Digital Commons Network^™

An Unfair Chance For The Formerly Incarcerated: Yim V. City Of Seattle And The Commercial Speech Doctrine, Emilee Kaminski

Cardozo Law Review

Formerly incarcerated persons face disproportionately challenging barriers to housing upon reentry; criminal records are used as a basis to deny otherwise suitable prospective tenants. In 2017, the City of Seattle passed the "Fair Chance Housing Ordinance," prohibiting landlords from relying on criminal history when evaluating prospective tenants. In 2023, the Ninth Circuit struck this provision down on the grounds that this complete ban violated Seattle landlords' constitutionally protected free speech rights. The circuit court held that the ordinance implicated commercial speech and failed to pass intermediate scrutiny review under the four-part test outlined in Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corp. …

Deadly Choices: Political, Legal, And Moral Understandings Of U.S. Supreme Court Death Penalty Decisions, Anabelle S. Bergstrom

Honors Scholar Theses

This thesis explores the political, legal, and moral factors that influence Supreme Court justices when penning capital punishment decisions. It also examines the evolution of thinking toward the death penalty by former justices John Paul Stevens and Harry Blackmun throughout their tenure on the Court. Cases are analyzed through fact-pattern analysis and the jurisprudential regime theory, which quantitatively build upon existing literature detailing the theoretical background of judicial decision-making through the attitudinal model. An analysis of Justices Blackmun and Stevens’ papers at the Library of Congress focuses on rhetoric that reflects utilitarian and retributive theories of punishment. Findings show that …

Advancing Approaches To Multi-Target Multi-Camera Tracking: Graph-Based Features, Language Integration, Privacy Preservation, And Large Language Agent Frameworks, Tuan Thanh Nguyen Mr

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Multi-target multi-camera tracking (MTMCT) is a cornerstone of intelligent transportation systems (ITS), enabling comprehensive monitoring and analysis of vehicle movements across distributed camera networks. Although significant progress has been made, fundamental challenges persist in data association, real-time processing, preservation of privacy, and natural-language user interaction. First, we propose a graph-based model that leverages similarity algorithms to enhance cross-camera object association. Our framework achieves state-of-the-art performance with an IDF1 score of 0.8166 on the CityFlow dataset for offline tracking while maintaining real-time capability at 14 FPS for online scenarios. Next, we present LaMMOn, an end-to-end framework integrating language models with graph …

Assessing A Police Department's Reliance On The National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (Nibin) To Solve Shooting Cases: Can Nibin Increase Shooting Clearance Rates?, James Stephen Abbott

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Often, police response to shooting incidents lacks the investigative leads needed for successful follow-up and prosecution. This may result from a lack of surveillance video or witnesses investigators rely on to solve such cases quickly. To overcome these obstacles, law enforcement has turned to forensic science to provide police with the information and clues to be successful. Ballistic evidence is one such tool that can provide police with detailed information regarding linked shooting cases that can help identify possible new witnesses, surveillance videos, potential suspects and criminal groups, motive, and account for the number of firearms used at the scene. …

Redefining Borders: Mexico, Texas, And The Border Crisis, Emily Maria Zaragoza

Architecture Theses

This thesis explores how humane design can improve the migrant detention experience at the U.S. – Mexico border. Located in Eagle Pass, Texas, the project addresses the ongoing border crisis by proposing a new kind of entrance point. This border crossing will prioritize dignity, safety, and support for both migrants and government staff. Through circular floor plans, natural materials, natural light, and shared outdoor spaces the design challenges the typical cold nature of detention centers. Rather than focusing on politics, the project aims to redefine how we design for migrants, how we think about them, and how we take care …

Diverse Residents' Experiences Of Policing And Attitudes Towards Law Enforcement: Findings From A Large Community-Based Survey In San José, California, Soma De Bourbon, Michael Dao, Melissa Mc Clure Fuller, William Armaline, Curtis Asplund, Rachel Kumar, Daniel Desanto, Jaala Robinson, Derrick Sanderlin, Miranda Worthen

