In Memoriam: Darrell Anderson

Darrell Anderson, a theatre program professor with more than 40 years of service to the University of Dayton and the Dayton arts and theater communities, died Sept. 19. He was 70

Virtual series to examine history of racism, segregation in Dayton area

Three University of Dayton faculty and staff are partnering with the mayor’s office to host a three-part series examining the region’s history of racism, segregation and systemic bias

Symposium engages campus as part of the global community

Since its inception in 2018, the Global Voices Symposium has worked to foster a broader definition of community at the University of Dayton by encouraging students, faculty and staff to promote a global consciousness and awareness on campus and beyond

Discussion on housing justice continues with upcoming Imagining Community symposium

The Dayton region, UD faculty, staff and students will continue the conversation on housing justice during the second Imagining Community symposium

The Relationship Between Self-Esteem and Drinking Motives in First and Second-Year College Students

The purpose of the study is to examine the relationships between alcohol use, self-esteem, and drinking motives among first and second-year college students. Relevant research has been conducted on these variables separately. This study aims to fill a research gap by examining the dynamic relationships and interactions between these variables. This study is focused exclusively on first and second-year students, as these populations are of a higher risk of alcohol use and its related consequences (Borsari, Murphy, & Barnett, 2007). Methods: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of a mid-sized public liberal arts institution in the Northeastern United States. Data were collected through electronic surveys administered through a campus-based survey platform. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 24. The survey was anonymous and all data were maintained electronically and only accessible by the researchers. Discussion: The current study examined a gap within existing research which evaluated relationships between drinking motives, self-esteem and alcohol consumption. Significant findings are to be discussed as well as what future research and future preventative programming can do based on findings from this current study. Limitations: The limitations of this study include a small student sample from a single university. Within this small sample, it was overrepresented of female students compared to the institution’s demographics. Given the study’s focus on alcohol consumption, and many students being underage, they could have been skeptical of a confidentiality breach, however, confidentiality was ensured. Socially desirable responding (SDR) is a known limitation where respondents have a tendency to unconsciously respond with more positive answers than what is true (Melson, Monk, Heim, 2016). This could be especially problematic when reporting about alcohol consumption, responding with lower usage values than actual usage. Conclusion: This study examined the relationship between drinking motives, self-esteem and drinking behaviors among first and second-year college students, with significant findings among these variables. These findings can inform programming for prevention of harmful drinking behaviors and associated consequences among the priority population of those with low self-esteem and coping motives as well as enhancement and social motives. Future studies could expand on these variables to learn more, doing so through detailed studies and larger study samples

Students gain real-world experience, professional development opportunities through College of Arts and Sciences storytelling positions

Ashley Junkunc ’21 arrived at UD with a powerful story of survival and a desire to help others facing significant health challenges after overcoming the cancer diagnosis that threatened her life just a few years earlier

Spatial and Seasonal Variations in Aridification Across Southwest North America

The Southwestern region of North America (SWNA) is projected to become more arid throughout the 21st century as precipitation (P) and evaporation (E) rates change with increasing global temperatures. Trends in the regional surface moisture balance (P−E) of SWNA vary between the arid southern subregion (mostly Northern Mexico) and the more temperate northern subregion (Southwest US), depending on the relative contributions of cold and warm season P and E. Interpreting the spatial and seasonal variations of the projected aridification is important for understanding the potential impacts of climate change on SWNA regional hydrology. We compare the projected trends in P, E, and P−E in CMIP5 global climate model projections, for the northern and southern subregions of SWNA between the extended cold and warm seasons. Both subregions become drier (i.e., negative trend in P−E) in the 21st century. The drying trend is biggest in the cold season surface moisture balance, which contributes much of the base flow to rivers in the Southwest US. We show that the downward trend in the cold season P−E is caused primarily by increasing E in the northern subregion, and by decreasing P in the southern subregion. Decreasing P is the primary contributor to small warm season drying trends in the northern and southern subregions of SWNA. P accounts for most of the interannual variability in SWNA P−E and is strongly correlated with Pacific Ocean temperature anomalies associated with the El Niño Southern Oscillation and the Pacific Decadal Oscillation during the cold season. However, SWNA aridification is distinguished from the region\u27s natural climate variability because it is caused by long-term trends in P and E that are related to global warming. This is most evident in the cold season surface moisture balance of the northern subregion, where the temperature-driven trend in E (upward) is greater than the trend in P (downward). Trends in P and E account for a considerable fraction of the total variance in 21st century P−E and cause the cold season surface moisture balance of the northern and southern subregions to drop below the range of interannual variability by the end of the 21st century

Effect of degradability of protein on milk production and composition of early lactation cows

A feeding trial was conducted to determine the effects upon milk production and milk composition of cows fed either a high degradable protein source or a low degradable protein source. Initially 18 cows were used in a switchback design with three experimental periods. Due to illness and a desire to keep sub class numbers equal, four were dropped. The high degradable protein source consisted of barley, ear corn, shelled corn, soybean meal, salt, and trace minerals ground and ensiled at a 70% dry matter level. The low degradable protein source consisted of brewers dried grains, distillers dried grains, shelled corn, soybean meal (heated to 135°C for eight hours), salt, and trace minerals ground and bagged dry. Each cow received 7 lbs. alfalfa hay, and silage in a 3:2 as fed ratio with concentrate fed free choice to permit 10% refusal. Each experiment period lasted 28 days with the first seven days of each period being an adjustment period. Weekly composition AM and PM milk samples were taken and analyzed for total solids and crude protein. Milkfat data were obtained via the Dairy Herd Improvement Association. Feed samples were taken every 10 days and analyzed for crude protein, crude fiber, acid detergent fiber, ash, dry matter, and ether extract. Protein solubility was determined on the first and last feed samples obtained. Body weights were taken weekly and milk weights were recorded daily. Milk yield and composition between the experimental groups did not differ significantly. Dry matter intake and crude protein intake did differ significantly between groups but was a created difference due to the difference in dry matter between the two diets. Body weights did not differ significantly between the two diets