Digital Commons Network^™

Assessing The Mesoscale Variability And Rapid Tornadogenesis In The High-Shear/Low-Cape, Surging Qlcs In Northern Alabama On 01 April 2023, Joshua L. Huggins

Theses

On 01 April 2023, a severe QLCS impacted Northern Alabama during the PERiLS field campaign under High-Shear/Low-CAPE (HSLC) conditions, with CAPE below 1000 J/kg and 0-6 km wind shear exceeding 25 m/s. This study examines the mesoscale variability and tornadogenesis within the QLCS. Ceilometer and Radar Wind Profiler data indicated lowering cloud bases and shifts in the boundary layer winds. Surface analyses revealed a cold pool strength of -9◦C at the tornadogenesis location, with significant spatial variability. Storm Relative Helicity values decreased from nearly 900 to 350 m2/s2 by 0800 UTC. A lightning jump around 0756 UTC coincided with a …

Constructing Other Worlds: An Intertextual Analysis Of Cow Eye Press, Adrian Jones Pearson And The Works Of A.J. Perry, James A. Galliher

Theses

Cow Eye Press, A.J. Perry, and the pseudonymous Adrian Jones Pearson have largely been ignored by academics. Between 2001 and 2021, Perry composed a collection of texts which this study calls the Cow Eye Project. The project received brief attention when critics and journalists began comparing Pearson to Thomas Pynchon. However, the online spectacle overshadowed engagement with the texts themselves. This thesis exists to document the project and foreground Perry’s works on their own merits to examine their value and position within contemporary American literature. Previous scholars have treated the texts individually. This thesis argues that the central texts of …

Physiological Effects Of Facial Expressions During Cognitive And Social Stress, Emily X. Sorrells

Theses

This study explored the dynamics of facial expressions during stress. This 2 X 2 (Facial Expression by Task) mixed design evaluated how smiling and grimacing affected physiological and self-report measures of cognitive and social stress. The study implemented continuous monitoring of electrodermal activity (EDA). Facial expression was manipulated between-subjects as a genuine smile or grimace using chopsticks in the mouth. Task was manipulated as a counterbalanced within-subjects as a cognitive stressor using the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Task (PASAT) and a social stressor using Cyberball. Time was analyzed as repeated measures of change from baseline of EDA. Participants provided ratings …

A Comparative Study Of Methods For Modeling Python Source Code Semantic Similarity, Binita Gyawali

Theses

In this thesis, we did comparative study of various methods for generating Python source code embeddings and evaluated their effectiveness using semantic labels. We used both word embedding models, such as Word2Vec and GloVe, and document embedding models to capture the semantic meaning of Python source code. In terms of word embedding evaluation, Word2Vec, combined with cosine distance, achieved the highest nearest neighbor precision of 0.5790. For evaluation of Python source code (or document) embeddings, our analysis across two datasets showed that Doc2Vec, paired with cosine distance, outperformed other methods in semantic code similarity detection, achieving an AUROC between 0.80 …

The Potential Effects Of Abiotic Stresses On Ziziphus And Acacia Species Grown Under Uae Climate Condition, Almaha Abdulla Alneyadi

Theses

This comprehensive thesis delves into a comparative analysis of two prominent desert plant species, namely Acacia and Ziziphus, shedding light on their distinct adaptive features in response to challenging environmental conditions. The exploration spans various facets, including the germination process, tap root development, and their reactions to water stress, ultimately revealing the superior hardiness and adaptability of Acacia over Ziziphus. In the realm of germination, Acacia stands out with its swift and efficient initiation, indicating a robust mechanism for establishing its presence in arid landscapes. The examination of tap root development further underscores the resilience of Acacia, as it demonstrates …

Study On The Chemical Composition And Antioxidant Activities Of Essential Oil Extracted From Horwoodia Dicksoniae Growing In The Uae, Salama Sari Al Mansoori

