Digital Commons Network^™

Experimental Evaluation Of Novel Nano Polymer Hybrid Enhanced Oil Recovery In Carbonate Reservoir, Altamish Ahmed Pakeer

Theses

Innovative enhanced oil recovery (EOR) strategies are needed to unlock additional reserves in heterogeneous, oil-wet carbonate reservoirs. This study evaluates hybrid nano-polymer flooding by integrating silica nanoparticles (SiO₂) and single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNT) with novel HPAM polymers (Sav10 and Sav10 VHM) to optimize wettability alteration, rheological parameters, and recovery mechanisms.

A comprehensive experimental approach was employed, where rheological tests assessed viscosity enhancement under varying shear conditions, and wettability alteration was quantified via contact angle measurements using HPAM-SiO₂, HPAM-CNT, Sav10 VHM-SiO₂, and Sav10 VHM-CNT systems. Core floods were performed in three consecutive phases; waterflooding (baseline), standalone nanoparticle flooding, and hybrid nano-polymer …

Engineering Microphysiological Systems To Investigate Cellular Responses To Biophysical Cues In Human Tissue Microenvironments, Mehran Mansouri

Theses

Cells constantly sense and respond to biophysical cues in their microenvironment. Understanding how they interpret these mechanical signals is essential for advancing tissue modeling, studying disease mechanisms, and developing more predictive in vitro platforms. This dissertation presents a series of engineered microphysiological systems (MPS) designed to investigate how mechanical stimuli shape cellular behavior in distinct human tissue microenvironments. In Aim 1, I developed a reconfigurable microfluidic platform that mimics key features of human vascular barriers. This system supports the integration of porous membranes, 3D hydrogels, and flow channels, enabling precise control over both mechanical and biochemical cues. The modularity of …

Personifying The Goddess: Contrasting Representation Of The Deified Body In Feminist Art, Kelly Lorraine Phillips

Theses

Goddess imagery, the representation of a female deity or a concept of divine feminine power through various forms, symbols, and narratives, has been used by artists to communicate a multitude of sentiments, from spiritual reverence to political ideology. This study probes the evolution of representations of the deified female body from the 1970s to the current era to reveal contrasts in how these icons of female power have transformed over time. The artwork of second-wave feminist and self-identified “Goddess artist” Mary Beth Edelson is examined as a foundation for second-wave Goddess sentiment. Edelson’s collage work, which incorporates figures from a …

A Novel Framework For Dynamic Graph Representation Learning With Mamba, Ashish Pandey

Theses

Dynamic graph embedding is a key technique for modeling temporal dependencies in evolving networks. While transformer-based models perform well, their quadratic complexity limits scalability on long graph sequences. This thesis compares transformer approaches with the Mamba architecture-a linear-complexity state-space model—for temporal graph embedding.

Two frameworks are proposed: DG-Mamba and GDG-Mamba. DG-Mamba uses standard GCN-based spatial encoding, while GDG-Mamba incorporates domain-aware edge features using Graph Isomorphism Network with Edge Convolution (GraphGINE). Experiments on UCI, Reality Mining, Slashdot, Bitcoin-OTC, and SBM datasets show that Mamba-based models match or exceed transformer performance, especially on graphs with high temporal variability.

The thesis also applies …

Gamified Gait Rehabilitation Via Real-Time Biofeedback And Adaptive Hip-Exoskeleton Control, Mariya Huzaifa Tohfafarosh

Theses

Gait impairments arise from systemic diseases, age-related degeneration, musculoskeletal dysfunctions, or neurological conditions. While traditional rehabilitation can be effective, they often face challenges such as high costs, inaccessibility, and low patient engagement. To address these challenges, my work introduces a virtual reality-based rehabilitation (VRBR) system, integrating real-time motion and electromyographic (EMG) muscle activation feedback with a gamified virtual environment for enhanced adaptability and engagement. The system includes a custom-designed hip-exoskeleton that provides adaptive spring-like assistance or resistance, supporting both mobility-impaired users and strength training. Assistance levels can be tuned to match the user's progress. Additionally, a custom pressure insole was …

On The Use Of Nonlinear Electrophoresis For Separating Particles And Cells In Insulator-Based Electrokinetic Systems, Alaleh Vaghef-Koodehi

Theses

The increasing demand for efficient separation processes of micron-sized particles, including microorganisms, highlights the importance of developing low-cost, non-labor-intensive, and time-efficient techniques. Insulator-based electrokinetic (iEK) systems have proven to be a practical alternative to bench-scale methodologies such as centrifugation and membrane filtration. Several studies have reported the separation of microparticles by employing direct current (DC) voltages. However, all of them have overlooked the phenomenon of nonlinear electrophoresis (EPNL) and its role in the electrokinetic migration of particles. This study combines mathematical modeling and experiments to extend the capabilities of iEK systems. This dissertation has four aims: (1) to separate microparticles …

