Digital Commons Network^™

Shopping Quest: Transforming The Shopping Experience By Creating A More Immersive And Enjoyable Experience, Nagasai Vardhan Rao Sarvepalli

Theses

In the post-pandemic era, this thesis looks into how gamification and augmented reality (AR) can get customers back into physical retail settings. Brick-and-mortar stores have found it difficult to stay relevant as consumer preferences have shifted toward online convenience. Shopping Quest attempts to make in-store grocery shopping an engaging experience. The project started with qualitative surveys using a human-centered design process to determine the main frustrations of shoppers, which were navigation and remembering what to buy. The final idea makes use of a wearable AR interface that directs users with a virtual rocket and promotes exploration with collectible digital petals. …

Realmweaver: Designing A Sandbox Simulation Game With Ai-Driven Storytelling, Tianzhe Fan

Theses

This paper introduces Realmweaver, a sandbox simulation game concept that combines artificial intelligence (AI) and procedural generation to balance player creativity and system automation. Realmweaver empowers players to create dynamic characters, build expansive worlds, and co-author narratives through adaptive AI systems. By leveraging technologies such as natural language processing and layered procedural algorithms, the game addresses challenges in maintaining narrative coherence and balancing user agency with system autonomy. The design framework integrates intuitive interfaces, including highlighted narrative systems and interactive hover functionality, ensuring accessibility while enhancing engagement. These features enable players to navigate complex systems and shape immersive worlds with …

Beyond Barcodes, Ritul Chaudhary

Theses

Beyond Barcodes is a conceptual zine that investigates the narratives encoded within barcodes and reinterprets receipts as tools to examine the emotional layers of consumer behavior. Often dismissed as transactional byproducts, receipts in this project are reframed as carriers of memory, identity and self-worth—reflecting personal values shaped by frugality, guilt, and inherited beliefs about money. The zine unfolds through a series of illustrated vignettes, each centered around a category of spending: groceries, essentials, dining, vanity, and experiences. This arc traces a journey from survival to indulgence, ending on a bittersweet note—critiquing how consumer culture quietly shapes how we spend, what …

End-To-End Systems Limitations In Hyperspectral Target Detection Using Parametric Modeling And Subpixel Lattice Targets For Validation, Chase Canas

Theses

Hyperspectral target detection applies algorithms to high-dimensional images to identify rare targets, or objects of interest, within cluttered scenes of diverse backgrounds. Computational demands of processing hyperspectral datasets, along with their limited availability in both public and private sectors, imposes challenges in assessing system-level limitations of detection. This research presents a methodology to quantify end-to-end sensitivities and limitations through statistical modeling across thousands of target detection scenarios. The objective is to identify specific parametric thresholds where detection begins to degrade, based on “knees” in detection curves derived from model outputs of various scenarios. The model considers subpixel targets, where an …

The Intersection Of Spirituality, Commerce, And Art In The Work Of William Keith, Joan Gallagher

Theses

This thesis examines the nineteenth-century Tonalist artist William Keith, focusing on how he successfully integrated commerce, art, and spirituality to achieve financial success, artistic innovation, and spiritual depth. While scholars often emphasize the symbolism and religiosity in his work, they tend to overlook his financial accomplishments. This study explores Keith's background, religious influences, and artistic development within the cultural, economic, and social context of nineteenth-century America. As a Tonalist, Keith produced popular works for the art market; as a Swedenborgian, his art reflected the spiritual principles of that faith. Unlike his East Coast counterparts, Keith’s California-based landscapes captured the dramatic …

Enhancing Aptv Reliability: A Study Of Design And Operational Efficiencies At An Aluminium Manufacturing Company, Mohammad Tayeb Alawadhi

Theses

This paper aims to focus on enhancing the reliability of Anode Pallet Transport Vehicles (APTVs) used in Aluminium Manufacturing Company. The primary objective of the project is to establish the causes of failure modes, assess the operational problems, and implement strategies that would prevent, reduce, or minimize the frequency of failure, low equipment utilization, and high maintenance costs. APTV performance analysis involves the use of maintenance logs, operational data, and engineering specifications to obtain the best results. Applying Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), the study highlights the most critical parts causing the largest effect on operations, which include traction …

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.

