The Brother Joseph W. Stander Symposium recognizes and celebrates academic excellence in undergraduate and graduate education. This annual event provides an opportunity for students from all disciplines to showcase their intellectual and artistic accomplishments. The Stander Symposium represents the Marianist tradition of education through community and is the principal campus-wide event in which faculty and students actualize our mission to be a "community of learners."
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Analyzing land use of a recovering North American carnivore
Kara Beth Gregory
Large mammalian carnivores play important roles within healthy ecosystems, but they have a history of population decline and local extinctions due to human influences. As conservation efforts to protect threatened species have encouraged population growth and expansion, some of these large carnivores have begun to make their way back to their historic species ranges. While vital to ecosystem health, recovering carnivores—like bears, wolves, and cougars—are bound to have some conflict with humans, such as wildlife-vehicle collisions, damage to livestock, and threats to human safety. Therefore, it is important to understand where recovering carnivores are likely to settle. One such recovering North American carnivore, the cougar (Puma concolor), exists mainly in the western United States. However, there have been recent sightings of these large cats in areas further east, suggesting that they may be expanding back into their previous species range. I aim to understand potential cougar expansion in Missouri, a state that research suggests may have available habitat, and also with an active conservation department that records all reported cougar sightings. Through this research, I aim to map potential cougar distribution in Missouri by developing a species distribution model using cougar presence data and relevant environmental variables. The Missouri Department of Conservation maintains a database of confirmed cougar sighting locations from 1994 to present. This location data will be used in the model along with environmental variables that are typically associated with cougar presence (i.e. land cover, vegetation quality, prey density, landscape ruggedness). I will use the distribution model to create a potential distribution map of cougars in Missouri and identify core habitat patches.
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Analyzing Propaganda in the 2024 Presidential Election
Mollie Margaret Bigner, Nicholas R. Bridgett, Nicholas S. Cochran, Keira Aileen Cotter, Serafino R. Delzotti, Sophia M. Divagno, Liam Michael Dwyer, Bill E. Farmer, Daniel R. Greive, Ian Michael Kirtley, Mara Elizabeth Mackinnon, Lauren Louise Mann, Luis Alexies Martin, McKenna E. Meyer, Benjamin Arthur Mitchell, Tyler R. Mordarski, Rebekah I. Murray, Clay E. Nevers, Olivia Grace Newmark, Kayla Nicole Nickel, Catherine F. O'Brien, Robin S. Park, Maria Alejandra Pereira-Rodriguez, Catherine Ann Rafter, Tina Kaur Sandhu, MaryRose N. Schertler, Alyssa Marie Sparto, Mark A. Spaulding, Hanna M. Stanifer, Hailey McKenna Stephen, Brad S. Talsania, Madeleine Kennedy Vandegrift
As the 2024 Presidential Election approaches, various individuals, groups, and organizations are striving to influence the American people, especially voters. While much of the discourse surrounding the election works through civil presentation of positions and arguments in an open, evidence-based, and even dialogic manner, some sources have sought to shape the perceptions and manipulate the beliefs of Americans through more subtle, less transparent ways, ones often difficult to recognize and scrutinize. Such efforts to bend public opinion in support of one’s interests can be examined through the lens of propaganda analysis. In this group presentation, the students of CMM 350 History and Analysis of Propaganda will share what they have learned through their respective efforts to identify a specific campaign of propaganda associated with the election and to analyze that campaign in light of the methods, strategies, and approaches often used by propagandists. Each team will give a brief presentation about its project and their core argument. At the end, audience members will have a chance to ask questions to the class and/or specific teams.
