Digital Commons Network^™

Worldbuilding A Queer Before: D&D As A Neomedievalism For A Modern Age, Brianna M. Thompson

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) has had countless participants and audience members in the course of its over fifty-year existence. It has also been the subject of several studies that attempt to capture its unique form of performative play. Yet, there has been a scarcity of scholarship on how D&D acts as a neomedievalism and how that can offer a queer kind of opportunity to its players, allowing them to find a place in a past that is historically inaccessible and yet endlessly in the process of being (re)imagined. Using an interweaving of archival theory with queer and performance studies, particularly …

Embracing The Unmanageable: The Critique Of The Everyday And The Postwar Condition In Wallace Stevens’ And Robert Duncan’S Works Circa 1950, Kazuma Morita

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

My thesis is designed as an investigation of the ethical and political implications of the everyday in postwar American poetry. While recent scholarship of everyday life studies has clarified the centrality of the everyday or the ordinary to modernism and postwar literature, it does not elaborate enough on the impact of the political condition on literary expressions of everyday life in post-1945 period. Given U.S. military’s infiltration into everyday life of people living inside and outside the country after World War II, it is an important task to spotlight the way American postwar poets tackled U.S. war culture through their …

Secured Communication And Coexistence For Efficient Spectrum Utilization, Xue Wei

Electronic Theses & Dissertations (2024 - present)

Over the years, the demand for wireless communications has grown exponentially, resulting in a scarcity of available spectrum. This scarcity leads to the need for efficient spectrum utilization, a key factor in ensuring reliable and uninterrupted communications. One of the key challenges in achieving reliable communication is ensuring secure transmissions to protect the privacy and integrity of data for active users. Wireless communications are vulnerable to eavesdropping, interception, and unauthorized access, which can compromise the confidentiality and integrity of transmitted data. The coexistence of multiple wireless communication systems is another challenge to be addressed for passiver users. In many cases, …

Die Wirkliche Gefahr Liegt In Der Erosion Der Autonomie: Ein E-Mail-Interview Über Kognitive Freiheit Und Die Problematische Nutzung Neuronaler Daten, Nita Farahany, James Kennaway, Bernd Bösel

Faculty Scholarship

In this interview, James Kennaway and Bernd Bösel talk to Nita Farahany about significant themes related to the idea of mind control, as discussed in her book "The Battle for Your Brain" (2023). The book outlines the risks that neurotechnology poses to "cognitive freedom". EEG and EMG data are increasingly used in consumer products, raising concerns about potential misuse. Companies and governments could exploit cognitive biometric data for manipulation or control. Farahany calls for clear legal protections and highlights differences between U.S. and European regulations. She warns of neurotechnological warfare and advocates for global bans. While full mind control remains …

Civilian Harm And Military Legitimacy: Evidence From The Battle Of Mosul, Benjamin Krick, Jonathan Petkun, Mara R. Revkin

Faculty Scholarship

The legitimacy of armed forces in the eyes of civilians is increasingly recognized as crucial not only for battlefield effectiveness but also for conflict resolution and peace building. However, the concept of “military legitimacy” remains under-theorized and its determinants poorly understood. We argue that perceptions of military legitimacy are shaped by two key dimensions of warfare: just cause and just conduct. Leveraging naturally occurring variation during one of the deadliest urban battles in recent history—the multinational campaign to defeat the Islamic State in Mosul, Iraq—we evaluate our theory using a mixed-methods design that combines original survey data, satellite imagery, and …

Soccer Sheikhs: Qatar, Football, And The Quest For Self-Confidence And Global Prominence, Ali Ahsan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation examines Qatar’s strategic use of football as a mechanism for securing ontological security within the international system. Moving beyond standard International Relations explanations of state behavior, the study draws on ontological security theory which emphasizes the need of states to sustain a coherent sense of self through routines, narratives, and recognition. By framing football as such a practice, the dissertation advances the study of sport as a growing area of interest in the political sciences. Through a qualitative methodology employing Reflexive Thematic Analysis of expert interviews, the research analyzes Qatar’s football policies, including hosting the 2022 FIFA World …

A Multifunctional Theranostic Ultrasound Platform For Remote Magnetogenetics And Expanded Blood-Brain Barrier Opening, Alec J Batts, Fotios N Tsitsos, Jeannette Ingabire, Guillaume Duret, Samantha L Gorman, Deny Tsakri, Rebecca L Noel, Robin Ji, Nancy Kwon, Quoc-Khanh Pham, Linlin Zhang, Gang Bao, Jacob T Robinson, Elisa E Konofagou

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Introduction: Brain stimulation techniques are critical for unraveling the innerworkings of complex neuronal pathways governing both normal physiological function and pathologic states in neurological disorders. Focused ultrasound (FUS) is an emerging technique poised to significantly alter central nervous system (CNS) drug delivery and neuroscience research through non-invasive means. Magnetogenetics is a brain stimulation technique which may benefit from FUS technology in that alternating magnetic fields (AMF), like FUS, can pass through the skull without requiring surgery.

