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  Automated Residential Energy Audits Using a Smart WiFi Thermostat Enabled Data Mining Approach

  Abdulrahman Alanezi

  This research has demonstrated the potential of conducting energy audits on large scales by utilizing smart WiFi thermostat data with other available residential data.

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  Digital Marketing: A Deep Dive & Path Forward

  Gary Bernstein

  My project was a deep dive and a path forward into the Commonwealth Associates, Inc.'s digital marketing presence using the tools, analytics, and current practices acquired from MBA 631. This included critical assessments, key take-aways with recommendations, and also included additional funds for Commonwealth’s 2021 marketing budget.

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  Pervasive Communal Trauma in Higher Education: The Effects of COVID-19 Trauma on U.S. Higher Education Professionals

  Shane Borah

  The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted campus life in a manner never before seen by higher education professionals causing them to adapt, reframe, and provide support to students in colleagues while navigating the unknown world of the pandemic themselves. To better understand the effect COVID-19 may have on higher education professionals, this study introduces a conceptual form of connective trauma experience in the form of communal pervasive trauma. This research study looked at: (1) How does COVID-19 affect higher education professionals’ relationship with their work? And (2) What effects does a pervasive communal traumatic experience, such as COVID-19, have on higher education professionals? Utilizing a phenomenological approach, 9 mid to high-level higher education professionals across three different institutions in the Midwest, Mountain, and Pacific regions and varying functional areas were interviewed. Results indicate an explorative developmental experience with one’s work across the pandemic, feelings of exhaustion from impossible expectations and limited resources, and personal disconnection and grief of sense of community and identity outside of work. This study provides implications for higher education and student affairs in supporting their often overworked staff, notions of healing after tragedy, and how to continue functioning once the pandemic has ceased.

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  Chronic Administration of the Novel SERCA2 Activator CDN1163 Induces Behavioral andNeurochemical Effects in Mice

  Aikaterini Britzolaki

  The sarco/endoplasmic reticulum (SR/ER) calcium (Ca2+)-ATPase (SERCA) pump is a key regulator of intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis and subsequently essential for cell survival and function [1,2]. Neurons are no exception to this; intricate pathways involving SERCA-mediated Ca2+ signaling are implicated in brain pathophysiology. Several studies have indicated that dysregulation of SERCA pumps may be involved in the molecular mechanisms underlying debilitating brain diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, ischemia and alcoholism [1-3]. Thus, this family of P-type ATPases comprises an emerging molecular target for developing efficient pharmacotherapies. Interestingly, preclinical studies in rodents suggest that chronic pharmacological activation of SERCA2 by the quinoline derivative CDN1163 comprises a potential pharmacotherapeutic target in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases [4-6]. As little is known about the behavioral and neurochemical consequences of CDN1163 administration, in this study we investigated the potential effects of both acute and chronic pharmacological SERCA stimulation on the behavior and monoaminergic neurotransmission of naïve C57BL/6J mice of both sexes [7].

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  Investigation of Elevated Turbulence on High-Lift Low Pressure Turbine Endwall Flows

  Molly Donovan

  Goal: Determine how FSTI effects endwall flow structure behavior and losses in the region

  Application: LPT, Endwall Flows, Junction Flows

  Approach: Vary the incoming FSTI level in a low-speed linear cascade of seven L2F blades by installing a grid 2.3m upstream of cascade with 2.54 cm bars and 7.6 cm center to center spacing. Grid has an active option by having pairs of jets in the tubes angled and oriented downstream. Investigate the flow using high speed SPIV collected in the passage at 2.5kHz.

