Digital Commons Network^™

Instructional Design And Delivery During The Pandemic: Taiwan, I-Ting Chiu, Hui-Ting Wang, Hank Bohanon

Education: School of Education Faculty Publications and Other Works

This volume offers international perspectives on the disproportionate impact COVID-19 has had on disabled students and their families, serving as a call to action for educational systems and education policy to become proactive, rather than reactive, for future disasters. Each chapter in the book is written by authors with lived experiences across diverse global regions, highlighting the daily life of people with disabilities and their families during the pandemic. Including case studies and practical suggestions, the book demonstrates that culturally responsive practices are essential to successfully support people around the world in their times of need. At the critical intersection …

The Place Of Nuclear Weapons In Russian Identity: An Ontological Security Analysis, Peter Ernest Yeager

Graduate Program in International Studies Theses & Dissertations

On May 9, 2008, Russia’s Victory Day, four 14-wheeled MAZ-7917s drove through Red Square carrying Topol intercontinental ballistic missiles. This was the first time nuclear weapons had been paraded through Moscow since before the end of the Cold War. The previous August, Russia had resumed nuclear-capable bomber patrols, and in January, 2007, President Putin acknowledged Russia had begun to build new nuclear weapons. These remarkable events were met with little acknowledgement in the West, as if they were completely normal. Instead, they represented a major evolution in the bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia. Sixteen years of fitful …

Hybrid Warfare: How To Escape The Conceptual Gray-Zone, Borislav Bankov

Journal of Strategic Security

Hybrid warfare (HW) is one of the most debated concepts in contemporary military science. While most scholars agree that HW is conducted in the gray-zone between war and peace, they define the phenomenon differently. This disagreement has resulted in a conceptual gray-zone. The lack of theoretical clarity is exacerbated by the fact that authors have coined additional security and defense concepts that are based on the idea of hybridity, such as hybrid peace and hybrid influence. This article examines the different views on HW and aims to offer a more precise framework for its analysis. To fulfill its objective, it …

Responding To Fait Accompli: Lessons From Crimea, Lan Di Ngo

Journal of Strategic Security

This article focuses on the nuanced decision-making process of Ukrainian leaders in the wake of Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. Utilizing primary sources, including transcripts of Ukraine's cabinet meeting, it seeks to explain why Kiev refrained from employing coercive means to immediately retake Crimea following the fait accompli. The analysis reveals that decisions in such scenarios are typically influenced by a complex interplay of perceived territorial value and the strategic advantages of restraint. It also argues that fait accompli strategies can be strikingly effective when carried out with agility and minimal force, as demonstrated by Russia in Crimea. The …

New Regionalism And Norm Creation: A Case Of Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Anadi Choudhari

Journal of Strategic Security

This article delves into the evolution of international norms, focusing on the dynamics within Central Asia as a microcosm of broader global shifts. It begins by elucidating the concept of a "region" in international relations, emphasizing its multifaceted nature, both geographically and culturally, as well as its evolving character in the face of global transformations. The study then delineates the emergence of regionalism, encompassing the historical context of old and new regionalism, with a nuanced understanding of their continuities and distinctions. A pivotal point of analysis is the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), whose genesis and transformation underscore the influence of …

Military History For The Modern Strategist: America’S Major Wars Since 1861. By Michael O’Hanlon. Washington, Dc: Brookings Institution Press, 2023, Amos C. Fox

Journal of Strategic Security

No abstract provided.

Illinois State University Annuitants Association Newsletter, Spring 2024, Illinois State University, Annuitants Association

ISUAA News

Illinois State University Annuitants Association newsletter

Red Note New Music Festival Program, 2024, School Of Music, Illinois State University, Carl Schimmel, Alex Stephenson

Red Note New Music Festival

The RED NOTE New Music Festival at Illinois State University is a week-long event which features outstanding performances of contemporary concert music.

Redbird Scholar, Vol. 9, No. 2 (Spring 2024), Illinois State University, Office Of The Vice President For Research And Graduate Studies

Redbird Scholar

No abstract provided.

