Digital Commons Network^™

Contraceptive Use Among Transgender Men And Gender Diverse Individuals In The United States: Reasons For Use, Non-Use, And Methods Used For Pregnancy Prevention, Juno Obedin-Maliver, Ava Snow, Sachiko Ragosta, Laura Fix, Jen Hastings, Micah E. Lubensky, Matthew R. Capriotti, Zubin Dastur, Annesa Flentje, Mitchell R. Lunn, Heidi Moseson

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Objectives: To describe contraceptive use for pregnancy prevention among transgender men and gender diverse (TGD) individuals assigned female or intersex at birth (AFIAB) and explore whether contraceptive use differs by testosterone use. Study design: We analyzed data from a cross-sectional, online survey of N = 1694 TGD individuals AFIAB recruited in 2019 through a community-facing website and a national community-engaged cohort study of sexual and/or gender minority (SGM) adults in the US. Descriptive and regression analyses characterized the current and ever use of contraceptive methods for pregnancy prevention, stratified by testosterone use, and described reasons for contraceptive use/non-use. Results: Most …

Gray Matter Volumetric Changes In Tinnitus: The Impact Of Hearing Loss And Severity, Gibbeum Kim, Rafay A. Khan, Yihsin Tai, Somayeh Shahsavarani, Fatima T. Husain

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Tinnitus is a phantom auditory sensation that commonly co-occurs with hearing loss. Both tinnitus and hearing loss can impact the quality of life, emotional well-being, and cognitive functioning of the affected individuals. While previous studies have highlighted structural alterations in hearing loss and/or tinnitus, the fundamental neural mechanisms underpinning tinnitus severity remain poorly understood. In this study, we conducted a voxel-based morphometry to investigate gray matter (GM) volume differences among groups of participants with varying tinnitus severity and hearing status, and controls within a large sample. We observed reduced GM volume in the left anterior insula and right planum polare …

Global Impacts Of Video Gaming Behavior On Young Adults’ Mental Health During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Literature Review, Chulwoo Park, Patricia Angelica, Airi Irene Trisnadi

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the mental health of young adults, and video gaming has emerged as a popular coping mechanism. However, excessive gaming could have negative consequences. The purpose of the study was to understand the relationship between video gaming and the mental health of young adults, globally during the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a systematic literature review to investigate the relationship between video gaming and the mental health of young adults during the pandemic. The study followed PRISMA 2020 and conducted a comprehensive literature search in multiple databases: PubMed Central (PMC), Web of Science, …

Avatars And Digital Identity: Branding In The Metaverse, Gema Bonales-Daimiel, Belén Moreno-Albarracín

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Considering avatars as virtual identities in digital universes, and according to the scarcity of previous research on the impact generated by them, this study delves into avatars’ emergence as personal brands within metaverses, assessing the mediation of AI in the design process and evaluating the impact of avatars on user experience and advertising. After carrying out a mixed methodology based on a survey to users, interviews to active companies in metaverses and avatars design specialists; and a content analysis of metaverse platforms, it’s been proved that avatars are revolutionizing digital communications, allowing immersive interactions and the implementation of virtual experiences …

Association Between Risk Factors And Major Cancers: Explainable Machine Learning Approach, Xiayuan Huang, Shushun Ren, Xinyue Mao, Sirui Chen, Elle Chen, Yuqi He, Yun Jiang

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background: Cancer is a life-threatening disease and a leading cause of death worldwide, with an estimated 611,000 deaths and over 2 million new cases in the United States in 2024. The rising incidence of major cancers, including among younger individuals, highlights the need for early screening and monitoring of risk factors to manage and decrease cancer risk. Objective: This study aimed to leverage explainable machine learning models to identify and analyze the key risk factors associated with breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancers. By uncovering significant associations between risk factors and these major cancer types, we sought to enhance the …

