Digital Commons Network^™

Rethinking Cyber Deterrence: Adapting To The Realities Of The Digital Battlefield, Peter Pijpers, Kraesten Arnold

Journal of Strategic Security

The question of whether deterrence is achievable in or through cyberspace has sparked considerable debate among academics. Over time, arguments have evolved, further entrenching this discourse and moving it out of the mainstream spotlight. This article examines how recent armed conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza may reinvigorate discussions surrounding this issue. It emphasizes that cyber activities can indeed produce deterrent effects while also recognizing the necessity for a new terminology to accurately capture these effects. In cyberspace, traditional deterrent logics—such as deterrence by denial or punishment—along with core principles including credibility, communication, and cost-benefit analysis, do not uniformly apply due …

Latin America’S Policing And Reform In The Age Of Crime Fear, José De Arimatéia Da Cruz Phd, Mph

Journal of Strategic Security

No abstract provided.

Exploring Green Practices, Opportunities And Challenges Facing Tourism And Hospitality Industry For Sustainable Future In Rwanda, Paul Okumu

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

This article examines the complexities surrounding green tourism practices in the global context with particular emphasis on Rwanda as a case study area. This article explores the opportunities presented to stakeholders and the challenges faced in achieving a sustainable future in tourism and hospitality consumption. The study pays keen interest to understanding the interaction between environmental conservation efforts, socio-economic development, and tourism sustainability. Thorough comprehensive literature review, key concepts and theoretical frameworks of green tourism are explored, laying the foundation for the analysis of previous studies on green tourism evolution globally and in developing countries. The study identifies factors influencing …

The Emergence Of Artificial Intelligence-Driven Reservation Services Analyzed Through Push-Pull-Mooring Theory And Their Potential To Enhance Tourism Experiences, Dimitra Skandali, Muhammad Ali Raza

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

Artificial intelligence-based bath bed reservation services signify a novel evaluation of consumer behavior in densely populated tourist destinations. The phenomenon of overcrowded beaches, particularly during the peak summer months at well-known public beaches in Europe, has increased demand during rush hours. The research aims to clarify the key factors that influence the use of these applications, primarily on mobile phones, by applying the Push-Pull-Mooring Theory, in addition to identifying the primary causes of the high demand and the importance of staying close to the shore when sunbathing. The study emphasizes the impact of perceived risk and enjoyment on user behavior, …

Measuring Social Capital In Tourism Operation And Its Influences On Peoples’ Involvement, Kalimuththu Shanmuganathan, Nalin Abeysekera, L.P.S. Gamini, Lalith Chandralal

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

This study developed a reliable scale for measuring Social Capital in the context of tourism operations and examines its influences on Peoples' Involvement. The quantitative research method was employed, and the five stages of data purification processes were performed: identification of dimensions and indicators, item-to-total correlation, and explorative factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and the structural equation model. The study identifies four dimensional scales of social capital across 13 indicators: bonding social capital, social bridging capital, social linking capital, and social harmless capital, and confirms that social capital has a significant influence on peoples' involvement. As the first effort at …

Art Meets Commerce: How Exhibitions Shape Visitor Behavior In Tourism Shopping Centers, Xi Wang, Rui Ma, Lan Yang, Jie Zheng

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

Serving as prominent leisure and entertainment platforms, tourism shopping malls have evolved their appeal by integrating art exhibition centers, thus magnifying the retail ambiance. This study dived into the correlation between the incorporation of these art centers within tourism shopping environments and the subsequent consumer propensity to visit, encompassing a meticulous evaluation of both the art exhibits attributes and art exhibition center attributes. Utilizing the technique of structural equation modeling for the analysis, this research unraveled various aspects of this interplay with 437 surveys from art exhibition customers in shopping malls. It was found that all the examined factors, with …

The Interplay Of Website Characteristics, Attitude, And Booking Intentions For Different Hotel Websites: A Theory Of Reasoned Action Perspective, Atefeh Charmchian Langroudi, Imran Rahman, Maryam Charmchian Langroudi, John Stephan, Parisa Mohammadi