Theses

Plant-derived substances including essential oils, secondary metabolites and other chemical substances are gaining attention due to their broad spectrum use in different fields. Native medicinal plants can play a key role in the healthcare field in any country. Horwoodia dicksoniae is a native endangered plant in UAE. The current study is about the chemical composition and antioxidant properties of H. dicksoniae’s essential oil as well as the evaluation of growth of this native endangered plant under different environmental conditions. For this purpose, the first step included confirmation of the viability of seeds obtained from a seed bank following the …

Development Of Tio2/Nh2-Mil-125 Nanocomposite For The Removal Of Ciprofloxacin Under Induced Solar Irradiation, Bilkis Mojisola Ajiwokewu

Theses

This research focuses on the development and application of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)-based nanocomposites for the photocatalytic removal of pharmaceutical contaminants, with a specific emphasis on ciprofloxacin (CIP). The photocatalytic degradation of CIP was investigated using as-synthesized photocatalysts of TiO₂ nanowires (TiO₂NWs), bare MOF of NH₂-MIL-125, TiO₂NW/NH₂-MIL-125 composite, and Lanthanum (La)-doped composite. Intriguingly, the TiO₂NW/NH₂-MIL-125 composite exhibited the highest efficiency, achieving a photodegradation rate of 0.0111 min-1, surpassing the independent performances of bare MOF of NH₂-MIL-125 and TiO₂NW. The observed efficiency was attributed to …

New Treatment Modality For Metastatic Cancer By Targeting The Endothelin Type A Receptor (Etar), Elbara Fathelrahman Abdelmoula

Theses

Ambrisentan, an FDA-approved selective antagonist of the Endothelin Type A Receptor (ETAR) for pulmonary arterial hypertension, has shown potential in limiting cancer growth and metastasis. While effective treatment options for melanoma remain elusive, this study investigates the effects of Ambrisentan on invasive, metastatic B16F10 melanoma using a syngeneic mouse model, aiming to assess Ambrisentan’s impact on tumor growth, metastasis, and overall host survival in B16F10 melanoma, along with gaining mechanistic insights into ETAR antagonism. C57Bl/6 mice were divided into two groups, receiving either dH2O or Ambrisentan orally. Treatments commenced prior to tumor implantation and continued post-implantation. Luciferase-expressing B16F10 cells facilitated …

Differential Expression Analysis Of Treatment Resistant And Treatment Susceptible Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Paired With Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, Kinzie Bailey

Theses

Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium which causes gonorrhea, is a public health threat as recognized by the CDC due to the risk of untreatable gonorrhea due to the high prevalence of resistance to antibiotics in the gonococcal population [1]. Current screening methods for resistance to antibiotics for clinical infections may take up to 2 days to produce results, which could result in delays in treatment, unnecessary follow-up appointments, inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions, and overall poor treatment outcomes [2]. In this study, we utilize RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to characterize the expression patterns of resistant and susceptible strains of N. gonorrhoeae. Here, we look …

Machine Learning, Fuzzy Logic And Zero Trust-Based Quishing Prevention Solution For Android Smartphones, Felix William

Theses

QR code phishing, or "quishing," exploits the widespread adoption of QR codes to embed malicious URLs that lead users to phishing sites or initiate malware downloads. Unlike traditional phishing methods, QR phishing is uniquely deceptive, leveraging the inherent trust and convenience associated with QR codes while bypassing standard detection mechanisms. This thesis presents the SEQR scanner, a novel solution tailored to detect and prevent QR phishing attacks, specifically focusing on Android platforms. By integrating multiple detection mechanisms—machine learning prediction, fuzzy logic algorithm, and third-party blacklisting APIs—the solution effectively identifies malicious QR codes with precision. A zero-trust-based mechanism is implemented alongside …

Machine Learning Framework For Detecting Ldap Injection Attacks, Rahul Nair

Theses

LDAP injection attacks have posed a growing danger to web application security, utilizing directory service vulnerabilities to obtain unauthorized access or tamper with sensitive information in recent times. In this thesis, a comprehensive method is developed for detecting and preventing LDAP injection attacks by utilizing a role-based access control approach to generate a unique dataset. Various categories and variations of LDAP queries that mimic real attack situations, as well as legitimate benign queries representing typical LDAP operations, are included in the dataset to further classify them based on user roles. Four different machine learning algorithms, including XGBoost, Logistic Regression, Support …

