Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding Environmental Art: A Case Study Of Jason Decaires Taylor's Coral Greenhouse (2019), Laura Dean Hinson

Theses

This thesis highlights the need for a new way to analyze environmental art. In the past, environmental artwork has been discussed in terms of the abstract concepts that drove their creation and the role they played in moving artists outside of the gallery space in the1960s and 70s. However, in recent years environmental artists are increasingly driven by themes of environmental conservation and preservation, using scientific research as the basis of their designs. Because of the shift in focus, developing a new way to discuss environmental art that takes into consideration the influence scientific research has on art production and …

Application Of E-Learning In The Smart City Projects, Asma Ghanim Al Arai

Theses

The concept of smart city is getting popular over time. It uses communication of technology and information to maximize operational organization. It shares information among the public to improve citizen welfare and the services of the government. Smart learning or E-learning is also one of the components of a smart city. Cities are the crucible hub of human innovation. Through smart cities, the community strives to integrate and cover environmental, bio, digital and financial technologies to solve urban problems. The E-learning process is based on formalized teaching, and it enhances with the help of electronic resources. Internet and computers play …

Water Quality Assessment In Smart Cities In India, Asma Adel Rashed Alsuwaidi

Theses

This research aims at assessing the quality of water in India for the case of the 100 smart cities initiative in 2015 (Hoelscher, 2015) and propose which cities are eligible for the smart city design. K-mean and Hierarchical clustering techniques are used to divide 614 water monitoring locations in India into 6 different clusters and WHO water quality parameters are used as reference to suggest eligibility of each monitoring location for becoming a smart city. Results of this study can help planners to speed up the process of assessment and take necessary actions to enhance the water quality. The information …

Understanding Scoliosis: What Caregivers And Patients Need To Know, Megan Moore

Theses

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the vertebral column that typically occurs in children approaching puberty. 80% of scoliosis cases are idiopathic (Scoliosis Research Society, 2022). The severity of a scoliosis curve is measured in degrees and is usually diagnosed when it is greater than 10 degrees. A severe curve exceeds 45 to 60 degrees and can require surgical treatment (Scoliosis Reduction Center, 2020). Severe scoliosis causes physical deformities, such as unaligned ribs, hips, and shoulders, but also may reduce the amount of space in the chest, affecting the function of the heart and lungs (Mayo Clinic, 2022). The purpose …

House Price Prediction Using Machine Learning Model, Abdulla Alfalasi

Theses

Data Analytics and Machine Learning play an important role in extracting insights and patterns from datasets. The primary objective of using the above techniques for real world problems is to understand the intricacies of the problem, which is impossible with the help of manual human effort. The below chart shows the price trend (per sq. ft) over the past 10 years in Dubai, with a steady rise during the years from 2014. The 2020 pandemic plummeted the global prices due to the lack of demand and travel restrictions, which is clearly depicted in the chart. But at the very end …

What Drives Larval Condition For Northern Anchovy (Engraulis Mordax)? Implications For Coastal Pelagic Species Recruitment Fluctuations And Fishery Management Practices, Michelle Robidas

Theses

Discerning the causes of population boom and bust cycles for coastal pelagic species (CPS) has been a major focus of fisheries management research for over a century. Year-class strength is contingent on larval survival and condition, which can be influenced by larval size at age and growth rate. These two factors, in turn, can be affected by maternal investment and environmental variables such as water temperature, salinity, oxygen, and chlorophyll a. We evaluated each of these factors from 127 two to eight week-old Northern Anchovy (Engraulis mordax) larvae off the coast of San Diego to San Francisco, …

Assessing The Effectiveness Of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture For Growing West Coast Venus Clams, Avery Wallace

Theses

With demand for sustainable sources of seafood on the rise, California is looking to expand aquaculture with a focus on innovative culturing methods and use of native or resident species. Therefore, this study examined the potential for culturing native North American west coast venus clams (Chione californiensis and Chione undatella) using integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA). An ITMA approach was chosen because it is a culture method that uses species from different but functionally complementary trophic levels that have been found to reduce the potential negative effects of traditional monoculture. California sea cucumber (Parastichopus californicus) and the seaweeds red ogo (Gracilaria …

Game Design Learning: Understanding And Supporting The Game Design Process In Higher Education, John Healy

Theses

This thesis presents a study of the game design process in higher education. The PhD research makes several contributions to the field by developing a model of game design learning through the analysis of qualitative data and creating a number of learning supports informed by this model. The research also proposes the signature pedagogy of game design learning as the studio project and explores the relationship between game design and other design disciplines. These contributions advance the understanding and practice of game design education, benefiting researchers, educators, and designers. As the popularity of digital games has grown in the 21st …

