15133 research outputs found
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Preventative and interventive methods in combating mass shootings in the U.S.
No full textOver the past several years, mass shootings, especially in schools, have become almost commonplace. The results of gun violence include the deaths and injuries themselves. Less obvious is the trauma that it has on the survivors and on affected families and communities. Mass shootings continue to stir a national debate about the Second Amendment, the effectiveness of existing gun control laws, the need for new gun control legislation, and mental health issues related to those who commit mass shootings. Recent Supreme Court decisions make efforts to enact meaningful gun control legislation more challenging. In this climate, what can be done to stem the occurrence of mass shootings in the United States? This is a complex problem of heavy interest to society at large. I studied the issue using interdisciplinary research and analysis. Through the disciplines of law and psychology, I analyzed relevant scholarly and non-scholarly sources. I sought common ground between conflicting disciplinary insights, and then integrated them to create a more comprehensive understanding of the problem. That better understanding leads to suggested resolutions of the problem. I have not completed my research yet. However, I conclude that a national effort to balance Second Amendment rights with common sense regulation of gun ownership and use is needed. Part of that effort should be educating the public about the need for legislation that protects Second Amendment rights while protecting the public against gun violence. That effort also should address mental health issues associated with those who commit mass shootings
Authoritarian drift and democratic resistance: Justicecraft and the dynamics of backsliding in south and southeast Asia
No full textIntroduction: Over the past decade, Bangladesh has experienced severe democratic backsliding, culminating in intensified authoritarianism under the Awami League (AL) since its 2008 electoral victory. This study examines the erosion of democratic institutions, increased political repression, and the consolidation of power. A pivotal moment was the 2011 abolition of the caretaker government system, which enabled the AL to control elections and suppress the opposition—particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)—through disqualifications, mass arrests, and extrajudicial crackdowns. Press freedom has also declined under restrictive digital security laws and surveillance. To contextualize these dynamics, the study compares regional cases of democratic decline in Thailand and the Philippines, analyzing shared authoritarian tactics, elite capture, and polarization. Methods: This research employs a comparative case study approach and qualitative content analysis of legal changes, policy documents, media sources, and protest discourse. It applies the Justicecraft framework (Balasco et al., 2024), using its five dimensions—knowledge, affect, materiality, skill, and labor—to assess how authoritarian regimes entrench control and how opposition forces mobilize resistance. Results: Findings reveal that hybrid authoritarian regimes often maintain a democratic façade while undermining accountability mechanisms. In Bangladesh and across the region, governments use institutional manipulation and rhetoric to justify repression. Yet, resistance persists: student-led protests, legal advocacy, and civil society organizing exemplify how Justicecraft elements are used to reclaim democratic space. This research offers insight into the multidimensional nature of democratic erosion and highlights Justicecraft as a valuable framework for understanding and countering authoritarian consolidation across South and Southeast Asia
Granules of gold: The light etruria
No full textBefore the Romans became Italy’s dominant power, there were the Etruscans. From around 900 to 400 BCE, they expanded across the North-West coast of Italy, bringing their culture to new regions. Even outside of Italy, the Etruscans exchanged goods and ideas with far-off civilizations via the Mediterranean Sea. The advanced metallurgy techniques of the Etruscans were particularly coveted, especially when it came to their gold smithing. One such method of producing golden accessories was granulation, in which small beads of gold, called granules, would be applied onto a piece with intense heat to create complex patterns and textures. Etruscan granulation reached its apex in the 7th century BCE, which was the peak of Etruscan influence in the Mediterranean world. As Etruria’s cultural significance was eclipsed by Rome’s, however, their accessories were simplified, and granulation became somewhat of a lost art. This paper will analyze how granulation spread across the ancient Mediterranean to Etruria, how it evolved over time, and analyze the techniques used by the Etruscans to create complex works of art. In the latter half of this essay, I will specifically examine a fibula found in the Regolini-Galassi tomb, the various granulation approaches it employs, and its historical significance in the Etruscan world
Analyzing the links between superfund sites and community health in the state of New Jersey
No full textThe Superfund Act of 1980 was established to ensure the responsible cleanup of hazardous waste sites around the United States while holding the liable party accountable, in order to decrease environmental harm and health risks for surrounding communities. The state of New Jersey is home to the most Superfund sites in the country, with 115 listed on the EPA’s National Priorities List (NPL). With this context, municipalities surrounding these sites are still at risk of health complications before, during, and even after the cleanup process. Using the EPA’s Superfund NPL, New Jersey State census information, and the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) State Health Assessment data, this research project focuses on combining these factors to view the correlations between them. While all of these data sets exist in their own spaces, this project aims to accomplish the goal of grouping them together through the use of statistical and spatial analysis to find their commonalities. In doing so, with the use of ArcGIS Pro to provide accurate analysis, it is anticipated that the proximity of Superfund sites in the state of New Jersey will directly correlate with health issues and likely socioeconomic status. The results of this project could have implications for community health practices, as well as cleanup methods and timelines for these sites
Microplastics in river environments
No full textMicroplastics are often fibrous strands typically smaller than 3 mm in length. They have been found within various animals from fish to people as well as inorganic settings such as streams and sediments. Microplastics are currently being investigated for their presence in small streams across a variety of land uses. I analyzed four first-order streams in Harriman State Park, NY, and two streams from an urban setting (Fair Lawn, NJ) for microplastics. I collected approximately 1 liter of water, filtered and then examined with a microscope for plastic fibers. Results indicate that all streams have some amount of microplastics, even those from forested areas. The amount of microplastics found within each river varies dramatically from day to day and site to site, although replicate samples indicate confidence in analytical methods. The concentration of microplastics within the urban streams are greater on average by around 8 microplastics per liter. Additionally one of the streams from Harriman, the Quartz Brook, has significantly more microplastics than any of the other surrounding streams within the park. Scientists could utilize this information to expand their understanding of where microplastics occur and their transport methodology