Evaluating The Readability Of Online Blood Cancer Education Materials Across Different Readability Measures, Ashley Shin, Surbhi Banubakode, Sara Taveras Alam, Anneliese O Gonzalez

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction The National Institutes of Health and the American Medical Association recommend patient education materials (EMs) be at or below the sixth-grade reading level. The American Cancer Society, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and National Comprehensive Cancer Network have accurate blood cancer EMs. Methods One hundred one (101) blood cancer EMs from the above organizations were assessed using the following: Flesch Reading Ease Formula (FREF), Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL), Gunning Fog Index (GFI), Simple Measure of Gobbledygook Index (SMOG), and the Coleman-Liau Index (CLI). Results Only 3.96% of patient EMs scored at or below the seventh-grade reading level in all modalities. …

The Association Of Neighborhood And Family Factors With Child Flourishing And Wellbeing, Ngozi V. Enelamah, Melissa L. Villodas, Andrew Foell, Margaret Lombe, Chrisann Newransky, Mansoo Yu, Von Nebbitt

Faculty Publications

This study investigated the association of child household and neighborhood features such as neighborhood safety, neighborhood amenities, and neighborhood support on a child’s flourishing, mental health and school engagement.

Wellness As A Predictor Of Turnover Intention In The Active Duty Military, Thomas Clifford Seguin

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Due to the unique nature of military service compared to civilian professions, military attrition is difficult to predict using methods derived from career development theories, so turnover remains an ongoing concern for the active duty military. For this reason, military attrition, through turnover intention, should be investigated through a novel lens with the intention of capturing an essence of military service which previous methods may have overlooked, namely the holistic construct of perceived wellness. Previous studies have shown how wellness-related factors affect turnover intention, but none has studied the relationship between perceived wellness and turnover intention. The main hypothesis of …

The Experiences Of Multilingual Learning-Focused School Counselors: A Phenomenological Investigation, Chelsea Jo Hilliard

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Equity in education has become increasingly prioritized, due to the growing mainstream recognition of the inequitable practices that historically have and presently continue to exist in K-12 education. With the K-12 student population diversity continuously increasing in areas such as abilities, race/ethnicities, socioeconomic status, languages, immigration status, and more, ensuring equitable access to education is vital. One such unique student group needing equitable access to education are multilingual learners or MLL. Located within schools, school counselors are uniquely positioned to equitably serve MLL students. Overall, while the research on school counselors serving MLL students (at the pre-service and practice level) …

Thermo-Elasto-Plastic Stability Of Biaxially Loaded Hollow Rectangular Section Steel Beam-Columns With Applied Torsion, George Adomako Kumi

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Presented herein is an experimental and theoretical study of biaxially loaded hollow rectangular section steel beam-columns with applied torsion at elevated temperatures. The theoretical analysis is based on a system of simultaneous materially nonlinear differential equations of equilibrium for which an iterative semi-analytic solution approach is formulated. Although the primary goal of this research is to study the influence of elevated temperatures on the steel member with the complex loading, rigorous analysis is also conducted of the member at ambient temperature for comparison. The experimental part of the study involves conducting tests on the members at both ambient and high …

The Effects Of Covid-19 Stressors And Supervisor Support On Emotional Exhaustion And Work Engagement, Meiqiao Gu

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, working conditions have worsened, subjecting employees to numerous stressors. Analyzing the impact of COVID-19 stressors on employees‘ well-being and work motivation is crucial. The job demands-resources model (JD-R; Demerouti et al., 2001a) provides a framework for evaluating how COVID-19 stressors affect employees‘ well-being and motivation in the workplace. Given the complexity of job characteristics during the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with challenges in obtaining adequate support from supervisors who are also facing considerable work pressure, this study examines the continued relevance of the JD-R model in this evolving work environment. Specifically, four hypotheses were …

The Eliahou-Kervaire Resolution Over A Skew Polynomial Ring, Luigi Ferraro, Alexis Hardesty

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

In a 1987 paper, Eliahou and Kervaire constructed a minimal resolution of a class of monomial ideals in a polynomial ring, called stable ideals. As a consequence of their construction they deduced several homological properties of stable ideals. Furthermore they showed that this resolution admits an associative, graded commutative product that satisfies the Leibniz rule. In this paper we show that their construction can be extended to stable ideals in skew polynomial rings. As a consequence we show that the homological properties of stable ideals proved by Eliahou and Kervaire hold also for stable ideals in skew polynomial rings.

Asynchronous Video Directly Observed Therapy To Monitor Short-Course Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment: Results Of A Randomized Controlled Trial, Richard S. Garfein, Lin Liu, Javier Cepeda, Susannah Graves, Stacie San Miguel, Antonette Antonio, Jazmine Cuevas-Mota, Valerie Mercer, Mckayla Miller, Donald G. Cantazaro, Phillip Rios, Fredric Raab, Constance A. Benson

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

Background

Observing medication ingestion through self-recorded videos (video directly observed therapy [VDOT]) has been shown to be a cost-effective alternative to in-person directly observed therapy (DOT) for monitoring adherence to treatment for tuberculosis disease. VDOT could be a useful tool to monitor short-course latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) treatment.

