Dreaming of Home: Connected, Emotional, and Inspiring Dwelling in New York's Superblocks

In the past, homes provided a way to connect to the world, the community and oneself. Moving through time, the house changed shape and these connections became weaker, yet the longing for a home where one belongs stayed. A reimagining is needed, as homes today lack meaningful bridges to this desire to dwell. Nowhere is this needed more than affordable housing superblocks that provide essential homes. As these houses age, the future of housing will depend on the reaction to worsening conditions. Can an architectural intervention prevent a reset of New York City?s housing stock and learn from the surrounding area to create a stronger sense of home in an urban area? With the existing framework of these superblocks, the aim of this project is a reimagining of the poetic potential of the Riis Houses. A dream to have a home that is more connected, more inspiring, and more emotional

Gating of food and non-food information from working memory

Prior research has suggested that biased attention towards food cues in the environment may contribute to the onset and maintenance of binge eating. Here, we examine whether individuals who report high levels of binge eating also have difficulty keeping task-irrelevant food-related information out of working memory (WM). To investigate this, we used the contralateral delay activity (CDA), a neurophysiological measure reflecting the amount of information held in WM. Experiment 1 confirmed differences in behavioral performance and CDA amplitude when holding one versus two items in WM and between stimulus type (food vs. non-food). Experiment 2 replicated these behavioral findings but not the CDA results. Furthermore, we found no significant differences in filtering efficiency as a function of distractor type (food vs. non-food) or self-reported binge eating frequency, contrary to our hypotheses. Future work could benefit from adopting a behavioral measure of filtering efficiency or examining filtering cost

Embarking on the analytical odyssey: a phenomenological exploration of the psychoanalytic journey of formation

This Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) study explored the lived experiences of Lacanian psychoanalysts undergoing formation. The research aimed to elucidate the subjective dimensions of the psychoanalytic journey by addressing three primary questions: (a) What are psychoanalysts? fundamental experiences and challenges during their formation and training? (b) How do psychoanalysts perceive the impact of their formation on their professional development? (c) What roles do supervision, personal analysis, and organizational support play in the formation of psychoanalysts? Three participants affiliated with the Colorado Analytic Forum were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed using IPA?s six-step process, incorporating reflexive journaling and member-checking to ensure trustworthiness. Four Group Experiential Themes (GETs) emerged: Challenge, Personal and Professional Growth, Effects/Acts, and Formation. Participants navigated clinical, conceptual, and personal challenges, with growth occurring through validating inner strengths and reconciling external ideals with internal truths. Pivotal turning points, catalyzed by adversity and realization, led to decisive actions that realigned developmental trajectories. Formation itself emerged as an ongoing process of reconciling theory and practice, external pressures and internal ethics. The findings illuminate the transformative nature of the psychoanalytic formation journey, characterized by continuous self-reflection, immersion in the analytic method, and the pursuit of understanding the unconscious. Supervision, personal analysis, and organizational support played crucial roles, facilitating growth, providing guidance, and shaping the participants? evolving identities as analysts. This study contributes to the understanding of the subjective dimensions of contemporary Lacanian psychoanalytic formation. The findings offer valuable insights for enhancing training practices, support mechanisms, and the ongoing development of psychoanalysts. By embracing the complexity and perpetual nature of formation, this research invites further exploration of the profound personal and professional odyssey undertaken by those dedicating themselves to the practice of psychoanalysis

Systems thinking in student retention and STEM persistence: a holistic approach to navigating challenges and implementing targeted solutions in higher education

Decades of research focused on student retention in higher education have produced theoretical models which, despite being valuable, fail to characterize the convoluted nature of factors influencing retention outcomes. This thesis proposes a novel approach to understanding and addressing challenges of retention utilizing systems thinking. Through this method, institutions and departments are better able to identify areas of need and implement targeted solutions for the individualized nature of the problem. This systems map offers a more holistic perspective than the traditional siloed retention interventions. Implementing a student-centric approach, such as in virtual community support programs, or an institutional-centric approach, such as in a departmental climate survey, allows universities to strike a balance for the multifaceted challenges of addressing retention gaps. Integrating these approaches via the proposed systems map presents a promising avenue to tackle the ever-growing challenge of student retention within higher education

Relationships between electronic handgrip dynamometer derived muscle function and Purdue Pegboard performance

Purpose: To examine the relationships of electronic handgrip dynamometer and accelerometer derived maximal handgrip strength (HGS), sub-maximal control, and neuromuscular steadiness on Purdue Pegboard Test (PPT) performance in older adults. Methods: The analytic sample included 30 generally healthy community-dwelling older adults (age 72.4?5.3). Participants squeezed the handgrip dynamometer with maximal effort on each hand to determine strength capacity. A 25% sub-maximal target was calculated from maximal HGS, and participants were asked to maintain this target for 10-seconds for sub-maximal control. The accelerometer, which was placed on top of the handgrip dynamometer, quantified neuromuscular steadiness. Standard protocols were used for PPT. A series of Pearson correlations were used for the analyses. Results: Right HGS was weakly, negatively, and insignificantly correlated with PPT performance (r=-0.20; p=0.28), while left HGS was negligibly correlated with PPT performance (r=0.02; p=0.28). Sub-maximal control showed a downward, but insignificant weak trend with PPT performance on the right (r=-0.22; p=0.09) and left hands (r=-0.30; p=0.09). Further, neuromuscular steadiness was negligibly correlated with PPT performance on the right (r=-0.01; p=0.94) and left hands (r=0.14; p=0.43). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that a signal may exist between sub-maximal control and PPT performance. Sub-maximal control may serve as a screening tool for examining neuromuscular functioning and fine motor skills. Such a tool may help in occupational therapy (OT) testing and appropriate referral to intervention, which in turn, may help our rapidly growing older adult population extend quality of life and independent living