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An Analysis of Returns to a Portfolio of Health Care Stocks with Firm Revenue and Gross Operating Profits as the principal weighting factors: An Empirical Analysis 2009-2023
Nicholas John Mulvihill
In this study, I want to determine the long-term effect on returns to a portfolio of Health Care stocks when firm revenue and operating profits growth are the principal weighting factors. I use the top 20 stocks by market cap in the Health Care Sector as my portfolio. Rather than following the standard approach of using an equal weight strategy for the base model and then adjusting the weights based on yearly revenue and operating profits growth, I use the 10-year compound annual growth rate in revenue and operating profits for the top 20 stocks as my base model weighting factors. Yearly growth rates in revenue and operating profits are used to adjust the stock weights year over year. I backtest the model for the period 2009-2023 and then use the out-of-sample period 2020-2023 to determine if both momentum and persistence in performance for the Health Care Sector portfolio occur in this highly volatile market period. My benchmark for performance is the S&P 500 ETF SPY. Returns above this broad market benchmark indicate that revenue and operating profits are priced in risk factors.
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An Analysis of Risk-Return Parameters for 9 S&P 500 Sectors, 2000-2019
Michael A. Dahill
In this study I look at the relationship between sector returns and sector return risk over two long run time periods: 2000-2019 and 2009-2019. The sub period 2009-2019 is particularly important because it is considered a bull market period after the 2008 economic and market recession. Given the efficient market hypothesis, I test to see if higher long term sector returns are associated with higher sector risk parameters. I use average annual returns and compound annual growth grates (CAGR) to measure sector returns and the variance and standard deviation of the returns to measure risks. I also test to determine if the long run sector risk measures show persistence by using the highly volatile out of sample period, 2020-2023, to determine if the sector returns fall within (1) Plus or minus one standard deviation and (2) Plus or minus two standard deviations of the long term sector return means
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An Analysis of Stock Returns in the Consumer Staples Sector during Periods of Rising Fed Funds Rates: An Empirical Analysis 1999-2023
Kevin Brian Cullen, Dominik Vittorio Daly
The steady demand for consumer staples products in periods of economic stress suggests that stocks in the consumer staples sector will do well, relatively speaking, in periods where interest rates are rising. I test that assumption for four periods of rising fed funds rates over the long-term period 1999-2023. My study focuses on the distribution of returns for the Top 20 stocks in the consumer staples over each rising interest rate period. My assumption holds if the skewness to the distribution of returns is positive.
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An Autoethnographic Analysis of Naked Attraction: Reality Dating Television’s Impact and Relationship to Modern Dating and Hookup Culture
McKenna E. Meyer
Naked Attraction, a British reality dating show, has sparked curiosity and controversy with its unique approach to matchmaking. Contestants select dates based solely on physical appearance, all while being showcased as fully nude on television. This paper presents a feminist autoethnographic analysis of Naked Attraction and its impact on modern dating culture through the integration of critical media analysis, peer-reviewed research, and reflection on personal experiences. Naked Attraction promotes the objectification of individuals' bodies, reinforces mainstream beauty standards and gender norms, and influences interpersonal communication in relationships–particularly the act and expectation of sending nudes. This gender and sexuality-focused analysis provides deep and relatable insight into the complex interplay between media, culture, and personal experiences in the realm of intimate relationships.
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An Investigation into Mental Health Impacts of Young Adults Who Experienced Childhood Obesity
Alexis G. Beaschler
Certain habits and behaviors one engages in as a child can carry into adulthood. An example of this is childhood obesity. There is much research that covers physical impacts of childhood obesity such as poor cardiovascular system, gross motor skills and skeletal abnormalities. That being said, there is limited research on how experiencing childhood obesity can affect an individual's mental health as they mature. The goal of this research project is to better understand how young adult's mental health has been impacted by these experiences including bridging the gap between physical and emotional consequences of childhood obesity.
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An Investigation into Volleyball Rally Length
MaryRose N. Schertler
In 2016, the “Fédération Internationale De Volleyball” found that the average length of a professional women’s volleyball rally was 7.25 seconds. A similar investigation will be conducted with collegiate women’s volleyball games. Data was collected from the NCAA division 1 championship matches. The rally length will also be studied in relation to teams and players. The hypothesis will be tested using some t-tests, as well as the non-parametric Wilcoxon’s Signed-Rank test and the Bootstrap Method. Confidence intervals will be provided using these methods.
