Stander Symposium Projects

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  Analysis of Salt Deposition and Deliquescence in Environmental Test Chambers

  Olivia Marie Schmelzer, Gregory P. Wolters

  With corrosion costs in the US reaching approximately $725 billion (1) in 2019, understanding and preventing corrosion is vital. Salt fog chambers have been used in the laboratory to analyze the phenomenon of corrosion for years, but standardized exposure tests have been primarily developed for use with chromate based primers, which are being phased out for environmental and health reasons. This study aims to understand crystallization of aerosolized salt water on various substrates, as well as the effect of successive periods of high humidity on crystal size and distribution. Creating a laboratory environment that accurately represents corrosion in the outside world is imperative for the field of corrosion science and would allow for better screening of non-chrome corrosion protection methods. An understanding of the deposition of salt from an atomized spray solution onto a metal surface in an environmental chamber, and the effect of humidity cycles on the deposition process is essential to this development. To accomplish this, laser microscope image and corrosion sensor data were collected for a variety of fog cycle times, salt mixtures, and humidity exposure times, with the goal being the calibration of a chamber to match the deposition rate and morphology of salt crystals seen on metal surfaces in field studies.1.Koch, Gerhardus. “1 - Cost of Corrosion.” Trends in Oil and Gas Corrosion Research and Technologies, Jan. 2017

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  Analysis of the Evolution of Scope Management and Needs Identification in Agile Methodologies

  Nolan B. Scott

  The research I have conducted to date has been formed around a basic understanding of the projectmanagement environment: Identifying stakeholders, identifying metrics, and analyzing specific aspects ofagile development. This has led to a variety of questions around scope management such as “How doscope changes impact the velocity throughout the course of a project?”, “What factors help determine theoverall viability of adopting different scope measures?”, and “What are the roles of project owners andmanagers in facilitating scope changes in project cycles?” This research encompasses a review ofprevious literature, an analysis of structured project progression, and semi-structured interviews in orderto investigate the evolution of scope management and needs identification in agile methodologies.

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  A New Open-Source Behavioral Software for Remote Training and Assessment of Laboratory Animal Behavior: Validation in the Neurobiology Laboratory (BIO415L) course

  Aikaterini Britzolaki

  The need for assessing laboratory animal behavior has steadily increased over the past decades as a tool to investigate the effects of stress, as well the impact of genetic and pharmacological manipulations in rodents. In fact, preclinical researchers have heavily relied on animal behavior in order to dissect complex neurobiological pathways. A wide range of behavioral software is available for researchers to track and analyze animal behavior in both teaching and research settings; most options require the researcher’s physical presence and the use of specialized licensed equipment, limiting the potential for remote work and education, two important aspects in daily life during the COVID-19 pandemic. In that context, our Neuroscience lab group at the University of Dayton, in collaboration with a team of computer engineers, designed a new open-source and easily accessible software for assessing animal behavior in research and teaching settings. The educational value of this behavioral software was further validated in our Neurobiology Laboratory (BIO415L; Fall 2020) course. Herein, we briefly discuss the design, validation, and educational value of our new behavioral software.

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  An Examination of Preservice and Early Career Teachers’ Perspectives on Preparation for Classroom Management

  Joseph Earl Clements

  Growing concern regarding the rising teacher attrition rates exists within the field of education. Research suggests the cause of this increasing phenomenon correlates to teachers’ competency revolving around classroom management instruction received within preservice teacher education programs. In an attempt to pinpoint the issue, this project sought to address the following questions: (1) To what extent are college and university teacher preparation programs providing students with the necessary tools to manage a classroom effectively? (2) Prior to entering the career field, what do preservice teachers require from their teaching preparation programs to possess classroom management competencies? Using a qualitative methods approach, the researcher performed interviews with five preservice teachers and five Early Career Teachers (ECTs). Results display that both preservice teachers and ECTs could benefit from explicit instruction in classroom management approaches, trauma-informed care, and intentional relationship building rooted in the social-emotional learning (SEL) approach. This study provides implications that can be used to reconfigure preservice teacher education program curriculums that better prepare students to transition into the workforce more smoothly, which may slow the rise of the teacher attrition rate.

