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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Thou Shall Not: The Impact Of Faith On Female Students' Decision To Engage In Risky Behaviors Apr 2014

Thou Shall Not: The Impact Of Faith On Female Students' Decision To Engage In Risky Behaviors

Stander Symposium Projects

Alcohol abuse and other risky behaviors, such as illegal drug use and unplanned sex, are not uncommon on college campuses. Peers often influence these behaviors and students continue to believe involvement in them is connected to their college experience where students examine life’s meaning and purpose (Dodd, Glassman, Arthur, Webb & Miller, 2010). Therefore, an understanding of this relationship is needed. Qualitative, one-on-one interviews were conducted with eight female undergraduate students. Participants were all actively involved in a faith-based student organization on campus. Findings revealed students’ tendency to avoid risky behaviors due to their desire to honor their spiritual beliefs. …


3d Anomaly Detection Using Structure From Motion Apr 2014

3d Anomaly Detection Using Structure From Motion

Stander Symposium Projects

We present a 3D anomaly detection technique designed to support various applications in changing environmental conditions. The novelty of the work lies in our approach of creating an illumination invariant system tasked with detecting anomalies in a changing environment. Previous efforts have focused on image enhancement techniques that manipulate the intensity values of the image to create a more controlled and unnatural illumination. Since most applications require detecting anomalies in a scene irrespective of the time of day, (lighting conditions or weather conditions present at the time of the frame capture), image enhancement algorithms fail to suppress the illumination differences …


A Room Full Of Rocking Chairs: Urban Appalachian Student Experiences In Community College Apr 2014

A Room Full Of Rocking Chairs: Urban Appalachian Student Experiences In Community College

Stander Symposium Projects

Urban Appalachian college students (UACS) face cultural and institutional barriers that impact their ability to persist and complete college. Designed to explore UACS experiences at a large urban community college, this study provides insight into Appalachian culture and identity as they impact their success in higher education. UACSs are more likely to come from a low-income family, and be the first in their family to attend college. First-generation college students more often lack the social and cultural capital needed to successfully navigate college, further increasing the risk of failure (Bradbury, 2009). Colleges and universities must seek out ways to improve …


A Performance Analysis Of Concentrated Portfolios Of High Quality Stocks Over The Highly Volatile Market Period Of 2007 – 2013 Apr 2014

A Performance Analysis Of Concentrated Portfolios Of High Quality Stocks Over The Highly Volatile Market Period Of 2007 – 2013

Stander Symposium Projects

A number of investment managers use high quality stocks as a key to their investment strategy. In this study I want to look at the relative performance of concentrated portfolios (25-30 stocks) of high quality stocks compared to the S&P 500 (i.e. the benchmark portfolio). Using the S&P’s quality ratings of A- through A+, I developed the following concentrated portfolios: (1) Mega Large Cap (2) Large Cap and (3) Mid-Cap. Two time periods are evaluated performance wise: (1) 12-31-07 – 12-31-13 and (2) 3-31-09 – 12-31-13. The 07-13 time interval includes the steep down swing period in the market which …


A Momentum Growth Rate Model For Selected 4 Digit Industrial Groupings 2002-2012 Apr 2014

A Momentum Growth Rate Model For Selected 4 Digit Industrial Groupings 2002-2012

Stander Symposium Projects

This study is concerned with the development of momentum models that can be used to determine the portfolio weighting for industry classifications below the search level. Using Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) data on revenue and gross operating profit at the 4 digit SIC code level,five and ten year compound annual growth rates (CAGR) are calculated for a small sample (10) of industry groups. Higher rates of growth in the most recent 5 years compared to the 10 year period will be considered a positive momentum factor. The hypothesis to be to tested is that 4 digit SIC codes with …


An Interactive Robust Artificial Intelligence-Based Defense Electro Robot (Raider) Using A Pan-Tilt-Zoom Camera Apr 2014

An Interactive Robust Artificial Intelligence-Based Defense Electro Robot (Raider) Using A Pan-Tilt-Zoom Camera

