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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Deciphering Novel Calcium-signaling Circuits Implicated in the Neurobiology of ADHD
Aikaterini Britzolaki, Claire C Cronin, Patrick Robert Flaherty, Benjamin Klocke, Joey Edward Saurine
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly-heritable heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by inattention and/or hyperactivity-impulsivity. ADHD affects 5% of children and 2.5% of adults in the general population with higher prevalence in males than females. It is believed that ADHD is caused by alterations in several neuronal circuits. In the quest of determining the regulators that lead to such neuronal alterations, intraneuronal calcium signaling has been vastly studied. Indeed, intracellular calcium signaling is crucial for the fate of the neurons and calcium dyshomeostasis has been associated with a variety of debilitating neuropsychiatric disorders. Our group focuses on deciphering the regulatory mechanisms coupled to calcium-handling in the central nervous system (CNS). Comprehensive studies have revealed that calcium distribution in the cell is majorly regulated by the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and hence the latter’s critical role in maintaining neuronal calcium homeostasis. We have recently identified a novel calcium-regulating protein expressed in the brain and we are demonstrating for the first time, its implication in the neurobiology of ADHD. In the context of this presentation we will demonstrate overwhelming molecular, cellular and behavioral data to support the pivotal role of this novel calcium-regulating protein in the neurobiology of ADHD.
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Deep Learning and Object Detection in 3D
Quinn Robert Graehling
The advent of deep learning for object detection has led to a wave of new ways for autonomous object labeling techniques for various applications such as autonomous driving and maneuvering, pedestrian/vehicle detection and target identification. Though most previous object detection techniques used RGB-D and 2D detection techniques, the recent increase in LiDar capabilities and point cloud generation has led to an interest in 3D object detection. This research takes a look at current 3D object detection and deep learning networks and conducts a performance comparison with their 2D counterparts.
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Deep learning based Machinery Threat Detection on Pipeline Right of Way
Ruixu Liu
In this research, we develop a new deep learning strategy for robust detection and classification of objects on the pipeline right of way from aerial images. Our method can detect machinery threat with multiple sizes, different orientation and complex background in aerial images. In the proposed framework, the skip connection is used in the CNN structure to enhance feature learning. Also, the focal loss function is used to substitute for conventional cross entropy loss function in both of the region proposed network layer and the classifier layer.
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Design and Characterization of a Wind Lens Grid Array
Neal Novotny
A novel solution to circumventing the requirement of large scale wind turbines for increased power output is the Wind Lens Turbine (WLT). WLTs have been shown to improve power output by a factor of 2-5 when compared to traditional style wind turbines. This work presents the use of several small-scale WLTs (1 ft. in diameter) in a grid configuration as a solution to large scale wind turbines and outlines the methodology and power output from a grid. Further, this work presents an analysis of the Reynolds number effects on small-scale WLTs. All experimental investigations were conducted in the University of Dayton Low Speed Wind Tunnel (UD-LSWT). Initially, the individual rotor performance is optimized for low Reynolds numbers. A sensitivity on the number of blades was conducted through a numerical analysis tool called Q-blade. Initial results displayed that an increase in the number of blades (8-14) is more effective for small scale wind turbine power output. Effective airfoils for low Reynolds number applications were found to be thin, highly cambered airfoils. The results of this numerical study was validated using wind tunnel testing. The aerodynamic interaction of the lenses in a 1-D and 2-D grid will be quantified. This will be performed as a force-based testing of flat, circular disks (analogous to WLTs) in close-proximity. The final step is to perform field testing to validate and model the interaction of multiple WLTs in 1-D, 2-D and 3-D grid.
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Design and Verification of an Autonomous Gait Monitoring Device
Sydney Marie Lundell
The prime method of analyzing gait cycles with balance aiding devices has been typically restricted to laboratory controlled environments, where motion capture software or visual observation are available. Few methods for real-world gait analysis exist that do not require active human monitoring. We are bridging that gap by developing an autonomous device which attaches to a cane, or cane like device, to record gait speed, frequency, and applied load. To date we have successfully verified the canes accuracy and are collecting experimental data.
