Digital Commons Network^™

Arizona Bird Highlights, Fall 2024, Doug Jenness

Arizona Birds

No abstract provided.

Sacralizing Security: Orthodoxy And Securitization In Russia’S War On Ukraine, Bayram Aliyev

Journal of Strategic Security

This article analyzes Russia’s religious securitization of the Ukraine war. It argues that securitizing actors in the Kremlin and the Moscow Patriarchate present Orthodoxy, Russian civilization, and traditional moral values as referent objects under existential threat. Using a corpus of strategy texts, speeches, and sermons, the study identifies a triad of narratives, sacred war, moral decline, and anti-Westernism, that structure public messaging. These narratives authorize extraordinary measures, from mobilization and legal restrictions to symbolic acts involving icons and clergy. The article proposes a layered framework that connects soft power instruments to sharper techniques in crisis, showing how religious language reshapes …

A Delaware Bay Field Season; Shorebirds And Scientists, Sally O'Byrne

Delaware Ornithologist

No abstract provided.

Foraging Substrates Of Insect-Eating Birds In The Delaware Piedmont During The Fall, Ian Stewart, Jim White

Delaware Ornithologist

No abstract provided.

Ukrainian Studies On Terrorism: Contemporary Overview And Thematic Classification, Lesia Horodenko, Yevhen Tsymbalenko

Journal of Strategic Security

This article presents the first systematic and reproducible map of Ukrainian academic scholarship on terrorism (2000–2024). It addresses three questions: what directions the field has developed, which methods prevail across periods and disciplines, and where the gaps lie. The central argument is that clarifying the boundary between media terrorism—amplification via media logics—and information terrorism—manipulative information operations—reorients the field under conditions of hybrid warfare. Methods: systematic search of national repositories and journals; mixed-methods content analysis with iterative thematic coding and periodization (pre-2014; 2014–2021; post-2022). Corpus: n=896 publications. Results: a post-2014 surge and a post-2022 consolidation around hybrid warfare strategies, information operations, …

Hot Spots Of Harm: Spatial Analysis Of Respiratory Health And Pollution Exposure In Palm Beach County Agricultural Workers, Makayla Devalia, Christopher Bernabe, Robin Ersing

Weather, Climate, and Society REU

The association between respiratory disease and agricultural work has been documented since the 1500s. This research still has gaps in the demographics and occupational hazards, including:

• Socially vulnerable groups of agricultural workers, such as migrant workers and women
• The occupational hazards investigated are usually pesticides, rather than non-pesticide chemicals and PM 2.5 that still impact health

Strengthening The Hillsborough County Coad: A Conversation-Informed Framework For An Improved Disaster Response Network, Jude Ogden, Ariana Albaladejo-Barreto, Ann Dai, Ratna Dougherty, Elizabeth Dunn

Weather, Climate, and Society REU

• Coordination by local government is key to implementing and monitoring effective disaster response plans.
• Efficient response plans arise when open communication exists between network members and governmental powers, rather than government exercising one-dimensional authority.
• Studies have connected both diverse core network members and pre-existing ‘chains of command’ to higher disaster response effectiveness.

Addressing Misinformation During Severe Weather Events: Insights From Emergency Managers In Florida, Sam Minard, Cassandra O’Connor, Brooke Page, Jennifer Collins

Weather, Climate, and Society REU

• Accurate, timely information is critical for public safety during severe weather events like hurricanes and tornadoes.
• Misinformation can spread quickly and cause panic, confusion, or lead to dangerous complacency, a serious challenge for Gulf states like Florida (Cheong & Babcock, 2021).
• Emergency managers (EMs) play a vital but understudied role in addressing severe weather misinformation (Ross et al., 2024).
• Despite their authority and growing reliance on social media, little is known about how EMs tackle misinformation or the challenges they face (Torpan et al., 2021).
• This study examines how Florida EMs manage misinformation, the barriers they encounter, and the resources …