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Annual Department of Music Honors Recital Competition
Skylar Raine Archer, Kaleigh Sierra Armstrong, Brendan James Ash, Joseph Robert Barnett, Katherine E. Bishop, Marie Elena Bliss, Judy Calo, Makayla E. Cripe, Kaitlyn Elizabeth Crowell, Emily Rae Debevec, Anna Valerie Delaney, Dominic Michael Delligatti, Penelope Margaux Fisher, Rachel Gleberman, Annika Hall, Katarina Lucyna Lagodzinski, Patrick Andrew Linegang, Gabriel John Lusk, Aaron M. Moen, Ashleigh Rose Muir, Chloe E. Parrish, Dylan Wayne Reynolds, Trinity Le'shae Rice, Kyleigh Lynn Ryan, Charlotte Cettina Silvidi, Anna Smith, Karsyn Nicole Williams, Amber Louise Zanders, Luke David de Villiers
Twelve music students selected by the Department of Music faculty perform for a panel of outside judges, 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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Annual Horvath Student Juried Exhibition
Nicholaus C. Arnold
Student work is exhibited each spring in the Annual Horvath Juried Student Exhibition. Submission is open to all University of Dayton students taking classes in the Department of Art and Design during the academic year of the exhibition. Since 1975, this event has displayed award-winning works that include dramatic sculpture, exuberantly colored paintings and an array of experimental drawings, ceramics, prints, photographs and designs. Support for the awards comes from the Bela Horvath Award Fund established by Mrs. Horvath in honor of her husband, a Hungarian artist who found refuge in Dayton during and after World War II. Bela Horvath taught painting at the University of Dayton in the 1950s. Juror Emily Everhart is the Liberal Arts Chair and Assistant Professor of Art History at The Art Academy of Cincinnati. Emily specializes in 18th and 19th Century European art. She has presented in national conferences and received grants and fellowships for research in the U.S. and abroad. A portion of her doctoral thesis will appear in a forthcoming publication by the Georgia Museum of Art. Her current research interest is in manifestations of eighteenth-century sociability in landscape architecture. The awards winners will be announced on Wednesday, April 17.
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Antagonistic interactions between Dpp signaling and defective proventriculus determines eye versus head fate
Anjali Sangeeth
Axial patterning, a crucial process during development, involves the delineation of three axes, such as Antero-Posterior (AP), Dorso-Ventral (DV), and Proximo-Distal (PD), is required for the transition of a monolayer organ primordium to a three-dimensional organ.Axial patterning involves the participation of morphogens, transcription factors, and regulatory genes. Any deviations in this process result in birth defects. We have identified a K-50 homeodomain-containing transcription factor, defective proventriculus (dve, an ortholog of SATB1), as a dorsal fate selector gene during eye development. Using genetic approaches, we found that Dve interacts with various signaling pathways during eye development to determine eye versus head fate. Among these, a highly conserved Decapentaplegic (Dpp)/Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) signaling pathway, which forms a morphogen gradient in the developing Drosophila eye, acts antagonistically to dve to regulate retinal differentiation and thereby determines eye versus head fate. Here we present our studies on molecular genetic interactions between the members of Dpp signaling pathway and dve during eye development. Interestingly, SATB1, a mammalian homolog of dve, exhibits similar interaction with Dpp signaling pathway members suggesting that these interactions may be conserved.
