Faculty Proceedings April 3-4, 2018

Neeti Parashar

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CES

Title: Current Motivations in Particle Physics

Abstract: In this presentation, I shall talk about the current physics-motivated drivers of particle physics. The discovery of the Higgs Boson in 2012 can be used as a tool to investigate several critical pending questions about the Higgs itself. There is also a huge impetus to study the properties of neutrinos, especially the origin of neutrino mass, the study of dark matter to probe new physics, understanding the acceleration and inflation of universe via dark energy and explore unknown particles that might exist in nature but have remained elusive.

Libbie Pelter

Named Collaborators: James Takacs, University of Nebraska at Lincoln; Veronika Shoba, University of Nebraska at Lincoln

College(s) Represented: CES

Title: Kinetic Analysis of Catalytic Asymmetric Hydroboration Reactions: Ligand Modification and Regioselectivity

Abstract: Asymmetric catalysis has become one of the most powerful methods to produce single-enantiomer compounds, and it now provides one of the most cost-effective and environmentally responsible methods for the production of a vast array of highly selective products. The Takacs group has established preeminence in the study of catalytic asymmetric hydroboration and during the course of this work they discovered a remarkably mild and efficient rhodium catalyzed asymmetric hydroboration in which the regioselectivity of the reaction is dependent on the ligand used to form the catalyst. In order to better understand this regio-switching an extensive study of the mechanism for the reaction is currently being explored. In this presentation the reaction profile obtained following the Reaction Progress Kinetic Analysis (RPKA) protocols established Blackmond by will be presented. This analysis provides information about the necessary ligand to metal ratio, catalyst stability, and reaction order in substrate and borane. Further analysis gives a proposed rate determining state that leads to ideal regioselectivity and enantioselectivity in the reaction. This affords a basis for the development of proposed reaction mechanisms. Density functional theory calculations will also be presented to offer insight into the energies of proposed transition states or intermediates. The proposed transition states and the structural factors responsible for the observed regioselectivity and asymmetric induction allow us to make new predictions for catalyst and reaction design which will increase catalyst efficiency and selectivity contributing significantly to sustainable chemistry.

Lori Petersen

Named Collaborators: Susan Levine, University of Chicago; James Wauer, University of Chicago; Amanda Netburn, University of Chicago

College(s) Represented: CHESS

Title: Individual differences in spontaneous block play and the relation to geometry skill

Abstract: Individual differences in spatial skills are detected before children begin school, persist throughout development, and are linked to math achievement and career outcomes in STEM disciplines (Casey et al., 1997; Linn & Petersen, 1985). Although previous research has shown that spatial skills can be improved with training, few studies have investigated the naturally occurring input in children’s early environments that influences their spatial reasoning (Levine et al., 2011; Uttal et al., 2013). In the current study, we focused on children’s spontaneous block play. We hypothesized that children who play with blocks will have better conceptual understanding of space and math. We visited 53 parent-child dyads in their homes six times (every four months) between 26- and 46-months. At each visit, we videotaped the dyads for 90 minutes while they engaged in their daily routines. We coded whether children engaged in block play during the home visits. A block play episode was defined as the child playing with blocks or Legos for at least 30 seconds. We gave children a standardized assessment of their geometry skills using the KeyMath Geometry subtest in the third grade. We tested children’s skills in elementary school because spatial and math reasoning are more related when children advance beyond number learning (Wolfgang et al., 2003). Furthermore, geometry is an explicitly spatial-mathematical skill. We analyzed whether children’s individual differences in spontaneous block play in the home before the start of school predicted their performance on a standardized test of geometry, KeyMath Geometry Subtest, in the third grade. We found that the children who played with blocks at least once during the six home visits (M = 53%, SD = .19) solved a higher proportion of the problems correctly than did children who did not play with blocks at least once during the six home visits (M = 39%, SD = .18), t(45) = -2.38, p = .02. As predicted, we found that block play before the start of traditional schooling is associated with higher math achievement in elementary school.

