Digital Commons Network^™

Using Computational Fluid Dynamics To Examine Fluctuating Pressure In Pitot Tube Measurements, Samuel Starkenburg

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

This project utilizes Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to analyze the accuracy and behavior of a pitot tube in measuring the speed of a moving bicycle. A pitot tube is a common device for measuring fluid velocity by comparing the stagnation pressure of a moving fluid to the static pressure. CFD can simulate the fluid flow using governing equations of conservation of mass, momentum, and energy. The CFD is done using SimScale, a free to use, cloud-based software. By simulating riding conditions, this project will examine the aerodynamic interactions between the pitot tube and the surrounding airflow. Values such as the …

Melin: Academic Reference Manager, Harris Gustafson

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Enterprise level applications are notoriously complex to design, implement, and maintain, oftentimes burdened by the intricate nature of enterprise architecture. This project investigated the applicability of enterprise design patterns, drawn from Martin Fowler’s Patterns of Enterprise Application Architecture, within a simulated enterprise environment, focusing on their impact on complexity and maintainability for a single-person development team. The project, "Melin", a full-stack web application enabling students and faculty to manage academic references (import/export, DOI/ISBN search, manual creation, cloud storage, citation/bibliography generation), was developed over 14 weeks using an iterative Scrum/Kanban approach with 3-week sprint cycles. While implementing the Repository and Unit …

A 3d Nash Solution For The Ukraine-Russia War, Matthew Landrum

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

In the nearly three years since the Ukrainian-Russian war officially began, it has become increasingly clear that neither country can obtain a total military victory. That is, some type of negotiated, or arbitrated, outcome must be achieved. In this presentation we explore what a solution obtained by the Nash Arbitration Method (NAM) might look like.

Social Isolation In Older Adults Transitioning To Assisted Living Facilities, Bryn Benzing, Alyssa Gonzalez, Adalynn Harper, Ariel Farrar, Riley Gaskill, Becca Haller, Soniya Ottayil

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Social Isolation in Older Adults Transitioning to Assisted Living Facilities

Background: Social isolation describes the objective state of being lonely, whereas loneliness is a subjective feeling based on relationships (Rohr et al., 2022). In a meta-analysis, 33% of an elderly population experienced social isolation (Ran et al., 2024). Based on the framework of loneliness, social isolation, and associated health outcomes (Barnes et al., 2020), the purposes of this study were to describe experiences of social isolation, loneliness, and strategies that decreased these experiences in older adults following a move to assisted living.

Methods: Using a qualitative approach, residents 65 and …

Open Source Flight Firmware Development For Autonomous Downlinking Via Satnogs, Blair Bram, Peter Sorenson

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

This student-led project, in partnership with NearSpace Education, focuses on designing, constructing, and programming a payload for integration into an existing satellite platform. The payload is built to fit within a 0.5U CubeSat form factor measuring 10 cm × 10 cm × 5 cm and serves as a testbed for autonomous downlink scheduling through the SatNOGS network, a global open-source ground station network.

To develop this, the team utilizes the open-source COMMS architecture by the Libre Space Foundation. This allows for hands-on experience in small spacecraft payload integration, mission operations planning, and communications subsystem design. The project also draws on …

Assistive Technology: Cost-Effective Adaptive Switches, Grant Engelbert, Saeed Barnawi, Jonathan Orozco, Reva Johnson

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Adaptive switches are crucial in the field of assistive technology and enable people with mobility challenges to interact with their environment. However, the high cost of adaptive switches limits accessibility. While additive manufacturing has reduced cost, existing designs primarily focus on functionality over innovation. The failure to address different types of sensory issues and cost reduction has led to a limited market. The goal of this project was to develop accessible, low-cost options that considered sensory processing issues. We studied materials, electrical and mechanical components, and types of manufacturing to optimize the design and functionality for an adaptive switch. We …

Pest And Disease Detection In Corn With Ai, Suma Dommati

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Corn production is significantly impacted by pests and diseases, leading to substantial yield losses and economic damage. Traditional detection methods are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and rely on expert knowledge. Artificial Intelligence (AI), specifically machine learning and computer vision techniques, can provide an efficient solution for pest and disease detection in corn. This study explores the use of AI models for automated detection and classification of pests and diseases affecting corn plants.

