Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

Towards Secure Runtime Auditing Of Remote Embedded System Software, Adam Ilyas Caulfield

Theses

Modern embedded systems are increasingly deployed in various settings to execute critical sensing/actuation tasks. At the lower end of the scale, they are designed with low-cost and energy-efficient microcontroller units (MCUs) that lack the common security features of general-purpose processors. To assess their state in a cost-effective manner, Control Flow Attestation (CFA) methods provide means for a trusted device operator (i.e., the Verifier -- Vrf) to detect attacks that compromise the integrity or runtime behavior of a remotely-deployed MCU (i.e., the Prover -- Prv). This is achieved by a root-of-trust (RoT) in Prv recording an authenticated trace (CFLog) of the …

Study Of An Evolutionary Sequence Of Nearby, High-Excitation Bipolar Planetary Nebulae With Alma And Hst, Paula M. Moraga Baez

Theses

Planetary nebulae (PNe) reveal the near-final stages of the evolution of intermediate-mass (1-8 solar mass) stars, immediately after such stars shed their envelopes through copious asymptotic giant branch (AGB) mass loss. PNe reveal products of intermediate-mass stellar nucleosynthesis just before they enrich the interstellar medium, and their central stars provide subjects for studying the origins of white dwarfs and interacting binary systems involving compact objects. The processes that shape planetary nebulae and determine their chemistries can be unveiled through multiwavelength observational studies of molecule-rich PNe ranging from young and rapidly evolving nebulae, such as NGC 7027, NGC 6302, and NGC …

Neuro-Evolution For Multivariate Time Series Anomaly Detection, Aryan Jha

Theses

Given the exponential growth of data in various sectors, the timely identification of anomalies has become crucial in mitigating risks such as financial losses and data breaches. This research focuses on advancing multivariate time series anomaly detection through the innovative application of neuro-evolutionary methods. Utilizing the Evolutionary eXploration of Augmenting Memory Models (EXAMM) algorithm, the study automates the design and optimization of Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) autoencoder networks, enabling enhanced forecasting capabilities in recurrent neural network architectures. Leveraging these networks along with a One-Class Support Vector Machine (OCSVM) to generate boundary thresholds, this project delivers a robust and scalable procedure …

Predicting Airbnb Prices In Dubai Using Machine Learning, Hamad Younus Altamimi

Theses

The Airbnb rental market in Dubai is dynamic and full of varying factors like location, equipment, and demand time shortages, which makes it challenging to have fair pricing for the different levels of Airbnb properties in Dubai. The goal of the project was to construct a powerful machine-learning model for the forecast of the Airbnb rental price in Dubai The method used by the project was systematic from the beginning to the end stages, which included the data collection from Kaggle, the data preprocessing which involved the handling of missing values, outlier elimination, data type conversion, and exploratory data analysis …

Resilient Power System Load Frequency Control, Ghadeer Ahmed Almahri

Theses

Standard frequency and voltage levels need to be maintained when the electric power system is running in order to keep it in a satisfactory state of operation. Between AC power generation and use, there should be a balance between active and reactive power. However, due to variations in active and reactive power requirements, the frequency and voltage provided may fluctuate from their rated values. Any unwelcome change in frequency or voltage can have an immediate effect on how the power system operates and may even cause harm to linked devices. These parts are intended to operate at certain rated frequencies …

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 …

Predictive Policing - Leveraging Cctv Data And Ai For Crime Hotspots, Maitha Ahmad

Theses

This thesis explores fine-grained sentiment analysis in the context of police social media posts, leveraging hybrid approaches to manage the rapid flow of big data and mitigate its negative impact on youth. As social media becomes a primary medium for public interaction, understanding sentiment within police-related posts is crucial for law enforcement agencies to gauge public opinion and address community concerns effectively. The rapid dissemination of information and the potential for negative sentiments to spread swiftly pose significant challenges, particularly for young audiences. The research begins with a comprehensive review of existing sentiment analysis techniques and their applicability to large-scale …

