Digital Commons Network^™

Superhydrophobic Covalent Organic Framework Materials, Shengqian Ma, Qi Sun

USF Patents

A variety of superhyrdophobic porous materials are provided including a covalent organic framework having a plurality of perfluoroalkyl or perfluorheteroalkyl moieties covalently attached thereto. The materials can include a polymeric foam matrix made of a three-dimensional network of polymer fibers, and the covalent organic framework can be made encasing at least a portion of the polymer fibers. The covalent organic framework can be intertwined within the polymeric foam matrix such that the covalent organic framework encasing the portion of the polymer fibers is stable to mechanical compression of the polymeric foam matrix. Surfaces and other articles are provided including the …

Transition Aged Youth Substance Use At Electric Dance Music Events In The Tampa Bay Area: A Qualitative Study Of Awareness And Prevention, Danielle Vinciguerra

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The study investigates substance use among Transitional Aged Youth (TAY), particularly focusing on Electronic Dance Music (EDM) events in the Tampa Bay area. TAY, defined as individuals aged 18-29, experience significant psychological, biological, and developmental changes, which can lead to increased vulnerability to substance use. The study examines the prevalence and patterns of substance use, specifically ketamine and cocaine, among TAY at EDM events. Exploratory qualitative data collection method was utilized for the study. Applying Social Learning Theory as a framework, the research explores the beliefs, attitudes, experiences, and community influences that contribute to substance use within this demographic. Data …

Unravelling The Impact Of Blood Metabolites, And Lifestyle Factors On Periodontal Disease Using Mendelian Randomization, Rhea Charles

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal disease remains a global public health concern. Despite the availability of preventive and therapeutic strategies, the multifactorial nature of periodontitis complicates its understanding and management. Periodontal disease is associated with an increased risk of chronic conditions, including ischemic heart disease (IHD), gestational hypertension, respiratory diseases such as COPD and bronchitis, and various cancers, including kidney and pancreatic cancers. Moreover, individuals with diabetes, autoimmune diseases like lupus and Crohn’s disease, and osteoporosis are more likely to develop periodontitis. The ambiguity in the direction of causality between periodontal disease and its associated conditions poses challenges for effective treatment. Mendelian randomization offers …

Perceptions Of Rural America: Exploring College Students' Views And Career Priorities Post-Graduation, Tom Hall

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The problems facing rural America are wide ranging and multilayered. Perceptions can often be reality for those unfamiliar with rural life, which can pose a hurdle for businesses to overcome. With an in-depth literature review and research study, this dissertation aims to provide context and understanding to the problems and misconceptions of rural America. Without context, it is easy to interpret rural America as a dying, outdated part of the country, but the reality is far more complex. A research study was conducted that surveyed 400 actively enrolled college students from schools in 19 American states on three things: 1) …

Empowering Entrepreneurial Evolution: A Beyond Founder Strategic Approach To Small Business Growth, D. Jared Knisley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Growing a business beyond its founder’s capacities and talents presents a challenging undertaking. When a founder is no longer involved or motivated to grow the business, firm decline is a likely outcome. Small businesses often have a deep and, at times, hindering reliance on their early founders for development. Therefore, a continuous engaging plan to advance entrepreneurial success is needed to grow a small business.

My research objective aims to find methods and designs, through academic literature and practitioner interviews, that transition leadership responsibilities and increase team empowerment within a small business, enabling these firms to continue growing as the …

Integrating Multiple Biodiversity Metrics To Assess Diatom Diversity And Diatom/Macrophyte Host Specificity In Four Florida Benchmark Lakes, Alana Jade Bronk

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Biodiversity is declining across all natural environments, however, freshwater systems are thought to be among the most threatened. Quantifying and understanding trends in freshwater biodiversity has become more urgent as rapid biodiversity loss continues. To provide a robust ecological assessment, more than one bioindicator should be used, along with multiple biodiversity metrics. Macrophytes and diatoms are important components of aquatic systems, especially in shallow lakes. The relationship between macrophytes and epiphytic diatoms, though, is not clearly understood, and has not been well-studied, particularly in Florida, which has the largest abundance of natural freshwater lakes in the southeastern U.S This study …

Tongue-In-Cheek Dictionary Of Birding Terms, Eirik A. T. Blom

Maryland Birdlife

No abstract provided.

Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus Leucocephalus) Mortalities In Maryland, 1988–2017, Glenn D. Therres

Maryland Birdlife

No abstract provided.

Peer Reviewers, Mark S. Johnson

Maryland Birdlife

No abstract provided.

Recovery Of Breeding Bald Eagles On Aberdeen Proving Ground, Bryan D. Watts, Elizabeth K. Mojica, John T. Paul, James J. Pottie

Maryland Birdlife

No abstract provided.

