Digital Commons Network^™

The Intangible Divide: Why Do So Few Firms Invest In Innovation?, James Bessen, Xiupeng Wang

Faculty Scholarship

Investments in software, R&D, and advertising have grown rapidly, now approaching half of U.S. private nonresidential investment. Yet just a few hundred firms account for almost all this growth. Most firms, including many large ones, regularly invest little in capitalized software and R&D, and this "intangible divide" has surprisingly deepened as intangible prices have fallen relative to other assets. Using comprehensive US Census microdata, we document these patterns and explore a variety of factors associated with intangible investment. We find that firms invest significantly less in innovation-related intangibles when their rivals invest more. One firm's investment can obsolesce rivals' investments, …

Evolving Corporate Philanthropy, David I. Walker

Faculty Scholarship

With the rise of corporate ESG initiatives and public benefit corporations, corporate philanthropy is evolving from an emphasis on cash contributions (contributional philanthropy) to an emphasis on adjusting operations to advance the public good (operational philanthropy). All forms of corporate philanthropy are controversial, but this article evaluates the impact of this evolution on the relative benefits and concerns of corporate philanthropy, arguing that the shift in emphasis towards operational philanthropy increases the comparative advantage of corporate philanthropy, increases agency costs, both simplifies and complicates shareholder primacy concerns, and increases the difficulty of prescriptively regulating corporate philanthropy through the tax code …

Constitutional Disorder, Robert L. Tsai

Faculty Scholarship

This is a review essay inspired by two books: Yuval Levin's American Covenant (2024) and Erwin Chemerinsky's No Democracy Lasts Forever (2024). I make the following points. First, all treatments of the U.S. Constitution can be mapped on a continuum from the worshipful to the diagnostic. Second, Levin's account, which inclines toward the devotional, extols certain features deemed both originalist and virtuous: social unity over untidiness, consensus over dissent, fear and loathing of mass politics. Third, such accounts may not be sufficiently nimble to grapple with contemporary problems such as new forms of oligarchy or movement capture of traditional parties. …

Contracting Hoop Dreams: Using Sports Law To Teach Transactional Practice, Cody Jacobs

Faculty Scholarship

One of the places I find the most joy in teaching legal writing is problem development—writing compelling factual scenarios that give students interesting legal issues to work through is rewarding and fun.  The best prompts will motivate students to really jump into their role representing their client and encourage them to think about the “big picture”—how the law ties into social, political, and economic structures in society at large.  Much has been written about the best ways to do this in the context of litigation assignments (briefs, memos, etc.), but there has been less discussion about problem creation in the …

Sukrita’S Yellow: A Kaleidoscope Of Timeless Poemlets, Girija Sharma

Akda: The Asian Journal of Literature, Culture, Performance

No abstract provided.

Redbird Scholar, Vol. 10, No. 1 (Fall 2024), Illinois State University, Office Of The Vice President For Research And Graduate Studies

Redbird Scholar

No abstract provided.

Beyond The Screen: Unpacking Gender’S Influence On The Gaming World, Celia K. Killen

Selected Honors Theses

Gender is a concept that touches each and every person across the world. It is also something that affects many facets of human life. The gaming world is not separate from it as a concept, and there are areas in which the two clearly intersect. Women have long been effectively outcast from the industry, and this stems from more than just simple biases—women are distanced from technology, struggle to enter male-dominated workplaces, and are not considered real gamers because of the culture. Much of the literature touches on the experiences of women in the industry, the gendered experiences of audiences, …

A Case Study Analysis Examining The Removal Of Unanimity From Death Penalty Sentencing, Jeremiah J. Moniz

Selected Honors Theses

The following thesis is written as a result of the 2023 law passed in the state of Florida that removed unanimity for death penalty sentencing proceedings. The thesis looks into the previously researched information on death penalty law, juries, and the combination of the two. It then examines three two-prong case studies comparing cases in Alabama to cases in North Carolina and Ohio to determine if there are any specific or general differential outcomes when it comes to the removal of unanimity in death penalty sentencing trials. The results of the case study found significant differences in jury voting in …

