Follow

• 

  Community Assessment of Twin Towers, Dayton, Ohio: Dietary-Related Psychosocial and Cultural Factors

  Carolyn A Botti, Alyssa Kate Hrobat, Liana Laurette Sans, Tori Lucienne Sedlmayer

  The Twin Towers is a low-income neighborhood in southeast Dayton and has a high prevalence of overweight and obese residents. The main objective for this assessment was to determine the dietary-related psychosocial and cultural factors that affect the dietary intake patterns of people residing in this neighborhood. Values, beliefs, social norms, tradition, taste preferences, and self-efficacy were analyzed within the community through a questionnaire distributed at the East End Community Center, along with various secondary peer-reviewed sources. It was found that nutrition knowledge was not the main barrier to a healthy diet, but self-efficacy, taste preference and lack of cooking tools and skills contributed to an inadequate diet. This data collection allowed the development of an intervention to implement within the community in order to improve the diet quality of people residing in this neighborhood. Due to these identified barriers, we suggest interventions regarding self-efficacy and the implementation of nutrition-related skills.

• 

  Community Dietary Assessments (Assets)

  Abbie Hill, Emily Ann McDermott, Kim Alison Steinhebel

  Twin Towers is a low income community located in East Dayton about 1.5 miles from the University of Dayton’s campus. As there are multiple families facing food insecurity, there are a variety of programs that exist within the community aimed at expanding food access.The purpose of this research was to identify the current assets within the community that provide nutrition education and healthy food access in an attempt to combat the food insecurity prevalent in the Twin Towers neighborhood. The objectives of this community assessment were to recognize community assets that lead to increased engagement and empowerment of those residing in the Twin Towers neighborhood. In order to do this, we conducted a semi-structured interview with two key informants from the community and analyzed secondary sources regarding the two aforementioned topics. Findings include the presence of several community assets that can be expanded upon to improve food security of the Twin Towers neighborhood residents. Such assets include Miracle Makers, Mission of Mary programs, New Hope Church, and several others under the Food Access Resiliency Enterprise. Due to the information gained, we recommend working with the current community organizations to develop an asset based intervention to address issues around food knowledge, food access, and food program participation.

• 

  Community Engagement Project: Helping Adolescents Achieve Long-term Objectives. How does the HAALO art program benefit at-risk teens in the juvenile justice system?

  Francesca Marie Gaudio, Mitchell J Tarkany

  This project will provide an evaluation of the associated benefits of the HAALO arts program. HAALO is an arts program created through a partnership with the Montgomery County Juvenile Court. It encourages at-risk teens to participate in the creation of artwork and to have a sense of pride in the rejuvenation their artwork brings to the urban landscape around them. Currently, juvenile justice programs often resort to probation and detention. These interventions are often counterproductive to change in behavior. Having at-risk teens participate in the creation of artwork is a unique and possibly more effective approach for dealing with at-risk youth. Our project summarizes our experience volunteering at Tejas (Teen Education & Joint Adult Studio). The population observed included convicted/at-risk juveniles in the Dayton area. This study takes an inductive approach that allows us to identify benefits as they become evident. The specific approach used in this qualitative research project is participant observation. Field notes are taken weekly to examine benefits in categories related to behavior- Attitude, Effort and Consistency. Our project also included an analysis of literature on similar programs and their associated benefits. The overall goal of the project was to determine whether the HAALO program positively affects the adolescents that participate.

• 

  Community Health Fairs and Intention to Seek Follow-up Care among the Hispanic Population of Dayton, Ohio

  Gina Elizabeth Martinette

  The purpose of this study was to better understand the connection between poor health and intention to seek follow-up care. The study focused on the Hispanic population of the Greater Dayton Area. A survey was adapted from the Theory of Planned Behavior which served as the measure for intention to seek follow-up care. This survey was administered at three separate health fairs. The purpose of a community health fair was to provide baseline measurements for participants, including BMI, body composition, blood pressure, blood glucose, triglyceride levels, etc. The intention to seek follow-up care was then compared with BMI, blood glucose levels and triglyceride levels. It was found that what most strongly correlated with intention to seek follow- up care was the attitude held by the participant about access.

