Digital Commons Network^™

Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Implementation Of The United Arab Emirates Teacher Licensing System In Private Schools In The Abu Dhabi Emirate, Honey Ousama Al Bahri

Theses

The Teacher Licensing System (TLS) is a significant initiative in education in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), designed to regulate, control, and ensure the professionalism and competence of educators. Established by the Ministry of Education (MOE), its primary objective is to uphold high-quality education and safeguard students' interests. Following a quantitative method, the study aims to explore the perceptions of the teachers who completed the TLS regarding the Specialization and the Pedagogy tests, and the added value of the test, in addition to investigating the impact of the teachers’ demographics on their perceptions. Data were collected via a questionnaire and …

“Art For The Millions:” The Evolution Of Informal Learning From The Charleston Museum To The New Deal, Kristen Walker

Theses

The advent of the first museum in the United States in 1773, The Charleston Museum, sparked a shift in the way education is perceived and how it can be conducted. However, only recently has the intentional implementation of programs and exhibitions been created in a digestible way for the public. This thesis discusses how informal learning has evolved since the establishment of the Charleston Museum and the legacy of the Federal Art Project regarding informal learning and art education. Key research methods include the examination of primary and secondary resources, including oral histories held by the Smithsonian Archives of American …

There’S Always Room For Improvement: Implementing Indoor Navigation Using ‘Mappedin’ In The Rochester Museum And Science Center To Enhance The Visitor Experience, Izzy Moyer

Theses

Since March 2020, museums have dramatically increased their use of technology in museums to make their environments more engaging to their visitors. For indoor navigation, for instance, museums have used still images, PDFs, and QR codes as well as analog measures (such as directional signage and paper maps) to help their visitors navigate their institution. While these are helpful for understanding one’s general location, other digital wayfinding measures can foster information sharing as well as the opportunity to decrease “spatial anxiety.” This thesis describes the creation of a map for portable, indoor navigation using “Mappedin,” a cost-effective platform that is …

Leveraging Sentiment Analysis For Tokyo Airbnb Hosts And Decision Makers, Shaikha Aldahmani

Theses

This study focused on the growing challenges that Tokyo Airbnb hosts and policymakers face in the holiday homes and home stays market. The study aimed to empower hosts with insights to optimize offerings and assist policymakers in informed decision-making for enhancing neighborhood experiences, with a focus on data-driven business strategies grounded in sentiment analysis. The project employed a robust methodology that leverages sentiment analysis techniques to gain insights from guest comments of Tokyo Airbnb listings spanning from September 2011 to June 2023. The CART algorithm and the Affin sentiment lexicon were used for data cleaning, consolidation, and sentiment analysis. The …

Robust Machine Learning Under Vulnerable Cyberinfrastructure And Varying Data Quality, Sergei Chuprov

Theses

In our study, we investigate Machine Learning (ML) application robustness in ML Integrated with Network (MLIN) systems. We consider MLIN as an integration of three major components and interrelations between them: data sources, network facilities, and ML application. In contrast to the conventional approaches that focus on each separate component, we concentrate on their interrelationships, and consider them from the system integration perspective. We formulate our primary goal as to develop methods and tools aimed at assuring ML application performance towards Data Quality (DQ) variation in MLIN through improving ML application robustness. We examine the prior work on ML robustness …

Learning From Disagreement In Human-Annotated Datasets, Tharindu Cyril Weerasooriya

Theses

Artificial intelligence (AI) systems frequently need to learn from human decision makers, which aids in scaling systems for mass use. We see this in automated financial decisions, manufacturing processes, self- driving cars, and content moderation on social networks. These systems are built on human values and trained to mimic human decision-making through human annotation. However, different groups of human annotators, including domain experts, annotate content differently, leading to disagreements. Some practitioners treat dissenting opinions as “label noise”. A common approach to dealing with disagreement is to consider a majority vote, which effectively conceals the disagreements from the trained model. Although …

