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Increasing Actuation Authority And Bandwidth For Aeromechanics Testing: A Piezoelectric-Based Approach, Sydney A. Giannuzzi

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Flutter in turbomachinery poses significant risks to aerospace systems, requiring accurate identification of flutter boundaries to ensure operational safety. Traditional binary “flutter / no flutter” testing methods provide limited data without error margins. Aeromechanical Identification Methodology (AIM) offers a safer alternative by mapping aeromechanical damping across operational conditions using non-contact excitation. However, current AIM actuators are constrained to excitation frequencies below 500 Hz, limiting their effectiveness and applicability. To bridge this gap, this research analyzed and validated performance of a novel piezoelectric-based oscillatory flow injection valve (NOVA) designed to deliver high-bandwidth, high-authority actuation for expanded flutter boundary mapping.

NOVA was …

Governing Harm: Three Essays On Anti-Lgbtq+ Legislation In The United States, Kathryn Hickey

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

In the United States, over 140 state bills were passed between 2014 and 2024 that directly targeted the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals. Drawing on administrative evil and the minority stress model, this dissertation demonstrates how policy environments that normalize discrimination through the passage of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation can lead to devastating consequences. Using a three-essay format, the first study conducts a qualitative content analysis of state level anti-LGBTQ+ laws passed between 2015 and 2024 to identify how administrative evil is woven into the language of the legislation. The results of this analysis show these laws systematically dehumanize LGBTQ+ individuals, restrict their …

An Investigation Into The Impact Of Open Educational Resources (Oer) On Postsecondary Student Outcomes, Amber Mullens

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

Increasing higher education costs are a concern for policymakers and the American public. In 2024-25, undergraduate students paid on average $1,290 for books and supplies (College Board, 2024). These costs have led policymakers and educators to advocate for the use of open educational resources (OER). OER are teaching and learning materials that are in the public domain or licensed under copyright allowing no cost access, reuse, repurpose, adaptation, and redistribution (UNESCO, 2019, p. 5). While research has demonstrated OER use significantly reduces costs for students, less is known about OER's impact on student academic outcomes. Despite significant research on these …

Clean Energy And Enclosure, Ann M. Eisenberg

University of Colorado Law Review

No abstract provided.

Unwell Water: Legal Silence, Private Wells, And Public Health In The Rural Americas, Shavonnie R. Carthens

University of Colorado Law Review

No abstract provided.

Renegotiating The Energy Transition, Hannah J. Wiseman, Jennifer Baka, Kaitlyn Spangler

University of Colorado Law Review

No abstract provided.

"The Reality Is, It All Came Back To Catch Us": Urban Population Increase And Water Conservation In The Arid West, Madison Dobson

University of Colorado Law Review

No abstract provided.

Lessons Learned From Clinical Trials Of Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin (Tslp) Inhibition, Jonathan Corren, Larry Borish, Christopher Brightling, Joseph K. Han, Emma Guttman-Yassky, Steven Ziegler, Jean Publicover, Jyotsna Gulati, Nestor Molfino, Christopher S. Ambrose, Jean-Pierre Llanos, Lang Chen, Jane R. Parnes, Joseph Spahn, Andrew Lindsley

Department of Otolaryngology (ENT) Faculty Publications

Type 2 (T2) immune–mediated epithelial-driven diseases are characterized by dysregulated immune responses at epithelial barrier surfaces. A key mediator of these diseases is thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), an epithelial cytokine that acts as a regulator of both T2 and non-T2 inflammation. TSLP activates dendritic cells and other immune cells, promoting the release of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13. Given its central role in initiating and amplifying T2 inflammation, TSLP has emerged as a promising therapeutic target in multiple epithelial-driven inflammatory diseases. Tezepelumab is a human monoclonal antibody that selectively blocks TSLP from interacting with its receptor complex, thereby …

Annual Security Report For Calendar Year 2025, Illinois State University Police Department

