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The Effect Of Defense R&D On Military Capability And Technological Spillover, Cihan Okur Mar 2013

The Effect Of Defense R&D On Military Capability And Technological Spillover, Cihan Okur

Theses and Dissertations

Generally, the purpose of defense research and development (R&D) is to expand military capability for the armed forces of a country. Any spin-off of technologies from defense R&D programs is usually not a prime motivation but more often an unintended consequence. Nevertheless, many of the technologies used in civilian life were initially research and development projects for military purposes. These technologies eventually become adapted to civilian applications since they had beneficial economic and social ''spillover'' effects. However, there is a lack of research measuring the final outputs of defense R&D, including technology ''spin-offs.'' This study mainly tried to understand the …


Development Of Autonomous Optimal Cooperative Control In Relay Rover Configured Small Unmanned Aerial Systems, Timothy J. Shuck Mar 2013

Development Of Autonomous Optimal Cooperative Control In Relay Rover Configured Small Unmanned Aerial Systems, Timothy J. Shuck

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis documents the research effort to develop, integrate and implement the system hardware and the software necessary to validate the Air Force Institute of Technology's theoretical advances in small unmanned aerial systems (SUAS) cooperative control. The end state objective of the research effort was to flight test an autonomous control algorithm on a communication relay unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that was actively relaying data to and from a rover UAV. The relay UAV is one part of a SUAS designed to utilize cooperative control to extend the effective line-of-sight operating range for a rover UAV. An algorithm is integrated …


Fate Of Malathion In An Activated Sludge Municipal Wastewater Treatment System, Edward B. Walters Mar 2013

Fate Of Malathion In An Activated Sludge Municipal Wastewater Treatment System, Edward B. Walters

Theses and Dissertations

Organophosphate compounds are used as pesticides and in chemical warfare agents such as nerve agents. VX (O-ethyl S-[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl] methylphosphonothioate) is one of the most toxic and environmentally persistent of these nerve agents. This research examined the fate of malathion, a pesticide and surrogate of VX (O-ethyl S-[2-(diisopropylamino)ethyl] methylphosphonothioate), in bench-scale activated sludge (AS) sequencing batch reactors. Sorption kinetics and sorption equilibrium isotherm experiments indicate that sorption to AS biomass was not a statistically important removal mechanism. However, approximately 90% of the initial 4.25 mg L-1 malathion concentration degraded primarily via heterotrophic activity.


Modeling Cyber Situational Awareness Through Data Fusion, Evan L. Raulerson Mar 2013

Modeling Cyber Situational Awareness Through Data Fusion, Evan L. Raulerson

Theses and Dissertations

Cyber attacks are compromising networks faster than administrators can respond. Network defenders are unable to become oriented with these attacks, determine the potential impacts, and assess the damages in a timely manner. Since the observations of network sensors are normally disjointed, analysis of the data is overwhelming and time is not spent efficiently. Automation in defending cyber networks requires a level of reasoning for adequate response. Current automated systems are mostly limited to scripted responses. Better defense tools are required. This research develops a framework that aggregates data from heterogeneous network sensors. The collected data is correlated into a single …


Automatic Modulation Classification Of Common Communication And Pulse Compression Radar Waveforms Using Cyclic Features, John A . Hadjis Mar 2013

Automatic Modulation Classification Of Common Communication And Pulse Compression Radar Waveforms Using Cyclic Features, John A . Hadjis

Theses and Dissertations

This research develops a feature-based MAP classification system and applies it to classify several common pulse compression radar and communication modulations. All signal parameters are treated as unknown to the classifier system except SNR and the signal carrier frequency. The features are derived from estimated duty cycle, cyclic spectral correlation, and cyclic cumulants. The modulations considered in this research are BPSK, QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM, 8-PSK, and 16-PSK communication modulations, as well as Barker coded, Barker coded, Barker coded, Frank coded, Px49 coded, and LFM pulse compression modulations. Simulations show that average correct signal modulation type classification %C 90% is achieved …


