Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- Discipline
-
- Engineering (1160)
- Business (603)
- Arts and Humanities (568)
- Electrical and Computer Engineering (557)
- Electrical and Electronics (512)
-
- Education (469)
- Physical Sciences and Mathematics (432)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (412)
- Medicine and Health Sciences (270)
- Computer Sciences (260)
- Life Sciences (143)
- Mechanical Engineering (133)
- Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering (118)
- Operations Research, Systems Engineering and Industrial Engineering (111)
- Business Administration, Management, and Operations (102)
- Computer Engineering (101)
- Art and Design (91)
- Psychology (85)
- Marketing (76)
- History of Art, Architecture, and Archaeology (74)
- Environmental Sciences (72)
- Communication (71)
- Curriculum and Instruction (71)
- Manufacturing (63)
- Nursing (61)
- Chemical Engineering (58)
- Religion (57)
- Human Resources Management (56)
- Civil and Environmental Engineering (52)
- Theatre and Performance Studies (51)
- Institution
-
- Rochester Institute of Technology (5541)
- New Jersey Institute of Technology (1239)
- Lindenwood University (1160)
- Munster Technological University (456)
- United Arab Emirates University (410)
-
- The University of Notre Dame Australia (313)
- University of Alabama in Huntsville (239)
- Southern Illinois University Carbondale (220)
- University of Missouri, St. Louis (156)
- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (92)
- Seton Hall University (63)
- Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (55)
- Technological University Dublin (44)
- Jacksonville State University (40)
- University of North Alabama (37)
- University of San Diego (22)
- Zayed University (11)
- St. Mary's University (7)
- Edith Cowan University (2)
- Keyword
-
- None provided (424)
- Thesis (184)
- Photography (135)
- Graphic design (127)
- Machine learning (124)
-
- Art (107)
- Design (103)
- Education (94)
- Animation (90)
- Printing (70)
- Social media (70)
- Painting (68)
- Communication (67)
- Sculpture (65)
- Computer graphics (56)
- Ireland (55)
- Artificial intelligence (51)
- Security (51)
- Marketing (50)
- Computer engineering (49)
- Sustainability (48)
- Fine art (47)
- Typography (46)
- Film (43)
- Management (40)
- User experience (38)
- Architecture (37)
- Deep learning (37)
- Interaction design (37)
- Computer vision (36)
- Publication Year
- Publication Type
Articles 391 - 420 of 10107
Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network
Elisabetta Sirani’S Timoclea: Baroque Agency And The Aesthetics Of Feminine Rage, Shaylen Grace Gardner
Elisabetta Sirani’S Timoclea: Baroque Agency And The Aesthetics Of Feminine Rage, Shaylen Grace Gardner
Theses
This thesis examines Timoclea Kills the Captain of Alexander the Great (1659) by Elisabetta Sirani as a foundational example of feminine rage within the Baroque period. By framing Timoclea’s violent act not as an outlier or solely reactive gesture, but as a deliberate, composed assertion of power, Sirani constructs a model of feminine agency that defies patriarchal expectations of female submission and passivity. Through interdisciplinary analysis grounded in feminist theory, formal visual analysis, and retrospective cultural studies, this research argues that Sirani’s Timoclea exemplifies the Baroque’s strategic use of socially acceptable iconography to veil explicit challenges to gendered expectations. This …
Exploring Kosovo's Need For A Technology-Driven Offset Strategy, Alba Cikaqi
Exploring Kosovo's Need For A Technology-Driven Offset Strategy, Alba Cikaqi
Theses
At a time where technological innovation is redefining national security, Kosovo risks falling behind by failing to adopt emerging technologies for defense and security. This research addresses that vulnerability by exploring the need for a dedicated national strategy as a solution. Drawing on global best practices, including the United States Offset Strategy, NATO frameworks, and innovation models from the Baltic countries, the study outlines a potential path forward. Additionally, through qualitative analysis, including interviews with key stakeholders across public, private, and academic sectors, this study looks into the opportunities and challenges of developing a context-specific strategy for integrating emerging technologies …
Fostering Human Rights Awareness In Kosovo: A Case Study On The Sustainability Of Ngo Trainings, Hana Kaja
Fostering Human Rights Awareness In Kosovo: A Case Study On The Sustainability Of Ngo Trainings, Hana Kaja
Theses
