Digital Commons Network^™

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

Theses

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

Predicting And Forecasting University Rankings In The Uae Using Machine Learning, Fatma Ibrahim Ahmad

Theses

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) play a vital role in advancing knowledge economies, and institutional rankings are increasingly used as global benchmarks of academic performance and reputation. In the context of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), enhancing institutional competitiveness in global rankings aligns with national strategies such as UAE Vision 2030 and the Centennial Plan 2071. This research applies machine learning (ML) techniques to develop predictive models that forecast institutional ranking outcomes, enabling data-driven planning and continuous academic improvement. The study utilizes a dataset compiled from the QS World University Rankings (2020–2024), cross- referenced against the institutional listings maintained by the …

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

Theses

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

Ai-Driven Prediction Of Flight Cancellations: A Machine Learning Approach In Minimizing Airline Disruption, Hind Nasser

Theses

This thesis investigates the use of machine learning to predict flight cancellations, aiming to reduce operational disruption and improve airline decision-making. The research is motivated by the need for more proactive strategies in aviation, where flight cancellations often result in financial losses and customer dissatisfaction. The study is framed within the CRISP-DM methodology and demonstrates how historical flight data can be transformed into actionable insights using structured analytics. The research addresses three core questions: how effectively machine learning can predict cancellations, which evaluation metrics are most suitable in an imbalanced context, and how model outputs can support airline operations. A …

Methods Of Quantum Circuit Simulation: A Comprehensive Comparative Analysis, Anthony Peter Bacchetta

Theses

The advent of quantum computing has ushered in a new era of computational capabilities, promising to solve problems that were previously intractable for classical computers. Quantum circuit simulation is an essential aspect of harnessing the potential of quantum algorithms, and understanding quantum systems. This thesis presents an exploration and comparative analysis of various methods used in the simulation of quantum circuits, aimed at providing a comprehensive understanding of their strengths, weaknesses, and practical applications. This starts with a dive into the foundational concepts of quantum circuits, quantum gates, and the fundamental principles underlying quantum computation. Quantum circuit simulation emphasizes the …

Personalized Nutrition Recommendations For Arab Communities: Transforming Diet And Health Through Machine Learning, Khalfan Aldoobi

Theses

A lack of cultural understanding in traditional nutrition approaches prevents proper adherence to healthy dietary patterns among individuals. The Arab population faces unique challenges due to cultural dietary customs and lifestyle changes that have made obesity and diet illnesses major global public health challenges. The rapid shift to high-calorie but undernourished foods and less physical activity has resulted in alarming rate increases of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes. The lack of cultural understanding in traditional nutrition approaches prevents proper adherence to healthy dietary patterns among individuals. This study focuses to fills the existing gap by applying Artificial Intelligence …

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

Theses

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

Innovative Solutions For Data Accessibility: Utilizing Synthetic Data In Dewa Operations, Saif Khalid Alshahin

Theses

Smart‑meter data are pivotal to modern demand‑side management and predictive maintenance, yet strict confidentiality rules at Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) hinder internal access. Synthetic data generated by Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) offers a promising privacy‑preserving alternative, potentially unlocking analytics without exposing customer information. This study assesses the ability of three GAN variants—vanilla GAN, Tabular GAN (TGAN), and Conditional Tabular GAN (CTGAN)—to replicate real consumption patterns. A publicly available \emph{Smart Meters in London} daily dataset comprising 3.51 million records was utilised. After exploratory data analysis (EDA) and cleansing, identifier (\texttt{LCLid}) and date (\texttt{day}) variables were removed, leaving seven numerical …

Nest: Portable Seating And Positioning Device, Angeline Hamele

Theses

Abstract Seating and positioning are essential components of wheelchair technology that provide comfort, support, and protection for the user throughout all of their Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). These components are even more crucial for nonambulatory, full-time wheelchair users, and/or those with reduced-to-no sensation who are at a high risk of discomfort, injury, and even death from improper seating and positioning setups. However, there are several instances when this group of users must be out of their wheelchairs and seating and positioning setup, such as when traveling by car or plane, when participating in adaptive sports, and when engaging in …

Modelling And Load Frequency Control (Lfc) Design Of Microgrid Frame-Worked As Technological Norm To Multi Energy System (Mes), Mekonnen Shewarega Worku