Florescence, Evan D. Jaccodine

Theses

Florescence is a photographic project that provokes conversation between mediums, methods, and attitudes in art and design. Starting as grainy, screened Risograph prints mounted into custom wood frames, the uniformity of mechanical reproduction is distorted by handmade craft elements. The images examine the materiality of making as part of the message they produce; they are both eclectic handmade objects and mass-produced products. These pictures intend to communicate an idea like an advertisement, except the message, meaning, or intention isn’t clear. I am interested in the moment when the viewer comes close enough to the image to see the prints' poor …

Reconstruct, Jenna Deal

Theses

This thesis explores how construction materials can be used in sculpture, pushing artistic boundaries and challenging traditional perceptions. It examines the potential of materials like mortar, PVC, HVAC duct, carpet, and asphalt roofing, aiming to redefine the relationship between labor, materials, and artistic expression. By breaking free from construction norms and engaging with materials in unexpected ways, the study aims to foster a deeper understanding of the value and creative possibilities inherent in the materials of our built environment.

A Clinical Review Of Adult Obesity And Weight Management In The United States, Megan Helf

Theses

The standard of care for obesity has been lifestyle modifications, dietary changes and the use of some anti-obesity medications, however, given the increased rate of growth of obesity in not only the United States but globally, new drug therapies are needed. This paper aims to summarize and compare the current safety and efficacy evidence of new United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved weight loss drugs and to discuss the availability, cost-effectiveness, and use of these drugs in combating the obesity epidemic.

Web of Science and PubMed searches of obesity revealed primary sources and review articles on the topic …

Emerging Treatment And Prevention Options In Diet Through The Gut-Brain Axis, And Its Impact On Patients With Alzheimer’S Disease, Jewel Amrich

Theses

Objectives:

To outline the most recent data regarding diet in the role in moderating prevention and progression of Alzheimer’s disease using the relationship between the gut microbiome and central nervous system. In addition, the Mediterranean diet and the components that make up the diet, and those alike will be thoroughly discussed.

Evidence Acquisition:

Using key terms “Alzheimer’s Disease” and “Diet”, Web of Science searched for papers that were published between 2012 and 2023, which yielded 807 results. Refining the search to “Neurodegenerative Diseases” returned 292 results. Adding “Gut-brain axis”, “gut microbiome”, and “Mediterranean diet” to separate search inputs yielded 25 …

Does Alzheimer’S Disease Begin In Your Gut? A Review Of The Gut-Brain Axis Effect On Cognitive Impairment And The Potential For Therapeutic Targeted Interventions., Jane Greenberg

Theses

Objective: To summarize current data regarding the bidirectional communication of the gut microbiota and the brain, specifically in relation to cognitive improvement, microbiota diversity, and dietary interventions. Additionally, the mechanisms underlying these relationships will be explored. Evidence Acquisition: Using the key terms “gut-brain axis" and "Alzheimer’s disease” PubMed and Web of Science were searched for papers published between 2014 and 2023. This yielded 297 results, of which 23 were relevant to this topic. Articles that failed to address cognitive impairment or only studied animal subjects were excluded. After scanning each paper, nine review articles and 14 new studies were selected …

Review Of Literature On Efficacy And Safety Of Birthing Positions With Emphasis On International Cultural Influences On Obstetric Care, Ava E. Retsch

Theses

• Background: When examining most non-Westernized societies, parturients hold all the power in the birthing space with traditional birth attendants and medical staff serving as guiding forces and protectors, not directors of the process. Social media in Western countries is filled with stories from birthing people who felt unsupported, ignored, or discriminated against by their healthcare providers; this is particularly prevalent in parturients who express a preference for non-supine birthing positions. Methods: This work is a review of the existing body of literature on quantitative and qualitative outcome measures of alternative birthing positions. In total, 44 articles were analyzed …

Advancing Elastomer Cutting Tool Development Through Material-Centric Cutting Mechanism Analysis, Shuhuan Zhang

