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  Rejection Sensitivity as a mediator of the Effects of Parental Support on Friendship Alienation

  Allison Cremering

  Previous research has shown an association between parental relationship and friendship quality, so that with higher quality relationships with parents, there is an increased probability of higher friendship quality. However, the process by which these variables are related remains unclear. The present study tested rejection sensitivity, or the tendency to readily perceive and expect social humiliation or rejection, as a possible mediator of the relationship between parental relationship quality and friend alienation. The current study hypothesized that parental relationship quality would be inversely associated with friendship alienation; and that the association between parental relationship quality and friendship alienation would be mediated by rejection sensitivity. The current study analyzed data collected from college students. Results from multiple regression revealed that parental relationship quality was significantly negatively associated with rejection sensitivity (b = -1.808, p < 0.0001) and negatively associated with friendship alienation (b = -0.193, p < 0.0004). Additionally, rejection sensitivity was significantly associated with friendship alienation (b = 0.087, p < 0.0001). Lastly, rejection sensitivity mediated the association between parental relationship quality (communication) and friendship alienation (b = -0.158, p < 0.0001), such that the significant inverse relationship between parental relationship quality and friendship alienation was accounted for by rejection sensitivity. These results further the understanding of the relationship between parent-child relationship quality and friendship quality and suggest that young adults with poor quality parental relationships may be at risk of developing high levels of rejection sensitivity, leading them to be at an increased risk for experiencing alienation in their relationships with friends.

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  Related Self-Motives? Examining the Association between Self-Verification and Self-Handicapping

  Katharine Ellis

  This research examines the association between self-verification and self-handicapping. Self-verification theory states that people tend to seek information verifying how individuals see themselves. Individuals seek verifying feedback about traits or attributes when they are certain about that attribute, regardless of whether the attribute is positive or negative. However, when individuals are uncertain about a particular trait, they tend to engage in a self-presentational strategy called self-handicapping. Self-handicapping is a self-protecting behavior that mitigates the effect of a potential failure that would otherwise be perceived as threatening to one’s sense of self by providing pre-emptive excuses for poor performances. Using data obtained from a series of questionnaires, this research addresses the question: Given that self-verification occurs when individuals are certain about their self-concept and self-handicapping occurs when they are uncertain, do self-handicappers avoid self-verification?

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  Reseach exercise: The "Genocide" of Timor-Leste: A Study of Human Suffering and International Ignorance

  Molly Ledwith

  The Indonesian occupation of Timor-Leste in 1975 resulted in the deaths of an estimated 200,000 Timorese, which accounted for more than a quarter of the territory’s total population. Unfortunately, this terrible injustice went almost completely unrecognized by the international community. Even more disturbing, there is evidence to suggest that the United States was not only aware of these injustices, but perhaps encouraged the Indonesians’ violent invasion. A mass killing of this magnitude is normally dubbed ”genocide.” However, the situation that occurred in Timor-Leste has never been labeled as an actual “genocide,” most likely due to the involvement of the United States and other Western countries trying to avoid blame. In this presentation, I will explore the “genocide” of Timor-Leste and the level of involvement of other nations, specifically the United States, in this tragedy.

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  Research exercise: Analyzing Circuit Court Rulings in Shield Law Cases

  Andy Kurzhals, Concetta Reda

  Journalists in most states are permitted under state law to protect the identities of their confidential sources. Those seeking the identities include defendants in criminal cases, prosecutors, and plaintiffs and respondents in various civil actions. Journalists usually decline to reveal their confidential sources so as not to become “an arm of the law” or an advocate for any cause or party. They also often want to shield people who genuinely have something serious to fear if their identities became known. Even so, some courts in some cases have defied shield laws and ordered journalists to reveal their sources under penalty of jail and fines. These papers analyze how various courts have interpreted state shield laws and determined who is a journalist with statutory protection. One major challenge is that anyone now can “publish” via the Internet. These papers compare rulings in different jurisdictions, and make recommendations.

