4449 research outputs found
Sort by
A Unique Win-Win: Bostering Texas' Energy Security by Leveraging Existing Infrastructure to Effectively Decarbonize
No full textThe 2021 Texas Winter Storm Uri was a watershed moment for many Texans regarding energy security. The statewide incident exacerbated an increasing tension between climate-centric sustainability goals and power demands anchored to energy security. While environmental activists saw decarbonization as even more critical, traditional energy advocates saw the need for hydrocarbons and pointed out liabilities created by unpredictable wind and solar. Despite these views, through innovative collaboration, it may be possible to generate a scenario that benefits the Texas economy and delivers on the goals for all advocates
Exploring Self-compassion among Adults with Childhood Trauma and Perfectionism
No full textThe purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience of self-compassion among adults with childhood trauma and perfectionism. There are few qualitative studies focused on any combinations of childhood trauma, perfectionism, and self-compassion. Additionally, no studies have been conducted to specifically explore how adults with childhood trauma and perfectionism experience, and apply, self-compassion to their lives. Five adult participants who endorsed four or more items on the ACE-Q (Felitti et al., 1998) and scored 42 or higher on both the High Standards and Discrepancy subscales on the APS-R (Slaney et al., 2001) completed a demographic questionnaire and semi-structured interview, which were transcribed and analyzed for themes. Results of the thematic analysis identified five main themes: (a) relating to self, (b) nature of the process, (c) impact of ACEs, (d) learning through relationships, and (e) navigating expectations and standards. Six subthemes were included: (a) self-kindness, (b) hard on myself, (c) unfamiliarity, (d) still working on it, (e) internalized experiences, (f) disconnection, (g) connection and support, (h) different perspectives, (i) perfectionism as a coping mechanism, and (j) accepting limits
Enhancing and Adapting Security Risk Assessment Strategies on Critical Infrastructure Utilizing IoT Devices using NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0
No full textIntegrating IoT devices into critical infrastructures has improved efficiency but introduced significant cybersecurity challenges. The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 offers a solid structure for managing risks but lacks specific guidance for IoT vulnerabilities. To address this gap, we propose enhanced risk identification and assessment strategies, along with adaptable security measures, real-time threat detection, and lightweight encryption protocols tailored for IoT devices. Additionally, interoperability and integration of security measures, enhanced data privacy protocols, and tailored compliance guidelines are crucial for ensuring robust cybersecurity in critical infrastructures. Our proposed solution aims to provide a clear framework for addressing the unique security challenges posed by IoT devices. By aligning with industry-specific regulations and best practices, organizations can enhance compliance and mitigate legal and financial risks. Implementing comprehensive risk assessment tools, adaptable security frameworks, and real-time threat detection mechanisms will help future-proof critical infrastructures against emerging cybersecurity threats and technological advancements, which will ensure a proactive approach to cybersecurity in IoT environments
The Necessity of Balance in the Juvenile Justice System
No full textn 1899, a separate juvenile justice system was created to focus on the need to rehabilitate juvenile offenders as opposed to the punitive nature of adult courts. The pendulum in today’s juvenile justice system continues to swing between incarceration and community supervision (i.e., probation), to protect the public, punish wrongdoing and reduce recidivism. Although it varies by state, the age of juvenile offenders ranges from 6 to 17; such an age span increases the challenges faced by law enforcement and the courts when attempting to deal effectively with juveniles and hold them accountable for their actions. Greater awareness of the differences in adolescent brain development and how it affects juvenile behaviors is increasingly being recognized. Studies show incarceration as a form of punishment in the juvenile justice system is not only ineffective but increases recidivism and is detrimental to a juvenile’s education and future employment success. Furthermore, incarceration has a high fiscal note attached. Given the high incarceration costs, community-based programs to restore a juvenile and foster repentant attitudes make sense if the goal of the juvenile justice system is to change the trajectory of juvenile offenders and reduce recidivism. However, community supervision as a form of rehabilitation has a lower probability of success if parental/family engagement is lacking.
Additional research is needed to determine the most effective means of helping juvenile offenders achieve repentance to change their trajectory. The juvenile justice system should hold juvenile offenders accountable to reduce recidivism.LEMI
Effect of Cell Culture Condition or Bisphenol A (BPA) Exposure on the Wound Healing Response In Vitro
No full textWound healing is a process comprised of overlapping phases: inflammation, tissue formation, reepithelization, and remodeling; all of which can be influenced by exogenous factors such as environmental pollutants. Bisphenol A (BPA), a monomer used in the manufacture of many plastics, is an endocrine-disrupting chemical that may influence cell proliferation and/or cellular migration during wound repair. Here I used an in vitro model of wound healing to investigate the effect of varying the composition of the cell culture media in conjunction with BPA exposure to determine how each of these factors may influence the kinetics of the wound healing response. Specifically, the degree of closure over 24 hours was measured in the presence or absence of bovine serum in the cell culture media in cells pre-exposed to varied concentrations of BPA. Using an algorithm developed for ImageJ to autonomously estimate the rate of wound closure, we found that the presence of serum in the culture media significantly increased this rate in (p ≤ 0.001). Prior exposure to BPA had no effect on the rate of wound closure, regardless of dose or cell culture condition (p ≥ 0.05). Collectively, these data suggest that serum growth factors are essential mediators of wound closure in vitro, whereas BPA exposure has no significant effect
The Effects of Environmental Enrichment on a Measure of Cognitive Bias in a Stress-Vulnerable Genetic Line of Aves
No full textCognitive bias is a phenomenon that presents in clinical populations suffering
from anxiety and/or depression wherein depressed individuals tend to experience