Predictive Analytics Of Road Traffic Incidents, A Machine Learning Approach, Maryam Essa Jaji

Theses

Traffic accidents rank among the world's most serious concerns due to the high number of deaths, injuries, and fatalities as well as the enormous financial losses they cause every year. Road travel is a necessary component of modern civilization, but because of the rise in traffic accidents, it costs the world economy billions of dollars and over a million deaths annually. Road accidents can be caused by a variety of elements. It can be possible to take action to lessen the severity and extent of the effects if these elements are better recognized and predicted. The goal of this project …

Novel Methods For Modeling And Treating Biofilm Infections, Emily Lazarus

Theses

Biofilms are responsible for the development of chronic infections, which are 10-1000 times more resistant to antimicrobial agents than two-dimensional (2D) planktonic culture. Traditionally, 2D planktonic cultures are used to study efficacy of antimicrobial treatments but 2D cultures have several shortcomings such as increased sensitivity to treatments, lack of complexity of the three-dimensional (3D) environment, limited host defense mechanisms, and lack the structural thickness of natural biofilms. Biofilm-related infections play a critical role in the delayed healing process of chronic skin wounds, and while treatments for chronic skin wounds exist, including negative pressure wound healing (NPWT), biofilm infections still prevail. …

Improving Adaptation Of Deep Learning With Inductive Bias, Xiajun Jiang

Theses

Human intelligence is strong at adapting to a small number of observations, partially because of the human ability to 1) use given knowledge and 2) distill knowledge from related but different data to guide learning for future tasks, where such ability is the inductive bias during learning. Deep learning shows a promising solution to artificial intelligence. However, generalizing or adapting deep learning models to heterogeneous tasks remains an open question. Existing data-driven models often ignore prior knowledge about the underlying problems of interest, or have limitations in incorporating complex knowledge into neural networks. The one-size-fit-all formula assumes the training and …

Optimizing V2v Energy Exchange Using Ai, Marwa Alghawi

Theses

A key factor in promoting sustainable economies, industries, and society is the use of electric vehicles (EVs). They are an important step toward a greener future since they reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve air quality, and encourage energy independence. The demand for charging stations (CSs) will undoubtedly rise as the global EV market continues to grow over the next few decades, requiring significant investments from both public and private players. By creating a cutting-edge AI model, this work tackles the crucial problems of EVs range prediction and charging optimization decisions. The contributions are summarized as the below: 1. Developed AI …

The Invasive Bank Vole (Clethrionomys Glareolus); A Longitudinal Investigation Into Rodents And Their Pathogen Communities, Using The Irish Rodent Invasion As A Model System., Andrew Mcmanus

Theses

The recent emergence of zoonotic pathogens such as, SARS-CoV-2, Ebola and Mpox, have emphasised the necessity to study wildlife and their pathogens. A knowledge gap currently exists in longitudinal studies of biological invasions, which are needed to understand the change in pathogen communities caused as the invader becomes more established. The invasion of Clethrionomys glareolus in Ireland provides a unique model system to study these changes at different stages of the bio-invasion. This is due to the depauperate small mammal community in Ireland, identifiable source population, introduction point, and ongoing expansion of C. glareolus in Ireland. Extensive work has been …

Enhancing Pharmaceutical Waste Management: Insights From Pharmacists' Perspectives On The Drug Take-Back Program, Mona Daher

Theses

Pharmaceutical waste management is essential for mitigating environmental risks associated with improper medication disposal, with pharmacists playing a pivotal role in drug take-back programs (DTBPs). However, there is limited understanding of pharmacists' engagement, perceptions, and challenges within these initiatives. This study aimed to address this gap by investigating these aspects among licensed pharmacists in the United States. A mixed-methods survey was distributed to 2200 pharmacists, yielding 81 responses (3.7% response rate). The findings revealed that familiarity with DTBPs did not significantly differ by state or practice setting, but positively correlated with experience and perceived effectiveness. Interestingly, on-the-job learning emerged as …

