Digital Commons Network^™

Guavanet: A Deep Neural Network Architecture For Automatic Sensory Evaluation To Predict Degree Of Acceptability For Guava By A Consumer, Vipul Mehra

Theses

This thesis is divided into two parts:Part I: Analysis of Fruits, Vegetables, Cheese and Fish based on Image Processing using Computer Vision and Deep Learning: A Review. It consists of a comprehensive review of image processing, computer vision and deep learning techniques applied to carry out analysis of fruits, vegetables, cheese and fish.This part also serves as a literature review for Part II.Part II: GuavaNet: A deep neural network architecture for automatic sensory evaluation to predict degree of acceptability for Guava by a consumer. This part introduces to an end-to-end deep neural network architecture that can predict the degree of …

Learning With Limited Labeled Data In Biomedical Domain By Disentanglement And Semi-Supervised Learning, Prashnna Kumar Gyawali

Theses

In this dissertation, we are interested in improving the generalization of deep neural networks for biomedical data (e.g., electrocardiogram signal, x-ray images, etc). Although deep neural networks have attained state-of-the-art performance and, thus, deployment across a variety of domains, similar performance in the clinical setting remains challenging due to its ineptness to generalize across unseen data (e.g., new patient cohort).

We address this challenge of generalization in the deep neural network from two perspectives: 1) learning disentangled representations from the deep network, and 2) developing efficient semi-supervised learning (SSL) algorithms using the deep network.

In the former, we are interested …

High Dynamic Range (Hdr) Display Perception, Fu Jiang

Theses

Displays have undergone a huge development in the last several decades. From cathode-ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), to organic light-emitting diode (OLED), even Q-OLED, the new configurations of the display bring more and more functions into industry and daily life. In the recent several years, high dynamic range (HDR) displays become popular. HDR displays usually refer to that the black level of the display is darker and the peak being brighter compared with the standard dynamic range (SDR) display. Traditionally, the peak luminance level can be used as the "white" in characterization and calibration. However, for HDR displays, …

How Diversity And Inclusion Affect Shopper Attitudes, Melissa Michelle Oliver

Theses

This paper analyzes the effects of consumer behavior in relation to diversity and inclusion in retail advertisements. The primary objective of diversity and inclusion initiatives is to have a workforce that closely resembles an organization’s target audience and the growing group of loyal customers the company wants to retain. Differences in age, race, gender, national origin and sexual orientation should be encouraged in advertisements to ensure optimal organizational performance. People who are different from one another in race, gender and other dimensions bring unique information and experiences to bear on the task at hand. By analyzing consumer behavior based off …

Marching Band Show Design Tips For Smaller Bands, Larry Price

Theses

This project takes an in depth look at the marching band scoring system in the attempt to aid small school bands. The adjudicator sheets of the competitive marching band circuit were evaluated to see what criteria judges are looking for in a performance. To attain the highest scoring rating, it seems that the performance needs to be original, captivating, and executed with high accuracy based on the research. The first two expectations, original and captivating, are objective to the individual and require custom elements, referred to as non-performance variables throughout the paper. This paper sought to find what judges look …

The Last, Tony D. Riel

Theses

This thesis shares a collection of paintings that demonstrates my understanding of how to paint still lifes using oil paint. The tools, preparation, steps, and techniques other still life painters have used to create paintings were examined in-depth and were applied by me to create my still life paintings. Food is the subject of my paintings. My family’s eating habits and wastefulness of food were my sources of inspiration. My observations took place at the end of mealtimes because that is when I noticed that my family tends to not eat every piece of food. This often means there are …

Beginning Band: Cognitive Development Based Instruction, Kayla Price

Theses

This project focuses on how to facilitate a more efficient beginning band experience for students based on the average state of cognitive development for their age group. The primary focus is presenting an alternative to immediately starting students in a traditional band method book when they first begin band classes. The aim of the project is to study the cognitive development of the average sixth grader to best determine what instructional approach would best suit their processing abilities before introducing the band method book. Furthermore, the study exposes the fallacies of the traditional band method book system and suggests and …

