A Turn for the Worse: Foreign Relations, Corporate Human Rights Abuse, and the Courts

This Note examines recent interventions in corporate human rights lawsuits by the executive branch from both legal and political perspectives. It first identifies a nascent trend in human rights litigation in U.S. courts-namely, the propensity of the Bush administration to intervene on behalf of corporate defendants accused of violating human rights in the developing world-by examining the factual and procedural history of three contemporary lawsuits. It then explores the role of the political question, act of state, and international comity doctrines in these and similar suits, and advances a method for applying all three doctrines in a human rights-friendly manner. Finally, the Note examines the Bush administration\u27s interventions from a human rights policy perspective and concludes that for political, in addition to legal reasons, the executive branch should desist from intervening on behalf of corporate defendants in human rights lawsuits

Science Writing, Wikis, and Collaborative Learning

Pedagogical research shows that inquiry-driven, collaborative learning in science works best in attracting and retaining science students. Generational theorists tell us that Millenials are team-oriented, risk-averse digital natives. Current thinking in science education has much in common with current thinking on how best to teach millennial students. This paper describes using wikis in the science laboratory to collaboratively write laboratory reports. Using peer reviews and group discussion, the focus is not only on the content of the finished lab report, but also on science writing as a creative and iterative process. Collaborative writing with wikis plays to the strengths of millennial students while helping improve their ability to reflect on their own learning and on the process of science

Yield Curve Theories and Their Applications Over Time

This thesis will analyze three theories that can explain the term structure of interest rates: The Unbiased Expectations Theory, the Duration Premium Theory, and Market Segmentation Theory. The paper will analyze what factors and expectations drive these theories, and how the Federal Reserve has shaped monetary policy within the context of these theories, from Paul A. Volcker to Jerome H. Powell. The paper will also analyze what narratives set out by the Federal Reserve, and their explanations of the yield curve/interest rate behavior through speeches delivered by the Federal Reserve Chairman and other Federal Reserve Governors

The Second Amendment: A Study of Recent Trends

The second amendment of the Constitution of the United States reads: A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed. The interpretation of these twenty-seven words has generated considerable debate since they were first declared in force in 1791.2 Despite a growing argument over the true meaning of the amendment, the Supreme Court has been reluctant to provide a definitive interpretation of the second amendment and thus give it the recognition it merits

Automated robotics system for nuclear waste handling (hardware and software)

Hazardous materials handling involves the use of robotics manipulators, which are controlled by operators outside a sealed environment. The operator\u27s reduced vision and decreased dexterity causes slower job performance and fatigue, which ultimately leads to mistakes. These mistakes can be dangerous, expensive, and time consuming to clean up. Thus, the goal of this thesis is to lay the foundation for a safety system that could be implemented in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plan (WIPP) at Argonne National Labs West (ANLW). The safety system should both reduce operator error and prevent costly mistakes; The system consists of a computer and accompanying software placed between the control unit and the remote manipulator. The computer checks for collisions with the workcell and other objects defined in the computer model. If no collisions are predicted, normal master/slave operation continues; otherwise, the computer takes control until the operator guides the manipulator to a safe position