Battered woman syndrome and spousal homicide: Bridging the gap between psychological understanding and legal strategy
No full textBattered Woman Syndrome (BWS) is a pattern of responses shown by a woman who has suffered persistent intimate partner violence from her partner. Victims show a range of physical and psychological effects from the abuse. It has been used in court to expand the concept of self-defense when a woman is charged with the murder of her abusive partner, but it is not universally accepted. Moreover, BWS has not yet been recognized in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illnesses (DSM). This lack of uniform recognition of BWS in either the discipline of law or psychology creates a problem that impacts not just victims of intimate partner violence, but also society at large. This is a complex problem that requires interdisciplinary research to achieve a more comprehensive understanding. From September 2024 to March 2025, I analyzed relevant sources including court opinions, statutes, and articles from scholarly journals, from the disciplines of law and psychology. I identified conflicting insights, found common ground between them and integrated those insights to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of BWS. That better understanding of the problem leads to suggested resolutions of the problem. I conclude that a greater understanding of BWS, starting with its recognition in the DSM, will lead to greater acceptance of BWS as a defense in court proceedings. Besides uniform acceptance of BWS by courts, existing law regarding “self defense” should be revised to specifically recognize BWS as either a part of “self defense” or as a new, separate defense
The Sperlonga statuary – A case study of tactical landscape design in imperial Rome
No full textWith the death of Augustus in 14 CE, the Roman emperor Tiberius, his chosen successor, began an era of dynastic succession that required new art and architecture to link the emperor to his predecessors and establish inherited power. To reinforce his connection to the past and assert his rule, Tiberius commissioned numerous portraits, monuments, and smaller dynastic artworks, blending Augustan imagery with Classical Greek influences. He also oversaw the construction of monumental structures, such as Rome\u27s first palace and expansive villas outside the city. Among these projects was his villa in Sperlonga, located on Italy’s southwestern coast, between Rome and Naples. This paper examines the tactical landscape design employed by Tiberius at the grotto within his villa at Sperlonga. It explores how the statuary placement and surrounding environment were carefully designed to create visual and thematic connections between nature, architecture, and cultural narratives. We discuss how this deliberate design enhanced the aesthetic experience for guests while reinforcing Tiberius\u27 status as the Augustan dynastic heir. Finally, we highlight ongoing research into the art and design of the Sperlonga statuary and its role in reinforcing imperial authority
Democratic resilience amid capitalist pressures: Lessons from Bangladesh’s institutional backsliding
No full textIntroduction: This research explores how Bangladesh’s democratic institutions are weakening under the combined influence of global capitalism and authoritarian governance. The study asks whether emerging democracies can sustain institutional resilience in the face of democratic backsliding and whether democracy can coexist with dominant capitalist forces. Bangladesh’s current political trajectory suggests that external capitalist interests and internal authoritarian trends are contributing to a decline in democratic norms. These trends are often overlooked or even endorsed by established democracies, leading to what scholars call the “normalization of democratic deficits.” Methods: The study uses a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative analysis. It examines constitutional amendments, shifts in judicial independence, and institutional reforms from 1991 to 2024. Data sources include Wharton Research Data Services, government documents, public legal records, and media reports. Analytical frameworks from democratic theory and the concept of “justicecraft” are applied to assess how actors use legal tools, coalition-building, and civic engagement to push back against authoritarian practices. Results: The findings show that Bangladesh’s democratic backsliding is often masked by procedural legitimacy, such as elections or court rulings, which conceal deeper institutional erosion. Economic dependency and global market pressures facilitate legal manipulation and weaken democratic safeguards. However, the research also identifies areas of resistance. Strategic litigation, multi-sector coalitions, and transnational activism have emerged as counterforces. These findings suggest that while democracy is under threat, it can survive if supported by strong legal institutions, equitable policy frameworks, and active civic engagement
Reforms in law and policy to provide affordable housing solutions
No full textAmerica has a public housing crisis. Since the 1990s, no federal funds have been allocated to build new public housing, and the number of existing units has fallen. Federal housing programs administered by states are often inadequately funded, managed, and enforced. The lack of national public housing policy with meaningful enforcement mechanisms has resulted in a patchwork of programs and results. Further, economic policy exacerbates the housing crisis by making private home ownership unaffordable, thus increasing the need for public housing units. What should be done to address the lack of affordable public housing? This is a complex problem requiring interdisciplinary research to achieve a more comprehensive understanding. From September 2024 through March 2025, I used qualitative research methodology (textual analysis) to analyze relevant sources from the disciplines of law, economics and governance. The sources included court opinions, articles from scholarly journals, and non-scholarly sources. I identified conflicting insights from each discipline, found common ground between insights and integrated them to arrive at a more comprehensive understanding of the problem. That allows me to suggest solutions to the problem. I conclude that there needs to be a coordinated effort among the federal, state, and local governments to provide an adequate and reliable source of funding committed to restoring existing public housing and building new projects. Legislation must include provisions for stronger management and enforcement of public housing programs. All levels of government must consider the impact of economic policy on the need for existing and new public housing projects
L\u27assassinio di Sergei Kirov: Storia, richerche e il paradigma anti-Stalin
No full textItalian translation of The Murder of Sergei Kirov: History, Scholarship, and the Anti-Stalin Paradigmhttps://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/all_books/1762/thumbnail.jp