Theses

Cutting elastomers is a very common procedure that is used in a wide variety of applications, including rubber product manufacturing, food processing, and surgical process. To conserve energy and improve cutting accuracy, decreasing the cutting force and elastomer deformation is always of interest. Numerous studies have concentrated on methods for reducing cutting force and deformation, but only a few have explained the underlying mechanics of these cutting techniques. Without a deep understanding of elastomer cutting mechanics, it's difficult to improve or develop a new cutting method. To understand the cutting mechanics, the mechanical, tribological, and rheological properties of the elastomer …

Optimizing Neural Networks For Iiot Attack Detection, Hamad Alblooshi

Theses

The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) stands as a revolutionary force, intertwining physical devices, sensors, and industrial systems to usher in advanced automation and data-driven decision-making across various sectors. However, this increased connectivity has exposed these systems to a growing array of cyber threats. Safeguarding IIoT environments becomes crucial to maintain the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of critical industrial processes. In response, this research explores the optimization of neural network parameters using Genetic Algorithms (GA). The application of GA has led to achieve a remarkable accuracy of 95% across various attack types. The results demonstrate a high performance in identifying …

Machine Learning Based Solutions For Detecting Social Media Spam And Phishing Incidents, Ahmed Al Shehhi

Theses

The growing digital interactions across various social media platforms increases the risks of phishing schemes and spam messages that compromise personal and organisational security. This thesis tackles such threats with the aid of machine learning and natural processing techniques that are utilized for detecting malicious communications with high accuracy. A total of three datasets were used in this study, two for phishing and one for spam. The research aims to explore the performance of classification models, including Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine, Naïve Bayes, and Linear Discriminant Analysis, as well as a hybrid model combining Logistic Regression and Naïve Bayes. …

Integration Of Blockchain And Cryptographic Techniques For Location Based Services, Rashed Al Shamali

Theses

As digital systems continue to evolve in complexity, protecting user identities and ensuring the secure transmission of data has become paramount. Conventional techniques such as passwords and digital signatures are often insufficient to address modern security threats unless paired with more sophisticated technologies. This thesis proposes a framework that integrates Blockchain Technology with Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) to fortify identity verification protocols and enhance location-obscuring methods. Blockchain’s inherent features of decentralization, immutability, and non-repudiation makes it an ideal platform for secure data exchange. When combined with ECC, which provides robust encryption with smaller key sizes, the system achieves a heightened …

The Uae’S Readiness For Technology Export: The Case Of Ai, Reem Tamer Aldandashi

Theses

Export diversification is one way for the UAE to sustain and flourish its economy. Although UAE is an oil-rich country, it needs to search for and incubate future exports besides the existing ones to keep the wheel of the economy moving, increase the employment rate, and strengthen the country from any future economic strokes. While looking at the technology spread and Artificial Intelligence (AI) focus and efforts in UAE, much research investigated the outcomes of digitization on the UAE economy and its technological strength and competitiveness. At the same time, no one has searched for the possibility of having one …

Ownership Topology Of Vertically-Scaled Agile, William Dabney

Theses

Much as Scrum, Kanban, and XP are used to structure team-level agility, those wishing to take agility beyond the team level often turn to proven solutions. The most popular, which aim to scale development by adding teams under a shared collective ownership rather than separating them into discrete units, are the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), Large Scale Scrum (LeSS), and Nexus. These frameworks advocate for aligning ownership subdivisions along features rather than code, which allows teams working on the same product to do so autonomously. While the benefits of this have been researched, the topology of ownership in these frameworks …

Gen-Acceleration: Pioneering Work For Hardware Accelerator Generation Using Large Language Models, Durga Lakshmi Venkata Deepak Vungarala

Theses

Optimizing computational power is critical in the age of data-intensive applications and Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML). While facing challenging bottlenecks, conventional Von-Neumann architecture with implementing such huge tasks looks seemingly impossible. Hardware Accelerators are critical in efficiently deploying these technologies and have been vastly explored in edge devices. This study explores a state-of-the-art hardware accelerator; Gemmini is studied; we leveraged the open-sourced tool. Furthermore, we developed a Hardware Accelerator in the study we compared with the Non-Von-Neumann architecture. Gemmini is renowned for efficient matrix multiplication, but configuring it for specific tasks requires manual effort and expertise. We propose implementing …

