Stander Symposium: College of Arts and Sciences

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  2025 River Stewards Cohort Capstone Presentation: River Access at Island MetroPark

  Andrew Bartsch, Elizabeth Divish, Noah Garrick, Abigail Jungkunz, James Lambert, Hannah McClure, Elizabeth Miles-Flynn, Madelyn Moore, John Rosch, Nicholas Schulz, Samantha Trajcevski, Caroline Turnbull, Andrew Watt, Eleanor Yates-McEwan

  The 2025 River Stewards cohort has worked in collaboration with three community stakeholders, the Miami Conservancy District, Five Rivers MetroParks, and the City of Dayton, to activate the river surrounding Island MetroPark as a place for community water recreation. Island MetroPark is an ideal location for connecting community with the river, with pre-existing infrastructure and convenient staging for a paddling loop. However, Island MetroPark's proximity to a low head dam has made water access hazard and limited community engagement with the river. The 2025 River Stewards cohort has engaged our three key stakeholders, facilitating the scouting, mapping, collaboration, design, and installation of educational and safety signage to make this stretch of the river easy and safe for paddlers of all experiences. We are excited to welcome our members, partners, and the wider community to this reinvigorated river access site!

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  21st Annual Integration Bee, Mathematics

  The students compete in teams of 2-3 people. This is organized in a similar way to the traditional spelling bee. Teams will be evaluating integrals that are projected on a screen. If a team incorrectly evaluates an integral, the team is eliminated from the competition. After the elimination rounds, we will hold the lightning rounds. The first 'y' many teams to correctly evaluate the given integrals will proceed to the next round. We do this until there is a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place team. First, second, and third place teams will receive math t-shirts. The Department of Mathematics will host a pizza lunch in the Science Center Atrium from 12:00-1:00 PM prior to the Integration Bee.

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  Accurate Remote PPG Waveform Recovery from Video Using a Multi-Task Learning Temporal Model

  Fangshi Zhou

  Remote photoplethysmography (rPPG) is a contactless method for extracting heart-related signals from video. While promising for cardiac health monitoring, most existing methods only estimate heart rate and fail to reconstruct detailed PPG waveforms needed for biometric analysis. To address this, we developed a multi-loss model designed to restore rPPG waveforms with high accuracy. Our approach uses multi-task learning, incorporating losses for overall waveform reconstruction (MSE), peak detection, trough detection, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) to improve signal quality. We also integrate Temporal Shift Modules (TSM) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks to capture both short-term and long-term signal dependencies, making the model more robust to noisy or cross-dataset data. Experiments on the PURE and UBFC-rPPG datasets show that our model outperforms DeepPhys and TS-CAN by reducing systolic peak and foot/onset estimation errors by over 30%, improving the detection of diastolic peaks and dicrotic notches, and achieving a DTW distance of 6.54, demonstrating superior waveform reconstruction.

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  A Common Part of College Life: Understanding the Relationship Between Hookup Culture and Student Belonging

  Greta Doyle

  Hookup Culture is a common occurrence on college campuses and at the University of Dayton. Each student navigates hookup culture differently, but the impacts and potential negative effects on student perceptions and culture are much broader. The purpose of this study is to research the similarities and differences between male and female students’ experiences and the impact of hookup culture. For this study, I conducted ten confidential interviews with male and female students at the University of Dayton. Many described hookup culture as a positive experience but mentioned negative impacts and downsides after the hookup happened. No one said it directly affected their sense of belonging but many shared negative effects and awkwardness after the encounter, which impacted how they navigate friend groups and campus life. This study's findings are important in raising awareness for how life outside of the classroom affects students' belonging.

