Digital Commons Network^™

Intersectional Feminist And Queer Activists’ Agendas In The Contemporary Arts: The Use Of Socio-Politically Fueled Motifs As Subjects In The Field Today, Florence V. Bonner

Theses

This paper explores the Intersectional Feminist and Queer activist's work in the Contemporary arts through a reconsideration of the existing scholarly literature and the use of social media platforms from the third wave of Intersection and Transnational Feminist and Queer work. Looking specifically at motifs that connotate to the bodies of people assigned female at birth, there are recognizable impacts at both micro and macro community levels. This research is done in an Intersectional Feminist and Queer theoretical methodology to better understand the implications of valuing multifaceted identities in the 21st century. This paper identifies artists and activists who work …

Music Education In The Urban Classroom: Issues Of Equity And Access, Lakeisha Walker

Theses

Music education in urban classrooms plays a crucial role in shaping students' overall development and academic success. The field of music education is not immune to the challenges of equity and access that exist in urban settings. It is essential to address these issues to ensure that all students have equal opportunities to participate in music programs and reap the countless benefits that come with them.

The importance of this topic in the field of music education cannot be overstated. Research has shown that students who participate in music programs demonstrate improved academic performance, enhanced cognitive skills, and increased creativity. …

Three Zafimaniry Carvings From The Southern Highlands Of Madagascar And Their Symbolic Meaning, Emily Krupp

Theses

The Zafimaniry people are a community living in the southern highlands of Madagascar, most known for their geometric, low-relief works of art that they carve onto wooden surfaces throughout their villages. The shapes that make up the designs signify the Zafimaniry people's ideologies, but motifs carved into the homes specifically represent their beliefs about marriage and societal structure. Three metaphorical symbols have been translated within the motifs by the Zafimaniry people as the patriarch, the family, and the community. A comparative cultural study between the motifs on Zafimaniry window shutters and Swahili doorways reveal similarities in material culture, visual elements …

Designing An Animated Presentation For Educating Physicians And Patients On Opioid Addiction, Jenny Phillips

Theses

The devastating opioid epidemic in the United States continues to wreak havoc, especially on those suffering from opioid addiction. Regrettably, the lack of reliable treatments and understanding of this disease has hindered physicians' ability to provide adequate care. As a result, those affected often feel ashamed and reluctant to seek help due to the growing stigma surrounding opioid addiction. These barriers prevent the successful treatment of this prevalent and treatable disease. To tackle this issue, Dr. Michael Peck and his team have been essential in traveling to different communities and illustrating the truth about opioids and opioid addiction. They developed …

Iii-Nitride Nanowire Deep-Ultraviolet Light Emitting Diodes, Bryan Melanson

Theses

Deep-Ultraviolet (DUV) Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) emitting invisible light at wavelengths below 280 nm, have seen increased research interest over the last decade. Of their many potential applications, pathogen neutralization is perhaps the most presently relevant in the post-COVID era. While the high energy light of DUV LEDs has been found particularly effective at destroying viruses and bacteria without the need for application of chemical agents, the poor efficiencies of DUV LEDs currently prevent their widespread adoption in these applications. While a number of factors contribute to the poor efficiency of DUV LEDs, light extraction is perhaps the most significant …

Ego - Acupressure Ar Glasses, Chin Yin Teng

Theses

Acupressure, a time-honored healing practice rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, is known for promoting relaxation, pain relief, and overall wellness with minimal side effects. Despite its benefits, the practice involves navigating a complex system of 361 acupuncture points, posing a challenge for individuals lacking in-depth knowledge or training. Additionally, professional acupressure treatments can be costly, limiting accessibility. To address these challenges, we have developed Ego, an AR Glasses Smart Assistant designed to make acupressure more accessible and effective for the general public. Ego uses augmented reality to provide an intuitive and user-friendly interface that guides users in locating and applying …

An Evaluation Of The Irish Rugby Football Union (Irfu) Coach Education Framework In School And Club Settings, Kevin Smith

