Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

15th Annual Undergraduate Student Symposium, Farquhar Honors College

Undergraduate Student Symposium

The Undergraduate Student Symposium, sponsored by the Farquhar Honors College, presents student projects through presentations, papers, films, and poster displays. The event serves as a “showcase” demonstrating the outstanding scholarship of undergraduate students at NSU. The symposium is open to undergraduate students from all disciplines. Projects cover areas of student scholarship ranging from the experimental and the applied to the computational, theoretical, artistic, and literary. They are taken from class assignments and independent projects. Project presentations can represent any stage in a concept’s evolution, from proposal and literature review to fully completed and realized scholarly work. As in past symposia, …

Investigating The After-Effects Of Stochastic Resonance For Use In Laparoscopic Surgery, Muhammad S. Hamdan, Caroline G. L. Cao

Symposium of Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Materials

Laparoscopic surgery is a modern surgical technique in which surgeons insert tools through small incisions in the abdomen to perform a surgical procedure.

Titanocene−Gold Complexes Containing N‑Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands Inhibit Growth Of Prostate, Renal, And Colon Cancers In Vitro, Yiu Fung Mui, Jacob FernáNdez-Gallardo, Benelita T. Elie, Ahmed Gubran, Irene Maluenda, Mercedes Sanau, Marıá Contel

Publications and Research

We report on the synthesis, characterization, and stability studies of new titanocene complexes containing a methyl group and a carboxylate ligand (mba = −OC(O)-p-C6H4-S−) bound to gold(I)−N-heterocyclic carbene fragments through the thiolate group: [(η5-C5H5)2TiMe(μ-mba)Au(NHC)]. The cytotoxicities of the heterometallic compounds along with those of novel monometallic gold−N-heterocyclic carbene precursors [(NHC)Au(mbaH)] have been evaluated against renal, prostate, colon, and breast cancer cell lines. The highest activity and selectivity and a synergistic effect of the resulting heterometallic species was found for the prostate and colon cancer cell lines. The colocalization of both titanium and gold metals (1:1 ratio) in PC3 prostate cancer …

Power And Sample Size Calculations For Interval-Censored Survival Analysis, Hae-Young Kim, John M. Williamson, Hung-Mo Lin

NYMC Faculty Publications

We propose a method for calculating power and sample size for studies involving interval-censored failure time data that only involves standard software required for fitting the appropriate parametric survival model. We use the framework of a longitudinal study where patients are assessed periodically for a response and the only resultant information available to the investigators is the failure window: the time between the last negative and first positive test results. The survival model is fit to an expanded data set using easily computed weights. We illustrate with a Weibull survival model and a two-group comparison. The investigator can specify a …

Nondestructive Evaluation & Radar Imaging Using Terahertz Signals, D. Amal Mirando, Michael D. Higgins, Sonya Sokhey, Matthew Larson, Douglas T. Petkie

Symposium of Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Materials

Nondestructive imaging is a method of examining a material without direct contact that additionally does not alter the properties of the material. The terahertz imaging system currently in development uses the principle of interferometry (a Michelson Interferometer) such that frequency modulated terahertz signals are split and directed to the object under study and a reference mirror; then the detector will acquire the intensity of the combined reflected signals that contains information about the objects in the path of the beam.

Synthesis Of Functionalized Peek Analogues Via “One-Pot” Synthesis, Zachary B. Ewing, Eric A. Fossum

Symposium of Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Materials

Poly(arylene ether)s, PAEs

• High performance engineering thermoplastic materials

• Excellent mechanical properties and thermal stability

• Resistant to hydrolysis and oxidation

• Many prepared via nucleophilic aromatic substitution (NAS)

• Electron withdrawing groups (EWG) typically in para positions

• PAEs can also be synthesized with an EWG in the meta positions, creating easily functionalized systems, with no change in the backbone

City360: Visualizing Multimodal City Events For Decision Support, Vaikunth Sridharan, Tanvi Banerjee, Pramod Anantharam, Archana Sheshadri, Roopteja Muppalla, Amit P. Sheth, Krishnaprasad Thirunarayan

Symposium of Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Materials

Cities are increasingly outfitted with sensors for monitoring various conditions such as traffic, weather, air quality, and infrastructure related issues. Such well outfitted cities are generating massive amounts of multi-modal data leading to daunting challenges in assimilating, visualizing, and making sense of this data by city authorities and citizens. We propose City360 to address these challenges and provide decision support to city authorities and citizens. We demonstrate the utility of our system through concrete use cases for San Francisco Bay area that utilize heterogeneous data from various open city data sources.