Stander Symposium Projects

The Vision Lab’s Robust Artificial Intelligence-based Defense Electro Robot (RAIDER) is an integrated electro-mechanical system equipped with an onboard processor and numerous imaging sensors. The RAIDER is built upon the Clearpath Husky A200 mobile base. In a multidisciplinary effort, the newly constructed robotic body houses the onboard laptop, GPU processor, LAN, IP cameras, and Kinect sensors. In our previous experiments and efforts, we shown the capability of computing a 3D model of the surrounding scene from motion imagery. We have tested autonomous navigation algorithms in which the RAIDER was to follow a particular person in a crowded environment. Algorithmic enhancements …


Advancing Segmentation Techniques For Rigid-Body Shape-Changing Mechanism Design Specific To Variable Geometry Extrusion Dies Apr 2014

Advancing Segmentation Techniques For Rigid-Body Shape-Changing Mechanism Design Specific To Variable Geometry Extrusion Dies

Stander Symposium Projects

This research is part of a larger project on designing extrusion dies that create parts with complex variation in cross section. The research presented is on segmentation theory, the realization of a set of rigid bodies and joints that best approximate a set of curves that define a shape change. These curves differ from each other by a combination of planar displacement, shape variation, and notable differences in arc length. Among various shape-changing technologies, rigid-body mechanisms composed of traditional machine elements offer many advantages including carrying large loads while achieving large displacements. Although some of the theory for synthesizing rigid-body …


Advanced Image Processing For Automatic Pipeline Right-Of-Way Threat Detection Apr 2014

Advanced Image Processing For Automatic Pipeline Right-Of-Way Threat Detection

Stander Symposium Projects

Rapid advances made in the area of camera and sensor technology has enabled the use of video acquisition systems to monitor the right-of-way of pipelines. Huge amount of data is thus made available for analysis. However, it would be very expensive to employ analysts to scan through the data and identify threats to the right-of-way in the vast amount of wide area imagery. This warrants the deployment of an automated mechanism that is able to detect threats to the right-of-way and send out warnings in the event of detection of a threat. A novel algorithmic framework for the robust detection …


Research Exercise: Analyzing Shield Law Cases In The Midwest Apr 2014

Research Exercise: Analyzing Shield Law Cases In The Midwest

Stander Symposium Projects

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.


Research Exercise: Analyzing The Actual Malice Standard In New York And Virginia Defamation Cases Apr 2014

Research Exercise: Analyzing The Actual Malice Standard In New York And Virginia Defamation Cases

Stander Symposium Projects

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.


But It's A Party School: The Impact Of Alcohol Culture On Student Initial College Choice Apr 2014

But It's A Party School: The Impact Of Alcohol Culture On Student Initial College Choice

Stander Symposium Projects

While many aspects can affect a student’s decision to attend a specific institution, a college’s alcohol culture can have a positive or negative effect on student choice. Research explains one of the biggest aspects to aid in a students’ decision to attend a university is the perception of alcohol culture on campus (Parker, 2009). Lifestyle choices can also affect this decision. Therefore, there is a need for an examination of why students select a college based on perceived drinking culture of that institution. This study will offer an insight into why first-year students in the fall of 2013 decided to …


An Empirical Study Of The Relationship Between Stock Market Price Movements And Macro Financial Conditions, 2001-2013 Apr 2014

An Empirical Study Of The Relationship Between Stock Market Price Movements And Macro Financial Conditions, 2001-2013

Stander Symposium Projects

Since the early 90's, a number of financial condition indexes have been developed to determine future movementsin the non-financial sectors of the economy. In this study, I use the Kansas City Federal Reserve's index of financial Stress (KCFSI) to study the relationship between market and sector price movements and macro financial conditions. The periods of analysis are :(1)2001-2012), (2) 2003-2007,(3) 2009-2012). The long run period includes two recessions and two sustained periods of economic growth. The two short run periods represent economic rebound periods after the recessions. Using uni-variate regression models regress KCFSI on Spy, the S&P 500 ETF, as …


All The Single Ladies: Romantic Partnering And Its Influence On The Self-Esteem Of Female College Students Apr 2014

All The Single Ladies: Romantic Partnering And Its Influence On The Self-Esteem Of Female College Students

Stander Symposium Projects

As college students understand and vocalize their needs, supports, and decisions, they begin to believe in their own choices and build confidence and self-esteem. Early on in their undergraduate years, many female students define themselves by their social relationships and cannot separate themselves from whom they are associated with. Thus, those in a committed romantic relationship may have more validation and support for fostering self-esteem than those who are not romantically involved. The current study seeks to understand the relationship between 250undergraduate female students’ levels of self-esteem and romantic partnerships, and projected changes if the relationship status were to change. …


