Digital Commons Network^™

Fs Faculty Rights And Responsibilities Committee Minutes 2025-05-07, Northern Illinois University

Faculty Senate Archives

No abstract provided.

Reevaluating Electroencephalography Monitoring In Koolen-De Vries Syndrome: A Case Of Delayed Focal Impaired Consciousness Seizure Diagnosis, Ryan Nazari, Manav Nayeni, Pavan Sakhamuru, Anuj Gupta, Charles V. Moylan

Student Publications

Koolen-de Vries syndrome (KdVS) is a rare multisystem genetic disorder due to deletions in the KANSL1 gene. The most common type of seizure documented in these patients is focal impaired consciousness seizure (FICS). These seizures present with difficult-to-distinguish characteristics, including autonomic symptoms, brief loss of consciousness, and post-ictal confusion. The ambiguity of this presentation can make it difficult to detect clinically. This case presents an eight-year-old male child with KdVS who presented to the clinic with complaints of increased outbursts, spatial disorientation, issues with mood and self-regulation, and episodes of “spacing out” as noted by his teacher. The initial diagnosis …

Facilitating Design Of Effective, Scalable Digital Mental Health Care, Himanshu Mahesh Patil

Dartmouth College Master’s Theses

This thesis tackles the challenges of designing effective, scalable digital mental health care solutions by integrating psychological research with human-computer interaction (HCI) principles. An exploration of self-care technologies (SCTs) for mental health is conducted to highlight challenges to comparative analysis, like fragmented research outcomes. Two research questions are posed to investigate how mental health interventions can be designed to be effective and overcome practical challenges to implementation. A theoretical framework in clinical psychology is adapted to bridge the gap between psychology and HCI. A methodology for conducting standardized, structured comparative analysis of mental health interventions is identified. The identified method …

A Honduran Prevalence Study On Soil-Transmitted Helminths Highlights Serological Antibodies To Tm-Wap49 As A Diagnostic Marker For Exposure To Human Trichuriasis, Neima Briggs, Leroy Versteeg, Rojelio Mejia, Jeroen Pollet, Maria Jose Villar, Bin Zhan, Graeme Segal, Stephanie Novak, Patricia Lenihan, Paul Musgrave, Viviana Ellis, Carol Florencia Coello, K Jagannadha Sastry, Joe Craft, Peter J Hotez, Maria Elena Bottazzi

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections rank among the most prevalent communicable diseases of humans, yet detection of these parasites is mostly restricted to identifying active infection through fecal examinations. Currently, there are no commercial diagnostic tools to identify a prior whipworm or hookworm exposure, and the few serological assays for roundworm infection have not been well validated for crossreactivity or infections in humans. Such diagnostic restrictions limit the range of scientific and clinical questions that surround STH exposures and their implicated relationship to chronic diseases, such as autoimmunity, allergy, and cancer. The goal of this investigation was to evaluate the diagnostic …

Genomic Landscape Of Diffuse Glioma Revealed By Whole Genome Sequencing., B Kinnersley, J Jung, Cornish Aj, D Chubb, R Laxton, A Frangou, Gruber Aj, A Sud, G Caravagna, A Sottoriva, Wedge Dc, T Booth, S Al-Sarraj, K Ashkan, Ellie Edlmann

Peninsula Medical School

Diffuse gliomas are the commonest malignant primary brain tumour in adults. Herein, we present analysis of the genomic landscape of adult glioma, by whole genome sequencing of 403 tumours (256 glioblastoma, 89 astrocytoma, 58 oligodendroglioma; 338 primary, 65 recurrence). We identify an extended catalogue of recurrent coding and non-coding genetic mutations that represents a source for future studies and provides a high-resolution map of structural variants, copy number changes and global genome features including telomere length, mutational signatures and extrachromosomal DNA. Finally, we relate these to clinical outcome. As well as identifying drug targets for treatment of glioma our findings …

