Digital Commons Network^™

Overcoming Microenvironmentally Mediated Resistance In Targetable Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Bina Desai

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The introduction of targeted therapies has resulted in immense success in treating lung cancer patients, where many patients experience long-term remission. Yet, the tumors relapse into an advanced state of disease, and ultimately, treatment failure. This can be ascribed to incomplete eradication of tumor cells by targeted therapies, which enables the residual tumor cells to propagate resistant tumors and cause subsequent relapse in patients. Therapy sensitivity is influenced not only by cell-intrinsic mechanisms but also by inputs from the stromal microenvironment. Despite widespread recognition of the stromal microenvironment's role in modulating therapy sensitivity, its contribution to therapeutic responses in vivo …

Roots Of Turmoil: Exploring The Causes Behind Fano Force's Struggle Against Abiy Ahmed's Administration, Agenagn Dagnew Mr

Journal of African Conflicts and Peace Studies

The struggle between Abiy's administration and the Fano had led to other-round chaos and violence in the Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia, after the conflict between the Tigray People Liberation Front’s (TPLF) and the federal government of Ethiopia took place from 2020 to 2022. In regard to this, the researcher explored the causes that resulted in Fano's struggle with Abiy Ahmed's administration. The research design was an exploratory case study. Document review, audio-visual sources, and a semi-structured interview were employed to look into the reasons for Fano Force's conflict with Abiy’s administration. The Oromo nationalist movement attacks on Amhara, the …

Application Of New Media In Peace Building And Conflict Resolution In Nigeria, Eric Msughter Aondover, Ademolu Patrick Okuneye, Timothy Ekeledirichukwu Onyejelem

Journal of African Conflicts and Peace Studies

The role of new media in conflict prevention, resolution and escalation is now a global concern to both peace and conflict scholars and public policy makers. The kind of information the media disseminate is critical to sustaining peace and harmony in society and vice versa. New media has a long history. The media have suffered deprivation in the hands of both military and civilian regimes. However, this has not in anywhere diminished the growth of the media in all its ramifications. Traditional media genre like newspaper, radio and television has received much recognition and seminal attention, but social or new …

Burundi: Building Democracy On An "Ethnically" Divided Society, Elias Sentamba

Journal of African Conflicts and Peace Studies

Pre-colonial Burundi was a homogeneous society: Burundians shared the same language, culture, religion, history, etc. and lived harmoniously on the same hills. This population was made up of a multitude of clans and Hutu, Tutsi, Ganwa and Twa social components of very secondary social importance. Even the monarchy reflected the various segments of such a nation.

It was this harmony that Belgian colonisation definitively ruined, with the policy of divide et impera. By claiming that the Ganwa and the Tutsi were the superior races and the Hutu and Twa the inferior ones, a whole process of political and administrative manipulation …

Strategic Governance To “Silence The Guns” In Africa: Urban Sub-Saharan African Perceptions On War's Root Causes., Peter Tresor Miyalou, Chun Yan Hu

Journal of African Conflicts and Peace Studies

Despite the African Union’s campaign to silence the guns in Africa by 2020 (STGIA 2020), many African countries are suffering from wars and political instability, the primary causes of underdevelopment in Africa. This paper examines the roots causes of wars in Africa and provide a strategic governance to silence the guns beyond 2020. To accomplish this, we gathered data from 169 questionnaire responses administered across 25 African countries, to capture African people’s perceptions on the root causes of wars and whether employing strategic governance would help silence the guns in these countries. The results showed that political power struggle (47.9%), …

Challenges Of Peacebuilding In The Global South: Taking Sudan As A Case Study, Wallelign Zelalem Getie

Journal of African Conflicts and Peace Studies

This paper examines the challenges faced in peacebuilding practices within the Global South, focusing specifically on Sudan, an East African state. Despite a long-standing peacebuilding history, the Global South's contributions to international peace and security often go unnoticed. Instead, these contributions are frequently overshadowed by numerous challenges. In particular, the post-independence era in Africa has been characterized by fragmented peace and security, primarily due to civil wars and internal conflicts. The study highlights that numerous regional and international actors have been involved in Sudan's peace agreements since the outbreak of the first major intra-state conflict in 1972. The study employed …

The Pretoria Agreement: Reflections On Its Essence, Implementation Status And The Way-Forward, Assefa Leake Gebru Dr.

Journal of African Conflicts and Peace Studies

In 2018, the political landscape of Ethiopia experienced a profound metamorphosis with the ascension of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, igniting aspirations for democracy and enduring peace. Yet, this promise was soon overshadowed by escalating tensions between the new leadership and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), ultimately plunging the nation into the tragic depths of the Tigray war, which erupted in November 2020. This war reached a pivotal moment with the signing of the Pretoria Agreement on November 2, 2022.

