Digital Commons Network^™

Sensor Fusion For Enhancing Motion Capture : Integrating Optical And Inertial Motion Capture Systems, Hailey Hicks

Theses

This study aimed to create and evaluate a custom sensor fusion algorithm based on Gauss-Newton optimization that combines Optical Motion Capture (OMC) and Inertial Motion Capture (IMC) measurements to combat the limitations of solely using each system. The goal was to demonstrate how inertial measurement unit (IMU) data can be seamlessly integrated into motion capture data to provide a more efficient and reliable gap filling process for future research. The algorithm takes the first and last frame of OMC data, as quaternions, and fills the rest with IMU gyroscope orientation data to simulate gaps of up to ten minutes. The …

Factors Affecting Freshwater Fish Communities In Two North Alabama Counties, Joshua Fitts

Theses

This study examined how physical habitat characteristics influence freshwater fish diversity in streams of Madison and Limestone Counties, Alabama. Ten 150-meter stream reaches were sampled using backpack electrofishing and seining, with habitat variables measured at fixed transects. Principal component analysis identified four main habitat gradients representing flow and substrate, channel size, gravel dominance, and canopy–bedrock conditions. Although overall species richness and Shannon diversity were not significantly related to these gradients, species-specific correlations revealed clear ecological preferences. Regression models showed that root wads, herbaceous vegetation, and riprap modestly increased richness, emphasizing the role of structural diversity. These findings highlight the importance …

How Smart City Growth Principles Can Be Adopted In The Uae To Solve The Local Housing Problems?, Shaima Abdulla Alblooki

Theses

Shaikh Zayed Housing Program “SZHP” is the governmental program that is responsible for local housing in the UAE. The program’s main aim is to offer a variety of housing services such as loans, grants, and ready-to-move houses. However, both the continuously growing urban population and liveability challenges are impeding the program to meet its goal. As mentioned on SZHP’s official website “We should continue to explore new ways to establish informed dialogue with different groups of society and to ensure adequate housing for national families, in achieving stability and community development by meeting future needs” (SZHP, 2022 ). Accordingly, this …

An Evaluation Of The Idm Car-Following Model : Simulation And A Dynamical Systems Perspective, Trevor Mcclain

Theses

The Intelligent Driver Model (IDM) is a car-following model that has existed since the early 2000s, existing as one of the most widely used follow-the-leader models to simulate safe and realistic driver behavior. In this work, the IDM is used to evaluate the suitability of ROS 2-Gazebo for vehicle simulation, showing that significant non-determinism is present within the simulation. Additionally, we evaluate the effects of delay and an inserted Followerstopper car following model on the traffic dynamics of the system. Specifically, the generation of stop-and-go waves in idealized traffic from a dynamical systems perspective is examined. We also show that …

Digital Threads: Fashion Design With Clo3d, Maya Herring

Theses

CLO3D (CLO) has emerged as a prominent software service within the fashion industry, molding the conceptualization and development of 3D fashion designs. By eliminating the constraints of customary manufacturing processes and real-life production costs, CLO equips designers with tools to bring their fashion garments and designs to life. This study aims to explore the capabilities of CLO software by developing five digital bridal dresses while also examining the learning curve, challenges, and benefits associated with its usage. The objective is to identify how CLO can provide aspiring fashion designers with the tools to produce high-quality designs without traditional training.

By …

Sigrid Undset: Nordic Catholic Apologist, Brendan Edward Arthur

Theses

This thesis explores the depth and breadth of Sigrid Undset’s non-fiction Catholic writing, a substantial body of work that has largely remained inaccessible to all but readers of Norwegian. Through original translations and analysis, it synthesises these texts into broad themes while situating them within their historical contexts of the intellectual and cultural debates in early twentieth-century Norway. The study addresses three research questions: (1) the general themes in Undset’s Catholic non-fiction; (2) the contemporary relevance of these writings; and (3) whether Undset merits the designation “Catholic apologist.” In its method, the thesis employs textual analysis of Undset’s essays, articles …

A Framework For Mixed Reality Within Healthcare Education, Benyamin Ebadinia

Theses

Understanding complex three-dimensional systems and spatial relationships is a recurring difficulty in healthcare education, where students are often expected to reason about internal structures and multi-system processes from 2D diagrams, textbook figures, and static mannequins. This thesis presents the design, implementation, and mixed-methods evaluation of Systems Simulation, a reusable mixed reality (MR) application intended to help undergraduate nursing students explore human anatomy and pathophysiology using immersive 3D visualization.

