Digital Commons Network^™

Taxonomy Of Cyber Risk Mitigation Cost Benefit Analysis Methods For Energy Infrastructure, Yvonne Kam Hwei Syn, Kevin Jones, Kimberly Tam, Robert Rawlinson-Smith

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Cybersecurity is a critical aspect for the energy industry to defend against cyber attacks. However, justifying the costs of cybersecurity measures is essential. A cost-benefit analysis (CBA) is commonly used to support decision-making for risk mitigation, helping to identify strategies that optimally balance mitigation costs and risk reduction. In this survey, we analyse existing approaches and provide a taxonomic overview of methods for cyber risk mitigation cost-benefit analysis, focusing on key aspects that determine their applicability to energy systems. The survey includes both general and contextual works, employing various methodologies for CBA, whether analytical or criteria-based. We conclude with an …

Transdisciplinary Collaboration Of Healthcare Professionals And The Emotional Connectedness With Working With Patients Coping With Death And Dying, Princess Nguyen, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Abstract

Purpose: This study explores how an integrated approach to care for patients and families by transdisciplinary healthcare teams provides opportunities for a patient-centered care approach to support quality of life throughout one's chronic illness and at the end-of-life. Discussions and conversations about impending death or dying are often challenging and a complex task for healthcare professionals in whatever settings. While there is an understanding of aspects of collaborative care and transitions and processes to support patients and families about how to cope and communicate about death and dying, it is essential to recognize how best to support end-of-life care …

Disparities In The Pregnancy Experience: A Multi-Case Analysis, Tiffany C. Thomas, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Racial disparities in maternal healthcare continue to be a significant issue, with Black women experiencing worse outcomes compared to White women. Despite improvements in healthcare, Black women are still 2.5 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes, and they face higher rates of preterm births, low birth weight, and insufficient prenatal care. This paper examines the experiences of three African American women from high socioeconomic backgrounds, focusing on where these negative experiences are most common throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care. The study uses the Pregnancy and Maternity Care Patients' Experiences Questionnaire (PreMaPEQ) to explore different stages of care, …

Treating Depression Using Non-Pharmacological Interventions, Herve Preval, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Abstract

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and neuropsychotherapy are all non-pharmacological interventions that have been used in the treatment of depression. This review seeks to investigate the possible advantages of CBT, TMS, and neuropsychotherapy in the treatment of depression. Depression is a debilitating mental health disorder, and it is an extremely prevalent mental condition that is linked to increased illness and death. More than 300 million people suffer from depression worldwide. Depression is estimated to be at a rate of 5.5 percent annually in developed countries and even higher at 6.7 percent amongst young adults. In this …

Do New Mothers In Their First-Year Postpartum Feel Prepared To Return To Daily Occupations?, Kim Rose, Jane L. Donat, Cedrica Durham, Bianca Haddock, Danyl Litumbe, Julia Otoski, Katsia Renaud

Occupational Therapy Annual Research Colloquium

Purpose: Our research aimed to explore if new mothers felt prepared to return to their daily lives and the role occupational therapy could have in helping prepare women to transition into their new role as mothers. Previous literature has found that limits to occupational engagement and occupational balance have adversely affected the well-being of new mothers.

Methods: This sequential, exploratory mixed methods study employed the RedCap survey platform to collect demographic information, information regarding women’s birth experience and to obtain consent. Twenty-two women who filled out the survey met the inclusion criteria, and ten were selected to proceed with the …

Implementation Of Trauma-Informed Care In Occupational Therapy: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Study, Yu Hsiang Liang-Paultre, Alexis Smich, Mike Palou-Morales, Jamie Spangler, Ashley Fowler, Dylan Spruill

Occupational Therapy Annual Research Colloquium

Abstract

Background: Trauma-informed care is a highly recommended treatment approach, but its application by occupational therapy practitioners remains underutilized, particularly in various rehabilitation settings serving adult clients with physical and/or neurological disorders. This exploratory, sequential mixed-methods study investigated occupational therapy practitioners' knowledge and use of trauma-informed care approaches with adults. The study also examined potential barriers and facilitators for implementing these harm-reduction strategies to prevent retraumatization.

