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Survey of Illinois Law: Electronic Filing and Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9
Get PDFIn 2017, the Illinois Supreme Court mandated electronic filing (e-filing) in civil cases and adopted Illinois Supreme Court Rule 9 to implement the mandate, fifteen years after the court initially authorized e-filing. Since then, the court has made multiple amendments to Rule 9 and has made other efforts to implement e-filing across Illinois. Despite the court’s efforts, the rule has fostered litigation and confusion over when a document is timely and how to seek relief when an e-filing error renders a document untimely. The goal of this Survey is to provide clarity for practitioners on e-filing by examining Rule 9’s text, its history, case law interpreting and analyzing the timeliness of e-filed documents, and the solutions that have been proposed to address recurring issues
Improved Retirement Security for Firefighters & Reduced Costs for Municipalities - The Consolidation of Downstate & Suburban Firefighter Pension Funds
Get PDFDesigning Assignments for Non-traditional Students in Higher Education Using Andragogical Principles
No full textThis conceptual paper explores assignment design for non-traditional students in higher education, guided by andragogical principles. Recognizing the increasing presence of adult learners, the paper emphasizes the need for tailored educational strategies. Drawing upon Malcolm Knowles\u27 assumptions of andragogy, it highlights self-directed learning, practical application, and relevance as key considerations. The paper discusses how assignments can be designed to engage adult learners by acknowledging their prior experiences and fostering a sense of ownership in their learning. This study contributes to the ongoing conversation on improving educational practices for non-traditional students, advocating for approaches that recognize them as students who bring with them experiences that can be integrated into their learning
ASPECTS OF APPROXIMATE INDUCTIVE INFERENCE FOR BC LANGUAGE IDENTIFICATION
No full textThe concept of Behaviorally Correct (BC) language identification is a paradigm ininductive inference that allows learners to approximate target languages while tolerating a bounded density of errors. Beginning with foundational definitions, such as those of inductive inference machines (IIMs) and BC identification, we extend these notions to approximate identification using error densities and asymptotic uniform densities. Our results demonstrate the structured inclusion relations between various identification classes. Specifically, we prove that for any r, r1 ∈ [0, 1] with 0 ≤ r \u3c r1 ≤ 1, T xtBCr ⊂ T xtBCr1, UT xtBCr ⊂ UT xtBCr1, and HUT xtBCr ⊂ HUT xtBCr1 indicating that relaxation of Error bounds yield strictly larger identification classes. Furthermore, leveraging the Operator Recursion Theorem, we construct examples demonstrating the non-equivalence of adjacent identification classes, highlighting the role of partial recursive functions in these separations. These results emphasize the versatility of BC identification frameworks in accommodating error densities while maintaining robust theoretical guarantees. Finally, we introduce uniform approximate BC identification and establish its utility in addressing local inconsistencies within language approximation, culminating in refined criteria that bridge global and local error bounds
A MIXED METHODS STUDY: PROCEDURAL AND CONCEPTUAL KNOWLEDGE IN BASIC STATISTICS FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
No full textThe purpose of this explanatory mixed methods dissertation study was to explore how university students understand descriptive statistics by integrating quantitative assessment with qualitative exploration of their verbal and non-verbal procedural fluency, as well as explicit and implicit conceptual reasoning. The quantitative phase used the DSKAT assessment that was developed by the researcher in alignment with the GAISE (2020) guidelines, alongside two supplementary questionnaires that evaluated university students’ basic math computational skills and attitudes toward learning statistics. Regression analyses revealed two unexpected findings: (1) only mixed operations significantly predicted DSKAT performance, while fractions and integers alone did not; and (2) only liking subscale of the Attitude Scale Toward Learning Statistics (ATLS) survey, which indicated university students’ interest for learning statistics, showed a negative relationship with DSKAT performance, while other categories such as existing university experience, attitudes toward statistics, and confidence in learning statistics were not significant predictors. The qualitative phase involved a purposeful selection of six participants to collect qualitative data to help explained the quantitative findings. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interview questions, a drawn concept map, and a think-aloud protocol that reflected the DSKAT assessment, which included five statistical tasks related to cereals. These statistical tasks also aligned with the Discovery-based Learning (DBL) lesson plan implemented in this study as an intervention. Four overarching themes from the semi-structured interview questions—Appreciation and Reengagement in Learning, Initial Resistance and Later Curiosity, More Than Just Computation, and Learning Tools that Enabled Conceptual Growth— underscored the affective, cognitive, and instructional factors influencing university students\u27 statistics learning experience. Five overarching themes from think-aloud protocol—Surface Familiarity Struggle with Deep Application, Confidence Gaps Despite Correct Reasoning, Conceptual Transfer Through Real-World Analogy, Misconception Hidden in Assessment but Revealed in Talk, and Mismatch Between Verbal and Non-verbal PK— provided valuable insights into university students’ statistical reasoning processes.The combined findings suggest that basic math computational skills with mixed operations may serve as an indicator of procedural flexibility and contextual transfer in statistics, whereas merely having an increased interest in learning statistics, as indicated by the liking subscale of the ATLS survey, does not guarantee a gain in conceptual statistics understanding, even if it motivates university students to learn more about statistics. This dissertation also highlights the importance of using multimodal, context-rich assessments, such as concept maps and verbal reasoning through think-aloud statistical tasks. The qualitative findings revealed that university students sometimes held misconceptions uncovered through interviews, even when they had selected correct answers on the DSKAT assessment. Conversely, others demonstrated sound reasoning and partial understanding during think-aloud tasks, despite incorrect responses on the DSKAT assessment, thus highlighting possible statistical knowledge that is often overlooked on traditional paper-based tests. Practical implications are discussed for instructional design, assessment practices, and the development of inclusive pedagogies in university-level statistics education
