Digital Commons Network^™

Reading Tipu's Tiger: Hybridity And The Sound Of A Silenced Roar, Sarah M. Jackson

Theses

Tipu’s Tiger, a powerful artifact at the nexus of colonialism, cultural preservation, and museum practices, serves as a unique case study of shifting historical interpretations. Originally crafted in Mysore, India as a symbol of resistance against British colonial forces, the object was later repurposed as a trophy of empire. This dual role embodies the tensions central to postcolonial theory, where the meanings of cultural artifacts shift depending on the context in which they are placed. Through the lens of Homi Bhabha’s theory of hybridity, Tipu’s Tiger is understood as a hybrid object, reflecting the complex liminal space between its …

The Transformative Impact Of User-Created Mods Within Fallout: New Vegas, Tanner Webb

Theses

Video game modding is one of the fastest growing trends in the gaming industry and it is changing how players interact with games. Review of current literature and research shows that these modders are an integral part of the gaming market. Using the principles of participatory culture and digital aesthetics, this research investigates how modding practices serve as both a form of creative expression and an inspiration for technological innovation within the video game industry. Video game modifications serve as catalysts for creative expression, foster the development of innovative user communities, prolong the life of game titles, cultivate a pool …

Embodied Intimacy And Social Justice: Patricia Cronin's Memorial To A Marriage, Alex Anne Mattioli

Theses

This paper examines Patricia Cronin’s Memorial to a Marriage (2002) as a pivotal work within her artistic catalogue, one that engages deeply with themes of intimacy, identity, and social justice. Created at a time when same-sex marriage was illegal in the United States, Memorial to a Marriage represents Cronin and her partner, feminist artist, Deborah Kass, in a Classical funerary sculpture, reclaiming the tradition of public monuments to center an LGBTQIA+ experience from memory. Through a critical analysis of Memorial to a Marriage within Cronin’s broader artistic practice, this study explores how the sculpture challenges the conventions of public art …

Cultural Constraints Of Mental Illness Among Black Males, Sabrina R. Hinton-Campbell

Theses

This research explores historical trauma, systemic racism, inequity of mental health care, and lack of access to culturally and responsive mental healthcare for the Black community, particularly Black males, therefore creating a legitimate distrust of the medical profession among Black males, which inspired this project: Cultural Constraints of Mental Illness Among Black Males. For this project, the researcher visually and explicitly depicts the literal mental health struggles using oil pastels with intentional directional strokes applied by using the sides of her fingers to blend the colors and for control and a blow dryer to bring the oils to the surface …

Forecasting Load At Residential, Industrial, And Commercial Stations For Dubai Electricity And Water Authority: A Machine Learning Approach To Managing Generation During Peak And Off-Peak Times Over The Coming Years, Mohammad Anoohi

Theses

In Dubai, with the rapid growth of energy demand, efficient demand side management is necessary to optimize the distribution of electricity, reduce peak loads, and improve grid stability. Traditional DSM strategies are based on historical data and reactive control mechanisms that cannot adapt to evolving consumption patterns. This research uses Machine Learning techniques to enhance DSM in residential, commercial, and industrial sectors by developing predictive models that forecast energy demand based on seasonal variations. The dataset used was from Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), covering the consumption patterns across Summer, Winter, Transition from Winter to Summer, and Transition from …

الحماية الجنائية للبيانات الجينومية (دراسة تحليلية مقارنة), ميثاء حارب العميمي

Theses

Criminal Protection of Genomic Data

This research examines the criminal protection of genomic data through a comparative study between the United Arab Emirates and the United States of America, with the aim of analyzing how each legal system addresses these sensitive data and the associated risks، Genomic data, which relates to individuals' genetic information, is crucial in various fields such as medicine, insurance, and employment, making its protection essential to ensure individuals' privacy and to safeguard them from genetic discrimination or unlawful exploitation.

