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(1 - 9 of 9)
- Title
- THE END OF U.S. MILITARY DETAINEE OPERATIONS AT ABU GHRAIB, IRAQ.
- Creator
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Allgood, Michael, Jones, Donald, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Operation Iraqi Freedom launched with the backing of U.S. Coalition Forces (CF) on March 20, 2003 to remove Saddam Hussein from power. The United States occupied Iraq by bombing and cleansing Iraq of weapons (Dahabour 105-130). During the first year of occupation U.S. soldiers at the detention facility Abu Ghraib tortured detainees in their charge. This torture becomes known to the public through worldwide media coverage in May 2004. My thesis will cover my service as a Military Police...
Show moreOperation Iraqi Freedom launched with the backing of U.S. Coalition Forces (CF) on March 20, 2003 to remove Saddam Hussein from power. The United States occupied Iraq by bombing and cleansing Iraq of weapons (Dahabour 105-130). During the first year of occupation U.S. soldiers at the detention facility Abu Ghraib tortured detainees in their charge. This torture becomes known to the public through worldwide media coverage in May 2004. My thesis will cover my service as a Military Police officer (MP) at Abu Ghraib from December 2005-August 2006. During my tour of duty at Abu Ghraib I was required to complete the military goals for success which conflicted with some of my own beliefs and moral values. In this thesis I write an autobiographical description of my nine months of duty as an MP at the U.S. military Forward Operating Base (FOB) Abu Ghraib. I use my own photographs to recreate the environment as vividly as possible for my story. This thesis helps to explain some of the frustrations that U.S. military personnel experience. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) needs to conduct, and implement research on how to prevent military personnel from torturing detainees. After the research is conducted the DOD needs to implement that research in detainee operations. That includes a need for more realistic detainee operations training that emphasizes not torturing detainees, and it should be the standard for all the U.S. military branches.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- CFE0002791, ucf:48127
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0002791
- Title
- Brightness Temperature Calibration of SAC-D/Aquarius Microwave Radiometer (MWR).
- Creator
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Biswas, Sayak, Jones, W, Georgiopoulos, Michael, Wahid, Parveen, Wilheit, Thomas, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The Aquarius/SAC-D joint international science mission, between the NationalAeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of United States and the Argentine Space Agency (Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales, CONAE), was launched on a polar-orbiting satellite on June 10, 2011. This mission of discovery will provide measurements of the global sea surface salinity, which contributes to understanding climatic changes in the global water cycle and how these variations inuence the general...
Show moreThe Aquarius/SAC-D joint international science mission, between the NationalAeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of United States and the Argentine Space Agency (Comision Nacional de Actividades Espaciales, CONAE), was launched on a polar-orbiting satellite on June 10, 2011. This mission of discovery will provide measurements of the global sea surface salinity, which contributes to understanding climatic changes in the global water cycle and how these variations inuence the general ocean circulation. The Microwave Radiometer (MWR), a three channel Dicke radiometer operating at 23.8 GHz H-Pol and 36.5 GHz V-(&) H-Pol provided by CONAE, will complement Aquarius (NASA's L-band radiometer/scatterometer) by providing simultaneous spatially collocated environmental measurements such as water vapor, cloud liquid water, surface wind speed, rain rate and sea ice concentration.This dissertation focuses on the overall radiometric calibration of MWR instrument.Which means establishing a transfer function that relates the instrument output to the antenna brightness temperature (Tb). To achieve this goal, the dissertation describes a microwave radiative transfer model of the instrument and validates it using the laboratory and thermal-vacuum test data. This involves estimation of the losses and physical temperature profile in the path from the receiver to each antenna feed-horn for all the receivers. As the pre-launch laboratory tests can only provide a simulated environment which is very different from the operational environment in space, an on-orbit calibration of the instrument is very important. Inter-satellite radiometric cross-calibration of MWR using the Naval Research Laboratory's multi-frequency polarimetric microwave radiometer, WindSat, on board the Coriolis satellite is also an important part of this dissertation. Cross-calibration between two different satellite instruments require normalization of Tb's to account for the frequency and incidence angle dierence between the instruments. Also inter-satellite calibration helps to determine accurate antenna pattern correction coefficients and other small instrument biases.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- Identifier
- CFE0004200, ucf:49033
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004200
- Title
- A Thomistic Critique of the Ethics of Alasdair MacIntyre.