TESTING POISSON REGRESSION AND RELATED MODELS WITH THE ONE COMPONENT PARTIAL LEAST SQUARES ESTIMATOR
No full textPoisson regression, negative binomial regression, and related regression methods are often used when the response variable is a count. A log transformation often results in a linear model with heterogeneity. Then testing can be done with the one component partial least squares estimator for multiple linear regression, including some high dimensional tests. For prediction, a simple method that uses information from several estimators, is also considered
VIBRATION-BASED BRIDGE MODAL IDENTIFICATION: FROM FIXED SENSING TO MOBILE SENSING
No full textBridge modal identification plays a key role in structural health monitoring and vibration-based analysis. Traditional approaches rely on fixed-sensor networks and established algorithms such as the Natural Excitation Technique (NExT) combined with the Eigensystem Realization Algorithm (ERA), and Frequency Domain Decomposition (FDD). In this study, these techniques are applied to ambient vibration data collected from the SIUC Campus Bridge over a two-week period for bridge modal identification. Seven dominant modes are identified with stable frequency estimates and consistent mode shapes. However, fixed-sensor networks are often expensive to deploy, limited in spatial coverage and not scalable for continuous monitoring. To address this, a theoretical simulation framework for Crowdsourced Modal Identification using Continuous Wavelets (CMICW) for asynchronous data is evaluated under varying spatial resolutions, traffic speeds, and signal-to-noise ratios. Results show that CMICW maintains high accuracy in modal identification, with MAC values exceeding 97% even at low SNR levels, while traditional methods show degradation in performance under similar conditions. The findings highlight the efficiency of CMICW as a robust, scalable and low-cost approach for modal identifications using mobile sensors such as smartphones mounted on micro-mobility platforms like e-scoters and bicycles. This study supports the transition from fixed-sensor systems to mobile sensing platforms for efficient and scalable bridge health monitoring
HIGH TEMPERATURE PHOTOCONDUCTIVITY OF 2D LAYERS OF MoS2
No full textIn recent years atomically thin, layered two-dimensional (2D) Transition Metal chalcogenides (TMDCs) are investigated heavily due to their exotic electronic and optoelectronic behavior. Apart from exhibiting fundamental electronic phenomenon, such as 2D Metal-Insulator transition, several of these materials have shown tunable optical properties that can be utilized for applications such as photo detection. Molybdenum Disulfide (MoS2), a widely researched Transition Metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) fall in this category. To date multiple studies have shown the potential of these materials to act as efficient Photodetectors, however most of these studies report optoelectronic properties at below or near room temperatures. In this thesis, we mainly focus on high temperature photo response behavior of photodetector devices fabricated using mechanically exfoliated MoS2 layers. Multiple bottom contacted devices were fabricated by transferring a few layers of MoS2 flakes on pre-patterned gold electrodes. The electronic and optoelectronic properties of the exfoliated 2D layers of MoS2 flakes were investigated within the temperature (T) range of (290 K \u3c T \u3c 360 K). Temperature-dependent photoconductivity measurements were performed using a continuous laser source of λ = 640 nm (Energy E = 1.94 eV) over a range of effective illuminating laser power intensities, Peff (0.1 μW \u3c Peff \u3c 0.8 μW). The data obtained was utilized to determine some of the key figures of merit of a photodetector, such as photoconductive responsivity (R) as well as detectivity (D). For the measurements performed on four different exfoliated devices we found that the responsivity values ranged between ~ 0.14 A/W and 1.26 A/W, with corresponding detectivity values ranging between ~ 0.2 x 1010 Jones, and 1.3 x 1010 Jones. These values were significantly improved upon annealing these devices ~ 423 K for 2 hours in an inert gas atmosphere. Following the annealing process on two of such devices, we found that the responsivity improved significantly. The values obtained for, the two annealed devices were found to be 8.88 A/W and 52.67 A/W while the detectivity also increased to 6.1 x 10^10 Jones and 1.8 x 10^10 Jones respectively. Furthermore, a systematic investigation of the variation of photocurrent (I_Ph) as a function of the effective incident light power (P_eff) at various temperatures was thoroughly examined for both the as exfoliated devices as well as the annealed devices. We found that I_Ph follows a power law dependence of the following nature, I_Ph α P_eff^γ , where γ is the power dependence factor. We found that the values of γ ranged between 1.0 – 0.5 and less than 0.5. We found that increase the temperature resulted in a corresponding gradual decrease in γ factor, indicating trap assisted photocurrent generation. These experimental data obtained on the dependence of I_Ph at elevated temperatures for the MoS2 devices studied was analyzed in the light of established theoretical model. The results of these thesis indicate the possibility of developing high temperature photodetector devices based on layered 2D semiconductors
Where Do I Belong? What Should I Call Home?
Get PDFEmploying autoethnography, this reflection explores the contestations of home-place for queer racialized identities. Tony Adams asserts the vitality of such an embodied investigation when speaking about intersectionally assembled marginalized communities and identities through stating, “I turned to writing stories that others could use in times of relational distress […] by doing and living autoethnography” (Jones et al., 2013, p. 21). In this piece, I delve into my lived experiences, chartering conceptions of belonging while integrating personal stories and theoretical discourses. Such an embodiment, as expressed by Ellingson (2017), considers the body as “simultaneously physical and affective, social and individual, produced and producing, reproductive and innovative” (p. 2). Through utilizing such an embodied self, I explore the contestations made by queer racialized individuals in finding home, a place to belong