The UAE legislature is showing an increasing interest in regulating aspects related to genetic data and genomics, …

“For There Is Hope Of A Tree…”: A Study Of Two Historic African American Cemeteries In Pope County, Illinois, Martha Clare Buchert

Theses

To add to a growing body of academic literature regarding historic African American cemeteries, this study examines two such cemeteries located in Pope County, Illinois: the Miller Grove Cemetery and the Hill Cemetery. Utilizing several different investigative methods, including pedestrian survey, geophysical survey, and historic research, the archaeological features and material culture of both cemeteries were studied to see what could be learned about their associated communities without ground disturbance. The results of these methods demonstrate the connections of members within these communities and the interconnectedness of historic African American settlements throughout southern Illinois and the greater Midwest. They also …

My Two Bodies, Zahra Babaei

Theses

My Two Bodies examines the intersection of visibility, memory, and gendered absence through photographic and material strategies. Engaging with censorship and instability of the image, it investigates how realities are shaped by what is seen, obscured, or erased. Referencing the gendered absence of women in Iranian visual culture, the project considers how censorship intensifies rather than eliminates visibility. Drawing from Jacques Derrida’s concept of hauntology, absence is approached not as a void but as an active presence that disrupts the surface of the image. Through processes such as collage, projection, and fabric-based image making, photographs are treated as tactile, mutable …

A Remote Sensing-Based Evaluation Of Road And Electricity Infrastructure Expansion Effects On Development In Sub-Saharan Africa, Tunmise Ibukun Raji

Theses

Sub-Saharan African countries consistently rank low on human development indicators despite decades of international aid and domestic investment. To address these challenges, governments across the region are allocating substantial portions of their national budgets to infrastructure expansion, viewing it as a catalyst for accelerated socio-economic development. However, given severely constrained budgets, these nations often face trade-offs between infrastructure development and investment in other important sectors such as healthcare and education. This highlights the need for infrastructure investments to deliver their anticipated benefits. This dissertation examines the relationship between infrastructure development and socio-economic development in Sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular focus …

Fake News Detection: Leveraging Natural Language Processing And Machine Learning For Reliable Information Verification, Roshni Rajendra Salve

Theses

This dissertation details the creation and assessment of a machine learning algorithm designed to identify fake news utilizing Natural Language Processing (NLP) methods. The research employs several machines learning models, including Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) and other deep learning techniques, to detect and classify misleading information. Data is sourced from a variety of platforms, such as social media and online news outlets, to compile a thorough dataset. The data is pre-processed to eliminate noise, address missing values, and extract essential features through techniques like tokenization, stop-word removal, and lemmatization. The performance of the models is evaluated using key metrics such …

Effect Of Traumatic Brain Injury On Quality Of Life, Mohammad A. Al Rjoob

Theses

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results from external events, such as falls and motor vehicle accidents leading to brain damage. This study investigated quality of life (QoL) in individuals with TBI and its relation to demographic and clinical variables, including gender, age, educational level, time since TBI onset, fatigue, depression and cognitive function. Twelve individuals with TBI participated in this cross-sectional study. Quality of life was assessed using Quality of Life after Brain Injury and ASHA Quality of Communication Life Scale measures. Fatigue was measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale, depression was measured with the Geriatric Depression Scale, and cognitive function …

A Costuming Carol: A Costume Design Thesis On A Christmas Carol, Aleka Fischer

Theses

This thesis is a collection of research, analysis, design, and production work done for the costumes for A Christmas Carol. The play production took place in the McLeod Theater at Southern Illinois University from December 5th- December 8th, 2024. The play was written by Darwin Reid Payne and published in 1981. It is an adaptation of the novella A Christmas Carolby Charles Dickens. Chapter 1 contains the research and script analysis used to make design decisions for this production. Chapter 2 documents the design process, and how the costume design evolved between the first and final design meetings. Chapter 3 …

Elliptic Curves And Their Applications In Cryptography, Mercedes Danange Moll

Theses

This thesis explores the mathematical foundations and cryptographic applications ofelliptic curves. To understand elliptic curves, we start by introducing group theory, ring theory, and field theory. Then, we dive into elliptic curves, their algebraic structure, and the group law defined on their points. We then examine elliptic curves over finite fields, leading to the discrete logarithm problem and key cryptographic applications such as Weil Pairings, the Diffie-Hellman key exchange, Digital Signature Algorithm, and Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithms. Using the theory and its application, this thesis highlights the significance of elliptic curves in modern cryptography.