Community Despite Contingency: Working Together, Achieving Together Apr 2014

Community Despite Contingency: Working Together, Achieving Together

Stander Symposium Projects

In the changing context of higher education, many faculty members are experiencing an increased workload, more accountability, fewer resources, and a changing student demographic (Eddy & Garza-Mitchell, 2012), which can result in a faculty who feels overworked and disconnected. Learning Communities have been used as a way to meet the needs of faculty members by developing a sense of community and reinvigorating their scholarship of teaching (Cox, 2004). While learning communities can work well for faculty, the largest growing subset of the professoriate, adjunct faculty, often do not have this support. Adjunct faculty are generally not satisfied with the support …


Research Exercise: Google/Multi-National Corporations, International Surveillance, And Human Rights Apr 2014

Research Exercise: Google/Multi-National Corporations, International Surveillance, And Human Rights

Stander Symposium Projects

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.


Research Exercise: Biopsy Report Turnaround Time Analysis Apr 2014

Research Exercise: Biopsy Report Turnaround Time Analysis

Stander Symposium Projects

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 …


Research Exercise: Dimensions Of Support In Schools Apr 2014

Research Exercise: Dimensions Of Support In Schools

Stander Symposium Projects

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.


Dmso And Temperature Contributions To Synthesis Of Silver Nano-Particles By The Bacterium Shewanella Oneidensis Apr 2014

Dmso And Temperature Contributions To Synthesis Of Silver Nano-Particles By The Bacterium Shewanella Oneidensis

Stander Symposium Projects

Nanomaterial are widely used in different areas such as optical device, drug delivery, chemicals, mechanics, magnetics, catalysis, energy science, Nano therapeutics and space industries depend on the special physical properties. However, most methods to produce nanoparticles are expensive or environmental unfriendly which can involve in toxic chemical. Another reason is that the nanoparticles from bio-based protocols are hydrophilic which is compatible with biological materials. In this project, we chose Shewanella oneidensis which is Gram-negative bacterium as the organism to produce sliver nanoparticles from sliver nitrate solution. The mechanism of bacterial of ion metal ion reduction to stable metal nanoparticles is …


Effects Of One's Attachment Style On Willingness And Reactions To Self-Sacrifice And Subsequent Relationship Satisfaction. Apr 2014

Effects Of One's Attachment Style On Willingness And Reactions To Self-Sacrifice And Subsequent Relationship Satisfaction.

Stander Symposium Projects

One behavior used to sustain a relationship is self-sacrifice, and one’s willingness to sacrifice has been shown to be positively associated with relationship satisfaction (Van Lange et al., 1997). Depending on the motivations behind self-sacrifice, this practice can lead to improved or poorer couple functioning (Impett, Gable, & Peplau, 2005; Stanley, Whitton, Sadberry, Clements, & Markman, 2006). Those high in anxious attachment experience and express anger due to their fear of abandonment, whereas those high in avoidant attachment experience and express anger due to their avoidance of intimacy (Lafontaine & Lussier, 2005). The current study explored the possibility that level …


Effects Of Moral Licensing On High-Cost And Low-Cost Helping Behaviors Apr 2014

Effects Of Moral Licensing On High-Cost And Low-Cost Helping Behaviors

Stander Symposium Projects

The present study examines the role of cost to self in moral licensing. Previous research shows that people who recall past moral behavior become morally licensed. That is, they are less likely to engage in future high-cost helping behaviors because they feel morally affirmed (Conway & Peetz, 2012). However, these findings are limited to contexts in which participants are asked their likelihood to engage in helping behaviors that are rather costly to the self (e.g., buying someone lunch). Thus far, research has not studied the effect of moral licensing on helping that is low in cost to the self (e.g., …


Research Exercise: Ethos Earthen Stoves In Rural Africa Apr 2014

Research Exercise: Ethos Earthen Stoves In Rural Africa

Stander Symposium Projects

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.


Research Exercise: Ethos Appropriate Solar Technology For Bihar, India Apr 2014

Research Exercise: Ethos Appropriate Solar Technology For Bihar, India

Stander Symposium Projects

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.


