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Life Cycle Assessment of Co-Located Floating Solar and Offshore Wind
Get PDFIs combining floating solar and offshore wind platforms feasible for increasing energy capacity while displacing the environmental impacts that each of these systems has independently? In recent years offshore wind has become a very popular option to decarbonize the energy sector without overtaking valuable land. While floating solar is not a new technology, using solar in a marine environment is still in an experimental phase. This research proposes a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model of co-located solar technology within the proposed offshore wind farms near New Jersey’s coastline. While both technologies themselves are zero-emission while operating, they each require a lot of energy and materials to be produced, during the process of which carbon emissions are released. New Jersey has many offshore wind projects developing since it has a long coastline along with the government’s aim to produce 11 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2040. Co-located floating solar and offshore wind platforms can be an effective way of limiting environmental impacts associated with construction, displacing carbon-intensive fossil fuels, and meeting renewable energy goals
Annis Boudinot Stockton\u27s Deconstruction of Patriarchal Language
No full textEarly American poetess Annis Boudinot Stockton explores gender roles in her response poems “A Satire on the fashionable pompoons worn by the Ladies in the year 1753. by a Gentleman; Answered by a young Lady of sixteen” and “A Sarcasm against the ladies in a newspaper; An impromptu answer.” Despite being the first colonial woman to be published and having over twenty poems published during her lifetime, Stockton did not have a collection of poetry published until 1995, which was Only for the Eye of a Friend: The Poems of Annis Boudinot Stockton edited by Carla Mulford. Therefore, Stockton’s work has been largely underexplored in the area of critical literary analysis. Using the framework of Hélène Cixous’s essays “Sorties” and “The Laugh of the Medusa,” this essay examines phallogocentrism and identifies how Stockton reimagines these male-dominated word origins in her work, specifically in her poems that were written in response to sexist male poets. Other early American female poets, such as Phillis Wheatley, Judith Sargent Murray, Hannah Griffitts, and Elizabeth Graeme Fergusson, are discussed in conjunction with Stockton’s work in order to contextualize her ideas and to indicate that Stockton’s work should be included within the early American literary canon
What can or should be done to change the current prison system to avoid the psychological consequences of long-term solitary confinement on inmates?
No full textThe use of prolonged solitary confinement of prison inmates has greatly increased. Studies show that the practice can have significant negative physical and psychological effects on an inmate. Some courts have held that prolonged solitary confinement of those with pre-existing mental illness violates the Eighth Amendment proscription against “cruel and unusual punishment”. However, with few exceptions, solitary confinement in the US remains lawful. The well-documented negative effects of prolonged solitary confinement impact not only inmates, but also, society itself. What can and should be done to eliminate prolonged solitary confinement? This is a complex problem requiring interdisciplinary research to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the problem. From September 2024 through March 2025, I used qualitative research methodology, specifically textual analysis, to research and analyze scholarly and non-scholarly sources from the disciplines of law and psychology. Such sources included relevant opinions of the Supreme Court, federal statutes and articles from scholarly journal articles. I determined conflicting insights from each discipline, found common ground between them, and integrated them to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the problem. That more comprehensive understanding leads to suggested solutions of the problem. As a result of my research, I conclude that the psychological and physiological harm done to inmates in prolonged solitary confinement does constitute cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment, and state and federal courts should recognize it as such. Additionally, Congress and state legislatures should enact appropriate legislation banning the practice of prolonged solitary confinement in all cases
The baths of Caracalla: How public baths reflected roman society and imperial power
No full textConstructed around 216 A.D. during the rule of Emperor Caracalla, the Baths of Caracalla stood as one of the most expansive and architecturally advanced thermal bath complexes of Ancient Rome. While their primary function was to provide bathing facilities for the Romans, they offered far more than a place to bathe. These baths functioned as a center for community engagement, socialization, wellness, and political discourse. They reinforced Roman ideals of community and well-being while also reflecting the power and influence of the empire. This paper will explore how the Baths of Caracalla, through their architectural design and engineering, were essential to influencing Roman life and politics. The imperial thermae provided the Roman populace with access to hot and cold baths, gyms, gardens, libraries, and gathering spaces, encouraging socialization and expansion of Roman culture. For example, the natatio (outside pool), the frigidarium (cold water pools), and the palaestrae (exercise courtyard) served as key communal areas where citizens from different social classes could interact. Beyond providing opportunities for civic engagement, the baths showcased the extensive engineering abilities and architectural innovations of the Roman Empire. The Baths of Caracalla used a water supply system known as aqueducts, ensuring a constant influx of fresh water, along with an underground heating system. These technologies demonstrated Rome’s innovation in engineering and public infrastructure. Through examining contemporary texts, archival images, and other materials, this paper will showcase how the Baths of Caracalla reflected Roman values, imperial power and the impact of communal space
Structured literature review on interpreter skill-gaps, training models and recommendations for Burma\u27s interpreters
No full textBurma, a linguistically diverse nation, has faced a shortage of structured interpreter training programs despite growing demand since 2012 and 2015. Existing training opportunities are informal and inconsistent, lacking standardization and university-level education. This literature survey sought to examine interpreter skill gaps, training models, and recommendations to improve interpreter education in Burma. This study used Proquest Linguistics Collection and The MLA International Bibliography, curated by the Sprague Library of Montclair State University, and journals relevant to translation and interpreting in Burma—Oxford Tea Circle, CEEOL, and Translation&Interpreting.org—to identify studies from the past 20 years with abstracts and titles showing key terms like interpreter training, didactic training for interpreters, skills and competency frameworks, training success and challenges, and minority languages. After identifying 55 papers, inclusion and exclusion criteria filtered those focused on interpreter training in closer contexts to Burma as opposed to studies focused on written translations or those in distant contexts, yielding 27 papers. These were analyzed across four themes: training needs, curriculum design, instructional methodologies, and training program evaluations. Findings indicate that interpreters in Burma face low pay, challenging working conditions, and a lack of professional development opportunities. While interpreter education exists, Burma lacks standardization and institutionalized training. This review highlights the urgent need for structured interpreter education programs to improve skill development and professionalization. Future studies should focus on developing competency frameworks and refining instructional methodologies that employ professional language service providers with teaching skills