Proactive Approach To Identify And Mitigate Cybersecurity Threats In Smart Building Using Ai, Shayma Abdulla Alhayyas

Theses

Smart buildings form a cornerstone of modern urban development. The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in buildings has revolutionized facility management, improving system intelligence and user experience. However, these smart devices also introduce cybersecurity challenges and risks. The initiative "Identifying and Mitigating Cybersecurity Threats in Smart Building using AI" focuses on leveraging advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to address and mitigate cybersecurity threats within smart buildings. This study integrates predictive analytics, deep learning, and machine learning to identify and prevent cyberattacks, protecting sensitive data and networked IoT devices. By analyzing previous attack patterns, network behaviors, and potential vulnerabilities, this …

تحول سياسات العقاب والإصلاح للأحداث في دولة الإمارات: دراسة مقارنة لقانون اتحادي رقم 9 لسنة 1976 بشأن الاحداث الجانحين والمشردين وقانون اتحادي رقم 6 لسنة 2022 بشأن الاحداث الجانحين والمعرضين للجنوح, Hamda Abdulla Almahri

Theses

The Transformation of Juvenile Punishment and Reform Policies in the United Arab Emirates: A Comparative Study of a Federal Law No. 9 of 1976 Regarding Juvenile Delinquents and Vagrants, and Federal Law No. 6 of 2022 Regarding Juvenile Delinquents and those at Risk of Delinquency

This study explores the concept of juvenile criminal responsibility under Federal Law No. (6) of 2022 in the United Arab Emirates, which restructured the legal framework for dealing with juvenile offenders and those at risk of delinquency in line with social developments and international standards. The research focused on analyzing the legal foundations of juvenile …

Customer Flow Prediction At Emirates Id Centers, Humaid Ahmed Saeed Alkhuroosi

Theses

Emirates ID centers face significant resource management challenges due to fluctuating customer traffic, leading to long wait times, customer dissatisfaction, and inefficient resource use. This thesis explores the application of time series analysis to predict customer traffic at Emirates ID centers, focusing on the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) models. The primary research question is: “Can historical queue data from the Qmatic system be effectively used to forecast customer traffic at Emirates ID centers?” To answer this question, 800,000 observations of historical ticket issuance data from the Qmatic queue management system were analyzed. The study …

Beyond Regex – Heuristic-Based Secret Detection, Jesse Burdick-Pless

Theses

Accidental token or credential leakage presents a significant concern within digital environments. Current detection methods of such secrets employ ruleset-based techniques to identify secret information. These methods use pattern recognition within strings (i.e., regex rules) to pinpoint characteristics that resemble various types of secrets. However, regex does not allow for detection of secrets that lack specific patterns, such as passwords. This research addresses the possibility of using heuristics and machine learning to develop a reliable and accurate method for determining if a given string is merely a piece of inconsequential data or a leaked secret requiring timely attention, without the …

Wide Lock-In Energy Harvesting From Vortexinduced Vibrations Of A Deformable Cylinder, Ahmed Raafat Mostafa

Theses

Energy harvesting from ambient sources has gained attention due to increasing energy demands. Despite VIV-based harvesters showing significant potential, their lock-in region, where significant power is generated, is narrow. Given the continuously varying ambient conditions of fluid currents, harvesters can easily fall into de-synchronization, yielding low energy output. Existing solutions like tunable masses or multiple degrees of freedom systems increase complexity and weight, limiting practical applications. This work introduces a novel variable diameter cylinder mechanism—a practical technique that actively tunes the cylinder’s geometry in real time to enhance energy harvesting efficiency from VIV. The mechanism employs an expanding pulley system …

Identifying Barriers, Challenges And Opportunities Of Implementing Retrofitting Strategies In Existing Buildings In The Uae, Ahmad Ghalib Masri

