Digital Commons Network^™

Counter-Intuitive Links Between Cave Genesis And Subaerial Stream Dynamics In The Têt Valley–Lachambre Network, Eastern Pyrenees, France, Stéphane Jaillet, Gabriel Hez, Marc Calvet, Magali Delmas, Edwige Pons-Branchu, Yanni Gunnell

International Journal of Speleology

The Lachambre cave network (Eastern Pyrenees, France) is well suited to studying the interaction between vertical successions of low-gradient cave passages in the limestone and chronosequences of fluvial terraces in the adjacent valley. Investigations here focus on cave passages striking parallel to the Têt River, and on their topographic, geomorphological, sedimentological and geochronological relationship with the two youngest generations of Pleistocene fluvial terrace, T2 and T1. Results reveal that the longitudinal profiles of the terraces and modern thalweg (1.5–3%) are ten times steeper than the profiles of the subterranean passages (0.1–0.3%), which display typical characteristics of water table caves. The …

3d Printed Physically Unclonable Wireless Systems (Puws), Gokhan Mumcu, Huseyin Arslan

USF Patents

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is implemented to introduce randomness into systems and devices that are being manufactured. 3D printed physically unclonable wireless systems (PUWS) provide flexibility in system package complexity, number of physically unclonable function (PUF) based security measures/types, and customization of the PUF parameters. Using flexibility and economics of 3D printing, PUWS can combine multiple PUF measures in a 3D package for cryptographic secret keys and introduce PUFs at the physical layer of the communication system. A 3D printed wireless system packaging concept is described herein where 3D printing parameters are randomized to 1) generate new physically unclonable functions (at …

Crow's Nest, February 10, 2025, Crow's Nest Staff

Crow's Nest

The February 10, 2025, issue of Crow's Nest.

The Integrated Monitoring Of Karst Systems (Miks) Model, Applied In Karst Studies In Bulgaria, Petar Stefanov, Dilyana Stefanova, Peter Nojarov

International Journal of Speleology

Karst is a widespread natural phenomenon that is highly sensitive and very vulnerable to both natural and various anthropogenic impacts. This is due to the complex structure of karst territories, which comprise both surface forms and complex systems of underground cavities. Therefore, the study of karst requires a geosystem approach and integrated monitoring, which gives a real idea of the state of karst geosystems and the impacts of global changes on karstogenesis. The article presents a model of this approach, which is applied in karst studies in Bulgaria. The methodological basis is the original ProKARSTerra paradigm, based on the geosystem …

Developing Sustainable Medical Tourism: A Framework In The Perspective Of Developing Countries, Abel Ansporthy Mamboleo Dr.

Journal of Sustainability and Resilience

This study reviewed the literature to develop the framework for sustainable medical tourism in developing countries. According to the findings, the development of a sustainable tourist destination necessitates the involvement of various stakeholders and adherence to sustainability principles. The framework suggests five essential tasks for sustainable medical tourism development. It contributes to the knowledge of sustainable medical tourism by suggesting the framework for analysing a specific situation for the development of a medical tourist destination. It provides a better understanding of sustainable medical tourism operations by integrating medication, travel, hospitality, and tourism. Moreover, it contributes to the sphere of medical …

Development Of Comprehensive Roadmap And Resource Guide Towards Congestion Reduction, Pei-Sung Lin, Mark Hansen, Zhenyu Wang, Yaye Keita, Elzbieta Bialkowska-Jelinska, Shubhankar Shindgikar, Nikou Khoshnevis

Research Reports

Traffic congestion poses a significant challenge in the United States, affecting mobility, public health, and the environment. With national travel delays and fuel waste on the rise, there is an urgent need for a comprehensive approach to congestion mitigation. This research develops a congestion reduction roadmap, focusing on 12 key mitigation areas, including advanced traffic signal optimization, incident management, and multimodal transportation strategies. Through a combination of literature review, expert interviews, and case study analysis, the roadmap provides actionable steps for state and local agencies to manage congestion effectively. The framework addresses both short-term and long-term solutions, emphasizing technology integration …

Perceived Loneliness During Covid-19 And Young Adult Mental Well-Being: Testing Socioeconomic Status As A Moderator, Falescia Matlock, Michael Langlais