Thesuppression Ofcoffeehouses: Acomparisonofthe17thcentury Londonandmoderncoffeeshopmovements, E. Spring Iskra

Selected Honors Theses

The coffeehouses of the 17th century in London were places of vibrant political discourse. Patrons of the shops could sit for hours debating relevant societal matters for hours with strangers of all different backgrounds. This environment was well-aligned with the theories introduced by Jürgen Habermas regarding the public sphere. Are contemporary coffee shops still places of vibrant discourse? In order to answer this question, an ethnographic study was conducted in a mid-sized city in central Florida analyzing nine local coffee shops. The analysis consisted of three primary categories: layout and design, discursive resources, and public events. The findings of this …

The Danger Online Pharmacies Pose On Clients With Eating Disorders In The Prescription Of Glp-1 Agonists For Weight Loss, Madyson R. Frisbie

Selected Honors Theses

This literature review explores the prevalence of utilizing online pharmacies to obtain glucagon-like peptide 1 agonist, Semaglutide, for cosmetic weight loss and the danger that route of obtaining medication places on clients with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. In addition, research was conducted to establish practice recommendations to eliminate the possibility of a client with an eating disorder from obtaining a GLP-1 agonist when it is inappropriate for their health status. Various articles were used to gain information about the drug in general, its mechanism of action, indications, positive outcomes, and adverse effects. Additional articles were …

Enhancing Microgrid Forecasting Accuracy With Saq-Mtclstm: A Self-Adjusting Quantized Multi-Task Convlstm For Optimized Solar Power And Load Demand Predictions, Ehtisham Lodhi, Nadia Dahmani, Syed Muhammad Salman Bukhari, Sujan Gyawali, Sanjog Thapa, Lin Qiu, Muhammad Hamza Zafar, Naureen Akhtar

All Works

Accurate forecasting of solar power output and load demand is critical for the efficient operation and management of isolated microgrids, where reliability and sustainability are paramount. Traditional methods often struggle with data scarcity, limitations in capturing intricate temporal dynamics, and lack of scalability. This research introduces a novel multi-task learning (MTL) model, the Self-Aware Quantized Multi-Task ConvLSTM (SAQ-MTCLSTM), which addresses these challenges by jointly forecasting solar power and load demand while leveraging shared representations across these interdependent time series. The SAQ-MTCLSTM incorporates a sophisticated architecture that combines convolutional and LSTM layers with self-aware quantization to enhance computational efficiency and model …

Shocking Sentences, John B. Meixner Jr.

Scholarly Works

Harsh recidivist sentencing penalties, like three-strikes laws, have been criticized heavily among both academics and practitioners on a number of different grounds. Most arguments focus on how sentences arising from these penalties are disproportionate—that there is no sensible relationship between the wrong committed and the sentence imposed. Those critiques are valid, but there’s another important problem with recidivist sentencing penalties that has been overlooked: they lead to sentences that are totally unexpected—indeed, shocking—to the defendants who face them. Many recidivist sentencing penalties cause large leaps in sentencing exposure that amount to exponential growth when compared with a defendant’s prior sentences. …

Customers Choice Towards Aftersales Serviceability Of Counterfeit Spare Parts A Case Study, Syahrul Nizam Samsudin, Bulan Abdullah, Noriah Yusoff

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

A case study was conducted to examine Malaysian perceptions of product origin in connection to counterfeit components of Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Sdn Bhd (PROTON). Some consumers regard the price of spare parts at service centres as costly, while others find it affordable. This view is formed based on individuals' prior experience with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) components and the imitation parts found at non-certified service centres. The study evaluates the customers’ perception levels and the correlations of customer choice characteristics (CCC) with country of origin (COO) image towards countries that produce counterfeit spare parts, such as China, Taiwan, and Thailand. …

