5,638 research outputs found

    Victims' Access to Justice in Trinidad and Tobago: An exploratory study of experiences and challenges of accessing criminal justice in a post-colonial society

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    This thesis investigates victims' access to justice in Trinidad and Tobago, using their own narratives. It seeks to capture how their experiences affected their identities as victims and citizens, alongside their perceptions of legitimacy regarding the criminal justice system. While there have been some reforms in the administration of criminal justice in Trinidad and Tobago, such reforms have not focused on victims' accessibility to the justice system. Using grounded theory methodology, qualitative data was collected through 31 in-depth interviews with victims and victim advocates. The analysis found that victims experienced interpersonal, structural, and systemic barriers at varying levels throughout the criminal justice system, which manifested as institutionalized secondary victimization, silencing and inequality. This thesis argues that such experiences not only served to appropriate conflict but demonstrates that access is often given in a very narrow sense. Furthermore, it shows a failure to encompass access to justice as appropriated conflicts are left to stagnate in the system as there is often very little resolution. Adopting a postcolonial lens to analyse victims' experiences, the analysis identified othering practices that served to institutionalize the vulnerability and powerlessness associated with victim identities. Here, it is argued that these othering practices also affected the rights consciousness of victims, delegitimating their identities as citizens. Moreover, as a result of their experiences, victims had mixed perceptions of the justice system. It is argued that while the system is a legitimate authority victims' endorsement of the system is questionable, therefore victims' experiences suggest that there is a reinforcement of the system's legal hegemony. The findings suggest that within the legal system of Trinidad and Tobago, legacies of colonialism shape the postcolonial present as the psychology and inequalities of the past are present in the interactions and processes of justice. These findings are relevant for policymakers in Trinidad and Tobago and other regions. From this study it is recognized that, to improve access to justice for victims, there needs to be a move towards victim empowerment that promotes resilience and enhances social capital. Going forward it is noted that there is a need for further research

    The Disputation: The Enduring Representations in William Holman Hunt's “The Finding of the Saviour in the Temple,” 1860

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    This interdisciplinary thesis problematizes the Jewish presence in the painting The Finding of the Saviour in the Temple (1860) by William Holman Hunt. This “Jewish presence” refers to characters within the painting, Jews who posed for the picture and the painting’s portrayal of Judaism. The thesis takes a phenomenological and hermeneutical approach to The Finding providing careful description and interpretation of what appears in the painting. It situates the painting within a newly configured genre of disputation paintings depicting the Temple scene from the Gospel of Luke (2:47 – 52). It asks two questions. Why does The Finding look the way it does? And how did Holman Hunt know how to create the picture? Under the rubric of the first question, it explores and challenges customary accounts of the painting, explicitly challenging the over reliance upon F.G. Stephens’s pamphlet. Additionally, it examines Pre-Raphaelite and Victorian religious contexts and bringing hitherto unacknowledged artistic contexts to the fore. The second question examines less apparent influences through an analysis of the originary Lukan narrative in conjunction with the under-examined genre of Temple “disputation” paintings, and a legacy of scholarly and religious disputation. This demonstrates a discourse of disputation informing The Finding over and above the biblical narrative. In showing that this discourse strongly correlates with the painting’s objectifying and spectacular properties, this thesis provides a new way to understand The Finding’s orientalism which is further revealed in its typological critical reworking of two Christian medieval and renaissance paintings. As a demonstration of the discourse, the thesis includes an examination of Jewish artists who addressed the theme of disputation overtly or obliquely thereby engaging with and challenging the assumptions upon which the disputation rests