The sustainability of human rights trainings in Kosovo remains a critical issue, particularly as the country seeks to develop a rights-oriented society aligned with Euro-Atlantic values. This case study evaluates the sustainability efforts of two trainings conducted by a non-governmental organization, focusing on their alignment with objectives, participant feedback, and systemic factors such as institutional support and follow-up mechanisms. It also explores broader challenges like participant disengagement and the limited integration of human rights education into the national curriculum. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining survey data from participants, interviews with NGO representatives, and analysis of internal documents. To ensure …
Utilizing Natural Language Processing To Optimize Business Processes, Olt Kondirolli
Utilizing Natural Language Processing To Optimize Business Processes, Olt Kondirolli
Theses
This Capstone project explores the potential of Natural Language Processing (NLP) techniques in optimizing decision-making and organizational workflows across various domains. The Capstone project uses three case studies to demonstrate how sentiment analysis, frequency analysis, and topic modeling can analyze unstructured textual data to provide insightful findings. The first case study evaluates employee satisfaction using sentiment analysis, uncovering trends across departments and roles to guide targeted organizational interventions. The second case study focuses on student feedback at a higher education institution, using sentiment and frequency analyses to identify key areas for improvement in academic programs and services. The third case …
Development Of Nanopocket Membranes For The Isolation And Purification Of Extracellular Vesicles, Munther Alsudais
Development Of Nanopocket Membranes For The Isolation And Purification Of Extracellular Vesicles, Munther Alsudais
Theses
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) play a crucial role in intercellular communication and serve as significant biomarkers for various diseases. EVs carry biomolecules such as lipids, proteins, DNA, and RNA, which reflect the physiological state of their cells of origin, making them promising tools for non-invasive diagnostics and therapeutic applications. Effective isolation of EVs is essential for advancing scientific understanding of their biological roles and unlocking their clinical potential. Porous membranes have been widely used for the purification of various biological species from biological fluids. While membranes have prove highly effective for general size-based separation, recent innovations have focused on structurally refined …
Consumer Behavior Of Gen Z In Kosovo: Purchasing Preferences And Brand Engagement, Sara Dumani
Consumer Behavior Of Gen Z In Kosovo: Purchasing Preferences And Brand Engagement, Sara Dumani
Theses
This capstone project examines the consumer behavior of Generation Z in Kosovo by analyzing their purchasing preferences and brand engagement. The Generation Z demographic, which includes individuals born between 1996 and 2010, is the focus of this study. This generation is characterized by digital savviness and a significant influence from social media platforms, shaping their purchasing decisions and brand engagement. Generation Z’s behavior is often marked by a preference for online shopping, collaborative marketing approaches, and sustainability, making it essential to understand these factors in the context of Kosovo. The data for analyzing Generation Z’s consumer behavior were collected through …
The Transition Of The Ict Sector In Kosovo From Service-Based Companies To Product-Based Companies, Erinda Elezaj
The Transition Of The Ict Sector In Kosovo From Service-Based Companies To Product-Based Companies, Erinda Elezaj
Theses
The capstone project will discuss the barriers and opportunities of the ICT sector of Kosovo to shift its business models into the product-based models, with an emphasis on the economic, social, and cultural determinants of the shift. ICT sector in Kosovo has been dominated long by outsourcing and service provision, yet the world trends and local ambitions require a shift towards innovation-based scalable product models that would create sustainable growth and competitiveness. The study is of qualitative nature and it takes the form of semi-structured interviews with 13 main stakeholders representing government, industry, education and cultural sectors. These interviews provide …
Predicting & Analyzing University Success: Machine Learning Approaches To Predict Performance From Socioeconomic And Educational Data, Ali Alrais
Theses