Theses

The built environment of the UAE faces sustainability challenges because of its high energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions which require successful retrofitting methods to enhance aging buildings' performance and efficiency. This research investigates the barriers and challenges and opportunities of retrofitting strategy implementation in the UAE to provide direction for policymakers and stakeholders regarding sustainable practices. The research employed a mixed-methods approach through literature reviews and stakeholder surveys and interviews. The study shows that high upfront costs (68% of respondents) and building owner awareness limitations (54%) and fragmented regulations with inconsistent thermal insulation standards across emirates represent major barriers. …

Evaluating The Effects Of Co₂ And Uv-B On Sporobolus Virginicus (L.) Kunth Growth Under Open Top Chamber: A Comparison Of Silicon Nanoparticle-Treated And Untreated Plants, Suhaila Humaid Ablooshi

Theses

The study focused at how silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs; 50 mg/L) affected the growth, photosynthetic efficiency, and biochemical responses of the salt-tolerant halophyte Sporobolus virginicus in four different environments. They are control, high CO₂, UV-B radiation, and a mix of high CO₂ and UV-B. Plants that were treated with SiNPs showed big changes in their shape, such as more biomass, bigger leaf area, and better root systems in all conditions. The use of combined stress treatments caused a big increase in the levels of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids. As a result, that the plants were better at …

A Study Of The Impact Of Balancing, Geometric Transformation, Generative Networks, And Roi Techniques In Eye Diseases Classification, Sghaira Hareb Alnuaimi

Theses

Automatic detection of ocular diseases helps medical professionals efficiently identify eye disorders, reduce diagnostic errors, and accelerate diagnoses to prevent blindness. Deep learning has been successfully utilized in various fields, including medical image classification. However, in spite of these advancements, challenges remain in ocular disease classification.

The objective of this work is to address these challenges using data processing, data augmentation in combination with Region of Interest (ROI) techniques. Medical datasets often suffer from scarcity, imbalance, and low-quality images, leading to inaccurate classification. To mitigate these issues, we utilize the ODIR dataset, which contains 7,000 labelled training images for both …

Groundwater Storage Dynamics In Abu Dhabi Emirate Using In-Situ And Grace Data, Tala Jalal Maksoud

Theses

Water scarcity presents a significant challenge to the sustainable development; especially in arid regions like Abu Dhabi Emirate. Addressing concerns over nonrenewable aquifer depletion, caused by agricultural expansion and lifestyle advancements, has, therefore, become crucial in such regions. This thesis investigates Groundwater Storage (GWS) dynamics in Abu Dhabi Emirate by integrating satellite data from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) with in-situ data from 257 wells over two decades (2002-2022), employing GIS and RS technologies. The main aim of this study is to provide a comprehensive approach to evaluate GWS dynamics considering multiple perspectives including: dealing with missing datasets, …

Encapsulation Of Lactobacillus Reuteri Dsm 17938 In W/O/W Emulsion: Influence Of Oil Type On Viability And Oxidative Stability, Nora Mohamed Alantali

Theses

Probiotics, known for their wide range of health benefits, have been gaining recognition on their effects on the gut-brain axis. This axis, operated via various pathways, can be modulated by the type and functions of probiotics found in the gut microflora. However, probiotics face several stress factors before reaching the gut which hinders them from being functional. The main objective of this thesis was to construct a stable double-emulsion-based delivery system for probiotics, which can act as a barrier against the harsh conditions of the digestive system. Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 was loaded in a water-in-oil-in-water Pickering double emulsion system, …

The Drifter: Creating A Family Archive To Rediscover Lost History, Gabriella Smith

Theses

When history goes undocumented or removed from public access, there is always a question as to how to preserve it. This thesis focuses on the creation of a family archive as a means to preserve and rediscover lost history. When lost history is recovered stories can be completed and we, as a civilization, can gain a better understanding of what our history is. This will be showcased through the creation of the Jerrold Smith Family Archive. Jerrold Smith (1941-1986) a native Rochesterian, grew up with a love of crafts and creating new things. When he passed, he left behind a …

