Faculty Proceedings April 3-4, 2018

Jiliang Li

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CES

Title: Teaching Urbanization Effects with Local and Regional Detention Facilities

Abstract: ABSTRACT: This proposed posterpaper focuses on the application of cases applications study of fundamentals of before and after urbanization effects on the peak runoff rate and infiltration rate before and after urbanization. Local example of flooding retention pond facilities immediately on and around ____ University ____ campus and regional large scale reservoirs included in the TARP (Tunnel And Reservoir Program) around the greater Chicago areas are resorted to help students understand and appreciate the great importance of hydrologic engineering in any civil and environmental engineering program. With the urbanization and subdivision development, it is recommended that the backyard swimming pool construction be regulated especially in those flooding prone zone areas. Understanding of surface water hydrology is highlighted as it is closely tied to geotechnical engineering and even in real property investment.

Jin Lu

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CHESS

Title: From Pagan Virtues to the Salvation of Non-Christians

Abstract: Wang Changzhi (1899-1960), S. J. was one of China’s most important Catholic theologian, educator and writer in both French and Chinese. Wang’s publications in French, conceived during his long years in France (1927-1937), were anchored in the Jesuit circle which was seeking to renew and update Catholic theology for the concerns of modern times, a movement that produced, among others, eminent Vatican II theologians such as Henri de Lubac (one of Wang’s lifelong correspondent) and Jean Daniélou. The chapter aims to assess Wang Changzhi’s contribution by examining his foundational works published in French in the 1930s: his two dissertations, one on Wang Yangming’s moral philosophy (La philosophie morale de Wang Yang-ming, 1936), and the other on Augustine and pagan virtues (Saint Augustin et les vertus des païens, 1938). By reading them in light of one another while situating them in the global Catholic context in which they were created, I intend to show how, by systematically delving into the thorny problem of the salvation of non-Christians, Wang participated significantly in the theological movements that ultimately culminated in Vatican II. In the first book, he analyzed the ideas of a Chinese philosopher who sought moral perfection; in the second, he attempted to prove, from a theological standpoint, that some non-Christians are truly virtuous and may be saved. In the case of Wang Yangming, Wang Changzhi sought to interpret Chinese wisdom traditions in ways that affirmed and resonated with Christianity, presenting thus a Chinese philosopher who searched for and practiced true virtues. By studying Augustine in the context of the theological debates of his time, Wang intended to prove that the Doctor of Grace, despite some of his harshest statements, does not oblige us to refuse to all pagans the possibility of true virtues or any hope for salvation.

Ying Luo

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: COT

Title: Context-preserving Visual Privacy Protection

Abstract: While privacy is among the top concerns in recording videos in naturalistic environments, some studies have indicated that privacy sanitization of video by blurring the environment may obfuscate important interactions, thereby lowering the utility of the recorded video. In addition, the video data is likely of interests to a variety of stakeholders including researchers, clinicians, teachers, administrators, consultants, and trainees. It is thus a challenging task to design a suitable privacy sanitization scheme that could maintain the utility of the video while providing the right level of protection for different stakeholders. The goal of my project is to provide a distributed cloud-based video recording, analysis, storage framework to balance utility, privacy, security and efficiency so as to enable different stakeholders to share information and exchange opinion about the observation data. My approach of visual privacy protection is to provide a wide spectrum of privacy sanitization schemes so that the data owner can select different schemes for different types of observers in order to hit the “sweet spot” between privacy and utility. In addition, I preserve the important social context by retaining the behavior of the protected individuals in the form of body posture and simple facial animation. My strategy is to parameterize the different privacy sanitization schemes along two dimensions: (a) the extent of a privacy bubble around the subject, and (b) the strength of the privacy filter in protecting the environment. The extent of the privacy bubble controls the size of the observation window, in physical distance, around the subject of interest. The strength of the privacy filter controls the visual details revealed in the imagery. This project is still in-progress, while the essential parts of privacy bubble and various protection levels of privacy filters have been implemented and can be demonstrated during discover day.