Drowsy Driver Detection System Via Facial Recognition And Driving Data, Nur Iman Kamila Azharudin, Hafizah Mansor, Shaila Sharmin

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, an estimated 17.6% of all fatal crashes in the years 2017–2021 involved a drowsy driver. This study proposes a drowsy driver detection system that uses both facial recognition and vehicular data to detect if a driver is feeling sleepy behind the wheel. We aim to address a lack of works in the literature that combine data measured from the driver (image or biological data) and vehicular data for drowsy driver detection. Our primary data was collected from simulated driving sessions in which a camera was used to record test drivers’ faces while …

The Selection Of Preferred Textbook Based On The Dominance Method, Harliza Mohd Hanif, Daud Mohamad, Nor Hashimah Sulaiman, Siti Rahimah Batcha

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

Calculus is a mathematics subject normally taught at the tertiary level. Many calculus textbooks with different approaches and styles have been published to cater to the needs of students. The selection of calculus textbooks is essential as it can help teachers and students to optimize their usage. Textbook selection problem is one type of multiple-criteria decisionmaking problem where the selection is based on several criteria. Thus, ranking fuzzy numbers based on the area dominance method ranks the calculus textbook.

The Effectiveness Of Educational Games In Learning Mathematics Among Secondary School Students, Nur Hanani Rosni, Nurhilyana Anuar, Aminatul Solehah Idris

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

Educational games in learning have established an alternative learning environment among students. It helps to improve students' knowledge and skill acquisition. Through educational game learning, it provides students with challenges and a sense of accomplishment. The challenges in teaching-learning mathematics subjects are student's lack of problem-solving skills and lack of interest during the lessons. Therefore, this study aims to implement educational games in learning mathematics to increase students' interest and determine its effectiveness. The study was conducted in one of the secondary school districts of Seri Manjung, Perak. A cluster sampling technique was used which comprised 32 respondents from the …

Decision Tree And Rule Based Classification For Predicting Online Purchase Behavior In Malaysia, Maslina Abdul Aziz, Nurul Ain Mustakim, Shuzlina Abdul Rahman

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

In Malaysia, fast growth in e-commerce speeds a business need to understand and predict consumer online behavior in order to be more competitive. While the whole world is embracing big data analytics, many businesses in Malaysia, particularly those in the ecommerce sector, find it hard to harness these technologies to their benefit. The absence of specific predictive models and the complexity of socio-cultural diversity further complicate the efforts toward understanding consumer preferences. Therefore, this research tries to fill in some of the gaps by applying decision tree and rule-based algorithms to classify online purchasing behavior amongst Malaysian consumers. The study …

Prediction Of Diabetic Retinopathy Among Diabetic Neuropathy In T2dm Patients Using Data Mining Algorithm, Nur Balqis Oon, Zuraida Khairudin, Hezlin Aryani Abd Rahman, Norbaizura Kamarudin, Nur Syamimi Haji Abu Bakar, Nor Azimah Abd Aziz

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) and diabetic neuropathy (DN) are the most common complications among diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Despite the widespread awareness, the implications of these serious diabetes complications remain poorly understood. Hence, this study aims to determine the association between DR and DN, predict DR and identify the significant risk factors associated with DR among DN patients based on the best predictive model obtained. Three models are employed in this study; Logistic Regression (LR) (Forward, Backward, Enter and Optimize), Decision Tree (Information Gain, Gini Index and Gain Ratio) and Artificial Neural Network with a splitting of 70-30. This study involved …

Osteoarthritis Grading A Synthesized Magnetic Resonance Images Technique, Qiu Ruiyun, Siti Khatijah Nor Abdul Rahim, Nursuriati Jamil, Raseeda Hamzah, Xiaoling Fu

Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC)