Theses

This thesis aimed to evaluate the Irish Rugby Football Union Coach Education Framework (IRFU-CEF) and its subsequent effect on coach behaviours/perceptions, training session content, and athlete perceptions in multiple rugby union settings. The IRFU-CEF was designed to educate coaches in How to coach, as opposed to more traditional forms of coach education that are typically designed to deliver content of What to coach. A baseline analysis (Study 1) was conducted to examine current behaviours/perceptions in a rugby union coaching environment. An IRFU-CEF intervention (Study 2) was delivered to coaches in the form of a single episode as a coach education …

Towards A Net Zero University Campus, Sarah Ali

Theses

This report explores the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions assessment and reduction strategy for the Rochester Institute of Technology of Dubai (RITD) campus, aiming to contribute towards the UAE's "Net Zero 2050" initiative. The study establishes a comprehensive emissions baseline for the year 2023 using the Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHGP), incorporating Scope 1, Scope 2, and Scope 3 emissions. A dashboard was developed to continuously monitor annual emissions, facilitating data-driven decisions for sustainability. The total GHG emissions for RITD were approximately 5,245,197.68 kg CO2e. The primary sources of emissions were identified as electricity consumption (39%) and commuting (53%), which together constitute …

Clinical Validation Of Patient-Specific Inverse Modeling With Surface Temperatures And Physiological And Geometrical Factors In Breast Cancer Detection, Carlos Gutierrez

Theses

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting the lives of many women and taking over 683,000 lives worldwide. Early detection of breast cancer through screening has been instrumental in reducing the mortality rate. However, current screening methods based on mammography have issues with patient discomfort, invasiveness, cost and low accuracy, mainly due to dense breast tissue in approximately 40% of women population. Infrared imaging (IRI) is shown to be noninvasive, cost effective, comfortable, and not affected by breast density. The present work describes a novel patient-specific IRI inverse heat transfer algorithm based on the digital model of …

Effects Of Soil Amendments On Community Structure And Function In Created Wetlands, Lauren Saggese

Theses

Wetlands provide many unique and important ecological functions, making them one of the most valuable ecosystems. When wetland destruction is unavoidable, creation or restoration of wetlands is a mandatory practice in order to recover lost ecosystem function. However, created wetlands often fail to provide functions and services equivalent to natural wetlands. The addition of carbon-rich plant compost has been shown to alter soil characteristics and biogeochemistry in wetlands. However, the impacts on wetland community structure are unknown. I evaluated the impact of long- term leaf-litter compost addition on soil properties, community structure of invertebrates and plants, algal photosynthesis and soil …

Modeling The Reverberation Response Of The Broad Line Region In Active Galactic Nuclei, Sara A. Rosborough

Theses

The supermassive black holes (SMBHs) that reside at the centers of massive galaxies are observed as active galactic nuclei (AGN) when they are rapidly consuming matter from a surrounding accretion disk, which releases large amounts of electromagnetic radiation. Closely surrounding this engine are the dense gas clouds of the broad line region (BLR), which are photoionized by the continuum radiation emitted by the accretion disk. As these clouds are deep within the potential well of the SMBH, the gas emission lines (the broad emission lines; BELs) are Doppler-broadened by several 1,000 km/s. Measuring the size and velocity dispersion of the …

Models Of Rrna Templated Assembly Of The Nucleolus In The C. Elegans Embryo, Nishant Kodan

Theses

The nucleolus is a large membraneless organelle located in the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. It is a multicomponent structure primarily made of RNA and proteins and serves as the site of ribosome biogenesis. It has been extensively studied as a prototype of a membraneless organelle whose assembly is driven by phase separation, but factors affecting the dynamics of nucleolar assembly are not well understood. Experiments show that the size of the nucleolus scales with the size of the nucleus, which decreases through reductive divisions in the early C. elegans embryo. These observations are consistent with the idea that a finite …

