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Using Mathematics to Understand Politics
Michal Sotak, Luke Walz
Political parties gain and lose members everyday. One way to mathematically depict how the amount of members in a political party change over time is using differential equations. First, we can assume that there are two main political parties that people from a certain population will choose to be a part of. We can depict the amount of people going in and coming out of these two political parties with a system of differential equations using an epidemiological approach. Using MATLAB, the change in membership of political parties and the best way for political parties to gain members over a long period of time can be explored. The results from the analysis of the rates of political party membership show that parties succeed best in the long run when holding ideologies that draw new members into the party while simultaneously catering to current members. We use Runge-Kutta methods (MATLAB built-in solver) for the numerical solution of the model.
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Using SIR Model to Study Coronavirus, a Numerical Study
Sarah Gnacek
The SIR model's widespread use in the study of infectious diseases is due to its simplicity. In this work, we study a compartment model from [1] for COVID-19 pandemic. We study the model using numerical methods such as Runge-Kutta methods. The model is simulated using MATLAB's built-in differential equations solvers ode23 and ode45. We also vary parameters to see the effect on the populations S, I and R.
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Using the Red Light/Green Light dual fluorescent protein reporter system to study enhancer-promoter interactions for the Drosophila Hr4 gene
Owen Focht, Brooke Nichols
Enhancers are a type of cis-regulatory element that activate gene transcription in spatial and temporal restricted patterns through their interactions with gene-proximal promoter sequences. Enhancers often reside at a distance (distal) to the gene promoter their activity is imparted on. Additional DNA elements may contribute to the selectivity of enhancer-promoter interactions, notably those referred to as remote control elements that can be encoded within enhancers, and tethering elements that can be in or near promoters. However, few of these elements have been found and characterized. Hence, the molecular mechanisms by which these differing elements interact remain poorly understood. The Williams lab previously (Camino et al. 2020) published on a dual reporter transgene system in Drosophila (D.) melanogaster that allows the simultaneous comparison of an enhancer's ability to activate proximal and distal fluorescent reporter genes. Of the enhancers tested in that study, none were found to activate the distal reporter gene. We are testing four enhancers from the Hr4 gene locus of D. melanogaster in this red light/green light dual reporter transgenic system. This includes enhancers that are positioned between 5 and 50 kilobase pairs from the Hr4 gene’s endogenous promoter. The results will inform on whether these distal enhancers can interact with the simple minimal promoter for the reporter gene, or whether a tethering element is additionally needed from the endogenous gene locus.
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Vaxxed or Relaxed: Flu Vaccine Perceptions and Behaviors at the University of Dayton
Kate Schreel
Flu vaccination is an effective way of preventing illness, hospitalization, and death when one contracts influenza. Flu vaccination is especially important among highly populated residential areas like college campuses. This study examines the factors that influence students’ decision to receive or not receive flu vaccinations at the University of Dayton. 84 students completed the anonymous survey. The top reasons for not receiving a vaccine were: (1) it was not worth the side effects, (2) they don’t get the flu to begin with, and (3) they forgot to get it. The top reasons for receiving a vaccine were: (1) a school/work requirement, (2) to avoid sickness, and (3) to protect the public. Results show that respondents with a higher sense of belonging at the University of Dayton are more likely to receive the flu vaccination. Future efforts should focus on educating the campus population on the importance, benefits, and risks of vaccination against influenza.
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Viewing Middle Eastern Geopolitics Through the Lens of Religion
Abdulaziz Alhadad, Robert Cannon
This research explores how religious identities and beliefs influence political decisions, regional conflicts, and international relations. It examines how religion is both a cultural force and a political tool, highlighting its impact on sectarian tensions and political strategies. By viewing the region through a religious lens, this research provides deeper insight into the complex relationship between faith and politics.
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Virtual Dunbar House
James Jarvis
Paul Dunbar was a prominent African-American author and poet from Dayton, Ohio. His works and legacy are widely appreciated until today. His Dunbar House is landmark point in Dayton area welcoming thousands of visitors every year. In this project, we develop a virtual Dunbar House with multiple navigation methods in order to bring this Dayton landmark to broader audience. In our framework we simulate the entire Dunbar house within a virtual environment. Certain virtual items such as Dunbar's works or properties can be interacted with to retrieve further information. Four different navigation modes of this application were created and evaluated. The user study reveals that users prefer the teleport mode since it is easy to use and more natural.
