Follow

• 

  The Exponentiated Kumaraswamy-Burr Distribution and its Applications

  Alexander Griffiths

  In light of increased data collection coupled with a growing need for data analysis, we increasingly require more accurate models and lenses to analyze data. In probability theory, statistics, and economics, the Burr distribution is widely used to model household income, insurance risk, crop prices, travel time, flood levels, and failure data. Two well-known methods exist to construct generalized statistical distributions to increase flexibility, including the Kumaraswamy-generated and exponentiated methods. By combining these two methods, in this project, we obtain the Exponentiated Kumaraswamy Burr (EKB) distribution which is a generalization of the Burr distribution. Some statistical properties, including the cumulative distribution function, the probability density function, the hazard function, the moments, and the skewness, are presented. The maximum likelihood method is used to estimate the parameters of the EKB distribution. Finally, the proposed distribution is verified against real data to determine its usefulness, applicability, importance, and flexibility and compare it to other competing distributions.

• 

  Theft Detection And Engine Lock System Using Arduino.

  Merlin Abraham LNU

  This is a vehicle theft detection and engine lock system using Arduino. As vehicle based transportation is significant in today life for all emergency, societal, household applications we need to provide a solution for safety of the vehicle by an antitheft detection system and engine lock system. By using Global System for Mobile(GSM) technologies, Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) system and in coordination operation with microcontroller the theft detection system operates and it alerts the vehicle alert system. This is a cost effective system and it forms an efficient antivehicle theft system for benefit of the society which is focusing towards Internet of Things(IoT) technologies related applications. 1) INTRODUCTION: Vehicles have become important means of communication as it is essential for transportation of essential commodities from a source location to a destination location. Vehicles in any form need to have proper identification relating safety as vehicle alert and location identification gain importance. Nowadays, vehicle identification, intrusion and theft control system using well known GSM and GPS technologies are being used and it is considered as a possible viable approach. Automated Vehicle based inspection is also becoming significant where Global system for Mobile communications and Global Positioning Tracking System also helped in preventing vehicle theft and location tracking system more efficient and utilized for developing safety systems in addition to radio frequency identification (RFID) systems. Microwave systems are used for further aiding RFID systems where IoT based systems are also nowadays used for vehicle tracking and location identification helping in vehicle identification and preventing vehicle theft. Arduino based systems and Raspberry pi systems have also gained popularity in this related fields of IoT based applications for vehicular safety. Further wireless systems such as sensors in the form of wireless sensor networks have useful in IoT systems. 2)PROPOSED SYSTEM: Research works of have given various information on vehicle identification, alert, GSM and GPS based vehicle location tracking systems. The proposed system uses Arduino Uno, Accelerometer, GSM module, GPS module, LCD display, Relay, Buzzer and DC motor and buzzer. CONCLUSION :Vehicle theft detection is very important for the society where transportation is essential. From the given system in this work safety can be achieved and it is also system with very less maintenance cost. Using this system work for theft detection future applications can be developed and it is vital for IoT oriented system applications.

• 

  The Holy Family

  Kiley Blatt, Anna Gagliardo and Kacey Moyna

  Students in the CMM 357 Religious Rhetoric course were given the choice to choose a statue, building, space/place on campus that is marked as a religious text/artifact or propose a new object of visual rhetoric in order to analyze using the rhetorical theories from class. Thier analyses employ a variety of rhetorical theories and concepts discussed in class during the semester. Each group collaborated to answer the question: how does this artifact/text rhetorically communicate and construct religious identity at UD?

• 

  The Impact of Peer Influence on Juvenile Recidivism

  Arabella Loera, Claudia Vanzandt

  This study analyzes the impact of peer influence on juvenile recidivism. It is essential to understand the specific patterns of reoffending to improve efforts on reforming the juvenile justice system. Previous research has focused on certain indicators that predict juvenile reoffending. This study focuses on peer influences as the most significant predictor of recidivism for juveniles. For the purposes of this study, peer influence is analyzed by looking at the resistance to peer influence, antisocial influences and behaviors present in juvenile offenders, race/ethnicity, and gender.