Accurately predicting learner performance is a significant challenge in education since diverse and interrelated factors contribute to academic success. High school grades and standardized test scores remain the primary indicators used for university admissions. However, such approaches fail to capture the complexities surrounding student learning. For instance, various cognitive, cultural, socioeconomic, and environmental influences shape academic outcomes. Educators need to adopt more comprehensive predictive models that consider in-depth learner differences. Reliable academic performance prediction can help schools optimize admissions decisions, allocate resources effectively, and implement targeted interventions to support at-risk students. This study adopted a quantitative primary research approach with …
Investigating Spectral Rendering Techniques To Improve Colour Matching In Virtual Production, Vlad Simion
Investigating Spectral Rendering Techniques To Improve Colour Matching In Virtual Production, Vlad Simion
Theses
As rendering engines become increasingly important in film and television, with their use in virtual production (VP) to display rendered imagery, some underlying issues become more apparent. This thesis aims to investigate how we can improve asset color matching of VP elements with real-life objects found on sets. Experiments were conducted in which objects were exposed to various types of lighting setups, and digital twins were rendered using traditional computer graphics techniques. The renderings occurred in both classic RGB spaces and the spectral domain. Additionally, data reduction techniques were used for the spectral renderings to determine if any of them …
Identifying Underspecifications In Security Requirements Using A Formal Reasoning Approach, Viktoria Koscinski
Identifying Underspecifications In Security Requirements Using A Formal Reasoning Approach, Viktoria Koscinski
Theses
Within requirements engineering, software requirements specifications tend to prioritize functional needs, potentially failing to capture critical security aspects and adequate security requirements. Security requirements engineering is a manual and error-prone activity often neglected due to the knowledge gap between cybersecurity professionals and software requirements engineers. Consequently, security requirements are especially prone to being underspecified, a condition where they lack a complete set of feature-values and are thus open to multiple interpretations. Underspecified security requirements can lead to incorrect assumptions and missing security properties, often remaining undiscovered until system deployment, thereby leaving the system vulnerable to exploitation. Furthermore, even individually well-written …
Facial Color Matching In Optical See-Through Augmented Reality, Yanmei He
Facial Color Matching In Optical See-Through Augmented Reality, Yanmei He
Theses
Augmented reality (AR) aims to combine elements of the surrounding environment with additional virtual content into a combined viewing scene. Displaying virtual human faces is a widespread practical application of AR technology, which can be challenging in optical see- through AR (OST-AR), due to limitations in its color reproduction. Specifically, OST-AR’s additive optical blending introduces transparency and color-bleeding, which is exacerbated especially for faces having darker skin tones, and for brighter and more chromatic ambient environments. Given the increasing prevalence of social AR applications, it is essential to better understand how facial color reproduction is impacted by skin tone and …
An Investigation Of Water-Based Cutting Fluids: Choline Amino Acid Protic Ionic Liquids As A Potential Sustainable Additive, Moni I. Chavez-Padilla
An Investigation Of Water-Based Cutting Fluids: Choline Amino Acid Protic Ionic Liquids As A Potential Sustainable Additive, Moni I. Chavez-Padilla
Theses
This comprehensive investigation examines the use of choline amino acid protic ionic liquids (CHAAPILs) as environmentally friendly additives for water-based cutting fluids (WBCFs) and showed a significant improvement in both friction and wear compared to traditional cutting fluids. Notably, water alone is ineffective as a boundary lubricant for aluminum machining promoting cyclic hydrolysis that generates brittle Al(OH)3 films while generating friction above dry sliding. As traditional petroleum-based lubricants are increasingly recognized for their detrimental environmental impact, the development of sustainable alternatives has become essential in the tribology community. CHAAPILs derived from renewable amino acids and choline sources were specifically formulated …
