Digital Commons Network^™

Humankind – Bias In Our Head, Luying Li

Theses

"HumanKind" is a dynamic exploration at the intersection of visual communication design and societal awareness, seeking to unravel and mitigate the far-reaching impacts of bias. Through the fusion of "Human" and "Kind," the project embodies a dual narrative, emphasizing individual humanity and the diverse fabric of the human collective. The core inquiry revolves around encouraging individuals to recognize and challenge biases before decision-making, fostering unbiased choices. Historical narratives of racial conflicts serve as the foundation, propelling the project's mission to explore, challenge, and diminish biases entrenched in our collective consciousness. Going beyond traditional exhibitions, "HumanKind" evolves into a dynamic dialogue …

Cookool: A Futuristic Cooking Innovation, Guannan Ling

Theses

Cookool is a futuristic innovation project that utilizes real-time interactive design and technology to display cooking information seamlessly, aiming to create a cool, friendly, and relaxed cooking experience for everyone to try, learn, and fall in love with. In traditional kitchens, people often face various challenges such as choosing dishes and controlling temperatures. However, in the future, our kitchen will leverage AI technology to precisely recommend dishes based on personal preferences, utilize thermal detection to monitor utensil temperatures, and leverage hologram and AR technology to showcase recipes and cooking processes, making cooking simpler. Yet, technology alone cannot create an inclusive …

“An Exile They Gladly Embrace”: Queer Ecology In E.M. Forster’S Maurice, Bridget Medo

Theses

E.M. Forster’s novel Maurice, first written from 1913 to 1914 and published posthumously in 1971, is often noted for being the only one of Forster’s novels to feature an explicitly gay protagonist. This, as well as the fact that the novel has a happy ending, is what kept Forster from publishing it until after his death (Forster 250). According to Forster, Maurice “was the direct result of a visit to Edward Carpenter at Milthorpe [sic]” where Carpenter’s partner, George Merrill, touched Forster on the backside and apparently made a strong enough impression that Forster began writing Maurice right away (Forster …

Functional Role Of Toll-Like Receptor Associated Micrornas In Intervertebral Disc Pathophysiology, Petra Cazzanelli

Theses

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is one of the main contributing factors to low back pain (LBP), the leading cause of years lived in disability worldwide. The degenerative processes in the IVD tissue are characterized by the metabolic dysregulation of IVD cells and aberrant mechanical loading. The major hallmarks of this multifactorial pathology are the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM), inflammation, and cell loss. Inflammation has been specifically linked to the development of discogenic LBP, as increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines can cause the infiltration of immune cells and nerve fibers. Toll-like receptors (TLR) are key regulators of inflammation, amongst …

Understanding Drivers Of Local Opposition To Renewable Energy Projects To Improve Adoption Of Clean Energy, Bryson Russell

Theses

The world faces a crisis; climate change is beginning to show more damaging effects on our planet. Without human intervention to stop these effects from worsening, they are predicted to escalate, such as mass extinctions and more frequent natural disasters. In order to curb climate change, the world must begin a transition to renewable and green energy sources as soon as it is feasible. One of the potential forces slowing the transition to renewables is the public's perception and opposition. For example, a spot for a photovoltaic solar farm may be the most economically optimal, but if the community does …

A Prototype Of Simple Implantable Optofluidic Device Enabled By 3d Printing Technology, Yu Chang

Theses

Superhydrophobic surface-based optofluidics have been introduced to biosensors and unconventional optics recently with unique advantages such as dynamic adjustable optical properties, low light loss, and high versatility. Most of these platforms were manufactured by Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) manufacturing technology and usually need to be further packaged or sealed. Although the MEMS-based technology is prone to make an integrated device containing sensing and electronic components, the technology may constrain the design of the morphology of the featured structures. For example, it was hard to manufacture a three-dimensional, fully enclosed round channel with complex structures along the inner surface. The limitations could …