Statistically Speaking...How Long Can The Next Pope Expect To Live?, Julian Stander, Mario Cortina-Borja

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

We review our 2016 Bayesian survival analysis model prediction of the post-election survival time of Pope Francis, finding it to be accurate. We present a Lexis diagram showing the post-election survival times of popes from 1404. We use our model to make post-election survival time predictions for hypothetical popes aged 50, 60, 70 and 80 years. In the light of the election of Cardinal Prevost on 8th May 2025, we predict the post-election survival time of Pope Leo XIV. The advantage of our approach is that it yields the full survival time distribution, rather than just a point estimate.

Electrodeposited Conductive Polymer Coatings And Methods Of Use, Wenyang Pan, Pinghung Wei, Zixuan Deng, Li Yao, Vanessa Tolosa, Zidong Li, Ru He

Defensive Publications Series

Provided herein are methods and compositions for producing a conductive polymer coating on hard and soft electrode surfaces. The conductive polymer materials include 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene monomer or a derivative thereof, and a dopant. The conductive polymer can include additives including a surfactant or crosslinker. Also described herein are methods of making conductive polymer coatings. Further described herein are molded products including the conductive polymer material as described herein and wearable devices including the molded products.

Interview With Early Career Librarian Seyvion Scott, Rebecca Mccall

Information Literacy Collab

No abstract provided.

Reflection Experience As A New Information Literacy Instructor, Joel Carpenter

Information Literacy Collab

No abstract provided.

The Management Of Elections In Namibia: An Appraisal, Lesley Blaauw

Journal of African Policy Studies

Namibia's accession to independence in 1990 culminated in the holding of elections in November 1989. What was called the "independence elections" was supervised by the United Nations (UN) and occurred in an "expectant" and almost carnival-like atmosphere. The outcome of the 1989 elections was accepted by all contending parties. In the aftermath of independence, an electoral commission established in 1992 had the primary purpose of managing elections in Namibia. During the first decade of independence, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) was successful in arranging National Assembly elections in both 1994 and 1999. While minor problems were reported by the …

Peacemaking Or Pacification For The Pool: The Restoration Of State Authority In A Rebellious Region Of Congo-Brazzaville, John F. Clark, Brett Carter

Journal of African Policy Studies

Congo (Brazzaville) has experienced a succession of periods of civil violence that has included an outbreak of ethno-political killing in 1993-1994, two full scale civil wars in 1997 and 1998-1999, and another round of regional rebellion in 2002-2003. Since 2003, the Pool region, site of the last round of serious fighting, has often been the scene of continuing episodes of banditry and corollary government crackdowns. The civil war of 1997 brought back to power Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Congo's ruler under a nominally Marxist regime between 1979 and 1991. Since 1997, Sassou has operated as an "electoral authoritarian" ruler; that is, he …

Cover And Table Of Contents, Institute On African Affairs

Journal of African Policy Studies

No abstract provided.

Youth Participation In Local And National Development In Ghana, Ca. 1620–2013, Ransford Gyampo, Franklin Obeng-Odoom

Journal of African Policy Studies

While there has been a long tradition in development studies on analyzing types of participation and their effectiveness, the idea that participation is not stationary, but that it can evolve with variegated experiences, is relatively unexplored. This paper takes up the challenge of showing how participation in development planning can change, the role of underlying institutions, and the implications of evolutionary participatory development for policy making. It uses a critical postcolonial approach and zooms in on the role of the youth in development planning in Ghana. It knits together the diverse processes and dynamics of youth participation in postcolonial Ghana …

Uganda Intervention, Saba Jallow

Journal of African Policy Studies

No abstract provided.