- Creator
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Otte, Marcus, Jones, Donald, Marien, Daniel, Strawser, Michael, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Alasdair MacIntyre argues in favor of a historicist Thomism in ethics and political philosophy. In his theory, sociological categories take up much of the space traditionally occupied by metaphysics. This peculiar feature of MacIntyre's Thomism, and its merits and demerits, is already a subject that has been taken up by many critics. In this thesis, these criticisms are supplemented and unified by identifying what is perhaps the most fundamental difficulty with MacIntyre's ethics: his version...
Show moreAlasdair MacIntyre argues in favor of a historicist Thomism in ethics and political philosophy. In his theory, sociological categories take up much of the space traditionally occupied by metaphysics. This peculiar feature of MacIntyre's Thomism, and its merits and demerits, is already a subject that has been taken up by many critics. In this thesis, these criticisms are supplemented and unified by identifying what is perhaps the most fundamental difficulty with MacIntyre's ethics: his version of Thomism is problematic because it treats epistemology as first philosophy. This misstep compromises MacIntyre's ability to provide a defense of moral objectivity, while also undermining his theory's usefulness in deriving moral rules. The result is an ethics of doubtful coherence. If Thomism is to offer a viable alternative to Enlightenment morality and Nietzschean genealogy, it must defend the priority of metaphysics with respect to epistemology.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- Identifier
- CFE0005537, ucf:50322
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005537
- Title
- A Study of the Grant Writing Policies and Practices of Municipalities in Polk County Florida Having a Population Less Than 25,000.
- Creator
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Carter, Michael, Jones, Daniel, Flammia, Madelyn, Cameron, Jody, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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The purpose of this study is to identify the grant writing policies and practices of the fifteen municipalities in Polk County, Florida having a population less than 25,000, compare these findings qualitatively, and to present the data in a form usable by any city in Polk County so each city can make any needed adjustments to their grant writing strategy that will increase their success of grant funding. This study is needed now because smaller cities are continuing to feel the effects of the...
Show moreThe purpose of this study is to identify the grant writing policies and practices of the fifteen municipalities in Polk County, Florida having a population less than 25,000, compare these findings qualitatively, and to present the data in a form usable by any city in Polk County so each city can make any needed adjustments to their grant writing strategy that will increase their success of grant funding. This study is needed now because smaller cities are continuing to feel the effects of the recession, a slumping housing market, and a reduction of real estate property values which means lower tax revenue. City managers and staff need to sharpen their grant writing skills to maximize the success of their grant applications. Both quantitative and qualitative research methodology were used in this study. The quantitative research data was gathered with the aid of a survey sent to each city manager of the selected cities. The qualitative research data consists of follow-up interviews with the fifteen city managers. Fourteen of the fifteen cities responded and all returned surveys were 100% complete. The results of the survey include respondent demographics, a lengthy discussion of each city's attitudes and history with grant application and administration, and the training level of staff involved in grant writing. The chapter goes on to analyze and discuss the policy of local elected officials regarding grants and concludes on the topic of challenges facing Polk County municipalities and possible solutions that may increase their grant writing success. The final chapter brings the study to a conclusion with a summary and a review of the findings from the survey. Several recommendations are offered that, if implemented, could increase the success rate cities are currently achieving with grant applications. Several implications are offered of possible outcomes if no changes are made, and finally, specific areas of future research and study are discussed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- Identifier
- CFE0004092, ucf:49129
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0004092
- Title
- An Optimization of Thermodynamic Efficiency vs. Capacity for Communications Systems.
- Creator
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Rawlins, Gregory, Wocjan, Pawel, Wahid, Parveen, Georgiopoulos, Michael, Jones, W Linwood, Mucciolo, Eduardo, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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This work provides a fundamental view of the mechanisms which affect the power efficiency of communications processes along with a method for efficiency enhancement. Shannon's work is the definitive source for analyzing information capacity of a communications system but his formulation does not predict an efficiency relationship suitable for calculating the power consumption of a system, particularly for practical signals which may only approach the capacity limit. This work leverages...
