Model Free Sliding Mode Control For Uavs, Aashrita Mandalapu

Theses

Sliding Mode Control (SMC) is a robust and adaptable control strategy recognized for its ability to withstand uncertainties, disturbances, and parameter variations. Although the straightforward implementation of SMC along with its insensitivity to modeling inaccuracies make it effective for a wide range of applications, it still relies heavily on an accurate system model. In dynamic environments where system characteristics vary over time, a model-independent SMC framework becomes necessary. So, a Model-Free Sliding Mode Control (MFSMC) approach is proposed as a compelling solution for complex nonlinear systems where deriving an accurate model is difficult. In contrast to conventional SMC approach, MFSMC …

The Heart Seat™: An In Home Cardiovascular Monitoring Device, Archana Venkataramani

Theses

Heart failure (HF) is one of the most common disorders, affecting an estimated 64 million people globally. Although heart failure incidence is stabilizing in some countries, prevalence is rising because of an aging population, improved post-myocardial infarction survival, and advances in treatment. High mortality, morbidity, reduced quality of life, and significant healthcare costs are results of heart failure (Shahim et al., 2023). Recurrent heart failure episodes are associated with an increased risk of death. Heart monitoring systems exist in several forms, including implantable cardiac devices, wearable and portable monitors, and remote patient monitoring systems. Each type differs in monitoring needs, …

Security Evaluation Of Post-Quantum Ml-Dsa Implementations Against Software-Induced Fault Attacks, Alexis Korensky

Theses

Quantum computing is a form of computation that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to perform mathematical computations at a faster rate than classical computers. Although quantum computing is currently still in its early stages, if a general-purpose, large-scale, and fault-tolerant quantum computer were to be built, it would jeopardize the security of modern public-key cryptosystems. If these cryptosystems were broken, secure connections could not be authenticated, enabling Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks, and digital messages could not be signed. All data sent over secured HTTPS and/or TLS connections would be vulnerable and potentially malicious since its origin and integrity could not …

The Usability And Influence Of Comprehensive Sports Nutrition Handouts For Adolescent-Aged Female Athletes, Chloe Brassie

Theses

Objective: This study aimed to examine the usability and influence of comprehensive sports nutrition handouts for adolescent-aged female athletes. Design: Cross-sectional online survey incorporating post retrospective-pre self-assessment Participants: Adolescent female athletes between 13 and 17 years of age Methods: Participants received a series of digital nutrition handouts every day for seven days and completed an online survey. Variables: Age, sport, engagement, knowledge, behavior, features of interest, and experience with nutrition education. Analysis: Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and qualitative data were examined using thematic analysis. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test assessed the change in responses for both knowledge and …

Optimizing Motor Insurance Premiums In The Uae Using Predictive Analytics, Samar Abdelsalam

Theses

The car insurance industry in the UAE and GCC faces growing challenges including premium inflation, fraudulent claims, inconsistent pricing models, and lagging innovation in underwriting. This study investigates how predictive analytics and machine learning can enhance motor insurance premium optimization, with a focus on incorporating socio-demographic, behavioral, environmental, and vehicle-specific risk factors. Using a publicly available dataset of over 125,000 insurance policy records, this research applies a CRISP-DM framework to develop and evaluate supervised learning models including Linear Regression, Decision Trees, and Random Forests. Results highlight Linear Regression as the most effective model (RMSE = 193.62, R² = 0.9016), enabling …

Inflection Points In Academic Career Trajectories: Statistical Modeling And Interactive Visualization, Aicha Malouche

Theses

This thesis examines the temporal structure of academic career trajectories, with a particular focus on identifying non-linear patterns of research productivity and moments of maximum acceleration in scientific impact. Situated within the broader context of bibliometric evaluation, the study responds to long-standing limitations of aggregate and linear career models that obscure heterogeneity across disciplines and national research systems. Drawing on theories of cumulative advantage, life-cycle productivity, and structural stratification, the research seeks to clarify how and when elite researchers experience peak growth in impact over the course of their careers. The study is guided by four research questions: (1) when …

Air Mass Trajectories Related To Dust Storms On Mars And A Comparison Study With Spacecraft Images, Mohammad Abdulla Ahli

Theses

The Martian weather system, climate, and surface evolution are strongly influenced by dust storms, which interact with the atmospheric circulation and the planet’s surface features. In this study, selected Martian dust storms are examined using data provided by the Emirates Mars Mission (EMM) and the Mars Climate Database (MCD) to track the movement of air masses and improve understanding of how these storms develop and move across the Martian atmosphere.

