Digital Commons Network^™

Monitoring Marine Animal Interactions With Open Ocean Aquaculture And The Potential For Measuring Impacts, Ryan Richard Yont

Theses

Aquaculture, the farming of water-based organisms, is one of the fastest growing industries in the food production sector globally. Aquaculture farms, regardless of type, are categorized as either coastal or offshore marine aquaculture and are generalized into three categories: fed (e.g., finfish), unfed (e.g., filter-feeding bivalves), and autotrophic (e.g. kelp). Viewed as an agricultural industry, marine aquaculture is tightly regulated, particularly in the U.S. Despite this, an area of concern for the public and management alike is the potential for marine life interactions with aquaculture gear. Even the best-run farms represent a change in the physical and biological characteristics of …

Flight Preparations And Data Reduction For The Third Flight Of The Cosmic Infrared Background Experiment-2, Kazuma Noda

Theses

The extragalactic background light (EBL) at infrared (IR) wavelengths contains information about the stars that lived during the epoch of reionization, which was the first era of star formation that occurred a few hundred of Myr after the Big Bang. Anisotropy measurements of the IR EBL by CIBER-1, Spitzer, and AKARI have shown that the amplitude of its surface brightness fluctuations exceeds what is expected from known galaxy populations. Potential sources of this excess include stars during the epoch of reionization, intra-halo light (IHL) from low-mass stars stripped from their parent galaxies, and the decay products of dark matter candidate …

On The Optimization Of Sensors For The Remote Sensing Of Crop Yield, Nathan M. Burglewski

Theses

Remote sensing has long been a part of precision agriculture research, with products related to spatially-explicit, within-field management of yield, disease, and harvest scheduling, to name a few application areas that are of interest to industry. A variety of spaceborne, airborne, and in-situ sensors are used to monitor crop health throughout the growing season, inform management decisions for farmers, and dictate logistical or planning operations. Crop yield forecasting, specifically, comes in many forms, but recently machine learning algorithms have gained prominence, at the cost of more traditional parametric regression models. While much work has been accomplished towards grain yield estimation …

Polytetrafluoroethylene (Ptfe) Vs. Ptfe-Free Coatings On Paper Label: Analysis Of Label Mechanical And Performance Properties, Chuqi Su

Theses

Post-printed water-based (WB) coatings, commonly known as aqueous coatings, have gained popularity for paper-based label manufacturing because of their environmentally friendly characteristics. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is one of the common additives added to the WB coatings to achieve heat resistance and rub resistance properties for the final product. PTFE is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene, and is a category of Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS). As of January 2024, the sale of food packaging containing PFAS is prohibited in the state of Minnesota, with expectations that this regulation will extend to other states because of the proven harm of PFAS to both humans …

Gallbladder, Raiven Gibbons

Theses

Gallbladder is a triptych feature screenplay focusing on a woman’s search for the meaning of life, death, and their function in between, titled “Time.” The feature explores themes of home, desire, lust, family, romance, codependency, independency, work life, and responsibilities, while finding a reason to laugh in an absurdist world. Each segment is inspired by my personal experiences working within the healthcare system. It was written between September 2023-August 2024 including pre-production and post-production of the live action proof of concept short and the full feature script. This paper describes and analyzes the screenwriting process for Raiven Gibbons, writer and …

Reduction Of Crimes In Dubai With The Use Of Artificial Intelligence, Ahmad Saeed Abdulrahim

Theses

This dissertation examines the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance crime reduction efforts by the Dubai Police. As Dubai continues to grow and new technologies emerge, integrating AI into Dubai Police represents a significant opportunity to improve operational efficiency, predictive policing, and data-driven investigations. However, this integration also raises critical ethical and privacy concerns that must be addressed to ensure responsible use. The rapid development of AI technologies offers promising solutions for modernizing crime prevention and Dubai Police strategies. Dubai, with its advanced technological infrastructure and forward-looking governance, is an ideal context for exploring these innovations. The effective use …

