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Photofading of Black Dyes in Cotton and Polyester Fibers Resulting from Environmental Exposure to Sunlight
Get PDFColor is one of the most important properties analyzed during forensic fiber examinations due to its discriminatory power. Differing colors in fibers are usually sufficient grounds for exclusion, but in cases where a lengthy period has passed between crime commission and evidence recovery, the high probability of environmental degradation having altered the questioned fibers’ properties could lead to false exclusions. Photofading, the loss of color resulting from exposure to light, is a common form of degradation observed in fibers. Although well-known in the dyeing industry, it is not typically factored into forensic fiber examinations. Published photofading research has been limited to idealized simulations involving dye solutions rather than dyed textiles, and studies with dyed textiles have focused on cellulosic fibers and non-black dyes despite the prevalence of manufactured and black fibers.
This study investigated photofading in black cotton and polyester fibers that were exposed to sunlight in various environments over a 3.5-month period. The objective was to determine how fiber type and environmental conditions impacted the rate of photofading. Results of a control experiment indicated that photofading rates were dependent on the strength of fiber-dye interactions (which is predicated on the chemical properties of both) rather than fiber type alone. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 during the later stages of research, results for the environmental exposure experiment were unable to be gathered. A discussion of the expected results is presented instead, along with possibilities for future photofading studies and the greater forensic implications that such work may have
Red-flagging the Leagues: The U.S. Sports Most in Danger from Match-Fixing
No full textOn May 14, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court effectively allowed single-game sports wagering in America. The current U.S. sports gambling market is estimated at somewhere between 400 billion—and with legalization is expected to grow larger. The social, economic, and sports changes already have begun: thirteen states have legalized sports gambling; there is a sports stadium named after a bookmaker; and a television channel dedicated to 24/7 of coverage of the sports gambling market has been launched. However, few analysts have tried to estimate which American sports are most at risk from the gambling related match-fixing that has plagued many international sports leagues. Using a wide-range of interviews with gambling and match-fixing insiders, this paper proposes an indicator to predict the vulnerability of a sports league to match-fixing, along with seven specific factors that lead to corruption
What Goes Up Must Come Down
No full textCreated 2020
This work of art is colored pencil on mixed media paper, 18x24.https://digitalcommons.newhaven.edu/digital-exhibits/1043/thumbnail.jp
What Goes Up Must Come Down (Close-Up)
No full textCreated 2020
This work of art is colored pencil on mixed media paper, 18x24.https://digitalcommons.newhaven.edu/digital-exhibits/1044/thumbnail.jp
Asymmetric Cost Behavior: Exploring Ethical Issues Facing Management
Get PDFAsymmetric cost behavior or cost stickiness is a relatively new phenomenon in accounting. Cost accounting initially assumed that traditional cost behaviors follow a symmetrical pattern, whereas sales and costs rise and fall equivalently with each other. Extending the research of Anderson, Banker and Janakiraman (2003) which introduced a theory that contradicted the normal symmetrical cost behavior by suggesting that internal factors, such as management decisions impact spending resulting in asymmetric cost behavior or cost stickiness. The objective of this paper is to explore whether asymmetric cost behavior or cost stickiness impacts corporate earnings of enterprises and if so, does this inadvertently create ethical issues for decision-making by management, as they may benefit in compensation from these decisions. By examining the link between Sales General and Administrative expenses (SG&A) and earnings, this paper shows how asymmetrical behavior influences management decision making cost. The conclusions, recommendations and implications reached in this study are generalizable and appropriate for use in developing best practices
Non-PLL Direct Power Control for a Single-Phase Grid-Connected Three-Level Inverter
Get PDFThe growing demand for clean, reliable renewable energy generation has led to the widespread adoption of solar energy as a source of electricity. Technological advancement aiding to reduce the cost of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, as well as improvement in power electronics and control strategies for solar PV systems have also contributed to the growing popularity. For grid-connected solar systems to adequately meet future demand and grid requirements, the system must be reliable, and not affected by instability or distortions on the power grid.