The race for legal consensus on eliminating pay disparities
No full textThe Equal Pay Act of 1963 (the EPA) generally requires “equal pay for equal work regardless of sex”. States have also enacted laws addressing the gender pay gap. Many of such laws do not target the core issue of the gap. The gap continues to harm women, their families and the national economy. This ongoing gender wage gap is detrimental not only to women’s wages while they are working, but also women\u27s worth in the labor market and society, what can and should be done to eliminate the gender pay gap? This is a complex problem that requires interdisciplinary research to understand it more comprehensively. I used qualitative research methodology, specifically textual analysis, to analyze relevant sources from the disciplines of law and economic sociology. I identified conflicting disciplinary insights, found common ground between them, and through integration arrived at a more comprehensive understanding of the problem. That enabled me to suggest solutions to the research problem. My research is not complete. However, I conclude several things. The EPA and state laws should be updated and enforced. The federal and state governments should enact wage transparency laws and laws prohibiting the use of prior wages as a basis for future compensation. The Supreme Court should resolve the split among Courts of Appeals and hold that prior salary is not a “factor other than sex” exempt from EPA. Employers should implement comparable worth policies and foster a workplace culture emphasizing fair compensation and equal opportunities for women
Disparities in sentences for crack and powdered cocaine convictions: A reflection of systemic racial bias
No full textThe Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986 established a 100:1 sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine offenses. In 2010, the disparity was reduced to 18:1. In recent years, Congress has considered, but not passed, the EQUAL Act, which would eliminate the crack/powder sentencing disparity. In 2022, the Justice Department adopted a rule encouraging federal prosecutors to promote the equivalent treatment of crack and powder offenses, explaining that Ultimately, the crack/powder discrepancy within sentencing had no basis within the scientific study, promotes zero law enforcement motives, and creates unjustifiable disparities among races within our criminal justice system. This disparity remains an issue that is significant to American society. What should be done to address the crack/powder sentencing disparity? Interdisciplinary research is necessary to better comprehend this intricate problem. From September 2024 through April 2025, I used qualitative research methodology (textual analysis) to analyze relevant sources from the disciplines of law and sociology, including Supreme Court opinions, statutes, and scholarly and non-scholarly articles. To better grasp the issue, I merged contradictory views from every discipline, found areas of agreement amongst them, and reconciled them. I conclude that despite progress toward eliminating the crack/powder cocaine sentencing disparity, the problem remains. The sentencing disparity should end. Efforts to encourage prosecutors to promote consistency in crack/powder cocaine sentencing should continue. Efforts should also be made to educate society about the unfairness of the sentencing disparity so that there develops a national consensus that the disparity needs to end
Sibling relationships and influence among first-generation college students
No full textIntroduction: During the past few decades, there has been a steady increase in college enrollment among first-generation college students. While there is a growing body of literature concerning first-generation college students, little of the research has focused on the relationship between those students and their siblings. This qualitative research study aims to understand how siblings affect the influence and identity of first-generation college students. Therefore, the research question for this study is, how do first-generation college students and sibling influence each other? Methods: To date, 19 Latino and 25 African American participants have provided data for this study. Data was collected via face-to-face, semi-structured interviews (45-90 minutes each). The analytic process began with each author’s independent coding of the data. Regular research team meetings were held to discuss these codes, find linkages among the codes, and illuminate the larger themes in the data. Results Three themes emerged during content analysis: Sibling influence on going to college: Older siblings who attended or graduated from college served as motivation for participants. Leading the way: Participants college attendance served as motivation for their younger siblings. Limiting Opportunities to protect and support siblings: The need to provide for the basic needs and emotional well-being of siblings limited participants’ ability to engage in academic and university-related opportunities. Sibling relationships play a significant role in the life of first-generation college students, illuminating the importance of family and increasing familial capital
From barriers to ballots: Black women\u27s historical fight and its influence on today\u27s voting rights movement
No full textThe Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) ensured racial minorities the right to vote. However, rulings by the Supreme Court have weakened the VRA, resulting in new restrictions on the right to vote, primarily affecting racial minorities. A constant throughout the struggle for voting rights has been the efforts of African-American women. As the country faces ongoing attacks on voting rights for racial minorities, learning from the experience of African-American women, how can society continue the struggle for voting rights? This is a complex problem that requires interdisciplinary research to achieve a more comprehensive understanding. I used qualitative research methodology (textual analysis) to analyze sources from the disciplines of law and history. I found conflicting disciplinary insights, sought common ground between the insights, and through integration I was arrived at a more comprehensive understanding of the problem. That enables me to suggest resolutions to the problem. My research is not complete, but I conclude that Sections 2, 4(b) and 5 of the VRA should be restored. To this end, the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act should be enacted. There should also be educational programs and courses offered or required to explain the role of Black women in voting rights advocacy. Coverage of the role of African-American women in the voting rights movement in elementary and high school curricula, and college-level courses such as a Black women’s studies, could provide a more inclusive historical narrative to serve as a blueprint for the ongoing struggle for voting rights for racial minorities