The Optimisation Of A Customised Methodology For The Determination Of The Lime Requirement Of Irish Soils, Fionan Mackessy

Theses

Soil pH plays a pivotal role in agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability, influencing various soil processes crucial for plant growth and ecosystem functions. It is a master variable that affects the biological, chemical and physical properties of soil. Maintaining a correct soil pH – generally through the addition of a liming product - is central to sustainable and productive agriculture and therefore accurate determination of soil pH is a vital piece of information that is central to any soil lab test. However, the accuracy of any soil pH test will be dictated by a number of soil properties such as …

Paulus Potter’S Punishment Of A Hunter: A Study In Cultural Shifts, Moderation And Class, Taylor Brown

Theses

This paper proposes a new reading of the painting Punishment of a Hunter (1647-1652) by Dutch painter Paulus Potter through the lens of its unique position in seventeenth-century Dutch art with regards to allegory, human and animal caricature, human nature, class, and the influence of economic growth and complexity of class in Amsterdam. The painting consists of fourteen individual vignettes on one panel of wood. Utilizing socio-economic, political, historical and formal analysis, this thesis proposes a reading of the painting. A total of five chapters, each addressing key themes of the painting, will contribute to my main thesis asserting that …

Marketing Video Games To Aging Demographics: A Generational Profile Analysis, Brinna Louise Ball

Theses

Marketing video games to aging demographics like Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Millennials requires a unique approach by video game studios and consumer products divisions alike. The strategies employed for younger generations such as Generation Z and Generation Alpha differ from conventional methods, requiring a fresh outlook and a need for more innovative and inventive approaches. To comprehend the current aging audience more effectively, it's essential to examine four crucial factors: accessibility, exposure, media habits, and motivations to play video games. Examining these factors by generation, we can better grasp how to effectively market video games to these demographics. It's …

Future-Proofing The Past: Artificial Intelligence In The Restoration Of Andalusian Architectural Heritage: A Case Study Of The Alhambra Palace, Granada, Spain, Kholoud Bader Hasan Ghaith

Theses

This thesis explains the contribution of artificial intelligence in heritage restoration as an icon of Andalusian architecture by using the Alhambra as an example. The task of sustaining heritage is increasing dramatically due to the accumulation of heritage assets and the need for modern and innovative operations to cope with preservation tasks. Therefore, this thesis reviews the role of artificial intelligence in improving the restoration operation to improve accuracy and efficiency. I applied the case study as a scientific methodology to explain this work to overcome scientific and subjective obstacles, such as scarce data and software integration while explaining the …

Utilizing Hyperspectral Remote Sensing For Saline Soil Assessment In The Emirate Of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Alya Hassan Aldhaheri

Theses

This study presents the application of hyperspectral remote sensing techniques to measure soil salinity. Soil salinity is a major concern in many arid and semi-arid regions, affecting crop productivity and ecosystem health. In most arid and semi-arid areas various levels of salinity can be encountered including sabkhas. Sabkha (salt flat) is a geological feature composed of saline and salt marshes that typically occur in shallow or coastal environments within arid and semi-arid climates. Traditional methods of measuring soil salinity are time-consuming and labor-intensive, making remote sensing techniques an attractive alternative. This study employed a hyperspectral sensor specifically the SVC-XHR-1024i to …

The Impact Of Reflective Writing On Instructional Strategies Development: A Mixed Method Study On Prospective English Language Teachers, Fatema Naser Alshehhi

Theses

Reflective writing is a process in which individuals critically examine their experiences, thoughts, and actions to gain understanding and improve their performance. This thesis investigates the impact of reflective writing on the development of instructional strategies among prospective English language teachers in the United Arab Emirates. The study also explores their perceptions of using reflective writing as a tool for teacher development. The study employed a mixed-methods approach and was conducted in two phases. The first phase involved collecting qualitative data, including document analysis of reflective writings and semi-structured interviews with three prospective teachers. In the second phase, a questionnaire …