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Despite widespread debate on public safety policy, few studies explore diverse community members’ perspectives on safety and policing. This community-based participatory research study assessed perspectives on city spending, opinions about law enforcement policy, perspectives on police and safety, direct experiences with police, and perspectives on alternatives to policing in San José, California, one of the ten largest cities in the United States. Between July 27, 2021 – January 14, 2022, we conducted an online survey, available in 7 languages, and obtained 1,595 responses. Respondents supported increased funding for community safety resources (73%) and helping residents meet basic needs (67%). A …

How Alternative Sentencing Methods Can Reduce Recidivism And Incarceration Rates For Drug Offenders In Wisconsin, Mitchell D. Fugate

Master of Public Administration Capstone Papers

The criminal justice system in the U.S. has typically been focused more on punishment in the past, but in recent times has shifted more towards implementing rehabilitative measures as a means to reduce the recidivism rate, and thus decrease the overall incarceration rates for the U.S.. An area that is especially different is drug offenses, as many of those that are arrested are addicted, and punishment does not address that addiction directly. By using alternative sentencing as a means of rehabilitation for drug offenses, the criminal justice system can work to address the issues at the root causes as well …

Law Enforcement Perspectives Towards Mental Health Crisis Interventions, Anna P. Silva

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Mental health crisis calls create significant challenges for law enforcement officers, who often serve as the first responders to individuals experiencing psychological distress. Research indicates that 50% of fatal encounters with law enforcement involve individuals with a mental health disorder (Fuller et al., 2015; Kindy & Elliott, 2015). Although the increasing prevalence of mental health- related calls, law enforcement officers frequently lack the specialized training and resources necessary to effectively de-escalate these situations (Cohen & Bagwell, 2023). As a result, interactions between police officers and individuals with mental illness tend to lead to criminalization, unnecessary incarceration, and even fatal outcomes. …

The Multigenerational Impact Of Mass Incarceration On Families In Southern California, Adelle G. Phillips

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Mass incarceration has been a serious social issue in the United States, affecting directly and indirectly millions of individuals and families, particularly those with minority backgrounds. The generational impact of this social issue is significant. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of individuals on the multigenerational impact of mass incarceration on their families. Using convenience and snowball sampling techniques, this mixed-methods study surveyed residents of Southern California who have been affected by incarceration, either personally or through a family member (n = 63). Descriptive statistics demonstrate that the vast majority of the participants (92.1%) reported a moderate to very …

Key-Based Authentication Scheme For Evtol Drones Using Chebyshev Chaotic Maps, Eduardo A. Hernandez Escobar

Master's Theses

The development of electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) drones signifies a substantial advancement in urban air mobility, ready to transform transportation models in densely populated regions. These advanced drones, distinguished by their capacity to function in limited spaces and their minimized environmental impact, are set to transform individual, shipping, emergency services, and public safety activities. Nonetheless, like any transformational technology, the implementation of eVTOL systems presents many challenges, especially in the realm of cybersecurity. Adding many devices and entities to an eVTOL network increases the risk of privacy and security attacks. This paper proposes a key-based authentication scheme that …

Evaluating The Impact Of Community Gardens On Social Equity And Public Health: A Case Study Of Caramel Connections Foundation's (Ccf) Seeds Of Joy Community Garden, Elizabeth Pinder

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Community gardens have been increasingly recognized as effective public health interventions that address food insecurity, foster social cohesion, and promote environmental sustainability. This evaluation examines the impact of the Caramel Connections Foundation (CCF) Seeds of Joy Community Garden in Ontario, California, by assessing its effectiveness in advancing social equity, improving public health outcomes, and fostering community engagement. Using an evaluation framework, this study measures key program outcomes, including improvements in community well-being, inclusivity, and access to green spaces.

