Digital Commons Network^™

Models Of Information Diffusion And The Role Of Influence, Chathura Jj Don Dimungu Arachchige

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Information diffusion is significant in fields such as propagation prediction and influence maximization, with applications in viral marketing and rumor control. Despite conceptual differences, existing diffusion models may not represent identical underlying generative structures. A classification of diffusion of information models is developed based on infection requirements and stochasticity. The study involves analyzing seven existing DOI models on directed scale-free networks. The distinctive properties of each model are identified through simulations and analysis of experimental results. Our analysis reveals that similarity in conceptual design does not imply similarity in behavior concerning speed, the final state of nodes and edges, and …

Film As Ritual: Healing From Complex Trauma And Transmuting Pain Through Film, Lorraine I. Sovern

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Forward Fast, Always/Never (Together Forever) and Shotgun Baby are three short experimental documentary films as part of the requirements for earning a Master of Fine Arts in Feature Film Production from the University of Central Florida. These films focus on the unique power of cinema and its ability to assist in healing from complex trauma. Three films were produced on an artisanal, micro-budget scale.

This body of work confronts and examines the significant traumas from an abusive childhood upbringing (Shotgun Baby), the effects of misogyny in Western media on my developing filmic sensibilities (Forward Fast), and …

Next-Generation High-Performance Virtual Reality And Augmented Reality Light Engines, Zhiyong Yang

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

The immersive virtual reality (VR) and the optical see-through augmented reality (AR) are expected to revolutionize human lives in work, education, entertainment, healthcare, spatial computing, and digital twins, just to name a few. Next-generation VR/AR devices should exhibit a wide field-of-view (FoV), crisp image without screen-door effect, high dynamic range, compact form factor and lightweight, and low power consumption. Such demanding requirements pose a significant challenge to traditional direct-view display panels. To address these technical challenges, novel approaches need to be proposed. This dissertation is devoted to developing next-generation high-performance display light engines toward high resolution density, high optical efficiency, …

Software Company Workplace Bias In Technical Communication, Amanda Altamirano

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

This dissertation is an interdisciplinary work that explores the intersection of humanities and technical communication by focusing on the presence and impact of software company workplace bias in technical professional communication. It focuses on workplace bias in technical communication because, when present, bias can impact the experiences that technical communicators and end-users (people who use the software) have with the software. This mixed-methods study consists of a survey, an interview, and a new diagram designed to help technical communicators mitigate biases in technical documentation. To understand better the presence and impact of bias in these workplace contexts, this study surveys …

On Vulnerabilities Of Building Automation Systems, Michael Cash

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Building automation systems (BAS) have become more commonplace in personal and commercial environments in recent years. They provide many functions for comfort and ease of use, from automating room temperature and shading, to monitoring equipment data and status. Even though their convenience is beneficial, their security has become an increased concerned in recent years. This research shows an extensive study on building automation systems and identifies vulnerabilities in some of the most common building communication protocols, BACnet and KNX. First, we explore the BACnet protocol, exploring its Standard BACnet objects and properties. An automation tool is designed and implemented to …

Exploring The Removal Potential Of Multi-Pollutants From Water Matrices With Innovative Speciality Adsorbents In A Field-Scale Filtration System, Jinxiang Cheng

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Driven by excess nutrients in water bodies, eutrophication has long been an issue in water resources management. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) in a highly eutrophic water body lead to hypoxia, creating a “dead zone,” which renders the oxygen levels inadequate for the survival of marine life. This study examined the field-scale filtration performance of two specialty absorbents to improve watershed remediation within a Total Maximum Daily Load program. The goal was to simultaneously remove nutrients and biological pollutants along Canal 23 (C-23) in the St. Lucie River Basin, Florida. The filtration system installed in the C-23 river corridor was equipped …

Developing A Course Enrollment Simulation Model To Improve College Graduation Outcomes, Rachel Straney