Heat Exposure And Respiratory Illness In Orange County, Florida: Exploring Environmental Health Patterns, Vivika Arocho, Christopher Bernabe, Makayla Devalia, Destiny Perez, Robin Ersing, Beverly G. Ward

Weather, Climate, and Society REU

The rising temperatures over time have led to more frequent extreme heat days in Florida. Extreme heat exposure has been linked to worsening respiratory illnesses such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These effects are more severe in vulnerable groups with pre-existing respiratory disorders, who may have heat-induced asthma attacks or worsened COPD symptoms. This study looks at the relationship between increased heat exposure and the occurrence of respiratory illnesses in Orange County, Florida, to see how rising temperatures affect the community. Public weather communicators in Orlando, Florida suggested the strategic messaging to raise awareness about heat-related health …

Navigating Energy Transition: Eu’S Lessons In The Wake Of The Russia-Ukraine Conflict, Sharmistha Hazra, Pramod Kumar

Journal of Strategic Security

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 disrupted the European Union’s energy landscape, exposing its heavy reliance on Russian fuels. The ongoing crisis prompted a shift in the EU’s policy, accelerating efforts toward energy self-sufficiency and diversification of energy sources. The REPowerEU Plan, launched in March 2022, aimed to reduce Russian dependence by boosting renewables, enhancing energy efficiency, and diversifying suppliers, including Norway, the U.S., and Qatar. Despite progress in reducing gas demand and increasing wind and solar capacity, challenges such as slow policy implementation, internal divisions, and continued Russian energy imports remain significant concerns. Geopolitical tensions and reliance on …

Teaching Agroecology Through Play: A Board Game On Companion Planting Using Agroecological Principles, Ashmita Das, Julie Capito-Hernandez, Estelí Jiménez-Soto

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

Board games themed around environmental topics are promising tools for promoting awareness of complex sustainability issues, as the materiality, sociality, and multidimensionality of gameplay can help overcome some of the inherent limitations of more traditional learning formats. To explore the potential relevance of board games for communicating about agrifood system topics in particular, we designed and tested a game called Companion: An Agroecological Adventure, in which players take on the role of community gardeners who must apply both social and ecological principles of agroecology to cultivate a thriving garden plot. In this paper, we present the results of a study …

Food Sovereignty Among Migrant Farmworkers: The Role Of Agrobiodiversity For Autonomy And Resistance In A Mexican Coffee Plantation, Estelí Jiménez-Soto, Sanya Cowal, April Lopez

School of Geosciences Faculty and Staff Publications

Coffee agroecosystems represent the economic base for thousands of small growers and agricultural workers, as well as a significant proportion of many regional economies in Latin America. Every year, the production of coffee in this region attracts a great number of laborers and their families, particularly during the harvest season. Despite being essential workers in the food system, agricultural workers continue to be one of the most marginalized actors in the coffee production chain. Even with an environment of precarity, agricultural workers exercise their autonomy and food sovereignty—the process by which agricultural workers, in this case, define their food system …

Quantum-Resilient Architectures For Enterprise And Cloud Information Systems, Implications Of Quantum Computing For Enterprise Cybersecurity And Data Integrity, Manikantha Varaprasad Inakollu

Computer Science and Engineering Faculty Publications

The emergence of quantum computing presents unprecedented challenges to contemporary enterprise cybersecurity frameworks. Current cryptographic systems that protect sensitive data and secure communications will become vulnerable to quantum attacks within the next decade. This research examines the implications of quantum computing advancement for enterprise and cloud information systems, proposing quantum-resilient architectural frameworks that can withstand both classical and quantum threats. We analyze the timeline of quantum computing development, assess vulnerabilities in existing enterprise security infrastructures, and evaluate post-quantum cryptographic approaches suitable for organizational implementation. Through comparative analysis of quantum-resistant algorithms and architectural patterns, this study demonstrates that enterprises must begin …

