Stander Symposium Projects

Follow

• 

  Automatic Building Detection in Wide Area Imagery

  Daniel P. Prince, ALmabrok Essa Essa, Sidike Paheding

  Unauthorized construction can cause damage to public and private infrastructure, including utilities, public housing, telecommunication equipment, etc. Current construction analysis is performed by human analysts, who can become fatigued after reviewing large amounts of imagery and are expensive to employ. In order to improve efficiency and reduce cost in monitoring this unauthorized construction, there is a need for automating the detection of regions of interest in imagery. In this work, we focus on the automatic detection of buildings. Sources of aerial and satellite imagery can be used as sources of data in order to perform these detections. While standard visible imagery with red, green, and blue channels may be used, additional information can be extracted through the use of infrared data. In this research, we have created a building detection algorithm that utilizes texture, shadow, road, and edge information for use in detecting buildings from visible and infrared imagery in rural, suburban, and urban areas. Several examples of real-world satellite imagery are used in order to evaluate our building detection algorithm.

• 

  Avoiding the Guillotine: The Need for Balance and Purpose in Determining Fundamental Rights under the Fourteenth Amendment

  Timothy A. Campbell

  This paper argues the need for a balanced approach between traditionalism (including history) and rationalism to determine fundamental rights under the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The issue of how to determine fundamental rights has intrigued the Supreme Court of the United States since 1798. The Supreme Court has desired an “objective” approach to determine what rights are “fundamental.” However, the Supreme Court has had difficulty finding an objective approach. This is because, as E.O. Wilson and Joshua Greene observed, rights are naturally subjective creations of an individual’s values. Thus, any test to determine fundamental rights will be subjective rather than objective. The debate over how to determine fundamental rights is also shaped by the rationalist and traditionalist schools of thought. Rationalists argue that fundamental rights should be determined by objective reasons, rather than history. The latter, on the other hand, argue that history still has value, and is a required component of legal analysis. Both sides of the debate bring out valid points in favor of their claims. However, neither side alone can provide a solution to the debate. As a result, what is needed is a balanced test between rationalism and traditionalism. Specifically, the test examines four factors: specificity of the right, purpose of the right, legal precedent, and history. In order for a proposed right to be fundamental, the sum of the specificity and the purpose must be greater or equal to the sum of legal precedent and history.

• 

  BMI Associations Between Mother and Offspring From Birth to Age 18: The Fels Longitudinal Study

  Stacie S. Swanton

  Introduction: It is reported that two of three American adults are classified as overweight or obese; and one in three of their offspring will become overweight or obese (Sun et al., 2012). Because parental obesity is a risk factor for childhood obesity, children can also be pre-exposed to risk factors for chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery and cardiovascular diseases. It has been well established that body composition is affected by many variables such as age, sex, race, in addition to the familial environment affects such as diet and exercise habits (Baumgartner et al., 1994). Previous research has shown a stronger maternal than paternal influence on BMI during infancy and early childhood (Magarey et al., 2013). The purpose of this research was to investigate the BMI associations between mother and offspring from birth to age 18 years. Methods: Participants were selected from the Fels Longitudinal Study, in which information regarding the study has been previously published in great detail (Roche et al., 1992). The current study sample includes 6,263 mother/child pairings (n=3,215 mother/son, n= 3,048 mother/daughter). Inclusion criteria required that mothers be a mean age of 35 ± 5 years, the children be aged from 0-18 years, and have height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) data present. BMI correlations between mothers and offspring were analyzed by Spearman correlations and standardized beta coefficients. Results: BMI correlations for the mother/son relationship became statistically significant (p≤ 0.05) around the boys age 5-6 years and continued through puberty and into early adulthood at age 18 years. The mother/daughter relationship became significant at age 1.5 years for girls and also continued through adolescence, puberty and early adulthood at age 18 years. Conclusions: The mother/daughter relationship was more strongly correlated than the mother/son relationship, and also became statistically significant at an earlier age than boys.

