Digital Commons Network^™

Implications Of Ai Adoption On Kosovo’S Tech Smes, Agullina Shllaku

Theses

This study explores the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on small and medium-sized tech enterprises (SMEs), namely the extent to which these SMEs are investing in AI technologies, and how that will impact the organizational structure of those SMEs. While most of Kosovo’s tech SMEs have started to engage with AI to some extent, the demand for such services is much lower compared to global levels. This study identifies investment strategies prominent in SMEs, as well as their initiative to internal restructuring instead of hiring. Through a mix of qualitative and quantitative data, this study generates relevant insights from employees …

The Effect Of Angiogenesis On Thermal Properties Of In-Vivo Human Tissue, Shriya Musuku

Theses

Bioheat transfer is the study of heat transfer in biology. There are several sources of heat in biology including external ones such as surgical applications of heat, or internal ones like cancer tissue. Blood flow networks affect both types of processes and are often generated during disease phenomenon through a process called angiogenesis. This affects the properties of the tissue. Several attempts were made to model flow and heat transfer within various tissues through physical measurements or computer simulations. Both types of models used bioheat transfer models do not consider the geometry of vasculature at its most fundamental level. The …

Designing An Animated Presentation For Educating Physicians And Patients On Opioid Addiction, Jenny Phillips

Theses

The devastating opioid epidemic in the United States continues to wreak havoc, especially on those suffering from opioid addiction. Regrettably, the lack of reliable treatments and understanding of this disease has hindered physicians' ability to provide adequate care. As a result, those affected often feel ashamed and reluctant to seek help due to the growing stigma surrounding opioid addiction. These barriers prevent the successful treatment of this prevalent and treatable disease. To tackle this issue, Dr. Michael Peck and his team have been essential in traveling to different communities and illustrating the truth about opioids and opioid addiction. They developed …

Characteristics Of Lactobacillus Helveticus Fermentation Of Camel And Bovine Milks, Kobika Chelladhurai

Theses

In this study, the fermentation of low-fat camel milk (CM) and bovine milk (BM) with Lactobacillus helveticus was compared to fermentation with L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, and S. thermophilus at 28°C, 35°C, and 42°C. The fermentation activities were followed by measuring bacterial counts, titratable acidity, pH, and changes in lactose, organic acids, and proteolysis for 96 hours. Although bacterial growth was comparable in CM and BM, the fermented milks showed differences in acidification and proteolysis. Negative correlations between TA (%) and pH were consistent in both CM and BM suggesting similar buffering capacities. In both milks, L. helveticus …

Investigating The Organizational Support For Educators Supporting Students With Disabilities: A Study On Administrative Strategies In The United Arab Emirates, Amal Mahmoud Al Badawi

Theses

The aim of the study is to explore whether organizational support can help general and special educators to provide effective services to their students with disabilities. Additionally, the study seeks to identify strategies that program administrators can employ to overcome barriers and provide better support to their staff. Using a mixedmethod approach, which includes a survey (N=25) with 10 participants working in special education and 15 in general education and interviews with five education leaders in both special and general education settings. These leaders, who hold positions such as Directors of General Education and Special Needs Coordinators, bring varied years …

Securing The Inbox: Advancing Phishing Email Detection With Fine-Tuned Bert, Fatima Rashed Al Saedi

Theses

In recent years, phishing attacks have persisted as a widespread threat in the contemporary digital environment, presenting substantial risks to individuals and organizations. Cybercriminals are devising increasingly sophisticated strategies to deceive users through malicious emails. In response to this challenge, this research focuses on developing a new tool for detecting phishing emails utilizing the BERT algorithm. The tool aims to enhance email security by accurately identifying deceptive emails and protecting users from potential cyber threats. The primary objective of this study is to investigate how leveraging the BERT algorithm can improve the detection of phishing emails compared to traditional methods. …

Studies On The Corrosion Of Bronze Artifacts From Sarouq Al-Hadid And Al-Qusais Archeological Sites In Dubai, Uae, Zainab Ali Salmin

Theses

This thesis compares the status of bronze artefacts from two archaeological sites in Dubai (UAE): the Sarouq Al-Hadid site (Stone Age to Early Islamic Period) and the Al- Qusais site (Late Bronze Age to Early Iron Age). The main objective of this research is to understand the two sites' environment and their influence on the corrosion of archaeological bronze artifacts found at the sites. This study uses mCed methods to comprehensively understand the corrosion behavior of bronze objects, depending on their burial environment. The two different sites presented different soil types and rates of corrosivity on the buried bronze artifacts, …

The Association Between Body Image Satisfaction And Depressive Symptoms Among Young Women In The Uae With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Pcos) And Non-Pcos: A Comparative Quantitative Cross-Sectional Study, Shaima Abdrahman Al-Mekhlafi

