Digital Commons Network^™

Insights Into Covid-19 Dynamics Via The Integration Of Subpopulations, Vaccinations, And Bayesian Calibration In A Semi-Enclosed Community Model Framework, Meghan Rowan Childs

Theses

From the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, universities have experienced unique challenges due to their multifaceted nature as a place of education, residence, and employment. Previous work has used mathematical models to explore varying approaches to combating COVID-19 and tailored these models to local contexts, such as hospitals. However, previous work has not broadly incorporated pharmaceutical mitigation strategies into university models. We address this gap in research by integrating subpopulations, vaccines, and COVID-19 variants into a semi-enclosed population model framework. We further improve the quantification of uncertainty in the model parameters by implementing a formal Bayesian model calibration, fusing real-world …

Improving Reciprocating Compressor Valve Condition Monitoring Via An Accelerated Lifetime Tester And Deep Learning, Jacob Chesnes

Theses

The goal of this research is to improve the current condition monitoring method for diagnosing reciprocating compressor valves. Leakage, seat wear, and spring degradation are three common valve faults that are seeded into all the valves of a Dresser-Rand ESH-1 dual-acting reciprocating compressor. The method converts raw vibration data into the time-frequency domain and determines if the Continuous Wavelet Transformation or the Smoothed Pseudo Wigner-Ville Spectrum can achieve a higher classification accuracy. The Continuous Wavelet Transformation can vary its resolution through two parameters while the Smoothed Pseudo Wigner-Ville Spectrum can vary its resolution through smoothing window sizes. Both time-frequency transforms …

Bioinformatics Pipeline For Gene Regulatory Network Discovery: A Case Study With Exercise Response, Nadia Moore

Theses

Gene regulatory networks are at the core of many biological processes, dictating how a wide range of genes, and their products, interact with one another. Gaining further understanding on how these networks are structured and how they function within the body can aid in deriving meaningful insights on the body’s inner-workings when exposed to any number of conditions. Unfortunately, the information gathered within some studies may be lacking in, for example, sample size or measurements taken at multiple time-points. This work addresses these issues and outlines a pipeline which navigates these smaller collections of data in order to still extract …

Enhancing The Immunogenicity Of Extracellular Vesicle-Based Vaccines Against Pathogenic Nthi Bacteria, Christina Ciko

Theses

Acute otitis media (AOM), or ear infections, are highly prevalent in children, with nearly 80% experiencing at least one AOM by the age of three. As such, there is an urgent need for a vaccine against Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), a main cause of AOM in the US. Most vaccines contain multiple antigens from the pathogen, inducing an immune response and antibodies to those antigens. Here, we describe a novel approach to creating a vaccine against NTHi, incorporating a unique recombinant trivalent protein (Tri) featuring three NTHi antigens (OMP26, P6, and protein F) in a single peptide chain with an …

Enhanced 3d Sub-Canopy Mapping Via Airborne Full-Waveform Lidar, Robert J. I. Wible

Theses

Airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) systems have been used to gather information about forests, their canopies and what lies beneath them for many decades. Recent advances in LiDAR sensor technology have enabled higher sampling rates, leading to increased point densities for discrete point clouds. However, vast portions of the forest sub-canopy still remain either unsampled or occluded. We contend, that waveform LiDAR, as a specific type of structural modality that digitizes the intensity of the laser backscatter as a function of time (range), contains additional information that can be extracted using modern artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) …

Fragility And Strength In Times Of War: A Series Of Embroidered Watercolors, Alisha B. Whitman

Theses

This final project report follows the production of a series of embroidered watercolors that explore how war disrupts and can destroy the values which people manage to somehow both hold dear and take for granted. These values, such as peace and freedom, are fragile, and yet they can provide great strength in dark times. This dichotomy is explored through this body of work using the materials of painted paper and thread as symbols of both fragility and strength. Choosing to work with materials and methods historically seen as feminine work add additional meaning to that symbolism. Additionally, Jewish iconography and …

Defining Transcriptional Signatures Of Susceptibility For Ceftriaxone And Tetracycline In Neisseria Gonorrhoeae, Sanjana Logu