Structural Determination Of The Nudix Hydrolase Rv2985, A Potential Antibiotic Target In Mycobacterium Tuberculosis, Aidan Lynch

Theses

M. tuberculosis contains around a dozen potential Nudix hydrolases, and we are characterizing several of these enzymes as potential novel antibiotic targets. The diadenosine polyphosphatases (ApnAases) / mRNA decapping enzymes are a family of enzymes within the Nudix hydrolase superfamily. In M. tuberculosis there is a primary Nudix ApnAase and a secondary Nudix ApnAase. The diadenosine polyphosphatases from Legionella pneumophilia and Bartonella bacilliformis have been found to be important in each pathogen's ability to invade human host cells. We are interested in whether these enzymes act in the same way in M. tuberculosis. If they are found to be involved …

Sold Out: The Commodification Of Personal Data In The Digital Age, Olaya Ordieres Ortega

Theses

The project titled ‘SOLD OUT’ investigates the profound implications of digital data privacy through a multifaceted multimedia campaign designed to expose and critique the commodification of human information. The campaign explores how contemporary data collection practices have transformed individuals into mere products, bought, sold, and traded without their consent. The project employs a combination of analog and digital mediums to present an engaging and provocative narrative that challenges viewers to confront the stark reality of data privacy in the modern age. ‘SOLD OUT’ transforms abstract privacy concerns into tangible and relatable experiences by linking them to common daily activities and …

Modeling The Impact Of Behavioral Changes And Heterogeneity On U.S. Energy Demand, Sinoun Phoung

Theses

Energy consumption is fundamental to the functioning of modern society, powering essential activities such as transportation, cooking, and working. The drivers of energy demand are influenced by an interplay of physical characteristics, climatic conditions, policy decisions, and behavioral patterns. These behavioral patterns are shaped by socio-demographic factors such as age, income, and employment status, which introduce variability in energy usage. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has introduced changes in daily behaviors, which is persisting into the post-pandemic era and further influencing changes in energy consumption. Understanding and quantifying the diversity and changes in societal behaviors is crucial for energy management and …

Augmenting Social Engagement For Students: Leveraging Ar For Interactive Student Experiences, Promoting Overall Well Being., Aditi Singh

Theses

This thesis explores the concept of an Augmented Reality Application designed to enhance student’s social engagement with their peers in campus activities at universities. It uses AR Technology and futuristic interface design to create a fun and interactive environment that motivates graduate students to socialize more often and maintain a balanced lifestyle. The problem addressed here is the lack of motivation and resources among students to engage in activities due to academic pressures which also adversely affects students mental and emotional wellbeing. The proposed solution involves integrating AR interfaces and elements that immerse them in an enjoyable environment and encourage …

A Dual-Core Risc-V Processor With A Two-Level Programmable Cache Emulation And Test System, Marcus Figorito

Theses

The Compiler Lease of Cache Memory (CLAM) project has previously explored the effects of lease-based replacement policies for benchmarks (programs) run on single-core with single-level and single-core with two-level cache architectural config- urations. This work builds and expands on this prior work by continuing the same line of inquiry for a dual-core with two-level cache architectural configuration. The lease-based replacement policies studied are: Compiler Assigned Reference Leasing (CARL), Phased Reference Leasing (PRL), Scope Hooked Eviction Leasing (SHEL), and Cross-Scope Hooked Eviction Leasing (C-SHEL). These are compared to the per- formance of the traditional Pseudo Least Recently Used (PLRU) replacement policy. …

Physical Properties Of Bulk Carbon Nanotube Conductors Impacting Radio Frequency Waveguide Measurements, Samuel J. Boyd

