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Reparative Research Practices: Addressing Epistemic Inequity in University Research
Get PDFThe main argument regarding the ‘repair’ in reparative practices: University research is a social good, subjects are entitled to be included in knowledge production, and subjects ought to have fair access to epistemic goods.
Therefore, a subject’s being prevented from making a contribution to the pool of resources utilized to create knowledge is an injustice. Knowledge produced by an entity that excludes community participation is perspectival and incomplete.
Our definition: Reparative research practices (RRP) are those that can intervene and replace other practices across the research life cycle to address epistemic harms and injustices, incomplete knowledge production, shared knowledge, and knowledge use
Who’s Afraid of Little Old Me? The Record Industry: Protecting Creativity and Promoting Artists’ Rights Through a Narrow Scope of 17 U.S.C. §§ 103 and 114 Rights for Derivative Works
No full textThis Comment explores the growing conversation surrounding artist rights and music ownership, catalyzed by Taylor Swift’s public dispute with Big Machine Records. Swift’s efforts to reclaim her work have spotlighted the complexities of U.S. copyright law, particularly the distinct rights afforded to sound recordings versus musical compositions under the Sound Recording Act of 1971. By examining derivative works and their required standard of originality, this Comment argues that a narrow interpretation of copyright protections for derivative works, as outlined in 17 U.S.C. §§ 103 and 114, is essential for fostering creativity and safeguarding artists’ rights. Through an analysis of legislative history, judicial precedent, and the broader implications for originality, this paper underscores the importance of protecting artistry while balancing the rights of creators and producers.
I. Introduction
II. Defining “Derivative Works” ... A. Sound Recordings ... B. Films and Dramatizations
III. Congressional Intent Regarding the Scope of Rights in Derivative Works
IV. Issue of Originality ... A. Issue of Originality in Sound Recordings ... 1. Originality as Supplied by the Performer ... 2. Originality as Supplied by the Producer ... 3. The Value of Originality to the Consumer ... B. Issue of Originality in Dramatizations
V. It Is Necessary to Narrowly Interpret 17 U.S.C. §§ 103 & 114 ... A. Judicial History of a Narrow Interpretation ... B. The Use of a Narrow Scope in Practice
VI. Conclusio
Aptamer Selection and Development of Electrochemical Aptamer-based Sensors for Neuropeptide Y
No full textIn this thesis, we report the results of four aptamers obtained from an aptamer selection process called the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) with affinity to Neuropeptide Y (NPY). NPY is a highly abundant peptide transmitter with widespread distribution throughout the body which affects various physiological functions. These functions include energy homeostasis, appetite regulation, stress response, and anxiety regulation. Dynamic monitoring of NPY levels is crucial for better understanding behaviors in individuals with neurological disorders associated with NPY. Aptamers are synthetic oligonucleotides obtained through SELEX which have a binding affinity to a target of interest when in their secondary structure. In this thesis, a library consisting of 2 primers and a random domain region of 30 bases for a total of 73 bases was used to identify aptamers for NPY. Upon the completion of 13 SELEX cycles, cloning and sequencing led to 18 individual sequences. Four of these full-length sequences were truncated for analysis against NPY and resulted in dissociation constants between 10 and 60 nM.
Advisor: Rebecca Y. La
Absolutely Unnecessary Immunity
No full textProsecutors, like judges, cannot be sued for their professional misconduct in most jurisdictions. As long as their actions are sufficiently tied to their job duties, their actual malice does not matter, even if they had demonstrable malice—a prosecutor could bring baseless charges against an ex-spouse specifically to harass them, with absolute immunity from suit. This immunity allows prosecutors to abuse the power of their office without civil recourse. In theory, absolute immunity aims to protect the office by resolving cases simply and quickly, but in reality, courts get bogged down litigating whether a prosecutor’s specific action was sufficiently tied to their role. This disconnect is illustrated by the existence of at least seven federal circuit splits about the exact contours of absolute immunity.
Although most lawsuits brought against prosecutors come through federal courts, the criminal system itself is best understood as a network of state and local policies. Different states developed different approaches to prosecutorial immunity over the course of more than a hundred years, creating something like a natural experiment that contradicts federal assumptions. I compiled a first-of-its-kind dataset of 353 civil suits in state courts against prosecutors for misconduct, and reached three important conclusions.
First, cases raise far broader harms by prosecutors than traditional wrongful-conviction-oriented solutions can address. Second, because state courts see complex factual litigation no matter the immunity rule, a lesser immunity standard strikes a better balance between protecting prosecutors and permitting relief for the rare meritorious claim. Third, the applicable immunity regime does not appear to impact the use of other remedies for prosecutorial misconduct, such as bar discipline. Thus, I propose that states seeking improved prosecutor accountability can safely adopt a good-faith qualified immunity standard.
I. Introduction
II. Background on Prosecutorial Absolute Immunity … A. Absolute vs. Qualified Immunity B. History of Absolute Immunity ... C. Justifications for Prosecutorial Absolute Immunity
III. Methodology
IV. Results of State Data
V. Conclusions from State Data ... A. The “Real” Prosecutorial Misconduct ... 1. Incarceration Without Conviction ... 2. Erosion of Institutional Trust ... B. Good-Faith Immunity Achieves the Same Ends ... 1. Absolute Immunity does not Simplify Cases ... 2. States with Qualified Immunity Operate Smoothly ... C. Permitting Civil Suits will not Collapse Alternatives ... 1. Criminal Sanctions ... 2. Professional Discipline ... 3. Popular Elections ... 4. Internal Prosecutor Policy
VI. Conclusio
Should Human Remains be on Display in Museums?
