Key words: Neural development, axon guidance, binocular vision, stereopsis, retinal ganglion cells, dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus, visual system, Nell2, Ros1

[Abstract]

Correct functioning of the nervous system is critically dependent on the formation of precise neuronal networks. These networks are established during development through navigation of axons guided by external molecular cues that attract or repel growing axons. In mammals, binocular vision is established by axon projections from retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) of each eye to both sides of the brain. RGC axons from the right and left eyes are segregated in different layers/domains in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) of the thalamus, the main target of RGC axons. This projection pattern provides the anatomical basis for disparity-based stereopsis. Nell2 (Neural epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like-like 2) is a secreted glycoprotein that is most prominently expressed in the nervous system. We have previously shown that Nell2 acts as an axon guidance cue that inhibits contralateral, but not ipsilateral, RGC axons in the dLGN and is essential for the eye-specific retinogeniculate projection. The current study aims to identify the receptor(s) for Nell2 in RGC axon guidance and to determine the expression patterns of Nell2 and its receptors in the developing nervous system. By using immunohistochemistry, we found that the receptor tyrosine kinase Ros1, which is known to bind Nell2, is expressed in developing chick RGCs, suggesting that Ros1 may transduce Nell2-mediated signaling in RGC axons. We also detected expression of Nell2 and Ros1 in multiple regions of the developing chick brain. Our results suggest that the Nell2-Ros1 interaction play diverse roles in neuronal network formation and other processes of neural development.

Candida albicans (C. albicans) is an opportunistic commensal fungus that can alter its behavior under low-shear stress modeled microgravity by exhibiting phenotypes associated with increased virulence. For instance, it has been previously reported that microgravity increased C. albicans resistance to amphotericin , but did not change its resistance to caspofungin. Here, we investigated how microgravity (5 and 6 days) influences the resistance of two C. albicans strains (SC5314 and NCCLS11) to fluconazole (25 µg) and caspofungin (5 µg). Drug susceptibility was assessed by measuring the zone of inhibition (ZOI) around the treatment discs after 24h of exposure under microgravity and gravity conditions. A clinostat was used to simulate a microgravity environment. Five days pre-exposure to microgravity on Mueller-Hinton agar significantly increased NCCLS11 sensitivity to 25 µg fluconazole 508.2±30.2 (n=28) mm² versus 352.1±40.7 mm² (n=26), P=0.003 (unpaired t.test), which reverted after 6 days 411.7±19 (n=24) mm² versus 396.5±20.8 (n=23), P=0.59 (unpaired ti.test). No change in sensitivity was observed to 5 µg caspofungin with or without gravity. Similarly, using SC5314 strain and YEPD agar medium we found no change in fluconazole sensitivity. Our results suggest that drug sensitivity during microgravity varies depending on the agar medium and C. albicans strains.

Abstract: According to the W.H.O. (2024 data), 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 medicinal plants in hopes of discovering novel antimicrobial drugs. To accomplish this, we have been testing extracts of plants found in the Valparaiso University medicinal garden for their effects against 12 microorganisms, both fungal and bacterial, of interest. To date, methanolic extracts of aerial, reproductive, and root portions of more than 20 unique plants have been screened, with five plants recently showing promising activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including basil, lemon thyme, rosemary, wild bergamot and winter savory. Kirby-Bauer antimicrobial susceptibility results of the most active plant extracts are presented herein. Rosemary, Salvia rosmarinus, was found to be especially potent, and analytical chemistry work has begun to separate and identify the active medical components. These data highlight the importance of plants as an invaluable pharmaceutical resource at a time when antimicrobial drug discovery has plateaued.

Microplastic pollution has become an increasing issue within our rapidly developing world, particularly concerning its potential effects on both environmental and ecological populations. Over the last two years, in collaboration with Dr. Sara Dick, we have been studying the effect of microplastics on microorganisms’ growth. To take the experiment deeper, in collaboration with the Department of Chemistry’s faculty, Dr. Julie Peller and Dr. Christina Davis, we have used their dissolved nanoplastics to assess their effects on Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. The nanoplastics were dissolved in n-dodecane, so before any organisms were added, 200?L of n-dodecane and 200?L of TSB were combined to test for solubility. Once solubility was confirmed, S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans were grown separately and added into a solution of 50?L n-dodecane and 50?L of their TSB growth solution, and incubated at 27? for 7 days for the first trial. A second trial used 50?L of the nanoplastic dodecane solution, which was combined with 50?L of TSB with either S. aureus, E. coli, or C. albicans, 50?L of TSB with no organism, and incubated at 27? for 7 days before being tested in the plate reader. Growth was determined in the absence and presence of the plastics using a BMG LabTech plate reader. Future research will continue to explore the relationship between nanoplastics and their effect on microbial growth and the impacts that will have on our environments.

Forensic Entomology is the use of insects in criminal investigations. A subset of forensic entomology is myiasis, which is defined as the infestation of a larva in the human body. Sarcophaga bullata (flesh fly) is a common cause of infestations in North America. Temperature data is used to estimate the age of larvae in forensic entomology, and having accurate temperature data is imperative for accurate age estimations. This research used chicken liver as a tissue substitute, and placed bait cups containing S. bullata larvae into water baths set to 37°C, to mimic human body temperature. Data loggers recorded hourly temperatures of the water bath, ambient air temperature, and within bait cups throughout the experiment. Each trial lasted approximately 5-6 days and concluded when the larvae reached the migration stage of development. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey post hoc test. All experiments showed statistical significance between ambient temperature and bait cups, with the bait cups being significantly warmer than ambient temperature (p<0.0001). Future experiments could improve by altering the experimental setup in a way that the larvae could not migrate into the water, reducing larval mortality. Finding a way to secure the temperature probe into place would also improve the accuracy of the data. 

 

The Great Lakes region of the Midwest is an important region for agriculture, contributing about 30% of the corn and soybeans grown worldwide. However, in recent years, climate change has resulted in unpredictable weather patterns including spring flooding and summer extreme heat and drought. We conducted a study using recombinant inbred lines in the model plant species Arabidopsis thaliana. The plants were subjected to simulated Midwestern precipitation extremes to determine if there were significant effects on various stages of plant growth. A quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis was run to identify gene x environment interactions. Three QTL for time to flower and two QTL for time to bolt were identified, and their locations were compared to known Arabidopsis genes through a literature search to determine possible candidate genes. Our next step is to plant seeds with mutations in those candidate genes to assess the effect of the precipitation extremes on different genetic backgrounds.

 

Candida albicans is a commensal fungus with opportunistic pathogenic potential and is a natural component of the human microbiome. In its filamentous form, it can invade the host, causing tissue damage, systemic infections such as candidiasis, and inflammation that may progress to organ failure. This observation points to increased estrogen (E2) levels as filament-inducing. We aim to provide an explanation for the effect of estrogen on C. albicans filamentation by studying their growth in different liquid media exposed to estrogen through different time courses (starting at 45 minutes, then 1 hour, 1 hour 30 minutes, and 1 hour 45 minutes). We expose the cells to 3 different conditions: control (using HPBSS), DMSO (dissolvant for E2), and a 1 nM E2 group, and measure the filament lengths at the different time courses. We fix the cells with paraformaldehyde at the end of the time course, and we used image capture by cellsense to measure the lengths of the filaments. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the groups using a students t- test. Within the HPBSS groups, we see that as time goes on, the length of the filaments statistically increases between the 45-60, 75-90, and 90-105 minute groups, with p-values agreeing with E2 being an inducer of filaments. We also noticed that T84 cells have an inducing effect on the lengths of the filaments compared to a control group with HPBSS alone and with Caco2 cells. We note that the filaments between the Caco2 and control cell groups are not statistically significant. Acute exposures to estrogen do not seem to have a significant effect on the filamentation lengths, but we notice that cell lines do have a profound effect.

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. We 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 (as well as one beneficial oral microbe) with the goal of discovering novel compounds to fight these illnesses. Approximately twenty-five methanolic plant extracts have been tested, of which the following five showed promising antimicrobial effects: raspberry root, raspberry leaf, chokeberry root, chokeberry leaf, rosemary leaf. Work has begun to understand the main classes of phytocompound secondary metabolites present in these samples. Interestingly, differential effects were seen with the beneficial microbe (S. salivarius), where several of the extracts were able to inhibit pathogenic-associated microbial species but had no effect on S. salivarius. Moreover, S. pyogenes, an oral pathogen associated with mouth/throat infections and periodontal complications, was found to be especially susceptible to many of the plant extracts. Future research will focus on separating and chemically characterizing several promising extracts to identify novel plant compounds relevant in dental health. This is a student-initiated project for which pre-dental student Daileen Serrano received a Valpo CWR Guild Undergraduate Research Expense grant.

Activita Spritz is a portable, all natural facial spray designed to help active individuals maintain healthy skin and feel refreshed throughout the day. As a Division 1 track athlete, I experienced frequent skin breakouts caused by sweat, long meets, and limited access to effective, convenient skincare. This problem is common among athletes and individuals with active lifestyles, yet many available products are either not portable, contain harsh chemicals, or are not designed for on the go use.

The purpose of this project was to create a compact, easy to carry spray that helps reduce breakouts, refresh the skin, and fit seamlessly into a busy routine. The guiding question was whether a natural, travel friendly skincare product could effectively support skin health during physical activity. The conceptual foundation is based on the relationship between sweat, bacteria buildup, and skin irritation, along with the benefits of natural ingredients in reducing inflammation and cleansing the skin.

The product was developed using carefully selected natural ingredients and tested through personal use and feedback from other athletes. Data was collected through user experience, focusing on convenience, skin improvement, and overall satisfaction.

The results showed that Activita Spritz is effective in helping reduce breakouts and providing a refreshing feel without irritation. Users valued its portability and simplicity. In conclusion, Activita Spritz addresses a real need by combining skincare and convenience, offering a practical solution for active individuals seeking healthier skin.

 

Indoor air quality is a critical determinant of human health, particularly in communities located near industrial activity, where residents experience disproportionate exposure to harmful pollutants and spend a greater proportion of time indoors. Outdoor sources of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) include emissions from industrial processes, vehicle exhaust, fuel storage, and manufacturing operations. Indoor environments further contribute to personal exposure, as they are emitted from building materials, paints, adhesives, carpets, furniture, cleaning agents, personal care products, and consumer electronics. Combined, these sources create complex exposure profiles associated with adverse health outcomes, including respiratory disease, neurological impairment, endocrine disruption, and cancer. As part of the Northern Lake County Environmental Partnership, this study evaluates two laboratory-based analytical strategies for characterizing VOCs using silicone wristbands as a passive sampling medium. Method development was initially conducted using commonly reported pollutants in Lake County, and subsequently extended to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phthalates. One approach employs solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers for analyte collection before gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. In a second approach, wristbands were infused with a PAH mixture via sonification, resulting in the detection of four PAHs (phenanthrene, acenaphthene, chrysene, and perylene) by GC-MS. Preliminary SPME results demonstrate recovery of representative hydrocarbons (e.g., n-hexadecane, n-octane, toluene), phthalates (e.g., dihexyl phthalate), and alcohols (e.g., 2-n-propyl-1-heptanol). Ongoing work focuses on evaluating the reproducibility of both analytical approaches, expanding the range of target analytes, and increasing the deployment of wristbands across the community to better characterize real-world exposure patterns. 

Microplastics are small plastic particles (less than 5 mm in diameter) that are increasingly being found in indoor environments where they may contribute to human pollution exposure through dust particles. Investigating the presence of airborne microplastics (MPs) in indoor environments is important for categorizing and identifying the synthetic fibers we are exposed to on a regular basis.This study aimed to investigate the presence and potential sources of microplastics in different indoor environments: dormitory rooms, Gellersen Engineering and Mathematics Center, low-traffic areas, window sills and fans in a home and chemistry lab. The study also evaluated differences in microplastic accumulation as they relate to possible sources, human activity levels and air ventilation. Samples were collected using cotton swabs and placed into glass vials. Samples containing significant amounts of dust were cleaned using a 50% diluted solution of 30% hydrogen peroxide which was stirred under UV light. Analyses were conducted using infrared spectroscopy (IR), microscopy,  Raman spectroscopy and X-ray Fluorescence. Spectroscopic data were used to identify the types of material and most were determined to be plastic-based. A wide variety of colored fibers were identified, suggesting multiple possible sources, such as clothing or carpeting. These findings suggest that indoor environments, particularly dormitory settings, may serve as significant sources of microplastic exposure due to everyday materials and personal items. It is crucial that more studies like these are conducted on the airborne microplastics present in indoor environments to ultimately better understand how these materials are affecting our health.

Manganese oxides and their behavior as thermochemical systems are unique because they have the potential to store energy because they have the ability to facilitate redox reactions through alkali ion transport. Understanding the performance, stability, and conditions under which these new types of materials can be utilized is based on the different forms of interaction that exist between the manganese oxide frameworks and the alkali ions exchange. This project explores three distinct phases of lithium manganese oxide (LiMnO?) polymorphs (o-LiMnO?, t-LiMnO?, and m-LiMnO?). The orthorhombic, tetragonal, and monoclinic phases were synthesized and compared with sodium manganese oxide systems to investigate the effects of crystal structure and alkali ion identity on material properties. Different solid-state synthesis techniques were used to facilitate the formation of the desired phase and minimize impurity levels in the final product, such as heating to 700?, lithium concentration control, and heating in N? (g) environment to prevent oxygen reduction. All three of these LiMnO? polymorphs were confirmed to exist using XRF and RAMAN techniques. Final products exhibited various degrees of purity based on their respective chemical compositions and synthesis techniques. The comparative analysis indicated that Li-based manganese oxide compounds possess more favorable structural electrochemical properties than sodium based manganese oxide compounds because Na+ ions are larger than Li+ ions and more difficult to transport. The results of this study demonstrate how controlling the synthesis process and choosing the appropriate polymorphic phase are critical to optimizing manganese oxide materials for the eventual production of improved energy storage materials.

