Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluation Of Neuro-Evolution Algorithms For Tactic Volatility Aware Processes, Aizaz Ul Haq

Theses

Our society is increasingly evolving to rely on computer mechanisms that perform a variety of tasks. From a self-driving car to a satellite in space relaying data from Mars rovers, we need these systems to perform optimally and without failure. One such point of failure these systems can encounter is tactic volatility of an adaptation tactic. Adaptation tactics are defined workflows that allow systems to navigate their environment. Tactic volatility is the variance in the behavior in the attribute of a tactic, such as cost and latency and/or the combination of the two. Current systems consider these tactic attributes to …

Radio Carbon - Hybrid Documentary Process, Robert Stokes

Theses

Radio Carbon is a documentary made using a methodology for creating conscious digital video projects with a process privileging respect for crew, subject, and environment over the needs of a commercial, or market driven product. The guidelines imposed by this method are fluid, and project-specific in terms of their exact interpretation for each film. This project is meant to demonstrate a production style that allows for work to be made by the participants without a dominating creative force at every stage of production. This is made possible through the introduction of chance operations at several key points along the production …

A Deep Learning Classifier For Detecting Atrial Fibrillation In Hospital Settings Applicable To Various Sensing Modalities, Kamil Bukum

Theses

Cardiac signals provide variety of information related to the patient's health. One of the most important is for medical experts to diagnose the functionality of a patient’s heart. This information helps the medical experts monitor heart disease such as atrial fibrillation and heart failure. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most major diseases that are threatening patients’ health. Medical experts measure cardiac signals usng the Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), the Photoplethysmogram (PPG), and more recently the Videoplethysmogram (VPG). Then they can use these measurements to analyze the heart functionality to detect heart diseases. In this study, these three major …

Quantum Correlations Using Classical Detectors, Chamithri Adikarige

Theses

Single photons are vital to quantum computing, information processing, and transportation. Popular single-photon experiments are one or two-photon interference, classification of the light source, and characterization of detectors. Currently, the most efficient detector in the telecom wavelength is the Superconducting Nanowire detector. How- ever, experiments have been successful in demonstrating single-photon measurements can be done with unconventional detectors. One such method employed an EMCCD camera to observe spatial correlations between pixels with single photons. This thesis aims to test non-single photon-counting PIN photodetectors to observe time-correlation measurement. The improved detection model uses a high-resolution 2GHz oscilloscope and a cross-correlation algorithm. …

Used Cars Price Prediction And Valuation Using Data Mining Techniques, Abdulla Alshared

Theses

Due to the unprecedented number of cars being purchased and sold, used car price prediction is a topic of high interest. Because of the affordability of used cars in developing countries, people tend more purchase used cars. A primary objective of this project is to estimate used car prices by using attributes that are highly correlated with a label (Price). To accomplish this, data mining technology has been employed. Null, redundant, and missing values were removed from the dataset during pre-processing. In this supervised learning study, three regressors (Random Forest Regressor, Linear Regression, and Bagging Regressor) have been trained, tested, …

Invasive Carp Movement, Behavior, And Habitat Use: Evaluating Common Carp As A Surrogate For Bigheaded Carps, Alexander Catalano

Theses

Invasive species are a major concern for fish populations globally, and the ability to predict the susceptibility of ecosystems to additional invasions or range expansions is needed. Bigheaded carp [Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys moltrix) and Bighead Carp (H. nobilis)] pose a serious threat to the Great Lakes Basin and numerous other aquatic ecosystems, where suitable habitat for spawning could allow for the establishment of breeding populations. Evaluating a surrogate would be useful to predict how bigheaded carp behave beyond their current range. To determine whether Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio) is an appropriate surrogate for bigheaded carp, their potential overlap in diets, …

Two-Way Load Flow Analysis Using Newton-Raphson And Neural Network Methods, Aya Emad Omar Al Shaltouni

Theses

This research presents a study of the optimal power flow for networked microgrids with multiple renewable energy sources (PV panels and wind turbines), storage systems, generators, and load. The OPF problem is performed using a conventional method and an Artificial Intelligence method. In this research, we investigated the performance of MGs system with renewable energy integration with focus on power flow studies. The calculation of the power flow is based on the well-known Newton-Raphson method and Neural Network method. The power flow calculation aims to evaluate the grid performance parameters such as voltage bus magnitude, angle, real and reactive power …

Toward Improved Crop Management Using Spectral Sensing With Unmanned Aerial Systems, Robert Ormal Chancia

