Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluating Large Language Models For Automated Cv Ranking: A Hybrid Embedding Approach For Enhanced Recruitment, Sarah Mohamed Alhindaassi

Theses

Increasing numbers of applications have revealed limitations in legacy keyword-filtering-based Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which commonly overlook candidate potential and ignore contextual or transferable skills. Advances in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Large Language Models (LLMs) offer an exhilarating alternative, supporting context-sensitive and human-crafted reasoning in candidate evaluation. This thesis systematically evaluates four classes of approaches, lexical models, embedding-based methods, Large Language Models (LLMs), and hybrid ensembles, for automation of Curriculum Vitae (CV) to Job Description (JD) matching without exploiting prior annotations or annotations at match time. Using a combination of publicly available datasets and real-world sample data covering three …

Groundwater Quality And Health Risk Assessment In The Fujairah Region Using Hydrogeochemical, Statistical, And Spatial Approaches, Mohammed Khaled Alawlaqi

Theses

Groundwater is a valuable resource in the arid climate of the United Arab Emirates, where growing population, agricultural, and industrial activities are putting increasing pressure on the limited groundwater reserves. This work investigates the hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater in the Fujairah region to assess water quality and potential health risks. A total of 64 groundwater samples were collected from the Eastern Shallow Aquifer (ESA) and the Ophiolite aquifer in the study area and were analyzed for physicochemical parameters, major ions, and trace metals. Hydrogeochemical methods such as Piper, Gibbs, Chadha, and Schoeller diagrams were used to identify water types and …

Investigation Of Mechanical Performance And Metallurgical Characteristics Of Titanium Grade 2 Tube-To-Tubesheet Joints, Ahmad Hussein Al Tamimi

Theses

Tube-to-tubesheet joints, an integral component of shell and tube heat exchangers, are known for their vulnerability to leakage problems at the joint region due to mechanical and chemical factors coupled with fabrication techniques involved in creating these joints. An ideal condition of manufacturing process parameters and geometrical variables required to produce tube-to-tubesheet joints is highly desired. One of the most promising candidate materials to fabricate tube-to-tubesheet joints is titanium or titanium alloys due to their excellent strength and resistance to corrosion. The present study investigates the structural integrity of three categories of Titanium Grade 2 based tube-to-tubesheet joints comprising of …

Screening For Potential Plant Growth‐Promoting Rhizobacteria (Pgpr)-Assisted Phytoremediation To Mitigate Lead Toxicity In Uae Soils, Zeinab Mohamed Abdalla

Theses

This study investigates the potential of lead (Pb)-tolerant actinobacteria that possess 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (ACCD) activity and plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits to serve as a biological tool for enhancing the growth of corn (Zea mays L.) under Pb stress. The primary objective of this research was to isolate and characterize novel, Pb-tolerant, rhizosphere-competent actinobacteria and to evaluate their efficacy in mitigating Pb toxicity, reducing its uptake, and promoting biomass accumulation in corn grown in contaminated soil. A total of 43 actinobacterial isolates were obtained from Pb-contaminated rhizosphere soil and screened for Pb tolerance, rhizosphere competence, ACCD activity, and PGP traits. …

Detecting Data Poisoning Attacks In Medical Imaging: A Study On Chest X-Ray Classification Tasks, Akhila Abdulla Asgar

Theses

This thesis examines the vulnerability of AI medical imaging models to adversarial threats, with a specific focus on data poisoning attacks in chest X-ray classification. The study begins with a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to assess the existing adversarial attacks and defenses in medical imaging, revealing a significant research gap in studies exploring data poisoning attacks in the medical domain. Based on our literature search, an efficient and lightweight defense, namely friendly noise defense, against data poisoning has not been investigated in medical imaging classification tasks. Hence, in this work, we investigated its effectiveness on the chest X-ray dataset, and …

Determination Of Variations In Orbital Parameters Of Sample Of Satellites Through Spacecraft Tracking, Asma Ali Alasmari

Theses

The continues increasing density of Resident Space Objects (RSOs) in Earth’s orbit highlights the crucial need for Space Situational Awareness (SSA). This thesis studies the orbital changes in two regions, active low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites and inactive geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellites. For LEO satellites we used publicly available data (two line element TLE from Space-Track) and ASTRIAGraph. We verified the orbital elements series and time ordered them, applied a Hampel (median+MAD) mask to semi-major axis, eccentricity vector and inclination to find outliers and exclude them from event detection. The events are then detected using time normalized slopes and …