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Design Modeling of Various CubeSat Solar Arrays Configurations
Dillon Montgomery Balk, Ben Markus Millard
As technology has developed over the years, small form-factor satellites known as CubeSats have been able to replace much larger and conventional earth satellites. Solar arrays are placed on the outside of the CubeSat to generate power for their mission. In order to increase the performance and energy absorption of the CubeSat, the solar array can be configured to deploy and move to track the sun as the satellite moves in its orbit. This research project involves design modeling of various mechanisms configurations to achieve this increase in performance and efficiency, while minimizing the complexity and thus weight of such a mechanism. The three mechanisms explored involve one with a single vertical axis of rotation, one with a single horizontal axis of rotation and a third with a universal type joint for two degrees of freedom. In order to increase the range of motion of the mechanisms, the solar array is elevated away from the rest of the CubeSat via a Sarrus linkage mechanism.
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Design of a Jet-Powered Remote Control Aircraft for use at an Intercollegiate Competition
Samuel Barnhart, Leo James Lamantia
Members of the Aero Design Team designed and built a jet-powered aircraft to compete at the Speedfest remote control aircraft competition, hosted by Oklahoma State University. For this competition, each team must demonstrate their ability to quickly design, develop and test, a high-speed portable aircraft capable of conducting special reconnaissance prior to team insertion (SRI) mission. The primary mission objective of the aircraft is the ability to be point-launched, dash to the insertion area, and quietly perform live recon. Each team is judged based on its ability to fly faster, quieter, and longer than other teams while providing live video footage to the ground, studying a point of interest.
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Design of an Enhanced Cellular Model for the Assessment and Tracking of Nanomaterials
Maggie Elizabeth Jewett
Due to their unique physicochemical properties, nanomaterial (NM)-based technologies are growing exponentially in scope and economic importance. This surge is resulting in significant degrees of NM waste and increased rates of human exposure. This has created a vital need to fully understand the potential biological consequences of NM exposure, characterize resulting NM-biological interfaces and determine subsequent toxicological effects. The long-term goal of this project is to design, optimize and implement an enhanced microenvironment model (EMM) to bridge this in vitro – in vivo gap and evaluate NM characteristics, pharmacokinetic/deposition profiles and induced biological responses under physiologically relevant conditions.
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Design of a trike for paraplegic use with FES
Andy Lee Bazler, Bennett Clark Snyder
The goal of this research is to design, build, and test new pedaling mechanisms to be incorporated into a bicycle-like devices for spinal-cord injured individuals. Many challenges arise in pedaling capability of a paraplegic or tetraplegic patient that are very different from a healthy individual. The intended tricycle users mainly employ Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) to produce quadricep contractions, which are converted into a propelling force. Various concepts for alternative mechanisms have been produced. Pedaling force and motion simulation models were generated to evaluate the concepts. The desired pedaling mechanism must overcome dead-points encountered during the pedaling cycle while optimizing the transmission of power. Thus, the goal is to convert the modest amount of power generated by FES-stimulated legs into cycling power for a tricycle.
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Developing a Model for Clinical Song Analysis, or Why Music Therapists Still Need Music Theory and Musicology
Lesley Louise Wray
Music therapists use songs in a variety of different ways within sessions, from song discussion to instrumental re-creation to song transformation. Yet in the music therapy literature there is little to no research about the role of song analysis prior to using a piece in a session. There is research about analysis of lyrics written by clients in individual and group music therapy, and there is research about lyric analysis interventions and techniques used within sessions. However, these focus on in-the-moment or post-session analysis rather than song analysis as a way for the therapist to prepare for a session. This thesis will fill this hole in the music therapy literature. It is interdisciplinary in nature, as it examines methods of analysis found in music theory and musicology and applies them to music therapy work. There are three main sections of this thesis, each of which includes a literature review. The first focuses on establishing a common language of analysis for music therapists—that is, identifying categories of musical features that music therapists can make note of when they first listen to a song. The second section concentrates on persona theory, which comes from music theory. The last is centered on music and disability studies, which examines ideas from disability studies through the lens of musicology. Each section also contains a song analysis using the concepts explored in the literature review. Throughout the literature reviews and song analyses, I discuss how an understanding of the theories can benefit music therapists. I conclusion by proposing pedagogical and research implications of this thesis.
