Digital Commons Network^™

Memory Protection With Cached Authentication Trees, Andy Belle-Isle

Theses

The use of embedded systems and the amount of data they process is rapidly growing in the modern information age. Given physical access to a device, an attacker can monitor the signals between the CPU and Memory to intercept, and possibly even inject new data into the system. A variety of attacks are possible including, replay, spoofing, and splicing attacks, each one threatening the safety of the system. Ensuring this data is intact is imperative, and as physical protection is difficult, data protection hardware is a must. Protecting memory was researched in the past, and there are several methods of …

Online Fourier Analysis Of Time-Varying Signals In A Real-Time Embedded Environment, Ty Freeman

Theses

A software-based, constant-flow implementation of the radix-2 Cooley-Tukey fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm is presented in this paper. The program is built within a real-time embedded environment running FreeRTOS. The system is used for the online frequency anal- ysis of time-varying, one-dimensional signals of an arbitrary length. The system’s design is validated through testing to produce results accurately on signals within specific boundaries. The proposed system has a maximum transform size of 256 samples due to the memory limitations on the development board. The hardware in use is an STM32L476 Nucleo development board which simulates the lightweight, low power, and …

Quantum Acceleration Of Linear Regression For Artificial Neural Networks, Martin A. Hoffnagle

Theses

Through proofs and small scale implementations, quantum computing has shown potential to provide significant speedups in certain applications such as searches and matrix calculations. Recent library developments have introduced the concept of hybrid quantum-classical compute models where quantum processor units could be used as additional hardware accelerators by classical computers. While these developments have opened the prospect of applying quantum computing to machine learning tasks, there are still many limitations of near and midterm quantum computing. If implemented carefully, the advantages of quantum algorithms could be used to accelerate current machine learning models. In this work, a hybrid quantum-classical model …

End-To-End Network Slicing Using Hypergraph Theory, Omar Abdul-Latif

Theses

Network slicing is the practice of implementing multiple virtualized and independent architectures on a single physical network infrastructure, in a way that allows for multiplexing and efficient use of resources. Network slicing is based on the concept of network virtualization and, when it reaches maturity, is expected to result in complete softwarization of 5G, Beyond-5G (B5G) and 6G networks. This means that future networks will only need minimal physical infrastructure upgrades (mostly in the frontend of the network). Network slicing is identified as one of the key enablers of next generation wireless mobile networks due to its ability to multiplex …

Improved Grover’S Implementation Of Quantum Binary Neural Networks, Brody A. Wrighter

Theses

Binary Neural Networks (BNNs) are the result of a simplification of network parameters in Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). The computational complexity of training ANNs increases significantly as the size of the network increases. This complexity can be greatly reduced if the parameters of the network are binarized. Binarization, which is a one bit quantization, can also come with complications including quantization error and information loss. The implementation of BNNs on quantum hardware could potentially provide a computational advantage over its classical counterpart. This is due to the fact that binarized parameters fit nicely to the nature of quantum hardware. Quantum …

Single-Mode Distributed-Feedback Lasing In Coupled Dissimilar Photonic Waveguides, Bryce A. Tennant

Theses

Distributed-feedback (DFB) lasers support a wide range of applications including fiber-optic and free-space optical communications, sensing and measurement, military warfare, and manufacturing and metrology. The desire for a reduction in size, weight, power, and cost (SWAP-C) for each of these applications continues to aggressively drive integrated- and silicon-photonic circuit development. Since DFB lasers based on uniform refractive-index diffraction gratings are naturally dual-mode, a variety of techniques have been introduced to impose single-mode operation, including the currently ubiquitous λ/4-grating phase-shift technique. This grating phase shift, however, creates an undesirable peaky-power profile within the laser cavity resulting in nonlinear behavior ultimately limiting …

Advanced Control Of Vapor Compression Liquid Chillers, Suliman Awad

Theses

Chillers are one of the most sophisticated and most important equipment in cooling plants. Due to its complexity and importance, a cost effective and accurate control technique is a necessity to ensure system reliability and longevity. As the chiller contains multiple inputs and outputs, two advanced multivariable control techniques were selected to control the chillers cooling capacity, exit chilled liquid temperature of the evaporator as well as to reject disturbances. The advanced techniques covered in this framework are the Linear Quadratic Integral (LQI) and Model Predictive Control (MPC). Both were successfully applied to the chiller’s model for multiple testing cases …

Exploring Search-By-Video Technology For Searching Structured Human Movements: Insights From Sign Language Look-Up Systems, Saad Hassan

