Digital Commons Network^™

Safety Investigation Of Crash Rates During Hurricane Evacuations, Amelia K. Lawson

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

This study aimed to investigate crash rates across four distinct periods—evacuation, re-entry, emergency, and non-emergency—during Hurricanes Matthew (2016), Irma (2017), and Michael (2018). A notable gap in existing research pertains to understanding crash rates during these critical phases of hurricane events. By addressing this gap, this research contributes to a deeper comprehension of evacuation transportation safety. The methodology employed ArcMap to construct an interactive map for data collection, encompassing key variables such as the number of crashes, traffic volumes, duration of each period under analysis, and roadway segment lengths for each hurricane. Evaluating the crash rate per million vehicular miles …

Towards Better Local Governance In Alaska's Unorganized Borough, Jake Sherman

Alaska Law Review

Alaska's unorganized borough is the only unincorporated county-equivalent area in the entire United States, but the Alaska Constitution never envisioned that would be the case. The framers of the Alaska Constitution drafted a revolutionary article on local government that prioritized localism—participation in local government—to further democratic engagement in the state. Recognizing that much of rural Alaska lacked the population and infrastructure to support incorporated and localized self-governance in the 1950s, the framers opted not to automatically incorporate the entire state under various borough governments. Even so, the framers made clear that the state was to play an active role in …

Media, Politics And Law Enforcement: How The Current Political Climate And Media Coverage Are Leading To Fewer Law Enforcement Officers In The Field, Allen Denver Denny Jr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory has been used extensively in the business field to explain job satisfaction of employees. This study applied Maslow’s theory to law enforcement by examining how the media and political rhetoric is impacting the support officers receive from the communities that they serve as well as the agencies that they work, and how this support is impacting the number of officers leaving the profession. The study sampled law enforcement officers located in western and central North Carolina and involved both large urban agencies and small rural agencies. The Professional Quality of Life (ProQoL) survey was used …

Slim Winnings For Tubby Taft: Utah And The Presidential Election Of 1912, Natalie Larsen

The Thetean: A Student Journal for Scholarly Historical Writing

Traveling on a special passenger train from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles, Utah governor William Spry waxed uncharacteristically eloquent with the reporters who hounded him for his insights on the 1914 congressional elections. Sent by the roundly Republican newspaper the Los Angeles Times, the reporters were looking to see how the dust had settled after the humiliating Republican losses two years earlier in 1912. Democrat Woodrow Wilson won a resounding victory that year, while Theodore Roosevelc's Progressive Parry won eighry-eight electoral votes, and the incumbent president William Howard Taft limped away with a meager eight electoral votes. Considering …

A Denial Of Personhood: Why Hate Crime Legislation Is Necessary To Assure Proportionality In Punishment, Clare Godfryd

JCLC Online

The term “hate crime” entered the mainstream in the United States during the 1980s, when advocates began to track incidents of bias-motivated violence. Since then, hate crimes have continued to garner significant attention. Advocates and legislators have traditionally justified hate crime law under the “expressive theory,” the idea that the purpose of such laws is to condemn prejudice and express messages of tolerance and equality.

In this Comment, I offer a distinct justification for hate crime legislation. Specifically, I argue that, when a perpetrator targets a victim because of perceived immutable characteristics, the hate crime offender denies the victim’s agency …

Fighting Utility Wildfire With Knowledge Management, Catherine J.K. Sandoval

Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum

No abstract provided.

Manufactured State Immigration Emergencies As State Vigilantism, Kate Huddleston

Texas A&M Law Review

President Trump shattered norms when he declared a national emergency at the U.S.–Mexico border to build a border wall. State governors have now followed that lead in taking up what Justice Jackson, dissenting in Korematsu v. United States (1944), called the “loaded weapon” of emergency—doing so, like Trump, in the context of the border. Governors of Texas, Arizona, and Florida have all issued state declarations of emergency based on (1) migration, and (2) the Biden administration’s purported failure to engage in immigration enforcement. These state emergency declarations have not been studied or even identified in legal literature as a state …

Intelligent Algorithm Safety: Concepts, Scientific Problems And Prospects, Xueqi Cheng, Wei Chen, Huawei Shen, Shiguang Shan, Xilin Chen, Guojie Li

Bulletin of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Chinese Version)

Intelligent algorithms refer to the methods embodied in the computational processes that realize intelligence. These methods are often characterized by being data-driven, involving uncertain computations, and with unexplainable model inferences. These characteristics simultaneously introduce potential safety risks to the application of intelligent algorithms and AI. This study firstly explores the concepts of intelligent algorithm safety. Specifically, intelligent algorithm safety, based on the degree of human-machine integration, extends from the univariate safety of the algorithm itself to the bivariate applicational safety when the algorithm serves humans, and finally evolves into the multivariate systemic safety arises within complex socio-technical systems of human-machine …

Spectrum, Volume 52, Issue 7, Sacred Heart University

Newspapers (Obelisk & Spectrum)