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  Research exercise: Analyzing Shield Law Cases in the Midwest

  Megan Nelson, Thomas Stankard

  Most states have enacted shield laws that allow journalists to protect the identities of confidential sources. The federal government has considered a federal shield law several times over the years but has yet to enact such legislation. These papers analyze how state courts determine who is and who is not a journalist under states’ shield laws. Also considered is whether the press can legally refuse to identify anonymous commentators on news organizations’ websites.

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  Research exercise: Analyzing the Actual Malice Standard in New York and Virginia Defamation Cases

  Abraham Keller, Nathan Vicar

  Public figures suing the press for defamation must show that the journalist acted with knowledge that the material was false or recklessly disregarded evidence of the truth. This is what is known as actual malice. These papers analyze the actual malice standard as applied in defamation cases against the press in New York and Virginia state courts. Also considered are the circumstances under which actual malice would be required in a defamation case brought against a blogger.

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  Research exercise: Betting Against Beta: A Low Volatility Investment Strategy for Market Period 2008-2012

  Anthony Caruso

  The objective of this study is to examine the risk/return relationships of "style/size" ETFs over the period 2008-2012. The ETFs are (1) Large cap growth, (2) Large cap value, (3) Mid cap growth, (4) Mid cap value, (5) Small cap growth, (6) Small cap value. The measure of risk used in this study is beta. Typically, higher beta ETFs are expected to outperform in up markets and underperform in down markets. Conversely, lower beta ETFs would perform best in a down market and underperform in an up market. The overall period of analysis is 2008-2012. The following three sub periods will also be analyzed: (1) Downswing Period (12-31-07)-(3-31-09), (2) Rebound period (3-31-09)-(12/31/09), (3) Upswing-Trading Range (12-31-09)-(12-31-12). Using monthly data, betas will be calculated for the overall period as well as the three sub periods. In order to carry out the Betting Against Beta strategies, the inverse of the betas will be used as the portfolio weighting mechanism for the 6 ETFs.

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  Research exercise: Biopsy Report Turnaround Time Analysis

  William Blount, Michael Bodde, Linda Moodie, Chris Patzelt

  The purpose of this proposal is to present the University of Dayton project management group’s plan of optimization methods. The optimization methods are to improve efficiency of the lab reporting techniques and retrieval at the University of Cincinnati's Dermatology Lab. Currently, the time from the date the biopsy is completed to the date the report is posted and available to the client and physician is too long. While the average time the results are reported is around six days, it is not uncommon for the results not to be posted for over a week or more. The program management group was contacted in order to improve efficiency so that UC Health may continue to carry out its mission to serve the Cincinnati community. In addition, the methods will provide an understanding of the issue and the best methods to correct the turnaround time. The objective of this proposal is to describe process in which the team will optimize the University of Cincinnati Health lab turnaround time. The optimization will be done in several steps. The first will be the analysis of the labor needed and the analysis of the operation and technology. A hard copy of all the analysis is to be reported for further action. Once that is established, execution of an alternative itself will begin. The general plan is for all variables and possibilities to be considered with a full and complete understanding, followed by execution of a corrective plan.

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  Research exercise: Characterization of WNT Signaling During Dorsal versus Ventral Iris-Derived Newt Lens Regeneration

  Georgios Tsissios, Konstantinos Sousounis

  There are many animals that have the ability to regenerate different tissues during embryonic stage, but only newts have the ability to regenerate whole organs throughout their entire life. Our primary focus is lens regeneration through transdifferentiation of pigment epithelial cells (PECs). This process has been previously shown to be highly topological, that is, trasdifferentiation always occur from the dorsal iris and never from the ventral iris. In order to understand why we have regenerative and non-regenerative tissues in dorsal and ventral iris, respectively, we examined the role and expression of several genes. My research aimed to discover the potential for ventral iris cell regeneration, through the in vivo manipulation of the Wnt pathway. The Wnt pathway regulates beta-catenin, which moves through the cytoplasm into the nucleus and binds to TCF/LEF transcription factor for transcription of target genes to occur. After staining with an antibody that detects the activated form of beta-catenin, we observed that beta-catenin is present at both ventral and dorsal nucleus at 12 days post lentectomy and not detected in the previous days. Knowing that the next step was to inhibit the Wnt pathway and observe the effects on lens regeneration. A beta-catenin/Tcf inhibitor chemical, called FH535 was injected to the newts every other day till 12 days post lentectomy. We hypothesized that there will be no lens development for either dorsal or ventral iris. Our preliminary results suggest that the chemical we used cannot inhibit lens regeneration from the dorsal iris. Future studies need to investigate further the importance of Wnt pathway during lens regeneration.