Women And Politics In Nigeria: A Typology And An Assessment, Emma Chukwuemeka

Journal of African Policy Studies

The study was carried out to investigate the extent women participate in politics in Nigeria. Abia and Imo states were closely studied. Two hypotheses were formulated. The instruments used for data collection were questionnaire, interview and focus group discussion. A total of 354 copies of questionnaire were distributed, out of this number, 349 copies were completed and returned by the respondents. Z-test statistical tool was used to analyze the data, Based on the analysis, the major findings revealed that violence against women deters women from getting actively involved in politics in Nigeria. Also culture and traditional ethos prevent the advancement …

Political Corruption, Critical Governance Problem Facing The Nigerian State: Comparative Assessment Of Various Regimes, Brian-Vincent Ikejiaku

Journal of African Policy Studies

This paper examines political corruption as the most critical problem of Governance besieging Nigeria, by looking at, assessing and comparing the various administrations, both the civil and the military. The state of poverty, peace and development in each government were used as assessment indicators. The focus is from 1979 when democracy was introduced in Nigeria to 2007 when President Obasanjo left the corridor of power. Whereas this paper uses few direct citations and evidence from other works/reports to support its case, it however argues that political corruption impacted negatively on the poverty, peace and development of the Nigerian state. The …

Cover And Table Of Contents, Institute On African Affairs

Journal of African Policy Studies

No abstract provided.

The Responsibility To Protect (R2p) And The Democratic Republic Of The Congo (Drc): An Analysis, Carrie Crawford

Journal of African Policy Studies

This paper examines the tragedy resulting from the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and raises the question as to why the International Community has not responded throughout the many years the conflict has been going on. Using the UN doctrine of Responsibility to Protect (R2P), the paper shows the inconsistency in the application of the doctrine by the UN when it comes to the conflict in the DRC. This inconsistency, the paper argues, is due to the fact that the major powers do not see the DRC as sufficiently being in their national interest as say …

Insecurity And The African State: The Myth And Reality Of Armed Non-State Actors, Eliza M. Johannes

Journal of African Policy Studies

Armed non-state militia groups of different shades—comprising rebels, criminals, extremist religious militants, and other opportunistic outfits—have played a significant role in creating instability and undermining human security in Africa. The militia and rebel groups, including the Islamist militant groups have fomented unending ethnic and religious tensions and conflicts in the region. Cognizant of this state of affairs, in this paper I analyze and try to explain the rise of some notable militia groups in Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Central African Republic. While focusing on the Mungiki, the Mombasa Republican Council (MRC) in …

Waste Of Colossal Oil Revenues, Corruption And Lack Of Development In Nigeria: Five Decades Of Self-Governance And Four Decades Of Oil-Driven Economy, Tonyesima Furro

Journal of African Policy Studies

The study examines the circumstances that have continually plagued the Nigerian state to remain in its doldrums of underdevelopment after five decades of self-governance and four decades of oil driven economy. The nation has not been able to catapult itself from a Third World to that of developed nation such as South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia - all of which are less naturally endowed than Nigeria. The nation's economy has been supported by oil over the last 40 years. However, successive administrations both the generals and civilian rule have continued to follow similar patterns of squandering vast resources of the …

Anti-Corruption Inspections: A Missing Element Of The Imf/World Bank Agenda?, Stuart S. Yeh

Journal of African Policy Studies

This article draws upon a range of empirical and theoretical literature to advance a theoretical argument that an international treaty is needed to establish international inspectors who would be empowered to conduct independent investigations into allegations of corruption. This type of treaty could serve to deter and reduce the level of corruption in sub-Saharan Africa, thereby promoting the rule of law, good governance, and economic growth in this region. In this view, a change in international law is needed to deter corruption and lay a foundation for good governance that would permit Western assistance to be effective. In contrast, the …

Cover And Table Of Contents, Institute On African Affairs

Journal of African Policy Studies

No abstract provided.

Book Reviews, Percyslage Chigora

Journal of African Policy Studies

No abstract provided.