Microbial infections are some of the leading causes of death and antimicrobial-resistant “superbugs” have become a growing issue. There is a great need to explore new and alternative pathways for fighting these diseases. One method is by exploring Methionine synthase (MetSyn), which plays a critical role in cellular one-carbon metabolism, converting homocysteine to form methionine, a key amino acid required for protein synthesis and methyl group transfer reactions. Key differences between the B12-independant fungal MetSyn enzyme and the B12-dependant mammalian enzyme allow for selective targeting of the fungal enzyme. Inhibition of MetSyn offers a promising strategy for therapeutic and antimicrobial development. The focus of this research is the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a novel inhibitor selective for fungal MetSyn. Computational modeling and molecular docking were used to guide structural optimization of lead compounds. This interdisciplinary approach, integrating computational chemistry, organic synthesis, and quantitative chemistry, aims to elucidate the structure-activity relationships governing MetSyn inhibition. Ultimately, the findings of this project will contribute to the understanding of drug design and may support the development of new antimicrobial agents.

Microbial infections are some of the leading causes of death and antimicrobial-resistant “superbugs” have become a growing issue. There is a great need to explore new and alternative pathways for fighting these diseases. One method is by exploring Methionine synthase (MetSyn), which plays a critical role in cellular one-carbon metabolism, converting homocysteine to form methionine, a key amino acid required for protein synthesis and methyl group transfer reactions. Key differences between the B12-independant fungal MetSyn enzyme and the B12-dependant mammalian enzyme allow for selective targeting of the fungal enzyme. Inhibition of MetSyn offers a promising strategy for therapeutic and antimicrobial development. One focus of this research is the design, synthesis, and evaluation of a novel inhibitor selective for fungal MetSyn. Computational modeling and molecular docking were used to guide structural optimization of lead compounds. This interdisciplinary approach, integrating computational chemistry, organic synthesis, and quantitative chemistry, aims to elucidate the structure-activity relationships governing MetSyn inhibition. Another avenue for developing new antimicrobial drugs relies on plant-derived phytocompounds for plants with ties to traditional medicine. We have been exploring berberine, which we initially isolated from the Argemone Mexicana plant. Numerous derivatives of berberine have been prepared in our lab, with many showing improved antimicrobial effects, and greater selectivity. Ultimately, the findings of this project will contribute to the understanding of drug design and may support the development of new antimicrobial agents.

Microplastics are particles of plastic ranging from 1µm to 5mm and nanoplastics are particles smaller than 1 µm. Both micro and nanoplastics have been linked to negative health effects such as cancer, general inflammation and reproductive harm. It is essential for research to be done on the formation of microplastics due to fragmentation, as they permeate into everything including humans and animals. Exposure of plastics to sunlight, water, and other environmental factors causes plastics to weather over time making them become brittle and prone to fragmentation due to oxidation, thus creating even smaller harmful micro and nanoplastics. This research is focused on understanding the different environmental conditions affecting the weathering of real world plastics most commonly exposed to when beached. The plastics used in this experiment were collected from Marquette Park Beach in Miller, Indiana. The vast majority of the plastics were identified as polypropylene and polyethylene, which are light-weight plastics that can float in water and are carried by wind. The plastics were placed in either sand or water and exposed to a medium pressure UV lamp to simulate exposure to sunlight in natural environments. Infrared spectroscopy was used to identify each plastic piece and to determine the extent of oxidation of the plastic before and after each treatment. Research so far has revealed that plastics exposed to the sand and light experience oxidation, whereas plastic only in water did not show the same oxidation. Further research must be done to provide accuracy and reproducibility. 

The quality of the air that we breathe has tremendous impacts on human health; poor air quality can lead to short-term eye, nose, and throat irritation, and long-term chronic respiratory conditions. Not all air sensors are calibrated to measure metrics the same, and this study will compare values across air sensors via the PM2.5 air quality standard against the EPA Federal Reference Method (FRM) using correlation functions. Particulate matter – which can come from dust kicked up on roads from cars, vehicle exhaust, wildfires, industrial site emissions, and more – is measured by PurpleAir and EPA sensors located across Northwest Indiana. Due to discrepancies between standardized air sensors and PurpleAir instruments, we are evaluating the accuracy of our measurements against industry standard air sensors from filter depositions and light scattering Federal Equivalent Methods (FEM). Understanding air quality and pollution metrics indicate potential hazards, in attempts to better measure the health of communities airshed and indirectly its’ individuals.

With increasing reports of electrode active materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries, it is valuable to determine if there exist reactivity trends which will guide the design of better performing devices. These trends are most precise if observed over a series of structurally related materials in identical testing conditions. Here, we will show a comparative study between two varieties of tungstate cathodes which suggest overarching structural features to pursue in the design of zinc-ion cells. This trend considers that many common active materials will not achieve complete redox reactions unless inactive components such as carbon and binder are added. The use of silver containing cathodes, such as in the implantable cardiac defibrillator battery, negates the need for this addition, as electrode cell assembly is simplified and the gravimetric energy density of the cell increases. We investigate whether the reduction of Ag­₂WO­₄ produces a silver metal lattice that may enable complete reaction in an aqueous zinc ion battery. Phase pure ?-Ag₂WO₄ and ?- Ag₂WO₄ were synthesized and compared in primary batteries against zinc metal anodes by potentiostat, then the reduced material was analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. The structure which promoted the better silver network will be discussed.

Behind every political leader stands an array of material goods that act as vessels of symbolic authority. This paper examines one such object — a crystal water pitcher belonging to Earl F. Landgrebe, who represented Indiana’s 2nd Congressional District during the 91st through 93rd sessions of Congress — as a case study in the material culture of political power. Born into a modest agricultural family, Earl F. Landgrebe rose through the ranks of local Valparaiso, Indiana, politics to become a staunch defender of Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal. His crystal water pitcher, crafted from crystal and etched with a modified version of the U.S. House seal, embodies the illusion of political legitimacy through both its material composition and its aesthetic embellishments. By situating this object within the broader context of political material culture, this paper explores how the physical properties and visual qualities of political artifacts help to naturalize and reinforce authority within democratic systems. Comparative examples, including other congressional pitchers of the period and contemporary political symbols, reveal a recurring dynamic in which material objects both authenticate and amplify perceived power. Ultimately, this analysis points toward a larger, more troubling pattern: while objects like Landgrebe’s pitcher help officials internalize their roles and connect with institutional authority, they also risk creating a feedback loop where perceived power eclipses genuine, constitutionally granted authority. In the current political climate, Landgrebe’s pitcher — offering what he might have called a touch of “Hoosier horse sense” — serves as a reminder that political authority is as fragile as the materials used to represent it.

Groundwater contamination from leaking underground storage tanks (USTs) poses a significant

risk to nearby drinking water supplies, particularly in rural areas where private wells are

common. One UST can hold over 100,000 liters (30,000+ gallons) of abandoned gasoline according to Geo Forward, a provider of environmental services, information, and news. Tt is estimated that there are over 500,000 USTs abandoned throughout the United States, capable of leaking into the groundwater.

In this study, the transport of liquid petroleum from a leaking UST towards a downgradient residential well was evaluated based on the effectiveness of various protection strategies. Four mitigation scenarios evaluated are: natural attenuation, hydraulic containment well, impermeable cutoff wall, and soil vapor extraction on the dissolved plume. A retardation-based model is developed to simulate contaminant migration through a distance of several kilometers. 

Numerical methods will be used to estimate the time it takes for the contaminated groundwater to enter the well and exceed the limits of contaminants allowed in drinking water set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as well as quantify the reduction achieved by the protection strategies. The results provide insight into long-distance groundwater contamination risks from abandoned fuel infrastructure and offer guidance for selecting effective protective measures for vulnerable drinking water sources.

 

Campus infrastructure plays an important role in student mobility, safety and overall quality of life. This study compares pedestrian travel times to Valparaiso University’s proposed nursing building site compared to one alternative location. The objective is to evaluate pedestrian flow and travel times to the two sites. Using VISSIM, micro-simulations were done to analyze walking routes and travel times for students accessing both locations from the campus student union, dorms and commuter parking lots. Results indicate that the university’s proposed site would increase average pedestrian travel times and potentially impact adjacent campus buildings with added cut-through traffic. In contrast, relocating the nursing building to the alternative site would reduce walking distances and enhance pedestrian flow across campus. These findings suggest that careful site selection can significantly impact student convenience and campus walkability, contributing to a more efficient and accessible university environment.

Accessible pathways are essential for campus mobility and ADA compliance. This study measures slope and uneven surfaces on Valparaiso University’s campus walkways and curb ramps using a GPS-enabled accelerometer. Field observations were also collected to validate the measurements. Data were compared to existing curb ramps and ADA standards to identify areas of non-compliance. Results highlight locations where sidewalks without curb ramps or with obstacles, such as broken pavement or uneven surfaces, prevent adequate mobility. The study demonstrates that accelerometers are a practical tool for assessing pathway accessibility and identifying campus areas in need of improvement.

Parking occupancy data is critical for effective campus transportation planning, but traditional collection methods are time-intensive and limited in coverage. This study evaluates the use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to estimate parking lot occupancy at Valparaiso University and compares the results with manual counting. A drone was used to capture aerial imagery of campus parking lots, while students in CE-457: Traffic Engineering conducted in-person counts four times per day over two days. The datasets were compared to assess agreement between methods and identify sources of error, including timing differences and visibility limitations. The findings support the use of UAS as a reliable tool for parking occupancy analysis.

Accurate surveying of detention basins is essential for stormwater management. This study evaluates traditional surveying techniques versus the use of drones and advanced imaging technology for detention basin assessment. Conventional surveying methods rely on GPS and manual measurements, which can be time-intensive and subject to human error. In contrast, drone-based surveying utilizes high-resolution aerial imagery to rapidly collect topographic data. This study compares the accuracy and efficiency of both methods by conducting surveys of three on-campus detention basins using both approaches. The collected data is analyzed and assessed to determine the advantages and limitations of drone-based surveying in comparison to traditional techniques. Best practices for the use of drones in this application are also recommended.

 

This presentation showcases original board games created by six students enrolled in Advanced Design at Valparaiso University, demonstrating how structured design methodology transforms creative concepts into fully realized, playable experiences. Each game represents the culmination of an iterative design process encompassing ideation, prototyping, playtesting, and refinement — core competencies central to professional design practice. Board game design offers a uniquely demanding creative challenge: every visual, mechanical, and structural decision must serve both aesthetic and functional goals simultaneously. Students were tasked with developing original game concepts from the ground up, navigating the intersection of systems thinking, user experience, graphic communication, typography, and narrative. The resulting games span a range of genres and mechanics, yet each reflects a rigorous design process grounded in player-centered thinking. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with the games through facilitated playtesting sessions, experiencing firsthand how design decisions shape gameplay, accessibility, and player enjoyment. Student designers will be present to discuss their conceptual frameworks, document their iterative process, and gather real-time feedback from a diverse audience — extending the feedback loop beyond the classroom and into authentic public engagement. This presentation affirms that board game design is a legitimate and demanding form of design research and creative expression, one that cultivates problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills equally relevant across design disciplines. It invites the Valparaiso University community to celebrate student ingenuity while participating meaningfully in the design process itself.

Between 2021 – 2026, cyber crimes committed against elderly people in anglophonic areas of the world – i.e., the United States and Europe, along with select territories – have surged, particularly in areas stricken by lack of resources or familial support. The author finds that while the subject of elder abuse, in general, is well – researched and documented, the specific elements of cyber abuse and associated crimes toward the elderly, especially in the United States, are not documented as widely (nor particularly so, in Europe). While geographically centric privacy laws do not directly prove to be formidable hurdles in gathering data (particularly primary sources outside of academic material), stigmata associated with the subject matter, itself, provide bases behind some research gaps encountered. In conducting this analysis, the author wishes, in part, to determine why the elderly are seen as perfect victims for cyber crime. Of equal importance, the author also seeks to identify risk factors, including those other than age, that cause the elderly to be more susceptible to cyber crime; previous research notes technological illiteracy, lack of proximity to contemporary technological resources, and lack of support from important people in a person’s life, as probable sources thereof. In doing so, the author hopes to ascertain realistic means by which to minimise those factors.

This project aims to explore and simulate a decentralized token-based system over a peer-to-peer network which rewards students for attending academic events. The system is written in Python, using the built-in socket function for Transmission Control Protocol connections and JSON for message formatting. It is fully decentralized, with each node functioning as both a client and a server. Nodes maintain lists of their peers which may be shared with other nodes, quickly populating even new nodes with contacts. Messages may be broadcast to all nodes in a given node’s peer list. Each node contains its own locally generated identifiers, including a private key, public key, and wallet address. The wallet stores, sends and receives tokens, with a public address which is used for transfers. Nodes are fully responsible for the transaction history, limiting dependence on peers. Transactions are then able to be verified using the ledger and digital signatures. Synchronizing distributed ledgers and debugging asynchronous behavior proved to be a challenge, given the decentralized nature of the system. Overall, the project highlights key challenges and considerations in building a decentralized system, including peer-to-peer connections, synchronization, and transaction security.

This project was about creating a high performance computing capacity for Valparaiso University. The effort has three phases, two of which were completed in Spring 2026. the first was to define and select high performance computing equipment. This included comparing the specifications of numerous servers, network switches, and networked storage devices to find the most optimal pairing of components, including high end server hardware and 100 Gb networking infrastructure needed to support distributed computing.