Access To Justice For Deaf Defendants, Anna Zieba

Theses

Deaf individuals face systemic accessibility within the criminal justice system, which emphasizes the importance of the gaps in accommodations by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Inconsistent legal protection, limited access to interpreters, inadequate training for legal professionals, and a lack of technology resources obstruct effective communication for Deaf individuals. As a result, it prohibits achieving an effective and equitable legal outcome. This research paper will examine case studies, legal frameworks, and academic literature to highlight the critical need for reform, including mandatory Deaf culture training, standardized interpreting qualifications, and more resources to enable equitable access to justice.

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 …

Silicon Photonics For Quantum Information, Evan Manfreda-Schulz

Theses

Quantum information science and technology (QIST) combines principles of quantum mechanics and information theory to develop new approaches for processing, transmitting, and sensing information. Practical realization of applications in QIST requires generation and validation of a significant amount of entanglement, which is not only a property but a logical resource. Silicon photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are an attractive platform for applications in QIST and for generating the entanglement resource because they are foundry-fabricated, are compatible with existing fiber optic infrastructure, have a small spatial footprint, and afford access to several high-dimensional (HD) degrees of freedom. This dissertation covers three projects …

From Contact To Care: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Mental Health Practices Across The Criminal Justice Continuum, Violet Ameele

Theses

This capstone attempts to gain a further understanding of the state of mental health training, protocols, and practices across the continuum of the criminal justice system. The various sections of this paper will look at law enforcement, corrections, and court/community and their roles in mental crisis training and interaction. As the topic of mental health is something increasingly discussed in the present day, it is also something that is in need of more research, in order to create higher standards when it comes to individuals with mental health concerns and ensuring that they receive the proper levels of care that …

Police, Prisons, Communities, And Courts: An Examination Of Criminal Legal System Responses To Neurodivergence, Rhys Miller Evans

Theses

Mental health in the United States is largely stigmatized and overlooked as a factor of crime. This capstone project critically analyzes the response of actors in the criminal legal system to neurodivergence and identifies areas for improvement.

Part One focuses on how police respond to those with mental health conditions and community-based supports that can reduce harm during these interactions. This chapter provides an overview of the prevalence of neurodivergence in the United States and how police are, or are not, trained to protect and serve this subset of the population. It explains the Memphis Model of crisis intervention and …

Examining Food Choice Determinants In Ncaa Division Iii Athlete Participants Representing Multiple Sports, Olivia Towne

Theses

Objective: To examine determinants of food choice among NCAA Division III athletes using the Athlete Food Choice Questionnaire (AFCQ), focusing on gender, sport type, and seasonal status. Participants: 72 NCAA Division III athletes from 13 sports at a private northeastern university participated in an online survey during Fall 2024. Methods: Participants completed the 32-item AFCQ assessing nine food choice factors. Independent t-tests and Pearson’s correlations were used to compare factor scores by gender, sport type, seasonal status, and team success. Results: Performance, Sensory Appeal, and Food Values and Beliefs emerged as the most influential factors in food choice, while Weight …

Fantasy Exchange, Ella Tunis

Theses

Fantasy Exchange is a visual and written examination of the perpetuation of violence against women and the influence it has on the performance of femininity within structural patriarchy. After briefly working with the Rochester Police Department in Rochester, New York, I found myself incredibly struck by the everyday violence that I was made to watch people endure. During my time there, I made note of everything I witnessed and noticed the way that women's pain always seemed to have such a profound impact on me. Through image and text, this body of work explores visual metaphors of abuse found in …

Waylight: Mapping The Journey Of Faith, Emma Woerle

Theses

Waylight is a digital learning platform that reimagines how we explore the life of Jesus through maps, movement, and meaningful interaction. Designed to bridge the gap between static Bible study tools and the physical settings of Scripture, the platform allows users to follow curated journeys such as Miracles or Timelines across ancient Israel. The project began with experimental designs using three-dimensional terrain and literal religious symbols. These early versions lacked cohesion and felt visually heavy. As the work progressed, the design shifted toward a more refined two-dimensional aesthetic inspired by textures like layered paper and the craft of carpentry. This …

Effect Of Traumatic Brain Injury On Quality Of Life, Mohammad A. Al Rjoob

Theses

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) results from external events, such as falls and motor vehicle accidents leading to brain damage. This study investigated quality of life (QoL) in individuals with TBI and its relation to demographic and clinical variables, including gender, age, educational level, time since TBI onset, fatigue, depression and cognitive function. Twelve individuals with TBI participated in this cross-sectional study. Quality of life was assessed using Quality of Life after Brain Injury and ASHA Quality of Communication Life Scale measures. Fatigue was measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale, depression was measured with the Geriatric Depression Scale, and cognitive function …