David Pratt

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CHESS

Title: A Little School, Some Field Experience and Big Discoveries: Measuring Early Childhood Educators’ Beliefs

Abstract: This study, funded with a PNW Catalyst Grant, examined the impact of a unique early learning model on preservice early childhood majors at Purdue Northwest’s Westville campus. In 2013 the MSD of New Durham Township joined with the PNW Early Childhood educator preparation program and Dunebrook, a social service agency, to establish the Westville Little School and form a mutually beneficial and innovative partnership. The Little School model, a two-year program co-designed by PNW and Westville school faculty, offers a seamless transition from the early childhood setting into the elementary school within a nurturing, social, language-rich learning environment. The Westville Little School affords the PNW early childhood preservice educators an authentic setting in which to observe best practices and to apply emerging skills and knowledge. A distinct feature of the Little School model is the focus on partnerships and family engagement. The initial intent to expose preservice early childhood educators to this inventive partnership model was sparked by a curiosity about the undergraduates’ beliefs. Specifically, in what ways do the early childhood educators’ beliefs about their role in supporting families and fostering young children’s growth and development change after their field experience at the Little School? First, characteristics of this partnership model were measured using the Indiana Family Engagement Toolkit with parents and administrators. Second, a pre-test post-test within group design was used with two teacher efficacy scales to measure the impact on beliefs on one cohort of preservice early childhood educators. The results of the study confirmed the characteristics of the unique model had an impact on preservice teachers’ efficacy. This presentation highlights the results of the study and explores future areas for investigation.

Vanessa Quinn

Named Collaborators: Elizabeth A. Flaherty - Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University; Casey C. Day - Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University; Rachael E. Urbanek - Department of Environmental Sciences, University of North Carolin

College(s) Represented: CES HON

Title: Using Professional Conferences to Train Students in Hard and Soft Skills

Abstract: Professional conferences are a venue for undergraduate students to build professional skills and their professional identity. Professional conferences also provide opportunities for developing professional social skills such as networking with other professionals in their field of study. These networking skills also provide students the opportunity to investigate potential career options and begin to develop a sense of belonging with others in their academic and career field. However, undergraduate students generally do not attend professional conferences. When undergraduate students do attend they often express feelings of anxiety associated with speaking with professionals in their field, networking with conference participants, and the conference environment and expectations. To address this gap in experience and knowledge of instructors from several institutions developed a course with the objective of training students to attend their first professional conference. Faculty and students met before the conference to discuss expectations and students completed assignments to better understand the conference experience. Faculty and students travel together to the conference and met daily to check on student progress in conference assignments and provide support to students during the conference. Student feedback about the course and the conference experience was positive and indicated that the conference experience was enhanced because of the course. Assessment results indicated that students felt a greater sense of belonging in the profession, improved social relationships with other students and faculty, increases in confidence, a stronger understanding of their career choices pathways to pursue a career in this field (i.e. importance of undergraduate research, gaining experience during college, early career experience, etc.), and a general increase in students’ interest in attending graduate school. Thus, this course prepared undergraduate students from multiple institutions to attend a professional conference, benefit from this professional and social experience, and address and reduce the anxiety students feel about attending a professional conference.

Christina Ragan

Named Collaborators: Brea Regula, PNW (undergraduate)

College(s) Represented: CHESS

Title: THE EFFECTS OF POSTNATAL CLOMIPRAMINE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF OBSESSIVE COMPULSIVE DISORDER: A TWO-GENERATIONAL EPIGENETIC MODEL IN LABORATORY RATS

Abstract: Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) affects approximately 2% of adult Americans and involves repetitive, intrusive thoughts--obsessions--that lead to repetitive and ritualistic behaviors--compulsions. The postpartum period shows increased vulnerability to anxiety disorders including OCD. Anxiety disorders can be transferred to offspring through epigenetic effects, mediated by suboptimal maternal care. Clomipramine, a tricyclic antidepressant that targets serotonin and norepinephrine transporters, is normally used to treat adult OCD. However, exposure during the postnatal period can induce OCD in adulthood in male rats. We examined the effects of postnatal exposure to clomipramine on the development of OCD-like behavior in dams and their offspring. During postnatal days (PND) 9-16, females were treated with either saline or 15 mgkg clomipramine. Around PND 90, females were mated and maternal behavior was observed during postpartum days (PPD) 1-6. On PPD 7, females were tested on the hole board to observe OCD-like behavior. Offspring were tested on the hole board on PND 30 and 90. During PPD 3-4, we observed that postnatal clomipramine-treated dams engaged in more passive nursing compared to postnatal saline-treated dams. In addition, postnatal clomipramine-treated dams made more hole pokes compared to postnatal saline-treated dams. We also found an epigenetic effect of clomipramine treatment, with peri-adolescent offspring of clomipramine-treated females making more hole pokes compared to offspring of saline-treated females. We are currently investigating the molecular mechanisms behind clomipramine-induced epigenetic effects. These findings help to elucidate how development of OCD in offspring may be an indirect effect of early maternal exposure to clomipramine.

