Stander Symposium Projects

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  Love at the Intersection: Supporting the Faith Development of LGB Students of Faith at the University of Dayton.

  Matthew D Little

  Both student affairs professionals and college students are recognizing the value of faith development (Braskamp, 2007). However, Love, Bock, Jannarone, and Richardson (2005) cautioned that for LGBT students, this can be a painful topic given organized religion’s anti-LGBT history. Despite this, they noted that a growing number value their faith practices and need developmental support. Unfortunately, Dahl and Galliher (2012) observed that minimal research has been published on the faith development of this population and the external factors that influence it. They insisted that “it is incumbent on researchers to gain an increased understanding of the experiences and development trajectories of LGBTQ individuals within religious contexts” (p. 219). Heeding their call, this qualitative study sought to determine which forms of support LGB students of faith at the University of Dayton (UD) described as most beneficial to their faith development. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, the research focused on interviews with seven undergraduate students who identified as both Catholic/Christian and lesbian, gay, or bisexual. These students discussed their experiences as LGB Christians on UD’s campus, the forms of support in faith development they found most beneficial, and other supportive efforts they still sought as LGB people of faith. Common themes found in their interviews included the benefits of unconditional acceptance/love offered by campus professionals, the value of solitude and time for reflection in contemplating their intersecting identities, the positive impact of the example of Christians throughout history who have both remained faithful to the Church and yet disagreed with aspects of its teaching, and the need for role models who reflect both strong faith and an open LGB identity.

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  Low Birthweight and How Mother’s Status Influences It

  Xueyan Bai

  This research project investigates the impact of various factors on the risk of low birth weight. A Logistic regression model will be used to identify those factors that impact the probability of low birth weight (smaller than 2500 grams) baby. The related factors include mother’s age, mother’s weight, smoking status during pregnancy and several others. Basically, those factors are related to mother’s life habits and personal status.

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  Magnesium Catalyzed Synthesis of Organophosphates

  Emily K Granger, Cori K Young

  Synthetic strategies for the construction of phosphorus centered organophoshorus molecules are underdeveloped compared to their carbon-centered cousins. Though the methods for the construction of organophosphate triesters and their derivatives are somewhat limited, they nevertheless have recently found great utility in the pharmaceutical industry. Given that phosphates are commonly used by nature as powerful tools for the regulation of life processes, it is no surprise to find them as key components in many pharmaceuticals.6 It is easy to find phosphorylation and dephosphorylation in reactions that control various aspects of metabolism through phosphate esters or their derivatives. This type of chemistry offers profound control with biomolecules such as proteins (especially kinases), carbohydrates, nucleotides (DNA and RNA), and steroids. As such it is a process that, when controlled, can treat many different types of human ailments such as cancer, contagious diseases like Hepatitis C, AIDS, and the flu

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  Making a Difference: Experiences of Students who Participate in Community Engagement within Urban Neighborhoods

  Allyssa Allen

  As institutions begin to create opportunities for multiculturalism programming on and off campus, undergraduate students have the opportunity to become socially active leaders. Higher education institutions create spaces for students to develop their identities, redefine values and beliefs, and make mistakes. However, as there is an increase in generations enrolling with intersecting identities, they are becoming more prominent and complex to understand (Zuniga, Williams, & Berger, 2005).The purpose of this study is to understand the experiences of students who attend a predominantly white institution and participate in community engagement within urban neighborhoods. Using qualitative interviews with six participants of the Youth Economic Self-Sufficiency program at the University of Dayton, the study explored how human experiences can increase cultural understanding and if these interactions influence vocational goals. Themes emerging from the data are personal development and identity, self-awareness, the power of privilege, cultural understanding, and student’s openness to diversity.

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  Marco Economic Activity And Stock Price Movements: A Closer Look At The Covariation Between Total Non-Farm Employment Plus Goods Sector Employment And S&P 500 Stock Prices, 2009-2016.

  Tyler B Cronin, Leah M Haverkos

  Employment growth is considered a key measure of macroeconomic activity. Rational expectation theory, therefore, would expect a positive linkage between employment growth and the price movement of common stocks. In this study, we examine the relationship between non-farm employment and the goods sector employment growth and price movements in Consumer Staples (XLP) and Consumer Discretionary (XLY) stocks. Using regression analysis, we regress employment growth on the top ten stocks in each of the above sectors (i.e. XLP and XLY). We test the hypothesis that the B coefficients in the regressions are > 0 and statistically significant at the 95% confidence level (T>2).