Experimental Characterization Of The Structural Dynamics And Aero-Structural Sensitivity Of A Hawkmoth Wing Toward The Development Of Design Rules For Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicles, Aaron G. Norris Mar 2013

Experimental Characterization Of The Structural Dynamics And Aero-Structural Sensitivity Of A Hawkmoth Wing Toward The Development Of Design Rules For Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicles, Aaron G. Norris

Theses and Dissertations

A case is made for why the structures discipline must take on a more central role in the research and design of flapping-wing micro-air-vehicles, especially if research trends continue toward bio-inspired, insect-sized flexible wing designs. In making the case, the eigenstructure of the wing emerges as a key structural metric for consideration. But with virtually no structural dynamic data available for actual insect wings, both engineered and computational wing models that have been inspired by biological analogs have no structural truth models to which they can be anchored. An experimental framework is therefore developed herein for performing system identification testing …


High Frequency Magnetic Field Direction Finding Using Mgl-S8a B-Dot Sensors, Michael D. Archer Mar 2013

High Frequency Magnetic Field Direction Finding Using Mgl-S8a B-Dot Sensors, Michael D. Archer

Theses and Dissertations

Aircraft based direction finding (DF) in the high frequency (HF) band is difficult due to the aircraft's size with respect to wavelength and limited azimuthal resolution. A B-dot sensor is useful for detection of the time varying magnetic field and offers improved integration into an aircraft. What the B-dot sensor gains in integration it gives up in sensitivity because it is designed for frequencies above 5 GHz. Design of an airborne HFDF array using Bdot sensors is based in maximizing the physical extent of the array and eliminating multiple main beams. The goals of this research are to complete a …


Cognitive Augmentation For Network Defense, James E. Emge Mar 2013

Cognitive Augmentation For Network Defense, James E. Emge

Theses and Dissertations

Traditionally, when a task is considered for automation it is a binary decision, either the task was completely automated or it remains manual. LOA is a departure from the tradition use of automation in cyber defense. When a task is automated, it removes the human administrator from the performance of the task, compromising their SA of the state of the network. When the administrator loses SA of the network performance and its current state, failure recovery time becomes much longer. This is because the administrators must orient themselves to the current state of the network at the time of failure …


Glycoconjugates Prevent Bacterial Dissemination And Cellular Death During B. Cereus/ B. Anthracis Infection, Mohamed Hassen Lahiani Mar 2013

Glycoconjugates Prevent Bacterial Dissemination And Cellular Death During B. Cereus/ B. Anthracis Infection, Mohamed Hassen Lahiani

Theses and Dissertations

Bacillus cereus group species including Bacillus cereus and Bacillus anthracis produce highly resistant spores. Dormant spores can survive for long period in harsh environmental conditions. Spores are engulfed by macrophages. Mammalian macrophages are the first line defenders immune cells through its phagocytic activity. Glycoconjugates (GCs) are a family of synthetic carbohydrates that possesses numerous bactericidal and immunodulatory properties. In my study, I used a multivariate approach to study the effects of GCs on B. cereus and B. anthracis Sterne phagocytosis. During in vitro study, I found that GC1 and GC3 were the best candidates that inhibited B. cereus and B. …


Rapid Identification Of Bacteria Using Mass Spectrometry And Spectral Pattern Recognition, Pierre Alusta Mar 2013

Rapid Identification Of Bacteria Using Mass Spectrometry And Spectral Pattern Recognition, Pierre Alusta

Theses and Dissertations

Rapid Identification of Bacteria Using Mass Spectrometry and Spectral Pattern Recognition A novel atmospheric pressure ionization process, namely Direct Impact Ionization (DII), is used to ionize bacteria. Electric discharges impinge on an indentation from underneath a stainless steel wire mesh holding a thin dried film of whole bacterial cells, the analyte. The latter is immersed in (350 oC) hot He gas flow. Biomolecular ions as heavy as 560 m/z are generated. Mass spectra are obtained and extracted with a high degree of reproducibility. A bioinformatic methodology for effective representation of spectral data that incorporates noise reduction was developed for this …