Students With Hidden Disabilities’ Perceptions Of Online Versus On-Campus Education, And Disability Support Services, Susan Young

Theses

A focus on widening access and participation in Higher Education has resulted in increased numbers of tertiary students with hidden disabilities in recent decades, globally. While academic supports at an institutional level are available for this student population, issues are reported with them consistently, which often leads to their non-utilisation. This is one possible explanation for why these students experience inequitable academic circumstances compared to their peers concerning lower grades and welfare levels, and higher withdrawal and failure rates. There is a paucity of research available on adequate accommodations that support the academic success of students with hidden disabilities in …

Improving Cervical Spine Fracture Detection In Ct Imaging With Yolov5 Data Augmentation Strategies, Salem Ghanem Ali Al-Ali

Theses

Cervical spine fractures are the most common type of spinal injury, with over 17,730 spinal cord injuries occurring annually in the United States alone. The prevalence of spinal fractures is highest among the elderly, and these fractures are often difficult to detect due to the possibility of coexisting degenerative illnesses and osteoporosis. Computed Tomography (CT) is increasingly being used for the imaging diagnosis of adult spine fractures, replacing traditional radiography. An accurate and timely diagnosis is critical to preventing neurological degeneration and paralysis following trauma. Machine learning algorithms, such as the YOLO series developed by Ultralytics, have emerged as valuable …

The Impact Of Big Data Analytics On The E-Commerce Businesses, Riham Mahmoud Saad

Theses

Big data technologies are fundamental to the transformation of the E-Commerce sector in today's information-driven environment. Web server logs, geolocation services, abandoned shopping carts, transaction receipts, social media activity, and other sources of data can be used by online businesses to gather information. A lot of the time, having so much information might be daunting. However, Big data analytics capabilities may provide E-Commerce businesses with insightful information that can be used to better attract and keep customers while also boosting profitability and reducing costs. Big Data Analytics is attracting increased investment from E-Commerce firms. They can not only learn more …

Using Machine Learning To Analyze And Predict Crimes, And Their Impact On Society, Sally Samir Matter Isbaih

Theses

Criminal activity is on the rise everywhere and it refers to an illegal act that is subject to legal penalties. Crimes can range in severity from less serious offenses like traffic infractions and smalltime larceny to more serious ones like murder, robbery, and fraud. While those who have committed such crimes and been adjudged guilty by a court of law are known as criminals. They may lack education, be underprivileged, employed, or unemployed, or they may be wealthy. Add to this, crime may be committed differently depending on a number of variables, including family history, religion, gender, and so on. …

An Examination Of Bilateral Skill Proficiency And The Impact Of A Coach Mentoring Intervention In A Gaelic Football Development Academy, Kevin Murray

Theses

This programme of research had two aims which organised the research into two distinct phases. Phase one examined differences in bilateral skill proficiency and frequency of use between selected and non-selected Under 17 inter-county male academy Gaelic footballers. Phase two explored the coaching practices of three youth Gaelic football coaches in the same youth Gaelic football academy. In phase one, quantitative data from a bilateral skills test and match play analysis from 82 players which were retrospectively grouped as selected (n=19) and non-selected (n=63) to an Under 17 inter-county team revealed that selected players scored significantly higher than non-selected in …

The Development Of A Framework For Training Design Thinking In Industry, Aidene O'Mahony

Theses

The motivation for this research was driven by the growing interest in design thinking. The increasing use of design thinking can be observed through large organisations such as Google and IBM adopting the discipline. Recognized as a driver for innovation, organisations are turning to design thinking education and training as an approach for increasing organisation innovation capabilities. Organisations are often dependent on analytical solutions to solve such problems, which leads to organisations having trouble implementing innovative tools and techniques (Christensen and Overdorf, 2000). Research has emerged that highlights the potential for design thinking as a mediatory between analytical problem solving …

The Effects Of Processing Environment On The Additive Manufacturing Of 316l Stainless Steel, Isaac Barnett

Theses

Metal additive manufacturing provides the ability to print near-net-shape parts through a layer-by-layer process, presenting a new approach to produce complicated assemblies in one manufacturing step. MAM processes are usually characterized by the heat source and feedstock used. Another area of interest is the purge gas that is utilized in these processes. Stainless steel 316L is an austenitic stainless steel derived from 304 stainless steel to include higher strength and better weldability. The objective of this research is to determine the effects of purge gas and cooling rate during heat treatment in the additive manufacturing of stainless steel 316L using …

The Implications Of Information Load On Usability And Performance In Dashboards, Emily O'Hear