Comparing Network Centrality Measures Of Non-Traditional Students In An Introductory Physics Class, Emily N. Sandt, Adrienne L. Traxler

Symposium of Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Materials

The goal of this research was to compare different models of network influence for students. Two research questions were composed: 1. How do common centrality measures compare when ranking students' network influence? 2. Do centrality values of non-traditional students show different trend than traditional students?

Finding Specific, Topic Related Information From A Sea Of Social Media Posts, Scott J. Duberstein, Daniel Asamoah, Derek Doran, Shu Z. Schiller

Symposium of Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Materials

As social media continues to become an incredible mode of communication in daily life dealing with the exchange of information, these systems provide authors a platform where they can share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences about a number of topics. Harnessing the information expressed publicly through these modes can be incredibly powerful: public perceptions, signals, and data about a variety of specific topics could be extracted and studied from these posts. However, there is a common trade-off in collecting information about a topic from social media: the more specific the topic, generally, the more challenging it is to extract meaningful …

Evaluation Of A Brief Marriage Intervention For Internal Behavioral Health Consultants In Military Primary Care, Ashley L. Evans, Jeffrey A. Cigrang, Tatiana D. Grey, James V. Cordova, Elizabeth Najera, Rosalyn S. Pace, Abby D. Fields, Michael A. Glotfelter, Jennifer A. Mitchell, Jolyn Tatum

Symposium of Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Materials

Military couples face significant challenges to their relationships including demanding schedules, multiple deployments, and frequent moves. Despite the high costs of chronic marital distress, very few military (or civilian) couples seek marriage therapy. The military services and the VA system have implemented collaborative care models in primary care where internal behavioral health consultants are integrated into primary care. Integrated primary care can reduce the stigma of behavioral health services and may increase the odds that couples would seek help earlier. There are no established couple interventions designed for use in primary care. The purpose of this presentation is to describe …

Wright State University's Celebration Of Research, Scholarship And Creative Activities Book Of Abstracts From Friday, April 15, 2016, Wright State University Office Of Undergraduate Research And Stemm Activities

Symposium of Student Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities Materials

The student abstract booklet is a compilation of abstracts from students' oral and poster presentations at Wright State University's Annual Celebration of Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities on April 15, 2016.

Agonist-Mediated Activation Of Sting Induces Apoptosis In Malignant B Cells, Chih-Hang Anthony Tang, Joseph A. Zundell, Sujeewa Ranatunga, Cindy Lin, Yulia Nefedova, Juan R. Del Valle, Chih-Chi Andrew Hu

Chemistry Faculty Publications

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress responses through the IRE-1/XBP-1 pathway are required for the function of STING (TMEM173), an ER-resident transmembrane protein critical for cytoplasmic DNA sensing, IFN production, and cancer control. Here we show that the IRE-1/XBP-1 pathway functions downstream of STING and that STING agonists selectively trigger mitochondria-mediated apoptosis in normal and malignant B cells. Upon stimulation, STING was degraded less efficiently in B cells, implying that prolonged activation of STING can lead to apoptosis. Transient activation of the IRE-1/XBP-1 pathway partially protected agonist-stimulated malignant B cells from undergoing apoptosis. In Eμ-TCL1 mice with chronic lymphocytic leukemia, injection of …

High Performance Bayesian Applications In Medical, Economics And Climate Sciences, Ahmed Almulihi

Research and Creative Activities Poster Day

We apply high performance numerical integration to problems in Bayesian statistics. These are applied to data arising in the analysis of problems in such areas as medical statistics (birth weight data, heart transplant data, photocarcinogen data, radio therapy data), climate (global weather, tornado data), and general statistics applications (multivariate logistic distribution, multivariate normal, nonlinear regression). We compute Bayesian moment integrals using the ParInt integration software that runs efficiently on computer clusters. We compare our results to those in the literature and show excellent performance with respect to accuracy and execution time.

Using Predator Carrying Capacity For A Pathogenic Vector-Dynamic Differential Model, Rosahn Bhattarai

Georgia State Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of New Hiv-1 Inhibitors As Potential Antiviral Agents For Hiv-2, Rowan Brothers

Georgia State Undergraduate Research Conference

No abstract provided.