• 

  Can Airplane Recycling Take off?

  Mariana E. Aboujaoude, Tyler D. Knoblauch, Christian Alexander Lohmeier, Zhuochen Shi

  As of 2015, the worldwide air transportation industry is expected to contain an estimated 10,000 aircraft ready for retirement. In order to offset the introduction of waste from aircraft disposal into landfills, as well as to cope with the depletion of natural resources, the recycling of airplanes is becoming more prevalent. Aircraft Recycling is a process of highly variable economic revenues. Often, the difference between having a loss and a profit is with the resale of aircraft parts, namely the engines. Recycling companies often have to charge the owner of an aircraft for the recycling process in order to make up for their labor costs, and at the same time, not all that could be recycled is actually recycled in practice. This study introduces the current processes associated with aircraft recycling and disposal. This study identifies current estimated costs and revenues behind the recycling and disposal of an aircraft and formulates a baseline. This study then introduces suggested improvements in specific waste streams (metals, parts, hazardous materials, insulation and aircraft lining, textiles, etc.) and the economics associated with these improvements. A cost-benefit analysis will determine economic feasibility of suggested improvements.

• 

  Can the Color Red Improve Men’s Perceived Mate Value?: Examining the Interactive Effects of Facial Masculinity and Color on Female Evaluation of Potential Mates

  Alejandro Trujillo

  We manipulated facial masculinity (masculine-morph/feminine-morph) and color (red/white) through two independent studies—one in-lab at the University of Dayton and one online using Amazon’s MTurk—to examine its effect on social status and attractiveness for men when rated by women. We specifically aimed to see if the color red could serve a compensatory effect for feminine-faced men, who were least likely to be found attractive by women at peak fertility. When paired with red, women rated the masculine and feminine faces higher in social status. Through this increase in social status, the color red was also able to indirectly increase the physical attractiveness of the men. Additionally, the sensitivity to the color red was predicted by conception risk, such that women closer to peak fertility were most attentive of the color red.

• 

  Capture Ratio Analysis and The Materials Sector XLB: A Performance Review for 2010-2015

  Nicholas C. Jacobs

  The materials sector performance has had a challenging time over the last few years. A slow down in China and Europe certainly have been contributing factors in XLB's weak performance. In this study, I evaluate a portfolio weighting model based on capture ratios. The covariance in price peformance between large-cap stocks in the materials sector and the market (S&P 500). In this study I use a concentrated portfolio of the 10 biggest cap-weighted stocks in XLB and weight their position in the portfolio by upside/downside capture ratios. I then test the following hypotheses; 1.)The 10 materials stocks portfolio weighted by upside/downside capture ratios outperforms the market (S&P 500) 2.) The upside/downside capture ratio weighted concentrated portfolio of materials stocks outperforms XLB and 3.) The concentrated portfolio of materials stocks, performance wise, compares favorably to other weighting strategies.