Journal of Global Hospitality and Tourism

Using the theory of reasoned action as the underlying theoretical foundation, this study examines the direct effects of compatibility, perceived usefulness, communicability, perceived risk, and perceived playfulness on attitudes toward online booking and the indirect effects of these variables on consumers’ intention to use three different online hotel booking channels - independent hotel websites, chain hotel websites, and third-party hotel websites. Additionally, this study tests the direct effect of attitude towards online booking on consumers’ intention to use the three online booking channels. Collected data from 638 participants via Amazon M-Turk was analyzed using partial least squares based structural equation …

Crow's Nest, March 31, 2025, Crow's Nest Staff

Crow's Nest

The March 31, 2025 issue of Crow's Nest.

Integrative Multi-Omics And Clinical Data Analysis For Predicting Recurrence And Survival In Uterine Cancer, Varun Sai Raigir

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The prediction of uterine cancer recurrence is very important for assisting women in reducing the cancer risks and also for the growing field of personalized medicine. The primary aim of this thesis is to investigate the integration of various omics data alongside clinical and therapeutic information to predict survival in uterine cancer. The combination is very important for understanding the risk factors, including clinical aspects, genetics, and the treatment schedule, in order to prescribe the appropriate way to reduce the risk of recurrence, make clinical interactions easier, and enhance personalized patient care. This study utilizes the publicly accessible TCGA dataset, …

Essays On Policy Initiatives For Equitable And Fair Distribution Of Benefits Of Information Technology, Roohid Ahmed Syed

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The impact of Information technology on human lives is beyond measure. Information technology has become so integral to our human lives that we can no longer undermine its societal impact. While there is ample evidence for the societal gains from digital technologies, there is evidence for the inequitable distribution of such gains across society. For example, accelerated digitization of economy has left the digital haven-nots with limited access to education, health care and employment opportunities further deepening the already existing social inequities. Furthermore, increasing implementation of algorithms has created the problem of algorithmic bias across multiple domains including hiring. Though …

Automated Data Analysis For Concussion Patient Records: A Flutter-Based Desktop Application, Fhaheem Tadamarry

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Concussions are a prevalent and complex medical condition requiring careful clinical assessment and data-driven insights for effective management. This thesis presents the development of an automated data analysis system for concussion patient records, integrating Flutter-based desktop application development with SQL-driven data processing. The system provides a streamlined, interactive interface for clincians and researchers to upload, visualize, and analyze patient data efficiently.

The proposed solution automates data cleaning, preprocessing, and statistical analysis, ensuring robust and reliable insights into demographic, clinical, and recovery-related factors. Key analyses include sex-based differences injury mechanisms, prior head injury impact, mood disorder correlations, and time-to-treatment variations. The …

Textbook Content Analysis For Statistical Content Standards For 8th-Grade Math: Commercial Publishers, Curriculum Software Supplement, And An Open Educational Resource, Matthew M. O'Brien

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examined the vertical and horizontal content analysis of statistical content within current 8th-grade mathematics instructional materials to determine the extent to which students are provided with opportunity to learn high cognitive instances and the usage of the four phases of statistical problem-solving across two commercial publishers, one open educational resource, and one curriculum software supplement. All previous analyses of statistics education content textbooks have only examined textbooks from commercial publishers or those published by national governments. The horizontal content textbook analysis investigated the textbook's background information and overall structure. The vertical content textbook analysis examined the cognitive level …

Understanding The Interplay Between Nutritional Status And Depression Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Mary R. Goldsworthy

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

By the year 2050, it is projected that the population of individuals aged 60 years and older will increase by 47 percent, reaching a total of 82 million in the United States. Many older adults experience depressive symptoms, and some never recover from it. Depression is one of the most common psychiatric disorders among older adults. Approximately 3.2% of community-dwelling older adults experience major depressive disorder in a 12-month period, although many more experience clinically significant depressive symptoms, with a recent estimate of 35% based on a global meta-analysis. In addition to physical functioning and depressive symptoms, another domain in …

Pedagogy, Technology Acceptance, And Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge Among Nursing Faculty, Rachel Ross