The dataset used for this research is the Corn Leaf Disease Dataset, which includes a total of 4188 images for classifying four types of corn leaf conditions: Common Rust (1306 …

Predicting Running Backs Yearly Salary Based On On-Field Performance, Kristian Simakoski

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

The financial valuation of NFL running backs has become a critical aspect of team management, with contracts often sparking debate over player worth. This study examines the relationship between in-game performance metrics and salary outcomes to develop a predictive model for running back compensation. Using historical data, I analyze key performance indicators—including rushing yards, touchdowns, carries, and yards per attempt—alongside financial factors such as contract value, average annual salary, and guaranteed money.

Through machine learning techniques, specifically Linear Regression and Random Forest models, I identify the most significant predictors of running back salary. These results will hopefully help give a …

Movie Recommendation System, Vinay Karre

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

This project presents a movie recommendation system that leverages machine learning algorithms to suggest movies based on user input. By combining features such as lead actors, genres, and directors, the system creates a comprehensive profile for each movie. Using Count Vectorization and cosine similarity, the system calculates the similarity between movies and provides recommendations. The system normalizes movie titles to ensure robust search functionality and retrieves the most similar movies based on user searches. Implemented with Flask for the web interface and FlaskUI for desktop deployment, this system demonstrates the potential of machine learning in enhancing user experiences through personalized …

The “Chains” Of Command: Confronting The Role Of Gender In Perceptions Of Female Service Members’ Professionalism, Dani Schulz

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

This research investigates whether there is a connection between gender and perceptions of military professionalism. The military is a highly-masculinized workplace which women have not occupied for long; as such, this research aims to discover whether military members perceive women in the military as professional. To do so, the researcher used a survey with both quantitative and qualitative questions to discover what a sample of Army National Guard soldiers' self-perceptions reveal about their views of women in the military. The researcher also covertly observed two weeks of Army National Guard training to learn whether the sample's behavior toward women in …

Discovering New Plant-Based Compounds To Treat Oral Diseases: An Independent Research Project, Daileen Serrano, Jenna Yehyawi, Danielle Orozco-Nunnelly, Jeffrey Pruet

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Infectious diseases are cited as one of the main causes of death worldwide. Many drugs to treat such illnesses were discovered in the mid-1900s, but this type of research has declined in recent years. At the same time, antimicrobial-resistant “superbug” infections are on the rise, including superbug biofilms present in the oral cavity, which are responsible for diseases such as tooth decay, gum disease, and implant failure. Therefore, I have been working to explore various plants from a medicinal garden on the Valparaiso University campus to screen extracts against common disease-causing oral bacteria with the goal of discovering novel compounds …

Assessing Indoor Air Quality In Industrialized Residential Areas Using Solid-Phase Microextraction And Silicon Wristbands For Voc Detection, Emily Broniewicz, Julie Peller

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Indoor air quality is often overlooked, yet it plays a critical role in human health, particularly for communities located in industrial zones where air pollution is prevalent. Exposure to volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can contribute to a range of health problems, including respiratory issues, neurological effects, and long-term chronic diseases. Understanding both indoor air quality and personal exposure to these pollutants is essential for evaluating public health risks, especially in residential areas near pollution-emitting industries. This study aims to assess VOC levels in both indoor environments and personal exposure in Northwest Indiana, particularly near industrial zones, with comparisons …

Modeling Energy Efficiency And Thermal Comfort In Aging Residential Buildings: The Impact Of Temperature Control Systems On Occupant Behavior And Energy Consumption, Julia Radcliffe

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

This study presents a model to investigate the effect of temperature control systems on energy efficiency and thermal comfort in aging residential buildings. The model addresses how heating systems, such as radiators and thermostats, interact with building elements and occupant behaviors to influence energy consumption. Focusing on variables such as building age, insulation quality, and outdoor temperature, the model simulates the dynamics of energy use within older structures. Drawing from datasets on energy consumption and existing simulation frameworks like NetLogo, the model incorporates the role of insulation, structural integrity, and occupant habits in determining energy efficiency. The simulation results reveal …

