Digital Commons Network^™

Life At Low Reynolds Number Re-Visited: The Efficiency Of Microbial Propulsion, Peter G. Brewer, Edward T. Peltzer, Kathryn Lage

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

It has for over 40 years been taken as a truth universally acknowledged that microbial swimming efficiency by flagellar propulsion is fixed by fluid mechanical limitations at 1–2%. And that the missing 98% dissipated as heat is inefficient or wasted. Estimates of such low swimming efficiency make no sense. Microbes have had billions of years to evolve highly efficient swimming; images of microbes in motion show movement with alacrity and maximum speeds of up to 10 body lengths per second, equivalent to the running and swimming speeds of far larger animals. This paradox can be resolved by taking into account …

Sociodemographic Determinants Of Librarians’ Psychological Wellbeing: An Ex-Post Facto Research, Christian S. Ugwuanyi Phd

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Considering the enormous responsibilities placed on school librarians, this study explored the sociodemographic determinants of school librarians’ psychological wellbeing in Nigeria. This study used an ex-post facto research design. Drawing from the scientific research paradigm and quantitative research approach, data were obtained on 145 school librarians using the Psychological wellbeing scale (α = .82). The 145 librarians were sampled from both Federal and state Universities in southeast Nigeria. The data were analysed using the mean and analysis of variance. The study found that, while age had no significant (p > .05) influence on librarians' psychological wellbeing, qualification had a significant …

Media Literacy In Library And Information Centres: Practical Perspectives, Clement Samuel Udo Mr, Edidiong Nyong Ben Mr, Ifiok James Afaha Mr, Shalom Yusuf Mr

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The primary objective of every academic library is to meet the information need(s) of members of the community and to help the institution to achieve its objective of promoting teaching, learning and research. To achieve this, the library usually delivers different services in order to meet the information needs of the user community. In the information-rich environment of the 21^st century, library managers need to be both discriminating users and skillful creators of information using media literacy skills. This study focused on how media literacy skills such as accessibility, analytical, evaluation, communication and participative skills can be adopted in …

A Scientometric Analysis And Visualization Of The Universal Reading Motivation Studies Based On Co-Word And Co-Author, Mozhdeh Salajegheh

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Abstract

Reading is an intellectual process that everyone for doing it, need to motivation, so that they can interrelate with the concepts of the texts that they read. Reading is the agent of wisdom and knowledge. Today is the age of information. Information is power. People who have internal motivation for reading information resources, are those who have information and change it to knowledge and knowledge is the power of readers who have internal motivation. The aim of present research is to analyze world scientific studies on reading motivation based on Scientometric and benchmarks of centrality in articles of web …

Assistive Technologies Used In Canadian University Libraries For The Visually Impaired, Ramina Mukundan, Nikesh Narayanan

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Information has always been a catalyst for societal improvements. Libraries play a crucial role in ensuring equitable access to information resources. Enhanced accessibility helps in establishing an atmosphere that supports and promotes inclusive education. Information and resource access is quite a challenge for visually impaired people. The needs of people with varying levels of visual impairment differ in their range and magnitude. The use of assistive technologies greatly aids in closing this gap. Resource and accessibility provisions should be modified to meet the needs of visually impaired users, who need specialized equipment to access traditional and modern technology-based information resources. …

An Evaluative Study Of Library Use By Military Personnel: A Case Study Of 2 Mechanized Division, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment Ibadan, Nigeria, Itunu Mary Adepegba, Iseoluwa Adedokun

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

An evaluative study of use of military library by military personnel is of utmost importance for libraries to positively impact on human race collective security. The ability to make informed and correct decision is in correlation with the availability of rich information sources, which is the stronghold of libraries worldwide. 2 Mechanized Division, Adekunle Fajuyi Cantonment, Oyo state Nigeria is used as a case study to unravel this phenomenon, to understand the type of information required by military personnel and use the outcome as a template to run efficient military library services. This research was conducted to ascertain if military …

Aligning The Transit Industry And Their Vendors In The Face Of Increasing Cyber Risk: Recommendations For Identifying And Addressing Cybersecurity Challenges, Scott Belcher, Terri Belcher, Kathryn Seckman, Brandon Thomas, Homayun Yaqub

