In this dissertation, I examine the political shift or reorientation of Arabs and Muslims from the supranational Ummah to the Western form of nation-state by attending to modern Arabic novel in the period between World War I and World War II. I explore the emergence of secularism in Arab national formation. One of my central arguments is that Arab nationalism is indeed a misleading phrase as it gives the impression of unity and coherence to a complex phenomenon that materialize in a number of trends as a form of struggle. In the first chapter, I defined the scope of my argument and the underlying structure and function of nationalism as a form of representation masked by nationalist ideologies. To investigate the reorientation of Arabs and Muslims from Ummah to adopting nation-state, I utilize Spivak's criticism of the system of representation along with Foucault's theorization of discourse. I argued along Edward Said that although the Western national discourse might have influenced the Arab nationalists, I do not believe they prevented them from consciously appropriating nationalism in a free creative way. I also explained that the Arab adoption of a secularist separatist nationalism was more an outcome than an effect in the dissolution of the supranational Ummah, since according to Hourani that "explicit Arab nationalism" did not emerge until the end of the nineteenth century. I wrote this dissertation with the hope that I could, to use Masood Raja's literary concepts, inundate the modern Arabic novel with "silenced knowledge" to not only prevent the untrained Western readers from reducing these works to a set of assumptions, prejudices, or preferences but also to shift the texts from being a point of arrival to a being a point departure.

No description available.

Research on all tested vertebrates indicates that geometric information plays a special role when organisms reorient in their environment. Some researchers have argued that geometric information is processed automatically, while landmark information is processed more slowly. These conclusions of the course of reorientation processing have been drawn from research that tested organisms accuracy in locating targets in experimental environments. However, inferences of the course of processing are not logical extensions of physical reorientation paradigms. To this end, the present research employs the psychological refractory period paradigm to investigate, over two experiments, the precise stages of processing that humans utilize when encoding an environment. The data confirm previous research by demonstrating an underadditive effect of response time across stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) for geometric trials and an additive effect for landmark trials, suggesting that geometric information is processed during the first stage of processing, and landmark information during the second.

This research focuses on the characterization of the structure and mechanical behavior of metal nanowires. Molecular dynamics simulations with embedded-atom method (EAM) potentials are used. A novel shape memory effect and pseudoelastic behavior of single-crystalline FCC metal (Cu, Ni, and Au) nanowires are discovered. Specifically, upon tensile loading and unloading, these wires can recover elongations of up to 50%, well beyond the recoverable strains of 5-8% typical for most bulk shape memory alloys. This novel behavior arises from a reversible lattice reorientation driven by the high surface-stress-induced internal stresses at the nanoscale. It exists over a wide range of temperature and is associated with response times on the order of nanoseconds, making the nanowires attractive functional components for a new generation of biosensors, transducers, and interconnects in nano-electromechanical systems. It is found that this novel shape memory behavior only exists at the nanometer scale but not in bulk metals. The reason is that only at the nanoscale is the surface-stress-induced driving force large enough to initiate the transformation. The lattice reorientation process is also temperature-dependent because thermal energy facilitates the overcoming of the energy barrier for the transformation. Therefore, nanowires show either pseudoelasticity or shape memory effect depending on whether the transformation is induced by unloading or heating. It is also found that not all FCC nanowires show shape memory behavior. Only FCC metals with higher tendency for twinning (such as Cu, Au, Ni) show the shape memory because twinning leads to the reversible lattice reorientation. On the other hand, FCC metals with low likelihood of twinning (such as Al) do not show shape memory because these wires deforms via crystal slip, which leads to irreversible deformation. A micromechanical continuum model is developed to characterize the shape memory behavior observed. This model treats the lattice reorientation process as a smooth transition between a series of phase-equilibrium states superimposed with a dissipative twin boundary propagation process. This model captures the major characteristics of the unique behavior due to lattice reorientation and accounts for the size and temperature effects, yielding results in excellent agreement with the results of molecular dynamics simulations.

