Digital Commons Network^™

Full Issue, North American Bird Bander

North American Bird Bander

No abstract provided.

"What's A Computer?" Exploring Insurance Agents' Role In Small Business Cyber Insurance Transactions, Dalton A. Crabtree

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods study examined how insurance agents' role identity impacts cyber insurance transactions, addressing gaps in professional practice and academic literature. Small businesses increasingly rely on cyber insurance for protection as cyber risk continues to evolve. The study employed sequential explanatory methodology with 25 interviews across three groups: insurance agents (n=15), corporate cyber insurance professionals (n=5), and small business owners (n=5). Thematic analysis using Katz and Khan's Role Episode Model informed development of the Cyber Insurance Role Identity Scale (CIRIS), tested with 100 agents. Six themes emerged. Key findings reveal that successful cyber insurance transactions require agents to transition from …

A Discussion Of Community: An Ethnography Of Designing Asynchronous Video Discussions To Reveal Student Perceptions Of Digital Presence In Online Learning, Chad S. Garcia

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This mixed-methods digital ethnography investigates how video-based discussions (VBD) influence community building in asynchronous graduate education. Using the Community of Inquiry (COI) framework, this study looks at student experiences in a History of Higher Education class where traditional text-based discussions were replaced with video presentations and peer responses. The research explores how video discussions affect students' sense of presence, how video presence impacts engagement patterns, and which multimedia elements contribute to community development.

Data collection included semi-structured interviews with students and instructors, LMS analytics, video content analysis, and ethnographic observation throughout Spring 2024. Analysis revealed a notable disconnect between traditional …

Commentary: The Psychology Of Misidentification, David A. Welch

Ontario Birds

No abstract provided.

Contents, Ontario Field Ornithologists (Ofo)

Ontario Birds

No abstract provided.

Full Issue, Ontario Field Ornithologists (Ofo)

Ontario Birds

No abstract provided.

Introductory Chemistry Student Success: Investigating Study Strategies And Evaluating An Informative Utility Value Intervention, Pallavi Nayyar

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Improving retention in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) programs is essential to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in the domestic workforce. To achieve this, it is critical to understand and address the factors that influence student persistence in STEM degrees. Gateway courses such as general chemistry often serve as early barriers to STEM degree completion, with high rates of attrition that impact not only individual students but also institutions and society. Therefore, the aim of this work was to examine and influence the factors that contribute to student withdrawal from introductory chemistry courses in order to promote …

Investigating Factors Influencing Organic Chemistry Learners' Explanation Sophistication And Representational Competence, Caroline J. Crowder

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The research presented in this dissertation has two themes: organic chemistry learners’ written explanations and representational competence. Chapters 3 and 4 explore how organic chemistry learners construct explanations of reaction mechanisms, specifically focusing on electrophile and nucleophile components. Chapter 5 investigates organic chemistry learners’ representational competence skills and the relationship between these skills and their performance in the course.

Understanding reaction mechanisms is critical for success in organic chemistry, yet learners often struggle to reason beyond explicit, surface-level features. Constructed-response prompts that ask learners to explain what is happening in a reaction mechanism and why it occurs can provide insight …

Black Widow And Black Tigress: Understanding The Female Suicide Attackers From Russia And Sri Lanka, Jithin Raveendran

Journal of Strategic Security

The phenomenon of female suicide attackers has introduced a new dimension to the landscape of terrorism, challenging traditional perceptions of gender roles and motivations within extremist activities. This article delves into the complex biographies of female suicide attackers in two different geopolitical settings: Sri Lanka and Russia. Women have been prominently involved in suicide attacks in Russia, in which it is closely related to Chechen conflict and during the Tamil insurgency for establishing independent state, Sri Lanka has also seen instances of female suicide attackers. To understand why some women are drawn into these acts of violence, it is essential …

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 …

Sofs And Pmscs: Factors Of Stability And Change, Mirko Tasic

Journal of Strategic Security

The legitimacy of special operations forces (SOFs) and private military and security companies (PMSCs) often resides in a legal gray area, especially for those operating under the patronage of states that deviate from neoliberal standards and are sometimes labeled as criminal groups or terrorist organizations. This study aimed to develop a framework for categorizing the organizational and operational models of such SOFs and PMSCs. The three primary categories used were: mercantilistic, ideological, and ideological-mercantilistic. A comparative analysis of Iran’s Quds Force, Russia’s Wagner Group, and FR Yugoslavia’s JSO was conducted to better understand the impact of these and similar actors …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Economic Impact Of Nicotine Addiction: A Multi-Stakeholder Cost Analysis, Shikha Patel

