Digital Commons Network^™

The Mascarene Archipelago, A Data-Poor Region For Mobulid Rays: First Records, Seasonal Patterns And Conservation Implications, Joanna Harris, Estelle Crochelet, Prashant Mohesh, Guy M.W. Stevens

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

The distribution and seasonal occurrence of manta and devil rays (mobulids) remain poorly understood across much of the Western Indian Ocean, particularly within remote island systems. Here, we present the first synthesis of species-level mobulid records for the Mascarene Archipelago (La Réunion, Mauritius and Rodrigues) using a combination of direct and passive citizen-science observations collected between 2014 and 2026. A total of 107 sightings were documented from 75 sighting events, comprising Mobula birostris (n = 29), M. thurstoni (n = 40), M. alfredi (n = 5), M. tarapacana (n = 2) and unidentified Mobula spp. (n = 31). One M. …

Emergency Action Plan: Home, Family, Pets, And Livestock, Kristin Black, Michael Pate, Callahan K. Adams

All Current Publications

This document is an emergency family action plan designed to help your entire household prepare for emergencies. It aligns with the Youth Emergency Preparedness and Animal Project Safety Program available through Utah State University (USU). It can be taught by FFA teachers, 4-H leaders, Extension faculty/staff, and afterschool program educators. The Emergency Action Plan is intended for youth to bring home, lead their families in completing the sections, and guide them in preparing for and practicing emergency preparedness.

Promiscuous Mutualisms: John Dupré And The Centrality Of Symbiosis In The Living World, Thomas Pradeu

Presidential Fellows Articles and Research

My goal in this chapter is to show that symbiosis, especially symbiotic interactions between ‘macrobes’ (non-microbial organisms) and microbes, is a central topic in John Dupré’s work. This topic is undeniably one of the topics by which Dupré has gained wide recognition among practicing scientists, in addition to his recognition within the philosophical community. I spell out why symbiosis has turned out to be a sort of ideal trope for Dupré, as it encapsulates many of his main personal themes—from promiscuous realism to process ontology. I then show that immunology offers one interesting and complementary entry point into microbial symbiosis …

Human Freedom And God’S Image In Undocumented People, An Nguyen

Obsculta

This article explores the relationship of human freedom in the theological perspective and undocumented immigrants in the United States: how immigrants embody the divine image, Imago Dei, despite legal and social constraints. I will begin with the theological foundation—freedom as a distinguishing characteristic of God’s image in humanity—and analyze the complex nature of freedom as both a divine gift and a human responsibility. Additionally, I will demonstrate that the Church has a special responsibility to recognize and affirm the inherent dignity of undocumented people by drawing from Catholic social teaching, migration studies, and theological anthropology, ultimately calling for pastoral practices …

Called From Within The Community: The Vocation Of Undocumented Hispanic Men To The Diaconate, Anisabel Palma

Obsculta

This paper examines the discernment of undocumented Hispanic men to the diaconate within a diocese facing growing Hispanic populations and a shortage of Spanish-speaking clergy. Using ethnographic research, theological reflection, and historical analysis, it argues that this reality should be discerned not as a pastoral problem but as a response to concrete community needs. Interpreted through four theological perspectives (sacred vocation, divine initiative, unconventional divine choice, and the community-oriented nature of diaconal ministry) the study proposes that welcoming undocumented men into formal discernment and formation for the diaconate constitutes a faithful and ecclesial response to the Church’s mission.

Second Edition Of The Liturgy Of The Hours: Impact On The American Diaconate, Michael Walsh

Obsculta

This piece explores the upcoming Second Edition of the English Liturgy of the Hours coming to the United States. This piece touches on the psalter, hymnal, and other portions of the new edition as well as the publishing companies chosen by the USCCB to promulgate it. This piece highlights the impact this new edition can have on all of the faithful but particularly the American Diaconate.

