Digital Commons Network^™

Growth Of Reusable Space Technology: Commercial Opportunities And Military Advantages, Khyati Singh

Journal of Strategic Security

This paper examines the evolution and implications of reusable space technology, focusing on its impact on commercial opportunities and military advantages. The analysis traces the development from early concepts through the current "third space age," marked by successful commercial ventures like SpaceX and Blue Origin. The study explores how reusable technology has transformed space access by significantly reducing launch costs and increasing mission frequency. It evaluates key technological breakthroughs, including advanced materials, precision landing systems, and improved propulsion systems that enable reusability. The paper further analyses the commercial landscape, discussing emerging markets in satellite constellations, space tourism, and orbital manufacturing. …

The Element Of Surprise: Highly Maneuverable Satellites And Ssa, Simone L. Montandon

Journal of Strategic Security

Military, commercial, and civil space missions rely on accurate space situational awareness (SSA) to avoid collisions and inform the analysis of the threat environment. Historically, man-made objects in space have been highly predictable because their trajectories were mostly constrained within the orbit they occupied. However, fast-paced progress in engine/thruster technology, energy efficiency, and on-orbit servicing and refueling have allowed satellites to maneuver often and quickly within their lifespan. This added an element of unpredictability that adds further uncertainty to an operational environment that is already highly uncertain. This paper argues that solving this issue will require pursuing continued custody of …

Identifying Signatures Of Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena Through Structured Analytic Techniques, Joshua S. Pierson, Ms, Dss

Journal of Strategic Security

Unidentified Aerospace Phenomena (UAP) penetrate sovereign airspace and sea space with such proliferation that often national security entities are left baffled with how to detect, identify, and respond to such actions. Since World War II, these phenomena were reported to pace aircraft, maneuver at high speeds in an erratic fashion and increase speed to hypersonic velocity when starting from stasis. The study of UAP is shrouded in stigma, perplexing government mishaps, and academic inquiry focusing on the material aspects of UAP, leaving a gap in determining the exhibited capability and intent of these phenomena. The use of structured analytic techniques …

Subterranean Warfare’S Strategic Coming Of Age: The Israel-Hamas War Of 2023-Present, Nadav Morag

Journal of Strategic Security

This article posits the question as to whether subterranean warfare, which has been a tactic used in warfare since ancient times, has evolved to being an operational tactic in some contexts (such as in the Vietnam War and some Israeli-Hamas clashes in Gaza prior to 2023) and has now, for the first time, has “come of age” to the strategic level in the Israel-Hamas war that broke out in October 2023. The article argues that the current war in Gaza is one in which subterranean warfare has become strategic because the outcomes of this form of warfare in this context …

Ai-Enabled Terrorism: A Strategic Analysis Of Emerging Threats And Countermeasures In Global Security, Shai Farber

Journal of Strategic Security

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming terrorist methods and counter-terrorism strategies, with far-reaching effects on global security. This paper examines how terrorists use AI for new attack tactics, propaganda, and coordination, while also evaluating the ethical, legal, and strategic challenges AI introduces into counter-terrorism. Through a systematic literature review and qualitative analysis, the study identifies key trends in AI's impact on security dynamics, highlighting its role in blurring the lines between peace and conflict. An analytical framework is proposed to navigate the complex landscape of AI-driven asymmetric warfare, providing practical insights for policymakers and researchers. The study …

Detecting Drone Threats At Stadiums And Public Venues: Overview, Operational Considerations, And Technical Implementation, Nathan P. Jones, John P. Sullivan, George W. Davis Jr.

Journal of Strategic Security

This article overviews the issue of drone threats to stadiums and public venues. It provides emergency managers and those defending this critical infrastructure with an overview, operational considerations, and a discussion of the technical implementation for defending these sites from drone threats through detection. It provides a discussion of the current limitations of countermeasures and legal frameworks relevant to drones. Throughout, this article uses real drone detection data from the Astroworld concert incident (November 2021) as a notional case study to illustrate the type of drone detection data emergency managers will contend with and what can be gleaned from it. …

Strategic Leadership In Security Media: Enhancing Community Safety Against Drug Abuse In Oman, Raed Awashreh, Saif Alshuhoomi,, Viola Gjylbegaj

Journal of Strategic Security

Rapid global development has led to increased security challenges, particularly regarding drug-related crimes. This study examines the role of strategic leadership in security media to enhance community security, focusing on drug abuse in Oman. Despite ongoing efforts to combat drug-related offenses, these crimes remain a significant threat to societal stability. The qualitative research involved in-depth interviews with 14 decision-makers, including 7 experts from Oman’s security media, police, and related institutions. It explores the effectiveness of security media campaigns in raising awareness and reducing drug use. Thematic analysis of the data revealed key challenges, including limited resources, outdated technologies, and insufficient …

Crow's Nest, September 29, 2025, Crow's Nest Staff

Crow's Nest

The September 29, 2025 issue of the Crow's Nest.