A mixed-methods evaluation design was applied, incorporating process and impact evaluation methodologies. Secondary data collected from CCF’s existing program records, survey responses, …

Exploring The Dark Horizon : Artificial Intelligence (Ai) As Cyberterrorism Tools, Krisnayanto Krisnayanto, Suryadi Suryadi

Journal of Terrorism Studies

This Journal utilizes a thorough literature review approach to explore the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and its potential use as a tool for terrorism. With the rapid advancement of AI technologies, there is a growing concern about their possible misuse by terrorist groups. This study extensively examines existing research, policy documents, and expert opinions and investigates the complex connections between AI and terrorism. The literature review delves into historical examples, current case studies, and emerging trends to clarify the various ways in which AI could be employed for harmful purposes by terrorist organizations. By analyzing recruitment strategies, communication …

Impact Of Crime On Interstate Transport Operations In Northcentral Nigeria, Muhammed Etudaiye Ohida

Journal of Terrorism Studies

The study investigated the impact of crime on interstate road transport operations in north-central Nigeria. The study relies on descriptive statistics to describe the features of the populations. 200 questionnaires were purposefully administered to the four major interstate motor parks in the capital of some north-central states (i.e., Minna, Lokoja, Benue, and Lafia) using random sampling techniques. The gathered data was analysed using percentages and charts, while the T-test statistics were used to test the study hypothesis. The result shows that there is a statistically significant influence of crimes on interstate transport operations in north-central Nigeria. The study concluded that …

Assessing Bioterrorism Preparedness In Indonesia: Challenges And Strategic Frameworks For National Security, Toni Toni, Haliansyah Haliansyah

Journal of Terrorism Studies

Bioterrorism represents a growing global threat, necessitating robust preparedness frameworks to safeguard national security. This study aims to assess Indonesia's bioterrorism preparedness by identifying key challenges and proposing strategic frameworks for improvement. Using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), this quantitative research examines the relationship between Government Capacity (independent variable), Crisis Management Effectiveness (intervening variable), and National Security Preparedness (dependent variable). A structured survey was distributed to key stakeholders, including public health officials, security experts, and policymakers, yielding 100 valid responses. Data analysis through SEM revealed that Government Capacity significantly influences Crisis Management Effectiveness, which in turn positively impacts National Security Preparedness. …

Clarifying Parens Patriae, James G. Dwyer

Faculty Publications

Throughout the Anglo-American legal world, the state claims an authority, termed parens patriae, to exert control over the lives of nonautonomous persons in ways it does not presume to control autonomous persons. Philosophers have given little attention to when and how that authority should be exercised, yet there is disagreement or confusion about this among courts and legal scholars. This article examines how parens patriae differs from other government roles, identifies which conceptions of the parens patriae role are coherent, and then presents a normative case for adopting a conception of the role as that of fiduciary for nonautonomous …

Ai V. Mqd: Navigating New Regulatory Challenges In The Life Sciences, Hayden W. Smith

William & Mary Law Review

This Note proceeds in four parts. Part I introduces AI as an emerging technology in the life sciences, the FDA’s inherited regulatory regime, and challenges under the MQD [major questions doctrine]. Part II explores how hypervigilant regulation obstructs innovation and exposes agencies to judicial challenges. Part III offers solutions to safely and effectively navigate the major questions landscape within a framework that fosters AI innovation. This Note proposes a solution that conceptually balances growth in the life sciences with the statutory elements required for a safe and effective regulatory scheme.

This abstract has been taken from the author's introduction.

Addiction In The Prison System: Recidivism And Alternatives, Daniel R. Bowers

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The United States criminal justice system has the highest number of incarcerated individuals in the world, with nearly 2 million people currently being behind bars, and around 7.5 million arrests per year according to the most recent available statistics. A key factor in this is addiction, specifically substance use disorders. Between 58% to 68% of adults arrested are addicted to one or more substances, with 68% of drug involved individuals being rearrested within three years of being released. This recidivism rate is incredibly high, and when combined with current prison and jail overcrowding, has created massive problems for the United …

Organizational Care: The Formation And Reproduction Of Social Support Structures In Nonprofit Organizations, Ella Stanley

