20566 research outputs found
Sort by
Onward, Christian Soldiers: The Material Rhetoric of Becoming Fascist in Parachurch Scouting Organizations
No full textThis thesis provides a material rhetorical analysis of Trail Life USA and American Heritage Girls, two Christian nationalist scouting organizations that aim to renew and restore their cultural dominance across America. In examining how these programs route children’s bodies through ritual and affective indoctrination, I find that a fascist becoming underpins these groups’ (re)production of perfect, patriotic children. The first chapter discusses how boys enrolled in Trail Life USA become fascist as self-defense against American boyhood’s perceived eradication. Trail Life USA restores masculinity through rituals of autogenetic sovereignty, returns to originality through homosocial and affective intensity, and invocations of exceptional heritage in defense of their civic, political, and martial authority. In the second chapter, I examine how American Heritage Girls transcend the affective gender binary while remaining tethered to the antifeminist fascism. To preserve their second-rate citizenship under white male supremacy, girls elevate themselves through performances of countercultural authenticity and punishing threats by exercising masculine affect and authority. This thesis argues that scouts’ embodied experiences in these programs function as virtual repetitions of combined pastness and futurity, through which children become the affects and agents of fascism
End Times: American Mortality, Death Materiality, and Social Death in the 1990s
No full textThe United States in the 1990s was marked by pervasive representations of death in popular culture. As death imagery became increasingly visible in entertainment, there was a growing detachment from the embodied, biological realities of death, a tension intensified by the ongoing AIDS crisis. This project explores how death is politicized and how decisions about who lives and dies are shaped by power. I draw on a constellation of theoretical frameworks that collectively illuminate the operations of state-sanctioned death and social abandonment. These include Michel Foucault’s concept of biopolitics, which examines the management of life by state power; Giorgio Agamben’s focus on the production of the corpse as a byproduct of sovereign authority; and Achille Mbembe’s formulation of necropolitics, which extends biopolitical analysis into the realm of war and racialized violence. I also incorporate insights from queer theory, critical race theory, and death studies to trace how marginalized identities are targeted for physical and social death. The project begins with readings of Toni Morrison’s Beloved and Don DeLillo’s White Noise, which establish foundational associations between death and the American cultural psyche leading into the 1990s. I then analyze the political use of the corpse in AIDS activism, focusing on ACT UP and DIVA TV’s documentation of protest funerals. Following this, I examine Jonathan Larson’s Rent and Tony Kushner’s Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes to explore the tensions between capitalism and what I term queer (pro)creation--an ethos of community care, legacy-building, and artistic protest. Finally, I turn to Tananarive Due’s The Between and Stephen King’s The Green Mile to consider the material and liminal dimensions of racialized death, particularly as manifested in modern-day lynching and state executions
Classifying Advanced Persistent Threat Stages and Techniques via Graph-Enhanced Network Flow Representations
No full textAdvanced Persistent Threats (APTs) are complex, stealthy attacks that involve multiple stages and many attack techniques used in each stage, making them difficult to defend against. Although many solutions can detect APTs, most of them only detect the existence of attack, but cannot produce fine-grained classification over the stage of the APT and the specific attack technique used. Some existing solutions can classify the stages of APT, but few of them provide attack technique classification, and existing work do not provide interpretability for the classification or countermeasures for the attack. In this thesis work, we propose a solution named CAPTure, to detect APT stages and attack techniques, provide interpretability for detection, and map the attack to MITRE D3FEND countermeasures. Specifically, we introduce a selective undersampling technique to address the imbalanced data distribution problem, and a hybrid graph representation concatenated with numerical flow statistics features to capture both structural and quantitative contexts for detection. Leveraging these features, we further design a stacked hierarchical classifier for APT stage detection and attack technique detection, followed by feature importance generation for interpretability and countermeasure mapping for attack mitigation. Evaluations on two open-source APT datasets show that our work can detect APT stages and attack techniques accurately, with higher performance than baseline schemes. It also has a short latency of below 1.25 seconds in detection, making it capable of real-time detection
Effect of Marination and Storage Time on The Properties and Meat Quality of Broiler Breast
No full textAbstract The poultry industry has implemented numerous methods, as marination and aging, to improve meat quality and satisfy consumer demands. Three experiments were developed to assess the effects of vacuum tumble marination and aging on the proteins of chicken breast. These experiments utilized 0.75 % sodium chloride, 0.45 % phosphate, and water in a marinade. In experiment one, 270 fillets were allocated into six treatment groups, each comprising 45 fillets. Six days of storage time were used, marinating and storing the fillets in each group at a temperature of 4°C. Following each day of storage period, the fillets underwent a 15-minute marinade utilizing the vacuum tumble method, followed by an additional 24-hour storage period prior to analysis. The texture, drip loss %, marination pick-up %, purge %, and cook loss % were significant parameters assessed using a texture analyzer. In the second experiment, fillets were marinated and stored for 2, 4, or 6 days of storage at 4C and