Needed Actions Within Defense Acquisitions Based On A Forecast Of Future Mobile Information And Communications Technologies Deployed In Austere Environments, Andrew T. Soine Mar 2013

Needed Actions Within Defense Acquisitions Based On A Forecast Of Future Mobile Information And Communications Technologies Deployed In Austere Environments, Andrew T. Soine

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was twofold. First, it developed a forecast of future mobile information and communications technologies (ICT) suitable for use by military forces in austere environments in 5-10, 10-20, and beyond 20 years. Secondly, it explored whether or not current acquisitions practices will be adequate to meet the needs of warfighters who depend on mobile ICT. These questions were explored by conducting utilization of the Delphi technique. Eight panelists from within the private sector conducted three rounds of iterative feedback. This research resulted in a technology forecast for the three timeframes aforementioned, and the potential impacts to …


Aerial Networking For The Implementation Of Cooperative Control On Small Unmanned Aerial Systems, Scott A . Songer Mar 2013

Aerial Networking For The Implementation Of Cooperative Control On Small Unmanned Aerial Systems, Scott A . Songer

Theses and Dissertations

The employment of Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS) for reconnaissance and surveillance missions is a vital capability of the United States military. Cooperative control algorithms for SUAS can enable tactical multi-vehicle configurations for communications extension, intelligent navigation, and a multitude of other applications. Past research at AFIT has designed and simulated a cooperative rover-relay algorithm for extended communications and has investigated its implementation through various modem configurations. This research explores aerial networking options for implementing cooperative control and applies them to an actual SUAS. Using Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) hardware, a system was designed and flight tested to implement the rover-relay …


Power Requirements For Bi-Harmonic Amplitude And Bias Modulation Control Of A Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicle, Justin R. Carl Mar 2013

Power Requirements For Bi-Harmonic Amplitude And Bias Modulation Control Of A Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicle, Justin R. Carl

Theses and Dissertations

Flapping wing micro air vehicles (FWMAV) have been a growing field in the research of micro air vehicles, but little emphasis has been placed on control theory. Research is ongoing on how to power FWMAVs where mass is a major area of concern. However, there is little research on the power requirements for the controllers to manipulate the wings of a FWMAV. A novel control theory, BABM, allows two actuators to produce forces and moments in five of the FWMAV's six DOF. Several FWMAV prototypes were constructed and tested on a six-component balance. Data was collected for varying control parameters …


Mobile Network Defense Interface For Cyber Defense And Situational Awareness, James C. Hannan Mar 2013

Mobile Network Defense Interface For Cyber Defense And Situational Awareness, James C. Hannan

Theses and Dissertations

Today's computer networks are under constant attack. In order to deal with this constant threat, network administrators rely on intrusion detection and prevention services (IDS) (IPS). Most IDS and IPS implement static rule sets to automatically alert administrators and resolve intrusions. Network administrators face a difficult challenge, identifying attacks against a vast number of benign network transactions. Also after a threat is identified making even the smallest policy change to the security software potentially has far-reaching and unanticipated consequences. Finally, because the administrator is primarily responding to alerts they may lose situational awareness of the network. During this research a …


Investigation Of The Atmospheric Propagation Of Alkali Lasers In A Maritime Environment Using Tunable Diode Laser Atmospheric Spectroscopy, Matthew R. Guy Mar 2013

Investigation Of The Atmospheric Propagation Of Alkali Lasers In A Maritime Environment Using Tunable Diode Laser Atmospheric Spectroscopy, Matthew R. Guy

