Digital Commons Network^™

Processes That Produce Racial Disparities In California Death Sentences: A Review Of The Literature, Grosso, Catherine M., Laurence, Michael, Fagan, Jeffrey

Santa Clara Law Review

A robust and extensive body of empirical research, and a rich historical record, documents a recurring and pervasive influence of race in the application of California’s death penalty. This article reviews the legal and social science research to document multiple paths through which institutions and processes produce these racial disparities over many decisions in many cases across four decades. The article reviews relevant literature by decision, institution, or actor and presents key findings. This includes documenting the history of the broad statutory design of the California capital punishment statue. The review also considers research on policing, including the influence of …

The Impact Of 'Decent Life' Initiative On Sustainable Urban Development: Abu Galal Village In Egypt As A Case Study, Sally Hassan Abd-Elazim, Sherif Ahmed Sheta, Medhat Ahmed Shaban

Mansoura Engineering Journal

The “Decent Life” Initiative aims to enhance living conditions and support sustainable urban development in Abu Jalal village, Sherbin city, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. The research aims to assess the effectiveness of the 'Decent Life' initiative in promoting sustainable urban development in Egyptian villages, focusing on improving its mechanisms for future use and maximizing benefits in other villages facing similar challenges.. The research employs various methods, including surveys and questionnaires targeting local residents, evaluation based on SDG 11, and GIS software for spatial analysis. Research identifies key areas of improvement across housing, healthcare, transport, education, infrastructure, job opportunities, disaster resilience, waste …

Fear And Free Speech, Helen Norton

Publications

No abstract provided.

Nist's Software Un-Standards, Bryan H. Choi

Publications

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has become a beacon of hope for those who trust in federal standards for software and AI safety. Moreover, lawmakers and commentators have indicated that compliance with NIST standards ought to shield entities from liability. With more than a century of expertise in scientific research and standard setting, NIST would seem to be uniquely qualified to develop such standards.

But as I argue in this Article, this faith is misplaced. NIST’s latest forays in risk management frameworks disavow concrete metrics or outcomes, and solicit voluntary participation instead of providing stable mandates. That …

What Does It All Mean? Differences In Self-Defining Memories Between Community And Adjudicated Youth, Hannah Elias

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Identity development is driven in large part by self-defining memories, or memories though which we base our definition of who we are (Habermas & Bluck, 2000). In adolescence, cognitive skills are gained that allow us to make meaning, or learn lessons and gain insight, from self-defining memories (Bluck & Habermas, 2001; McLean & Thorne, 2003). To determine whether there are differences in their ability to make meaning from their self-defining memories, this study compares narratives of self-defining memories between community youth and adjudicated youth. Additionally, the ability to be specific in self-defining memory recollection may differ between these groups, which …

Framework To Guide The Review And Update Of Wvdoh Schedule Review Practices And Specifications, Myles Joshua Avery

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Roadway and bridge construction projects are often complex, necessitating high quality schedules to ensure the work is completed on time and within budget. The West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) utilizes scheduling procedures and policies outlined within the Prosecution and Progress section of its Standard Specifications for Roads and Bridges to ensure timely and cost-effective project deliveries. Recently, concern has risen that the existing language within this section is outdated and fails to cater to modern scheduling techniques, technologies, and industry practices. In turn, WVDOH personnel question whether schedules that follow the existing specifications align with the complexities, types, values, …

Towards A Sustainable Play-Ground : Performance Ecosystems For A Livable Bangkok Neighborhood, Pornrat Damrhung

Journal of Urban Culture Research

This article examines an effort to turn urban research into creative placemaking by using performances to make a livable Bangkok neighborhood more vibrant. Research explored diverse stakeholders of Samyan-Banthat Thong in central Bangkok during COVID-19. This exploration found opportunities to link the neighborhood’s entrepreneurs, students, visitors and property managers, and discovered key characteristics of the complex and changing neighborhood. We used this knowledge to design a small festival bringing performing artists into the area’s main park and to important sites surrounding it for a weekend of live performances, workshops and demonstrations. By using performance to attract diverse publics to the …

An Infrared Thermography Assessment For Monitoring Aging Mse Walls, Charles Lawal