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  An Exploration of Police-Refugee Relations and Racism Education for Refugees in Dayton

  Megan M. Passon

  Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley in Dayton, Ohio, resettled 184 refugees in 2018. This number represents a portion of the 3.1 million refugees that have been resettled in the United States since 1980. Drawing on semi-structured, qualitative interviews with members of Ohio law enforcement and former refugees or immigrants employed by Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley, this research explores relationships between law enforcement officers and refugees in Ohio, methods of improving these relationships, and approaches to educating refugees on racism in the United States.

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  Annual Horvath Student Juried Exhibition

  Eman Abdulaziz Alshafai, Caroline Elizabeth Bowers, Asher Dean Carr-Chellman, Kaitlynne Elizabeth Chapman, Emily M. Cordonnier, Domenica Maria Cua, April Renee Dvorak, Mary Katherine Fleisher, Mira Brese Holifield, Cayley N. King, Grace M. King, Evan Michael Kurtz, Megan Marie Lewis, Caitlin Marie Mahoney, Sarah Ellen Mcgonigle, Reagan Stark Miller, Yamilet Perez Aragon, Brendan Michael Pugliese, Madeline Murphy Spicer, Shannon Marie Stanforth, Abigail L. Swensen, Tran Minh Quan Thai, Kelsey M. Vonderhaar, Jillian Whitson

  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 sculpture, paintings, drawings, ceramics, prints, photographs and designs. The juror is Tracy Featherstone, a Professor of Art and Head of printmaking at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She earned a BFA from the University of Cincinnati and a MFA from the University of Arizona. The awards winners will be announced on Thursday, April 22.

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  Antibiotic Discovery Research Using Soil Samples: Microbiology Undergraduate Research

  John Paul A. Yoseph

  Given that antibiotics are being used worldwide to treat various bacterial infections and diseases, antibiotic resistance has become an increasingly mainstream and widespread issue; therefore, causing many antibiotics to lose effectiveness over time in treatment. As a result, research in the field of bacterial resistance to antibiotics has become increasingly popular and widely demanded as we search to produce new effective antibiotics. Bacteria produce these antimicrobials when put in an environment with present pathogens or with limited resources, causing either a competition for survival or a need to fight infection. These antibiotics can either be created synthetically, or can be removed and isolated from bacterial colonies with antimicrobial properties. This independent research aims to observe isolates of bacteria from specific soil samples, while deciding if the isolates display any antimicrobial properties in an environment with antibiotic resistant pathogens. Zone of inhibitions will be generated, indicating antimicrobial properties in the existence of Bacillus subtilis, Erwinia carotovora, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus epidermis. Bacteria which generate antimicrobial properties will be inspected additionally by a sequence of biochemical tests, gram staining and catalase testing. In establishing and recognizing which bacteria produce antimicrobial agents and demonstrate these properties, these procedures will be crucial to fight the rise of antibiotic resistance, and to create effective new antibiotics.

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  Antibiotic Susceptibility of Listeria monocytogenes

  Charlotte Rose Kenneally

  Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen capable of surviving and growing under aerobic or anaerobic conditions in variety of environments, including the cytoplasm of mammalian cells. This intracellular growth requires Listeria to make multiple metabolic and physiological adaptations that are different from extracellular growth. Anaerobically grown Listeria has previously exhibited a significantly compromised intracellular growth—an observation suggesting that prior anaerobic exposure altered adaptations to conditions inside a host cell. The focus of this experiment was to elucidate how intracellular adaptations, with or without prior anaerobic exposure, alter the antibiotic susceptibility of intracellular Listeria. Listeria were grown aerobically or anaerobically prior to infection and then used to infect macrophages. Infected macrophages were treated with gentamicin to remove extracellular bacteria, then lysed with sterile water after one, four, or eighteen hours of infections. Bacterial lawns were created prior to infection for a point of reference for comparison, as well as after each time point. Filter discs containing different concentrations of ampicillin were placed on the lawns to test susceptibility in a zone of inhibition assay. We observed that anaerobically grown Listeria is more susceptible to ampicillin than aerobically grown prior to infection at the three highest concentrations. No significant difference was found in susceptibility to ampicillin between anaerobically grown or aerobically grown Listeria following eighteen hours. Aerobically grown Listeria was seen to become more susceptible to the antibiotic treatment with more time inside the macrophage, while anaerobically grown Listeria showed little change in susceptibility over the varying time points. These results demonstrate intracellular adaptions alter antibiotic susceptibility and may alter dosage requirement during antibiotic treatments.