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  Tep1 Regulates Yki Activity in Neural Stem Cells in Drosophila Glioma Model

  Karishma Gangwani

  Glioblastoma is the most common form of malignant brain tumor with a poor prognosis. Using a Drosophila glioma model, we showed that the Drosophila Tep1 gene (human CD109) regulates Yki (human YAP/TAZ) via an evolutionarily conserved mechanism. Oncogenic signaling by the YAP/TAZ pathway occurs in cells that acquire CD109 expression. Loss of Tep1 caused a reduction in glioma growth. Further, Tep1 affects Yki mediated stem cell renewal in glioma, as reduction of Tep significantly decreases the number of neuroblasts in glioma. Thus, we identify Tep1-Yki interaction in the larval CNS that plays a key role in glioma growth and progression.

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  Binder free, Thin-Film Ceramic Coated Separators for Improved Safety of Lithium-Ion Batteries

  Ashish Gogia, Yuxing Wang, Amarendra K. Rai, Rabi Bhattacharya, Guru Subramanyam, and Jitendra Kumar

  With the rapid development of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), safety issues are the greatest obstacles that restrict their large scale-applications, especially for the high-energy-density electric vehicle and aviation industry. Separators play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of LIBs. However, due to their poor thermal stability, commercial polyolefin-based separators such as polyethylene (PE) still possess serious safety risks under abuse conditions. To address these challenges, a novel type of binder-free, thin ceramic-coated separator with superior safety characteristics is demonstrated in this research.

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  Action Research: A Narrative Inquiry Approach to Addressing Student Retention in Undergraduate Science Courses

  Elizabeth A. Golba

  Research Question: How can the academic success of undergraduate students in science courses at a small, private, health care institution be improved?

  Sub Question 1: Is there a difference in academic success in science courses between students who use support systems and students who do not use support systems?

  Sub Question 2: Does a positive academic advising experience improve student retention in science courses?

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  Becoming Pro-Mysterion: Embracing a Future of Mercy for All in Romans 11

  Rachael Griggs

  This paper presents an exegesis of Paul's allegory of the olive tree (Romans 11) within the framework of present-day tragedies caused by antisemitism. While St. Paul exhorts gentile Christians to express humility regarding their newfound position within God's family, supersessionism has placed the Jewish and Christian faiths in a dichotomous relationship. Greek word studies and models of religious pluralism in this essay demonstrate that supersessionism is a poisonous root from which antisemitism grows. Paul's revelation of God's cosmic plan of salvation asks Jesus's followers--in any era--to become pro-mysterion: to embrace in faith God's redemptive plan for all.

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  Retail Store Layout: Shopper Preference vs. Shopper Access

  Shubham Gune

  Shopper satisfaction has been identified as one of the most influential factors in brick & mortar based retailing. This research investigates the effects of store layouts on customer satisfaction. This research allows decision makers to understand more about the relationship between adjacency and accessibility within retail environments.

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  Optical Dilatometry Measurements for the Quantification of Sustainable Aviation Fuel Materials Compatibility

  Shane Kosir

  Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) offers a near-term opportunity to reduce aviation’s greenhouse gas emissions. Currently-approved SAFs are limited to a maximum blend ratio with conventional jet fuel due to materials compatibility issues (i.e., O-ring volume swell). Specifically, aircraft have been found to leak significant quantities of fuel when volume swell is insufficient. Here, optical dilatometer measurements of volume swell for SAFs are reported. These measurements will serve to screen candidate SAFs at an early stage of the approval process. Optical dilatometry measurements were also coupled with two-dimensional gas chromatography data to predict volume swell withfuel.

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  Mechanics and Dynamics of Soft Additively Manufactured Elastomers with Extreme Stretchability

  Asma Ul Hosna Meem

  • Additive Manufacturing (AM) is the process of building a 3D part layer by layer from metal/polymer feedstock.
  • Digital Light Processing (DLP) is the AM method used in this project.
  • Soft stretchable elastomers, thin sphere
  • Mechanical properties are dependent on DLP process parameters.
  • Goal: Investigate how different process parameters impact the tensile properties of soft 3D-printed elastomers and how a spherical membrane of such material dynamically responds to pressure
  • Applications:Prosthetics, soft robotics, on-demand components for legacy aircraft

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  An Exploration of Curriculum Implementation for Early-Career Public School Teachers During the Induction Process

  Matthew Mesenger

  My project was an action research study focused on ways to help the Brunswick City School District better support beginning teachers (those with less than five years’ experience) who are tasked with learning the district-assigned curricula. Tangential to the analysis was consideration of the fact that new teacher attrition has a major impact of student achievement. Findings from this qualitative study revealed six actionable takeaways that, collectively, can help improve the quality of instruction that new teachers give students while helping to retain those teachers for a longer period of time.

