Radiometric Dating: A New Technique

Radiometric dating is a common technique used to estimate the age of sediment and ice core samples. Lead-210 is widely used for dating sediment samples less than 150 years old. The two most commonly used lead-210 dating techniques rely on the assumption that the amount of lead-210 that is deposited in lake beds and other waterways remains constant over time. However, this assumption may not always be physically realistic, and if the rate is not constant, then age estimates derived using the constant rate assumption may not be accurate. A new dating technique allowing for non-constant lead-210 supply rates (the NCRS model) was developed. It was implemented on 34 different sediment samples. Of these samples, 10 exhibited apparent sinusoidal caluctuations. Discrepancies in age estimates between models were most pronounced for the upper sediment layers. For the data sets which varied sinusoidally, the period was also computed and analyzed

Fiscal Transparency and Accountability

Best practices in governmental budgeting and financial management often center on improving transparency to induce accountability and ensure fiscal health. This investigation draws on data collected as part of the Volcker Alliance’s Truth and Integrity in Government Finance project and analyzes transparency practices to determine how easily structural deficits can be seen. A review of the literature discusses the merits and effects of transparency, the possible pitfalls, transparency measurement indices, and best practices guidelines. The methodology describes data collection techniques to analyze explicitly disclosed structural deficits, multi-year revenue and expenditure forecasts, and other long-term liability forecasts. Our results show that only 13 states explicitly disclose and analyze structural deficits; five states have multi-year forecasts for revenues, expenditures, and major programs; five states project debt service schedules into the future, and no states project future pension, OPEB, and deferred maintenance costs

Fiscal Transparency across the States: A Volcker Alliance Paper

On April 7, 2018, Alex Hathaway, a research associate with the Center for State and Local Finance, made a panel presentation at the Western Social Science Association Conference in Austin, Texas. His presentation on fiscal transparency in the Southeast expanded on research supported by the Volcker Alliance\u27s multiyear project on state budgeting practices. Jesseca Lightbourne and Bart Hildreth, along with pubic finance fellows Emily Franklin and Bethel Habte, contributed to the paper

Ensuring Responsibility: Common Article 1 and State Responsibility for Non-State Actors

In Syria, the United States is training and equipping non-state groups to battle ISIS. In Eastern Ukraine, Russia has provided weapons, training, and support to separatists. In China, private computer hackers operating with state support create codes designed to infiltrate sensitive computer systems. These are just afew examples of the many ways in which states work with nonstate actors to accomplish their military and political objectives. While state/ non-state collaboration can be benign, it can be malignant where a state uses a non-state actor as a proxy to violate international law. This is no mere academic hypothetical: consider the Former Republic of Yugoslavia\u27s support of the Free Serbian Army, which committed the genocide at Srebrenica. Recognizing this problem, international courts have developed a doctrine of state responsibility designed to hold states accountable for internationally wrongful acts of their non-state-actorp artners. Unfortunately, existing doctrine leaves an accountability gap and fails to correct the perverse incentive to use non-state actors as proxies for illegal acts. Moreover, it creates a second perverse incentive: states with good intentions might avoid training non-state actors in international law compliance to avoid crossing the bright line for attribution. This Article proposes afix to these problems, building on an interpretation of the Geneva Conventions released by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in March 2016. It argues that the duty to ensure respect in Common Article 1 can fill the legal gap. In addition, it argues that Common Article I will be more widely embraced, and therefore more effective, if states that have exercised due diligence to prevent violations are allowed an affirmative defense against liability for any ultra vires violations. The Article concludes with recommendations for states that wish to fulfill their Common Article 1 obligations in good faith while working with non-state actors

2015-16 Concerto Competition Final Round

KSU School of Music presents 2015-16 Concerto Competition Final Round.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1104/thumbnail.jp

10th Annual Collage Concert

An exciting highlight each season, the School of Music is proud to present the 10th Annual Collage Concert. Collage, a major fundraising event for supporting scholarships for music students, is the signature production of the School of Music featuring soloists, chamber groups, and ensembles totaling over 250 student and faculty performers. This special production features a rapid-fire program of diverse works presented as flowing vignette performances with unique lighting and stage design that combine to create a truly memorable and unique experience. The Collage Concert features a matinee at 5 p.m. and evening performance at 8 p.m.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1001/thumbnail.jp

KSU Men\u27s Ensemble and Chamber Singers, Mass

KSU School of Music presents Men\u27s Ensemble and Chamber Singers, Mass.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1216/thumbnail.jp

Studio Recital: Jana Young\u27s Voice Studio

KSU School of Music presents Jana Young\u27s Voice Studio.https://digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu/musicprograms/1202/thumbnail.jp