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

The process of enrolling and completing the courses needed to earn an undergraduate degree involves complex interactions between individual students and institutional policies and procedures, especially because student and institutional priorities do not always align. Traditional social and behavioral statistical methods are ineffective for modeling these interactions. Simulation and algorithm-based modeling approaches have been underutilized in higher education, but their adaptability can accommodate the complexity of the degree attainment process. The purpose of this research was to design, develop, validate, and apply a multi-method Course Enrollment Simulation Model (CESM), which mirrored the process of college students enrolling in courses required …

Efficient Processing Of Convolutional Neural Networks On The Edge: A Hybrid Approach Using Hardware Acceleration And Dual-Teacher Compression, Azzam Alhussain

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

This dissertation addresses the challenge of accelerating Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) for edge computing in computer vision applications by developing specialized hardware solutions that maintain high accuracy and perform real-time inference. Driven by open-source hardware design frameworks such as FINN and HLS4ML, this research focuses on hardware acceleration, model compression, and efficient implementation of CNN algorithms on AMD SoC-FPGAs using High-Level Synthesis (HLS) to optimize resource utilization and improve the throughput/watt of FPGA-based AI accelerators compared to traditional fixed-logic chips, such as CPUs, GPUs, and other edge accelerators. The dissertation introduces a novel CNN compression technique, "Two-Teachers Net," which utilizes …

Investigating Emerging Technologies In Civil Structural Health Monitoring: Generative Artificial Intelligence And Virtual Reality, Furkan Luleci

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Condition assessment of civil engineering infrastructure systems is of growing importance as they face aging and degradation due to both human-made activities and environmental factors. Nevertheless, challenges persist in data collection, leading to "data scarcity", and the need for frequent site visits in inspections, presenting significant obstacles in the assessment of the civil infrastructure systems. This dissertation aims to overcome these challenges by exploring the potential of two emerging technologies: Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Reality (VR). In tackling the issue of data scarcity, the research question revolves around how Generative AI can be utilized to mitigate data collection-related …

Privacy And Security Of The Windows Registry, Edward L. Amoruso

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

The Windows registry serves as a valuable resource for both digital forensics experts and security researchers. This information is invaluable for reconstructing a user's activity timeline, aiding forensic investigations, and revealing other sensitive information. Furthermore, this data abundance in the Windows registry can be effortlessly tapped into and compiled to form a comprehensive digital profile of the user. Within this dissertation, we've developed specialized applications to streamline the retrieval and presentation of user activities, culminating in the creation of their digital profile. The first application, named "SeeShells," using the Windows registry shellbags, offers investigators an accessible tool for scrutinizing and …

A Handheld, Biomimetic, Phase Change Microsystem For Breath Condensate Based Point-Of-Use (Pou) Diagnostics Assays, Pablo Morales-Cruz

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

A variety of biomimetic [Stenocara gracilipes (Namib desert beetle), Dendrocalamus brandissii (Velvet Leaf Bamboo), and Opuntia microdasys (Bunny Ear Cactus)]-based microsystems, were developed to collect exhaled breath for use in point-of-use (POU) settings. The overall platform consists of a 50 x 50 mm 3D printed micro-chamber which is decorated with a PDMS micromolded Breath Condensate Collection Chip (BCCC) emulating the morphology of the biomimetic architectures. The micro-chamber and BCCC are further treated with a nanoscale superhydrophobic coating and infused with oil for enhancement in condensate collection. Different designs and setups were tested for optimum breath collection along with different …

Industrial Safety: How Complacency At Industrial Facilities Has Evolved As A Result Of Widespread Corporate Leadership Induced Reductions In Force Of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers, Christina Kniffin-Downs

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

With the renewal of interest in nuclear energy as a green energy source, battery plant manufacturing for electric vehicles, and semiconductor fabrication plant construction, it is necessary to address the evolution of complacency as it relates to industrial facility leadership and the widespread reduction in force of essential critical infrastructure workers. As a skilled craft person in the piping trades, with almost two decades of experience in mechanical construction, ten of those years as a nuclear worker, and as a traveling pipefitter working at chemical, refinery, and gasification plants, I am intimately aware of the behaviors, practices, and procedures inherent …