No full textThe debate of should human remains be displayed in museums, exhibits, classrooms, and other public areas has been a topic of discussion in recent years. This article aims to explore the positives and negatives of displaying remains through scientific racism, decolonization, ethics, and forensic anthropology. Although these characteristics may not always be present in a collection, they are common concerns, and they are also not the only concerns for displaying remains. The objective of examining this issue from multiple perspectives is to propose viable solutions for the ethical and appropriate display of human remains. This research will be geared more towards a museum setting, but the information could be dissected and adjusted to fit most situations
In-season Nitrogen Mmanagement: Leveraging Data Visualization for Precision Agriculture
No full textEffective nitrogen management is vital for sustainable agriculture, impacting both crop yield and environmental health. Traditional methods often use fixed application rates set before planting, which do not adapt to changing crop needs during the season. This can lead to over- or under-application, reducing efficiency and sustainability. While modern tools like sensors, satellites, and UAVs provide valuable real-time data on crop and field conditions, integrating and using this data to guide timely nitrogen decisions remains a major challenge. In-season nitrogen management offers a solution by allowing for dynamic adjustments to nitrogen applications, addressing crop needs as they arise. This approach optimizes resource efficiency, enhances crop productivity, and reduces environmental risks associated with nitrogen overuse. To improve in-season nitrogen management, the N-SIGHT web application was developed as a user-friendly tool for researchers and agricultural professionals. It uses data visualization to turn complex geospatial and nitrogen treatment data into actionable insights. At its core is the Sufficiency Index (SI), which helps evaluate nitrogen application effectiveness and crop health during the season. By integrating UAV and satellite imagery with field-level nitrogen data, N-SIGHT presents results through interactive maps, plots, and tables. Built on an R Shiny framework, the tool focuses on usability, real-time visualization, and continuous improvement based on feedback from users in the field. By leveraging the capabilities of advanced data visualization, the N-SIGHT application bridges the gap between static nitrogen management strategies and dynamic, data-driven approaches. Its intuitive interface and real-time insights empower farmers, agronomists, and policymakers to make informed decisions, optimize nitrogen applications, and promote sustainable agricultural practices. By reducing inefficiencies in nitrogen use and mitigating environmental impacts, N-SIGHT represents a significant step forward in precision agriculture, enabling the adoption of modern techniques that align with the evolving demands of the agricultural sector.
Advisor: Joe D. Luc
Leaf-Based Varietal Categorization of Sweetpotato (\u3cem\u3eIpomoea batatas\u3c/em\u3e L. Lam.), a Potentially Healthful Vegetable, Using Image Processing and K-Means Clustering
No full textSweetpotato (Ipomoea batatas Lam) leaves contain higher concentrations of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and carotenoids that are remarkable in health promotion. However, the nutrient content in sweetpotato leaves varies from variety to variety, and leaf shape and color are the key identifying factors for the varietal classification of sweetpotatoes. So, detecting sweetpotato leaves is essential for the in-situ identification of sweetpotato varieties and for developing intelligent agricultural systems. This study aimed to create a leaf-shape-based varietal classification technique for sweetpotato using image processing techniques coupled with a K-means clustering algorithm. 38 leaf images (RGB) of two sweetpotato cultivars were collected and pre-processed to extract relevant features. A distinct difference in leaf physical characteristics, i.e., leaf area, perimeter, circularity factor, breadth, and leaf ratio, between the two varieties was observed. K-means clustering algorithm identified two sweetpotato varieties as distinct clusters with centroid values (Cluster 0: Area 695627 and Cluster 1: Area 525895). Results revealed that sweet potato leaves in cluster 0 tend to have more prominent physical characteristics than in cluster 1. This result demonstrates the prospects of using machine learning and image processing techniques for in situ varietal classification of sweetpotato. The results bridge the visual characteristics and their quantitative assessment, fostering a deeper understanding of the plant\u27s phenotype and supporting advancements in agriculture, research, and crop improvement
Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Highlights 2024-2025
No full textReversing a half decade in gains, the all-land average value in Nebraska declined for the year ending February 1, 2025, averaging approximately 2% lower than the prior year. Figure 2 summarizes these figures and trends along with the percent changes over the preceding year’s all-land average for the eight districts in the state.
Rates of decline were the highest in the Northeast and Southeast Districts, as these areas averaged 3% lower for the all-land average. These Districts trended slightly similar to the state\u27s rate of decrease of 2%. The South and Southeast District also averaged 2% lower.
The other four regions of Nebraska, including the Northwest, North, Southwest, and South Districts, reported smaller changes ranging between 1% and -1%. The Northwest District reported an increase of 1%. Overall, changes across the state range from a 1% increase to a 3% decline in 2025.
Panel members in 2025 reported that current crop prices, interest rate levels, and farm input costs as major economic forces guiding the market value of land lower across the state. Current livestock prices and purchases for farm expansion were reported as additional positive economic forces.
The outlook for future gains in farm real estate values moderated as seven of the economic forces were noted as somewhat negatively impacting farm real estate values. Future property tax policies, property tax levels, expectations for U.S. farm exports, and the financial health of current owners were reported as major economic forces weighing down on the agricultural land market.
Based on 2025 market values, Nebraska\u27s estimated total value of agricultural land and buildings dropped to approximately 14.8 billion