Analyzing Emotion Regulation Using Multimodal Data, Geeta Madhav Gali

Theses

An emotion is a state of one's mind that derives from situations, mood, etc. Understanding people's emotions is a complex problem. People express their emotions using facial expressions or via voice modulations; also, they use emotion regulation strategies such as cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression in certain instances. Emotion regulation is a method by which we alter our emotions by changing how we express and perceive different situations. Understanding these emotional regulations helps to interact better, communicate and provide care. In this research, we analyze, visualize the differences and distinguish the emotions of disgust and humor with and without emotion …

Architecting A One-To-Many Traffic-Aware And Secure Millimeter-Wave Wireless Network-In-Package Interconnect For Multichip Systems, M Meraj Ahmed

Theses

With the aggressive scaling of device geometries, the yield of complex Multi Core Single Chip(MCSC) systems with many cores will decrease due to the higher probability of manufacturing defects especially, in dies with a large area. Disintegration of large System-on-Chips(SoCs) into smaller chips called chiplets has shown to improve the yield and cost of complex systems. Therefore, platform-based computing modules such as embedded systems and micro-servers have already adopted Multi Core Multi Chip (MCMC) architectures overMCSC architectures. Due to the scaling of memory intensive parallel applications in such systems, data is more likely to be shared among various cores residing …

Air Injection In A Pseudo Boiling System, Saikat Das

Theses

The continuous development of microelectronic industry and miniaturization of microchips has led to a demand for large amount of heat removal from their surface. Conventional cooling systems are unable to extract such large amount of heat and thus necessitating efficient thermal management. Pool Boiling provides a highly efficient way to remove high heat at low wall superheats. Enhancement of heat transfer by pool boiling will result in reduced size and better efficiency of the device. The current research work focuses on the application of enhanced heat removal technique by macro-convection mechanism using an air injection system. Air injection through the …

The Impact Of Guided Reading On Kg1 Students’ Reading Performance, Nasibah Abdulrahman Alyousef

Theses

This thesis is concerned with finding the impact of applying guided reading activities on Kindergarten 1 (KG1) students’ reading performance. The current study focuses on two reading skills which are word recognition and reading comprehension. The main objective of this thesis is to examine how guided reading can affect KG1 learners’ reading performance. The research included 50 KG1 students as participants of the study. A quantitative research method was used. The data was collected via the use of pre-post test research instruments. The study found that guided reading has a positive impact on KG1 learners’ reading performance. The research results …

Expo 2020 Positive & Negative Sentiment, Tariq Albehandy

Theses

Sentiment analysis is the progression of detecting positive or negative sentiment in text. It’s often used by businesses to detect sentiment in social data, gauge brand reputation, and understand customers. Since customers express their thoughts and feelings more openly than ever before, sentiment analysis is becoming an important tool to monitor and understand that sentiment. Inevitably analyzing customer feedback, such as opinions in survey responses and social media conversations, allows brands to learn what makes customers happy or frustrated, so that they can tailor products and services to meet their customers’ needs. For example, using sentiment analysis to automatically analyze …

Generation, Verification, And Attacks On Elliptic Curves And Their Applications In Signal Protocol, Tanay Pramod Dusane

Theses

Elliptic curves (EC) are widely studied due to their mathematical and cryptographic properties. Cryptographers have used the properties of EC to construct elliptic curve cryptosystems (ECC). ECC are based on the assumption of hardness of special instances of the discrete logarithm problem in EC. One of the strong merits of ECC is providing the same cryptographic strength with smaller key size compared to other public key cryptosystems. A 256 bit ECC can provide similar cryptographic strength as a 3072 bit RSA cryptosystem. Due to smaller key sizes, elliptic curves are an attractive option in devices with limited storage capacity. It …