Reported Bias Incidents In Northwest Indiana: An Examination Of Newspaper Accounts, Sophia C. Brown, James Old

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

This exploratory study investigates bias-motivated incidents in and around the City of Valparaiso, Indiana, over the past 30 years. The study aims to examine patterns and trends in such incidents, defined broadly as "bias-motivated incidents" rather than the more narrowly defined "hate crimes." While hate crimes, according to the FBI, involve criminal offenses motivated by bias against race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or ethnicity/national origin, bias-motivated incidents encompass any behavior expressing hostility toward individuals or property based on these characteristics, regardless of whether they rise to the level of criminal activity. The research analyzes reports of these incidents as documented …

Theology And Videogames: Addressing The Incoherent Metanarrative Within Our Churches On Videogames, Frank Maldonado

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

This paper tackles the Incoherent perspectives on video games within church communities, where polarized views among churchgoers – complete rejection or unrestricted acceptance – prevail. I promote a balanced approach, merging narrative and systematic theology to cultivate a discerning lens. Rejecting sweeping generalizations, the study advocates for a contextual evaluation of each game, emphasizing content, thematic depth, and age suitability. By integrating these theological frameworks, the paper posits that video games can serve as avenues for moral development and even divine encounters, echoing the Jesuit principle of "finding God in all things." I draw upon Aristotelian virtue ethics and the …

Measurement Of The Shielding Factor Of The Magnetically Shielded Room For The Nedm Experiment At Los Alamos National Laboratory, Aiden Koch

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

The neutron Electric Dipole Moment (nEDM) experiment at Los Alamos National Laboratory is designed to search for the nEDM at the level of 10^-27 e*cm. The experiment will make use of the Ramsey method of separate oscillatory fields at room temperature. To minimize statistical and systematic uncertainties, the experiment is enclosed in a five layer Mu-metal magnetically shielded room (MSR). The performance of the MSR can be characterized by the shielding factor, the ratio of the magnetic field measured in the absence of the MSR to the magnetic field measured inside the MSR. A set of solenoidal coils was used …

Unfinished Business, Tabitha Porter

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

This ten-minute, five-person play explores the afterlife of four ghosts from all different walks of life and their intersection with a living girl, all in the same apartment. This comedic play exhibits the importance of cooperation, understanding, and empathy, as well as discussing the philosophical ideas of life and death. Unfinished Business stays true to its title by discussing what business people may leave behind, and how important may be to finish it.

The Revolutionary Bone Hunter: Mary Leakey, The Real Scientist Who Developed Paleoanthropology, Courtney Rose Ledbetter

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

This paper examines the life and groundbreaking contributions of the underrecognized Dr. Mary Leakey to the field of paleoanthropology. This paper focuses on Mary's role in reshaping the understanding of human evolution. It begins by examining her early life to identify the reasons behind her passion for paleoanthropology before leading to knowledge known before Mary's work began in the 1930s. This recognition assists in explaining what was known before Mary's involvement, as the field of paleoanthropology was still in its early stages, with limited fossil evidence and a fragmented understanding of human origins. After establishing what was known before Mary's …

Exploring Plant-Derived Compounds To Combat Microbial Infections Related To Space Travel, Karson Hollander, Gracie Holt, Megan Wolf, Sabrina Ezell, Jeffrey Pruet, Danielle Orozco-Nunnelly

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Novel antimicrobial agents are crucial due to rising superbugs and declining drug development, threatening millions by 2050. In addition to being a terrestrial cause for concern, antimicrobial resistant microbes threaten the health of individuals during space travel. Recent studies show several opportunistic bacteria and fungi have colonized the International Space Station (ISS), and many strains possess antimicrobial resistance. Additionally, reports have highlighted how space travel may alter the immune system, placing astronauts at higher risk of infection. Therefore, our research focuses on testing bacterial and fungal pathogens that have been isolated on the ISS against methanolic and hexane extracts of …

