Digital Commons Network^™

Influence Of Thermophilic Biofilms On Proliferation Of Opportunistic Pathogens In Domestic Water Systems, Olajumoke Akinbami

Masters Theses

Domestic hot-water systems quietly grow biofilms under elevated temperatures that can serve as shelter to Opportunistic Premise Plumbing Pathogens. Although focus has been placed on microbes in domestic systems, there has been no clear conclusion on the mechanism of survival and persistence of opportunistic pathogens despite various disinfection strategies. In this study, we determined the distinction between showerhead and drip-flow biofilms at the whole-community level and analyzed the coexistence of thermotolerant organisms with opportunistic genera, such as Legionella. We sampled eight showerheads and simulated four biofilm samples in the laboratory using the drip-flow biofilm reactor.

We observed a strong …

Global Decoupling Of Functional And Phylogenetic Diversity In Plant Communities, Stefan A. Schnitzer

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Plant communities are composed of species that differ both in functional traits and evolutionary histories. As species’ functional traits partly result from their individual evolutionary history, we expect the functional diversity of communities to increase with increasing phylogenetic diversity. This expectation has only been tested at local scales and generally for specific growth forms or specific habitat types, for example, grasslands. Here we compare standardized effect sizes for functional and phylogenetic diversity among 1,781,836 vegetation plots using the global sPlot database. In contrast to expectations, we find functional diversity and phylogenetic diversity to be only weakly and negatively correlated, implying …

Drop Dynamics During Condensation On Superhydrophobic Surfaces In Vapor Shear Flow, Shaur Humayun, R. Daniel Maynes, Julie Crockett, Brian D. Iverson

Faculty Publications

Accurate models for predicting drop dynamics, such as maximum drop departure sizes, are crucial for estimating heat transfer rates during condensation on superhydrophobic (SH) surfaces. Previous studies have focused on examining the heat transfer rates for SH surfaces under the influence of gravity or vapor flowing over the surface. This study investigates the impact of surface solid fraction and texture scale on drop mobility in a condensing environment with a humid air flow. Experiments recorded condensation with varying surface feature sizes from micro- to nano scale under different flow rates. Video analysis detected the drop-size distribution and maximum drop departure …

Internally Stowed, Radially Deployed Radiator Panels For Passive Cubesat Thermal Control, Josh R. Cannon, Kyle N. Havey, Noah S. Housley, Rydge B. Mulford, Brian D. Iverson

Faculty Publications

CubeSats experience significant thermal loads due to solar irradiation and the dissipation from electrical components. The high heat dissipation per unit volume can lead to mission failure if not properly managed. Deployable radiators that are externally stowed and passively actuated in response to changes in CubeSat temperature have been explored as a viable solution. This work describes a radially deployed fin array that is stowed within the CubeSat body when the required heat dissipation is low and passively deploys when the required heat dissipation is high. Internal stowage improves thermal transport to the deployable fins and minimizes heat loss when …

Penderitaan Tanpa Ukuran: Mengapa Kuhap Harus Segera Mengatur Kerugian Imateriil?, Setiani Budi Utami, Mardian Putra Frans

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

Law enforcement must ensure that the justice process operates in accordance with the principles of true justice. The criminal justice system in Indonesia emerged as a response to public dissatisfaction with the performance of law enforcement agencies that overly emphasized formal law and order alone, without regard for human dignity. The preamble of the Criminal Procedure Code (KUHAP) affirms that this system aims to protect human dignity, thus substantive justice must be prioritized. In this context, human rights, particularly the protection of crime victims, become crucial. However, in practice, victims are often marginalized, especially regarding compensation for immaterial damages that …

Analisis Klausula Choice Of Forum Dalam Kontrak Standar E-Commerce Di Indonesia: Kajian Berdasarkan Perspektif Perlindungan Konsumen, Sarping Saputra

Jurnal Hukum & Pembangunan

This research discusses choice of forum clauses in standard contracts on the five largest e-commerce platforms in Indonesia, namely Shopee, Tokopedia, Lazada, Bukalapak, and Blibli. The clause stipulates the mechanism and location of dispute resolution that automatically binds consumers when using the platform. In practice, these clauses tend to burden consumers, especially regarding access to fair dispute resolution. This research focuses on the compatibility of the choice of forum clause with the principles of consumer protection regulated in the Consumer Protection Law (UUPK). The results reveal that most e-commerce platforms use exclusive forms of choice of forum clauses, such as …

2025 Finance Calendar, Amanda Christensen, Melanie Jewkes, Andrea Schmutz, Vincenza Vicari-Bentley, Kelan Combe, Rochelle Allen, Lauren Olsen, Jenny Weller

All Current Publications

The 2025 Financial Calendar outlines small monthly steps to improve your finances over the year.