Show moreThis work provides a fundamental view of the mechanisms which affect the power efficiency of communications processes along with a method for efficiency enhancement. Shannon's work is the definitive source for analyzing information capacity of a communications system but his formulation does not predict an efficiency relationship suitable for calculating the power consumption of a system, particularly for practical signals which may only approach the capacity limit. This work leverages Shannon's while providing additional insight through physical models which enable the calculation and improvement of efficiency for the encoding of signals. The proliferation of Mobile Communications platforms is challenging capacity of networks largely because of the ever increasing data rate at each node. This places significant power management demands on personal computing devices as well as cellular and WLAN terminals. The increased data throughput translates to shorter meantime between battery charging cycles and increased thermal footprint. Solutions are developed herein to counter this trend. Hardware was constructed to measure the efficiency of a prototypical Gaussian signal prior to efficiency enhancement. After an optimization was performed, the efficiency of the encoding apparatus increased from 3.125% to greater than 86% for a manageable investment of resources. Likewise several telecommunications standards based waveforms were also tested on the same hardware. The results reveal that the developed physical theories extrapolate in a very accurate manner to an electronics application, predicting the efficiency of single ended and differential encoding circuits before and after optimization.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0006051, ucf:50994
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0006051
- Title
- Environmentalism and Environmental Constitutional Ballot Initiatives in Florida: The Elements of Support for Amendment One in 2014 in the Context of Current Environmental Attitudes.
- Creator
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Jones, Michael, Jacques, Peter, Knuckey, Jonathan, Jewett, Aubrey, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Americans express support for (")the environment(") with environmental support cutting across political and demographic differences and cleavages. In the past 15 years, however, period effects, political sorting, and the emergence of a powerful anti-environmental movement have lessened the generalized levels of environmental support. Using the 2012 CCES survey, the expressed attitudes regarding multiple environmental issues found significant differences in levels of environmental support...
Show moreAmericans express support for (")the environment(") with environmental support cutting across political and demographic differences and cleavages. In the past 15 years, however, period effects, political sorting, and the emergence of a powerful anti-environmental movement have lessened the generalized levels of environmental support. Using the 2012 CCES survey, the expressed attitudes regarding multiple environmental issues found significant differences in levels of environmental support nationally by party, Tea Party attitudes, ideology, and certain demographic characteristics. For Floridians, the differences between the most pro-environmental respondents and the most anti-environmental are narrower; partisan identification itself is not significant in environmental attitudes; but ideology, Tea party support, and to a lesser degree, gender and race are associated in explaining variances in environmental attitudes. Voting decision behavior previously observed only for certain environmental issues appears to be influenced by multiple environmental positions. The significance of age on environmental attitudes remains perplexing with evidence for both younger and older respondents' support for environmentalism, as compared to the support expressed by persons aged 40-59. Support and opposition for a specific Florida constitutional ballot proposition on environmental land conservative acquisition reflect partisan and gender divides, and the impact of attitudes regarding an unpopular elected national official. Environmentalism appears to be further evidence of the (")Big Sort(") in American politics, increasingly likely to be used as an interparty wedge issue and for intraparty base mobilizations. The need for further research and the implications for environmental activists conclude this thesis.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0005960, ucf:50795
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005960
- Title
- Reconfigurable Reflectarray Antennas with Bandwidth Enhancement for High Gain, Beam-Steering Applications.
- Creator
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Trampler, Michael, Gong, Xun, Wahid, Parveen, Jones, W Linwood, Chen, Kenle, Kuebler, Stephen, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Reconfigurable reflectarrays are a class of antennas that combine the advantages of traditional parabolic antennas and phased array antennas. Chapter 1 discusses the basic operational theory of reflectarrays and their design. A review of previous research and the current status is also presented. Furthermore the inherent advantages and disadvantages of the reflectarray topography are presented. In chapter 2, a BST-integrated reflectarray operating at Ka band is presented. Due to the...