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  Adaptations of Listeria Monocytogenes in Cold Environments

  Margaret Bailey

  Listeria Monocytogenes is a bacterium which adapts and multiplies quickly under cold temperatures. L. monocytogenes infections, called listeriosis, oftentimes only cause a mild sickness in immunocompetent individuals, but to high-risk populations, listeriosis can result in a more severe sickness and sometimes death. The adaptability of L. monocytogenes under cold temperatures makes the regulation and control of the bacteria in cold storage challenging. Through my research, I will be investigating the factors that contribute to the effectiveness of L. monocytogenes in cold temperatures. My first objective was to observe the surface modifications of L. monocytogenes in cold temperatures. I did this by examining the cell shape of L. monocytogenes at three different temperatures for three different time increments. It was seen that the rod shape of L. monocytogenes has become more circular in colder temperatures. Furthermore, we investigated how this circular shape may affect how white blood cells attack L. monocytogenes. My second objective was to determine the fitness of L. monocytogenes in cold temperatures. I measured the fitness of this bacterium by its sensitivity to lysozyme and bacteriocin. The results from my Berry Summer Thesis Institute research will help us understand how L. monocytogenes is effectively growing in cold temperatures. These findings can then be used to create new preventative measures against L. monocytogenes, which will protect many people from potentially becoming infected by L. monocytogenes.

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  Addressing Cannabis Use in Residence Halls

  Gavin Gomez, Aniyah Howard, Margaret Lusk, Elia Macy

  In this class project for SOC 324: Communities & Crime, we worked to identify a crime problem or a plan to promote safety that is pertinent to our own community. We applied relevant social science theories in order to understand the problem of cannabis use in residence halls. Based on these theoretical explanations, we offer strategies to address the crime problem and to enhance community safety, as well as an action plan to implement our recommended solutions.

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  Addressing House Theft in the Off-Campus Neighborhoods West of Brown Street

  Victoria Kaufman, Drew Los, Charlie Zieziula

  In this class project for SOC 324: Communities & Crime, we worked to identify a crime problem or a plan to promote safety that is pertinent to our own community. We applied relevant social science theories in order to understand the problem of house theft in off-campus neighborhoods west of Brown Street. Based on these theoretical explanations, we offer strategies to address the crime problem and to enhance community safety, as well as an action plan to implement our recommended solutions.

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  Addressing the Problem: Break-Ins on Lowes Street

  Samantha Carnes, Bruce Giles, Jacob Lucas, Kailey Zarlinski

  In this class project for SOC 324: Communities & Crime, we worked to identify a crime problem or a plan to promote safety that is pertinent to our own community. We applied relevant social science theories in order to understand the problem of break-ins to houses on Lowes Street. Based on these theoretical explanations, we offer strategies to address the crime problem and to enhance community safety, as well as an action plan to implement our recommended solutions.

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  Addressing Vandalism in Marycrest Hall

  Ella Cain, Zachery De Nardo, Emma Hingle, Jeanette Sukrisna, Agnes Zawadi

  In this class project for SOC 324: Communities & Crime, we worked to identify a crime problem or a plan to promote safety that is pertinent to our own community. We applied relevant social science theories in order to understand the problem vandalism in Marycrest Hall. Based on these theoretical explanations, we offer strategies to address the crime problem and to enhance community safety, as well as an action plan to implement our recommended solutions.

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  Advancing the Numerical Approach to the BMP Gradient Model in Drosophila Embryos

  James Singleton

  Three extracellular proteins govern the amount of activity in the Dorsal region of BMP ligand in the Dorsal Region of Drosophila Embryos. Work has been done to create a mathematical model of this phenomenon and its intricacies as well as its numerical solution. We seek to simulate the model using an improved computational algorithm.

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  Africa: Challenges and Prospects

  Yousef Alabdulrazzaq, Hamad Aljeeran, Sebastian Althoff, Kyle Aman, Trinity Bailey, Michael Battistoni, Robert Bickel, Nicholas Blincoe, Nicholas Borchers, Greta Carter, Ana Colon De Jesus, Delainey Crane, Mary Dent, Mario Durnil, Zachary Ferguson, Evan Fogt, Nathan Grobbel, Brandon Grosser, Kathleen Hattrup, Cameron Hendricks, Sean Hoagland, Gabriel Jones, Soren Kingston, Justin Kirshner, Sean Kuhn, Clare Mack, Brayden McMillin, Kaitlyn McNeel, Andrew Miller, Sean Murray, Tran Minh Anh Nguyen, Declan Pleuss, Colin Richardson, Jamil Robinson, Gislain Rubuto, Joseph Schueneman, Charles Strachan, Eric Suk, Konnor Von Bargen

