Digital Commons Network^™

Student, Faculty, And Coaches’ Perceptions And Experience Of Academic Coaching In Online Courses, Jessica M. Sanchez, Harriet E. Watkins, Francisco Garcia, Claudia Vela

Teaching and Learning Faculty Publications

This chapter explores student, faculty, and online academic coaches' perceptions of academic coaching in large online courses at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), one of the nation's largest Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs). Our goal was to examine their experiences to gain insights into the effectiveness of academic coaching and identify areas for improvement. The results have implications for institutions looking to enhance student support services and promote student success in online learning environments.

Insect-Foundation: A Foundation Model And Large Multimodal Dataset For Vision-Language Insect Understanding, Thanh-Dat Truong, Hoang-Quan Nguyen, Xuan-Bac Nguyen, Ashley Dowling, Xin Li, Khoa Luu

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Faculty Publications and Presentations

Multimodal conversational generative AI has shown impressive capabilities in various vision and language understanding through learning massive text-image data. However, current conversational models still lack knowledge about visual insects since they are often trained on the general knowledge of vision-language data. Meanwhile, understanding insects is a fundamental problem in precision agriculture, helping to promote sustainable development in agriculture. Therefore, this paper proposes a novel multimodal conversational model, Insect-LLaVA, to promote visual understanding in insect-domain knowledge. In particular, we first introduce a new large-scale Multimodal Insect Dataset with Visual Insect Instruction Data that enables the capability of learning the multimodal foundation …

Impact Of Feature Standardization On Heart Disease Prediction A Comparative Analysis Of Logistic Regression And Support Vector Machine Models, Norsyela Muhammad Noor Mathivanan, Eric Foo Zhi Xian, Debbie Foo Yong, Hiang Kiat Chua

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

Cardiovascular diseases are among the leading causes of global mortality. Heart disease, in particular, remains a major contributor to this burden, highlighting the need for effective predictive models to enable early detection. This study investigates the impact of feature standardization using StandardScaler on the performance of two prominent machine learning models involving Logistic Regression (LR) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) for predicting heart disease. The research utilizes a dataset comprising demographic and clinical attributes of patients, focusing on the role of feature standardization in enhancing model performance. The study compares models trained on raw data and standardized data, applying performance …

Haar Cascade Algorithm For Microsleep Detection, Norkhushaini Awang, Ahmad Mirza Azhar

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

Drowsy driving, particularly due to microsleep episodes, is a significant cause of traffic accidents, with existing solutions being often too costly or limited for widespread adoption. This project addresses this critical gap by developing a cost-effective, real-time Internet of Things (IoT)-based anti-microsleep alarm system. The system's development followed a fourstage process: Planning, Design, Development, and Evaluation. During the development phase, the system was built in Python using OpenCV and dlib for real-time facial analysis and the Haar Cascade algorithm for efficient facial feature detection. Key metrics like the Eye Aspect Ratio (EAR) and lip distance were monitored to identify signs …

Review And Gap Analysis On Mathematical Programming Models For Urban E Grocery Delivery, Nur Hazimah Basir, Adibah Shuib

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

Online grocery shopping or e-grocery has becoming more relevant nowadays when consumers' shopping habit changed due to pandemic COVID-19 while e-Commerce rapidly transformed consumers’ lifestyle and buying behaviour in recent years, Consumers’ expectation for faster, better and cheaper delivery put e-grocers under rising pressure to improve delivery speed, achieving environmentally friendly delivery methods and addressing issues of making profit. There have been studies worldwide on development of more efficient e-grocery delivery system. However, studies concerning e-grocery delivery in Malaysia are still lacking especially on those utilizing mathematical programming models for delivery optimization. Our study focuses on the formulation of mixed …

E-Commerce Requirement Analysis And Design With Fogg Behavior Model Fbm, Fauziah Ahmad, Syafiyana Elysha Asmadi, Norjansalika Janom

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

E-commerce platforms often struggle to convert user visits into meaningful actions, and this paper explores how the Fogg Behavior Model (FBM) can be used to design a more effective e-commerce (EC) platform. FBM focuses on three key factors that influence user behavior: motivation, ability, and triggers. It offers a structured framework for designing systems that not only meet functional needs but also enhance user engagement and actions. The Web Development Life Cycle (WDLC) method was employed to develop an EC platform for Carro Empire, a small business enterprise that wanted to improve its EC platform to attract and expand its …

Hamming Distance Of Generalised L-R Intuitionistic Fuzzy Number And Its Application, Muhammad Asyran Shafie, Nor Hanimah Kamis, Daud Mohamad, Seripah Awang Kechil