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  Research exercise: Dimensions of Support in Schools

  Virginia A. Saurine, Molly E. Stanifer, Zachary L. Valletta

  Standards for the teaching profession emphasize the importance of awareness, understanding, and integration into practice of current research in education. The goal of EDT 110 H1 class project was to present synthesis of related literature on pertinent topics to P-12 education, specifically dimensions of support in schools.

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  Research exercise: Dispense-A-Roll Project for PM Company

  Kevin Eversole, Ibrahim Abdul-Karim, Ryan Shea, Garret Ervin, Matthew Srnoyachki

  The current method of shipping receipt paper is very wasteful in regards of packaging and leads to inadequate storage. The inadequate storage of the rolls wastes time and energy when consumers have to reach in difficult, inaccessible places to refill the machine with a roll. The PM Company has contracted the University of Dayton Project Management Team to develop a roll dispenser. The Dispense-A-Roll dispenser will bring a convenient, sustainable, and cost saving method to dispense electronic transaction receipt paper rolls at the point of sale location for our client. The ease of use of the dispenser will allow for the consumer to quickly and effectively change the receipt paper roll when needed. In addition, the dispenser will enable customers to buy the receipt paper in bulk, reducing the waste associated with unnecessary packaging. The project will start upon acceptance of this project proposal and end on April 25th. Our team’s plan is to survey point of sales users to collect data for the product, develop three conceptual designs, select a final design concept from those designs, and create a prototype Dispense-A-Roll. Manufacturing the final dispenser will be outsourced. It is the clients request that each dispenser will cost about $8 with the budget for the prototype to cost approximately $25. Once made, the Dispense-A-Roll will be found in a variety of places that use PM Company’s paper for point of sales service, such as convenience stores, gas stations, retail stores, and restaurants.

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  Research exercise: ETHOS Appropriate Solar Technology for Bihar, India

  Matthew Worsham, Aaron Ramsey, Jose Panameno

  An investigation of the potential for appropriate solar technology in Bihar, India, including solar thermal refrigeration systems. Both current applications and potential opportunities will be examined.

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  Research exercise: ETHOS A Review on the Importance of Maintaining Standards in Appropriate Technology

  Marcy Prendergast

  A review of Appropriate Technology evolution as it applies to the practical implementation of ETHOS Immersion contributions. This is pre-work for an upcoming ETHOS immersion in Auroville, India.

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  Research exercise: ETHOS A Translation of Bio-digestion of Human Waste Across Continents

  Anirban Mandal

  Taking an existing technology in one region and transplanting it successfully in another region. The is pre-work to an upcoming ETHOS immersion in Managua, Nicaragua.

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  Research exercise: ETHOS Coconut Oil Extraction Optimization

  Thomas Bennett

  This will explore the optimization of the virgin coconut oil production. This process will extend to oil extraction of other plants and the methods by which this is happening in cottage industries. This is pre-work for an upcoming ETHOS summer immersion in Dominica, West Indies.

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  Research exercise: ETHOS Earthen Stoves in Rural Africa

  Juliana Lawniczak, Kyle Slone

  This will explain the unique application of earthen stoves in varying rural communities. Presenting the challenges of available resources, balance of efficiency, and the trade offs in comparison to the traditional 3-stone fire. This poster is the pre-work for the upcoming ETHOS summer immersions in Malawi and Uganda.