Fundamental Chemical Kinetic Experiments Of Combustion Products Inside A Shock Tube, Alex-Abraham Pothen

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

The use of lateral divert thrusters on hypersonic vehicles would allow for fine-tuned attitude control at high Mach numbers. However, the jet interaction effects of lateral thrusters on the hypersonic flow field have not been investigated thoroughly. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) can provide preliminary modeling of the jet interaction, but several variables such as vehicle geometry, velocity, and altitude, result in computationally expensive modeling or loss in accuracy of the results. Therefore, the goal of chemical kinetics testing and chemical model verification is to enhance the fidelity of the jet interaction effects, specifically the plume reaction with air and the …

Acausal Modeling And Validation Of Platform Hydrodynamics Of A Floating Offshore Wind Turbine, Doyal Kumar Sarker

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

This thesis presents the development of a platform hydrodynamics module for floating offshore wind turbines (FOWT) within the Control-oriented, Reconfigurable, and Acausal Floating Turbine Simulator (CRAFTS), which is currently being developed in the Hybrid Sustainable Energy Systems Laboratory at UCF. The CRAFTS simulator is an acausal modeling and simulation environment developed utilizing the Modelica language. CRAFTS is capable of fully coupled multi-physics simulations of various types of FOWTs and facilitates Control Co-Design (CCD) of FOWTs.

This work describes an acausal approach for modeling the structure and hydrodynamics, and for verifying the control of a semi-submersible floating platform for a 15MW …

Altitude And Pitch Control Of A Tethered Multi-Rotor Autogyro Using A Reduced Order Model, Tasnia Noboni

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Long-duration deployment of UAVs for surveillance and communication purposes can be very energy-consuming and expensive. Tethered autogyro-based UAVs can provide an energy-efficient solution to this problem and produce energy in the presence of a strong and persistent wind field at higher altitudes. Instead of using an engine, the unpowered autogyro rotors produce lift by creating an upward thrust force while relative airflow passes up through the rotor blades. The tether provides mooring action and can be used bidirectionally for transmitting or receiving power from the autogyro. Thus, tethered autogyros can address recent environmental concerns by reducing carbon footprint via efficient …

Development And Evaluation Of Dns Of Aluminum Droplet Combustion Using The Vof Approach, Soomin Lim

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

This thesis focuses on the direct numerical simulation of the combustion of a single aluminum droplet with phase change. For this purpose, the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method is employed for the direct numerical simulation of two distinct phases. To model the droplet combustion, the phase change (evaporation) and chemical reactions are modeled by setting source terms for each governing equation. This work proposes a new form of species source term by phase change, derived using the local instant formulation of two-phase flow.

The Stefan problem is used to verify the modified source term. Evaporation fluxes calculated with both modified …

Bending Mechanics Of Bio-Mimetic Stiff Scale-Covered Plate, Pranta Rahman Sarkar

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Biomimetic scale-covered systems offer immense potential and applications, particularly in soft robotics, protective armors, wearable materials, and multifunctional aerospace structures. A typical system consists of stiff rectangular plate like scales embedded in a softer media and arranged periodically. Experimentally, these systems indicate pronounced nonlinear strain stiffening behavior even when the underlying substrate strains are small. However, capturing these behaviors using commercial finite element (FE) codes has proved difficult due to multiple sliding contacts between the scales after engagement. Therefore, accurate and reliable analytical models of architecture-property-relationships are needed for analysis and design. This thesis investigates the contact kinematics and mechanics …

Modelling Of The Viscoelastic Relaxation Of A Stowed Telescope Starshade, Rahul Raghu

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

The Habitable Worlds Telescope Starshade is an occulting disk that orbits in tandem with a telescope that occludes and diffuses the light from stars to observe the relatively dim exoplanets in orbit around them. It achieves this in part with tailored petals that diffuse light to soften the light from the star. Due to the relative sizes of the star and the planet, NASA considers the shape stability of the Starshade's petals to be a Key Technology Gap. The Starshade is developed to be a deployable composite structure that folds on itself to fit within modern rockets. Due to the …