Sustainable Energy Access And Irrigation Planning In Sub Saharan Africa, Fhazhil Wamalwa

Theses

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is the least developed and most vulnerable region to climate change globally, with electricity access and irrigation rates at 45% and 5%, respectively. The region's high reliance on rain-fed farming results in significant yield gaps, increasing dependence on food imports and aid. Projected declines in rainfed agricultural productivity due to climate-induced rainfall variability, coupled with a rapid population growth rate of 2.8% per year, will likely exacerbate food insufficiency. SSA is largely rural, with an urbanization rate of 42%. Much of its population lives in sparsely populated settlements characterized by low electricity demand, which poses a significant …

Optimization Methods For Parameter Estimation In A Scalar Partial Differential Equation: Stochastic Variants, Yidan Yang

Theses

In this work, we present stochastic variants of an optimization method for the problem of recovering a spatially varying parameter in a scalar partial differential equation (PDE) from measurement(s) of the state variable. In many inverse problems associated with PDE models, the goal is to utilize observational measurements of the state variable in the estimation of the model parameter(s). In the problem being studied, the hydraulic conductivity of an aquifer (a function of location) is the parameter/coefficient to be recovered and the hydraulic (or piezometric) head is the quantity observed/measured. We discuss the choices of objective functional (such as output …

Heat Sink With Fins And Phase Change Material For Cooling Of High-Power Electronic Devices, Farooq Fakher Mahmoud

Theses

Electronics are integral to modern life, present in everything from household appliances to advanced computers. The performance and reliability of these devices are closely tied to their operating temperatures. High-power operations can lead to significant heating, necessitating effective thermal management to enhance functionality and prevent failure. This requirement drives the demand for efficient heat sinks, which dissipate the heat generated by these devices. Phase change material (PCM)-based heat sinks have become a popular passive cooling solution, increasingly replacing traditional heat sinks.

This research investigates finned PCM-based heat sinks using numerical simulations validated by existing literature and experimental data. Gallium is …

The Impact Of Outdoor Thermal Comfort On Users’ Walkability: Study Case In Al Ain Square, Al Ain City, Uae, Alyazia Saeed Alnehayan

Theses

Living in a hot dry arid climate limits the walkability of its inhabitants. The excessive heat and dryness of the weather undoubtedly make walking a less tempting, encouraging, and pleasant choice for getting around the city. For that reason, this master thesis analyzes the various strategies used to enhance outdoor thermal comfort. Outdoor thermal comfort is controlled by numerous factors, including street and building orientation, vegetation, shading devices, and water bodies. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between walkability and UTCI values (universal thermal comfort index) in the context of Al Ain Square, a neighborhood in …

Characteristics Of Lactobacillus Helveticus Fermentation Of Camel And Bovine Milks, Kobika Chelladhurai

Theses

In this study, the fermentation of low-fat camel milk (CM) and bovine milk (BM) with Lactobacillus helveticus was compared to fermentation with L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus, and S. thermophilus at 28°C, 35°C, and 42°C. The fermentation activities were followed by measuring bacterial counts, titratable acidity, pH, and changes in lactose, organic acids, and proteolysis for 96 hours. Although bacterial growth was comparable in CM and BM, the fermented milks showed differences in acidification and proteolysis. Negative correlations between TA (%) and pH were consistent in both CM and BM suggesting similar buffering capacities. In both milks, L. helveticus …

Exploring English Language Teachers’ Selfefficacy Beliefs In Relation To Teaching Gifted Students, Shatha Mohammed Sobih

Theses

This study investigates the beliefs of English language teachers regarding their ability to identify and teach gifted students, focusing on how they perceive their own skills in teaching primary grade level students (grades 1, 2, and 3) with exceptional intellectual abilities in English language education. The study followed a qualitative research design and collected data using an open-ended survey consisting of questions that encouraged participants to provide detailed and unrestricted responses. This study also performed purposeful sampling to select respondents with the necessary knowledge and experience to offer rich and meaningful data. This study targeted English language teachers (n …