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  Antimicrobial Activities in Soil Microorganisms

  George Kenneth Hudak

  Infections that were once able to be cured have now come back due to excessive usage and misusage of antibiotics. Bacteria have built up resistance to various antibiotics and are becoming more prevalent in deadly diseases. The lack of success in treating resistant bacteria calls demand for research to produce new and effective antibiotics. Antibiotics can be produced synthetically, but they can also be isolated from bacterial colonies that produce antimicrobial activity against pathogens. In this research project, the bacterial colonies were isolated from soil and tested on their antimicrobial activity responses. As part of the Tiny Earth Network project, the goal of this research was to isolate bacteria from soil samples and observe their antimicrobial activities against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The antimicrobial activity was indicated through zones of inhibition against safe relatives of ESKAPE pathogens. Two there were used in this research were Bacillus subtilis and Escherichia coli. Bacteria that produced antimicrobial activities against these two pathogens were further examined in a series of biochemical tests, Gram staining, and catalase testing. Finally, an ethyl acetate extraction was performed to confirm the antimicrobial activity and investigate for potential toxicity. By identifying bacteria that are producing this antimicrobial activity will help further the knowledge to combat antibiotic resistance and help in the development of new antibiotics.

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  Antimicrobial Compounds Extracted from Soil Isolates

  Abigail Elizabeth Wink

  Antimicrobial compounds play an integral role in modern medicine due to their drug resistant qualities that pose as a serious public health issue. The demand for discovering new antibiotics and exploring various alternative methods of infection treatment has increased due to the prevalence of antibiotic resistance. As outlined by the CDC, various pathogens such as drug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter are recognized as an urgent threat due to their antibiotic resistance (CDC, 2019). Thus, the goal of this research is to further identify antibiotics isolated from soil samples on the UD campus to determine if they produce antibiotic compounds in the presence of ESKAPE pathogens. Zones of inhibition were found to be produced in the presence of Pseudomonas putida, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli which demonstrated antimicrobial activity. Biochemical assays, such as catalase testing and gram staining were used to help identify isolate species. Chemical extractions were utilized to determine if the bacteria extracted from the isolates exhibit antimicrobial activity. Isolating antimicrobial compounds is imperative in the healthcare setting, as drug resistance determines the efficacy of antibiotics.

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  Applied Creativity in the Classroom

  Sarah Mcgonigle

  During her time at the University of Dayton, Sarah McGonigle has been curious about the possibilities of making significant change to the workings of the K-12 school system. Sarah looked for answers through her own education on campus, her study abroad experience, her peers, and through her certificate program at IACT. Finally having more questions than answers, she decided in her senior year to explore the ideas surrounding applied creativity. Student teaching gave her the opportunity to plan and execute lessons in this theme. Students within the art classroom learned more than just art techniques and media. Sarah focused her research on the students themselves as individuals and how they learned uniquely. More specifically, she analyzed how the lessons allowed students to explore themselves through the artistic lens and acquire important skills that are often overlooked in the classroom. High school students often forget about the deeper learning while so heavily focused on grades and school applications. Sarah attempted to give these students the opportunity to forget about the grade for a moment and focus on what is important: the process.

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  A Presentation of the Senior Visual Arts Capstone Projects

  Brad Sherman Deberry, Patrick D. Foster

  Visual Arts majors in the Department of Art and Design will present research and analysis of their individual journey culminating in creative self-directed artistic projects. Each student project is unique and reflects their selected vocations in the visual arts determined by a review of professional practices, standards and activities across related disciplines.

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  As Above, So Below: Antibiotic Resistance of Soil and Surface Microbes

  Alyssa M. Dabrowski, Emily Nicole Georgopoulos, Lauren Madison Maier, Emma Catherine Schaefer, Ayesha I. Sheikh

  In Spring 2021, five members of the student organization Flyers Against Antibiotic Resistance performed a surveillance project in collaboration with students in the BIO 411L General Microbiology Lab course to investigate the prevalence of antibiotic resistance around the University of Dayton campus. We tested bacterial isolates collected from soil by the BIO 411L students and from human-associated surfaces for their growth on tetracycline-containing agar plates where a positive growth would indicate tetracycline resistance. We found that the prevalence of tetracycline-resistant bacteria was much higher in isolates from human-associated surfaces than isolates from soil. The 4 different media types also contributed differently to the isolation of tetracycline-resistant bacteria. Moreover, stairs and floor surfaces account for the majority (31% and 29.4%, respectively) of resistant isolates from human-associated surfaces. In summary, tetracycline resistance is present in a variety of environments and can potentially be spread from human-environment interactions.