Theses

Resistance to antibiotics is the ability of bacteria to survive in spite of the administration of drugs designated to kill them; and overuse of antibiotics over the past decades has led to a vast increase in resistance. Most infections are treated empirically, such that patients are given a recommended course of antibiotics, however these infections are not frequently tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility profiles (i.e., tested only in the case of treatment failure). This can lead to inappropriate prescription which can increase the selective pressure of antibiotics on other bacterial members of our microbiomes. Susceptibility testing would help determine the …

Understanding And Implementing Fashion Sustainability: An Academic Course, Paige M. Baldwin

Theses

This project outlined a fashion sustainability course meant to be taught at a degree-awarding educational institution. The course explores the environmental, social, and economic impacts of the fashion industry. Students learn about sustainable practices, materials, and design principles. Students also study consumer behavior, supply chain management, and government policies related to sustainable fashion. The literature and research looked at the current fashion industry landscape and the sustainability issues that are being addressed, the current educational landscape of fashion programs in the United States of America, and the current literature regarding building an effective curriculum in the 21st century.

Framing The Gaze: The Transformation Of Storytelling From Chinese Scrolls To Persian Miniature Illuminations, Lindsey A. Maslar

Theses

Miniature painting represents one of the many exquisite traditions in Islamic art, flourishing particularly during the Safavid period (1501–1736 CE). Numerous power shifts throughout Persia during this time resulted in significant cross-cultural artistic exchanges, particularly with visual culture from the Ming Dynasty. The Mongol invasion of Persia in the 13th century facilitated a profound cultural diffusion, as Persian artists and patrons selectively incorporated Chinese motifs, techniques, and spatial concepts, adapting them to suit local aesthetic and ideological frameworks. This thesis examines how the adaptation of Mongol artistic elements in Persian miniatures influenced not only stylistic conventions but also transformed the …

Machine Learning For Complex Networks: Generalization, Fairness, And Model Selection In Graph-Based Systems Across Social And Biological Domains, Angelina Brilliantova

Theses

Networks serve as a fundamental framework for modeling complex systems across diverse domains, from biological interactions and social structures to economic markets and information networks. Machine learning has significantly enhanced the ability to extract meaningful patterns from graph-based systems, improving predictive accuracy in applications such as market design, recommendation systems, and biomedical discovery. Despite the successes of machine learning in analyzing complex networks, several fundamental challenges remain. A major issue is the reliance on simplistic models for theoretical analysis, simulation, and benchmarking, which often fail to capture the complexities of real-world networked systems. Many theoretical studies focus on oversimplified generative …

Assessment Of Physiological & Biochemical Changes In Tomato Plants Treated With Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (Pgpr) Under Salinity Stress Conditions, Mohammed Sharif Alhosani

Theses

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPRs) can effectively mitigate the negative impacts of salt stress on plants. The present study reports the isolation of PGPRs from a high-saline mangrove ecosystem in Abu Dhabi, with isolates exhibiting ACC deaminase (ACCD) activity to reduce stress-induced ethylene, along with additional plant growth-promoting (PGP) characteristics, including phosphate solubilization (P+). A total of 57 salt-tolerant bacterial isolates from the mangrove rhizosphere were initially screened for ACCD and P+ activities. Of these, 24 isolates tested positive for PGP characteristics and were further evaluated for their ability to enhance salt stress tolerance in tomato seedlings. In addition, seedlings inoculated …

عقد المقاولة من الباطن, سالم صالح العامري

Theses

Subcontract

This research addresses the subject of subcontracting agreements, a significant aspect in construction and engineering fields due to the increasing complexity of engineering projects and the need to distribute work among specialized contractors. The study explores the challenges associated with subcontracting agreements in terms of legal obligations, disputes, and mechanisms for resolving them. It also focuses on analyzing the relationship between the main contractor and the subcontractor, as well as the legal frameworks governing this relationship to ensure a balance between the rights of the different parties.