Theses

Recent developments in radio frequency (RF) electronics motivate the interest in developing multi-functional materials which have effective electrical properties with increasing frequency that minimize the conventional skin effect. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are emerging as a candidate material due to high direct current (DC) electrical conductivity, flexure tolerance, corrosion resistance, and low density. The DC electrical conductivity of CNT networks is affected by the high resistance junctions between individual or bundled CNTs. Strategies to modify the properties of these junctions have included chemical doping, nano-metal deposition, and physical densification. Alternating current (AC) conductivity measurements of bulk CNT materials to date have …

Christmas Eve, Lingxiao Fan

Theses

Christmas Eve is a 3D animated graduate thesis film in length of 3 minutes. It is a story about a young Santa Claus who keeps getting distracted by everything around her and procrastinates from doing her job - preparing gifts for kids. The main character, Santa Claus No.077, who lives in the North Pole Village, has the whole year to prepare gifts for children. However, due to her procrastination, one year has passed and she hasn’t finished her job preparing the gifts on Christmas Eve. Noticing the big day for Santa Clauses is taking place today while reading the newspaper, …

Virtual Vortex, Yiling Jiang

Theses

This project examines the pervasive negative impacts of social media through the lens of 3D abstract motion in Virtual Vortex. While social media offers unparalleled convenience and connectivity, it also brings significant, often hidden, adverse effects on psychosocial health, personal privacy, and relationships. These consequences, although intangible, have profound implications that necessitate deeper scrutiny. In Virtual Vortex, I translate these abstract issues into concrete visuals, using 3D animation to make the invisible visible. By employing Cinema 4D (C4D) dynamics and mograph, I create a narrative where a yellow ball represents individuals, and various forms of social media icons symbolize the …

Exploring Human Perception In Machining Monitoring, Rui Bob Yang

Theses

Monitoring CNC machining processes ensures the satisfaction of dimensional tolerances and surface finish requirements, while minimizing tool wear and downtime caused by accidents. Sensor-based automated monitoring systems driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) trained on extensive datasets have demonstrated high accuracy and consistency in monitoring tool wear progression. However, the performance of AI-driven monitoring systems heavily relies on the available training data, often struggling with scenarios not covered in training, such as variations in tool path, feed rate, and machine models. In contrast, experienced machinists excel in monitoring machining operations across diverse tool paths, machining parameters, and machine tool models, often …

Bhasha: An Interactive Experience Learning Indian Languages, Charmy Patel

Theses

BHASHA is an interactive online platform that focuses on the linguistic diversity of India, specifically targeting languages from the Nagari (Hindi, Gujarati, Bengali) and Dravidian (Tamil) families. The name "BHASHA," meaning "language" in many Indian dialects, reflects the platform's inclusive approach to language learning. BHASHA addresses the challenge of learning complex scripts by offering an engaging experience that showcases the unique beauty and distinctiveness of Indian language typography, characters, type anatomy, and writing systems. By combining technology, design, and linguistics, the platform provides a user-centric solution for individuals and typographers interested in learning Indian languages by making these complex scripts …

Plastic Abundance And Degradation In The Anaerobic Digestion Of Food Waste, Abbey Whitney

Theses

Food waste (FW) is a pervasive issue across the supply chain, with an estimated 30-40% of the food supply left unsold or uneaten annually (ReFED, 2022). In response, in 2015 the U.S. set a goal to halve FW by 2030 (U.S. EPA, 2020f). Valorization, the process of recovering value from FW, has become a key strategy, with anaerobic digestion (AD) playing a pivotal role. AD transforms organic waste into biogas and digestate, a potential soil amendment. However, plastic contamination in the organic waste stream poses a significant challenge. During digestion and storage, plastic debris can break down into microplastics (MP), …

Factors That Enable Cashless Payment Adoption Among The Blue-Collar Workers In Dubai, Rasheed Abdu Venmadathayil