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  Assessing and Modeling Landslide Lake Outburst Floods Along the Araniko Highway in Nepal

  Patrick M. Holmes

  Landslides are commonly portrayed as unstable slopes collapsing and causing a blockage on a roadway. Though this does occur in mountainous terrain often, landslides can have a greater impact when collapsing in a river basin. River basins around the world are surrounded by unstable slopes, which can fail due to precipitation and erosional processes. When these slopes fail, the landslide generally causes blockage in the river system bringing the flow to a halt and forms a pond behind the blockade. The problem created from this landslide blockage is what is known as landslide lake outburst floods (LLOF). When the water builds up enough to breach the sediment loose, a flood burst out interacting with the mountainous landscape, impacting people and infrastructures downstream. Buildings, houses, and properties have been damaged from these outburst floods not only from the high discharge of the water but plucking of large size sediments. This study will aim to identify unstable slopes in the Himalayan Mountains where monsoonal rains and frequent seismic activities lead to landslide occurrences, specifically along the Araniko Highway. The Araniko Highway is a heavily travelled highway that connects Kathmandu to China and is considered one of the most dangerous highways in the world. This research’s main goal is to identify specific slopes along the Araniko Highway that are susceptible to slope failure and end up creating a river blockade. Eventually, that blockade could lead to a LLOF, and the water that has built up behind the sediment dam can negatively impact man-made infrastructures from the failure of the dam. Resource platforms such as Google Earth, ArcGIS, and HEC-RAS 1D will be utilized. HEC-RAS will be used to create a model/cross-section of the LLOF after failure in order to predict how a landslide can impact the flood discharge and occurrence. ArcGIS and Google Earth will be used to identify the susceptible areas that could create the landslide dam. The modelling results will help create remediation ideas or evacuation plans for people in the area who are at severe risk of danger.

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  Assessing Community-oriented Policing on College Campuses in Ohio

  Huthayfa Usman

  Community-oriented policing has been studied in great detail in respect to municipal police departments. There is not significant research on the usage of community policing by campus police departments. Through this research project, we aim to assess how community-policing is being utilized on college campuses across the United States. This study conducted a survey given to campus police chiefs in the state of Ohio to assess how college police departments are engaging in community-policing.

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  Assessing Psychopathic Traits Among Juveniles to Examine Violent and Nonviolent CrimesDelinquency and Psychopathy in Juveniles

  Lauren Kathleen Moore, Darian A. Ramirez

  Although prior research has shown that there is a correlation between psychopathic traits in youth and the propensity to commit a crime, there is very little research on what type of crimes, in specific, are committed- either violent or nonviolent. In this study, we aim to better assess the association between the psychopathic traits of callousness and grandiosity, and violent versus nonviolent behavior among adjudicated juveniles. In order to do this, we will expand on the already existing research to further explore the onset of psychopathic traits among adjudicated juveniles and how it relates to violent and nonviolent behavior. This study examined adjudicated juveniles that exhibited psychopathic traits such as callousness and grandiosity and how these traits have the potential to determine criminality. Moreover, we found that these traits are significant in understanding juvenile delinquency. Our findings showed that only callousness was statistically significant when tested across aggressive offending.

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  Assessing the Efficacy of Seedling Planting as a Forest Restoration Technique in Temperate Hardwood Forests Impacted by Invasive Species