Investigating Human Expertise In Manufacturing To Enhance Knowledge Preservation And Transfer Practices, Krzysztof Kamil Jarosz
Investigating Human Expertise In Manufacturing To Enhance Knowledge Preservation And Transfer Practices, Krzysztof Kamil Jarosz
Theses
In the US, the machining industry is a vital part of the economy, employing over 290,000 skilled machinists and over 89,000 mechanical engineers. Whilst employment figures for engineers in this crucial sector has been fairly steady, a rapid decline in machinist workforce has been observed in the last decade, along with retirement of aging expert machinists and engineers, creating workforce shortages and loss of valuable manufacturing knowledge inherent to those highly skilled and experienced individuals. As engineering design and manufacturing knowledge are closely intertwined, so is the knowledge pertaining to practical aspects of machining and design of components that are …
Potential Of Blood-Based Assays To Enhance The Diagnosis, Risk Stratification And Monitoring Of Multiple Myeloma Patients, Aisling O Brien
Potential Of Blood-Based Assays To Enhance The Diagnosis, Risk Stratification And Monitoring Of Multiple Myeloma Patients, Aisling O Brien
Theses
Multiple Myeloma (MM) remains an incurable haematological malignancy; however, continuous advancements in treatment strategies have significantly improved patient survival. There is now a pressing need for enhanced detection methods to ensure optimal patient outcomes. This includes rapid diagnosis, early detection of relapses, and identification of high-risk patients. Diagnosis: For optimal patient results, initiating early MM diagnosis at the primary care level is essential. Delays in diagnosis can result from nonspecific presenting symptoms such as anaemia and bone pain. A retrospective observational study identified calculated globulin as a promising clinical biomarker to indicate MM in primary care. Subsequent implementation of calculated …
Secure Composite Digital Twin For Collaborative Ecosystems, Pasindu Kuruppuarachchi
Secure Composite Digital Twin For Collaborative Ecosystems, Pasindu Kuruppuarachchi
Theses
The rise of collaborative digital ecosystems and the growing adoption of Digital Twins (DTs) in sectors like smart manufacturing, energy, and autonomous sys- tems underscore the need for secure, interoperable frameworks. This research proposes a Secure Composite Digital Twin Architecture (CDT) that enables seam- less integration and collaboration among DTs, addressing key challenges in trust, interoperability, and governance. The architecture features a trust analyser to assess DT behaviour and a repu- tation model to enhance security as the ecosystem scales. It supports centralised, decentralised, and hybrid governance via distributed ledger technology, enabling dynamic policies and secure, token-based asset management. For …
Crispr-Dcas9 Genomic Engineering For Boosting The Therapeutic Potential Of Extracellular Vesicles, Iker Martinez Zalbidea
Crispr-Dcas9 Genomic Engineering For Boosting The Therapeutic Potential Of Extracellular Vesicles, Iker Martinez Zalbidea
Theses
Degenerative disc disease is a major contributor to low back pain, characterized by inflammation of the intervertebral disc (IVD), degradation of the extracellular matrix, loss of hydration, and cell death. Current therapies fail to address these underlying mechanisms, underscoring the need for regenerative strategies. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit immunomodulatory and regenerative potential, but their efficacy is hampered by the harsh microenvironment of the degenerated IVD. Acellular MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have shown therapeutic potential and offer a promising alternative for IVD regeneration. Here, we explore CRISPR-dCas9 mediated activation of TSG6 and STEAP3 to boost the therapeutic potency and biogenesis …
The Virgin Of Guadalupe And The Liminality Of Pregnancy, Jason Oosting
The Virgin Of Guadalupe And The Liminality Of Pregnancy, Jason Oosting
Theses
This thesis suggests that the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe, during the Colonial Period, provided the diverse population of colonial New Spain (and, in particular, Mexico City/Tenochtitlán) with an image that functioned to unify even some of the most seemingly disparate belief systems, those of Christian Spaniards and Indigenous Nahuatl traditions. More specifically, this thesis argues that this unification was achieved because the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe in the 16th and 17th centuries was likely understood as representing a divine pregnant woman to many colonial viewers—a state that bound viewers, both Spanish and Indigenous alike, to shared …