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  Media Law: Current Issues in Libel & Privacy

  Mason Alexander Dipalma, Melissa Paige Finnegan, Emma E Pierpont, Annette M Taylor

  Melissa Finnegan examines libel cases in Ohio and New York courts that have been brought against the press for social media postings and how the law has been evolving in the last decade to deal with the new media landscape. Mason Di Palma examines the libel case brought by Aleksej Gubarev, CEO of XBT Holding, a Luxembourg-based web hosting company, against BuzzFeed for publishing a dossier that alleges compromising information about President Trump. Gubarev was named in the document and alleged that his company helped Russian intelligence services in its hacking operations. DiPalma determines whether Gubarev has a case based on libel law in Florida. Emma Pierpont investigates the rights of the press and public to film on-duty police officers in states within the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Analyzing cases since 2006, Pierpont determines how courts balance rights of privacy and free press, as well as the public interest in transparency in matters of public concern.

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  Media Law: Limits on Newsgathering

  Margaret M Bukowski, Emma G Creekbaum, Annette M Taylor, Cari M Zahn

  The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently removed animal inspection reports from its website, stating that it did so to protect the privacy of people and institutions. Emma Creekbaum analyzes Freedom of Information Act cases from the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals to determine how the court is resolving conflicts between individual’s privacy rights and the public’s interest in public disclosure of activity by government agencies such as the USDA. Cari Zahn explores restrictive orders, also known as gag orders, issued against the press in the District of Columbia within the last decade and identifies the circumstances under which the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals has found such orders to be constitutional. Margaret Bukowski examines California’s anti-paparazzi laws and whether the state’s 2010 Assembly Bill 2479, which was designed to curtail reckless driving by paparazzi seeking to photograph celebrities, could survive a constitutional challenge in appeals court.

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  Media Law: Press Access to Courts and Court Documents

  Caroline M Flahive, Colleen G Peregrin, Kathryn E Speed, Annette M Taylor

  Although the U.S. Supreme Court in Florida Star v. B.J.F., 491 U.S. 524 (1989), upheld press rights to publish truthful information lawfully obtained from court records, the press is often challenged when it reveals the identities of crime victims. Caroline Flahive’s paper explores the ongoing conflict between rights of public and press to access government records and the privacy rights of crime victims. Kathryn Speed examines journalists’ rights to access juvenile courts and information concerning juvenile offenders through 10 years of case law in 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers states in the western U.S. Colleen Peregrin investigates the press’s right to be present during military Article 32 hearings and whether this violates the defendant’s right to a fair trial, as the military suggested in the case ABC Inc. vs Powell, 47 M.J. 363 (1997). The paper explores cases in U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and U.S. Court of Military Appeals, as well as U.S. Supreme Court cases on open courts.

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  Media Law: Shield Laws Protecting Journalists

  Clare J Gallagher, Annette M Taylor, Jada M Woods

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  MEMRISTOR-BASED NEURAL LEARNING FOR ADAPTIVE CONTROL SYSTEMS

  Baminahennadige Rasitha Fernando

  Control algorithms are used in almost all mechanical and electrical systems for controlling movements and activities. This includes robots, automobiles, aircrafts, industrial machines, and power systems. For mobile systems, the use of complex control algorithms – in particular adaptive control algorithms – would allow for much more refined performance. Unfortunately, these complex control algorithms are highly computationally intensive, requiring the use of high powered computers. This makes their use in mobile platforms (especially robots) almost impossible. This is achieved by using a completely new class of computing circuits developed at the University of Dayton over the last several years. This paper presents the developed novel compute circuits and systems that allow adaptive control algorithms to be implemented at high speeds and several orders of magnitude lower power than traditional computers using nanoscale devices known as the memristor. Keywords– Adaptive Controls, Low power architecture; Memristor crossbars; Deep neural network

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  Migratory waterfowl use of the Great Miami River channel in a heavily urbanized zone

  GROUP Amanda Elizabeth Angelucci, Jessica T Carbonaro, Elise M Erhart, Hannah M Scharf, Emmett J Sheehan

  Even though the Great Miami River is highly urbanized where it runs through the heart of the city of Dayton, it is still used by many migratory and resident waterfowl. This study examines four miles of one of the most urbanized sections of the Great Miami River, spanning from the confluence of the Great Miami River with the Mad River, downstream to the Tait Station low dam. We expect to determine areas which attract the greatest numbers and species diversity of waterfowl. For our preliminary phase of the project, we hiked the entire channel on different days during the migratory season and waterfowl were counted, identified, and occasionally photographed at each tenth of a river mile interval. We recorded key environmental features that may play a role in waterfowl distribution and abundance. For the next phase of the project, we plan to quantify our assessments of the physical habitat with precise measurements of environmental features including water depth, water velocity, predominant substrate types, and presence and size of riffles, runs, and pools. In addition, we will measure characteristics of the levees including characteristics of the riparian zone and land use on the floodplain outside of the levee walls. By identifying and characterizing areas which are the most and least attractive to waterfowl, portions of the Miami River can be managed to encourage greater numbers and diversity of both the migrating and resident waterfowl.