Highlights include: Women’s Basketball is “Going Dancing” Second Consecutive NEC Title Sends Pioneers to March Madness -- Measuring Inclusivity: SHU Receives Annual Campus Pride Index Score -- SHU’s Black Student Union Cultivates Community -- New Course Explores Art, Activism, and Social Justice Connections

Leveraging The Zigbee Pattern Of Life To Identify Devices, Kurt Jarvis

Masters Theses & Doctoral Dissertations

ZigBee is the open-standard enabling smart devices to be adopted in new and innovative ways. In this research, the network layer of the ZigBee protocol is examined to further the understanding of security impacts it brings to the environment. The first research question is determining of the ZigBee beaconing patterns reveal the device type. This is the first layer that introduces encryption and the results indicate that beacon layer data with the lower layer information do not provide enough information to confidently identify the device prior to admittance to the network. This is important in the identification of rogue devices. …

Physical Activity Barriers And Facilitators In African American Women: A Social Ecological Models Perspective, Leah Ann Carter

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

African American (AA) women experience poor health outcomes that can be addressed by increasing PA engagement. Understanding how PA barriers and facilitators occur at multiple levels of influence may help tailor PA interventions for AA women. Although prior work has established barriers to PA that are unique to African American women, few studies identify the sociocultural norms associated with these impediments. Little is known about the cultural implications of barriers such as haircare maintenance, and public policy.

The primary aim of this dissertation was to capture AA women’s voice about PA barriers and facilitators using the social ecological model framework. …

Current Issues In Criminal Justice: An Analysis Of The Contemporary Topics Influencing Criminal Justice, Paul R. Gormley

Faculty and Staff Publications & Presentations

The criminal justice system in the United States is dynamic and ever-changing. Discussions will focus on those deviations that are currently being examined and argued by scholars, practitioners, and students, who are called upon to interpret constructs, critically and resourcefully, in the foundations of law enforcement, corrections, and the courts. Dialogue and debate will concentrate on the Constitution and its application, the History of Policing and BIOPC, Policing in America from a Post-Pandemic Perspective, Ethics Training, Mass Shooters, Diversity in the Hiring Process, Challenges to Equity, Problem-Solving Courts, Institutional Corrections, and Emerging Technology

The Indiana Statesman, March 19, 2024, Indiana State University

Student Newspaper

Biden boosting women’s health research; How will the TikTok ban impact students?; Truck driver accused of smuggling meth into jail; Supreme Court reluctant to curb US social media outreach

Historical Analogy And The Role Morality Of Reason-Giving, Darrell A. H. Miller

Duke Law Journal Online

The Supreme Court has turned ever more to analogical reasoning from history and tradition to decide significant matters of public policy. Nowhere is this phenomenon more evident than in the Court’s 2022 decision in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen.

The Court’s crafting of a Second Amendment test that turns almost entirely on the strength of analogies—and on a topic of such intense public salience—has thrust analogical reasoning to the forefront of judicial and academic debate. While many have questioned the workability of Bruen’s focus on historical analogs, this Essay is less concerned about the pragmatics of …

Week Of March 18, 2024, Student Life

College, School and Department Newsletters, Magazines, and Journals

Your weekly hub for events, resources and updates.

The Rider (2024-03-18), Natalie Lapsley

The Rider Archives

Vol.9 No.23

Thoughts Beyond Stigma-Implications For Change Reflected In The Voices Of Previously Incarcerated Citizens, Amy Frankel, Elizabeth Depoy

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

State and federal prisons release more than six hundred thousand people annually, with nearly 95% of those returning to the communities in which they resided before incarceration, albeit frequently with discomfort and marginalization, largely due to stigma (Alexander, 2020, Park & Tietjen, 2021). Programs to foster reintegration exist in almost every locale, yet recidivism remains due to many factors. Stigma has received much attention as a cause of failure for successful reentry and acclimation (Park & Tietjen, 2021). With the surge of interest and empirical study of stigma as a barrier, the voices of returning citizens can further enhance significant …

Pathways To Freedom: The Evolution Of The Parole Process For Youth Lifers In California, Laura S. Abrams, Kaylyn C. Canlione, Leah Ouellet, Audrey I. Melillo

Qualitative Criminology (QC)

This paper explores the evolution of resentencing/parole mechanisms for youth lifers in California through the lens of lived experience. We use a case study approach with a triangulation of data sources, including qualitative interviews, parole hearing transcripts, and state legislation. For three purposively selected cases, we analyze the emotional experience of seeking resentencing/parole and analyze how the parole board determined suitability for release based on standard parole factors as well as “youth-specific” mitigation considerations. In all three cases, the parole board leaned heavily on standard parole factors such as demonstration of remorse and insight, compliant prison behavior, and participation in …

Neuroscience And The Criminal Legal System: A Humanitarian Application Framework, Dorothy Hayes

DePaul Journal of Health Care Law

Advancements in neuroscience call our intuitive notion of free will into question—and by implication, invite a reassessment of the United States criminal legal system and its reliance on radical personal agency. In the backdrop of the evolving landscape of neuroscience and neurolaw is an inquiry: how do we appropriately and ethically incorporate advancements of these fields into law and policy? This paper pulls that question to the forefront, advocating for a humanitarian-forward framework to guide the process. The framework emphasizes the Daubert standard, addresses the “G2i” problem, and includes a balancing test to ensure the protection of neurorights. The paper …

Sparking A Revolution Or Blowing Smoke: Feasibility Of Undergrounding Transmission Lines In Response To Recent Wildfires And The Push Toward Resilient Renewable Energy, Zachary D. Berryman

LSU Journal of Energy Law and Resources

No abstract provided.