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) walls play a vital role in ensuring the stability of transportation infrastructure, yet traditional inspection techniques often struggle to detect subsurface defects and demand significant labor. This research explores the application of Infrared Thermography (IRT) as a non-destructive, cost-effective approach for inspecting MSE walls across Southeast Georgia. By capturing thermal images under diverse environmental and operational conditions, the study aims to identify potential issues, including cracks, voids, delamination, and honeycombing, which can undermine integrity over time. Utilizing advanced image processing tools, the research implements specialized software to enhance the accuracy of defect detection, facilitating the generation …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Lidar And Photogrammetry For Inspecting Mse Walls In Bridges, Shakil Ahmed

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) retaining walls are vital components of transportation infrastructure, providing structural support for embankments and bridge approaches. As many walls approach or exceed their design life, concerns regarding long-term stability, settlement, and displacement have increased. Traditional visual inspection remains the most common assessment method; however, it is subjective and often unable to detect subtle geometric changes that may precede structural distress or failure. This study evaluates Terrestrial LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) Scanning (TLS) and Close-Range Photogrammetry (CRP) as nondestructive, noncontact alternatives for detecting displacement in MSE retaining walls. Three representative sites were investigated: a Control Wall …

Innocent Until Proven Newsworthy: Reviving The Tort Of Publication Of Private Facts In The Media Ride-Along Era, Hanna Doudican

Oklahoma Law Review

No abstract provided.

If Memory Serves: Navigating Cognitive Impairment Within Congress, Gracemary R. Zizzo

Oklahoma Law Review

No abstract provided.

Student Handbook 2025-2026, Collin College

Handbooks

The Collin College Student Handbook contains information on student services, resources, and opportunities designed to make your experience at Collin College more meaningful and productive. The Collin College Student Handbook also includes the Student Code of Conduct which explains Collin College's expectations for students' behavior.

Predators With Power: Applying An Objective Standard To Address Sexual Assault And Rape Of Females In Pretrial Detention, Sara Pompeo

Suffolk Journal of Trial and Appellate Advocacy

No abstract provided.

Constitutional Law—Meta Acting On Its Own Terms, Or The Government’S? Ninth Circuit Dismisses First Amendment Claim—Children’S Health Def. V. Meta Platforms, Inc., 112 F.4th 742 (9th Cir. 2024), Brooke Bridges

Suffolk Journal of Trial and Appellate Advocacy

No abstract provided.

Inconclusive History, Allen Roston

Faculty Works

No abstract provided.

Lost In Translation: An Analysis On How Florida’S Broadcast Meteorologists Navigate Bilingual Communication During Severe Weather, Daniella Streety, Cassandra O’Connor, Brooke Page, Jennifer Collins

Weather, Climate, and Society REU

• Florida frequently experiences various types of severe weather year-round, which requires clear and timely communication for public safety.
• Broadcast meteorologists play an important role in translating weather alerts into understandable and actionable information.
• About 30% of Florida residents speak a language other than English at home, with Spanish being the most common, presenting challenges for risk communication during 2 severe weather events.
• Previous studies show gaps in bilingual messaging still exist, despite national efforts by agencies like NOAA and the NWS. This leaves broadcast meteorologists 1 at a disadvantage due to a lack of resources.
• This study explores …

Addressing Misinformation During Severe Weather Events: Insights From Emergency Managers In Florida, Sam Minard, Cassandra O’Connor, Brooke Page, Jennifer Collins

Weather, Climate, and Society REU

• Accurate, timely information is critical for public safety during severe weather events like hurricanes and tornadoes.
• Misinformation can spread quickly and cause panic, confusion, or lead to dangerous complacency, a serious challenge for Gulf states like Florida (Cheong & Babcock, 2021).
• Emergency managers (EMs) play a vital but understudied role in addressing severe weather misinformation (Ross et al., 2024).
• Despite their authority and growing reliance on social media, little is known about how EMs tackle misinformation or the challenges they face (Torpan et al., 2021).
• This study examines how Florida EMs manage misinformation, the barriers they encounter, and the resources …