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Anti-predator Behavior in Response to Conspecific Visual, Olfactory, and Damage Cues in the Three-spined Stickleback
Claire Elizabeth Van Meter
Predation is a major source of mortality for prey, which creates a selective pressure to avoid predators whenever possible. By using alarm cues produced by conspecifics, individuals can be alerted of nearby predators without coming into direct contact with them. However, we do not know whether individuals can distinguish between different kinds of conspecific cues and if some types of cues may indicate a more severe predation threat compared to others. I studied the ability of the three-spined stickleback to distinguish between environmental cues by exposing conspecifics to 4 different treatments in a randomized order: 1) Control (control olfactory cues with an unexposed demonstrator), 2) Visual Only (control olfactory cues with an exposed demonstrator), 3)Visual and Stress (stress cues with an exposed demonstrator), and 4) Visual, Stress, and Damage (stress and damage cues with an exposed demonstrator). For 5 minutes before and after exposure to the cues, I watched for four key defensive behaviors: hiding in plants, hiding in the gravel at the bottom of the tank, thigmotaxis, and shoaling. Directly after each assay, I placed the focal subject in 200ml of RO water in a 600ml beaker for 1 hour to collect waterborne cortisol. It was found that observer hiding behavior increased when observers were exposed to visual cues of stressed conspecifics paired with either olfactory cues of stressed conspecifics or conspecific stress and damage cues. Observers also shoaled less when exposed to visual cues paired with olfactory stress cues, but not with visual cues alone, or visual cues paired with stress and damage cues. Males shoaled more than females, but hid less than females. There was no observed change in behavior for demonstrators, regardless of what cues were added. There were also no differences in waterborne cortisol levels for each of the treatments.
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A Numerical Study on the Effects of Varying Types and Spacing of Reinforcement Elements in Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls (MSEW)
Jonathan Lawrence Gardner
Mechanically stabilized earth walls (MSEWs) are an increasingly popular type of retention structure being constructed in the United States. According to the Federal Highway Association, it is estimated that over 9,000,000 square feet of MSEWs are constructed in the United States each year. These types of structures make use of a reinforced soil mass to support the retained soil or backfill. There are two primary categories of reinforcement used in mechanically stabilized earth walls: inextensible and extensible reinforcement. However, in each of these categories there are various types of reinforcement that can be utilized in the design. With all the available options for different kinds of reinforcement, it can be difficult for an engineer to determine the best type of reinforcement for a given project. The primary objectives of this project include: analyzing the effects of using various types of reinforcement on computing the required length to satisfy internal stability requirements in MSE walls, studying the effects of changing the spacing of reinforcement elements when performing internal stability analysis, studying the effects of total wall height when performing internal stability analysis, and evaluating the potential for over-design and under-design along the height of the wall when using the initial design assumption that L=0.7H.
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A portfolio weighting model for the S&P 500 Real Estate sector based on two factors: (1) firm revenue and (2) gross operating profits: an empirical analysis 2009-2023.
Patrick James Burns
In this study I test the hypothesis that firm revenue growth and gross operating profits growth are priced-in-risk factors in the stock market. My base model is an equal weight model with the top 20 real estate stocks as my portfolio. The weights for the 20 stocks will change yearly based on firm revenue or gross operating profits growth. I then compare the returns to the broad market S&P 500 ETF SPY to determine if the factor models generate alpha. Given the efficient market hypothesis, I make the assumption that the alpha is a measure of the extra returns required by investors for their investment risk. The period of analysis is 2009-2023.
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Application of Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity
Weston Ward Brundage, Ethan Andrew Selkirk, Johnathan Robert Traudt
This project delves into the profound realm of special relativity, a groundbreaking theory developed by Albert Einstein in the early 20th century. The research begins by providing background on the historical and conceptual foundations of special relativity, unraveling the fundamental principles that revolutionized our understanding of space, time, and the nature of the universe. The theoretical framework of special relativity, characterized by the postulates of constancy of the speed of light and the relativity of simultaneity is initially introduced. The project then navigates through the Lorentz transformations, and some of the mathematics behind it. Beyond its theoretical foundations, this project explores the diverse applications of special relativity across various fields. The impact of special relativity on astrophysics, cosmology, and high-energy particle physics is investigated, showcasing its role in explaining phenomena such as time dilation, length contraction, and relativistic mass increase. Additionally, practical applications in modern technologies, such as global positioning systems (GPS) and particle accelerators, underscore the indispensability of special relativity in shaping the technological landscape.