In addition to the equipment selection, the system will be evaluated and predictions of the performance profile of these machines will be made. To most accurately assess the computational power of these machines without having them physically on site, a specific set of benchmarks are being created. Furthermore, specific components will be evaluated to determine if any is likely to bottleneck the performance of the entire cluster. Additionally, this project has created the framework for streamlining the upcoming deployment of the selected systems and devices, which will ultimately support a range of future research, computational needs, and digital workloads at the university.

Smart irrigation with data collection is a well studied area; however, nearly all implementations assume stable connectivity, something that cannot be assumed in rural areas, which are a likely location for the large-scale use of these systems. Reliable irrigation is one of the most critical factors in plant growth, so incorrectly handling it can damage or kill crops. Although these IoT irrigation systems are well studied, few of these projects focus on how these systems perform when connectivity is not stable and the realistic agricultural deployments.

This study investigates how MQTT-based IoT irrigation systems handle network unreliability. We want to find the point where MQTT becomes too inconsistent to be useful due to varying network conditions. More specifically, this project examines if communication delays and failures reduce the dependability of sensor reporting and pump control enough to make the entire system infeasible. 

Our system includes an ESP32 with a moisture sensor and pump and a Raspberry Pi running the frontend and the MQTT server. Key metrics we included are latency, packet loss, and the effect on irrigation response time. In depth testing includes message delivery reliability and the overall system behavior during these degraded or interrupted connectivity, and how effective MQTT’s QoS implementation is at combatting these network reliability issues.

This study will determine whether a MQTT-based implementation of irrigation control is feasible in networks with poor performance and reliability. It will also help identify network environments where MQTT does remain dependable enough for real world farm/agricultural applications.

 

This project modernizes network infrastructure in Valparaiso University’s Computing and Information Sciences Student Projects/Research Facility, including the Parallel/Distributed Computing lab, by introducing IPv6-based addressing and centralized name resolution alongside existing IPv4 configurations on previously static, private networks. The original environment relied on manually assigned IPv4 addresses and hostname mappings maintained in /etc/hosts, limiting scalability and increasing administrative overhead. A key goal was also to enable direct, side-by-side comparison of IPv4 and IPv6 networking for future students. To address these challenges, two isolated lab networks were re-architected using IPv6 Unique Local Addresses (ULA) with dynamic configuration via DHCPv6 and Router Advertisements while preserving IPv4. Dedicated Raspberry Pi 4 Model B systems were deployed on each network to run dnsmasq, providing integrated DHCPv6 and DNS services under distinct internal domains. This enabled automatic address assignment, dynamic hostname registration, and simplified service discovery. The implementation emphasizes reproducibility and maintainability through detailed documentation and automation strategies. Key challenges included managing DNS search domain behavior across multi-interface systems and ensuring consistent name resolution in a multi-network environment. Overall, this work demonstrates a lightweight, cost-effective approach to modernizing isolated research networks using open-source tools, improving scalability, flexibility, and administrative efficiency while providing a practical platform for exploring IPv4 and IPv6 networking concepts.

This project tasked us with creating a mobile application capable of tracking time dependent support tasks in the form of check-ins for endurance sports while maintaining a record of check-ins which contain nutritional data from the athlete running in the event. The application is built on Typescript and Javascript to contain data such as the athlete checkins, race durations, and nutritional thresholds. The Initial goal of this application is to enable participants of endurance sports to be able to use their mobile devices to track their average nutritional intake of carbohydrates, sodium, water, and calories. This application will allow the athlete to create checkins with additional nutrition inputs items which will be retained and will dynamically update throughout the duration of the race and afterward for analysis. The end goal for this project is to have created a mobile platform that hosts athletes and coaches while maintaining a list of check-ins with nutritional information pertaining to the athlete’s competition. The external tools we have used are Expo for development as well as Github for a repository as well as version management. A difficulty we faced while completing this project is the large library and skill curve required to use and develop mobile applications with Expo. In addition, making sure we don’t use deprecated or security-vulnerable libraries within our application.

 

This project tasked us with creating a mobile application capable of tracking time dependent support tasks in the form of check-ins for endurance sports while maintaining a record of check-ins which contain nutritional data from the athlete running in the event. The application is built on Typescript and Javascript to contain data such as the athlete checkins, race durations, and nutritional thresholds. The Initial goal of this application is to enable participants of endurance sports to be able to use their mobile devices to track their average nutritional intake of carbohydrates, sodium, water, and calories. This application will allow the athlete to create checkins with additional nutrition inputs items which will be retained and will dynamically update throughout the duration of the race and afterward for analysis. The end goal for this project is to have created a mobile platform that hosts athletes and coaches while maintaining a list of check-ins with nutritional information pertaining to the athlete’s competition. The external tools we have used are Expo for development as well as Github for a repository as well as version management. A difficulty we faced while completing this project is the large library and skill curve required to use and develop mobile applications with Expo. In addition, making sure we don’t use deprecated or security-vulnerable libraries within our application.

This group was tasked with extending and enhancing the existing Manufacturing Execution Software System (MESS) for a regional industrial concern, SENSIT Technologies, with a focus on the areas of operator efficiency, security, and usability. To achieve these goals, automatic test fixtures, user authentication, and user workflow were priorities. MESS is a free and open source manufacturing tool which allows for production progress and quality data to be recorded and exported using tools such as ERP and PowerBI, as well as supporting manufacturing staff with build instructions and test functionality. The software is written in C# and utilizes .NET, Microsoft SQL Server, Blazor, and MQTT. The MQTT technologies have created particular complexities, as they were not intended to integrate with the owner components. The group was also tasked with connecting a multicolored label printer to the pre-existing framework to make formatted printable labels and QR codes. The project encountered some additional challenges as the extensions had to work with a long-term preexisting application, which limited the options for certain technological and implementation-based decisions.

S.T.R.O.L.L. (Sidewalk Terrain Roughness Observation Location Logger) is a cross-platform mobile application that crowdsources accelerometer and GPS data from child stroller walks or manual inputs to identify discontinuity and rough terrain in sidewalks and other pedestrian surfaces. The goal of this project is to highlight sections of sidewalk by providing accessible data locations that are in need of repair to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility. This data is intended to be shared with other pedestrians and civil authorities, particularly road and sidewalk maintenance personnel. Difficulties of its creation included detecting unreasonably rough terrain and managing difficult learning curves for development with React Native and MIT App Inventor with a limited amount of time.

 

SENSIT Technologies, a gas leak detection equipment manufacturer in Valparaiso, Indiana, utilizes a custom-built Manufacturing Execution System (MES) developed with C#, Blazor, ASP.NET Core Identity, and PostgreSQL to manage production data. In May 2025, the Manufacturing Execution Software System (MESS) began to evolve from a student prototype into a production-ready platform. This transition included a full migration from Microsoft SQL Server to PostgreSQL, significant database schema redesigns, and major frontend and backend refactoring. One key feature introduced is a drag-and-drop work instruction editor with rich text, image support, and XLSX import/export. The system also supports batch production logging and rework tracking aligned with real-world manufacturing processes. MESS is currently deployed on Microsoft Azure and used daily by approximately 10 operators across multiple product lines. Ongoing development focuses on part traceability, including modeling component genealogy under complex rework scenarios and implementing a reusable QR code tagging system. This work introduces challenges in balancing data accuracy, system performance, and environmental considerations. Additional efforts addressed Entity Framework tracking conflicts and included a full redesign of persistence logic for the work instruction editor. With over 690 commits, this phase marks MESS’s transition into an actively used, free and open-source industrial system, improving production visibility and standardizing manufacturing workflows.

Software-defined networking (SDN) is an efficient approach to handling the flow of network traffic. While traditionally each network acts individually in order to control the flow of network traffic, SDN instead centralizes network management, resulting in overall quicker speeds. The aim of this project is to dynamically steer network paths in order to avoid congested traffic. This will allow for network traffic to be optimized during the flow of traffic, without the need to stick to a fixed path. This project will make use of the combination of a Mininet topology as well as a Ryu SDN controller to effectively steer a network’s route. With the use of the Ryu controller a network will be able to autonomously detect changes in traffic congestion, allowing the route to change dynamically and proceed with the most efficient route. Although SDN networking provides positives to controlling the flow of network traffic, there are some problems that can arise while using it. While SDN centralizes network management to provide quicker speeds, it leaves large parts of networks vulnerable to being affected in the cases the SDN controller crashes, gets attacked, or loses connectivity. The problem it may have with Mininet is that Mininet is limited to simulating networks that fit on a single server, resulting in large scale, enterprise level networks not being able to be emulated. The workaround to this is to simply use the “Cluster” edition of Mininet, which allows distribution of a single emulated network across multiple devices. 

Smart irrigation with data collection is a well studied area; however, nearly all implementations assume stable connectivity, something that cannot be assumed in rural areas, which are a likely location for the large-scale use of these systems. Reliable irrigation is one of the most critical factors in plant growth, so incorrectly handling it can damage or kill crops. Although these IoT irrigation systems are well studied, few of these projects focus on how these systems perform when connectivity is not stable and the realistic agricultural deployments.

This study investigates how MQTT-based IoT irrigation systems handle network unreliability. We want to find the point where MQTT becomes too inconsistent to be useful due to varying network conditions. More specifically, this project examines if communication delays and failures reduce the dependability of sensor reporting and pump control enough to make the entire system infeasible. 

Our system includes an ESP32 with a moisture sensor and pump and a Raspberry Pi running the frontend and the MQTT server. Key metrics we included are latency, packet loss, and the effect on irrigation response time. In depth testing includes message delivery reliability and the overall system behavior during these degraded or interrupted connectivity, and how effective MQTT’s QoS implementation is at combatting these network reliability issues.

This study will determine whether a MQTT-based implementation of irrigation control is feasible in networks with poor performance and reliability. It will also help identify network environments where MQTT does remain dependable enough for real world farm/agricultural applications.

 

Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks pose a persistent and growing threat to modern network infrastructure, capable of overwhelming resources and disrupting critical services. Traditional network architecture often lacks the flexibility and real-time visibility required to effectively counter such threats. Software-Defined Networking (SDN), with its separation of control and data planes, provides a programmable framework capable of real-time monitoring and dynamic traffic control. This paper proposes an SDN-based framework for DDoS detection and mitigation, implemented using the RYU controller and the Mininet network simulation environment. The proposed system continuously monitors network behavior through the collection and analysis of flow statistics, port statistics, and aggregated IP-level data to identify traffic anomalies associated with ICMP flooding, UDP flooding, TCP SYN flood, and mixed attack scenarios. An adaptive threshold-based detection mechanism is employed to distinguish malicious behavior from legitimate traffic, followed by automated mitigation actions to maintain normal network operations. Experimental results obtained from the simulation environment demonstrate the viability of the proposed approach. The findings suggest that SDN presents a promising foundation for building intelligent, real-time network defense systems capable of adapting to evolving DDoS threats.

This project is the development of a virtual, interactive career aptitude test set around the Valparaiso University Campus. The aim of this project is to create a tool that prospective students could use to explore options for their potential area of study, while also familiarizing themselves with Valpo’s campus in a fun way. Players explore campus interacting with various torches which prompt them with various occupational questions taken from a US Department of Labor career test. Players answer the questions and upon reaching the end gain insight into what types of careers may be good for them, and how Valparaiso can help them get there. The project enables players to explore and interact with various parts of Valpo’s campus to better acquaint themselves before their arrival. Godot game engine was used to build this experience as it was readily available, well documented, and provided an extensive library of reusable assets that made development more efficient. Most development was done in the agile style, which improved flexibility as the scope of the project was worked through. The primary challenge was making an intractable system that enabled all different types of models, assets, and interactions to work seamlessly together. Godot’s engine provided an excellent array of tools that made populating the map with new assets easy. Abbey Bodine and Courtney McDonald from the marketing team have made excellent artwork for the game, which brought the whole thing together as a useful exploration tool that truly feels like Valparaiso University.

Financial literacy is extremely low in the US, and women and minorities are found to have lower levels. Using the data, Financial Well-Being in America-2017 from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), I examine the determinants of the financial skill scale score, a variable created by the CFPB. I will examine not only race and gender, but also other variables such as life expectancy and income.

 

With the release of the 2024 World Bank Enterprise Surveys for multiple key nations, including the United States, key data on American Businesses is now accessible as of last year. Making use of this dataset, I plan to determine the impact of government regulations and licensing on firm productivity, specifically making use of SAS and Econometric techniques. Furthermore, I will also juxtapose the results from my findings with other, comparable EU nations that have more extensive regulations than the United States.

The following research investigates the issue of “cyberloafing” as a distractor in classrooms. Cyberloafing (a term which describes general distractedness by technology) is prominent in educational environments, and may also be related to a host of other negative aspects linked to regular technology use: increased anxiety, a lack of engagement with other tasks, and more. The study takes place in a high school English classroom within a suburban public high school, and uses a mixed methods data collection approach to search for correlation between mindfulness interventions and academic engagement and achievement. Mindfulness strategies have been chosen for study because of their reputation for addressing many of the symptoms related to frequent technology use, including reductions in anxiety, and because of their success in other studies at improving academic outcomes.

This action research proposal focuses on increasing classroom participation by improving the quantity of hands raised during lessons. In many classrooms, only a small group of students consistently participate, while others remain quiet or disengaged. During my field experience, I noticed that when teachers ask questions the same students tend to respond, which limits overall engagement. Because of this, my research question is: how can I improve the quantity of hands raised while also increasing overall student participation.

Based on my literature review, two main strategies emerged: improving questioning techniques and incorporating response systems such as response cards. Research shows that when teachers clearly structure expectations for participation and use effective questioning strategies, student engagement increases. Additionally, studies found that response cards significantly increase participation because all students are able to respond at the same time instead of waiting to be called on.