Communication Undergraduate Honors Theses

Through past literature it has been established that nonprofit employees are prone to experience increased levels of stress and burnout due to the emotionally taxing nature of their jobs. Social support is a communicative transaction between individuals that has been proven to mitigate the negative impacts that both stress and burnout can cause employees to face. Previous studies on social support have focused on healthcare workers and nonprofit volunteers, while this study aims to understand the specific social support structures that are prominent within nonprofit organizations to provide support for employees. This study utilizes structuration theory to explore the structures …

Black Events As Narrated By Black People: Contextualizing America’S Framing Of Progression In News, Social, And Academic Writing, Tyrina Horton

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

This paper is a critical examination of collective and public memories of public events that impact Black lives as constructed in news, social, and academic writing. Using Black mundane life to explore and build localized context and attitudes towards these events, I examine whether the collective memory of an event, as framed by public discourse, accurately portrays how Black communities experienced them. This paper explores what it means for Black people, to experience a disconnect with written accounts of public events that do not properly account for the many layers of Black experience, highlighting where there’s a failure to tell …

A Systematic Review Of The Effects Of Family Separation On Children’S Psychological Development, Janice Garcia, Jazmin Elizabeth Barriga

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: Under the Zero-Tolerance policy formulated by President Donald Trump, families were forced to separate from their children, which led to a broken bond between parents and their children. As a result, children were classified as unaccompanied alien children to be put in the care and custody of the Department of Health and Human Services. Research has found that separating families at the border has harmful and lasting effects on children’s psychological development. However, no research efforts have been made to systematically synthesize the evidence on the effects of family separation. Objective: This systematic review proposes to review recent literature …

Understanding The Impact Of Ransomware On Biotechnology, Tswvyim Vang

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Biotechnology encompasses the use of research on both biology and technology to create products that can advance in areas such as healthcare and agriculture. Because of the technology and products that arise from the use of biotechnology, the industry is especially targeted by cyber-attacks. A prominent type of cyber-attack that is utilized by cyber criminals on biotechnology is ransomware. The goal of this project is to determine the impact of ransomware on biotechnology. The research questions posed are: Q1) What are real examples of ransomware attacks that have occurred on biotechnology companies and what patterns can be identified by these …

The Effectiveness Of Trauma Informed Care Interventions After A School Mass Shooting Incident, Maurelys M. Areas Mendoza, Alondra Odaliz Rios

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Background: School mass shootings have a profound psychological and educational impact on students. Survivors often experience long-term trauma, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety, which affects the overall well-being and educational development of a student. Objective: This pilot study proposes to evaluate the effectiveness of a trauma-informed care intervention implemented in elementary schools for student survivors of school shootings. Methods: This study proposes a pre-experimental research design, with the proposed implementation taking place at Oakland High School in Oakland, California. A total of 100 students will be offered the opportunity to participate in the study. The primary tool …

A Year In The Making: Evaluating Sec Cybersecurity Disclosure Rule Compliance Through Public Company Case Studies, Katherine Kuli

Accounting Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis evaluates public company compliance with the SEC’s 2023 cybersecurity disclosure rule, which mandates that material cybersecurity incidents be reported within four business days via Form 8-K, Item 1.05. Through case studies of UnitedHealth Group, AT&T, and Krispy Kreme, the research assesses firms’ performance across three key areas: materiality determination, timeliness, and the scope and depth of disclosures. Using a structured benchmarking framework based on SEC guidance, the findings reveal inconsistent compliance, with patterns of vague reporting, selective disclosure, and procedural adherence that falls short of regulatory intent. While Krispy Kreme aligned most closely with SEC expectations, UnitedHealth and …

Qualitative And Quantitative Analysis Of New Psychoactive Substances And Related Metabolites Using Liquid Chromatography-Ion Mobility-Mass Spectrometry (Lc-Im-Ms), Ralph Aderorho

All Dissertations

The increasing prevalence of novel psychoactive substances (NPS) in illicit drug markets has posed significant challenges for forensic and clinical toxicology, primarily due to the structural similarity and diversity among these compounds. This dissertation investigates the application of advanced liquid chromatography-ion mobility-mass spectrometry (LC-IM-MS/MS) techniques, using the high-resolution Structures for Lossless Ion Manipulations (SLIM) platform and the drift tube ion mobility spectrometry (DT-IMS), for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of various types of synthetic opioids, synthetic cannabinoids, psychedelics and xylazine. By combining IMS separations with mass spectrometry and targeted chemical derivatization, this work enhances the ability to distinguish and characterize …