Theses

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common syndromes affecting women of reproductive age, (Laggari et al., 2009). PCOS not only impacts women's physical health but also their psychological well-being, often leading to depressive symptoms and lower body image satisfaction, Wang et al. (2023). Recent research indicates a growing prevalence of PCOS among women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Mirza et al. (2023). However, there is a noticeable gap in understanding the psychological effects of PCOS on women in the UAE, likely due to cultural sensitivities. This study aims to investigate the association of depressive symptoms and …

Heat Sink With Fins And Phase Change Material For Cooling Of High-Power Electronic Devices, Farooq Fakher Mahmoud

Theses

Electronics are integral to modern life, present in everything from household appliances to advanced computers. The performance and reliability of these devices are closely tied to their operating temperatures. High-power operations can lead to significant heating, necessitating effective thermal management to enhance functionality and prevent failure. This requirement drives the demand for efficient heat sinks, which dissipate the heat generated by these devices. Phase change material (PCM)-based heat sinks have become a popular passive cooling solution, increasingly replacing traditional heat sinks.

This research investigates finned PCM-based heat sinks using numerical simulations validated by existing literature and experimental data. Gallium is …

Exploring English Language Teachers’ Selfefficacy Beliefs In Relation To Teaching Gifted Students, Shatha Mohammed Sobih

Theses

This study investigates the beliefs of English language teachers regarding their ability to identify and teach gifted students, focusing on how they perceive their own skills in teaching primary grade level students (grades 1, 2, and 3) with exceptional intellectual abilities in English language education. The study followed a qualitative research design and collected data using an open-ended survey consisting of questions that encouraged participants to provide detailed and unrestricted responses. This study also performed purposeful sampling to select respondents with the necessary knowledge and experience to offer rich and meaningful data. This study targeted English language teachers (n …

Mathematical Modeling Of An Epidemic In Scalefree Network With Imperfect Vaccination, Heba Hameed

Theses

In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the mathematical epidemiological model has proven to be essential for understanding the disease dynamic and finding the best control tool to help contain the disease and minimize its impact. This thesis investigates the dynamics of an infectious disease spread with latent infection and vaccination. The aim is to study this model’s dynamic in a network that reflects the heterogeneity of the environment where the disease spreads. The vaccination is assumed to be not perfect, which means that vaccinated persons are likely to be infected and that the vaccinated person could lose their immunity, …

The Anticancer Activity Of A Novel 8-Hydroxyquinoline Derivatives Against 5-Fluorouracil Resistant Colorectal Cancer Cells, Mazoun Talal Al Azzani

Theses

Cancer is a global health crisis for which 20 million new cases were diagnosed in 2022 alone, with 9.3 million cancer-related deaths. Nearly 900,000 deaths were due to colorectal cancer (CRC), which is the third leading cause of cancer related mortality. In the United Arab Emirates, 550 new cases of CRC were reported in 2022. A major clinical challenge with CRC treatment is the development of resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5FU)-based chemotherapy regimens, which are the standard treatment for CRC. In the present study, the anticancer activity of two novel 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) derivatives AS45 and AS47 was examined against 5FU-sensitive (HCT116) …

Relationship Between Parents’ Feeding Styles, Nutrition Practices And Risk Of Obesity Among 3-5 Years Old Children In The United Arab Emirates, Reem Mohamed Alkarbi

Theses

Previous studies suggest that parental feeding practices shape preschool eating and physical activity habits, ultimately influencing children's weight status. Despite the high obesity rate in UAE youth, preschoolers’ nutrition habits and their links to parental feeding styles are explored. This study aims to describe parental feeding styles: Emotional (E), Instrumental (I), Prompting and Encouragement (PE), Control Over Eating (COE)), and their associations with nutrition practices, socio-demographic factors, and obesity in UAE preschoolers. Using an online questionnaire, a cross-sectional study surveyed Emirati families with 3-5-year-old children. Data was analyzed using SPSS v.29. 70 preschool Emirati children living in Abu Dhabi participated. …

Technology-Enhanced Mathematics Teaching And Learning: Teachers’ Perspectives On Digital And Generative Ai–Enabled Tool Integration Through A Tpack Lens In Abu Dhabi Schools, Abdalrahman A. Adlouni

Theses

Digital learning is an active approach to education in daily life, and it has been implemented in all the schools in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Many strategies, such as platforms, online educational websites, and other applications, were used by teachers to support blended learning and assist students in achieving their goals and accomplishing what is required from their curriculum. The main objective of this study is to examine teachers’ perceptions toward teaching mathematics using digital learning tools in Cycle 2 and Cycle 3. Data was collected from (n=114) mathematics teachers in Abu Dhabi City, UAE, during the spring semester …

Mitochondrial Control Of Tumorigenicity And Immunogenicity Of Colorectal Cancer, Maram Esam Ahmed

