Digital Commons Network^™

Benchmarking Of Matrix Multiplication Acceleration Methods, Ashish Tondwalkar

Theses

With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), performance and model runtime feasibility poses a challenge to the advancement of AI technology. Novel methods of accelerating the core mathematical functions of AI applications are being explored. The crux of AI computations that would benefit from hardware acceleration is matrix multiplication. This thesis explores the acceleration of matrix multiplication using systolic arrays and the strassen algorithm, methods known for enhancing computational efficiency through parallel processing. The research focuses on the design, implementation, and comprehensive testing of these architectures to expedite matrix multiplication tasks, crucial for applications in deep learning and signal processing. …

Predictive Analytics: Assessing Air Pollution’S Influence On Real Estate Prices In Dubai, Hani Khalaf

Theses

This study examines the link between air pollution and property prices in Dubai. It aims to find the relationship between environmental and economic factors in Dubai’s rapidly expanding real estate market and concerns about city livability. The research is centered on investigating how differences in air quality between various neighborhoods in Dubai affect property pricing. To achieve this goal, the thesis adopted the Hedonic Pricing Method (HPM) typical for this type of analysis. The Hedonic Pricing Method (HPM) provides insights on the price of a product from its components. The study utilized records of housing transactions and air quality measurements …

Effect Of Strategic Blending Of Food Industry By-Products With Protein Supplements On Performance Of Growing And Finishing Beef Cattle, Richard Augustine Atedi Bien

Theses

The objective of this research was to evaluate the impact of strategical blending of by-products of pea protein extraction such as pea molasses (PMS) and pea starch and fiber (PSF) with canola meal (CM) or distillers dried grains (DDGS) on the growth performance, rumen fermentation, and total tract nutrient digestibility of beef cattle. Preliminary evaluation (study 1) involved 4 runs of in vitro and two runs of in situ to evaluate the rumen fermentation and nutrient degradation of strategically blended CM. The treatments included regular CM (CM), CM blends containing PMS and PSF at 5% (CM5) and 10% (CM10) levels …

Investigating Native Bamboo Practices For Reservoir Conservation And Habitat Restoration, Taryn Elizabeth Ann Bieri

Theses

Reservoirs are an important resource for both humans and wildlife. They provide drinking water, recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat and more. A major issue land managers face on reservoirs is shoreline erosion leading to water quality impairments, sedimentation, and habitat loss. Traditionally, riprap has been used to mitigate this issue, but is costly and has limited ability to provide habitat. A promising measure to mitigate shoreline erosion and provide habitat is the establishment of giant cane [Arundinaria gigantea (Walt.) Muhl], on shorelines. Giant cane, a bamboo species native to southern Illinois and the southeastern United States, forms monodominant stands called canebrakes. …

Occupancy Dynamics Of Wildlife In A Bottomland Hardwood Forest, Jessica L. Esposito

Theses

Land cover conversion has resulted in severe habitat fragmentation, degradation, and loss in bottomland hardwood (BLH) forests throughout the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley. BLH forests in southern Illinois are home to diverse wildlife communities, many of which are of conservation concern and utilize BLH habitat year-round or during migration and/or breeding. Efforts in recent years have focused on ecological restoration and reforestation to enhance BLH ecosystem structure, function, diversity, and wildlife-habitat conditions. Due to the complexity of BLH habitat and varied inter- and intra-taxa niches, it is often difficult to develop plans aimed to improve wildlife habitat. However, it is …

An Intelligent Academic Advising System For Course Recommendation Using Large Language Models, Malika Maya Iratni

Theses

Academic advising is an important resource for students, especially in higher education, in order to guide them to make the best possible decisions to improve their overall academic performance and overall academic journey. With the increasing number of students joining these institutions each year, traditional advising becomes a time-consuming and inefficient process that can leave students discouraged, and advisors overwhelmed. Therefore, there is a need to develop intelligent advising systems that make use of the recent advancements in technology, to support the advising process, and increase overall student satisfaction. In this work, an academic advising model that uses Recommender Systems …

The Influence Of Woody Cover And An Exploration Of Raptor Density On Northern Bobwhite Survival In Southern Illinois, Blake Baum

Theses

Northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) are a culturally and economically significant game bird characteristic of grassland landscapes throughout their range. Despite the variety of research conducted on this species for nearly a century, populations continue to steadily decline, raising concern for future populations and highlighting the need for region-specific research. My research was conducted at Burning Star State Fish and Wildlife Area in northeastern Jackson County, Illinois from 2020-2022. My research addressed the following two objectives to provide insight on the population ecology of bobwhites at this site: (1) investigate the impact of multiple woody cover types within the home ranges …

The Impact Of Vehicular Noise On The Effectiveness Of Acoustic Indices, Rebecca Ducay