Clery Act Annual Security Report

Illinois State University Police Department Annual Security Report

Ftc Titans #17576 2026 Engineering Portfolio, Andrew Sun '27, Ian Wang '27, Noah David '26, Aparna Sadhanagiri '26, Adam Park '28, Ajay Srinivasan '28

Distinguished Student Work

FTC Robotics is a program for students to engage with designing, assembling, and driving an 18x18x18' robot to compete in local, regional, and state competitions. During the 25/26 season, we reached over 150k+ individuals, connected with 36 STEM professionals, helped mentor 11 robotics teams, and curated an Instagram page with over 360k+ views. The team was the Reach award winner at the regional level and was first pick on the Winning Alliance. Then, at the Illinois State Championship, we were 3rd place in qualification matches and reached Semifinalist in the elimination rounds. The 25/26 season, in terms of overall OPR …

Holistic Review In Graduate Admissions: Admissions Professionals’ Evaluation Of Non-Cognitive Traits, Joshua L. Olson

Graduate Studies Theses and Dissertations 2026

This basic qualitative study examines how graduate admissions professionals conceptualize, operationalize, and interpret holistic review within graduate admissions processes. Guided by Social Cognitive Theory and Expectancy-Value Theory, the study explores how non-cognitive traits such as motivation, resilience, self-efficacy, and professionalism are evaluated alongside traditional academic indicators in admissions decision-making. Using semi-structured interviews with graduate admissions professionals directly involved in admissions decisions, the study identifies how holistic review is defined and implemented across institutional contexts, which non-cognitive traits are most valued, and the tools and procedures used to assess applicant potential beyond academic metrics. Findings suggest that, for participants in this …

Advancing Culturally Sustaining Stem Instruction For Latinx Secondary Students: From Research To Practice Through The Monarch Migration, Maryam Saberi, Noushin Nouri

Teaching and Learning Faculty Publications

This chapter presents the development of a research-based STEM curriculum for Latinx students using Monarch butterfly migration phenomenon as context. Based on a systematic review of 196 articles, the study first maps eight STEM research categories for Latinx populations. It then conducts a meta-synthesis of 23 successful interventions to create a Latinx-Affirming STEM (La-STEM) curriculum framework organized around Akker's ten curriculum elements. Finally, it translates these theoretical foundations into practical implementation through a detailed Monarch butterfly migration curriculum. The Monarch phenomenon, chosen for its deep cultural resonance and scientific richness, demonstrates how each curriculum element can integrate STEM concepts with …

Department Of English Newsletter, Winter 2025-2026, Illinois State University, Department Of English

Department of English Newsletter

Newsletter of the Illinois State University Department of English

Are Skip Laminectomy And Oblique Corpectomy Effective Options To Treat Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy While Preserving Motion? Results Of A Scoping Review, Justin L Lomax, Ankit Mehta, Aditya Vedantam, Rory Goodwin, Nathan Evaniew, Mario Ganau, Chris J Neal, Rex A W Marco, Ryan Quisling, Jonathan Palmer, Adam T Archie, Keith L Jackson, John G Devine, Jefferson R Wilson, Uzondu F Agochukwu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Study Design

Scoping Literature Review.

Objective

The aim of this literature review is to examine the results of both skip laminectomy and oblique corpectomy in the setting of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM).

Methods

A scoping review of the relevant literature examining the efficacy of cervical skip laminectomy and oblique corpectomy in patients with DCM was conducted using the Medline database. Our review strategy aimed at answering two research questions. #1: Do clinical outcomes differ between patients undergoing cervical laminoplasty vs skip laminectomy in the setting of myelopathy. #2: Which outcomes can oblique corpectomy provide, and how its related complication profile …

Negotiating Health: A Qualitative Analysis Of Home Smoking Rules Among Families With Medically Vulnerable Infants, Yolanda R Villarreal, Thomas F Northrup, Stephen M Fischer, Jackson S Norwood, Angela L Stotts

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Approximately 5000 child deaths are attributed to secondhand smoke exposure (SHSe) annually, which is three times the number of childhood cancers combined. Infants, medically fragile infants, are highly vulnerable to the harmful effects of SHSe, including respiratory infections and sudden infant death syndrome. While having a home smoking ban may mitigate these risks, implementation remains a challenge for many families. Our primary aim was to explore the familial and sociocultural factors associated with smoking-ban initiation and maintenance in households with medically fragile infants.