Methodology: Magnetogenetics involves the deposition of superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) and overexpression of thermoreceptor transmembrane proteins (e.g. TRPV1 and TRPA1) in the brain. When …

Decomposition Of Diisopropyl Methylphosphonate (Dimp) Exposed To Elevated Temperatures And Combustion Products Of Reactive Materials, Elif Irem Senyurt

Dissertations

The safe and efficient destruction of chemical weapon agents (CWAs) stockpiles remains a critical global challenge. Understanding the thermophysical properties, decomposition mechanisms, and interactions of CWAs with their environment is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate their threats. Diisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP) and Dimethyl methylphosphonate are commonly used nerve agent surrogates. This dissertation focuses on DIMP and DMMP, investigates their properties and behavior under conditions relevant to prompt defeat scenarios.

The thermophysical properties of DIMP and DMMP were experimentally characterized, including vapor-liquid surface tension (3-60 °C) and viscosities of neat and aqueous solutions. Results revealed significant non-ideal behavior in aqueous …

'Evading The Tax Collector’: Native Responses To The Head Tax In Colonial Njombe, Tanzania, 1920-1960, Peter Chaula, Hezron Kangalawe

Zamani: A Journal of African Historical Studies

Tax collection was one of the core preoccupations of the colonial government in Tanganyika (now Tanzania) and other colonies in the Africa that persisted even after independence. Direct taxation formed the basis of colonial taxation in Tanganyika. Head tax was a dominant form of direct taxation with its burden being borne primarily by Africans. This article uses the colonial Njombe District of Tanganyika to explore the responses of the African taxpayers to the head tax. The available data indicates that colonial head tax policies and practices in Njombe elicited varied responses from Africans with covert forms forming the mainstay of …

Major Trends In Oral Historiography In Mainland Tanzania, 1960s To The Present: A Review Of Published Sources, Albertus K. Onyiego

Zamani: A Journal of African Historical Studies

This article examines the role of oral methodology in reconstructing historical knowledge in Mainland Tanzania over the last six decades. Although greater attention is paid to the period from the 1960s onwards, efforts have been made to illuminate on the use of oral methodology in the period before. The article is organised into four temporal sections, each representing a distinct phase of oral methodology. The first section explores the role of oral methodology before independence. It will be noticed that the gradual use of oral sources in the writing of history in Mainland Tanzania started way back during German and …

Prevalence Of Abortifacient Disorders In Small Ruminants: A Comprehensive Review, Abdul Saboor, Qudratullah Kalwar, Muhammad Mohsen Rahimoon, Hubdar Ali Kolachi, Sajad Ali Laghari, Asmatullah Kaka, Rafique Ahmed, Fayaz Hussain, Taj Muhammad, Atthar Uddin

Journal of Bioresource Management

Abortifacient disorders in small ruminants present a serious problem for livestock farmers, leading to financial losses and lower production rates. This review examines both infectious and non-infectious factors that cause abortions in goats (Capra hircus) and sheep (Ovis aries), which are crucial animals in rural farming practices. Infectious causes, such as bacteria (Brucella melitensis, Chlamydia abortus, Coxiella burnetii), viruses (bluetongue, border disease), and parasites (Toxoplasma gondii), are major factors in reproductive health problems, resulting in considerable livestock losses. Additionally, non-infectious factors like poor nutrition, toxins, and genetic issues also contribute to these …

Fentanyl, Narco-Terrorism, And National Security Politics, J. Richard Broughton

San Diego Law Review

This Article examines the use of a counterterrorism model to attack the fentanyl crisis. Rather than advocate for or against such a model, this Article envisions what employing a counterterrorism model against international drug traffickers would look like. Noting the dimensions of national security politics that intersect with counter-fentanyl policy, this Article will evaluate three distinct counterterrorism approaches: (1) using criminal counterterrorism statutes in federal indictments and prosecutions; (2) designating drug trafficking organizations as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs); and (3) authorizing the use of military force against Mexican cartels. While the current state of bellicose national security politics can inform …

China’S Mediation Of The Saudi-Iranian Rapprochement And Its Implications On Regional Peace And Security, Henelito Jr A. Sevilla