The Effect Of Midwest Precipitation Extremes On Growth Phenotypes In Arabidopsis Thaliana: A Quantitative Genetics Perspective, Ashlee Swierc, Abby Boyle, Jane Kenney-Hunt

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Seasonal precipitation patterns in the Great Lakes region of the Midwest are becoming increasingly unpredictable, with spring floods and extreme summer heat creating challenges to terrestrial plant life. Disruptions in climatic conditions can impact environmental conservation efforts and agriculture within the region. As a major exporter of corn and soybeans, the unprecedented effects faced in the Midwest will have a large influence on agricultural production and food availability. We simulated the effects of these extremes in precipitation on 100 Arabidopsis thaliana recombinant inbred lines (RIL) to investigate gene-by-environment interactions on five growth and development phenotypes (days to germinate, bolt, leaf, …

Probing Medicinal Plants For Novel Antimicrobial Compounds, Edgar Padilla, Sabrina Ezell, Leah Streetman, Nolan Brezina

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

According to the W.H.O., infectious diseases account for three of the top ten global causes of death. Antimicrobial drug discovery surged in the mid-twentieth century but has sharply declined in recent years. At the same time, antimicrobial-resistant “superbug” infections are on the rise. Plants produce a robust array of novel metabolic compounds including many antimicrobial agents. However, with the advent of modern antibiotic drugs, natural plant-derived antibiotic sources have largely been left unexplored. Therefore, our work focuses on screening under explored medicinal plants in hopes of discovering novel antimicrobial drugs. To accomplish this, we have been testing extracts of plants …

Production And Maintenance Of Proper Neuron Numbers In The Developing And Aging Retina By Nell2, Adelyn R. Carney, Cory Meyers, Timmy Benz, Chizu M. Nakamoto, Masaru Nakamoto

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Nervous system functionality depends on the generation and maintenance of the proper numbers of neurons. However, the molecular mechanisms that control the number of neurons produced during development and support long term neuronal survival are not fully understood. Nell2 is a multi-modular extracellular glycoprotein predominantly expressed in the nervous system. Nell2 exerts diverse functions in neural development, including regulation of neuronal proliferation and differentiation, and neuronal network formation. Our previous study has shown that Nell2 acts as an inhibitory guidance cue for retinal axons in the eye-specific visual (retinogeniculate) projection. In this study, we investigated the function of Nell2 in …

Effect Of Simulated Microgravity On Candida Albicans Resistance To Antifungal Drugs, Matthew Gaetano, Kendall Carter, George Gundelach, Patrice Bouyer, Grace Jendreas

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Candida albicans is an opportunistic commensal fungus that can respond to the stress of low-shear modeled microgravity by exhibiting phenotypes associated with increased virulence. In previous studies, C. albicans have demonstrated increased resistance to amphotericin B under microgravity conditions, but no change in resistance to caspofungin. Here, we investigated how microgravity (3 and 5 days) influences the resistance of two C. albicans strains (SC5314 and from Carolina) to clotrimazole (200 µg/µl) and amphotericin B (250 µg/µl). Resistance was evaluated by measuring the zone of inhibition (ZOI) around the treatment discs after 24 hours of exposure to the drugs in the …

Optimization Of Mordenite And Brooker's Merocyanine, Damon Virgo

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Zeolites are a class of materials that are composed of oxygen, silicon, and aluminum with channels embedded in the crystalline structure. Zeolites have many applications, some of which include water purification, biomass conversion, or as molecular sieves. The zeolite’s crystal structure allows them to act as a host for smaller guest molecules without chemical bonding between the host and guest molecules. An example of a guest dye molecule is Brooker’s Merocyanine. Brooker’s Merocyanine is zwitterionic, where there are opposite charges on each end, and is a unique property that could be used to enhance the dye organization within the channel. …

