Ascent Sequences: Recursive, Jumping, and Restricting

An ascent sequence, α=a1,a2,...,an, is a sequence of positive integers with a1= 0, and αk+1 ≤ asc(αk)+1. In this project we focused on counting the number of ascent sequences with specific properties. Our goal was to find a formula to calculate the number of ascent sequences with any set length, number of ascents, or other property. Additionally, we adjusted the definition of ascent sequences to count and study sequences of similar forms. This presentation will showcase our methods and our findings obtained through our research on ascent sequences

Cranial Morphology and Feeding Behavior in the Madagascan Fossa

The fossa is widely known as the largest land mammal in Madagascar belonging to the family Eupleridae. Despite its cat-like appearance, some of its traits and behaviors indicate its close relation to the mongoose and civet families Herpestidae and Viverridae, respectively. This study investigated the relationship between cranial morphology and dietary and hunting adaptations in the fossa. Several cranial features that have been shown to be good indicators of feeding and killing behavior were analyzed in the Fossa and its closest relatives as well as in inland African carnivoran species in the families Felidae and Hyenidae. The Fossa displayed a combination of cranial features that were more similar to those of the mongoose and hyena including a significantly longer snout than the cats, a relatively smaller masseter muscle, and relatively smaller moment-arms of both the temporalis and masseter muscles. The Fossa was also more similar to inland carnivoran species (hyenids and cats) than to the mongoose in having a significantly greater mechanical advantage at the lower first molar. The mechanical advantage at the canine was greatest in cats which differed significantly from the Fossa, mongoose and hyena, which displayed lower values. These results indicate that the fossa has undergone convergent evolution that has resulted in a mosaic of skull characteristics resembling not only the mongoose but also hyenids and cats

Plate Load Assist: Utilizing Engineering to Simplify Laboratory Techniques

Semiquantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) is used to detect and quantify RNA to measure relative gene expression. qRT-PCR is often done on a 96-well plate because they allow analysis of multiple samples at once. Some volumes added to each well were as small as 1 µl, which is approximately 1/30 of a drop. Due to the nature of the numerous wells, the small volumes used in the experiment, and demand for accuracy of measurements, a human issue arose; not remembering if certain wells had been filled or not. This problem was rectified utilizing computer software to design and produce a physical tool through 3D printing. As this 3D printed tool was to be used in a laboratory setting, many important considerations went into the design process, such as maximizing sterility, while also producing something that is easy to use and effective. The design of the tool resembles a box without a top or bottom which fits around the 96-well plate. On one of the shorter sides, there are holes to fit PCR tubes, for ease of pipetting, and there is a slit near the top of the box for 14 sliders fit. Only 13 sliders should be in the slit when pipetting, exposing one column of wells at a time. Once a column is filled, the sliders can be pushed over to expose new wells, while also covering the wells just loaded. This tool can be used to help rectify a common accident in molecular biology labs

Competitive vs. Non-Competitive Districts

Supporters of nonpartisan districting argue that nonpartisan districting will make politics less partisan by creating competitive districts that encourage legislators to move to the middle. Previous research suggests that the relationship between district makeup and legislator partisanship is complicated. I approach this topic by asking the question: “Are Ohio legislators in more marginal (competitive) districts more likely to move to the middle (moderate) than those in non-competitive districts?” By analyzing multiple measures of polarization (ACU scores, Shor-McCarty scores, and Bonica scores) we discovered..

Art: Two-Handed Subalternity

This multi-media project offers an aesthetic representation of themes, tropes, topics, or concepts taken up in the course, such as “Orientalism” or “Third Person Consciousness”; silencing “the Other”/ “the Orient”; The Algerian War; restoring agency to the subaltern; the impact of the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade

Client Satisfaction and Class Attendance in Refugee Clients

The purpose of this descriptive research project is to investigate the relationship between the class attendance and the satisfaction ratings for clients in the Matching Grant program who must come to class in contrast with clients who choose to come to class. To explore this topic, client data was gathered through a survey, which asked questions varying from their opinion on job and English classes to employment and agency services. This survey was distributed at the beginning of English class and had 15 respondents varying in Matching Grant participation and class attendance. The results will be discussed further on during the presentation

Adverse Childhood Experiences Scores Associated with Hispanic Undocumented Mothers and Documented Mothers

The Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire measures traumatic childhood events. The ACE score gives insight into how trauma may negatively affect adult health. In the Every Child Succeeds Program at Santa Maria Community Services, home visitors must complete an ACE questionnaire with clients within the first six months of enrollment. The ACE score gives home visitors insight into their client\u27s trauma faced in childhood – which allows home visitors to provide personalized and adequate trauma-informed care. The neighborhood of Price Hill, where Santa Maria Community Services is located, is home to many undocumented migrants in Greater Cincinnati – particularly those of Central American descent. The undocumented population faces unique trauma unlike documented individuals – such as the trauma of leaving their home country, the trauma of their journey to the United States, and the trauma of living in the United States undocumented. The Every Child Succeeds Program serves mothers and children of all citizenship statuses. This descriptive research aims to analyze the Adverse Childhood Experiences Questionnaire results for Hispanic undocumented mothers and documented mothers in the Every Child Succeeds Program at Santa Maria Community Services. The information gained from the study can be helpful to home visitors and caseworkers in developing a better understanding of the traumas that Hispanic undocumented mothers face who have migrated to the United States

Physical Activity (PA), Diet, and Body Mass Index (BMI) Association with Cancer Prognosis

ABSTRACT Background: The second leading cause of death in the U.S. is Cancer. Higher rates of cancer diagnosis have been associated with lifestyle factors such as obesity, nutrition, and physical activity. Methods: The current study utilized the 2021 Southwest Ohio regional Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) data to assess the relationship between the existence of a cancer diagnosis, weight, diet and exercise. A secondary analysis of 8,321 participants CHNA used correlation statistics to test the hypotheses that: 1) higher rates of obesity, lower rates of exercise, and higher rates of unhealthy diet were positively correlated with the presence of cancer diagnosis. Results: The study sample was79.4% White, 62.6% female 60% employed, 44.4% had college degree or higher, 38.2% made less than $50,000. Presence of Cancer has a weak but positive correlation (r=.08, p Conclusions: As hypothesized, analyses revealed a positive relationship between weight and Cancer and a negative relationship between Cancer and Exercise. However, no relationship was detected between healthy eating and Cancer

Teaching in the Age of AI Tools: Considerations for Xavier\u27s Writing Program

The release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence technologies have raised multiple concerns for educators, including uncertainty about the platform’s abilities and questions on how best to respond to students potentially using AI to complete assignments. In order to address these concerns, research into the current capabilities and limitations of AI programs like ChatGPT was conducted. These metrics were determined based off statements released by OpenAI and other experts in the field of artificial intelligence, along with manual testing of the technology. Building off of these parameters allowed the research to then pivot to potential AI policies that would be the most beneficial to both students and faculty in Xavier University’s Writing Program. The policy was shaped by articles from other educators, advice from organizations such as the Modern Language Association (MLA) and American Psychological Association (APA), statements from educational committees, and resource pages from other Jesuit universities to determine what approaches are encouraged by experts and to see how other institutions of higher education are responding to the hurdles that AI poses