Theses and Dissertations

A field deployable Tunable Diode Laser Atmospheric Spectroscopy (TDLAS) device has been used to investigate the atmospheric absorption of Diode Pumped Alkali Laser (DPAL) wavelengths at a distance of 2,000 meters in a maritime environment. The spectral regions surrounding the cesium (Cs) and rubidium (Rb) DPAL emission lines were examined in order to determine the effects of absorption by the (000)→(003) and (000)→(102) water vapor vibrational bands over a distance of 2 km. This data was compared with data previously collected at shorter path lengths and the scaling of absorbance with various factors was analyzed. Spectral data for the Cs …


Changes To Tensile Strength And Electromagnetic Shielding Effectiveness In Neutron Irradiated Carbon Nanocomposites, James F. Shinn Mar 2013

Changes To Tensile Strength And Electromagnetic Shielding Effectiveness In Neutron Irradiated Carbon Nanocomposites, James F. Shinn

Theses and Dissertations

Electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI-SE) and tensile strength of nanocomposites containing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) are investigated following neutron irradiation. This nanocomposite material consists of two plies of MWNTs in an epoxy resin, and 4 plies of an E-glass substrate. EMI-SE measurements over the X-band frequency spectrum and monotonic tension tests to determine Young’s Modulus were performed before and after irradiation on the nanocomposite material. The nanocomposite and the MWNT plies were irradiated to a total fluence of 1.4 × 1014 1 MeV (Si-eq) n/cm2. The nanocomposites showed an average increase of 8 dB in shielding effectiveness …


A Mixed Integer Programming Model For Improving Theater Distribution Force Flow Analysis, Micah J. Hafich Mar 2013

A Mixed Integer Programming Model For Improving Theater Distribution Force Flow Analysis, Micah J. Hafich

Theses and Dissertations

Obtaining insight into potential vehicle mixtures that will support theater distribution, the final leg of military distribution, can be a challenging and time consuming process for United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) force flow analysts. The current process of testing numerous different vehicle mixtures until separate simulation tools demonstrate feasibility is iterative and overly burdensome. Improving on existing research, a mixed integer programming model was developed to allocate specific vehicle types to delivery items, or requirements, in a manner that would minimize both operational costs and late deliveries. This gives insight into the types and amounts of vehicles necessary for feasible …


Strategic Consolidation Of Medical War Reserve Material (Wrm) Equipment Unit Type Codes (Utc) Assemblages, Chad W. Whitson Mar 2013

Strategic Consolidation Of Medical War Reserve Material (Wrm) Equipment Unit Type Codes (Utc) Assemblages, Chad W. Whitson

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis analyzes the strategic consolidation of medical WRM equipment UTC assemblages located within the contiguous United States. Following a 2003 consolidation assessment, the Air Force Medical Logistics Office (AFMLO) consolidated some of the medical UTCs at three Consolidated WRM Storage and Deployment Centers (CSDC) located at Kelly Field Annex, Travis AFB, and Charleston AFB. While many UTCs were consolidated at that time, currently only 17 of the possible 142 equipment UTC assemblages are entirely consolidated at one of those three locations. After adding three additional bases as possible consolidation locations, this study attempts to minimize the cost of full …


Usaf Aircraft Maintenance Officer Knowledge, Skills And Abilities And Commonalities Among The Logistics Officer Corps, David M. Thompson Mar 2013

Usaf Aircraft Maintenance Officer Knowledge, Skills And Abilities And Commonalities Among The Logistics Officer Corps, David M. Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated options to improve 21A training and education by first validating the Air Force's logistics mission sets as Deployment, Distribution, Supply Management, Repair Network Integration, Mission Generation, Lifecycle Logistics and Joint Logistics. Then, the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) considered important to execute each mission set were gathered from a representative sample of Air Force Logistics Officers via field interviews and focus groups. An analysis of results categorizes probable needs (high, medium, low) of KSAs for each mission set and assesses how well they are currently taught, if at all. Additionally, lists of KSAs that overlap multiple mission …


Fist And The Analytical Hierarchy Process: Comparative Modeling, Trevor A . Gustafson Mar 2013

Fist And The Analytical Hierarchy Process: Comparative Modeling, Trevor A . Gustafson