Built in C# with the StereoKit framework for Microsoft HoloLens 2, Systems Simulation organizes nine anatomical body systems within a shared application. Learners can select a system, anchor the model in their …

Aqualoop (The Four Stages Of Earth's Water Cycle), Precious Onwubuche

Theses

This research investigates the development of an educational initiative that illustrates the water cycle using real-life simulations and moving graphics targeting high school students and older audiences to connect theoretical knowledge with hands-on learning in Earth science education. The initiative utilises visual design strategies to turn intricate hydrological processes into an engaging educational journey. The significance of this project is underscored by statistics showing that fewer than 30 percent of secondary school students master Earth science principles, such as the water cycle. This is based on 2019 information from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Additionally, and notably, more …

Vision Or Exemplification? Augustine And Aquinas On Divine Illumination, Matthew Richard Cain

Theses

Many interpreters of Thomas Aquinas since the second half of the twentieth-century emphasise the Platonist dimensions of his thought, particularly his metaphysics. This contrasts with, and is a shift away from, the dominant Aristotelian interpretations of previous generations. Aquinas’s theory of knowledge, however, tends still to be interpreted in Aristotelian terms, according to which Augustine’s Platonist illuminationism is replaced by a Peripatetic emphasis on sensation and abstraction in the soul.

This thesis reexamines the role of illumination in Augustine and Aquinas’ theories of knowledge. It asks whether scholarship today ought to reconceive the relationship between these two major thinkers in …

A Public For The Problem: Vocabularies Of Belonging At The Climate Precipice, Louisa Stredwick

Theses

This study proposes the central concepts of belonging and vocabulary to critically analyse and recompose current approaches to more-than-human relationship that are inadequate and counterproductive. Contemporary vocabularies of belonging are inadequate because they fail to account for the practicalities of an expansive human and more-than-human ‘we’, and they are underpinned by extractivist or idealist logics. They are counterproductive because they carry embedded dualisms that often directly counter intended messages of inherent relationality. A largely theoretical work, the thesis is informed by a field philosophy approach in the Environmental Humanities, working alongside the Martuwarra (Fitzroy) River, in North-Western Australia, and its …

Leading To Serve: Participants' Perception Of A Servant Leadership Program In Anglican School Contexts, Keith Charles Peterson

Theses

This PhD study researched the impact of a servant leadership development program on the culture and practice of two Anglican faith schools. The intent was to document and enhance these schools’ culture and practice through the design, application and outcomes of this developmental process. The rationale for this study stems from the increasing awareness of servant leadership as a formatively based approach that has depth and integrity of alignment with the relationally set values of care, community and service implicit to faith-based education. By demonstrating the alignment between the intent for servant leadership and its actual application and outcomes, this …

The Perceptions Of Principals And Faith Leaders Regarding The Transmission Of Presentation Charism In Australian Presentation Schools, Gemma Louise Thomson

Theses

This purpose of this research was to explore the perceptions of Principals and Faith Leaders regarding the transmission of Presentation charism in Australian Presentation schools. In particular, the study investigated how Principals and Faith Leaders perceive the nature of Presentation charism, as well as how it is evidenced in their leadership approaches in Catholic schools in the Presentation tradition. Furthermore, the study explored the perceptions of Principals, Faith Leaders and Presentation Sisters of what is required to formally and informally transmit the Presentation charism in Australian Presentation schools. The study’s review of literature identified four areas of literature that formed …

The Changing Nature Of Outdoor Play Spaces In West Australian Primary Schools: An Exploratory Case Study. Exploring Play Opportunities, Design And Utilisation Of An Intentionally Designed Nature Play Space (Idnps)., Catherine Fitzhardinge

Theses

The development, wellbeing and learning of children is of global importance; opportunities that promote healthy childhood development have long lasting social and economic impacts. Play is the primary occupation through which children develop; nature play provides opportunities for physical, cognitive, social and emotional skill development. West Australian (WA) schools are installing intentionally designed nature play spaces (IDNPS) to support outdoor play opportunities and connection to nature. However, there is little contextual evidence regarding how these spaces are designed and utilised to support child development, wellbeing and learning.

This exploratory, mixed methods case study examined how children aged 4-7 years old …

Consumer Buying Behaviour Towards Organic Food In Sri Lanka: Imports From Australia, Nalaka Kaushayla Mohotti

Theses

The Australian organic agriculture industry is thriving, with 9.9% of its agricultural land certified organic and production concentrated in fruit, vegetables, meat, and dairy, collectively valued at over AUD 2 billion. At the same time, South Asia, including Sri Lanka, is experiencing significant growth in organic agriculture markets. In 1994, Chronic Kidney Disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) was discovered among Sri Lankan paddy farmers. Research in 2012 linked it to hard water, pesticides, and heavy metals, triggering a pesticide ban and the ‘A Pesticides Free Nation’ program. This study analyses consumer buying behaviour for organic food in Sri Lanka, focusing …

The Effects Of Color, Framing, And System Certainty Information On Human-Machine Teaming, Bryanna S. Hamblin