  Michaela Jean Woods

  The emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis Fairmaire; EAB) is an invasive insect that causes mortality of trees in the genus Fraxinus, creating canopy gaps that may facilitate invasion by exotic plants. Planting native tree seedlings under EAB-infested Fraxinus may accelerate succession and preclude invasive plant expansion; however, the effectiveness of this approach has not been experimentally tested. We assessed understory seedling planting of Quercus rubra, Carya laciniosa, and Juglans cinerea in EAB-infested forests, where the invasive shrub Lonicera maackii (Amur honeysuckle) was removed. We tested whether the use of plastic tree shelters (“tree tubes”) or planting season (fall versus spring) contributed to the success of the reforestation plan by measuring growth rates (cm/yr) and survivorship two and seven years after planting. After seven years, seedling survivorship was < 25% for all species and planting techniques. Quercus rubra exhibited poor survivorship with one seedling surviving to the conclusion of the experiment. Juglans cinerea and C. laciniosa had higher survivability and growth rates than did Q. rubra after two and seven years. Effects of tree tubes were weak and temporary. After 2 years, Q. rubra seedling survivorship was higher in tree tubes; however, by the end of the experiment 29 of the 30 Q. rubra seedlings in tree tubes had died.Juglans cinerea seedlings grew faster when planted in the fall compared to the spring, but overall survivorship of these seedlings was unaffected by planting season. Neither the use of tree shelters nor the planting season contributed to the growth or survival of C. laciniosa seedlings. In summary, our results indicate that seedling planting of Carya and Juglans may be a useful way to increase biodiversity in regenerating forests; however, the resource-expensive processes of over-wintering seedlings and using tree shelters may not increase the success of reforestation efforts.

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  Assessing the Knowledge, Dietary Intake, and Physical Activity of College Students Regarding Osteoporosis

  Taylor Michelle Lackey, Madison Marie Millhouse, Holly Faith Nusser, Ashley Ray Wolf

  Background: Osteoporosis, meaning “porous bone” is a bone disease which is characterized by bone loss and lack of bone production. Affecting approximately 53.6 million older adults in America, the prevalence of osteoporosis and low bone mass is a major concern and there is a large emphasis on prevention and management. Current research has shown that exercise and diet can impact the occurrence and progression of osteoporosis, especially in women. Resistance, impact and aerobic exercise have all shown to have a positive effect on bone health. Dietary nutrients such as calcium, vitamin D and protein can also positively impact bone health when used in combination. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between knowledge and behaviors surrounding the prevention of osteoporosis in both male and female college students. This study also aims to compare the results of the age, sex, major, grade, and personal or family history of bone-related disease/injury of the participants to determine if there are differences in awareness and/or action.Methodology: This study utilizes a cross sectional study design consisting of general questions as well as questions aimed at assessing knowledge, attitudes, and practices surrounding Osteoporosis. The Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool (OKAT), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and a twenty-four hour food recall will be used for this study. Participants will be recruited from male and female undergraduate students at the University of Dayton aged 18-23 years. A regression model will be used to analyze the data and determine if exercise, dietary intake and the covariates described in the purpose can predict participants’ knowledge of osteoporosis. Results: The results of this study will be provided in the presentation.

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  A Three Factor Portfolio Weighting Model for Select Stocks in the Healthcare Sector: Empirical Analysis, 2009-2019

  Alec W. Gizzie, Trenton Brian Zoeller

  In this study we look at impact the of revenue growth, operating profit and relative price momentum on the return performance of the top ten stocks (by market value) in the S&P 500 Healthcare Sector over the period 2009-2019. We develop a 3 factor portfolio weighting model and compare the performance of this model to the broad market index S&P 500. Using time trend regressions with revenue growth and operating profits as the Y variables and time as the X variable, we take the slope coefficients from the regressions as the original weights for our model. We use the yearly relative price momentum to adjust the weights annually. We test the hypothesis that combined, revenue, growth, and operating profits are priced-in risk factors i.e, they generate excess returns over the market.

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  A Two-Factor Portfolio Model for 6 SPDR Sectors with Industrial Production the “State” Economic Variable: An Empirical Analysis 2009-2019

  Nicholas Allen Cragon

  In this study, I follow the Stephen Ross/Robert Merton approach and develop a portfolio factor weighting model for 6 SPDR sectors using the "State" economic variable Industrial Production as my principal factor loading. The 6 SPDR sectors making up my portfolio are: (1) Consumer Staples, (2) Consumer Discretionary, (3) Healthcare, (4) Industrials, (5) Information Technology, and (6) Utilities. I test two hypotheses: (1) the 6 SPDR sector Industrial Production factor weighting model generates excess returns over the broad market index S&P 500 i.e. it is a priced-in risk factor. (2) It has persistence in excess returns over a long period of time. The period of analysis is 2009-2019, a long-term bull market for U.S. equities.