compared to fillets that were non-marinated and stored for the same periods, over three replications. Changes in pH, color, and the identical meat quality parameters as the initial experiment were assessed. This facilitated the evaluation of the marinade\u27s effects during different storage durations. In the third experiment, marinated chicken breasts with spaghetti meat myopathy were compared with neither marinated nor non-marinated fillets. As in previous experiments, thirty affected breasts were marinated utilizing the identical method and marinade. The assessment centered on the following parameters: pH, color before to and after to marination, drip loss %, pick-up %, purge %, cook loss %, and texture. In experiment one, the drip loss % tended to increase as storage time passed, whereas the purge percentage decreased. Cook loss % also increased throughout the six days of storage, indicating that meat quality deteriorated with time. The texture analysis revealed marginal variations throughout the days, with no discernible patterns. Overall, non- marinated fillets exhibited a greater loss in the second experiment compared to their marinated counterparts. Although the initial pH values of the fillets did not differ significantly, they exhibited a higher pH level after marinating. The color analysis results conducted before and after marination indicated that marinated fillets exhibited marginally reduced initial L* and b* values, but substantial variations after marination, which indicated enhanced color retention. Overall, non-marinated fillets suffered the greatest loss in the third experiment, in comparison to fillets treated with spaghetti meat myopathy and conventional marinated fillets. The marinated fillets exhibited higher pH post-marination, suggesting enhanced pH stability. There were notable variations in color values following marination, whereby marinated fillets exhibited superior color retention on average. In general, the outcomes of these experiments demonstrate that vacuum tumble marination is an efficacious method for enhancing the consistency of color, pH stability, and water retention of poultry meat, which are critical determinants of meat quality. Aging and marination are crucial processes in preserving and improving meat quality throughout the storage period. Key Words: marination, breast, quality, storage, color, pH
Simulation- and Machine Learning-based Methods for Inland Waterway Operation and Maintenance Decision-making
No full textThe U.S. inland waterway transportation system (IWTS) is an essential part of the country\u27s multimodal freight transportation network. In addition to seasonal droughts and floods, the operations of the IWTS may be disrupted by random malfunctions and scheduled maintenance of its critical components. Among these critical components, locks play a key role in the operation of navigable inland waterways, and lock-induced disruptions to the supply chains of related industries, such as agriculture and manufacturing, often result in significant economic losses. To assess the performance of the U.S. IWTS, we develop a PyNetLogo simulation tool to capture the movements and delays of cargoes considering various sources of uncertainty such as water level, lockage time, and lock failure. Using this simulation tool, a series of lock repair and preventive maintenance actions are determined via Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) to minimize the loss due to lock-induced disruptions. To illustrate the proposed modeling and decision-making method, the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System is considered in our case study, where a random policy and a first-come, first-served policy conventionally implemented in practice are also presented for comparison. The results show that the optimal strategy obtained by the proposed DRL-based approach outperforms the conventionally implemented alternatives in various aspects. Most importantly, the levels of availability of all the locks are significantly improved, enabling a more seamless cargo flow along these navigable inland waterways. For the benefit of stakeholders, our further study reveals that employing multiple full-time repair crews instead of one can further increase the availability of the locks, but the idle time of these maintenance crews becomes more significant. This provides a way of thinking about the recruitment, deployment, and utilization of maintenance crews responsible for the smooth operation of such critical infrastructures
Design and Validation of a High-Frequency Multi-Output DC-DC Converter for Radar Power Applications
No full textModern radar systems and advanced electronics demand compact, efficient, and reliable power solutions capable of delivering multiple tightly regulated voltage rails under strict size, weight, power, and reliability (SWaP-R) constraints. This thesis presents the design, implementation, and validation of a high-frequency (460 kHz – 1 MHz), multi-output DC-DC converter for a mission?critical radar platform, addressing both integration and performance requirements. The first implementation, an isolated modular converter (IMC), utilizes isolated silicon?based DC-DC modules to deliver twelve isolated voltage outputs from a single input. This approach provided robust electrical isolation, simplified system integration, and minimized design risk, making it well-suited for early development and functional verification. The IMC system relies on each module’s internal regulation and does not employ external feedback or digital control. Building on lessons learned from the IMC, a custom multi-output converter was developed using high-frequency Gallium Nitride (GaN) devices and discrete buck and Ćuk topologies to generate both positive and negative rails. The advanced design incorporated a digital control framework using a Texas Instruments C2000 microcontroller to enable precise output regulation and compensation. The digital control architecture was established, and initial open-loop testing was completed within the project scope. Further refinement, including closed-loop tuning and comprehensive validation, is defined for future work. Both converter systems were tested for output regulation, EMI, and thermal performance, with system-level integration and evaluation conducted using the isolated modular converter. Results showed that the IMC system met all standards for regulation and reliability, enabling its integration with the radar, while the custom GaN-based converter was validated in hardware and positioned for future development and system integration. This work establishes a practical foundation for developing multi-output power supplies in demanding electronic systems and highlights the benefits and challenges of modular high frequency approaches. The results lay the groundwork for future integration of wide-bandgap devices and digital regulation in next-generation radar, aerospace, and sensing platforms