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Development of the Solar Thermal Adsorptive Refrigerator (STAR)
Joshua Wayne Romo
The Solar Thermal Adsorptive Refrigerator (STAR) project at the University of Dayton seeks to bridge sustainability and the need for efficient refrigeration in developing communities. Cost-effective construction, operation and maintenance, as well as the use of environmentally benign and sustainable materials, give STAR great potential in the realm of humanitarian engineering. Furthermore, renewably-powered refrigeration technology has the potential to greatly reduce the amount of harmful emissions released to the atmosphere. A STAR utilizes ethanol and activated carbon to produce cooling. This is done by decreasing the pressure of the system to allow liquid ethanol to vaporize at lower temperatures. To vaporize, the ethanol draws in energy from its surroundings, creating the cooling effect of a STAR. Although ethanol is not widely used in adsorptive refrigeration, it was selected for this application because it is easy to produce, non-toxic and widely available.
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Diffraction-limited optical focusing with arbitrarily oriented magnetic field
Sichao Zhou
In this work, an approach to create diffraction limited optical focal spots with arbitrarily oriented magnetic dipolar field components in 4Pi microscopy configuration is proposed. This is achieved by focusing two counter-propagating modulated vector beams consisting of complex intensity and polarization distribution. Through combining the magnetic dipole radiation pattern and the Richards-Wolf vectorial diffraction method, the required illuminations at the pupil plane of a 4Pi focusing configuration for the reconstruction of magnetic dipole focal field are found analytically. Furthermore, the orientation of the doughnut shape focal field can be rotated arbitrarily by modulating the pupil field distribution carefully. As an extension, a three-dimensional optical bubble encloses a transverse spin magnetic field can be obtained by introducing a second magnetic dipole oriented in the orthogonal plane with appropriate amplitude and phase differences
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Disclosing Virtue
Michael Ross Zahorec
Why is telling stories such an effective method for communicating moral wisdom? Are there moral ideas that can only be revealed or understood as narratives? In this essay, I defend the idea that narrative is an irreplaceable component of our moral understanding and discourse. More importantly, I search for a meta-ethical conceptual framework that can meaningfully support this assertion. I aim to find a way to meaningfully discuss the ethical capabilities of narrative.
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Discovering Antibiotics from UD's Soil
Jackie Nicole Petrichevich
The discovery of antibiotics has helped humans survive many diseases that were once deadly. But with the overuse of antibiotics in the medical field, some “superbugs” have evolved resistance to multiple antibiotics we utilize. The Tiny Earth Network and Small World Initiative have started a coalition of undergraduate students to help discover new antibiotics from different soils around the world. Over the past semester, I have been doing research to find microbes from soil outside of the Adele Center that has antimicrobial effects on known pathogens. This work is important because it could lead to the discovery of new antibiotics that can kill pathogens affecting humans. The bacteria that was collected was tested against the pathogens Acinetobacter baylyi and Enterococcus raffinosus to determine how efficient the antimicrobial properties were. Gram stains and biochemical tests were then used to help identify and characterize the bacteria we were working with. From there, I isolated antibiotic compounds and tested them against pathogens and eukaryotic cells. Overall, this work helps to support the Tiny Earth Network and Small World Initiative and will, hopefully, help to resolve the antibiotic crisis we are currently having.
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Discovering Glioma Inhibitors via Chemical-genetic Screens in Drosophila Cancer Models
Jordan M Terschluse
Through all the medical advancements made in cancer detection and treatment over the centuries, there still is no cure for most cancer types. A class of chemicals called tyrosine kinase inhibitors seems the most promising, as most cancers show activation of tyrosine kinase dependent oncogenic pathways. However the efficacy of these drugs is poor, suggesting that new approaches like combination therapy need to be tested. In this approach, two drugs that show mild effects are tried in combination to check for additive effects or improved efficacy. In our lab, we analyzed the effects of both the promising class of tyrosine kinase inhibitors as well as Temozolomide, a chemical that has shown immense success in treating human glioma patients. These effects were analyzed using a Drosophila glioma model, due to Drosophila melanogaster having a high percentage of conserved genes that are known to cause diseases in humans. Using these orthologous genes, it is possible to model human diseases like glioma in flies, and the results from flies may be extrapolated to mammalian models. Results from these studies will be of immense importance to the medical field, specifically dealing with different treatment options for patients.