Theses

Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) is a valuable tool in wildlife research, offering non-invasive and cost-effective means to collect acoustic data. However, the processing of PAM recordings can be time-consuming, prompting the use of acoustic indices to expedite analysis. Acoustic indices are numerical values that characterize biological information in sound recordings based on an environment’s acoustic characteristics. While acoustic indices have been correlated with species richness across ecological contexts, their reliability diminishes in areas with heightened vehicular noise. However, it is unclear if index biases caused by vehicular noise are consistent across all traffic levels, and which acoustic indices are most …

Impact Of Data Reliability On Resilience-Based Decision Making In A Water Distribution System, Amrit Babu Ghimire

Theses

This thesis explores the increasing necessity for resilience in Water Distribution Systems (WDS) facing challenges like leakage, missing data, and cyber-physical attacks. Resilience-based strategies enhance WDS sustainability by minimizing losses and ensuring quick recovery. Integrating smart systems, utilizing real-time data, boosts infrastructure resilience by improving efficiency and responsiveness. Data precision is essential for practical system analysis, development of resilience strategy, and making real-time decisions. The study also investigates into the potential of decentralization, combined with smart systems, to enhance WDS resilience, considering diverse water resources and hybrid systems. It seeks to answer critical questions about resilience in various failure scenarios …

Seeing With New Eyes: A Costume Design Thesis On Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story In Black And White, Jennifer Nielson Helms

Theses

AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OFJennifer N. Helms, for the Master of Fine Arts degree in Theater Design, presented on March 26, 2024, at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. TITLE: SEEING WITH NEW EYES: A COSTUME DESIGN THESIS ON WEDDING BAND: A LOVE/HATE STORY IN BLACK AND WHITEMAJOR PROFESSOR: Wendi R. Zea This thesis document is a presentation and exploration of the process involving the costume design for Wedding Band: A Love/Hate Story in Black and White by Alice Childress. The play was produced in the Christian H. Moe Laboratory Theatre at Southern Illinois University Carbondale and ran from November 30 …

Directing A Technical Cyclone, Leonard A. Lively

Theses

In October 2023, the Southern Illinois School of Theater and Dance produced Ride the Cyclone. This thesis documents the participation of the technical director, Leonard Lively, in this collaborative production process. The project involved multimedia construction, CNC technology to manufacture custom components, curtain fabrication, engineering inspiration from anatomical structures, and advanced AutoCAD drafting techniques. Chapter one explores the play’s text, past productions, and the production’s possibilities. The design process is documented in the second chapter. The third chapter covers the production process and the fourth chapter reflects and evaluates the effectiveness of the production.

Covid-19 And Unemployment Dynamics: A Regional Analysis In The United States, Keesha Queenie St. John

Theses

The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on unemployment rates in several US locations is examined in this research article. We investigate the intricate relationships between COVID-19 cases, mortality, GDP per capita, and unemployment rates through a thorough study of the data. The study sheds insight into the complex interaction between health crises and labor markets by revealing considerable differences in how these factors affect unemployment in various geographic locations.Unexpectedly, key findings show that places with higher COVID-19 cases frequently have lower unemployment rates. This trend is related to several variables, including critical sectors and public health activities. The positive correlation …

Reduction Of The Length Of Stay At The Emergency Department Of The Audie L. Murphy Hospital, Arwa Al Shikrian

Theses

We implemented the DMAIC framework (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, and Control) and Lean Six Sigma methods to reduce the length of stay (LOS) in the Emergency Department (ED) at Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital, a crucial issue affecting operational efficiency and patient care quality. This project was conducted in conjunction with an internship at the Hospital; our efforts were an integral part of a Green Belt project being conducted by Mr. Roarke Verkaik-Bushby, Hospital Administration Service, to

whom this author reported.

We employed quantitative research design, meticulously observing, measuring, and analyzing ED processes. We tracked patient flow, identified bottlenecks, and …

Selenate-Mediated Impacts On Mercury Methylation By Pseudodesulfovibrio Mercurii With Dissolved And Nanoparticulate Mercuric Nitrate, Md Sayeduzzaman Sarker

Theses

Inorganic mercury (Hg) is converted to potential neurotoxic methylmercury (MeHg) by a natural process called Hg methylation. MeHg can be biomagnified in the food chain, thus the consumption of Hg-contaminated fish contributes to harmful human health issues. Selenium (Se) inhibits the Hg bioavailability to the methylating bacteria by forming mercuric selenide (HgSe). Pseudodesulfovibrio mercurii, a type of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) cultures were grown in anaerobic environments using an estuarine sulfate lactate growth medium to evaluate the effects of Hg concentrations, bacterial growth phase, and sodium selenate in the Hg methylation process. Bacterial cultures contained two types of mercuric (II) nitrate, …