Evidence on the Quality of Segment Profit/Loss Disclosures and its Determinants
No full textInvestors have recently indicated that disclosed descriptions of segment profit/loss measures are useful, but insufficient. Clear and detailed descriptions are essential for helping investors understand the segment profit/loss measure employed, especially since these measures may not align with measures from the consolidated income statement under the “management approach.” To better understand investors’ concerns, I hand-collect data from segment profit/loss disclosures and develop a measure that captures a dimension of disclosure quality specific to this setting: the extent to which segment profit/loss disclosures effectively describe the segment profit/loss measure employed. The measure considers the level of detail provided and the ease with which users can determine the components of segment profit/loss. I find substantial variation in segment profit/loss disclosure quality across firms. The results of multivariate analysis suggest that segment profit/loss disclosure quality is driven by firm fundamentals and other characteristics of firms’ segment disclosures. Inconsistent with prior literature examining the extent of disaggregation into reportable segments, I find no evidence that proprietary or agency costs influence segment profit/loss disclosure quality. This suggests that more precise descriptions of the segment profit/loss measure employed do not carry the same risk of revealing proprietary information and agency problems. Finally, I find a substitute effect between mandatory and certain voluntary segment profit/loss disclosure decisions. This descriptive study presents baseline evidence on segment profit/loss disclosures across mandatory and voluntary disclosure frameworks that may be relevant to academics, financial statement users, and standard setters
The Future Research Direction of CGIAR: Lessons Learned from One CGIAR
No full textSince its founding in 1971, CGIAR (formerly the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research) has been at the forefront of agricultural innovation, credited with launching the Green Revolution and delivering 1.78 trillion USD in net present value (NPV) benefits globally, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Despite these accomplishments, CGIAR now faces internal and external pressures that threaten its future impact. The 2019 reorganization into “One CGIAR” aimed to enhance coordination but has been criticized for adding bureaucracy and reducing scientific autonomy. Simultaneously, public funding for agricultural research is shrinking, while private sector investment often overlooks low-margin, high-need areas central to CGIAR’s mission. Understanding CGIAR’s comparative advantages and research priorities is critical to sustaining its relevance and effectiveness in a world of reduced funding for public agriculture. This study surveyed CGIAR researchers across the CGIAR Centers to assess perceptions of the One CGIAR restructuring and to identify research areas most aligned with CGIAR’s mission. Using a max-diff (best-worst) survey design and random parameter logit models, respondents ranked twelve research priorities. The survey also included Likert-scale items to evaluate the effects of restructuring on research capacity and collaboration. Results reveal substantial divergence in priorities across centers. Overall, climate change mitigation received the highest priority (29.25% market share), while minor/orphan crops ranked lowest (0.65%). Center specialization had a strong influence on the results: policy-focused centers prioritized poverty reduction (58.26%), while commodity and marginal-environment centers emphasized yield enhancement (39.56% and 48.21%, respectively), and natural resource and protein centers focused on climate change mitigation. This study is the first to collect multi-stakeholder views on CGIAR’s future research direction systematically. In doing so, it sheds light on the internal diversity of priorities within CGIAR and offers data-driven insights to inform strategic planning amid declining funding. The results contribute to ongoing debates about the CGIAR’s structure and mission, offering evidence-based direction for enhancing its global impact improving livelihoods
How to Do Things with Little Talking Tubes: Nonideal Speech Acts in the Digital Age
No full textIn this work, I develop a view about what it means to share a social or conversational context with others, as well as what is normatively entailed by doing so. Working from a broadly Austinian perspective about the moral foundations of language use and how we use words to position ourselves within social space, as well as from a generally Stalnakerian social ontology (demarcating groups by dint of aligned or overlapping sets of commitments), I present three papers demonstrating how nonidealized, ordinary language philosophy can make sense of complex, real-world phenomena. Through analyses of heretical utterances, context collapse, and chatbot output, I explore how we use words to organize our cultural institutions, navigate our social identities, and regulate the processes by which we give our word to others and hold each other accountable for what we say; furthermore, by considering how these dynamics each function in digitally mediated situations, I also explore the impact of new technologies (like social media feeds or large language models) on what we can do with words. In sum, each paper explores how the dynamics of ordinary language shape the worlds we have in common as we play our language games together