A Costuming Carol: A Costume Design Thesis On A Christmas Carol, Aleka Fischer

Theses

This thesis is a collection of research, analysis, design, and production work done for the costumes for A Christmas Carol. The play production took place in the McLeod Theater at Southern Illinois University from December 5th- December 8th, 2024. The play was written by Darwin Reid Payne and published in 1981. It is an adaptation of the novella A Christmas Carolby Charles Dickens. Chapter 1 contains the research and script analysis used to make design decisions for this production. Chapter 2 documents the design process, and how the costume design evolved between the first and final design meetings. Chapter 3 …

Predicting The Probability Of Crime Related Danger In Los Angeles, Joshua Oghenetega Okpako

Theses

This thesis examines the use of advanced machine learning to predict crime danger in Los Angeles, where 2023 violent crime rates (503 per 100,000) surpass the national average (363.8 per 100,000). Rooted in theories like social disorganization and victim vulnerability, it addresses the lack of combined victim-centric modeling by focusing on three questions: (1) Do blended ensemble models outperform individual models in predicting crime danger? (2) Can unsupervised learning techniques enhance supervised models’ accuracy through label generation or augmentation? (3) How can we interpret accurate machine learning models' decision-making processes? Using historical crime data from Los Angeles (2020–2025) and various …

Modelling And Optimization Of A Desiccant Cooling System For Industrial Applications In Dubai, Ahmad Ababneh

Theses

The study examines the modelling and optimization of solar-assisted desiccant cooling systems (SADCS) specifically designed for industrial applications in Dubai. Four system configurations were evaluated under Dubai's extreme climate using TRNSYS 18 simulation software: classic ventilation, variable percentage recirculation, ventilation with a sensible heat exchanger that utilizes exhaust air to preheat the feed of the auxiliary heating air, and recirculation with a sensible heat exchanger that also utilizes exhaust air for preheating the auxiliary heating air feed. A parametric study comprising 60 simulation cases was performed, examining variations in desiccant wheel effectiveness, airflow rates (3–5 ACH), regeneration temperatures (50–80 °C), …

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 …

Sesp Plinko: Dynamics Of C-Shaped Particles Moving Through An Obstacle Field, Ollie Yakimow

Theses

We examine the behavior of C-shaped superellipse sector particles (SeSPs) as they travel through an obstacle field. SeSPs are two-dimensional particles parameterized by corner sharp- ness, aspect ratio, and opening angle; these parameters are sufficient to represent a large variety of shapes, including discs, rods, and concave and convex particles. Our obstacle field is a rhombic Galton Board, an array with alternating rows of pegs. Galton Boards are common not just in experiments but in popular media, such as in boardwalk games and in The Price is Right’s game segment known as "Plinko." Round particles dropped through a Galton Board …

Enhancing Third-Party Risk Management In Aviation: A Comprehensive Framework For Modern Challenges, Shamma Hussain Hammad Bin Hammad

Theses

This thesis is focused on improving the way airlines have managed risks from third-party vendors. Emirates and Etihad have been used as case studies. The thesis identifies major issues, including cybersecurity threats, slow manual processes, and the challenges in the following global regulations. To To solve such problems, the research proposes a new framework that integrates advanced tools including machine learning, blockchain, and real-time updates about threats. The framework includes different features like automatic risk scoring and detection of unusual vendor behavior and keeping the secure digital records through the blockchain. This will highlight the need for the staff to …

Future Unleashed: Reimagining Marketing Strategies With Future Foresight, Afra Sultan Al Suwaidi

Theses

In today’s fast-paced and dynamic business landscape, marketing plays a crucial role in influencing business strategy and decision-making in an organisation. Marketing not only helps organisations identify and anticipate trends, threats, and opportunities, but also enables them to formulate and implement effective strategies to capitalise on these insights and achieve the organisation’s vision and goals. Future Foresight in marketing empowers organisations to stay ahead of the curve and gain a deeper understanding of the target audience and industry landscape. The evolving nature of marketing driven by advancements in technology, particularly artificial intelligence, machine learning, and digital marketing channels, makes it …