Theses

This study examined the effects of socially learned predispositions, such as framing and color, on the use of certainty information from an automated teammate in the context of human-machine teaming. Participants were randomly assigned to a color condition (red, green, black) and saw a series of 30 certainty icons (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) in each framing condition (success, failure). A 2 x 5 x 3 mixed subjects design was used to analyze the effects of each of these factors on the acceptance rates of the automation’s suggestion and the decision response time. The analysis found that color, framing, and …

Investigation Into Floral Structure Traits In Miscanthus, Wren Jenkins

Theses

Awns and callus hairs are significant dispersal traits of Miscanthus - understanding them will be essential in domesticating this crop. Due to their small size, these structures can be challenging to phenotype. To aid this, a method has been developed for automated length measurement via computational image analysis in Python. Lengths for both structures have been collected and processed for all plants in both the Mississippi State University and Alabama A&M University research fields. The measurements from both sites were compiled and mapped against the Miscanthus genome to create multiple Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) maps of inflorescence trait-affecting genes. Chromosomes …

Characterization And Comparison Of Skin And Exoskeleton Microbiomes Of Stygobiotic Fauna And The Influence Of Environmental Variables On Microbiome Diversity And Composition, Bjorn Van Peterson

Theses

Caves and other subterranean ecosystems are among the most understudied ecosystems globally and house unique and ecologically important biodiversity. While several studies have characterized the microbial communities of respective cave systems, research on microbiomes of cave fauna has been limited. This study investigated microbiomes for aquatic cave fauna in the southern Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee and Alabama, USA. Exoskeleton and skin swabs were taken from three species of cave-dwelling crayfishes, two species of salamanders, and one cavefish. Bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) identified in microbiomes of hosts included primarily members of the phylum Pseudomonadota, but also the phyla Acidobacteriota, Actinomycetota, …

Subterranean Drought Classification And Ecological Risk In Karst Systems, Shaelyn Deal

Theses

Cave ecosystems depend on stable groundwater inputs, yet no standard method exists for detecting subterranean drought. This study develops a framework to define and monitor drought in karst cave systems by adapting surface-based hydrologic indicators. Using long-term water level data from Bobcat Cave in northern Alabama, we identified drought events through percentile-based thresholds and evaluated multiple surface metrics, including the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and deep-layer soil moisture, as predictors of cave drought severity. Random Forest models supported the selection of key indicators and informed classification thresholds. These thresholds were then applied across the Middle Tennessee Elk watershed to map …

Augmenting Attention : An Ooda-Centric Framework For Explainable Ai In Ar Human-Ai Teaming Applications, Dylan Wright

Theses

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly deployed in high-stakes environments where success depends on more than computational accuracy; it also requires alignment with human perception and attention. Traditional explainable AI (XAI) methods provide static, post-hoc justifications that are poorly suited to time-critical decision cycles. This thesis investigates whether perceptually aligned, real-time explanations in Augmented Reality (AR) can enhance performance, workload balance, and trust within the Observe–Orient–Decide–Act (OODA) loop. A custom AR search-and-rescue simulation tested three conditions: no assistance, static overlays, and perceptually aligned explanations using adaptive cues such as occlusion-aware tethers and urgency-based visuals. The results show that any explanation improved …

Surveying The Role Of Visual Analytics In Human-Machine Teaming, Naga Datha Saikiran Battula

Theses

Humans and machines both possess their unique capabilities and have their strengths and weaknesses, which can be complementary to one another and allow them to achieve a common goal. Teaming in the modern era involves text prompts, voice commands, gesture recognition, touch interfaces, and the latest visualization techniques that allow parties/agents to interact. Communication through visualization plays a vital role in allowing robust insights to be gained through a glance. Using visualization as a medium between humans and machines can increase the communication bandwidth. Human-machine teaming has witnessed much progress, with many theories and practical examples emerging. In the report, …

Utilitarian And Self-Representational: Player-To-Player Character Relationships In Final Fantasy Xiv, Zu Er Guan

Theses

This thesis studies the relationships between video game players and their player characters, the characters that they control, through the lens of player purpose and intent by conducting research using an online survey developed and analyzed using an interdisciplinary methodology based on existing studies in the field regarding avatar identification, player psychology, and queer and feminist theory. This thesis posits that are two types of player relationships with their player characters based on player intent—player characters as the personal avatar and representation of the self, and player characters as a tool for the execution of player control and gameplay experience. …

…And So It Ends In A Tie, Crystal Hou

Theses

…and so it ends in a tie is a 2D frame-by-frame animated short film produced during the course of my 3rd year as a Master of Fine Arts student in the School of Film & Animation at Rochester Institute of Technology. The film explores themes of homosexuality, female sexuality, and the history of Japanese rope bondage through the fictionalized story of a fateful encounter between a rope-wielding martial artist and a mysterious woman who captures her attention. This paper serves as a documentation of the filmmaking process, a discussion of the ideologies and goals behind its creation, and a retrospective …