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Applying Linear Regression Models to Assess Spatial and Environmental Risk Factors of Chronic Wasting Disease Amongst Deer Populations in Montana
Aidan Burns Mornhinweg
By applying both GIS and statistical analysis formulas, such as ordinary least squares (OLR) and geographic weighted regression (GWR), to multiple variables, I have been determining risk factors and their % of influence on spreading chronic wasting disease (CWD) amongst various deer populations throughout Montana. Upon analyzing each risk factor (primarily land use data, soil, pH levels, habitat types, carcasses, etc.), I am able to apply my linear regression model to hot spots throughout Montana to determine which areas are most at risk of spreading CWD (both how and why). GIS software, ArcGIS Pro, is my main tool and support for computing my linear regression model and takes into consideration the spatially temporal data and dimensions of this disease. As of now, all of my gathered data is open source. Thank you.
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Are measures to decrease or prevent pollution just
Brett Timothy Brne
My poster presentation is about if measures to decrease or prevent pollution is just. In my case I will be using the theories of justice by Rawls and Nozick. Rawls and Nozick while both using theories of justice have conflicting views, and I will be covering some similarities and differences in their theories and in this case. My goal is to determine what these two would believe to be morally correct in the given situation. Rawls theory supports that it would be unjust, while Nozick believes that it would be a morally correct action. To reach this conclusion I have read both of their works and will provide evidence in my poster presentation.
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Argumentation & Advocacy - Policy Panel
Hannah Shay Bordeau, Robert John Bremyer, Estrella Cuellar, Isabela Maria Fernandez
Students will present competing policy proposal arguments, cross-examine each other, then convince the audience/jury of the relative superiority of their case. Afterwards, audience ballots will choose the winning policy.
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Art Integration in Elementary Schools Leading to Academic and Social Development
Summer Sollecito
Integrating art in the classroom environment can help students expand their understanding and ability to connect and comprehend visual and artistic ideals to the pedagogy surrounding their lives and experiences. Curriculums with art integration help students to become self-aware, socially aware, responsible distinction-makers, communicators, and develop relationship-building skills expanding their lives academically and emotionally.
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Assaults with an assist: Gender violence in the National Hockey League and league reputation based on crisis communication
Yana Crossland
In October of 2022, an anonymous Twitter user under the pseudonym Emily Smith published a Tweet that contained a screenshot of a very long statement which alleged that Ian Cole, a defensemen for the Tampa Bay Lightning, had groomed and sexually assaulted her. The last paragraph of the statement says that “the NHL [National Hockey League] fosters a culture of misogyny”, and because of this, players feel “emboldened” to commit these acts of violence towards their victims (Smith, 2022). The NHL conducted an investigation in which they determined Cole was innocent (Associated Press, 2022). There are multitudes of instances in which players commit acts of gender violence (rishcast, 2021). When such incidents occur, the NHL may find it necessary to formally release a statement regarding the incident. This study examined how such a response impacts league reputation, word-of-mouth, behavior intention, and attitude, using the lens of situational crisis communication theory (SCCT).
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Assessing the Behavioral Effects of Conditional SERCA2 Deletion in central GABAergic Neurons
Hayden Nathaniel Ott
The regulation of calcium (Ca2+), a critical ionic messenger, has been implicated in a wide variety of cellular processes including gene transcription, muscle contraction, and neurotransmitter release. The sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ ATPase (SERCA), an intracellular regulator of Ca2+ homeostasis that functions by sequestering Ca2+ into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), is a particular molecule of interest. Previous research has implicated dysfunction of SERCA regulation as a contributor to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and neurodevelopmental disorders including Autism-spectrum disorder (ASD). In this study, we sought to further understand the role of SERCA2 in behavior through the creation of a novel transgenic mouse line that is characterized by conditional deletion of SERCA2 in the brain’s γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-ergic inhibitory neurons. Male and female mice of this line then underwent a behavioral battery assessing motor function, anxiety and depressive-like behaviors. The results of this study contribute to our understanding of SERCA's role in behavior and the mechanisms contributing to complex neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Assessing the effectiveness of soil amendments and prairie seed mixes in remediating degraded soil during ecological restoration following industrial agriculture.