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  MIMO Adaptive Control with ϵ-modification and On-line Singularity Avoidance Method for Hyper-Redundant Robotic Arm

  Xingsheng Xu

  In this paper, multi-input multi-output (MIMO) direct adaptive torque controller is presented that uses a conventional fuzzy system with ϵ-modification to provide the end-effector tracking of a reference path for a 9-DOF hyper-redundant manipulator. Also, an on-line task modification method (OTMM) is applied to achieve singularity avoidance for the hyper-redundant arm at the velocity level. It is illustrated via simulations that ϵ-modification provides an on-line estimation of the unknown system dynamics boundaries for adaptive control and the OTMM avoids the singularity on-line and waives offline singularity avoidance path planning and the effort to check whether the singularity is escapable for the hyper-redundant manipulator.

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  Mindfulness for More: Piloting a Mindfulness Program for Underserved Populations

  Chelsey N Parker

  Interventions engaging individuals in mindfulness practices and activities are being used to improve a variety of physical and mental ailments in many different populations. The body of research on mindfulness is rapidly growing. However, there is a notable lack of research regarding the utilization of mindfulness-based interventions among some of the most stressed populations such as those with insecure housing. The proposed study will pilot a new mindfulness program in two gateway facilities utilized by men and women with insufficient housing. Although the focus of the proposed research is on the development of the program, a small N’s design will be used to measure the change for each participant on pre- and post-tests, analyzing within-subject group variance on a state-based measurement of anxiety. The goal of the proposed research is to determine whether it is feasible for a mindfulness intervention to be implemented into a residence shelter.

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  Mirror-Augmented Solar Irradiance using meteorological data for applications

  Davis A Urena

  Mirror augmentation for increased irradiance on tilted surfaces has been studied in previous literature using illumination and ray tracing software. These simulations are not based on typical meteorological data, and hence do not capture the weather-driven variation in solar radiation. This limits their applicability for predicting performance of real mirror augmented applications. This project describes algorithms for predicting mirror augmented solar radiation using readily available meteorological data. The algorithms have been incorporated into software to calculate the irradiance distribution on a tilted surface with mirror augmentation. The code is validated through comparisons with published ray tracing and experimental results. The code is used to perform parametric analyses that explore the effect on performance of mirror length, width, angle and other effects.

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  Mixed-initiative Human-Computer Dialogs through Natural Language

  Joshua W Buck

  Specification and implementation of flexible human-computer dialogs is challenging because of the complexity involved in rendering the dialog responsive to a vast number of varied paths through which users might desire to complete the dialog. To address this problem, we developed a toolkit for modeling and implementing task-based, mixed-initiative dialogs based on metaphors from lambda calculus. Our toolkit can automatically operationalize a dialog that involves a given number of prompts and/or sub-dialogs, given a high-level dialog specification of it. Our current research entails incorporating the use of natural language to make the flexibility in communicating user utterances commensurate with that in dialog completion paths.

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  Mixed metal Prussian blue analogues as working electrodes for rechargeable batteries

  Madeline L Mackey, Mark G Nielsen

  A facile method was used to synthesize six different mixed metal Prussian blue analogues, specifically hexacyanoferrate and hexacyanocobaltate. Two of the mixed metal hexacyanoferrates are currently being tested and the information on its electrochemical properties is unable to be disclosed. Because of this, only one mixture, nickel cobalt hexacyanoferrate (NiCoHCF), was tested in a three-electrode battery cell with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanic cycling (GC). NiCoHCF was also examined under SEM. The purpose of the experiment is to create a high-energy storage and rechargeable battery in order to provide an environmentally friendly, high abundance, and low cost alternative to the lithium ion battery.