Anglophone Cameroon In Search Of Identity: Obstacles And Prospects, Tangie Nsoh Fonchingong

Journal of African Policy Studies

The former British Southern Cameroons opted in a UN organised plebiscite in 1961 to unify with La Republique du Cameroun to form a federation of two states that were said to be on a footing of equality. But contrary to declarations and expectations, the federation was not one of equal states. It was instead a veiled preparatory stage for the total assimilation of the Southern Cameroons into the highly centralised La Republique du Cameroun francophone unitary state. Through a number of assimilation stages, the Southern Cameroons has lost its autonomy to La Republique du Cameroun, its people marginalised, institutions destroyed, …

Foreign Investment And Repression In Lesotho, Amir Azarvan

Journal of African Policy Studies

According to neoliberal theory, foreign direct investment enhances socioeconomic conditions in host countries, which in turn leads to democratization and greater protection of human rights. The structuralist theory, in contrast, holds that, in interaction with domestic unrest, foreign investment fosters repression. Lesotho serves as a fitting laboratory in which to test these competing theories. In 1995, the country had experienced a huge surge in foreign direct investment. In the period leading up to and during this increase, Lesotho was among the most impoverished countries in the world, and had a relatively poor human rights record. This confluence of factors makes …

Cover And Table Of Contents, Institute On African Affairs

Journal of African Policy Studies

No abstract provided.

Regional Variations In Maternal Mortality, Infant Mortality, And Infants With Low Birth Weight: Implications For Sub Sahara Africa And Gender-Sensitive Policies, Guang-Zhen Wang

Journal of African Policy Studies

The paper examines regional variations in maternal mortality, infant mortality, and percentage infants with low birth weight in relation to economic development, gender equality, and women's rights by using data obtained from 137 developing countries (or areas). The 137 developing countries are divided into six regions: sub-Saharan Africa (N=45), Arab states (N=20), East Asia/Pacific (N=28), South Asia (N=9), Latin America/Caribbean (N=33), and Southern Europe (N=2). To examine regional variations, this paper is divided into four parts. The first part discusses regional variations in maternal mortality, infant mortality, and infants with low birth weight across and within regions. Part two focuses …

Design, Implementation, And Reflection From An Interdisciplinary Course In Museum Studies, Brenna L. Decker

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this introduction here.

In Spring of 2023, I developed a special topics course titled Collection Material Handling to introduce students to museum management using Utah State University collections on the Logan, UT campus. The cross-listed upper-level course brought 16 USU students together from two disciplines: anthropology and natural sciences. The publication details how I used various learning theories to guide the creation of course content and how I structured and implemented activities in the classroom and in the collections. Examples of worksheets, activities, student feedback, and recommended improvements to assignments are provided. I encourage …

Learning A Little Bit Harder: The Intersecting Experiences Of First-Generation And Single-Mother College Students, Natalie Lecy, Elizabeth Hendrix, Brian A. Droubay

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this introduction here.

This study examines the experiences of nine first-generation, single-mother college students, focusing on these intersecting, double-jeopardy identities. Participants’ difficulty navigating college varied; contributing factors included family background, social capital, the type of college attended, and whether they established a mentor. The following themes were established: 1) realizing college is an option, 2) caught between two worlds, 3) college wasn’t designed for us, 4) economic barriers, and 5) disparities in social capital. Our findings indicate colleges were unprepared to meet the unique challenges faced by this group. We present recommendations for the …

The Role And Influence Of Faculty As Predictors For Retention And Satisfaction Among Generation Z, Katelyn Romsa, Stephani Jarecke, Jessie H. Hendricks, Bryan Romsa

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this introduction here.

While previous research has established that faculty and their interactions with students have had the greatest impact on student retention and satisfaction for centuries, limited studies have been done to understand how faculty are influencing Generation Z, our newest generation of students in higher education. This study examined how the quantity of faculty interactions is impacting student retention and satisfaction among 342 Generation Z first-year college students at a public land-grant institution in the Midwest using the National Survey of Student Engagement instrument. In a Mann-Whitney U test, significant difference was …