  Africa: Challenges and prospectsIt has been 140 years since Europe carved out Africa among its nations. The challenges which resulted from that arbitrary division remain in parts of the continent, and others have exacerbated political and economic problems. But in other areas, Africa is beginning to come to itself as leaders raise more direct challenges to former colonizing powers. For example, nations of the Sahel region succeeded in getting to remove its military base from there. Increasingly African nations are diversifying the nations with whom they do business. Unlike the former colonial nations whose fortunes in the continent are in rapid decline, China, Turkey, and Russia have moved in quickly and despite their call for equality, African nations have continued to insist that they be treated as equal partners. This panel engages topics which help us to more understand contemporary Africa and its new directions.

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  Age-Related Effects on Mobile Phone Use and Driving Distractions

  Aidan Curran, Emmit Kolowski, Andre Watson

  We are interested in seeing if there is a difference in age and being distracted by a phone while driving. This can help determine how effective certain safety measures can be utilized (e.g. parental phone lock while driving, limited capabilities based on age). We want to take a look at college aged students and see how this affects their abilities to drive without distractions. This research could be the first step in making the roads safer.It is a secondary study that utilizes data from Survey on Mobility and Mobile Communication.

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  Alfred Rosenberg: An Analysis of the Volk from 1930-1944

  Sarah Theewis

  Alfred Rosenberg was born in Revel, Estonia. After Moving to Munich in 1918, he became one of the founding members of Der Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei [The National- Socialist German Workers Party] (NSDAP). Rosenberg is known primarily for being one of the leading NS ideologues and the head of the Eastern Occupied Territories. In 1930, Alfred Rosenberg wrote one of his most famous publications, Der Mythus des 20. Jahrhunderts [The Myth of the 20th Century]. In this three part publication, Rosenberg uses the concept of the Volk as a defining factor for NS ideology. The Volk is a German term that describes the concept of a group of peoples. A word that encompasses blood, culture, tradition, language, heritage and nationalism. The concept of the Volk , a German word first used in the 16th century, was used by Rosenberg to describe a people while simultaneously attempting to disenfranchise, discrimi- nate and challenge the existence of different cultures within their ‘society.’ Jewish people, Roma individuals and anyone who did not fit the mold of the German Volk were subjected to harsh treatment and persecution. The corpus of this analysis consists of Der Mythus des 20. Jahrhundert, Rosenberg’s diary from 1934–1944, and his autobiography, The Memoir of Alfred Rosenberg, written during the Nuremberg trials. Throughout Rosenberg’s life, his concept and use of the Volk manifested through these works, showing the change in his ideology and by proxy the ideology of the NSDAP within the confines of Christianity. The ideas of the Volk during the third Reich will set the stage for other Authoritarian Nationalist states. As Authoritarian Nationalism is on the rise in the 21st century by many developed nations, the study of the Volk helps to understand how Christianity conforms within modern political spheres. The structure of different modern political parties foster the same sentiments on Christianity as the NSDAP, which allows for an analytical and historical approach to under- standing nationalist authoritarianism.

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  Algorithm for identifying skin cancer using a smartphone image

  Vivian Ahern, Nathaniel Bacon, Joseph Adauctus Cook, Ethan Dexter, Liam Innis, Mark Michalik, Griffin Sullivan

  LISCAN (Light Imaging Skin Classification & Analysis Network) is a set of programs and algorithms designed to aid dermatologists and patients with diagnosis of suspicious nevi (moles). This research is being conducted in order to find an equitable and low-cost method to diagnose skin cancer and provide patients in an at-home or clinical setting with prompt, accurate information about their skin health. In the field of dermatology, there is an incredible discrepancy in care between people who are able to afford care or have insurance and those who cannot as well as in outcomes for patients with different skin colors. To allow patients to make informed decisions about their dermatological care while keeping medical costs low, LISCAN provides at-home first-line screening for skin cancer and other skin health-related conditions. LISCAN also assists in preventing unnecessary invasive procedures by dermatologists by providing low likelihood of false negatives. The app only requires a clear photo of the suspicious site taken by any user, with an optional phone mounting device, and with minimal input the application will analyze and report the likelihood that the site is cancerous. The application uses a set of novel Python-based computer vision techniques followed by machine learning algorithms locally on the device to classify the suspicious region. The project currently is in the form of a working Android application, running natively without internet connection or the need for intervention. It is also currently in development for Apple devices and web browsers. The current algorithm is over 90% accurate based on internal testing on a publicly-available data set. Future work will be performed to done to verify the accuracy of the app in sub-optimal imaging conditions and in a prospective clinical study.