Barbara Mania-Farnell

Named Collaborators: Benjamin Best,1; Sonali Nayak,1; Emily Hayes,1; Takao Tsurubuchi,1; Yuping Dereck Li,1; Gordan Grahovac,1; Nitin R. Wadhwani, 4; Chandra Shekhar; Mayanil,1, 2, 3; Charles David James,3 ;Tadanori Tomita1, 3; Guifa Xi,1, 2, 31. Falk Brain Tumor Center,

College(s) Represented: CES

Title: Bone morphogenetic protein 4 drives neural stem cell differentiation via decreasing H3K4me3

Abstract: Higher order chromatin structure is an important contributor to the regulation of gene expression. Neural stem cells (NSCs) possess two primary capacities: they can self-renew and differentiate into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. Precise spatiotemporal gene expression patterns, especially expression of developmental genes, such as bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) dictate NSC fate. Expression patterns of these genes are tightly controlled by chromatin status. Posttranslational histone modifications regulate gene expression through chromatin structure, and play critical roles in determining NSC fate. Histones are key components of chromatin, associated with active or inactive gene expression (5, 7, 8), and subject to a wide variety of dynamic post-translational modifications (PTMs). Histones and associated modifications are essential in human NSC self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation. Trimethylation of lysine 4 at histone 3 (H3K4me3) at transcription start sites, is associated with the 5' regions of virtually all actively-expressed genes. This histone modification has a strong positive correlation with gene transcription rates, polymerase II promoter occupancy, cell identity and transcriptional consistency. Alterations in H3K4me3 and its modifiers are pivotal in determining mammalian embryonic stem cell (ESC) and NSC fate. BMP4 is critical in central (CNS) and peripheral (PNS) nervous system development, regulating self-renewal and differentiation of human NSCs and neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Inhibition of BMP4 during early embryonic development leads to neural induction. Following gastrulation, BMP4 specifies NSCs and neural progenitor cells (NPCs) towards neuronal lineage commitment in the CNS and PNS. Mechanisms of BMP4 action on human NSC self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation need to be identified; including potential effects on chromatin via histone modifications, such as H3K4me3. Here, we show that BMP4 alters chromatin structure in human NSCs by decreasing H3K4me3 at promoters of key genes associated with human NSC self-renewal and differentiation. Addition of exogenous BMP4 inhibits proliferation and promotes human NSC differentiation. BMP4 exerts this function through decreasing H3K4me3 occupancy at target gene promoters, including Oct4, CCND1 and Nestin. Hence, BMP4 is essential for switching from self-renewal to differentiation in human NSCs.

Lash Mapa

Named Collaborators: Sean Randunne, student; Nadun Gajapala, student; Gaveen Godage, student; Kavishka Fernando

College(s) Represented: COT

Title: Focused Manufacturing Project Experience for high School Students – Lessons learned

Abstract: There has been numerous articles published on the lack of interest in youth engaging in manufacturing to fill the severe shortage of a skilled workforce to function in advanced manufacturing workplaces. To meet this demand, it is necessity to show a path to stimulate manufacturing education and promoting the development of a highly skilled, STEM-capable workforce. The students need to experience computer aided design, modelling and 3D printing to rid the image thatmanufacturing is outdated, is dirty, physical and labor intensive. Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are crucial fields for driving innovation and competiveness. To address this negative mindset among high school students, a summer technology program was developed. The goal was to introduce the students utilizing discipline specific instructors to assist in problem solving. Students were given the freedom to choose any product that interests them, and an opportunity was provided to design, fabricate and assemble the item bringing real-world project based learning experiences to them. At the culmination of the two week program the students presented a scientific oral presentation that was assisted by the faculty. This paper presents how the projects were selected, samples of project creations, final project outcome and presentations.

Maureen Mascha

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: COB

Title: Auditing the Auditors

Abstract: The Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) inspection process identifies deficiencies related to how firms conduct audits. Our work extends prior research by examining the type of internal control audit deficiencies. Internal control audit deficiencies of both types may increase the risk of material misstatement, so the PCAOB is concerned with whether audit firms are performing appropriate procedures to identify entity-level and application-level internal control audit deficiencies, including those involving information technology general controls (ITGCs). Using text analysis to examine audit deficiencies by internal control type and firm size, we find that PCAOB inspection reports identify significantly more application-level than entity-level control audit deficiencies. Application-level control deficiencies generally involve revenue, inventory, and accounts receivable accounts whereas entity-level deficiencies often involve lack of centralized controls or controls over period end financial reporting. The number of application-level deficiencies identified for both Big 4 and second-tier firms varied between inspection years 2010 and 2015. However, the number of entity-level deficiencies, including ITGCs for both Big 4 and second-tier firms, held nearly steady during the period. Our findings should be of interest to practicing accountants, regulators, and other users of PCAOB inspection reports.

Paul McGrath

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CHESS

Title: A COMPARISON OF MORTGAGE DELINQUENCIES: INDIANA VS THE U.S.