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

This paper proposes a distance measure for generalised L-R intuitionistic fuzzy number (GLRIFN) which is Hamming distance, aiming to enhance the theoretical and practical tools available for decision-making under uncertainty. The properties of the Hamming distance of generalised L-R intuitionistic fuzzy number are also discussed in this study. GLRIFN extends traditional L-R intuitionistic fuzzy number by incorporating confidence level for both membership and non-membership functions, making them more reliable in the evaluation process. To demonstrate the practical utility of the proposed measure, it is applied within the Generalised L-R Intuitionistic Fuzzy Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal …

A Multicriteria Decision Model For Sustainable Port Functions In Environmental Perspectives

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

Port operations, while critical to global trade and economic growth, contribute significantly to environmental pressures through activities such as vessel traffic, cargo handling, dredging, and on-dock transportation, leading to emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants. Hence, it is of priority to have a systematic evaluation and prioritization of sustainability measures across port functions. This study employs a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), to evaluate and prioritize key functional roles and subfunctions that contribute to port sustainability performance. By engaging expert judgment from two leading ports in Malaysia, the analysis identifies stakeholder priorities on the emphasis …

Towards A Unified Framework For Knowledge Tracing With Graph Convolutional And Neural Architectures, Yaxi Su, Mohamad Yusof Darus, Norizan Mat Diah, Jinpeng Huang, Azlin Ramli

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

This paper sets out to propose a unified theoretical framework for knowledge tracing (KT) that combines graph convolutional networks (GCNs) with neural sequence architectures in intelligent tutoring systems. While existing methods have achieved some success, they face limitations in modelling relational dependencies among concepts and the temporal progression of learner behaviour. Building on socio-constructivist views of knowledge as a network of relations and connectionist accounts of learning as adaptation over time, the framework integrates graph-based relational reasoning with sequence-based temporal modelling. The argument advanced here is that the integration offers interpretable representations of knowledge states while preserving predictive performance. The …

Prevalence Of Risk Factors And Severity Level Of Diabetic Retinopathy In Uitm Medical Specialist Centre:An Ordinal Analysis, Aniza Ayuna Che Jani, Zuraida Khairudin, Nornadiah Mohd Razali, Nor Azimah Abd Aziz, Hezlin Aryani Abd Rahman, Nur Syamimi Haji Abu Bakar

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) has become a major concern as the number of diabetic patients who are diagnosed with DR has been on the rise each year. Hence, the adoption of a strategic approach is needed to determine the factors that contribute to the level of severity in DR patients. This research aims to determine the significant risk factors influencing the severity level of DR as well as to evaluate the classification rate between the severity level of 157 patients at UiTM Private Specialist Centre by employing the Ordinal Logistic Regression (OLR) analysis. The study revealed that there were 60 (38%) …

Utilizing Mathematical Software For The Teaching And Learning Of Mathematics In Malaysia, Naiim Fatimi Che Mansor, Saufianim Jana Aksah, Nor Aziyatul Izni, Khairul Huda Yusof, M. N. Mohammed

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

The paper examines the effects of mathematical software on the academic performance of secondary school students, along with its roles in facilitating technological adaptation among the students in mathematics education. The study is motivated by persistent challenges in students’ mathematics achievement and the limited integration of technology in classroom practices, despite the increasing availability of digital tools in schools. Two main objectives guided the research are to evaluate the effectiveness of mathematical software in improving students’ comprehension of mathematics, and to measure the extent of technology integration among students in mathematics learning. A quantitative research design was employed, involving 100 …

Designing A Community Based Information System Using Activity Theory A Case Study In Taman Lapangan Jaya, Norsyazwani Hafizah Reduan, Kamalia Azma Kamaruddin

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

Effective communication and information sharing are vital for active neighbourhood participation, yet many communities still rely on informal group chats that lead to fragmented updates, lost documents, and frequent miscommunication. This study addresses this gap by applying Activity Theory (AT) to systematically identify requirements for a centralized community communication and information-sharing platform in Taman Lapangan Jaya. Using AT, the seven elements of activity were mapped to reveal key issues such as the communication bottleneck, lack of document accessibility, and unclear division of responsibilities. These findings informed the design of a web-based system featuring structured document repositories, role-based information management, and …

Human-Computer Interaction Experience And Customer Loyalty In Chinese Hotels The Moderating Effect Of Brand Trust, Xie Lu, Xinying Yuan, Zeyu Chen, Johanudin Lahap

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

In the era of digital transformation, human-computer interaction has become a critical factor in shaping customer experiences and loyalty, particularly in the hospitality industry. This study investigates the relationship between human-computer interaction experiences and customer loyalty in Chinese hotels, with a focus on the moderating role of brand trust. Drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model, the research explores how perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of human-computer interaction systems influence customer loyalty while considering the impact of brand trust as a moderating variable. Using a quantitative research design, data were collected from 350 hotel guests in China who had …