Methods

We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial comparing VDOT (intervention) and clinic-based DOT (control) among patients newly diagnosed with LTBI who agreed to a once-weekly 3-month treatment regimen of isoniazid and rifapentine. Study outcomes were treatment completion and patient satisfaction. We also assessed costs. Pre- and posttreatment interviews were conducted.

Results …

Slipping Into Judicial Barbarism?, Pranav Verma

Articles

Book Review | Gautam Bhatia, Unsealed Covers: A Decade of the Constitution, the Courts and the State, HarperCollins Publisher India, 2023

From Predominantly White To Hispanic-Serving: Latinx Student Experiences On A Campus In Transition, Gabriel M. Velez, Jacqueline Black, Saúl López, Kimberly D'Anna-Hernandez

College of Education Faculty Research and Publications

This study utilized focus groups with Latinx students at a private, Midwestern university to explore the complexities inherent in the process of becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). The purpose of the study was: (a) to better understand Latinx students’ experiences at an “emerging” HSI, and (b) to understand how students understand an institutional journey toward the HSI designation. Findings point toward the value in exploring the Latinx student experience and perspective on HSI initiatives.

Resumen

Este estudio utilizó grupos foco con estudiantes latinx en una Universidad privada, del medio-oeste en EEUU para explorar las complejidades inherentes en el proceso de …

Enzymatic Production Of Cyclodextrin Using Cyclodextrin Glycosyltransferase Immobilized In Metal Organic Frameworks (Mofs), Babatunde Azeez Ogunbadejo

Dissertations

Cyclodextrins (CDs) and their derivatives have attracted significant attention in the pharmaceutical, food, and textile industries, which has led to an increased demand for their production. CDs are typically produced by the action of cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) on starch. Owing to the relatively high cost of enzymes, the economic feasibility of the entire process strongly depends on the effective retention and recycling of CGTase in the reaction system, while maintaining the enzyme’s activity and stability. Previous supports used for this purpose such as silica and hydrogels, have numerous drawbacks, including enzyme leaching, activity loss and significant mass transfer limitations. The …

Enhancement Of Rainfall Prediction And Satellite Precipitation Estimates: A Machine Learning Approach For United Arab Emirates, Faisal Baig

Dissertations

The accurate estimation of rainfall in arid regions presents a significant challenge due to sparse ground observations and complex atmospheric dynamics. This dissertation investigates various aspects of rainfall estimation and prediction in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), employing Satellite Precipitation Products (SPPs) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques. The research is structured around four key articles, each addressing different facets of the overarching theme. The first publication examines rainfall variability, consistency, and concentration in the UAE by comparing satellite precipitation products with rain gauge observations, highlighting the discrepancies between the two data sources. The second publication evaluates the performance of precipitation …

Intelligent Tutoring System Ontology, Wael Mohamed Hassan

Theses

The integration of pedagogical rules into Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS) using semantic web technologies, particularly the Web Ontology Language (OWL), holds great promise for enhancing the capabilities of these systems. However, a significant challenge arises from the labor-intensive process of manually constructing ontologies, which can consume valuable time and resources. While ontologies offer numerous advantages, including robust knowledge inference and scalability, the limitations of manual ontology creation are evident in terms of time and flexibility. Therefore, the primary objective of this research is to develop an efficient and automated solution that harnesses the benefits of ontologies while reducing the time …

Evaluating The Impact Of Hybrid Ventilation Strategies On Reducing The Cooling Load And Achieving Thermal Comfort Of Buildings: Regarding Arid Climate Of Uae, Sheikha A Hmed Al Niyadi

Theses

The hybrid ventilation system has shown considerable potential in managing indoor thermal comfort, preserving indoor air quality, and minimizing energy usage. This is achieved by integrating natural and mechanical ventilation. When natural ventilation is unfeasible, the system smoothly transitions to mechanical ventilation to uphold optimal indoor thermal comfort levels. However, the application of this system in extremely arid regions poses a challenge due to the high energy consumption linked to air conditioning and cooling during the summer. In these areas, air conditioning and cooling alone represent approximately 60% of urban energy consumption. This study aims to assess the viability of …

Theoretical And Computational Astrochemistry: A Variational Quantum Monte Carlo (Vqmc) Study Of The Trihydrogen Molecule Cation (H3+), Ahmad Saeed Alsaed

Theses

H₃⁺ is the simplest Three-Center Two-Electron molecule and it is of much interest in astrochemistry due to its high occurrence in the outer space, high reactivity, and strong acidic properties. In addition,H₃⁺ is involved in many chemical reactions in the interstellar medium (ISM) and its significant ability to absorb energy contributed to the cooling of the Universe during its early stages.