Theses

As learning analytics dashboards become ubiquitous in various industries, understanding how users process data and information is crucial to their design. Previous literature has brought valuable knowledge to dashboard design and cognitive load, but it is unclear how individuals perform with and digest a high or low information load. Tradeoffs are present as a dashboard with a lower information load requires more clicks and a dashboard with a higher information load could lead to information overload. This study presented a data-rich and minimalistic dashboard to active-duty airmen at Fairchild Air Force Base. Results indicated that participants largely preferred the data-rich …

Data In Action Story : Sharing And Exploring Earth Science Data, Dan Pham

Theses

To fill in the gap between the data vendors, who want to promote commercial datasets, and Earth Science researchers, who want an accessible method to the valuable datasets, the “Data in Action” story concept has been adopted by the NASA Commercial Smallsat Data Acquisition (CSDA) Program to encourage creating and sharing data information in story form. To aid researchers in exploring similar stories in their fields of interest, this researcher created an “Influence Network” within the “Data in Action” framework. The Influence Network is a data visualization feature which gathers information related to story relationships using a concept called “influence.” …

Environmental Factors Influencing Selection Of Cave Entrances As Nesting Sites By The Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis Phoebe), J. Foster Sims

Theses

The Eastern Phoebe (Saynoris phoebe) is a medium-sized flycatcher found throughout eastern North America that traditionally nested in cave entrance zones. However, with the onset of human civilization and the adoption of man-made structures (e.g., barns, porches, bridges), the Eastern Phoebe’s population has dramatically increased (over 90%) in recent years. There has been little recent research regarding the continued use of cave entrances as nesting sites by the Eastern Phoebe. In this study, I surveyed 50 cave entrances in northern Alabama and south-central Tennessee to determine the environmental factors that influence the use of cave entrances as nesting …

Enabling Multi-Modal Enhanced Search Using Self-Supervised Learning On Multispectral Images, Meghana Nagarahalli Paramesh

Theses

Advanced Deep Learning techniques have been widely used in Spatial Data Science specifically with Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Petabyte scale data production is occurring due to advances in remote sensing capabilities within the commercial and government sectors. Discovering relevant data for science research and applications can become difficult with large volumes of spatially and temporally diverse data availability. The NASA Commercial Smallsat Data Acquisition (CSDA) Program acquires and archives data from commercial satellite remote sensing vendors. While the underlying observation characteristics may be similar, such as being visible imagery, varying orbital and acquisition strategies result in a disparate data archive. …

Evaluating Transit Demand For Disadvantaged Riders And A New Performance Measure To Incorporate Disadvantaged Riders, Sahana Shankar

Theses

Access to transportation is a fundamental need for individuals to access employment, healthcare, education, and social activities. However, disadvantaged populations, such as the elderly, people with disabilities, and those with limited incomes, often face transportation challenges, resulting in social and economic disparities. The goal was to address these disparities by examining transit demand and introducing a new performance measure that factors in demographic characteristics, particularly for vulnerable populations. To achieve this, the study utilizes data from the United States Census and transit providers in Alabama. It relies on the Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) to pinpoint areas where vulnerable populations are …

A Dlt Based Trust Framework For Iot Ecosystems, Tharindu Ranathunga

Theses

In the last ten years, the Internet of Things (IoT) has experienced significant growth and has become a critical aspect of digital transformation across various industries such as healthcare, manufacturing, energy and society more broadly. IoT systems are now integrated across these verticals, creating ecosystems supporting data-driven decision-making and autonomous processes. These ecosystems consist of IoT network components, network services, and network participants such as organisations, consumers, governments, and businesses. They need to be built on the principles of the next-generation internet, which is viewed as being highly adaptive and resilient, trustworthy, sustainable, open and human-centric. The provision of Trust …

A Comparative Analysis Of The Quality Of Homicide Evidence Provided To Law Enforcement, Reilly Calloway

Theses

The present study investigated the perceived quality of homicide evidence provided to law enforcement by the coroner versus medical examiner systems. Respondents (N=15) from county law enforcement agencies in three different Southeastern states that utilize either the coroner, medical examiner, or combination of both systems were presented with a 17-question virtual survey that included questions regarding personal background, educational background, employment history, knowledge of the medical examiner versus coroner systems, and personal experience with one or both systems involving homicide investigations. Participants who resided in the state that utilizes the medical examiner system reported mostly negative feedback regarding the collection, …

Charting And Navigating The "Scylla And Charybdis" Conundrum Of Our Ageing Hearts - Heart Failure & Atrial Fibrillation, Simon Stewart