KIP Articles

It is not currently known how perceived loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with emerging adults’ mental health and whether socioeconomic status (SES) moderated this relationship. The psychosocial development theory states that emerging adults experience a psychological conflict—intimacy versus isolation—where the goal is to seek connections; without connections, emerging adults are likely to experience mental health challenges. These challenges may be exacerbated for those with lower SES. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of perceived social distancing guidelines on the mental health of emerging adults and if this relationship is moderated by SES. This study …

Considering What Counts: Inside United States Child Maltreatment Statistics, Keith R. Johnson, Joel Best

Numeracy

The counting process which produces statistics is a human enterprise that reflects the needs and interests of the counters. This is clear in the case of the social problem of child abuse. Many different social groups and subprofessions are located in government bureaucracies organized to protect children and preserve families. Official statistics about how many children are abused (officially “maltreated”) vary markedly among the different states. The magnitude of the disparities among jurisdictions cannot be explained without changing one’s perspective about the nature of official counts. They come less from measuring child maltreatment than measuring the divergent ways that state …

Sensitive And Robust Biosensing Using Plasmonic Enhancement Of Fluorescence By Rapid Thermal Annealed Silver Nanostructures, Shuangming Li, Venkat R. Bhethanabotla

USF Patents

Chips and metallic nanostructure biosensors comprising a dielectric substrate and discontinuous and disordered metallic nanostructures of flat island shapes thereon are disclosed herein. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the same.

Methods For Optimizing A Transmittance And/Or A Self-Cleaning Property Of A Substrate Using A Self-Cleaning Coating, Dharendra Yogi Goswami, Mohammed Khaleel M. Alhussain

USF Patents

Described herein relates to methods for optimizing a transmittance and/or a self-cleaning property of a substrate using a self-cleaning coating. As such, the substrate may be treated using a photocatalytic reaction of titanium dioxide (hereinafter “TiO2”)-based solution via a light treatment. The substrate may be treated using a combination including but not limited to wet chemicals, dry-cleaning, and/or mechanical polishing. Additionally, the substrate may then be overlayed with a self-cleaning coating, such that the transmittance and the self-cleaning properties of the substrate may be optimized. Furthermore, the methods for optimizing the transmittance and/or the self-cleaning functionality of the substrate may …

The Affordable Diy Mandeye Lidar System For Surveying Caves, And How To Convert 3d Clouds Into Traditional Cave Ground Plans And Extended Profiles, Loris Redovniković, Antun Jakopec, Janusz Będkowski, Jurica Jagetić

International Journal of Speleology

The paper examines the potential use of low-cost LiDAR for cave surveying. Mobile mapping using LiDAR complements traditional speleological surveying using a polygonal traverse. These methods assist each other, with one serving as an independent control measurement for the other, ultimately resulting in a more accurate 3D model. The testing results show that achieving high accuracy and detailed cave representation is possible using open hardware and open-source software. Both spacious and well-indented cave sections and narrow passages barely passable by humans were successfully mapped. The surveying process is significantly faster than traditional cave mapping, as drawing cave sketches by hand …

Delta-Opioid Receptor Targeted Agent For Molecular Imaging And Immunotherapy Of Cancer, Mark L. Mclaughlin, David L. Morse

USF Patents

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to cancer therapy and to anticancer compounds and imaging agents. More specifically, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to agents that target (X) R and their use in the treatment of cancer.

Protection Of Polymeric/Organic Materials From Photodegradation By Encapsulation, Elias K. Stefanakos, Sesha S. Srinivasan

USF Patents

Structures of a particle containing a core and at least one shell, a metal oxide material of which is necessarily doped to ensure protection of a material of the core from photodegradation. The core can include any of a thermochromic material, a phase-change material, and a judiciously defined auxiliary material that in turn contains organic and/or polymeric material. Derivative products utilizing a plurality of such particles. Methodologies for producing such particles and derivative products.

From Realism And Socio-Cognitivism To Ai Constructs: Enhancing Domain Analysis Through Artificial Intelligence?, Martin Thellefsen, Alon Friedman

School of Information Faculty Publications

Introduction. This study explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within the framework of domain analysis (DA), traditionally grounded in socio-cognitive and realist perspectives. The aim is to assess AI's potential to enhance DA's focus on contextual and disciplinary knowledge, while examining possible epistemological challenges.