Methods: A quantitative survey was designed to examine practitioner knowledge and implementation of trauma-informed care in adult practice settings. The survey was distributed electronically through the REDCap platform. However, only 32 out of the …

Exploration Of College Students’ Use Of The Occupation Of Music Listening To Support Engagement And Well-Being, Beverly Murphy, Morgan Breen, Jenna Breseman, Jailine Gonzalez, Tiesha Henley, Julianne Sta.Ana

Occupational Therapy Annual Research Colloquium

Heightened feelings of stress or anxiety can often accompany the transition to college, secondary to changes to an existing routine. These changes can potentially lead to occupational disruption or imbalances impacting students’ well-being and performance. This descriptive, exploratory research investigates whether college students are utilizing music as a means to support or enhance their occupational well-being. At this point, little is known about the extent of utilizing music listening as an occupational therapy intervention on college campuses to manage the allostatic load among students. To address this, a quantitative survey with close-ended questions was distributed virtually to college students within …

Understanding Provider Competency In Gender Affirming Care, Vanessa Castle, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual plus (LGBTQ+) individuals, especially transgender patients, face many healthcare disparities. It is extremely important for them to have access to high-quality healthcare, particularly Gender Affirming Care (GAC), to support their well-being and mental health. However, many healthcare providers, including clinical social workers, NPs, PAs, and MDs lack proper training to offer GAC. The current training opportunities available are often basic and lack comprehensive, detailed information. To reduce healthcare barriers for the transgender and gender-diverse community, we must have comprehensive training on GAC available for providers so they can treat their patients with …

Benefits Of Meditation Practices In Alleviating Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd) Symptoms For Individuals Already In Therapy, Jeanette G. Mann, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Abstract

This study examines the impact of adding and incorporating a meditation practice into a treatment plan for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for three adult patients at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). The cases involved included patients with persistent PTSD symptoms who had experienced limited improvement with standard therapies. Data from Electronic Health Records and clinician notes showed that adding an eight-week meditation practice enhanced emotional regulation and reduced anxiety. In all three cases, the meditation practice increased the benefits of the traditional therapy. This helped the patients have greater control over their PTSD symptoms and improve their quality …

Decadal Climate And Landform Variables Analysis In Iraq Using Remote Sensing Datasets, Sungwon Kim, Maryam Bayatvarkeshi, Atif Muhammad Ali, Kamal Ahmed

AUIQ Technical Engineering Science

Iraq has experienced record-breaking temperatures, making it one of the hottest places on Earth. It is also ranked among the world's top five most climate-vulnerable nations. Climate change is a hazard to Iraq's people and may cause societal disintegration, instability, and displacement. Therefore, it is important to assess Iraq's decadal climate and landform variables analysis. In the present study, the Climate Hazards Center InfraRed Precipitation with Station (CHIRPS) data in the Google Earth Engine (GEE) platform from 2000 to 2022, as well as rainfall, anomaly, temperature, vegetation, and water, are used to analyse climate change in Iraq. As the land …

Field Canals Improvement Projects Duration Prediction: A Comparative Analysis Of Machine Learning Models, Hania Ghouse, Ukaegbu Chinonso Ishmael, Edgar Dario Obando-Paredes, Hashem Shafik Shakir, Ali Al-Bayaty

AUIQ Technical Engineering Science

There are several essential elements in project construction management to be studied appropriately, and priority to these elements, such as cost and duration, is predominantly interesting to be investigated. In this research, the duration of field canal improvement projects (D_FCIP) was predicted using two relatively new machine learning (ML) models - the Multivariate Adaptive Regression Spline (MARS) and Extreme Learning Machine (ELM). The targeted D_FCIP was calculated using other dependent parameters, such as the length of the pipe, years of construction, the geographical zone of the network, the supplied area with water, and finally the actual cost …

Methods In Environmental Studies, Erika Dunagan, Maya Mendoza, Posey Graber, Alex Cullins, Emma Mcginnis, Ally Nepomuceno, Isabella Buchan