Security And Accessibility, Ryan Nguyen

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

As time progresses, the implementation of website security and accessibility are often seen as a priority for most website and application development. Website security focuses on the protection of the website, and web accessibility focuses on the inclusivity and usability for everyone regardless of their disabilities. Although thee two mostly have differing objectives, there is some significant overlap between the two when it comes to implementation. Something as simple as not having the appropriate headers on a website could lead to severe vulnerabilities that could lead to attacks such as Cross-site scripting or SQL injection, and also conflict with screen …

Evil Twin Attack Mitigation With Virtual Private Networks, Harris Gustafson

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

This research investigates the technical vulnerabilities that enable successful Evil Twin attacks, focusing on automated bypass techniques for captive portals and the effectiveness of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in mitigating such attacks. Understanding these vulnerabilities is crucial for developing robust security measures. Instead of relying on human subjects accessing different wireless networks, a controlled lab environment was established to simulate realistic network connections and to analyze traffic patterns. This approach allowed for precise control and repeatability of experiments. To emulate client device behavior, an automated Python script was developed. This script attempted various methods to bypass captive portal authentication, including …

The X3 Guitar Processor: A Software Adaptation Of Vintage Analog Technology, Jacob Griffin

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

The X3 Guitar Processor is a software adaptation of the Rockman X100 headphone amplifiers and stompbox pedals made popular in the 1980s. This project, which is still in progress, implements a comprehensive signal path to convert a dry input signal from a guitar into a fully developed tone ready for performance. The signal chain includes an adjustable input gain control, a compressor, a distortion generator, a complex filter for cabinet simulation, and an optional stereo chorus effect. This software was built using the JUCE framework, a set of C++ libraries designed to create and manage audio applications. Further development will …

Backend Design And Development For Sales Data Insights Project, Oluwaseun Sinkaiye, Bhargav Boyapati, Sashank Nagubandi, Pradeep Kumar Bollepalli, Sai Krishna Rao Polasani, Haydar Cukurtepe

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

Backend design requires a deeper understanding of systems and technologies in a software project. In Sales Data Insights Project for Family Express, we designed and developed a secure, modular, and scalable backend system to support the analysis of multi-year, multi-store retail and fuel sales data. It also enables automation of data workflows to enhance strategic decision-making.

The system infrastructure supports data analysis by pre-processing and transforming data into a suitable format for effective analysis and insight generation. The backend is designed to deliver analytical output for frontend visualization while ensuring secure, reliable, and high-performance access through authorization controls. A well-structured …

Assessing The Effectiveness Of Ai-Generated Software In Withstanding Cyber Attacks, Dominic Niceforo, Haydar Cukurtepe

Symposium on Research and Creative Expression (SORCE)

This project introduces a streamlined framework for evaluating the security of Java applications generated by large language models (LLMs). It integrates OWASP-supported tools with the NIST Risk Management Framework to evaluate code resilience against cyber threats and align relevant assessments with industry standards. The Java applications that are generated by LLMs undergo a three-phase analysis: SpotBugs with FindSecBugs to detect static vulnerabilities before runtime, OWASP Dependency Check to scan for known vulnerabilities in third-party libraries, and OWASP ZAP to simulate real-world attacks through dynamic testing. Identified vulnerabilities from these three tests are then passed through NIST to be standardized and …

Alumni Updates - Spring 2025, Benjamin N. Cardozo School Of Law

Cardozo Law News Archive

The Spring 2025 alumni updates highlight notable achievements across the Cardozo community. Sixteen alumni were named to Billboard’s Top Music Lawyers list, while Rafael Castellanos ’86 and Seth Goodman Park ’91 received WESTY Awards. Chris Fenlon ’09 helped secure a record $34.5 million Sarbanes-Oxley whistleblower settlement, and Adam Greenberg ’93 and Todd Hellman ’94 advanced to new law firms. Other updates include Eric Hochstadt ’03 being named Head of Antitrust Litigation at Orrick, Julie Levine ’14 joining Offit Kurman, and Mark Osherow ’88 publishing Florida Litigation Guide. These achievements reflect the broad impact of Cardozo alumni in law …