Digital Commons Network^™

Invasion Potential Of Nonnative Fishes Through A Large Western Dam Into A Prized And Vulnerable Ecosystem, Barrett T. Friesen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Native river fish face threats from habitat fragmentation, water overallocation, invasive species establishment, and powerful synergies amongst these factors. In the Colorado River Basin, USA, these threats coalesce at Glen Canyon Dam (GCD), which impounds the Colorado River to create Lake Powell, a reservoir inhabited by nonnative fish species. There is widespread concern low water level in Lake Powell may allow nonnative fish to escape through the dam, adversely affecting native fish species downstream in the Grand Canyon. In this study we characterized the seasonal distribution of nonnative fishes in the vicinity of GCD and identified environmental conditions that may …

Relationship Between The Physical Properties And Oil Binding Capacity Of Fats, Melissa Abigail Marsh

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Fats play a significant role in shaping the characteristics of foods, influencing texture, mouthfeel, appearance, and nutritional attributes. An important property of fats is their ability to entrap liquid oil known as oil binding capacity (OBC). Poor OBC of fats frequently leads to shortened-shelf life of foods caused by quality issues due to unwanted chemical and physical changes. In natural nut butters without additives, low OBC often results in a visual oil layer forming at the surface. In filled chocolates such as truffles, pralines, and peanut butter cups this low OBC can result in unwanted textural and visual changes.

The …

Addressing The Great Salt Lake Desiccation: Exploring Support For Alternative Frameworks On Rights Of Nature And Multispecies Justice, Sadie Braddock

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Currently, there is a lack of social science research on the Great Salt Lake – a shrinking lake that faces potential ecological collapse as more water is taken upstream for human uses before it can get to the lake. The drying lake has received national attention, as it will lead to a loss of wildlife habitat, contribute to public health concerns, and impact Utah’s economy. In response to this issue, environmental scientists and activists have pressured policymakers to prioritize actions to conserve water for the lake. However, while polices have been implemented, water saved from these efforts are not guaranteed …

Advancing Thermal Property Measurements And Water Management For Controlled Environment Agriculture On Earth And Beyond, Chihiro Dixon

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Space exploration stands as one of humanity's most profound endeavors, and plant growth in space is essential for sustaining astronauts during long-duration missions. However, operating plant growth systems under reduced gravity conditions presents challenges, particularly in ensuring uniform water distribution in the root zone. Non-uniform water distribution such as excess water and/or insufficient water in the root zone can significantly impact plant yield, necessitating the need to accurately estimate water status in the root zone and understand the dynamics of water flow in plant growth media under reduced gravity conditions. The objectives of this research were to enhance the accuracy …

The Influence Of Business Development Areas On Leadership Positions Within Landscape Architecture Professional Practice, Catherine E. Frost

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Landscape architecture is a discipline that connects natural, physical, and human sciences, and which operates as a professional design practice. While technical skills and design proficiency have historically been the focus of landscape architecture programs, the literature indicates a recognition of the indispensable role of entrepreneurial skills alongside design expertise (Marsh, 1928; Pray, 1911; Rice, 2017; Shepphard et al., 2018). However, there remains a scarcity of research specifically investigating business development skills within landscape architecture practice (Evans & Leccese, 1991; Gobster et al., 2010; Granet, 2021; Littlefield, 2015; Powers & Walker, 2009).

To bridge this gap, this study engaged in …

Examining The Influence Of Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Job Satisfaction, And Professional Identity On The Turnover Intentions Of Traditionally Certified And Alternatively Certified School-Based Agricultural Education Teachers: A National Study, Matthew J. Wood

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Recruitment and retention of agriculture teachers has been an ongoing challenge within education, with schools struggling to attract and keep qualified teachers. Research has explored many factors—including job satisfaction, work-life balance, administrative support, and professional development opportunities—to uncover the complex roots of teacher turnover. Despite these efforts, the cycle of recruiting and sustaining passionate and competent agriculture teachers remains a significant hurdle. A clear and comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence teacher turnover intentions is needed. This research aimed to explore the factors that influence the turnover intentions of SBAE teachers by licensure type. The Four Capital Theory of …

