Digital Commons Network^™

Mathematical Models For Thalassemia, Hamda Mohammed Al Dhaheri

Theses

Thalassemia is a genetic blood disorder caused by gene mutation or deletion in a blood protein called hemoglobin. Treatment of thalassemia requires a life-long blood transfusion and removal of excessive iron in the blood stream, which usually causes a big pressure on health care systems. Various forms of thalassemia control measures have been used to reduce the prevalence of thalassemia major. This has resulted in a substantial reduction in the prevalence of thalassemia. However, the thalassemia carrier population remains high, which could lead to an increase in the thalassemia major population through carrier-to-carrier marriages. Thus, we developed two mathematical models …

Generating Synthetic Satellite Images Of Mars Dust Storms Based On Radiative Transfer Models, As A Follow-On Application Of Marswrf Dust Cycle Simulations, Fatima Ali Alkaabi

Theses

Dust is a fundamental component of the Martian atmosphere; it plays a vital role in the planet's climate system and atmospheric variability. For these reasons, it is considered one of the essential keys to understanding the Martian atmosphere's behavior. The dust events on Mars range from local/regional dust storms that occur every Martian year to global dust storms that have only been observed, on average, once every 3-4 Martian years. The large regional and global dust storms have strong thermal and dynamic effects on the atmosphere. MarsWRF is a Mars version of the terrestrial numerical weather and climate model WRF …

First-Principles Calculations On The Electronic Structure, Mechanical, Vibrational, And Thermal Properties Of The Ca₃Bin Antiperovskite Alloy, Reem Maher Mohamad

Theses

Antiperovskites are the counterparts of perovskites. They have diverse properties that make them physically rich and technologically relevant. In the recent years, the alkaline earth based antiperovskites, especially the ones with small semiconductor bandgap, have captured tremendous attention due to their properties which make them efficient to be used in optoelectronic and thermoelectric applications. In this thesis, we are shading light on the alkaline antiperovskite ����₃������ due to its narrow bandgap. Thus, it can be considered as a promising candidate for thermoelectric and optoelectronic applications. Specifically, it is used to harvest waste thermal energy into electricity at low …

Heat Transfer In Mini-Channel Heat Exchanger With Smooth And Pin-Fins Surfaces, Mohammed Molham Daadoua

Theses

This research aims to investigate heat transfer of single-phase and two-phase fluids in mini-channel heat exchanger with smooth and pin-fins surfaces. The main goal of the study is to develop a high-performance heat exchanger for thermal management in various processing applications. This research is carried out using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling and experimentations. The proposed method is to use enhanced structured pin-fins surfaces in a mini-channel heat exchanger to improve heat transfer. The pin-fin microchannel heat exchanger is investigated using a CFD method with single-phase fluid (water, air). The experimental investigations are conducted using single-phase and two-phase fluid involving …

Assessing Ecosystem Health Through Contaminants In The Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, Nancy Torres

Theses

Although the Tijuana River Estuary (TRE) remains the largest, most-intact coastal wetland in Southern California, it has a history of major changes, much of this related to its location immediately north of the US / Mexico Border. One of the primary challenges is cross-border flows from the rapidly growing city of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico, and the delivery of wastewater, debris, and sediment to sensitive coastal wetland ecosystems. There is a need to more fully investigate these environmental changes to assess the ecosystem health of the Tijuana River Estuary over time, especially related to pollution impacts. This can inform an …

What Drives Larval Condition For Northern Anchovy (Engraulis Mordax)? Implications For Coastal Pelagic Species Recruitment Fluctuations And Fishery Management Practices, Michelle Robidas

Theses

Discerning the causes of population boom and bust cycles for coastal pelagic species (CPS) has been a major focus of fisheries management research for over a century. Year-class strength is contingent on larval survival and condition, which can be influenced by larval size at age and growth rate. These two factors, in turn, can be affected by maternal investment and environmental variables such as water temperature, salinity, oxygen, and chlorophyll a. We evaluated each of these factors from 127 two to eight week-old Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax) larvae off the coast of San Diego to San Francisco, …

From Fully-Supervised Single-Task To Semi-Supervised Multi-Task Deep Learning Architectures For Segmentation In Medical Imaging Applications, S M Kamrul Hasan

Theses

Medical imaging is routinely performed in clinics worldwide for the diagnosis and treatment of numerous medical conditions in children and adults. With the advent of these medical imaging modalities, radiologists can visualize both the structure of the body as well as the tissues within the body. However, analyzing these high-dimensional (2D/3D/4D) images demands a significant amount of time and effort from radiologists. Hence, there is an ever-growing need for medical image computing tools to extract relevant information from the image data to help radiologists perform efficiently. Image analysis based on machine learning has pivotal potential to improve the entire medical …

Assessing The Effectiveness Of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture For Growing West Coast Venus Clams, Avery Wallace