The research employs a descriptive and analytical approach, utilizing data from legal …

Investigation Of Innovative Heat Pipes / Fins System For Diesel Engine Cooling, Mohammad Shafiq Anees

Theses

Engine cooling is considered one of the most important factors that affect their efficiency and therefore their performance, so a new cooling method is proposed using both heat pipes and fins to improve the cooling efficiency of internal combustion engines and shall be examined theoretically and experimentally. A test rig has been designed and built using a specimen material with similar properties to the real engine materials with similar dimensions as the engine cylinder head / liner thickness. The experiment employed a specially designed testing apparatus that included a gas burner for consistent heating, a modifiable support structure, and an …

House Flies (Musca Domestica) In Abu Dhabi Emirate: Assessing Deltamethrin Insecticide Resistance And Associated Microbial Communities, Mohamad Abdelrahim Hamdan

Theses

This study investigates the common house fly (Musca domestica), a globally important insect that serves as both a decomposer and a mechanical vector for pathogens. The emergence of insecticide resistance, particularly knockdown resistance (kdr) mutations, has been reported in house fly populations, raising concerns for pest control. Additionally, house flies exhibit diverse bacterial communities, influencing pathogen transmission and environmental microbial dynamics. The primary objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of kdr mutations associated with insecticide resistance in house flies collected from the Abu Dhabi Emirate and to analyze their microbial composition using metagenomic approaches. House flies were …

Soundhapticsvr: Head-Based Spatial Haptic Feedback For Accessible Sounds In Virtual Reality For Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Users, Pratheep Kumar Chelladurai

Theses

Virtual Reality (VR) systems use immersive spatial audio that provide more localized sound awareness to convey critical information. However, these audio cues are often inaccessible to individuals who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing (DHH). To address this, we developed, a head-based haptic system designed to enable localizing and convert- ing audio signals directly into haptic feedback using multi-channel acoustic haptic actuators. We evaluated through three studies. The preliminary study determined the maximum tactile frequency threshold perceivable on different regions of the head of DHH users when a VR headset is attached. This was followed by a study to deter- mine the …

Deepfake Image Detection Using Explainable Ai And Deep Learning, Abdallah Abdulfattah Mohammed Abdulrahman

Theses

Deepfake technology has grown exponentially, and it has changed our perspective of managing digital content. The technology has many applications, but its ease of access has brought many risks. These risks include identity theft, misinformation spread, development of non-consensual content, and a decrease in trust in media. To address these challenges, we propose a hybrid deep learning model combining Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks for deepfake image detection. We developed a CNN model and four hybrid CNN-LSTM models in our study. Our approach integrates the strengths of CNNs for spatial feature extraction and LSTMs for …

Machinery Imbalance Failure Prediction Based On Pump – Motor Vibration Readings, Abdulrahman Albuflaseh

Theses

Predictive maintenance has emerged as a transformative solution in industrial operations, reducing unexpected machine failures and minimizing downtime. This study explores the application of machine learning in vibration analysis to detect imbalances in pump-motor units, a critical issue that accelerates equipment wear and increases maintenance costs. Traditional maintenance methods, such as scheduled inspections, often fail to identify faults early, leading to significant operational disruptions, particularly in utility, oil and gas sectors. By leveraging real-time vibration data and advanced machine learning techniques, this research aims to develop an efficient imbalance detection model that enhances maintenance efficiency and reliability. The study employs …

Femtosecond Laser Figuring And Polishing For Freeform Optics Fabrication, Gong Chen

Theses

Freeform optics revolutionizes imaging systems by enabling compact designs and high-performance capabilities, which are crucial for applications such as augmented and virtual reality, medical diagnostics, biosensing, space exploration, remote sensing, and EUV lithography. However, fabricating freeform optical components presents significant challenges: conventional chemical and mechanical methods generate chemical waste and introduce mid-spatial-frequency errors that degrade imaging contrast. This research seeks to overcome these limitations by establishing ultrafast-laser-based figuring and finishing methods. These methods offer a fast, non-contact, flexible, and precise green solution, paving the way for sustainable, high-quality freeform optics fabrication. We expanded a laser pulse propagation model to simulate …

Advances In Machine Learning For Pain Recognition: A Review Of Algorithms, Modalities, And Outcomes, Abdulrahman Alsharif