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  Modeling Satellite to Planet Fly-by

  Joshua M Lynch

  The purpose of this project will be to simulate a satellite performing a planetary fly-by. The problem will be modeled in python using a two body simulation. Computation will be performed using numerical methods. Expected result is for satellite total energy to be higher, or decreased depending on approach (leading edge vs trailing edge fly-by). Resulting velocity and energy changes will be compared to the analytical solution.

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  Modeling the Performance of Information Technology Stocks over the Period 2006-2016: A Case Study in Fundamentals Portfolio Weighting

  Sallie R Deyoung

  A growing number of investment firms are using fundamentals based weighting for the stocks in their mutual funds or Exchange Traded Funds (ETF’s). In this study, I use the profitability metric, Return on Equity (ROE), as my stock weighting factor and model the returns to stocks in the Information Technology Sector ETF (XLK). I also use a concentrated portfolio approach with two portfolios: 10 stocks and 20 stocks as my test prototypes. I test two hypotheses: (1) The ROE weighted Portfolios will outperform XLK and (2) the ROE weighted portfolio will outperform the S&P 500 Index (SPY).

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  Motion-Induced Blindness: Where Does the Yellow Dot Go?

  Sara E Wetter

  Motion Induced Blindness (MIB) is a phenomenon of visual disappearance or perceptual illusions observed in the lab, in which stationary visual stimuli, or targets, disappear as if erased in front of an observer's eyes when masked with a moving background. The current study sought to investigate this optical illusion by investigating two competing theories of motion induced blindness – attention (target blindness is due to a lack of attention) vs scotoma / perceptual filling-in (target blindness is due to the visual system misinterpreting the target as a damaged part of the retina [scotoma] and the area is perceptually filled-in with the surround). Results on attention theory revealed less motion-induced blindness, contrary to past research. Scotoma / perceptual filling-in theory did not appear to have an effect on motion-induced blindness. Results will be discussed further and possible explanations for findings will be discussed.

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  Multiracial in a Monoracial World: Identity Integration Among Multiracial College Students

  Amberly J Santana

  Students with multiracial identity are an emergent population in higher education. This research uses interviews with eight multiracial undergraduate students to explore how identity integration impacts the way multiracial students navigate monoracial campuses academically and socially. The objectives of this research are 1) to explore the academic and social experiences of multiracial students at a predominantly White institution and 2) to determine the impact of multiracial identity integration on student outcomes related to sense of belonging, resiliency, and self-image. The findings of this study increase our understanding of how identity development relates to positive student outcomes in order that student affairs professionals can support multiracial students in more tailored ways.

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  Nanostructured Microcantilevers for the Sensing of Volatile Compounds

  Ryan J Mcneilly

  The goal of this study is to create a biomolecular sensing device with high sensitivity and selectivity. The micro-machined cantilever has been selected as the sensing platform, and will be improved using a bio-inspired approach. Inspired by the small hairs on fly antennae, the sensitivity of the sensor is increased through the use of a nanostructured surface. Nanostructure was deposited on the surface of the microcantilever using the Glancing Angle Deposition process and the nanostructure was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and a Scanning Kelvin Probe. Incorporation of odorant binding proteins will also be used to increase the selectivity of the device, inspired by the sensing compounds of a dog’s nose. The sensing capabilities of the microcantilever will be tested on three molecules: trimethylamine, acetic acid, and ammonia. Peptides for the detection of these compounds have been modeled using PEP-FOLD and binding interactions have been modeled using PyRx. The chemistry was tested using fluorescence microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, demonstrating the successful attachment of the peptides. The microcantilever can be constructed in an array format, leading to potential applications in many areas, including environmental monitoring, food quality monitoring, hazardous gas detection, and medical diagnostics.

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  Navigating Work Politics 101: How Student Affairs Professionals Navigate Workplace Politics While Balancing Authenticity and Well-Being at a Private, Catholic-Affiliated Institution

  Nickole R Watson

  Finding yourself navigating workplace politics as a student affairs professional? This research strives to provide a better understanding of how student affairs professionals navigate workplace politics in a way that allows them to be their authentic selves and practice well-being. Student affairs professionals are faced with various choices that they must make that affect students, and there are times when these professionals have to carry out decisions with which they may not agree. There appears to be a lack of research on workplace politics in student affairs; thus, the significance of this study is in its contribution towards closing this gap in the literature. The sample for this study includes eight full-time student affairs professionals at a private, Catholic institution. This study uses qualitative, phenomenological methodology. This research is grounded in the field of student affairs and higher education administration. The specific themes for this research include: authenticity, workplace politics, and well-being. Findings of the research show that professionals have not come to a common definition of workplace politics; thus, it is recommended that future research should work to construct a common definition for the field to utilize. Additionally, future research could look at how identity and workplace politics relate.