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Virtual Yoga Instructor with Real-Time Feedback
Nikesh Chithambaram, Abhijeet Gupta, Shruti Singh
Yoga is widely recognized for its physical and mental health benefits, but existing resources like video tutorials, mobile apps, and online classes often lack personalized feedback, making it difficult to ensure proper posture and avoid injury. For individuals with disabilities or limited mobility, these challenges are even greater, as traditional resources may not cater to their specific needs. Previous studies show that incorrect posture during yoga can increase the risk of discomfort or injury, high- lighting the importance of proper alignment and personalized feedback for safe practice. In this paper, we introduce the virtual yoga instructor application which consists of a virtual instructor and a feedback module via pose estimation. The virtual instructor, implemented in Unity game engine with an animated 3D humanoid model, demonstrates yoga poses. The feedbackmodule uses pose estimation to detect and analyze human body landmarks, generating scores and providing feedback throughtext and visual markers to guide users in achieving accurate yoga postures. The conducted user evaluations assess the applicationperformance based on the criteria of ease of use, interaction, informativeness, engagement, and retention. The results indicatethat our proposed application was highly rated and consistently preferred by users.
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Visible Colors, Invisible Struggles: Mental Health and Belonging for Students of Color
Norma White
Students of color at predominantly white institutions (PWIs) often struggle to access and feel comfortable using campus mental health services. This study highlights major barriers like long wait times, a lack of diverse therapists, cultural stigma, and poor outreach. Although the resources do exist many students feel disconnected from them making it harder to seek support. These findings show the need for more culturally aware counseling, better representation in mental health services, and stronger efforts to create a sense of belonging and inclusivity on campus.
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Walk On the Wild Side: Human Activity Influence on Mammal Activity Within Metroparks
Elizabeth Divish
Five Rivers Metroparks offer a vast array of recreational nature preserves for people around Dayton, Ohio, as well as a habitat for wildlife. Many species in the parks are essential for many ecosystem services and habitat quality. The objective of this study was to examine how the temporal activity of mammals compared in areas of high, medium, and low trail density. Our mammal species of interest were: white-tail deer (Odocoileus virginianus), squirrels (Sciurus sp.), and northern raccoon (Procyon lotor ) through the use of camera traps and analysis of species detections and activity abundance. We surveyed the locations, placing 23 cameras 50 meters from the nearest trail from September to November of 2023, and 9 cameras at the same parks 100 meters from the closest trail during the same months in 2024. Preliminary results from 2023 indicate that the responses are species-specific, meaning some species change their behaviors in response to higher humana activity while others do not. Our results will help inform best management practices at Five Rivers Metroparks and to encourage sustainable actions for the public.
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What types of active learning in songs lhelp build literacy skills in early childhood?
Olivia Heinrich, Samantha Matheis
This study explores how specific music engagement of active learning in children's songs support the development of early literacy skills. Research focuses on rhyming words, modeling, and repetition. We examined 18 popular children's songs to identify patterns that contribute to literacy growth in early childhood. Our analysis found that these three features were present and play a significant role in enhancing phonological awareness, expanding vocabulary, and encouraging language production. Rhyming helps children recognize sound patterns, a foundational skill for reading. Modeling—where adults or characters demonstrate actions and call and repeat methods that provide clear examples for children to imitate. Repetition reinforced language structures and vocabulary, offering multiple exposures to new concepts and sounds. The combination of these elements created an engaging and supportive environment that promoted active participation and language development. Our findings suggest that educators and caregivers can intentionally use these songs with these characteristics to support early literacy. Music can be a powerful tool in the education process, especially in early childhood settings.
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White Collar Crime and Sentencing Disparities
Makoro Kebe
This research aims to explore the intricate relationship between socioeconomic status and sentencing disparities in white-collar crime. White-collar crimes, which are usually non-violent and involve deceit or breach of trust, are frequently linked to respectable and well-regarded people. However, the definition and the socioeconomic background of perpetrators remain subjects of debate. Prior studies offer contradictory findings, with some suggesting that higher-status individuals face harsher sentences, while others propose a "status shield" where privileged backgrounds lead to more lenient punishments. Some studies have found that white-collar offenders come from more average backgrounds. To determine if socioeconomic position affects sentencing results, more research is necessary given the current ambiguity and conflicting evidence. Because perceptions of sentencing discrepancies have the potential to undermine public confidence in the legal system and perpetuate systemic inequality, it is imperative that these problems be addressed. Perceived advantages for the wealthy can diminish faith in the legal system and influence crime rates by shaping perceptions of risk and punishment.