The Emirates Mars Mission (EMM), together with the Mars Climate Database (MCD), provides the data needed to track the movement of air masses at different altitudes and times of the …

Prediction Of Methane Gas By Using Hyperspectral Imageries And Remote Sensing Techniques, Aysha Ali Alhajeri

Theses

Greenhouse gases is important for sustaining life on earth as well as in mitigating climate change. Methane (CH4) is considered as one of the most important critical gases for the global climate change and have significant influences on our life. Accordingly, the prediction of this greenhouse gas emissions is very important for avoiding the climate change effects and to maintain environmental sustainability. The objective of this study is to explore the potential applications for remote sensing to predict methane levels in the Earth’s atmosphere with a combination of local ground data and data from hyperspectral satellite imagery. By using hyperspectral …

Stimuli-Responsive Chemotherapy For Glioblastoma: Sequence-Dependent Synergy Of Cold Atmospheric Plasma And Ultrasound With Cationic Lipo-Doxo, Alessandro Cazzolla

Theses

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive, infiltrative astrocytic tumour in which pharmacotherapy remains constrained by the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the heterogeneously altered blood brain tumour barrier, with additional limitations imposed by active efflux and the complexity of the tumour microenvironment. In this setting, externally addressable strategies that modulate transport and uptake at the site of disease are required. A stimuli-responsive chemotherapy platform was developed in which Lipo-DOXO was combined with two non-invasive physical modalities, low-frequency ultrasound (US) and cold atmospheric plasma (CAP), to enhance intratumoural delivery while limiting off-target effects. Liposomes were produced by thin-film hydration followed by a controlled, …

Microplastics In St. John, United States Virgin Islands Sediments: Methodological Approaches And Variability Of Microplastics Concentrations And Accumulation Rates, Henry B. Arbaugh, Sarah C. Gray, Dimitri Deheyn

Theses

Sediment samples were collected from a near shore and reef site in Coral Bay, St. John, United States Virgin Islands (USVI) from 2007-2016, using tube sediment traps. These samples provide an opportunity to study microplastics (MPs) in an area where no previous MP studies have been performed. Most sedimentary MP studies utilize benthic samples which can only measure MP concentrations (#MP/g or #MP/mL sediment), while sediment traps can provide MP accumulation rates (#MP/cm²/day) as a function of time. However, the methods used for extracting MPs from benthic samples have not been tested using sediment trap samples whose characteristics, …

Assessing Localized Recovery And Synchrony Of An Endangered Wetland Species., Aiyana Reissman

Theses

The state and federally endangered light-footed Ridgway’s rail (LFRR; Rallus obsoletus levipes) is central to regional conservation, yet the drivers of its population fluctuations remain poorly understood. The fragmented nature of coastal wetlands in Southern California is threatening the existence of endemic species like the LFRR. Tidal inundation, severe storms, and overpredation threaten the survival of LFRR. This study addresses population fluctuations by analyzing the spatial and temporal drivers of LFRR populations to inform effective, site-specific management.

To do this, a 45-year (1980–2024) LFRR census data set across 16 wetlands throughout its range in California was synthesized. A multi-faceted …

Investigating The Knowledge, Attitudes And Practices Towards Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus In A Student Population In The United Kingdom: A Quantitative Study, Philip Boadu Anim

Theses

Aim: To explore the knowledge on the risk factors, signs and symptoms, management, and complications of Diabetes, attitudes, and practices towards prevention of Diabetes Mellitus among university students in the United Kingdom.