Theses

In today's world, the trend of using renewable energy sources as an alternative energy source is becoming more and more common due to various driving factors, such as energy scarcity (fossil fuel depletion, etc.) and environmental issues (carbon footprint). This trend is leading to a steady increase in the penetration of renewable energy sources (RESs) through microgrid (MG), which is formed from combination of various distribution energy sources (DERs). The inherent intermittent nature of RESs coupled with abrupt load changes can instigate sustained frequency fluctuations and can keep the frequency deviation out of the allowable range that leads to an …

Towards Vision Intelligence-Based Liver Surgery, Zixin Yang

Theses

Despite advancements in surgical interventions, modern procedures still heavily rely on surgeons' expertise, requiring extensive training while maintaining limited accuracy. Although image guidance systems have been developed, “GPS-like” surgical navigation systems have yet to become standard practice due to their high costs and accuracy limitations. This thesis aims to enhance surgical navigation and mitigate some of its current limitations by leveraging vision intelligence: integrating image processing, modeling, and computer vision to extract rich, underlying information from images. The key to achieving these improvements lies in improving surgical perception, which involves understanding the spatial relationships between the endoscopic camera, surgical instruments, …

Crafting Human-Ai Collaborative Analysis For Usability Evaluations, Emily Kuang

Theses

In the rapidly evolving domain of human-computer interaction (HCI), ensuring a high-quality user experience (UX), which encompasses all aspects of a user’s interaction with an interface, is critical to the success and adoption of technology. Central to this is the concept of usability: the degree to which an interface can be effectively, efficiently, and satisfactorily used by its intended audience. Usability testing is a key method for uncovering usability problems, relying on structured evaluations involving real users. However, traditional approaches to analyzing usability test recordings—where UX evaluators observe user behavior and verbalizations while taking notes—are labor-intensive and prone to human …

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

Theses

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

Proactive Approach To Identify And Mitigate Cybersecurity Threats In Smart Building Using Ai, Shayma Abdulla Alhayyas

Theses

Smart buildings form a cornerstone of modern urban development. The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in buildings has revolutionized facility management, improving system intelligence and user experience. However, these smart devices also introduce cybersecurity challenges and risks. The initiative "Identifying and Mitigating Cybersecurity Threats in Smart Building using AI" focuses on leveraging advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to address and mitigate cybersecurity threats within smart buildings. This study integrates predictive analytics, deep learning, and machine learning to identify and prevent cyberattacks, protecting sensitive data and networked IoT devices. By analyzing previous attack patterns, network behaviors, and potential vulnerabilities, this …

Do All Components Of Psychological Wellbeing Predict Cognitive Function?, Karysa Britton

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

Sense of purpose has been consistently associated with cognitive function. However, less is known about the associations between the other five components of wellbeing and cognitive outcomes. The current research aimed to establish which components of wellbeing are most strongly associated with cognitive function. Participants from the Midlife in the United States study (M_Age=56.18, SD=12.38) completed the Ryff Psychological Wellbeing Scales (1989) and the Brief Test of Adult Cognition. Multiple regression analyses were used to examine the cross-sectional and prospective associations between wellbeing and cognitive function. All six components of wellbeing were significantly and positively …

Euroqol Data For Assessment Of Population Health Needs And Instrument Evaluation (Eq-Daphnie): A Study For Enhancing Population Health Assessment, Jeffrey A. Johnson, Mathieu F. Janssen, Fatima Al Sayah, Henry Bailey, Mihir Gandhi, Dominik Golicki, Nils Gutacker, Erica I. Lubetkin, Brendan Mulhern, Fredrick Dermawan Purba, Juan M. Ramos‑Goñi, Desiree Scott, Hilary Short, Trudy Sullivan, Rosalie Viney, Zhihao Yang, Victor Zárate

Publications and Research

Background

Methods for collecting self-reported health status measures in population health surveys vary significantly across countries, presenting challenges to comparability. The EuroQol Data for Assessment of Population Health Needs and Instrument Evaluation (EQ-DAPHNIE) project aims to address this issue by developing infrastructure to generate representative datasets across multiple countries. This initiative aims to standardize data collection methodologies and to evaluate the performance of various health status measures, providing a foundation for reliable population health assessments. This paper describes the rationale, design and data collection methods for the EQ-DAPHNIE project.