From Disciplinary Enthusiasm To Soulless Tasks: Norms Behind Computing Educators' Emotion Display, Virginia Grande, Päivi Kinnunen, Matthew Barr, Anne Kathrin Peters, Mihaela Sabin, Matilde Sánchez-Peña, Ethel Tshukudu

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Computing educators' emotion display is regulated by various norms and conventions. These (unwritten) rules affect which emotions educators feel comfortable expressing to different extents when students can perceive such displays. We draw on emotions and norms literature to investigate higher education computing educators' perceptions of what kinds of norms they have as criteria when considering which emotions they are (not) comfortable showing when teaching. Based on the qualitative content analysis of 22 interviews with computing educators from seven countries, we present various–sometimes connected or conflicting–norms that influence emotion display. These norms comprise moral, national, societal, professional, and affiliation norms that …

Resilience Practices In Health Science And Medical Libraries During The Early Stages Of The Covid-19 Pandemic, Justin F. Gaynor

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

This paper uses the concept of resilience engineering as an organizing principle to discuss best practices that evolved within health science/medical libraries in the United States during COVID-19 crisis, focusing on the period March–August 2020. Protection of library staff, assistance to medical staff, reducing the circulation of misinformation and public health consumerism all required substantial changes to standard processes. These process changes had to arise in the context of both physical isolation and information overload. Some practices became widespread due to their utility, and these are the focus of this report.

Understanding Mobility-Related Challenges For Aapi Older Adults: A Preliminary Study In Southern California, Yongping Zhang, Priscila Salgado Inzunza, Carol Kachadoorian, Wen Cheng, Calvin Wong

Mineta Transportation Institute

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) Nationwide, the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community is projected to constitute 11 percent of people 65 years and older in the United States by 2050 (He et al., 2005). The challenges limiting the transportation and mobility of AAPI older adults include, but are not limited to, language barriers, cultural barriers, anti-Asian hate, accessibility to public transit, traffic safety and public security concerns, and changes to mobility due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This project conducted an extensive literature review and a preliminary multi-language survey in Southern California to better …

Science, Physiology, And Nutrition For The Nonscientist, Judi S. Morrill

Open Educational Resources

A wonderful blend of physiology, nutrition, biochemistry, genetics, biology, evolution, chemistry--what we all need to know as informed citizens. A basic knowledge of the life sciences and how our bodies work--to promote our own good health, especially as we're bombarded with misleading advertisements, soundbites, and the like. DNA fingerprinting, calorie requirements, dietary advice, genetic engineering (including gene editing with CRISPR cas9)--all in an easy-to understand book.

Carbohydrate Counting: Traditional Filipino Food Lists For Management And Prevention Of Diabetes Mellitus, Ashwini Wagle

Open Educational Resources

The Carbohydrate Counting tool was created to address the specific dietary needs of the Filipino population. It is an original intellectual work by Ashwini Wagle, Ed.D., MS, RD, Chair of the Department of Nutrition, Food Science, and Packaging at San Jose State University (SJSU).

The development of this tool was made possible through the collaboration and support of several contributors. Serena Starr, MS; Justine Martinez Cuaresma, MS, RD; Nazli Goudarzi, MS; Leah Olaivar; and Joe Johnston—a graduate student in the Department—played integral roles in the project. Their contributions included verifying the authenticity of traditional foods, designing culturally appropriate meal plans, …

Realities Of Nutrition, Judi S. Morrill

Open Educational Resources

What Is Nutrition Reality? Is it in the advertising claims that a food is natural or supplies instant energy? Is it in the myriad of dietary supplements? Is it in the diet plans for instant weight loss and glowing health? The only way to find out is to learn the basic principles of nutrition science, so you can be your own nutrition expert. Here is the true introduction to nutrition that you will read with pleasure and real understanding. It will free you from dependence on popular sources of information - often misinformation - so you can distinguish illusion from …