This study endeavors to critically assess the efficacy of the Pretoria Agreement and its implementation, scrutinizing its alignment with the …

Media Role In Conflict Resolution And Peaceful Coexistence In Indigenous Communities, Eric Msughter Aondover, Timothy Ekeledirichukwu Onyejelem, Sabiu Garba

Journal of African Conflicts and Peace Studies

Conflicts between farmers and herdsmen in the use of agricultural land are becoming fiercer and increasingly widespread in Nigeria, largely due to ‘intensification and extensification’ of production activities that are necessitated by increasing human population. The media in this context have become a highly prized strategic resource to all social groups, especially indigenous communities in a conflict situation. Within this context, this paper examines the role of the mass media in conflict resolution and promoting peaceful coexistence in indigenous communities. Secondary data were obtained through a critical review of related literature and documents. The paper adopts the Cultural Theory of …

Resolving Nigeria’S Security Conundrum: A Comprehensive Regional Analysis, Lukman Ahmed Lawal, Beacon Mbiba, Salamatu Kassah

Journal of African Conflicts and Peace Studies

Abstract

This article analyses the regional variabilities of insecurity in Nigeria to propose a suitable approach to understanding their peculiarities. It argues that the dominant military interventions and one-size-fits-all approaches are inappropriate for resolving the country’s myriad security challenges. The Regional Security Complex Theory offers a theoretical basis to contextualise the complex security challenge in Nigeria. There is a need to unbundle the dynamics for each of the regions. Syntheses from the six geopolitical zones indicate that although the security challenges manifest in precarious living conditions, the drivers differ. The article recommends that interventions analyse and identify underlying factors for …

Gnsi Decision Brief: Cracks In Our Foundation: How Neglected Bridges Threaten National Security, Heather Ward, Kathleen Curp

GNSI Decision Briefs

The poor condition of U.S. infrastructure merits wider discussion, as its implications go beyond public safety and economic operations. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified four critical infrastructure areas—energy and water, facilities, information and communication technology, and transportation—as lifeline systems essential for ensuring public safety, economic security, and national security.

The U.S. interstate highway system, created by the 1956 National Interstate and Defense Highways Act under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, has been vital for national security.ii It facilitates troop movements and aids in the evacuation of large cities during emergencies. Additionally, Military Power Projection Platforms (PPP) rely on roads …

Bio-Enriched Soil Technologies (Best), Norma Arcelia Alcantar

USF Patents

A bio-enriched soil and method of production is presented. If water supply is scant, bio-enriched soil technologies (BEST) are able to attract, store, and transport water and nutrient molecules to a plant in a controlled way. If the water or nutrient resources are excessive, BEST can release the excess and supply only what is needed. Hence, bio-enriched soil can function in climates in which crops normally are under stress by increasing the bioavailability of nutrients and water.

Hypogene Speleogenesis In Carbonates By Cooling Hydrothermal Flow: The Case Of Mt. Berenike Caves, Israel, Roi Roded, Boaz Langford, Einat Aharonov, Piotr Szymczak, Micka Ullman, Shemesh Yaaran, Boaz Lazar, Amos Frumkin

International Journal of Speleology

The Berenike hypogenic cave system near Lake Kinneret, Israel, provides a valuable case study for investigating the recently proposed Confined-Cooling-Flow (CCF) speleogenesis model. Field and speleological surveys, along with existing research, are used to provide a thorough analysis. The CCF model relies on a simple thermo-hydro-chemical scenario, involving the rise of CO2-rich hydrothermal fluids discharging into a confined layer. The cooling of these CO2-rich fluids turns them into aggressive solutions due to the inverse relation between temperature and solubility of carbonates (retrograde solubility). Previous geochemical and numerical analyses of the CCF model predict localized and persistent dissolution and speleogenesis on …

Financial Incentives To Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled, Carlos A. Del Valle-González, Alberto M. Figueroa-Medina, Didier M. Valdés-Díaz, Daniel Rodríguez-Román, Juan Martínez

Research Reports

The willingness-to-accept monetary incentives to promote the use of transit and micromobility options was estimated for Puerto Rico. The analysis of a community survey showed that the decision to use an e-scooter as an alternative to an automobile for a commute trip depends on weather conditions, safety risks, and service cost, whereas for transit the decision highly depends on transit travel time, parking conditions, and service fare. The minimum incentives accepted went from $17.10 for the Tren Urbano heavy rail service to $18.90 for e-scooters as alternative modes to automobiles. The results show that the incentive value decreases as the …