Ion Irradiation Of Microelectromechanical Resonators, Hengky Chandrahalim, David D. Lynes

AFIT Patents

A method of enhancing an electromechanical coupling coefficient of a microelectromechanical (“MEMS”) device. The method includes applying, to a fully fabricated MEMS device, heavy particle ion radiation to the MEMS device at a fluence of at least 1×10¹⁴ cm.⁻². According to other embodiments of the present invention are directed to a bandpass filter comprising a plurality of MEMS devices fabricated in accordance with the methods provided. The MEMS of the plurality are electronically or mechanically coupled.

From Fly On The Wall To Future Colleagues: Best Practice Recommendations For Medical Student Shadowing Programs, Molly Estes, Danielle Matonis, Mckenna Knych, Brian Barbas, Ronnie Ren, William Dixon, Michael Pasirstein, Xiao C. Zhang, Kaitlin Bowers, Ravi R. Chauhan, Laryssa A. Patti

Department of Emergency Medicine Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: Physician shadowing is a common component of early medical education and frequently represents students' first exposure to clinical practice. Despite its prevalence, existing guidance primarily targets learners rather than physicians supervising shadowing experiences. This gap is especially relevant in the emergency department (ED), where high patient acuity, workflow demands, and complex clinical environments create challenges for providing safe and meaningful observational learning. We sought to develop consensus-based best practice recommendations for ED faculty supervising medical student shadowing.

METHODS: We conducted a modified Delphi study using an online survey platform to achieve panelist consensus. Ten emergency medicine educators with a …

Intersection Of Pediatric Hypertension And Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Disease, Jessica O'Keeffe, Christina Kingshill, Jack Tompson, Andrew M. South, Carissa M. Baker-Smith

Department of Medicine Faculty Papers

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review is to describe the intersection between pediatric hypertension and advancing stages of cardiovascular, kidney metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents.

RECENT FINDINGS: Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome is highly prevalent in the pediatric population. The onset of CKM in childhood is influenced by the presence of antenatal risk factors such as maternal hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Advancing stages of CKM in children and adolescents are strongly influenced by food insecurity and social determinants of health that impact the risk for childhood obesity. Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system is a key mediator in the relationship between …

The Effects Of Wearable Fitness Trackers And Fitness Education On Physical Activity Participation, Physical Competence, And General Self-Efficacy In Inactive And Sedentary College Students, Tiffany Lough

Doctorate in Kinesiology

This study examined the combined effects of wearable fitness trackers and structured fitness education on physical activity participation, perceived physical competence, and general self-efficacy among inactive and sedentary college students. A six-week randomized pretest-posttest design was used. Undergraduate students aged 18–24 who were not meeting recommended physical activity guidelines were recruited from a private liberal arts university and randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. Participants in the experimental group received a wearable fitness tracker along with fitness education sessions integrating Social Cognitive Theory based behavior change techniques including self-monitoring, observational learning, mastery experiences, and goal …

Preparing Preservice Teachers: Developing Skills For Working With Students With Disabilities In The Social Studies Classroom, Melissa Waugh

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

This study was aimed towards investigating the extant research, best practices, and teacher preparation standards related to working with students with disabilities in the social studies classroom. The study was guided using three research questions: Are students with disabilities’ learning needs reflected in the National Council for Social Studies National Standards for the Preparation of Social Studies Teachers?; How do preservice social studies teacher programs prepare their candidates for teaching students with disabilities as evidenced by Social Science Education methods course syllabi?; and, What might a college-level course aimed towards social studies teaching methods centering around students with disabilities’ learning …

Movement Ecology And Population Dynamics Of Box-Nesting Black-Bellied Whistling-Ducks (Dendrocygna Autumnalis) In Louisiana, Katie E. Miranda