• 

  Competencies of Game-Day Operations Employees in Sports

  Daniel Francis Begley

  The purpose of this study was to assist students pursuing a career in Game-Day Operations gain knowledge of the skills and tendencies of people who currently work in the sport industry. For this study, employees who worked in the NBA G-League for Game-Day Operations were surveyed about how they perform their jobs. Game-Day Operations is the part of a sports organization responsible for every aspect of an event to make sure it is conducted based on best industry standards. This study is based on the perspective of setting-up an event rather than attending it. The employees surveyed were from all over the country, giving different strategies that are used by different teams in the NBA G-League. This study demonstrates the amount of time and skills necessary for a Game-Day Operations Manager position.

• 

  Computational Mathematics to Study a Model of Complications Due to Diabetes

  Engels Imanol Diaz Gomez, Jeffrey Allen Lott, Nicole Meek

  Abstract: Diabetes is one of the most popular diseases affecting a large majority of the population. In this project, we use more accurate numerical algorithms to solve the model and compare the results provided in the referenced article. The article uses a basic method known as the Euler’s method to solve the differential equations.

• 

  Computational Modeling of Spin Dynamics

  Kyle Thomas Hagan, Ivan A Sudakov

  The Ising model, originally developed in the 1920’s to analyse ferromagnetic properties has since found a myriad of other seemingly unrelated applications. An updated Ising model, Glauber’s spin dynamics, is used to examine phase changes in ferromagnetic materials and other systems. In the Glauber spin model, a system starts with some initial condition and over time the state of the undergoes small fluctuations that increase as more energy is put into the system. Then, there is a critical point where the system loses its initial condition and changes phase. Glauber’s spin model has been used to examine the changes that melt ponds in the arctic undergo over time. The model has been used in chemistry to determine whether polymer chains will form. Glauber’s model has even found uses in information theory. The goal of this project is to create an Ising model using Python then display some of the properties of the Ising model with a feedback mechanism coupling Glauber's spin dynamics and the external forcing on the system. The one dimensional and two dimensional Ising models are examined. It is shown, as Ising did, that the one dimensional model does not predict any phase changes. It is also shown that the Glauber spin model does predict phase changes for a system.

• 

  Computer-Assisted Graphic Correlation of Ordovician Conodonts and Graptolites from the Argentine Precordillera and western Newfoundland using Constrained Optimization (CONOP9)

  Andrea Marie Bryan

  The purpose of this project was to use the stratigraphic range data of two extinct marine micro-fossil groups, conodonts and graptolites, to construct a composite range chart and correlation model for Ordovician age strata in Argentina and Newfoundland. These two locations were part of the eastern portion of the paleo-continent Laurentia. The goal was to integrate range data from organisms that occur in different rock types, limestones and shales, using computer-assisted graphic correlation techniques. Graphic correlation is the comparison of specific rock units by the presence of similar fossils found within them using a bi-variate plot and line of correlation. It is used to find a better estimate of the fossil duration in the earth’s history. The end result is a composite range chart, which shows the composite range of the organism in comparison to a timescale. The composite range chart constructed from the Ordovician rocks of Argentina and Newfoundland was used to answer questions on the viability of using CONOP9 to compare two different bio-facies. This research is important because the composite range chart provides paleontologists with a tool for studying and dating the rock record. Better estimates of fossil ranges can be used to make the geologic timescale more precise.

• 

  Computer Vision Pedestrian Awareness System

  Mohammad T A A Alhumoud, Noh Essa Alluwaimi, Abdul Aziz A H A M Baroun, Jonah Kelly Connelly, Junda Jiang

  Pedestrians face dangers during their daily commutes through urban and rural environments. When considering fast-moving cars and bicycles and even other civilians, vigilance is imperative to maintaining pedestrian safety. The Computer Vision Pedestrian Awareness System is a wearable device that seeks to increase pedestrian rear-awareness to potential dangers by alerting users to dangerous events before the events occur.