Blockchain-Enabled Trust Frameworks For Enterprise Information Systems, Establishing Verifiable Trust In Distributed Organizational Environments, Manikantha Varaprasad Inakollu

Computer Science and Engineering Faculty Publications

Enterprise information systems increasingly operate in distributed environments where traditional trust mechanisms based on centralized authority prove insufficient. This research develops a comprehensive blockchain-enabled trust framework that establishes verifiable, decentralized trust mechanisms for enterprise systems operating across organizational boundaries. The study addresses critical gaps in current enterprise architectures where trust depends on centralized intermediaries, creating single points of failure and limiting inter-organizational collaboration. Through examination of existing trust models and blockchain capabilities, we propose an integrated framework that combines cryptographic verification, distributed consensus, and smart contract automation to establish trust without centralized control. Our framework enables organizations to verify data …

The Evolving Landscape Of European Security: An Assessment Of Nato’S Posture And Deterrence Strategies In Response To The Russia-Ukraine War, Goddy U. Osimen, Oluwakemi Fulani, Nesochi Mogbolu

Journal of Strategic Security

The Russia-Ukraine War has reshaped Europe’s security landscape, leading to NATO’s most significant transformation since the Cold War. This study explores how the conflict has prompted NATO to realign its deterrence and defence strategies in response to Russia’s violations of international norms and changing battlefield dynamics. Employing a qualitative analysis of academic literature, official documents and credible reports, this study argues that NATO has shifted from assurance to a more assertive deterrence approach, enhancing its forward presence, increasing defence spending, and adopting effective new technologies. Key findings reveal important lessons about modern warfare, particularly the roles of artillery, unmanned systems, …

Has Russian Electronic Warfare Underperformed In The Ukrainian Conflict?, Guillem Colom Piella, Cristina Marzal Ruano

Journal of Strategic Security

In what has been referred to as a “War of Drones”, the ongoing Ukrainian conflict has contributed to shed light on electronic warfare as a key capability in modern military operations. The capacity to trace, deny, detect and collect intelligence from enemy communications has become a crucial asset as combat systems become highly interconnected and small, commercial drones storm in as strong alternatives to traditional, more expensive and less versatile unmanned systems. In this regard, much has been discussed about whether Russia, a perceivably dominant EW power, lived up to expectations regarding its performance in the electromagnetic domain. Through the …

Millions Of Tons, Billions In Dollars: Unexploded Ordnance In Ukraine, Russell Glenn

Journal of Strategic Security

Mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Ukraine had killed over 400 civilians and wounded nearly 1,000 more as 2024 approached its final weeks. Late 2023 estimates pegged the cost of neutralization at $37 billion. Addressing the lingering dangers posed by mines, artillery and tank rounds in abandoned depots, dud missiles and rockets, and the occasional unexploded drone munition presents Kyiv with one of its most difficult and costly recovery challenges. Problems include identifying which areas are, in fact, contaminated and the extent of the hazard, measuring and maximizing the effectiveness of decontamination rather than merely gauging the effort expended on …

Russian Resilience: Sanction Elusion Mechanisms Utilized During The Russo-Ukrainian War, Ivan Siffredi Santa Ana

Journal of Strategic Security

Since the 2022 invasion, the United States and the European Union have imposed a wide range of sanctions, including those directed to Russia’s financial industry, central bank, and hydrocarbon exports, among many others. Even though these restrictive measures implied a severe hindrance for the Russian State apparatus, it has been able to sustain both its economic resilience and its war effort in Ukraine. The present article aims to identify and analyze the economic and logistical mechanisms that allowed Russia to elude Western sanctions and sustain its abovementioned dimensions. In this sense, the reach of support of the strategic relations will …