• 

  Characterizing the Interaction of Mytilus edulis Foot Protein-5 with HY80 Steel

  Brooke N Bennett

  Mytilus edulis foot protein-5 (Mefp-5) is an adhesive protein found in the adhesive plaque of the byssal thread of the common blue mussel, Mytilus edulis (L). While to date there have been eight proteins isolated from the byssal structure, this protein contains the greatest amount (27 mol %) of a unique amino acid, L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-Dopa), which is a posttranslational modification of the amino acid L-tyrosine. This protein has been shown to confer significant corrosion inhibition to a high strength, low alloy steel (HY80) when adsorbed onto the metal surface and the steel subsequently exposed to accelerated corrosion environments. To characterize how Mefp-5 interacts with the HY80 steel and thus provide corrosion inhibition, a variety of analytical techniques were implemented. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) was performed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) on HY80 steel with three different treatments of Mefp-5 dissolved in deionized water, 0.05 M potassium phosphate buffer with a pH of 5.5, and the same buffer containing mushroom tyrosinase to facilitate the oxidation of the L-Dopa and subsequent intramolecular cross-linking. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Nanoscale infrared spectroscopy (Nano-IR) were performed on both a HY80 steel coupon and a glass slide containing Mefp-5 dissolved in deionized water. The results indicate that the amino acid L-Dopa in the Mefp-5 protein is intimately involved in the adsorption of the protein onto the two substrates tested. The SEM-EDS data indicate that the Mefp-5 adheres mostly through auto-oxidation and cross-linking, but when dissolved in buffer or buffer with enzyme, the protein interacts with the HY80 surface via a mixture of enzyme and metal mediated cross-linking and complexation, respectively. FT-IR and Nano-IR data for Mefp-5 adsorbed onto HY80 and glass steel exhibits similar results suggesting that the Mefp-5 adsorbed on the HY80 involves metal ion complexation by L-Dopa at the protein-metal interface.

• 

  Creating a Safe and Effective Learning Environment

  Hannah K Carnevale, Logan C Cooper, Kayla B Needham, Madison E Rinderle

  This EDT 110H project will explore how policies as well as student and teacher behavior can have an impact on the school environment. Topics will include: the effects bullying, if a dress code can help prevent violence, how praising students could reduce class disruption, and the effectiveness of and possible alternatives to zero tolerance policies.

• 

  Creating Value through Sustainable Manufacturing

  Ryan S. Schuessler, Zack Valigosky

  To support movement toward a more sustainable worldview, increasing manufacturing efficiency or productivity to improve business profitability and return to shareholders alone is no longer sufficient. Today, leading manufacturers employ business practices that generate sustainable value—that is, creating economic, environmental, and societal value for all stakeholders. Progressive company culture, environmental and energy management systems, carbon neutrality, and becoming landfill free are all valuable outcomes of sustainable manufacturing. This poster outlines the the value of these outcomes as well as methods to achieve sustainable manufacturing.

• 

  Cross-Cultural Engagement: Is it happening?

  Johanna B. Lantz

  This study examines the cross-cultural engagement between international and domestic undergraduate engineering students at a private, Midwestern university. It uncovers the situations in which international and domestic students are engaging and explores the components which help or hinder the cross-cultural interaction between these students. This study informs higher education professionals endeavoring to provide undergraduate engineering students a greater ability to function in a global world. Data was collected through the use of one-on-one interviews with current international and domestic undergraduate engineering students. The study revealed that while international and domestic engineering students are engaging, the frequency remains low and there continues to be barriers to this engagement which should be addressed.

• 

  Cultural Continuity from 1845 to the 2008 Presidential Election

  Gurjot Kaur

  This paper intends to examine the durability of culture in elections with a civil rights component by conducting a multiple regression analysis. The difference in the Democratic vote between 2008 and 2004 is regressed on a number of demographic and socioeconomic variables, as well as a cultural variable. The model attempts to demonstrate the persistence of culture in New York counties over a span of more than 150 years. County level cross-sectional data was used, obtained from the 2010 Census, the 1845 New York Census, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the New York State Board of Elections. The model was constructed using ordinary least squares regression, and the AICc was used to find the model most likely to align with the true model by dropping variables without explanatory power. At an alpha level of 0.10, it was determined that the percentage of the county’s population born in New England in 1845 did have a statistically significant impact on the difference in the Democratic vote, supporting the hypothesis that culture is durable and persistent over time.

• 

  Culture and Popularity: A Critical Analysis of Contemporary Dystopian Texts

  Joseph A Spieles

  The past two decades have seen a surge of dystopian novels aimed at teenaged and young adult audiences. Many of the novels have been so well received that they were rapidly adapted into films. I am investigating the cultural obsession with dystopian stories and their popularity in young adult audiences through a critical analysis of The Hunger Games trilogy, novels and films, with references to additional contemporary dystopian novels and films. My work draws from the psychology of popularity as well as studies of popular culture aimed at predicting and explicating film and novel success. I also aim to explicate the differences between dystopia as a literary genre and other forms of society demonstrated in literature that show civil unrest. I am analyzing the novels, films, and social movements behind these contemporary texts to account for their popularity in young adult culture.