Adam Rengstorf

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CES

Title: Near-Earth Asteroid Monitoring Program at the NIRo Observatory

Abstract: The Northwest Indiana Robotic (NIRo) Observatory has been monitoring near-Earth asteroids since 2012 and has had the ability to contribute positional data to the Minor Planet Center (M.P.C.) since 2013. Since that time, 132 observations of 19 different asteroids have been accepted for publication by the M.P.C. Even well-known and much-studied asteroids need to be continually monitored and tracked, as minor perturbations in their established orbits can cause drastic and potentially harmful (to Earth) changes in their future trajectories. Every semester, this program selects asteroids with the appropriate position in space and minimum brightness to be observed from NIRo. With the help of undergraduate researchers from physics and engineering, we observe the asteroids, calibrate and analyze the digital images, determine their precise positions on the sky at the times of observation, prepare the data for submission, and add to the M.P.C.’s database, which is used to periodically update the asteroids’ orbits and publish new trajectories. This poster will summarize the work done to date and highlight the particular asteroids we have observed so far.

Meg Rincker

Named Collaborators: Kay Rowberg, Purdue University Northwest; Takakazu Yamagishi, Nanzan University; Kazuki Kagohari, Nanzan University.

College(s) Represented: CHESS CES

Title: Making the Olympics more environmentally sustainable: a comparison of the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Games

Abstract: In recent years, the International Olympic Committee in Canada countries have work to make the Olympic Games more environmentally sustainable or less harmful and costly to the citizens of the host country as well as their descendants. This interdisciplinary and international project presents a new four-part framework for analyzing and evaluating sustainable development initiatives by the Brazilian and Japanese governments in the Rio 2016 Games and Tokyo 2020 Games.

Eugene Schlossberger

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CHESS

Title: David Hume, Repentance, and Sexual Misconduct

Abstract: The sexual misbehavior of celebrities and politicians perennially grabs headlines. When should sexual misconduct be absolved or forgiven? David Hume says “repentance wipes off every crime, if attended with a reformation of life and manners." Hume held that agents are responsible, ultimately, for acts committed at liberty, and caused not by passing or casual states of the agent, but by enduring motives we regard with moral pleasure or displeasure. Thus, if those enduring motives no longer exist, the blame no longer exists. I suggest instead that people are responsible for instantiating features, that reveal their worldview, that is, the values, attitudes, standards, etc. that constitute their ways of making sense of and responding to the world. Absolution is appropriate, therefore, when an agent’s worldview is no longer reflected at all by the offense. However much a former Nazi repents finding Jews inferior, if he would still kill those he thought inferior, then he is not absolved, since his former misdeeds still express an evil aspect of his character. Hume does not speak much of forgiveness, but Glen Pettigrove has constructed a theory of forgiveness from Hume’s remarks. Given Pettigrove’s account, it is plausible to identify A’s earning forgiveness with A’s purging the motive that produced the wrong. Thus, for Hume, conditions for meriting forgiveness and meriting absolution are roughly identical. Repentance is key for both. I argue that, instead, two factors beyond repentance and change of behavior are critical in earning forgiveness: soul-searching (extensive examination and modification of those elements of one’s worldview expressed by the misdeed) and making amends (action to redress the wrongs and harms). The paper applies Hume’s and my own criteria for absolution and earned forgiveness to recent cases of sexual misbehavior (e.g., Al Franken, Harvey Weintraub).

Rachel Smith

Named Collaborators: Michael Palanski, Rochester Institute of Technology; Michelle Hammond, Oakland University; Gretche Vogelgesang Lester, San Jose State University

College(s) Represented: COB

Title: Cross-Domain Antecedents of Leader Behaviors at Work: An Examination of Leader Identity