Theses

As part of the Smart Dubai 2021 Strategy, Dubai is leveraging a wide range of technologies to enhance the lives of its residents and drive economic development. A key component of this strategy is the shift toward digital payments and a cashless economy (UAE Government Portal, 2021). In 2020, the Dubai Government established the Cashless Dubai Working Group to create an action plan aimed at transforming all payment transactions in the city to cashless platforms. The UAE, including Dubai, has the essential prerequisites for a cashless economy, such as advanced digital infrastructure and government regulations that protect consumer security and …

Event Sensor Simulator With Hardware Accelerated Ray Tracer And Image Space Photon Mapping, Chengyi Ma

Theses

In this study, we present an advanced event sensor simulator leveraging NVIDIA OptiX to address and overcome the limitations of existing event sensor simulators. Our simulator demonstrates significant improvements in both processing speed and temporal resolution compared to traditional methods such as v2e. These advancements are achieved by programming a real-time ray tracer with asynchronous event pixels using Nvidia OptiX’s sophisticated motion system, which provides hardware motion interpolation on GPU threads. This enables sampling dynamic scenes to generate a series of events independent from frame rates. Additionally, we introduce an image space photon mapping method utilizing OptiX for enhanced global …

Binary Neutron Stars: From Interpreting Individual Events To Inferring Population Properties, Anjali Balasaheb Yelikar

Theses

Accurate information from gravitational wave signals from coalescing binary neutron stars provides essential input to downstream interpretations, including inference of the neutron star population and equation of state. However, even adopting the currently most accurate and physically motivated models available for parameter estimation (PE) of binary neutron stars(s), these models remain subject to waveform modeling uncertainty: differences between these models may introduce biases in recovered source properties. In this work, we describe injection studies investigating these systematic differences between the two best waveform models available for BNS currently, NRHybSur3dq8Tidal and TEOBResumS. We demonstrate that for BNS sources observable by current …

Design And Implementation Of A Modular, Standalone Microfluidic Flow Control Platform For Cell Culture Applications, Meng-Chun Hsu

Theses

Microfluidics, a technology of manipulating small quantities of fluids (0.1-10 µL), has drawn interest as an emerging platform for biomedical and chemical applications since its debut due to several advantages, including better precision in flow rate control, smaller required sample sizes, lower costs of analyses, and shorter turnaround times. Well-defined fluid flows are the hallmark feature of microfluidic culture systems and enable precise control over biophysical and biochemical cues at the cellular scale. One key demand for microfluidics is to control the delivered fluid flows to downstream applications. This is generally achieved via two major components – valves and pumps. …

Design Of Face-Milled Spiral Bevel Gear Drives With The Desired Conditions Of Meshing And Contact By Application Of The Universal Motion Concept, Akari Tawa

Theses

This thesis aims to improve the computational methodology proposed by Fuentes et al. (2018) for the design of face-milled spiral bevel gear drives in order to get closer to the objective gear tooth surfaces and provide the desired meshing and contact conditions. In the existing computational methodology, all machine-tool settings, excluding velocity ratio, are treated as constants, whereas in this work, the machine-tool settings will be computed by polynomial functions up to the fourth degree of the cradle angle, approach commonly known as Universal Motion Concept (UMC). The proposed approach assumes a predefined geometry for the wheel member of the …

Ghost In My Heart, Xueqi Sun

Theses

There is an ebb and flow to the world, things may come and go. Holding on to something and not letting go is something I cannot resist. Even though it is as fleeting as a palm of sand. But where things flow to is the question I am asking, I would like to explore the fleetingness and flaws in the impermanent natures of all things. Those segmented moments often come back as ghosts and the impermanence lingers and it bothers me. Through painting, flow with nature and find my inner peace in the painting itself.

Abstract (Chinese)

世事潮起潮落，万物来来去去。我无法抗拒坚持不放手的冲动。即使它如掌心沙般转瞬即逝。但事物流向何处才是我要问的问题，我想探索万物无常本质中的短暂和瑕疵。那些片段时刻常常像幽灵一样回来，无常挥之不去，让我很困扰。通过绘画，顺应自然，在画作中找到内心的平静。

It's There, Seojung Kang

Theses

This thesis explores the true value of normalcy through repetitive production in order to redefine the importance of ordinary that is taken for granted.