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  Research exercise: ETHOS Water Technologies in Underdeveloped Areas

  Chris Baxter, Jose Canabal, Chinedum Ukandu

  Exploring water as it applies to underdeveloped regions in Africa and Central America. This is a pre-work scope and literature review for 3 upcoming ETHOS Immersions to Uganda, Cameroon, and Guatemala. This poster will address the water needs such as delivery, collection, and purification, and the proposed approach for each area of impact.

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  Research exercise: Fund Allocation Strategies for ETFs: A Contrarian Approach

  Joe Nitting

  In this study, I evaluate a portfolio weighting strategy called inverse relative price strength (IRPS). This weighting strategy gives higher weights to ETFs with lower prices relative to some benchmark price. The benchmark price is the Russell 3000 Index. IRPS is dynamic in that the weights change as relative prices change. The six ETFs evaluated in this study are large cap growth, mid cap growth, small cap growth, large cap value, mid cap value, and small cap value. As mentioned above, all of these ETFs trade on the market like individual stocks but are constructed in such a way that they closely resemble a comparable index. The primary objective of this study is to determine if the IRPS weighting model outperforms the Russell 3000 Index (i.e. it creates alpha). A second objective is to determine which ETFs generate the largest alpha. A third and final objective is to determine if alpha is created over different phases of a market cycle. The overall, period of evaluation is 2008-2012. This period includes several economic and market downswing periods plus a significant rebound period and an upswing period. To capture the market swings, I have divided the overall period into a (1) downswing period (2008), (2) rebound period (2009), (3) upswing period (2010), and (4) trading range period (2011-2012). Portfolio and ETF performance will be analyzed for the overall period as well as the sub periods relative to the Russell 3000 Index.

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  Research exercise: Google/Multi-National Corporations, International Surveillance, and Human Rights

  Ryan Krempley

  The many news reports on cyber security, identity theft, Wikileaks, and NSA intelligence gathering programs over the past few years have shown the international community that the World Wide Web is anything but a safe place to store sensitive information, or any information for that matter. This study will examine how closely multi-national corporations in the information technology sector, such as Google, are involved with national governments on these issues. The study will analyze events in the U.S. and China and attempt to uncover whether or not these have directly infringed upon peoples’ basic human rights.

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  Research exercise: Google/Multi-National Corporations, International Surveillance, and Human Rights

  Ryan Krempley

  The many news reports on cyber security, identity theft, Wikileaks, and NSA intelligence gathering programs over the past few years have shown the international community that the World Wide Web is anything but a safe place to store sensitive information, or any information for that matter. This study will examine how closely multi-national corporations in the information technology sector, such as Google, are involved with national governments on these issues. The study will analyze events in the U.S. and China and attempt to uncover whether or not these have directly infringed upon peoples’ basic human rights.

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  Research exercise: Human Rights Violations, Genocide, and Other Current Issues in Africa: UN Involvement Then and Now

  Ray Stallings

  Throughout the last century, African nations have struggled to become fully independent and successful countries. Their development has been inhibited by the lack of democracy and governmental guidance within these nations. The United Nations has played an integral role in the development of these nations. This paper will take an in depth look at the actions of the UN in these situations and how they have changed or stayed the same over the past several decades. The paper will focus on two specific African nations that have struggled through human rights violations and genocide over the last twenty years. The focus of the paper will be to compare and contrast the UN’s actions in the 1994 Rwandan genocide and the Cote d’Ivoire Crisis of 2010. In both instances, the UN intervened to help diffuse the tension and help develop plans for the futures of these two nations. This paper takes a comprehensive look at which UN strategies worked, which strategies did not work, and how the UN can learn from these instances to help develop more successful practices and protocols for intervention in such instances in the future.

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  Research exercise: Human Trafficking within the International Community and Modern Society

  Clare Potyrala

  This research project will examine the issue of human trafficking, its impact on global society, and the international responses to the crime. It will provide an overview of the scope and scale of human trafficking and examine its impact on the world of international crime. Current national level and international preventative measures will be assessed. US State Department data on human trafficking in countries in various regions of the world will be used for this analysis.