Information Sources And Government Trust Regarding Evacuation Decisions For Hurricanes Helene And Milton, Ayden Carver, Brooke Page, Cassandra O’Connor, Jennifer Collins

Weather, Climate, and Society REU

• Hurricanes Helene and Milton (2024) were powerful Category 4 & 5 storms that brought severe storms, surge and tornadoes to the state of Florida, resulting in over $113 billion in damages (Hurricane Costs, n.d.).
• Effective communication by official sources is key during weather events to protect the public and to maintain trust in government agencies, as well as to ensure accurate understanding of risk by all.
• Social media has become a dominant platform for communication, yet many government agencies have not properly adapted to using it (Torres et al., 2023).
• Understanding sources people use to make evacuation decisions can …

Contract Rights After Lochner: The Clause That Time Forgot, Leonard C. Brahin

Western New England Law Review

The Contract Clause occupies a unique position in our constitutional jurisprudence. Its language sweeps broadly and the Marshall Court wielded it like a bludgeon, curtailing the power of overzealous state governments. But this sweeping power was curbed as the end of the Lochner era rendered the Contract Clause all but a dead letter.

Rendered inert for years by atextual interpretations, the rise of textualism and “history and tradition” offers new hope to impaired contractors. Building on this momentum, this Article conducts the first, complete fifty-state survey of state court constitutions and proposes that the Marshall Court’s original understanding of the …

Equipped To Manage Risk, Case Western Reserve University School Of Law, Law-Medicine Center

Case Law-Med

• Message from the co-directors
• Newsflash
• Research roundup
• Faculty briefs
• Legal insights
• Awards & accolades
• Joining the team
• Enhancing access
• Equipped to manage risk
• Noteworthy
• Experiential education
• Preparing to practice

In Brief, Case Western Reserve University School Of Law

In Brief

Table of Contents

• Message from the Dean
• Specialty Programs Ranked Among the Best
• AI Certification Requirement
• Curricular Enhancements
• New Faculty Members
• Scholarly Impact
• Conferences and Lectures
• A New Era for Business Law at CWRU
• Meet the New Class
• News from the Kramer Law Clinic
• Impactful Student Initiatives
• Mock Trial and Moot Court Success
• Alumni Spotlight
• Society of Benchers
• Alumni Committees
• Class Notes
• In Memoriam
• Honor Roll of Donors

Evaluation Of Heavy Metal Bioaccumulation And Growth In Hemp From Chicken Manure, Vermicompost, And Wastewater Sludge With Biochar And Health Risk Assessment, Chutiphan Sangsoda

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) has become an economically valuable crop with a wide range of benefits. To promote more sustainable agricultural systems, the use of recycled substrates has increasingly replaced traditional fertilizers. However, substrates such as dry chicken manure, vermicompost, and wastewater sludge (WWS) combined with biochar often contain heavy metal contaminants, which may pose health risks through exposure to hemp. This study investigated three cultivars Rosella, Superwoman S1, and Red Robin over a 120-day period. The objectives were: (1) to compare the effects of dry chicken manure, vermicompost, and wastewater sludge (with and without biochar) on soil nutrient quality …

Virtual Court Proceedings And Their Effect On Criminal Defendants’ Rights, Hunter J. Phillips

Marquette Intellectual Property & Innovation Law Review

This Comment examines whether implementing virtual evidentiary proceedings diminishes a criminal defendant’s Constitutional rights. Part One introduces the Confrontation Clause and judicial interpretations that shape its modern legal view.

Part One also introduces the importance of face-to-face testimony and how the Confrontation Clause is founded upon that principle. Part One concludes by offering psychological research that highlights the im-portance of face-to-face proceedings that allow for effective criminal proceedings. Part Two introduces legislation that hinders defendants’ Confrontation rights and critically analyzes that legislation. Part Three argues for the abandonment of virtual criminal proceedings and highlights other factors that should be considered …

Sparse Transformer For Anomaly Detection In Mobile Crowdsensing, Sanjeev Shrestha