Untangling The Roles Of Pulmonary Vagal Afferent Subsets With Inhaled Irritants, Teresa Darcey

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The sensory nerves in the airways directly regulate critical defenses and indirectly regulate vital gas exchange. Airway function is largely controlled by the autonomic nervous system, and our understanding of its sensory regulation is directly connected to our ability to treat respiratory and cardiovascular pathologies. Airway sensory afferents are heterogeneous with respect to their electrophysiological properties, peptidergic capacity, and stimuli sensitivity, which at least in part dictate some of their various functions. There is evidence that embryological origin impacts reflex function: activation of the neural crest-derived population of sensory afferents has been shown to evoke the cough reflex whereas activation …

The Role Of Emotional Stability And Social Confidence In Leading With Vulnerability Moderated By Perceived Trust In The Leader, Perceived Trust In The Team, And Psychological Safety, Adam N. Smith

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

AKTiVe leadership is a foundational cultural model that has been adopted at Florida Health Science Center (Tampa General Hospital). The premise of the model is that treating each other with Authenticity, Kindness, Transparency, and Vulnerability (AKTiVe Model) will lead to cultural change that enhances trust, engagement, and psychological safety, which will in turn drive performance improvement for the organization. It takes years to change the culture of an organization, which highlights the need to focus on sustainability and resilience in the culture. This research aims to understand the personality traits that predict leading with vulnerability.

I focused on vulnerability because …

From Resettlement To Employment: Bridging Barriers And Empowering Refugee Women Through Workforce Training In Tampa Bay, Mikayla William, Haley Mendillo, Aileen Pinell, Brittany Gordon

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Approximately 12,425 refugees aged 18-60, resettled in Hillsborough County in fiscal year 2023, highlighting a need for targeted programs supporting refugees in building career skills and gaining confidence in navigating the job market. Refugee women face unique challenges as they integrate into the U.S. workforce, including communication barriers, limited work history, and adapting to workplace norms. A workforce readiness program tailored to refugee women in Tampa Bay provides essential career development tools, fostering economic independence and integration through culturally sensitive training methods. Over a two-day program, a structured curriculum was implemented to accommodate varying educational backgrounds and English proficiency levels. …

Assessing The Effectiveness And Implementation Of Artificial Intelligence In Detecting And Preventing International Financial Crimes: A Case Study Of The United Kingdom, Robert J. Dalton

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Financial crime has been an issue that has plagued the world for as long as the concept of trade has existed. With the rise of the digital age and globalization, financial crime has continuously and significantly evolved, with increasingly complex and intricate methods of financial crime and fraud being committed each year. Government organizations and financial institutions are having to constantly overcome new barriers and challenges to monitor financial crimes due to their evolving nature. Artificial intelligence, a new technology that is being constantly researched and explored, has the potential to innovate current and new technologies within the financial intelligence …

L-Ergothioneine Shows Benefits In Reducing Age-Related Hearing Loss: Improved Signal-In-Noise Detection In Mice, Evin Roji, Muhammad Hassam Amir

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The amino acid, L-ergothioneine (EGT), has gained attention as a potential therapeutic for age-related conditions due to its antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. EGT is naturally found in various foods and shows promise in protecting against oxidative stress, inflammation, and neurodegeneration. Recent studies have highlighted its role in improving physiological functions in aging models, particularly in mitigating age-related declines in sensory and neurological systems. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether long-term oral administration of EGT via gavage could improve hearing function in aged mice. Hearing sensitivity and signal-in-noise detection were measured to determine the therapeutic potential of EGT for …

Parental Internalizing Symptoms And Parenting Behaviors: The Moderating Role Of Social Support, Anh Van Nguyen

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

“It takes a village to raise a child”. Social support is vital to parents in carrying out child-rearing duties, which is an additional source of stress for parents. Parents who exhibit higher levels of internalizing symptoms (e.g., depression, anxiety, stress) are more likely to engage in negative parenting behaviors. These behaviors can, in turn, negatively impact child development. Therefore, it is essential to investigate whether greater social support can buffer or attenuate the relationship between parental internalizing symptoms and negative parenting practices. Understanding this potential moderating effect is particularly important given the central role of parenting in shaping children’s developmental …

Evaluating Extreme Weather And Climate Adaptation Concerns For Corn And Soybean Farmers, Dharsh Saravana