Theses

With demand for sustainable sources of seafood on the rise, California is looking to expand aquaculture with a focus on innovative culturing methods and use of native or resident species. Therefore, this study examined the potential for culturing native North American west coast venus clams (Chione californiensis and Chione undatella) using integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA). An ITMA approach was chosen because it is a culture method that uses species from different but functionally complementary trophic levels that have been found to reduce the potential negative effects of traditional monoculture. California sea cucumber (Parastichopus californicus) and the seaweeds red ogo (Gracilaria …

Normalization And Generalization In Deep Learning, Griffin Hurt

Theses

In this thesis, we discuss the importance of data normalization in deep learning and its relationship with generalization. Normalization is a staple of deep learning architectures and has been shown to improve the stability and generalizability of deep learning models, yet the reason why these normalization techniques work is still unknown and is an active area of research. Inspired by this uncertainty, we explore how different normalization techniques perform when employed in different deep learning architectures, while also exploring generalization and metrics associated with generalization in congruence with our investigation into normalization. The goal behind our experiments was to investigate …

Modelling The Relationship Between Personality Traits And Basic Emotions: A Multi-Modal And Affective Computing Approach, Brendan Ryan Donovan

Theses

In the field of Psychology, it has long been assumed that one’s personality traits are linked to one’s emotional states. Yet there is a scarce amount of research that has directly quantified the relationships between basic emotional states and Big Five personality traits. Most empirical research has investigated how attributes of emotional states map to a narrow selection of personality traits (Extraversion and Neuroticism) via a single modality (questionnaires). This narrow focus restricts the field’s understanding of the relationship between emotional states and personality traits.

In this research, the Personality Emotion Mapping (PEM) model was developed to map the relationships …

Unsupervised Image Segmentation In Satellite Imagery Using Deep Learning, Suraj Regmi

Theses

Image segmentation is typically done through supervised learning. Supervised learning requires labeled data, which is costly and time-consuming to acquire. However, unlabeled data is abundant. This research presents an application of the state-of-the-art unsupervised instance segmentation method FreeSOLO in satellite images and benchmarks the method in iSAID, CrowdAI, and PASTIS datasets. The method achieved 0.9%AP₅₀ in the iSAID dataset, 3.1%AP₅₀ on the CrowdAI dataset, and 1.1%AP₅₀ on the PASTIS dataset. On large objects, it achieved 1.2%AP₅₀ in the iSAID dataset and 3.5%AP₅₀ in the CrowdAI dataset. The method was also tested in the UAH periphery …

Adaptive Boundary Layer Sliding Mode Control For Multi-Input-Multi-Output Systems, Tiffany Lodge

Theses

When a nonlinear system is controlled using the conventional sliding mode control, the system input will create a high-frequency chatter, which can damage the system's actuators. The most common method used to prevent chattering is the introduction of a constant boundary layer, but if the disturbance is high, then chattering can still happen in the system input. In this thesis, a sliding mode controller with an adaptive boundary layer is proposed for multi-input-multi-output systems that prevent chattering, even if the disturbance is high. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed controller in suppressing chatter, a robotic arm was modeled in …

Assessing Activity Of Iot Smart Stuff Using Inertial Sensors, Juan Tarrat

Theses

Inertial sensors, including accelerometers and gyroscopes, are commonly used for capturing and quantifying motion and orientation data. IoT devices use inertial sensors to detect user activity. In this thesis we present the use of inertial sensors for determining user interactions with smart objects of everyday use, that we refer to as Smart Stuff. We present a novel use of inertial sensor to assess the use and state of the smart water bottle configured as IoT appliance. Staying hydrated is crucial for health and wellbeing; precise monitoring of user hydration is very important for the elderly and patients with chronic conditions. …

On The Existence Of Transversals In Latin Squares Generated From Algebraic Structures, Patrick Eads

Theses

A Latin square in an n x n array of symbols in which each row and each column is a permutation of the n symbols. A selection of n cells from this array that lie on different rows and different columns and contain all n symbols is a transversal of the Latin square. Two longstanding conjectures concern the existence of transversals, Ryser’s conjecture and Brualdi’s conjecture. This thesis examines some of the results that have been achieved in investigating these conjectures, particularly in the cases of Latin squares generated from the Cayley tables of non-associative algebraic structures. A new method …

Method To Determine Refractive Index By Use Of Optical Focal Shift, Michael Burleson

Theses

Documentation for optical polymer refractive indices tend to be listed for one wavelength, λ_d = 587.56 nm, out to only 2 decimal places. Optical glass catalogues generally list index values to 5 decimal places for 10-15 different wavelengths. This thesis describes a new approach to an old method to determine the indices of polymer samples at λ_HeNe = 632.8 nm (HeNe). It begins by introducing methods for measuring refractive index and their limitations. The property of Snell’s Law is then presented and it is shown how, with specific interferometer equipment, to determine the refractive index of a …