The Effect Of Nuciferine On The Renal Dysfunction Following Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury, Sundus Farag Sallabi

Theses

Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury (IRI) is an inevitable consequence of some surgical procedures and clinical conditions such as renal transplantation and aortic cross-clamping. The pathophysiology of renal IRI includes oxidative stress, an aggravated inflammatory response, apoptotic cell death, and fibrogenesis. These pathophysiological processes underlying renal IRI lead to the development of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI). Therefore, there is a need for effective and affordable therapeutic agents, such as phytochemical compounds to mitigate this injury. Nuciferine (NF), is a phytochemical compound extracted from the plant Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn and has been selected for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties as demonstrated in the …

Investigating The Organizational Support For Educators Supporting Students With Disabilities: A Study On Administrative Strategies In The United Arab Emirates, Amal Mahmoud Al Badawi

Theses

The aim of the study is to explore whether organizational support can help general and special educators to provide effective services to their students with disabilities. Additionally, the study seeks to identify strategies that program administrators can employ to overcome barriers and provide better support to their staff. Using a mixedmethod approach, which includes a survey (N=25) with 10 participants working in special education and 15 in general education and interviews with five education leaders in both special and general education settings. These leaders, who hold positions such as Directors of General Education and Special Needs Coordinators, bring varied years …

Mathematical Modeling Of An Epidemic In Scalefree Network With Imperfect Vaccination, Heba Hameed

Theses

In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, the mathematical epidemiological model has proven to be essential for understanding the disease dynamic and finding the best control tool to help contain the disease and minimize its impact. This thesis investigates the dynamics of an infectious disease spread with latent infection and vaccination. The aim is to study this model’s dynamic in a network that reflects the heterogeneity of the environment where the disease spreads. The vaccination is assumed to be not perfect, which means that vaccinated persons are likely to be infected and that the vaccinated person could lose their immunity, …

Performance Analysis Of Underground-To-Aboveground Communication In Agricultural Iot Networks, Irfana Ilyas Manzil

Theses

This thesis investigates the potential of LoRa, a low-power, wide-area networking technology, for establishing reliable communication between underground sensors and aboveground infrastructure. We comprehensively analyze LoRa's performance in both single-hop and multi-hop configurations, considering the impact of diverse environmental factors such as soil composition, moisture content, underground transmission distance, and path loss on signal propagation. We delve into the crucial role of the spreading factor (SF) within the LoRa communication system, analyzing its influence on network performance. Furthermore, we develop a comprehensive mathematical model for bit error rate (BER) under various channel conditions, including additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) and …

The Anticancer Activity Of A Novel 8-Hydroxyquinoline Derivatives Against 5-Fluorouracil Resistant Colorectal Cancer Cells, Mazoun Talal Al Azzani

Theses

Cancer is a global health crisis for which 20 million new cases were diagnosed in 2022 alone, with 9.3 million cancer-related deaths. Nearly 900,000 deaths were due to colorectal cancer (CRC), which is the third leading cause of cancer related mortality. In the United Arab Emirates, 550 new cases of CRC were reported in 2022. A major clinical challenge with CRC treatment is the development of resistance to 5-fluorouracil (5FU)-based chemotherapy regimens, which are the standard treatment for CRC. In the present study, the anticancer activity of two novel 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) derivatives AS45 and AS47 was examined against 5FU-sensitive (HCT116) …

Fish-Eye Camera-Based Real-Time Pedestrian Crossing Predicting System, Mohammed Abdulla Almesafri

Theses

Fisheye cameras are widely used in traffic monitoring for their broad view, yet their distortion challenges deep-learning models in pedestrian detection and tracking. Despite available datasets like FishEye8K, collected in Hsinchu, Taiwan, and the availability of several studies that have delved into pedestrian prediction systems, a notable gap remains: the absence of datasets specifically designed for the cultural context of the UAE. This study aims to address this gap by introducing an in-house fisheye dataset tailored to enhance the prediction and tracking of pedestrians in fisheye footage within the UAE's environment. The present study addresses the development of a Graphical …