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Wings and Watts: Butterfly Communities in Microhabitats of Solar Prairies
Darcy Beazley, Elizabeth Miles-Flynn, Matthew Noble, Claire Qua, Leen Sawas
Solar energy is becoming an increasingly popular alternative energy source for residential and commercial entities. Butterflies are valuable bioindicators of habitat health and are sensitive to disturbance. This study assessed butterfly abundance and species richness at two solar prairie sites: Marianist Environmental Education Center (MEEC) and Curran Place. MEEC features grass-dominated plant communities under stationary solar panels, while Curran Place has forb-dominated communities under moving panels. At each site, we established six 60-meter transects across two microhabitats: buffer zones (areas around the solar arrays) and array aisles (spaces between the panels), totaling 12 transects per site. We predicted higher total abundance in buffer zones and greater species richness at Curran Place, where nectar-bearing plants are more diverse. Our results showed a marginally significant difference (p = 0.0972), with greater overall abundance at Curran Place, supporting our hypothesis. While ANOVA tests did not confirm statistical significance, trends suggest higher species richness at Curran Place. At MEEC, buffer zones had higher abundance and species richness, while no butterflies were recorded in the array aisles. Both sites primarily hosted generalist species, which are more likely to adapt and spread to altered environments. To mitigate the ecological impact of solar arrays, managing solar prairie sites with plants that support specialists and threatened butterflies can enhance biodiversity. Overall, our study provides a framework for future butterfly population research in solar prairies and highlights the importance of buffer zones, combining flowering plants and native grasses, for habitat conservation.
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ZFP36L1 negatively regulates autophagy to suppress murine norovirus replication
Malabika Bhowmik, Mychaela Janzow, Tooba Ahmed Momin
Objective: Zinc finger proteins (ZFPs) are abundant in eukaryotic cells and play critical roles in cell signalling by binding to cellular components like DNA, RNA, lipids, and other proteins. Specifically, ZFP36L1 has been identified as a regulator of RNA metabolism with antiviral activity against multiple viruses. The current study aims to examine the role of ZFP36L1 in regulating norovirus replication using murine norovirus (MNoV-1) as a model. Given that viruses often hijack the autophagy pathway to facilitate replication, we also seek to understand the relationship between ZFP36L1’s antiviral efficacy and autophagy modulation.
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ZFP36L1 Suppresses Human Coronavirus OC43 Replication Independent of Poly(A) Tail Deadenylation
Malabika Bhowmik, Tooba Momin
Objective: RNA viruses exhibit high mutation rates, enhancing their survival and potential for cross-species transmission, making them strong candidates for future pandemics. Targeting conserved aspects of viral replication could be an effective antiviral strategy. ZFP36L1, a CCCH-type zinc finger protein that regulates mRNA turnover, has demonstrated antiviral activity against several RNA viruses. Our study investigates the mechanism by which ZFP36L1 suppresses human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) replication and explores sodium butyrate as a potential enhancer of ZFP36L1 expression to amplify its antiviral effects. Methods: Wild-type (WT), ZFP36L1-overexpressing (OE), and ZFP36L1 knockdown (KD) HCT-8 cells were infected with HCoV-OC43 and analyzed for viral titers, cytopathic effects, and viral transcript levels via qPCR. To assess whether poly(A) tail deadenylation contributes to viral suppression, CNOT1 was knocked down in OE cells, and viral titers were measured. Computational RNA-protein interaction tools (RPISeq) and homology modeling identified potential interactions between ZFP36L1 and the viral genome, validated through RNA immunoprecipitation and luciferase reporter assays. Additionally, sodium butyrate was tested for its ability to enhance ZFP36L1 expression, followed by viral titer assessment. Results: ZFP36L1 overexpression significantly reduced HCoV-OC43 titers, while knockdown increased viral replication (p less than 0.05). CNOT1 knockdown in OE cells did not reverse suppression, suggesting a poly(A)-independent mechanism. ZFP36L1 strongly interacted with the HCoV-OC43 nucleocapsid protein, leading to suppressed viral replication. Sodium butyrate treatment upregulated ZFP36L1 expression, further reducing viral titers. Conclusions: ZFP36L1 suppresses HCoV-OC43 replication by interacting with the viral nucleocapsid protein, independent of poly(A) tail deadenylation. Sodium butyrate enhances ZFP36L1 expression, strengthening its antiviral effects and leading to a greater reduction in viral titers. This highlights the potential of targeting ZFP36L1 expression via biocompatible compounds like sodium butyrate as a novel antiviral strategy against human coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2.
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Stander Symposium Artwork, 2025
Mary Dent
This graphic artwork was used to promote the 2025 Stander Symposium, a showcase of academic research and creative work.
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