Theses

Identifying unfamiliar human movements is crucial across several tasks and fields, including skill acquisition and human movement analysis research. With the advancements in computer vision technology, search systems can be developed that allow users to search for human movements by submitting a video sample. A clear example of such systems is search-by-video sign-language look-up systems. The advances in sign-language recognition technology have made it feasible to design these systems, which allow users to generate queries by either submitting a video of themselves performing the word or by submitting a video segment containing the unknown sign. These systems can be particularly …

Incorporating High Dynamic Range Into Multispectral Imaging For Cultural Heritage Documentation, Gabrielle Brogle

Theses

The dynamic range that can be captured using traditional image capture devices is limited. While an image sensor cannot capture the entire dynamic range that the human eye can see, imaging techniques have been developed to help accomplish this. High dynamic range imaging has been incorporated into digital photography pipelines to produce high-quality images with correctly exposed regions with varying illumination. The multiple exposures are fused together in post- processing. By capturing a broader dynamic range, the range of contrast captured is also increased, helping to improve color accuracy. Cultural heritage institutions face limitations when trying to capture color accurate …

Techniques To Create A Realistic Digital Collection Of Near Planar Cultural Heritage Objects, Snehal A. Padhye

Theses

Cultural heritage objects like paintings and manuscripts are a rich source of information about human history and a lot has been discovered through their study. A great collection of such artifacts is scattered around the globe in various libraries and research institutions. Digital images of the objects make them accessible to a greater audience, but images offer only a limited experience compared to observing the real thing. Public access to institutions got further limited during pandemic times, further increasing importance of techniques that enable rich access to such objects remotely. In addition, due to the physical nature of these often …

Electrochemical Investigation Of Copperzirconium Based Metallic Glass Cu₅₁Zr₃₀Hf₁₄Ag₅, Tamim Mohammad Ahmad

Theses

This thesis is concerned with the electrochemical investigation of the copper-zirconium

based metallic glass Cu₅₁Zr₃₀Hf₁₄Ag₅. Studying the corrosion behavior of the novel melt-spun metallic glass ribbons contributes to further research on the possibility of building future bio-implants. The objectives of this thesis are to synthesize the metallic glass ribbons which are free from cytotoxic elements using melt spinning technique, verify their amorphous nature using X-ray diffraction method, study the corrosion behavior using Potentiodynamic polarization and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy in different acidic, neutral and basic solutions, and finally examine the surface morphology of …

Using Metal-Organic Frameworks (Mofs) In Producing Self-Curing Concrete, Lama Fathi Allan

Theses

Curing of concrete is the presence of adequate moisture content in concrete throughout its early stages to produce the desired properties, as it is significant in improving the concrete microstructure and pore structure and hence in developing its performance and durability. However, good curing is not always practical in several cases, such as in hot weather regions and areas of water inadequacy. For that reason, the need to develop self-curing concrete attracted several researchers. The use of self-curing agents minimizes the water evaporation from concrete and consequently increases its water retention capacity compared to conventional concrete. This thesis is concerned …

Heat Transfer In Microchannel Compact Heat Exchanger, Mohammed Al-Khateri

Theses

This study aims to investigate heat transfer in a miniaturized channel heat exchanger and effectiveness for given real-life design. The main objective of the study is to develop and build a high-performance heat exchanger for thermal management in automotive application using typical radiator manufacturing techniques. This research uses experimental and model-based investigation. It conceptualizes the Miniaturized Channel Heat Exchangers (MCHX) model-based study for demonstrating the design of miniaturized channel heat exchangers, manufacture, and study the heat exchanger effectiveness by validating the developed mathematical model experimentally. The proposed design of the MCHX is to use extruded tubes containing miniaturized channels as …

Characterization Of Piezoelectric Coefficient Using Combined Optical And Electrical Methods, Limna Sainudeen Attoor

Theses

The characterization of piezoelectric coefficients, specifically, the extraction of D33 charge constant versus applied voltage profiles plays an important role in MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) design and actuation. MEMS structures widely use piezoelectric thin films due to their advantages of possessing high piezoelectric constants and lightweight properties. Hence there is a need for characterizing piezoelectric materials so that one can predict their response during different operating conditions. In this work, a combined electrical and light-based methodology to characterize the voltage dependency profile of d33 is developed. A set of equations are extracted based on the electrical capacitance and light …

Finding The Circle In The Square: A Neoplatonic Interpretation Of Kazimir Malevich’S Black Square, Matthew Madison Rowe

