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Transnational Terrorism and the African Union: From Ideal Aspirations to Harsh Realities in Somalia and Mali
Get PDFThis paper will question why the African Union has been unsuccessful in confronting the rising issue of transnational terrorism. It looks at the history of both the Organization of African Unity and the African Union and examines the measures the two organizations have taken in preventing and combating terrorism. The particular history of African States and their relation to the term “terrorism” is discussed in this section. In this light, I analyze the African Union’s peacekeeping missions in both Somalia and Mali to determine why they have failed to stop the spread of transnational terrorism. In conclusion, I will discuss the reasons why I the African Union has struggled in dealing with transnational terrorism
Overview of open source codes to assess environmental effects of ocean wave farms (Extended Abstract)
Get PDFThe United States has a theoretical ocean wave energy resource potential of 1,594–2,640 TWh/year, enough to power between 143.5 and 237.6 million homes/year and contribute substantially to the United States’ energy portfolio [1]. However, wave energy converters (WECs) are currently in the early stages of research and development at low technology readiness levels. Open ocean deployment data is from demonstration-scale projects, not from utility-scale deployments. As a result, researchers, developers, and regulators rely heavily on numerical models to understand the environmental effects of wave farms.
Preliminary numerical studies have demonstrated that small-scale deployments of ~10 WECs or less have little to no impact on the physical environment. But utility-scale wave farms may affect the near-field and nearshore wave environment, circulation patterns, and nearshore processes such as sediment transport. A suite of open source codes has been developed by Sandia National Laboratories focused on simulating the energy extraction of WECs to better understand and predict their potential environment effects
Real-time wave assimilation using low-cost sensor arrays (Extended Abstract)
Get PDFIn this paper we present the underlying theory and principal results from a new real-time data-assimilation system in which we integrate a dense network of Spotters. The sensor network was deployed as part of the ONR Innershelf DRI experiment during the period from September 2017 till November 2017. The array consists of 18 Spotters, deployed seaward of Point Sal (California) along the 20-, 50- and 100-meter depth contours (Fig. 1). Each of these buoys provides estimates of the complete frequency-directional spectrum every hour. The wave spectra and directional moments are assimilated in real-time using an efficient backward raytracing algorithm to reconstruct the details of the offshore boundary conditions, which is subsequently used to drive a regional wave model to produce a fully dataconstrained nowcast of the regional wave conditions. We will discuss the data-assimilation framework developed in this study and compare assimilated results with conventional model predictions forced with predictions from the global NOAA WAVEWATCH III mode
Place-in-Process in Colm Toíbín’s The Blackwater Lightship: Emotion, Self-Identity, and the Environment
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Design, Synthesis and Glioblastoma Activity of 1,3-Diazinane Based Aryl Amides and Benzo Fused Heterocycles
Get PDFThe development of novel targeted therapeutics for the treatment of cancer remains difficult due to the complex nature of the disease itself as well as the challenges associated with the synthesis of these therapeutics. Impediments to the discovery of novel drug candidates include lack of available starting materials and access to well-developed syntheses which are both convenient and economically feasible. Semicarbazides, for instance, are a critical synthon for the manufacture of numerous biologically important molecules. Historically, convenient methods for the synthesis of semicarbazides and their derivatives did not exist. Recently, a facile and efficient method for the preparation of semicarbazides via their corresponding phenyl carbamates was developed. These phenyl carbamate intermediates may also be used to prepare a wide variety of other derivatives such as substituted ureas as well as the aryl carbamoyl derivatives of 1,3-diazinane-5-carboxamide.
