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Psych News, Summer 2026, Illinois State University, Department Of Psychology

PSY News

Newsletter of the Illinois State University Department of Psychology

Spikerff: Learning Forward With Layer-Local Plasticity And Semi-Hard Negatives, Karthik Tumkur Kumar

Theses

Effective contrastive learning relies on choosing useful, informative "hard" negative samples. Current hard negative sampling methods designed for traditional artificial neural networks (ANNs) are, in general, computationally costly and are ill-suited to account for the temporal structure relevant to neuromorphic data. To tackle these issues, in this work, we formulate a similarity-guided semi-hard negative sampling strategy for neuromorphic computing based on spiking neural networks (SNNs). We propose SpikeRFF (Spiking Recurrent Forward-Forward), a gradient-free and unsupervised recurrent spiking framework that combines layer-local Forward-Forward learning with semi-hard negative selection and temporally structured negative construction. Positive samples are encouraged to produce high goodness, …

Integrated Optimization Of Farmland Cultivation And Fertilizer Application: Implications For Farm Management And Crop Production, Onur Boyabatli, Lusheng Shao, Yangfang (Helen) Zhou

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Motivated by the fresh produce industry, this paper studies a farmer’s joint cultivation and fertilizer (a representative farm input) application decisions facing uncertainties in yield, crop price, and harvesting cost where the latter two are yield dependent and yield is stochastically increasing in the fertilizer application rate. We develop a two-stage stochastic model of a farmer growing a commodity crop in a single season to maximize the expected profit. We then use the model to evaluate the optimal expected harvest volume (a measure of crop production). Our analytical analysis is complemented with numerical experiments calibrated to data. We characterize how …

Navigating Unemployment Without Unemployment Insurance: Evidence From Singapore, Kim, Lanjie Wang

Research Collection School Of Economics

This study investigates the short-term impacts of unemployment among older workers (aged 50–62) in Singapore, a setting with-out public unemployment insurance. Using monthly panel data from the Singapore Life Panel, we analyse dynamic effects onmajor life outcomes such as income, spending, health, and subjective wellbeing over 2 years post-unemployment. Our findingsreveal substantial initial earnings losses with incomplete recovery: income remains 50.7% below pre-unemployment levels after24 months. Despite this persistent income gap, total household expenditure declines by 9.8% on average over 2 years (rangingfrom 7% to 16% across months). The implied two-year marginal propensity to consume is about 0.182, smaller than …

Operational Agency: A Permeable Legal Fiction For Tracing Culpability In Ai Systems, Anirban Mukherjee, Hannah H. Chang

Research Collection Lee Kong Chian School Of Business

Modern artificial intelligence (AI) systems act with a high degree of independence yet lack legal personhood—a paradox that fractures doctrines grounded in human-centric notions of mens rea and actus reus. This Article introduces Operational Agency (OA)—a permeable legal fiction structured as an ex post evidentiary framework—and Operational Agency Graph (OAG)—a tool for mapping causal interactions among human actors, organizations, and AI systems. OA evaluates an AI’s observable operational characteristics: its goal-directedness (as a proxy for intent), predictive processing (as a proxy for foresight), and safety architecture (as a proxy for standard of care). OAG operationalizes that analysis by embedding these …

Adjustment Challenges In The International Student Population At A Rural Mid-Size Midwestern University, Sara El Bizri Hussein

All NMU Master's Theses

This qualitative descriptive study explored the adjustment experiences of non-athlete international students attending a rural, mid-size Midwestern university and identified the challenges and supports that shaped their transition.

Guided by Berry’s acculturation framework and informed by theories of student integration and coping, data were collected through an initial survey and semi-structured interviews. Seven participants were interviewed. Interview transcripts were analyzed using open and focused coding procedures to identify recurring patterns and themes.

Analysis revealed that international student adjustment is multidimensional and influenced by social, academic, emotional, cultural, environmental, and structural factors. Three major themes emerged from the data: (1) Social …

The Relationship Between Cognitive Control And Individual Differences In Working Memory Capacity: A High-Density Eeg Study, Conghao Gao

All NMU Master's Theses

Empirical evidence has suggested a close relationship between human working memory capacity and cognitive control approaches. Proactive control refers to the anticipatory, sustainable maintenance of cognitive control process. However, the relationship between higher working memory capacity and the use of proactive cognitive control has been inconsistent. Understanding the neural bases would substantially expand our current understanding of cognitive control and working memory models. Specifically, the examination of P3b amplitude, part of the event-related potential, evoked by a cue would provide further understanding in neural mechanisms of cognitive control. The current study examined participants’ cognitive control approaches and their electrocortical activity …

Using Zebrafish To Investigate The Innate Immune Response To R132h Mutant Glioma, Mikaela L. Fairbanks