On Modeling Agent Behavior Change Through Multi-Typed Information Diffusion In Online Social Networks, Masaaki Miyashita, Norihiko Shinomiya, Daisuke Kasamatsu, Genya Ishigaki

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

The rapid spread of information on online social networks (OSNs) has had both beneficial and detrimental societal impacts. Notably, the propagation of misinformation during events such as the COVID-19 pandemic has driven collective behavioral responses, sometimes exacerbating crises such as panic buying and bank runs. The toilet paper shortage in Japan in 2020 caused by people's selfish behavior owing to the diffusion of information to correct misinformation, which is considered a general phenomenon based on three sociological characteristics: a collective action problem, a self-fulfilling prophecy, and pluralistic ignorance. Understanding what kind and how information can inhibit selfish behavior to mitigate …

Physiological Effects Of Research Handling On The Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga Angustirostris), Lauren A. Cooley, Allyson G. Hindle, Cassondra L. Williams, Paul J. Ponganis, Shawn M. Hannah, Holger Klinck, Markus Horning, Daniel P. Costa, Rachel R. Holser, Daniel E. Crocker, Birgitte I. Mcdonald

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Wildlife researchers must balance the need to safely capture and handle their study animals to sample tissues, collect morphological measurements, and attach dataloggers while ensuring their results are not confounded by stress artifacts caused by handling. To determine the physiological effects of research activities including chemical immobilization, transport, instrumentation with biologgers, and overnight holding on a model marine mammal species, we collected hormone, blood chemistry, hematology, and heart rate data from 19 juvenile northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) throughout a translocation experiment. Across our six sampling timepoints, cortisol and aldosterone data revealed a moderate hormonal stress response to handling accompanied …

“I Bet Being Trans In The Netherlands Is Like Living In The Future”: Could The Netherlands Serve As An Imperfect “Gold Standard” Comparator For Transgender Youth Research In The United States?, Anna I.R. Van Der Miesen, Sharanya Rao, Abigail L. Fischbach, Alex C. Bakker, Marjolein Van Den Brink, Renata A. Sanders, Caitlin Ryan, Stephen M. Rosenthal, Joep Roeffen, Asaf Orr Esq, Heather Newby, Kathie Moehlig, Richard Mocarski, Kim Horsnell, Thijs De Greeff, Annelou L.C. De Vries, Aisa Burgwal, Owen Wilson, Annika Kooke

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background: In available comparative studies, Dutch transgender youth have consistently shown better psychosocial well-being compared to those in other countries. Therefore, the Netherlands (N.L.) could be considered a gold-standard—though imperfect—comparator for transgender youth research. The United States (U.S.) is heterogeneous in its policies and practices impacting transgender youth, and policies are in flux. This study examines similarities and differences between U.S. and Dutch policies, practices, and contexts relevant to the well-being of transgender adolescents. Methods: A three-stage Delphi procedure was conducted with expert panels in the N.L. and U.S. Results: This process identified candidate mechanisms driving differences in outcomes for …

Can Household Water Sharing Advance Water Security? An Integrative Review Of Water Entitlements And Entitlement Failures, Melissa Beresford, Ellis Adams, Jessica Budds, Leila M. Harris, Wendy Jepson, Tennille Marley, Chloe Nguyen, Amber Pearson, Anaís Delilah Roque, Asher Y. Rosinger, Sameer H. Shah, Matthew Stellbauer, Amber Wutich

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

An increasing number of studies find that water sharing—the non-market transfer of privately held water between households—is a ubiquitous informal practice around the world and a primary way that households respond to water insecurity. Yet, a key question about household water sharing remains: is water sharing a viable path that can help advance household water security? Or should water sharing be understood as a symptom of water insecurity in wait for more formalized solutions? Here, we address this question by applying Sen’s entitlement framework in an integrative review of empirical scholarship on household water sharing. Our review shows that when …

A Review Of Social, Behavioral, And Ethical Considerations For Smart Life Engineering, John Murray