Modified Hungarian Method For Lecturer To Course Assignment A Multi Objective Mathematical Programming Model, Nur Syahirah Ibrahim, Adibah Shuib, Zati Aqmar Zaharudin

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

Efficient lecturer-to-course assignment is crucial for ensuring both faculty satisfaction and optimal teaching outcomes in higher education institutions. This study presents an advanced optimization model based on the Modified Hungarian Method (MHM) to address this challenge by integrating lecturers' preference levels and competency scores. While previous research has primarily focused on the traditional Hungarian Method (HM), limited attention has been given to its modified version. Moreover, the incorporation of preference-competency-based criteria in lecturer assignments is still lacking. To bridge these gaps, this study develops a mathematical programming approach to refine the MHM framework. The proposed model, called the Preference-Competency Multi-Objective …

Law Enforcement, Reproductive Health Information, And The Hipaa Privacy Rule, Stacey A. Tovino

Faculty Articles

On April 26, 2024, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) promulgated a final rule (Final Rule) amending the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) Privacy Rule. The Final Rule prohibits HIPAA covered entities and business associates from using and disclosing protected health information (PHI) to conduct criminal, civil, or administrative investigations into an individual for the mere act of seeking, obtaining, providing, or facilitating lawful reproductive health care. The Final Rule also prohibits HIPAA covered entities and business associates from using and disclosing PHI to impose criminal, civil, and administrative liability on any individual, or to …

Governance In The Absence Of Government, Tracy Hresko Pearl

Faculty Articles

Artificial intelligence (AI) is advancing at an unprecedented pace, with generative systems exerting growing influence over social, economic, and political life. While Al offers opportunities for innovation and efficiency, it also poses risks ranging from misinformation and job displacement to existential threats if highly autonomous systems evade human control. Across industry, government, and civil society, there is broad consensus that Al requires oversight.

Yet traditional U.S. regulatory approaches face six significant barriers: (1) technology outpacing legislation, (2) limited Al expertise among policymakers, (3) regulatory capture, (4) political gridlock, (5) outdated governance structures, and (6) the inherent complexity of Al. Combined …

Barriers And Best Practices In Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion (Dei) Initiatives: A Case Study From The United States Aerospace And Defense Industry, Jeremy A. Bailey

Doctoral Dissertations and Master's Theses

The main objective of this study was to unpack the barriers around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and then provide best practices to improve DEI efforts in the aerospace and defense (A&D) industry. There has been a multitude of research conducted on DEI in the past few years. However, very little research has focused on DEI practices in the A&D industry. This case study focused on one large company in this industry to explore and understand various aspects of DEI initiative implementation. As organizations strive to meet industry and client objectives, as well as address employee needs, two research …

Shsp Dean's Newsletter, Fall 2025, Robert W. Amler

SHSP Dean’s Newsletter

No abstract provided.

Co2-Induced Changes In Rheology, Structural Evolution, And Particle Characteristics Of Cement Paste, Seongho Han, Tae Yong Shin, Seung Mo Kim, Jae Hong Kim, Kamal H. Khayat

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The injection of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into cementitious systems has emerged as a promising approach to enhancing sustainability in concrete production. This study explores the impact of CO₂ injection on the rheological behavior, structural build-up, and particle size evolution of cement paste by systematically varying the water-to-cement ratio (w/c) (0.35, 0.4, and 0.5) and CO₂ concentration (0.06, 0.28, and 0.84 mol). Rheological analysis revealed a significant increase in initial yield stress with CO₂ injection. Using the Modified Bingham model, yield stress increased by 72 % and 150 % for 0.28- and 0.84-mol CO₂, …

Control And Cuckoldry In “Calypso” And “Circe”, Corinne Lafont , '26

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

Sex, femininity, and dirt in James Joyce’s Ulysses form what Julie Kristeva calls “abjection.” The abject is "the border where exact limits between same and other, subject and object, and even beyond these, between inside and outside, and disappearing—hence an Object of fear and fascination,” (Kristeva 1980, 185) evident by Leopold Bloom’s identity as a cuckold. Alternately approached with loss, disconnection, and anxiety, the text reveals that Leopold Bloom craves his abject to distance himself from physical and emotional rejection. “Calypso” establishes how his abject operates as a defense mechanism to self-defile before others can approach any realized sexual bond. …

Mama, Appa, And Titi: What Makes Words Sound Parental? A Phonological Exploration Of Parental Terms In And Beyond The Gender Binary, Madeleine C. S. Kruckemeye , '26

Senior Theses, Projects, and Awards

This paper addresses the following research question: What phonological components make a word sound ‘parental’ cross-linguistically and (how) do those components relate to the social genders associated with the word? The goal in answering this question is to extend Jakobson (1960) and Murdock’s (1959) work to be inclusive of our current understanding of gender and gender roles, and to create more options for queer parents and other families that are recognizable as parental terms, an important factor as found by Frank et al. (2017). The research consists of a literature review, an analysis of cross-linguistic parental terms, and an online …