All NMU Master's Theses

Gliomas are the most commonly occurring brain tumor found in adults. The most dominant mutation found in glioma is in the isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) gene. IDH converts isocitrate into α-ketoglutarate (α-KG), but the mutated form of it will take α-KG and further convert it into D-2-hydroxyglutarate (D-2-HG). Mutated IDH1 glioma (mIDH1) produces a higher concentration of D-2-HG than the wild-type IDH1 glioblastoma (wtIDH1). These mIDH1 tumors tend to have a better prognosis, growing slower and having less inflammation than the wtIDH1 counterpart, potentially due to the increased D-2-HG. However, the effects of mIDH1 and D-2-HG on the innate immune …

Assessing The Relationship Between The Degree Of Static And Dynamic Quadricep Angle And Kinetic Asymmetry Index % In Females During The Follicular Phase Of Menstruation, Madeline Grace Poirier

All NMU Master's Theses

The quadriceps angle (q-angle) quantifies lateral pull on the knee. Females have greater static and dynamic q-angles due to anatomical factors including a wider pelvis and more lateral tibial tuberosity, which may influence ACL injury risk. The kinetic asymmetry index (KAI %) measures limb-to-limb differences in ground reaction force (GRF) impulses during dynamic tasks including countermovement jumps (CMJs), with values > 10% linked to injury risk. During the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, fluctuating hormones increase joint laxity, further heightening biomechanical vulnerability in females.

This cross-sectional study examined the relationship between static and dynamic q-angle and KAI % in active, …

Spreading Awareness And Advocating For The Shortage Of Special Education Resources In Martin County, Florida, Lynn Potter

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement:

The goal is to prevent staff shortages of special education and student support professionals in Martin County, FL, and advocate for systemic changes that improve staff retention, raise awareness, and expand special education resources.

Significant Findings:

The shortage of ESE resources in Martin County, Florida, is affecting students’ success outcomes and relationships between parents and educators. With a 42% turnover rate over the past four years, the district needs to drastically improve teacher retention (WPBF 25 News, 2023). The western zone of Indiantown, which has a minority population of Hispanic and Latino students, is critically affected (United States …

Multi-Parametric Nonlinear Programming For Lossy Lmp Sensitivity Analysis Using Outer Progressive Cuts, Yuhan Huang, Tao Ding, Chenggang Mu, Rui Bo, Pengwei Du

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Accurate sensitivity analysis of locational marginal price (LMP) is crucial for risk hedging and market management. This paper proposes multiparametric nonlinear programming for sensitivity analysis of LMP with nonlinear network loss, also known as lossy LMP. Global analytical solutions for lossy LMP and the corresponding critical regions are derived. An outer progressive cut algorithm is developed to constrain the network loss error within a specific range for the whole parametric domain. Case studies show the improved accuracy over methods with lossless or fixed loss factors, and a two-order-of-magnitude online speedup over Monte Carlo methods while maintaining lower total computational time.

Understanding And Cultivating Algebraic Thinking: A Case Study Of Middle Grades Multilingual Learners, Damiale Johnson

Curriculum and Instruction (Ed.D.) Dissertations

Multilingual learners often encounter challenges in mathematics classrooms due to the linguistic and interpretive demands of mathematical discourse and problem-solving. This qualitative case study investigated how three seventh-grade multilingual learners developed and demonstrated algebraic thinking during collaborative mathematical problem-solving tasks. Specifically, the study examined students’ strategies and resources, the challenges they encountered, and how language, collaboration, and representation supported algebraic and functional reasoning.

Guided by situated learning theory, sociocultural developmental theory, and the Algebraic Habits of Mind framework, the study emphasized social interaction, language, and contextualized problem-solving. Participants were Spanish-speaking multilingual learners developing academic proficiency in English in a middle …

Distinct Regulatory Dna Methylation Signatures Across Multiple Sclerosis, Neuromyelitis Optica, And Neurological Post-Acute Sequelae Of Covid-19, Syed Ilyas Munzir, Daniel B. Hier, Michael D. Carrithers

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Background/Objectives: Our prior epigenome-wide association study (EWAS) on multiple sclerosis (MS) identified myeloid-associated methylation signatures and an association with enhancer regions. Here we compared differential DNA methylation across three central nervous system inflammatory disorders: MS, neuromyelitis optica (NMO), and neurologic post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (neuro-PASC). Methods: Whole-blood DNA was profiled on Infinium MethylationEPIC arrays. Analyses included EWAS at the CpG level, differentially methylation region (DMR) analysis, and gene regulatory-element enrichment using Locus Overlap Analysis (LOLA). Limma linear models were adjusted for race, EPIC array version, age, sex, disease-modifying treatment class, and blood cell composition. Results: All three diseases were associated …

After A Fire: Considerations For Residential Property Soil Testing And Restoration, Andrew J. Whelton, Todd Thalhamer, Yiming Liu, Sarah Miller, Hua Cai

Resilience to Emergencies and Disasters

No abstract provided.