• 

  Culture as Context: Effects of Cultural Polarization on Chinese International Student Adjustment

  Geordan L. Burress

  Due to the fact that Chinese international students are such a significant population within American universities across the country, it is worth investigating how this population typically adjusts to living in the United States and what stresses or issues are unique to them. However, it is also important to investigate whether or not Chinese international students experience positive transformations within themselves as a result of the adjustment challenges that they are faced with. This qualitative inquiry examines these vital questions surrounding Chinese international student adjustment, in order to contribute to a more holistic understanding of the complex experiences of Chinese international students.

• 

  Cyberbullying on UD Campus

  Kaitlin Marie Bell, Samantha M Cook, Tyler E Jasensky, Hannah Catherine Lindesmith

  An alarming statistic from the US Department of Health and Human Services states that 52% of students have been a victim of cyberbullying. More than half of students are experiencing the physical and mental threats that follow them constantly in the cyber world. Our world today is filled with the use of internet in a majority of tasks, whether in an office building or in a classroom full of students. With so many people using social media and the internet comes consequences. The idea of cyberbullying is that the internet provides an anonymity that allows a vicious comment to be said without placing the blame on a direct person. In addition, the internet is filled with fake accounts that interact with a person on a daily basis. In contrast to traditional bullying at school, cyberbullying has created an environment where a photo or statement can be shared continuously. At the University of Dayton, students have social media on their phones or computers constantly. Some of the more popular social media sites used are Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, YikYak, and Instagram. An article conducted by Flyer News expressed the concern that YikYak posed because of the ability to post racist or awful comments about others without your identity being exposed. With the increased use of social media here on UD’s campus, there is a heightened chance that cyberbullying will or already has presented itself as a serious issue. Sixty-eight percent of teens report cyberbullying as a serious issue and 81% think it is much easier to bully someone via social media/online rather than in person (dosomething.org, 2016). In conclusion, whether or not we see it often here on our campus, cyberbullying is an issue and it is up to us students to be educated on it and attempt to stop it.

• 

  Data Evaluation and Control of Pollutants in the Air

  Hassaan Fahim

  This project is about the data evaluation of the pollutants in the open atmosphere such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, etc. The main aim of this project is to evaluate the data for the pollutants mentioned above as well as to generate different curves with the help of data obtained for past couple of decades and to develop some curve-fit equations to predict the approximate emission values of the pollutants for upcoming future years. As environmental pollution is one of the biggest challenges we are facing now-a-days in the current technology-based world,this work also shows the different allowable exposure limits of the pollutants as per regulations provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Also, this work presents the air quality index specifications with its (U.S.EPA) different zones, providing the ways to protect our health from the long term exposure of the pollutants which can cause various diseases and disorder for living organisms, especially, human beings.

• 

  Depth Perception for Obstacle Avoidance using Robust Artificial Intelligence-based Defense Electro Robot (RAIDER)

  Brandon M Hampshire

  All robotic navigation requires an awareness of surrounding environment to avoid potential collisions. To help aid the navigation of the Robust Artificial Intelligence-based Defense Electro Robot (RAIDER), we employ the use of a three-dimensional depth sensor (Xbox Kinect) to detect obstacles present in the path of the robot. The depth map created from the Kinect sensor provides necessary information to the obstacle locations. Navigation commands are then computed based on these locations to allow the robot to slow when approaching the obstacles and turn away from the obstacles. Communication is established with the robot using a wireless local area network and processing of Kinect is done on an off-board computer. This allows navigation processing requirements to be communicated to the robot remotely for communication and interaction with other robots and sensors.