Mineta Transportation Institute

Public transit agencies in the United States depend on external vendors to help deliver and maintain many essential services and to provide critical technologies, from ticket purchases to scheduling to email management. While the integration of new, advanced technologies into the public transit industry brings important advancements to U.S. critical transportation infrastructure, the application of digital technologies also brings with it a new assortment of digital risks. Transit agencies of all sizes are finding themselves subject to cyber incidents—most notably ransomware attacks—like those experienced by larger, more prominent companies and critical infrastructure providers. The findings in this report focus on …

Astronomy For Students With Visual Impairments: Development Of The Career Exploration Lab, Thomas I. Madura, Carol Christian, Tiffany Wild, D Hurd, J Harris, Lindsay Bartolone, K Silberman, S Mcvoy, K Walker

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

For students with visual impairments (VI), the possibility of a future in astronomy, or any science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field, seems daunting. In order to bolster astronomy and STEM opportunities for high school students with VI in the United States, we developed the STEM Career Exploration Lab (CEL). Our STEM CEL methodology employs tactile astronomy instruction via 3D printing technologies and unique 3D-printed models, professionals with VI acting as role models, and partnerships with local STEM industries that provide insights into possible career paths. In partnership with the South Carolina Commission for the Blind (SCCB) and the Michigan …

Connected Simulation For Work Zone Safety Application, Vahid Balali

Mineta Transportation Institute

Every year, over 60,000 work zone crashes are reported in the United States (FHWA 2016). Such work zone crashes have resulted in over 4,400 fatal and 200,000 non-fatal injuries in the last 5 years (FHWA 2016, BLS 2014). Apart from the physical and emotional trauma, the annual cost of these injuries exceeds $4 million-representing significant wasted resources. To improve work zone safety, this research developed a system architecture for unveiling high-risk behavioral patterns among highway workers, equipment operators, and drivers within dynamic highway work zones. This research implemented the use of a connected virtual environment, which is an immersive hyper-realistic …

Creating Safer Communities For The Use Of Active Transportation Modes In California: The Development Of Effective Communication Message Strategy For Vulnerable Road Users, Samer Sarofim, Aly Tawfik

Mineta Transportation Institute

Despite increased efforts to improve safety in recent years (e.g., the Focus Cities Program in California), California continues to have a high rate of pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities. Currently, the state currently lacks a cohesive messaging strategy to improve behaviors related to pedestrian and cyclist traffic safety practices. To fulfill this need, this research showcases the differential effect of message framing on attitudes and intended behaviors related to pedestrian and cyclists traffic safety practices. This project investigated factors & risky behaviors contributing to accidents involving vulnerable road users, preventive measures to decrease accidents involving vulnerable road users, and more. The …

Developing A Feasible Business Model For Expanding The Ev Market To Lower Income Californians, Samer Sarofim, Aly Tawfik

Mineta Transportation Institute

Electric vehicles (EVs) are a valuable tool in addressing the climate and energy challenges placed on our transportation systems. However, while national and international market shares of EVs have been rising with exponential rates, access to EVs of low-income populations has been significantly slower. This research developed a business model for expanding the EV market to low-income Californians. The team developed the model from qualitative data from various stakeholders, including Electric and Solar Companies, Professional and Community-Based Organizations, State Agencies, research institutions, and more, which enabled insights regarding various barriers that hinder the adoption of EVs. The team also used …

Design Of An Evaluation Plan For Senate Bill 1046, Maria Chierichetti, Armin Moghadam, Fatemeh Davoudi

Mineta Transportation Institute

In an effort to understand and decrease alcohol-impaired driving as a primary collision factor In California, the research team designed an evaluation plan for California Senate Bill 1046 and its focus on ignition interlock devices as a sentence for Driving Under Influence offense. This plan will evaluate whether Senate Bill 1046 affected the Driving Under the Influence crash frequency and severity, and whether sociodemographic and geographic factors influence its effectiveness. This report lays the foundation for the evaluation that will be conducted in 2024. The research team conducted a meta-analysis of the last 12 years of literature and research on …

Manual For Asphalt Pavement Repair And Resurfacing Preparation, Dingxin Cheng, Gary Hicks, Roger D. Smith

Mineta Transportation Institute

Timely repairs of pavement defects are essential in protecting an important investment and asset that public agencies have. These repairs may be made as durable “stand-alone” repairs of isolated problems, or as part of preparations for a total resurfacing. This manual provides basic information on the planning, materials and construction aspects of common pavement repairs such as crack sealing, crack filling, and patching, as well as a broader look at other preparations needed for total resurfacing a pavement, whether the resurfacing is a surface treatment or a thin hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlay.

