Submitted by Irene Nascimento (irene.kessia@ufpe.br) on 2017-06-16T17:47:39Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO - DÉBORA SILVA COSTA.pdf: 4374585 bytes, checksum: 2f26fbf50229b3e802e20a68bcde8404 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-16T17:47:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 811 bytes, checksum: e39d27027a6cc9cb039ad269a5db8e34 (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO - DÉBORA SILVA COSTA.pdf: 4374585 bytes, checksum: 2f26fbf50229b3e802e20a68bcde8404 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-05-30 / CNPQ / O surgimento da internet representou uma revolução informacional, pois abriu espaço para o florescimento de discussões que rompem com os poderes dominantes e para a disseminação de grupos que não têm seu lugar de expressão nos meios de comunicação convencionais (TV, rádio e mídias impressas). Exemplo disso são os “novos evangélicos” identificados em reportagem homônima da revista Época de agosto de 2010 como um movimento que emerge de diversos segmentos da igreja evangélica brasileira, em reação ao crescimento do neopentecostalismo e à institucionalização da religião. Através das mídias digitais, estes cristãos denunciam e criticam os escândalos do evangelicalismo brasileiro e propõem um retorno a um “evangelho puro e simples”. Esse fenômeno religioso/midiático motivou a realização da presente pesquisa, que tem como objeto os principais blogs “protestantes” brasileiros, assim considerados tanto pela corrente religiosa do qual procedem (protestantismo), bem como pelo seu caráter crítico e reformista (fazer protesto). A principal finalidade deste estudo é compreender como se dá a apropriação das novas tecnologias da comunicação por indivíduos e/ou grupos, dentro do meio evangélico, que têm características contra-hegemônicas. Este trabalho contribui ainda para a análise de algumas questões auxiliares pertinentes: 1) o complexo enraizamento do protestantismo em solo brasileiro e suas principais ramificações; 2) as rupturas e continuidades no florescimento dos fenômenos religiosos reformistas; 3) a “primavera” dos movimentos sociais na atualidade, e o emprego da internet como mídia alternativa, de resistência e de contra-hegemonia. / The emergence of the Internet represented an information revolution, opening a space for the flourishing of discussions that break with the dominant powers, and for the spread of groups that do not have their place of expression in traditional media (TV, radio and press). An example of this are the “new evangelicals”, identified in the report of the magazine Época of August 2010 as a movement emerging from various segments of the Brazilian Evangelical Church in response to the growth of Neopentecostalism and to the institutionalization of religion. Through digital media, these Christians denounce and criticize the scandals of the Brazilian Evangelicalism and they propose a return to the “pure and simple gospel”. This religious and mediatic phenomenon motivated the realization of this research, whose objects are the major Brazilian “Protestant” blogs, so called because of the religious movement from which they come (Protestantism), as well as for its critical and reformist character (to protest). The main purpose of this study is to understand how is the appropriation of the new communication technologies by individuals and/or groups within the evangelical circles, which have counter-hegemonic features. This work also contributes to the analysis of some relevant additional issues: 1) the complex roots of Protestantism in Brazilian soil and its main branches; 2) ruptures and continuities in the flourishing of reformist religious phenomena; 3) the current “spring” of the social movements, and the use of the internet as an alternative media, of resistance and counter-hegemony.

The interest in implementing energy-efficient digital circuits using micro and nanoelectromechanical resonator technology has increased significantly over the last decade given their lower energy consumption in comparison to complementary metal oxide-semiconductor circuits. In this thesis, multiple circuit designs based on micro and nanoelectromechanical beam resonators are presented. These circuits include a nano resonator-based flash style analog-to-digital converter, a 4-bit digital-to-analog converter, and a micro-resonator-based 7:3 counter, all among the key building blocks of a microcomputing system. Simulations and experimental results were obtained for all circuits. In general, the proposed circuits based on nanoelectromechanical resonators show up to 90% reduction in energy consumption compared to their complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor counterparts in MHz operation speeds, fulfilling requirements for many applications such as Internet of Things and biomedical devices.