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  (l+1)-point boundary value problems for ordinary differential equations, a type of global uniqueness of solutions condition

  Daniel Neugebauer

  We consider (l+1)-point boundary value problems and determine conditions so that solutions of the boundary value problems are unique.

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  Learning Communities and Dean's Fellows at the University of Dayton School of Law

  Ashley Oravetz

  The Learning Community and Dean's Fellow Program at the University of Dayton School of Law offer first year law students with the resources and mentors needed for success in law school.

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  3D Joint Kinematic and 2D Quality of Movement Comparison Between Lateral and Forward Step Downs

  Samantha Kaye Price, Ryne William Davis, Andrew Jonathan Hinton, Jimmy Lee Rowland, David Werner, and Joaquin Alberto Barrios

  Step down assessments are frequently used in clinical settings with the lateral step-down (LSD) and forward step-down (FSD) two common variations.

  The LSD and FSD are both reliable and are commonly used for the assessment of lower extremity pathologies such as patellofemoral pain, anterior ligament reconstruction, and femoral acetabular impingement (1-7).

  Step down kinematics can be influenced by reduced dorsiflexion mobility (8).

  Previous studies have demonstrated altered movement quality in those with pathology during either the LSD or FSD (4,7).

  However, no studies have directly compared the lower extremity movement patterns of the FSD and LSD, using either 3-dimensional (3D) joint angle analysis or 2-dimensional (2D) assessment of faulty movement patterns.

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  Assessing Different Freeway Interchange Design Impacts on Traffic Emissions and Fuel Consumption through Microsimulation

  Fayezeh Samandi

  The environmental performance of an existing service interchange, a CDI, is compared with two other alternative designs, a Diverging Dimond Interchange DDI and a Single Point Urban Interchange SPUI, in terms of fuel consumption, emissions, and traffic operations through microsimulations analysis utilizing PTV Vissim. We are primarily focused on major pollutants, including CO2, CO, and NOx.

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  "Lets Get Real" Zoom Series

  Zion Savory and Khandice Lofton

  "Let's Get Real" was launched in the summer of 2020 in the wake of the disheartening and widely shared murder of George Floyd. The purpose of this series is to foster difficult but necessary organic community conversations about racial and social justice issues that majorly affect minority and black demographics in the hopes of working towards a better tomorrow.

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  Assessing Diphenyl Polyenes as pH-Sensitive Colorimetric Probes of Proton Gradients in Polymer Coatings

  Vaishnavi Shesham

  Polyester polyurethanes are a major class of polymers, which are commonly used in coatings. The biodegradation mechanism of polyester polyurethane is complicated since it involves both biochemical and chemical catalysis to hydrolyze the polymers. Hence, finding the ideal pH sensitive probe that does not react with hydrolases and yet is reactive with either base or acid catalysts is crucial for differentiating the biodegrading regions from the chemically degrading regions. In this project, we report two diphenyl polyenes (DPPs), all trans-1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiene (DPB) and all trans-1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) as potential pH sensitive probes suitable for polymer coatings. When exposed to trichloroacetic acid, DPPs undergo a visible color change and a red shift in their absorption spectra. We performed electronic structure and thermodynamic calculations to determine a possible site of protonation in the polyene moiety. We first calculated the electronic spectra and compared them to the absobance spectrum of the protonated DPPs. The gas phase calculations and spectroscopic titration data indicated that DPB is a somewhat stronger base than DPH. We then cast polyene blended polymer coatings (DPB and DPH were blended with poly(ethylenesuccinate) polyurethane coatings) and exposed each coating to a variety of strong acids (nitric acid, sulfuric acid, and hydrochloric acid) which resulted in decrease in fluorescence emission using fluorescence microscopy. Collectively, my results suggest that because of its greater solubility and basicity, DPB is potentially a more effective pH sensitive probe that DPH for observing acid diffusion during the degradation in polyester coatings.