To address my research question, I will implement both strategies in my classroom. I will improve my questioning techniques by increasing wait time, using higher-level questions, and reinforcing hand raising. I will also incorporate response cards by giving each student a whiteboard and asking them to respond simultaneously. I will alternate between traditional hand-raising lessons and response-card lessons to compare participation rates.

I will collect and analyze data by tracking participation through a recording of my lessons and comparing results over time. Overall, I believe these strategies will increase engagement and create a more inclusive classroom.

The Influence of Digital Communication and AI Tools on Students’ Academic Writing and Critical Thinking. 

Angela D. Blakely

Valparaiso University

Abstract

This action research study examines the impact of frequent use of abbreviations, emojis, and artificial intelligence tools on students’ ability to write academically and think critically. As digital communication moves to reshape how students express themselves, many rely on shorthand language and responses generated by artificial intelligence, which influences their independent writing skills and depth of thought. 

The central research question for this study is: How does access to abbreviations, emojis, and artificial intelligence tools affect students’ ability to write and think critically using academic language. 

Participants included approximately 58 tenth grade students from three U.S. History classes at West Side Leadership Academy in Gary, Indiana. Due to absences and incomplete submissions, 45 student samples were included in the final analysis. This study is a mixed methods design, which incorporates a baseline independent writing assessment and artificial intelligence assisted writing task. Student writing samples are evaluated using a structured rubric focusing on grammar, spelling, organization, and the use of academic language. Data also comes from student reflections, surveys and teacher observations. 

Data is studied comparing the means of student writing scores and identifying patterns in student behavior and writing performance. The results of this research aim to contribute to a deeper understanding of how digital communication habits influence students’ academic writing and ability to think critically. This study also examines how educators can support students in developing strong, independent writing skills in a technologically dominated environment. This research is especially relevant in secondary education settings where students rely heavily on digital tools, which raises the importance about academic integrity and cognitive independence. 

                                                         Abstract

Play is a critical component of early childhood development. However, the use of play during instructional time has significantly declined in many preschool settings. This can be attributed to increased academic demand and standardized assessment expectations. This study investigates how incorporating play-based learning during instructional time impacts preschoolers’ behavior. The proposed study will define play and highlight the benefits of play for supporting cognitive, social, emotional, physical and language development. Also, scholarly articles and developmental theorists such as Freud, Erikson and Vygotsky will be used to support this proposed study. A literature review will examine ways teachers can integrate play in their classroom routine to guide behavior, promote literacy and language development, and support a positive learning environment.

Participants will include 24 preschool students between the ages of 4 and 5 from a child development center. The children will be randomly selected and placed in two groups of 12. The children will be observed during instructional time for desirable behavior and undesirable behavior while engaging in worksheet-based learning and play-based learning. The observation will be conducted each school day Monday to Friday for a period of 40 minutes. The study will be conducted over a period of two months during school days. The proposed quantitative study will use observational design to compare children’s behavior during play-based learning and traditional worksheet-based learning. The study will measure students’ behavior using the Preschool and Kindergarten Behavioral Scales (PKBS). Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics to compare desirable behavior and undesirable behavior across instructional activities.

This action research study examines whether positive reinforcement through classroom reward systems consistently promotes positive student behavior. The study is grounded in observations from a second-grade classroom that utilizes a ticket-based reward system to encourage behaviors such as task completion, responsibility, and positive peer modeling. While the system appears effective for many students, preliminary observations suggest that it may have unintended negative emotional and behavioral effects on a subset of learners, including frustration, withdrawal, and reduced motivation when rewards are not earned.

Guided by behaviorist learning theory, which posits that reinforced behaviors are more likely to be repeated, this study also considers contrasting perspectives on intrinsic motivation. Existing literature suggests that while reward systems can improve behavior in the short term, overreliance on extrinsic rewards may diminish students’ internal motivation and create dependency on external validation.

To investigate this, the study will implement a structured token economy paired with explicit behavioral expectations. Over time, tangible rewards will be gradually faded and replaced with verbal praise and self-reflection strategies. Data will be collected using behavior frequency checklists, on-task behavior percentages, and student self-assessments. This approach allows for comparison between baseline behavior, behavior during reward implementation, and behavior after rewards are reduced.

The purpose of this research is to determine whether positive reinforcement leads to sustained behavioral improvements or if its effectiveness diminishes once rewards are removed. Findings aim to inform more equitable and developmentally appropriate classroom management practices that support both behavioral growth and student well-being.

Inside the classroom, personalities differ from student to student, which results in behavioral challenges for learners. The tier 2 interventions are known and used widely for individual students who are more at risk. Tier 2 interventions provide additional support for students who need more support to meet their goals socially, emotionally, and/or academically. The objective of Tier 2 is to provide students with the tools to self-govern, allowing them to move back into Tier 1. (Epperson, A, 2018). The objective of this research is the use of Positive Behavioral Intervention Strategies, PBIS, tier 2 interventions using the daily check in and check out method. This simple, but impactful strategy is used to build positive relationships with students and foster better engagement in subjects. Intentional check-in’s with students will provide us with the data and show us the potential of academic growth inside the classroom. While collecting the data from the student, you will see what guides them as a learner, helps regulate their emotions, and how to be proactive with your interventions. Creating a safe learning environment for all students is key, and will bring physical and emotional belongingness in your class. All specialized interventions are more effective, and more durable, if they are done with school-wide behavioral expectations as a foundation. (Horner, R, 2008). Acknowledge your outcomes and share with your administrator to create the foundation of a positive learning environment and overall behavior.

Jasmine Poindexter

Professor Bartels 

ED490/590 Action Research in Education 

27 March 2026 

Proposal for Conference

For my project, my main concern was making sure students feel considered and welcomed within all their classroom settings! The main question that would be asked is connected to incorporating aspects of verbal praise, tangible rewards/incentives, and consistent feedback to encourage desired behavior, we will discover methods of positive reinforcement in a learning environment for the engagement and growth of all students (academically/emotionally/socially). This connects to the classroom behavior that is monitored and compared alongside data. My first theme will talk about how desired behavior and engagement are connected within a learning environment. The main concepts of learning were focused on self-regulation tactics to use when a student may be experiencing behavioral overload. It was also expressed of the need for a healthy classroom environment for each scholar to grow in and express themselves. The second theme will talk about concepts of the alternate forms of reinforcement were addressed. We went over sensory, natural, material, generalized, and social reinforcement, and each aspect of those considered layers required for a well-balanced classroom. We also mentioned activity-based awards focused in movement to have scholars physically be involved in their learning space. When I teach my lessons, I can show my students how positive reinforcement can be applied with my given responses to their questions or comments. To increase engagement, the action would be to give verbal praise in response to class activities, giving out class tokens/tickets to win prizes later on, and even special privileges scholars can hold within the classroom (Scholar of the Month; extra free time). 

Overall the main point of ths conference slideshow was because visual aspects help the audience understand concepts fuly of how classroom management can be applied and used inside of the classroom.

 

Social engagement plays a key role in the language learning process, as emotional, cultural, and psychological factors influence a student’s learning experiences. Educators who can establish a positive and supportive teaching environment, along with trust, can most effectively help a student acquire a second language. This study followed one adult Indonesian English language learner with intermediate proficiency experiencing fossilization with verbal expression and explored how cultural identity and affective barriers affect language learning. Drawing from theories related to second language acquisition and sociolinguistics, the study examines how the learner’s barriers, including those related to the affective filter, were influenced by both positive and negative sociocultural experiences. This case study followed the learner over a period of six months, involving in-person and virtual tutoring. Data were collected through observations, interviews, and notes to identify patterns and themes related to key affective factors such as intrinsic motivation, identity, self-criticism, and anxiety. A recurring theme revealed that identity, shaped by personal culture, beliefs, and social experiences, significantly influenced the learner’s language acquisition, often raising the affective filter and limiting verbal fluency. Findings suggest that beyond cultural awareness alone, adaptive and relational instructional practices were critical in reducing barriers. Adapting learning modalities to the learner’s context, fostering trust through compassionate and authentic interaction, and increasing the relevance and complexity of content through layered learning, supported deeper engagement for this language learner looking to level up their verbal proficiency. These approaches enabled the learned to move beyond persistent affective and linguistic barriers, including fossilization. 

In my action research study I examine and investigate the impact of daily social  emotional learning routines on elementary school level students engagement. This study is based on the growing consensus of the importance social emotional learning has on student success. As many modern day teachers have found that using formal academic programs to teach students is just not enough. There is a need for a good balance between academic and social emotional learning. This study focuses on how the implementation of daily social emotional learning tasks have on students engagement. Furthermore, academic engagement has been Identified by Frederick et al (2004) on three aspects, behavioral, emotional, and cognitive  which is supported by social emotional learning theories like CASEL. 

The purpose of my study is to examine how much do these daily social emotional learning activities Impact students. My hypothesis is that these daily activities implemented  in the classroom  have a positive impact on students engagement  and focus. My study will focus on implementing daily routines such as morning checks, sticker reward system, rotating student leaders, fun friday. The impact will be measured by observing students involvement t, focus, persistence and interest in school work. 

Data was collected over a span of 8 weeks using a mixed method approach in a 3rd grade classroom. my qualitative  data includes student observations and teacher reflections. While the quantitative data includes sticker point totals, engagement checklist, and behavior tracking records. Findings from this data indicate a strong positive correlation between the tasks implemented and students engagement in the classroom. My data also concluded that adding strategic daily social emotional tasks to the classroom improved the classroom making it into a positive and productive learning environment.

Helium’s inertness makes it a go to lifting gas for balloons despite being non-renewable and increasingly expensive. For micro-blimp design, Hydrogen is a better choice because it can be generated at home through hydrolysis. This reduces cost, increases convenience and allows for longer flight duration. My hydrolysis cell designs split water into hydrogen and oxygen using nickel electrodes and NaOH electrolyte. My first designs were much larger and used glass to contain the caustic electrolyte but these weren’t practical for the average hobbyist. I set out to design a much smaller cell around a common HDPE bottle cap. HDPE resists NaOH well and the standard cap enables the same design to work for larger bottles (8-128oz). The design relies on an ABS part, epoxy and a central silicone tube to separate the two gasses. The main benefit of the design is that only a single moving part (the solenoid) is needed to pump the hydrogen out of the cell. The oxygen side is closed to build pressure and force the hydrogen out. Once the water level on the hydrogen side has risen enough, the solenoid opens and resets the water level. This process takes longer as the hydrogen side pressure builds until eventually the cell times out. This generation method reduces cost and allows for safe and easy automation. The simple design could allow for direct integration into a blimp or oxy-hydrogen system.

The BCON-2 mission is a collaboration between Valparaiso University and NearSpace education to design and develop a 0.5U ThinSat. The mission serves as a research platform for autonomous bulk data downlinking in low earth orbit (LEO). In collaboration with the University of Luxembourg, BCON-2 is hosting the Space Systems Engineering (SpaSys) group’s Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS) for its first on-orbit demonstration. The ADCS system has X, Y, and Z magnetorquer coils embedded in PCB boards. 

Pre-flight activities emphasized subsystem integration and software validation via an emulator. A vital part of the readiness process involved extensive testing with the Engineering Model (EM) to validate firmware stability and ensure the satellite communicates as intended. To support these operations, students developed  the ground control systems used for satellite interrogation. This includes defining the uplink command set and the specific structure of downlink packets. By categorizing packets, from health beacons to payload data, the team ensured efficient decoding of satellite state-of-health and ADCS performance.

A critical milestone in pre-operations involved brief ground access provided by NearSpace Launch (NSL). This access allowed the team to validate real-time communication and command processing; resulting actions included refined transceiver tuning and updated onboard scheduling logic to ensure reliable data recovery. By optimizing link budgets and maintaining signal integrity, the development of this infrastructure ensures that students gain hands-on experience in RF communications. The lessons learned from BCON-2 continue to shape a sustainable satellite initiative by fostering skills in problem-solving and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The BCON BAND project, developed under the Valpo Space Program, is dedicated to designing, launching, and tracking high-altitude balloons (HABs) and pico balloons to the edge of space. Since HABs ascend to stratospheric altitudes, this student-led project aims to explore the conditions in near space by carrying scientific payloads. Additionally, the balloon launching infrastructure developed by BCON BAND offers a cost-efficient and repeatable method for the testing and validating of satellite capabilities before launch.

The effects of climate change on the structure of the planetary boundary layer are understudied compared to other aspects of the Earth system. To address this, 25 years of planetary boundary layer (PBL) observations from the Integrated Global Radiosonde Archive are examined to determine if the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) has been impacted by the changing climate. Stations are selected from each continent and several oceans to incorporate Earth’s diverse climate regimes. PBL depth, mean-layer temperature, humidity, lapse rate, and wind shear are examined for climate signals during the 1995-2020 period. Results will be examined for both global and regional trends. Potential modification of PBL depth by climate change would impact various processes such as cloud formation, precipitation, and pollution transport.

The Storm Prediction Center’s Day 1 Convective Outlook is an important daily forecast that needs to be reliably accurate. When these forecasts don’t verify as expected, understanding what makes them inaccurate is important to improving future forecasts so that they can be more trusted and reliable. Using past local storm reports (LSRs) available via Iowa State University’s Iowa Environmental Mesonet webpage, we verified nearly every Day 1 Convective Outlook issued at 1300 UTC from 2016-2024. These verifications were used to identify weather patterns that represented the environments for inaccurate forecasts.  This research could help future forecasting efforts by identifying common patterns that lead to poor forecast verification, which could improve public trust and reliance on weather forecasts.