Wastewater-Derived Ammonia For A Green Transportation Fuel, Joseph Kalman, Maryam Haddad

Mineta Transportation Institute

The energy-water nexus (i.e., availability of potable water and clean energy) is among the most important problems currently facing society. Ammonia is a carbon-free fuel that has the potential to reduce the carbon footprint in combustion related vehicles. However, ammonia production processes typically have their own carbon footprint and do not necessarily come from sustainable sources. This research examines wastewater filtration processes to harvest ammonia for transportation processes. The research team studied mock wastewater solutions and was able to achieve ammonia concentrations above 80%(nanofiltration) and 90% (reverse osmosis). The research team also investigated the influence of transmembrane pressure and flow …

Biological Hydrogen Gas Production From Food Waste As A Sustainable Fuel For Future Transportation, Pitiporn Asvapathanagul, Leanne Deocampo, Nicholas Banuelos

Mineta Transportation Institute

In the global search for the right alternative energy sources for a more sustainable future, hydrogen production has stood out as a strong contender. Hydrogen gas (H2) is well-known as one of the cleanest and most sustainable energy sources, one that mainly yields only water vapor as a byproduct. Additionally, H2 generates triple the amount of energy compared to hydrocarbon fuels. H2 can be synthesized from several technologies, but currently only 1% of H2 production is generated from biomass. Biological H2 production generated from anaerobic digestion is a fraction of the 1%. This study aims to enhance biological H2 production …

Analyzing The Use And Impacts Of Oakland Slow Streets And Potential Scalability Beyond Covid-19, Gordon Douglas, David Moore

Mineta Transportation Institute

This report presents the results of a mixed-methods study of the 2020-2022 Oakland Slow Streets program. An official response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the program used signs and temporary barricades to limit thru-traffic on 21 miles of city streets to create more and safer space for walking, cycling, and outdoor recreation. Researchers collected data throughout the summer of 2021 on seven designated slow streets plus one cross street and one control street for each – a total of 21 street segments representing conditions in seven different neighborhoods across Oakland. Data collection comprised in-person passerby counts, observations and photographs of local …

Contracting Strategies: A Different Approach To Address Long-Term Performance, Maria Calahorra-Jimenez

Mineta Transportation Institute

For cost-efficiency, public safety, and sustainability, improving long-term performance in highway projects is imperative for public administrations. Project delivery and procurement methods provide an opportunity to align design and construction processes with this goal. While previous studies have explored whether project delivery methods impact the long-term performance of highway projects, these studies did not focus on how core elements within project procurement relate to long-term performance. Thus, to fill this gap, this research explores how and to what extent long-term evaluation criteria are considered in design-build best-value procurement of highway projects. To this end, the team conducted content analysis on …

Blockchain And Distributed Autonomous Community Ecosystems: Opportunities To Democratize Finance And Delivery Of Transport, Housing, Urban Greening And Community Infrastructure, William Riggs, Vipul Vyas, Menka Sethi

Mineta Transportation Institute

This report investigates and develops specifications for using blockchain and distributed organizations to enable decentralized delivery and finance of urban infrastructure. The project explores use cases, including: providing urban greening, street or transit infrastructure; services for street beautification, cleaning and weed or graffiti abatement; potential ways of resource allocation ADU; permitting and land allocation; and homeless housing. It establishes a general process flow for this blockchain architecture, which involves: 1) the creation of blocks (transactions); 2) sending these blocks to nodes (users) on the network for an action (mining) and then validation that that action has taken place; and 3) …

Managing The Curb: Understanding The Impacts Of On-Demand Mobility On Public Transit, Micromobility, And Pedestrians, Susan Shaheen, Elliot Martin, Adam Cohen, Jacquelyn Broader, Richard Davis