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Smart Life (SL) systems do not exist in a technological vacuum; they are embedded in a social ecosystem and have rich and complex interactions with their surroundings. It is important to recognize that their design and implementation will have an impact on the individuals and communities around them. This chapter examines the social, behavioral, and ethical issues to be considered in a holistic systems approach to SL engineering, to help practitioners and stakeholders to design the strategies needed for successful SL deployments. It addresses these topics from several disciplinary viewpoints and provides a comprehensive set of references for those requiring …

Health Care Professionals’ Perspectives On Technology Use In Urinary Care: Cross-Sectional Survey-Based Study, Nicole Zhang, Ni Zhang, Yun Wang, Rachel Wong, Kaylin Ma

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background: Urinary issues pose a significant burden on health care systems, necessitating innovative solutions to enhance patient care and alleviate the provider burden. Objective: The objective of this study was to explore health care professionals’ perceptions of urinary issues and assess their acceptance and readiness to adopt wearable and remote technologies for managing these conditions. The study aimed to identify the attributes and barriers influencing technology integration in clinical practice, using established theoretical frameworks, such as the Health Belief Model (HBM) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Methods: A cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted. A structured survey questionnaire was administered …

Pain For Pain: The Benefits And Challenges Of Bdsm Participation For People With Chronic Pain–An Exploratory Study, Reni Forer, Bryce Westlake

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Research is beginning to find that many BDSM (bondage/discipline, domination/submission, sadism/masochism) practitioners experience benefits beyond sexual pleasure. Additionally, given the relationship between pain and pleasure common in BDSM, there may be certain unanticipated benefits for practitioners reporting chronic pain (PRCP). We conducted an online survey of an international convenience sample of BDSM practitioners (N = 525). Participants were asked about self-perceived benefits and challenges related to participating in BDSM with CP. Using chi-square, independent sample t-test, logistic regression, and linear-by-linear association, responses were combined with demographics, participation timelines, co-participants, motivations, and frequency of activities to identify differences between PRCP and …

Evaluation Of A Community-Based Socialization Program For Independently Living Older Adults, Patricia A. Shane, Anne T. Ferguson, Erin L. Woodhead

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Social isolation among older adults is a major public health concern because of the adverse impact it has on health and well-being. Reducing social isolation can improve health and decrease the use of costly healthcare services. However, there is little consensus on the critical ingredients of programming to reduce social isolation. Bay Area Older Adults® (BAO) is a nonprofit organization whose community-based Healthy Living Program (HLP) focuses on building and nourishing older adults’ social networks through transitions such as retirement, divorce and loss of loved ones. The current study was a program evaluation of the HLP using a survey to …

Gender-Sexuality Alliance Advisors’ Covid-19 Strategies Inform Future Responses To Sociopolitical Crises, Robert A. Marx, Michael O’Brien, Megan K. Yang, Diana Smith, V. Paul Poteat

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

In the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a sudden shift to remote learning in schools across the United States, profoundly impacting marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ students. This qualitative study explores the experiences of Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) advisors during this period. Drawing on interviews with 10 GSA advisors, the research highlights the structural and logistical challenges faced, such as limited access to technology and virtual-meeting fatigue, as well as the innovative solutions and adaptations made to continue supporting LGBTQ+ youth. The study reveals how GSAs leveraged existing resources, maintained group cohesion, and adjusted meeting structures to navigate …

Unmasking Public Sentiment: A Sample Efficient Approach To Analyzing Twitter Opinion On U.S. Aid To Ukraine, Satanu Ghosh, Nikhil Dewitt, Souvick Ghosh, Denise Mccoy