Methods/design

EQ-DAPHNIE employs a cross-sectional online survey design targeting the general …

Variations In Sensory And Emotional Responses To Gluten-Containing And Gluten-Free Cookie Products Under Blind And Labeled Conditions, Eniola Ola, Han-Seok Seo

Food Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

The gluten-free food market is expanding rapidly. However, consumer acceptance and emotional responses to gluten-free food, especially commercially available products, have received relatively underexplored. This study aimed to determine how consumer perceptions, acceptance, and emotional responses differ between gluten-containing (C) and gluten-free (F) chocolate chip cookies from three brands under both blind and labeled conditions. In the labeled condition, 84 participants without celiac disease evaluated 3 F cookies labeled "gluten-free" and 3 C cookies presented without claims on a plain white card. In the blind condition, they tested the six cookies without labels. Participants provided hedonic ratings, Just-About-Right (JAR) ratings, …

Strengthening Voter Education Campaigns Through User-Centered Design, Grace E. Holley

School of Art Undergraduate Honors Theses

Voter education materials should serve as a bridge to civic participation, but can fall short due to complex language, inadequate access, or clarity issues. These issues have the potential to disproportionately discourage already impacted groups, such as rural voters, first-time voters, non-native English speakers, and voters with disabilities. Though voter suppression is commonly discussed in terms of restrictive law, there is a gap in research regarding how the lack of available and accessible voter information can contribute to disenfranchisement.

Arkansas, in particular, struggles with voter participation. Despite barriers like strict Photo ID laws, lack of translated materials, and tight absentee …

Effects Of Processing And Microstructure On The Oxidation Of Zrb2-Sic In Co2, Marharyta Lakusta, Jeremy L. Watts, William G. Fahrenholtz, David W. Lipke

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Oxidation kinetics and oxide scale microstructures were compared for ZrB2-30 vol% SiC composites fabricated by hot press sintering of powders and by pressure less sintering of additively manufactured billets. Oxidation in CO₂ was conducted at temperatures up to 1400 °C with durations up to 900 h. All specimens exhibited parabolic oxidation kinetics. Materials with similar composition but different processing histories exhibited differences in oxidation behavior that become evident at extended durations (200–900 h) and higher temperatures (1200–1400 °C). Oxidation rates generally increased with grain size, e.g., at 1000 °C for 200 h, oxide scale thickness increased from 36 to …

Skip The Grid: An Impactful Solar Installation Project In The Navajo Nation, John Ryan Strain

Construction Management

Over the past four years, a team of interdisciplinary students and faculty from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), Heart of America, and generous industry sponsors (SOLV, Goal Zero, NextTracker, Elite, and TCB Builders) have brought their time, effort, and resources together to complete a service trip, called Skip the Grid. The trip’s primary goal is to provide a reliable source of power, light, and refrigeration to families with school age children in the Navajo Nation where these resources are absent or unreliable otherwise. This year’s trip took place over Cal Poly’s academic break from March 23rd …

Steering Through Change: How Aging Eyes And Stroke-Induced Vision Loss Affect Driver Control, Arianna P. Giguere

Theses

Imaging system engineers could greatly benefit from understanding how biological systems have evolved to solve difficult imaging problems. In this thesis, we study how the human visual system has evolved to address the complex task of visually-guided steering, particularly as a person ages and experiences a prevalent type of vision loss from stroke called cortical blindness (CB) that results in the loss of one quarter to one half of the visual field. In a series of three studies, we test the hypothesis that the effects of CB on vision and steering extend beyond those that accompany healthy aging, and we …

Interfacial Defect Properties Of High-Entropy Carbides: Stacking Faults, Shockley Partial Dislocations, And A New Evans-Polanyi-Semenov Relation, Samuel E. Daigle, Stefano Curtarolo, William G. Fahrenholtz, Jon Paul Maria, Douglas E. Wolfe, Eva Zurek, Donald W. Brenner

Materials Science and Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Using first principles calculations, {111} intrinsic stacking fault (ISF) energies in groups IVB, VB, and VIB high-entropy transition metal carbides (HETMCs) are shown to be predictable from an optimized rule of mixtures based on the atomic arrangement near the stacking fault. A composition-independent linear relationship is demonstrated between the ISF energies and the unstable stacking fault (USF) energies along the (112¯){111} γsurface slip path. This relationship represents a new application of the Evans-Polanyi-Semenov principle by treating the ISF and USF energies as analogous to the heat of reaction and transition state barrier in chemical reactions. Further, a full defect energy …

Plansyncc - A Construction Document Translation Software, Easton Richard Abreo, Ashton Lee Gandrup, Javier Solis