Legal Framework For Counterintelligence Activities In Ukraine, Viktor Tyshchuk

Journal of Strategic Security

The legal framework governing counterintelligence activities in Ukraine is one of the key elements in ensuring national security and protecting state interests, particularly in the context of modern challenges, as this article analyzes the current legislation and normative acts regulating the activities of counterintelligence agencies while evaluating their impact on the effectiveness of combating potential threats; a notable aspect is the change in the criminogenic situation, specifically the increase in crimes against the foundations of national security in 2022, which coincided with the onset of a full-scale invasion and significantly affected the investigative process due to difficulties associated with martial …

Assessing The Impacts, Risks, And Vulnerabilities Of Extreme Heat In Learning Environments Of Puerto Rico In 2023, Pablo Méndez-Lázaro, Laura T. Cabrera-Rivera, Digna T. Rueda-Roa, Frank E. Muller-Karger, Manuel Heredia Morales, Monica V. Sanchez-Sepúlveda, Ernesto Rodríguez, Odalys Martínez, Ernesto Morales, Patricia Chardon-Maldonado, Wanda I. Crespo-Acevedo, Sarah Molinari, Masoud Ghandehari, Jorge E. Gonzalez-Cruz

Marine Science Faculty Publications

Introduction

Puerto Rico is experiencing anomalous heat episodes. The year 2023 was marked by unprecedented extreme heat events with negative impacts in Puerto Rico’s learning environments. This study aimed to understand the context, barriers, knowledge, risks, vulnerabilities, perceptions, employees’ profiles, attitudes, and symptoms related to extreme heat in learning environments.

Materials and Methods

We employed a mixed-methods approach combining: (1) Earth Observation Data and geospatial analysis, (2) an online survey for teachers, administrative staff, and other school employees from diverse educational settings and levels and (3) a series of participatory activities with stakeholders, practitioners and decision makers that led to …

Information Research At 30: Its Role As A Diamond Open Access Journal Supporting Scholarly Communication In Library And Information Science, Jungwon Yoon, James E. Andrews, Eunkyung Chung

School of Information Faculty Publications

Introduction. This paper examines the contributions of Information Research as a diamond open access (OA) journal within the library and information science field.

Method. The dataset was extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection.

Results. The journal’s commitment to geographical diversity, its sustained journal impact and its role as a scholar-led publisher were revealed.

Conclusion(s). The journal demonstrates the potential of diamond open access publishing while maintaining high impact and visibility.

The Frequency Of Informational Text Read-Alouds In Kindergarten And Its Association With Students’ Vocabulary And Knowledge Development, Sen Wang, Sonia Q. Cabell, Elizabeth Hadley, Jill M. Pentimonti, Arzu Gungor Leushuis

Language, Literacy, Ed.D., Exceptional Education, and Physical Education Faculty Publications

While informational texts have been shown to enhance vocabulary and content knowledge, most prior research indicates that early childhood teachers seldom read such texts to their students. This study offers an updated perspective on the frequency of informational text use during read-aloud sessions by kindergarten teachers. These teachers work in a large urban U.S. district committed to building content knowledge through read-alouds during ELA instruction. Over the course of a semester, 38 teachers completed 174 reading logs, covering 310 titles, which yielded three key findings: the average proportion of informational text read-alouds was higher than reported in previous studies, there …

Tracing The Impact Of Covid-19 On Early Language And Literacy Development From Pre-K Through First Grade, Elizabeth Hadley, Siyu Liu, Eunsook Kim, Meaghan Mckenna, Katharine Hull

Language, Literacy, Ed.D., Exceptional Education, and Physical Education Faculty Publications

COVID-19 disrupted early educational experiences for a generation of children, but research on how missing school impacted academic development for young children is limited. This paper investigated the longitudinal impact of COVID-19 on the language and literacy development of children in a Florida school district, specifically following children who were in pre-K in March 2020 through the end of first grade. This COVID-19 cohort (n = 1,167) was compared with a pre-COVID-19 cohort (n = 1,211) using propensity score matching, multilevel regression models, and linear growth modeling. Results indicated that the negative impacts of COVID-19 on language and literacy emerged …