Journal Of Middle East and Islamic Studies

The Middle East’s geopolitical landscape during the Cold War was characterized by ideological and religious differences among regional powers and their conflicting allegiances to the United States and the Soviet Union. Iran and Saudi Arabia held vast energy reserves and shaped regional divisions along religious and geopolitical lines. These divisions carried over to the post-Cold War era, exposing the Middle East to decades-long crises and proxy warfares. Domestic and regional problems are intensified by the interference of external powers, further deteriorating the prospects of peace and security in the region. Small countries avoid entanglement in big-power rivalries and focus on …

Costume Design And Social Status Visualization In Javanese Dance At Pura Mangkunegaran, Sriyadi -. Sriyadi, R.M. Pramutomo, Yoni Wulan Sari, Luh Elvina

Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya

The design of costumes holds a crucial role in visualizing the social status of characters in Javanese dance. By employing symbolic systems, costume design conveys this status to the audience. This study investigates the relationship between costume design and the depiction of social status in Javanese dance at Pura Mangkunegaran. Utilizing a qualitative methodology with an ethnocoreological approach, the research draws on a literature review as its primary data source. This review involves analyzing various documents, photographs, and videos. The findings indicate that accessories and attributes within costume design are integral to the symbolic system that represents social status. As …

The Poetics Of War Between Protest And Patriotism: A Comparative Study Of Siegfried Sassoon And Abdul Razzaq Abdul Wahid’S Selected War Poems, Rana Jaber Obaid

Uruk Journal of Human Sciences

War Poetry is a literary genre that proceeded during the ages as a way of transmitting human feelings and estimations about war. The nonstop wars all over history makes it part of human existence. Though it is the same severe war everywhere and every time, the pen of the poets and the etymology that is used to designate this serious subject is what makes it diverse. Each poet characterizes war according to his peculiar experiences, attitudes, or interpretations. This study is built on comparison between two contradicted poets who wrote about war; The English poet Siegfried Sassoon

Building Transferable Skills In An Interdisciplinary Science And Science Fiction Capstone Course, John D. Carrell, Robert G. Weiner, Alexandria Prather

Dialogue: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Popular Culture and Pedagogy

College graduates are entering an ever-competitive workforce. Interdisciplinary course experiences are critical for developing analytical abilities and learning and these courses can provide valuable skills that will aid students beyond the classroom. These transferable skills include communication, teamwork, analytical and critical thinking, and creativity. To provide a unique learning experience and, through it, the development of transferable skills, the Honors College at Texas Tech University created an upper-level Capstone course titled “Superheroes, Super Villains, AI, Time Travel, and Film in Science and Popular Culture.” The class is an interdisciplinary look at science and science fiction taught by an engineering faculty …

A Collection Of Works Related To Greenleaf’S Distinction Between Persuasion And Coercion, Jiying Song

International Journal of Servant-Leadership

Compiled by Jiying Song

End-To-End Autonomous Quadcopter Using Reinforcement Learning, Mohamed Marwan Chawa

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the potential of Reinforcement Learning (RL) for achieving robust and adaptable quadcopter control, focusing on trajectory and attitude stabilization. We compare state-of-the-art RL algorithms, specifically Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO), against traditional Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers across three tasks: hovering, slow trajectory following, and fast trajectory following. To enhance realism, we employ a modified PyFlyt simulation environment with a high-fidelity Crazyflie 2.x model, accounting for motor dynamics, noise, wind disturbances, and aerodynamic drag.

The challenge of operating a quadcopter can be divided into two distinct parts: planning a flight path and actually following that path. Our focus is on …

The Importance Of The Pontificate Of The Pope John Paul Ii In International Relations, M. Manuel Azevedo

Global: Jurnal Politik Internasional

This work analyses Pope John Paul II’s contributions and attitudes as an international relations Actor. In this context, the research question that guides this work is as follows in terms of global governance, how did the conduct carried out by Pope John Paul II strengthen him as a Model Power? John Paul II inaugurated a new phase of the Vatican’s foreign policy. His diplomacy in mediation and conflict resolution stands out as a fundamental pillar of his pontificate, contributing to the fall of the communist regime in Poland and many other conflicts such as the mediation of the Holy See …

Bench Stacking And Biases: The Icj’S Partial Decision In Yugoslavia V. Nato Members In Comparative Perspective, Jeffrey S. Bachman

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

Since the Genocide Convention was adopted by the General Assembly in 1948, eight cases have been brought to the ICJ by invoking Article IX of the Genocide Convention as a basis of the Court’s jurisdiction. Only two cases have reached their conclusion based on the merits of the case, with others decided during preliminary proceedings, while still others remain ongoing. There have been numerous studies of ICJ impartiality, with particular focus on judges’ voting records, using large amounts of data to discern any trends and biases. This article is the first attempt to comparatively analyze ICJ genocide cases using an …

Beyond Hierarchy: Investigating The Role Of Complex-Fluid Structures In The Accountability Of Criminal Organizations, María Manuela Márquez Velásquez, Rodrigo Moreno

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

Globalization and technological development have led to quick transformations in criminal organizations, adapting to new forms/degrees of control and hierarchy. Existing legal frameworks governing responsibility for atrocity crimes have developed from the experiences of Western (center) countries and their understanding of traditional warfare structures. Thus, peripheral regions have been forced to employ doctrines with weak sociological basis. New and conventional local dynamics inside organizations and their consequential fluidity challenge the applicability of traditional modes of liability when seeking their members’ accountability.