Diabetes Education In Vellore, India, Nirja Desai

Theses

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus has risen dramatically in developing countries over the past two decades, especially in India. There is a lack of awareness about the condition, how to treat it, and the symptoms of diabetes amongst the general population. Regular screening of adults is essential for early detection and care, but inadequate knowledge about type 2 diabetes is preventing the country from fighting a fair battle. Christian Medical College (CMC) in collaboration with Albert Einstein College of Medicine has taken the initiative to educate the general public and re-educate the physicians around the country about diabetes. There is …

المسؤولیة المدنیة عن عملیات نقل الدم: دراسة في القانون الإماراتي, میساء نصري فتح لله الدقاق

Theses

تتناول ھذه الدراسة ما ینتج عن نقل دم ملوث للمتبرع بالدم أو للمریض المتلقي للدم، ونشوء المسؤولیة المدنیة الطبیة على المتسبب بالخطأ سواء كان صادرا من مركز نقل الدم، أو المستشفى، أو الطبیب ومساعدیھ. حیث تناولت ھذه الدراسة الأساس القانوني لعملیة نقل الدم بنظریاتھ الثلاث. وما ھي طبیعة التزام الطبیب في عملیة نقل الدم. ثم توضیح الخطأ الطبي في عملیة نقل الدم بالنسبة لجمیع الأطراف المسؤولیة عن ذلك، والضرر الذي قد ینتج عن عملیة دم ملوث، والعلاقة السببیة بین الخطأ في نقل الدم والضرر. وتطرقت الدراسة لآثار المسؤولیة المدنیة عن عملیات نقل الدم من تعویض ومدى تغطیة التأمین من المسؤولیة …

Ovals And Niho Bent Functions In Small Dimensions, Rasha M. E. Issa Shat

Theses

In this thesis hyperovals and ovals are considered in the projective plane PG(2,q), q = 2^m even. Traditionally these objects are studied algebraically via o-polynomials. In our work, a different approach is used by means of g-functions. These functions also provide a natural description of Niho bent functions. Using g-functions, all ovals and Niho bent functions are listed up to equivalency for dimensions m ≤ 6.

أثر استخدام الخرائط الذھنیة في تحسین التحصیل الدراسي وتنمیة مھارات التفكیر لدى طلاب الصف الثالث الابتدائي في بیئة التعلیم الھجین بإحدى مدارس العین في دولة الإمارات العربیة المتحدة, نوال خلیفة الغیثي

Theses

THE EFFECT OF USING MIND MAPS IN IMPROVING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND DEVELOPING THINKING SKILLS AMONG THIRD-GRADE STUDENTS IN A HYBRID TEACHING ENVIRONMRNT IN ONE OF AL AIN SCHOOLS IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

The purpose of the study was to examine the effects of mind-mapping strategy on improving academic achievement and development of thinking skills of the thirdgrade social studies students in a hybrid classroom setting. A quasi-experimental approach was adopted in which a group of 52 male and female third grade elementary students taught in a public school in Al Ain Education District were selected and divided into two …

A Numerical Method For Solving Fuzzy Initial Value Problems, Safa Emad Al-Refai

Theses

In this thesis, the optimized one-step methods based on the hybrid block method (HBM) are derived for solving first and second-order fuzzy initial value problems. The off-step points are chosen to minimize the local truncation error of the proposed methods. Several theoretical properties of the proposed methods, such as stability, convergence, and consistency are investigated. Moreover, the regions of absolute stability of the proposed methods are plotted. Numerical results indicate that the proposed methods have order three and they are stable and convergent. In addition, several numerical examples are presented to show the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed methods. …

Reuse Of Sewage Sludge Ash In Producing Self Compacting Concrete, Siham Saed (Moh’D Saeed) Al Shanti

Theses

Rapid growth of self-compacting concrete (SCC) marks a significant milestone in enhancing the product quality and effectiveness of the construction industry. This special type of concrete is known for its high flowability characteristics and surface finish without the tendency for segregation. To achieve the desired properties, the production of SCC requires high powder content, i.e. higher cement content. Cement production is considered to be an extreme energy intensive process; which is responsible for the emissions of a greenhouse gas such as carbon dioxide (CO₂). Recently, due to the current innovations and development worldwide, the rate of producing solid …