Critically analyzes the existing legal framework for counter terrorism in Uganda and draws from relevant regional and international instruments related to the topic. In conducting this analysis, the author assesses the conformity of the antiterrorism legislation in Uganda in comparison with relevant African states. Uses regional and international counter terrorism frameworks. Also examines the human rights implications of practically enforcing these legislations. Lastly, the author compares international and regional human rights standards and best practices in combating terrorism in other parts of the world. / A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Law University of Pretoria, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Masters of Law (LLM in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa). Prepared under the supervision of Dr Henry Onoria, Faculty of Law, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. / LLM Dissertation (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa -- University of Pretoria, 2009. / http://www.chr.up.ac.za/ / Centre for Human Rights / LLM

In the wake of the 11 September 2001 attacks in the United States (U.S.), many states, responding to United Nations (UN) Security Council Resolutions, began to adopt an increased array of counter-terrorism measures.The Security Council had not in the beginning pre-empted the risk of counter-terrorism measures violating counter-terrorism human rights as it failed to immediately refer to states‟ duty to respect human rights in their responses to terrorism. It was only in 2003, in Resolution 1456, that the Security Council stated such duty by providing that „states must ensure that any measures taken to combat terrorism must comply with all their obligations under international law, in particular international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law". / Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa)) -- University of Pretoria, 2010. / Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Law University of Pretoria, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Masters of Law (LLM in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa). Prepared under the supervision of Prof. Nii A. Kotey, Faculty of Law, University of Ghana. Ghana. 2010. / http://www.chr.up.ac.za/ / Centre for Human Rights / LLM

This essay examines the institutional coherence between the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the field of Justice and Home Affairs (JHA), in order to combat jihadist terrorism. Coordinated instruments between the two policy areas are vital in order to maintain internal security within the European Union (EU) in its war against terrorism. However, as a result of several terrorist attacks in 2015, discussions surrounding the disintegration of the union have increased. This is paradoxical when looking at the strengthening of CFSP, an intergovernmental policy area, after 2015. By analysing the measures taken by the EU to counter terrorism in the wake of the terror attacks in Paris and Brussels in 2015 and 2016, it shows that CFSP-actors are becoming increasingly important in developing EU’s anti-terror policy. The result mainly concerns intelligence sharing and formal diplomacy, which blurs the boundaries between internal and external security. The result was achieved through a qualitative theory-consuming case study using neo-functionalism as a theory. The following research questions were asked: ‘’Has the CFSP, together with the JHA, been coordinated in a supranational manner to counter future terrorism in the wake of the terror attacks in Paris and Brussels 2015-2016?’’ and ‘’What driving forces can be identified for, or against, a supranational policy between the JHA and CFSP, from a neo-functional perspective?’’

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive stands as one, if not the most popular competitive video game of all time. In fact, tens of millions are awarded at Esports tournaments – a testament to the game’s popularity. As such, game designers should seek to understand exactly why the Counter-Strike series is so popular. One critical element to any game like Counter-Strike is the level design. This study attempts to provide an analysis of competitive level design by looking at the differences between a highly popular Counter-Strike level, Dust2, and one that is considerably less popular, Cobblestone.  Level design has already been scrutinized heavily by game designers throughout the years, and this also applies to Counter-Strike. The trend has mainly been to analyze levels from a high-level perspective, however. We hope that our study will contribute to the existing knowledge from an exceedingly low-level perspective. The study relies on data acquired from the massive Counter-Strike statistics database HLTV.org which primarily consist of 2 heat-maps that display hotspots for “killer locations” on the levels’ Bombsites. These heat-maps have since been subjected to two formal analyses and a subsequent comparative analysis. The study found that the occurrence of several indicators of flawed level design are present in Cobblestone. These flaws contrast with the level design principles and guidelines laid out by experienced designers. As such, the study concludes that these flaws are the primary contributing factors to the drop in popularity for Cobblestone. However, the study also acknowledges the need for an expanded study comprising the entire levels and involving other types of data