Personifying The Goddess: Contrasting Representation Of The Deified Body In Feminist Art, Kelly Lorraine Phillips
Personifying The Goddess: Contrasting Representation Of The Deified Body In Feminist Art, Kelly Lorraine Phillips
Theses
Goddess imagery, the representation of a female deity or a concept of divine feminine power through various forms, symbols, and narratives, has been used by artists to communicate a multitude of sentiments, from spiritual reverence to political ideology. This study probes the evolution of representations of the deified female body from the 1970s to the current era to reveal contrasts in how these icons of female power have transformed over time. The artwork of second-wave feminist and self-identified “Goddess artist” Mary Beth Edelson is examined as a foundation for second-wave Goddess sentiment. Edelson’s collage work, which incorporates figures from a …
Evidence Of The Complexity Of The Conversion To Christianity In Early Medieval Funerary Stone Carvings Of Pagan Cultures In Scotland And Scandinavia, Cameron Genet
Theses
This thesis focuses on stone monuments created between the late fifth to late twelfth centuries CE, specifically in Scotland and Sweden. The aim of this thesis is to interpret the symbols or images inscribed onto the stone monuments to determine what they reveal about the Christianization of these regions. The Picts in Scotland and the Norse in Sweden left behind several standing stones such as the Craw Stane from the Picts and the Ledberg Stone from the Norse which have various symbols carved into them. These stones were sometimes created in connection with a burial, allowing the interpretations of their …
Associations Between Vitamin D Deficiency And Sociodemographic Factors, Lifestyle Behaviors, And Metabolic Conditions: A Cross-Sectional Study From The Hnnhs In Greece, Asmae Mohamad Sadek
Associations Between Vitamin D Deficiency And Sociodemographic Factors, Lifestyle Behaviors, And Metabolic Conditions: A Cross-Sectional Study From The Hnnhs In Greece, Asmae Mohamad Sadek
Theses
Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is a widespread global health concern associated with various sociodemographic, lifestyle, dietary, and metabolic factors. While previous studies examined VDD in Greece, few provided a comprehensive analysis across multiple determinants using representative national data. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and predictors of VDD among Greek adults and to examine its associations with sociodemographic, dietary, behavioral, and metabolic variables using data from the Hellenic National Nutrition and Health Survey (HNNHS). A cross-sectional analysis was conducted among 978 adults (≥19 years) from the HNNHS. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations < 20 ng/mL were defined as deficient and ≥20 ng/mL as normal. The median age of participants was 40.2 years, and 62.0% were female. The overall prevalence of VDD was 46.0%, with the highest rate observed among adults aged ≥60 years (62.2%). VDD was significantly associated with older age (p < 0.001), retirement status (62.9% among retired; p < 0.001), low and sedentary physical activity (32.7% and 32.6% vs. 50.8% among highly active; p < 0.001), higher HDL (median 52.0 vs. 49.0 mg/dL among VDD vs Normal; p = 0.001), elevated serum calcium (median 9.4 vs. 9.2 mg/dL among VDD vs Normal; p = 0.020), and lower insulin levels (median 7.5 vs. 8.0 μIU/mL among VDD vs Normal; p = 0.044). Dietary intake (total energy and macronutrients) and body composition were not significantly associated with VDD. In the multivariate model, significant independent predictors of VDD included being retired (AOR = 2.383; 95% CI: 1.596–3.558; p < 0.001), having higher serum calcium levels (AOR = 1.563; 95% CI: 1.078–2.266; p = 0.019), and higher HDL levels (AOR = 1.016; 95% CI: 1.005–1.027; p = 0.001). Physical activity level was also a key determinant; participants classified as sedentary or low active had significantly higher odds of deficiency compared to highly active individuals (AOR = 0.468; 95% CI: 0.319–0.690; p < 0.001). This counterintuitive result may be influenced by factors such as increased indoor physical activity, and warrants further investigation. Dietary intake and body composition were not significantly associated with VDD. The findings underscore the importance of incorporating sociodemographic and lifestyle factors into prevention strategies. Interventions should particularly focus on older adults, retired individuals, even if they have higher HDL and calcium levels, and are physically active.