Mineta Transportation Institute

In recent years, innovative mobility and shifts in travel and consumption behavior are changing how people access and use the curb. Shared mobility—the shared use of a vehicle, bicycle, scooter, or other mode—coupled with outdoor dining, curbside pick-up, and robotic delivery are creating new needs related to the planning, management, and enforcement of curb access. This study examines curb planning and management from several angles, such as safety, social equity, and multimodal connections. This research employs a multi-method approach to identify the changing needs for curb space management and how to meet these needs through new planning and implementation policies …

Assessing The Performance And Efficiency Of Environmental Dna/Rna Capture Methodologies Under Controlled Experimental Conditions, Anastasija Zaiko, Ulla Von Ammon, Jacqui Stuart, Kirsty F. Smith, Richard Yao, Melissa Welsh, Xavier Pochon, Holly A. Bowers

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Growing interest and affordability of environmental DNA and RNA (eDNA and eRNA) approaches for biodiversity assessments and monitoring of complex ecosystems have led to the emergence of manifold protocols for nucleic acids (NAs) isolation and processing. Although there is no consensus on a standardized workflow, the common practice for water samples is to concentrate NAs via filtration using varying pore size membranes. Using the smallest pore is assumed to be most efficient for NAs capture from a wide range of material (including sub-cellular particles); however, a trade-off must occur between detection of a meaningful molecular signal and cost/time effort when …

Disease Surveillance By Artificial Intelligence Links Eelgrass Wasting Disease To Ocean Warming Across Latitudes, Lillian R. Aoki, Brendan Rappazzo, Deanna S. Beatty, Lia K. Domke, Ginny L. Eckert, Morgan E. Eisenlord, Olivia J. Graham, Leah Harper, Timothy L. Hawthorne, Margot Hessing-Lewis, Kevin A. Hovel, Zachary L. Monteith, Ryan S. Mueller, Angeleen M. Olson, Carolyn Prentice, John J. Stachowicz, Fiona Tomas, Bo Yang, For Full Author List, See Comments Below

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Ocean warming endangers coastal ecosystems through increased risk of infectious disease, yet detection, surveillance, and forecasting of marine diseases remain limited. Eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows provide essential coastal habitat and are vulnerable to a temperature-sensitive wasting disease caused by the protist Labyrinthula zosterae. We assessed wasting disease sensitivity to warming temperatures across a 3500 km study range by combining long-term satellite remote sensing of ocean temperature with field surveys from 32 meadows along the Pacific coast of North America in 2019. Between 11% and 99% of plants were infected in individual meadows, with up to 35% of plant tissue damaged. …

Zero Trust Architecture: Trend And Impacton Information Security, Onome Christopher Edo, Theophilus Tenebe, Egbe-Etu Etu, Atamgbo Ayuwu, Joshua Emakhu, Shakiru Adebiyi

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Traditional-based security models are a threat to information security; they have been regarded as weak and ineffective to meet the dynamics of information system trust. An emerging framework, Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA) seeks to close the trust gap in information security through enforcing policies based on identity and continuous authentication and verification. This framework is built on several trust nodes and logical components that attempt to close the trust gap that exists in an information system. The adoption of this framework is still in its teething stage which is a result of several misleading deductions and assumptions. We attempt to …

Public University Library Websites In Bangladesh: Features, Contents And Maintenance Issues, Md. Abdul Hakim Shah

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The objective of this study is to explore the contents, features, and maintenance issues of Bangladeshi public university library websites. To ensure representativeness, we selected twelve (12) public university libraries that have dedicated websites. For authenticity and reliability of data, a checklist of sixty-one (61) items divided into ten (10) categories was used, along with interview procedures. The findings of this research have been presented in both tabular and figurative forms. According to the research, the website trend, which began a few years ago, will become a driving force for library services, although there is still potential for development such …

Open Educational Resources (Oer) Initiatives: Global And Indian Quo Vadis, Phulasmita Nath

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Galloping speed of technological development and intense research activities in ICT over last couple of decades has facilitated opportunities of rapid expansion in creation, distribution and consumption of educational resources across the world. While fulcrum motivational factor for such technological advancement is indeed profit driven, a substantial gain has also been drawn by academic communities using the same set of technologies for greater social good. Open Source Software, Creative Commons, Open Access Initiatives have paved the way for Open Educational Resources (OER). With these impetuses, nations are trying to bridge the gaps between information have and haven’t and reduce the …