Podcasting For Public Knowledge: A Multiple Case Study Of Scholarly Podcasts At One University, Lindsay Persohn, Rayna Letourneau, Emma Abell-Selby, Jason Boczar, Allison Symulevich, Jessica Szempruch, Matthew Torrence, Thomas Woolf, Audrey Holtzman

USF Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

Through a lens for engaged scholarship (Boyer in Journal of Public Service and Outreach, 1(1), 11–20, 1996) this multiple case study (Merriam, 1996) explores the potential of scholarly podcasts for public knowledge dissemination, highlighting the misalignment of university impact metrics with this medium. Our team collected qualitative and numerical data from six podcasters across our university system. We identify metrics for assessing scholarly podcast value, offer recommendations for institutional communication, and share our insights and challenges. Data analysis suggests that a Listen Score (Listen Notes, ND) and an increasing Podcast Success Index (Singh et al. JMIR Medical Education, 2(2), 1–10, …

Understanding The Motivations Behind Engaging With Hospitality-Related Facebook Fan Pages, Kunsoon Park, Xu Li

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

Understanding the motivations behind social media participation is crucial for brand managers looking to enhance customer loyalty and attract new customers. This study explores the factors driving consumer engagement with hospitality brand Facebook pages, identifying key motivations and engagement patterns. Utilizing a comprehensive multi-phased methodology—descriptive analysis, factor analysis, canonical correlation analysis, cluster analysis, and discriminant analysis—data were gathered from a survey of 501 adults engaging with the Facebook page. The results show that consumers prioritize brand interaction, social integration, and information-seeking over entertainment or rewards. Two distinct consumer groups emerged: passive observers and active participants, with a preference for contributing …

Bridging The Digital Divide In Hospitality And Tourism: Digital Inclusion For Disadvantaged, Xi Y. Leung

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

As technology continues to revolutionize the hospitality and tourism industry, the issues of digital equity and digital divide have gained increasing prominence (Minghetti & Buhalis, 2010; Reverte & Luque, 2021). While digital advancements offer unprecedented opportunities for businesses and consumers, they also risk exacerbating existing inequalities (Wu & Yang, 2023). This is particularly evident in the growing digital divide, referring to the capabilities gap of individuals, groups and regions to access and process digital information technology (OECD, 2001). The rapid pace of technological advancement has left certain groups struggling to keep up. These digital disadvantaged groups—comprising individuals with limited access …

Reducing Mega-Event Syndrome: A Case Study Of Expo 2020, Zehra Abdulla, Christopher S. Dutt

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

The study was designed to explore how Expo 2020, as one of the first mega-events to be hosted in the Middle East, was undertaking steps to avoid many of the negatives of such events, termed mega-event syndrome (MES). A qualitative approach was adopted, where 5 elite face-to-face interviews were conducted with senior officials within Expo 2020 who could offer detailed insights into the planning of the event. Participants were purposefully selected based on their knowledge and experience within Expo 2020. Participants felt that Expo 2020 was not exposed to many of the symptoms of MES largely because of Dubai’s pre-existing …

Crisis To Success: Online Food Delivery For Restaurants’ Sales Performance And Customer Purchase Intention, Wenfang Liu, Jaewook Kim

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

Identifying factors influencing food delivery sales and customers’ intentions amid pandemic restrictions aids strategic planning for restaurant business in uncertain business environments. This paper aims to explore restaurant survival strategies by examining customers’ purchase intentions towards online food delivery services. The results of this paper assist restaurant business in establish a sustainable competitive advantage amidst market crises with a focus on organizational learning for future events. This paper utilized a mixed-method approach and comprised two studies. Study one explores factors affecting online food delivery sales through multiple linear regression analysis. Study two investigates customers’ intentions under online payment concerns through …

Wide-Area Quantitative Phase Microscopy Using Spatial Phase Scanning Digital Holography, Myung K. Kim

USF Patents

Disclosed are various embodiments for wide-area quantitative phase microscopy using spatial phase scanning digital holography. A motorized micrometer is scanned across a field-of-view, and a camera captures a frame of the field-of-view. The frame of the field-of-view is phase shifted by a predetermined number of pixels. The phase-shifted frame is included in a plurality of phase-shifted frames, and a complex optical field is generated based at least in part on the plurality of phase-shifted frames. A segment of the complex optical field is extracted and appended to a plurality of segments of the complex optical field. A holographic image is …

Systems And Methods For Authenticating Of Personal Communications Cross Reference To Related Applications, Sriram Chellappan, Balaji Padmanabhan, Tanvir Hossain Bhuiyan, Arup Kanti Dey, Shaminur Rahman

USF Patents

A system for authenticating an individual's location activity includes a mobile communications device connected to a network and in electronic communication with at least one other computer. The mobile communications device is configured to authenticate the individual's presence at a location using biometric data entered by the individual. The mobile communications device has applications stored thereon to access location information for the mobile communications device using a GPS application stored on the mobile communications device and to access time information for the mobile communications device from a clock application stored on the mobile communications device. The mobile communications devices creates …

Ay 2024/2025 Sec Agenda, 2024-07-24, Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Archives

No abstract provided.