Theses and Dissertations

FIST is an emerging and unproven rapid acquisition model that stands for Fast, Inexpensive, Simple, and Tiny. The purpose of this research is to develop an Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) model based on the FIST concepts, to be applied as a comparative tool against the FIST model. The results indicate that the FIST model is reproducible with the AHP theory and that there are certain program characteristics that denote if a program would benefit from being developed by FIST. However, there are distinct weaknesses to the model that signify not all programs would succeed if FIST was employed during development. …


Surviving Laredo: A Life After Adolescent Bullying, Adora Brooke Curry Mar 2013

Surviving Laredo: A Life After Adolescent Bullying, Adora Brooke Curry

Theses and Dissertations

This project explores the immediate trauma caused by adolescent bullying as well as the long-term ramifications of the abuse. Through vivid personal narrative, the author recounts her middle school experiences as a victim of physical, verbal, and emotional bullying revealing how she has coped to arrive, finally, at a place of peace and reconciliation.


Native Ground In Colonial Arkansas, Jennifer Boykin Mar 2013

Native Ground In Colonial Arkansas, Jennifer Boykin

Theses and Dissertations

I am focusing on the letters and journals of the Dunbar-Hunter Expedition in Colonial Arkansas so I can better understand the roles of Native Americans on the Frontier. Chapter One covers secondary literature that concerns the different dominating grounds on the Frontier with the addition of a demographic model. Chapter Two covers primary sources of the Dunbar-Hunter Expedition to explore the relations with Native Americans and whites in Colonial Arkansas. Chapter Three covers the projects completed using the research conducted on the Dunbar-Hunter Expedition including the creation of a historical roadside marker, the creation of an online website with an …


Qualitative Analysis Of Women Who Make Motherwork A Career Choice: Religious Minorities, Karen Adell Jensen Mar 2013

Qualitative Analysis Of Women Who Make Motherwork A Career Choice: Religious Minorities, Karen Adell Jensen

Theses and Dissertations

Interviews were conducted with 44 highly religious women from three demographics: Mennonite, Evangelical Christians and Cajun Catholics. The results provide insight into the reasons that faith appears to play a part in making motherwork a deliberate choice for many women. Comparing and contrasting the interviews within and between demographics as well as allowing for the influences of modern academia and media on attitudes toward motherwork grants voice to these often marginalized religious minorities. The resulting analysis shows that all of these women, to varying degrees, find value in motherwork. Each group seemed to have a perspective of this work which …


Religion And Spirituality: A Study Of Undergraduate Student Sentiments And Transcendence, Robert Yufer Mar 2013

Religion And Spirituality: A Study Of Undergraduate Student Sentiments And Transcendence, Robert Yufer

Theses and Dissertations

This study took place at a public university located in Glassboro, NJ. The purpose of this study was to determine the religiosity, religious crisis, and spirituality levels of Rowan University undergraduate students. A survey was sent to all undergraduate students at least 18 years old to participate in the study. The instrument is partitioned and includes a religiosity section and a spirituality section with statements and questions. The survey data suggest that Rowan undergraduates fall within the normative range when it comes to religion and spirituality. The responses have also indicated that Rowan students are, as a whole, not experiencing …


Religious Minorities In Cyberspace: Identity And Citizenship Among European Muslims And Egyptian Copts, Dalia Yousef Feb 2013

Religious Minorities In Cyberspace: Identity And Citizenship Among European Muslims And Egyptian Copts, Dalia Yousef

Theses and Dissertations

The study explores how religious minorities can utilize the Internet in handling their hybrid identities and how the different online platforms can reveal the diverse perceptions within the same minority group. The case study qualitative method was adopted. European Muslims and Coptic Christian Egyptians were tackled as major models for analysis s. The study brought different historical and conceptual backgrounds to the discussion and tackled the case of the European Muslims by utilizing the researcher’s observations gleaned from her previous experience as an editor of IslamOnline’s European Muslims page, and by conducting descriptive and thematic analyses of selected websites of …