    Towards a spatial archaeology of crafting landscapes

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    Discussions of spatial relationships are persistent features of research on the organization of craft production. Despite the centrality of spatial issues, the correspondence between spatial patterning and economic organization remains relatively under-theorized, especially around questions of power and control. Drawing from the literature on craft ecology, specialization and landscape archaeology, I develop an approach that considers spatial scales of patterning, the power projection of elites and institutions and the articulation between elements of the crafting landscape. This approach recognizes the complex sets of factors affecting spatial patterning and ultimately produces a more robust understanding of how ancient economic systems were organized. These ideas are explored through a case study on Late Bronze and Early Iron Age metal production in the Caucasus, clarifying the organizational logics of the metal economy and highlighting how this industry differed in significant ways from other contemporary metal-producing regions in the ancient Near East.National Science Foundation (BSC-1338893), the Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies and Harvard Universit

    Church growth models and the early Quakers

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    This thesis explores numeric church growth generally, and the early Quaker movement specifically, within the paradigm of models. A wide variety of practitioner church-growth models have appeared since the 1890s. The emergence of Quakerism in the mid-1650s, however, has never before been explored as a model of church growth. This thesis argues that models are effective at theoretically conceptualizing church growth. Its results elevate the theoretical above the descriptive, providing generalizability. With this approach, several original contributions are made in developing a construct-based model framework and establishing a theoretical system of comparison to analyze both modern and primary texts. It is argued that the Quaker pattern of church growth, as outlined by George Fox in his journal, presents a uniquely provocative model, not elsewhere documented among church-growth model authors. Additionally, the model approach provides a systemic perspective of prior scholarship on the Quaker growth phenomenon

    A framework to enhance ethical practice within the nursing profession in South Africa

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    Nursing ethics is the basis of nursing practices, and is aimed at improving the well-being of patients and their families, society, and the nursing profession. However, nursing ethics education and practice have always been under scrutiny globally, due to prevailing unethical practices perpetrated by some nurses. In South Africa, some of the investigations into these practices have resulted in disciplinary hearings by the South African Nursing Council (SANC). It is against this background that the aim of the study is to describe the status of nursing ethics and consequently develop a framework for enhancing ethics education and practice within the nursing profession in South Africa. Higher education institutions and the public health care services sector in Free State Province provided the study's context and reference point. A convergence mixed-methods approach was used, in terms of which relevant literature and pertinent documents were reviewed, a survey was undertaken for exploring the ethics knowledge of the Com-serves; while unstructured interviews were also conducted with ethics educators and Com-serves. Inferences from these diverse data sources portrayed the status of nursing ethics and gave insight into the trajectories that may be pursued to enhance ethics in nursing and, therefore, ethical patient care. The study results revealed that nursing ethics is constrained by factors such as misinterpretation of broad SANC directives, resulting in discordant nursing ethics and professional practice, as well as limited ethics content in education. The results further reveal poor ethical reflection amongst healthcare professionals. For instance, while the Com-serves reported unethical practices and attitudes by senior nurses and medical practitioners, they lacked the courage to report similar unethical behaviour towards iii patients. It was further revealed that there exists a narrow understanding of ethical and legal frameworks among the Com-serves. As pronounced in the conceptualisation of nursing ethics, the use of personal values was also prevalent. Therefore, the study recommends an ethical framework that considers internal and external guidance of morality as the basis for preparations in nursing ethics education to enhance the nurses’ encounter with their clients. Such a framework should recognise nursing ethics from the philosophical view of ethics as a binding responsibility focusing primarily on a patient as the vulnerable and suffering ‘other’. The framework should also integrate the application of ethical and legal frameworks in nursing activities for achieving human dignity as a normative standard described by the patient.Health StudiesD. Phil. (Nursing Science) Health Studies)