In this thesis, a control strategy for single-phase grid-connected inverters that can synchronize to the grid without a phase lock loop (PLL) is proposed. The PLL is an important device that is relied on for the synchronization of solar PV systems to the electrical grid. However, the PLL has an inherently complex design and its performance is often negatively affected if the grid voltage has poor quality. In addition, eliminating the use of PLL for synchronization can avoid the issue of slow dynamic response, higher harmonics, and increased computation complexity.
The real and reactive power of the single-phase, three-level neutral point clamped (NPC) inverter is controlled by using a direct power control (DPC) strategy. A novel method of computing the power components of the single-phase inverter is proposed and this technique further improves the precision of the power components calculated by compensating the frequency and phase deviation compensation. Finally, simulations are carried out by using MATLAB/Simulink to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology
Delinquency in the Caribbean: Stakeholder Perceptions of Root Causes
Get PDFThere is a gap in the research on juvenile delinquency within the Caribbean context. As countries such as St. Lucia, Guyana, St. Kitts, and Nevis have growing delinquency and crime rates, there is a need to bridge this gap in the literature. This research sought to examine the main causes of juvenile delinquency within St. Lucia, Guyana, St. Kitts, and Nevis, as described by juvenile justice stakeholders, such as probation officers, prosecutors, and judges, within their respective countries. Through the use of grounded theory, the data were coded and analyzed using a constant comparison method. From these data, six themes emerged in St. Lucia, seven in St. Kitts and Nevis, and six in Guyana. In St. Lucia, these themes were family, education, different world now, meso/macro/neighborhood factors, gangs, and peers. In St. Kitts and Nevis, these themes were parenting, adolescence, peers, education, substance abuse, changing times, and economic structure. In Guyana, these themes were family, environment, peers, media, substance abuse/use, and education. By understanding what juvenile justice stakeholders believe to be the main causes of juvenile delinquency within their respective communities, culturally competent diversion programs can be developed to reduce future delinquency
Public Perception of Law Enforcement Training in Connecticut
No full textWith the growing presence of the media, almost every situation mishandled by law enforcement can become available for anyone to see. This subsequently influences public perception of law enforcement, often in a negative way. The purpose of this study was to assess public perception of law enforcement training in five areas pertaining to human relations: mental illnesses, substance use disorders, domestic violence encounters, victim services, and juvenile offending. This study used a pre-post survey design including a video intervention to evaluate public perception of law enforcement training in the five categories. The results of this study indicate that citizens do not deem training for encountering juvenile offenders to be sufficient and support additional training for this category. Additionally, participants view public perception as important for officers to effectively do their jobs. Future research directions and public policy recommendations are considered, including suggestions for additional training for guiding officer encounters with juvenile offenders
Potential Applications of MicroRNA Profiling to Forensic Investigations
Get PDFWithin the forensic science community, there is a continued push to develop novel tools to aid in criminal investigations. microRNA (miRNA) analysis has been the focus of many researcher’s attention in the biomedical field since its discovery in 1993; however, the forensic application of miRNA analysis has only been suggested within the last 10 years and has been gaining considerable traction recently. The primary focus of the forensic application of miRNA analysis has been on body fluid identification to provide confirmatory universal analysis of unknown biological stains obtained from crime scenes or evidence items. There are, however, other forensic applications of miRNA profiling that have shown potential, yet are largely understudied, and warrant further investigation such as organ tissue identification, donor age estimation, and more. This review paper aims to evaluate the current literature and future potential of miRNA analysis within the forensic science field
Thermal-Induced Fatigue of Overhead Truss Structures
No full textDynamic messaging signs (DMS) are found in operation over freeways, expressways, and other major intersections and provide information to travelers. If the DMS structure fails, then pedestrians and motorists can be harmed. An unstudied contributor to the reduced operation life of DMS structures is yearly thermal cycles. During the winter and summer times, the thermal variations tend to be large in range, in which daily and seasonal temperature variation can contribute to cyclic-caused fatigue. The objective of this study is to analyze thermal-induced fatigue life of highway overhead support structures. Field monitoring, mathematical analysis, and finite-element modeling were employed to perform the objective. The finite-element modeling extends to two different type of connection (slotted gusset welded joints and tube-to-tube welded joints) and two different materials (structural steel and aluminum alloy). Based on the estimated fatigue life for the overhead truss structures, the structural steel slotted gusset welded connection type provides larger fatigue life than other cases