Comparative Morphology And Development Of The Trigeminally Innervated Infrared-Imaging System In Boas And Pythons, Helen Bond Plylar

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Boas and pythons use specialized sense organs called pit organs to detect radiant heat. Pit organs in these lineages occur in paired arrays along the upper and lower jaws and are served by the trigeminal nerve (the fifth cranial nerve and one of the largest). Information from the pit organs travels via branches of the trigeminal to the brain and ultimately is processed in the optic tectum, along with information from the visual system. That means these snakes effectively “see” heat. While studies of the pitviper infrared-imaging system are numerous, very few studies of this system in pythons or boas …

A Scoping Review On The Experiences Of Queer And Trans Students In Stem, Elliot P. Tingey

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Efforts to increase diversity in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) are ongoing, but within these efforts queer and trans individuals are often left out. While initial data does suggest that queer and trans individuals are significantly absent from the STEM workforce, research into the causes of such underrepresentation is scattered. Given the importance of educational experiences in the pursuit of a STEM career, it is likely that these early experiences may play a role. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the current research on the experiences of queer and trans students in STEM educational spaces, what …

Pragmatism And Feasibility: A Qualitative Study Of Experiences Implementing And Upgrading Care In Geriatric Emergency Departments, Anita Chary, Annika Bhananker, Vivian Ramont, Lauren Southerland, Aanand Naik, Kyler Godwin, Maura Kennedy

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

OBJECTIVES: Implementation and sustainability of new care processes in emergency departments (EDs) is difficult. We describe experiences of implementing geriatric care processes in EDs that upgraded their accreditation level for the Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) program. These EDs can provide a model for adopting and sustaining guidelines for evidence-based geriatric care.

METHODS: We performed qualitative interviews with geriatric ED nurse and physician leaders overseeing their ED's geriatric accreditation processes. The interview guide was based on the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), a framework consisting of a comprehensive set of factors that impact implementation of evidence-based interventions. We used …

Geospatial Demand For Approved Cleft Care In The United States, Matthew J Parham, Austin D Williams, Sarah A Layon, Heather R Burns, Amjed Abu-Ghname, Larry H Hollier

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: Geographic information systems are powerful tools for characterizing the geospatial factors influencing access to care. As patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CL/P) require long-term care, with numerous operations and therapies, access to timely, quality care is extremely important. This study uses population level analysis and geographic information systems to identify United States counties with limited access to American Cleft Palate Association-approved cleft teams.

METHODS: Natality data were queried from the National Vital Statistics System. Population and geographic data were obtained from the US Census Bureau. The Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) was utilized to account for social inequality. Total …

Magnetic Sensor Compensation Utilizing Factor Graph Estimation, Frederic W. Lathrop, Clark N. Taylor, Aaron Nielsen

Faculty Publications

Recently, there has been significant interest in the ability to navigate without GPS using the magnetic anomaly field of the Earth (magnav). One of the key technical bottlenecks to achieving magnav is obtaining an accurate magnetic sensor calibration, taking into account own-ship and sensor effects. The Tolles-Lawson magnetic calibration method continues to be the industry standard and was developed when airborne magnetic survey aircraft were first employed over 70 years ago. In this paper, we present a magnetic calibration algorithm based on a factor graph optimization using inertial measurements as well as inputs from both a vector and scalar magnetometer. …

Treatments And The Perspectives Of Developing A Vaccine For Chagas Disease, Priscila Silva Grijó Farani, Kathryn Marie Jones, Cristina Poveda

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Chagas disease (CD) treatment and vaccine development are critical due to the significant health burden caused by the disease, especially in Latin America. Current treatments include benznidazole and nifurtimox, which are most effective in the acute phase of the disease but less so in the chronic phase, often with significant side effects. Here, using the available literature, we summarize the progress in vaccine development and new treatments that promise to reduce CD incidence and improve the quality of life for those at risk, particularly in endemic regions. New treatment options, such as posaconazole and fexinidazole, are being explored to improve …