Tornado emergencies (TOREs) were first used in 1999 by the National Weather Service (NWS) to effectively warn of tornadoes capable of catastrophic damage. After years of informal use, a formal version of the TORE was developed and gradually introduced to weather forecasting offices through the impact-based warning (IBW) program. Along with IBWs, the Warning Decision Training Division (WDTD) introduced a set of guidelines that NWS forecasters can use to issue TOREs. The guidelines recommend that a forecaster upgrade a tornado warning to a TORE if the significant tornado parameter (STP) is ? 6 in the storm’s environment, the rotational velocity (VROT) is ? 70 kt on radar, and there is radar or spotter confirmation of a tornado. Since the introduction of TOREs, minimal work has explored how closely NWS forecasters follow the WDTD IBW guidelines when issuing TOREs. For the 89 IBW TORE cases from 2014-2023, VROT was obtained from GR2Analyst, and fixed- and effective-layer STP was calculated using Metpy from the NOAA Rapid Refresh (RAP) model. Our analysis indicates that NWS forecasters often did not adhere to the recommended guidelines, as only two TORE cases met both STP and VROT thresholds. However, 70% of TORE cases covered tornadoes that were rated EF-3+, and 91% of all TORE cases had a TDS present. Population density was also once a guideline for TORE issuance, but has subsequently been omitted. Currently, NWS forecasters are being interviewed to determine the best practices of TORE issuance to potentially inform an updated set of guidelines.

The topic of this paper addresses the legacy of divisive media in the United States during the 

Vietnam War, and the media’s exploitation of conflict between returning veterans and their families against the counterculture movement and the protesters involved. Historians and sociologists, such as Jerry Lembcke in his book The Spitting Image: Myth, Memory, and the Legacy of Vietnam, argue that news outlets purposely used inflammatory language and cherry picked stories to push unsubstantiated narratives about counterculture protesters. However, there is still a large debate surrounding certain events that took place during this time. Many people can imagine the stereotype of spat upon veterans and protesters screaming at returning soldiers, but historical reports have failed to confirm the accuracy of these eyewitness accounts. By exploring how protesters and Vietnam veterans were portrayed in the media during the Vietnam War, this paper will argue that news outlets fueled an ideological war at home to disencourage citizens from realizing that soldiers were fighting a losing war overseas. It will also argue that protestors and pro-veteran citizens were not as different as portrayed, and instead both just wanted their friends and family to stop being sent to Vietnam. This study examines newspapers, footage from protests, and historical accounts in texts to convey how media sources’ depiction of the counterculture movement in the 1960s is why the average American and those who were involved with these counterculture groups were so heavily divided. This legacy of divisive media has only continued to exploit and misinterpret Americans’ differences instead of celebrating them.

The Field Museum of Chicago is a highly respected institution nationally and internationally with an important legacy in scientific, ethnographic, and anthropological history. The legacy of their anthropological collections, however, is currently being questioned and is in flux. The anthropological exhibition Alsdorf Hall of Northwest Coast and Arctic Peoples is a clear example of this. The shifting collection displayed and discourse of how the exhibition is presented is a historiographical artifact that illustrates the museum practices of the past transitioning into the museum practices of the present. I explore the history of the current exhibition, installed in 1983 that largely has remained unchanged, along with previous iterations. Drawing on sources such as Museum Politics and Stewards of the Sacred, interviews with Field staff, and the perspectives of museum visitors, I develop the general public and academic perception of the exhibition. I also compare the Field’s most recent anthropological exhibition Native Truths: Our Voices, Our Stories and Northwest Coast within the lens of museum exhibition style and context to convey the change in museum exhibition practices over time. NAGPRA specifically is the main cause for the changes in the exhibition, and is explained as a whole and in this context. Compared to previous practices, the primary concerns of current exhibitions that regard Indigenous Americans are establishment and explanation of NAGPRA, personal stories or artifacts rather than sweeping, impersonal displays, and an emphasis on current Indigenous Americans and their lives. Northwest Coast has the NAGPRA element currently but lacks the other two. The exhibition is artifact-rich, but utilizes theatrical techniques to display the cultures of the Arctic and Northwest Coast, which may seem offputting to some visitors. This can be seen in the mask exhibits or the shaman diorama. This makes the exhibition an excellent learning tool, though not as intended.

 

In March 2026, ten Valparaiso University students participated in the Northwest Indiana and Chicago Spring Break Service Trip, exploring issues of racial and environmental justice.   Students learned about the economics and the environment in our region–from industry and company towns and air quality; to national parks and indigenous communities and conservation; to local food systems and food deserts. One theme that emerged was that even though society’s structures might create precarious conditions for communities and the environment, groups can come together to help protect vulnerable people and the natural world. In other words, our service matters, as does our attention to the systems and structures that make such service necessary. This oral presentation will describe environmental justice and conservation activities on this spring break service trip, including installing air quality monitors, removing invasive species, and strengthening food systems in our region. Presenters will discuss the service performed, as well as the impacts on their own thinking and future plans.

 

This presentation reflects on the development of personal calling and purpose through the participation in the CAPS Fellowship at Valparaiso University. Grounded in a formative experience that integrates reflection, meaningful connections, and community volunteer work. This talk explores how intentional practices and having an open mindset can shape one’s understanding of purpose. Drawing on personal experiences within the fellowship, the presentation highlights key moments of insight, challenge, and growth that contributed to a deeper awareness of calling. It examines how structured reflection, mentorship, and engagement with broader questions of meaning encouraged a more nuanced understanding of calling and purpose; not as a fixed destination, but as an ever evolving process. The talk also addresses tensions commonly encountered in discerning purpose, including uncertainty about the future and the difficulty of aligning personal values with real-world opportunities and societal expectations. Through these reflections, it offers a framework for navigating these challenges with intentionality and openness. Ultimately, this presentation invites listeners to consider how experiences like the CAPS Fellowship can serve as catalysts for discovering and refining one’s sense of purpose. It encourages ongoing reflection and active engagement in shaping a life that is both meaningful and responsive to the needs of others.

In March 2026, ten Valparaiso University students participated in the Northwest Indiana and Chicago Spring Break Service Trip, which engaged issues of racial and environmental justice.  We were able to learn about the history of these communities through the lenses of current residents. Historical disinvestment, similar to what was seen in both Pullman and Gary’s industry towns, has created limited job opportunities, poor infrastructure and underfunded schools in communities around Chicago and into Northwest Indiana. Beyond that, the residue of systemic and discriminatory practices such as redlining, has created a legacy of segregation, wealth gaps, and concentrated poverty. The communities that we had the privilege of stepping into and serving exemplify much of the effects of current and former policies working against many black and minority communities. Yet, more than that, they show the strength of resilience, care, and love that carries a community through systems set up against them. 

With energy consumption up and no signs of slowing down, the global energy system requires the development of reliable and scalable power sources capable of complementing the intermittent nature of current renewable energy sources. Nuclear fusion has long been identified as a promising candidate for providing continuous, carbon-free energy. This type of energy generation has yet to transition from experimental systems, however, with the longest sustained plasma operation lasting only 22 minutes. In this work, we will analyze the conditions under which fusion energy could become a dominant player in the global energy network. These conditions include technological, economic, and policy constraints that must be met to scale the use of fusion energy. Prior studies evaluate the feasibility of fusion through plasma physics, cost projections, or regulatory considerations. This project will further this prospective by evaluating the conditions in which fusion energy will be commercially viable: scalable net energy production, levelized cost of energy (LCOE) goals, and policy frameworks. Analyses show that widespread adoption of fusion energy will not be achieved through market mechanisms alone, as projected capital investments for facilities like this fall between $5-10 billion. A “forced transition” system should be analyzed which will be achieved through public education and public-private investment in nuclear programs both in higher-ed and research sectors. This work will provide a framework to understand how these conditions will align for fusion energy to become a dominant player worldwide.

Dental caries is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases worldwide, and stannous fluoride (SnF₂) is a compound known for its remineralizing and antimicrobial properties. Ferumoxytol, a superparamagnetic nanoparticle with enzyme-like activity, has been shown to enhance the antimicrobial activity of SnF₂. This in vitro study evaluated the remineralization, antimicrobial, and dentin tubular occlusion effects of ferumoxytol-stabilized SnF₂ (Fer-SnF₂) at full and quarter concentrations compared to SnF₂ alone and a negative control. It was hypothesized that Fer-SnF₂ would enhance dentin surface hardness recovery following an acid challenge and promote dentin tubule occlusion more effectively than standard SnF₂. Twenty human dentin specimens were divided into four groups and subjected to demineralization, biofilm formation, and cyclic treatments. Surface microhardness (SMH), biofilm viability (log CFU/mL), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging were analyzed. Full concentration Fer-SnF₂ showed a statistically significant increase in SMH compared to SnF₂ alone (p=0.05), quarter concentration (p=0.03) and control (p=0.02). While both nanozyme treated groups demonstrated greater biofilm reduction than SnF₂, the differences were not statistically significant. SEM imaging revealed dentin tubule occlusion in Fer-SnF₂ samples. These results indicate that ferumoxytol enhances the remineralization and dentin tubule occlusion effects of SnF₂, supporting its potential in preventive dentistry. Further studies are needed to quantify occlusion and assess long term outcomes.

Children from the local area often visit Valparaiso University, where they fill their time with fun and engaging STEM-based activities tailored to their age range. The university strives to build an interest in science and engineering through these community outreach events. One such activity, for children from kindergarten to 4th grade, was proposed to involve solar panels. This would be a way to introduce children to a form of renewable energy and have them experience what it can do. The goal of this research is to discover more about solar technology’s capabilities and simplify them in order to create a fun activity for children from kindergarten to 4th grade. The end-product will be a prototype of a solar powered car that they would be putting together either individually or in a group setting. It will be a fun way to entertain children and teach them about the benefits of clean solar energy while allowing them to discover new elements of science.

 

Valparaiso University gives tours to massive numbers of prospective students of all ages on a yearly basis. For those interested in engineering, the solar furnace is a cool destination to showcase the specialized research done at the university; however, tour guides are not generally able to show any experiments actually taking place. In order to better impress younger audiences on the tours while still teaching them about solar power, we will develop a small solar oven to give quick demonstrations to roughly fifth through eighth grade students. This oven will concentrate sunlight in order to heat a small amount of popcorn, marshmallows, or other food items that well-visualize the application of heat. For winter days with less sunlight and overcast days, we will find an alternative heat source that allows the demonstration to be performed without sunlight. A live temperature reading of the heated surface will allow the demonstration to tie-in some associated equations that explain the mechanics of the process. This project will give tour guides an additional tool to capture the attention of a young, easily distracted audience and increase their interest in solar energy and Valpo engineering.

To better understand the effects bracing structures have on sound quality in acoustic guitars we have been developing a model guitar in a finite element analysis (FEA) software  based on physical measurements of the soundboard displacement. Our objective is to create a model that accurately recreates our experimental data. This model will predict how the soundboard displacement is affected by changes to the guitar bracing.

We employ two experimental approaches to study the resonant behavior of the guitar soundboard, each paired with corresponding FEA models. For the first approach we excite the bridge using an impact hammer and measure the resulting displacement of the soundboard, capturing its resonant frequencies. For the second approach, we drive the soundboard with a speaker that emits selected  frequency ranges, allowing for a more precise examination of the soundboard’s response across different registers.  To support these methods, we developed two models of the same guitar, each designed to replicate the conditions of its respective experimental setup. By comparing these models, we aim to better understand how the different excitation techniques influence the observed behavior of the soundboard and to use the models to interpret the differences between the experimental results. 

In future work we will expand on these models by improving our material properties to better match the model to experimental data. Once we have a model that can reliably predict the response of a guitar soundboard we will use it to test how the guitars will respond to various changes in their design. Our hope is to determine which changes will have the greatest impact on the resonance of our soundboard (such as changing the bracing thickness) to implement those changes on one of our experimental guitars.

 

The solar furnace at Valparaiso University’s Solar Energy Research Facility concentrates sunlight to heat a reactor, which is necessary for chemical reactions such as thermochemical hydrogen production. During the spring of 2026, work was done to ensure smooth operation of the solar furnace in the future. The furnace’s concentrating ability depends on the facets being oriented to the correct focal length. Analysis has shown that the concentrator could achieve a better concentration if it were refocused. The focusing process includes positioning a mirror at the concentrator’s center of curvature to reflect a laser towards a facet, then adjusting the facet so that the laser reflects back to strike the mirror once again. This process is time and labor intensive as it must be done for all 303 facets. We have done analysis and design work to improve the focusing process, including automating mirror movements and stiffening the cantilever support structure to avoid vibration during the process. Further, we have implemented a measurement workflow for the SOLFAST software that uses camera-based measurements of mirror slope and spot distribution, providing support for alignment verification. In addition, DNI data is valuable while the furnace is running, and can be measured by a pyroheliometer. We have updated the pyroheliometer to automatically track the sun based on GPS and provide real time DNI data to a website throughout the day.

Rehabilitation and physical therapy are essential components of recovery, yet patient adherence is often limited by low motivation and the repetitive nature of prescribed exercises. Similar challenges are observed in general fitness, where individuals are more likely to engage in physical activity when it is paired with goal-setting, feedback, and enjoyable experiences. Prior work, such as gamified fitness systems (e.g., Wii Fit), has demonstrated the potential of utilizing games to increase user engagement and consistency. In this work, the application of gamification principles to rehabilitation is examined by designing an interactive game that utilizes a balance board as an input device. The objective of this research is to enhance patient motivation and adherence by transforming standard physical therapy exercises into an engaging, game-based experience. The design process incorporated both clinical considerations, ensuring that in-game movements align with recommended rehabilitation exercises, and psychological principles related to motivation and behavior. Using the Godot Engine 4, a game was developed to integrate the physical requirements of rehabilitation and the psychological factors that influence patient motivation. The system was designed to promote adherence to prescribed recovery activities by aligning therapeutic movements with engaging gameplay mechanics. By combining clinical functionality with interactive design, this work aims to enhance user experience, making rehabilitation exercises more enjoyable, accessible, and sustainable over time. Overall, the resultant framework demonstrates how integrating game mechanics with therapeutic movement can provide a more engaging alternative to traditional rehabilitation methods, with the potential to improve consistency, user experience, and overall recovery outcomes.