Inflammation Associated With Obesity, Aging, And Amyloid Burden In Adults With Down Syndrome, Victoria L. Fleming-Batayneh, Brian C. Helsel, Lauren T. Ptomey, Benjamin L. Handen, Mark Mapstone, Melissa Petersen, Sharon J. Krinsky-Mchale, Christy L. Hom, Davneet Minhas, Weiquan Luo, Charles Laymon, Joseph H. Lee, Annie Cohen, Beau M. Ances, Adam M. Brickman, Margaret Pulsifer, H. Diana Rosas, Florencia Lai, Shahid H. Zaman, Elizabeth Head, Dana Tudorascu, Julie Price, Fredrick Schmitt, Bradley T. Christian, Ozioma Okonkwo, Sigan L. Hartley, Beau M. Ances, Howard F. Andrews, Karen Bell, Rasmus M. Birn, Adam M. Brickman

Neurology Faculty Publications

Objective: Adults with Down syndrome (DS) often show elevated systemic inflammation, but the association with obesity, aging, and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology is not well understood. Methods: Data were drawn from 188 nondemented adults with DS participating in the Alzheimer Biomarkers Consortium-DS (ABC-DS). Participants completed clinical assessments, blood draws, and neuroimaging. Plasma biomarkers included indicators of general, pro-, and anti-inflammation. Mixed linear models tested associations between BMI, age, PET-measured amyloid burden, and inflammatory biomarkers, adjusting for sex, trisomy type, and collection site. False discovery rate correction was applied. Results: The majority of the participants met criteria for obesity. Higher BMI …

Using Clinical And Thrombus Characteristics To Predict The Etiology Of Ischemic Stroke, Graham A. Branscom, Carina Seah, Tannishtha Som, James Vicari, Alan R. Dabney, Selva Baltan, Farida Sohrabji, Keith Pennypacker, Keith B. Woodward, Benjamin I. Rapoport, Sol Schulman, Justin F. Fraser, Christopher P. Kellner

Neurology Faculty Publications

Background and purpose: Ischemic stroke comprises about 87% of all stroke cases in the US. 20% of these have a cardioembolic (CE) etiology, and 25% are still considered embolic strokes of undetermined sources (ESUS). ESUS strokes are associated with worse functional outcomes and survival rates, underscoring the need for understanding the clinical differences in stroke etiology. Methods: We analyzed the Investigation of Clot in Ischemic Stroke and Hematoma Evacuation (INSIGHT) registry (NCT04693767, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04693767), which includes n=388 patients total (n=208 CE, n=142 AFIB, n=180 non-CE). We analyzed 123 data features, spanning across domains including demographics, past medical history, baseline blood lab …

Development Of The Comparative Wellness Index (Cwi): A Cross-National Assessment Of Resident Physician Wellness In India And The United States, Jeevan Nammi

Expo Student Presentations

2026 Summer Expo Oral Presentation

• Education

Patient Factors Influencing Caregiver Burden After Stroke, Madison Johnson, Catherine Vaughn, Elizabeth Byrd

Expo Student Presentations

2026 Summer Expo Poster Presentation

• Health Sciences & Health Professions

Adolescent Brain Activity During Associative Memory Encoding Is Related To Dietary Nutrient Intake, K S. Mohankumar, C T. Eickstead, A Bolaram, D K. Grey, C A. Orihuela, R Evans, S Mrug, D C. Knight

Expo Student Presentations

2026 Summer Expo Poster Presentation

• Social & Behavioral Sciences

Vegf-A Mediates Red Light-Induced Enos Expression In Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells, Iman Zuberi, Helen Brown, Nicole Lohr

Expo Student Presentations

2026 Summer Expo Poster Presentation

• Biological & Life Sciences

Machine Learning Identifies Structural Predictors And Residual Hotspots Of County-Level Cardiovascular Mortality In The United States, Jeevan Nammi

Expo Student Presentations

2026 Summer Expo Oral Presentation

• Health Sciences & Health Professions

Comparative Hepatobiliary Adverse Event Reporting Phenotypes Among Traditional And Emerging Masld Therapies: A Faers Analysis, Jeevan Nammi

Expo Student Presentations

2026 Summer Expo Oral Presentation

• Health Sciences & Health Professions

Practice Brief—Reading Strategies For Parents And Teachers, Kelsey Davison, Rebecca Marks

Science of Reading

Shared reading is an important context for supporting young children's language and emergent literacy development. Research has identified evidence-based strategies that parents and educators can use to make shared reading more interactive, language-rich, and supportive of children's learning. This brief reviews these strategies and how they can strengthen the early language skills that provide the foundation for learning to read.