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Integrating pedagogical and technological knowledge among faculty is crucial, especially within Florida state colleges’ Nursing (ADN) programs. I explored the impact of three decades of technological advancements on faculty's ability to incorporate technology into their teaching methods using a qualitative, exploratory design; I conducted semi-structured interviews via Microsoft Teams. The analysis of faculty perceptions, experiences, and challenges reveals a significant gap in pedagogical knowledge despite strong subject matter expertise, indicating underdeveloped instructional strategies and learner-centered pedagogies. Additionally, participants exhibited a diverse understanding of the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) framework, highlighting difficulties in effectively integrating technology, pedagogy, and content knowledge. …

Exploring Corona Discharge In Electrostatic Printing For Electronics And In Other Application, Zijian Weng

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The field of printed electronics (PEs) is expanding rapidly, driven by increasing market demand. According to reports, the global market for PEs is expected to reach $23 billion by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of 18.3% from 2023 to 2028. This growth necessitates the development of innovative printing technologies that can meet these demands efficiently, delivering high-quality, high-resolution PEs suitable for applications in health, environmental monitoring, sports, aerospace, and more.

Currently, PEs manufacturing relies on two main groups of printing technologies. Contact printing methods offer high-speed production but struggle with precision, while non-contact methods provide high resolution but …

The Asset Management Optimization Engine: An Ai And Machine Learning Model Approach To Pavement Asset Management, Matt Versdahl

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

While state Departments of Transportation (DOT) face major funding challenges, the need to find optimal ways to preserve and maintain pavement assets remains. Asset management employs a lowest cost lifecycle method to analyze asset costs and determine the best investment strategies to preserve it throughout its lifecycle. As new technology emerges, so do opportunities to leverage it. DOTs collect a significant amount of performance data on pavement and use it to decide how to keep it in a state of good repair. The literature in this area focuses on engineering techniques applied to treatment strategies. This dissertation research focuses on …

New Petrographic And Geochemical Constraints On Pre-Eruptive Storage Conditions And Their Control On Eruptive Styles In Martinique’S Recent Volcanic Systems, Abigail Martens

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates the volcanic systems of Martinique Island, focusing on magma storage conditions, magmatic evolution, and eruption dynamics. Chapter 3 presents a petrographic analysis of volcanic rocks from the island’s old, intermediate, and recent arcs, examining the evolution of plagioclase textures and the increasing abundance of other mineral phases, such as pyroxene, amphibole, olivine, and quartz, which provide insights into changing magmatic conditions. The main research is divided into two projects. Chapter 4 addresses the pre-eruptive storage conditions (pressure and temperature) of magmas beneath recent (<5 Ma) volcanic complexes (Morne Jacob, Piton du Carbet, Trois Îlets, Mt. Conil, and Mt. Pelée), exploring magma evolution, crystallization, and the role of lower crustal injections and flank collapses in triggering eruptions. Results reveal variable magma storage depths (<6 km), with significant temperature and pressure variations, indicating complex magmatic systems. Chapter 5 focuses on the Roches-Genty ignimbrite in southwestern Martinique, investigating its stratigraphy, geochemistry, and age using field mapping, grain size analysis, and 40Ar/39Ar dating. The study identifies two distinct sub-Plinian eruptive phases associated with the Dizac ignimbrite, with ages of 3.37 ± 0.14 Ma and 2.10 ± 0.26 Ma, providing insights into past explosive volcanic activity. Geochemical analysis confirms an andesitic composition, similar to regional volcanic systems. This dissertation enhances understanding of Martinique’s volcanic history, providing valuable insights into magmatic processes and eruption dynamics, with implications for volcanic hazard assessments in the Lesser Antilles.