The BCON-1 project aims to design and prototype the structural framework for a 1P-sized PocketQube satellite as an initial step toward developing a fully independent, flight-ready spacecraft. Building on experience and data from the earlier BCON-2 payload and the first prototype in 2023, BCON-1 focuses on creating a satellite structure and a downlink coordination system to optimize communication with ground stations. The mission seeks to demonstrate efficient data transmission from satellites to receive-only ground stations. This semester our goal is to successfully run an antenna deployment test.

Beyond the technical goals, BCON-1 serves as a hands-on educational tool for students in the College of Engineering, providing experience in spacecraft design, fabrication, and testing under the guidance of Dr. Dan White. The final outcome will include a functional 1P PocketQube prototype and a documented framework for future student-led Qubesat missions, forming the foundation for larger-scale projects such as a 3P-class PocketQube.

Liposomes are lipid bilayer-structured spherical vesicles often utilized in targeted drug delivery systems due to their biocompatibility and versatility. In order to determine how liposome characteristics like size and charge impact drug transport and absorption within the gastrointestinal and lymphatic systems, these characteristics need to be controlled and analyzed. The goal of this research is thus to develop a panel of liposomes with controllable size and charge for use in future experiments examining the impact of liposome characteristics on lymphatic bioavailability of orally administered drugs. Neutral liposomes were synthesized from a 18:1 phosphatidylcholine (DOPC) and cholesterol and using a thin-film hydration procedure. The impact of sonication time on liposome size was assessed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) using a Malvern Zetasizer instrument. Control of liposome stability in storage at 4°C was also assessed by monitoring liposome size over time. Liposome charge was modulated by adding an anionic phospholipid (DOPS) or cationic lipid octadecylamine (ODA) during the thin-film hydration procedure. Liposome charge was assessed by measuring zeta potential using a Malvern Zetasizer. This work establishes protocols for control of important liposome characteristics, laying the groundwork for future investigations on the impacts of size and charge on lymphatic transport of liposomes in drug delivery applications.

This project is a programmatic recreation of the theremin that can be played with a mouse, keyboard, and a custom control device. This theremin also differs from its normal physical counterpart in that it gives greater control over pitch and octave, allowing the player to chose between certain presets or utilize their own pitch collection. This greater control allows this theremin to be much more intuitive for new players to use. On the software side, the program is written in the visual web language Scratch. While Scratch’s less than ideal library of math operations posed a challenge, the use of Scratch ultimately allowed for easier programming of audio, as well as allowing the project to be accessible from most devices with internet. The popularity of the Scratch as first programming language also makes most of the code both readable and usable by some children. On a more hardware side, other than preset controls (which are largely controlled by the keyboard) and the pitch/volume controls (controlled by the mouse), there is also a set of controls in a custom setup using a makey-makey (a similar device to an arduino) to set up a set of alternate controls for several earlier features, as well as the ability to temporarily mute the output for re-sounding notes and a customizable pedal-tone. The main idea behind this project was to provide a more customizable, user friendly version of the theremin, a notoriously difficult instrument with a cool concept.

In the recorded performance history of Frédéric Chopin’s (1810–1849) Sonata Op. 35 (1839) there are some discrepancies which scholars have been discussing, and which have an audible impact. The discrepancies concern the four opening measures of this sonata (these four bars are titled Grave), which are sometimes played as part of the expositional repeat and other times viewed as separate introductory measures and therefore not played in the expositional repeat, as recordings show. There are fundamentally two versions currently being performed – one supported by musicologist Rosen and one supported by musicologist Anatole Leiken.

This research investigates the first movement and compares the Leiken- and Rosen-versions based on two recordings: 1) By Josef Hofmann (1876–1957) and 2) by Chopin-competition gold-medalist Bruce Liu (1997–).

Both Leiken and Rosen mention that there are no authoritative sources such as an autograph manuscript by Chopin, nor documentation by Chopin’s peers and that therefore it is complicated to figure out what the author (Chopin) intended. Both musicologists use the historical context to justify one reading or the other. In terms of recordings, the two versions sound significantly different in the section in question. In this research, the two scholars’ versions are first introduced in detail. A visualization of the two recordings and audio examples are being shown and interpreted. Additionally, based on the lived experience and live experimentation of the author of this research – a pianist-musicologist – this research hypothesizes that Leiken’s version is the more plausible and convincing interpretation.

This research investigates Maurice Ravel’s “Une barque sur l’océan” for piano (1906) from a cultural, musicological, and music-theoretical perspective. The importance of water depictions in impressionist art has been studied since the early 20th century. Not only impressionist painters but also composers like Maurice Ravel, Claude Debussy, and Eric Satie were attracted to water imagery. Well-known examples include Debussy’s La Mer (1905), Eric Satie’s “Le Water-chute” (1914) and “Le Bain de Mer” (1914) as well as Debussy’s Reflets dans l’eau (1915). This research investigates musical painting in Ravel’s “Une barque sur l’océan” to better understand how Ravel painted the ocean in impressionistic terms — with a pronounced use of timbre, fluidity, sensory suggestions, and harmonic ambiguity. In particular, how does Ravel use register, motives, and form to paint the ocean’s depth and the movement of the waves? 

This research is about Kevin Day’s piece “Solace in the Wind” (2020) for wind ensemble. The theoretical framework for this research is Black music studies. Scholars who have written about Kevin Day’s music include Guthrie P. Ramsey Jr. and Doris Evans McGinty. Furthermore, newspapers and magazines of recent years have discussed this young composer’s music. Although Kevin Day’s musical language is tonal and accessible, the composer’s music bridges a vast emotional spectrum ranging from “powerful introspection to joyous exuberance”. This research investigates “Solace in the Wind” and how harmonic and rhythmic simplicity- perhaps one could even say minimalism- intersect with orchestral colors and an atmosphere of turbulence and quietude. 

This research centers on re-recording “Love to me” from the musical The Light in the Piazza (premiered in 2003) by Adam Guettel (1964). I will be comparing a recording from 2024 (staged musical version) with a concert version (voice and piano) I recorded this spring of 2026.

My research question is: “What makes the November 2024 live recording of ‘Love to Me’ (musical version, 2-min excerpt, 1:40:42 — 1:41:46) feel emotional for me? can the creation of a recording of the concert version of the same piece throw light on why the excerpt in question is so impactful for me?” My methods of investigation are practice-based, qualitative, music-theoretical, and auto-ethnographic. This research is based on my practice journal (February-March2026), the finished re-recored version (recored in February 2026), the 2024-recording, and an exegesis (assessment) of the 2024-recording and the re-recorded version.

During the process of this research — 16th of January to March 2023 — the goal was to inquire into the aspect of the emotional quality of the passage in question via an open-ended approach which lets the evidence speak as the observation unfolds so that insights may emerge and eventually congeal toward enlightening my research question. 

This paper explores the community focused aspects of large music ensembles, and how they can bring live music performances to a wider audience. Money, disability, and other variables can discourage people from easily accessing the music they enjoy, large ensembles are in a unique position to change long-held practice and beliefs that allow live performances to be enjoyed by a wider audience. Traditional concerts can prove to be too expensive, formal, or overstimulating for a growing population of music enjoyers. Though many musicians and music enjoyers agree that music should be available for everybody, many large ensemble performances have been unintentionally reserved for certain “in” groups while discouraging the attendance of other people. By providing more welcoming events such as sensory-friendly and free concerts, ensembles and organizations may provide more opportunities for people who do not always feel welcome at traditional concerts. Expanding the reach of these performances can produce a positive effect for both the communities and the ensembles by creating a positive loop that brings music to the people and people to the music. Through academic writings and interviews, this paper explores the challenges and opportunities directors face when attempting to expand the audience for large ensemble music. 

 

The aesthetic of the “colossal”, which scholars including Craig Wright (Yale, 2012), Elizabeth A. Wells, Owain Arwel Hughes, and others have linked to Mahler’s aesthetic at large, is an apt descriptor of Mahler’s daring reorchestration of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony — a reimagined work featuring various changes in orchestration, dynamics, doubling, and counter-melodic material.

This research builds on the scholarly research of Denis McCaldin, Robert Samuels, and Hans F. Redlich, as well as on the popular-musicological research by Craig Wright and Marcelo Uzcátegui Andrade, to show that Mahler’s reimagination of Beethoven’s 9th was born out of a deep and multi-layered fascination with the aesthetic of the colossal. Indeed, Mahler’s approach, paying great respect to Beethoven while having moved into a significantly modernized age in which the institutionalization of music impacted all areas of life — including much larger orchestras filling much larger concert halls — fitted right in with the state of modernization of classical music at the time. 

On the one hand, this research describes in detail the changes that musicologists have traced in the first movement of Mahler’s reorchestration in comparison with Beethoven’s 9th, and on the other hand this research ties Mahler’s work to its cultural context — the aesthetic of the colossal in Vienna around the turn of the century — thereby throwing light on precedents, possible inspirations, as well as practical considerations Mahler may have contemplated. 

This research examines Stephen Schwartz’s song “Defying Gravity” from Wicked through historical, cultural, and musical lenses. It has a particular focus on how the music itself supports Elphaba’s transformation from self-doubt to empowerment. While Wicked has been widely discussed as a feminist reinterpretation of The Wizard of Oz, this study focuses on how specific musical choices actively construct that narrative of female agency.

Drawing on existing scholarship by Stacy Wolf, Paul Laird, Scott Miller, and Jennifer Sanders, this project situates “Defying Gravity” within broader conversations about feminism and women’s power on Broadway. These scholars provide important cultural and historical frameworks for understanding Wicked’s themes; however, their work does not offer sustained close analysis of the song’s musical materials.

To address this gap, this study undertakes a detailed musical analysis of “Defying Gravity,” examining harmony, key changes, formal design, orchestration, and vocal writing, including the shift into belting. This analysis illustrates how these elements collaborate to reinforce Elphaba’s psychological and emotional transformation, culminating in a musical embodiment of empowerment.

Ultimately, this research argues that “Defying Gravity” exemplifies how musical structure and vocal style can function as narrative agents in contemporary Broadway musicals. By highlighting the relationship between musical detail and character development, this study contributes to a deeper understanding of Stephen Schwartz’s compositional approach and the role of music in articulating female agency on the modern Broadway stage.

 

Premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are exposed to environmental stressors during a critical period of brain development. Increasing evidence links early life NICU stress with heightened risk for adverse neurodevelopmental and mental health outcomes later in life. Among modifiable stressors, light and sound exposure play central roles in physiologic stability and circadian organization.

Studies comparing total darkness and constant light demonstrate no developmental advantage to either extreme. In contrast, cycled lighting that mimics circadian rhythm has been associated with improved weight gain, shorter hospitalization, and increased nocturnal melatonin excretion. The circadian system, regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), is structurally developed and light-responsive by approximately 24 weeks of gestation. In utero, circadian entrainment is mediated by maternal hormonal and metabolic cues. Maternal stress, health complications, and prenatal adversity can disrupt these signals and independently affect offspring’s mental health risk. Premature birth interrupts maternal circadian regulation during this sensitive developmental window.

In addition to lighting stressors, noxious noise, particularly within the enclosed isolette environment, was identified as a significant contributor to physiologic instability. Elevated sound exposure in the NICU is associated with fluctuations in heart rate, oxygen saturation, and sleep disruption, compounding overall stress burden.

This project evaluates low-stress NICU care interventions focused on circadian-based lighting and environmental noise reduction as neuroprotective strategies to promote physiologic regulation and improve short and long-term outcomes in premature infants.

Background: As loneliness negatively impacts older adults who move into assisted living, staff need to detect and manage loneliness with tailored interventions (Horgan et al., 2024; Sun et al., 2021). Healthcare professionals view loneliness as individualized experiences triggered by different coping mechanisms, negatively affecting older adults’ health (Dobarrio-San et al.). Few articles were found that considered the staff’s viewpoint on loneliness during the transition period. The purpose of this study is to interview staff to gain their perspective on the challenges residents face during their move into an assisted living facility. 

Methods: This study uses a qualitative approach to interview staff members currently working with older adults who recently moved to an assisted living facility. The team interviewed 11 licensed/unlicensed personnel working in two different facilities in Northwest Indiana. Each interview consists of seven open-ended questions. Interviews were recorded and transcribed by a professional transcriptionist. The constant comparative method was used to identify major themes within the data. 

Results: Preliminary categories include continuity of care, connecting with residents, and transitioning goes well.

Conclusion: There is an increasing need to support the aging population and improve the quality of individualized healthcare services (Anvik et al., 2020) to combat loneliness. It is important for licensed and unlicensed personnel to assess older adults’ perceptions of loneliness. Perceptions of loneliness can differ between personnel and residents who recently moved to assisted living facilities (Dobbarrio-San et al.). Staff can assist residents in transitioning to assisted living by individualizing care and providing continual socialization assessments.

Keywords: loneliness, older adults, social isolation, assisted living, healthcare staff

This study examines the perspectives of occupational therapy (OT) practitioners on the purpose and use of the white coat. The white coat ceremony is common in many healthcare programs and professions, but little is known about how OT practitioners perceive and use the white coat. An anonymous Qualtrics survey, distributed through social media platforms (CommunOT, Instagram, Facebook), will collect data on practitioners’ education levels, years of practice, type of recognition ceremony, and frequency and context of white coat usage. Results from 79 practitioners showed that most did not receive a white coat ceremony during their OT education and that the white coat is rarely used in clinical practice. Participants who experienced white coat or alternative recognition ceremonies expressed mixed perceptions of their significance, with alternative events often viewed as more meaningful. These findings indicate uncertainty regarding the white coat’s relevance to occupational therapy and suggest a need for recognition traditions that better reflect the profession’s holistic and client centered values.