The Effects Of Blue Light From Digital Displays On Visual Fatigue, Victor Taboadela

Theses

With the ever-increasing viewing time of digital displays, the potential effects of blue light emitted from these displays on eye health and eye fatigue are a real concern. This study presents a literature review of six laboratory studies conducted between 2014 and 2022 on the effect of using filters to attenuate the harmful effects of blue light. The review delves into smartphone and computer screen effects, recent literature reviews on blue light, and potential hazards associated with short-wavelength light. Although the majority of the studies recommended blue light filters, only three of the six laboratory studies (Shi et al. 2021, …

Characterization Of 3d Printed Lattice Structures Used In The Design Of Modified Compression Release Stabilized Transhumeral Prosthetic Sockets, Jade Myers

Theses

Abstract A prosthetic socket is the critical interface between a person and their prosthetic device. Pressure, shear, and friction experienced by the residual limb from wearing a socket can damage soft tissue. While Compression Release Stabilized (CRS) style sockets are beneficial for enhancing prosthesis stability, range of motion, and control, the abrupt differences in compression throughout the socket present risks for tissue damage to the residual limb. A socket design that enables clinicians to control a progressive decrease in firmness in the transition areas between compression and release could mitigate such undesirable effects. Density-graded lattice structures designed and produced with …

An Overview Of Human Trafficking In The United States, Lin Welsh

Theses

This research paper delves into the multifaceted problem of human trafficking, seeking to provide a comprehensive understanding of its dynamics, root causes, and the myriad challenges associated with combating this serious crime. Drawing on empirical studies and criminological theories, the paper navigates through the factors that contribute to the perpetuation of human trafficking. The study begins by exploring the historical and theoretical contexts that create the demand for trafficked persons and the vulnerabilities that make individuals susceptible to exploitation. Additionally, the paper examines the legal and policy frameworks implemented at the national level to combat human trafficking. It aims to …

Paradas: Utilizing The Organizational Structure Of Spatial Agency In Migrant Labor Posts, Erik Duque

Theses

Sustainability is a subject dominated by topics involving the environment and economy. An overlooked pillar is that of the socio-political sphere, as it is a subgenre of sustainability that involves a wide range of variables. Fortunately, there exists a multitude of ways one can relieve social tensions, but unfortunately, as socio-political issues are much more complex to measure. Our current Latin/US-based issues are rooted in racism, colonialization, and imperialism. These past wrongs have affected Latin American countries' development in that corruption, economic instability, violence, lack of education and poverty are the outcomes that push people into migrating. Latin American migrants …

Convicting The Innocent: The Impact Of Wrongful Conviction In The U.S. Criminal Legal System, Aubrie Entwood

Theses

Wrongful conviction is a justice system error with far-reaching consequences. This capstone project looks at four different issues within wrongful conviction and exoneration in the U.S. criminal legal system. Chapter 1 focuses on the impacts of wrongful conviction for female exonerees, highlighting the way they are different from male exonerees, the factors that contribute to wrongful conviction that are more salient to females, and the specific ways the police and courts contribute to the wrongful conviction of females. Special attention is paid to the “crimes” of female exonerees and the additional psychological consequences that many female exonerees suffer. Ways in …

Retreat Village Design In Letchworth State Park Region: An Architecture Development In A Highly Valued State Park Meets The Triple Bottom Line Of Sustainability, Jing Hua

Theses

Letchworth State Park, located in Livingston and Wyoming counties, New York, renowned as the “Grand Canyon of the East”, is one of the most scenically magnificent areas in the eastern United States. However, there are no well-developed leisure centers around or in the park. The lack of good accommodations, in contrast to the availability of restaurants with local character, leisure activities, and other supporting facilities in the area, fails to fully achieve the development potential of the natural scenery of the region. This thesis demonstrates that a retreat complex village that brings people closer to the natural landscape of Letchworth …