The Simulation Of Hyperspectral Observations By The Upcoming Spacecraft "Arab Satellite 813", With The Radiative Transfer Model Sciatran, Sara Maher Alhasan

Theses

The Arab Satellite 813, which is scheduled to be launched in 2025/2026 by the UAE Space Agency, is set to increase earth observation and monitor the climate across the middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. This study uses the SCIATRAN radiative transfer model which was originally developed for the Envisat mission to simulate the hyperspectral observation specifically tailored for the satellite's payload. Using calibrations that were used by the previous research in their SCIATRAN V4.6 study and adjusting parameters like the Leaf Area Index (LAI), a simulation which agreed robustly with the benchmarks set by the previous research was …

Understanding Behavioral Patterns: A Case Study Of Emirati Ex-Offenders In United Arab Emirates, Salim Ali Al Naqbi

Theses

Research on desistance has helped criminologists to better understand how people change their criminal identity and exercise personal choice. Yet in the UAE, these ideas has not often been applied to prisoners serving one or multiple offenses, even though incarceration and reoffending remain important social concerns. Because of this, desistance theory has not been fully used to study how rehabilitation is managed in UAE prisons, which means that some useful lessons may be missed. This study begins to close that gap by looking at the personal stories of 15 Emirati participants that were formerly incarcerated by adapting a qualitative and …

Microstrip Antenna Design Based On Ai And Machine Learning, Waleed Mohamed Sha Moulavi

Theses

Microstrip patch antennas (MPAs) rely on precise impedance matching for efficient power transfer between the antenna and feed line. This is often achieved using a number of different techniques, one of which is the quarter-wavelength transformer (QWT). While commercial electromagnetic (EM) solvers offer robust optimization capabilities, they often operate as "black boxes" without providing physical insights into parameter interdependencies. Furthermore, this thesis focuses on the specific scenario where the antenna input impedance is purely real. To address the lack of explicit design relationships for these specific conditions, this thesis develops and comparatively evaluates artificial intelligence (AI) models for QWT width …

Microstructural And Mechanical Characterization Of Aa6082 /Sic/Al2o3 Hybrid Nano Composite Fabricated By Ultrasonic Assisted Stir Casting, Anasmon Koderi Valappil

Theses

The utilization of aluminium alloys has increased rapidly in past decades due to the increasing demand for lightweight and high-performance materials. Among the popular aluminium alloys, AA6082 is widely favoured for its excellent combination of strength, corrosion resistance, and machinability. Most previous work, however, has concentrated on either on micro scale reinforcement or on single ceramic particles, leaving very few experimental studies on the use of hybrid nano reinforcement in AA6082. Therefore, to further enhance its mechanical properties without compromising its inherent advantages, hybrid metal matrix composites were developed using various nano particulates as reinforcements. In this current study, AA6082-based …

Startup Success Forecasting Through Machine Learning: A Comprehensive Analysis Of It Startups, Khaled Abdulla Alhassani

Theses

Lately, startups attracted significant attention from investors throughout the previous years. This raised several questions concerning startups and what they possibly define as them. It could refer to collective individuals who focus on innovative ideas with a reproducible and scalable business model; others refer to it as a newly established business. Nevertheless, all these definitions lead to a predictive question. Will these startups face success?

This study explores startup success prediction methods, focusing on forecasting information technology startup (SIT) insights using Machine Learning (ML) models such as Random Forest (RF), Decision Tree (DT), Support Vector Machine (SVM), K-Nearest Neighbor (k-NN), …

High-Energy And On The Move: Exploring The Kinematic And X-Ray Properties Of Young Stars Near Earth With Gaia, Chandra, And Erosita, Attila Vincent Varga

Theses

Young stars in the solar neighborhood provide a unique and insightful window into stellar evolution during the first few hundred million years after formation. Leveraging archival photometric and astrometric data from ESA’s Gaia Space Astrometry mission, as well as photometric data from NASA (2MASS and WISE) archives, I have identified over 50 new members of the nearby (D ∼ 100 pc), 3–8 Myr-old Epsilon Cha association (ECA), including six new proto-brown dwarf candidates. By modeling the kinematics and photospheric properties of both newly identified and previously known members of the ECA and Lower Centaurus Crux (LCC), I further established the …