Osteoarthritis (OA) in the knee is a major cause of decreased activity and physical limitations among older people. Identifying and treating knee osteoarthritis in its early stages can help patients delay the progression of the condition. Currently, early detection of knee osteoarthritis involves the use of X-ray images and assessment using the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading system. Doctors' evaluations can be subjective and may differ among different doctors. Similar to a computer systems analyst, the automatic knee OA grading and diagnosis can be a valuable tool for doctors, enabling them to streamline their workload and provide more efficient care. An innovative …

Fall 2024, John M. Pfau Library

Peacock – John M. Pfau Library Newsletter

In this issue:

• Rising Above the Flood: The Library Commons p.1-2
• The Fantasy and Science Fiction Book Cafe Saga p. 6
• Great Horned Owls and the Pfau Library p. 8 - 9

On Localization Of Eigenfunctions Of The Magnetic Laplacian, Jeffrey S. Ovall, Hadrian Quan, Robyn Reid, Stefan Steinerberger

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Publications and Presentations

Let Ω ⊂ ℝd and consider the magnetic Laplace operator given by H(A) = (–i∇ – A(x))2, where A : Ω → ℝd, subject to Dirichlet boundary conditions. For certain vector fields A, this operator can have eigenfunctions, H(A)ψ = λψ, that are highly localized in a small region of Ω. The main goal of this paper is to show that if |ψ| assumes its maximum at x0 ∈ Ω, then A behaves 'almost' like a conservative vector field in a -neighborhood of x0 in a precise sense. In particular, we expect localization in regions where |curl A| is small. …

Understanding Bicuspid Aortic Valve: Global Prevalence, Genetic Factors, Long- Term Outcomes, Treatment Approaches And Knowledge Gaps, Grace Sligh

Honors Projects

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease is the most common congenital heart condition in the world, with a prevalence of 0.5 to 2.0 %, with the highest predominance in Caucasian men. This disease causes two leaflets to form instead of the typical three leaflet and can lead to many complications. This paper explores the global prevalence of BAV, highlighting observed variations between ethnicities and geographical background. It also examines the genetic factors contributing to the condition, including known hereditary patterns and emerging genetic insights. This review also addresses risk factors associated with BAV, such as environmental and developmental influences, as well …

The Middle Domain Of Hsp104 Can Ensure Substrates Are Functional After Processing, Hannah Buchholz, Jane E. Dorweiler, Sam Guereca, Brett T. Wisniewski, James Shorter, Anita L. Manogaran

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

Molecular chaperones play a central role in protein disaggregation. However, the molecular determinants that regulate this process are poorly understood. Hsp104 is an AAA+ ATPase that disassembles stress granules and amyloids in yeast through collaboration with Hsp70 and Hsp40. In vitro studies show that Hsp104 processes different types of protein aggregates by partially translocating or threading polypeptides through the central pore of the hexamer. However, it is unclear how Hsp104 processing influences client protein function in vivo. The middle domain (MD) of Hsp104 regulates ATPase activity and interactions with Hsp70. Here, we tested how MD variants, Hsp104^A503S and …

Morphology And Molecular Systematics Support A New Species Of Pseudogonatodes (Squamata: Gekkota: Sphaerodactylidae) From Venezuela With A Remarkable Telescoped Skull, Walter E. Schargel, Christian Hernández-Morales, Juan D. Daza, Micheal J. Jowers, Andres Camilo Montes-Correa, Mayke De Freitas, Kathryn A. Sullivan, Tony Gamble, Aaron M. Bauer, Gilson A. Rivas

Biological Sciences Faculty Research and Publications

We describe a new species of miniaturized gecko (genus Pseudogonatodes) from the Peninsula de Paria in northeastern Venezuela. Externally, the new species resembles Pseudogonatodes furvus and Pseudogonatodes manessi, from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta in Colombia and the Central Coastal Range in Venezuela, respectively; however, it differs from these species in terms of molecular genetic data (12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, and c-mos), osteological characters, and scale counts. The new species is unique in skull osteology, and we adopt the term ‘telescoped’ from the literature to describe the overlap of bones in the snout, in particular the …

