consistency in obesity management practices, and advancement of health equity in underserved communities by promoting culturally sensitive, patient-centered counseling that reduces bias, improves access to evidence-based interventions, and supports shared decision-making regardless of socioeconomic background. This project highlights the potential of the Five As framework to transform obesity care by improving quality and empowering patients in the long-term management of their health
INCREASING COLON CANCER SCREENING COMPLETION RATES UTILIZING PATIENT NAVIGATION IN PRIMARY CARE: A QUALITY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
No full textColorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. It is highly preventable through routine screening and early detection, yet national data indicate that one in three eligible adults remains unscreened. The purpose of this Quality Improvement (QI) project was to increase colon cancer screening completion rates by implementing a patient navigation program. Kristen Swanson’s Theory of Caring guided the intervention by promoting patient-centered communication. W. Edwards Deming’s Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model provided the framework for this approach. Patients aged 45-75 years due for colon cancer screening were identified using the electronic health record (EHR) in a primary care clinic. A trained patient navigator conducted patient outreach, provided education on colon cancer, assisted with resources, and offered follow-up support. The Patient Navigation Barriers and Outcome Tool (PN-BOT) was used to document, track, and generate reports from the collected data. Data was analyzed by comparing colon cancer screening completion rates, provider colon cancer screening referral rates, and documentation of colon cancer screening status, pre- and post-intervention. The results showed a meaningful increase in colon cancer screening completion rates, enhanced documentation of screening status, and improved provider referral rates with navigation support. Findings suggest that incorporating patient navigation into primary care can strengthen patient adherence, promote provider-patient collaboration, and support equitable access to preventive care. Nurse-led navigation models can improve preventive screening outcomes and reduce cancer-related disparities
DEEP LEARNING-BASED SEGMENTATION FOR PRECISION RADIATION THERAPY IN BREAST CANCER
No full textBreast cancer is a major health burden, and clinicians need accurate tumor segmentation to deliver radiation therapy precisely and efficiently. This thesis benchmarks two three-dimensional (3D) deep learning architectures U-Net and SegResNet for automated segmentation of breast tumors on dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI. This work uses the MAMA-MIA benchmark, a (large-scale multicenter dataset for developing and evaluating artificial intelligence (AI) models for breast cancer imaging). MAMA-MIA consist of 1,506 breat cancer subjects. We applied a standardized Medical Open Network for AI (MONAI) preprocessing and training pipeline to build and evaluate deep-learning models for medical imaging. Models were assessed with the Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC), Intersection over Union (IoU), overall accuracy, and the 95th-percentile Hausdorff distance (HD95), alongside qualitative visualizations and Bland–Altman analyses. U-Net achieved DSC 0.7334, IoU 0.5791, accuracy 0.9984, HD95 33.13 mm, loss 0.0836, and 333.6 s/epoch over 60 epochs. SegResNet achieved DSC 0.7132, IoU 0.5542, accuracy 0.9981, HD95 37.58 mm, loss 0.0915, and 546.1 s/epoch over 60 epochs. Our results show that, U-Net achieved higher overlap and boundary metrics than SegResNet. These findings are preliminary and limited to tumor masks on this dataset; no external validation, user study, or clinical deployment was performed
A QUALITATIVE STUDY OF THERAPIST DISCOMFORT IN THE TREATMENT OF PROBLEMATIC PORNOGRAPHY USE
No full textThe purpose of this study was to examine the extent that discomfort occurs within therapists’ while treating Problematic Pornography Use (PPU). The study, predicated on the qualitative research design of thematic analysis, utilized semi-structured interviews with a sample of n=15 therapists to explore the following questions: (1) How do therapists describe discomfort in the treatment of PPU? (2) How do therapists experience discomfort in the treatment of PPU? And (3) How do therapists manage discomfort in the treatment of PPU? The findings of this study demonstrate the need to understand the unique nature of therapist discomfort in PPU. This study’s findings also reveal the distinct presentation and implications of therapist discomfort in treating problematic pornography use, with important implications for clinical practice, clinical social work education, and future research
A GENEALOGY OF SOMAESTHETICS: SOURCES AND DIRECTIONS
No full textThis dissertation traces the origins of somaesthetics—an interdisciplinary field of study dedicated to the improvement and enrichment of the body’s aesthetic perception—through a genealogical method. The purpose of this method is to provide an account of the development of somaesthetics while simultaneously marshalling critical resources for its development and application. This dissertation fills a gap in somaesthetics by explicating its core philosophical commitments and its interdisciplinary composition. By means of reconstruction, the first part of this dissertation recounts the pragmatist background of somaesthetics, including fundamental commitments to experience, pluralism, and meliorism. The dissertation argues the reconstruction of pragmatism for somaesthetics must involve the incorporation of critical voices from marginalized groups because somaesthetics is ab initio embedded in the very same concerns that animate them, namely the vulnerability of the body and the possibilities for its improvements for appreciative living, goals which are both emancipatory and enriching. The second part inserts somaesthetics into global discussions to demonstrate its application for crafting a meaningful and cosmopolitan life. These include the self-cultivation efforts of ancient Chinese philosophy and French postmodern thought. These chapters demonstrate how somaesthetics problematizes and advances globally relevant debates. They illustrate, furthermore, how somaesthetics harnesses the strengths of various positions while avoiding their weaknesses. The process is referred to as genealogical problematization. The final chapter on democracy articulates the global character of somaesthetics which concludes the genealogical argument