It Hurts To Become, Ana Maria Joyce

Theses

Using the medium of oil painting, this thesis will investigate the ways that memories of my past inform and distort my perception of reality. Using domestic spaces as a framework in combination with my own body as the subject matter, I am creating compositions that redefine the meaning of home as a concept. Rather than a physical place of comfort, home is a cemetery for past selves that I revisit in my mind and grieve, no matter the time that has passed. By expressing this internal decay through physically scraping and sludging paint onto large scale surfaces, I aim to …

From Waste To Wall Finish: Developing And Characterizing Sustainable Concrete Finishes With High-Volume Fly Ash And Biochar For Interior Applications, Prajwal Dudhane

Theses

This study explores the creation of environmentally friendly interior concrete finishes by recycling agricultural and industrial waste. In a 1:3 cementitious-to-aggregate mortar mix, the study investigates high-volume (30%) cement replacement using fly ash (FA30), biochar (BC30), and a hybrid combination (FAB30). It illustrates the viability of converting waste streams into workable architectural finishes through meticulous material investigation, mechanical testing, and aesthetic evaluation. Different performance characteristics were found by the technical examination. FA30 outperformed the control mix with a 14-day compressive strength of 8.00 MPa thanks to pozzolanic activity and decreased water demand. On the other hand, BC30 (7.33 MPa) significantly …

Phenotypic, Genetic And Genomic Prediction Of Greenhouse Gas Emissions In Irish Cattle, Clodagh Ryan

Theses

Enteric methane is the largest source of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in Ireland, accounting for 63% of the sector’s total. Achieving the legally binding target of a 25% reduction in agricultural emissions by 2030 requires low-cost, scalable mitigation strategies. Genetic selection offers a cumulative and permanent solution, with potential to reduce emissions without compromising productivity. This thesis aimed to quantify the genetic variability of methane and carbon dioxide emissions in growing beef cattle, investigate their relationships with economically important traits, and evaluate the feasibility of incorporating a methane trait into the Irish national beef breeding objective. Emissions data were collected …

Advanced Nanophotonics For Gas Spectroscopy, Ajmal Thottoli

Theses

This thesis introduces advanced nanophotonic integrated devices aimed at improving miniaturized, cost-effective multi-gas detection and on-chip spectroscopic systems. Traditional spectroscopic techniques often require bulky optical components and multiple detectors, limiting their scalability for multi-gas sensing. The proposed integrated duplexers and triplexers enable switching between lasers to detect multiple gases using a single system. The work focuses on the design and optimization of broadband angled multimode interference duplexers, directional coupler-based duplexers, and cascaded directional coupler-based triplexers for combining spectroscopically relevant wavelengths in the near-infrared region. The target gases include ammonia, methane, and carbon dioxide. Through comprehensive simulations and experimental investigations, the …

Generation And Detection Of Photo-Thermal And Photo-Acoustic Waves In Solids For Advanced Near-Field Ir Imaging, Yide Zhang

Theses

Atomic force microscopy-infrared (AFM-IR) spectroscopy has become an essential tool for nanoscale chemical imaging, offering spatial resolution beyond the diffraction limit of conventional infrared spectroscopy. A typical AFM-IR setup directs a pulsed IR laser onto the sample, precisely at the tip of an AFM cantilever, detecting local absorption indirectly as photothermal expansion via the tip. This combination of AFM’s high spatial resolution and infrared spectroscopy’s chemical specificity enables detailed studies of a wide range of materials, from polymers and biological tissues to nanomaterials. However, the factors influencing AFM-IR signal generation and spatial resolution-especially in complex and inhomogeneous samples-remain challenging to …

The Antimicrobial And Antibiofilm Effects Of Marine-Derived Crude Extracts, Monica Murphy