Methods: The researcher utilised a quantitative study design in carrying out the study. The study was conducted at Cardiff Metropolitan University with Cardiff Met students being the target population. Thirty (30) participants were recruited through convenient sampling. Data was collected through questionnaires using closed ended questions. The Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 27 as used to analyse the data collected. Statics were performed to form a …

Multipath Exploitation For Radar Sensing In An Urban Environment Using The Music Algorithm For Jammer Mitigation, Daniel De Zutter

Theses

With the increased push for spectrum sharing techniques, the technological world surrounding radar has been constantly pushing to find new methodologies. From being able to integrate with a communication system to mitigating the effects of other users on a system, the research community is pushing forward. We look to tackle the problem of mitigating a jammer using a multipath MUltiple SIgnal Classification (MUSIC) based approach. We take multiple steps to implement this and generate a framework for future work. We first take a look at understanding the current state of the art research surrounding DFRC, multipath exploitation, MUSIC algorithms, RIS …

Knowledge And Perception Of Human Milk Donation Among Pregnant, Lactating, And Postpartum Women In Rochester, Ny, And Near Hmbana Milk Banks, Samantha Allen

Theses

Human milk banks provide pasteurized donor milk for premature infants whose mothers are unable to produce sufficient amounts of milk, offering critical nutritional and immunological benefits for this high-risk population.1–4 Although 28 HMBANA-accredited milk banks operate in the United States, none are located within 4.5 hours of Rochester, NY. This study examined the knowledge and perceptions of human milk bank donation among pregnant, lactating, and postpartum women in Rochester, NY, and in communities near HMBANA-affiliated milk banks, and assessed if there is a correlation regarding the proximity of milk banks.  A cross-sectional study design was used, and participants completed a …

Exploring Interpenetrating Networks Derived From Compostable Polymers In Separations, Hailey Holshouser

Theses

The increasing demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable water treatment technologies drives the development of membranes that work to balance mechanical durability, tunable selectivity, and long-term stability. In this exploratory work, an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) membrane system composed of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (pHEMA) was developed to provide a more compostable and compatible platform for advanced separation applications. While the compostability of the entire framework was not tested, the dominant presence of PBAT in the matrix makes the membrane intrinsically favorable for composting. Mechanochemical Ionic Electrochromic Generators (IEGens) were synthesized and incorporated into the PBAT backbone for …

Urban Effects On Cloud Formation, Boundary Layer Circulation, And Rainfall Over Miami, Aaron A. Serre

Theses

The sensitivity of cloud and precipitation formation is expected to be enhanced over urban areas due to persistent sea-breeze forcing. This study combines surface observations, satellite data, and numerical modeling to investigate the impacts of urbanization in the Miami Metropolitan Region (MMR) on surface meteorology, cloud formation, and precipitation. Satellite observations reveal urban expansion of approximately 348 km², along the western boundary of the MMR. These areas also exhibit statistically significant increases in land surface and air temperatures. Geostationary satellite data show enhanced morning cloud formation over the MMR, while increasing rainfall and interannual variability in cloudiness are observed along …

Inflex : A Scalable Framework For Malware Analysis, Correlation, And Steganography Detection, Luke Bower

Theses

Modern malware campaigns operate in stages across diverse formats, including PE, ELF, shellcode, and malicious documents, some leveraging steganography to deliver payloads such as Quasar RAT and Lokibot. Because analysis tooling remains siloed by artifact type, analysts struggle to identify shared code reuse, behavioral overlap, and campaign relationships when adversaries avoid traditional indicators. This thesis presents INFLEX, a framework that normalizes diverse artifacts through a unified pipeline combining static analysis, emulated behavioral extraction, sandbox execution, and threat intelligence enrichment. Its correlation layer introduces Variant Resilient Function Hashing (VRFH), validated against fuzzy hashing baselines on targeted samples, and Weighted Artifact Fusion …

Modeling And Identification Of Thermal Interactions In Lithium-Ion Battery Modules, Saima Alam

Theses

The recent development of lithium-ion battery technology has fueled its adoption in electric vehicles (EVs) as the primary power source due to its high energy and power density. However, the high energy density comes at the cost of higher safety requirements. To ensure the lithium-ion battery pack's operational safety, performance optimization, and longevity, a Battery Management System (BMS), an electronic controller, is employed. Recent reports of battery pack overheating, fire, and explosion in EVs expose the limitations of the BMS in detecting the abnormalities and preventing them from propagating to other cells. To address these limitations, in the first part …

