Digital Commons Network^™

Analytical Study On The Intensity Of Surface Urban Heat Island (Suhi) In Kaduna State, Paul Onibaba, Kolade Victor Otokiti, Oluwabukola Grace Ademola, Temitope Mercy Akanle

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

Urbanization and climate change are significant drivers of rising Land Surface Temperature (LST) and the formation of Urban Heat Islands (UHIs), which have emerged as pressing environmental challenges in recent decades. This study examines the relationship between Land Use/Cover (LU/C) indices and LST in Kaduna, Nigeria, using multi-temporal Landsat imagery spanning five periods from 2001 to 2021. LST values were derived from the Landsat thermal bands, while LU/C dynamics were identified using the Maximum Likelihood Classifier algorithm. LU/C indices—including the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI), Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI), and Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index …

Development Strategies For Grid-Connected Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic To Increase Renewable Energy Penetration, Surya Budi Ariyadi, Widodo W Purwanto

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

The government of Indonesia has launched programs to decarbonize its power systems by replacing fossil fuel-based plants with renewable energy. Solar photovoltaic (PV) deployment faces economic and technical barriers despite abundant solar irradiance. This study evaluates techno-economic strategies for 10 MW grid-connected solar PV systems, comparing two scenarios: without Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) and with BESS to reduce grid reliance. Key interventions were analyzed for their economic impacts, including tariff adjustments, carbon tax implementation, and competitive auction schemes. The results show that without BESS, the project achieves an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 21.30%, making it highly feasible. …

Assessment Of Project Risk Performance Of Selected Mass Housing Infrastructures In Northern Nigeria, Chinedu Chimdi Adindu, Abdulhaqq Onoruoyiza Muhammed, Emmanuel Ashem Egila, Musa Mohammed

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

Mass housing projects in Northern Nigeria often suffer from insufficient risk management, impacting timely delivery, budget adherence, and quality standards. This study assesses risk vulnerabilities in selected mass housing infrastructure projects, focusing on information risks related to roles, responsibilities, scope, requirements, and operations. A mixed-methods approach was employed, with data collected from 465 construction professionals across 20 states, with a 64.58% response rate. Analytical tools, including regression and Pearson correlation, identified critical risks such as underfunding, weak project monitoring and control, and the failure to deliver end-user value. Findings reveal that these risks significantly undermine project outcomes, highlighting the need …

Strategic Knowledge Management Framework For Technology Transfer In Indonesian Joint Operation Construction Projects, Yudha Trimuliadi Suryana, Ayomi Dita Rarasati

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

Joint Operation (JO) construction companies in Indonesia face persistent challenges in technology transfer, including misalignment between advanced technologies and organizational capacities. Knowledge management has been proposed as a strategic solution, but its implementation remains underdeveloped. This study develops a framework to enhance technology transfer in JO construction projects through improved knowledge management practices. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, the research combines a literature review with an analytical hierarchy process, fuzzy set theory, and a simple additive weighting method, supported by data from selected respondents involved in the Jakarta Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) project (CP201). Key findings identify knowledge acquisition, utilization, and …

External Financing, Governance, And Infrastructure Development: Evidence From Sub-Saharan Africa, Afees Oluwashina Noah, Oladipo Olalekan David

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

Infrastructure development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) requires diversified financing strategies to address a significant funding shortfall that cannot be met by domestic resources alone. This research evaluates the contributions of external financing—namely Official Development Assistance (ODA), Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), and Private Participation in Infrastructure (PPI)—in complementing domestic efforts to advance infrastructure in SSA. It examines their influence, alongside governance, on the development of physical and social infrastructure components. Employing methodologies such as Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE) and System Generalized Method of Moments (SGMM) across 43 SSA economies from 2000 to 2022, the analysis reveals that FDI substantially enhances physical …

Griffin, Benjamin, Ed. 2024. Pudd’Nhead Wilson: Manuscript And Revised Versions, With Those Extraordinary Twins, By Mark Twain., Joanna Levin

English Faculty Articles and Research

A review of Pudd’nhead Wilson: Manuscript and Revised Versions, with Those Extraordinary Twins, by Mark Twain, edited by Benjamin Griffin.