First-Order And Second-Order Adjoint Method And Stochastic Approximation For Inverse Problems, Adrian Heldt

Theses

We present a unified framework for estimating stochastic parameters in general variational problems. This nonlinear inverse problem is formulated as a stochastic optimization problem using the output least-squares (OLS) objective, which minimizes the discrepancy between observed data and the computed solution. A key challenge in OLS-based formulations is the efficient computation of first- and second-order derivatives of the OLS functional, which depend on the corresponding derivatives of the parameter-to-solution map—often costly and difficult to evaluate, especially in stochastic settings. To address this, we develop a rigorous computational approach based on first- and second-order adjoint methods for inverse problems governed by …

Development Of A Miniaturized Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (Ecmo) Device On A Microfluidic Platform, Nayeem Imtiaz

Theses

This research investigates the design, performance, and optimization of blood-contacting microfluidic medical devices, with each aim contributing to a broader understanding of how engineering choices influence hemocompatibility and oxygen transfer. Collectively, the findings from Aims 1A–2B offer integrated strategies to develop safer, more effective microfluidic systems for ECMO and dialysis. Aim 1A assessed hemolysis across device geometries using computational and experimental methods. All designs showed low device-induced hemolysis (< 2 ppm), validating their hemocompatibility. However, Power-Law models frequently overpredicted hemolysis, indicating a need for refined parameters tailored to microfluidic flow conditions. Aim 1B demonstrated the effectiveness of thrombosis assay techniques in evaluating clot formation in microfluidic device geometries. Results showed that geometry and local shear patterns strongly influence thrombogenesis. While hemolysis remained minimal even in high-shear devices, thrombus formation was more geometry-sensitive—underscoring the need to account for both factors in design. Modifying surface properties and accounting for blood composition could further reduce thrombotic risk. In Aim 2A, we compared PDMS, polypropylene (PP), and nanoporous silicon nitride (NPSiN) membranes for oxygen transport. Findings showed that in ECMO devices, blood-side resistance, not membrane permeability, often dominates oxygen transfer. Thus, membrane choice must be paired with optimized blood-side flow for full performance gains. Aim 2B directly addressed these limitations by integrating staggered herringbone mixers (SHBs), which introduced secondary flows and enhanced mixing. The Single Channel Herringbone design yielded the highest oxygen transfer, confirming the synergy between flow geometry and oxygen transport performance. Altogether, Aims 1A and 1B establish a strong framework for hemocompatibility evaluation, while Aims 2A and 2B provide complementary insights into optimizing oxygen transfer. Their interconnections highlight the value of a systems-level approach to designing microfluidic blood-contacting devices.

Visualizing The Dynamics Of Neuroevolution With Genetic Distance Projections, Evan Patterson

Theses

Evolutionary algorithms have shown substantial progress in recent years, especially in neural architecture search and neuroevolution applications. Despite their effectiveness, analyzing and understanding the evolutionary paths these algorithms traverse to reach solutions remains challenging. These algorithms often involve distributed computing strategies, which can include subpopulations or islands, and they explore massive or even unbounded search spaces in both continuous and non-continuous domains. Manually examining individual solutions to understand the evolutionary dynamics is often infeasible due to large population sizes, large genome sizes, and high generation counts. This work introduces a new methodology for visualizing neuroevolution population dynamics called genetic distance …

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 …

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, …

Resonating Patterns: Adaptive Resonance Theory And Self-Organizing Maps, Meeti Dixit

Theses

Adaptive Resonance Theory (ART) represents a powerful neural network architecture designed to address the stability-plasticity dilemma. Its primary objective is to enable rapid learning without compromising retention. ART embodies characteristics of self-organization and self-stabilization, distinguishing it from traditional neural networks. Unlike error-based learning prevalent in conventional models, ART employs competitive learning mechanisms. One of the distinguishing features of ART is its involvement in hypothesis testing, a departure from the approach of deep learning. This capability allows ART to learn dynamically in real-time environments. Over time, various ART models have emerged that cater to different types of data, such as binary …

Stochastic Variational Autoencoder, Shounak Desai

Theses

This work explores a novel generative modeling approach inspired by variational autoencoders (VAEs). Traditional VAEs rely on a recognition model (encoder) that approximates the latent posterior with a single gaussian distribution for each input, limiting their flexibility in capturing complex data distributions. In contrast, we propose a modified recognition model that utilizes stochastic mixtures of gaussians, allowing for a more expressive latent representation. By leveraging stochastic neural networks within the VAE framework, we aim to achieve a tighter evidence lower bound (ELBO) on the log-likelihood of the data. Our approach is a preliminary investigation to enhance the latent space structure …