The Protagonist Of Contemporary And Emerging Nanotechnology-Based Theranostics And Therapeutic Approaches In Reshaping Intensive Care Unit, Ling Xie, Yun Chen

Saudi Medical Journal

To maintain a clean and hygienic environment in the intensive care unit (ICU) is crucial for ensuring patient safety, preventing infections, and reducing healthcare-associated complications. With the increasing prevalence of infections and the emergence of viral and bacterial resistance to standard antiseptics, there is a pressing need for innovative antiseptic solutions. Nanotechnology is increasingly being employed in medicine, particularly focusing on mitigating the activities of various pathogens, including those associated with hospital-acquired infections. This paper explores the current impact of nanotechnology, with a particular focus on bacterial infections and SARS-CoV-2, which significantly strain healthcare systems, and then discusses how nanotechnology …

Identification Of Effective Diagnostic Genes And Immune Cell Infiltration Characteristics In Small Cell Lung Cancer By Integrating Bioinformatics Analysis And Machine Learning Algorithms, Yinyi Chen, Kexin Han, Yanzhao Liu, Qunxia Wang, Yang Wu, Simei Chen, Jianlin Yu, Yi Luo, Liming Tan

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To identify potential diagnostic markers for small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and investigate the correlation with immune cell infiltration. Methods: GSE149507 and GSE6044 were used as the training group, while GSE108055 served as validation group A and GSE73160 served as validation group B. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified and analyzed for functional enrichment. Machine learning (ML) was used to identify candidate diagnostic genes for SCLC. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves was applied to assess diagnostic efficacy. Immune cell infiltration analyses were carried out. Results: There were 181 DEGs identified. The gene ontology analysis showed that …

Effect Of The Prone Position On Mechanical Power In Elective Surgical Patients Under General Anesthesia: A Prospective Observational Study, Berrak S. Aydın, Eren Açıkgöz

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To evaluate how the prone position influences mechanical power (MP) during elective surgical procedures. Methods: In this prospective study carried out at Karadeniz Ereğli Government Hospital, Zonguldak, Turkey, from January 2024 to February 2024, 76 patients under general anesthesia were evaluated at different time points during the surgical procedure. Hemodynamic, laboratory, and mechanical ventilation data were also recorded. Results: The MP increased in the prone position at the beginning of surgery. Transitioning to the supine position at the end of surgery led to a decrease in MP. At the end of surgery, the mean MP in supine and prone …

Client’S Satisfaction With Healthcare Services Received At The Hospital Outpatients Department And The Primary Healthcare Facilities In Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia: A Review Of Service Users’ Satisfaction, Ahmad S. Almutairi, Emmanuel F. Osagiede, Sultan K. Alenazi, Abdulaziz A. Almutairi, Yasir S. Alnawmasi, Ahmed A. Aljunaydili, Majed S. Alharbi, Abdulaziz S. Alshahrani

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To assess the level of satisfaction expressed for services rendered in the public health sector to clients who were seen at outpatient departments (OPDs) and primary healthcare (PHC) facilities in Al-Qassim Health Cluster in Saudi Arabia. Methods: This study used a comparative cross-sectional study design, and data were obtained as secondary data from The Patient’s Experience Platform. Data analysis was carried out using Stata (version 16), and the significance level was 5%. Results: In comparing the mean satisfaction in 9 domains, statistically significantly higher means for the PHC facilities than the OPDs were seen across 7 domains: patients navigating …

Epidemiology, Clinical Profiles, And Antimicrobial Susceptibility Of Elizabethkingia Meningoseptica Infections: Insights From A Tertiary Care Hospital In Saudi Arabia, Raghad T. Alhuthil, Raghad M. Hijazi, Ohoud A. Alyabes, Mohammed A. Alsuhaibani, Deema A. Gashgarey, Ibrahim M. Binsalamah, Mohammed A. Aldahmash, Salem M. Alghamdi, Esam A. Albanyan, Suliman A. Aljumaah, Sami H. Al-Hajjar