Impact Of Logistics Factors On Procurement Of Construction Materials In Lokoja, Kogi State, Muhammed Etudaiye Ohida, Isa Imam, Araoye Olarinkoye Ajiboye

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

This study investigates the influence of logistics factors on the procurement of construction materials in Lokoja, Kogi State, aiming to identify and rank the critical elements affecting material procurement in building projects. A total of 250 questionnaires were distributed across nineteen neighborhoods in Lokoja using a random sampling technique. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while the T-test assessed the significance of identified logistics factors. The findings revealed that seventeen logistics factors influence material procurement, with seven factors emerging as the most significant: on-time delivery, transportation challenges, material misdelivery, delivery inaccuracies, order processing, storage capacity limitations, and ineffective information flow. …

Overview Of Nigeria’S Infrastructural Development, Muhammad Onoruiza Audu, Otu Muhammed Adeiza

CSID Journal of Infrastructure Development

This paper offers a comprehensive analysis of Nigeria’s infrastructural development from 2014 to 2023, focusing on significant achievements and recurring challenges. The study examines key projects in transportation, energy, and housing, such as the Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan railways, the Azura-Edo Power Plant, and urban road upgrades. Persistent issues, including insufficient funding, regulatory inefficiencies, regional disparities, and security challenges, are also assessed. Using a mixed-methods approach that incorporates a literature review, data analysis, and stakeholder perspectives, the research evaluates the social and economic effects of these initiatives. The findings provide strategic recommendations to improve infrastructure quality and accessibility, promote sustainable practices, …

Perceptions Of Black Women’S Portraits Of Beauty In Essence Magazine, Dr. Rachel Mingo

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Historically, beauty standards in the United States were rooted in White ideals, influencing media portrayals of Black women to align with White features like lighter skin and straightened hair. Although recent studies suggest a slow shift toward a more diverse representation of Black beauty, depictions in magazines still predominantly reflect mainstream Western beauty ideals, leading to potential negative impacts on Black women’s self-esteem and body image. The purpose of this generic qualitative study was to explore how young Black women, ages 18–25, perceive portrayals of Black beauty in Essence magazine. Black feminist thought constituted the theoretical basis for this study. …

Composite Materials And Filaments Composed Of The Same For Printing Three Dimensional Articles, Jing Wang, Vishvajitsinh Kosamiya

USF Patents

Described herein are composite materials composed of ceramic particles coated with a surfactant incorporated within a polymer matrix, methods of making same, filaments composed of the same, and articles printed using the filaments. The composite materials and articles described herein have desirable electronic and thermal properties for use in radio frequency (RF) and millimeter wave devices and demonstrate reliable performance at elevated humidity levels.

System And Method For Online Multivariate Anomaly Detection And Localization, Mahsa Mozaffari, Keval Doshi, Yasin Yilmaz

USF Patents

A system and method for real-time detection of anomalies in high-dimensional systems. Various embodiments detect anomalies quickly and accurately to allow adequate time for appropriate countermeasures to be implemented. The sequential and multivariate anomaly detection method scales well to high-dimensional datasets using a nonparametric and semi-supervised approach that trains only on nominal data.

System Of And Method For Predicting And/Or Casting A Vote Via Brain Activity, Rupal Agarwal, Marvin Andujar

USF Patents

Described herein relates to a system of and method for predicting and/or casting votes via a brain-computer interface. The voting system may be configured to allow at least one user to input and/or cast a vote using their brain activity. Additionally, the voting system uses a machine learning and/or classifying algorithm for classification of the brain data and prediction of the vote of the user. The voting system is also configured to synchronize brain activity to the at least one user, such that each vote may be correctly tallied to the at least one user, eliminating fraudulent voting via false …

Piezeoelectric-Based Asphalt Layer For Energy Harvesting Roadway, Qing Lu, Lukai Guo

USF Patents

An energy harvesting roadway that includes a plurality of road segments and a power storage device electrically coupled to the plurality of road segments. Each of the plurality of road segments can include a surface asphalt layer, a first conductive asphalt layer located under the surface asphalt layer, a piezoelectric-based asphalt layer located between the first conductive layer and a second conductive layer located above a base asphalt layer. The piezoelectric-based asphalt layer can include a plurality of rigid piezoelectric elements and an insulating filler.

3d Printed Heart Model With Simulated Cardiac Stroke Volumes, Fadi Matar, Jonathan Michael Ford, Summer Joy Decker

USF Patents

Disclosed herein is a 3D printed heart model with simulated cardiac stroke volumes. It involves an inner membrane conforming to the shape of the inner lining of the ventricle. This results in the creation of a compression pouch with a potential space (compression sac) bordered by the inner surface of the simulated ventricle and the outer surface of the inner membrane. The inner membrane also defines a neo-ventricular chamber that is in contact with blood simulating fluid. A pulsatile flow pump can serve as a hydrodynamic driver for inflow and outflow into and out of the compression sac. This can …

Regulated Drug Delivery Via Controlled Degradable Chondroitin Sulfate Particles, Nurettin Sahiner, Ramesh Ayyala

USF Patents

Disclosed herein are crosslinked chondroitin sulfate particles crosslinked chondroitin sulfate particle polyelectrolytes. The particles are useful in drug delivery applications. The particles may be used to treat various conditions, including bacterial and fungal infections.