Relationship Between Motivation, Requesting Accommodations, Rapport, And Adequate Progress In College Students With Disabilities During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Harold Holmes

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

College students with disabilities often face challenges including difficulty accessing accommodations and developing satisfactory rapport with instructors when navigating their college experience. These challenges can negatively impact their academic progress and their ability to complete their programs of study. The first purpose of this study was to describe the levels of self-efficacy, perceived control, willingness to request accommodations, instructor- student rapport, and adequate progress towards a degree among college students with disabilities. The second purpose was to determine any relationships between these variables. Undergraduate students with disabilities at a public university in the southeast region of the United States completed …

Incorporating Data Mining Techniques In Inverse Propensity Score Weighting With A Latent Class Exposure: An Application To The Nsse Data, Siyu Liu

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

College graduation is a key goal for both students and institutions, yet increasing rates of four-year graduation has proven challenging. An initiative that has been implemented focuses on enhancing student participation both in the classroom and across the broader academic setting. The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) has been used by many institutions worldwide as a tool to evaluate student engagement through self-reported data. Research indicates that NSSE is linked to students’ academic success, such as better course grades, retention, and timely graduation. However, the existing relationships have been opaque and even contradictory. This study employs a newly developed …

Essays In Development Economics, Karina Gabitova

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates how environmental shocks and early-life health conditions influence child and adolescent development in low- and middle-income countries, using longitudinal data from the Young Lives survey in Ethiopia, India, Peru, and Vietnam. The two chapters address distinct but interrelated dimensions of human capital formation: the effect of environmental shocks on adolescent self-esteem and the causal impact of birth weight on cognitive and non-cognitive outcomes.

Chapter 1 analyzes how shocks such as droughts, floods, and crop failures affect adolescent selfesteem, a key non-cognitive skill linked to long-term well-being. Using a fixed-effects model, the study finds heterogeneous effects: environmental shocks …

The Prideful Ass: Using Augustine's Neoplatonic Theory Of Sin To Investigate Curiosity In Apuleius' Golden Ass, Danielle E. Booth

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Ancient discourse about the beneficial yet predominantly dangerous role of curiosity inattaining knowledge was prevalent in the Roman Empire around the 2nd century C.E. when the North African author, Apuleius, composed his Latin novel, the Golden Ass. Although there is no shortage of modern scholarship that focuses on how Apuleius dramatizes obsessive intrigue by means of his protagonist, Lucius, contemporary publications seldom reorient the discussion to consider how unclear he is about the unstated source of curiosity, as I do in the following thesis. Approaching this topic through the context of ancient Neoplatonism, I argue Augustine of Hippo – a …

Awful, Yet Awe-Full: The Sublime Dystopia Of Blade Runner 2049, Charles E. Butt

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Blockbuster dystopian sci-fi features stories of environmental collapse, authoritarian governments, out of control corporations, unbounded consumerism, and other awful possibilities. Scholars of science fiction broadly agree that this genre explores collective fears, anxieties, and speculations about the present and future. At the same time, film scholars have established that dystopian sci-fi cinema is compelling, and audiences respond to their effects-driven visuals, photorealistic mise-en-scene, and dramatic narratives. This creates an apparent paradox: Blockbuster cinematic aesthetics portray undesirable worlds desirably. I resolve this paradox by arguing that the worldbuilding of spectacle-driven, dystopian sci-fi cinema is Romanticized. That is, the provocative style of …

Navigating The College-To-Career Transition: Social Capital And Career Readiness Of First-Generation College Students Participating In The Professional Skills Mentoring Program, Olivia T. Davis

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates how first-generation college (FGC) students utilize social capital to navigate the challenging transition from college to career, addressing a critical gap in the literature given the increasing emphasis on post-graduation employment and the unique obstacles these students face. FGC students often lack the same access to professional networks and career resources as their peers, highlighting the need for targeted support programs. This research explores the impact of the Professional Skills Mentoring Program (PSMP) on FGC student career readiness.