Unbound: An Analog Tapestry Of Reading Experiences, Ipek Koprululu

Theses

This project explores the transformative potential of typography in visual communication, focusing on how typographic treatments can shape and expand the perception of text. Centered on Sylvia Plath’s The Bell Jar, the research investigates how different typographic approaches – employing both analog and digital methods – can alter emotional impact, narrative significance, and universal accessibility. Through a systematic approach encompassing research, design decisions, and presentation, the study reveals how typography can transcend the literal meaning of words, enriching them with diverse emotional and visual interpretations. The project utilizes various formats, including posters, an accordion-style book, a stop-motion video, and interactive …

The Enigmatic Taoist Relic: A Fusion Of Chinese Traditional Culture And Futuristic Imagination, Zhuoran Yang

Theses

The Eight Immortals is one of the representative mythological stories in traditional Chinese culture. Being a cultural creation that incorporates the ideas of local Chinese Taoism, these eight immortals and their iconic instruments, the Eight Treasures, have become symbols and emblems that have appeared as decorations on artifacts throughout the ages. This story has been rewritten into various novels, plays, movies, and even games throughout history. However, they have never broken away from a classical oriental narrative, and its dissemination has been limited to the Chinese-speaking world. And in this age of globalization, this story should have a wider audience …

A Domain-Specific Language For Accounting, Janhavi Doshi

Theses

Accounting can be loosely described as a set of rules and best practices for recording and reporting financial transactions. Despite the seemingly straightforward nature of these principles, implementing them through programming has proven to be complex. Currently, over 550 accounting software solutions exist, developed using more than 17 programming languages. These diverse and often fragmented solutions have led to numerous instances of fraud and errors that elude early detection due to inadequate validity checks. This study investigates the need for a unified approach by developing a Domain-Specific Language (DSL) for Accounting. The proposed DSL aims to standardize accounting practices, enhance …

Rural Electrification Subsidies: Quantification, Structure And Policy Implications, Lefu Maqelepo

Theses

This dissertation explores rural electrification subsidies and the policies around them, with an objective of assessing whether there are opportunities to restructure, and therefore redistribute subsidies to a larger portfolio of technology options to accelerate rural electrification and improve energy justice. Redistribution of subsidy necessitates an understanding of the amount of subsidy and how it is distributed. To do this, a quantitative modeling framework that enables for a direct comparison between grid extension and mini grid based electrification pathways based on implicit subsidy required to make connections over a system lifetime was developed and is presented. Using this framework, our …

Photonic Integrated Circuit Data Acquisition And Tunable Laser Control For Biomedical Point Of Care Systems, Maximilian Thoburn

Theses

In the world of healthcare, it has always been desirable to have a single test that can screen for multiple different patient ailments at once. Toward this end, a silicon photonics platform has been developed that uses photonic integrated circuits in combination with lasers to simultaneously perform various biological assays, i.e., to screen for biological markers in a patient’s sample. This system uses inexpensive passive flow cards with inexpensive photonic integrated circuits to create a disposable test platform that can be used in point of care environments. However, the necessary bench-top equipment to run an assay with these cards is …

Energetics And Passivation Of Surface Defects In Hgte Colloidal Quantum Dots, Jacob D. Eisensmith

Theses

Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs), and especially HgTe CQDs, have the potential to disrupt traditional solid-state manufacturing of sensitive infrared photodetectors. Here we produce a surface model for (111) HgTe surfaces present in tetrahedral CQDs and attempt to use density functional theory (DFT) to explore various issues in the fabrication and performance of HgTe CQD photodetectors. One such concern is the presence of mid-gap trap states that can hurt device performance. In this work, we demonstrate that an abundant source of these trap states is unpassivated mercury at the surface of the nanocrystal, which can be corrected with passivation procedures. Furthermore, …