Device For Targeted Feature-Specific Sensory Therapy, David Eddins, Joseph Walton

USF Patents

A device and method that supplements sensory input, thereby providing a supplemented sensory environment, to induce plasticity within the central nervous system that effectively overcomes sensory-neural processing deficits or strengthens specific sensory-neural abilities. In one implementation, ear-level hearing devices are used to deliver therapeutic sound with specific acoustic features that serve as archetypes of stimulus features for which sensory-neural processing is compromised by a sensory-neural deficit.

Door Opening System And Method, Kyle Brandon Reed

USF Patents

A door opener for a door includes a frame coupled to the door and a wheel rotatably supported by the frame. The wheel, including its position relative to the door and frame, as well as its shape, are configured to convert a downward force applied by a user's foot into a lateral force that opens the door by rotating the wheel in contact with the floor.

Gender Equity And Coffee Agroforestry: The Environmental And Social Impacts Of Commodity Production In Latin America, Suzanna Lloyd

Student Theses 2015-Present

This paper addresses the environmental and social implications of coffee growth and production in Latin America. Women contribute significantly to the ownership of coffee farms and labor of coffee production; however, there is a lack of resources and financial compensation for their work. Chapter One provides both quantitative and qualitative data on the environmental impacts of coffee plantations compared to agroforestry methods of coffee production in Latin America. This chapter defines basic terms, differentiates coffee species and mode of production, and explains the ecosystem services of biodiverse, tropical farms. Chapter Two highlights the patriarchal nature of Latin American agriculture systems …

Order Confirming Disclosure Statement And Disclosure Statement

Catholic Dioceses in Bankruptcy

No abstract provided.

An Ontology-Based Approach For Understanding Appendicectomy Processes And Associated Resources, Nadeesha Pathiraja Rathnayaka Hitige, Ting Song, Steven J Craig, Kimberley J Davis, Xubing Hao, Licong Cui, Ping Yu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Traditional methods for analysing surgical processes often fall short in capturing the intricate interconnectedness between clinical procedures, their execution sequences, and associated resources such as hospital infrastructure, staff, and protocols.

Aim: This study addresses this gap by developing an ontology for appendicectomy, a computational model that comprehensively represents appendicectomy processes and their resource dependencies to support informed decision making and optimise appendicectomy healthcare delivery.

Methods: The ontology was developed using the NeON methodology, drawing knowledge from existing ontologies, scholarly literature, and de-identified patient data from local hospitals.

Results: The resulting ontology comprises 108 classes, including 11 top-level classes and …

Improved Adherence To Lipid Screening In The Pediatric Cardiology Clinic: A Quality Improvement Project, Rachel Magnan, Thomas Murphy, Lauren Rosenthal, Aparna Prasad, Anjali Chelliah, Stuart Kaufman, Donna Timchak, Lindsey Mcphillips, Saira Siddiqui

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Papers

INTRODUCTION: Lipid screening identifies at-risk patients to facilitate cardiovascular risk reduction. National pediatric guidelines recommend universal lipid screening between 9-11 and 17-21 years of age. We aimed to improve adherence to lipid screening for all age-appropriate outpatient pediatric cardiology visits from a baseline of 35% to 90% between November 2021 and July 2023.

METHODS: All outpatient visits for patients 9-11 and 17-21 years were included. Chart review and an Epic electronic health record report identified patients screened, lipid test results, and need for further testing. A P-chart was generated. After establishing a baseline for 8 weeks, interventions, including an Epic …

The Importance Of The Pontificate Of The Pope John Paul Ii In International Relations, M. Manuel Azevedo

Global: Jurnal Politik Internasional

This work analyses Pope John Paul II’s contributions and attitudes as an international relations Actor. In this context, the research question that guides this work is as follows in terms of global governance, how did the conduct carried out by Pope John Paul II strengthen him as a Model Power? John Paul II inaugurated a new phase of the Vatican’s foreign policy. His diplomacy in mediation and conflict resolution stands out as a fundamental pillar of his pontificate, contributing to the fall of the communist regime in Poland and many other conflicts such as the mediation of the Holy See …

Muqarnas In Damascus: A Forgotten Treasure’S History, Inception And Geometry, Nahed Jawad Chakouf

All Works

The architecture of the Islamic world encompasses both religious and secular buildings that are unified by the use of a common architectural language, which includes architectural elements such as minarets, domes and arches, ornamental details, and vaulting with the use of muqarnas. The study provides a broad overview of the development of Islamic architecture, focusing on Damascus, the early Islamic period, the mid-Islamic period and the late Islamic period. The late Islamic period includes Ottoman art, with architecture influenced by Byzantine, Persian, Armenian, and Mamluk artefacts, but differs from their predecessors. The researcher undertook a geometric analysis of the muqarnas …