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Corn and soybeans are the most economically valuable crops in Minnesota and represent significant land usage in the state with farmers reporting 14.5 million acres of corn and 7 million acres of soybeans planted in 2024. Continued warming and fluctuations between extreme weather events driven by climate change are expected to increase pest pressure, flood damage, and risk of heat stress for crops and farmworkers. Six climate-conscious commercial corn and soybean farmers located predominantly in southern Minnesota were interviewed to understand their perceived extreme weather and climate impacts, farm management responses to these conditions, and risk management concerns for their …

The United States’ Secret Warfare Against Democracy, Ashtyn J. Smith

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

This study examines the methods used by the U.S government to orchestrate the overthrow of the democratically elected Guatemalan president Jacobo Árbenz in 1954, by focusing on declassified CIA and State Department documents. Through operation PBSUCCESS, the U.S employed a combination of psychological warfare, economic pressure, diplomatic isolation, and paramilitary operations to destabilize the Árbenz administration. CIA documents reveal the role of propaganda campaigns, assassination proposals, and the arming of opposition forces to create internal chaos. By using primary sources such as CIA memos, and the Foreign Relations of the United States (FRUS) archives, this research will outline the step-by-step …

B-Catenin/B-Cell Lymphoma 9 Protein-Protein Interaction Inhibiting Peptidomimetics, Jianfeng Cai, Peng Sang, Yan Shi, Haitao Ji, Min Zhang

USF Patents

Disclosed herein is a series of helical sulfono-γ-AApeptides that mimic the binding mode of the α-helical HD2 domain of B-Cell Lymphoma 9 (BCL9). As disclosed herein, sulfono-γ-AApeptides can structurally and functionally mimic the α-helical domain of BCL9, and selectively disrupt β-catenin/BCL9 PPIs with even higher potency. More intriguingly, these sulfono-γ-AApeptides can enter cancer cells, bind with β-catenin and disrupt β-catenin/BCL PPI, and exhibit excellent cellular activity, which is much more potent than the BCL9 peptide. Furthermore, enzymatic stability studies demonstrated the remarkable stability of the helical sulfono-γ-AApeptides, with no degradation in the presence of pronase for 24 h, augmenting their …

Control Of Robotic Arms Through Hybrid Inverse Kinematics And Intuitive Reference Frame, Lei Wu, Redwan Alqasemi, Rajiv Dubey

USF Patents

Disclosed is an intuitive robotic device control reference frame with hybrid inverse kinematics having a natural and easier human-robot interface. A system for controlling a robot can include a robotic device that performs tasks, an input device that receives user input indicating desired movement of the robotic device to perform the tasks, and a controller that controls the robotic device based on the user input. The controller can receive signals identifying the user input, determine a ground reference frame and an end-effector reference frame for controlling movement of the robotic device, generate, based on the ground reference frame and the …

Crow's Nest, September 15, 2025, Crow's Nest Staff

Crow's Nest

The September 15, 2025, issue of Crow's Nest.

Human Adipose Stem Cell-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles Modulate Glial Cell Response In Aged And Young Tbi Mouse Models, Salma S. Abdelmaboud

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of long-term neurological impairment, with aging significantly increasing vulnerability and worsening outcomes. Older individuals experience greater cognitive and motor deficits after TBI and often show diminished responses to therapeutic interventions. Both aging and TBI independently promote heightened neuroinflammation and cognitive dysfunction, increasing susceptibility to poor recovery. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) derived from human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) to promote neurological recovery and modulate neuroinflammation in a mouse model of TBI. Male C57BL/6 mice aged 3, 15, and 20 months underwent controlled cortical impact (CCI) and …

Crow's Nest, September 2, 2025, Crow's Nest Staff

Crow's Nest

The September 2, 2025, issue of Crow's Nest.

Florida Ems Voices: What Agency Providers Told Us In 2025, Michael Lozano

Florida Center for Emergency Medical Services Research Reports

The 2025 Annual Florida EMS Provider Survey provides a comprehensive overview of Florida’s EMS system, highlighting critical insights into workforce dynamics, resource allocation, medical direction, and service integration across EMS agencies statewide. Conducted from April to May 2025, the survey received robust participation from 249 agencies, covering 74.5% of licensed EMS providers. Key findings underscore regional variability in workforce recruitment, salary scales, mental health support, mobile integrated healthcare (MIH), and preparedness for mass casualty incidents.

Key areas of strategic emphasis include EMT and paramedic mental health and wellness, mobile integrated healthcare (MIH), and local quality improvement (QI) efforts. Notably, recruitment …

Friends Of Ffn, Florida Field Naturalist

Florida Field Naturalist

No abstract provided.