Intraoperative Neuromonitoring, Xian Boles

Theses

The purpose of this project is to increase accessibility to safe surgical practices by educating medical professionals on the complex topic of intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM). Working in collaboration with content advisor and neurosurgeon Dr. Wenya Linda Bi and her neuromonitoring team, Mitali Bose, CNIM, and Matthew Toczylowski, CNIM, an online, interactive training module has been developed and hosted on the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Skull Base Laboratory website. The training module covers various monitoring modalities, safety techniques, electrode setups, and clinical applications through a series of 2D illustrations and 3D interactive Sketchfab models. A total of five interactive models and …

Identifying The Drivers Of Pollen Limitation In Apples (Malus Domestica) Within The Urban Orchards Of St. Louis, Mo, Jordan Hathaway

Theses

The human population is projected to continue growing throughout the remainder of the 21st century. Thus, agricultural production will need to increase drastically in order to ensure global food security. Management strategies aimed at enhancing crop pollination by promoting pollinator diversity have shown potential as an environmentally sustainable method of increasing yields. Optimizing the design and implementation of these strategies will require us to expand our understanding of the processes which influence crop pollen limitation. In this study, we examined pollen limitation in self-incompatible apple trees (Malus domestica) within urban orchards located in St. Louis, MO. In our first field …

Planty: The Fitness App With A Plant, Zixin Alice Ouyang

Theses

It is common knowledge that physical exercise has multiple physical and mental benefits, yet many often find it challenging to maintain a consistent exercise habit. How can we design a more motivating exercise experience so more people would exercise? The proposed solution is Planty, an innovative fitness app. Planty aims to change the user’s exercise habits by providing an alternative motivation behind physical exercise by locking a live plant inside a terrarium. Users can only care for the plant through the Planty app through exercise. By linking users’ behavior to the livelihood of a live plant, Planty forces its users …

The Sacral Museum: An Analysis And Application Of Design Within Museum Architecture, Derek Shultz

Theses

This research focuses on the similarities between museum architecture and architecture found in religious, spiritual, and sacred structures around the world. Personal experience and academic research will be used to help convey and understand the effects of architecture on its occupants. This thesis examines how architectural design can facilitate a profound internal journey through learning, contemplation, and connection. Through analysis of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, it is shown that traditional and contemporary architectural elements can achieve these effects by creating a sacred, ritualistic experience, thereby enriching the cultural, educational, and emotional value of the museum visit.

Application Of Ai In Financial Sector: Earnings Call Dataset Analysis, Kesa M. Abbas

Theses

Deep learning has emerged as a cornerstone in diverse scientific domains, demonstrating profound implications both in academic research and conventional applications. The utilization of deep learning has branched to the financial sector for stock prediction, management of assets, credit score analysis, etc. During the end of the financial fiscal year, top executives present their companies’ growth and losses in earnings calls. These earnings calls invariably webcasted, furnish stakeholders with insights into a firm’s fiscal performance during a given period. These audios along with transcripts are published on the company website for the general public. If these audio and transcripts are …

Political Propaganda In The Reredos Of Our Lady Of Light, Owen Keith Medina Loftus

Theses

This master's thesis explores the Reredos of Our Lady of Light, a stone monument situated as the focal point of a former military chapel known as La Castrense in Colonial Santa Fe, New Mexico. Crafted by Bernardo Miera y Pacheco in 1761, the reredos is analyzed as a multifaceted masterpiece that blends religious symbolism with propaganda messaging. Its central location in the capital and meticulous design make it a potent tool employed to shape perceptions, reinforce beliefs, and incite the viewer to take action in support of both the Roman Catholic faith and the ever-growing interests of the king and …

Discourses Across Periods Of Time, Amanda Raquel Moreno

Theses

This literature review explores the revolutionary effect of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR) on digital art history, specifically concentrating on their capacity to enable dialogical exchanges with historical figures and deepen the understanding of artworks. This study considers the current state of research, detecting key methodologies, areas of improvement, and possible challenges and ethical concerns. The example historical figure used in this analysis is the iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. Kahlo’s refusal to correspond to a specific artistic style makes her an ideal subject for generative AI and VR-based investigation, offering fresh insights into her work. The …