I Hear A New World, Katie Christ

Theses

“I Hear a New World” is a documentary short film that reflects on the relevance and persistence of nostalgia and tradition during a time of rapid technological advancement and societal change. The film highlights the memories and musings of 8 college students, who were all Class of 2020 high school seniors and whose senior traditions were inevitably brought entirely online due to the Covid-19 global pandemic to varied degrees of success. In rambling, thoughtful delivery, the Gen Z interviewees provide insight into their pre-pandemic internet obsession that led to their teenage reclusivity and how this perspective changed greatly following the …

Comparative Analysis Of Earth-Bermed And Conventional; Single-Family, Residential Homes In The Hudson Valley Region, Beacon, New York, Michael G. Patchen

Theses

This thesis is a comparative analysis of the environmental sustainability between two similar square-foot, single-family residential homes constructed as a bermed shelter and the conventional wood frame in the Hudson Valley Region, Beacon, New York. The research will focus on the two designs' embodied carbon, cost, and energy use. To quantify the environmental impact of these two construction methods, an in-depth understanding of the diverse host climate is necessary. Climate data and the results from the experiments are collected by performing life cycle, cost, and energy analysis, providing insights into the environmental implications of residential construction methods. The methodology will …

Body Study, Annaliese "Ace" Taylor

Theses

A paper chronicling the creation of my graduate thesis film, Body Study.

Pixel Personalities Ai, Patrick Casey

Theses

The Pixel Personality AI project explores how AI characters can be embedded in augmented reality (AR) environments to foster user interaction and storytelling. By situating AI personas within real-world contexts, the project examines how design principles, storytelling techniques, and user-centric technology can create engaging and intuitive experiences. Through iterative prototyping and design refinement, the project addressed challenges in aesthetic design, interface usability, and AR integration. The resulting low-poly aesthetic and customized visual filters enhance spatial storytelling while maintaining a balance between user focus and environmental immersion. This research highlights the potential of AI-driven narratives to reshape AR experiences, emphasizing user …

Rêvê La Drame, Pranjal Yogendra Sawai

Theses

Rêvê La Drame envisions the future of luxury branding by merging Audrey Hepburn's timeless elegance with the transformative capabilities of augmented reality (AR). This thesis addresses the growing demand for immersive and personalized consumer experiences, proposing a pioneering model that integrates traditional design principles with advanced technology to redefine engagement in the fashion industry. The project includes an innovative identity system featuring cinematic storytelling and AR interactions, such as a giant virtual shopping bag installation showcased at flagship locations like the MET. This thesis presents Rêve La Drame as a transformative approach to branding in the evolving luxury fashion landscape …

Amorfe: An Ai-Integrated Interactive Brainstorming Interface, Ipshita Pal

Theses

Amorfe is an interactive multi-touch digital interface that reimagines brainstorming and collaboration using artificial intelligence (AI). Designed to make ideation more dynamic, the platform allows participants to explore, merge, and refine ideas in real time. AI is a creative catalyst, offering unpredictable outcomes and streamlining the brainstorming process. This makes Amorfe engaging, intuitive, and inclusive, encouraging active participation. The platform’s potential was demonstrated through a hypothetical scenario: “How do we create more green spaces on the RIT campus?” Four participants explored various brainstorming phases through touch interaction, leading to the creation of a prototype simulation video and a promotional video. …

Dissonance, Shreya Talegaonkar

Theses

Cognitive dissonance represents a profound psychological phenomenon where conflicting beliefs create mental tension. My thesis, Dissonance, transforms this abstract concept into an immersive multimedia installation that visually explores the human mind's intricate journey of reconciling internal contradictions. Using Cinema 4D, Adobe AfterEffects, and Resolume Arena, the project creates dynamic 3D animations projection-mapped across an 8x8x6 cubic feet space. Carefully designed blackout curtains and strategic seating immerse participants in a transformative narrative of psychological exploration. Audiences navigate through four distinct phases: Consistency, Chaos, Turmoil, and Adaptation. Each phase invites viewers to experience the unsettling yet profound journey of internal conflict resolution, …

Shell In The Sand, Mukund Kuntimad

Theses

sHELL in the Sand is a 2D animated student thesis film produced at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The film stars Travis, a newborn baby sea turtle who is trying to avoid certain death on his journey to the ocean. Among the threats he faces are sand traps, human litter, and natural natural predators. The main persistent threat that Travis has to deal with is a hungry pirate crab named Captain Fannyklaws, whose one goal is to make a meal out of Travis. The film serves as a metaphor for the struggles of everyday life that everyone goes through, showing …