Theses

This thesis explores the influence of Silver Age philosophers Vladimir Soloviev, Sergei Bulgakov, and Pavel Florensky on Kazimir Malevich’s Black Square. Malevich was among the first to apply Silver Age philosophy to abstract art, fully rejecting all objective representation in art. The thesis argues that Malevich’s Suprematism was the result of the fundamental antimony of the Russian religious worldview, which understands reality as both immanent and transcendent. This understanding of reality was not unique to Russia but was the result of historic influences, including the Neoplatonic and religious-humanist philosophy that was prevalent in Russian intellectual culture during this period. …

A Critical Analysis Of Jeffrey Gibson’S Because Once You Enter My House, It Becomes Our House, A Queer Counter-Monument, Ryan Pagett

Theses

This thesis discusses Indigenous Queer artist Jeffrey Gibson’s active engagement with his queer identity in his work. Using the five aspects of a counter-monument as defined by Stevens, Franck, and Fazakerley’s Counter-monuments: the anti-monumental and the dialogic; using queer as both a form of identification; and using queer as a verbal strategy, this thesis argues that Gibson’s latest work, Because Once You Enter My House, It Becomes Our House is a “queer counter-monument.” Counter-monumentalism was a movement initially developed in Germany post-World War II in opposition to monumentalism as a system of oppression. Countermonumental work disengages from traditional monuments …

Curio-Stereo: A Vr Application For The Viewing Of Stereograph Cards, Paige Sandheinrich

Theses

This project discusses the historical significance of stereograph cards as a tool for constructing a shared visual culture in the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States and the United Kingdom. Stereographs were widely popularized as an entertainment and educational tool, offering an immersive experience for the viewers. The stereoscopic nature of the images allowed the viewers to immerse themselves in a non-physical reality through visual stimulation, creating a haptic involvement that was unique to the medium. The project of creating a VR application to view stereographs is presented as a potential solution to the problem of …

Bridge: A Thoughtful Workflow, Isabella Rainey

Theses

The creative workspace is filled with all walks of life – from right to left brains, different personality types, mental health setbacks, and differences in neurodivergencies. While the differences amongst employees can be a huge asset, it can also create a struggle to have productive and inclusive workflows – specifically in relation to project life cycles. These types of differences can create a gap in regards to healthy communication, which can lead to lesser productivity in the long run due to a disconnect with employees battling mental health setbacks. There are many tools out there already that focus on productivity, …

A Cookieless Future: Solving The Ux Problems Caused By The Privacy Protections Method, Ibrahim S. Hanoglu

Theses

To the author’s knowledge, this article is the most comprehensive research study of its kind, if not the only example, as it examines the user experience issue caused by privacy protection methods from a theoretical and practical perspective. This study investigated where third-party cookies are used according to marketing techniques, the effects of these cookies, and the user experience problems that arise after these cookies are blocked by privacy protection methods. The research firstly determined the access to the user’s computer in both methods by measuring the files and trackers left on the computer by comparing the Chrome browser, which …

User Experience Research For Books For Stl Kids, Danielle Nicole Randall

Theses

This project focuses on how to improve Book for STL Kids website experience. The primary focus is to study how key users utilize and interact with the organization’s website. The final deliverable is a list of user experience improvement recommendations for the organization.

Building An Immersive Simulation Of The 1785 Parisian Salon In Vr: A Guide To Recreating Historical Interiors And Digital Twins, Charles E. O'Brien

Theses

This project aims to identify a workflow for creating digital twins without access to specialized 3D imaging equipment, such as photogrammetry. The process of creating a digital twin without specialized equipment is focused more on research than data analysis. Readily available resources, such as literature, paintings, drawings, and any other historical accounts, need to be considered. The case study for this workflow was reconstructing the Parisian Salon from 1785. The Salons were a haven for men and women to have intellectual discourse. The essence of scholarly thought that was produced through these Salon exhibits makes them perfect historical event candidates …

Glass, Danielle Tonnessen

Theses

This project is a full walking simulator video game and includes a demonstration of a variety of game design and development skills, including pre-development documentation, narration, game design audio, graphics, post-processing, UI elements and animation. Additionally, the project promotes the author’s ability in creative writing, and involves mental health subject matter with a focus on trauma processing, hypnosis, and survivor’s guilt.