Theses

The Methylation-controlled J protein (MCJ), also known as DNAJC15, serves as an endogenous negative regulator of mitochondrial respiration. MCJ plays a crucial role in cellular bioenergetics by regulating cellular metabolism, and its expression is inversely proportional to the extent of mitochondrial ATP production. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between MCJ expression and the tumorigenicity and immunogenicity of colon adenocarcinoma. To this aim, we utilized MCJ knockout (KO) mice to assess the impact of tumor-extrinsic MCJ expression in host cells, particularly immune cells, on anti-tumor responses. Comparing the growth of MCJ-expressing cancer cells in wild-type vs. …

Exploring Emirati High School Students' Attitude Towards Reading In L2 (English), Seba Dabik

Theses

Reading in a second language (L2) is a crucial skill for high school students as it helps to develop their second language proficiency and broadens their understanding of the world. It also holds substantial significance in both their personal and academic endeavors. Additionally, proficient L2 reading skills pave the way for promising prospects and professional opportunities. This study examines students' attitudes towards reading academically and recreationally in L2 and the factors that contribute to these attitudes. The study sample comprised of 20 grade 11 UAE national male students (16-17 years old) enrolled in a public Applied Technology School (ATS) in …

Electrochemical Nitrate Reduction To Ammonia On Cu Based Nanoparticles Using Quantum Mechanical Simulations, Kathan Bhavin Shukla

Theses

Nitrate reduction to ammonia (NRA) is critical for environmental remediation and energy conservation, as it can remove harmful nitrate (NO₃^-) from water sources while producing usable ammonia (NH₃). Cu represents one of the most promising non-noble-metal NRA electrocatalysts. However, the intrinsic catalytic activity of Cu facets and their influence under different pH conditions remain unclear, particularly in the presence of ions commonly found in wastewater such as Cl^-, Na⁺, Mg²⁺, and Ca²⁺. Using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we evaluated the nitrate reduction to ammonia (NRA) pathways …

Strawberry Nectar Preservation Through Innovative Techniques And Energy Evaluation For High-Pressure Processing, Caterina Scaioli

Theses

Strawberries are universally adored by people of all ages, owing to their richness in vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants, offering myriad health benefits, including combating free radicals. However, despite their popularity, strawberry juices or nectars are not commonly found in markets due to their delicate structure, which makes them prone to rapid deterioration of their prized qualities and vibrant red color. In the food industry, preventing browning and nutrient deterioration are often the primary challenges faced when processing red juices. Traditional preservation methods, such as pasteurization, are inadequate in maintaining their freshness. The focus of this study is to explore alternative …

Optimizing Social Determinant Of Health Concept Extraction, Niharika Singh

Theses

Generative Artificial Intelligence has recently garnered enormous attention for a varied number of reasons, one of them being its capacity to automate complex tasks. As the potential for integrating Generative Artificial Intelligence across technology, media, and healthcare grows, many tasks previously reliant on manual or algorithm-intensive methods can be simplified significantly. One such challenge is concept extraction, which is a labor-intensive process, especially when performed manually for building robust ontologies. It involves analyzing text to identify and extract relevant concepts, key phrases, entities, and relationships between these entities. This thesis explores various challenges of concept extraction from the ABCD (Adolescent …

Machine Learning Models For Enhanced Stock Trading Strategies, Alyaa Al Ali

Theses

The purpose of this research is to develop sophisticated machine-learning models that can predict stock price movements, taking into account the multifaceted influences that create volatility in financial markets. To navigate the complexities of market dynamics effectively, investors, financial institutions, and academia rely on precision stock price predictions. This research generates actionable buy and sell signals by using historical stock data, technical market indicators, Linear Support Vector Machines (LSVM), Neural Networks, and Logistic Regression. A distinctive feature of this model is it uses market indicators such as PPO, MACD, RSI Signal, Bollinger Bands, ROC Signal, and DX Signal instead of …

Deep Learning Approach For Detecting And Classifying Chaotic Driving Activity Using Video Surveillance, Fatma Abdulla Desmal Alhaddad

Theses

The growing rate of urbanization in the city of Dubai has contributed to the increase in vehicular activity and the prevalence of risky driving behavior on the road. This project proposes a deep-learning-based system, VGG-16, for the identification and classification of different patterns of driving behavior. The research methodology used for the study relies on the compilation of datasets from various resources, including ImageNet, Kaggle, UAH-DriverSet, D²-City Dataset, and confidential videos obtained from the Dubai Police command center. The findings of the study will be categorized into two parts. The first part will involve the compilation of the features based …

