In this paper, we describe an innovative application of mining laws to identify and measure overlapping jurisdictions of government agencies. Laws (statutes and regulations) were used to represent ocean and coastal management for four geopolitical jurisdictions of federal and state levels (Washington, Oregon, and California). We developed preliminary metrics of overlap based on the number of st...

In 2005, Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated several Gulf Coast states and caused many deaths. The hurricane- related deaths of 70 nursing home residents--34 believed drowned in St. Rita's Nursing Home in Louisiana and 36 from 12 other nursing homes--highlighted problems associated with poorly developed and executed disaster plans, uninformed evacuation decision-making, and generally inadequ...

Are state laws, regulatory practices, and allocation of public resources for enforcement reflected in perceptions by bar owners/managers that they will be cited or sued if they fail to exercise care? Among policies, which ones have the greatest impact on risk perceptions and, in turn, on such behaviors? We used data on laws, law enforcement, and regulations in the same areas as the bars to dete...

Background: For several centuries, there has been a debate about the dimensions of intellectual property to support the thinkers of society and prevent their exploitation. Unfortunately, this invisible and powerful asset is increasingly vulnerable. Therefore, establishing favorable regulations, guaranteeing proper criminal enforcement and effective enforcement of laws in order to protect these ...

Children and adolescents with chronic diseases and disabling conditions often need related services. As medical home professionals, pediatricians can assist children, adolescents, and their families with the complex federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and systems associated with these services. Expanded roles for pediatricians in Individual Family Service Plan, Individualized Education...