Machine Learning Of Lifestyle Data For Diabetes, Yan Luo

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Self-Monitoring of Blood Glucose (SMBG) for Type-2 Diabetes (T2D) remains highly challenging for both patients and doctors due to the complexities of diabetic lifestyle data logging and insufficient short-term and personalized recommendations/advice. The recent mobile diabetes management systems have been proved clinically effective to facilitate self-management. However, most such systems have poor usability and are limited in data analytic functionalities. These two challenges are connected and affected by each other. The ease of data recording brings better data for applicable data analytic algorithms. On the other hand, the irrelevant or inaccurate data input will certainly commit errors and noises. The …

The Role Of Mathematical Modeling In Designing And Evaluating Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs, Lester Caudill, Joanna R. Wares

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

Antimicrobial agent effectiveness continues to be threatened by the rise and spread of pathogen strains that exhibit drug resistance. This challenge is most acute in healthcare facilities where the well-established connection between resistance and suboptimal antimicrobial use has prompted the creation of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs). Mathematical models offer tremendous potential for serving as an alternative to controlled human experimentation for assessing the effectiveness of ASPs. Models can simulate controlled randomized experiments between groups of virtual patients, some treated with the ASP measure under investigation, and some without. By removing the limitations inherent in human experimentation, including health risks, study …

The Role Of Mathematical Modeling In Designing And Evaluating Antimicrobial Stewardship Programs, Lester Caudill, Joanna R. Wares

Department of Math & Statistics Faculty Publications

Antimicrobial agent effectiveness continues to be threatened by the rise and spread of pathogen strains that exhibit drug resistance. This challenge is most acute in healthcare facilities where the well-established connection between resistance and sub-optimal antimicrobial use has prompted the creation of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs). Mathematical models offer tremendous potential for serving as an alternative to controlled human experimentation for assessing the effectiveness of ASPs. Models can simulate controlled randomized experiments between groups of virtual patients, some treated with the ASP measure under investigation, and some without. By removing the limitations inherent in human experimentation, including health risks, study …

Evaluation Of Mammalian Stress And Inflammatory Response To A Novel Porphyrin

Stander Symposium Projects

Porphyrins are a specific class of aromatic, heterocyclic compounds that are either naturally occurring or artificially synthesized. Porphyrins have demonstrated robust antibacterial properties, which arise from the generation of singlet oxygen. However, most porphyrins are photodynamic, meaning they require activation by light at an optimal wavelength. A novel porphyrin, developed by Dr. Shawn Swavey (UD Chemistry Department) has shown exceptional antibacterial efficiency against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, even without photoactivation. As P. aeruginosa infections are often the root cause behind lung diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, identifying a way to safely control bacterial presence is a major concern. The ability of this …

Greek Life And Catholic Universities: Do The Values Of Greek Life Match With Those Of The Catholic Church?

Stander Symposium Projects

Greek Life organizations face many negative stipulations across the United States due to several allegations of disrespectful actions. Due to these negative actions, there are Catholic institutions across the United States that do not allow Greek Life organizations on their respective campus. Such reasons Catholic institutions give is that Greek Life is not needed on campus for students to live out Catholic values. Instead, students have service, special interest and sports clubs to join to live out Catholic values. As a student apart of Greek Life on the University of Dayton’s campus feel that the values between Greek life and …

Effects Of Body Weight Loading On Arch Height

Stander Symposium Projects

Foot functionality is integral to normal human locomotion. The most commonly assessed area of the human body studied during locomotion is the medial longitudinal arch and its deformation. The Arch Height Index Measurement System (AHIMS) is the most reliable tool to measure this arch. This system typically measures arch deformation in two baseline conditions, sitting and standing. The sitting condition is considered unweighted and approximately 10% of a person’s body weight. The standing condition is considered a loaded condition and represents 50% of body weight. The first aim of this study was to see if the baseline measurements traditionally taken …

Portfolio Weights And Capture Ratio Analysis: A Look At Performance In The Consumers Staples Sector 2010-2015

Stander Symposium Projects

Since the recession in 2008, the stock market has experienced periods of extreme volatility, with market moves of 200-400 points on almost a daily basis. One sector that should do well when market volatility is high and rising is consumer staples. In this study I use a dynamic pricing model to determine the portfolio weights for the 10 largest value weighted stocks in the consumer staples sector. The model relies on the upside/downside Capture Ratios (U/D) for each stock to calculate the portfolio weights and dollar investment in each stock. I test the following hypotheses: (1) Stocks with higher U/D …