Theses

Marine-derived compounds are promising candidates in the search for new antimicrobials. This thesis explores their potential against a suite of clinically relevant bacterial strains. Saltwater environments were screened for antimicrobial compounds, leading to the identification of two lead bacterial strains, Bacillus subtilis_MTUA2 and Bacillus velezensis_MTUC2. Cell-free supernatant (CFS) of these strains significantly reduced the growth of MRSA and clinical S. aureus isolates (50%), inhibited biofilms by 99% and 90%, respectively, and reduced E. coli biofilms by 90%. To expand the scope of bioactive marine sources, crude extracts from two seaweeds, Codium fragile and Fucus vesiculosus, obtained using methanol and water …

Evaluation Of Existing Grazing Infrastructure And Development Of A Cost- Optimal Infrastructure Upgrade Methodology For Commercial Dairy Farms, Paul Maher

Theses

Grazing infrastructure is a critical component of pasture-based dairy systems, yet its performance on commercial Irish farms has not been fully quantified. This thesis aimed to: (1) assess current pasture allocation practices, (2) evaluate roadway network efficiency, (3) identify factors influencing herd movement and roadway suitability, and (4) explore cost-effective strategies to reduce labour input related to herd movement. Chapter 3 assessed pasture allocation frequency and the configuration of roadway networks across 135 commercial Irish dairy farms over the grazing season of 2020. Data were gathered from PastureBase Ireland and detailed maps of each farm. The distance between the milking …

Co-Designing Work-Integrated Learning At The Phd Level, Kristin Bracewell

Theses

This study seeks to understand work-integrated learning (WIL) at the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) level in Ireland through an exploration of the opinions and experiences of the three primary stakeholders to WIL, students, academic supervisors, and potential host organisations or employers. The research utilises the experiences and opinions of the key stakeholders in WIL and centres the student voice. Empirical evidence is used to challenge the assumption that WIL is a wholly positive inclusion and, instead, consider both its benefits and drawbacks. The study takes a pragmatic approach and considers how WIL at the PhD level can be optimised to …

Uncovering The Efficacy Of Unlabelled Data In Anomaly Detection, Andrew Shields

Theses

Anomaly detection is an important area of research within data mining and has applications in many domains, including cybersecurity, finance, and healthcare. Conventional methods depend on labelled training data and assume an even class distribution, restricting their 'real-world' application, where rare anomalies and unlabelled data are the norm. This research addresses these limitations by investigating how unlabelled data can support anomaly detection in imbalanced, data-scarce, complex environments. It addresses three research questions: how to integrate unlabelled data into anomaly detection models, how to improve performance when labelled anomalies are scarce, and how graph-based methods capture complex relational anomalies. Three empirical …

A Framework For Adaptive Ride-Sharing And Management Of Electric Vehicles, Avinash Nagarajan

Theses

Europe aims for carbon neutrality by 2050, with transportation currently amount- ing 20% of its total emissions. Motivated by the sustained mass transition to Autonomous Electric Vehicles (AEVs) and by the distributed energy generation and storage of local Smart Energy Communities (SECs), this thesis presents the design, implementation and evaluation of a carbon-neutral, community-based, scalable ride-sharing service. Its models formalise the partition of an AEVs fleet over the SECs of a city, as well as the allocation of trip petitions (TPs) to AEVs, their routing and charging scheduling over a simulated time horizon. These models integrate energy generation, allocation and …

Functional Foods For Older Adults: Comparing The Bioactive Properties Of Cheese To Identify Products That Promote Healthy Ageing, Aimee Plante

Theses

Functional foods for the elderly: comparing the bioactive properties of cheese to identify products that promote healthy ageing.

People are living longer, and a healthy ageing population is a key goal of our National Positive Ageing Strategy. One approach to support this initiative is to promote and develop functional foods that can support healthy ageing by reducing age-related conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and cancer. Cheese particularly aged and fermented varieties like cheddar show great potential as a functional food with inherent and established health properties. It naturally contains bioactive peptides, vitamins, minerals, protein and possible cultures that confer …

Addressing Training Challenges Of Generative Adversarial Networks For Biomedical Image Synthesis, Muhammad Muneeb Saad

Theses

Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a pivotal role in computer-aided diagnosis. In image-based diagnosis, AI systems rely on biomedical images containing sensitive disease-oriented information. AI systems utilize machine learning models to automate this diagnosis. Machine learning models such as deep neural networks require large training datasets to enhance the diagnostic precision of these models. Models can underperform when they are trained on imbalanced datasets. Imbalance in datasets refers to the skewed numbers of images per image class. There is a need to enhance the training of these models via data augmentation. In the context of biomedical imagery, where acquiring large, balanced …