Artificial Intelligence In Warfare: The Case Of The Russia-Ukraine War, Baurzhan Rakhmetov, Kamila Murzagulova

Journal of Strategic Security

The last decade has marked the rise and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across various spheres. Nowadays, militaries worldwide apply AI to optimize and revolutionize warfighting tactics. The war in Ukraine has shown how AI-driven technologies enhance traditional military equipment, such as by automating drone take-off, landing, and even targeting. Moreover, AI has begun to play a crucial role in information warfare, enabling both sides to manipulate public opinion, destabilize adversaries, and mislead populations, but also counter disinformation. This qualitative study analyzes the approach to AI integration in information and kinetic warfare by both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, forecasts …

Energy Weaponization In The Ukraine–Russia War: Sanctions, Rerouting Flows, And Implications For Smaller States, Aysel Quliyeva

Journal of Strategic Security

The 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine intensified the use of energy as a geopolitical weapon, transforming global energy markets and testing the resilience of states dependent on Russian oil and gas. This study examines the mechanisms of energy weaponization in the context of the Ukraine-Russia war, with particular emphasis on sanctions, the rerouting of energy flows, and the strategic implications for smaller states. Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of energy security, hybrid warfare, and small-state vulnerability, the paper integrates policy analysis with trade and price data from 2014 to 2024. The findings reveal that sanctions accelerated Russia’s eastward energy pivot, …

Podcasting As Open Access: A Review And Discussion Of Potential Impact On Scholarly Communication And Promotion, Allison Symulevich, Matt Torrence, Jason Boczar, Jessica Szempruch

USF Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

Introduction: Academic podcasts are an informal way for faculty members to share their research expertise with an expanded and international audience. In this article, we argue that podcasts are a form of informal scholarly communication and that libraries can contribute to the successful dissemination of this informal scholarly communication.

Description of Service: At the University of South Florida, episodes of faculty-created academic podcasts are posted to the institutional repository, allowing the dissemination of these podcasts permanently via open access. The open-access nature of these materials makes them freely available to faculty, students, and other scholars; additionally, it helps to improve …

Impact: Enhancing Services And Resources Using Focus Groups, Matt Torrence, Allison Symulevich

USF Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

To enhance the USF Libraries Impact Services program, project leaders identified several stages to collect and examine faculty needs and resource utilization. In May 2024, librarians Matt Torrence and Allison Symulevich received an internal grant to assess faculty preferences regarding available impact services and resources through focus group interviews. This project aimed to gather assessment data and identify additional tools and options for faculty and students. The collected data will be used to update the primary LibGuide and improve the program. Participants will receive information on updated resources and services, along with a summary of the results. The interviews took …

2025-2026 Usf Libraries Annual Report, Usf Libraries

Library Annual Reports

No abstract provided.

Systems And Methods For Immobilizing A Target Protein, Houman Yaghoubi, Arash Takshi, John Thomas Beatty

USF Patents

In some embodiments, a bioelectronic device includes an electrode, target proteins, and attachment mechanisms that immobilize the target proteins on the electrode, the attachment mechanisms comprising linker proteins that interface with the target proteins and attach the target proteins to the electrode.

System And Method For The Activation Of Active Ion Transporters Without The Consumption Of Adenosine Triphosphate (Atp) Molecules For The Treatment Of Muscle Fatigue, Wei Chen, Jason Edward Mast, Pengfei Liang

USF Patents

A system and method to control the Na/K pumps for the treatment or prevention of muscle fatigue by applying a synchronization modulation electric field that is effective in synchronizing the Na/K pumps down to individual steps throughout the pumping cycle, thereby synthesizing one ATP for each pumping cycle. The generated ATP molecule compensates the ATP consumed in extrusion of 3 Na ions and pumping 2 K ions such that the net-consumption of ATP for the Na/K pumps controlled by the system and method of the present invention is significantly reduced, theoretically to zero, thereby providing an effective treatment for muscle …