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  “Almond Moms” and Their Influence on College-Aged Emerging Adults: An Investigation on Eating Cognitions, Behaviors, and Psychological Wellness

  Rebecca Sutton

  The present study examines the potential psychological and behavioral impacts "almond moms" have on their college-aged children. Previous studies examining how parents influence disordered eating habits found that parental attitudes, specifically maternal attitudes, towards appearance, weight, and dieting are associated with their children's risk for disordered behaviors. These past studies suggest that parents play a significant role in how children both think and behave around food, potentially contributing to unhealthy thought patterns and habits down the road. These studies were conducted before a specific type of parent with particular behaviors towards dieting, the "almond mom," was defined in popular culture, so examining that type of parent’s potential influence on their children will bolster research on parental influence on eating habits. It is hypothesized that college-aged students who report growing up with a parent who exhibited more characteristics that are typical for an almond mom will demonstrate more worry about nutritional choices, disordered eating habits, and less positive body image. They will also demonstrate a more rigid value system around food, categorizing foods as “good” or “bad” based on what their parents taught them about food. Impulsivity is predicted to moderate the link between parental experiences and eating habits as control is a large predictor of food choices. Socioeconomic status will serve as another moderator since those of a higher socioeconomic status tend to have the resources to only shop for foods tailored to their diets or with certain ingredients and nutritional qualities (i.e., “clean eating”).

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  American interpretations of ancient Classical history

  Hannah Bordeau, Charlotte Capuano, Erin Pinto

  This panel discussion is organized around the common question how Americans have interpreted ancient Classical history in political discourse and popular culture. The audience will be asked to recall and reflect on their own encounters with very old history. In addition, panelists will summarize case studies they are working on:Hannah Bordeau focuses on the inspiration that framers of the US constitution drew from Roman history. The Roman Republic’s decline, marked by power concentration and the erosion of checks and balances, served as a lesson for the founding fathers, reinforcing the U.S. commitment to constitutional safeguards.Charlotte Capuano discusses the use of ancient Greek and Roman themes and imagery in the book series The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. From this analysis, it emerges that Collins is using the popular ideas of the Roman empire to compare it to the modern day United States Government.Erin Pinto takes close look at the translation of ancient Greek and Roman myths into contemporary Middle Grade Urban Fantasy novels, focusing on the early Percy Jackson and the Olympians books, by Rick Riordan. This study draws upon contradictory tellings and retellings of the same myths to examine what is considered ‘heroic’ and ‘good.’Cumulatively, the case studies and common questions asked in this panel highlight the broad appeal of ancient history in American culture that is mainly used as a metaphor for contemporary political discussions.

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  Anaerobic Propionate and pH: Investigating LDH Activity in Mutants

  Katelyn Beavan

  Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) plays a crucial role in cellular metabolism. It converts pyruvate to lactic acid, which subsequently lowers pH. This study examines how propionate influences LDH activity and pH under anaerobic conditions in wild-type (WT) and mutant bacterial strains. Specifically, I analyze the effects of propionate on WT, ∆codY, and ∆sigB mutants of Listeria monocytogenes to determine how these genetic modifications alter metabolic responses. My methodology involved culturing WT and mutant strains in brain heart infusion (BHI) media with and without 25 mM propionate. The samples were incubated at 37°C under aerobic and anaerobic conditions for 20 hours. By measuring pH changes, we assessed how propionate affects LDH activity in different genetic backgrounds. Preliminary results indicate that the presence of propionate alters pH levels in both WT and mutant strains, suggesting its impact on LDH function. I hope to further understand these metabolic interactions and provide insight into bacterial adaptation and survival. Future work will focus on further characterizing these effects and continue to establish how propionate effects the microbial metabolism.