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Disordered Eating at the University of Dayton
Caroline Anne Calhoun, Brian Christopher Hughes, Dana Pamela Kieft
Eating disorders, disordered eating, and concerning eating habits are common on college campuses among both men and women. Certain demographics are more likely to develop eating disorders or disordered eating habits than others; however, the issue is widespread and impacts many people. The increased stress, decreased supervision, and the need to develop new eating patterns in college create an environment where eating disorders or other disordered eating habits can be easily developed or go unnoticed. For this project, we researched University of Dayton’s (UD) resources available for students who may have disordered eating or diagnosed eating disorders. When students are facing issues at UD, they can talk to a counselor at the counselling center, go to the health center, women’s center, or even speak to an RA for example. However, we found few resources available specifically for eating disorders. We also analyzed other universities’ resources and materials, which showed that many other schools similar to UD in size and demographics had resources such as support groups, special events, and easily accessible information on eating disorders and related resources on the institution's website. For this project, we made recommendations for improving UD’s resources and we wrote and designed a fact sheet specifically for UD students that provides necessary information on eating disorders that could be made available at various locations on campus, such as academic buildings and residence halls.
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Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD) Simulations of Polymer-Filler Blends: Investigating the Dispersion and Hierarchical Structure formation in Polymer Nanocomposites
Ashish Gogia
Polymeric systems are modified routinely by addition of inorganic nanoparticles for enhanced properties and functionality. Such nanocomposites may contain fillers of varying miscibility, such as carbon black, silica, metal oxide, pigments, and /or various combinations thereof. However, on main impediment in the development of high-performance polymer nanocomposites (PNCs) are to realize a good dispersion of nanoparticles, owing to the strong interparticle interactions and weak polymer-nanoparticle interfacial interactions. Hence, the state of dispersion of the polymers and fillers is crucial to the behavior of polymer nanocomposites. To address this issue, in this research, we perform Dissipative Particle Dynamics (DPD) simulation of these blends, varying polymer-polymer, filler-filler and polymer-filler interaction energy, to understand the hierarchical structure and dispersion over multiple length and time-scales. In addition, the simulation results are also validated experimentally through small angle x-ray scattering data to provide insight and understanding of how these complex structures develops in these multicomponent systems.
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Distance Between Graphs
Preston Reed Boorsma
This is a project for MTH 466, Graph Theory and Combinatorics. A graph is a mathematical object that consists of two sets, a set of vertices and a set of edges. An edge joins two vertices and depicts a relationship between those vertices. Two graphs are said to be isomorphic if they have the same structure; their vertices can be relabeled and arranged so that the graphs look identical. This project investigates measures for determining how “close” two non-isomorphic graphs are to being isomorphic. We will explore questions such as whether two graphs can have a unique greatest common subgraph.
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Drosophila Tumor Mosaic Models To Study Intercellular Interactions
Minh T Ho
Drosophila is a powerful genetic model system to study cancer. In patients, a small number of mutations accumulate in cells which change their growth characteristics and eventually lead to formation of tumors. These tumors are clonal in origin, meaning the cancer arose from proliferation of a single rogue cell. We have developed similar "clonal" cancer models in Drosophila wing and brain to study how tumor cells interact among each other and with their neighbors. My goal is to develop tools to manipulate either the tumor or the normal neighboring cells and test the effect of tumor growth and progression.
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Educating the Whole Person
Natalie Therese Eilerman, Samantha Bourelle Niewoehner, Mitchell Lee Shafer
We are all concerned with improving aspects of students’ education. For one person, they are researching the negative effects of sex education discrepancies on students. For another person, they are researching the benefits of a STEAM education. Finally, another member is researching outdoor education in urban schools and its impact. Together, this combined research is aimed towards the education of the whole person. Both outdoor education and sex education are, in a way, a science. Regarding sex education, adolescents are informed about the importance of consent, physical safety, and emotional safety. Each of these aspects of sex education is founded in scientific research of the effects of adolescent sexual activity on the human body and mind. For outdoor education, a hands on education in science can increase intrinsic motivation both inside of the classroom and out. For STEAM education, students are taught a new approach to learning as a way to solve problems in their community. Ultimately, our combined research informs how to educate the whole person.
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Education's Effect on Income Inequality in OECD countries.
Jack Norman Smith
This study investigates the impact of education on income inequality in OECD countries from 2000 to 2015. This study will be done using the dependent variable of GINI Coefficient, which will represent income inequality for the model, in a fixed mixture model with education being represented as below upper secondary, secondary, and tertiary as the three components of education. This study will use panel data to show how a higher tertiary education level will change the income inequality in both developed and developing countries that are in the OECD with development levels determined by GDP per capita of each nation. The variables of Percentage of GDP spent on education, percentage of population by age, and annual interest will be used to show how available education is to citizens of each nation.