Stories In Style: Interactive Fashion Exhibits As Tools For Activating Special Collections, Riley Mason

Theses

Interpretation is a museum’s most significant form of communication with visitors. Historic collections, material representations of distinct historical narratives and themes, hold objects and cultural knowledge that enable them to contextualize contemporary concepts like fashion through exhibit-based interpretation and extend these concepts beyond labels through interactivity. To investigate the role of these specialized repositories in challenging existing narratives and connecting with modern audiences, this thesis developed a collection-driven exhibit to answer the following question: how can institutions activate special collection objects through relevant interpretation and non-digital interactive experiences in exhibits? Through researching and analyzing four objects from the Bruce and …

Capturing Community Memory: A Juxtaposition Of Oral History And Historic Building Preservation, Eliot Gavin

Theses

Preserving local history has always been a challenge for small communities. Traditional preservation methods like historic building preservation can be costly and take a lot of time for local historical societies. These historic sites are important to the culture of the local citizens and deserve to be saved. Using The Castle on the Hill in Dansville, New York, as a case study, oral histories will be captured to explore the role of oral history in preservation. The Castle on the Hill plays an important role in shaping Dansville’s identity as a town. In the past, the Castle has served as …

Rooted In Ogdensburg: A Creative Exhibition From Classroom To Gallery, Finn Bishop-Duford

Theses

Picture this: you are an elementary student- wandering around an art exhibition. On the wall hangs artwork you dedicated your time to. How does it make you feel? Art exhibitions of student work are a display practice implemented at the James F. Montpelier Gallery located at Ogdensburg Free Academy in Ogdensburg, New York. Such student-focused art exhibitions, historically, create a wonderful, inspirational, and impactful environment for students to display their finest works. Once the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world by storm in 2020, the thematic shows shifted to assemblages of students’ best work. This is due to the limited time …

Criminal Activity Monitoring System: Targeting Africans And East Asian Communities In Dubai, Hamdan Kalantar

Theses

This dissertation investigates crime patterns among African and East Asian communities in Dubai, focusing on geographic hotspots, temporal trends, victim demographics, and the use of machine learning for predictive crime modeling. The research addresses the challenges faced by these communities, including labor exploitation, financial fraud, and human trafficking, within the socio-economic context of a rapidly growing urban city. Building on existing studies of urban crime, this research aimed to explore the spatial, temporal, and demographic dynamics of crimes and assess the potential of predictive models to assist law enforcement in crime prevention and resource allocation. A mixed-methods approach was employed, …

Energy Forecasting Inaccuracies And Their Direct Impact On Grid Performance, Rashed Khalid Alboom

Theses

Accurate energy forecasting is critical for the stability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness of modern power grids, particularly as renewable energy sources like solar and wind become more prominent. The variability of these sources presents challenges for traditional forecasting models, which struggle with non-linearity, external dependencies, and evolving grid conditions. These limitations lead to operational inefficiencies, grid instability, and increased financial risks. This study investigates the effectiveness of traditional statistical models, advanced machine learning techniques, and hybrid forecasting approaches to enhance prediction accuracy and grid performance. Using real-world datasets from Kaggle, including historical energy generation, consumption, pricing, and weather variables, this research …

Roads Of Tomorrow: Augmented Reality For Enhanced Road Maintenance, Nasser Humaid Alshamsi

Theses

The rapid deterioration of roads creates major obstacles that affect public security, urban movement capacity, and economic durability. Standardized road maintenance operations depend heavily on human inspections that prove time-consuming while being labour-intensive and subject to human mistakes. Implementing Augmented Reality (AR) with Point Cloud Data represents a smart approach that improves delivery efficiency in road maintenance procedures for modern cities. AR enables real-time visual content and interactive displays through this research, yet Point Cloud Data delivers detailed, precise road inspections through high-definition three-dimensional mapping. These technologies are evaluated for their usability, effectiveness, and adoption barriers in research that advance …