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  School-Based Support for Foster Families: Understanding the Experiences and Needs of the Biological Children of Foster Parents

  Lauren Smith

  The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of the biological children of foster parents while investigating suggestions for school-based supports. Following the phenomenological, qualitative method of research, ten participants ages 10-24, whose families chose to foster one or more children in their homes, were interviewed using a semi-structured interview protocol. Through a thematic analysis, themes emerged under two broad categories: Positive Experiences and Negative Experiences. Three specific recommendations for supports emerged from the data. The findings from this study can be used to inform school-based supports for the biological children of foster parents.

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  Toward a New Vision of Catholicity for the Chinese Catholic Church

  Huili Stout

  The Vatican-China agreement has brought all the Chinese bishops into communion with the pope, but some believe that the Chinese church remains substantially divided. To overcome the present antagonism, I propose that the Chinese church explore more closely, through the resources of communion ecclesiology, the spiritual dimension of catholicity. In particular, Dumitru Stăniloae’s concept of ‘sobornicity’ may provide an inspiration by clarifying the foundation and source of Christian communion, by emphasizing the role of the Holy Spirit, and by encouraging a cosmic and eschatological openness in the church’s attitude to the world.

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  “Thinking Like Lawyers” in the Online Environment: Students’ and Faculty Members’ Perceptions of Using the Socratic Method in an Online J.D. Course

  Victoria L. VanZandt

  With the American Bar Association’s recent move to a more liberal stance on distance learning and the newly gained experience with online education for all law students and legal educators due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is clear that online legal education, in some form, is here to stay. Additionally, there is no indication that the Socratic method with its strong ties to legal education will be abandoned. Therefore, the legal academy must address how it can continue to use the Socratic method as its preferred pedagogical tool to teach students “to think like lawyers” in online modalities.

  This mixed methods phenomenological case study explored the perceptions of faculty members and traditional first-semester law students regarding the use of the Socratic method in an online J.D. course. The study used the Community of Inquiry (CoI) framework as a lens through which to assess the students’ perceptions of the course. The study involved the CoI survey, interviews with students and the faculty members involved in the course, and observations of the Socratic method in the synchronous Zoom sessions and the use of a simulated Socratic dialogue in the asynchronous modules in the course.

  The findings were supported by the research concerning online learning and the Socratic method and added insights into this group of traditional first-semester law students, who began their legal education online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, results from this study demonstrate that the Socratic method continues to be the expected pedagogy in law school doctrinal classes by both faculty and students; the Socratic method employed in the synchronous Zoom classes were similar to the traditional Socratic method used in face-to face classes with its inherent benefits and drawbacks; that the asynchronous use of the Socratic method addressed some of those drawbacks; and that the CoI framework supported the findings regarding the Socratic method.

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  The Effects of Parental Educational Attainment on Student Loan Debt

  Megan J.F. Will

  There is a direct relationship between increased levels of a parent's/guardian's (PG) education and increased PG involvement in the student loan process.

  • First-generation college students and students whose PG have lower levels of education were more likely to be solely responsible for their student loan applications.
  • Increased parental involvement could hinder a student's financial socialization, which can lead to increased debt and decreased savings.
  • However, there is no relationship between PG level of education and student loan type and amount.

  Future Research: Parent perspectives, institutional variety, policy impacts, etc.

  Current Practice: Informational materials, orientation sessions, etc.