Show moreReconfigurable reflectarrays are a class of antennas that combine the advantages of traditional parabolic antennas and phased array antennas. Chapter 1 discusses the basic operational theory of reflectarrays and their design. A review of previous research and the current status is also presented. Furthermore the inherent advantages and disadvantages of the reflectarray topography are presented. In chapter 2, a BST-integrated reflectarray operating at Ka band is presented. Due to the monolithic integration of the tuning element, this design is then extended to V band where a novel interdigital gap configuration is utilized. Finally to overcome loss and phase limitations of the single resonant design, a BST-integrated, dual-resonance unit cell operating at Ka band is designed. While the losses are still high, a 360(&)deg; phase range is demonstrated.In chapter 3, the operational theory of dual-resonant array elements is introduced utilizing Q theory. An equivalent circuit is developed and used to demonstrate design tradeoffs. Using this theory the design procedure of a varactor tuned dual-resonant unit cell operating at X-band is presented. Detailed analysis of the design is performed by full-wave simulations and verified via measurements. In chapter 4, the array performance of the dual-resonance unit cell is analyzed. The effects of varying angles of incidence on the array element are studied using Floquet simulations. The beam scanning, cross-polarization and bandwidth performance of a 7(&)#215;7 element reflectarray is analyzed using full-wave simulations and verified via measurements.In chapter 5 a loss analysis of the dual-resonant reflectarray element is performed. Major sources of loss are identified utilizing full-wave simulations before an equivalent circuit is utilized to optimize the loss performance while maintaining a full phase range and improved bandwidth performance. Finally the dual-resonance unit cell is modified to support two linear polarizations. Overall, the operational and design theory of dual resonant reflectarray unit cells using Q theory is developed. A valuable equivalent circuit is developed and used to aid in array element design as well as optimize the loss and bandwidth performance. The proposed theoretical models provide valuable physical insight through the use of Q theory to greatly aid in reflectarray design
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019
- Identifier
- CFE0007735, ucf:52457
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007735
- Title
- Black Males In Programs For High Achievers At A Community College: Exploring The Qualitative Nature Of Academic Success.
- Creator
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Jones, Gerald, Cintron Delgado, Rosa, Owens, J. Thomas, Butler, Malcolm, Bosley, Michael, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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Most of the literature concentrating on Black males, focuses on retention problems that have gone unresolved. The purpose of this study was to explore qualitatively the nature of the academic success of Black males in programs for high achievers at a community college. A detailed literature review was completed, focusing on educational themes such as motivation, high achievers, persistence, and honors programs. The theoretical framework used was GRIT developed by Duckworth (2007). The...
Show moreMost of the literature concentrating on Black males, focuses on retention problems that have gone unresolved. The purpose of this study was to explore qualitatively the nature of the academic success of Black males in programs for high achievers at a community college. A detailed literature review was completed, focusing on educational themes such as motivation, high achievers, persistence, and honors programs. The theoretical framework used was GRIT developed by Duckworth (2007). The researcher used a six-step process as suggested by Moustakas (1994) to determine results. In addition, interviews were conducted with seven Black males who were defined as high achievers. The following six themes were identified from this phenomenology approach: supporting family, starting early, guilt, involvement, no failure, and academic success.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2018
- Identifier
- CFE0007021, ucf:52040
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0007021
- Title
- Vehicle Tracking and Classification via 3D Geometries for Intelligent Transportation Systems.
- Creator
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Mcdowell, William, Mikhael, Wasfy, Jones, W Linwood, Haralambous, Michael, Atia, George, Mahalanobis, Abhijit, Muise, Robert, University of Central Florida
- Abstract / Description
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In this dissertation, we present generalized techniques which allow for the tracking and classification of vehicles by tracking various Point(s) of Interest (PoI) on a vehicle. Tracking the various PoI allows for the composition of those points into 3D geometries which are unique to a given vehicle type. We demonstrate this technique using passive, simulated image based sensor measurements and three separate inertial track formulations. We demonstrate the capability to classify the 3D...
Show moreIn this dissertation, we present generalized techniques which allow for the tracking and classification of vehicles by tracking various Point(s) of Interest (PoI) on a vehicle. Tracking the various PoI allows for the composition of those points into 3D geometries which are unique to a given vehicle type. We demonstrate this technique using passive, simulated image based sensor measurements and three separate inertial track formulations. We demonstrate the capability to classify the 3D geometries in multiple transform domains (PCA (&) LDA) using Minimum Euclidean Distance, Maximum Likelihood and Artificial Neural Networks. Additionally, we demonstrate the ability to fuse separate classifiers from multiple domains via Bayesian Networks to achieve ensemble classification.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- Identifier
- CFE0005976, ucf:50790
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/ucf/fd/CFE0005976