Full Issue, Maryland Birdlife

Maryland Birdlife

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Full Issue, Maryland Birdlife

Maryland Birdlife

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Full Issue, Maryland Birdlife

Maryland Birdlife

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Full Issue, Maryland Birdlife

Maryland Birdlife

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Full Issue, Maryland Birdlife

Maryland Birdlife

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Full Issue, Maryland Birdlife

Maryland Birdlife

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Full Issue, Maryland Birdlife

Maryland Birdlife

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Full Issue, Maryland Birdlife

Maryland Birdlife

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Full Issue, Maryland Birdlife

Maryland Birdlife

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Full Issue, Maryland Birdlife

Maryland Birdlife

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Full Issue, Maryland Birdlife

Maryland Birdlife

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More Than Memory: Can Memory Spaces Really Prevent Mass Atrocities?, Kerry E. Whigham

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

As transitional justice has grown as a field and as an international mandate in post-atrocity contexts over the past several decades, the memorialization of past atrocities through the construction of physical spaces of memory has increasingly been recognized as an essential aspect of this complex process. Often, these spaces of memory are touted not only as honoring past victims, but also as important tools for preventing future violence. To date, there has yet to emerge a clear way to measure exactly how sites of memory contribute to atrocity prevention. Can a site of memory really help prevent further acts of …

Full Issue 18.1

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

No abstract provided.

Failing To End Genocide: Structural Factors, Triggers, And Ineffective Responses, Tutku Ayhan

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

Why do ongoing genocides persist despite global condemnation? This paper examines the challenge of ending ongoing genocides and argues that the persistence of genocides can be largely attributed to the interaction of structural factors and triggers with inadequate responses at the national, regional, and international levels. The analysis focuses on the genocidal experiences of the Yezidi and Rohingya communities, which were triggered by the 2014 attacks in Sinjar, Iraq, and the 2017 actions in Rakhine State, Myanmar. By viewing genocide as a process rather than an isolated act of violence and recognizing cultural genocide as genocide, this study aims to …

Evidence-Based Approaches To Preventing Genocide And Mass Atrocities: Introduction To The Special Issue, Jamie D. Wise, Kristina Hook

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

No abstract provided.

Lessons Learned: Overcoming Obstacles To Inference And Synthesis In Atrocity Prevention Research, Tallan Donine, Daniel Solomon, Lawrence Woocher

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

In this paper, we argue that atrocity prevention (AP) researchers face obstacles to inference and knowledge synthesis in the study of AP strategies and tools. We argue that researchers can begin to address obstacles to inference by using rigorous social-science methods and can address obstacles to knowledge synthesis through greater coordination and transparency about concepts, methods, and data. Our argument proceeds in four parts. First, drawing on a systematic review of three decades of research about AP tools, we survey key analytic obstacles to drawing conclusions about the effects of AP policy. Second, we survey four separate methods that researchers …

Contextualized Transitional Justice Policy Development In Uganda: Differentiating Between Normativity Types In Evidence-Based Problem Analysis, Saghar Shahidi Birjandian

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

This article discusses the fundamental impact of normativity on producing evidence-based guidance for context-sensitive transitional justice policy. It draws on lessons learned from Uganda’s complex transitional justice context and extensive fieldwork to demonstrate the necessity and the means to differentiate between belief-based normativity and evidence-based normativity in conducting problem analysis as a crucial site that determines the integrity of evidence-based guidance. It also establishes that evidence-based normativity guiding problem analysis must include empirical evidence of societal dynamics and views of affected communities or there is a significantly higher risk of belief-based normativity decontextualizing strategy development. Findings establish significant substantive differences …

Mapping Co-Benefits And Cultural Values For Nature-Based Solutions: Caye Caulker, Belize (Report No. 8), J. M.S. Delevaux, R. K. Zarger, C. Dario, K. Hinds, N. Batista, J. Olaya-Restrepo, M. Webb, W. A. Mcdougall, D. Vernon, N. Gibson, M. A. Trotz

Strong Coasts Collection

On October 21st and 22nd, 2024, 58 persons gathered in Caye Caulker for a collaborative workshop, sharing knowledge on priority areas for Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and co-benefits pertaining to mangroves and coral reefs. They also helped map and value fisheries supply chains, and identify socio-cultural values pertaining to NbS.

This two-part workshop was part of the Large-Scale Coastlines and People (CoPE): Strong Coasts project which studies the co-benefits of Nature-based Solutions in terms of contributions to Habitat Extent & Health, Carbon Sequestration, Education, Erosion, Fisheries, Flood Reduction, Heritage, Recreation, Tourism, and Water Quality. The workshop was organized by project partners …

The Use Of Developmental Program Evaluation For State Continued Approval In Educator Preparation, Suzanne L. Roberts

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Working as a teacher educator today means working under an ever-present regulatory gaze. Accountability mechanisms, including state program approval processes, have been layered resulting in complexity. External assessments have failed to provide the data needed to support continuous improvement. There have been calls for combining external and internal evaluation processes to better drive continuous improvement. Developmental Program Evaluation (DPE) is an approach that claims to support program development in the middle space between top-down and bottom-up forces. This study examines the use of DPE in the middle space between mandated state approval processes and a small educator preparation program’s effort …

Suicide Bombing In Afghanistan: A Multilevel Analysis, Kaneshka Nawabi

Journal of Strategic Security

In August 2021, an insurgency spearheaded by violent suicide campaigns saw the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan. A claimed four thousand suicide bombers remain a strategic asset at the hands of the Taliban and other extremist groups with extensive technical and logistical capabilities and a strong deterrence against their rivals. Despite this emanating threat, the majority of suicide terrorism research continues to rely on data from the Middle East, where social status, financial gains, and collective honour are cited as key factors. Using a multilevel framework and analysis, this article is based on field interviews with victims, …