Construction Management

PlanSyncc was born from shared construction internship experiences, where the team observed significant language barriers between supervisors and tradesmen, leading to miscommunication, inefficiencies, and safety risk. Motivated by this problem, PlanSyncc developed an AI-powered translation software to bridge the gap by translating construction documents in real-time. To bring PlanSyncc to life, the team divided the project into three key deliverables: a Minimum Viable Product (MVP), a business plan, and a pitch deck. The MVP involved creating two Python-based translation codes, one for specifications and another for complex construction plans using tools like PyMuPDF, Tesseract, mtranslate, and others. The business plan …

Memory Matters: Cognitive Screenings For Dementia Detection In Monterey County, Cintia Gonzalez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

The rates of Alzheimer’s disease in Monterey County are increasing. The Healthy Aging program from the Monterey County Health Department strives to promote the well-being and health of older adults and caregivers in Monterey County by offering education on brain health, support in adopting healthy lifestyles, and connecting to community services. Memory Matters is an example of a training or educational intervention. The purpose of Memory Matters is to bridge the gap of insufficient access to early detection of dementia by bringing awareness to brain health, and facilitating the conversation of cognitive exams with older adults, their caregivers, and their …

Operation S.P.O.C., Brian P. Henry

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This capstone project revolves around the fact that there are too many homeless veterans here in Monterey. The primary site for this project is the Veterans Resource Office, where the primary community they serve is active duty service members, veterans, and their families. The purpose of this capstone is twofold. The initial purpose is to bring to light that homeless veteran students are attending CSUMB, as well as offering a solution to the problem. This capstone involves implementing a safety analysis for the Vet Rep at CSUMB. It is a safety analysis of the “Safe Parking Program” coordinated through the …

Healthy Food, Healthy Future: Equitable Nutrition Access, Daisy Paredes

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

While homelessness is a major global health issue, those without a place to live should have easy access to nutritional foods and medical care; otherwise, they risk developing long-term physical and mental health effects caused by circumstances beyond their control. The Community Action Board of Santa Cruz builds bridges to ensure everyone has access to resources and opportunities, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, identity, immigration status, and other aspects of one’s identity. The capstone project enhances physical health by coordinating a weekly food distribution event for unhoused individuals in partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank. This allows us to reduce …

Community Voices, Climate Action Choices: Working Towards A Resilient Monterey County, Lesley A. Solano Alonso

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Vulnerable communities in Monterey County face disproportionate environmental and health impacts due to climate change, yet many residents remain unaware of the tools and resources available to support local action. This capstone project was implemented in partnership with Ecology Action (EA) and the Resilient Central Coast (RCC) campaign to increase awareness and engagement with the RCC platform. Serving diverse communities across Monterey County, the project included bilingual outreach efforts, community tabling, educational presentations, and a climate action survey. Over 650 residents were engaged directly, resulting in 99 new household sign-ups on the RCC website, a major milestone for the agency. …

Supporting The Supporters: Assessing The Health And Needs Of Family Caregivers, Fatima S. Meza-Salgado

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Family caregivers in Latino communities often face significant health and emotional challenges due to the demands of providing unpaid, long-term care to elderly loved ones. This capstone project was conducted in partnership with Central Coast Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) & Hospice through the Collaborative Health & Human Services Department at California State University Monterey Bay. The project focused on the city of Salinas, CA, a predominantly Hispanic community with a high percentage of older adults in need of hospice care. The primary goal was to assess the health and well-being of family caregivers and identify areas where supportive services could …

Examining Barriers To Accessing Substance Use Treatment: An In-Depth Analysis Of High Rates In Monterey And San Benito Counties, Jessica Bravo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This project explores barriers to effective substance use disorder treatment in Monterey and San Benito counties, and was implemented by Valley Health Associates, a nonprofit agency that provides prevention and outpatient treatment services. The organization primarily serves both youth and adults affected by substance use disorders, including those facing systemic obstacles that limit access to care. Contributing factors include limited transportation options, high client-to-counselor ratios, and a lack of community awareness regarding available resources. The initiative gathered client input through interviews and surveys to identify challenges and suggest solutions. Expected outcomes include improved service accessibility, enhanced community outreach strategies, and …

Mental Health Matters: Youth In Alternative School, Lizbeth Ochoa Ramirez

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Mental health significantly impacts students’ success at Portola-Butler Continuation High School (PBSHS) in the South Monterey Joint High School Union. Students aged 14-17 at PBSHS face mental health challenges due to insufficient resources, a lack of mental health awareness, and limited parental support. The capstone project included a presentation on mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Following this presentation, a post-survey was conducted with 20 students regarding their mental well-being and how PBSHS can assist them. Responses indicated that going to school causes feelings of anxiety and depression, with 19% feeling this way often, 50% rarely, and …