Methods: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 20 mothers participating in a behavioral intervention from 2015 to …

Mitochondrial Dysfunction In Alzheimer’S Disease And Related Sex Differences, Afzal Misrani, Conelius Ngwa, Fudong Liu

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, accounts for 70% of cases and remains a major healthcare challenge due to its rising prevalence and lack of disease-modifying treatments. Clinically, AD is a sexually dimorphic disease. Women exhibit more rapid cognitive decline and accelerated brain atrophy during mild cognitive impairment and early dementia, whereas men more frequently present cardiovascular comorbidities, earlier mitochondrial dysfunction, and greater neuropsychiatric symptoms. AD is marked by amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, neuroinflammation, and neuronal loss, with mitochondrial dysfunction emerging as a key early contributor that exhibits sex specific phenotypes. Mitochondria are vital for neuronal …

Thrombelastography As A Predictive Tool For Thromboembolic Events After Extremity Trauma: A Secondary Analysis Of Prevent-Clot, Cory K Mayfield, Nathan N O'Hara, Prism S Schneider, Renan C Castillo, Robert V O'Toole, Katherine P Frey, William Obremskey, Deborah M Stein, Reza Firoozabadi, Stephen J Warner, Madhav A Karunakar, Joshua L Gary

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) poses significant risk of morbidity and mortality in orthopaedic trauma patients. Thromboelastography (TEG) analysis has been demonstrated to provide value in demonstrating hypercoagulability and predicting the risk of post-injury VTE. The primary aim was to investigate if TEG analysis at the time of admission following severe extremity trauma predicts thromboembolic events. We hypothesized that previously described elevations in maximal amplitude (MA) on initial TEG would correlate with an increased risk of VTE.

Methods: This was a secondary study of PREVENT CLOT, a multicenter, randomized trial that enrolled adult patients with an extremity fracture (from hip to …

Predicting Anomalies, Boone Bowles, Adam V. Reed, Matthew C. Ringgenberg

Faculty Publications

We show that stock returns exhibit predictable patterns before the publication of anomaly trading signals. Moreover, anomaly trading signals derived from financial data are themselves predictable, making it possible to trade before financial statements are released. A trading strategy based on predicted anomaly signals earns an annualized return of 2.80% in the quarter before the signal is released. In recent periods, this return predictability is concentrated in signals that are harder to forecast, and returns are increasingly earned several quarters before signals are released. Our findings suggest anomalies are more anomalous than previously recognized.

Parent And Family Guide, 2026-2027, Illinois State University, Dean Of Students Office, Parent And Family Services

Parent and Family Guide

Campus guide prepared by the Illinois State University Dean of Students Office's Parent and Family Services Department

Transvascular Endobronchial Ultrasound-Guided Transbronchial Needle Aspirations (Ebus-Tbna) To Confirm Urothelial Carcinoma Metastasis To The Pulmonary Artery, Kyle Admire, Stephen Gegick

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Tumours within the pulmonary arteries provide a diagnostic challenge due to their similar appearance to pulmonary emboli. Often, the decision to sample is multidisciplinary and the best approach to take is often unknown. Here we describe a case of urothelial carcinoma which metastasised to the mediastinum with evidence of tumour burden within the pulmonary artery. Sampling of this by endovascular and thoracoscopic means was unsuccessful; however, we were able to provide a diagnosis using direct visualization with endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA). This report is the first of a central pulmonary artery tumour caused by urothelial carcinoma biopsied by …

Criterion Validity Of The Functional Status And Pain Assessment Scale Versus Pain And Length Of Stay In Hospitalized Adults With Scd, Wally R. Smith, Daniel M. Sop, Yue May Zhang, Margaret S. Guy, Rehan Qayyum

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Objectives

In prior research we demonstrated face, construct, discriminant, and preliminary convergent validity of the newly developed, 10-item Functional Status Pain Assessment (FSPA) scale (0-50) in adult SCD patients hospitalized with VOC. We aimed in this study to further demonstrate criterion validity of the FSPA.