Featured Student Work

This publication is a collection of undergraduate research conducted in the Methods in Environmental Studies course at the University of San Francisco in Fall 2024. The student-led projects explore the intersections of place, policy, ecology, and cultural identity through applied environmental research methodologies. Topics include a decolonial examination of the Forest Park Mound Group and Indigenous resilience in St. Louis; a comparative study of Navajo cosmology and ecological justice; a social and environmental impact assessment of Costa Rica’s National Decarbonization Plan; a psychogeographical analysis of Golden Gate Park and its impact on the psyche, emotions, behaviour, and health of urban …

The Nuances Of Self Construction: Dialogism And Discourse In Claudia Rankine’S Citizen: An American Lyric, Asunta Ross

Departmental Honors & Graduate Capstone Projects

This paper analyzes the Black American experience presented by Claudia Rankine in Citizen: An American Lyric through the lens of Mikhail Bakhtin’s theories of dialogism and authoritative and internalized discourses. Literature’s appeal lies largely in its ageless relatability, a trait Mikhail Bakhtin explains hinges on the novel’s ability to provoke and contribute to discussions across time. Active listeners internalize the utterances around them, and Rankine translates this theory into personal experiences by showing the effects of structural racism on discourse. I argue that, like Bakhtin, Rankine highlights how the perception of race discourses by racialized people contributes to the formation …

Pre-Sleep Routines Affecting Sleep In Adults, Diana Navarro, Rebecca King, Cassandra Nelson

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project examines the impact of pre-sleep routines on adult sleep quality, emphasizing the role of consistent habits, reduced technology use, and stress management. A six-week intervention incorporating evidence-based strategies such as sleep hygiene education, environmental adjustments, and relaxation techniques was conducted. Results revealed significant improvements in sleep quality, as measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and enhanced physical and emotional well-being among participants. These findings highlight the importance of tailored pre-sleep routines in addressing sleep disorders and provide a foundation for broader implementation and future research.

Problem Behavior In Schools: The Impact, And A Guide For Intervention, Karlie Marie Schulte

Masters Projects

Problem behavior often disrupts the completion of scheduled activities throughout the school day. This project reviews research findings explaining the impact of problem behaviors on the individual exhibiting the behavior, the student’s peers, and how the teacher that supports the student is impacted. Background on problem behavior is provided through explaining the “functions” of behavior. Additionally, ways to lessen the impact of problem behaviors are discussed including instructional strategies, positive behavior supports (PBS), a positive teacher and student relationship, and educator mindset. The project serves as a guide for educators looking to improve practices in their classroom to decrease problem …

Transcription And 3d Chromatin Organization Interplay At Sub-Kilobase Scale, Hannah Harris

Theses & Dissertations

Nuclear compartments are prominent features of 3D chromatin organization, but sequencing depth limitations have impeded investigation at ultra fine-scale. CTCF loops are generally studied at a finer scale, but the impact of looping on proximal interactions remains enigmatic. Here, we critically examine nuclear compartments and CTCF loop-proximal interactions using a combination of in situ Hi-C at unparalleled depth, algorithm development, and biophysical modeling. Producing a large Hi-C map with 33 billion contacts in conjunction with an algorithm for performing principal component analysis on sparse, super massive matrices (POSSUMM), we resolve compartments to 500 bp. Our results demonstrate that essentially all …

Covid For One: Identifying Obstacles To Self-Management Of Covid-19 For Single Adults, Linda A. Treiber, Christie Emerson, Jenna Shackleford

Faculty Articles

Given the complexities of healthcare provision, it is imperative to understand how single adults experience their interactions with medical professionals and health care organizations, manage care and treatment, and navigate the barriers encountered. This study’s purpose is to understand physical and mental health experiences in consideration of social determinants of health, barriers, and coping strategies for single adults diagnosed with COVID-19. An interpretive phenomenology study design was used with 12 individuals who were single and living alone during the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured, open-ended interviews revealed important aspects of the COVID-19 illness experience. Interviews were transcribed for coding and thematic analysis. …