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  Non Destructive Evaluation of Urethane-Epoxy Coating Systems using the Scanning Kelvin Probe Technique

  David J Borth

  High performance aircraft are subjected to harsh environmental factors during operation including impacts with water and other particles, as well as high temperature and humidity. Rain erosion coatings (REC) made from polyurethane (PU) are used to protect the metal and other coatings from these damaging elements by absorbing the force of impacts and providing a barrier against corrosive substances. Over time these coatings break down and may fail in flight by delamination. Traditional lifecycle estimates fail to predict coating life due to the variety of environmental conditions aircraft are exposed to. Therefore, there is a need for a reliable non-destructive method to detect the changes in the surface coating that indicate when it is close to failure or has begun to fail. Previous studies have shown that it is possible to detect change in alkyl chain length in polymers using a Scanning Kelvin Probe (SKP) system. Additionally, Hansen et al. demonstrated the ability to detect the changes in length and conformation of DNA molecules using an SKP system. These, and other experiments, show the sensitivity of the SKP to changes in surface material and indicate that the SKP should be able to detect chemical changes in a degraded PU coating as well. The objective of this research is to determine if the SKP can be used to detect the changes in polymer coating structure associated with degradation as well as characterize the degradation of PU RECs as a function of time exposed to elevated temperature and humidity. If successful, it will serve as the justification for developing a portable scanning unit that can be deployed by maintenance crews to determine when a coating needs to be reapplied. Having a reliable method to assess degradation will increase the service life of coatings, saving time and money by reducing preemptive reapplication.

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  Nonlinear Adaptive Control for Hypersonic Vehicles at Subsonic Speeds

  Turki Mohammed Alsuwian

  Hypersonic vehicles are complex nonlinear systems with uncertain dynamics. This work presents a robust nonlinear adaptive (NA) control system for the operation of these vehicles at subsonic speeds. The complexity of the dynamic system is considered in the design, in order to address robustness issues. In this work, we only consider lateral dynamics with a fixed roll angle (five degrees of freedom, or 5-DOF). These dynamics are divided into subsystems for aircraft speed, flight-path angle, and yaw angle. A robust NA control design is implemented to provide asymptotic tracking regulation of these output quantities. Adaptation is employed in this study because of its robustness properties. The stability analysis is performed based on a Lyapunov function candidate for the feedback closed-loop system. Simulations of the design indicates that it successfully provides flight control.

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  Novel Porphyrin Antimicrobial

  Marissa Christine Jama, Nehaben N Patel

  The CDC reports there are over 2 million illnesses and 23,000 deaths per year attributed to antibiotic resistance in the US. The recent report of a colistin resistant strain of E. coli in the US heralds the first truly panresistant bacterium. These data signal a major challenge to human health and a clarion call for new and novel antibacterial treatments. Photodynamic therapy using porphyrins and light activation has emerged as one such strategy. We report here standard antimicrobial testing of a novel Zn containing porphyrin, ZnP, we recently patented (US PAT. NO. 14,466,662). Additionally, we report a novel antimicrobial strategy using a well-known porphyrin, TMP, in the treatment of biofilm associated pathogenic bacteria (US PAT. NO. 8,551,456.Our novel, patented porphyrin, (ZnP) possesses dark as well as light activated toxicity effective at micro molar levels against a broad range of bacterial pathogens: P. aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes, Mycobacterium smegmatis and MRSA, for example. Typical killing ranges are from 4-8 logs. Further, ZnP added to planktonic cells results in biofilms that are 6 logs reduced compared to control biofilms. We also present data that show pretreatment of 24h old P. aeruginosa biofilms with TMP, in the dark, substantially enhanced killing by antibiotics such as tobramycin and vancomycin; and dismantles the biofilm from the surface. Enhanced killing by vancomycin is of great interest since this is an antibiotic not typically effective against gram-negative bacteria. In vitro toxicity testing of ZnP has shown no toxicity at effective treatment levels in lung alveolar tissue cells. Resistance has yet to be observed by us or reported by others. Our novel porphyrin ZnP is uniquely effective against a wide range of pathogens in the absence of light. Prior to this finding the requirement for light has limited the areas in the body where porphyrins could be used to treat infections. Our finding that TMP can enhance and expand the effectiveness of currently used antibiotics, and dismantles biofilms from surfaces, provides a combination therapy that should prove to be useful for a wide range of infections.