LSU Master's Theses

Understanding demographic and behavioral processes underlying population dynamics is essential for effective wildlife management, especially for species subject to harvest pressure or experiencing population shifts. Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis) are currently undergoing a notable northward range expansion and are increasing in abundance across the southeastern United States, raising management concerns for both ecological and economic reasons. As a result, there is growing public support for a special Black-bellied Whistling-Duck-specific harvest season, yet little research has been conducted on this species, particularly within newly-established populations. To address this gap, I conducted this study with the goal of evaluating seasonal …

Omnipotence And Modesty: The Still, Small Voice Of God In 1 Kings 19, Scott Cooper

Obsculta

This article examines the sovereignty of God’s self-revelation to Ezekiel in a still, small voice on Mount Horeb and considers the difficulty of reconciling competing scholarly assessments of the prophet as faithful priestly servant of YHWH or disobedient free agent. This author considers Ezekiel’s experience as a site of spiritual union with God, inspired by the exegetical work of 14th century German Dominican priest and mystic Johannes Tauler.

Five Scriptural Reflections On Grief, Patrick Russell

Obsculta

This is a piece that looks at grief through a close reading of different texts of the Old Testament. While each reflection is its own, they are one paper that gives the reader a chance to see and reflect on grief by sitting with Genesis 11:1-9, Exodus 8:20-32, Ruth 1:1-22, Job 2:11-13, and Psalm 13.

Different Dimensions Of Social Support On Social Media And Leisure-Time Physical Activity Intentions Among Chinese College Students Applying The Theory Of Planned Behavior: A Cross-Sectional Study, Ni Zhang, Carolyn Madison Chang, Yu Zhang, Lu Guo, Qizhi Xu

Faculty Research, Scholarly, and Creative Activity

Background:

Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) participation among Chinese college students remains insufficient despite growing public health concerns regarding sedentary lifestyles and obesity. Social media platforms have increasingly become important channels for delivering social support related to physical activity (PA); however, different dimensions of social support on social media may exert distinct psychological influences on exercise intentions.

Objective:

Guided by the theory of planned behavior, this study aimed to examine the direct and indirect relationships between different dimensions of social support on social media and Chinese college students’ intentions to engage in LTPA.

Methods:

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among …

Predictive Importance Sampling Based Coverage Verification For Multi Uav Trajectory Planning, Snehashish Ghosh

Master’s Dissertations

In next-generation wireless networks, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) networks are emerging as a promising solution for ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC). A key challenge in millimeter-wave UAV networks is ensuring that mobile users are always in line-of-sight (LoS) coverage, since the current snapshot-based trajectory planning approach does not consider the mobility of the users during the decision interval, resulting in disastrous LoS gaps. For continuous coverage verification, standard uniform sampling is too computationally expensive, as it would need a large number of samples to estimate rare failure events that have latencies that are not suitable for real-time requirements. In this work, …

Poe: A Clarinet And Percussion Album, Paul Andrew Hayes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

​A clarinet and percussion duo is an underutilized chamber ensemble. This recording project focuses on repertoire that is more accessible to the performer and listener, and offers a varied selection of instruments in the percussion parts. In this project, some percussion parts feature Middle Eastern instruments. It contains three commissioned works: Poe by Andy Harnsberger, Light on the Ice by Josh Gottry for clarinet and marimba, and Quicksand by Marco Schirripa for clarinet and riq. Also included in the project are two works not well represented in recordings: Jubb Jannin by Yousif Sheronick for clarinet and bendir, and Three Pieces …

Barriers Experienced By Committee Members Planning A Center For Teaching And Learning: A Case Study, Vickie Renee Clark

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Increased demand for online and flexible classes after the COVID pandemic meant that college and university faculty were asked to incorporate more online components and emerging technology in their classrooms to meet the demand for more versatile course offerings. This time also brought increased pressure to create engaging classrooms and increase retention (Conner, 2021). Incorporating technology in classes requires training and professional development for instructors who are not accustomed to using technology or adjusting their course design to work with the technology they adopt (Prestridge, 2017). An effective teaching and learning center (TLC) could help focus professional development efforts and …