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  A Two-Factor Portfolio Weighting Model for 6 SPDR Sectors with Consumer Credit the "State" Economic Variable: An Empirical Analysis 2009-2019

  Reed Thomas Aleck

  The first objective of this study is to test the hypothesis that the state economic variable U.S. consumer credit is a priced in risk factor in the U.S. equity market. A second objective is to determine if a consumer credit derived factor weighted portfolio model shows persistence in generating excess returns over the broad market index S&P 500 over a long period of time. The period of analysis is 2009-2019. The actual factor weights are long and short term price momentum for the 6 SPDR sector ETFs: (1) Consumer Staples, (2) Consumer Discretionary, (3) Industrials, (4) Healthcare, (5) Information Technology, and (6) Financials. Two portfolio models are evaluated: (1) constant share model and (2) adjustable shares model.

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  A Two Factor Portfolio Weighting Model with Wages and Salaries as the State Economic Variable: An Empirical Analysis 2009-2019

  Benjamin Louis France

  In this study I develop a five SPDR sector portfolio with the principal factor U.S wages and salaries. I use three measures of wages and salaries: (1) Wages and Salaries-Private (WS-P) (2) Wages and Salaries-Goods (WS-G) and (3) Wages and Salaries-Services (WS-S). The SPDR sectors included in my portfolio weighting model are (1) Consumer Staples, (2) Consumer Discretionary, (3) Industrials, (4) Healthcare, and (5) Information Technology. Using monthly data over the 2009-2019 time period, I regress Wages and Salaries on the Price Index for each SPDR sector to obtain a long-term measure of sector price momentum (the regression slope coefficients). The long-term price momentum becomes the original sector portfolio weight which in turn determines the beginning shares held in a sector. After the first year, the original shares are adjusted up or down based on the yearly changes in each sector's price index. I test two hypotheses: (1) The five SPDR sector portfolio outperforms the S&P 500 over the 2009-2019 time period i.e, the state economic variable is a priced in risk factor. (2) The five SPDR sector portfolio shows persistence in excess returns over the S&P 500.

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  Beyond Sins and Symptoms: Suffering in Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited

  Sarah Elizabeth Miller

  This project interrogates the ongoing appeal of Evelyn Waugh’s 1945 novel Brideshead Revisited: The Sacred and Profane Memories of Captain Charles Ryder as it responds to the nostalgia for the past and the relentless onset of modernity in the wake of World War I. The novel’s enchanting yet tragic protagonist Sebastian Flyte finds himself struggling with alcoholism and is caught in the no-man’s-land between two systems of meaning-making: his pious Catholic mother Lady Marchmain seeks to remedy his condition through religious intervention, while his worldly future brother-in-law Rex Mottram hopes to use psychological treatment to cure him. Sebastian’s trajectory provides a window into the shortcomings of religious and secular approaches to modern suffering. Employing close readings of the novel as well as historical and theological contextualization, I argue that Brideshead Revisited reckons with the failures of religious condemnation and secular diagnosis as ways to understand human frailty. Instead, the novel illustrates the healing power of love that is willing to suffer with the beloved

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  Binomial Tree Model: Pricing European and American Stock Options

  Jacob Robert Pieniazek

  Pricing stock options has been a highly discussed topic in financial mathematics. Binomial Tree Models are the basis for pricing these stock options. Utilizing this model, it is rather simple to price European stock options—options that can only be exercised at the terminal time. However, it is markedly more difficult to price American options—options that can be exercised at any time before or at the terminal time. The focus of this research was to understand the mechanism by which to price European stock options and extrapolate this knowledge to calculating the more complex American options and understanding the behavior of the boundary upon which the American option will be exercised—the optimal exercise boundary. Utilizing Python programming software, we were able to effectively create an algorithm that can calculate the stock-price binomial tree, price both European and American options, and separate the region in which the American option will be exercised throughout the time period. This provides us with a conceptualization of the behavior of stock options, particularly American options, and a further understanding of the mechanism by which American options are priced.

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  Blood Pressure and connection to micronutrition deficiencies or overconsumption

  Amber Lynn Marks, Julia Marie Muccio, Dana Katherine Roscoe

  Blood pressure is the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of blood vessels pumped through the heart. Using a concept mapping technique, the purpose of this presentation is to outline micronutrients such as magnesium, potassium, calcium, and sodium and their impact on blood pressure. Further, we will discuss the interplay among the micronutrients and the impact of diet on blood pressure. For instance, diets adequate in magnesium, potassium and calcium are shown to positively impact blood pressure. However, the Western diet is often low in these minerals yet high in sodium possibly contributing to the high rate of hypertension in the US population.