CSI Las Vegas: Privacy, Policing, and Profiteering in Casino Structured Intelligence

This Article argues that the intricate, vast amounts of consumer information compiled through casino structured intelligence require greater protection and oversight in the contexts of both bankruptcy and law enforcement. Section II examines the various types of casino technology and information gathering that casinos perform. Section III considers the available protections of private information in terms of security breaches, law enforcement sharing, and sales in the context of a bankruptcy. Section IV discusses additional safeguards and ethical concerns that should be considered as casinos continue to increase their data mining efforts. Finally, Section V concludes that, minimally, consumers are entitled to more candid disclosures and a meaningful opportunity to protect their own privacy

The NASA/industry Design Analysis Methods for Vibrations (DAMVIBS) program: Boeing Helicopters airframe finite element modeling

Mathematical models based on the finite element method of structural analysis, as embodied in the NASTRAN computer code, are routinely used by the helicopter industry to calculate airframe static internal loads used for sizing structural members. Historically, less reliance has been placed on the vibration predictions based on these models. Beginning in the early 1980's NASA's Langley Research Center initiated an industry wide program with the objective of engendering the needed trust in vibration predictions using these models and establishing a body of modeling guides which would enable confident future prediction of airframe vibration as part of the regular design process. Emphasis in this paper is placed on the successful modeling of the Army/Boeing CH-47D which showed reasonable correlation with test data. A principal finding indicates that improved dynamic analysis requires greater attention to detail and perhaps a finer mesh, especially the mass distribution, than the usual stress model. Post program modeling efforts show improved correlation placing key modal frequencies in the b/rev range with 4 percent of the test frequencies

The Terrible \u3cem\u3eTOUSA\u3c/em\u3es: Opinions Test the Patience of Corporate Lending Practices

Two diametrically opposed decisions pit creditors against debtors. The case of troubled homebuilder TOUSA has generated shockwaves through the lending industry. Set against the backdrop of the housing collapse and risky lending, the bankruptcy court’s decision left secured creditors with a mixture of shock, anger, and worry over the repercussions. In that opinion, the bankruptcy court unwound a nearly $1 billion transaction of liens and loan proceeds, on grounds that the transactions drove the debtor company into the ground. In other words, the court found that a fraudulent transfer had occurred. Not surprisingly, the lenders appealed and the next decision in what surely will be a long line of TOUSA opinions unwound the bankruptcy court’s decision – for a limited set of defendants – and effectively blessed the transaction. How can two opinions couched in the same facts disagree so vehemently at nearly every twist and turn of the case? This article examines the TOUSA I and TOUSA II opinions. It assesses the holdings and reasoning related to fraudulent transfers, reasonably equivalent value, and indirect benefits. It compares the contrasting approaches and attempts to frame the issues for the case’s eventual turn in the Eleventh Circuit Court Appeals. Last, this article focuses on the effects of TOUSA I and TOUSA II and whether the prognostications are inevitable or mere puffery

Realizing Reliability in Forensic Science from the Ground Up

This Article emphasizes that forensic flaws persist and that deficiencies in forensic science have harrowing implications for criminal justice. In the wake of numerous calls for forensic reform, I propose that we use existing models and frameworks already in place to improve the quality and cost of the U.S. forensic science program, rather than creating an entirely new and unaffordable system. At bottom, this Article calls for collaboration between crime labs, universities and research centers, and the criminal justice system with the goal of making forensic science more reliable

AgRISTARS. Supporting research: MARS x-band scatterometer

The design, construction, and data collection procedures of the mobile agricultural radar sensor (MARS) x band scatterometer are described. This system is an inexpensive, highly mobile, truck mounted FM-CW radar operating at a center frequency of 10.2 GHz. The antennas, which allow for VV and VH polarizations, are configured in a side looking mode that allows for drive by data collection. This configuration shortens fieldwork time considerably while increasing statistical confidence in the data. Both internal calibration, via a delay line, and external calibration with a Luneberg lens are used to calibrate the instrument in terms of sigma(o). The radar scattering cross section per unit area, sigma(o), is found using the radar equation

Regulating the Science of Forensic Evidence: A Broken System Requires a New Federal Agency

Professor Gabel and Ms. Champion agree with Mr. Goldstein\u27s argument that serious validity and reliability problems plague forensic science, but, using the recent Troy Davis case in Georgia as an illustration, they argue for federal rather than state oversight. Gabel and Champion assert that many states lack the funding to construct an adequate system and that the fragmentation caused by different state systems would be a significant impediment to reform. They suggest a federal agency that, like the Environmental Protection Agency, would set minimum standards but allow states to experiment with enhanced regulation

Regulating the Science of Forensic Evidence: A Broken System Requires a New Federal Agency

Professor Gabel and Ms. Champion agree with Mr. Goldstein\u27s argument that serious validity and reliability problems plague forensic science, but, using the recent Troy Davis case in Georgia as an illustration, they argue for federal rather than state oversight. Gabel and Champion assert that many states lack the funding to construct an adequate system and that the fragmentation caused by different state systems would be a significant impediment to reform. They suggest a federal agency that, like the Environmental Protection Agency, would set minimum standards but allow states to experiment with enhanced regulation

Learning from change : how teachers adapt to demographic student population changes /

This research explores how veteran teachers respond to demographic changes in their school's student populations, specifically: When demographic change occurs in a student population, how do veteran teachers respond? What are the veteran teachers' beliefs and practices as they interact with students who differ from the ones they have always taught? Specifically, do veteran teachers continue with similar (1) beliefs about students, (2) pedagogical approaches, and (3) ways of interacting with family members? Or do teachers develop new ideas and approaches, perhaps viewing the changes as an opportunity for growth or a transformational learning experience? Framed by transformational learning theory, this research has implications for designing professional development for other veteran teachers. Seventeen veteran teachers took part in this qualitative study at an elementary school in the Midwestern United States, which was representative of many schools across the country experiencing rapid changes in the proportion of students from immigrant and lower socioeconomic families. Participants completed online questionnaires and semistructured face-to-face interviews. Over 74 percent of the veteran teacher participants believed success with a new student population only occurred after forming relationships with individual students. Thus, relationships, rather than standardized instructional practices, determined academic agendas and sometimes led to a transformational change in teachers' beliefs. Findings suggest that in conjunction with other professional development, school leaders should add instruction for teachers on how to build and understand the importance of relationships with students. Keywords- Demographic Change, English Language Learners, Professional Development, Transformational Learning, Veteran TeacherField of study: Educational leadership and policy analysis.|Dr. Lisa Dorner, Dissertation Supervisor.Includes bibliographical references (pages 92-101)