• 

  Design and Fabrication of Fourier Spectral Filter Array for Multispectral Imaging

  Chuan Ni

  Multispectral imaging has the capability to identify the state of objects based on their spectral characteristics. These are features not available with conventional color imaging based on metameric RGB (red, green and blue) colors alone. Current multispectral imaging systems use narrowband filters to capture the spectral content of a scene, which necessitates different filters to be designed and applied for each application. We have demonstrated the concept of Fourier multispectral imaging which uses filters with sinusoidally varying transmittance by time multiplexed switchable filter array in our previous paper [1, 2]. In this paper, we designed and built a five channel, spatially multiplexed pixel filter array. This enables single-shot images and makes it possible to capture scenes containing moving objects. [1] J. Jia, C. Ni, A. Sarangan, and K. Hirakawa, Fourier multispectral imaging, Optics express, Vol. 23, Issue 17, pp. 22649-22657 (2015). [2] C. Ni, J. Jia, K. Hirakawa, A. Sarangan, Design and fabrication of sinusoidal spectral filters for multispectral imaging, in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9556: Nanoengineering: Fabrication, Properties, Optics, and Devices XII.

• 

  Design and Prototyping of a Variable Geometry Extrusion Die to Exhibit Significant Alteration in Shape

  David C. Bell

  Extruded parts are conventionally made by forcing melted plastic through a steel die having a fixed opening that matches the shape of the part. Plastic parts made by extrusion include weather stripping, PVC pipe, and composite lumber. Variable geometry dies can change their opening shape during the extrusion process. Developing shape-changing dies technology offers the possibility of making parts with varying cross-sections that currently need to be made through injection molding. This is desirable as, compared to molding, extrusion tends to be faster and less expensive. Variable geometry extrusion dies have been designed and prototyped by the University of Dayton research team that confirms the validity of the concept. This research explores the limits of this new technology by creating a die that has substantial movement of components that form the die opening.

• 

  Design, Fabrication and Testing Multi-Layered Metal Wire Grids Polarizer and Its Application in Polarization Imaging System

  Pengfei Guo

  Sub-wavelength wire grids have a potential to be used in in micro-polarizers since they could provide information about the state of polarization of an image in a compact format. At the same time, the fabrication process for wiregrids is compatible with semiconductor technology. In this project, theoretical analysis, computation simulations will be conducted to investigate the influence of the design parameters on the performance of polarizers manufactured using a deep UV interference lithography. Simulations were also performed to determine if acceptable performance could be achieved using a CMOS back-end-of-line metallization process. In this process, multiple layers of the metallization could be used separated by dielectric films. In the experimental process, we will demonstrate the pixelated polarizers with 0, 45, 90, 135 degree polarization orientations as a ‘super pixel’ which repeat over entire array and integrate it with a photo-detector array. The transmission, extinction ratio, spectral and angular bandwidth will be measured to evaluate the polarization imaging system and compare to the single layer polarization imaging system.

• 

  Destined for Trouble? : A Prospective Analysis of the Effects of Temperament and Parenting on Externalizing Problems

  Sarah A Wilhoit

  Researchers have suggested one developmental pathway of behavior problems in childhood from infant irritable temperament eliciting negative parenting behaviors (e.g., Bell, 1968; Paterson & Sanson, 1999; Patterson 1986; Rothbart & Bates, 2006). Children and infants with an irritable temperament evoke more negative or hostile reactions from both their parents (Van den Boom et al., 1994) and parents of other children (Dumas & LaFreniere, 1993). In middle childhood, an irritable temperament predicted negative parenting, and negative parenting predicted behavior problems, although these variables were not fully prospectively assessed (Lengua & Kovacs, 2005). The present study improves on prior studies by using a fully prospective design. To do so, we used a subset of data from a large, nationally representative sample of mothers and their offspring. We first hypothesized that infant irritable temperament would predict externalizing behavior problems in mid-childhood. Second, we hypothesized that negative parenting practices (e.g., lack of maternal warmth, lack of learning stimulation, and harsh practices) would mediate the relationship between infant temperament and externalizing behaviors. Finally, we tested this mediation model both between families and within families, as a sibling comparison. Results indicated that maternal warmth and lack of learning stimulation mediated the relationship between infant temperament and behavior problems between families, but not within. Specifically, within families, infants with an irritable temperament evoked lower levels of maternal responsive, but these lower levels of responsiveness were not predictive of behavior problems. Regarding learning stimulation, neither step of the mediation was significant within families. Finally, harsh parenting did not mediate the relationship between temperament and behavior problems within or between families. However, within families, harsh parenting predicted later behavior problems. These findings suggest that passive gene-environment correlations account for much of the variation observed between families in the role of temperament and parenting in the development of behavior problems.

