Maryland Shared Open Access Repository

MD-SOAR is a shared digital repository platform for twelve colleges and universities in Maryland. It is currently funded by the University System of Maryland and Affiliated Institutions (USMAI) Library Consortium (usmai.org) and other participating partner institutions. MD-SOAR is jointly governed by all participating libraries, who have agreed to share policies and practices that are necessary and appropriate for the shared platform. Within this broad framework, each library provides customized repository services and collections that meet local institutional needs. Please follow the links below to learn more about each library's repository services and collections.

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    Community Organizing, Community Benefits Agreements and the Quest for Equitable Development in Baltimore
    (2025-10-27) Nash, Elson; Gourrier, Al; University of Baltimore. College of Public Affairs; University of Baltimore. Doctor of Public Administration
    This study explores the governance structure and social capital of coalitions of community organizations in Baltimore participating in negotiations with the City and developers. The coalitions were formed because mega developments funded through taxpayer initiatives called Tax Increment Financing (TIF) often do not include community input. There is significant literature on the use of coalitions to negotiate community benefits agreements on behalf of communities. However, there are gaps in the literature on the governance structure of the coalitions and how they are different from those who have not utilized community benefits agreements. This study examines the governance structure of coalitions involved in negotiations around megadevelopments and the conditions upon which they were successful in negotiating a community benefits agreement. Using semi-structured interviews, Vital Signs data, and information from public documents, the critical elements of governing community coalitions will be examined to understand how benefits are negotiated from mega developments in or near their respective communities.
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    RTAF: A Reliable Task Allocation Framework for Enhancing Privacy, Data Quality, and Cost Efficiency in Mobile Crowdsensing
    (IEEE, 2025-10-03) Kang, Yunchuan; Liu, Anfeng; Song, Houbing; Zhang, Shaobo; Wang, Tian
    Mobile crowdsensing is an emerging sensing paradigm that utilizes widely distributed mobile smart devices to rapidly collect data to support multiple applications in the Internet of Things. In mobile crowdsensing, collecting high-quality data at a low cost while protecting participants’ privacy is essential for developing high-quality applications and providing superior services. However, the paradigm faces many challenges, including protecting participants’ private information, improving data quality, and efficiently assigning tasks. To address these challenges, a Reliable Task Allocation Framework (RTAF) is designed to protect participant privacy, enhance data quality, and reduce costs. Specifically, the RTAF consists of three key algorithms: (1) A Bilateral Zero-bias Location Privacy-preserving (BZLP) algorithm is designed to protect the location privacy of tasks, ensuring the confidentiality and security of participants’ privacy. (2) An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Truth-driven Workers’ Trust degree Recognition (UAV-TWTR) algorithm is proposed to evaluate the data truth of tasks and identify trusted workers, reducing the risk of malicious workers attacking the system. (3) A Bi-objective Optimization Allocation of Tasks (BOAT) algorithm is developed to construct an optimal allocation scheme to ensure that the tasks can be assigned to appropriate workers, improving data collection accuracy and reducing the cost. Experimental results demonstrate that the RTAF surpasses the state-of-the-art method, enhancing the F1-score by 24.5%, increasing accuracy by 24.3%, and reducing the movement costs of workers by 19.1%.
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    What Made MCPS Magnet Programs Work?
    (I Hate Politics Podcast, 2025-10-03) Dasgupta, Sunil; Steinkraus, Eileen; Curran, Mark
    Montgomery County Public Schools is proposing to expand its magnet programs to build on a pedagogical method seen as highly successful over four decades, but faces criticism that their actual plans are unlikely to provide the necessary resources and support. Sunil Dasgupta asks former longtime coordinators of two of the most successful MCPS magnet programs, Eileen Steinkraus, at Montgomery Blair High School Math and Science magnet, and Mark Curran, at coordinator of the Poolesville High School, about what make those programs work and what it might take to replicate them. Music by Drew Pictures and the Lead Extras.
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    MD Continues Medicaid, SNAP, Charter School Teeters, Electric Power Politics
    (I Hate Politics Podcast, 2025-10-07) Dasgupta, Sunil
    Gov Moore says MD will continue federal assistance programs. MCPS’ only charter school, Mecca Business Learning Institute, is teetering as families withdraw. Natali Fani-Gonzalez is the first elected official critical of MCPS’ program reorganization plan. Maryland Public Service Commission solicits battery storage and nuclear power projects for expedited approval. And more. Music by Dear Daria.
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    Permitting Fixes For More Housing
    (I Hate Politics Podcast, 2024-12-13) Dasgupta, Sunil; Coale, Tom; Furth, Salim
    Housing lobbyist Tom Coale and housing researcher Salim Furth argue that reducing public comment on by-right development projects, standardizing environmental waivers, early vesting of development entitlement, and other permitting reforms can jumpstart housing supply and mitigate the housing shortage in Maryland. Sunil Dasgupta talks with Coale and Furth about their recent paper on the subject https://www.mercatus.org/research/policy-briefs/how-streamline-housing-permitting-maryland. Music from Washington DC rock ‘n’ roll band 7 Door Sedan.