Inclusive Design Archive, Roblyn Powley

Theses

The Inclusive Design Archive (IDA) is a conceptual research and design project that responds to the ongoing reliance on Eurocentric, male-dominated narratives in design education. Many art and design curricula continue to exclude underrepresented creators, movements, and methodologies, limiting students’ exposure to the full scope of global design practice. Even well-intentioned educators often lack accessible tools to bring diverse perspectives into the classroom in a structured, research-supported way. IDA offers a solution in the form of a contextual search application that helps educators and students explore topics through three intersecting lenses: Broader Perspectives, Intersectional Approaches and Alternate Narratives, and Concepts, …

Machine Learning And Artificial Intelligence Models And Techniques In Modern Power Grid Communication Architecture, Majid Jamal Majid Salim Almheiri

Theses

Smart grid is evolving in different phases and artificial intelligence (AI) models are also the part of it. In the recent developments of Smart grid system there are research areas which are left unaddressed specifically in privacy techniques, scalability, more efficient data processing techniques. This Thesis highlights the research gaps on smart grid development across various integration phases. In the initial phase of Smart grid development, challenges included scalability issues in Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication, communication delays affecting voltage stabilization and high computational costs in implementing Genetic Algorithm (GA)-based grid state estimation are covered in this review report. Review is further …

Advancing Prediction Of Stimulant Medication Misuse Through Graph Representation Learning, Hamid Razavi

Theses

The misuse of stimulant prescription medications poses a significant and escalating public health concern in the United States, particularly among young adults. Addressing this issue requires sophisticated methodologies capable of uncovering complex patterns and relationships in data. Geometric Deep Learning, a paradigm designed to analyze data with non-Euclidean structures, has achieved remarkable success across various domains, offering a powerful framework for tackling complex graph structure data challenges.

This study leverages Graph Convolutional Networks (GCNs) to predict the likelihood of stimulant medication misuse using data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH). Individuals are represented as nodes in …

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. …

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 …

Body Study, Annaliese "Ace" Taylor

Theses

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

…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 …

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 …

Leveraging Machine Learning For Advanced Malware Detection, Khalifa Al Habtoor

Theses

The detection of malware is an important challenge in the field of cybersecurity, which is demanding efficient and accurate solutions for making threats easier. This study is focused on the detection of malware by integrating a framework that uses a Mamdani fuzzy interference system (FIS) and diffusion techniques based on three different deep learning algorithms, which are convolutional neural networks (CNNs), recurrent neural networks (RNNs), and generative adversarial networks (GANs) for malware detection by using recent dataset. This was done by using their outputs through a voting and routing mechanism. The results of the study show that the fuzzy logic …

Selling The City: A Qualitative Study On The Image Construction Of Times Square Through Its Media Environment, Sheetal Pandey

Theses

As a globally recognized symbol of indulgent consumerism and urban spectacle, the media environment of New York City’s Times Square plays a pivotal role in constructing its iconic image. This qualitative study uses a media ecology framework to analyze how Times Square’s digital displays, interactive installations, and live performances create an immersive experience that informs one’s image of it. Through participant observation and visual content analysis, this study examines how visitors interact with Times Square’s media landscape and identifies recurring media-driven themes. Observations reveal that Times Square’s media ecosystem invites constant public interaction, actively engaging visitors in a feedback loop …

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, …

Social Media Intelligence: Responding To Crime And Violence In The Digital World, Chloe Lynn Sitton

Theses

The integration of social media into everyday life has transformed how crime is committed, communicated, and investigated. This capstone project examines the emerging field of social media intelligence and its growing influence on modern policing, surveillance, and the community. Drawing from sociological theory, law enforcement practice, legal analysis, and community-based research, this project offers a far-reaching interdisciplinary view of how social media is shaping crime and justice in the United States.