 

The purpose of this doctoral capstone experience and project is to develop and implement educational resources that promote client-centered care and improve patient understanding of prosthetic use. Individuals who utilize prosthetic devices often experience barriers to comprehension due to limited access to clear, tailored educational materials. Research emphasized that effective education can significantly enhance adherence, self-efficacy, and long-term functional outcomes. Occupational therapists are uniquely positioned to address these barriers by applying health literacy principles, adaptive teaching strategies, and activity analysis to support patient learning and participation. This project aims to integrate evidence-based OT perspectives into prosthetic education at Bionic, empowering patients to use their devices safely and confidently while advocating for OT’s value in this clinical context. 

Anatomy education is often required for healthcare professionals in their specialized programs. Occupational therapy programs often utilize anatomy in their coursework, however, there is high variability across programs in instruction techniques, content areas, and overall course format. These programs have a variety of teaching methods ranging from typical lecture style to lab experiences including dissection/prosection or digital tools, such as virtual reality and the Anatomage Table. A review of the literature provides background information on multiple approaches that enhance anatomy education, student engagement and outcomes, technology used, education in occupational therapy, and clinical experiences. The study aims to explore occupational therapy, students’ perceptions and lived experiences of their anatomy course, focusing on its role in preparation for clinical practice while identifying effective teaching methods and considerations for educators to improve anatomy based content. This study utilized a mixed methods design consisting of a survey of students’ perceptions on their anatomy course. The participants were enrolled in a graduate level occupational therapy program within the state of Indiana. There were a total of 17 respondents from three different universities. The results discovered that anatomy education has improved students’ confidence levels for clinical application. Body systems covered by all students included the skeletal and muscular systems. Analysis of the short answer responses revealed the value of cadaver-based learning, importance of clinically applied content, and need for enhanced technological support. 

Background: Caregivers of children with disabilities in Northwest Indiana (NWI) face limited services and often receive unclear, overwhelming information, leaving them unsure how to access support.

Methods: This qualitative study conducted semi-structured interviews with six caregivers across Porter, Lake, and La Porte counties. Participants completed a single 30-40 minute interview about their experiences with community resources and ideal support. Transcribed interviews were thematically analyzed.

Results: All six caregivers used at least one form of community support. Common resources included Facebook support groups (n=6), outpatient therapies (n=5), and First Steps (n=4). Five key themes emerged: (1) importance of early intervention and system navigation, (2) available community programs, (3) informal peer support, (4) barriers to access, and (5) areas for improvement.

Conclusion: Caregivers expressed a strong need for improved formal support services. While programs like First Steps, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and school-based services are essential, caregivers valued peer support for reducing isolation and providing emotional connection. Needs varied widely, including financial, educational, and emotional assistance. Limited resource availability in NWI compounded system navigation difficulties. Future research should expand geographically and use findings to develop a structured questionnaire. This study ultimately aims to inform a centralized resource integrating formal and informal supports to better serve families.

Research Topic: This is a cohort study looking at the efficacy of a post paired vagus nerve stimulator (VNS) protocol accountability check-in. The purpose of this study is to determine if an accountability weekly check-in will increase engagement in home exercise programs for patients who have completed the intensive therapy protocol. 

Methods: Our cohort study was approved by the IRB committee through Powers Health Care system (PHCS)  and Valparaiso University. Sample size (n=3) was based on those who have completed the Vivistim protocol through Powers Health. 

Results: Participants swiped their Vivistim magnet 5.5 times per day prior to the start of the study. After the six week study, it was found that on average the participants swiped their device 6.87 times per day. 80 total activities were grouped into whether it was an activity of daily living (ADL), an instrumental activity of daily living (IADL), or if it was a part of the participant’s home exercise program (HEP).

Clinical Implications: Clinicians may consider incorporating accountability check-ins to encourage consistent use of the device and reinforce adherence to their HEP.

Conclusion:  The increase in swipe frequency and frequent use during meaningful tasks suggests this may be applicable beyond research. While functional outcome changes did not meet MCID, the findings support the need for continued investigation into accountability phone calls and their effects on patients post Vivistim protocol.

Occupational therapy (OT) relies on effective collaboration between occupational therapists (OTs)  and occupational therapy assistants (OTAs) to ensure optimal client outcomes. This study explores OT and OTA students’ perspectives on collaborative educational experiences and their impact on confidence, comfort level, and readiness for future fieldwork and practice. Understanding students’ perceptions can inform curriculum development and strengthen intraprofessional collaboration. 

 

Abstract

The GoBabyGo program provides modified ride-on vehicles to children with mobility impairments to promote early mobility, environmental exploration, and participation. Early powered mobility has been shown to support cognitive, social, and motor development in young children with disabilities (Huang & Galloway, 2012; Logan et al., 2016). Despite these benefits, the literature identifies challenges including inconsistent caregiver training, variability in program implementation, and limited standardized guidelines, which may affect long-term device use and participation outcomes (Logan et al., 2020; Hospodar et al., 2023). At Valparaiso University, an interdisciplinary team of occupational therapy, engineering, and health professions students collaborates to design and adapt these vehicles; however, variability in volunteer preparation may influence the consistency of family-centered interactions.

This capstone project aimed to develop a structured volunteer training guide to support family-centered engagement. The training materials were informed by family-centered care principles (Kuo et al., 2012), therapeutic use of self and the Intentional Relationship Model (Taylor, 2008), and occupational therapy frameworks including the Person-Environment-Occupation-Performance (PEOP) and Human Activity Assistive Technology (HAAT) models (Baum et al., 2015; Cook et al., 2020). Six modules were created to prepare volunteers for respectful, collaborative, and participation-focused interactions.

Content expert feedback was obtained and used to revise the training materials. Student volunteers will review the guide prior to the Spring 2026 build event, with post-event surveys distributed following participation to assess perceived usefulness. Future findings from student volunteers will be collected and presented. This project supports structured training to enhance family-centered practice and interdisciplinary collaboration in GoBabyGo programs.

 

 

 

Keywords:

GoBabyGo; Family-Centered Care; Occupational Therapy; Engineering; Interdisciplinary Collaboration; Modified Ride-On Vehicles; Powered Mobility; Assistive Technology; Program Development; Student Education

Importance: Limited evidence compares conventional occupational therapy to myoelectric orthoses for improving upper limb function in individuals with neurological impairments. This modified systematic review examines whether myoelectric orthoses improve upper extremity function and daily independence for individuals with neurological conditions compared to conventional therapy.

Data Sources: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the Valparaiso University library system. Electronic databases, including CINAHL and Google Scholar were utilized. Search terms were applied to capture studies related to myoelectric orthoses, neurological conditions, and upper extremity rehabilitation.

Study Selection and Data Collection: Included articles were peer-reviewed, published in English within the past 10 years, and involved participants with a diagnosed neurological condition. Studies also had to examine the use of myoelectric orthosis as an intervention and focus specifically on the upper extremity. Excluded articles were those not published in English within the specified timeframe, not peer-reviewed, lacking participants with neurological conditions, not addressing myoelectric orthoses, or not focusing on the upper extremity.

Findings: Fifteen articles were identified. Myoelectric orthoses improve upper extremity strength, coordination, and task performance, with greater functional gains and engagement when combined with occupational therapy. Orthoses may promote neuroplasticity, though small sample sizes limit findings. Technologies such as virtual reality may further enhance outcomes.

Conclusion: Myoelectric orthoses show promise in enhancing upper extremity function, engagement, and neuroplastic recovery alongside traditional therapy, though larger studies are needed to confirm long-term effectiveness.

Background: Pediatric patients receiving oncological treatments experience symptoms that hinder quality of life (QoL), occupational performance, and participation. Limited research exists regarding the impact occupational therapy services have on these symptoms. This modified systematic review intended to answer the question: How do occupational therapy interventions result in improved occupational performance, participation, and quality of life for patients with pediatric cancer? 

Methods: Three graduate-level researchers conducted a comprehensive search across various databases such as CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PubMed to identify peer-reviewed studies published in English within the last ten years.  The inclusion criteria consisted of participants with a cancer diagnosis younger than 18 years of age. Studies were included if one of the following outcome measures were addressed: occupational performance, participation, and QoL.  Formats of systematic reviews, meta-analyses, dissertations, or presentations were excluded.  

Results: The modified systematic review included 15 studies evaluating QoL, occupational performance, and participation following various occupational therapy interventions.  Occupational therapy and related interventions (play-based therapy, task-oriented training, cognitive rehabilitation) showed significant improvements in participation, functional independence, and occupational performance. Improvements in motor functioning and coordination were also observed. QoL outcomes varied across studies, with improvements following interventions and some decrease associated with fatigue and treatment related factors. Children with cancer inherently exhibited lower cognitive and occupational performance compared to normative groups.

Conclusion: Pediatric oncology patients receiving occupational therapy services can lead to improvements in occupational performance, participation, and QoL.  Further research is required to determine which intervention styles yield optimal results for pediatric cancer patients.  

Background: Incarcerated adults experience high rates of mental health concerns, yet access to structured, evidence-based interventions remain limited. Occupational therapy (OT) mental health interventions, including mindfulness-based and mind-body approaches, may support emotional regulation and psychological well-being in correctional settings. This modified systematic review addresses the question: In incarcerated adults, do OT mental health interventions (i.e. mindfulness activities) improve emotional regulation and other mental health outcomes compared to standard correctional programming?

Methods: Studies were included if they examined incarcerated adults (18+), implemented a mindfulness-based, emotional regulation, or occupation-focused intervention delivered in a correctional setting, and reported at least one mental health or behavioral outcome. Exclusion criteria eliminated non-incarcerated samples, pharmacological-only interventions, non-empirical articles, and studies lacking mental health-related outcomes. Searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, AJOT, and Nursing & Allied Health Premium (ProQuest). Risk of bias was assessed based on study design, sample size, and consistency of outcome measurement, resulting in an overall moderate rating.

Results: Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria, including randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental designs, mixed methods studies, qualitative research, and surveys. Across intervention studies, participants demonstrated improvements in emotional regulation, stress, coping, and general well-being after OT mental health interventions. Contextual studies revealed ongoing mental health needs and pointed to institutional and systemic factors influencing implementation.

Discussion: Small sample sizes, varied interventions structures, and inconsistent outcome measures limit generalizability. Findings suggest that structured mental health interventions can support positive emotional and psychological change among incarcerated adults, underscoring the need for standardized measures and expanded access to occupation-based programming.

Knowing the molecular composition and abundance of dust surrounding planetary nebulae (PNe) would provide a better understanding of their formation and evolution. It has been recently discovered that PNe can contain both carbon-based (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and oxygen-based dust (silicates), whereas they were previously thought to contain primarily one or the other. The goal of this research is to use computational methods to compare the infrared (IR) spectra of various silicates to the observed spectra of oxygen-rich PNe to determine their specific molecular origins. We have focused our efforts on small (SiO₂)_n clusters (n=1-12). We have calculated the equilibrium structures and IR spectra of these clusters using density functional theory. The calculated IR spectra of the most stable clusters will be analyzed to reveal their dependence on the cluster size. This will be a first step towards a better understanding of the observed IR spectra of oxygen-rich PNe.

The Event Horizon Telescope (EHT), in its famous 2019 image, proved that directly imaging a supermassive black hole at the event horizon scale is possible. Understanding these observations requires effort on multiple fronts, including comparing them against synthetic images generated by post-processing general relativistic magnetohydrodynamics (GRMHD) simulations, which describe how magnetized plasma behaves in the strong-field limit, such as near a black hole. Bridging the gap between these simulations and observations involves general relativistic ray-tracing (GRRT), which tracks how light rays propagate through curved spacetime, producing synthetic images that can be directly compared to EHT data. The quantitative techniques that best compare simulation to observation, such as Bayesian parameter inference and forward modeling, require a large sample of these synthetic images, so rapidly and repeatedly generating these images across extensive parameter spaces is paramount. This task remains computationally intractable without dedicated supercomputing resources.

To address these limitations, we present PHOENIX, an open-source graphics processing unit (GPU) implementation of the RAPTOR GRRT code. By using NVIDIA’s Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) to port RAPTOR’s core ray-tracing and polarized radiative transfer algorithms to run on consumer GPU hardware, PHOENIX achieves orders-of-magnitude speedups while maintaining convergence in integrated Stokes parameters, the quantities that describe the polarization state of light, to within 2% of RAPTOR. This efficiency makes large-scale GRMHD post-processing and Bayesian inference workflows accessible even without HPC infrastructure, enabling more of the EHT community to explore GRMHD data.

A light echo is a visual phenomenon that appears after a star gives off a brief flash of light. The light reflects off the surrounding interstellar medium (ISM), illuminating it and creating a short-lived visual nebula showing the structure of the ISM. Their transient nature means that, if multiple observations are taken of the light echo, a three-dimensional rendering of their structure can be built up over time. Producing these three-dimensional models allows for unique study into the structure of the normally invisible ISM. However, there are not currently any publicly  available programs that do this modeling. I present here a newly constructed program to model light echoes, and the results of using the program on the light echo of V838 Monocerotis. 

Planetary nebulae are one of the last stages of stellar evolution for low-mass stars, which have a mass of less than about eight times the mass of the Sun. As the star ejects its outer layers, the high-temperature central star can ionize the gaseous ejected layers and make them glow. Also detected in a portion of planetary nebulae are binary central stars where another object is in orbit with the central star of the planetary nebula. Within the Galactic bulge, a statistically significant alignment between the orbital/nebular axis and the Galactic disk has been observed for the binary population of planetary nebulae. I propose a study that will model the angular change of a binary star system of the Galactic bulge to study whether this alignment can be caused by the Galactic gravitational potential.