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To investigate the incidence rate, clinical characteristics across different age groups, antimicrobial susceptibility, and outcomes of Elizabethkingia meningoseptica ( E. meningoseptica ) infections. Methods: A retrospective analysis was carried out to include 66 cases with confirmed E. meningoseptica cultures from sterile samples between January 2014 and June 2022 at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Results: A total of 66 cases were identified, with an incidence rate of 0.3 per 1000 admissions. Most cases were hospital-acquired (80.3%), primarily in critical care areas. All patients had underlying diseases, with respiratory (40.9%) and cardiovascular (39.4%) diseases …

Obstructive Uropathy In Stat 3 Hyper Immunoglobulin E Syndrome: A 5 Year Old Middle Eastern Boy, Esraa M. Bukhari, Ashwag A. Alsaidalani

Saudi Medical Journal

Autosomal dominant hyper immunoglobulin E (IgE) syndrome is a rare inborn error of immunity that affects approximately one in a million individuals worldwide. It presents with various symptoms owing to multisystem involvement (immunological and non-immunological). Recurrent infections (mainly in the skin and lungs) are common presentations. A 5-year-old Middle Eastern boy presented with symptoms suggestive of obstructive uropathy secondary to multiple large pelviabdominal abscesses and acute kidney injury with hyperkalemia that necessitated admission to the intensive care unit. Upon further investigation, the patient’s genetic test (whole exome sequencing) demonstrated a heterozygous missense variant in the STAT3 gene. The patient completely …

Can Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake Affect Acne Severity?

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Who Releases First-Ever Clinical Treatment Guideline For Tobacco Cessation In Adults

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Prevalence, Perception, And Attitude Regarding Electronic Cigarettes Usage Among Young Adults In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A Cross-Sectional Study, Norah I. Alhumaidan, Lama A. Alzelfawi, Zeena A. Alhindawi, Lena M. Aldosari, Aljoharah M. Altowaijri, Njoud F. Alfaisal

Saudi Medical Journal

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) usage among young adults in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; their perceptions of its harm and legal age, and the reasons and factors influencing their use. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out within the general community of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between December 2023 and April 2024. Participants aged 18-25 years were included. A self-administered online questionnaire was used to gather demographic data, perceptions, and attitudes toward e-cigarettes and reasons for their use. Results: The majority of the 476 participants were female (n=378, 79.4%) and Saudi nationals (n=451, 94.7%). Current e-cigarette usage was …

Does Air Pollution Affect Lupus Risk?

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Mind-Body Bridging (Mbb) Techniques And Emotional Regulation In Political Discourse And Confidence In Political Talk, Joseph Ofori Acheampong

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In today's politically divided landscape, conversations across political lines can often provoke intense feelings of anger and anxiety, making productive dialogue difficult. This polarization not only dampens the quality of public discourse but also affects individual emotional well-being and the broader societal cohesion. This study explores a novel approach to alleviating the negative emotional effects caused by political polarization, using Mind-Body Bridging (MBB) techniques. It specifically targets emotional regulation- how we control and manage our feelings- during political discussions, without attempting to change participants' political beliefs. The study involved participants from Utah State University setting who engaged in MBB training. …

Understanding The Relationship Between Festival Making Practices And Place : An Investigation Into The Making Of Two Community Arts Festivals In Ireland, Danielle Lynch

Doctoral

Although the importance of arts festivals for places is acknowledged in the literature, there is surprisingly limited understanding of festival making as creative practice, and the manner and extent to which place influences this practice. In recent decades, the global proliferation of art festivals has not been met with a commensurate increase in scholarly or critical examinations regarding their form, function, or content (Merrington, 2016). Indeed, existing studies largely focus on the events themselves and their aftermath rather than the processes underpinning their formation and making (Mair & Smith, 2022). This qualitative study addresses this gap and investigates the dialogical …