Dancing For Your Ka: Embodied Knowledge In The Ancient Egyptian Funerary Cult, Sydney A. Pickens

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Dancing For Your Ka: Embodied Knowledge in the Ancient Egyptian Funerary Cult investigates the spiritual, cultural and social values and beliefs encoded in processional dances associated with the funerary cult at Beni Hassan. It assumes that, as is other ancient and modern religions, dance is a prayerful act that feeds into reciprocal relationships between humans and spiritual beings and asks what forms of embodied knowledges are archived in Middle Kingdom dance traditions. I propose the application Katherine Dunham’s Theories––Form and Function, Intercultural Communication and Socialization through the Arts––to help illuminate the relationship between dance, the dancing body and ritual knowledge. …

Algorithmic Tax Ownership Young Ran (Christine) Kim &, Young Ran (Christine) Kim, Dmitry Erokhin

BYU Law Review

Tax ownership is a crucial concept for determining tax liabilities, compliance, and enforcement. However, neither the courts nor the IRS has provided clear guidance on how to analyze it. Since the Supreme Court first outlined a twenty-six-factor test for determining tax ownership in Frank Lyon Co. v. United States in 1978, this multifactor test has remained largely unchanged, and there has been no further guidance from the courts or the IRS to this day. Even tests with shorter lists of factors only add to the confusion regarding compliance and enforcement, as there is no clarity on which factors are most …

Regulating Deregulation: Why States Should Preempt Mandatory Inclusionary Housing Programs, Anna Bailey

BYU Law Review

Instead of easing the housing crises that exist across the country as intended, mandatory inclusionary housing programs burden development, impeding smaller projects and stunting development that in the aggregate could alleviate housing shortages. In this Note, I argue that states should preempt local governments from imposing burdensome mandatory inclusionary housing programs because they interfere with property rights and are counterproductive in their results. The Nollan-Dolan rough proportionality test requires that land-use conditions must be related to and proportional to the problem created by the land development project. The Supreme Court’s recent holding in Sheetz v. County of El Dorado clarified …

Bleeding Into Human Rights Law: The Need For A Special Procedure On The Right To Menstrual Health, Hunter Tarry

BYU Law Review

Menstruation, a fundamental biological process experienced by nearly half of the global population, remains shrouded in stigma and silence despite its critical role in sustaining human life. Many women and girls face inadequate menstrual health management and education, undermining their ability to experience a full range of human rights. While menstruation has gained increased public visibility in recent years, the United Nations (UN)—the cornerstone of the global human rights system—has been slow to meaningfully integrate this issue into its agenda. The time is now for the UN to formally recognize menstrual health as a human right by advancing global advocacy …

Qualitative Evaluation Of The Seated Physical Activity Intervention (Spin) Randomized Controlled Trial For Wheelchair Users With Multiple Sclerosis (Ms): Formative Feedback And Future Directions, Angela J Piasecki, Robert W Motl, Katherine Froehlich-Grobe, Stephanie L Silveira

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/objectives: Wheelchair users with multiple sclerosis (MS) often face barriers that restrict participation in physical activity and exercise training. This manuscript reports on participant feedback to guide evaluating and refining a novel exercise training program, Seated Physical activity INtervention (SPIN). SPIN was adapted from the Guidelines for Exercise in MS (GEMS) approach using a three-step community-engaged research framework based on meeting the needs of wheelchair users with MS.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 participants who completed the 16-week SPIN intervention. The key SPIN intervention components were the exercise prescription, exercise equipment, and behavioral coaching grounded in Social Cognitive …

Critical Care Nurses’ Self-Efficacy In Responding To Emergency Code Situations, Nesheemah Sabree

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Bridging Gaps In Childhood Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Treated At An Outpatient Clinic, Allen M. Savedra

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

No abstract provided.