The purpose of this dissertation is to apply behavior learning concepts to incomplete-information continuous time games. Realistic game scenarios are often incomplete-information games in which the players withhold information. A player may not know its opponent’s objectives and strategies prior to the start of the game. This lack of information can limit the player’s ability to play optimally. If the player can observe the opponent’s actions, it can better optimize its achievements by taking corrective actions. In this research, a framework to learn an opponent’s behavior and take corrective actions is developed. The framework will allow a player to observe the opponent’s actions and formulate behavior models. The developed behavior model can then be utilized to find the best actions for the player that optimizes the player’s objective function. In addition, the framework proposes that the player plays a safe strategy at the beginning of the game. A safe strategy is defined in this research as a strategy that guarantees a minimum pay-off to the player independent of the other player’s actions. During the initial part of the game, the player will play the safe strategy until it learns the opponent’s behavior. Two methods to develop behavior models that differ in the formulation of the behavior model are proposed. The first method is the Cost-Strategy Recognition (CSR) method in which the player formulates an objective function and a strategy for the opponent. The opponent is presumed to be rational and therefore will play to optimize its objective function. The strategy of the opponent is dependent on the information available to the opponent about other players in the game. A strategy formulation presumes a certain level of information available to the opponent. The previous observations of the opponent’s actions are used to estimate the parameters of the formulated behavior model. The estimated behavior model predicts the opponent’s future actions. The second method is the Direct Approximation of Value Function (DAVF) method. In this method, unlike the CSR method, the player formulates an objective function for the opponent but does not formulates a strategy directly; rather, indirectly the player assumes that the opponent is playing optimally. Thus, a value function satisfying the HJB equation corresponding to the opponent’s cost function exists. The DAVF method finds an approximate solution for the value function based on previous observations of the opponent’s control. The approximate solution to the value function is then used to predict the opponent’s future behavior. Game examples in which only a single player is learning its opponent’s behavior are simulated. Subsequently, examples in which both players in a two-player game are learning each other’s behavior are simulated. In the second part of this research, a reorientation control maneuver for a spinning spacecraft will be developed. This will aid the application of behavior learning and differential games concepts to the specific scenario involving multiple spinning spacecraft. An impulsive reorientation maneuver with coasting will be analytically designed to reorient the spin axis of the spacecraft using a single body fixed thruster. Cooperative maneuvers of multiple spacecraft optimizing fuel and relative orientation will be designed. Pareto optimality concepts will be used to arrive at mutually agreeable reorientation maneuvers for the cooperating spinning spacecraft.

Thesis (Psy. D.)--Wheaton College Graduate School, 2004. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-107).

Thesis (Psy. D.)--Wheaton College Graduate School, 2004. / Abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 102-107).

Molecular rotational motions are known to influence both Raman scattering of light and nuclear spin relaxation. Therefore, the application of Raman bandshape analysis and NMR relaxation time measurements to probe molecular dynamics in liquids will provide us with a deeper understanding of the dynamical behavior and structure of molecules in the liquid phase. Presented here are (i) studies of molecular reorientation of acetonitrile in the neat liquid phase and in solution by Raman bandshape analysis and NMR relaxation; (ii) studies of reorientational dynamics and internal rotation in transition metal clusters by NMR relaxation.