Mareva Injunction And Crypto Fraud, Man Yip

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

Without a Mareva injunction, there is always a risk that any victory on the substantive merits would be rendered hollow in practice by the absence of assets against which the judgment may be enforced. Indeed, it is in cases concerning fraud that the risk of a nugatory judgment is most amplified because the defendant would have the propensity to engage in dishonest practices. Alarmingly, nearly 30 years aft er Mercedez Benz, the ‘black hole’ has enlarged because fraudsters can easily hide behind complex corporate structures and the anonymity of cyberspace. 2 Th is chapter focuses on the use of Mareva …

Podcasting For Public Knowledge: A Multiple Case Study Of Scholarly Podcasts At One University, Lindsay Persohn, Rayna Letourneau, Emma Abell-Selby, Jason Boczar, Allison Symulevich, Jessica Szempruch, Matthew Torrence, Thomas Woolf, Audrey Holtzman

USF Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

Through a lens for engaged scholarship (Boyer in Journal of Public Service and Outreach, 1(1), 11–20, 1996) this multiple case study (Merriam, 1996) explores the potential of scholarly podcasts for public knowledge dissemination, highlighting the misalignment of university impact metrics with this medium. Our team collected qualitative and numerical data from six podcasters across our university system. We identify metrics for assessing scholarly podcast value, offer recommendations for institutional communication, and share our insights and challenges. Data analysis suggests that a Listen Score (Listen Notes, ND) and an increasing Podcast Success Index (Singh et al. JMIR Medical Education, 2(2), 1–10, …

Falsehoods, Foreign Interference, And Compelled Speech In Singapore, Kenny Chng

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

Online misinformation endangers the infrastructure of fact essential to public discourse and presents an even greater threat where it is being utilised as a weapon by hostile state actors. In recognition of these dangers, Singapore has implemented legal measures to combat online misinformation, enacting in quick succession the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) and the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act (FICA). These statutes open up novel frontiers of development for Singapore's free speech jurisprudence. Indeed, these statutes confer upon government authorities the power to compel the authors of certain material to display notices stating that the material contains …

Negotiating A Brave New World: Fraud And Risk In Modern Commercial Law, Andrew B.L. Phang

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

We live in a brave new world. Much of what was once the stuff of fiction has now become reality. In particular, we have witnessed technological advances the like of which we would not even have begun to contemplate even at the turn of the second millennium. No one has been exempt – not even this mid-sexagenarian. Now, almost a quarter of a century on, we have to take stock of the double-edged sword that is technology. Indeed, technology has – unfortunately – facilitated fraud in a manner and on a scale that we have never witnessed before. With technology …

How Can Malaysian Courts Consistently Perform Meaningful Constitutional Rights Review? Lessons From Past Cases And The Way Forward, Benjamin Joshua Ong

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

In the past, Malaysian courts performing constitutional rights review played a merely clerical role, applying a test that was trivially easy for legislation to pass. Then a more rigorous proportionality test took root. However, the Federal Court in the 2020 case of Letitia Bosman whittled the test down again, and the courts once more played a minimal role in checking state action. The reasons for this cannot be explained merely by diversity in judicial philosophy or political contextual factors. Rather, the near-demise of proportionality (and, with it, robust constitutional review) was made possible by a lack of a clear sense …

Political Constructions Of People Who Use Drugs In The Philippines: A Qualitative Content Analysis, Gideon Lasco

Development Studies Faculty Publications

Background

This paper examines the political constructions of people who use drugs in the Philippines throughout the presidency of Rodrigo Duterte (2016–2022), during which the government engaged in a ‘war on drugs’ and promoted a punitive drug regime.

Methods

Building on and drawing inspiration from the global drug policy scholarship that has looked at the ways in which drugs are framed and problematised in various domains, this study used qualitative content analysis to review 96 documents from national government agencies - including strategic action plans, directives, memorandums, guidelines, annual reports, and legislative measures.

Results

Foremost, the study finds that various …