The Roundup Debate: Why The Supreme Court Should Rule That Fifra Does Not Preempt Failure To Warn Claims And Recommendations For The Epa, Isabella Eakins

LSU Journal of Energy Law and Resources

No abstract provided.

Empowering Populist Politics: Social Media Use In The Us And Uk, James M. Howley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Modern advancements in technology, in particular the rise in influence and popularity of social media platforms, have had a profound effect on the political landscape. The way in which political actors conduct their campaigns therefore requires significant analysis. Populist campaigns have particularly benefitted from the political influence of social media platforms. This research therefore looks at two significant political events from 2016, the Presidential Election campaign of Donald J. Trump in the United States and the 'Vote Leave' Brexit referendum campaign from the United Kingdom. Utilizing Manuel Castells' 'Network Society' (1990) as the theoretical framework for the research, this analysis …

Risk Assessment Of Blood-Borne Pathogen Exposure For Emergency Responders, Jill A. Ireland

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Emergency responders face a significant risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens (BBPs), such as HIV and hepatitis, due to the nature of their work environment. This study investigates this issue utilizing a dual approach of data analysis and online surveys to assess exposure rates, risk perceptions, factors that contribute to risk and prevention practices. In addressing issues ranging from personal protective equipment (PPE) usage to levels of concern surrounding blood and bodily fluid contact, the findings underscore the need for tailored safety measures, comprehensive education, and improved prevention strategies.

The examination of 346 worker's compensation exposure claims highlighted a significant …

Local Bridge Inspections, Anne Rearick, Antonio Marino

Purdue Road School

We will discuss local bridge inspection requirements, how to make your program successful, and federal requirements that locals need to be aware of.

Taup's 50-Year Collective Bargaining Story, Arthur Hochner

Journal of Collective Bargaining in the Academy

In the half-century history of faculty collective bargaining at Temple University, the Temple Association of University Professionals has faced numerous challenges. As a union leader for 31 of those years, I took part in many contract negotiations with tough-minded management representatives, including two long strikes. As universities have shifted away from tenure-track faculty toward more contingent ones, both full- and part-time, TAUP has made key adjustments and has grown. While I am now retired from Temple and the union, my successors continue to maintain faculty voice.

Elevating Equity In Public Engagement, Natalie Garrett, Scott Manning

Purdue Road School

Public engagement is the foundation of our work. For engagement to be meaningful and equitable, agencies must meet people where they are and connect with them using tools and tactics that allow all voices to be heard. Attendees will learn about the development of the INDOT Public Engagement Guide, which leverages socioeconomic, demographic, and social equity data to help the agency make data-informed decisions about how to best reach the people it serves.

Work Zone Safety Fundamentals And Best Practices, Mischa Kachler

Purdue Road School

Join us for a discussion of fundamental principles and best practices of temporary traffic control (TTC) that promote work zone safety. This session will cover topics that designers should know and consider when developing TTC plans. Attendees who will most benefit from this session are designers new to TTC and experienced designers looking for a refresher.

March 13, 2024, Csusb

Coyote Chronicle (1984-)

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Osint In Criminal Investigations: Leveraging Open-Source Data To Combat Cybercrime And Organized Criminal Activities, Azariah Vaughan

Cybersecurity Undergraduate Research Showcase

In today's modern age driven by digital innovations, the widespread adoption of technology has transformed criminal activities, leading to the emergence of cybercrime as a significant challenge for law enforcement agencies globally. Cybercrime acts have left a considerable dent on criminal activities and nowadays that we are halfway into the subsequent technological era stands as one of the most crucial issues for law enforcement agencies all around the globe. The aim of this work is to discuss the relationship between cybercrime and organized crime and the importance of OSINT within criminal investigations in supporting law enforcement itself. Particularly, due to …

Increasing Multi-Hazard Climate Risk And Financial And Health Impacts On Northern Homeowners, Tobias Schwoerer, Jennifer I. Schmidt, Matthew Berman, Peter Bieniek, Louise M. Farquharson, Dmitry Nicolsky, James E. Powell, Rachel Roberts, Rick Thoman, Robert Ziel

Faculty, Staff, and Students

Currently, more than half of the world’s human population lives in urban areas, which are increasingly affected by climate hazards. Little is known about how multi-hazard environments affect people, especially those living in urban areas in northern latitudes. This study surveyed homeowners in Anchorage and Fairbanks, USA, Alaska’s largest urban centers, to measure individual risk perceptions, mitigation response, and damages related to wildfire, surface ice hazards, and permafrost thaw. Up to one third of residents reported being affected by all three hazards, with surface ice hazards being the most widely distributed, related to an estimated $25 million in annual damages. …