Digital Commons Network^™

Astralis: Discover 1000 Years Of You, Emma Canfield

Theses

Problem

We are defined by our memories and experiences. Despite the proliferation of family photos and video media, we lack an engaging way to connect our memories and experiences to those images. Online genealogical programs (such as Ancestry, MyHeritage, or FamilySearch) remain two-dimensional and inherently confusing to navigate. As soon as the user chooses to dive more deeply into one relative’s additional family, they leave the view they were in and cannot easily navigate back, or even see themselves in context any longer. Similarly, image archiving programs (such as Apple Photos, Shutterfly) or AmazonPhotos) are simplistic and rely on a …

Machine-Assisted Translation By Human-In-The-Loop Crowdsourcing For Bambara, Allahsera Auguste Tapo

Theses

Language is more than a tool of conveying information; it is utilized in all aspects of our lives. Yet only a small number of languages in the 7,000 languages worldwide are highly resourced by human language technologies (HLT). Despite African languages representing over 2,000 languages, only a few African languages are highly resourced, for which there exists a considerable amount of parallel digital data.

We present a novel approach to machine translation (MT) for under-resourced languages by improving the quality of the model using a paradigm called ``humans in the Loop.''

This thesis describes the work carried out to create …

Parametric Study Of Infrared Imaging Based Breast Cancer Detection Program, Carlos B. Gutierrez

Theses

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women and is responsible for over 41,000 lives every year in the US according to The American Cancer Society. Current screening and imaging methods such as mammography, breast magnetic resonance imaging, and breast ultrasound imaging have helped in improving survival rate when the cancer is detected at an early stage. The problems with these techniques include: low sensitivity, patient discomfort, invasiveness, and cost. Due to current advancements in infrared and computational technologies, infrared thermography has been utilized as a noninvasive adjunctive screening modality. A computerized approach using infrared imaging (IRI) …

Music Note Learning Card Game Design, Ying You

Theses

Within the past several decades, Chinese people's living conditions are getting better because of the quick development in the Chinese economy. People are now paying more and more attention to children's artistic accomplishments in China. Therefore, more and more parents choose to let their children start learning musical instruments when they are young. However, the first step to learn an instrument is learning how to read and understand different note values and basic rhythm patterns. For example, in China, the traditional way of teaching basic rhythmic patterns is that the teacher demonstrates the basic rhythm pattern to a group of …

Implementing And Testing Vlans In Meshed Tree Protocol, Ankush Kaul

Theses

Meshed Tree Protocol (MTP)[1][2] is being developed to overcome the performance challenges faced with older loop avoidance layer 2 protocols like Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)[3] and Rapid STP (RSTP)[5] which have high convergence time, causing a significant delay during initial convergence and subsequent re-convergence in the event of topology change or link failure. This slow convergence is not suitable for the modern high speed and dynamic networks and is being addressed with better performing protocols like MTP which uses Meshed Tree Algorithm (MTA) to form multiple overlapping trees[1]. In this thesis we will implement Virtual Local Area Network(VLAN)[4] for MTP …

Blockchain And Smart Contracts: The Need For Better Education, Ali Alkhajeh

Theses

The study aims at understanding the current scenario of blockchain education and whether it is meeting the increasing demand of blockchain professionals in the job market. In addition, it also provided a comparison between Ethereum and Hyperledger and analyzed the one best suited for better academic curriculum design. By drawing from various sources of data, including journals, articles, reports, the study provided critical insights into the various aspects of a blockchain education. It assesses the existing curriculum on the blockchain that includes courses and programs from various renowned universities and business schools. The study reveals that although the courses are …

Amelia Earhart: Myth And Memory, Amy Lutz

Theses

There are a range of theories about Amelia Earhart's disappearance. This thesis considers one of the most long-running theories - The Japanese Capture Theory. This theory posits that Earhart was captured and/or executed by the Japanese upon her disappearance in 1937. The Japanese Capture Theory, from its inception in 1942 to its continued existence today, has considerably impacted the historical memory of Amelia Earhart. A woman who was so beloved and celebrated in life is largely more famous for her death. Her story was retold in hindsight, without her voice. The emergence of theories about her disappearance and popular fascination …

Current State And Development Potential Of Luxury Heritage Hospitality In Old City Center Of Split, Croatia, Lucia Koprčina