Theses

The emergence of machine learning (ML) in healthcare has unlocked the transformative potential of pain detection and assessment. By providing new ways to address the challenges associated with subjective and inconsistent pain assessment methods. This review synthesizes recent advancements in ML-based approaches for pain detection, focusing on algorithms, modalities, and datasets. Techniques such as neural networks, transformer models, and multimodal fusion frameworks have demonstrated significant promise in identifying pain from diverse sources, including facial expressions, physiological signals, and synthetic datasets. Key contributions include novel transformer-based architectres like PainAttnNet for analyzing electrodermal activity [1], multimodal datasets such as BioVid for advancing …

Systematic Evaluation Of Regression Models For The Prediction Of Influenza Cases, Mukul Kandwal

Theses

This study systematically evaluates machine learning models to forecast influenza outbreaks, aiming to enhance public health preparedness through accurate predictions. Laboratory-confirmed influenza case data from the New York State Department of Health (2009–2023) were used to train and test five regression models—XGBoost, Neural Network (MLP regressor), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Random Forest, and Support Vector Regression (SVR)—with preprocessing techniques including differencing and phasing. A leave-one-season-out cross-validation framework and Symmetric Mean Absolute Percentage Error (SMAPE) were employed to rigorously assess performance. Key findings reveal that the Neural Network (MLP regressor) outperformed other models, achieving the lowest SMAPE score (23.7), underscoring the critical …

Design And Application Of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers For The Detection Of Bpa, Pfoa, And Caffeine, Finbarr Buckley

Theses

Molecular Imprinted Polymers (MIPs) are polymer based solid phase extraction (SPE)recognition systems. MIPs were formulated using Acrylic Acid (AA) and Ethylene glycoldimethacrylate (EGDMA) to selectively target the following compounds Bisphenol A (BPA),Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and caffeine. This study presents novel MIPs for each targetqualitatively analysed with Raman Spectroscopy with Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy(SERS) substrates. SERS can greatly enhance Raman signals allowing for detection of lowconcentration solutions. BPA, a possible carcinogen and hormone disruptor, is a very commonreagent in manufacturing as is known to leech into environmental and consumer products.PFOA, a constituent of polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), can cause kidney and thyroiddisease, …

The Influence Of The Emerging Italian Instrumental Style Of The Early Seventeenth Century On Adam Jarzębski’S Canzoni E Concerti (1627), Ellen Bolger

Theses

Adam Jarzębski’s Canzoni e Concerti (1627) is an important source of instrumental chamber music from early seventeenth-century Poland. Jarzębski was a member of the royal musical establishment at the court of Sigismund III Vasa, where he worked alongside Italian musicians recruited by the court. The influence of the emerging Italian stile moderno can be seen in the 27 works of Canzoni e Concerti, which mirror the style and structure of instrumental works by Italian composers such as Dario Castello and Biagio Marini. The changing ideas on music theory and musical expression which originated in Italy are reflected in Jarzębski’s use …

Alternative Antimicrobial Strategies For Neonatal Infections, Anna Desmond

Theses

Neonatal infections, a significant contributor to infant morbidity and mortality worldwide, are predominantly caused by pathogenic bacteria. Globally, bacterial sepsis accounts for 11.3% of neonatal deaths with Group B Streptococcus (GBS) being the leading cause, along with Escherichia coli, and coagulase negative staphylococci (CoNS). Neonatal infections caused by antibiotic resistant bacteria is now a worldwide concern, further increasing mortality rates and associated healthcare costs. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop alternative antimicrobial strategies to combat resistance and/or enhance the efficacy of existing antibiotics. The overall aim of this thesis was to investigate alternative antimicrobial strategies for treating and …

Future Scenarios Of Adoption Sustainable Materials By Construction Firms In The United Arab Emirates, Mona Albeshr

Theses

The construction industry accounts for 39% of greenhouse gas emissions, and change is required, especially with the Net Zero initiative. UAE construction companies must evaluate their current positions and update their strategies to support government regulations. Building futuristic communities is crucial for expanding the built environment within the country; however, the types of materials used should account for two aspects: sustainability and climate resilience, and both must be considered whenever these construction companies formulate their strategic response. Hence, scenario planning significantly provides valuable insights to decision-makers in construction companies’ strategic departments to envision four plausible scenarios of the external environment …