High School Curriculum Outline And Unit Plan For Unit 3: Researching And Referencing For The Comparative Study, Kendra Bomar

Theses

Before beginning the International Baccalaureate Art program, most high school students will have already spent a significant amount of time studying a variety of art genres and will have a solid understanding of art terminology and methods. This is because the program is designed to build upon prior knowledge and experience. This is true for the majority of schools that participate in the IB program. It is common practice for educational institutions that provide tough programs to insist that students complete prerequisite coursework before they are allowed to enroll in the challenging programs that the institution provides. This is done …

Study Of Advanced Friction Material For The Automotive Industry, Manisha Upreti

Theses

Manufacturing/casting defects and the corroding nature of grey cast iron require the attention of researchers to search for a better alternative to grey cast iron rotors. The increasing demand and market of electric, hybrid vehicles draw the attention of scientists and car manufacturers to conduct more research to find suitable and sustainable braking material that can overcome the issues related to grey cast iron rotors brakes. A modern alternative for grey cast iron rotors may be 3D-printed stainless steel rotors. The promising future of 3D printing technology has propelled the manufacturing industry into a new era of customized fabrication. Thus, …

Beyond The Page: Multimodal Lab-Based Research And Development In Creative Writing, Matthew Jacob Gordon

Theses

This collection acts as the supporting evidence of the hypothesis that, while acting as Graduate Director of SIU’s Digital Xpressions Lab, Matthew Gordon was able to successfully provide effective support for the digital expression of collaborator’s and client's domains of knowledge while forming innovative research partnerships with academics within the SIU system and beyond. A unique form for a MFA in Creative Writing’s thesis, this collection represents the multimodal creative work a contemporary narrative designer can undertake in a single academic year when given the ability to lead a facility like Southern Illinois University’s Digital Xpressions Lab. Qualitative evidence in …

Investigating The Impact Of Baselines On Integrated Gradients For Explainable Ai, Ajay Shewale

Theses

Deep Neural Networks have rapidly developed over the last few years, demonstrating state-of-the-art performances on various machine learning tasks such as image classification, natural language processing, and speech recognition. Despite their remarkable performance, deep neural networks are often criticized for their need for more interpretability, which makes it difficult to comprehend their decision-making process and get insights into their workings. Explainable AI has emerged as an important area of study that aims to overcome this issue by providing understandable explanations for deep neural network predictions. In this thesis, we focus on one of the explainability methods called Integrated Gradients (IG) …

A Graph-Based Approach To Studying The Spread Of Radical Online Sentiment, Le Nguyen

Theses

The spread of radicalization and extremism through the Internet is a growing problem. We are witnessing a rise in online hate groups, inspiring the impressionable and vulnerable population towards extreme actions in the real world. Though the body of research to address these issues is growing in kind, they lack a key understanding of the structure and behavior of online extremist com- munities. In this thesis, we study the structure and behavior of extremist online communities and the spread of hateful sentiments through them to address this gap in the research. We propose a novel Graph-Based Approach to Studying the …

Physiological Signals And The Effects On Prediction Of Future Blood Glucose Values In A Deep Learning Model, Andrew Rearson

Theses

Diabetes is a chronic disease that currently has no cure. However, in the last decade, life- changing technology for people with diabetes has advanced primarily due to new sensors that continuously measure glucose. Individuals with diabetes manually use this data for diabetes management, but the artificial intelligence community has seen the increase in data as an opportunity to work towards automating diabetes control. The project developed deep-learning neural networks incorporating blood glucose measurements measured by a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and physical activity data from a wearable health sensor (WHS) to predict future glucose values and compare how different configuration …

Implementation Of Model-Free Sliding Mode Control On A Multi-Input Multi-Output System, Walker Hare

Theses

Bioinspired flight serves to balance the advantages of fixed-wing flight as well as traditional rotary systems. A flapping wing aerial system exhibits high maneuverability at low speeds like a rotary system and the higher efficiency that fixed-wing systems exhibit in forward flight. A method to actuate a flapping wing structure is using piezoelectric elements. Using flapping wings to perform aerial maneuvers and facilitate stable flight will require precise control of the piezoelectric elements and control surfaces. The focus of the research is the construction of a feedback control platform for the flapping wing aerial system. For any type of feedback …

Care: Towards Customized Assistive Robot-Based Education, Nafisa Abdul Razak Maaz

Theses

Purpose of the Study The aim of this paper is to propose a solution for enhancing the learning experience of elementary school students by combining Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics in education. Our AI-powered system aims to classify students according to their intellectual abilities and offer personalized educational materials to assist their progress. Summary We propose using a personalized tutor robot to aid students in their learning. The robot categorizes students into three groups – High-Ability Student (HAS), Average-Ability Student (AAS), or Low-Ability Student (LAS) - based on their performance, facial expressions, and subjective feedback. The robot then displays educational …