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  Analyzing the Ethics of Organizational Communication: Five Case Studies

  Kennedy Byrd, Josie Cannon, Spencer Dileo, Brian Dolby, Patrick Dunn, Michael Duvic, Timothy Duvic, Logan Foody, Charles Frech, Rafael Garcia, Yohanes Getahun, Rachel Hack, Alayah Harris, Joseph Healy, Brooke Higgins, Aidan Hogan, Calvin Kohloff, Marisol Martinez, Spencer Masteller, Corey Moriarty, Joshua Nelson, Cassidy Oyer, John Patton, Owen Purcell, Tranee Robinson, Justine Smith, Quinton Smole, Evie Stuczynski, Alex Thoma, Madeleine Vandegrift, Nathan Vrzic

  As a course, we explored several cases of organizational communication at the University of Dayton through the lens of ethics. Each team selected an organization, group, or community on campus to examine. After interviewing multiple members of that collective and/or key stakeholders, each team wrote up the case using a descriptive ethics approach. In their case, they told the story of what happened, including key actors and action and the impacts of these actions on others, while examining also the intentionality of those actions in terms of goals, motives, perceptions, and understandings of the actors. Through this analysis, they attempted to map the terrain of a ethical choice, dilemma, or act, both at the interpersonal and the organizational levels. In the next stages of the project, each team analyzed what happened through the lens of normative and analytical ethics. First, they selected and applied a specific perspective of organizational communication ethics and drew conclusions about the ethicality of specific actions in accordance with that perspective (normative ethics). Then, they conducted a similar analysis using a second ethical perspective and drew conclusions across the two perspectives, including about the applicability of the perspectives themselves (analytical ethics). The goal of the project was to help students to understand the need for ethical analysis of organizational communication, in addition to the examination of actions in terms of effectiveness and other practical concerns. Another goal was to help students, as future managers, build their capacity to engage in this type of analysis.

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  Analyzing the Relationship Between Annual Household Income and Repeated Identity Theft Victimization Among U.S. Households

  Blake Bartley, Patrick Murray

  Repeated identity theft is one of the more prevalent and financially devastating crimes that occur in the United States daily. This study analyzes reports from repeated identity theft victims to examine the association between yearly household income and repeated identity theft victimization among Americans over the age of 16. The parameters of this study evaluate repeated identity theft victimization rates among people who make over $100,000 and those who make less than $50,000. This study uses regression modeling and statistical analysis to find socioeconomic trends and relationships between income and victimization. This research employs various control variables as well, including age, gender, and education, to gather more information on victimization characteristics. For this study, we used a dependent variable specified as “Personal information was stolen once or more than once?” Also, our independent variable is specified as “Annual Household Income” due to the importance of seeing the trends within the amount of household income compared to the instance amount of repeated identity theft. The results of this study will help American adults and policymakers to better understand the socioeconomic risk factors contributing to repeated identity theft victimization rates. These findings can assist in developing preventative practices and spreading awareness to help Americans proactively educate themselves and protect against repeated identity theft at any income level.

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  An Anthropological Approach to Healthcare in the United States

  Oluwayemisi Tayo-Ayorinde

  In the United States, one of the few developed countries where healthcare is not regarded as a right, no national health insurance system exists. Currently, an estimated 26 million Americans lack insurance coverage, a significant portion of whom belong to the lower and working classes (Collins and Gupta 2024).Furthermore, the capitalist system currently places minimal emphasis on the social determinants of health, which significantly influence individuals’ well-being. As a result, many individuals are turning to homeopathic methods of care, feeling that their holistic needs are overlooked by doctors when seeking medical assistance. According to the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA), in an article by Josh Birch published in 2023, there is a common consensus among Americans that the healthcare system is stretched thin, raising concerns about the potential impacts on patient care. A survey conducted among 2,519 U.S. adults aged 18 and older revealed that over 70% believe the healthcare system has failed them.This research analysis aims to examine how rights-based frameworks around healthcare provision alongside culturally relevant and community-based approaches, such as those promoted by the organization Partners in Health, as well as methods commonly used in the Global South, could address the failures of the for-profit model. To do this, I am conducting a literature review drawing from anthropology, political, and human rights sources to achieve a broad and interdisciplinary analysis of the issue. This research is important because it highlights areas in the healthcare system that could be improved to serve all populations better and propose methods and frameworks to improve equity and access.Citations:Collins, Sara, and Avni Gupta. “The State of Health Insurance Coverage in the U.S.” Commonwealthfund.org, 21 Nov. 2024, www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/surveys/2024/nov/state-health-insurance-coverage-us-2024-biennial-survey, https://doi.org/10.26099/byce-qc28.Birch, Josh. “U.S. Adults Spend Eight Hours Monthly Coordinating Healthcare, Find System “Overwhelming.”” AAPA, 17 May 2023, https://www.aapa.org/news-central/2023/05/u-s-adults-spend-eight-hours-monthly-coordinating-healthcare-find-system-overwhelming/‌