Methods

This was a prospective observational study of 561 daily functional and pain assessments from 91 hospitalized adults with SCD from January 2018 to June of 2019. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) Partial Least Squares (PLS) models determined the relationship between LOS, pain intensity, and FSPA. A Generalized Linear Model (GLM) to quantified the impact of …

Persistent Hypoxemia On Home Sleep Apnea Testing Prompting Further Evaluation For Pulmonary Embolism: A Case Report, Kyle Admire, Andrew Githaiga

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition characterized by recurrent upper airway collapse during sleep, which may be associated with sleep disruption and repetitive oxygen desaturations. It is diagnosed by nocturnal in-lab polysomnography or home sleep apnea testing. We present a case of an otherwise healthy individual who had home sleep apnea testing that revealed persistent, unexplained hypoxemia which, on further investigation, was found to be due to a saddle pulmonary embolism.

Thyroid Storm At Sea: A Case Report Of Algae-Induced Thyrotoxicosis, Alynna Knaub, Amanda Cecchini, John Janousek, Laura Strojny, Jairo Noreña, Zachary Pawlikowski

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Iodine-induced thyrotoxicosis (IIT), also known as the Jod-Basedow phenomenon, is a rare yet recognized cause of hyperthyroidism. While iodinated contrast is the most frequent trigger, iodine-rich supplements such as seaweed products or supplements can also precipitate thyrotoxicosis, particularly in individuals with prior chronic iodine deficiency or preexisting thyroid nodular disease. We present a case of thyroid storm following short-term ingestion of Irish sea moss as part of a “crash diet.” A 37-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes mellitus, well controlled on subcutaneous insulin therapy, presented with nausea and vomiting after 6 days of following a restrictive diet consisting solely of …

Circulating Biomarker Results From A Phase 2 Study Of Seralutinib In Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, Robin Osterhout, Athénaïs Boucly, Raymond L. Benza, Richard N. Channick, Kelly M. Chin, Robert P. Frantz, Anna R. Hemnes, Luke S. Howard, Vallerie V. Mclaughlin, Olivier Sitbon, Jean-Luc Vachiéry, Rotham T. Zamanian, Richard Aranda, Matt Cravets, Zhaoqing Ding, Thao Duong-Verlé, David Mattola, Robert F. Roscigno, Ravikumar Sitapara, Lawrence S. Zisman, Jean-Marie Bruey, Hossein-Ardeschir Ghofrani

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

[Introduction] To the Editor: Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease characterized by obstructive pulmonary arterial remodeling (1). Seralutinib, an investigational inhaled tyrosine kinase inhibitor, potently and selectively targets kinases relevant to PAH pathobiology including platelet-derived growth factor receptors (PDGFR) α and β, colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R), and mast/stem cell growth factor receptor kit (c-KIT) (2). In preclinical models, seralutinib improved cardiopulmonary hemodynamics, reversed pulmonary vascular pathology and decreased right ventricular hypertrophy (3). In TORREY, a phase 2, multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in PAH, seralutinib significantly reduced pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) after 24 weeks with good …

Enlarging Fingertip Nodule Mimicking A Pyogenic Granuloma In A Man In His 60'S, Avery H. Seward, Jocelyn H. Larocque, Stephen M. Hughes

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

[Case presentation] A man in his 60's with a history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and resected colon cancer in remission presented with a 4-month history of an enlarging nodule on the right fourth fingertip. The patient recalled having a splinter removed from the same site a few weeks prior to the development of the lesion. The lesion was initially diagnosed by an orthopaedist as a pyogenic granuloma (Figure 1a), and the patient was advised to apply table salt to the area several times daily. However, the lesion continued to enlarge over 3 months with occasional bleeding and mild tenderness. Physical examination …