• 

  Control of Unbalanced Power Sharing in Islanded AC Microgrid with Balanced and Unbalanced Loads

  Ahmed S Alsafran

  Managing power sharing between islanded microgrids adds additional capability to existing Smart Grid configurations enabling otherwise isolated microgrids to share power. In geographies where population centers are widely dispersed and particularly, in countries that lack a robust and effective grid, these technologies enable growth in consumption and improved supply security when isolated microgrids are interconnected with feeder lines to shared loads. The challenge is to effectively control this power sharing capability in an environment where microgrid performance is substantially load dependent and where the interconnection capabilities between microgrids often grows organically to meet demand. The proposed control has advantages over other methods since it does not require communication capabilities between the interconnected microgrids and does not require knowledge of feeder line models. This paper addresses a proposed control system design for these systems that has a hierarchical structure to manage power sharing among distributed generation (DG), low voltage AC islanded microgrids with unbalanced loads. The proposed control consists of three parts. First, an active power (P) – frequency (f) droop control and a reactive power (Q) – voltage (V) droop control (P/f and Q/V) are used to enable the active and reactive power sharing between two interconnected DGs. Since this droop control is unable to share unbalanced power effectively, a negative phase sequence virtual impedance control is added as a second control to regulate the distribution of unbalanced power. Third, an unbalanced power and small signal frequency droop control is added to adjust the impedance value (L_v) in the negative phase sequence virtual impedance control to force the negative sequence current to reach the steady state operating point achieving unbalanced power sharing. The proposed control scheme is theoretically designed the effectiveness of this proposed control scheme is evaluated through simulation studies. The impact of both the feeder line model and the unbalanced load on power sharing effectiveness are investigated.

• 

  Cortisol Regulation of Aquaglyceroporin HC-3 Protein Expression in Erythrocytes from the Freeze Tolerant Tree Frog Dryophytes chrysoscelis

  Maria Pasqualina LaBello

  Dryophytes chrysoscelis, commonly known as Cope’s gray treefrog, is a freeze tolerant anuran that freezes up to 65% of extracellular fluid during winter to survive. Glycerol is presumably used as a cryoprotectant during a period of cold-acclimation to protect cells from permanent damage due to hypoosmotic stress upon freezing and thawing. The transmembrane movement of glycerol and water is likely mediated through aquaglyceroporin (GLP) 3 ortholog HC-3 in the nucleated erythrocytes (RBCs) of D. chrysoscelis. This thesis analyzes the mechanisms in which D. chrysoscelis prepares for cold-acclimation and glycerol synthesis. Cortisol, a neuroendocrine steroid hormone, is a stress hormone previously shown to respond to osmolarity challenges and regulate aquaporins in teleost fish; however, the role of cortisol in regulating anuran HC-3 protein expression and membrane subcellular localization is yet to be known, and the implications for mediating anticipatory glycerol synthesis and freeze tolerance remain to be determined. We hypothesize that cortisol exposure contributes to enhanced HC-3 protein expression and subcellular localization in the membrane of RBCs from D. chrysoscelis. RBCs were cultured in vitro using complete cell culture media (CCCM) and cortisol for 0, 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours at two separate concentrations, 1.0 μg/ml and 0.1 μg/ml. Another group of RBCs was incubated with CCCM for 24 hours before the 0, 4, and 8-hour incubation with cortisol concentrations of 1.0 μg/ml and 0.1 μg/ml. Western blotting was utilized for quantifying HC-3 protein expression and immunocytochemistry was used to visualize the subcellular localization of the HC-3 protein from the cultured RBCs. The findings gleaned from this thesis provide insight to support human tissue cryoprotection and transplantation.