Theses

Residing on opposite sides of the Strait of Messina between Sicily and Calabria, Scylla and Charybdis were mythical sea monsters (one a fearsome creature, the other a deadly whirlpool) described by Homer. For anyone seeking to navigate that narrow and treacherous passage, avoid one of these lethal threats and you would be devoured by the other. For many populations around the world, the conundrum of successfully preventing and/or treating heart failure (HF) to increase longevity, only to increase the probability that it will increase the number of people living with and dying from atrial fibrillation (AF), represents a conundrum of …

Resistance Training Methods And Repeated-Sprint Ability: A Meta-Analysis, Jemma Bassi

Theses

Objectives: This study sought to review and meta-analyse the effect of resistance training methods on RSA, in particular we explored different resistance training methods on specific repeated-sprint ability (RSA) associated outcomes. A secondary aim was to assess the influencing variables, namely training background, type, intensity and frequency of intervention, age and gender.

Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and Science Direct databases were searched for original research articles. Search terms included ‘Strength-training’, ‘resistance-training’, ‘power-training’, ‘repeat-sprint-ability’, ‘repeated-sprints’ and ‘repeat-speed’. Inclusion criteria included (1) involve resistance training intervention consisting of a range of body weight and/or loaded resistance training (40-100% 1 repetition max [1-RM]) at …

Exploration Of The Effects Of Developmental Coordination Disorder On Skeletal Development From Childhood Through To Early Adulthood, Jocelyn Tan

Theses

This thesis examined bone development from childhood into early adulthood in individuals with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) using a life course health development framework. One systematic review was conducted, and four original research studies produced with retrospective data from four unique cohorts in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Physical activity was assessed via accelerometry in Finnish child and adult populations and via self-reporting in an Australian population at 17 and 20 years. Bone was assessed via peripheral quantitative computed tomography in adolescents and dual energy x-ray absorptiometry in adults at age 20 years in two Australian cohorts. Bone was assessed cross-sectionally …

Advance Care Planning In Cancer Patient - Caregiver Dyads, Natasha Michael

Theses

For many, a cancer diagnosis signals death's inevitability and elicits much existential concern. In the quest for life prolongation, many are offered or seek life-sustaining treatments, fail to appreciate a declining trajectory and lack the opportunity to seek information or plan meaningfully for their future.

Advance care planning (ACP) provides an avenue for patients and their caregivers to plan for future care. ACP is defined ‘as a process that supports adults at any age or stage of health in understanding and sharing their personal values, life goals and preferences regarding future medical care’ and is a key quality indicator in …

Politics & Religion In Comparative Perspective: Papal Pastoral Visits To Mexico In 1990 & 1993, Kiara Catherine Black

Theses

This research examines the multi-layered agency of Pope John Paul II and the diplomatic relationship between the Holy See and the United States of Mexico from 1990-1993. Specifically, the research aims to examine Pope John Paul II’s pastoral visits to Mexico in 1990 and 1993 and how his activities are shaped by religious mission and statecraft. The pastoral visits of Pope John Paul II to Mexico in 1990 and 1993 are major inflections as the diplomatic relationship changed from one of cold hostility to normalised, and even congenial, in 1992. The research project is established via a detailed description of …

Looking In Jefferson's Mirror: Thomas Jefferson's Evolving Representation In Public History, Julie Spent

Theses

Thomas Jefferson's legacy entertains a high level of debate and controversy. Though he left a dense record of historical documents, the debate surrounding his words and actions has allowed for differing interpretations and representations over time. This study will focus on Jefferson's representations in public history with specific emphasis on examining the limitations or distortions present in these interpretations. Analysis of the image of Jefferson in public history reveals larger social and cultural influences in American society. This investigation will incorporate the way in which public history interpretations of Jefferson reflect and influence public views on race, class, and gender. …

Alabama's French Connection, Dixie Norwood

Theses

During the seventeenth century, a race to expand European empires into the New World was underway. Many explorers landed on shores that were far from where they had intended to arrive. What many perceived as mistakes, others saw as opportunities. Louis XIV was determined to expand his empire and establish a larger French dominance in North America. He and his minister of finance, Jean Baptiste Colbert, recognized that France was in a position to expand New France and the French Empire’s territory by following a previously spoken plan laid out by French explorer, René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle in …

Automated Loan Approval System For Banks, Abdulrahman Saeed Almheiri

Theses

Machine learning and deep learning have revolutionized industries. Businesses have seen a boost in revenue through the use of these techniques, including the multibillion-dollar loan and credit industry. This study aims to develop a machine learning model to approve or disapprove loan applications based on customer characteristics, using algorithms such as statistical models, tree- based models, boosting models, and voting/stacking models. An exploratory analysis was conducted to understand customer characteristics, and the decision tree model proved to have the best performance with high precision in loan approval prediction.