Method. Building on established concepts from Hjørland’s socio-cognitive DA framework, this paper employs a theoretical review to examine AI's capacity to augment DA by improving classification, retrieval and interdisciplinary mapping within knowledge organisation.

Analysis. The study critically analyses how AI may either enhance or disrupt DA’s philosophical foundations by potentially reducing domain specificity. Particular attention …

Appendix A, Anonymous

School of Public Affairs Faculty and Staff publications

No abstract provided.

Usf St. Petersburg Campus Water Refill Station Inventory Appendix A, Haley Mcgehee, Carolyn Mazur, Mohammad Shafayet H. Khan, Theresa G. Burress

Student Green Energy Fund (SGEF) Water Refill Stations

Appendix supporting University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus Water Refill Station dataset with reference images by location.

Usf St. Petersburg Campus Water Refill Station Inventory, Haley Mcgehee, Carolyn Mazur, Mohammad Shafeyet H. Khan, Theresa G. Burress

Student Green Energy Fund (SGEF) Water Refill Stations

Data inventory of University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus water refill stations, accounting for presence of Elkay water refill stations, ticker numbers for bottles saved by its use, location descriptors, etc.

Usf St. Petersburg Campus Water Refill Station Inventory Readme, Carolyn Mazur, Theresa G. Burress

Student Green Energy Fund (SGEF) Water Refill Stations

ReadMe file supporting the University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus Water Refill Station dataset.

Usf Tampa Library Special Collections- Archives Business And Implementation Plan, Stephanie Mackin

Special Collections Reports & Documents

No abstract provided.

Surveying New Battlegrounds: Ukraine And The Future Of Cognitive Warfare, Chad M. Briggs, Anita Tusor

Journal of Strategic Security

Cognitive warfare (CW) has emerged as a decisive battlespace in modern conflict, shifting the focus from physical terrain to the perceptions and resilience of societies. This article analyzes the Russian Federation's application of CW in Ukraine since 2013, contrasting it with the strategic concepts developed by the People's Republic of China (PRC). Russia's approach, rooted in Soviet-era maskirovka and reflexive control, integrates cyber operations, disinformation, and the use of non-state proxies, including private military companies, organized crime, and the Russian Orthodox Church, to destabilize adversaries and manufacture uncertainty. In response, Ukraine has demonstrated remarkable resilience through a whole-of-society mobilization, effectively …

Urban Operations: War, Crime, And Conflict. Edited By John P. Sullivan, Nathan P. Jones, And Daniel Weisz Argomedo. Boulder, Co: Keypoint Press, 2024., Michael Hampson Phd

Journal of Strategic Security

No abstract provided.

The Future Of War: Kill-Chain Supremacy And Ukraine's Lessons, Ashley Ruiz

Journal of Strategic Security

The war in Ukraine has reshaped contemporary understandings of how wars are fought and sustained. This article argues that the defining characteristic of modern warfare is not only the compression of kill chains – the sequence linking detection, decision, and destruction – but their diversification and resilience under continuous disruption. Drawing on empirical evidence from Ukraine’s integration of unmanned systems, digital battle management tools, and artificial intelligence, the analysis demonstrates how technological acceleration can yield short-term tactical advantages while exposing long-term structural vulnerabilities. Russia’s extensive use of electronic warfare, hybrid attacks, and adaptive countermeasures reveals that kill-chain supremacy is both …

Mossy Nests In The Delaware Museum Of Nature And Science: Uncovering Trends In Moss Use In Nest Construction, Ashley C. Kempken, Tom Pizzolato

Delaware Ornithologist

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 …

Analyzing Various Weather Risks For Florida’S Most Vulnerable Populations, Ethan Palmisano, Brooke Page, Cassandra O’Connor, Jennifer Collins

Weather, Climate, and Society REU

• Past research found that certain groups are particularly vulnerable to weather events, such as mobile home residents (Rumbach et al. 2020) or non-English speakers (Trujillo-Falcón et al. 2022).
• Florida receives numerous types of life-threatening weather, including tropical cyclones and tornadoes (Storm Prediction Center).
• This research focuses on identifying where the greatest weather risk exists in Florida, focusing on Florida’s most vulnerable populations.

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 …

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 …