• 

  The Impact of Physical Activity Following ACL Reconstructive Surgery on Recovery in Collegiate Athletes

  Samantha Crew, Andres Sanchez, Logan Davis, Millicent Azbill

  In recent decades, it has been increasingly common for athletes to suffer injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Typically, individuals who undergo reconstructive surgery of the ACL will also undergo some sort of physical therapy or physical activity treatment to help the ligament heal and recover efficiently. The goal of this study was to assess the overall impact of different physical activity levels following reconstructive surgery of the ACL and the impact it can have on the recovery process in collegiate athletes. A anonymous survey was sent out to participants to obtain information on the type of graft used in surgery, the participants activity levels following surgery, and how these factors may have contributed to a better or worse recovery process overall.

• 

  The Impact of Self-Image on Academic Achievement Amongst Black College Students

  Alyssa Mims

  Scholars use components of one’s self concept such as self-esteem, self-image, and self-confidence to better understand college student’s academic achievement. Many factors impact the way a Black undergraduate student views themselves such as their high school experience, college environment, and relationships. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore the way a Black undergraduate student’s concept of themselves, with an emphasis on self-image, impacts their academic success at predominantly White institutions (PWI). Participants in this study were Black undergraduate students who attend PWI’s. Findings consisted of Black undergraduate students needing to feel a sense of confidence regarding their appearance to perform well in their academic courses. The findings of this study provide insight into how to better support Black undergraduate students’ self-image and academic achievement.

• 

  The Impacts of COVID-19 on School Readiness Skills

  Jacquelyn Lavigne

  Preschool in the US is an important, but costly affair for many children. Roberts and Bryant (2011) found that preschoolers who live in homes with a low socioeconomic status (SES) are less likely to perform highly on measures of kindergarten readiness than their peers who come from homes with a higher SES. Moreover, previous research has demonstrated that there is a significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related school closures on children’s academic performance in school. However, there is little that is known about the impact of the pandemic on school readiness skills among children who live in homes with low SES. This study analyzed the academic impact of school closures due to the pandemic on children who live in low-SES homes who were in preschool before or after the pandemic forced school shutdowns. We analyzed cohorts of preschool students who participated in a large-scale longitudinal study of school readiness in 2018 - 2019 and 2021 - 2022. We used the Minnesota Executive Function Scale (MEFS) and Woodcock Johnson Scale to test the children's executive functioning, vocabulary, literacy, and math skills. College students assessed preschool children ages 3-5 in the midwest. The majority of the parents of students we studied had not received a college degree and had an annual income of less than $42,000 a year. Children in the post-pandemic cohort made significantly less gains in their language skills compared to the pre-pandemic cohort. In contrast, children in the post-pandemic cohort made significantly more gains in their pre-literacy skills compared to the pre-pandemic cohort. This information indicates that students may need more classroom support in the area of language development as they develop and age through the school system.

• 

  The Implementation of Solar Prairies Affects Ecosystem Structure

  Lauren Corrigan, Emily Berkshire, Victoria Jacobs, Madeleine Cachat, Palmer Lambert

  Solar power is increasing in Ohio. There is little research on how the development of solar arrays affect ecological processes. Additionally, there is interest in making the area underneath solar arrays useful habitat by planting native plants underneath. Here we investigated how a solar prairie affects ecosystem structure (plant biomass, litter mass, canopy cover, and soil properties) by comparing a developed solar field with a prairie underneath to two mowed lawns that the City of Dayton is considering developing solar at. We found that the solar prairie created more canopy cover, increased plant biomass, and indirectly created more litter mass all while maintaining suitable soil conditions. These are all conditions that create microclimates for organisms to thrive. The other two sites containing only open, manicured fields had less canopy cover, plant biomass, and litter mass but did also contain suitable soil conditions. Creating a solar prairie can enhance ecosystem structure, and be a useful habitat for organisms that may colonize the area.

• 

  The Importance of Event Marketing in the Entertainment Industry

  Alissa Pampena

  The aim of this research is to gain insight from professionals in the industry of sports marketing, achieve hands-on experience within my role at UD, and ultimately, to implement the information received to both my current and future roles proficiently in my professional livelihood. Additionally, to provide others with research to discover new parts of the sports marketing industry that may be unfamiliar otherwise. The overarching focus of this presentation is the significance of fan loyalty, as well as media presence in modern sports.