Bioinformatic Analysis Of Pogz Variants In Relation To White Sutton Syndrome, Hannah Rollins

Theses

White-Sutton syndrome (WHSUS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the Pogo Transposable Element with ZNF Domain (POGZ) gene, which encodes pogo-transposable element with ZNF domain, a chromatin regulator essential for proper mitotic progression and DNA repair. This study uses a bioinformatic framework to evaluate the structural and functional impact of missense mutations in the conserved amino acid region (positions 500–800) of the POGZ protein. Protein modeling, variant effect prediction, conservation analysis, and molecular dynamics simulations were employed to gain an understanding of the effects of POGZ missense mutations on protein structure and movement with specific emphasis on …

Investigating The Effects Of Cbd And Caffeine Interaction On Embryonic Development In Xenopus Laevis, Jeanesia M. Pierre

Theses

This study examined the interactive effects of cannabidiol (CBD) and caffeine on Xenopus laevis embryos over a 96-hour exposure period. Developmental toxicity was assessed using toxic unit isobole analysis, with LC₅₀, EC₅₀, and teratogenic index (TI) values calculated for CBD, caffeine, and mixtures at 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3 ratios.

Results showed that mixtures produced concentration-dependent interactions. When caffeine levels were higher, the mixtures displayed synergistic toxicity; as the proportion of CBD increased, the interaction shifted toward a concentration-addition model. Mortality was elevated in mixtures relative to single-compound exposures, while malformation rates decreased, indicating reduced teratogenicity. Overall, findings suggest that CBD …

Ruthless: The Revolution Of Gangsta Rap, Laci D. Lavoy

Theses

The popularization of gangsta rap in the United States was pivotal to the advancement of Black America following the close of the Civil Rights Movement. The ruthlessness of gangsta rap created a distaste of authority that became a catalyst for Black American unity and change. Artists quickly started writing songs that spoke out against issues plaguing Black and poor Americans, realizing the power of the microphone and the radio. These rappers created an awareness for White audiences that had not been present before and even created a space for White artists with shared experiences. Female rappers took this activism a …

'In A Mirror, Dimly, Then Face To Face:' Reflecting On Bodily Sin And Spiritual Purity In The Central Female Figures Of Hugo Van Der Goes' Vienna Diptych, Sara Kluka

Theses

This thesis seeks to examine the so-called Vienna Diptych (1478/1479) by Hugo van der Goes. The two panels of the diptych have been displayed together since the 19th century, yet difficulties in provenance and the dating of the artist’s oeuvre have resulted in the continued questioning of its intended creation as a single campaign. This research seeks to assert the diptych’s thematic unity through a concentrated analysis of its leading female figures, a vantage point that has not yet been fully addressed in the literature. This paper will therefore examine the iconographic precedents for the unique imagery of the panels …

Ambiguous Bodies: Third Gender Expressions In Ancient Maya Art, Jayme Horne

Theses

This thesis examines the interpretations of Lintels 23, 24, and 25 from Yachilán, Drawing 18 from Naj Tunich, and Stela H from Copán, with a specific focus on third gender expression. These artworks depict figures that blend masculine and feminine attributes, from costuming to actions, to present intentionally ambiguous representations of the body that all ancient Maya people would have understood. Third gender expression is defined through the blending of masculine and feminine signifiers. It is a gender identity for people who do not identify as male or female, but rather as neither, both, or a combination of male and …

Draft Card Battler, Brian Moore

Theses

This project investigates how design transparency and player interaction mechanics can enhance emotional connection and strategic depth in competitive digital card game environments. Draft Card Battler transforms traditional sequential turn-based Trading Card Game (TCG) gameplay into a structured round-based system featuring asymmetric card-play patterns (1-2-2-1) and simultaneous combat resolution. Beginning with a physical card game prototype, the project evolved through iterative design and digital implementation, informed by research in social capital theory and player psychology. Through reflective playtesting and technical development, this study explores whether visibility, pacing, and commitment mechanics foster trust, fairness, and cooperation alongside competitive tension. The implementation …