The main objective of this thesis is to approximate the ground state electronic energy of H₃⁺ by using a simple trial wavefunction consisting of a doubly occupied molecular orbital multiplied by a Jastrow …

Locally Tailored Knowledge, Attitude And Practice Towards Diet Sustainability Questionnaire: Validation Among Uaeu Adults, Asma Bahaaldeen Numan

Theses

Food production is a major contributor to global environmental change and sustainability. Sustainable diets can be defined as “diets with low environmental impacts which contribute to food and nutrition security and healthy life for present and future generations”. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) aims to enhance its food security to meet the current local demand and future needs of an increasing population. Before determining a sustainable diet pattern for the UAE population, it is foremost more important to understand the perception of sustainable diet production and consumption. A thorough comprehension of the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the United Arab …

Faithful Representation Of Free Groups And Congruent Subgroups Of Sl3(Z), Julius Kurian

Theses

This thesis is concerned with the matrix representation of a free nonabelian group by matrices of size ≥ 3. We proceed from defining an equivalence class and then transitioning to free groups.We discuss in details the group G_n(k) which is the group generated by the matrices filled with first, (second, etc.) column, except for the intersection with the diagonal, and we have ones on the diagonal and zeros at the other places. The filled places are occupied by the same parameter k. An alternative proof for the known fact that G_n(3) is not …

Pricing Asian Options During Crises With The Impact Of Exogenous Event, Moath Ali Bakour

Theses

Asian options are financial derivatives products whose value depends on the value of underlying asset prices. These options are called path-dependent since their payoff is built on the prices of the underlying asset over some time. As in the case of the European options, the Asian option pricing problem is primarily subject to the prediction model for asset prices. The pioneer Black-Scholes model in the paper [2] suggests a GBM-Geometric Brownian motion. The Black-Scholes formula has several shortcomings. For instance, the Geometric Brownian motion does not take into consideration crises. Another problem in the Black- Scholes model is that it …

Perspectives Of Special Education Teachers On The Transition Of Students With Special Needs From High School To University, Noor Abdulkader Mamich

Theses

Post-secondary transition is a significant phase in the life of high school students with special needs. Special education teachers play a crucial role in supporting students in this process. This study aims at exploring the perspectives of special education teachers on transitioning high school students with special needs into university. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with four special education teachers in Al Ain city in the United Arab Emirates. The teachers were asked questions on four themes: their skills on postsecondary transition, their post-secondary transition planning, the barriers they face during post-secondary transition, and finally the facilitation of smooth post-secondary transition …

Design Analysis Of The Structural System Of Alainsat-1 Cubesat By Simulation And Experimental Validation, Abdalla Saad Elshaal

Theses

This thesis presents the process of conducting the structural analysis of AlAinSat-1 CubeSat through a numerical solution using Siemens NX. AlAinSat-1 is a 3U remote-sensing CubeSat carrying two earth observation payloads. The CubeSat is scheduled for launch on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. To ensure the success of the mission and its ability to withstand the launch environment, several scenarios should be analyzed. For the AlAinSat-1 model, the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) method is used, and four types of structural analyses are considered: modal, quasi-static, buckling, and random vibration analyses. The steps followed include idealizing, meshing, assembling, applying connections and boundary …

Unveiling The Origins Of Source Code Through Authorship Attribution: A Comparative Study Of Ai And Human Coding Patterns, Shamma Humaid Alalawi

Theses

In recent years, Artificial Intelligence (AI) techniques have been used for source code authorship attribution, which is the process of identifying the original author of a given piece of code. With the advancement of AI technologies like ChatGPT, which can generate code, there is a need to accurately identify whether a piece of code is written by a human or generated by a machine. This is crucial for intellectual property protection, cybersecurity, and software forensics. The main objective of this thesis is to review existing research on source code authorship attribution and conduct several experiments to determine the best AI …