The Historical Role Of Westward Expansion Between American Museums And Indigenous Tribes, Erika Tenorio

Theses

Erika Tenorio’s thesis explores the intersection of Westward Expansion, American museums, and Indigenous communities, analyzing how 19th- and 20th-century expansionist policies shaped museum collections and Indigenous representation. The study examines how the ideology of Manifest Destiny, rooted in the Doctrine of Discovery, justified the forced removal of Native Americans and facilitated the collection of Indigenous artifacts by museums. Many of these institutions, influenced by Western colonial perspectives, portrayed Native cultures as relics of the past rather than as living traditions.

The research incorporates postcolonial and decolonial methodologies to assess evolving narratives within museums, focusing on Indigenous sovereignty, repatriation efforts, and …

A Visual Instrument For Military Public Affairs, Rose Di Trolio

Theses

This directed project is a visual guidebook that assists Missouri National Guard Soldiers, Airmen, and civilians onboarding within the Public Affairs Office and 70th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment. This guidebook serves as a tool for the creative-minded perspective to better understand materials such as the overall public affairs process, community relations, and social media creation and management. All the contents of this guidebook are directed from publicly-made information and labeled UNCLASSIFIED. This graphical guidebook uses vectors and images combined into one PDF file. Within the Military profession, it is typical and sometimes expected for members to relocate, deploy, or attend …

Reviving The Golden Age: Exploring Will Eisner's Legacy Through The Creation Of A Multiversal Sequential Art Story, Levi Atkins

Theses

Levi Atkins’ thesis explores the legacy of Will Eisner, a foundational figure in comic book history, through the creation of a multiversal sequential art story. The project combines a seven-page black-and-white comic with a scholarly analysis of Eisner’s storytelling techniques, focusing on his public domain characters from the Golden Age of Comics. Atkins examines how Eisner’s innovations—such as dynamic panel design, cinematic pacing, and genre blending—can inspire modern narratives. By reimagining characters like The Flame and Dollman within a multiverse framework, the thesis both honors Eisner’s legacy and demonstrates how historical comic forms can evolve to engage contemporary readers.

برنامج نافس في عامه الثالث: دراسة تحليلية في إطار السياسات العامة, Sara Almessabi

Theses

Nafis Program in its Third Year: A Public Policy Analysis

Emiratization in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) stands at the forefront of government priorities, with policymakers placing significant emphasis on it as a fundamental pillar for providing citizens with a dignified life and enhancing their participation across various economic sectors. Emiratis are considered integral contributors to driving their country's economic development. Recognizing this importance, the UAE government has focused its efforts since the country's establishment on enacting public policies that enable Emiratis to integrate into both the public and private labour markets. However, these policies have faced several challenges, most …

Dubai’S Future Mobility: Systems Thinking & Scenarios, Mohammed Mazloum Hanafy

Theses

Transportation is one of the essential pillars of any smart city. The future of transportation in Dubai faces enormous hurdles in urban mobility, including a growing population density, congestion, and environmental issues. Without careful planning and policy actions, these problems would certainly worsen in the future. Thus, the purpose of this thesis is to investigate the future of urban mobility in Dubai and to suggest solutions for constructing a sustainable, efficient, and equitable transportation system by employing future foresight tools. Dubai has emerged in recent years as a global center for technological innovation, altering its built environment and reevaluating its …

A Wayfarer, Roselyle Hang Zhao

Theses

This paper examines the making of A Wayfarer, a personal film that explores themes of identity, cultural belonging, and the experience of being a third-culture individual. The character Boaty represents the complexities of navigating multiple identities, as the film blends visual and sound design to convey the feeling of being "lost-in-culture." As part of my graduate thesis at the Rochester Institute of Technology, the film blends visual and sound design to convey the feeling of being "lost-in-culture." The paper discusses the creative choices behind the shift from humor to vulnerability, the challenges of depicting family dynamics, and the process of …