Characterizing The Material Response Of The Passive Myocardium, Mehlil Ahmed

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

Cardiovascular diseases remain a major public health concern worldwide, with heart failure emerging as a significant contributor to morbidity and mortality. Among heart failure cases, Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction (HFpEF) presents a substantial clinical challenge due to its poor understanding and diagnostic complexity. Despite its prevalence, HFpEF lacks accurate diagnostic tools, hindering effective prognosis and therapy planning. This study addresses the knowledge gap surrounding HFpEF and diastolic dysfunction by focusing on the passive myocardial response during atrial systole, a critical yet understudied aspect of cardiac function. Current clinical measures, such as left ventricular ejection fraction, have limitations in …

A Study Of The Effects Of Microgravity Through Porous Media In Microfluidic Devices, Taylor A. Peterson

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

In recent years, space exploration has been driving studies that enable sustained human presence in space. In such studies, fluidics relating to biology have become important. Fluids in biological systems span from large-scale flows relevant to circulatory, digestion, and pulmonary systems, but also involve many micro-scale porous flows. Hence, space exploration is driving a novel need to characterize fluidics in microscales in microgravity conditions. In this work, we study the porous flow network within bones that stimulates cellular growth and has the potential to relate to osteoporosis (including driving osteoporosis in astronauts). To study this effect, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) …

A Cfd Framework To Study Complex Effects Relating To Airborne Viral-Pathogen Transmission, Rajendra Shrestha Mr.

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

This research used computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to examine the behavior of airborne droplets released during respiratory events. The CFD model utilizes an Eulerian-Lagrangian approach, with turbulence resolved using the Spalart-Allmaras detached eddy simulation. The first part investigates airborne transmission and how modifying saliva during a sneeze impacts this process. The study employs CFD to simulate these respiratory events in a ventilated room. It finds that larger droplets alone are insufficient for droplet settling due to secondary breakdown processes. Modifiers that increase the Ohnesorge number show resistance to aerosolization from secondary breakup, resulting in more droplets with high settling rates, …

Numerical Modeling Of Cavitation During Shock Droplet Interaction, Khanh Chi Nguyen

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

This effort explores the complex phenomena of cavitation inside different liquid geometry interacting with a planar shock wave by employing the use of Computational Fluids Dynamics (CFD) modeling. The simulation is an unsteady multiphase simulation utilizing a finite volume commercial code known as STAR-CCM+ . Two primary cavitation models were employed: the Schnerr- Sauer model and the Full Rayleigh-Plesset model. The initial investigation involves validating the numerical simulations against available experimental data. Subsequently, a comprehensive parameter study was conducted, examining the effects of varying Mach numbers, liquid geometries, and seed densities on the cavitation phenomenon. Results indicated that cavitation occurs …

A Human-In-The-Loop Approach: Designing An Ai-Assisted Workflow, Abram Anders, Emily Dux Speltz

Teaching Repository of AI-Infused Learning

This teaching case presents an AI-assisted workflow design activity that challenges students to integrate AI tools into solving real-world communication problems. Students engage in a structured process of problem identification, solution sketching, and prototype development, culminating in the creation and testing of an AI-human collaborative workflow. The activity fosters critical thinking about AI capabilities and limitations while encouraging students to apply AI tools to personally relevant scenarios.

Exploring Business Ideas And Opportunities, Mary Ann Hughes Butts

Teaching Repository of AI-Infused Learning

Students are given a three-part assignment after reading a chapter in the text about idea generation. In part one, the students are given five ideation techniques and the steps. They are to pick one technique and complete the steps. In part two, the students are instructed to use an AI tool to help them generate ideas. In part three of the assignment, the students are given a set of reflection questions where they are asked to reflect on the traditional technique they used, the AI, and compare the two.