increased pessimism towards ambiguous aversive stimuli as well as a less optimistic-like interpretation of ambiguous appetitive stimuli (i.e., vague and non-threatening). Current treatments for depression fail to fully attenuate the cognitive biases associated with depression, making identification of novel therapeutic methods necessary. The chick anxiety-depression model is a hybrid simulation which presents both anxiety and depression over a 90-minute isolation period. The purpose of this research is to examine the effects of environmental enrichment in the model and evaluate those effects on measures of cognitive bias. It is proposed that the environmental enrichment condition will 1) delay the onset into behavioral despair and 2) prevent cognitive biases associated with negative interpretation of ambiguous stimuli. Following nine days of housing in either impoverished or enriched conditions, half of the animals were exposed to a 60-
minute isolation stressor and half were not (i.e., non-stressed). Non-stressed and stressed animals from each housing condition were exposed to one of four stimulus cues including appetitive (mirror), ambiguous appetitive (75% chick: 25% owl), ambiguous aversive (25% chick:75% owl) or aversive (owl) images. Mean start and goal latencies and distance traveled for each stimulus cue were recorded and analyzed to assess cognitive bias. Cognitive bias was observed across stress conditions (i.e., non-stressed and stressed) in the impoverished animals as measured by longer start latency to the ambiguous appetitive cue, longer goal latency under the ambiguous aversive cue, and shorter distance traveled under both the ambiguous appetitive and ambiguous aversive stimulus cues. However, these differences were not seen across stress conditions in animals housed under the enriched housing condition suggesting an attenuation or reduction of cognitive biases produced by the isolation stressor. These findings suggest environmental
enrichment may be a beneficial means of reducing the cognitive bias associated with depression
MENTAL HEALTH AND SCHOOL SAFETY: STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE STUDENT MENTAL HEALTH IN TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS
No full textMass school shootings have created fear in the American public. The results of this fear have been the hardening of schools, lockdowns, and active shooter drills yet the mass shootings have not ended (Peterson & Densley, 2021). The focus of this dissertation is to analyze the mental health awareness of K-12 public schools in Texas with a goal to identify the connections between mental health awareness and school safety. This mixed methods study used archival data from the Texas Educators’ Needs Assessment Regarding School Safety and Victims Services (Fuller et al., 2020). An analysis was conducted on the responses and comments K-12 teachers who participated in the needs assessment had regarding mental health and school safety. Final results will be documented as recommendations for improving mental health awareness in Texas public schools with the goal of increasing school safety
Estamos Aqui: Making Inroads in Minority Communities
No full textAs law enforcement agencies transition from a traditional warrior mindset to one characterized by a guardian ethos, it becomes imperative to ensure inclusivity and equity in community engagement efforts. While some initiatives aimed at fostering positive police-community relations are already in existence, there is a need to allocate additional resources towards minority communities. Strengthening relations with these communities holds significant potential benefits for law enforcement agencies in their daily operations. As demographic shifts occur within the State of Texas, law enforcement agencies must refrain from marginalizing their largest minority populations. On the contrary, embracing these evolving communities is essential for promoting social cohesion and enhancing public safety outcomes. This paper argues that investing in community engagement initiatives, enhancing transparency, and fostering a sense of legitimacy are integral steps towards building trust and cooperation between law enforcement and minority communities. Such investments are likely to yield dividends in terms of reducing fear of crime, enhancing quality of life, and promoting a more inclusive and equitable society.LEMI
Public Sector Fire Investigations: Why They Are Different
No full textFires in the United States are investigated within the realms of both the public sector and the private sector, often with significant overlap. While the responsibility for most fire investigations initially falls under the jurisdiction of the public sector, there are rules and laws in place that allow for the investigation of fires by the private sector. Regardless of whether the fire is investigated by the public or private sector, the investigation should follow the same general methodology. Though the fire investigation industry has accepted the best practices of using the scientific method when determining the cause and origin of a fire, there are still numerous instances where this has not been the case. Fire investigations using outdated methods, "junk science", and investigator biases have led to people being wrongly convicted of the crime of arson. There are many challenges within the public sector in determining the intent of people while responsibly utilizing limited resources that often act as barriers or constraints to a fire investigation. By examining these constraints and their possibility of limiting the efficiency and effectiveness of fire investigations, this paper aims to provide insight into how public sector law enforcement agencies should go all in on the use of the scientific method in all their fire investigations.LEMI
Sheriff's Office Administrations, Labor Organizations and Civil Service: A Collaborative Effort
No full textSheriff's offices in Texas face a unique situation in law enforcement due to the political nature of their office. This relationship to a political party, and the need to obtain political support to obtain and retain office, presents additional enticements to exercise powers under an at-will employment situation within their agencies under the "spoils" system. Political expediency, the ability to hire the best candidates, and the ability to quickly fire bad ones are often repeated reasons for keeping an agency in at-will status. Civil service systems are seen as burdensome, costly, and inefficient by many sheriffs and law enforcement administrators in general. Law enforcement officers in general are servant-minded and are seeking fair and impartial treatment related to employment matters. Civil service systems offer a level of job security, due process, and standardized processes related to hiring, promotion, discipline, and firing. Studies have shown this stability attracts higher-quality candidates and decreases turnover of employment from unnecessary dismissals and voluntary resignations. Additionally, costs associated with civil service are often cited as a reason to remain at will. However, evidence shows that compared to the costs of wrongful termination lawsuits and expenses of replacing officers due to terminations or voluntary resignations can far exceed the costs of a civil service system. This paper will propose and support the idea that under the more flexible rules set out in Chapter 158 of the Texas local government code concerning "sheriff's office only civil service", sheriff's administrations and labor should work together to form a set of rules that address the concerns of both parties, breaking down the adversarial nature of implementation, increasing professionalism, establishing fair processes, and minimizing costly legal expenses.LEMI