Abstract: The burst of the housing bubble in the United States and subsequent mortgage crises exposed weaknesses in the economy leading to the recent Great Recession. Indiana, particularly its northwest region, experienced a miserable few years as a result. Using quarterly data collected by the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) for the period 1979 through the third quarter of 2015, we will examine the behavior of past-due mortgages and foreclosures for Indiana relative to the U.S. This comparison is for all mortgages, as well as for specific product types (e.g., sub-prime, Federal Home Loan, Veterans Affairs). Historically, the rate of past due mortgages has been slightly higher in Indiana than the U.S., as a whole. We will posit some reasons for this difference. Interestingly, troublesome issues began to appear in Indiana earlier than the U.S. as a whole. This is particularly true of the subprime mortgage category. The 2000 - 2001 recession, while not terribly challenging for the nation as a whole, was damaging to Indiana and other states, such as Wisconsin, where manufacturing employment comprises a larger portion of the workforce. As a result, beginning in the year 2000 delinquencies increased more significantly in Indiana than the rest of the U.S. and never fell to previous recession rates. This change was particularly seen in subprime mortgages.

Maged Mikhail

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: COT

Title: Developing Dynamic Navigation Software for a Laser Guided Autonomous Mobile Robot

Abstract: The demand for autonomous machines is becoming increasingly present in today’s growing economy. Autonomous robots and machines can provide services that are physically or economically infeasible for humans alone. To fill this demand for useful and relatively inexpensive services, autonomous machines must be reliable and efficient. This paper is focused on developing a guidance software system method for autonomous mobile robots. A mobile robot using an integrated Wavefront algorithm and an advanced laser sensor was able to complete tasks in a dynamic environment with accuracy and speed. The integrated system was developed in a MATLAB virtual environment and was tested in the real world by using a Pioneer mobile robot attached with a Hokuyo laser. Many scenarios were conducted, and the results showed the navigation system integrated with the robot was able to efficiently and accurately reach its goal destination, while avoiding dynamic obstacles

Maged Mikhail

Named Collaborators: Lash Mapa , Lmapa@pnw.edu

College(s) Represented: COT

Title: Research Experience for High School Students using a Robotic arm

Abstract: This paper presents an exploratory project to expose high school students to research experiences in the field of robotics that has brought changes in the socio-economic life. Robotics is an emerging field and to engage youth in STEM fields that may lead to research and industrial careers, an interdisciplinary approach is essential to keep their interest and curiosity. To provide this educational and research experience to high school students, a pilot project on a robotic arm was initiated in Summer 2017 in the Department of Engineering Technology with a team of two high school students and an eighth grader under the supervision of two Faculty members. The plan was to test the success of a focused exposure with a small group. Based on the success of the pilot project and feedback received from the students, it would be extended to a larger group in the future as part of the outreach programs of the University. Potential funding support from external agencies will be solicited to engage a larger diverse audience. In this paper, the related project activities performed by the students and results are reported.

Paolo Miranda

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: COB

Title: WHO INFLUENCES WHO? THE RELATION BETWEEN INDEX RETURNS AND CONSUMPTION SURVEYS

Abstract: The consumption model of asset prices is based on consumption expectations being the determinant of asset prices. By using consumer and business confidence surveys for 10 countries, with the corresponding stock market indexes, it is shown the stock market indexes to influence the surveys more than the other way around. This result suggests consumers and businesses using the stock market as a barometer for the state of the economy, which could affect the results of regressions where the return on the stock market is the dependent variable and consumption changes the independent variable.

Songtao Mo

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: COB

Title: AN EXAMINATION OF QUIZZES, STUDENT MOTIVATION, AND EXAM PERFORMANCE IN AN AUDITING COURSE

Abstract: This paper examines how a student’s attitude towards quizzes impacts course performance. The data for this research project was extracted from gradebooks from an upper stream accounting course. In this course, students were given the change to drop the three lowest out of eleven quiz grades. Some students carefully calculated the points that they needed to get their desired grades (grade-motivated students), while others paid more attention to the learning materials (learning-motivated students). Comparing the two groups of students, this paper examines student’s attitude towards the dropping polices, and how the student’s attitude was reflected in their exam performance. Implications are useful for business educators to design quizzes and quiz related policies to improve learning outcomes.

Songtao Mo

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: COB

Title: A TEACHING CASE ON STOCK OPTION EXPENSING

Abstract: The measurement and reporting issues of stock option expenses have been the topic for debate for many years. In 1995, Financial Accounting Standard Board (FASB) released Statement of Financial Accounting Statement No. 123 (SFAS 123) “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”. SFAS 123 required companies to present the pro forma earnings as if the value of the stock options granted for the current period were expenses. The revision of SFAS 123, titled “Share-Based Payment” was subsequently released in 2004. Effective in 2006, SFAS 123R mandates public companies to use the fair value on the grant day when measuring stock options granted to employees in exchange for their services. Additionally, public companies are required to report the costs over the requisite service period. This case follows the history of accounting treatments of stock options and the related controversial issues. The primary objective of this case is to provide students an opportunity to understand the development of stock options, different accounting considerations of stock options, and the implications of various accounting treatments on financial statements and stock price performance. This case attempts to encourage students to think critically outside of the box, and to research beyond text to gather more information from available sources for decision making. This instructional case can be used in accounting research, financial statement analysis courses on upper undergraduate or graduate levels.