Theses

Remote sensing applications in agriculture are established for large-scale monitoring with satellite and airborne imagery, but unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are poised to bring in-field mapping capabilities to the hands of individual farmers. UAS imaging holds several advantages over traditional methods, including centimeter-scale resolution, reduced atmospheric absorption, flexible timing of data acquisitions, and ease of use. In this work, we present two studies using UAS imaging of specialty crops in upstate New York to work towards improved crop management applications. The first study is an investigation of multispectral imagery obtained over table beet fields in Batavia, NY during the 2018 …

Assessing The Use Of Smartphones In Agriculture, Katherine Mary Carpenter

Theses

Smartphones are an as yet untapped resource available to agriculture. They are ubiquitous across the globe yet have not previously been tested as a resource available to farmers. Imaging methods such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and satellite imaging have been well-explored and employed in various aspects of agriculture; however, such methods can be cost-prohibitive and at the mercy of another company or agency. If smartphones could be shown to capture color in such a way that relates in a quantifiable way to data measured by laboratory-grade equipment they could prove to be extremely valuable to farmers. Cutting out expensive …

Developing Risk Assessment Tool For Patients’ In-Hospital Falls Using Predictive Modeling, Rasika Patil

Theses

Inpatient falls are a serious cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among patients of all ages leading to disability and stillness. The post-fall treatment comes with rising medical costs and a stressful recovery phase. The present assessment tools align with analyzing causes of falls from historical data instead of present conditions. The key focus area of this research is to develop general-purpose fall risk assessment tools using machine learning-based predictive modeling. We used performance metrics to compare the accuracy and suggest the best suitable model for each shift. This general-purpose fall risk assessment tool can be used for all age …

Minimization Of The Weld Distortion By Weld Sequence Optimization Using Artificial Intelligence, Jeyaganesh Devaraj

Theses

The application of dissimilar metal welding processes is increasing nowadays in the automobile, aerospace, marine industry as they not only serve for joint welding for different metals but also assist in repairing and reworking in a simplified manner. Study on optimization of weld parameter to weld a structure is important to have control over the distortion, mass deposition, tensile strength, etc. The present research reports the development and implementation of the Genetic algorithm integrated Artificial Neural Network (GANN) based weld sequence optimization for reducing deformation of dissimilar metal joining using the hot-encode technique. Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW) is used …

The Impact Of Wastewater Chemistry And Flow Characteristics On Hydrogen Sulfide Concentration, Mohsina Muhammed Sherief

Theses

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is a naturally occurring, highly toxic gas that is formed from the decomposition of sulfur compounds. At low concentrations, H₂S is an irritant for the eyes, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. At higher H₂S concentrations, it produces neurological impairment with dizziness, headache, and loss of consciousness. Mortality was reported to reach 6 percent following exposure to elevated concentrations. H₂S is generated in different industrial processes. In wastewater collection and treatment plants, H₂S is a common source of concrete and metal corrosion that has resulted in huge economic loss. …

Split-Horizon Dual-Stage Dispatch Scheme For A Standalone Microgrid, Aslam Amir

Theses

The advent of microgrids has prompted plenty of studies into its design, control, protection, and implementation, with several operational as well as pilot systems being commissioned worldwide. This necessitates the development of hardware and software for the Energy Management System, the supervisory controller in a microgrid. Hence, this thesis provides a novel dual-stage dispatch scheme for the Energy Management System of a Standalone microgrid by “splitting” the dispatch time horizon into four equal quarters to facilitate better usage of power forecast accuracies. The two stages include Unit Commitment/Scheduling and Economic Dispatch for the dispatchable Distributed Energy Resources based on renewable …

Nature And Nurture, Jessica Maffett

Theses

Nature and Nurture is an animated short film about a mother wolf raising her newborn cub through its first year of life. Humanity has started to develop near their home and we see how that affects their ecosystem and existence from the perspective of the wolves. It is fiction based on historical facts of grey wolf populations in the American Midwest from the 1960’s onward. Being a predator species, they have been viewed as the villain in the folklore of many different civilizations and have been considered a pest for the damages to livestock and farmland that they can cause …

Self-Care Agency And Self-Care Practice Of Adult African Americans With Type 2 Diabetes, Martha Eddings

Theses

The purpose of the study was to identify and examine the concepts of self-care agency and self-care practice of African American adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, living in the local community. The research questions addressed were:

1) What is the self-care agency of adult African Americans diagnosed with type 2 diabetes?

2) What is the self-care practice of adult African Americans diagnosed with type 2 diabetes?

3) Is there a relationship between self-care agency and self-care practice in adult African Americans diagnosed with type 2 diabetes?