Madelaine Claire Gregory, Anna R. Pallone, Valerie Nicole Thurston
The abandonment of fields once used for industrial agriculture is an increasing phenomenon within the Midwest as well as on a global scale.Management practices used in agriculture such as tilling, intensive herbicide and pesticide use, and establishing monocultures of crops results in disturbance and poor soil quality which creates obstacles for native establishment. This study began in the summer of 2019 with the establishment of 20 (50 × 50 m) square plots in a former agricultural field, each of which received one of four native prairie seed treatments that varied by number of species present (diversity) and weight of legume (5% or 20%). These plots were then sub-divided into 4 subplots, each of which received one of four soil amendments. Soil samples were collected for the assessment of (a) nutrient levels and (b) activity of carbon cycling enzymes Phenol Oxidase, Peroxidase and β-glucosidase. Our data suggests that in response to time soil nutrients are shifting in a direction that is more reflective of restored conditions. Additionally, there is a significant decrease in activity of carbon cycling enzymes Phenol Oxidase and β-glucosidase in response to time and treatments applied. Developing techniques to transition post-agricultural lands to biodiverse and functioning ecosystems is a foundational scientific challenge locally, regionally, and globally. Our project has the potential to influence many restoration projects given that our results may inform management practices.
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Assessment of Generative AI Images
Kriti Sharma, Thomas William Sherk
With the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, text- image generation models such as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) and the Contrastive Language-Image Pretraining (CLIP ) models have gained significant attention for their ability to create realistic and visually appealing images from textual descriptions. Evaluating the quality of these generated images, however, remains a challenging task, as these models are complex and some proprietary and the datasets large. To advance the study of artificially generated images, we are introducing a novel dataset, Generative Artificial Image Assessment (GAIA), comprised of images from eight popular text-to-image AI models as well as user rankings from a crowd-sourced annotation. Furthermore, the inclusion of neural net- works/transformer architecture can also obfuscate the underlying decision process that is used to generate the image.
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A Topology Optimization Results Spaceframe Interpreter for the Design of Lightweight Aircraft Structures
Jack Anthony Studnicka
This poster presents the methodology and theoretical foundation of topology optimization (TO) Results Spaceframe Interpreter, an automatic TO results interpreter that generates a closely associated space frame consisting of welded structural tubing or rectangular bars. TO is a computational technique that uses a finite element (FE) formulation to identify the most weight-efficient structure within a design domain. Density-based TO results in structures that take organic forms and is usually a tedious and cumbersome process to generate a computer-aided-design (CAD) model to manufacture through conventional techniques. The optimal topology frequentlyresembles a space frame, which is well-known as being a rigid, lightweight structure. The methodology of the TO results interpreter leverages several techniques from volumetric image processing and has four primary processes. First, the results are obtained from commercial FE/TO software and mapped into a cubic grid of voxels. Second, junction locations are extracted and member connectivity that represents a frame is identified. Third, a sizing optimization is incorporated to determine appropriate sectional dimensions of the circular or rectangular space frame members. Fourth, the optimized space frame geometry is imported into a CAD design tool to automatically create a design model. The automated TO interpreter is designed to interact with commercial FE analysis and CAD systems. The interpreter is demonstrated on various spatial examples including aerospace and automotive applications. In each case, the welded space frame closely resembles the TO result, with nearly equivalent stiffness and mass.
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A Traditional Marian Devotion: The Litany of Loreto
Molly Catherine O'Brien, Selena Rose Waldron
The Litany of Loreto is a traditional Catholic prayer devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the many titles gifted to her by the Church. Our research consists of the history of the devotion, Biblical bases for the names of Mary, how the names in the Litany relate to Church teaching, specifically the four Marian dogmas, and how this devotion is practiced today. The Litany brings Tradition and Scripture to life, and characterizes Mary with many traits and attributes that help us to come to know her better, and in knowing her, grow in relation with her Son, Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.