• 

  The Influence of Italian Food and Architecture

  Erika Christie, Jenna Borrelli, Connor Fritzsche

  Part of a course project on intercultural communication, which can be expressed and studied in myriad ways. The students of CMM 316.01 investigated various forms of cultural expression by comparing and contrasting the ways a particular form is used by multiple cultural groups. Specifically, each group researched and presented about the ways food, music, festivals, rituals, dance, clothing, and other artifacts communicate cultural identity in at least two different cultures.

• 

  The Intermediate and Mean Value Theorems with Open Intervals and Infinity

  William Woidat

  This presentation serves as an analysis of the Intermediate and Mean Value Theorems in Calculus. Included in the analysis is the observation of whether or not these theorems hold true when considering functions over open intervals rather than closed intervals, as well as functions involving infinity. Along with a series of proofs of the theorems under different criteria, an analysis of how these theorems depend on other theorems is posited.

• 

  The Intersection Between Preferred News Source, Region, and Importance Level of Community Involvement

  Annette Klausing, Yana Crossland, Tania Chanda

  It is no secret that the rise of social media platforms and how they affect the public has been a topic of interest to academics and the average person. In the past presidential election cycle (particularly in the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic), there has been much discourse surrounding the interaction between social media and the sharing of information, credibility of news sources, community involvement, and political discourse. Using publicly available data through the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (2013), this study aims to look for differences in personal importance of the level of community involvement based on preferred political news sources, as well as examine the relationship between reported importance of the level of community involvement and region.

• 

  The Miscasting of Annabel Christopher: Agency, Archetype, and Reproduction in The Public Image

  Tess Poe-Slade

  Muriel Spark’s 1968 novella, The Public Image, follows celebrity Annabel Christopher as she tries to save her reputation from post-humous sabotage designed by her husband Frederick. The novella has been regarded by feminists, literary scholars, and critics as an exploration of a shallow actress motivated by vapidity. However, I argue that such a reading of Annabel and The Public Image ignores the ways in which Spark plays with the idea of archetype in order to emphasize the social imperative of breaking sexist scripts. Further, I will explore the ways in which The Public Image is one of many examples of Spark both following and breaking generic conventions as a means of social commentary. Spark is regarded for her sharp style and dark humor, often taking common tropes to their darkest extremes. In following these deeply ordinary conventions in such a manner, Spark is able to demonstrate the disturbing implications of these conventions. My research examines Spark’s The Public Image, The Driver’s Seat and its film adaptation in conversation with Spark’s speech “The Desegregation of Art,” focusing specifically on Spark’s use of generic conventions to provoke social change through a reclamation of agency.

• 

  The Moral Courage Project Presents, "UnHousing: Claiming the Human Right to Home"

  Ifeanyichukwu Nwanoro, Josie Forsthoff, Veronica Bernacki, Anna Luepke, Liliana Busic, Meredith Robinson, Amariá Jones, Sarah Behnke, Sofia Garcia, Reagan Miller, Havana Glover, Grace Hungerford, Ahmi' Moore, Eryk Charlton, Olivia Shirk, Jayonna Johnson

  For the fourth cycle of the Moral Courage Project, a team of undergraduate students conducted fieldwork in Oakland, California and learned about the housing crisis from activists and organizers on the frontlines. Our team interviewed and photographed individuals who creatively and boldly build sustainable solutions to problems like gentrification, displacement, affordability, and eviction. The communities we encountered compel us all to re-think how we understand housing and propose collective ways to secure permanent shelter. In this presentation, we will share the materials we produced including the newest season of our podcast, "Moral Courage Radio," and an exhibition. The Moral Courage Project is a program of the UD Human Rights Center and its partner, PROOF: Media for Social Justice.