Miranda Morley

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CHESS

Title: DERL: A Reader's Best Friend

Abstract: DERL, A Reader’s Best Friend The Double Entry Research Log (DERL) is a writing activity that operates as a metacognitive learning strategy to improve students’ reading abilities. In our poster session, we will share how the DERL works and why teachers should use DERLs to support their students’ reading and learning. We argue that the DERL is an excellent metacognitive reading strategy that is easy to manage in the classroom. Our research with first-year writers and international students at PNW shows how the DERL helps with comprehension, analysis, and synthesis of reading materials. Students must bring to language their ideas about the text they are reading, putting others’ ideas in their own words. The DERL especially prepares international students who worry about speaking in class discussion. By completing the DERL, international students prepare a script from which they may read or refer to during class, making speaking and sharing less stressful. In addition, the DERL guides international students to read closely, encouraging them to digest the reading in "chunks" to ensure understanding before moving on to the next section. With repeated use of the DERLs, students not only become conscious of the way they think but also internalize and synthesize the subject matter of a course. Synthesis of multiple reading materials becomes manageable for students because the significant points are highlighted in the DERLs. This synthesis leads students to new ideas and creative ways of seeing what they are studying. Our poster will address 1) the pedagogical rational for using DERLs, 2) methods for employing DERLs, 3) benefits for students, and 4) benefits for the instructor who can easily track students’ progress by identifying their strengths and challenges. We hope to convince PNW teachers to continue the use of DERLs in their upper-division classes.

Mary Morrow

Named Collaborators: Denise Comet Dillard, DILLARD Consulting, LLC & The Methodist Hospitals

College(s) Represented: CON

Title: Influencing a Diverse Nursing Workforce to Reduce Health Disparities: Developing Academic and Community Partnerships Phase I

Abstract: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, racial minorities in the United States continue to experience a disproportionate burden of health conditions. The Institute of Medicine recommends increasing the racial diversity of the healthcare workforce as an important approach for improving the nation’s health and reducing health disparities. In Northwest Indiana the nursing workforce lacks the diversity of its population and Lake County ranks near the bottom of health outcomes. If the nursing workforce is to be adequately diversified, there is a critical need for key stakeholders to develop strategies to recruit and retain underrepresented minority groups into the nursing field. Some healthcare institutions have implemented interventions and support for the newly graduated nurse. However, it is unknown what if any strategies are focused on the recruitment and retention of the minority nurse. If implemented, the impact of these strategies is also unknown. The first phase of this research project is to systematically review the evidence on RN workforce diversity to determine the best available evidence related to institutional structures and processes for influencing where a diverse nursing workforce distributes itself. The review will consider studies that include the following outcomes: • Primary - recruitment typically measured by the number hired in a fiscal year and retention typically measured by the number who actively resigned divided by number on board in a fiscal year. • Secondary - minority nurses' job satisfaction and turnover intention measured by objective quantitative instruments. Whereas, this systematic review will focus on interventions specific for recruiting and retaining the minority nurse, conducting a systematic review to identify institutional practices that positively correlate with influencing a diverse workforce can lead to the development of best available guidelines and practices for healthcare institutions to adopt in attracting and retaining racial and ethnic minority nurses.

Yu Ouyang

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CHESS

Title: Toward a Better Understanding of Unilateral Executive Power

Abstract: To what extent do presidents use the many tools in the unilateral tool-chest? How have the uses of unilateral directives changed over time? Are there distinctions in terms of how the different unilateral tools are used? Scholars of presidential unilateral actions have examined with renewed interests the extent to which presidents issue unilateral directives to make public policy. Though insightful, existing works may be problematic given that they usually only examine a single type of unilateral action at a time, such as executive orders. Borrowing from machine learning strategies, we apply a novel text analytical method to examine a comprehensive dataset of unilateral actions. We also analyze executive directives using decision trees. These represent the first empirical analyses of all publicly-available executive unilateral directives. Specifically, we examine: (1) the extent to which the issue areas in which unilateral directives are used has changed over time and (2) what distinguishes one form of unilateral directives from another. We find that not only has the use of unilateral actions in general increased over time, presidents have also considerably expanded the range of issue areas where they apply unilateral power. In addition, we find out that while the performance of the economy best predicts the type of directives that presidents will issue, directives, of different stripes, share as much (if not more) commonalities as each other than they do differences. Results have implications for both the unilateral presidency and broader works in executive decision-making.