It Is Time To Break The Boundaries: Profiling Practices And Perceptions On Marketing In Special Libraries In Sri Lanka., K. A. Vishaka Narmada, Assistant Librarian, W.R.W.M.A.U. Weerakoon, Senior Assistant Librarian

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Around the world, libraries face the challenge of being underutilized, and special libraries in Sri Lanka in particular are no exception. Studies show that this can be overcome through marketing. Current study determines how marketing is applied in special libraries in the Colombo district, Sri Lanka and their future prospects in marketing. The study identifies the current marketing activities, marketing techniques and librarians’ perception towards marketing in selected special libraries (n=50) in the Colombo district.

Findings revealed that special libraries under study have a sufficient number of resources acquired and market opportunities available. However, it is assumed that unintentional marketing …

Bibliometric Analysis On Information Literacy (2017-2021): A Systematic Literature Review, Md. Nurul Islam, Md. Tarik Been Aziz, Rupak Chakravarty

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Purpose

The goal of this paper is to examine the literature published on information literacy (IL) between 2017 and 2021 and reveal the most important trends in IL publication.

Design/methodology/approach

Scopus database was used to analyze specific aspects of publishing trends by looking at the literature indexed from 2017 to 2021 in the field of IL.

Findings

In 2017, there was a significant increase in the number of citations to IL-related literature. In addition to "Janes-Jang SM" and the "College and Research Libraries," they were both prolific authors and sources. Most articles were published in the Journal of Academic Librarianship …

Awareness, Accessibility And Use Of Electronic Information Resources By Students Of Public Polytechnics In Lagos State, Nigeria, Omonike Atinuke Arowosola Mrs, Azeez Adebamgbola Adeoye, Lauretta Nnebuogor Ojei Mrs., Mutiat Yewande Salvador Miss.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

The success of the 21^st century library practices is dependent on digital information handling, management and dissemination otherwise known as electronic information resources EIRs management. Viable nations of the world have long harnessed EIRs potentials in growing and developing their educational system including the polytechnic education via effective teaching and learning. Unfortunately, this is not the case of the Nigerian polytechnic system which could be due to several factors. Thus, the study investigates Awareness, Accessibility and Use of Electronic Information Resources by Students of Public Polytechnics in Lagos State, Nigeria. The descriptive survey research design was adopted on a …

Web Information Seeking Behaviour Of Undergraduate Students Of Library And Information Studies At The University Of Zululand, Khulekani Maxwell Mnguni, Matsobane D. Kekana

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

In the 21^st century, higher institutions of learning have completely transformed their teaching and learning by adopting the web and its related technologies due to the change of scenery in terms of information searching. Notably, the new generation of students is highly dependent on the internet for their academic and personal activities. However, the internet contains a vast array of information, and some of this information is not suitable for scholarly use. Thus it is crucial for new undergraduates to have the necessary competencies that will allow them to efficiently search and retrieve information online. Therefore, this transformation encouraged …

Preparedness For Open Science Through Research Data Management At The University Of Zambia In Covid-19 And Post-Covid Eras, Abel C.M. M’Kulama, Mr., Zachary Zulu Mr., Pailet Chewe Mr., Thabiso M. Mwiinga Ms.

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

This paper presents the findings of a study on readiness of the University of Zambia in participating in research data management services in the COVID-19 and post Covid eras. The study adopted a qualitative research method and employed purposive sampling. In-depth interviews were conducted with key informants in the University. Findings reveal a lack of awareness and knowledge about research data management among senior officers and inadequate skills among library staff. On a positive note, the University has a robust information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure supported by qualified information technology (IT) staff. It was further discovered that the University …

An Assessment Of Information Literacy Competence Of Doctoral Students In Universities In Ogun State, Adesola Adekunle, Ezinwanyi Madukoma

Library Philosophy and Practice (e-journal)

Information is the foundation upon which all academic activities are built. The quality of teaching, learning and research is a function of the quality of information available to practitioners. While the current information landscape is characterized with information adequacy made possible by the application of ICTs to information handling, the sheer magnitude of available information tending towards overload is itself a challenge in the current technology-driven world we live in. In response to this challenge, academic institutions all over the world came up with what is known as information literacy described as an intellectual framework which enables individuals to identify, …