A Study Of Gate Valve Supply Chain And Life Cycle Impacts, Saud Bindarwish

Theses

and sustainable water supplies depend on water infrastructure. However, old infrastructure, especially valves that leak and break, can cause significant water loss, economic strain, and environmental damage. This study explores best choice of gate valves to use while replacing defected existing gate valve in the networks by examining gate valve supply chains and their life cycle consequences. Traditional gate valve supply chains are lengthy and complicated. Extracting iron ore and copper destroys habitats and pollutes air and water. Factory processing and production of these materials increases energy use and air/water pollution. Valve shipping, usually overseas, emits lots of greenhouse gases. …

Unraveling The Role Of Asymmetry In Structural Porous Media On The Growth Of Fluid Fingers, Amir Ibrahim

Theses

Instabilities at fluid-fluid interfaces are ubiquitous in porous media, even at small flow rates. The growth of fluid fingers during fluid-fluid immiscible displacement in a porous medium results in partial saturation of the medium, and inefficiency in displacement has a tremendous economic impact on oil recovery, chemical reactors, and water filtration industries. In this study, we demonstrate that an inherent asymmetry in the structure of a porous medium controls the development of fluid fingers due to instabilities at fluid interfaces. We construct a 2D porous medium consisting of a matrix of triangles using soft lithography to investigate air displacement by …

Exploring The Positive Impact Of Emotionally Designed Furniture On Alleviating Negative Symptoms In Individuals With Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-Ptsd): A Case Study Of Chinese Families Influenced By Traditional Confucian Culture., Guangxin Zhang

Theses

This study aims to explore whether emotionally designed furniture has a positive impact on alleviating negative symptoms in individuals with Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD). Through a combination of literature review and empirical research, the characteristics of C-PTSD individuals and their common negative symptoms, including anxiety, depression, fatigue, etc., were first reviewed and analyzed. Then, the hypothesis of the positive impact of emotionally designed furniture on individuals with C-PTSD was proposed. The study further explores how emotionally designed furniture enhances environmental comfort and fosters emotional connections in personal spaces to provide psychological support and alleviate symptoms in individuals with C-PTSD. …

Improving Design And Physical Boundary In Temporary Post-Disaster Relief Shelters: Analysis Of Existing Literature, Min-Hye Jang

Theses

Natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, cyclones, storms, earthquakes, wildfires, and landslides displace people. As responses at the community resilience level, the temporary post-relief shelter is critical for the community's rapid recovery. Converting existing public facilities is the fastest way to respond to a crisis. However, the Hurricane Katrina Superdome Shelter alerted society to the prevalence of sexual assault in transitory catastrophe contexts. Not only has sexual abuse occurred, but prior shelters did not equip every user with physical barriers to suit their needs. This study examined academic journals, articles, and books to identify issues with natural disaster shelters created …

Syn: Exploring Multi-Sensory Sound Experiences Through An Immersive Installation, Samara Sudhir

Theses

The project titled 'SYN.' is a thesis that explores the realm of multi-sensory experiences in visual communication by taking inspiration from synesthesia. Synesthesia is a phenomenon where sensory information is transmitted through multiple unrelated senses, causing individuals to experience more than one sense simultaneously, such as seeing music and hearing color/shapes. The project aims to create an immersive and interactive installation that evokes a feeling of being inside the music by blurring the boundaries between auditory and visual stimuli. Through meticulous mapping and projection of visuals onto various surfaces, a three-dimensional space is created where participants can interact and alter …

Cut, Beth Lane

Theses

Abstract “cut” is a documentary film which explores themes of systemic sexism in the film industry. It was produced between September 2023-April 2024 including pre-production to post-production. This paper describes and analyzes the filmmaking process for Beth Lane, Director. In this paper I will also attempt to put to words the intangibles of that process, including the social dynamics of filmmaking, and larger cultural happenings at the time of production.

Women's Evening Wear Clothing Line, Monique Greene

Theses

Unavailable.

If The Last Petals Fall, Soomin Kim

Theses

During the Spring of 2023, I visited my mother in Los Angeles. I unpacked my belongings and sat down for a light snack with her. Watching her cut fruits, I noticed for the first time that her face had aged significantly. If The Last Petals Fall is a photographic series that delves into the concept of memory. With the handful amount of what’s left of my family archives, I have accepted the fact that I can no longer contribute to my past but rebuild the missing in-between moments. These photos represent my childhood, adulthood, and everything in between. Through this …

Color Change: Illumination And Observers, Che Shen

Theses

While color change is often associated with physical or chemical alterations in an object, this thesis focuses on perceptual color changes due to factors like color inconstancy under different lighting conditions, observer metamerism due to varying color matching functions, and individual differences in hue perception despite identical tristimulus values. Based on the complexities of color change phenomenon, a psychophysical experiment was conducted to establish the threshold of color inconstancy, where observers were tasked with categorizing colors under varying lighting. A major advancement in this thesis is the development of the Weighted Geometric Mean (WGM) model, an advanced chromatic adaptation model …