Mishra L, Francis T, Nooji D, Aggarwal H, Mccoll E, Eachempati P. Current Concepts In Restoring Endodontically Treated Teeth., Lora Mishra, Prashanti Eachempati, Tony Francis, Devi Prasad Nooji, Himanshi Aggarwal, Ewen Mccoll

Peninsula Dental School

Restoration of endodontically treated teeth (ETT) is crucial for long-term success. This article reviews current concepts in restoringETT, which focuses on structural integrity and functional performance. Key factors, including residual tooth structure, ferrule effect and pericervical dentine preservation, are discussed alongside advances in conservative access designs, biomimetic protocols and innovative materials,such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fibres. Decision-making frameworks, including the Restorative Difficulty Evaluation System(RDES), are highlighted to support clinicians in achieving predictable outcomes, ensuring tooth survival and patient satisfaction.CPD/Clinical Relevance: The long-term success of endodontically treated teeth depends on selecting appropriate restorative strategiesthat ensure structural integrity, functional performance and …

Rhce Genotyping Using Next Generation Sequencing:Allele Specific Reference Sequences, Wajnat A. Tounsi, Amr J. Halawani, Kelly A. Sillence, Michele Kiernan, Neil D. Avent, Tracey Madgett

School of Biomedical Sciences

BackgroundThe Rh blood group system (ISBT004) is encoded by two homologous genes, RHD and RHCE. Polymorphism in these two genes gives rise to 56 antigens, which are highly immunogenic and clinically significant. This study extended previous work on the establishment of RHD allele specific reference sequences using next generation sequencing (NGS) with the Ion Personal Genome Machine (Ion PGM) to sequence the complete RHCE gene.Study Design and MethodsGenomic DNA (gDNA) samples (n = 87) from blood donors of different serologically predicted genotypes including R1R1 (DCe/DCe), R2R2 (DcE/DcE), R1R2 (DCe/DcE), R2RZ (DcE/DCE), R1r (DCe/dce), R2r (DcE/dce), R0r (Dce/dce), rr (dce/dce), r'r …

Micro(Nano)Plastics In The Fish Gastrointestinal Tract: A Mini Review And Relevance To One Health Perspective, Farhan R. Khan, Nathaniel Clark, Elvis Genbo Xu

School of Biomedical Sciences

Micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) research in the piscine gastrointestinal tract has been a significant area of study. Understanding the environmental presence of microplastics, their potential for both localised and systemic effects, and their role as a gateway for MNPs and associated chemicals to enter the tissues and the food web, including the human food chain, is crucial. The fish gut, as a critical intersection between environmental, biotic, and human health, aligns with the One Health concept. We review the likely uptake mechanisms and toxicological damage caused by ingesting MNPs and their associated chemicals in fish, contextualised within the realms of digestive physiology …

Multiplex Lateral Flow Test Sensitivity And Specificity In Detecting Influenza A, B And Sars-Cov-2 In Adult Patients In A Uk Emergency Department, Rahul Batra, Edward Blandford, Raghavendran Kulasegaran-Shylini, Matthias E Futschik, Abbie Bown, Matthew Catton, Hermione Conti-Frith, Alexandra Alexandridou, Rebecca Gill, Clara Milroy, Sean Harper, Holly Gettings, Maryann Noronha, Hooi-Ling Harrison, Sam Douthwaite, Gaia Nebbia, Paul E Klapper, Sarah Tunkel, Richard Vipond, Susan Hopkins, Tom Fowler

School of Biomedical Sciences

BACKGROUND: Rapid identification of individuals with acute respiratory infections is crucial for preventing nosocomial infections. For rapid diagnosis, especially in EDs, lateral flow devices (LFDs) are a convenient, inexpensive option with a rapid turnaround. Several 'multiplex' LFDs (M-LFDs) now exist, testing for multiple pathogens from a single swab sample. We evaluated the real-world performance of M-LFD versus PCR testing in detecting influenza A, B and SARS-CoV-2) in the ED setting.