Drawing on Yosso's (2005) Community Cultural Wealth framework, this qualitative case study examines how FGC students leverage their diverse …

Barriers To Engagement Of Care For Patients Presenting With Comorbid Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv) And Major Depression Or Anxiety Disorder Diagnoses, Rachel C. V. Kingsley

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Despite significant global advancements in HIV care, engagement in continuous HIV care remains a challenge, particularly for individuals living with comorbid HIV and mental health disorders. This dissertation examines the barriers to continuous HIV care for those individuals living with comorbid HIV and depression and/or anxiety in the Tampa Bay area. This dissertation argues that dual health challenges are dually challenging. This study highlights how structural vulnerabilities, how feelings of inclusion and exclusion impact engagement in care, and socioeconomic challenges intersect to shape patient experiences and impact adherence to treatment. Drawing on critical medical anthropology, structural violence, embodied belonging, and …

Mindfulness In Action: A Critical Reflective Self-Study Exploring Mindfulness, Goal Attainment, And The Adult Learning And Development Experience, Michelle Yvette Catlin

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Through a Critical Reflective Self-Study, this dissertation explores adult learning and development with a focus on the psychological construct of mindfulness and its role in goal attainment. The self-study places me as the subject and centers on my reflections, insights, and lessons learned through my doctoral professional development journey at a large public research university. My experience began with a research focus on mindfulness and mindfulness training for cognitive performance and adult learning and development, and later in my doctoral program, I gained further insight into the facilitation of goal attainment when I studied, practiced, and worked in university student …

Bronchodilators For Treating Obstructive Lung Disease, Stephen Liggett, James Leahy, Donghwa Kim, Steven An

USF Patents

Disclosed herein are compounds useful for treating obstructive lung diseases. The compounds are TAS2Rs agonists and may further be used to treat disorders and conditions implicated by TAS2R. In some instances the disclosed compounds can be used to treat asthma.

Springscape: The Nature Coast And The Making Of Modern Florida, 1820s-Present, Douglas E. Ponticos

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

According to an oft-repeated tale, the Florida we know today emerged as a dreamscape of tourism, retirement, and suburbanization during the second half of the twentieth century. Growth victimized nature. This dissertation deeply unsettles that story. The history of the Nature Coast exposes not just nature’s agency but its primacy in the development of modern Florida.

Using surveys, maps, census data, personal correspondence, government documents, business records, timber reports, advertising materials, and hydrological research, this dissertation follows time and water across landscapes, into the Upper Floridan Aquifer, and back out again. Each chapter explores a single landscape within the Nature …

“I Learned A Lot Of Things That I Felt Already In My Heart”: Fatherhood Meanings And Dilemmas In Residential Treatment, Jared V. Worwood

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Wanting to maintain or create a connection with their child, fathers in residential treatment face challenges as they navigate physical separation, restricted interaction, and substance use stigma. However, parenting services that help fathers navigate these parenting challenges in residential programs are few and rarely studied. Working alongside a local parenting non-profit, Champions for Children, this dissertation evaluated a visitation playgroup for fathers in residential treatment and their children while also seeking theoretical insight into how fathers make meaning of fatherhood during residential treatment. A study design informed by engaged communication scholarship and the phronetic, iterative approach is used to collect …

Beyond Political Democracy And Plebiscitary Citizenship: Accounting For New Modes Of Participation And Citizenry In Saudi Arabia, Shumaila Fatima

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses the global need to understand the evolving state-society relationship in a developmental state. The reforms in Saudi Arabia are widely gaining attention for abandoning the country’s longstanding illiberal practices. Yet, the state remains conventionally conservative in numerous ways for citizen and non-citizen populations. The dissertation employs a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods and a set of conceptual frameworks to analyze what the reforms indicate about the concepts of democracy and citizenship. The dissertation is divided into three journal-style articles. The first article of the dissertation analyzes three reforms to find implicit or explicit evidence of rights …

Growing The Future: Community Gardens In Hillsborough County, Florida, Nicole M. Kennady

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This project was an evaluation on community gardens in Hillsborough County, Florida from May 2024 to November 2024, built off of Homegrown Hillsborough’s first year evaluation of the current Hillsborough County food system. Homegrown Hillsborough is a network of community members with a mission to grow a strong food system in Hillsborough County by assisting in all areas of the food system from food production to food waste. Homegrown Hillsborough plans to act as a development initiative focused on community nutrition. Over the next two years, Homegrown Hillsborough plans to focus on food production, food access, and economic development. Through …