Talar And Calcaneal Coordinate Axes Definitions Across Foot Pathologies, Kassidy Knutson, Erika P. Muhlrad, Andrew C. Peterson, Thomas Leonard, Abigail M. Anderson, Katelyn C. Aragon, Zachary J. Eatough, Bruce A. Macwilliams, Karen M. Kruger, Amy L. Lenz

Biomedical Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The understanding of foot and ankle biomechanics is improving as new technology provides more detailed information about the motion of foot and ankle bones with biplane fluoroscopy, as well as the ability to analyze the hindfoot under weightbearing conditions with weightbearing computed tomography. Three-dimensional anatomical coordinate systems are necessary to describe the 3D alignment and kinematics of the foot and ankle. The lack of standard coordinate systems across research study sites can significantly alter experimental data analyses used for pre-surgical evaluation and post-operative outcome assessments. Clinical treatment paradigms are changing based on the expanding knowledge of complex pes planovalgus morphologies …

Towards A Unified Xai-Based Framework For Digital Forensic Investigations, Zainab Khalid, Farkhund Iqbal, Benjamin C.M. Fung

All Works

Explainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) aims to alleviate the black-box AI conundrum in the field of Digital Forensics (DF) (and others) by providing layman-interpretable explanations to predictions made by AI models. It also handles the increasing volumes of forensic images that are impossible to investigate via manual methods; or even automated forensic tools. A holistic, generalized, yet exhaustive framework detailing the workflow of XAI for DF is proposed for standardization. A case study examining the implementation of the framework in a network forensics investigative scenario is presented for demonstration. In addition, the XAI-DF project lays the basis for a collaborative effort …

Exploring The Factors Affecting Career Choices Of Undergraduate Emirati Students, Laila Mohebi, Solomon Arulraj David

All Works

This study explores the determinants of career choices among Emirati students, engaging 550 students from selected universities in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Employing a phenomenological approach, the research utilized a survey questionnaire to understand the impact of various factors such as parental influence, educational institutions, university programs, and socio-economic elements on the career decisions of undergraduate Emirati students. Out of 550 targeted participants, 400 completed surveys were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. The findings reveal a predominant influence of parents, followed by significant roles of schools and socio-economic factors, in shaping career choices. …

Effectiveness Of Field Experience Program In The United Arab Emirates (Uae): A Mixed-Methods Study Of Stakeholders’ Perceptions In The Light Of Vision 2030, Fatima Al Mohsen, Laila Mohebi

All Works

The quality of field experience training is vital for the preservice teachers’ professional development. However, limited research works on field experience training programs limits the formation of optimised educational policies in the UAE. Further, proper understanding of the stakeholders’ perceptions is essential for forming suitable educational policies. Therefore, this study employed a mixed-methods model to investigate the perceptions of pre-service teachers and instructors about their field experience training. The pedagogic standards set by Danielson was used as the framework for assessing the perceptions of the participants regarding their pedagogy. Further, ‘Bem’s self-perception theory’ was applied while making detailed assessments on …

A Novel Bipolar Valued Fuzzy Group Based On Dib’S Approach, Fadi Al-Zu’Bi, Abdul Ghaffur Ahmad, Abd Ulazeez Alkouri, Maslina Darus

All Works

The numerous extensions of fuzzy groups (FG) and fuzzy subgroups are complicated. Several results depending on different approaches of FG theory were introduced. This study introduces a novel extension, named bipolar-valued fuzzy groups (BVF-groups), which are based on bipolar-valued fuzzy space (BVF-space) and are created using Dib’s methodology. The BVF-space replaces the universal set in conventional set theory. The BVF-space generalizes the notion of fuzzy space (F-space) from [0, 1] to [−1, 0] × [0, 1] for the range of membership function. The novel theory of BVF-group is achieved through the BVF-space and bipolar valued binary operation (BVFBO) to build …

Nh 4-H Youth Enrollment Paper Form, Unh Cooperative Extension

UNH Cooperative Extension

No abstract provided.