Evaluating Leatherback Turtle Conservation Using The Iucn Red List, Hannah Mcguiness-Piasecki

Theses

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List is a key resource for assessing species extinction risks and serves as a framework for global conservation planning. This study focused on the Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), a species currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, evaluating the conservation policies and measures implemented by selected English-speaking countries. The study employed a policy analysis approach, reviewing national and international treaties relevant to leatherback conservation. The findings revealed that while many countries align their policies with global treaties, some gaps remain, particularly in addressing threats to adult leatherbacks …

Countering The Traditional Feminine: The Abject In The Works Of Johanna Hamann, María Evelia Marmolejo, And Regina José Galindo, Sierra Myers

Theses

This thesis explores the ways in which Contemporary Latin American feminist artists have been able to subvert the Western constructed ideas of gender that work to locate the feminine Other as subordinate and inferior. Focusing on the installations and performances by Johanna Hamann, María Evelia Marmolejo, and Regina José Galindo, there is an emphasis on the role of the abject which is used to defamiliarize our established concepts of the traditional feminine in order to allow space for a redefinition and portrayal that excludes a detrimental modern semiology rooted in a zero point epistemology. By analyzing these artists' works in …

Nextgen Humanities: A Digital Art History Pedagogical Revolution, Analisa Soverns-Reed

Theses

In response to the urgent need for more accessible, inclusive, and technologically relevant humanities education, the NextGen Humanities project was conceived as a digital initiative to reimagine pedagogical practices within art history and the broader humanities. Traditional perceptions of humanities disciplines as elite and static have contributed to declining engagement, necessitating innovative solutions that integrate open-access resources, digital tools, and inclusive frameworks. This project developed a publicly accessible platform curating free, vetted resources grounded in artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and open educational resources (OER), emphasizing critical engagement, cultural inclusivity, and technological adaptability. Methodologically, NextGen Humanities combined extensive literature …

Summit Disease: The Ecological Horror Of Empire, Nicholas Moore

Theses

This project focuses on the use of insect imagery in art and media and the theories and concepts that have been instrumental in understanding the cultural and political significance of insect species extinction and decline. I center my work on the concept of ecohorror and highlight several artists whose work depicts insect species and conveys anxieties over ecoprecarity and climate dysfunction. I argue that depictions of insects in art and media can be interpreted in two ways - insects as destructive, monstrous contaminants and insects as constructive, beneficial terraformers - and I rely on Hayao Miyazaki’s Nausicaa of the Valley …

Beatrice Wanjiku: A Portrait Of Human Vulnerability, Suzanne R. Vuoncino

Theses

Abstract artist Beatrice Wanjiku uses an anatomical composition to illustrate a sense of vulnerability, an element of human identity, in relation to one’s social environment. Going beyond the skin, Untitled excavates the mental and emotional aspects of the human condition and gives expression to experience. By observing her figural composition, examining the foundation of identity theory, and interpreting her use of abstraction, I will describe how Untitled speaks to a message of connectivity through a portrait of human vulnerability. This thesis argues that one’s environment affects the individual and exemplifies how vulnerability is seen as a pervasive aspect of human …

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 …

Investigating The Relationship Between Cellular Senescence And Pulmonary Fibrosis, Crystal Lee

Theses

This study investigates the complex relationship between cellular senescence, aging, and pulmonary fibrosis through a comprehensive analysis of bulk RNA-seq data from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and scleroderma. Using differential expression (DE) and age-associated differential expression (AADE) analyses, we revealed a paradoxical pattern: senescence-related gene sets were significantly downregulated in disease comparisons but progressively upregulated with aging within these same diseases. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) revealed that gene sets associated with DNA damage/telomere stress and oxidative stress were among the most enriched senescence inducers in fibrotic disease states, while cellular senescence and …

Methionine Matters: Comparative Dynamic Insights Into Viral Inhibition Of Host Rna Export Via Rae1-Nup98, Skye Bixler

Theses

Over time, viruses have evolved a myriad of mechanisms to gain an advantage in the virus-host battle, such as inhibiting host mRNA export through RNA Export Factor 1 (Rae1) and Nucleoporin 98 (Nup98). This strategy employed by the Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV) M protein, Kaposi’s Sarcoma-Associated Herpesvirus (KSHV) ORF10, and SARS-CoV-1/2 ORF6 disrupts antiviral production. Despite their evolutionary distance, these viral proteins share a key methionine flanked by acidic residues that competitively bind to the ssRNA binding pocket of Rae1. The VSV mutant, R1, carries an M51R mutation that disrupts viral inhibition and restores host gene export— a pattern observed …