METHODS: After preliminary evaluation of an M-LFD (SureScreen) with laboratory-grown virus and PCR-negative clinical samples, it was evaluated in a real-world setting at the ED of St Thomas' Hospital (London, …

Synergistic Or Siloed? Communicative Practices In Dual-Earner Parents' Boundary Navigation And Implications For Gendered Work-Family Experiences, Jasmine Kelland, Laura Radcliffe, Grace Williams, Jo Gregory-Chialton

Plymouth Business School

It is well established that in contemporary Western society, work and family (WF) are often navigated by both members of a parenting couple. However, existing understandings regarding the communicative processes by which both parents navigate, and relationally co-construct WF boundaries together, remain somewhat of a theoretical blind spot. This study provides insights into the relational communicative practices that coupled, heterosexual parents engage in when navigating WF boundaries. Our couple-level data collected during the UK Covid-19 lockdown period, in which both parents simultaneously experienced boundary disruption, explore the communicative practices or ‘tactics’ engaged in to relationally navigate boundaries in this context. …

If The Body Keeps The Score, What Happens When You Bring The Body To Work? Exploring The Health Effects Of Trauma On Human Capital, Lisa Jones Christensen, Elizabeth Embry, Arielle Badger Newman, Paul C. Godfrey

Faculty Publications

Data reveal that the physical effects of trauma exposure increasingly surface in business, social, and other settings. Exposure to trauma at any point in life can cause employee health concerns, yet many firms do not acknowledge or address this. Herein, we combine trauma theory with human capital theory to explain how manifestations of trauma exposure—hyperarousal, intrusion, and constriction—impact employee health and performance. This article outlines how each manifestation affects human capital deployment, and thus employee performance. It further demonstrates how these human capital deployment issues have individual- and unit-level performance implications. This article offers a theory linking health effects of …

To Identify Key Determinants Of Green Hrm: Evidence From The United Nations, Jin Woong Yoo, Saeyeon Roh, Georgina Raper

Plymouth Business School

Purpose: This study aims to discover key driving factors towards the implementation of Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) in the United Nations (UN) in South Korea. Design/methodology/approach: As a mixed method, we collected quantitative and qualitative data sets from Human Resource (HR) practitioners or experts in the UN in South Korea. While the survey data was analysed by employing the Consistent Fuzzy Preference Relations (CFPR) method, the qualitative data was analysed through thematic analysis. Findings: Among HR practice, organisation, HR initiative and leadership dimensions, green recruitment from HR practice is deemed the most vital determinant of GHRM. This study concluded …

The Line: Ai And The Future Of Personhood By James Boyle: Reviewed By Hannah Drayson, Hannah Drayson

School of Art, Design and Architecture

No abstract provided.

Do Food Planner Apps Enhance Responsible Food Consumption? The Impact Of Perceptual Antecedents And Moderating Effects On Usage Intention, Rajat Subhra Chatterjee, Irfan Hameed, Ranjan Chaudhuri, Demetris Vrontis, Sumana Chaudhuri, Sheshadri Chatterjee

Plymouth Business School

Purpose: A food planner app helps users to create meal plans and recipes to their preferences, dietary requirements and lifestyle needs. Many food planner apps also could assist with grocery lists, calorie tracking, food waste management and reminders to users. But there is less adoption of such apps. Limited studies examine reasons for non-adaptability, emphasizing the need for more research. This research addresses this gap by observing the effect of pertinent factors such as expectant outcome and openness to change on the extended technology acceptance model. Design/methodology/approach: Drawing on theories and extant literature, a theoretical model was developed. The model …

The Impact Of Port Sector Reforms On The Productivity And Efficiency Of Container Ports In Lower-Middle-Income Countries: A Malmquist Productivity Index Approach, Caleb Danladi, Sarah Tuck, Panagiotis Tziogkidis, Lijun Tang, Chukwuneke Okorie

Plymouth Business School

Despite the extensive research on container port efficiency, the impact of port organizational reforms on productivity and efficiency in lower-middle-income countries remains underexplored, with most studies focusing on developed nations or specific regions. This study addresses this gap. It aims to analyse the productivity changes in container ports within world-wide lower-middle-income countries. The Malmquist Productivity Index, estimated using data envelopment analysis (DEA), was applied to a balanced panel of 39 container ports from 2001 to 2012 being a period that covers substantial port organisational reforms in the target population. The findings reveal an average productivity growth rate of 1.9% among …