This paper inquires about the suitability of two modes of liability under ICL –perpetration through an organization and superior …

Researcher As Insider: Bringing Together Narrative Therapy Practices And Feminist Lived Experience Methodologies In The Context Of Suicide Research, Marnie Sather

The Qualitative Report

This paper contains a demonstration of the value of feminist insider research. Through bringing together principles of feminist insider research, narrative therapy theory and practice, and my positionality as a researcher, a narrative therapist, and a woman who lost her husband to suicide, I developed a research methodology that was sensitive and effective in exploring the lived experiences and insider knowledge of women who have lost a male partner to suicide. Careful utilisation of my insider positionality benefited the research in multiple ways, from recruitment and care of participants to data analysis and knowledge production, to the generation of research …

‘Sold Down The River’: Histories Of Production, Trade, And Transport Along The Waterways Of The Kilombero Valley, Tanzania, Jonathan M. Jackson

Zamani: A Journal of African Historical Studies

This article considers the centrality of waterways in the Kilombero Valley of Tanzania to the region’s histories of development from above, particularly in terms of infrastructure, crop production, trade, and transport. Early colonial investigations hoped Kilombero’s riverine system might prove a navigable link from the coast to the Southern Highlands. The British colonial era instead focused more on utilising riverine networks for internal goods transport. Throughout these colonial visions – simultaneously ambitious and naïve – the prevalent dug- out canoe was considered unsafe, inefficient, and replaceable by modernised methods. But the canoe – a symbol of indigenous knowledge and practice …

Some People Need Killing: Power Of Metaphors In Shaping And Challenging Political And Educational Realities, Rebecca Cyrene J. Lorenzana

Journal of English and Applied Linguistics

This study examines the significant role of metaphors in shaping and challenging political and educational discourse, focusing on the narratives from Patricia Evangelista's Some People Need Killing. Through Critical Metaphor Analysis (CMA), the research dissects how metaphors of war and criminality, dehumanization, salvation, and resistance function within the context of Rodrigo Duterte's War on Drugs in the Philippines. The study reveals that metaphors are not merely rhetorical devices but powerful tools that construct and perpetuate hegemonic structures, legitimizing state-sanctioned violence and dehumanizing individuals involved in drug-related activities. Conversely, metaphors of salvation and resistance offer alternative narratives that challenge these …

Jóvenes Y Memoria: Conflict And Vitality In Education For Human Rights, Bryan Harriss Jones

Graduate Liberal Studies Theses and Dissertations

In 2002, the Comisión Provincial por la Memoria (the Provincial Commission for Memory - CPM) of Argentina’s province of Buenos Aires (PBA) established Jóvenes y Memoria: Recordamos para el Futuro (Youth and Memory: We Remember for the Future – JyM), an elective program for secondary school students. JyM empowers students to create and communicate narratives about the history and current state of human rights based on investigations using primary sources. The goals of CPM include fostering historical memory and preventing the return of authoritarianism. JyM furthers these goals by building exemplary memory to inspire positive change in the present and …

Tcas Benchmark, Vol. 1, No. 3, 2003, Glynn Osburn, Jimmy Smith

North Texas Archeological Society Records

Volume one and issue three of TCAS Benchmark. This issue is bound together in booklet form and loops the volume number back to one.

Tcas Benchmark, Vol. 14, No. 10, 2000, Wendy Lockwood, Marvin Glasgow, Vickii Scism

North Texas Archeological Society Records

Volume fourteen and issue ten of TCAS Benchmark. Page four features a printing error at the top of the page.

Tcas Benchmark, Vol. 13, No. 11, 1999, Wendy Lockwood, Marvin Glasgow, Eddie Osburn, Bryan Jameson

North Texas Archeological Society Records

Volume thirteen and issue eleven of TCAS Benchmark.

Tcas Benchmark, October Issue, 1999, Wendy Lockwood, Marvin Glasgow, Glynn Osburn

North Texas Archeological Society Records

Volume thirteen and what should be issue ten, however the date and month are absent.

Tcas Benchmark, Vol. 11, No. 8, 1997, Jim Blanton, Gen Freix

North Texas Archeological Society Records

Volume eleven and issue eight of TCAS Benchmark