Ellagic Acid Inhibits Α-Synuclein Propagation And Alleviates The Neurotoxicity By Enhancing Autophagic Flux In Animal Model Of Parkinson’S Disease, Nada Akram Abdellatif

Theses

Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is the second most common neurological disorder pathologically characterized by loss of dopaminergic neurons in the Substantia Nigra pars compacta (SNc) as well as the formation of Lewy bodies composed mainly of α-synuclein (α-syn) aggregates. It has been documented that abnormal aggregation of α-syn is one of the major causes of developing PD. Ellagic Acid (EA) is a widely known dietary supplement found in pomegranates as well as a plethora of berries and nuts. EA has been shown to prevent α-syn aggregates’ toxicity in cellular model of PD. In the current study we aim to evaluate whether …

Advanced Nanostructured Materials For Water Harvesting And Energy Storage, Ahmed Elsir Ali

Theses

This thesis presents the work done developing nanotechnology-based compositions contributing to the advancement of two main sectors: Water and Energy. For they present vital impact and correspondence for sustainability and development worldwide. Composites constituted following the most recent trends in material science and nanotechnology while revolving around Manganese Oxide as the material of investigation. Water security is one of the most important challenges in our current times. Moreover, reports warn of the predicted restricted access to clean water by 2050, which is expected to impact more than half the population. Thus, many scientists and societies are exerting efforts to develop …

Bitcoin Short-Term Price Prediction Using Time Series Analysis, Alanood Alkamali

Theses

This thesis explores the application of Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model to predict Bitcoin prices, a prominent and volatile cryptocurrency. The research falls within the context of financial forecasting, focusing specifically on the cryptocurrency markets. The primary research question is: “Can time series analysis be used to predict the future price of Bitcoin?” To answer this question, historical Bitcoin daily price data from 17/09/2014 to 17/09/2023 was obtained from Kaggle and analyzed. The study employs ARIMA modeling techniques to capture the autocorrelation, seasonality, and trend present in Bitcoin price time series. As a prerequisite for ARIMA modeling, the data …

Fast And Reliable Authentication Method For Indoor Constrained Drones, Fatima Ali Al Nuaimi

Theses

Over the last twenty years, the commercial sector of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles has been growing exponentially, owing to their rapid deployment, high mobility, and the number of applications in the industry field such as military, transportation, critical infrastructures, as well as in the academic field for research purposes. One of the main communication systems adopted by the UAVs relies on transmitting wireless signals.

In particular, UAVs are adopted for indoor use-case scenarios, such as warehouse inventory applications and indoor building inspections. They need to transmit control messages and sensitive data by leveraging an efficient, short-range, and secure communication channel to …

Cfd Analysis Of Multi-Stage Phase Change Material For Latent Thermal Energy Storage In Solar Power Plants, Ahmad Wahbi Omari

Theses

The integration of latent thermal energy storage into concentrated solar power plants represents a promising solution for efficiently harnessing excessive solar energy during daylight hours and subsequently utilizing it during the nighttime when solar energy generation is limited or non-existent, all while catering to consistent energy demands. The core objective of enhancing latent thermal energy storage revolves around elevating its thermal capacity and minimizing the melting time, thus making it a more effective energy storage solution. This is achieved by employing three distinct organic phase change materials: Octadecanoic (PCM1), RT58 (PCM2) and Dodecanoic (PCM3), each characterized by variations in their …

استدامة الشراكات في وزارة الخارجية في دولة الامارات العربية المتحدة - حالة دراسية في الإدارة والحوكمة, فاطمة علي البلوشي

Theses

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Sustaining partnerships in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the United Arab Emirates: A Case Study in Management and Governance

Governance has become one of the most crucial focuses for organizations in recent times, as it plays a significant role in shaping internal and external operational systems at various levels within institutions, organizations, and countries. Governance represents an effective and integrated framework, incorporating best practices that enhance the achievement and sustainability of organizational goals by improving decision-making methods.