The Necessity Of Electric School Bus: A Comparative Study Of Myanmar And Vietnam, Yang Ho Lee, Saeyeon Roh, Jin Woong Yoo

Plymouth Business School

Purpose: This research aims to ascertain key factors which influence the necessity of South Korean electric school buses in Myanmar and Vietnam. The interest in business sustainability and the demand for electric or safe school buses are increasing in Myanmar and Vietnam. Design/methodology/approach: As quantitative research, this study relies on a non-probability sampling method to collect data sets from experts in both countries. As this research covers three steps, including 1) literature reviews, 2) preliminary analysis and 3) Consistent Fuzzy Preference Relations (CFPR) analysis, robust outcomes were found and established in this study. Findings: Among five driving factors, including 1) …

Enhancing Brand Equity Through Branded Content Experience On Social Media: Developing And Testing A Moderated Mediation Model, Muhammad Waqas, Muhammad Adnan Waseem, Nauman Wajid, Irfan Irfan

Plymouth Business School

This study examined the relationship between branded content experience and brand equity by focusing on the mediating role of brand trust and the moderating role of consumer regret of interacting with branded content on social media. In testing the hypotheses proposed in this study, survey data were drawn from a sample of social media users and examined through structural equation modeling. The results indicate that branded content experience positively influences brand equity directly and indirectly via brand trust. In addition, moderated path analysis indicated that regret weakens the direct effect of branded content experience on brand trust and its indirect …

Generative Ai And The Fishermen’S Dilemma: The Role Of Value-Belief-Norms And Resource Dynamism In Oman’S Sustainable Fishing, Rajat Subhra Chatterjee, Shikhar Bhaskar, Shweta Belwal, Rakesh Belwal

Plymouth Business School

The fishing industry in Oman has gained momentum and is becoming a vital part of its economy. The role of technology has similarly evolved, especially with the inclusivity of Generative AI, which has drastically improved certainty and sustainability of this industry. The core of this development requires fishermen to use advanced technologies, such as predictive forecasting and logistics optimization. Several studies have enumerated the directed governmental efforts through policy formulation and fund allocation. However, there has beenlimited introspection on the perceived value orientation of such technology use at the individual level. This study examines this aspect through the value belief …

From Recognition To Action: Surf-Driven Governance In The Manly And Freshwater World Surfing Reserve, Kizzy Beaumont, Joao Castro

School of Art, Design and Architecture

Executive summary This report presents findings from a focus group with members of the Manly and Freshwater World Surfing Reserve (WSR) Local Stewardship Council. Participants reflected on changes over the past decade and imagined future pathways for the WSR. Discussions revealed a strong sense of community pride and renewed momentum following the WSR’s relaunch, which has reconnected previously fragmented grassroots efforts.Key challenges identified included surf crowding, political inertia, water pollution, and a lack of formal governance mechanisms. While engagement with the local Council has improved, participants stressed the need for more consistent follow-through, youth inclusion, and funding security. Concerns were …

Keynote: New Myths For New Realities: Being 'Up And Doing' In Plymouth, Angela Piccini, Sefryn Penrose

School of Art, Design and Architecture

In this talk, Sefryn Penrose and Angela Piccini discuss projects they've developed as 37 Looe Street Gallery and as arts and heritage consultancy Bureau for the Contemporary and Historic (ButCH). From swanning down the Tamar to the sea to devising and running Gullfest to working as consultants contributing strategy, policy, education, interpretation, and evaluation work for coastal organisations, Sef and Angela are committed to blurring boundaries between creative practice and professional heritage practice as joint forms of world-building. In response to the symposium's focus, Sef and Angela will highlight the importance of working with change and 'loss' through myth, humour …

New Insights Into Active Tectonics And Landscape Evolution Of The Northernmost Chilean Central Depression, A. Vega-Ruiz, P. Victor, K. Reicherter, A. Binnie, L. Evenstar, G. González, S. A. Binnie

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Active deformation and landscape evolution in North Chilean forearc involve multiscale tectonic processes, such as crustal thickening causing orogenic-scale uplift and faulting modulating the mountain-front landscape. In the Central Depression, faults redirecting Quaternary drainages are poorly understood due to their subtle surface expressions and limited structural data acquisition. To address this, we combined remote-sensing analysis of high-resolution DEMs, satellite and UAV imagery, new geomorphic mapping, structural data, and morphometric analysis with available surface age dating to identify and give temporal constraints on previously unmapped faults impacting drainages across this region. Our findings reveal the reactivation of east-vergent NNW-SSE reverse to …