Learning To Calibrate Trust Through Explainability, Amber F. Chesser

Theses

Automation has been implemented in a range of machinery. Providing supplementary information about system processes (i.e., explainability) could mitigate over-reliance and enhance operator awareness of potential anomalies. Trust plays a critical role in human- automation collaboration, as over-trust can lead to misuse or over-reliance, while under-trust can result in disuse or the failure to engage automation when it could enhance performance. Dynamic learned trust and situational trust fluctuate during an operator's interaction with a system and can be influenced by the rate of system failures or workload respectively. Design features like explainability can impact perceived usefulness and help users identify …

Using Ml Algorithms To Predict Real Estate Units Valuations In Ajman, Heba Al Yazouri

Theses

This project applies machine learning algorithms to predict the real estate unit’s values in the emirates of Ajman. Adopting machine learning techniques to predict real estate unit prices helps us produce more accurate valuations. It allows us to use historical data that can’t be used in traditional valuation techniques.

Datasets from the Department of Land & Real Estate were used to run an exploratory analysis to explore the most critical factors influencing real estate unit prices in Ajman. It shows that the unit area is the most significant factor affecting Ajman's real estate unit prices. It also shows how the …

Feature Selection In High-Dimensional Space With Applications To Gene Expression Data, Nishan Pantha

Theses

Recent years have seen rapid growth in high-dimensional datasets. Most existing machine learning (ML) algorithms fail in high-dimensional settings where many features could be redundant. A critical process of feature selection is thus applied in such a setting that helps in identifying the most relevant features while removing redundant ones. With the increase in high dimensionality, one is also faced with problems of efficiency and interpretation in performing such selection methods. Therefore, this thesis proposes a “novel” feature selection framework that uses an ensemble of interpretable ML algorithms to perform feature selection and the ranking of final features. Finally, this …

The Age Of De Fer: Maps, Knowledge, And The Western World View, 1680-1720, Fiona Keating

Theses

This thesis determines the degree to which cartographic tools and maps such as Nicolas de Fer’s Carte de la Mer du Sud et de la Mer du Nord (Paris, 1713) might be considered ‘weapons’ of empire and examples of eighteenth-century ‘plundering’ of the Pacific. It analyses the connection between knowledge, power, empire and identity in the so-called ‘Age of Discovery’ by examining the map created by de Fer in the early years of the Scientific Revolution and the ‘Age of Enlightenment’. Carte de la Mer du Sud et de la Mer du Nord is an encyclopaedic, visual representation of western …

The Experiences Of Parents Diagnosed With Cancer Whilst Parenting Minor-Aged Children, George Prince

Theses

The incidence of cancer in Australia for people in the parenting age range is significant, and as the fertility rate of women aged 35 years and over continues to rise, many cancer patients may be parenting minor-aged children. The aim of this research was therefore to explore the lived experience of parents diagnosed with cancer whilst parenting minor-aged children, and to gain knowledge and understanding as to how parents and their families respond to a parent’s cancer illness. Utilising a qualitative research design, eight participants, receiving treatment for cancer in a private hospital cancer treatment service, and parenting at least …

Pedagogical Approaches To Enhancing Student Self-Efficacy And Addressing Gender Inequality In Undergraduate Stem, Gintarė Lübeck

Theses

Previous research has shown that the success and retention of students in STEM university programmes are highly correlated with their self-efficacy beliefs, and women and gender minority students in STEM have been consistently found to possess lower self-efficacy than men. Since specific teaching and learning practices are known to contribute to increased self-efficacy and help diversify STEM education, this study sought to identify which pedagogical approaches are effective in creating a more equitable learning environment in introductory STEM classes by positively contributing to students’ self-efficacy. This study employed methodological triangulation and synthesised findings from self-efficacy questionnaires, classroom observations, and a …

Applications Of Cubature Methods To Initial Orbit Determination In Cislunar Space, Kellan Meacham

Theses

This paper aims to examine the viability of using cubature methods, instead of the computationally expensive Monte Carlo method, to model cislunar orbits. The cubature methods examined are the Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) and Conjugate Unscented Transform (CUT). This study considers only specific halo and cycler orbits with no perturbations or propulsion systems. Orbits were modeled by choosing a most likely initial condition, generating sigma points, propagating those sigma points forwards in time, and calculating the average final state. It found that cubature methods can model cislunar orbits far more efficiently than the Month Carlo method, at the cost of …

Implementing And Evaluating A Higher Resolution Weather Dataset On A Coupled Hydrological-Crop Model, Diego Andres Quintero Puentes