Size, Value And Momentum In Stock Returns: An Empirical Analysis, 2010-2014

Stander Symposium Projects

Based on the landmark studies of Eugene Fama and Kenneth French in the 1990's, most financial economists consider a firm's market capitalization (size) and price to book as two of the most important factors affecting the cross section of stock market returns. In recent years, other factors including stock price momentum have been accepted as predictors of stock returns in the cross section. In this study, I develop a three factor analysis of S&P 500 stock returns for the period 2010-2014. This period was chosen because it is not included in more recent studies. It also reflects a period of …

Design And Prototyping Of A Variable Geometry Extrusion Die To Exhibit Significant Alteration In Shape

Stander Symposium Projects

Extruded parts are conventionally made by forcing melted plastic through a steel die having a fixed opening that matches the shape of the part. Plastic parts made by extrusion include weather stripping, PVC pipe, and composite lumber. Variable geometry dies can change their opening shape during the extrusion process. Developing shape-changing dies technology offers the possibility of making parts with varying cross-sections that currently need to be made through injection molding. This is desirable as, compared to molding, extrusion tends to be faster and less expensive. Variable geometry extrusion dies have been designed and prototyped by the University of Dayton …

Producer Prices, Cost-Push-Inflation And Stock Market Returns

Stander Symposium Projects

Although the Fed looks at the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Personal Consumption Expenditure index (PCE) as the key measures of inflation, in this study I focus my attention on Producer Prices (PPI) as a leading indicator of inflation in final goods produced. I want to test three hypotheses. First there is a high pass through rate for prices in the 4 basic stages of production identified by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Using regression analysis to measure the pass through rate, I expect the b coefficients to be greater than zero and close to one. This would …

Spatial Mechanism Analysis And Synthesis By Dual Special Unitary Matrices

Stander Symposium Projects

Numerical algebraic geometry is the field that studies the computation and manipulation of the solution sets of systems of polynomial equations. The goal of this work is to formulate spatial mechanism analysis and design problems via a method suited to employ the tools of numerical algebraic geometry. Specifically, equations are developed using dual special unitary matrices that naturally use complex numbers to express physical and joint parameters in a mechanical system. Unknown parameters expressed as complex numbers readily admit solution by the methods of numerical algebraic geometry. This work illustrates their use by analyzing the spatial RCCC and RRRCC linkages. …

Star Decompositions Of The Complete Split Graph

Stander Symposium Projects

A graph is a discrete mathematical structure that consists of a set of vertices and a set of edges between pairs of vertices. A problem of interest in graph theory is that of graph decomposition, partitioning the set of edges into disjoint sets, producing subgraphs which are isomorphic to each other. Here we consider the problem of decomposing a class of graphs called complete split graphs into stars of a fixed size. We present conditions for the decomposition as well as an algorithm for the decomposition when it is possible.

Research Exercise: Vocation And Arts

Stander Symposium Projects

The Chaminade Scholars 'Vocation and Arts' class have been preparing all semester for an in-depth pilgrimage to Italy in May. The interactive Stander Symposium experience introduces participants to the Art, Culture and Spirituality of Assisi and Rome. Included is an exhibit of students' photography and "Awakening to Beauty publication.

Data Evaluation And Control Of Pollutants In The Air

Stander Symposium Projects

This project is about the data evaluation of the pollutants in the open atmosphere such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter, etc. The main aim of this project is to evaluate the data for the pollutants mentioned above as well as to generate different curves with the help of data obtained for past couple of decades and to develop some curve-fit equations to predict the approximate emission values of the pollutants for upcoming future years. As environmental pollution is one of the biggest challenges we are facing now-a-days in the current technology-based world,this work also shows the …

Research Exercise: Tired Of Rubber Landfills: From Environmental Hazard To Sustainable Use Potential Of Discarded Tire Materials

Stander Symposium Projects

How do you dispose of your used car tires? Although answering this on an individual level doesn’t seem to be hard, the sheer amounts of old tires disposed of as a byproduct of a growing car market in the United States have grown to make a significant impact on the environment. Each year, over 350 million tires are consumed and only about 70% of the accruing waste is properly recycled at their end of life. The storage of tires in landfills, or improper methods of disposal, such as burning and waterbody displacement causes hazardous emissions and health problems. For instance, …