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

The U.S. aid to Ukraine is a bipartisan topic of extreme socio-political importance. While several organizations have conducted surveys to understand the public stance on this topic, there is no research to date that analyses public opinion on social media, possibly due to the lack of annotated data. Therefore, this research compares several sample-efficient methods (including in-context learning) to analyze tweet sentiments with minimal training data. First, we collect 11,289 tweets about the U.S. aid to Ukraine and mapped them to U.S. states. Next, we explore three different approaches to sentiment analysis: tool-based, embedding-based, and prompt-based. Our results indicate that …

Self-Disclosure And Social Support In A Web-Based Opioid Recovery Community: Machine Learning Analysis, Yu Chi, Huai Yu Chen, Khushboo Thaker

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background: The opioid crisis remains a critical public health challenge, with opioid use disorder (OUD) imposing significant societal and health care burdens. Web-based communities, such as the Reddit community r/OpiatesRecovery, provide an anonymous and accessible platform for individuals in recovery. Despite the increasing use of Reddit for substance use research, limited studies have explored the content and interactions of self-disclosure and social support within these communities. Objective: This study aims to address the following research questions: (1) What content do users disclose in the community?; (2) What types of social support do users receive?; and (3) How does the content …

“This Is Everyone's Issue”: Policy Entrepreneurs, Issue Framing, And Coalition Building In The Passage Of Automatic Criminal Record Expungement, Elsa Y. Chen, Sarah E. Lageson, Ericka B. Adams

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Research Summary: Since 2018, at least 12 U.S. states have introduced policies to expunge certain eligible arrest and criminal conviction records through automated or algorithmic means. Drawing on interviews with governmental representatives and community stakeholders, this paper identifies strategies used to pass this legislation in Pennsylvania and Utah, the first two states to enact automated expungement policies. We frame our findings around three established theoretical frameworks of public policy making—policy entrepreneurship, issue framing, and coalition building—illustrating their combined strategic importance with data gathered from those involved on the ground in the passage and adoption of automated expungement legislation. The findings …

Exploration Of The Effects Of Tai Chi Practice On Lower Limb Corticomuscular Coherence During Balance-Demanding Virtual Reality Conditions In Older Adults, Yang Hu, Elizabeth T. Hsiao-Wecksler, Manuel E. Hernandez

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Tai Chi practice has been widely adopted to improve balance and prevent falls in older adults. However, the neural mechanisms underlying the benefits of Tai Chi are difficult to evaluate during traditional balance assessments. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of Tai Chi and healthy aging on corticomuscular coherence (CMC) while standing in virtual balance-demanding environments. We recorded neural, muscular, and behavioral data in an immersive virtual reality environment while implementing sensory and mechanical perturbations to introduce high postural threats. Through the acquisition of electroencephalography and electromyography signals, we examined β and γ CMC changes in …

Lgbtq+ Advocacy And Inclusive School Policies Are Associated With Self-Worth Among Youth In Gender-Sexuality Alliances Over The School Year, V. Paul Poteat, Abigail Richburg, Jack Day, Emily K. Finch, Jerel P. Calzo, Robert A. Marx, Arthur Lipkin, Hirokazu Yoshikawa

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Inclusive school policies and youth advocacy could promote well-being and positive development among youth of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. Utilizing three waves of data over a 6-month period, we tested a three-level multilevel model on the extent to which youth’s advocacy in gender-sexuality alliances (GSAs; school clubs affirming youth identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning or with other expansive sexual orientations or gender identities [LGBTQ+]) and attending schools that more thoroughly implemented LGBTQ+ inclusive policies and practices were associated with youth’s self-worth. Participants were 627 youth (87% LGBQ+ youth, 45% transgender or nonbinary youth, 48% youth of …

Learning About The Transit Passenger Experience From Microblogging Posts, Egbe Etu Etu, Asha Weinstein Agrawal, Jordan Larot, Chaitanya Tatipigari, Imokhai Theophilus Tenebe

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Transit agencies often track delays and malfunctions but may overlook riders’ real-time social experiences. To fill this gap, we analyzed 559 tweets from 2020 to 2023 that captured personal accounts of public transport use. Using thematic analysis, we found that 74% of posts criticized other passengers’ behavior, far outweighing comments on transit ride quality, such as complaints about delays (25%). Notably, 86% of tweets expressed negative sentiment, though some highlighted exceptional service. These findings demonstrate that interpersonal dynamics are a key contributor to riders’ experiences and illustrate the nature of the interactions that riders like and dislike.