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Extensive research has examined the health consequences of nicotine addiction, but economic analyses incorporating multiple stakeholder perspectives remain scarce. This study quantifies the annual financial burden of nicotine addiction across users, employers, and insurers. A systematic analysis was conducted on direct and indirect costs, utilizing data from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Bureau of Labor Statistics, and insurance industry reports (2022-2024). The financial impact was assessed for each stakeholder, including consumption expenses, productivity losses, healthcare utilization, and insurance claims. The estimated annual economic burden of nicotine addiction was ₹1,773.4 billion in India, while in the U.S., costs …

Impact Of Background Music In Information Retention Techniques On Short-Term Memory In Engineering Students, Eduardo Barbosa Sanchez, Beatriz Primo E Silva, Ana Carolina Rezende Neves

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The relationship between background music and memory retention is a growing area of interest, particularly among students who frequently use music during study sessions. According to the Journal of Higher Education Theory and Practice, around 75% of students listen to music while studying. Based on a Harvard publication, understanding short-term memory is essential for study efficiency, as it is influenced by word exposure modes, auditory environments, and individual factors. This study investigates the impact of auditory environments on short-term memory retention in College of Engineering students aged 18–25. Using a within-subject factorial design combined with a Randomized Complete Block Design, …

Machine Learning Insights Into Multilingual Children's English Reading Achievement: Evaluating The Predictive Power Of Kindergarten Factors On Elementary English Reading Achievement, Nam Nguyen

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Existing machine learning research that examines factors influencing student’s academic achievement largely focuses on monolingual rather than multilingual students. To address this gap, we employ machine learning to analyze the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten Class of 2010-11 (ECLS-K:2011) data of 3,542 nationally representative multilingual children from 970 U.S. schools, who were followed from kindergarten (Fall 2010) to 5th grade (Spring 2016). Our study models and compares the predictive power of six key factors in kindergarten (early reading ability, cognitive and language skills, socio-emotional skills, child characteristics, home literacy environment, and school/classroom characteristics) on English reading achievement across primary years. …

Barry Jenkins' Moonlight: Reimagining The Coming-Of-Age Genre In Film, Jonathan R. Davis

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

The coming-of-age genre in film was established during the 1950s, a postwar period defined by rebellious and confused teenagers. Within the film genre, the young protagonist experiences physical or emotional struggle throughout their expedition, resulting in organic identity discovery. One subdivision of the genre that emerged during the 1990s was black coming-of-age stories. However, it was not until Barry Jenkins’ 2016 film Moonlight that the genre was completely reimagined in a new light. Jenkins’ film does not follow the recurrent coming-of-age plotline that has been exemplified in previous films of the genre, which display youthful growth by the end. …

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 The Effect Of Competition On Adult Physical Activity Using Heart Rate Monitoring, Julia De Paula Silva

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

As of 2023 it has been reported that the United States is facing a physical inactivity crisis, with approximately 24.2% of adults meeting the recommended engagement levels of physical activity (PA). A lack of PA engagement is associated with an increased risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and types of cancer (e.g., colon, breast). Therefore, the purpose of the proposed study is to develop a cost-effective behavioral intervention to promote PA among adults. This study will recruit dyads of existing friends between ages 18–65 who engage in low levels of PA (i.e., at least 45 min per week). …

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 …

The Effects Of Sleep Deprivation On Cognitive Function Of University Students, Ikshita Achanta, Anthony Hamati, Vanessa Singh, Joanne Nguyen, Rebecca Pothen, Reneta Pothen, George Malki, Bhavisha Hirani

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Sleep is vital for college students, directly influencing their cognitive, emotional, and physical health, which are crucial for academic success and overall well-being. Sleep deprivation affects memory consolidation, learning, focus, problem-solving, and decision-making, all of which are essential for retaining knowledge, applying it in assignments, and excelling academically. By strengthening neural connections, adequate sleep enhances critical thinking and productivity, while its absence leads to reduced concentration and impaired cognitive performance. Sleep deprivation tends to affect multiple areas of the brain in regard to neural activity, alertness, and cognitive function. Our investigation examines the impact of sleep deprivation on undergraduate cognitive …

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 …

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. …