Trade disruption and commodity-program payments: a panel GARCH model

Trade disruption has reduced the economic gains countries enjoy from great trade relationships. This disruption stems from trade wars, exchange rate volatility, and rare events. However, the gravity model, mainly used to investigate this problem, is plagued with heteroscedasticity, omitted variables, and zero trade flow. This makes it difficult for farmers, policymakers, and investors to predict how the international market behaves. The study assesses how commodity-program payments help mitigate shocks from trade disruptions using a panel GARCH model. Hence, the study examines the source of trade disruption, the intensity of trade disruption on soybean and corn export, the risk associated with trade disruption, and how effectively existing farm payments have mitigated the risk. The results indicated that the price loss coverage effectively mitigates the risk of trade disruption for soybean and corn

Chrysopoeia: A Transcendental Metamorphosis of Consciousness

As of 2024 the world is in a mental health crisis. Now more than ever mental health is an incredibly important topic, especially after the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the situation as dire as it is, places like Oregon have started to turn to using psychedelics in treating mental illnesses due to their proven effectiveness in healing the mind. As of January of 2023, Oregon passed legislation that allows for the use of a psychedelic compound known as psilocybin at licensed service centers. With psilocybin still being classified as a schedule one drug under federal law, its use is limited to the grounds of licensed service centers. Since patients are only allowed to engage in this type of therapy at these service centers, it is crucially important that the design of these service centers creates an environment that significantly aids in a patient?s mental healing journey. The goal of this project is to propose a design and typology of architecture that can assist in the transformation of a person?s consciousness for the sake of better mental health and ultimately attaining a more fulfilling life. We have long distanced ourselves from our inner being due to the lives we live today with modern technology and due to the way that we are used to thinking in society. By better understanding our minds through the work of Carl Jung and tapping into our consciousness and unconsciousness, we can vastly change the way that we think and become whole with ourselves through the practice of individuation. The practice of the use of psychedelics and other forms of wellness and therapy such as cold exposure therapy, nature immersion, community building, and exercise can help people navigate the inner depths of their mind to work past the mental barriers that hold them back from becoming mentally healthy

Absorbent Minds: Challenging Utopia Through Atmospheric Architecture

Since the time of John Amos Comenius the way in which we teach has remained constant. A simplified metaphor for learning amplifies the argument that the view of early education is in a utopian state. When in reality the curriculum is a mold to fit learners into, that prepares them to become a cog in the wheel we call the workforce. The goal is to combat this problem using principles from both the Maria Montessori and Reggio Emilia approaches to learning to create an atmosphere that inspires learners and allows for the flourishing of creativity and self-discovery. This thesis aims to reinterpret what it means to practice a deeper meaning of learning in and out of the classroom setting

Redevelopment of the Administration Block of the Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex for the New BitZero Community

The focus of this Thesis is to examine the proposal for the redevelopment of the Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex administration block, by presenting an analysis of its transformation into a sustainable community development for the BitZero data mining center. Initially constructed as a missile defense installation during the Cold War, the site has since become obsolete, creating an opportunity for revitalization. The primary objective is to emphasize sustainable practices, integrating renewable energy sources and promoting green infrastructure while preserving the site's historical significance. Additionally, this study will explore potential challenges, including contamination remediation and infrastructure development, proposing practical solutions to ensure a safe, resilient community. Through a blend of qualitative and quantitative research, this work contributes to the broader discourse on the adaptive reuse of military facilities, demonstrating how strategic planning and community engagement can transform a once-isolated site into a thriving community

Solar Harbor: Nurturing Nature in Industrial Design

Warehouses are places where productivity and cost reduction meet to create highly profitable, efficient structures. At this intersection, however, there also lies a concrete box with little regard for the employees that toil within. These boxes, in addition to their disregard for human needs, interrupt nature in a massive way, destroying ecosystems for various lifeforms and leaving a large carbon footprint. These large, intrusive structures pose many problems regarding modern design, and contain outdated and unsustainable building practices that lead to many natural and societal problems. A thorough investigation of current warehouse design indicates all the afore-mentioned issues. This thesis strives to address some of these issues and provide solutions to problematic design practices. Specifically, this thesis focuses on a warehouse residing in the Fargo/Moorhead area, designing a warehouse that provides an update to the current structure, integrating natural lighting, sustainable design practices, and improvements on the building?s current program and layout