Performance Comparison Of A 25 Mm Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine Using Multi-Ring Injection, Nathan C. Mead

Theses

Rotating detonation rocket engines (RDREs) use one or more detonation waves traveling circumferentially around an annular (center body, CB) or cylindrical (center bodiless, CBL) combustion chamber, offering theoretical advantages over conventional deflagration-based combustors. A new geometry, the center fill (CF), further enhances the CBL geometry by adding a fuel-oxidizer injector ring near the center of the combustion chamber, increasing energy density and thus propulsion performance. To evaluate CF operability and performance, a 25 mm CF RDRE running gaseous methane and oxygen is tested across varying equivalence ratios at 0.076 kg/s total mass flow rate, and across varying mass flow rates …

Examining Preoperative Health And Lifestyle Risk Factors In Patients Awaiting Surgery During Covid-19 In Western Australia, Nadine Radin

Theses

This study investigated the prevalence of modifiable preoperative lifestyle risk factors among patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal and colorectal surgery at a metropolitan hospital in Perth, Western Australia (WA). It aimed to characterise behaviours such as smoking, alcohol and drug use, nutritional risk, physical fitness, frailty, and body mass index (BMI), and to examine whether these changed during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 compared to 2019.

A retrospective audit of 2,340 patient medical records was conducted, with data extracted from routinely collected preadmission documentation. Regression models compared the prevalence of risk factors across matched calendar periods, adjusting …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Scenario-Based Virtual Escape Rooms To Improve Student Confidence In Dosage Calculations, Jennifer A. Cuevas

Theses

Abstract

Background: Accurate dosage calculations (DCs) are critical for patient safety, as medication errors contribute to approximately 7,000-9,000 preventable deaths annually. Nearly 30% of nursing students exhibit weakness in foundational mathematical skills, and a significant confidence gap exists: 70% feel confident in mathematical abilities, yet only 45% feel confident in clinical application, necessitating innovative educational interventions.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to implement and evaluate a scenario-based virtual escape room intervention to enhance undergraduate nursing students' confidence in DCs.

Methods: Grounded in Kolb’s experiential learning theory, this online asynchronous intervention engaged students through concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract …

The Impacts Of Land Use Land Cover Change And Urbanization On Precipitation In The Kentucky–Ohio River Valley, Madison Wallner

Theses

This thesis evaluates how urban growth modifies warm-season rainfall and convection near Louisville, Cincinnati, and Evansville. From 1987–2024, rainfall increased at most stations, but MERRA-2 and statistical modeling show that regional ascent and moisture were the primary controls on seasonal precipitation. Radar analysis identified storm initiation as the dominant event type, especially near Louisville’s urban–river boundary and northeastern downwind corridor. Louisville’s developed land increased from 53.5% to 66.3%, while MODIS showed significant nighttime warming but little daytime warming. GOES cloud-frequency patterns were also locally enhanced near river, urban-edge, southeastern vegetated, and downwind areas. WRF sensitivity simulations showed that urban land …

Optimizing Marketing Campaigns To Maximize The Response Rate For A Supermarket Using Machine Learning Techniques, Alia Almansoori

Theses

Supermarkets must improve their marketing tactics at a time of changing consumer behavior and increasing competition in the retail industry. Engaging the wide and sophisticated consumer base of today's supermarkets is difficult using traditional methods. This proposal presents a data-driven approach using cutting-edge machine learning methods to enhance supermarket marketing strategies. The main goal is to increase the response rate of marketing initiatives, which will improve consumer engagement and ultimately increase revenue. Additional primary objectives are customer segmentation and targeting, predictive modeling, personalization, ongoing performance monitoring, and ROI evaluation. The current problem centers around personalization and accuracy. Due to the …

The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence And Technology On Online Learning In The Higher Education Sector, Afra Alqemzi

Theses

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology into education has become an inseparable part of online education transforming the landscape of the higher education, which has provided a chance to experience flexible learning patterns according to personal needs, individualized and optimized instruction strategies and more effective and purposeful student involvement. Knowing how such technologies evolve in institutions with increasing implementation of AI-driven platforms is therefore critical to strategic and long-term planning. This paper aims at examining the effects of AI in the advancement of online learning in higher education, including the following aspects; improvements of outcomes, compliance with the …