Sonic Space: A Music Visualization And Interaction System Using Particles, Yi Sun

Theses

Along with the rapid development of digital music formats and portable technical products, individuals can rely on technology to have access to new music besides traditional methods like recommendations from the social circle. While music apps provide users with a more convenient and efficient way to enjoy music through a music recommendation system, users are also limited by the music recommendation algorithm based on genres, artists, instruments, acoustic features, context, or moods. People who wear headphones often isolate themselves from the external world and others, passively absorbing content recommended by the system. Music, as an art form, serves more than …

Evaluating Behavioral Skills Training To Improve Data Collection Procedures In Paraprofessionals, Megan Weber

Theses

When working with individuals with a variety of abilities and disabilities, data collection becomes arguably the most important tool in ensuring student success and growth. To put trust in collected data, both data reliability and treatment integrity must be considered. When one individual is taking all data required for a specific individual, reliability and integrity can be simpler to ensure (Vollmer et al., 2008). However, in many special education classrooms across the country, paraprofessionals are asked to perform many of the same data collection tasks as certified educators; a role which, as in many of the roles they serve within …

Osmanthus, Zixuan Ni

Theses

Observation serves as the cornerstone for all my artistic endeavors. This thesis will explore the nuanced emotions that emerge during and after the observation process. Specifically, it delves into instances where elements in the city I currently inhabit are mistakenly associated with my hometown, providing a platform for expressing my sentiments towards the sweet-scented osmanthus flowers of my roots. The discourse within the thesis extends beyond the realms of contemporary metal and jewelry art, encompassing references to olfactory art and various other crafts as I explore the forms and fragrances of Osmanthus.

Say Hello To Yesterday, Tianyi Zhang

Theses

This project investigates the therapeutic potential of picture books in addressing grief, focusing on a narrative about a woman navigating the aftermath of her husband's death. It integrates traditional artistic techniques with modern digital tools to explore loss's emotional and psychological impacts. The use of dark tones accented with bright colors such as pink, orange, and green symbolizes the transition from sorrow to hope and healing. Key symbols like labyrinths and cameras deepen thematic resonance, with labyrinths depicting the protagonist's confusion and cameras representing fixed memories of the past. This approach highlights the dualities of memory and progress, illustrating the …

Dilink X Human Machine Interface Design, Tiancheng Si

Theses

In the context of autonomous and electric vehicle advancements, this thesis presents an in-depth exploration into the design and implementation of Human-Machine Interfaces (HMI) that transform the traditional vehicle interior into a multifunctional habitat. This pursuit is not merely aesthetic but an ergonomic imperative that demands innovative spatial utilization and interaction within the vehicle. It strives to reconcile human needs with the technical sophistication of autonomous vehicles, seeking to enhance the in-car experience to align with evolving user behaviors and expectations. The thesis proposes a series of design interventions aimed at optimizing the ergonomic layout and aesthetic appeal of vehicle …

Introducing Students To Material Libraries Through Interactive Play, Evan Murphy

Theses

In 2023, Rochester Institute of Technology finished construction of a state-of-the-art makerspace to their growing campus. It was named the Student Hall for Exploration and Development, or, the SHED. It includes classrooms, lecture halls, collaborative makerspaces and a material library. The materials library offers hundreds of material samples - metals, plastics, naturals and more. Material libraries are a great resource for students looking to find high performing, sustainable and elegant materials for any project. They give students and professionals a hands-on understanding of available materials. In conversations with Mike Buffalin, the director of the SHED, I learned about the recent …

Comparison Of Rip And Rcp Conditioning Procedures On Vocalizations In Children With Autism And Minimal Echoic Repertoire, Jacqueline Pecoraro

Theses

Pairing procedures have been utilized by researchers and in applied practice for many years to establish neutral stimuli as conditioned reinforcers. Recently, pairing procedures, specifically stimulus-stimulus pairing, have been applied to vocalizations. Vocalizations are an essential element for language development because once vocalizations are brought under echoic control, they can be used to further develop a child’s verbal behavior. Results of the research conducted on stimulus-stimulus pairing had varied results, and the effectiveness of stimulus-stimulus pairing on increasing vocalizations is uncertain. Lepper and Petursdottir (2017) conducted a study that compared traditional stimulus-stimulus pairing (or response-independent pairing (RIP)) to response-contingent pairing …

Busy World: 3d To-Do Lists App, Zhixiao Shen

Theses

Today, people encounter many arduous tasks every day. Heavy work tasks and tedious tasks always remind people, tormenting people who work hard to live. Life is busy, and there are many things to do every day. Without to-do lists to help us organize the tasks we need to get done each day, our lives would be a mess. Not only that, but unplanned tasks can also trigger procrastination. According to a survey, more than 40% of people suffer from procrastination. Procrastination affects the lives of many people, causing them to be inefficient and waste a lot of time. The central …