Noteworthy Practices For Performing Mpo Administrative Functions, Jeff Kramer, Tia Boyd, Taylor Dinehart

Transportation Planning, Policy, and Processes (TP3) Final Reports

Federal and state laws, regulations, and guidance provide metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in Florida and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) with rules and information for managing aspects of MPO administrative tasks. However, they do not state the exact manner in which those tasks can be achieved. Additionally, there is limited specific research and guidance related to MPO noteworthy practices in MPO administrative functions that would help MPOs in Florida save time and money by streamlining and improving the efficiency of a wide variety of administrative tasks and functions. These tasks fall into several broad categories, including progress reporting and …

Privacy And Peer-To-Peer Payment Apps, Stephen L. Baglione, Louis A. Tucci

Journal of Global Business Insights

Apps for our smartphones are ubiquitous. Free apps usually require exchanging personal information. Mobile payments in the U.S. are expected to almost double by 2027. Peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps are a subcategory of said apps. Venmo is a P2P payment app that gathers user data from their smartphone and publicizes user transactions. A between-subject survey shows respondents are concerned about privacy with P2P payment apps, even when only describing what the app does. Clusters are identified when examining involvement with P2P payment apps. The covariate online privacy was statistically significant; however, age, gender, and social media use were not statistically …

Understanding Entrepreneurial Culture: Resident Perspectives In A Post-Soviet Transition Country, Azamat Maksudunov, Kyialbek Dyikanov

Journal of Global Business Insights

The concept of entrepreneurial culture has frequently appeared in academic studies dedicated to both developed and developing countries. However, this topic has not been sufficiently investigated in the case of post-Soviet Central Asian countries, particularly in the context of Kyrgyzstan. Kyrgyzstan can be an intriguing case study for analyzing entrepreneurial culture, as it has experienced distinct political and economic paradigms throughout its historical trajectory. This paper aims to empirically examine the current state and provide suggestions for the further development of entrepreneurial culture in Kyrgyzstan. This research is based on a conceptual framework developed through a review of existing literature …

Empowering Change: Uncovering The Dynamic Association Between Supervisor Support, Employee Engagement, And Turnover Intention, Abdelhamid Eladl, Vildan Esenyel

Journal of Global Business Insights

This study aims to evaluate the relationship between supervisor support and turnover intention, as well as the mediating role of employee engagement in retail stores in Saudi Arabia. The study’s significance lies in its contribution to the understanding of how front-line employees’ view of the supervision qualities of their superiors impacts their turnover intention. The study offers insights to managers in retail stores by examining whether employee engagement plays a role in mediating the relationship between the two investigated variables. This information could be particularly helpful for supervisors looking to comprehend and adopt effective support when interacting with their front-line …

Less Is More! The Power Of Micro-Influencers: A Systematic Literature Review, Emine Kuzoren, Irem Kiris, Ismail Erkan

Journal of Global Business Insights

This paper aims to review micro-influencer marketing literature to identify gaps and provide directions for future research. The authors critically assessed 99 articles that appeared in the Scopus database. As a common outcome of the findings and emerging models from studies in the literature, a comprehensive conceptual model is proposed to guide future research. It has been concluded that micro-influencers differ significantly from others in terms of their interaction power and perceived high credibility in social media marketing. Additionally, the findings clarify the uncertainty regarding the classification of social media influencers. The paper not only identifies influencers but also highlights …

Bibliometric Analysis Of Tour Guide Performance: Trends, Influential Publications, And Emerging Research Themes, Aybuke Ozsoy, Nese Yilmaz

Journal of Global Business Insights

The quality of tours is significantly influenced by tour guides’ communication skills, regional knowledge, and storytelling abilities. Guide effectiveness depends on factors such as training, skill development, and professionalism in guest care. Given their pivotal role in shaping tour quality and experiences, the literature consistently highlights these effects. The present study aims to make a comprehensive contribution to the existing knowledge in the field by analyzing the academic literature on the performance of tour guides using bibliometric methods. Analysis reveals that the most cited publications on tour guide performance are found in tourism and management journals, such as Tourism Management. …

The Effects Of Covid-19 On Mice Tourism, Gülay Cakmak, Gurel Cetin, Cemil Kilic, Erol Sozen

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

The sector of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism play an integral role in the tourism industry not only because of its volume but also per capita spending. MICE tourism is predominantly characterized by its international reach and the significant number of participants it attracts. However, Covid-19 pandemic precipitated a marked, leading to far-reaching ramifications and transformations. This study is focused on evaluating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the MICE tourism sector. It aims to explore both the anticipated and the actual shifts within the industry amidst the pandemic. Adopting a qualitative research methodology, this investigation utilized …