A Tool To Evaluate Simulations In Nursing Education, Susan Kane Patton

Theses

The purpose of the study is to test the interrater reliability of a tool to evaluate student performance during clinical simulations, using a convenience sample of senior Baccalaureate nursing (BSN) students and clinical instructors. Permission was obtained from Creighton University to use the Creighton Simulation Evaluation Instrument (CSEI) and further test inter-rater reliability.

Aerial Planning For Flying Taxi Of Dubai, Maitha Ali Salem Alnuaimi

Theses

Urban air mobility is the future of transportation in cities, and Dubai is one of the first cities to announce the use of air mobility models in the city. The air taxi is expected to be operational in 2023. It is announced to be electric and autonomous and will be the first in the region. The overall goal of the study was to prepare the infrastructure to operate the taxi. The problem was that the Dubai authorities have not yet started this phase, while the target date for operation has already been announced. The basic design of the study involved …

Culture Of Safety: Beyond The Safety Survey: A Cross-Sectional, Mix-Methods Study, Kim Whitney

Theses

Assessing the safety climate of healthcare organizations is an important step in embarking on creating processes to improve overall patient safety. Nursing leadership considerations for improving safe practice must begin with a measurement of the current perception of safe practice in order to correct unsafe practice. If the present culture is not responding to interventions to improve unsafe practice, there is no point in measuring safety culture (Pronovost P., Sexton, B. 2006). The Agency for Health Research and Quality's (AHRQ), Culture of Safety Survey (COSS) poses questions in key areas affecting patient safety from frontline staff's lived experience and perceived …

Prevention Of Neuromuscular Blockade: A Proposal, Abigail Hughes-Strange

Theses

The purpose of this proposed study is to expand research on the prevention of postoperative residual neuromuscular blockade and examine the necessity of objective monitors. The researchers hypothesize that there will be an association with decrease in residual neuromuscular blockade and a set protocol for reversal. This is a proposal for a single blinded, prospective clinical trial comparing a control group with a protocol using medications and monitoring devices available at the majority of facilities in the United States. In the control group, accleromyographic data will be obtained upon entry to the post anesthesia care unit with no specific protocol …

Survey Validation: Perception And Knowledge Of Concussions Amongst Ncaa Student-Athletes, Victoria L. Haywood

Theses

Background: Sport related concussion diagnosis can often be challenging as all athletes experience different signs and symptoms and may not have the correct knowledge to be able to identify every possible symptom of a concussion. When a concussion is sustained by an athlete, it is crucial that the injury is handled correctly not only by medical providers, but more importantly by the athlete themselves. Because the most common symptoms being a headache, dizziness, etc., a clinical diagnosis is highly dependent on the patient self-reporting their own symptoms. It is important for an athlete to be able to recognize a concussion …

Handypose And Vehipose: Pose Estimation Of Flexible And Rigid Objects, Divyansh Gupta

Theses

Pose estimation is an important and challenging task in computer vision. Hand pose estimation has drawn increasing attention during the past decade and has been utilized in a wide range of applications including augmented reality, virtual reality, human-computer interaction, and action recognition. Hand pose is more challenging than general human body pose estimation due to the large number of degrees of freedom and the frequent occlusions of joints. To address these challenges, we propose HandyPose, a single-pass, end-to-end trainable architecture for hand pose estimation. Adopting an encoder-decoder framework with multi-level features, our method achieves high accuracy in hand pose while …

Exploring A New Dimension Of Learning And Work In Kosovo: An Analysis Of The Relationship Between Non-Formal Learning, Employability, And The Job Performance Of Young People, Clirim Sheremeti

Theses

The mismatch between what is taught in schools and what is required in the labor market is one of the foremost problems that the labor market and young people in Kosovo face today. In 2019, 49.4% of working-age young people in Kosovo were unemployed and 32.5% of youth in Kosovo were not in education, employment, or training (NEET), the highest percentage in the region ("Punësimi dhe analiza e tregut të punës në Kosovë", 2020). Out of those who were employed, 56% of them work in occupations that do not match their educational qualifications ("What are the challenges of being young …

Impact Of Image Complexity On Early Exit Neural Networks For Edge Applications, Sharan Vidash Vidya Shanmugham

Theses

The advancement of deep learning methods has ushered in novel research in the field of computer vision as the success of deep learning methods are irrefutable when it comes to images and video data. However deep learning methods such as convolutional neural networks are computationally heavy and need specialized hardware to give results within a reasonable time. Early-exit neural networks offer a solution to reducing computational complexity by placing exits in traditional networks bypassing the need to compute the output of all convolutional layers. In this thesis, a reinforcement learning-based exit selection algorithm for early-exit neural networks is analyzed. The …