Enchanted South Tarot: A Contemporary Interpretation Of Tarot, Hannah Mathis

Theses

This project uses qualitative research to create an original 78-card tarot deck. Its focus is to create a tarot deck informed by the rich history and symbolism of tarot while utilizing original art and unique experiences to create a one-of-a-kind deck. The deck’s artwork showcases flora, fauna, and manufactured objects of the Southeastern United States, referencing traditional tarot archetypes to select each card’s imagery. The deck’s guidebook introduces readers to some of the history of tarot and several historical and contemporary decks that inspired the Enchanted South deck. The project emphasizes tarot’s evolution and how each artist’s contribution adds layers …

Post-War Restitution In The Republic Of Croatia: Awareness Of The Komza And Reconciliation Of Moveable Property Through Public Sculpture, Anita Govic

Theses

This project is a public sculpture prototype focused on the need for post-war art restitution in the Republic of Croatia: it will have an impact by enhancing public knowledge of the KOMZA list, which offers legal proof for families to retrieve heirlooms taken during WWII and the wars of secession from Yugoslavia.

The sculpture design includes three pillars, two etched with the 1529 names from the KOMZA list and a third that will be progressively built, brick-by-brick, as artworks are restituted. The nature of viewers’ interaction includes access to QR codes that offer links to the KOMZA list, information about …

Impactful Interactivity Within Video Games, Luke Robert Maeser

Theses

Despite half a century of existence and dedicated academic programs educating next generations of game developers, conclusive evidence does not exist as to if video games are beneficial to learning or costly. Examining the notion of benefit versus cost, it is important to assess the value of video games when leveraged as tools for learning as traditional educational methodologies are not infallible. This paper explores how video games can generate psychological responses; and therefore, one must conclude learning has occurred. The following is encompassed: meaningful interactivity within video games (regarding narrative and gameplay), video games as educational tools, video game …

Selective Production Of Levoglucosan (Lg) From Pyrolysis Of Date Pits And Its Catalytic Transformation Into Transportation Fuels, Ala Hamid Higazi

Theses

Levoglucosan (LG) or (1,6-anhydro-β-D-glucopyranose) signifies important sugar derivatives produces in appreciable quantities from thermochemical and biochemical degradation of biomass. It is often regarded as an important platform chemical for the synthesis of value-added products, most notably styrene and furans. The work in this thesis entails two broad aims; to produce LG from pyrolysis of date pits; and then convert the LG into transportation fuels through a hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) reaction. The particular choice of date pits stems from its local relative abundance as a waste biomass. Aiming to further improve the yield of levoglucosan yields from pyrolysis of date pits, pre-treatment …

Analysis Of Pharmaceutical Residues In Wastewater From Al Ain, United Arab Emirates Using Liquid Chromatography - Tandem Mass Spectrometry And Circular Dichroism: Potential Hazardous Emergent Contaminants, Maya Iyad Berakdar

Theses

Although water is the second essential substance to life after air, clean water resources in many regions of the world have become limited because of climate change, establishing rivers’ dams and contaminations with hazardous life-threatening chemicals. Pharmaceutical residues in aquatic environments have been recognized as emerging contaminants causing adverse ecological and human health risks. Hundreds of pharmaceutical compounds and their metabolites were found in surface, underground, drinking, and sewage waters in many countries. In the United Arab Emirates, millions of drugs’ dosages are annually used for human, poultry, and veterinary treatments. Drugs execrated as unchanged, metabolites or excesses can find …

The Black Garden, Madalene Klocke

Theses

“The Black Garden” is a novel-length fantasy fiction work. It follows the narrative of Ryan, an 18-year-old girl, who has great expectations for what her first year at university will hold. Her entire world view is tilted when she attends a party with her new roommate, Blair, and wakes up in an unfamiliar place. Ryan must fight to keep her sanity as she is thrust into the world of faeries, witches, and far worse creatures than she could have ever imagined: including her parents.