Determining Sphincs+ Readiness For Standardization Of Slh-Dsa Signature, Jessica Ancillotti
Determining Sphincs+ Readiness For Standardization Of Slh-Dsa Signature, Jessica Ancillotti
Theses
As quantum computing advances, public-key cryptographic algorithms risk becoming obsolete, requiring the development and implementation of quantum-resistant alternatives. This thesis evaluates SPHINCS+, a stateless hash-based digital signature scheme recently standardized by NIST under the FIPS 205 standard named Stateless Hash-Based Digital Signature Algorithm (SLH-DSA), which was selected for being a conservative and robust choice due to its reliance solely on well-understood cryptographic primitives. In the context of the growing need for quantum-resistant cryptographic solutions, determining the readiness of SPHINCS+ involves assessing its practical viability across different application domains and evaluating how well it meets today’s and future needs. To achieve …
Performance Comparison Of Learning With Errors Cryptosystems, Gabriel Johnson
Performance Comparison Of Learning With Errors Cryptosystems, Gabriel Johnson
Theses
Due to recent advancements in quantum computing, there has been great interest in finding quantum-resistant public key encryption algorithms. Much focus has been given to lattice-based cryptosystems, as certain lattice problems appear difficult even in the quantum setting. In particular, the Learning with Errors (LWE) problem, introduced by Regev, gives a means for constructing numerous public key cryptosystems with very strong proofs of security based on the hardness of finding a short vector in a lattice. We analyze and compare the performance, in terms of memory usage and speed, of four different Learning with Errors cryptosystems: basic LWE, normal-form LWE, …
Parsing Of Math Formulas And Chemical Diagrams Using Graph-Based Representation And Attention Models, Ayush Kumar Shah
Parsing Of Math Formulas And Chemical Diagrams Using Graph-Based Representation And Attention Models, Ayush Kumar Shah
Theses
Mathematical formulas and chemical diagrams appear frequently in scientific documents but are often embedded as visual content, either rasterized or vector-based images, limiting their accessibility and automated analysis. This thesis aims to bridge this gap by presenting a graph-based visual parsing framework that recognizes and parses these notations from both vector and raster image inputs in digital documents. For mathematical formulas in born-digital PDFs, we construct Symbol Layout Trees (SLTs) using a graph defined over vector-based primitives, capturing spatial relationships, avoiding relying on OCR. For born-digital chemical diagrams, we introduce a Minimum Spanning Tree (MST)-based technique that extracts molecular structure …
Design Of A Deployable Rolled Antenna System For Satellite Applications, Ashwaq Abdulla Alkaabi
Design Of A Deployable Rolled Antenna System For Satellite Applications, Ashwaq Abdulla Alkaabi
Theses
This project presents the development of a deployable Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) antenna designed for a 16U CubeSat platform. The primary challenge in SAR satellite design lies in the need for large antennas to achieve high-resolution imaging, which traditionally results in increased satellite size and cost. To address this, the proposed solution employs a scalable 4 × 21 patch antenna array operating at 1.275 GHz, fabricated on a flexible Polyimide-based Printed Circuit Board (PCB). This flexible PCB allows the antenna to safely roll during deployment, avoiding damage and facilitating compact storage. However, Polyimide poses challenges due to higher losses and …
Advancing Academic Advising With Knowledge Graphs: Integrating Machine Learning And Llms For Personalized Course Planning, Sara Alshamsi
Advancing Academic Advising With Knowledge Graphs: Integrating Machine Learning And Llms For Personalized Course Planning, Sara Alshamsi
Theses
Academic advising plays a critical role in helping students make informed decisions, improve academic performance, and successfully navigate their university journey. However, with increasing university enrollment, traditional advising methods often struggle to scale, leading to student frustration and overburdened advisors. Additionally, designing course offerings that match student demand is a complex and error-prone process involving multiple stakeholders. To address these challenges, this thesis proposes an automated, data-driven system for generating personalized academic plans for students. The primary aim of this thesis is to develop a system that reduces students’ dependency on advisors while simultaneously providing accurate estimates of course demand …
Multi-Point And Multi-Station Orbit Propagation For Non-Functional Drifting Geo Satellites, Hritik Mitra
Multi-Point And Multi-Station Orbit Propagation For Non-Functional Drifting Geo Satellites, Hritik Mitra