A Stakeholder Analysis For Engagement: A Pestle Framework For The Nebraska Coalition For Patient Safety, Kaleb Horton

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

The Nebraska Coalition for Patient Safety (NCPS) is a not-for-profit organization designed to collaborate with Nebraska’s hospitals and healthcare organizations to benefit patient safety. NCPS, as do all organizations, have varying types of stakeholders who are engaged at some level in the function of NCPS or the services of NCPS. Research across industries demonstrates the importance of stakeholder assessment and evaluation and it has been shown that collaborative efforts with stakeholders can improve outcomes (Newig et al., 2023). Acquiring input from those who are directly affected by the organization’s strategic planning can help determine and shape future direction. This capstone …

Healthcare Emergency Management Salary Survey Analysis, Grace E. Thiel

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

The field of emergency preparedness is an often unknown and unrecognized aspect of healthcare, forming an integral component of patient and worker safety. While an important field, there is limited data focused on the field pertaining to salaries of workers, resources utilized and produced, and the typical working environment. The purpose of this project is to assess salary and other demographic markers of healthcare emergency preparedness professionals in the United States. The project will compare salary, full-time equivalent levels, preparedness program budgets, and other markers across the country. The data from this study will also be compared to previous survey …

Cultural Implications In Global Hospitality: New Orleans To Al-Balad, Madeleine C. Helgren

All Graduate Reports and Creative Projects, Fall 2023 to Present

There is a growing trend in the hospitality industry toward a more accurate cultural representation within hotel properties. Cultural accuracy within hospitality not only allows for a more exciting and unique travel experience for guests, but helps to preserve and sustain local communities and traditions.

Building upon research gained through first hand observation, interviews, and academic sources, this thesis aims to explore the integration of global hospitality brands within regionally specific cultures. The resulting conceptual projects integrate a fictional hospitality brand named Josephine into boutique hotel experiences in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the old town of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Al-Balad. …

A Brighter Future Lies Ahead? The Impact Of Juvenile Records On Adults' Hiring Prospects, Morgan Rose Wagner

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Having a record can make obtaining employment difficult - while the stigma against criminal records is well established, the effects of a juvenile record on hiring outcomes is less clear. Juvenile records can often be sealed; however, when sealing is not done consistently or transparently, people with juvenile records face a difficult decision when applying for jobs - disclose a record that may be sealed, or omit information about a record that shows up on a background check? Experiment 1 used a hypothetical applicant paradigm with a sample of hiring managers to evaluate the impact of juvenile record disclosure and …

Gender Craze: Framing Policy Discrimination Against Transgender Students In K-12 Education, Quinette Rogers

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Transgender youth in K-12 public education have been systematically marginalized through state-sanctioned violence and discriminatory policies, often portrayed as societal "boogeymen." They face exclusion and othering due to restrictive state legislation, such as bathroom bans, sports participation restrictions, and limited access to gender-affirming care. Current research lacks a comprehensive analysis of how state-level legislation affects transgender students. This study addresses that gap by employing qualitative thematic coding to examine the language, framing, and impact of state education policies on transgender students. By analyzing how these policies are framed around themes such as protecting family, safeguarding children, individual liberty, constitutional rights, …

The Role Of Mental And Physical Health On Fear Of Crime, Macky Ann Hurst

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Fear of crime is a significant social issue that affects quality of life, often leading to behavioral changes and increased anxiety. While prior research has explored the link between fear of crime and health, notable gaps remain – particularly regarding how distinct dimensions of health influence fear of crime. This study addresses these gaps by examining the effects of perceived health and depressive symptoms on fear of crime. Data were drawn from the Arkansas Crime, Public Safety, and Health Survey (ACPSHS), an online, opt-in survey of approximately 2,300 non- institutionalized adults in Arkansas. Ordinary least squares regression models were used …