Global And Regional Estimation And Evaluation Of Suitable Roof Area For Solar And Green Roof Applications, Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, Souran Chatterjee, Luisa F. Cabeza, Gergely Molnár

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Buildings contribute to 40% of energy consumption and 30% of CO₂ emissions in 2019 globally, therefore it is necessary to exploit different solutions to decrease the corresponding energy demand, including green and cool roofs as well as on-site energy generation. To evaluate the potential of such technologies, one major input data for models and calculations is the available roof area, yet the literature shows a huge knowledge gap in this regard. Therefore, this paper contributes to filling this gap by estimating the roof availability over the period 2022–2060, using the detailed regional projections of the BISE (Building Integrated Solar …

Mexico Consensus Economic Forecast, Volume 28, Number 1, Thomas M. Fullerton Jr., Steven L. Fullerton

Border Region Modeling Project

No abstract provided.

Comparisons Of The Effects Of White Noise And Classical Background Music On Student On-Task Engagement During Work Cycles In A Lower-Elementary Montessori Class, Lee Ellis

Doctor of Education (EdD)

This study compares the effects of classical and white noise background music, played during in-class work cycles for lower elementary students (grades 1-3) at a Montessori school in Pennsylvania. I aim to measure academic on-task engagement and overall classroom behavior. I will observe and record notes on their progress when there is no background sound, white noise, or classical music playing. Research has shown that introducing different sounds to the background of a classroom can positively affect student focus and retention of information (Levitin, 2006; Williams, 1961). Manipulation of sound or music played in the background can have a sizable …

Maze Of Mind 心之万象, Yi Bing (Bing-Yi Huang) 黄冰逸

Zhou Documents

This article introduces the artist’s exhibition Maze of Mind 心之万象. Following the main idea that “the mind is all things, the brain is the universe,” the exhibition uses painting to explore the human heart, brain, wisdom, and spirit. It takes “xiang (image) 象” from Chinese aesthetics as a key concept, understanding “xiang” as the outward expression of the mind. The exhibition is presented in four chapters: “Myriad Things 万物” emphasizes that the human’s mind is an expression of perception and interdependence with all life. “Universe 宇宙” compares the brain to galaxies and expresses the core power of love. “Emptiness 空性,” …

The Impact Of Artificial Intelligence On College Sport Communications, Will Barnhart

Masters Theses

As Artificial Intelligence technology (AI) becomes increasingly accessible, the importance of understanding its impact on peoples’ work lives is also increasing. One field that has received very little attention in relation to this subject is college sport communications. Prior research has focused on AI within the closely related fields of journalism and public relations, but no previous studies have been conducted on AI and college sport communicators specifically. To address that knowledge gap, this study surveyed members of the College Sport Communicators (CSC) on their attitudes toward AI and their usage of such technology. The data analysis showed that while …

Adults Drug Court Model's Review: A Case Study, Byron R. Titus

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

In 1989 Dade County, Florida, the so-called “War on Drugs” was in full swing. As a result, drug courts were created, acting as a diversion program for the many people subsequently caught up in this “war.” Since then, such “specialty courts” have proliferated across the planet. In some cases, local versions have been adopted to adjust to their unique population, culture, risk, and needs. This dissertation is a case study that reviews three Intensive Probation Supervision Programs (IPSP). These IPSPs identify a drug court in their state or country before it becomes a “certified drug court” (now more often referred …

Reassessing Criminogenic Risk: How Trauma-Informed Assessment More Accurately Predicts In-Prison Behavior Than Traditional Models, Bree E. Derrick

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Criminogenic risk-needs assessment is the cornerstone of recidivism reduction models in the correctional sector. Despite decades of using criminogenic risk-need tools, recidivism outcomes remain stubbornly high in the U.S. This non-traditional dissertation explored how traditional criminogenic assessments could be improved with the addition of measures of childhood adversity and maltreatment. This study found that the prevalence of ACEs was significantly greater in an adult prison population of 1,522 in a rural, western state than in the general public. Utilizing logistic regression, this research also found that ACEs were better predictors of in-prison misconduct than traditional criminogenic risk-needs assessments, although traditional …