• 

  Developing Trend Equations for CPI:As Empirical Analysis 2001-2015

  Daniel J. Whitehead

  Since the 2008 recession, overall inflation as measured by CPI has been perceived to be almost non existent. In recent months, however, inflation is picking up, which in a perverse sort of way is seen as good for the economy. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to more clearly understand CPI trend inflation. To that end, I looked at a long term trend, 2001-2014, two intermediate term trends, 2001-2007 and 2009-2014 and a short term trend, 2013-2014. Monthly and yearly linear trend equations were developed for the long and intermediate term time periods. For the shorter time period both a simple monthly year-over-year comparison and a sequential monthly comparison of the change of inflation were calculated. Three key findings were discussed: 1) since 2001, the long term trend has risen close to the target rate of 2%. 2) There has been a decline in the inflation rate from 2001-2007 period to the 2009-2014 period. 3) Short term inflation rates are more robust indicating a bottoming out in the decline in inflation.

• 

  Dissecting the Sex-dependent Neurochemical Effects of the Rapid-acting Antidepressant Drug Ketamine with In Vivo Brain Microdialysis in Mice

  Jonathon P. Sens, Connor F. Thelen

  Major depression is a devastating mental disorder that affects nearly 20% of the world’s population. Notably, women experience major depression at roughly twice the rate of men and respond differently to different types of antidepressant drugs. However, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying this sex-differentiated responsiveness remain a largely neglected area of experimentation with current treatments based almost exclusively on research conducted in males. Most importantly, currently marketed antidepressant drugs take anywhere from weeks to months in order to elicit their therapeutic effects, thus leading to increased drop-out rates. Ketamine is a unique, rapid-acting antidepressant drug that alleviates depressive symptomatology in both treatment-resistant depressed patients and in animal models of depression. Despite data regarding the antidepressant efficacy of ketamine in the male sex, there is scant evidence of its neurobiological effects on females. Herein, we implemented an in vivo microdialysis approach to investigate the kinetics of glutamate release in the mouse medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), a brain region implicated in ketamine’s antidepressant mechanism of action. Specifically, male and female mice were administered a single dose of ketamine (10 mg/kg) following stereotactic implantation of a microdialysis probe in the mPFC. Samples were collected every 10 min in a microcentrifuge tube for one hour and glutamate was assayed with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with coulometric detection. Furthermore, we identified the temporal molecular effects of ketamine on the expression of two prominent presynaptic proteins implicated in neurotransmitter release (i.e. Synapsin I and Syntaxin I). Mice were administered a single dose of ketamine (10 mg/kg) and were sacrificed at specific time-points (i.e. 0, 2, and 4h or 1, 3, and 7 days post-administration). Collectively, this study revealed that there is an important time-factor that distinguishes the neurochemical responses of the two sexes to a single dose of ketamine, thereby illustrating that different neurobiological mechanisms underlie its rapid antidepressant actions.

• 

  Distinctions Between Primary and Secondary Psychopathy: Gender-Match as a Facilitator of Victim Empathy?