Proceeding from the aim to reduce global pollution emissions from the continuous burning of hydrocarbons stimulated by increasing energy demand, more efficient and ultra-low emissions’ combustion concepts such as the homogenous charge compression ignition engines (HCCI) have been developed. These new engines rely on the low temperature chemistry (LTC) combustion concept. A detailed investigation of the properties of cool flames, governed by LTC, is essential for the design of these new engines. The primary goal of this work was to build a fundamental counterflow experiment for cool flames studies in a diffusive system, to better understand combustion in LTC engines. The project was intended to provide a basic understanding of the low-temperature reactivity and cool flames properties of butane isomers under atmospheric pressure conditions. This was achieved by establishing self-sustaining cool flames through a novel technique of ozone addition to an oxygen stream in a non-premixed counterflow model. The ignition and extinction limits of butane isomers’ cool flames have been investigated under a variety of strain rates. Results revealed that establishment of cool flames are favored at lower strain rates. Iso-butane was less reactive than n-butane by showing higher ignition and extinction limits. Ozone addition showed a significant influence on cool flame ignition and sustenance; it was found that increasing ozone concentration in the oxidizer stream dramatically increased the reactivity of both fuels. Results showed increased fuel reactivity as the temperature of the fuel stream outlet increased. 4 A numerical analysis was performed to simulate ignition and extinction of the cool flame in diffusive systems. The results revealed that ignition and extinction limits of cool flames are predominantly governed by LTC. The model qualitatively captured experimental trends for both fuels; however, it overpredicted both ignition and extinction limits under all strain rates and ozone concentrations. The discrepancies were within a factor of eight for the ignition limit and a factor of two for the extinction limit. Finally, sensitivity analyses were conducted to understand the reactions responsible for cool flames ignition. It was found that majority of the sensitive reactions are those that occur at low temperatures.

According to the United Nations, improvised explosive devices (ieds) kill thousandsof people every year and disrupt military work. Therefore, it is of interest to in-vestigate how an ied can be neutralized safely. With an autonomous uav, it ispossible to jam a radio controlled ied (rcied) if the uav can land close enough,making the rcied unable to be triggered remotely. If the radio connected to thedevice uses mixers and is poorly shielded, it is possible to detect and localize thercied with unintentional stimulated emission (sue). It is possible to use an uav,with a radio transmitter and radio receiver, to do so as long as the uav can trans-mit a stimulating signal with enough power. Drawing this power from the uav’sonboard battery decreases the uavs maximal flight time. Simulations suggestthat it is possible to localize a radio using a uav with an error of 2.5 meters.

The rise of competitive e-sports and its increasing popularity with several million players worldwide across various games has sparked an interest in the cognitive abilities associated with it. This study aimed to investigate if there is a relationship between competitive play and an increase in cognitive ability, as measured by performance in cognitive tasks. The research question focuses on whether or not players who dedicate a significant amount of time playing Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) to compete on a higher level will perform better in cognitive tasks than non-competitive players. In this differential study with a between-group design, a total of 24 participants participated, with 12 in each group. Data for cognitive abilities were measured by performance across a battery of cognitive tests consisting of the Iowa Gambling Task, Inhibition of Return, Multitasking, and the Tower of Hanoi, with the latter acting as a control for general cognitive ability. All data were gathered online. Results show that competitive players performed significantly better in the multitasking task than their non-competitive counterparts. Furthermore, there seems to be no significant difference overall in general cognitive ability or for the other tasks. This finding suggests that the competitive environment of CSGO may be effective for increased performance in some cognitive tasks like multitasking. However, this might not be true regarding other cognitive abilities such as decision-making.

Time series modeling is a commonly used approach in exchange for studying and analyzing the data to support decision-making in companies based on historical data and thereby help them to save costs. This work introduces a forecasting framework that utilizes a seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average with exogenous variables (SARIMAX) model to forecast the number of people expected to enter a building within a short period. We applied the model to forecast the abovementioned value at California University Irvine's main door using an open-source dataset that comprised data spanning four months. The experimental results demonstrate that the SARIMAX model exhibits encouraging performance in classification andevaluation, as evidenced by the promising results. The RMSE values for one,two, three, and four prediction weeks are 24.6, 40.4, 36, and 38.7, respectively, accompanied by corresponding percentage errors of 2%, 4.8%,4.76%, and 1.01%. These metrics highlight the model's ability to predict outcomes accurately and indicate its effectiveness in forecasting over various time horizons. Furthermore, the proposed model addresses the issue of inadequate future planning and analyzes foot traffic to provide a reliable forecasting technique, which is essential for modern building facilities management.