While exploring the preparation of the aryl carbamoyl derivatives of 1,3-diazinane-5-carboxamide, it was found that these compounds possess anti-cancer activity against the glioblastoma LN-229 cell line. Intrigued by these results, additional analogues were designed, leading to the development of a small library of chromenopyrimidinedione and pyrimidinequinolinedione compounds as potential anti-cancer agents. Indeed, these two classes of compounds, with many of the derivatives novel, produced a selection of interesting molecules with potent anti-cancer activity against the glioblastoma cell line LN-229 at biologically relevant concentrations. Taken together, these results provide a unique approach not only to the design but also towards the synthesis of novel therapeutics intended for use as anti-cancer agents
Measuring Presence in a Police Use of Force Simulation
Get PDFWe have designed a simulation that can be used to train police officers. Digital simulations are more cost-effective than a human role play. Use of force decisions are complex and made quickly, so there is a need for better training and innovative methods. Using this simulation, we are measuring the degree of presence that a human experience in a virtual environment. More presence implies better training. Participants are divided into two groups in which one group performs the experiment using a screen, keyboard, and mouse, and another uses virtual reality controls. In this experiment, we use subjective measurements and physiological measurements. We offer a questionnaire to participants before and after play. We also record the participants change in heart rate, skin conductivity and skin temperature using Empatica device. By comparing the data collected from both groups, we prove that people experience more presence in the virtual environment
The Relationship Between Administrator Leadership Style and Job Experience of School Counselors
Get PDFSince the inception of the school counseling profession, the role of school counselors has evolved in response to the social, political, and economic needs of society (Ergüner-Tekinalp, Leuwerke, & Terzi, 2009). Currently, the role of school counselors is to address the personal, social, academic, and career needs of students through a comprehensive development program (American School Counseling Association, ASCA, 2005). In school settings, counselors who are satisfied with their work are more effective in caring for clients and students (DeMato & Curcio, 2004). In recent years, administrators, including those working in school settings, have been called on to reassess the manner in which they lead, since leadership has an effect on the performance of employees and the functions of the institution (Armstrong, MacDonald, & Stillo, 2010; Luthans, 2002b). The present study assessed school counselors’ perceptions of their administrators’ leadership styles (i.e., positive, transformational, transactional, and passive-avoidant) and the relationship between those perceptions and school counselors’ job experience (i.e., job satisfaction, feelings of mattering, and overall wellness). Administrators’ leadership styles were grouped for statistical purposes into two groups: 1) transformational and positive and 2) transactional and passive-avoidant. School counselors’ job experience was assessed through three interrelated variables that included job satisfaction, mattering (i.e., mattering to administrators and mattering to teachers), and overall wellness. In this study, administrators’ positive and transformational leadership styles, transactional and passive-avoidant administrator leadership styles, and school counselors’ job satisfaction, wellness, and mattering were correlated. Additionally, administrator leadership styles had the largest variance in school counselors’ job satisfaction, mattering, and wellness scores
A Case Study of a Six-Time Convicted Serial Rapist: The Search for Explanation
Get PDFThis case study discusses rape theories by performing a case study of a convicted serial rapist, hereafter referred to as “Carl Criminal.” This pseudonym has been used throughout this research effort in order to avoid the additional contributing to the celebrity status of the true rapist who has committed these vicious sexual assaults. Locations have also been changed in order to prevent contribution of further clues that may help identify the rapist and avoid embarrassment, humiliation, and further mental anguish for the rape victims.
On January 18, 1999, Carl Criminal, a 38-year-old white male Sheriff’s Deputy with a local sheriff’s office was arrested and initially charged with five counts of aggravated rape. The charges were later amended to include a sixth charge of aggravated rape. At the time of his arrest, Carl Criminal was a veteran law enforcement officer for over nineteen years and had served as a plainclothes sergeant with the Juvenile Division. Carl Criminal’s arrest ended an extensive years-long rape task force investigation into a series of rapes that occurred between 1986 and 1997. Carl Criminal, upon being interviewed at his place of incarceration, admitted that he committed eleven rapes during the period of his criminal activity while serving as a sheriff’s deputy.
This research project explores Carl Criminal’s history and chronicles his career as a law enforcement officer and as a rapist. The project represents a searched for possible explanations, causation, and motivation for his criminal behavior. This study attempts to dissect his aberrant behavior and analyze potential causes related to his nurturing. Furthermore, the study examines his relationships and attempted to discern early patterns of social deviance. Carl Criminal himself stated, “I wish someone could tell me what’s wrong with me.” This research study attempts to furnish answers to his question.
This case study explores Carl Criminal’s current thoughts regarding the trauma he brought to his victims’ lives. Carl Criminal lamented the pain he now realizes his victims experienced. The research identified incidents in Carl Criminal’s youth that may now serve as markers to assist in identifying potential criminal behavior in the lives of other adolescents