Theses

Tourism is one of the main lines of profit for Split; however there is no unified strategy reflected in one line of tourism. In order to protect that UNESCO heritage site and assure long-term industry success it is proposed to take a shift to building a luxury brand that connects all business located in the site in a unified manner. The purpose of this study is to gain an understanding of the current state and context of the luxury tourism industry, specifically considering the accommodation and dining services in the old city center are of Split, Croatia. The objective is …

Domestic Food Waste Reduction System In The U.A.E., Eman Alsuwaidi, Nawar Al Sammarraie, Vilas Vijaykumar, Zaid Nayaz Syed

Theses

The emerging need for a domestic food waste management system in UAE has opened the door for innovations in managing food activities to minimizing waste. At present, there are no specific strategies or solutions effective enough to considerably reduce domestic food waste. This project mainly covers objective, methodology, waste identification tools and techniques, and strategy creation for system improvement. The results obtained from several surveys conducted to study the food habits of the people were used in this project to develop a strategy to reduce food waste. Smart systems are gaining high demand in various fields of the markets as …

Domestic Food Waste Reduction System In The U.A.E., Eman Alsuwaidi, Nawar Al Sammarraie, Vilas Vijaykumar, Zaid Nayaz Syed

Theses

The emerging need for a domestic food waste management system in UAE has opened the door for innovations in managing food activities to minimizing waste. At present, there are no specific strategies or solutions effective enough to considerably reduce domestic food waste. This project mainly covers objective, methodology, waste identification tools and techniques, and strategy creation for system improvement. The results obtained from several surveys conducted to study the food habits of the people were used in this project to develop a strategy to reduce food waste. Smart systems are gaining high demand in various fields of the markets as …

Domestic Food Waste Reduction System In The U.A.E., Eman Alsuwaidi, Nawar Al Sammarraie, Vilas Vijaykumar, Zaid Nayaz Syed

Theses

The emerging need for a domestic food waste management system in UAE has opened the door for innovations in managing food activities to minimizing waste. At present, there are no specific strategies or solutions effective enough to considerably reduce domestic food waste. This project mainly covers objective, methodology, waste identification tools and techniques, and strategy creation for system improvement. The results obtained from several surveys conducted to study the food habits of the people were used in this project to develop a strategy to reduce food waste. Smart systems are gaining high demand in various fields of the markets as …

Fallen Leaves, Bo Gao

Theses

This thesis demonstrates the process of creating my thesis film - FALLEN LEAVES, and it describes how this short film is completed from a simple idea to a finished project. Secondly, the documentation also depicts how my initial thought is shaped, and the background story from the aspects of cultural differences and family relationship. Furthermore, this paper discusses how I used cinematic techniques to help to improve the storytelling of my thesis film. The documentation also includes the research I did for writing the script and making this film.

Self-Awareness: A Dynamic Poster Design About Self-Awareness Child Development, Shuaiqi Xiong

Theses

Self-awareness is a psychological state in which we see ourselves truthfully and objectively through introspection and reflection. As 90s generation, we are the newest generation of “Chinese-style” individualism, but most of us do not have knowledge of self-awareness. We probably do not acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses, do not accept ourselves, and have no sense of what we do and others think of us. According to our research” says organizational psychologist and researcher Tasha Eurich, “with thousands of people from all around the world, 95 percent of people believe that they’re self-aware, but only about 10 to 15 percent really …

Allocation Of Public Expenditures In The Post-War Kosovo: A Critical Analysis, Leonita Krasniqi

Theses

How public expenditures are allocated can have profound effects on the macro-fiscal environment of a country. This research project analyzes how the Government of Kosovo allocates its public expenditures. Two particular strategic documents are examined—the Economic Vision 2011-2014 and the National Development Strategy 2016-2021. It does so by analyzing whether or not the priorities set in these strategies are translated in Medium-Term Expenditure Frameworks and the Budget Laws. Finally, this research project examines how the allocated public expenditures are realized. The research concludes that despite the well-established written strategies, a wide gap exists between the priorities set and their actual …

Connecting Meaningful Moments: Exploring Empathy Through Storytelling, Samantha Maida

Theses

As individuals transition through life, it is growing more and more difficult for everyone to live in the same world when perceptions of situations are skewed. Each individuals’ perception is colored by their life’s experiences which give rise to a distorted view of the world, creating biases, and affirming that our perception is a product of our past that is pushing forward into our future. The more technology promotes isolation and damages in-person communication, the more individuals are growing less aware of those around them, and how their experiences, and life events affect the way they view and respond to …

Viral – Analyzing Those That Create And Consume Content On Youtube And Social Media, Devin King

Theses

Analyzing content that has become viral through intent or by accident shows the cultural norms of society, personal interests of individuals to better themselves, and how platform algorithms in the form of search engine optimization are being used. Viral content commonly uses popular modern trends or can start them but creating outline content can yield the best results. Through creating viral content, this may lead to a platform where information can spread, revenue can be generated from, and ideas can influence new audiences, which can be useful for any corporation or individual.