Theses

Climate change and climate variability stand as threats to agriculture, especially in low-income countries. Crop models, which simulate crop growth and development, can be used to support decision making in water and agriculture in the context of an uncertain and variable climate. RHEAS is a modeling framework that integrates a hydrologic model, a crop model, and satellite-based observations. It uses gridded input data as forcing variables for the estimation of land surface fluxes and regional crop yield. One of the input datasets is the meteorology dataset, which contains temperature and wind speed data. RHEAS includes the NCEP reanalysis dataset as …

Performance Analysis Of Zero Trust In Cloud Native Systems, Simone Rodigari

Theses

Critical applications demand strong security implementations, low latency and high availability at constant rates, however, the performance of a software system is affected by the implementation of security. This research measures the performance overhead and possible mitigation in cloud native systems secured with a service mesh, which allows enabling security policies for the authentication, authorization and encryption of traffic within distributed systems. The side-car proxy is a core component of this architecture, acting as a policy enforcement point and intercepting networking communication from/to applications part of the mesh, consequently affecting the performance of applications hosted in the cloud. Physical resources …

Energy Consumption Of Drones For Delivery Usage: Case Study In Dubai, Maitha Huraiz Bin Touq

Theses

In the past couple of years, the dependency of delivery services on road vehicles has increased, compromising the efficiency of this service in urban areas. Aside from efficiency, another issue is the increase in greenhouse emissions, which jeopardizes the government's efforts to reduce dangerous gasses. Drone-based delivery has been highlighted as one of the most promising technologies in the field of delivery systems. This system could ease traffic congestion, expediting delivery efficiency, and in parallel, the use of electrified drones could help with decarbonizing the atmosphere. This study examines the use of drones for delivery in the city of Dubai …

Graph Neural Networks For Ethereum Fraud Detection, Charity Mwanza

Theses

Detecting fraudulent transactions on the Ethereum network can help cryptocurrency companies that operate on the Ethereum platform protect their users from exposure to fraudsters. The most common fraudulent activities in the cryptocurrency network include phishing and smart Ponzi schemes. Since cryptocurrency technology is still young, most investors lack knowledge of how the smart contacts used in the Ethereum platform operate; hence, they cannot evaluate the risks they are exposed to when carrying out cryptocurrency transactions. The key role that this paper looks at is the application of graph neural networks in the extraction of features of users in the Ethereum …

An Airborne Multi-Band Microwave Analysis Of Precipitation Within Two Winter Cyclones, Amanda Richter

Theses

When precipitation becomes organized into bands, it can result in great differences in precipitation accumulation across a geographic area with disruptions to daily life and economic activity. While investigations have been conducted to discern microphysical details within banded precipitation environments, such details remain very uncertain across and within storms. It is the goal of the Investigation of Microphysics and Precipitation for Atlantic Coast-Threatening Snowstorms (IMPACTS) to gather data using satellite-simulating and in situ aircraft to study banded storms. This study focuses on the Conical-Scanning Millimeter-wave Imaging Radiometer (CoSMIR), The Advanced Microwave Precipitation Radiometer (AMPR), and The High Altitude Imaging Wind …

Software Defined Radio (Sdr) With Applications In Radar Systems, Makenzie Fogle

Theses

This research tests the validity of using a cost-effective SDR to implement a pulsed radar system. This cost-effective system would enable students to build and utilize this system to learn more about radar engineering and possibly pursue a career in radar engineering. Also, this system would enable a university to build a teaching laboratory for university students learning Radar principles. An adalm-pluto SDR is used along with the MIT “cantennas”. The software used to implement the system is discussed. The results from both indoor and outdoor tests are shown and validated. This research could have applications in education, industry, and …

Bayesian Model Calibration Of A Mechanical Finite Element Model Of An Lr61 Alkaline Battery, William O'Donoghue

Theses

The growing use of batteries in vehicular applications and its associated risk of crashes that develop large deformations has raised the salience of how mechanical loads can lead to battery failure and cascade to battery pack fires. Batteries are complicated devices containing many materials with complex behaviors, making calibration of mechanical simulations an involved process. There are many techniques in the inverse problem field which could complement existing model tuning procedures through reducing the required number of experimental tests by extracting more information out of each data set and identifying which observations can most improve the model parameters at the …

Assessment Of Public Transit And Access To Essential Services And Facilities In Huntsville, Alabama, Sachin Shivashankar

Theses

This study aims to investigate the accessibility of public transit within the City of Huntsville, Alabama, in Madison County. Accessibility, in this context, refers to the distance between the residents in a certain census tract to essential amenities such as hospitals, schools, parks, workplaces, and other necessary services using public transportation. Data were obtained from the US Census Bureau and the City of Huntsville's Data Depot, focusing on aspects such as population socio-demographic attributes, and the distribution of essential amenities within the Huntsville city. Utilizing a range of Geographic Information System (GIS) methodologies and tools, including proximity analysis, random forest …