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Effect of a Novel Zinc Porphyrin against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms Attached to Different Substrata
Jessica Elizabeth Geyer
Clearance of surface attached biofilms produced by bacterial colonization remains a relevant challenge in both industrial, and the biomedical communities. The difficult eradication of these biofilms rests in that bacteria produce an extracellular matrix that encases the cells; this acts as a scaffold for growth and imparts a form of protection. The matrix promotes resistance to treatment by physically blocking the passage of antibiotics to the bacterial cells. Work in our lab has produced a patented zinc porphyrin (ZnPor) which has the ability to disrupt attached biofilms on polyethylene by interacting with the base pairs of extracellular DNA found in the matrix. Biofilms disturbed by this porphyrin have been shown to become highly sensitive to antibiotics that previously had little to no effect. The objective of this project was to analyze the effect of ZnPor on removing biofilms attached to different surfaces. These data will set the stage for effective treatment of biofilms attached on a wide range of substrata: polyethylene (used in catheters), titanium (used in biomedical implants), hydroxyapatite (similar to bone) and borosilicate glass (control). This will be done by forming substrata into small coupons that will be placed into a CDC approved bioreactor. Pseudomonas aeruginosa will be inoculated into the bioreactor, and biofilms formed by 16~ 18 hours will then be treated by ZnPor followed by various antibiotics. The biofilms will be imaged with a LIVE/DEAD stain and analyzed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The significance of our novel approach to antimicrobial management is that, unlike other protocols involving biofilm eradication, our strategy addresses the issue of resistance. The ability to disrupt the inherent matrix structure of biofilms and make cells accessible to antibiotic treatment promotes little resistance. Additionally, it decreases bacterial success in colonization of biomaterials and associated mortality rates in immunocompromised individuals.
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Effect of inhibitors on Tyrosine kinase pathway in Drosophila model
Claire Marie Feller, Cristina Sofia Flamand De Los Reyes, Karishma Sanjay Gangwani, Sara M Hubbell, Catherine E Martini, Isha Mishra, Kirti Snigdha, Jordan M Terschluse
Glioma are glia-derived primary brain tumors with very poor prognosis. The standard of care is surgery followed by radio- and chemo/immuno-therapy, or combinations thereof, however, all patients with glioma ultimately die. Thus, there is a need to test if recently approved drugs can inhibit the growth and progression of this tumor. We have developed a Drosophila glioma model based on the two genetic/oncogenic pathways known to be most frequently activated in patients viz., the Ras/MAPK pathway and the PI3K pathway. Inhibitors of these two pathways do not help to limit the progression of glioma. Therefore, it is thought that other oncogenic pathways induce glioma growth and progression. We designed a chemical screen involving drugs targeting Tyrosine kinases (Selleck Biochem Chemical library) – key enzymes that are activated by oncogenic pathways. The chemical screen involves feeding glioma containing larvae 10uM and 300uM drugs from the library at early third instar stage, then allow these larvae to grow and mature to the third instar stage (120h of development), and then dissect the brain to study effects on glioma growth and track survival on days 5-7 when other glioma positive larvae die. Here, we present our progress from this screen focusing on the chemicals of rows E, F, G, and H of our inventory.
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Effects of Police Interaction on Student Perception of Police and Campus Safety
Jerami Paul Johnson
This research seeks to understand the effect of police interaction on student perception around campus police and safety. Data was collected from two Midwestern institutions, one being a traditional 4 year residential campus and the other a community college. The study was conducted using a standard survey. The survey includes Likert-scale questions asking students to rank their feelings regarding their campus police officers as well as how students engage with these police officers. Students also identified alternate safety measures or protocols they utilize in lieu of police officers, based on their perceptions.
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Effects of the Timing of Exercise on Quality of Night Sleep among College Students
Brendan Michael Adler, Connor Anthony Hanson, Mary Kathryn Ireton, Casey Marie Kotoch, Kayla Janet Rhea-Bouscher
Decreased quality of sleep can contribute to declined mental and physical health or functioning. The purpose of this study will be to explore the best time of day to exercise for college students in order to improve their sleep or get the best quality sleep. To gather data, a survey will be conducted with a sample of college students to obtain quantitative and qualitative results relating to sleep and exercise routines and changes. Possible results for this study may include increased adequate sleep, timing of exercise determined to be in late afternoon, decreased time to fall asleep, and decreased sleep disruptions. These findings will be useful for understanding the most beneficial and optimal time of day to exercise in order to improve the quality of sleep for college students.