Enhancing Human-Robot Collaboration Through Intuitive Augmented Reality Interface And Precise Visualization, Wenhao Yang

Theses

In terms of changing production in the transformation to the Industry 4.0 landscape and increasing demand for customized products, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) utilizing industrial robots encounter a shortage of skilled labor. Open questions in human-robot interaction encompass the need for natural and effective interfaces, path planning within intricate environments, and the design and execution of human-robot collaborations. This dissertation aims to tackle these challenges by leveraging Augmented Reality (AR) to enhance robot operations in manufacturing scenarios, with a focus on optimizing the efficiency of the Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) system, improving the bidirectional trust between humans and robots, and …

Rooted In Meaning: Plant Iconography On Nasca Polychrome Ceramics, Amanda G. Lange

Theses

This thesis explores the Nasca use of plant iconography as part of their polychrome ceramics produced at the end of the Early Horizon around 100 BCE to those produced in the beginning and middle of the Early Intermediate Period circa 1to 450 CE. During this time the religious site of Cahuachi was in use as a pilgrimage center as well as the production center of polychrome pottery. The Nasca created their colorful ceramics here to distribute to visiting pilgrims during times of festival or ritual. The culture’s iconography has been studied extensively, most of which focuses on the forms of …

Shōjo, Kawaii, And Yōkai Iconographies In Chiho Aoshima's Strawberry Fields And How They Relate To Contemporary Gender Dynamics In Japan, Neo Sim Yee

Theses

This paper analyzes the shōjo, kawaii, and yōkai iconographies in Chiho Aoshima’s digital painting Strawberry Fields and examines how they relate to contemporary gender dynamics and anxieties in Japan. The painting bears the artist’s distinctive, characteristic style, which includes elements that are childlike and monstrous, cute and dark. The work, rich in layered context, simultaneously reminisces about the innocence and freedom of adolescence, and critiques the prominent the unequal, rigid, and highly restrictive gender roles dictated by the Japanese patriarchal system. The distinct two halves of Strawberry Fields depict the dichotomous vision of Japanese women—innocent and girly versus defiant and …

The Association Between Total And Types Of Dietary Protein Intake And Prevelence Of Impaired Fasting Glucose And Type 2 Diabetes, Afra Salah Alsammach

Theses

People with impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) need to modify their dietary composition. This could assist in the management and prevention of the disease. However, the role played by the composition of specific dietary macronutrients on the risk of IFG & T2D needs further research. This study sought to examine the association between total and type of dietary protein (animal and plant) consumption with prevalence of T2D and IFG. Aims: To investigate the association between total intake and types (animal vs plant) of dietary protein intake and prevalence of IFG & T2D in adults. Data …

Anti Cancer Activity Of Rhus Coriaria (Sumac) Against 5-Fluorouracil-Resistant Colorectal Cancer Cells, Zohra Nausheen Nizami

Theses

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, both worldwide and in the UAE. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), a pyrimidine analogue, is a chemotherapeutic agent that is an integral component of chemotherapy regimens for CRC treatment. However, 5-FU resistance (intrinsic and/or acquired) inhibits their clinical efficacy. In recent years, there has been a growing popularity for plant-based cancer therapeutics, specifically using phytochemical compounds. Rhus coriaria (Sumac) is a Mediterranean plant whose fruits are used as a spice and medicinal herb. Extracts of Rhus coriaria fruits (RCE) have been reported to exhibit anti-cancer activity against breast cancer and CRC. In …

Modification Of Cellulose Fibers By Acyl Grafting For Oil Spill Remediation, Fatima Saif Alhumaidi