Using Aerial Photogrammetry And Sexually Dimorphic Measurements To Investigate Seasonal Differences In School Composition Of Delphinus Spp. Off Southern California, Samantha Gm Leander

Theses

Insights into school composition can provide a means to understand basic biology and ecology, including reproductive patterns. They can also be applied to conservation assessments, allowing for better understanding of the potentially differential vulnerability of demographic groups to natural or anthropogenic disturbances that may influence their populations. However, the two subspecies of common dolphins in the waters off California (Delphinus delphis delphis and D. d. bairdii) form large, energetic groups that make characterization of school composition difficult. Remotely controlled drones now offer the opportunity for the study of school composition in Delphinus spp., allowing for precise morphometric measurements …

Developing A Method To Track Marine Snow Aggregation Through Individual Collisions Using Stereoscopic Imaging, Riley Henning

Theses

The aggregation of individual phytoplankton into marine snow allows particles to sink more quickly, thus resulting in the transport of particulate organic carbon from surface waters to the deep ocean. Aggregate formation has previously been measured in experiments indirectly by quantifying how particle size or particle concentration changes over time. Here, I present my thesis in which I applied high-resolution imaging to quantify aggregate formation using two different methodologies.

We conducted experiments to investigate aggregate formation using stereoscopic imaging, tracking individual particles directly in a 3D volume. Phytoplankton cultures were rolled in cylindrical tanks and imaged by two cameras illuminated …

The Effects Of Temperature And Body Size On The Metabolism And Hypoxia Tolerance Of White Abalone (Haliotis Sorenseni) And Red Abalone (H. Rufescens), Stephanie Fan

Theses

In 2001, white abalone, Haliotis sorenseni, became the first marine invertebrate to be listed under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Allee effects due primarily to overharvesting and disease resulted in individuals being too far apart for successful fertilization. Despite the fishery closure in 1996, H. sorenseni still shows no signs of recovery. Today, the White Abalone Recovery Consortium (WARC), a group that includes federal and state agencies, aquaculture organizations, academic institutions, and public aquaria, is working to recover this endangered species back from the brink of extinction.

In order to better understand the metabolic demands and hypoxia tolerance of the …

Coastal Watershed Monitoring And Management: Geomorphology, Geochemistry, And Hydrologic Modeling Of Los Peñasquitos Creek, Ca, Ravleen Khalsa-Basra

Theses

Rivers in semi-arid climates are directly influenced by local geographic and hydrologic conditions and impacted by modifications to hydrology via urbanization. Changes can influence erosion, morphology, habitat sustainability, and watershed health. In highly urbanized southern California coastal regions, these rare open spaces provide vital ecosystem services. Los Peñasquitos Creek in San Diego County is one such watershed. Using stream surveying and laboratory methods we quantified channel characteristics, grain size distribution, total metal concentration [M], organic carbon (%OC), and phosphate to longitudinally characterize the creek for improved management. Results identified three distinct reaches in the watershed (upper, middle, lower). Downstream, depth …

Otolith Microchemistry Reveals Low Habitat Connectivity Of California Killifish (Fundulus Parvipinnis) Across A Range Of Spatial Scales, Lisa Robison

Theses

As wetlands face continued fragmentation worldwide, an understanding of habitat connectivity and how fishes that rely on these environments is imperative to conduct effective marine management. Site fidelity and habitat connectivity are vital measures of the interdependence of fish populations living in neighboring marshes (or in regions of a single marsh).