Perceptions Of Early Childhood System Partners On Career Pathways, Melissa Larson Busby

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have found high-quality early childhood teachers are crucial to high-quality programs for young children. Despite this, there is a significant need for more highly qualified teachers in a southwestern state. The purpose of the qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of early childhood education (ECE) systems partners in one southwestern state regarding the current systems, structures, and policies related to career pathways through the high school, community college, and university levels. The conceptual framework for this study was based on von Bertalanffy’s general systems theory and systems thinkers such as Senge, who detail the complex interactions between systems …

New Graduate Nurses' Experiences Of Burnout As They Transition To Practice, Stacy Beth Elliott

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Transitioning from nursing school to professional practice is a critical and challenging period for newly graduated nurses. Transition to professional nursing practice is particularly stressful in the first 3 years as new graduates adapt to the high acuity of patient care, which can result in burnout. The purpose of this qualitative study, guided by the conservation of resource theory, was to understand how new graduate nurses describe their experiences of burnout as novice nurses transition in the first 3 years of nursing practice. Fourteen nurses were interviewed using a semi-structured interviews, and Saldana’s two-cycle analysis was used for data interpretation, …

Geneseo Authors Celebration 2024, Milne Library

Geneseo Authors Celebration

Milne Library began a tradition of celebrating faculty authorship in 2009 with a series of workshops and a celebration in collaboration with the Teaching and Learning Center. Over the years it has evolved to more accurately reflect on the variety of academic and creative work done here at Geneseo. The annual Geneseo Authors Celebration is an opportunity for the Library and the campus to celebrate the faculty and truly acknowledge the time and effort that faculty have invested into creating exceptional works that contribute to the scholarly discussions taking place in their disciplines.

In late fall 2024, when the Geneseo …

Loss Of Chop Prevents Joint Degeneration And Pain In A Mouse Model Of Pseudoachondroplasia, Jacqueline T Hecht, Alka C Veerisetty, Mohammad G Hossain, Debabrata Patra, Michele Carrer, Frankie Chiu, Dorde Relic, Paymaan Jafar-Nejad, Karen L Posey

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Pseudoachondroplasia (PSACH), a severe dwarfing condition characterized by impaired skeletal growth and early joint degeneration, results from mutations in cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP). These mutations disrupt normal protein folding, leading to the accumulation of misfolded COMP in chondrocytes. The MT-COMP mouse is a murine model of PSACH that expresses D469del human COMP in response to doxycycline and replicates the PSACH chondrocyte and clinical pathology. The basis for the mutant-COMP pathology involves endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress signaling through the PERK/eIF2α/CHOP pathway. C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), in conjunction with a TNFα inflammatory process, upregulates mTORC1, hindering autophagy clearance of mutant COMP …

State Of Utah V. Alberto Frank Hernandez : Reply Brief, Utah Court Of Appeals

Utah Court of Appeals Briefs (2020 –)

An appeal from a judgment of conviction of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony; and obstructing justice, a class A misdemeanor; in the Third Judicial District Court, Salt Lake County, State of Utah, the Honorable Heather Brereton, presiding. Appellant is incarcerated.

CONNER NELSON (18064) Assistant Solicitor General SEAN D. REYES (7969) Utah Attorney General Attorney for Appellee

ERICK GRANGE (18000) Salt Lake Legal Defender Assoc. Attorney for Appellant

Perceptions Of Early Childhood System Partners On Career Pathways, Melissa Larson Busby

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Researchers have found high-quality early childhood teachers are crucial to high-quality programs for young children. Despite this, there is a significant need for more highly qualified teachers in a southwestern state. The purpose of the qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of early childhood education (ECE) systems partners in one southwestern state regarding the current systems, structures, and policies related to career pathways through the high school, community college, and university levels. The conceptual framework for this study was based on von Bertalanffy’s general systems theory and systems thinkers such as Senge, who detail the complex interactions between systems …

Hiring, Training, And Retaining Mental Health Professionals At Rural Wisconsin Correctional Facilities, Jessica Kallenbach

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Correctional facilities in rural Wisconsin have noted a shortage of trained mental health professionals to provide care. Common barriers to providing mental health services in rural areas are the availability and accessibility of mental health professionals. Due to limited access to financial and career benefits, mental health professionals tend to avoid working in these areas. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience of mental health professionals, administrators, and supervisors in hiring, training, and retaining staff in rural Wisconsin correctional facilities. Bandura’s social learning theory was used to guide the study. Data was collected from …