This study aimed to discuss the sustainability of partnerships in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the United Arab Emirates: a …

Investigating The Mass Mortality Induced Factors Of Pearl Oyster (Pinctada Radiata) At Abu Dhabi Pearls Farm, Uae, Hamad Ahmed Almansoori

Theses

The aquaculture of shellfish plays a crucial role in enhancing maritime environments by mitigating algal blooms and improving water quality through the filtration of organic matter, nutrients, and bacteria. This study investigated the environmental factors influencing oyster (Pinctada radiata) mortalities through a comprehensive analysis of water quality in Al Mirfa and Al Mughirah farming sites of Abu Dhabi (UAE), from February 2021 to February 2022. To reach such understanding of the main factors led to mass mortalities of cultivated oysters, different monthly sampling and both chemical and biological analyses of the farm water, sediments as well as for both living …

Metaphors, Yibo Liu

Theses

Based on the student's growth background, the thesis paper compares the historical development of Shanghai and Rochester and explores their social status, as it may be defined within discarded objects in the urban landscape. The student believes that the traces contained by those abandoned objects bear witness to the transformations in the city as time has evolved. Inspired by the expressive mode of the "Internet Celebrity Exhibition," a popular artistic form in recent years, the student created three sculptures as a complete thesis show: "Cyber-revelry," "Dumpster," and "Waltz" These sculptures have an interactive relationship through the use of mechanical operations …

Advancing Cell Segmentation Methods Through An Innovative Technique And Systematic Evaluation, Yuxing Wang

Theses

In the biomedical field, downstream cell-level analysis is a crucial step for comprehensively characterizing cells' location, function, morphology, and phenotype, relying on the accurate identification of individual cells. Consequently, there is increasing interest in the high quality of identified cell boundaries for biologists or researchers. Currently, cell segmentation methods are categorized into two types: Image-based and RNA-based cell segmentation. However, these methods face significant challenges. For example, most image-based methods tend to identify cell nuclear boundaries rather than entire cell boundaries when only nuclear staining images are available, and their performance is affected by noise in images and training labels. …

An Integrated Framework For Video-Based Deepfake Forensic Analysis, Bashaer Mohamed Alsalami

Theses

Deepfakes are AI-generated synthetic media that use AI algorithms to mimic human faces, voices, and actions with high levels of realism. They utilize advanced machine learning and deep learning techniques to generate realistic synthetic media, making the distinction between real and fake content increasingly difficult. Deepfakes were initially developed for entertainment and creative applications. However, they are currently being misused in various domains, posing significant security and ethical challenges. These risks necessitate effective deepfake detection systems to mitigate potential harm and preserve the integrity of digital communication. Nonetheless, the existing detection methods are inadequate and lack a holistic detection mechanism, …

Intro To Poetry: An Immersive Workshop Experience, My'chyl Purr

Theses

A syllabus driven thesis for an undergraduate intro to poetry class that starts at the foundation of poetry and builds to creating and performing poetry.

Methodology, Deployment, And Performance Of Pico Balloons In Antarctica, Todd Mckinney

Theses

During the 2022/2023 Antarctic summer, eight pico balloon flights from Neumayer Station III unveiled insights into Antarctic troposphere/stratospheric winds (9 - 15 km AMSL). The most impressive flight lasted an astounding 98 days, completing eight circumnavigations of the Southern Hemisphere. Flight data indicated zonal velocities from -50 to 250 km/hr and meridional velocities of ±100 km/hr, with total wind speeds from 2.0 to 270 km/hr. Pico balloons can ascend due to convection, altering their float density. They also drift further south than larger stratospheric balloons, reaching latitudes close to the south pole. This study showcases the transformation of budget-friendly party …