It is difficult to think of any activity that does not require some degree of turning. Despite the prevalence of turning in daily activities and the challenge it poses to mobility-impaired individuals such as those with Parkinson’s disease, there is far less known about the multi-segmental control of turning than the control of standing and straight walking especially in elderly individuals and patient populations. The purpose of this thesis was to examine the coordination of body segment reorientation in healthy older adults and people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) during on-the-spot turns when standing and turns initiated when walking. The coordination of body segments was examined for small and large magnitude turns in both populations. PD participants were examined when “off” and “on” dopamine-replacement medication to determine the effects of medication on multi-segmental coordination when turning. The effect of walking velocity on the multi-segmental coordination of turning also was examined in healthy elderly participants for three different walking velocities. This research revealed differences in coordination patterns for standing versus walking turns and for healthy older adults versus persons with PD. Healthy older adults reorient their head, shoulder, and pelvis in unison, followed by mediolateral foot displacement, during standing turns. This coordination pattern was observed for both small and large turns. By contrast, turns initiated by healthy older adults while walking displayed a top-down temporal sequence similar to that reported for healthy young adults, i.e., the head turns first, followed by the shoulder and pelvis, and finally mediolateral displacement of the foot. This is a robust behavior which was not affected by the magnitude of the turn or walking velocity. PD participants (“off” and “on” medication) displayed temporal coordination patterns similar to age-matched healthy older adults for both standing and walking turns. However, PD participants (“off” and “on” medication) differed from healthy older adults with respect to the velocity and magnitude of reorientation of body segments, i.e., spatial parameters of coordination. The peak angular velocity of each body segment was significantly smaller for PD participants than the healthy older adults during both standing and walking turns; this was observed for both small and large magnitude turns. The magnitude of reorientation of each body segment was measured at the onset of mediolateral foot displacement; this measure revealed significantly smaller head and shoulder rotations for PD participants versus healthy older adults during standing turns, but not walking turns. Medication had no significant effect on the temporal or spatial parameters of body segment coordination during standing and walking turns. Medication increased the magnitude of head turn during the 90° standing turns; however, the magnitude of head turn remained smaller than that of healthy older adults. Multi-segmental coordination patterns differ for turns performed when standing (on-the-spot turn) versus when walking. The temporal parameters of these coordination patterns are not influenced by the magnitude of the turn or the velocity of walking and remain intact in Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease modifies the spatial parameters of coordination; reducing the velocity and early magnitude of reorientation of each body segment. These spatial parameters are not affected by dopaminergic medication.

It is difficult to think of any activity that does not require some degree of turning. Despite the prevalence of turning in daily activities and the challenge it poses to mobility-impaired individuals such as those with Parkinson’s disease, there is far less known about the multi-segmental control of turning than the control of standing and straight walking especially in elderly individuals and patient populations. The purpose of this thesis was to examine the coordination of body segment reorientation in healthy older adults and people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) during on-the-spot turns when standing and turns initiated when walking. The coordination of body segments was examined for small and large magnitude turns in both populations. PD participants were examined when “off” and “on” dopamine-replacement medication to determine the effects of medication on multi-segmental coordination when turning. The effect of walking velocity on the multi-segmental coordination of turning also was examined in healthy elderly participants for three different walking velocities. This research revealed differences in coordination patterns for standing versus walking turns and for healthy older adults versus persons with PD. Healthy older adults reorient their head, shoulder, and pelvis in unison, followed by mediolateral foot displacement, during standing turns. This coordination pattern was observed for both small and large turns. By contrast, turns initiated by healthy older adults while walking displayed a top-down temporal sequence similar to that reported for healthy young adults, i.e., the head turns first, followed by the shoulder and pelvis, and finally mediolateral displacement of the foot. This is a robust behavior which was not affected by the magnitude of the turn or walking velocity. PD participants (“off” and “on” medication) displayed temporal coordination patterns similar to age-matched healthy older adults for both standing and walking turns. However, PD participants (“off” and “on” medication) differed from healthy older adults with respect to the velocity and magnitude of reorientation of body segments, i.e., spatial parameters of coordination. The peak angular velocity of each body segment was significantly smaller for PD participants than the healthy older adults during both standing and walking turns; this was observed for both small and large magnitude turns. The magnitude of reorientation of each body segment was measured at the onset of mediolateral foot displacement; this measure revealed significantly smaller head and shoulder rotations for PD participants versus healthy older adults during standing turns, but not walking turns. Medication had no significant effect on the temporal or spatial parameters of body segment coordination during standing and walking turns. Medication increased the magnitude of head turn during the 90° standing turns; however, the magnitude of head turn remained smaller than that of healthy older adults. Multi-segmental coordination patterns differ for turns performed when standing (on-the-spot turn) versus when walking. The temporal parameters of these coordination patterns are not influenced by the magnitude of the turn or the velocity of walking and remain intact in Parkinson’s disease. Parkinson’s disease modifies the spatial parameters of coordination; reducing the velocity and early magnitude of reorientation of each body segment. These spatial parameters are not affected by dopaminergic medication.