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 …

Reducing Co2 Levels In A Classroom Through The Use Of Biofilters, Jenna Rosser

Theses

We spend 80% of our time indoors and are seeing an increase in indoor pollutants (Sharma et al., 2022). With the push to create more energy efficient buildings, the envelopes are becoming more airtight. As a result, indoor air quality (IAQ) has decreased due to the inability of indoor pollutants to escape from the building as easily through cracks and seams. (Irga et al., 2018; Satish et al., 2012). To date, there is a lot of existing research in regard to the role biofilters play in improving IAQ. Research ranges from having examined specific parts of the plants, soil conditions, …

Using Generative Ai For Tutoring Data Science, Yusra Khalid

Theses

A large increase in the use of Generative AI has been observed in the last few years. Data science is also a rapidly growing field with a high demand for skilled professionals. The goal of this thesis is to explore the potential of Generative AI, specifically ChatGPT, in facilitating data science education. The focus is on how ChatGPT can be used as a tutor to help solve practical exercises. The capabilities of Generative AI were explored along with the comparison of a few different models in terms of data science. Exploratory analysis was conducted to compare Generative AI models and …

Factors Influencing Community Assembly Of The Amphibian Microbiome In Rochester, Ny, Thomas R. Minahan

Theses

Amphibians are crucial in wetlands and, by extension, our planet. As predator and prey, amphibians serve as keystone species, vital for the continued equilibrium in their wetland ecosystems. However, the global amphibian population is currently threatened by the spread of a pathogenic fungus known as Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Over the past thirty years, Bd has spread worldwide, threatening hundreds of amphibian species. The environmental factors that influence microbial community assembly in amphibians are key to developing interventions that can protect amphibians from disease. This research examines the abiotic and biotic factors influencing microbial community composition in amphibians of Rochester, New …

Personalized Nutrition Recommendations For Arab Communities: Transforming Diet And Health Through Machine Learning, Khalfan Aldoobi

Theses

A lack of cultural understanding in traditional nutrition approaches prevents proper adherence to healthy dietary patterns among individuals. The Arab population faces unique challenges due to cultural dietary customs and lifestyle changes that have made obesity and diet illnesses major global public health challenges. The rapid shift to high-calorie but undernourished foods and less physical activity has resulted in alarming rate increases of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes. The lack of cultural understanding in traditional nutrition approaches prevents proper adherence to healthy dietary patterns among individuals. This study focuses to fills the existing gap by applying Artificial Intelligence …

Steering Through Change: How Aging Eyes And Stroke-Induced Vision Loss Affect Driver Control, Arianna P. Giguere

Theses

Imaging system engineers could greatly benefit from understanding how biological systems have evolved to solve difficult imaging problems. In this thesis, we study how the human visual system has evolved to address the complex task of visually-guided steering, particularly as a person ages and experiences a prevalent type of vision loss from stroke called cortical blindness (CB) that results in the loss of one quarter to one half of the visual field. In a series of three studies, we test the hypothesis that the effects of CB on vision and steering extend beyond those that accompany healthy aging, and we …

Prediction Of Diabetes Using Machine Learning, Walid Abdulla Abdulrahim

Theses

This research seeks to compare the overall health of diabetic patients with that of their healthy counterparts based on various heath indicators obtained from a large dataset comprising of pregnancies, glucose levels, blood pressure, skin thickness, insulin, BMI, diabetes pedigree function and age. Relative to the healthy group, increased average glucose level, higher BMI, and older age are identified in the diabetic participants. Most importantly, the results show that obesity is a significant risk factor for diabetes, and many diabetics have BMIs that are elevated above healthy levels. The data also points towards the fact that insulin resistance and prevalence …

Mundane, Ordinary And Eerie Undertones, Yixuan Xia

Theses

When people encounter fear and uncertainty, their mental and physical reactions can vary. Drawing from my personal experience and the ‘Uncanny Valley’ theory [2], I explore various materials and juxtapose ordinary elements with unsettling imagery. In this project, I focus on donuts, transforming them by adding surreal details to imbue them with eerie undertones. For example, in one of my works, a delicious-looking donut appears perfectly normal at first glance. When viewers have a close look at the donut, its surface is crawling with worms, creating an unsettling contrast between the familiar and the disturbing. By altering these familiar items, …

Effects Of Emerald Ash Borer On Temperate Wetland Ch₄ Emissions, Ethan T. Potter

Theses

Forested wetlands are a globally significant source of atmospheric methane (CH₄), and tree stems potentially contribute a large portion of emissions from these systems. However, tree stem emissions in temperate wooded wetlands, particularly those experiencing disturbance, remain largely unexamined. This study investigated the effects of emerald ash borer invasion on CH₄ fluxes from soils and tree stems in temperate wetlands of Western New York. Methane fluxes were measured from live trees, dead trees, and soils in wetlands with different emerald ash borer impact levels (high/open canopy and low/closed canopy). During eight campaigns carried out across the majority of the growing …