    Fast fluorescence lifetime imaging and sensing via deep learning

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    Error on title page – year of award is 2023.Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) has become a valuable tool in diverse disciplines. This thesis presents deep learning (DL) approaches to addressing two major challenges in FLIM: slow and complex data analysis and the high photon budget for precisely quantifying the fluorescence lifetimes. DL's ability to extract high-dimensional features from data has revolutionized optical and biomedical imaging analysis. This thesis contributes several novel DL FLIM algorithms that significantly expand FLIM's scope. Firstly, a hardware-friendly pixel-wise DL algorithm is proposed for fast FLIM data analysis. The algorithm has a simple architecture yet can effectively resolve multi-exponential decay models. The calculation speed and accuracy outperform conventional methods significantly. Secondly, a DL algorithm is proposed to improve FLIM image spatial resolution, obtaining high-resolution (HR) fluorescence lifetime images from low-resolution (LR) images. A computational framework is developed to generate large-scale semi-synthetic FLIM datasets to address the challenge of the lack of sufficient high-quality FLIM datasets. This algorithm offers a practical approach to obtaining HR FLIM images quickly for FLIM systems. Thirdly, a DL algorithm is developed to analyze FLIM images with only a few photons per pixel, named Few-Photon Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FPFLI) algorithm. FPFLI uses spatial correlation and intensity information to robustly estimate the fluorescence lifetime images, pushing this photon budget to a record-low level of only a few photons per pixel. Finally, a time-resolved flow cytometry (TRFC) system is developed by integrating an advanced CMOS single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array and a DL processor. The SPAD array, using a parallel light detection scheme, shows an excellent photon-counting throughput. A quantized convolutional neural network (QCNN) algorithm is designed and implemented on a field-programmable gate array as an embedded processor. The processor resolves fluorescence lifetimes against disturbing noise, showing unparalleled high accuracy, fast analysis speed, and low power consumption.Fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) has become a valuable tool in diverse disciplines. This thesis presents deep learning (DL) approaches to addressing two major challenges in FLIM: slow and complex data analysis and the high photon budget for precisely quantifying the fluorescence lifetimes. DL's ability to extract high-dimensional features from data has revolutionized optical and biomedical imaging analysis. This thesis contributes several novel DL FLIM algorithms that significantly expand FLIM's scope. Firstly, a hardware-friendly pixel-wise DL algorithm is proposed for fast FLIM data analysis. The algorithm has a simple architecture yet can effectively resolve multi-exponential decay models. The calculation speed and accuracy outperform conventional methods significantly. Secondly, a DL algorithm is proposed to improve FLIM image spatial resolution, obtaining high-resolution (HR) fluorescence lifetime images from low-resolution (LR) images. A computational framework is developed to generate large-scale semi-synthetic FLIM datasets to address the challenge of the lack of sufficient high-quality FLIM datasets. This algorithm offers a practical approach to obtaining HR FLIM images quickly for FLIM systems. Thirdly, a DL algorithm is developed to analyze FLIM images with only a few photons per pixel, named Few-Photon Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging (FPFLI) algorithm. FPFLI uses spatial correlation and intensity information to robustly estimate the fluorescence lifetime images, pushing this photon budget to a record-low level of only a few photons per pixel. Finally, a time-resolved flow cytometry (TRFC) system is developed by integrating an advanced CMOS single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) array and a DL processor. The SPAD array, using a parallel light detection scheme, shows an excellent photon-counting throughput. A quantized convolutional neural network (QCNN) algorithm is designed and implemented on a field-programmable gate array as an embedded processor. The processor resolves fluorescence lifetimes against disturbing noise, showing unparalleled high accuracy, fast analysis speed, and low power consumption

    Development and evaluation of a treatment package for men with an intellectual disability who sexually offend