Theses

Oil spills represent a significant source of aquatic pollution with substantial repercussions on the environment as well as the economic and societal well-being of coastal communities. This research project is focused on the utilization of chemically modified cellulose-based fibers to remediate oil-contaminated water. The hydroxyl groups present in cellulose were acetylated under optimized conditions, thereby rendering the fibers hydrophobic and enhancing their affinity for crude oil. The modified cellulosic material was characterized by several physical and chemical techniques (IR, TGA, contact angle measurement, SEM, and back titration) to determine the extent of acylation and assess their morphological properties. The derivatized …

Selection Of Natural Surfactants For Possible Use In Improving Oil Recovery Of Carbonate Oil Reservoirs, Hiba Hachem Limam

Theses

Middle East petroleum industry is currently searching for the most suitable enhanced oil technique to improve the oil recovery from local oil reservoirs. The biggest challenge for the application of enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in the Middle East is the harsh environment (high salinity and temperature). Surfactant (synthetic or natural) is one of the EOR major players considered for application in the Middle East. However, synthetic surfactants have several drawbacks, such as economically unattractive and environmental impacts. This study investigated the possible use of natural surfactant extracted from the leaves of three types of plants, namely Aloe Vera, Tetraena qatarensis, …

Ai Application In Architecture In Uae: Developing And Testing Advanced Optimization Model For A Parametric Shading Structure As A Retrofit Strategy Of A Midrise Residential Building Façade In Downtown Abu Dhabi, Anwar Ghaleb Ahmad

Theses

Artificial intelligence is a phenomenon that influences every aspect of our lives. AI applications have already started to change the methods in different disciplines. Architecture is one of the disciplines that is highly affected by the developments of AI technologies. With the United Arab Emirates heading to employ new technology to lead the country and region development, it is important to explore and develop the application of AI in the strategic disciplines of the country in which the built environment is essential. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an advanced model script (to be used as a tool) using …

Canagliflozin Ameliorates Autistic-Like Features And Mitigates Brain Oxidative Stress Levels In Valproic Acid-Induced Autism In Rats, Mohammad Moutaz Nakhal

Theses

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disease with a substantially increasing incidence rate. It is mainly characterized by repetitive behavior, intellectual difficulties, social communication and interactions deficits. Many medications, dietary supplements, and behavioral treatments have been recommended for ASD management, however, there is no cure yet. Recent studies have examined the therapeutic potential of the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in neurodevelopmental diseases, based on their proved anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The main objective of this study is to assess the ability of canagliflozin in improving the behavioural characteristics of autistic rats and investigate the efficacy of canagliflozin in …

Investigating Bim Applications In Reducing Co2 Emissions In The Built Environment – Uae Context, Rua Ahmed Maali

Theses

Large amounts of CO₂ are released into the atmosphere throughout the life cycle of a building starting from the production of materials and products, in the construction phase of the building itself, in the site setting, the renovations, the later rehabilitation, and up to the final demolition. Hence, this thesis aims to investigate the potential of using Building Information Modeling (BIM) in making informed decisions that can help in reducing CO₂ emissions in the life cycle of built environment projects. This study has used a mixed method approach that includes literature review, a case study and semistructured interviews. …

Evaluation Of Rotenone Mediated Α-Synuclein Spreading And Neurotoxicity In Intra-Striatal Injection Of Α-Synuclein Pff Model Of Parkinson’S Disease, Engila Khan

Theses

In the last 25 years, the prevalence of Parkinson’s Disease (PD) across the globe has doubled. Clinical manifestations of this progressive neurodegenerative disorder include motor symptoms such as tremors, bradykinesia, postural instability, etc., which occur due to selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia nigra (SNC) in the brain. The histopathological feature of PD is the presence of intra-neuronal aggregates of proteins called Lewy bodies, a major constituent of which is α-synuclein (α-syn).

Epidemiological studies to date have reported a connection between exposure to environmental neurotoxins such as Rotenone (a mitochondrial complex 1 inhibitor) and increased risk of PD …