Analyzing Temporal Patterns In Phishing Email Topics, Erika Bliss

Theses

In 2020, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) found phishing to be the most common cybercrime, with a record number of complaints from Americans reporting losses exceeding $4.1 billion. Various phishing prevention methods exist; however, these methods are usually reactionary in nature as they activate only after a phishing campaign has been launched. Priming people ahead of time with the knowledge of which phishing topic is more likely to occur could be an effective proactive phishing prevention strategy. It has been noted that the volume of phishing emails tended to increase around key calendar dates and during times of uncertainty. …

Gourmetnet: Food Segmentation Using Multi-Scale Waterfall Features With Spatial And Channel Attention, Udit Sharma

Theses

Deep learning and Computer vision are extensively used to solve problems in wide range of domains from automotive and manufacturing to healthcare and surveillance. Research in deep learning for food images is mainly limited to food identification and detection. Food segmentation is an important problem as the first step for nutrition monitoring, food volume and calorie estimation. This research is intended to expand the horizons of deep learning and semantic segmentation by proposing a novel single-pass, end-to-end trainable network for food segmentation. Our novel architecture incorporates both channel attention and spatial attention information in an expanded multi-scale feature representation using …

Analysis Of The 16s Rrna For The Identification Of Microbial Communities In The Rhizosphere Of Cultivated Date Palms Trees Under Salt Stress Condition In The Uae Ecosystem, Azra Issa Shamim

Theses

Increasing soil salinity is an emerging global issue, generating land degradation, affecting agricultural production and further affecting quality of ground water. In arid environment with water scarcity, saline ground water has been regularly used for irrigation purpose in date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) plantation, without knowing its impact on their root-associated bacterial communities. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of saline water irrigation on date palm root-associated bacterial community compositional structure and their diversity. Plant root samples were collected from date palm farms located in Abu Dhabi Emirate, irrigated with either saline, or non-saline water. Overall, we …

Improving Phytoremediation Of Oil Polluted Soil In The Uae Using Acc Deaminase Producing Bacteria Under Arid Conditions, Maitha Mubarak Almansoori

Theses

Many 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) deaminase-producing and oil-degrading rhizosphere actinobacteria were isolated from oil-contaminated soils in the United Arab Emirates. These actinobacterial isolates were further selected based on their ability to solubilize phosphorus, to produce siderophores, and to produce plant growth regulators (PGRs) including auxins and polyamines. The ability of the most-promising isolate #20 (Streptomyces sp.) to promote the growth of the hyper-accumulating plants “Bermuda grass” in soil polluted with Light Arabian Crude Oil (LACO) was evaluated under greenhouse conditions. Under controlled greenhouse conditions, the application of the strongest Streptomyces sp. #20 which exhibited the maximum production of ACC deaminase and …

Development Of A Methodology For Data Integration Of Multiple Datasets In The Study Of Martian Dust Storms, Rawdha Majid Al Bedwawi

Theses

The research investigates the distribution of dust on mars. In general, the study is inspired by the need to provide findings that will improve the study about extraterrestrial phenomena. The research explains the practical effects of extraterrestrial physics considering it entails assessing the extraterrestrial matter. The research seeks to validate the correctness of multiannual data pretending to the pertaining to the optical depth of optical depth of column dust, which would assist in determining the necessity of evaluating the existing map reconstruction approaches. the methodological section has several steps which combined qualitative and quantities optical depth and virtual imagery to …

Effect Of Breathing Exercises On Perceived Stress Level Among The French-Speaking Community In Abu Dhabi, Uae: A Comparative Study Between Online And Mobile Application Delivery Methods, Nathalie El Asmar

Theses

Breathing exercises have many health benefits, especially in terms of stress reduction. Several studies have examined the effect of breathing on stress levels; however, there is a lack of studies comparing delivery methods. This study aimed to compare the difference in perceived stress levels in people who performed breathing exercises face-to-face using an online video conferencing tool versus people who used a mobile breathing application. The sample consisted of sixty-two French-speaking individuals living in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Before beginning the study, volunteers completed the Perceived Stress Scale-14 items. Those with results that showed a medium to a high …

Exploring The Impact Of Guided Writing Strategies On Fifth-Grade Efl Students' Narrative Writing Skills, Haya Husam Sabbah

Theses

This study is about investigating the effects of guided writing strategies on Arab students' EFL narrative writing skills and their perceptions regarding the use of such a strategy. For the study, a quasi-experimental design was used to obtain data from 30 EFL fifth-grade students in an American-curriculum school in Al Ain, UAE. Participants were divided into two groups: a control group and an experimental group. Data were collected using a questionnaire survey and a writing test containing a set of criteria for narrative writing skills. The results of the study showed that students in the experimental group were positively affected …