Can Whistleblowing Improve Organizational Effectiveness? Evidence From Financial Reporting Misconduct, Hong Kim Duong, Sadok El Ghoul, Omrane Guedhami, Emmanuel Sequeira, Zuobao Wei

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background: While whistleblowing (WB) has attracted growing research interest in recent years, several critical WB-related issues remain underexplored. Purpose: This study examines the impact of external WB allegations on a firm’s organizational capital (OC). Such allegations often indicate management’s failure to address employee concerns internally, spotlighting potential deficiencies in internal reporting systems, employee communication, training, and trust in organizational fairness. To mitigate reputational damage, restore employee trust, and prevent future incidents, we posit that WB firms respond by increasing OC investment. Research Design: We employ a difference-in-differences approach, comparing OC changes in WB-targeted firms with those in a propensity score-matched …

A Short Pragmatic Tool For Evaluating Community Engagement: Partnering For Health Improvement And Research Equity, John G. Oetzel, Blake Boursaw, Lenora Littledeer, Sarah Kastelic, Page Castro-Reyes, Juan M. Peña, Patricia Rodriguez Espinosa, Shannon Sanchez-Youngman, Lorenda Belone, Nina Wallerstein

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background: As community-engaged research (CEnR), community-based participatory research (CBPR) and patient-engaged research (PEnR) have become increasingly recognized as valued research approaches in the last several decades, there is need for pragmatic and validated tools to assess effective partnering practices that contribute to health and health equity outcomes. This article reports on the co-creation of an actionable pragmatic survey, shortened from validated metrics of partnership practices and outcomes. Methods: We pursued a triple aim of preserving content validity, psychometric properties, and importance to stakeholders of items, scales, and constructs from a previously validated measure of CBRP/CEnR processes and outcomes. There were …

Potential Impact Of Increased Global Warming On The Hydroclimatology Of Central Africa During The Twenty-First Century, Abdon K. Dessacka, Thierry C. Fotso-Nguemo, Moustapha Tall, Zéphirin D. Yepdo, Steven Chouto, Bienvenue D. Dikwa, Crépin K. Komelo, Rodric M. Nonki, Ismaila Diallo, Arona Diedhiou, David Monkam, Hamid Sana

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Africa is highly susceptible to the adverse effects of climate change, particularly changes in hydroclimatic conditions. Assessing the impacts that could be reduced by limiting global warming is therefore crucial to strengthening adaptation to climate change, especially in Central Africa, known for its rich biodiversity along with the diversity of its ecosystems. In that perspective, the purpose of the present study is to assess the projected impact of increased global warming on the hydroclimatology of Central Africa, based on an ensemble-mean of high-resolution regional climate model (RCM) simulations from the Coordinated Output for Regional Evaluations integrated into the Coordinated Regional …

Could Password Sharing Entitle You To Monitor Your Partner's Social Media Accounts?, Irum Saeed Abbasi, David Khabaz, Maryam Abbasi, Greg Feist

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Social media offers a plethora of strangers cum friends whose photo shopped images seem idealistic and more appealing than one's primary partner. Due to the physical absence and lack of non-verbal cues, online communications can quickly become aggressive and emotionally intimate. Emotional intimacy between online friends is considered a betrayal in a dyadic relationship. To protect mates from external relationship threats, romantic partners may request and/or coerce their significant other for social media account passwords. In a sample of 299 adults (women = 246) between18 and 72 years (M = 21.12, SD = 5.39), we explored the participants’ attitudes toward …