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  A new BODIPY photosensitizer capable of excitation within the near-infrared (NIR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum

  Emily Hardie

  Photodynamic therapy is a technique that uses and activates photosensitizing agents through the absorption of light of a certain wavelength in order to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). When present in a cellular environment, ROS can induce cell damage and oxidative stress leading to cell death. This study introduces a NIR activated BODIPY dye capable of generating both superoxide and singlet oxygen. The synthetic route to this dye along with characterization and evaluation through 1H NMR, electronic absorption spectroscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy is presented. Using singlet oxygen and superoxide radical quenchers, this dye shows high quantum yields for the production of ROS.

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  An Examination of the Prospective Links between Depressive Symptoms and Delinquency in Late Adolescence

  Jad Abuhilal, Grace Appelbaum, Kaitlyn Lancia, Quinn Willerton

  Depressive symptoms and delinquency are strongly correlated in adolescence, such that higher levels of one is associated with higher levels of the other. However, the direction of the relationship between depressive symptoms and delinquency is not fully understood. The "acting out" hypothesis predicts that delinquency increases risk for future depression, whereas the "social failure" hypothesis predicts that depression increases risk for future delinquency. It is also possible that each contributes to risk for the other, or that their correlation is due to common risk factors. The current study tests these hypotheses by examining the longitudinal associations between depressive symptoms and delinquency from ages 14 to 17 in a large and socioeconomically diverse sample of adolescents.

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  An Extreme Injustice: Evaluating the American Judicial Response to Incidents of Domestic Terrorism

  Kathryn McAuliffe

  Response methods to incidents of domestic terrorism vary greatly but all maintain one common thread: failure, because there is currently no federal charge for domestic terrorism which has led to significant breakdowns in the legal response to acts of domestic terrorism. This also relates to accountability and legitimacy in the American judicial and criminal justice systems. To better understand the current situation, a qualitative, descriptive case study will be used to evaluate specific moments in American politics that are considered domestic terrorism. Through analysis of archival, court and media documents, an assessment of these cases will yield deeper insight into the workings of the American judicial system and the way the nation responds to terrorism. Responses, currently, fail to hold terrorists accountable and do not grant legitimacy to what some consider the greatest threat to America––hate. Policy recommendations and changes should be made to ensure accountability and legitimacy are granted to these threats. Only when acts of domestic terrorism are regarded at the same level as threats of international terrorism will we have granted the proper legitimacy to domestic terrorism. Increased recognition of this danger and possible outcomes will help steer us to a more secure nation.

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  Annual Department of Music Honors Recital Competition

  Brendan Ash, Cara Clark, Duncan Costello, Emily Debevec, Abigail Deeter, Dominic Delligatti, Penelope Fisher, Claire Ginley, Victoria Kozma, Katarina Lagodzinski, Gabriel Lusk, Maggie Lustig, Samantha McIntyre, Dylan Reynolds, Luke de Villiers

  Music students selected by the Department of Music faculty perform for a panel of community-based professional musicians who will choose six finalists to perform on the Honors Recital at the end of the semester. Performances will include a variety of vocal and instrumental music.

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  A Numerical Study of a Differential Equations Model of HIV

  Thomas Erdman

  Human immunodeficiency virus infection better known as HIV has spread through communities for decades. As it moves through a person's blood it effectively infects more and more cells and can lead to the development of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). By using differential equations that model the per capita death rate of uninfected cells, infected cells, and virus particles, along with techniques such as Runge-Kutta we can predict the rate at which healthy cells will become infected.