Research Exercise: Ethos A Translation Of Bio-Digestion Of Human Waste Across Continents Apr 2014

Research Exercise: Ethos A Translation Of Bio-Digestion Of Human Waste Across Continents

Stander Symposium Projects

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.


Embodied Cognition: A Study Of Social Loneliness Compensation By Physical Warmth Apr 2014

Embodied Cognition: A Study Of Social Loneliness Compensation By Physical Warmth

Stander Symposium Projects

The following study investigated embodied cognition and its effect on social loneliness compensation with physical warmth. Bargh and Shalev (2012) were able to support the notion of embodied cognition—our thoughts depend on our bodies and vice versa—suggesting that a socially lonely person will compensate for their loneliness with physical warmth, specifically warmer, more frequent and longer showers or baths. This also suggests an unconscious self-mechanism for the body and mind to self-regulate. This study also investigates embodied cognition in regard to social loneliness compensation with physical warmth, and also a further proposal that a person with higher sensitivity to their …


Research Exercise: Fund Allocation Strategies For Etfs: A Contrarian Approach Apr 2014

Research Exercise: Fund Allocation Strategies For Etfs: A Contrarian Approach

Stander Symposium Projects

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 …


Free Trade As Neocolonialism: Cafta, The United States And Guatemala Apr 2014

Free Trade As Neocolonialism: Cafta, The United States And Guatemala

Stander Symposium Projects

In today’s world, free trade is seen as a forgone conclusion in the march towards economic development. The origin of free trade agreements rests in the neoliberalist surge of the twentieth century based upon finding a middle ground between central planning and laissez-faire capitalism. As the twentieth century progressed, neoliberalism and the ideas associated with it fell more to the side of laissez-faire capitalism. Free trade agreements between developed and developing countries demonstrate a play of power on behalf of the developed countries that seems unfair. There are stories that are not told about free trade agreements. Economic data analysis …


Exercise And Birth Outcomes In Lower Socioeconomic Groups Apr 2014

Exercise And Birth Outcomes In Lower Socioeconomic Groups

Stander Symposium Projects

Using the National Maternal and Infant Health Survey, this study will examine the impact of exercise on birth outcomes, specifically infant weight and infant death before one year. Results of this study will then be extended to pregnant women in lower socioeconomic groups and how programs could further improve birth outcomes and quality of life for women and children in this demographic.


Examination Of Host Range Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Phages Ut1, Sn-T, And Pev@ For Treatment Of Bacterial Biofilms In Fuels Apr 2014

Examination Of Host Range Of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Phages Ut1, Sn-T, And Pev@ For Treatment Of Bacterial Biofilms In Fuels

Stander Symposium Projects

Biofilms are slimy substances made up of bacteria that attach to surfaces. Biofilms can be found in natural settings (rocks in streams) and man-made environments (hospital catheters, pipelines). Biofilms are also found in aviation fuel tanks, causing physical issues such as clogging in fuel lines and changing the chemical makeup of the fuel via bacterial metabolism. Bacterial viruses, known as phage, show potential for reducing biofilms through phage therapy. The goal is to find a phage or combination of phage with a broad host range that would be most effective in reducing the biofilms of bacteria isolated from fuel tanks. …


Heat Transfer Coefficient Correlations For Pumparound Sections Of Petroleum Fractionation Towers Apr 2014

Heat Transfer Coefficient Correlations For Pumparound Sections Of Petroleum Fractionation Towers

Stander Symposium Projects

The accuracy of several empirical correlations for estimating heat transfer coefficients within pumparound sections of atmospheric and vacuum petroleum fractionation towers was investigated. The heat transfer coefficients were estimated according to the C.F. Braun correlation for trayed pumparounds and the atmospheric and vacuum Glitsch correlations for packed pumparounds. From these correlations, heat transfer coefficients were estimated for 43 different petroleum fractionator pumparounds based on operating data gathered from nine refineries around the globe. The accuracy of the correlations was evaluated by comparing the estimated heat transfer coefficients to actual values calculated from operating data. Results showed that while the C.F. …


Research Exercise: Human Trafficking Within The International Community And Modern Society Apr 2014

Research Exercise: Human Trafficking Within The International Community And Modern Society

Stander Symposium Projects

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.