Roads Of Tomorrow: Augmented Reality For Enhanced Road Maintenance, Nasser Humaid Alshamsi

Theses

The rapid deterioration of roads creates major obstacles that affect public security, urban movement capacity, and economic durability. Standardized road maintenance operations depend heavily on human inspections that prove time-consuming while being labour-intensive and subject to human mistakes. Implementing Augmented Reality (AR) with Point Cloud Data represents a smart approach that improves delivery efficiency in road maintenance procedures for modern cities. AR enables real-time visual content and interactive displays through this research, yet Point Cloud Data delivers detailed, precise road inspections through high-definition three-dimensional mapping. These technologies are evaluated for their usability, effectiveness, and adoption barriers in research that advance …

Determining Sustainable Urban Renewal: A Case Of Quantifying Sustainability For Adaptive Reuse Within Mumbai’S Textile Mill Sector, Arundhati Rajesh Kawlekar

Theses

This study explores adaptive reuse as a sustainable approach to urban development in Mumbai, India, focusing on the revitalization of a heritage textile mill site. It investigates how historical significance and evolving community needs can shape design decisions, while assessing sustainability through Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and energy efficiency metrics. Mumbai’s defunct textile mills, once central to its industrial growth, now pose challenges to urban vitality. Through a literature review, the paper examines their historical, social, and cultural relevance and the decline of the mill industry. Adaptive reuse emerges as a key strategy to reimagine these structures, offering an environmentally …

Through Legitimate Dissent, The Supreme Court Repairs Itself, Afnaan A. Qureshi

Theses

The decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States, along with its reasoning, influence the direction and scope of historical events. Through an analysis of landmark dissents from four of the worst Supreme Court decisions, Curtis’ dissent in Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857), Harlan’s dissent in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896), Holmes’ dissent in Abrams v. United States (1919), and Murphy’s dissent in Korematsu v. United States (1944), we can take steps towards catalyzing its self repair by stepping away from digital echo chambers and engaging in legitimate dissent. The four cases marked turning points in the efforts to protect …

The Drifter: Creating A Family Archive To Rediscover Lost History, Gabriella Smith

Theses

When history goes undocumented or removed from public access, there is always a question as to how to preserve it. This thesis focuses on the creation of a family archive as a means to preserve and rediscover lost history. When lost history is recovered stories can be completed and we, as a civilization, can gain a better understanding of what our history is. This will be showcased through the creation of the Jerrold Smith Family Archive. Jerrold Smith (1941-1986) a native Rochesterian, grew up with a love of crafts and creating new things. When he passed, he left behind a …

Capturing Community Memory: A Juxtaposition Of Oral History And Historic Building Preservation, Eliot Gavin

Theses

Preserving local history has always been a challenge for small communities. Traditional preservation methods like historic building preservation can be costly and take a lot of time for local historical societies. These historic sites are important to the culture of the local citizens and deserve to be saved. Using The Castle on the Hill in Dansville, New York, as a case study, oral histories will be captured to explore the role of oral history in preservation. The Castle on the Hill plays an important role in shaping Dansville’s identity as a town. In the past, the Castle has served as …

Rooted In Ogdensburg: A Creative Exhibition From Classroom To Gallery, Finn Bishop-Duford

Theses

Picture this: you are an elementary student- wandering around an art exhibition. On the wall hangs artwork you dedicated your time to. How does it make you feel? Art exhibitions of student work are a display practice implemented at the James F. Montpelier Gallery located at Ogdensburg Free Academy in Ogdensburg, New York. Such student-focused art exhibitions, historically, create a wonderful, inspirational, and impactful environment for students to display their finest works. Once the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world by storm in 2020, the thematic shows shifted to assemblages of students’ best work. This is due to the limited time …

A Review Of Smart Public Transport Systems: Challenges, Technological Innovations, And Future Directions, Ahmed Masam Alfalasi

Theses

Urbanization has created greater demand for effective and sustainable public transport systems in smart cities. Yet, overcrowding, congestion, and old infrastructure remain the main challenges to the effectiveness of these systems. This literature review discusses the major issues affecting smart public transport, such as reliability issues, environmental sustainability, and improved integration and coordination between modes of transport. Technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data analytics are being applied to enhance public transportation efficiency, alleviate congestion, and improve passenger experience. Qualitative research methods were used, relying on secondary data from academic journals, government reports, and …