Abstract: The 21st century has seen a rapid increase in research surrounding leader identity, exploring the (dis)connect between the "doing" and the "being" of leadership (Day & Harrison, 2007; Derue, Ashford, & Cotton, 2009; Epitropaki, Kark, Mainemelis, & Lord, 2017). Studies have explored how individuals adopt and discard leader identities (Miscenko, Guenter, & Day, 2017), how others grant leadership status to individuals through claiming and granting behaviors (Derue, 2011; Derue et al., 2009), and how leadership development can focus on leader identity in training programs (Miscenko et al., 2017). Research has also explored conflict between identities, noting that an adopted leader identity can oftentimes create dissonance with existing identities, particularly during work transitions such as promotions (Croft, Currie, & Lockett, 2015). In this research, we apply a leader identity framework to examine how social evaluations of an individual's leader identity influence the individual's sense of identity as a leader and subsequent transformational and transactional leadership behaviors at work. Specifically, we propose that individuals who are highly rated in leader identity by others in their family and friends social networks have higher self-ratings of leader identity, which positively impacts their exhibited leadership behaviors as rated by work colleagues. Data from a multi-source, multi-domain 360-degree evaluation of 256 leaders by3,256 raters provided support for the hypothesized model. Implications for theory and practice will be discussed.

Michelle Spaulding

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CES

Title: Examination of Junk DNA in Genomic Evolution Across all Domains

Abstract: Over 95% of the human genome is noncoding or ‘junk’ DNA. Though we are now decades into the ‘genomic revolution’, it is only recently that noncoding DNA has been the focus of major scientific studies. This has led to the discovery of a significant junk DNA disparity between domains; for example, the prokaryote Escherichia coli only has 10% of noncoding DNA. To determine whether an evolutionary selection mediating the accumulation of junk DNA exists, we have conducted a survey of junk DNA proportion and genome efficiency throughout all domains. We found that prokaryotes and archaea possess highly efficient genomes; little junk DNA coupled with a wide variance in nucleotide composition, (as estimated by %GC content). Eukaryotes contain significantly more variable quantities of junk DNA, with the most found in large multi-cellular animals and plants, suggesting a convergent acquisition between these two lineages. Mitochondria, a specialized organelle in eukaryotes acquired through an ancient prokaryotic endosymbiosis, contains its own distinct DNA and represents an ideal model to examine the divergent evolution of junk DNA seen between eukaryotes and prokaryotes. While there is much more significant amounts of junk mitochondrial DNA than in prokaryotes, statistically significant patterns of the composition of mitochondrial and genomic DNA are seen within Eukarya. Animals with higher metabolic rates and larger body sizes appear to be constrained in the accumulation of junk mitochondria and genomic DNA, whereas the primitive state for Eukarya is to allow a wide range of levels of junk DNA. These results suggest that larger mammals have a strong selective pressure that restricts and maintains overall nucleotide composition and efficiency. This work supports the theory that genomic evolution is under both natural selective and non-natural selective forces, contributing to our understanding of the evolutionary history of life at the molecular level.

Michelle Spaulding

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CES

Title: NSF funded project: A Phylogeny of Placental Mammals Based on Paleocene Taxa: Determining the Impact of the K-Pg Extinction on Mammalian Evolutionary History

John Spores

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CHESS

Title: Trends in iPad Use within the Elementary School Classroom: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract: As schools adopt 1:1 technology into their classrooms, wherein students possess their own electronic devices, students and educators alike experience ambivalent feelings and attitudes. However, the data show that there do exist some notable trends. First, there appears to exist an initial high degree of enthusiasm that decreases over time. It has been argued that this may be attributed to a novelty effect in which the initial unique quality of these devices diminishes as they become part of ordinary daily instruction. Yet, there continues to be a dearth of research related to long-term elementary 1:1 adoption, and with technology constantly changing, we believe it is vital to investigate how classroom technology works over extended time periods. The purpose of our research was to conduct a follow-up study with the case of one Midwestern elementary school during its second year of iPad adoption. In particular, our study investigated the manner in which elementary teachers used iPads in their classrooms during the second year of implementation, including the issues experienced, and the perceived benefits and challenges of 1:1 iPads. Based on survey responses, quantitative procedures utilizing frequency data and Chi-square inferential statistics identified both similarities and changes in iPad use both within and across the two-year period. Further, qualitative analysis was used for open-ended survey items. The data showed that while first-year struggles included a lack of professional development training, classroom management issues regarding technology, timing decisions made by administration, technical problems, and poor planning, teachers did find success in differentiating instruction and creating collaborative activities. By comparison, second-year data showed that while confidence in technology use grew, actual usage in certain areas decreased as teachers began to identify the areas of strength and weakness for the iPads in their individual classrooms.