General Music Pedagogies Through The Lens Of Culturally Relevant Pedagogy, David Dockan, Carla Aguilar, Martina Vasil, Brent M. Gault, Jason D. Jones, Robin Giebelhausen, Sandra Sanchez Adorno

School of Music Faculty Publications

Common general music pedagogies include Orff-Keetman, Kodály, Dalcroze, Music Learning Theory, and World Music Pedagogy. These approaches engage learners through moving to music, playing instruments, and developing aural skills with repertoire from around the globe. As we look toward the future, general music classroom teachers are working to create engaging and relevant learning spaces. To help make the music classroom relevant for their students, music educators might consider incorporating culturally relevant pedagogy into general music pedagogies. The framework of culturally relevant pedagogy uses academic success, cultural competence, and critical consciousness as pillars for practice. In this article, authors share their …

Safe Sex In The Age Of Big Tech Feminism, Brenda Dvoskin, Thomas E. Kadri

Articles

Lawmakers and technology companies are regulating online sexuality in the name of feminism. Whereas libertarian ideals dominated early debates about internet governance, "safety" has become the rallying cry to regulate online activity in the age of Big Tech. Legislators across the political spectrum and companies around the world are devising interventions meant to keep people - and especially women safe from the risks of online sexuality. Through law and technology, they target everything from privacy invasions to unwanted messages to sexual deepfakes. We call this regulatory and ideological trend Big Tech feminism.

This Article interrogates the feminist strands animating Big …

Defining The Field Of Law And Macroeconomics: A Framework From International Monetary Law, Nikita Aggarwal, Adam Feibelman

Articles

This Article proposes an analytical framework for defining the contours of the emerging field of law and macroeconomics drawing on the International Monetary Fund's principle of "macro-criticality." Such a framework can help steer scholarly debate toward a clearer understanding of the relationship between law and the economy and inform policymaking within that domain. In its native context, the macro-criticality principle limits the IMF's jurisdiction to policy areas that are critical for member countries' domestic and external stability. The IMF's approach distinguishes between a core set of macrocritical policies and other non-core policies that are contextually macrocritical. Over time, the IMF …

Translating Evidence To Action To Improve Care And Outcomes In Type 2 Diabetes And Chronic Kidney Disease, Joshua J. Neumiller, Nuha A. Elsayed

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Approaches To Reduce The Impact Of Stroke In Gulf Cooperation Council Nations, Muath A. Alammar

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Integrating Point-Of-Care Ultrasound Into Prehospital Care, Hatem Soliman Aboumarie

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

The Economic Burden Of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease In The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia, Mirvat Alasnag, Adel Tash

Saudi Medical Journal

No abstract provided.

Saudi Clinical Practice Guidelines For Management Of Diabetic Kidney Disease In Adults, Khalid I. Almatham, Hajer Y. Almudaiheem, Waleed A. Alhazzani, Haifa F. Alotaibi, Saad S. Alobaili, Mohammed H. Tawhari, Saud N. Alsifri, Rehab B. Albakr, Mohammed N. Alomi, Khalidah A. Alenzi, Bedor A. Al-Omari, Ahmed H. Al-Jedai

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To develop evidence-based national guidelines incorporating recent advancements in clinical research and therapeutic strategies for the management of patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: We developed the guidelines using the GRADE methodology and a multidisciplinary expert panel comprising nephrologists, endocrinologists, clinical pharmacists, and methodologists across KSA. We conducted a systematic literature review of studies published between 2014–2024. The evidence certainty was evaluated across 5 domains using GRADEpro and categorized into 4 levels: “high”, “moderate”, “low”, and “very low”. Recommendations were formulated based on the benefit-risk ratio, evidence quality, and expert …

Molecular Identification Of Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Seasonal Influenza Viruses, And Sars-Cov-2 In Respiratory Tract Infections: A Cross-Sectional Study In Taif City, Mazen M. Almehmadi, Faiha A Alharbi, Ahmad K. Shawush, Mamdouh A. Allahyani, Osama A. Abdulaziz, Ayman S. Alhazmi, Ahmad A. Aghamdi

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT Objectives: To explore the prevalence of respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in Taif via molecular diagnosis method, to enhance the clinical decision making and the need for vaccination strategies. Methods: A 5864 participants were enrolled in this study, all from Taif city. Samples were collected via nasal swab, throat swab, or sputum sample. The duration of the study were 24 months from January 2023 to December 2024. Samples were transported in viral transport medium. Then processed using GeneXpert system. Fluorescent probes detected viral RNA and reported as detected or not detected. Chi-square test was applied for statistical analysis purposes. Results: …