The Relationship Between Death Depression And Death Anxiety Among Cancer Patients In Saudi Arabia, Doaa A. Almostadi

Theses

This study explored the relationship between death anxiety and death depression among cancer patients in Saudi Arabia. The study sample consisted of 100 Saudi cancer patients, 50 male and 50 female, ranging in age from 18 to 85 with a mean age of 45.5. All participants completed a survey questionnaire that included three parts: the first part contained a demographic data form; the second part consisted of 20 statements to measure death anxiety using the Arabic Death Anxiety Scale; the third part was a 21- item, questionnaire designed to measure depression about impending death using the Death Depression scale-Revised Arabic …

Assessment Of Food Allergy Management And Interactions With Campus Dining Halls Among College Students At Rochester Institute Of Technology, Meghan Taylor

Theses

Objective: This study explored college student dining experiences to identify areas for improving Dining Service allergen management. Method: A cross-sectional survey assessed specific allergies, frequency of allergic reactions, confidence and satisfaction with Dining Services, epinephrine auto-injector use, challenges, suggestions and use of dietitian services. Analyses included quantitative and qualitative methods. Results: Of 74 survey respondents, 28 were eligible, with 61% reporting two or more allergies (mean 2.4 ± 2.0). Tree nuts, peanuts, and milk were most common. Students with multiple allergies were more likely to carry epinephrine auto-injectors (p=0.015), though overall adherence was low. Concerns included cross-contact, inconsistent allergen labeling, …

Machine-Learning And Game-Theoretic Inspired Strategies For Adversarial Freeze-Tag, Matthew Giacovelli

Theses

In this thesis, we explore three machine-learning and game-theoretic inspired strategies to address the Freeze-Tag Problem with adversarial agents (FTPA). We develop a custom Gymnasium envi- ronment where unfrozen robots collaborate to “tag” and unfreeze immobile frozen robots while avoiding being tagged by the adversaries. The FTPA models scenarios such as restoring disabled relay towers after a cyberattack where different towers vary in priority, repair difficulty, and ad- versarial threats. We evaluate three strategies: a baseline heuristic where unfrozen robots target the nearest untargeted frozen robot, a hierarchical approach that incorporates adversary interac- tions and likelihood of success into decision-making, …

Undeserving And Underserved: Violence Victims And Society, Venita Monet C. D'Angelo

Theses

This capstone includes three papers that explore how structural disadvantage, place-based dynamics, and institutional responses shape the experiences of individuals and communities. The first paper focuses on the relationship between concentrated disadvantage, micro-places, and individual outcomes. It shows how crime is not randomly distributed but clusters in specific locations within disadvantaged neighborhoods. Drawing on theories of social disorganization and cumulative disadvantage, the paper explains how neighborhood and micro-place conditions intersect to shape long-term risks and outcomes for residents. The second paper analyzes a community-based intervention designed to reduce recidivism and revictimization. The evaluation considers the program’s design, goals, and limitations, …

Improving Obsolescence Management By Enhancing Supplier-Customer Collaboration, Mora Issa

Theses

There are currently many legacy facilities operating in the Middle East & Africa region that have plans in place to extend the plant life. Oil prices have been steadily going up, leading to increases in production, and driving economic growth. In order to extend the life of these older facilities, the sites are budgeting to replace critical parts accordingly. Obsolescence is an inevitable part of every product lifecycle and, with the new wave of technology and AI in the market, facilities face the challenge of increasing profitability in the fast-paced economy. The number of more efficient upgrades available presents an …

Data Privacy Protection For Zero-Permission Sensors In Iot Systems, Xinyi Liu

Theses

The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized various domains through real-time decision-making and automation, with sensors serving as foundational components. Zero-permission sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, are widely used in most IoT systems, enabling unrestricted data access without permission. Despite being traditionally perceived as low-sensitivity, recent studies have shown that these sensors can be exploited to infer sensitive personal information, raising serious privacy concerns. Local Differential Privacy (LDP) is a rigorous technique for numerical data privacy protection even when the data collector, such as an IoT service provider, is untrusted. LDP ensures privacy by adding noise to sensor readings …

Policing And Media: Past, Present, And Future, Mark Deratzou

Theses

This paper examines the historical relationship between policing and media, with a focus on how media has influenced policing within the United States. It begins by examining portrayals of policing in print and broadcast media, as well as major historical events, before discussing how media influences public perceptions of police. The paper then transitions to an examination of social media, focusing on how these platforms shape perceptions of police and how they are used by the public in relation to policing. The paper then concludes with a discussion of policing and media-related policies and reforms, as well as considerations for …