  Reilly K Kincaid, Cody Stitzel

  Due to inconsistent findings in the literature regarding the relationship between psychopathy and empathy, this study uses a between-subjects design to examine the relationship between the constructs of psychopathy and victim empathy in 120 jail inmates. Specifically, this study seeks to identify whether primary and secondary psychopathy subtypes experience empathy for victims of their own gender (i.e., gender-matched) or for victims of the opposite gender (i.e., gender-nonmatched) differently. Thus, various types of empathy measures are used. To assess implicit affective victim empathy, participants are randomly assigned to one of two conditions, wherein they listen to a voice recording of either a male or female victim describing a physically violent attack. While listening to the recording, participants wear a heart rate monitor and measurements are taken to determine if participants experience a change in heart rate in response to the empathy provoking stimuli. To assess explicit victim empathy, both affective and cognitive, participants complete self-report questionnaires regarding how they felt while listening to the recording and how they believe the victim felt, respectively. Participants also complete self-report measures that assess for psychopathy, along with its primary and secondary variants, general empathy, and trait anxiety. It is hypothesized that secondary psychopathy will be positively related to implicit and explicit measures of victim empathy for gender-matched victims, yet will be negatively related to implicit and explicit measures of victim empathy for gender-nonmatched victims, as well as the measure of general empathy. Additionally, it is hypothesized that primary psychopathy will be negatively related to implicit measures of affective victim empathy and positively related to explicit measures of both victim and general empathy, regardless of the victim’s gender in relation to their own.

• 

  Do High ROE Stocks Outperform the Market with Persistence: An Empirical Analysis, 2009 - 2014

  Andrew M. Imhoff

  Academic studies by Eugene Fama and Kenneth French as well as Robert Novy Marx identify profitability as one of the factors determining the variation in excess returns in the cross section of stock returns. Using return on equity (ROE) as my measure of profitability and the S&P 500 as my universe of stocks, I examine the impact of ROE on S&P 500 stock performance for the period 2009 - 2014. I test the following hypotheses with respect to ROE: (1) Portfolios of firms with high ROE's (40% or higher) outperform the market with persistence i.e. over long periods of time, (2) Growth firms with high ROE's outperform value firms with high ROE's, (3) Portfolios of high ROE firms outperform portfolios of low ROE firms.

• 

  Drosophila Eye Model to Study the Role of Steroid-Responsive Ecdysone Pathway in Alzheimer's Disease

  Matthew Richard Riccetti, Ankita Sarkar

  Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, is a chronic neurodegenerative condition that affects nearly 44 million people worldwide. The hallmark of Alzheimer’s pathology is the accumulation of extracellular Aβ-42 protein plaques, which cause inflammation and neuronal death in the brains of affected patients. Currently, no proper early detection methods or cures exist, but promising evidence is arising from studying the development of nervous tissue in model organisms like Drosophila melanogaster. In order to better understand the mechanism by which this disease progresses and its interactions amongst the unique nature of nerve cells, we misexpressed human Aβ-42 in the eye of Drosophila, which forms amongst the differentiating photoreceptor cells. This results in a strong neurodegenerative phenotype, which we strive to rescue through genetic and developmental techniques. This project focuses on two signaling pathways that have important implications in the development of AD. The Hippo pathway is a conserved signaling cascade that that is essential for the proper regulation of organ growth in Drosophila and vertebrates. Previous research has shown that downregulation of this cascade causes an increase in cell proliferation in developing somatic epithelium and nervous tissue, exhibiting neuroprotective effects. Recently, research has shown that the related Ecdysone signaling pathway modulates Hippo transcriptional activity in imaginal disc cells. The Ecdysone coactivator Taiman forms a unique transcriptional complex with the Hippo transcription factor Yorkie, suppressing expression of canonical Hippo targets and inducing transcription of germline stem cell factors in regions that have already differentiated. We have tested two new modulators of the Hippo signaling pathway, a downstream target protein called Ajuba and the related Ecdysone pathway, to study their interactions, ability to induce germline-like growth, and prevent the degradation of eye tissue during development in an AD Drosophila eye model. We will present our progress and future direction.