Tranquil Talismans, Yayan Zhang

Theses

My series aims to delve deep into my personal experiences, narrating the uncertainty of graduating, the imbalance between study and work, and the anxiety brought about by countless rejections that have gradually disrupted the rhythm of my life. This disruption manifests in physiological symptoms such as insomnia, irregular menstrual cycles, emotional fluctuations, and the discovery of bodily lumps.My thesis work is separated into three parts of my journey. The first part portrays a dark period marked by chaos and confusion as I underwent a transition in my social roles and visually metaphorizes the onset of anxiety as darkness and chaos …

From Tension To Teaching: Combating Incivility And Bullying Behaviors Directed At Nursing Students, Shelley Dyal

Theses

Background: The phrase “nurses eat their young” has long been used to describe the culture of incivility and bullying often directed at nursing students. These behaviors in the nursing clinical learning environment break down nurse-student relationships. To address this issue, nursing staff must have the tools to fulfill their roles as educators and mentors in clinical settings. The purpose of this project is to implement and evaluate the effectiveness of an evidence-based asynchronous educational workshop focused on incivility reduction and student mentorship among nursing staff in a rural hospital setting.

Methods:  This study used a quantitative, one-group pretest–posttest intervention design …

Analysis Of Surrogate Models At Multiple Levels For Neural Acceleration Of Hpc Applications, Bibek Panthi

Theses

Due to rise of machine learning workloads, high performance computing platforms have increased GPU resources. Consequently, use of surrogate models, to utilize GPU compute and speedup scientific applications, is on the rise. Most of the time, the whole program is replaced with a surrogate model. In this work a shock simulation program (LULESH) was taken and three functions of varying complexity were replaced with small sized neural network as surrogate models. The speedup and error in output of whole program was analyzed. We found that for the smallest function, trained model lead to speedup of overall program by 40%, maintained …

'Guide The Tide' - Supervision Of International Medical Graduates In The Emergency Department: A Mixed Methods Study, Purnasankar Bhowmik

Theses

Australia’s emergency departments (EDs) have experienced significant stress since the COVID-19 pandemic. An increase in the number of patient presentations, a lack of in-patient beds for the disposition of admitted patients and long waiting times are contributing factors jeopardising patient safety. In addition, the shortage of skilled staff to look after patients in the ED is the paramount concern currently and moving forward. Similarly to many other specialty areas of medicine, EDs rely on international medical graduates (IMGs) to fill the gaps in the medical workforce. However, concerns have been raised regarding IMG diversity in training requirements, clinical skills and …

Compassion In Crisis: A Study Of Compassion Fatigue Among Nurses Working In The Emergency Department At A Western Australian Metropolitan Tertiary Hospital, Sonu Susamma Sam

Theses

Compassion fatigue (CF) is defined as the emotional depletion caused by ongoing involvement in caring for another individuals experiencing trauma or hardship, pain, distress, and critical incidents. It is characterised by a decline in emotional capacity, reduced ability to empathise, and feelings of helplessness, that could potentially lead to burnout and secondary traumatic stress. While CF affects many healthcare providers including physicians, social service professionals, mental health practitioners, but nursing staff are particularly vulnerable due to their close and continuous engagement with patients.

Compassion fatigue has been extensively examined in oncology, palliative care, and intensive care, where exposure to patient …

Leveraging Ai, Iot, And Predictive Analytics For Crisis Management And Urban Resilience In Dubai, Suhail Bin Kalli

Theses

The thesis will discuss how smart technologies could be incorporated in the crisis management structures of Dubai to make the city more resilient. As Dubai grows more urbanized, it experiences increased problems with managing its crisis especially in the high population density places, traffic congestion, utility disruption, and extreme weather. This paper discusses how artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and predictive analytics can be used to ameliorate the response to emergencies, manage the allocation of resources, and enhance the coordination between different agencies. The crisis management systems at Dubai are still ineffective despite the level of technologies …