Failure Rates And Patient-Reported Outcomes Are Similar Across 5 Arthroscopic, Suprapectoral Bicepts Tenodesis Fixation Techniques, Senah E. Stephens, Samantha M. Strohm, Rachael M. Shaughnessy, Katherine S. Worcester, Kevin F. Bonner

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Purpose

To compare failure rates and patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) across 5 arthroscopic, suprapectoral biceps tenodesis fixation techniques: tenodesis screw, tenodesis anchor, expanding tenodesis anchor, onlay with single all‐suture anchor, and soft tissue tenodesis in the bicipital groove with suture.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study approved by the Institutional Review Board, including patients age 18 years or older who underwent arthroscopic, suprapectoral biceps tenodesis between 2014 and 2024 with a minimum of 6 months of clinical follow‐up. Exclusion criteria included cervical pathology, chronic pain syndromes, revisions, and workers' compensation cases. Patients completed PROMs including pain Visual Analog Scale …

An Analysis Of Heart Failure Among Cancer Patients In The United States Between 1999 And 2020, Abes A. Bautista Neughebauer, Deepak Talreja, Apostolos Gaitanidis

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Background: Cancer and heart failure (HF) are highly prevalent in the population and can co-exist, due to shared risk factors and an aging population. The HF-related mortality burden in cancer patients across in the United States (US) remains poorly understood. The goal of this study is to evaluate the patterns of HF-related deaths among cancer patients in the United States.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) WONDER Multiple Cause of Death database between years 1999 and 2020. HF-related deaths were defined as death certificates listing HF as a contributing cause of …

Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease And Circadian Rhythm: Current Understanding And Implications For Future Therapeutic Interventions, William K. Slover, Ashley V. Huang, Steve M. D'Souza, Edward C. Oldfield, David A. Johnson

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), defined by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases as hepatic steatosis with at least one cardiometabolic risk factor, affects approximately 30-40% of adults worldwide. This condition may progress to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. The rising prevalence, alongside obesity and type 2 diabetes, underscores the need for early risk stratification and integrated therapeutic strategies. Circadian homeostasis, orchestrated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus and core clock gene feedback loops, synchronizes hepatic metabolic pathways with environmental light-dark cycles. The objective of this review is to evaluate the role of circadian disruption and metabolic dysfunction …

Dual Clinical Presentation Of A Birthmark: A Quiz, Avery H. Seward, Jacqueline E. Leyrer, Sarah H. Carlock

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

[Introduction] A man in his early 30s presented with a longstanding birthmark on the lift thigh that was first noticed at age 12. As a teenager, the lesion was treated with a CO2 laser at an outside institution; however, the lesion continued to slowly enlarge over the past several years. The patient reported recurrent irritation and swelling from a construction safety harness with occasional bleeding and frequent bruising. Recently, the area became inflamed, prompting an ER visit, where the patient was evaluated for cellulitis, underwent a normal ultrasound and was placed on cephalexin 500 gm twice daily for 10 days.

T-Cells May Represent A Novel Biomarker For Female Pattern Hair Loss, Juan Marrero Berrios, Iain Noel Encarnacion, Noelle Desir, Aman Prasad, Matthew Hedberg, Susan Taylor, John T. Seykora

Department of Medicine Faculty Publications

[Introduction] Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common non-scarring alopecia classically attributed to androgen sensitivity and genetics. Histopathologic studies have identified perifollicular and perivascular lymphocytic and histiocytic infiltrates, through the composition and clinical relevance of this infiltrate have not been fully characterized.¹ Our study aims to address this gap through detailed quantitative immunohistochemical characterization (IHC) of the inflammatory infiltrate in female patients with AGA compared to telogen effluvium (TE), a non-inflammatory control.