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  Research exercise: Identification of English Language Learners as Gifted Students

  Riley Weber

  The United States educational system has faced several challenges and reforms regarding assessment and identification in the past fifty years which continue to change as the nation develops new goals and needs (Giuliani & Pierangelo 2012). In recent years, schools have included a large population of immigrant students from families with native languages other than English (Carter 2005). The need for educating students in English as a second language has led to new policies and programs developed specifically for ELL or English Language Learners (Elizalde-Utnick 2008). Another current topic of educational policy concerns the emphasis on assessment and high-stakes testing. In 2004, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, IDEA, provided legal rights and expectations for special education students which includes students with learning disabilities; however, English Language Learners are not covered under IDEA unless they are identified with a learning disability. IDEA also does not cover the rights of students who qualify for gifted and talented programs, even though students who qualify for these programs require a form of specialized education. Due to these recent educational initiatives, this research study will focus on how the assessment of English Language Learners impacts their identification and placement in gifted and talented programs. This is a current topic to research because most studies have focused on the overrepresentation of English Language Learners as learning disabled or the misidentification of students of color in learning disabled programs. However, some case studies and other forms of research have considered the underrepresentation of ELL in gifted and talented programs and whether or not students learning English as a second language can be successful in gifted and talented programs.

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  Research exercise: Increasing FAFSA Completion Rates: A Look at the Ohio 8 Coalition

  Anna Syburg

  Getting students ready to excel in higher education has been a topic dominated by conversations about raising academic rigor and standards. College readiness covers a scope of factors including content knowledge, academic skills, behavioral skills as well as “college knowledge”. College knowledge consists of the information that students need to navigate the complex processes of applying for college as well as financial aid. Many times, students have aspirations of enrolling in higher education but fail to complete essential tasks that make them eligible for college entrance. One of those key tasks is completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which allows students to receive government aid for their college tuition. The application asks intensive questions about an individual and their family’s finances. Many students and their families do not complete the FAFSA because of time constraints, misconceptions about the aid received, or lack of knowledge in how to navigate the system. The focus of this study is to look at the Ohio 8 Coalition of Ohio’s largest urban school districts and to examine their FAFSA completion rates. Once the districts and their respective high schools have been examined, the study looks into which programs are implemented in order to foster high completion rates. Experts on FAFSA completion and the importance of “college knowledge” for the college readiness process have been interviewed as well as the superintendents of the highest performing districts to gather the specific details about the importance of FAFSA completion and what makes their district or high schools so successful in this area. The purpose of this research is to provide districts across the nation with resources on how to increase their FAFSA completion and, therefore, increase the likelihood of their students being able to receive aid for and enroll in higher education.

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  Research exercise: Madison County Equestrian Facility Renovation

  Andrew Spirk, Nathan DeCamp, Reid Fuente, Jesse Hester, Matthew Soto

  The Madison County Fairgrounds Equine Center is in need of repair in order to provide a more safe and enjoyable experience for its patrons. The Equine Facility can gain aesthetic value and functionality by improving the conditions and characteristics of the show arena. The improvement of the Equine Facilities will not only increase the aesthetic value, but will also help to enrich the Equine experience of the youth and citizens of Madison County. To assist Madison County Fairgrounds with this endeavor, the team will provide technical information to Madison County Fairgrounds in order to improve the quality and functionality of the Equine Facility by focusing on the design, placement and costs associated with the Arena. The project officially begins with the submittal of this proposal and will be completed by the 26th of April 2014. In order to the complete this task, the team will first conduct research concerning equine facilities. After the analysis of Madison County. Equine Facility, the team will create dimensional schematics of the grounds. The team will then develop and determine costs associated with the designs. Upon completion of cost estimation the team will present the conceptual designs. Upon deciding a final design, the team will prepare final costs associated with the project and make a final presentation to the client. The team will be located at the University of Dayton. The majority of the tasks will be completed on campus, however, on site observation and analysis will be necessary. The team will strive to provide an in depth plan of action concerning the design, placement and cost analysis of the Arena in order to increase the functionality and appeal of the Madison County Fairgrounds Equine Center.