• 

  Create a platform for an industrial control system to examine the vulnerability of PLC, SCADA and DCS system:

  Belal Tanko

  In this project, a platform will be developed to provide a ground to explore the setup of the control system configuration.control system which could be represented as Programmable Logic Controller(PLC) which is an industrial control system which used to monitor the status of final control elements and make a decision based on the input it receives. Control system at the beginning applied to the industrial field by using a local network. The use of local network results in a network that has high potential to be secure from any vandalism. In addition, it makes IT engineer to have the ability to secure and control any instrument by just updating the infected or change that device. However, the need of a system that provide a secure area to be used for industries usages is increased due to the high growth in technology. ICS (industrial cyber security) provide an exchange of data in secure technique. Nowadays industries using a network that is connected to the internet which raises the risk of losing the exchanged data or increase the chance for a person who uses a computer to obtain unauthorized access to data. As a result, the project will focus more on the methods that could apply as protection technique that could be used to secure any exchange in data address by control system application. To achieve the goal several equipment and application used. A CPU which used to host all applications. A virtual box used to set both master (main PLC) and slave used as a SCADA control system.

• 

  Crystallization Kinetics for Homo- and Hetero-genous Thin Films of Tungsten Selenide

  Rachel Habib Rai

  Single to few-layered Group-VI semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides (TMD) are new materials that exhibit versatile physical properties, such as sizable direct band gaps, that promise new potential for many electronic and optoelectronic devices. A prototypical TMD, Tungsten Selenide (WSe2) exhibits captivating properties such as room temperature photoluminescence temperature. However, the integration of WSe2 and other TMDs into devices is currently limited due to the inaccessibility of scalable techniques to fabricate high quality large area thin films. This impediment can be resolved by understanding and optimizing the kinetics of film growth. Thus, our work encompasses innovative techniques to study the crystallization kinetics of thin amorphous homo- and hetero-genous films of WSe2. We begin by sputtering thin amorphous films of WSe2 on flexible and rigid substrates. We then crystallize the deposited films by supplying enough energy for crystallization via broadband radiation, nanoscale beams, and in situ Raman Spectroscopy. Magnetron sputtering is selected as the deposition technique due to the low temperatures involved, thus allowing deposition on polymer substrates. Furthermore, modulation of the energy flux during magnetron sputtering provides an opportunity to model homo or hetero crystallization by forbidding or permitting the presence pre-existing nuclei, respectively. Our employment of various crystallization techniques allows for methodical study of the influences of seeds on 2D nucleation and growth kinetics. Results show that homogenous crystallization has a lower nucleation due to the small seed size. Such finding is systematically explained by crystallization theories that relate the critical radius size of the seeded materials to energy barriers. The newly founded relationship between deposition parameters, activation barriers, and film quality of WSe2 is applicable to other TMDs. Thus, our work significantly contributes to the advancement TMDs and eases their incorporation in future electronic devices.

• 

  Dayton Children's Hospital Composting Initiative

  Maria Elizabeth Plevris

  Food composting has many benefits including addressing food waste at institutions such as hospitals. As for example, the healthcare system is responsible for 11.7 tons of waste that enters the landfills each year, some of which is due to food waste such as expired food and an overproduction of food. The food service department at Dayton Children’s Hospital in Dayton, Ohio wanted to develop a system to address food waste. Therefore, the University of Dayton collaborated with Dayton Children’s food service and dietary department to develop and implement a composting system utilizing a local composting company- Compost Dayton. The focus was on composting raw, pre-consumer produce trimmings that had not left the culinary kitchen. The process of development and implementation included: research on proper education and training techniques for the staff, creating a Higher Learning Commission (HLC) module for the staff to complete prior to training, a hands-on, in person training session, and weekly audits of the composting bin. Challenges that emerged included: maintaining proper health codes for the hospital and the composting company, along with obtaining support and adherence from the dietary staff. In conclusion, through the use of proper education and training, Dayton Children’s Hospital’s implementation of composting can help decrease food waste.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.

• 

  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.