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    Sex offending in the general population has been a focus of interest for some time due to the damaging nature of the behaviour, and the need to reduce recidivism. Theoretical and clinical advances (Finke1hor, 1986; HM Prison Service, 1996; Marshall, Anderson, & Fernandez, 1999; Serran & Marshall, 2010) in treatment for sex offenders in the general population have been extended to men with an intellectual disability at risk of sexual offending (Lindsay, 2009). The purpose of this project is to develop and evaluate the SOTSEC-ID version cftrus model. Participants are adult males from 15 different locations across England and Wales, with an intellectual disability or borderline cognitive functioning and who have committed sexual offences. A pilot study clarified assessments and procedures, and individual data over several years is presented. A qualitative study using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (JP A) illustrates the 'meaning making' of participants' treatment experience through six major themes. A reliability and validity study assesses the four main quantitative measures, QACSO, SAKA, SOSAS, and VESA, finding limited support for criterion validity for the SOSAS and SAKA, excellent inter-rater reli"ability for all four main measures, and good to excellent inter-rater reliability on all but the SAKA Finally, a quantitative study, in collaboration with the wider SOTSEC-ID group, uses a repeated measures design to compare the QACSO, SOSAS and SAKA across pre-group, post-group and follow. up. Significant main effects and post-hoc comparisons were in the predicted direction for all measures. A range of information on demographic, clinical and criminogenic factors including offending during treatment or follow-up are also presented. A recidivism rate of 12.3% over a year was calculated for the sample. The treatment model and collaborative framework is recommended for wider adoption

    Conscience and Consciousness: British Theatre and Human Rights.

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    This research project investigates a paradigm of human rights theatre. Through the lens of performance and theatre-making, this thesis explores how we came to represent, speak about, discuss, and own human rights in Britain. My framework of ‘human rights theatre’ proposes three distinctive features: firstly, such works dramatise real-world issues and highlights the role of the state in endangering its citizens; secondly, ethical ruptures are encountered within and without the drama, and finally, these performances characteristically aspire to produce an activist effect on the collective behaviours of the audience. This thesis interrogates the strategies theatre-makers use to articulate human rights concerns or to animate human rights intent. The selected case-studies for this investigation are ice&fire’s testimonial project, Actors for Human Rights; Badac Theatre; Jonathan Holmes’ work as director of Jericho House; Cardboard Citizens’ youth participation programme, ACT NOW; and Tony Cealy’s Black Men’s Consortium. Deliberately selecting companies and performance events that have received limited critical attention, my methodology constellates case-studies through original interviews, durational observation of creative working methods and proximate descriptions of practice. The thesis is interested in the experience of coming to ‘consciousness’ through human rights theatre, an awakening to the impacts of rights infringements and rights claiming. I explore consciousness as a processual, procedural, and durational happening in these performance events. I explore the ‘æffect’ of activist art and examine the ways in which makers of human rights theatre aim to amplify both affective and effective qualities in their work. My thesis also considers the articulation of activist purpose and the campaigning intent of the selected theatre-makers and explores how their activism is animated in their productions. Through the rich seam of discussion generated by the identification and exploration of the traits of a distinctive human rights theatre, I affirm the generative value of this typological enquiry

    REDESIGNING THE COUNTER UNMANNED SYSTEMS ARCHITECTURE

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    Includes supplementary material. Please contact [email protected] for access.When the Islamic State used Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) to target coalition forces in 2014, the use of UAVs rapidly expanded, giving weak states and non-state actors an asymmetric advantage over their technologically superior foes. This asymmetry led the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to spend vast sums of money on counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS). Despite the market density, many C-UAS technologies use expensive, bulky, and high-power-consuming electronic attack methods for ground-to-air interdiction. This thesis outlines the current technology used for C-UAS and proposes a defense-in-depth framework using airborne C-UAS patrols outfitted with cyber-attack capabilities. Using aerial interdiction, this thesis develops a novel C-UAS device called the Detachable Drone Hijacker—a low-size, weight, and power C-UAS device designed to deliver cyber-attacks against commercial UAVs using the IEEE 802.11 wireless communication specification. The experimentation results show that the Detachable Drone Hijacker, which weighs 400 grams, consumes one Watt of power, and costs $250, can interdict adversarial UAVs with no unintended collateral damage. This thesis recommends that the DOD and DHS incorporates aerial interdiction to support its C-UAS defense-in-depth, using technologies similar to the Detachable Drone Hijacker.DASN-OE, Washington DC, 20310Captain, United States Marine CorpsApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited
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