Here, we examine the habitat connectivity, site fidelity, and movement of California killifish (Fundulus parvipinnis) within and among three estuaries in Southern California through otolith microelemental analysis. Assessing the site fidelity of estuarine fishes is important to determine the level of connectivity between spatially distinct populations within …

Towards Robust Gaze Estimation And Classification In Naturalistic Conditions, Rakshit S. Kothari

Theses

Eye movements help us identify when and where we are fixating. The location under fixation is a valuable source of information in decoding a person’s intent or as an input modality for human-computer interaction. However, it can be difficult to maintain fixation under motion unless our eyes compensate for body movement. Humans have evolved compensatory mechanisms using the vestibulo-ocular reflex pathway which ensures stable fixation under motion. The interaction between the vestibular and ocular system has primarily been studied in controlled environments, with comparatively few studies during natural tasks that involve coordinated head and eye movements under unrestrained body motion. …

Diet Of An Important Wetland Resident, The California Killifish, Fundulus Parvipinnis, In A Natural And Created Marsh Habitat In Mission Bay, California, Katie Robinson-Filipp

Theses

The California killifish, Fundulus parvipinnis Girard, is an ecologically important marsh resident. Fundulus parvipinnis is a low-level carnivore, displaying high-site fidelity and occurring in high densities across a range of environmental conditions. Despite the importance of F. parvipinnis to the ecosystem functions of the threatened coastal wetlands of southern California and the Baja California Peninsula, there are critical gaps in our knowledge of this species. In particular, information on their diet and food habits is lacking.

Understanding wetland food web linkages, interactions, and trophic transfer is essential for informing effective habitat management and contributes to our ability to evaluate the …

Analysis Of Nucleosomal Dna Patterns Around Transcription Factor Binding Sites, Sheethal Umesh Nagalakshmi

Theses

Nucleosomes are ~147bp DNA wrapped around the histone octamer which are involved in regulating gene transcription. They have the ability to disassemble depending on the process they are involved in and the nucleosome positioning controls the output of the genome. Therefore, it is important to understand the nucleosome positioning and how its positioning affects the binding of transcription factors (TFs) and gene expression thereby regulating the transcription outcome of the genome. Many studies suggest that TFs and nucleosomes compete with each other for genome accessibility. However, the majority of the studies focus on the nucleosome organization rather than underlying DNA …

Communication At The Core: Exploring Decision-Making When Communication Is At The Heart Of An Organisation’S Strategy Development, Sinead Hewson

Theses

This investigation considers whether the position, territory and scope of the public relations function in organisations influences strategic thinking, decision-making, and results. Scholars say communication is a strategic management function and has a significant role to play (Grunig J.E., Dozier and IABC Research Foundation 1992, pp. 325–356; Kitchen, 1997, pp. 43–73). Yet, the strategic expertise of communicators is neither understood nor acknowledged outside of the sector. The study’s investigation into the issue and level of access to industry opinion-makers adds to the strategy discussion, while the proposed model of Adaptive Communication contributes to new knowledge.

The Role Of Software Engineering In Bioinformatics, Brendan Sean Lawlor

Theses

This thesis proposes that by applying state-of-the-art software engineering tools, techniques and frameworks to currently recognised challenges in bioinformatics, improved outcomes can be attained in that field. It begins by decomposing software engineering into two categories, namely process and architecture, and choosing two key challenges in the practice of bioinformatics: reproducibility and scalability. The body of the thesis is an exploration of the intersection between these two software engineering categories and these two bioinformatics challenges. The question is asked: Can best practices in professional software engineering be applied to address key issues in the bioinformatics domain, creating positive outcomes? And …

Predicting, Monitoring And Controlling The Growth Of Listeria In Complex Food Matrices, Laura Mary Nyhan

Theses

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen which is a significant challenge in food production, particularly for ready-to-eat (RTE) products. Incidence of Listeria in RTE foods can be reduced by the application of intelligent combinations of preservative factors or hurdles, while data quantifying the efficacy of hurdle combinations can be exploited and used in the area of predictive microbiology. Traditional culture-based techniques, such as viable plate counts, are commonly used to monitor the growth/survival of microorganisms in foods, however these methods are tedious, time-consuming and due to their destructive nature, are associated with low reproducibility and high variability. Therefore, rapid, non-invasive …