Facile Fabrication Of Water Filters With Desirable Properties For Removal Of Pathogenic E. Coli From Drinking Water At Point-Of-Use, Godfrey Michael Shayo, Elianaso Elimbinzi, Christina Fabian, Talam E Kibona

Tanzania Journal of Science

The inevitable consequences of waterborne diseases caused by consuming contaminated water have prompted the development of low-cost water filtration technologies that surpass traditional purification methods in effectiveness. Ceramic water filters have been extensively researched due to their promising application in the filtration and purification of water to produce clean and safe drinking water. The present study reports the synthesis of ceramic filtration systems incorporating silver nanoparticles with desirable properties for water purification. The obtained samples were examined by XRD, XRF, and SEM analyses. XRD analysis showed that the samples had crystallite sizes ranging between 16 to 22 nm. XRF analysis …

Stories Of Mothering: Autoethnography Of Generational Sexual Abuse, Karen D. Barley Dr

The Qualitative Report

Being a mother is both rewarding and challenging and most women seek to be the best mother that they can be. Despite best intentions, many find their ability to ‘mother’ has been tempered by their own mothering. This autoethnography encapsulates a series of vignettes describing poignant and melodic memories of my mother; and explores her neglect and inability to protect me because of sexual abuse in her life. Within my family heritage there has been a craven cycle of abuse that has perpetuated a lineage of multigenerational family sexual violence. This cycle has affected the mothers in my family’s ability …

The Experience And Identity Interview: Narrative Therapy In Research Interviewing, Janet E. Conti, James T. M. Calder, Rebekah Rankin

The Qualitative Report

In this paper we introduce “The Experience and Identity Interview” (EII) and demonstrate ways that this qualitative research interview can be used to engage participants in talk that scaffolds between their experiences, the meanings they ascribe to these, and their identity (re)negotiations. In doing so, there is scope to generate rich interview data that addresses a range of research questions. Drawing on the paradigm of narrative therapy, the EII generates a collaborative dialogical space wherein both researchers and research participants may co-contribute to the unpacking of normative discourses that shape participants’ usual ways of speaking about their lived experiences, thereby …

Volume 42-1 Complete Issue, C. Nicholas Raphael

The Geographical Bulletin

Volume 42-1 Complete Issue

A Comparison Of Clustering Techniques Using Biogeographical Data, Lisa M. Dechano

The Geographical Bulletin

Geographers and ecologists frequently employ clustering methods to achieve meaningful ecological groups based on similarity measures. Four popular clustering techniques, and resulting similarities and differences produced by each method when applied to biogeographical data are reviewed. Data were collected and classified within a riparian site on a mid-river island in a tornadodamaged area of northwestern Pennsylvania and on upland sites on either side of the river. Results illustrate that similar environmental clusters are produced by the four methods under investigation. However, more complex relationships between upland sites and the riparian sites also emerged that would not have been discovered had …

Inter-Country Child Adoptionand The World Wide Web, James A. Tyner, Erik V. Parker

The Geographical Bulletin

Communication technologies, and especially the advent of the World Wide Web, are changing the geographies of business activities. In this paper the usage of Web sites to facilitate intercountry child adoption are examined. Using a two-pronged strategy, the content of Web sites are qualitatively analyzed and, second, through a mail survey the impact of Internet technology on the conduct of business is examined. Findings suggest that exposure, competition, networking, and cost-considerations are dominant motives for agencies to go 'on-line.' Findings also suggest, however, that latent costs are associated with these factors and question whether increased exposure leads to increased demand. …

Environmental Ouality As A Post-Industrial Urban Growth Strategy: The Chattanooga Case, Ola Johansson

The Geographical Bulletin

As poorly planned concentrations of production and consumption, cities can have adverse effects on environmental quality. A poor local physical environment is considered a drawback for the future vitality and economic competitiveness of a city. A strategy of urban redevelopment employed by a wide variety of cities known as the "livable city movement" is analyzed. More specifically, the environmental implications of the post-industrial city are discussed within the context of the livable city movement. This paper analyzes how Chattanooga, Tennessee, and its local political and economic elites are improving the city's environmental quality and promoting the controlled growth of the …