Topological Indices And Their Applications In Designing Drugs, Fedaa Ismail Abunawa

Theses

This research delves into the use of indices, in the field of drug design with a specific focus on anticancer medications. Topological indices, values derived from representations of chemical structures provide meaningful connections to the physical and chemical characteristics of molecules. These Indices act as tools for predicting behavior playing a vital role in crafting therapeutic drugs. The study primarily delves into topological indices like the Sombor index, Randi´c index, and Atom Bond Connectivity (ABC) index, which are calculated for structures and their relationships with physical properties such as molar volume, refractive index, and flash point are explored using statistical …

Cellular Automata Modeling Approach Of Addiction, Ruba Hameed

Theses

The purpose of this thesis includes the application of a mathematical model, as well as cell automata simulation, to shed light on the behavior of addiction spread in a population. The model describes the key determinants of drug addiction which includes peer influence, availability of substances, support networks, and awareness campaigns. The research aims to gain insights into the underlying mechanisms and patterns of addiction spread to develop effective prevention and intervention strategies.

The study begins by creating a discrete dynamical system that captures the transitions between 4 different states of substance use, including non-users (N), experimental users (E), recreational …

Securing The Inbox: Advancing Phishing Email Detection With Fine-Tuned Bert, Fatima Rashed Al Saedi

Theses

In recent years, phishing attacks have persisted as a widespread threat in the contemporary digital environment, presenting substantial risks to individuals and organizations. Cybercriminals are devising increasingly sophisticated strategies to deceive users through malicious emails. In response to this challenge, this research focuses on developing a new tool for detecting phishing emails utilizing the BERT algorithm. The tool aims to enhance email security by accurately identifying deceptive emails and protecting users from potential cyber threats. The primary objective of this study is to investigate how leveraging the BERT algorithm can improve the detection of phishing emails compared to traditional methods. …

Design With, Not For, Local Community: Utilizing E- Participation Tools In The Design Of Socially Sustainable Vertical Emirati Public Housing, Omar Sherzad Shareef

Theses

Few years ago, local and federal governments in the UAE started to design and develop vertical public housing for Emirati residents as a new public housing typology that is believed to be more environmentally sustainable. Dibba Al-Hisn Housing Scheme in Sharjah and Al-Ghurfa Project in Al-Fujairah, are two recently developed vertical Emirati public housing projects developed by Sharjah Housing Directorate and Sheikh Zayed Housing Program (SZHP) respectively. Both projects, have been professionally designed, however, the residents’ opinions were not considered in the design process. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to explore the potentials of utilizing the advanced …

Salivary Microbiome Signature In Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Ghaidaa Mohammed Mesto

Theses

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a complex disorder characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). IBD mainly includes two distinct diseases, namely Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). To date, the precise etiology of these conditions is not fully elucidated, although a strong relationship between microbial dysbiosis in the GIT and IBD has been proposed. In general, limited data is available on the oral microbiome of IBD patients, despite its recognizable role in impacting gut health. There is a paucity of research on IBD in the pediatric population, although this disease is becoming more prevalent than in …

The Differences Between Metacognitive Reading Strategies Used By Native Arabic Speakers In The Uae When Reading Digital Versus Printed Materials, Razan Majed Shehadeh

Theses

This study explores the differences between the metacognitive reading strategies that native Arabic speakers college students use in the UAE when reading digital vs. printed texts. A convergent Mixed-Methods Design was employed to achieve the purpose of this study. The first data comprised a background questionnaire and two metacognitive reading surveys reflecting reading from digital materials that were conducted with college students (n=100), and the second data set comprised semi-structured interviews with a subset of students sampled from the original pool (n= 8). This study's participants were college students selected randomly from some of the UAE universities. Generally, the results …