M’Ma, Charlotte Rose Eshelman

Theses

As I wrestle with myself, I wrestle with my mother. Both my mother and I survived domestic abuse as children, my mother again as an adult. Our bodies carry our trauma, her body carried mine, and someday, my body will carry my children. M’ma contemplates what we do with what we’re given, how trauma is inherited and passed down to the next generation through the body, and the complex intimacy of the mother-child relationship. I express and project my questions about my future children, my relationship with and understanding of my mother, and of myself in anticipation of being a …

Quantum Lissajous Figures Via Projection, Errico Russo

Theses

We present and investigate a new category of quantum Lissajous states for a two-dimensional Harmonic Oscillator (2DHO) having commensurate angular frequencies. The states themselves result from the projection of ordinary coherent states (i.e. quasi-classical) onto a degenerate subspace of the 2DHO. In this way, new, highly non-classical quantum mechanically stationary states arise “organically” from the highly classical but non-stationary coherent states. The connection to Lissajous figures is evident in the result that our states so defined all have probability densities that are localized along the corresponding classical Lissajous figures. We further emphasize the important interplay between the probability current density …

Fitopia: Enhancing Online Community Engagement For Gym Enthusiasts Through A Specialized Mobile Application, Yushuang Liang

Theses

In the wake of the pandemic, societal shifts have led to profound transformations in lifestyle, including the widespread adoption of remote education and communication. At the same time, individuals are building new relationships through online platforms. However, traditional gym routines face challenges, distractions from frequent smartphone usage disrupt focus and solitary training lacks motivational support. To address these issues, this study introduces 'Fitopia', a UI/UX design exploration that delves into the potential of mobile apps to revolutionize gym engagement by integrating community engagement features. This project aims to uncover innovative approaches that meld visual and interaction design with user interface …

Passing Away, Xin Li

Theses

My paper revolves these wonderful things from our lives, fading away from our world until even ourselves vanish from this world. I am often hijacked by groundless panic, even when I possess something, I dare not think about losing it, just the thought makes me anxious. I would even rather not have had beautiful things to avoid losing them. In my perception, all beautiful things are fragile, brittle. When I realized I was trapped by this fear, unable to move forward towards a new life, I decided to rescue myself. In the society and culture that I grew up in, …

Block Copolymers And Chirality: Interplay Between Conformations And Structures, Natalie Buchanan

Theses

Block copolymers can exhibit chirality at three different length scales – molecular chirality at the residue scale, conformational chirality at the molecular scale, and structural chirality at the mesoscale from the self-assembly of thousands of molecules. Unique morphologies have been formed due to chirality transfer, a phenomenon where chirality at smaller length scales imparts chirality to larger length scales. However, chirality does not always transfer, with chiral blocks existing in an achiral phase due to chiral frustration. The thermodynamics of the effects of chirality on block copolymer self-assembly is not well understood. This work demonstrates that coarse-grained models can effectively …

Among Cypress And Sawgrass, Chandler Michael Culotta

Theses

Among Cypress and Sawgrass is a photographic series that explores the region I have come to call home, the Florida Everglades. This series explores the vast diversity of species and the ecosystem as a whole, but also speaks to the threats it has faced and continues to face that could devastate it forever. The series brings attention to the importance of this ecosystem, vocalizing support for its preservation, something we often depict in a phrase regarding the entire state; “Keep Florida Wild”. The series brings together photographs of the natural world and photographs of the ways humankind has influenced and …

Atoms And Leaves, Patty Tomanovich

Theses

Atoms and Leaves is a photographic project presented as windows into a utopia. The glass images display a potential time and place where the landscape, photography, and transness intertwine and grow from each other. Photography historically harms the landscape- requiring precious metals, releasing pollution into the atmosphere, and creating hazardous water waste. The traditional photographic canon erases the connection between queerness and ecology. Atoms and Leaves rethreads these connections, creating a world where photography collaborates with the landscape and takes on a transgender perspective by reshaping given material. The photographic printing process developed in this project was inspired by the …

Attentional Alchemy: Crafting Meaning In The Fabric Of Experience ---An Argument From Attention For The Content View, Ling 鳕鱼 张 Zhang

Theses

Abstract: In the realm of philosophy of mind, a central inquiry concerns whether perceptual experiences have content. This paper aims to construct an argument, termed Argument from Attention, which asserts that all visual experiences have content in the minimal sense, drawing upon insights from phenomenological features of attentional experience and mechanisms of attention elucidated in The Erotetic Theory of Attention. To achieve this goal, the paper begins by clarifying the essential features of contentful experience in Section 2. Furthermore, the second subsection scrutinizes Siegel's Argument from Appearances, highlighting the susceptibility of her Weak Content View to the …