• 

  The post-Soviet Collapse and the American perspective on Eastern European economic Transition in the 1990s

  Brant Bolton

  The post-Soviet Collapse and the American perspective on Eastern European economic Transition in the 1990s.The economic, governmental, and social changes experienced by Eastern Europeans during the approaching Soviet Collapse in the late 1980s were caused by the democratization of the Soviet administration. The progressive Reforms brought by Mikhail Gorbachev, led to political strains between the Central Soviet government and the republics which made up the Eastern Block. Mikhail Gorbachev dissolved the USSR in 1991 and resined as Cremlin; this caused a massive shift in world politics since the USSR, a world Superpower, ceased to exist. This was a time referred to as Transition; the paper will examine the American media's portrayal of the Eastern European Transition. This presentation/paper will deliver the narrative that political Liberal and Conservative based newspapers used the dynamic of Eastern European Transition to extend into American-based political arguments targeted at the economic decisions of former Soviet countries. Using newspaper archives from 1989 through 1999, by the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, and The Bussines Insider, we can see both debates. The issue of German reunification became a primary issue for liberals debating that accepting other Eastern Europeans as ethnic Germans and accepting them as citizens was a moral right since Stalin removed them in the late 1940s. Conservatives speaking about the same event labeled it as poor administrative practice since becoming a German citizen gives them access to Gracious social services, such as housing, retirement pay, food, and mounthly allowances. The conservative narrative focused on Germany's poor economy due to incorporating East Germany and the social safety net provided by the government, as well as increasing the median wage they argued was poor administrative practice and economic practice.

• 

  The pros and cons of conspecifics; How predator exposure impacts anti-predator behavior in platyfish between the sexes

  Lauren Roy, Emma Nash, Elizabeth Rhodes, Grace Jackson

  Antipredator behavior often fits into three categories: escape, aggression, and freezing. There are multiple studies which point to differences in these responses between males and females. Rainbow Platys are an excellent model organism for this study, as they are sexually dimorphic and very active, allowing us to clearly see behavioral differences. We studied antipredator behavior of males alone, females alone, and both together when temporarily exposed to a predator threat. We recorded behavior both before and after a simulated predator threat. It is important to understand how individual and conspecific interactions affect a fish's ability to successfully evade predators, and to examine the differences and similarities between male and female behavior in anti-predator maneuvers. Sex differences in antipredator behavior is extremely important because males and females act in different ways when introduced to a predator. We found that, after predator exposure, female Platys spend significantly more time frozen than compared to males. We also found that, after a predator stimulus, males spend more time freezing when alone compared to when they are with a female.

• 

  The Rainbow (Darter) Connection: Darter population and diversity as bioindicators in the Dayton area

  Lauren Roy

  The conditions of water quality in our rivers and waterways drastically impacts the organisms inhabiting them, with low water quality, reducing the fitness of the individual in many ways. It is important to both understand and document the conditions organisms are in.To better understand the impacts of water quality on the organisms in their environment, I went out to the five rivers surrounding Dayton and performed catch-and-release field work on Darters, which are part of the Etheostomatinae family. Darters are a very common Ohio river fish that are excellent indicators of water quality due to their intolerance of pollution. The quality of the water that these darters are living in varies greatly, as both outfalls into the river and wastewater treatment plants can release water full of pesticides, pharmaceuticals, and various metals. I used a seine net to catch the darters, identify the species and sex as well as take measurements of their length and weight to compare to other sites that vary in water quality parameters. I also collected macroinvertebrates along a restoration site on the wolf creek river to assess the quality of the water before the restoration occurs, and to match macroinvertebrate abundance to darter abundance. The data collected will provide information on darter populations, diversity, and success in correlation with outfalls and wastewater output in the Dayton area, reflecting the overall quality of the local ecosystem.

• 

  The Role Extralegal Factors Have on Convictions

  Shane McGriff

  The United States of America's justice system has grown to become a very flawed and biased system over time. There are issues in certain parts of the justice system that are more flawed than others, such as the connection between rehabilitation and mental health, and the 'mandatory minimum sentences' that come with certain offenses. Additionally, extralegal factors can be unintentionally used negatively to determine the sentence length for convictions. The possibility of these disparities leave room to disprove the idea that all men/women are treated equally under the eyes of the law. Research studies can pinpoint connections and patterns between sentence length and extra-legal factors. In this study I plan to examine the Survey of Prison Inmates from 2016 to do just that, to find these connection and patterns in the American prison system. For this study I will use a negative binomial regression to see the effect that each characteristic of the independent variables has on the dependent variable.