Analyzing The Use Of Plain Language In Brief Summaries On Clinicaltrials.Gov, Megan J. Eddington

Graduate Thesis and Dissertation 2023-2024

ClinicalTrials.gov is a database designed to help clinical researchers make their research publicly available. The clinical trials registered on the database each include a brief summary, which is meant to be a short description that the public can easily understand. In September 2022, ClinicalTrials.gov published a "Plain Language Checklist for Lay Brief Summaries" on their website, which identifies plain language best practices intended to help investigators craft summaries that can be readily understood by the public. This thesis assesses the impact of the checklist on the language use in the brief summaries in the year following the checklist's publication. The …

Xgboost Hyperberd Model Using Steam Platform, Yuh-Haur Chen

Data Science and Data Mining

This project investigates game pricing strategies in the Steam market using an XGBoost model, drawing motivation from Professor Xie's lecture, and presenting findings through a density plot that delineates two primary pricing strategies. A free-to-play approach, indicated by a significant hot spot, is adopted by developers focusing on post-purchase revenues through DLC, aesthetic purchases, and in-game transactions. This sailing strategy includes community-centric developers aiming to distribute their games for player engagement rather than profit.

The project illustrates the effectiveness of advanced modeling techniques in handling complex datasets, with significant predictive accuracy reflected by a reduced MSE from 0.3472 to 0.1397. …

Advancing Cancer Classifcation Through Machine Learning Analysis Of Rna-Seq Gene Expression Data, Emil Agbemade, Amina Issoufou Anaroua, Dimitri Bamba

Data Science and Data Mining

This study delves into the classifcation of various cancer types using the RNA-Seq (HiSeq) PANCAN dataset from the UCI Machine Learning Repository, which encompasses a rich collection of gene expression data across multiple tumor samples. To improve cancer diagnosis and treatment, our methodology confronts the challenges inherent in high-dimensional datasets, such as the Hughes Effect and the Curse of Dimensionality, through innovative feature selection methods and machine learning approaches. A key component of our strategy includes the use of tree-based algorithms, particularly Random Forest, to refine the dataset to seventy genes of utmost relevance for tumor classifcation, and the application …

Predicting Superconducting Critical Temperature Using Regression Analysis, Roland Fiagbe

Data Science and Data Mining

This project estimates a regression model to predict the superconducting critical temperature based on variables extracted from the superconductor’s chemical formula. The regression model along with the stepwise variable selection gives a reasonable and good predictive model with a lower prediction error (MSE). Variables extracted based on atomic radius, valence, atomic mass and thermal conductivity appeared to have the most contribution to the predictive model.

Optimizing Ai With Advanced Data Structuring: A Comparative Analysis Of K-Means And Gmm Clustering Techniques, Amir Alipour Yengejeh

Data Science and Data Mining

This study presents a detailed comparison of Kmeans and Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) clustering algorithms, illustrating their unique capabilities and limitations across various synthetic datasets. By utilizing metrics such as the Adjusted Rand Index (ARI) and Normalized Mutual Information (NMI), the research provides nuanced insights into how these algorithms handle datasets with varying structures and complexities. For instance, while both K-means and GMM show robust performance on well-separated clusters, GMM demonstrates a distinct advantage in scenarios with overlapping clusters or unbalanced data distributions. Conversely, K-means excels in identifying clear, distinct groupings, highlighting its utility in simpler clustering contexts. This study …

Relationship Between Fentanyl Misinformation And College Students' Intentions To Administer Naloxone, Zoe Ryon

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Background: The news media has spread misinformation about the toxicity and potency of fentanyl, exaggerating the extent to which bystanders could be harmed by fentanyl when responding to overdose situations. College students are increasingly among the victims of opioid overdose, and their peers may be the nearest person capable of administering naloxone – an overdose reversal medication. However, college students who fear incidental exposure to fentanyl may be worried about administering naloxone.

Objective: I sought to understand the relationship between undergraduate college students’ perceptions of the risks of fentanyl and their intentions to administer naloxone in an overdose situation.

Methods: …