Ay 2024/2025 Sec Meeting Minutes, 2024-07-24, Faculty Senate

Faculty Senate Archives

No abstract provided.

Editor's Introduction

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

No abstract provided.

Development And Initial Validation Of The Musical Discrimination And Styles Task: Measuring Children And Adolescent Music Aptitude And Achievement, Dawn R. Mitchell White

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation had two purposes: 1) to create and document the development of a new music achievement test entitled the Musical Discrimination and Styles Task (MDAST), and 2) to describe the strength of the evidence supporting the validity and reliability of this new developmentally appropriate music aptitude and achievement instrument. I created a theoretical framework based on 1) the cognitive theory of child development of Jean Piaget, 2) the phase model of artistic development by David Hargreaves, and 3) the theoretical models of music discrimination, audiation, and music achievement by Edwin Gordon. The MDAST’s design assessed students’ abilities to evaluate …

Breaking The Sound Barrier: Strategies For Reducing The Educational Debt In Underserved School Bands, Alfonzo V. Kimbrough

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this multiple explanatory case study was to investigate the preparation of underserved school band programs for a Music Performance Assessment (MPA). Specifically, I examined racial, economic, and social inequalities, which are well documented in the research literature, and the related achievement gaps of underserved public school bands. Using Ladson-Billings’ four pillars of educational debt, a replication approach highlighted four cases as a small sample of the success rate of Title I school bands scoring a Superior at an MPA contest. I compared how contextual issues impacted the four band directors at these schools in preparations for their …

Systems And Methods For Cultivating Algae, Daniel H. Yeh, Ivy Lea Cormier Drexler, Melanie Pickett, David Fulcher

USF Patents

In one embodiment, an algae cultivation system includes a basin that contains a liquid and a photobioreactor at least partially immersed in the liquid of the basin, the photobioreactor comprising a closed container including multiple panels that together define an interior space in which algae can be cultivated, at least one of the panels being transparent, the photobioreactor further comprising an inflatable float associated with the container that can be filled with a gas to change one or both of the position and orientation of the container within the liquid.

System And Method For Perishable Product Monitoring Along A Supply Chain, Ismail Uysal, Frederick Louis Wu

USF Patents

A system and method for assessing a supply chain for a perishable product. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a quality code for a perishable product which encodes a cut-to-cool time, transportation quality and accumulated shelf-life loss into a compact, modular, and simple to read format. The system and method also provide feedback to address any differences between the quality code and one or more observed qualities of the perishable product at a destination.

Atrocity Prevention In The Digital Era: Adapting Norms, Laws, And Code To Changes In The Ways Atrocities Are Committed, David J. Simon, Samhitha Josyula, Joshua Lam, Julian D. Melendi

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

Emerging digital technologies have changed some of the ways that genocides are planned and executed. This paper examines those differences, calling attention to how changes in the execution of genocide should prompt a shift in the approaches to atrocity prevention. It develops a conceptual framework addressing how atrocity prevention efforts might adapt to new technology within three realms of potential prevention efforts: the ethical (norms), the legal (laws), and the digital (code).

Security Or Vulnerability? The Optics Of Data In The Humanitarian Sphere, Nicole M. Bennett, Hamid Ekbia

Genocide Studies and Prevention: An International Journal

Governments, humanitarian agencies, and non-government organizations increasingly resort to data-driven techniques to meet the challenges they face in dealing with growing mobile populations such as refugees. Such techniques originate in bureaucratic administrations of the 19th century and, even earlier, in slave trade and plantation accounting methods. They were then perfected in logistics and global supply chain management of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, especially with the advent of information technology. We examine the application of these techniques in humanitarian cases, seeking to contextualize them within the framework of logistic security. To understand the drivers of this trend, we introduce the …

Gnsi Decision Brief: Olympic Diplomacy: The Endurance Of Soft Power, Heather Ward, Sarah Brown

GNSI Decision Briefs

Sporting events have an inherent ability to foster connections, build relationships, and unify groups around a shared objective. Athletes have historically used these events as platforms to impact political movements beyond the sports arena. Mega- sporting events, such as the Olympics, provide a venue for host nations to utilize soft power strategies to project their political values, cultivate their national image, and broadcast their status to billions of viewers across the globe. Soft power, when pertaining to international relations, refers to the ability to influence and shape perceptions through the appeal of cultural and political values rather than through coercion. …