Understanding The Iranian Motivations For Possessing Nuclear Capabilities, Tamer Mahboub Feb 2013

Understanding The Iranian Motivations For Possessing Nuclear Capabilities, Tamer Mahboub

Theses and Dissertations

Research Question: Why would Iran insist on pursuing its nuclear ambiguity policy despite its status as a party to the NPT and international sanctions? The study findings indicate that although there is no conclusive proof that Iran has a weapons program, Iran could be pursuing a strategy of a nuclear ambiguity; the possibility it may have a weapons program acts as a deterrent against potential existential threats to its national security. These findings were based on evidence gathered through interviews with various experts, and conducting a comparison between the conventional weapons possessed by Iran and those possessed by neighboring countries …


The Role Of Trickster Humor In Social Evolution, William Gearty Murtha Jan 2013

The Role Of Trickster Humor In Social Evolution, William Gearty Murtha

Theses and Dissertations

Trickster humor is ubiquitous. Every society has some version of trickster and each society tells the stories of trickster over and over again to both enlighten and entertain. This thesis argues that trickster humor plays a fundamental role in helping society adapt by challenging social norms. Because trickster stories are humorous they are entertaining, because they critique social behaviors they are instructive. Tricksters break social rules, leaving society to remake them. This thesis examines the works of American Humorists Tom Robbins and Edward Abbey, particularly Still Life with Woodpecker and The Monkey Wrench Gang, arguing that these authors are contemporary …


Morally Injurious Symptomatology: A Qualitative Examination Of The Nvvrs, Douglas Stewart Kraus Jan 2013

Morally Injurious Symptomatology: A Qualitative Examination Of The Nvvrs, Douglas Stewart Kraus

Theses and Dissertations

As with all psychological constructs in their infancy, it is important to operationalize a definition as part of the construct validation process. As a phenomenon that continues to gain recognition amongst the psychological community, Moral Injury (MI) is no different. Although Litz et al. (2009) introduced and defined MI as the "psychological, biological, spiritual, behavioral, and social impact of perpetrating, failing to prevent, or bearing witness to acts that transgress deeply held more beliefs and expectations," Drescher et al. (2011) found that a similar working definition was "inadequate" and lacked clarity according to trauma experts' opinion. The following exploratory, qualitative …


The Evolution Of The Politics Of Genocide: Why American Efforts To Prevent And Intervene In The Sudan Failed, Shane Andrew Lesko Jan 2013

The Evolution Of The Politics Of Genocide: Why American Efforts To Prevent And Intervene In The Sudan Failed, Shane Andrew Lesko

Theses and Dissertations

DISS_para>This thesis aims to examine and critique the United States' historical response to genocide. Beginning with the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crimes of Genocide in 1948, the author will highlight the lives of Raphael Lemkin and Senator William Proxmire in their personal crusades for U.S. ratification of the genocide ban. Culminating in a case study of the genocide in Sudan, the U.S. foreign policy towards genocide will be evaluated and charted through its evolution since 1948, through to ratification, and then at its applications in Cambodia, Iraq, Bosnia, Rwanda, and Sudan. The self-proclaimed …


Contested Identities And Language Education: Inculcating Nationalist Ideologies In The Basque Region, William Joseph Hogan Jan 2013

Contested Identities And Language Education: Inculcating Nationalist Ideologies In The Basque Region, William Joseph Hogan

Theses and Dissertations

Nationalist sentiment has a long history in the Basque regions of northern Spain. Culturally separate from the dominant Castilian society, separatists have for many years advocated for an independent Basque state. Following democratic reforms under the Constitution of 1978, regional cultures and languages were explicitly recognized and protected in Spain. This allowed for the current set of language laws in the Autonomous Community of Pa├â┬¡s Vasco in which Castilian Spanish and the Basque language of Euskara are held in equal status and recognition. Furthermore, Euskara has been recognized as a defining characteristic of Basque identity. The regional government has instituted …