Start-Ups Through The Lens Of Marketing: The Importance Of Branding For Start-Ups And Brand Awareness, Melisa Uka

Theses

The purpose of this study is to examine the importance of branding among start-ups, with a specific focus on start-ups in Kosovo. The role of branding has been drastically increasing in the last decades, as branding is becoming one of the most valuable intangible assets that a company owns regardless of whether it is a matured company or a start-up, the high growth potential newly established companies. In an effort to better understand the role of branding for Kosovo’s start-ups, this study provides qualitative insight obtained directly from start-ups’ representatives to identify whether start-ups in Kosovo recognize branding as an …

Framework To A Design Solution For Downtown Buffalo, Ny, Robert J. Sulli

Theses

Downtown Buffalo, New York is on the verge of a design recovery. Despite once being celebrated for its architectural and engineering achievements of the 1800s, Buffalo spent the near century that followed in a downward trend. Contemporarily considered a forgotten city of the industrial era, it now sits at the precipice of a new beginning. Around the 1980s, a series of investment studies produced reports outlining the different ways downtown Buffalo was struggling. Whether it was measured by loss of residential population, corporate headquarters leaving town, or just general urban decay, Buffalo had been exhibiting all the symptoms of a …

Enhancing Energy Efficiency In Kosovo – Analyzing Behavioral Patterns, Vesa Recica

Theses

Energy efficiency is being considered as a highly important matter among the majority of countries due to its correlation to environmental protection, energy security, and industrial competitiveness. There are multiple factors contributing to efficient usage of energy, one of them being behavioral patterns. This project aimed at analyzing the effect of behavioral patterns in enhancing energy efficiency through looking at the relationship between level of education, level of income, age, gender, place of residence (urban vs rural) and household energy usage trends. The research was completed through four focus group discussions that were conducted in urban and rural areas in …

Corporate Social Responsibility — Introducing A New Model For Improving The Financial Performance Of Large Enterprises: The Case Of Kosovo, Ibrahim Jetullahu

Theses

The purpose of this research project is to show the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on improving long-term corporate financial performance. In line with the literature review, the integration of CSR with Human Resources Management (HRM) and Marketing Strategies were used as the two components of achieving profitability because they were considered as complements of one another. The overall goal is to show how CSR strategies can have positive effects on workforce productivity, employee engagement, brand awareness, and differentiation of the organization in a developing country such as Kosovo. The research method included two primary research tools: (1) semi-structured …

School Violence Prevention In High Secondary Education In Kosovo And The Role Of School Psychologists, Edita Karavidaj

Theses

This present study explores the prevalence of school violence in the pre-university level of education in Kosovo. Despite the underreported cases, school violence is common and a distressing issue. Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MEST) in Kosovo has adopted prevention-based approach towards school violence since 2014 (with a revision in 2018) and regulated that each school must have at least one School Psychologist (SP). Despite the reform efforts, the implementation of such regulations is incomplete. The current study hypothesized that school violence rates are higher in urban schools thus prevention-based programs are more likely to be implemented in these …

E-Commerce: Kosovo As A Competitive Landscape For Online Shopping, Rina Bulliqi

Theses

This Honors project looks the opportunities for online business in Kosovo, specifically e-commerce. As Kosovo is the country with the highest number of internet users in the Balkans, online business is at a competitive advantage to thrive. This project analyzes the opportunities offered to businesses to thrive in online trade, both within Kosovo and in the region. Businesses of all sectors are quickly understanding the importance of online presence, especially given a handful of successful cases that have already established e-commerce platforms. This project considers the perspective of the customer and that of the business in terms of online shopping …

The Link Between Successful Implementation Of Managerial Practices And The Success Of Family Owned Businesses In Kosovo, Rrezearta Jahiu