Theses
Currently, there are thousands of man-made space objects that are orbiting the Earth. These satellites serve a host of essential purposes (scientific research, technical applications, services) and they are all required to remain within their mission parameters. Most critical for them is to maintain the orbital parameters that are specified to achieve a particular mission’s objectives. If a satellite deviates beyond a certain limit, there is not only a risk of mission failure but there is a major hazard for possible collisions with other objects such as active satellites, space debris and even natural objects in some cases. There is …
Exploring The Quality Of Professional Development In Addressing Challenges With Behavior Management Of Special Needs Students In Inclusive Classrooms: An Instrumental Case Study, Reem Hussein Abuwatfa
Exploring The Quality Of Professional Development In Addressing Challenges With Behavior Management Of Special Needs Students In Inclusive Classrooms: An Instrumental Case Study, Reem Hussein Abuwatfa
Theses
Inclusive education has become a major educational priority globally and within the United Arab Emirates (UAE), driven by policies promoting the full participation of students with special educational needs (SEN) in inclusive classrooms. This study explores how elementary-level general education teachers perceive the quality of professional development (PD) in addressing their challenges with behavior management of students with SEN in inclusive classrooms. A qualitative case study approach was used, utilizing semi-structured interviews. The findings indicated that teachers face challenges from the behavioral issues of SEN students in inclusive classrooms, affecting both typical peers and teachers. Moreover, teachers had mixed perceptions …
Engineering Microphysiological Systems To Investigate Cellular Responses To Biophysical Cues In Human Tissue Microenvironments, Mehran Mansouri
Engineering Microphysiological Systems To Investigate Cellular Responses To Biophysical Cues In Human Tissue Microenvironments, Mehran Mansouri
Theses
Cells constantly sense and respond to biophysical cues in their microenvironment. Understanding how they interpret these mechanical signals is essential for advancing tissue modeling, studying disease mechanisms, and developing more predictive in vitro platforms. This dissertation presents a series of engineered microphysiological systems (MPS) designed to investigate how mechanical stimuli shape cellular behavior in distinct human tissue microenvironments. In Aim 1, I developed a reconfigurable microfluidic platform that mimics key features of human vascular barriers. This system supports the integration of porous membranes, 3D hydrogels, and flow channels, enabling precise control over both mechanical and biochemical cues. The modularity of …
Modeling Femtosecond Laser Interaction With Glass For Optical Fabrication, Nathan Klein
Modeling Femtosecond Laser Interaction With Glass For Optical Fabrication, Nathan Klein
Theses
The fabrication of precision optics is critical for a wide range of applications, including biosensors, virtual and augmented reality, medical imaging, and micro-electronics. However, it is challenging to meet the demands of these applications with conventional chemical and mechanical fabrication methods, as they can introduce chemical waste, mid-spatial-frequency errors, and subsurface damage that degrades image quality. Femtosecond lasers have emerged as a promising alternative, offering fast, non-contact, and chemical-free machining with single digit nanometer precision. This thesis presents a computational model designed to investigate the interaction process between a high-intensity femtosecond laser pulse and dielectric material. A pulse propagation model …
Gamified Gait Rehabilitation Via Real-Time Biofeedback And Adaptive Hip-Exoskeleton Control, Mariya Huzaifa Tohfafarosh
Gamified Gait Rehabilitation Via Real-Time Biofeedback And Adaptive Hip-Exoskeleton Control, Mariya Huzaifa Tohfafarosh
Theses
Gait impairments arise from systemic diseases, age-related degeneration, musculoskeletal dysfunctions, or neurological conditions. While traditional rehabilitation can be effective, they often face challenges such as high costs, inaccessibility, and low patient engagement. To address these challenges, my work introduces a virtual reality-based rehabilitation (VRBR) system, integrating real-time motion and electromyographic (EMG) muscle activation feedback with a gamified virtual environment for enhanced adaptability and engagement. The system includes a custom-designed hip-exoskeleton that provides adaptive spring-like assistance or resistance, supporting both mobility-impaired users and strength training. Assistance levels can be tuned to match the user's progress. Additionally, a custom pressure insole was …