Projections And Perceptions The Geographic Information System: A View Of Professional Surveyors, Roland F. Self

The Geographical Bulletin

Much has been written and continues to be written regarding " Geographic Information Systems" or as it is commonly known " GIS." The acronym is bantered about with a belief that everyone has an equal understanding and awareness of exactly what it is. To some it is a technology or sophisticated software or as some definitions indicate, a GIS can " contain major components including data input, data storage and retrieval, data manipulation and analysis and data reporting subsystems." It can be "a management system which can collect, store and retrieve spatial data, identify locations meeting specific criteria, explore re …

Occupational Disruption In Graduate Students: Literature On The Effects Of Financial Strain And New Responsibilities Of Graduate School On Mental Health, Emilee Armstrong, Samantha Edwards, Arianna Z. Cook

OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry about Health through Occupation

This exploratory paper examines the intricate phenomenon of occupational disruption among graduate students, in an attempt at investigating the effect of financial strain and newly acquired responsibilities during graduate school on mental health. The research question guiding this exploration is centered on understanding the specific occupational disruptions experienced by graduate students, particularly those arising from financial strain and newly acquired occupations inherent in graduate school. The methodology involves a systematic search of pertinent literature across three databases, including The American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT), Google Scholar, and the National Institute of Health (NIH). Preliminary findings from the literature review …

Benefits Of Occupation-Based Outdoor Physical Activity To Mental Health, Jessica S. Eady, Kayleigh E. Hollywood

OCCUPATION: A Medium of Inquiry about Health through Occupation

This paper examines the benefits of occupation-based outdoor physical activity as an intervention for individuals with mental health conditions to increase their psychological well-being. We conducted a focused review of the literature to support the participation in physical activity, if any within the lives of people with mental health concerns. We utilized the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) framework to understand and to determine the relevance of this review to find support in incorporating outdoor physical activities in occupational therapy interventions. We propose that engaging in outdoor recreation can facilitate meaningful occupational engagement and subsequent identity development which may potentially …

Bechen-Rivera, Liam, Devon Rosano

Querying the Past: LGBTQ Maine Oral History Project Collection

Liam Bechen-Munoz is a 38-year-old trans man living in Portland, Maine. He grew up in a conservative Catholic town in Massachusetts before attending the University of Maine in Farmington, where he performed and did activism as a member of the Queer Student Alliance. After coming out, Bechen-Munoz faced discrimination and experienced getting fetishized online. He is a queer musician who has dealt with substance abuse but became sober in November of 2023. In this interview, Bechen-Munoz discusses some of the challenges he has faced, especially around coming out.

Validation Of A Culturally Adapted Neuropsychology Screening Measure Among Older American Indians, Katherine A. Edwards

Psychology ETDs

American Indian (AI) older adults are most at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in the United States. However, there are no cognitive screening tools validated or normed for AI populations, limiting the diagnostic accuracy of current tools. In this study, a culturally adapted screening tool was adapted for three different sites with older AI adults, and validated against widely used neurocognitive screening measures to determine convergent validity. Results found that adapted story memory scores were significantly higher than unadapted scores. Additionally, culturally salient story memory scores were more consistent with measures of crystalized intelligence, while unadapted story …

How Has The Introduction Of The Video-Assistant Referee Impacted European Football For Fans Watching At Home?, Andre Augustine, Nor Shabir Bin Nor Azamie, Jianxiang Wang, Nasrul Aiman Bin Razalee

Introduction to Research Methods RSCH 202

The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) has reshaped officiating in European football, offering unprecedented decision accuracy but disrupting the traditional fan experience. This study examines how VAR influences fan satisfaction among at-home viewers, a critical yet understudied demographic, by focusing on perceptions of fairness, game flow, and emotional engagement. Using a cross-sectional survey of 385 global fans, sectioned by age groups and fandom levels, the research employs regression analysis to explore relationships between satisfaction and factors such as team loyalty, football knowledge, and exposure to VAR. Results indicate that while VAR enhances perceived fairness, frequent interruptions and delayed celebrations significantly reduce …