Waring Library Society Newsletter, Summer 2026, Jude Arendall, J. G. Reves, Joann Livingston Zeise, Elinor Cecile Gray Borgert

The Waring Library Society Newsletters

This issue includes a tribute to President David Cole by Dr. Jerry Reves, in honor of Cole’s retirement. It features an intriguing story on the history of the X-ray, and a special article on the history of the gin and tonic, written by our very own WLS member and leader, Dr. Elinor Borgert.

Addressing Homelessness As A Key Risk Factor For Overdose Deaths In King County, Washington, Catherine Mutti-Driscoll

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement:

In this portfolio, I identify prevention strategies that address the nested problems of overdose deaths and homelessness in King County, Washington. By examining how housing instability, substance abuse, structural racism, and gaps in coordinated care intersect, this paper advocates for a responsive prevention approach that combines evidence-based substance abuse strategies, phased housing approaches, and culturally responsive care.

Significant Findings:

While recent harm reduction measures have improved overdose death rates in King County, unhoused individuals continue to account for 50% of the county’s still concerning fatal overdose numbers. Data shows that historical racism in King County also shapes who …

Addressing The Stigma: Fostering Mental Health And Resilience Among Law Enforcement Officers In The Columbia River Gorge, Claire Ranit

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement:

This portfolio aims to raise awareness of the increased risk of suicidality in small, rural law enforcement agencies and identify prevention strategies to reduce the risk by empowering and educating law enforcement officers (LEOs).

Significant Findings:

LEOs in small, rural agencies like those found in the Columbia River Gorge face significant mental health challenges, with research indicating LEOs rate of suicide at agencies employing 50 or fewer sworn staff is 43.78 per 100,000 between 2016 to 2022, compared to the United States (U.S.) general population of 13.78 per 100,000 in that same time period (Lawrence et al., 2025; …

Reducing Chronic Loneliness Among Lgbtq+ Older Adults In Greater Seattle, Douglas J. Gallup

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement

The goal of this project is to reduce chronic loneliness and social isolation among LGBTQ+ adults age 65 and older in the Greater Seattle area by increasing access to affirming, accessible, and evidence-informed opportunities for meaningful connection.

Significant Findings

LGBTQ+ older adults in Seattle and King County face elevated risks of living alone, social isolation, and limited access to affirming services, while also demonstrating substantial resilience (Fredriksen-Goldsen et al., 2015). A promising approach would combine meaningful activity, social support, practical access assistance, and PEARLS-informed strategies. GenPride is a logical community partner because its programs foster well-being and belonging …

The Impact Of Childhood Trauma On Parenting And Emotional Regulation In Charlotte, Nc], Raven Forrest

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement:

The goal of this social change project is to increase awareness of how unresolved childhood trauma can affect parenting, emotional regulation, and family relationships among low-income families in Charlotte, North Carolina. This project focuses on prevention by promoting trauma-informed education, emotional regulation skills, and evidence-based parenting support programs that can help reduce intergenerational patterns of trauma.

Significant Findings: Unresolved childhood trauma may affect adults through emotional dysregulation, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, unhealthy communication, harsh discipline, and difficulty forming healthy family relationships. These challenges may increase parenting stress and create emotionally unsafe home environments for children. In Charlotte, families …

Preventing Mental Health Issues In Children And Adolescents With Learning Disabilities, Laura Barrett

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

Goal Statement: The goal of this social change portfolio is to prevent mental health issues in children and adolescents with learning disabilities in the state of Utah.

Significant Findings: Children and adolescents with learning disabilities (LDs) in Utah face elevated risks of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and related difficulties stemming from chronic academic frustration and social challenges, yet substantial service gaps for this vulnerable population exist. Approximately 58% of children needing mental health care in Utah do not receive any, and only about half of the estimated 58,000 students diagnosed with LDs have specialized educational supports such as individualized education …

Adolescent Social Disconnection And Social Media Overuse In San Jose, California, Gilmour Arufo

Selected Social Change Portfolios in Prevention, Intervention, and Consultation

The goal of this Social Change Portfolio is to support the implementation of a school-based prevention program for high school students in San Jose, California, that promotes healthy technology use, strengthens peer and adult connections, and increases participation in face-to-face social activities. The proposed program seeks to increase adolescents' awareness of their social media use patterns while strengthening protective factors associated with positive youth development, including school connectedness, supportive peer relationships, trusted adult relationships, and meaningful social engagement.