Theses

This research project analyzes the link between the successful implementation of managerial practices of family owned businesses in Kosovo and the performance of these companies in terms of the increase in their sales and growth. The four main groups of managerial practices, namely operations, monitoring, targets and incentives, are analyzed. These four main groups of managerial practices are subdivided into sub-practices which enables to examine the different aspects of the business in more detail. This research project provides information regarding family owned businesses and what makes them different from other forms of business ownerships. The important factors for business growth …

Women As Entrepreneurs: The Hardships Of Leading In A Patriarchal System. Case Of Kosovo, Aurora Bucaj

Theses

The business sector in Kosovo is dominated by men, while women are seen as an outsider if deciding to be part of it. The number of women business owners is low compared to men business owners. This research paper will present the many factors that affect the low number of women business owners, how they correlate with one another, and how one can move passed those. A number of these factors relate to the mentality of Kosovo’s society, low financial stability of women, low education of women, and the low number of day-care facilities, and the lack of affordable private …

Freelancing As A Tool Of Increasing Women’S Activity Rate In Kosovo, Ema Baraku

Theses

This research project explores the implications of freelancing in the activity rate of women in the labor market in Kosovo. It specifically analyzes the employment barriers that women encounter such as taking care of children/elders, lack of suitable and flexible jobs, and low wage. It further elaborates on the concept of freelancing and the opportunities for Kosovar youth in general and for women in particular. The research includes a review of secondary data, an online survey, and focus group discussions. Findings from the research confirm the potential of freelancing to impact the participation of women in the job market as …

Effect Of Laser Texturing And Varying Dimple Density On Tribological Properties Of Titanium-Ceramic Contact, Akshay Gaikwad

Theses

The loss of energy due to friction is one of the major problems industries are facing nowadays. Friction reduces the mechanical efficiency of the machine components. It is estimated that an average of 40% energy is lost to overcome the friction. In recent years, surface modification and surface texturing have shown tremendous ability to reduce friction and wear. Microstructures generated on the surface act as a secondary reservoir for lubricants and wear particle receptacles to reduce further abrasion. In addition, surface texturing boost hydrodynamic pressure which increases the elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication regime of the Stribeck curve, reducing friction and wear. There …

Millennial Attitudes And Preferences Of Purchasing Prescription Eyewear, Monika Karlovic

Theses

This study focused on how influential the pros and cons of buying prescription glasses in store and online were as described by millennials living in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). A qualitative research design was utilized, which included open-ended questions in a structured interview protocol. The seven participants that were interviewed were all millennials living in the GTA and have purchased eyewear online and in store. The main discoveries included participants appreciating the low prices when purchasing online, in store assistance, and the similar quality of eyewear offered online and in store. All participants stated that the fit and style …

Ritthe Contributions Of Traffic Management Centers In Life Enhancement, Mohammed Hamdan Khalifeh

Theses

This study focuses on investigating the contributions of traffic management centers to enhancing people’s driving experiences and impacting their level of satisfaction and happiness. Data was collected in the United Arab Emirates through two distinct surveys; the first aimed at drivers (number of respondents: 155), and the second aimed at traffic management center operators (number of respondents: 15). The drivers survey aimed to collect data about drivers’ pain points experienced while driving in the United Arab Emirates and showed that slow drivers on fast lanes and sudden lane changing are the biggest challenges reported. On the operators’ side, the data …

Color The Corner, Linxin Jiang

Theses

Loneliness is a major issue in this era, and youth, as a group, is becoming the main force of the lonely group. Young people are in the stage of being immature. Facing the era of knowledge and information explosion, they are learning how to be adults for the first time. They are eager to love and be loved, they are eager for material satisfaction, they are eager to communicate, and they are eager for the world to understand them. At the same time, they are rebellious and loudly proclaiming their independence and freedom. But they become more lonely because of …

Employing Optical Flow On Convolutional Recurrent Structures For Deepfake Detection, Akash Chintha

Theses

Deepfakes, or artificially generated audiovisual renderings, can be used to defame a public figure or influence public opinion. With the recent discovery of generative adversarial networks, an attacker using a normal desktop computer fitted with an off-the-shelf graphics processing unit can make renditions realistic enough to easily fool a human observer. Detecting deepfakes is thus becoming vital for reporters, social networks, and the general public. Preliminary research introduced simple, yet surprisingly efficient digital forensic methods for visual deepfake detection. These methods combined convolutional latent representations with bidirectional recurrent structures and entropy-based cost functions. The latent representations for the video are …