Self-Perceived Burden And Mental Health Outcomes In Adults With Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Emily R Strouphauer, Camille Villar, Ryan J Mccarty, Danqi Li, Gianna M Colombo, Brendan Lee, Chaya N Murali, Dianne Nguyen, Sarah Sadek, Marie-Eve Robinson, Jocelyn Gomez, Michelle Fynan, V Reid Sutton, Andrew D Wiese, Eric A Storch

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a rare disorder causing bone fragility, pain, and functional impairment that causes substantial psychosocial burden. This study examined how self-perceived burden (SPB), or distress from feelings of dependence on caregivers, relates to depression, anxiety, and suicidality in adults with OI. A total of 208 adults (M age = 42.9, predominately White and female) with OI were recruited to complete a cross-sectional survey assessing SPB, psychological symptoms, health, and sociodemographics. Results indicated that SPB was significantly higher among younger individuals, those not living with a partner, those living with adult family members, lower-income groups, and individuals …

The Relationships Between Perceived Quality Of Sexual Educational Experiences From Multiple Sources And Sexual Wellbeing Outcomes In A Sample Of U.S. College Women, Alex Diede

Dissertations and Doctoral Documents, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2023–

Sexual education comes from many sources and is important for sexual wellbeing. Much of the research on relationships between sexual education and sexual wellbeing has examined specific sources (e.g., schools or parents) and outcomes related to sexual risk-reduction, such as contraceptive use (e.g., Lameiras-Fernández et al., 2021; Widman et al., 2016). Less is known about the relationships between sexual education and positive sexual wellbeing outcomes. This study used a sample of college women to examine the relationships between the perceived quality of sexual education before college from four sources (i.e., caregivers, school, peers, self) and sexual wellbeing outcomes, including ego-focused …

Continuing Medical Education As A Workforce Learning System For Artificial Intelligence In Clinical Practice, Tim Murphy, Rob E. Carpenter

Human Resource Development Faculty Publications and Presentations

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly embedded in clinical decision support, documentation, imaging, predictive analytics, and workflow management. However, the educational systems responsible for preparing practicing physicians to use AI have not fully addressed the interpretive, ethical, and organizational demands of AI-supported care. This qualitative case study examined how continuing medical education (CME) shapes physicians’ readiness to integrate AI into clinical practice. Guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) and human resource development (HRD), the study analyzed semi-structured interviews with 14 physicians from diverse specialties within a large academic health system. Organizational artifacts, including CME announcements, …

The Roots Of Sexual Violence In Utah: A Framework For Understanding Harm, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Sexual violence in Utah is not an anomaly, a private tragedy, or the result of individual deviance. It is a patterned, predictable outcome of cultural norms, social systems, and power structures that shape how people understand gender, authority, and worth. Despite Utah’s reputation for strong families, close‑knit communities, and deep religious commitment, the state continues to report higher‑than‑national‑average rates of rape, child sexual abuse, and other forms of gender‑based harm. These realities demand a deeper understanding of why violence persists—and what can be done to prevent it.

This white paper synthesizes decades of national and international research, Utah‑specific data, and …

Structure–Optical Property Relationships In Amm′Q3 Chalcogenides, Ayat Tassanov, Huiju Lee, Daniel W. Spainhour, Yi Xia, James M. Hodges

Mechanical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Ten ACuHfQ₃ (A = Na, K, Rb, Cs; Q = S, Se, Te) chalcogenides were prepared via high-temperature solid-state methods and structurally characterized using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The type-I AMM′Q₃ structures are defined by the arrangement of HfQ₆ octahedra (O) and CuQ₄ tetrahedra (T) in their layers, which adopt either OTOT (Cmcm, Pnma) or OOTT (Pnma, P2₁/m) connectivity. UV–vis absorption and photoluminescence spectra indicate optical band gaps ranging from 1.2 to 1.7 eV and reveal that OTOT and OOTT variants have direct and indirect band gaps, …