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

Mobile Crowdsensing (MCS) is a sensing paradigm that leverages mobile devices to conduct a large-scale data collection. However, due to its openness and mobility nature, it is highly vulnerable to security issues such as injection attacks of malicious workers and fake tasks that can severely affect the platform’s normal functioning. To address this problem, the arrival of workers and task submission process is represented as a multivariate time series, and a two-stage framework is proposed. In the first step, we propose a novel transformer-based model, DozerAnomaly, that can efficiently detect anomalies in multivariate time series. We integrated a sparse attention …

The Imperceptibility Of Muslim Identity, Nadia B. Ahmad

City University of New York Law Review

This article examines the challenges facing Muslim Americans, particularly Muslim women, as they confront systemic bias, intersectional oppression, and the racialization of religion in the United States. Through personal narrative and critical legal scholarship, it explores the pervasive nature of Islamophobia in political, academic, and societal spaces, highlighting its deep entrenchment in media and public policy. The author recounts a gendered Islamophobic attack during the 2024 Democratic National Committee’s Convention as an example of how prejudice and political intimidation intersect to marginalize Muslims. Using this experience as a foundation, the article critiques structural inequities reinforced through diversity, equity, and inclusion …

Modeling Recreational Risk Factors On The Landscape: A Predictive Gis Analysis Of Recreation Accident Response Near North Bend, Washington., Naomi S.J. Van Roon

All Master's Theses

Search and Rescue (SAR) teams in Washington respond to approximately 900 incidents annually, many stemming from outdoor recreation near Interstate 90 surrounding North Bend. This study utilized predictive GIS analysis to identify areas of concern within state lands, including Mount Si and Middle Fork Snoqualmie Natural Resource Conservation Areas, Raging River State Forest, and Rattlesnake Mountain Scenic Area. The predictive model was calibrated using SAR responses to hiking-related incidents between March and November from 2020 to 2023, and incorporated an analysis of risk factors influencing recreationalist incident probability. This research then developed a decision support system to aid land managers …

Too Essential To Fail: Lessons From County Fiscal Crises, Michael A. Francus

Journal Articles

This Article draws out the lessons of counties for municipal finance. To do so, the Article begins by unpacking the municipal finance regulations that have provided counties with extraordinary fiscal safety. The Article then turns to case studies of the eleven counties that either filed for bankruptcy or had state fiscal interventions since the passage of the Bankruptcy Code in 1978. Those case studies show how counties' finances can (in rare cases) go wrong despite well-designed municipal finance regulations. The case studies also show how counties have successfully responded to those crises through bankruptcy and fiscal intervention.

Using that analysis, …

Autonomous Mower Pilot Project, John T. Evans, Greg M. Shaver, Michael A. Mardikes, Nathan C. Sprauge, Timothy J. Wiegman, Shreyas Supe, Ethan M. Brown

JTRP Technical Reports

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) spends approximately $19 million annually on roadside mowing, which is a process that is time-consuming, costly, and poses safety risks. Automated mowing solutions have the potential to reduce costs and increase safety, but they will need to be extremely well tested before being deployed. In this work, data from current mowing practices was collected using machine mounted cameras, which was used to inform the creation of a digital twin environment that allows for rigorous initial testing of potential autonomous solution with no risk. The digital twin was created using digital elevation models of Indiana …

Connected Vehicle Trajectory Data To Screen Network For Hard-Braking And Hard-Acceleration Events, Rahul Suryakant Sakhare, Jairaj Desai, Christopher Gartner, Justin Mukai, Nathan Sturdevant, Nathan Shellhamer, Taylor Ruble, Dan Mccoy, Darcy M. Bullock

JTRP Technical Reports

Hard braking and hard acceleration data has been demonstrated as an important emerging data source that provides quicker feedback than crash data. In fact, a strong correlation between hard braking on the interstate and crash rates has been reported in previous studies. A previous study has shown that there are approximately 147 hard braking events in a work zone for every crash. However, there have been subtle changes in acceleration thresholds as well as techniques automotive companies and third-party vendors use to compute hard braking. The motivation of this study is to define scalable and sustainable procedures for obtaining consistent …

The Other Secret Deals: Uncovering The Power Of Non-Binding International Agreements, Guillermo J. Garcia Sanchez

Fordham International Law Journal

No abstract provided.