The UCN?+ experiment at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is designed to measure the lifetime of a neutron to a precision of ±0.1 seconds. The current best lifetime measurement of 877.83±0.3 seconds was obtained by the LANL UCN? experiment. The current experimental setup consists of a magnetic chamber in which a known number of ultra-cold neutrons (UCN) is placed and counted after a specified duration. The magnetic chamber takes advantage of the magnetic moment and intrinsic spin of neutrons, thereby reducing the neutrons’ energy and, consequently, the systematic error of the experiment. To further enhance the effectiveness of this setup, only neutrons of the correct spin must be sent into the chamber. Last summer, I conducted research on the UCN?+ experiment at LANL, where I designed, built, and tested a device that could be attached to the beamline, sending neutrons into the chamber and measuring how many of them have the wrong spin. My device used silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs), paired with boron-coated zinc sulfide scintillators, to convert neutrons into a usable electrical signal via a series of reactions. The design of this prototype will be presented.

This research proposes the use of infrared thermography and computational modeling to evaluate the detectability of breast cancer tumors as a screening tool for breast cancer. Building upon the experimental framework developed by Umadevi et al., this study will utilize phantom tissue models composed of agar to simulate homogeneous structures of human breast tissue. A 100 ohm resistor with various voltage inputs embedded in the phantom tissue will act as a heat source and will mimic a tumor. Analysis will be performed by obtaining surface temperature data using the FLIR C5 infrared camera, then detectability will be determined by features visible in the thermograms. The size of the phantom tumor will be determined by the power emitted from the resistor which is calculated from measured surface temperature. Detectability is compared to that of mammograms to assess the feasibility and accuracy of non-invasive tumor characterization using thermal imaging, with the long-term goal of supporting non-invasive, non-ionizing early breast cancer detection and diagnosis.

Discovered by the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, TOI-4994 has been identified as likely hosting a planet. I use a method to analyze and characterize TOI-4994b using the PHysics Of Eclipsing BinariEs program, with archival data from the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite, High Accuracy Radial velocity Planet Searcher, and the Planet Finder Spectrograph. I will present the radii and masses of TOI-4994b and its host star as well as the inclination and eccentricity of the system by analyzing the photometry and radial velocity data. Then I will compare those results to those found with the exoplanet modeling software, EXOFAST.

 

Political Science researchers have increasingly begun to look at political polarization as an avenue for explaining democratic behavior. The topic has managed to surpass academia and enter its way into mainstream political conversation. In the literature, polarization is generally understood either as spatial or ideological polarization, which is the ideological separation between voters and parties, or as affective polarization, the deepening emotional divide between voters. Scholars investigate how polarization might be a catalyst for short-term voter turnout while simultaneously diminishing voters’ long-term sense of political efficacy. Although political science scholarship on polarization is not new, state-level studies are only recently emerging. A majority of the studies done on polarization and electoral outcomes are primarily on a national level. The focus on the national level leaves a gap in our understanding of how polarization affects voters in each state. Existing studies on state-level polarization do not differentiate levels of polarization or consider the potential correlation with electoral turnout. This study will attempt to fill that gap by examining the relationship between polarization and electoral turnout and the potential long-term consequences for political efficacy. 

Anthropomorphism, where human traits are assigned to non-human entities, is a prevalent theme in children’s literature. While entertaining, anthropomorphism influences how children think about animals and objects leading them to understand these entities in more unrealistic ways (Ganea et al., 2014; Waxman et al., 2014). This study investigates the frequency of anthropomorphism in children’s books and explores whether there are differences between rural and urban areas in the types of books children read.

We gathered a dataset comprising the 100 most borrowed books from county libraries in 2023, aimed at children aged 0–5. We analyzed circulation data from three counties in Indiana: Vanderburgh, Porter, and Starke. Each book was categorized based on whether it featured human-like or anthropomorphized main characters (Wagner, 2017). Vanderburgh and Porter were considered urban counties, while Starke was regarded as rural.

A one-way ANOVA indicated a significant variation in anthropomorphism among the counties, F(2,185)=10.8, p< .001. Tukey post hoc tests confirmed that Starke County had a notably higher percentage of human characters compared to both urban counties (p< .001). No significant difference was found between Vanderburgh and Porter counties(p=.52).

While anthropomorphism was prevalent across all counties, it appeared less frequently in the rural county. This implies that a community’s classification may shape the selection of books for young readers. Given the potential effects on children’s understanding of the real world, caregivers, educators, and librarians should consider the representation of the main character when selecting early childhood literature. 

Competency to stand trial (CST) is a legal standard used to determine whether an individual has rational and factual capacities to understand court proceedings. Juveniles may not be considered competent on the basis of their mental development and maturity making a juvenile-specific CST statute imperative. It was not until 2024 that Indiana legislators formed a workgroup to create a new juvenile competency legislation. Our previous research focused on the 2024 IN juvenile CST statute, reviewing it in comparison to other states (Panza et al., 2020) and to recommendations made by Larson & Grisso (2011). We found that Indiana addressed 71% of the components mentioned and followed 57% of the recommendations. However, we did identify recommended legislative components that were missing, vague, or inconsistent with evidenced-based practice. It is important to understand how this statute is being interpreted and applied. The current research surveys legal experts (judges, lawyers, law students, etc.) on their opinions, experiences, and interpretations of the 2024 IN juvenile CST statute. Our questions were broken down into the following categories: current work status, past experiences with juvenile cases and juvenile CST, evaluation of the 2024 changes, developmental maturity, and questions related directly to the wording in the 2024 IN juvenile CST statute. The goal of this research is to ascertain how legal experts are operating within the 2024 IN juvenile CST statute and to understand what necessary changes should be made to improve legislation in the future based on the received feedback.

Much research has examined responses to available support services for college students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Common perceptions suggest social support groups would be of greatest benefit to students with ASD. However, a review of the literature suggests that students with ASD have a greater preference for other accommodations (e.g., Accardo, Kuder, & Woodruff, 2019). Notably, the bulk of relevant studies occurred prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought about increased social isolation across the population.  Our review underscores the gap between what institutions commonly offer and what students actually find most useful. While universities often emphasize social integration initiatives, students with ASD consistently report valuing academic accommodations, especially those that support their individual differences in learning needs (e.g. faculty mentoring, transition-to-college programs). This suggests that the effectiveness of support depends not only on the type of accommodation, but also on alignment with individual students’ unique circumstances . 

Our review identifies consistent patterns of preference for individualized supports, and highlights an emerging interest in flexible, technology-based forms of social engagement. Overall, evidence suggests that effective postsecondary support for students with ASD must offer options that respect students’ varying levels of social comfort and independence. 

Still, it seems reasonable that individual perception of need for social support may have changed since the original measures were completed (pre-COVID). The current study aimed to examine this possibility in currently enrolled college students with ASD. 

 

There has been limited research over the past decades surrounding how gender identity intersects with autism spectrum disorders. Current literature on this topic reviews trends in comorbidity between gender dysphoria and ASD, the role of masking and camouflaging, and autistic interpretations of gender roles and social expectations. Across qualitative and quantitative studies, a consistent trend emerges indicating that autistic individuals assigned female at birth (AFAB) report higher rates of gender dysphoria, nonbinary identities, and broader gender-diverse expression. Qualitative findings further suggest that autistic AFAB individuals often describe gender identity development as intertwined with reduced conformity to social norms, heightened self-awareness, and the complexities of masking that shape their navigation of gender.

However, existing reviews present several limitations. Prior meta-analyses report conflicting findings regarding gender differences in the prevalence of gender dysphoria among autistic populations, and many rely on clinical samples that may not reflect broader community experiences. Additionally, most published reviews synthesize literature only through 2020–2023, leaving more recent empirical work unexamined despite rapid growth in research on both autism and gender diversity. These gaps limit clarity on whether observed trends represent stable patterns or artifacts of sampling, diagnostic bias, or shifting cultural contexts.

This project addresses these limitations by updating and refining existing literature reviews, synthesizing studies published since 2024, and evaluating whether newer evidence clarifies or complicates earlier conclusions. More specifically, it examines how recent research contributes to understanding gender identity development among autistic AFAB individuals and identifies where inconsistencies persist, with the goal of informing future intersectional and longitudinal research as well as gender-affirming clinical practice.

Parents are encouraged to read to young children, yet little is known about the content of books for those aged five and under. Research suggests that children’s books contain more diverse vocabulary than everyday speech (Montag, 2015), and that children better connect images to real-life objects when illustrations are highly realistic, or “iconic” (Ganea et al., 2008; Simcock & DeLoache, 2006). However, it remains unclear whether parents tend to select books with highly iconic images, or how common such images are in children’s picture books overall.

To investigate this, we compared the top 100 picture books selected by parents with 100 randomly chosen books from six Indiana counties (N=1200), using 2023 library circulation data. Books were categorized as simple lines, basic drawings, detailed drawings, photographs, or mixed (Wagner, 2017). 

Preliminary results show no significant difference in iconicity between parent-selected books (M = 2.48, SE = 0.030, Mdn = 2.0) and random books (M = 2.53, SE = 0.057, Mdn = 3.0), t(568) = 0.85, p = .4. Coding of the remaining books will be completed by SOURCE, with updated analyses to follow.

Overall, parent-selected books appear representative of children’s books in general. However, picture books tend to have relatively low iconicity, suggesting a need for greater emphasis on realistic imagery in publishing and selection practices.

Theory of mind (ToM) is the ability to understand that people have different thoughts, beliefs, emotions, and knowledge that differs from one’s own. It plays a key role in children’s social development, cognitive development, empathy, and understanding others’ perspectives. ToM is developed through social interaction and language exposure. Children’s books that highlight various thoughts and feelings, therefore, an important tool for fostering ToM. Research shows that language surrounding various mental states in these books support this ToM. For instance, kids’ understanding of ToM and their use of ToM-related vocabulary is associated with improved narrative understanding. When parents incorporate this kind of language while reading, it is connected to more ToM skills. However, not all books include ToM content, and the amount of commonly read books that contain ToM language is unclear. To explore this, a dataset of the 100 most circulated children’s books from six Indiana libraries (600 total) was analyzed. So far, 438 books have been transcribed. Using the Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count program, we analyzed the frequency of ToM-related words, focusing on terms like “think,” “feel,” and “know.” Preliminary findings show that ToM language rarely appears, averaging 1.68 words per book, with a wide range from 0 to 19. Although present, ToM language is limited in many popular books. Caregivers and educators can support development by choosing books with more ToM-related content and encouraging discussion during reading.

Children’s literature exposes young readers to diverse perspectives, cultures, and emotional language that shape vocabulary development. Research indicates that emotional language plays a key role in expanding children’s vocabularies (Green & Sun, 2024), and cross-cultural studies show that emotional words appear at similar rates across picture books (Okumura et al., 2024). Because children learn to associate words with emotions early in development, it is important that they encounter both positive and negative emotional language. This study examines the prevalence of positive and negative tone words in children’s literature by analyzing the top 100 picture books checked out in 2023 across six Indiana counties.

To conduct this analysis, we developed a coding manual based on the Montag Database (Montag et al., 2015), which standardizes how text is transcribed. Only text that would be read aloud to a child is included, excluding words embedded in illustrations. To date 438 books, of the 600 in the dataset,  have been transcribed. The Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count program identified the number of words with negative and positive tone. 

Preliminary results indicate that positive tone words (M = 3.9, SD = 4.47) appear significantly more frequently than negative tone words (M = 1.39, SD = 1.81), t(437) = 11.1, p < .001, and updated results will be presented at SOURCE following completion of transcription.

Overall, children’s literature shows a strong bias toward positive emotional language, suggesting that exposure to negative emotion vocabulary may need to occur through other contexts.

This paper examines the meaning of suffering in relation to faith through a dialogue between Søren Kierkegaard’s accounts of despair and absurd faith and St. John of the Cross’s doctrine of the Dark Night of the Soul. Drawing on The Sickness Unto Death and Fear and Trembling, it argues that Kierkegaard’s conception of the self as a synthesis grounded in God provides a metaphysical and existential framework for interpreting the Dark Night as a divinely initiated process of purification. In both thinkers, suffering is not merely a psychological burden but the site in which the self is stripped of finite supports and brought into a direct, paradoxical relation to God. The paper further develops the notion of “present-eternal” faith, contending that faith is enacted in the immediacy of suffering rather than deferred to an eschatological future. By reading Kierkegaard alongside St. John, the paper shows how despair and divine absence function not as negations of faith but as conditions of its transformation, culminating in a mode of trust that persists precisely in darkness.

Reality competition shows like Survivor provide a rich context for examining the strategic performance of gender in socially mediated environments. This study investigates how gendered strategies of play, classified as masculine, feminine, blended, or gender-neutral, affect contestant success and audience perception across four seasons of Survivor. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected from quantitative metrics, qualitative coding, and audience popularity rankings. Results reveal a consistent pattern; all four Sole Survivor winners employed blended strategies, which also garnered high audience approval. Feminine strategies were associated with runner-up placements and moderate popularity, while masculine strategies often led to earlier elimination and variable fan reception. Demographic data indicates that blended strategies were effective across age, background, and gender identity, highlighting adaptability and social flexibility as key determinants of success. These findings align with theoretical frameworks of gender performativity (Butler 1999) and impression management (Goffman 1959), illustrating that gendered behaviors in social contexts are fluid, context dependent, and strategically employed. Moreover, audiences display a cultural preference for contestants who navigate social complexity with both relational and assertive competencies. Overall, the findings reflect that effective gameplay in modern Survivor relies on the ability to blend, adapt, and strategically manage gendered behaviors.