• 

  The Sensationalization of Domestic Abuse: Televised Celebrity Trials

  Madlyn Hansen

  In 2016, after being married for just over a year, Amber Heard filed for divorce from her then-husband Johnny Depp, citing irreconcilable differences. Heard was granted a temporary restraining order against Depp after alleging he had physically abused her throughout their fifteen-month-long marriage. The following year, Heard wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post titled “I spoke up against sexual violence — and faced our culture’s wrath. That has to change.”, in which she discusses being abused in her lifetime and urges others to fight against sexual violence perpetrated against women. Depp sued Heard in 2019 for $50 million on claims of defamation despite never being mentioned by name in the piece. Depp lost this case and requested an appeal but was denied. In April of 2022, Court TV announced that they would be televising the $100 million libel suit between Depp and Heard. This televised trial of public figures granted everyday citizens a look into a libel case with domestic abuse being claimed by both parties. Immediately after the first hearing, thousands of videos containing uninformed opinions began circulating around social media platforms like TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram that would continue to be made throughout the trial. Following the verdict, journalist Jon Lafayette reports that “the verdict in the … trial drew more than 500,000 viewers to Court TV, the largest audience since the network was relaunched by the E.W. Scripps Co. in 2019.” It is arguable that Court TV’s decision to televise the case was in some part informed by their need and want for higher viewership. Televising the case of Depp vs. Heard and other celebrity trials surrounding domestic abuse can create an environment for victims that discourages speaking out, getting help, or seeking justice.

• 

  The Size Effect Hypothesis, Market Volatility and S&P 500 Sector Stock Returns: An Empirical Study, 2018-2022

  Breanne Greene, Mary Tully

  The size effect hypothesis states that small cap portfolios will outperform large cap portfolios over extended periods of time. In this study, because of the increased market volatility in recent years, we argue the hypothesis should be reversed i.e., portfolios of less risky large cap stocks will outperform more risky portfolios of small cap stocks. To prove or disprove our argument, we construct large and small cap portfolios across 8 S&P 500 sectors and compare their returns over the 5 year period 2018-2022. The 8 S&P 500 sectors are: (1) consumer staples, (2), consumer discretionary, (3) health care, (4) industrials, (5) information technology, (6) real estate, (7) communications, and (8) financials.

• 

  The Size Effect Hypothesis, Market Volatility and S&P 500 Sector Stock Returns: An Empirical Study, 2018-2022

  Breanne Greene, Mary Tully

  The size effect hypothesis states that small cap portfolios will outperform large cap portfolios over extended periods of time. In this study, because of the increased market volatility in recent years, we argue the hypothesis should be reversed i.e., portfolios of less risky large cap stocks will outperform more risky portfolios of small cap stocks. To prove or disprove our argument, we construct large and small cap portfolios across 8 S&P 500 sectors and compare their returns over the 5 year period 2018-2023. The 8 S&P 500 sectors are: (1) consumer staples, (2) consumer discretionary, (3) health care, (4) industrials, (5) information technology (6) real estate (7) communications and (8) financials.

• 

  The Snuffed Critique of Modernity: Adapting Brideshead Revisited for the Twenty-First Century

  Caitlin Spicer

  This thesis is an effort to understand the operation of divine grace in Evelyn Waugh’s famous queer and Catholic novel, Brideshead Revisited. I focus on the final pages and scenes of the original novel and the 2008 film adaptation, and I argue that they take different approaches to the final moments. I examine how each portrays divine grace in the lives of the characters in connection to Catholicism and the contrast of romance and religion at the center of each work. I argue that the novel holds the flame of faith at its center while the film ignites the spark of romance at the core: this difference matters because the film loses Waugh’s essential critique of the movement toward secularism in the modern world. This research fits into the critical conversation surrounding Brideshead Revisited and its 2008 film adaptation in that my argument takes on the sentiment of Gallagher and Colebatch in their criticism of the film—particularly of the treatment of God as the villain and the overarching theme of guilt that is not prevalent in the novel—while considering the question of conversion that Mooneyham presents. I claim that the 2008 film deviates significantly from the original novel, becoming a representation of the modern and secular world which is exactly what Waugh was afraid of.

• 

  The Stitt Scholars Program: Experiential Learning as a Tool for Transdisciplinary Deep Collaboration

  Abigail Swensen, George Meinert, Hong Anh Chu, Loring Leitzel, Tanner Hamilton, Melissa Oei, Ryan Grant, Gwendolyn Meiring, Christian Reynolds, Rachel Balaj, Harley Beaulieu, Gavin Mchale, Liam Schroeder, Joan Considine

  Entrepreneurs and startup companies typically have needs but sometimes lack the resources to execute them promptly. This could delay a product or service launch, leading to a missed opportunity to gain market share. Some of the needs are beyond their expertise and may require transdisciplinary teams to help them reach the next level. To help the startup companies and entrepreneurs in Dayton, the Stitt Scholars Program was instituted to provide opportunities for transdisciplinary teams to work with entrepreneurs and startup companies to provide value while learning about innovation and entrepreneurship. This session presents the framework of the program and analyzes the feedback from the major stakeholders. Student teams will present about some of the projects they have worked on during the 2022/23 academic year. During the academic year, the students in the program maintain their regular course load and put in 10 hours of work each week. They work on projects for and with entrepreneurs at the HUB (powered by the PNC Bank). The students are paid from the program’s fund donated by Jim and Carol Stitt. During the 2021/22 academic year, the students’ work helped to secure financial support from the PNC Bank to support minority-owned businesses in the greater west Dayton area. The program’s success also led to a donation of $100,000 to the program. Generally, the students have enhanced their communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills. Most students indicated that the program helps them critically review problems and communicate effectively in transdisciplinary teams. Additionally, the clients expressed satisfaction with the students’ work ethics and the quality of project deliverables.

• 

  The Theory Behind the Cape: The Ethics of DC Comics' Superman in Relation to Nietzsche's Moral Super-man

  Mary Newman

  For this project, the main question I set out to answer was is the DC Comic character Superman an accurate representation of Nietzsche’s Super-man theory? In his work Thus Spoke Zarathustra which was published in four volumes throughout the 1880s, Nietzsche explored the idea of a moral exemplar who would rise above other moral theories and create a new, superior set of morals for all humans. Nietzsche titled this moral exemplar the Übermensch, or Super-man. Beyond the name relation, it felt appropriate to analyze Superman’s ethics because Superman is a popular public figure that is often seen as a force of good with a strong moral compass, a seemingly perfect candidate to rise above humans and lead them to better morals as Nietzsche’s moral exemplar does. Superman’s dual identity as both a human, Clark Kent, and superhero also allows for a unique comparison between what ethics he has an ordinary citizen versus as a superhero. I argue that while Superman does meet some of Nietzsche’s criteria for the moral exemplar, such as Superman having an ethical advancement beyond Clark Kent, he does not meet all of them because Superman does not wish for all of humanity to adopt his ethics. Superman also differs from Nietzsche’s Super-man in that he never developed his ethical code with the intention to lead humanity into a new moral era, so while Superman may advance past typical human ethics, he does so with the intention of him being an exception not a leader which does not align with Nietzsche’s Super-man.

• 

  The Transition to a Renewable Energy Electric Grid in the Caribbean Island Nation of Antigua and Barbuda

  Patrick Hoody

  Most nations in the Caribbean rely largely on fossil fuels, specifically diesel, for power generation. The dual-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda does not differ in any manner from this, relying for 93% of its electricity on diesel generated electricity. Although small island states are responsible for only a vanishingly small amount of historical greenhouse gas emissions, as climate change continues to increase in severity, it is important for all nations to address the root of the issue by decreasing their carbon footprints. Fossil fuel prices have also been rising for some time, and there is little chance that this trend will stop. It will be beneficial to nations such as Antigua and Barbuda to transition to renewable energy to decrease electricity prices and help the fight against climate change. Nations in the Caribbean heavily favor renewables that rely on solar energy because of the daily sunshine all year long. The renewable energy technologies that are most economical and favorable to the region include wind energy and both solar photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP). This latter technology has rarely been considered for the region but could represent an important option. A model was developed to determine how much of certain technologies would be needed if the energy sector were to be redesigned and to be reliant on renewable energy rather than fossil fuels. This new system will also require energy storage such as utility-scale batteries and thermal storage used with CSP. Different combinations of technologies can accomplish this, but finding the best for each nation is the main purpose of this model.