Radmila Stanic

Named Collaborators: Joseph Floramo, PNW

College(s) Represented: CES

Title: Characterization of macrophage-derived exosomes

Abstract: Alveolar macrophages play an important role in the defense against pathogens and clearing the lower airways of the lung. Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a disease that results in compromised abilities to clear infections, particularly in the airways. CF is caused by mutations in the chloride ion channel Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator or CFTR, an ABC transporter ion channel. Absence or dysfunction of CFTR decreases macrophage acidification and may contribute to overall lung pathophysiology. Exosomes are 30-100nm sized vesicles that play a role in cellular communication by transfer of proteins andor nucleic acids between cells including the alveolar macrophage. A macrophage cell line, J774, was utilized to examine whether CFTR is included in exosomes derived from these cells. Exosomes were isolated and confirmed via Western blot expression of the CD63 protein. Primers for exons 11, 12, and 14 of CFTR were used to confirm the presence of the CFTR mRNA inside the J774 cells as well as in exosomes. Additionally, RNA-seq will be performed to explore any possible modulators of CFTR that are present in exosomes. Multiple cell lines will be analyzed to compare exosome content between cell types and to determine optimal CFTR-containing exosomes.

George Stefanek

Named Collaborators: Qiubo Huang, visiting scholar, China; Matthew Schmitt, undergraduate student, PNW

College(s) Represented: COT

Title: A Natural Language Driven Smart Health Status Monitor and Advisor

Abstract: This research project has been in progress over the last couple of years using undergraduate and graduate students at PNW to create a Natural Language Driven Intelligent Home Health Status Monitor and Advisor application. The goals of this software application are to: 1) monitor a person’s health status (vital signs) by using commercial of the shelf technology such as Fitbit’s fitness tracking wristband and scale, 2) provide advice from many areas of expertise to maintain or improve the health status of an individual by using a rule-base engine, and 3) communicate with a person either by giving advice or getting health or life style information from a person using a natural language interface that uses commercially available natural language processing (NLP) packages. The application is targeted to be deployed onto a mobile platform (smartphone or tablet). The initial stages of the research have been focused on building a software framework for this application with later stages to focus on building the knowledge bases for targeted areas of health monitoring and advising such as for Congestive Heart Failure (CHF). Future knowledge bases for providing the intelligent component will focus on: 1) interviewing a person's medical history, medications, diet, exercise habits, and sleep patterns, 2) retrieving and interpreting vital sign data, 3) monitoring and interpreting behavioral changes, 4) recommending an optimum plan for long-term health, 5) interacting with a person to get information from a patient and provide immediate suggestions for daily optimum health, and 6) providing a person with additional information by interacting with the web and making appointments with health related professionals and activities.

Hayley Stokar

Named Collaborators: Kirsten Leouses, PNW Undergraduate Student

College(s) Represented: CHESS

Title: Deaf accommodation knowledge: Differences between hearing managers and the advocates who train them

Abstract: Despite the existence of the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990), deaf workers still struggle with reasonable accommodation in the workplace. The challenges relate, in part, to knowledge and training deficits on the part of hearing managers. Focus groups were conducted with two populations: (1) managers in retail and food service who were all hearing, and (2) advocates engaged in training and education around deaf accommodation needs, who were either deaf or hearing. Findings highlight specific disparities between the groups, which may serve as guidance for the development of management training tools and expand knowledge about deafness in the workplace. Keywords: deaf, workplace, reasonable accommodation, managers, advocates

Nicolae Tarfulea

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CES

Title: On Gravitational Waves

Abstract: In a nutshell, general relativity says that ``matter tells space how to curve, while the curvature of space tells matter how to move,'' in a now famous phrase that the American physicist John Wheeler once said. So, general relativity serves both as a theory of space and time and as a theory of gravitation. Its predictions and applications have made it a spectacularly successful theory. A key prediction, the existence of gravitational waves (GW), has recently been tested. More specifically, on September 14, 2015, the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory recorded GW, emitted a billion light-years away by a coalescing binary of two stellar-mass black holes. The detection was announced in February 2016, and marks the end of a decades-long quest and the beginning of Gravitational Waves astronomy: finally, we are able to probe the unseen, electromagnetically dark Universe. GW correspond to ripples in spacetime itself, they are not waves of any substance or medium. Like electromagnetic waves, GW move at the speed of light and carry energy. The study of the universe using GW is not just a simple extension of the optical and electromagnetic possibilities, it is the exploitation of an entirely new spectrum that could unveil parts and aspects of the universe inaccessible so far. The enormous technological effort to build ultra-sensitive detectors has been followed by an intense quest for developing computer methods to solve Einstein’s equations. Having invested so much to detect GW, it is crucial that we be able to interpret the waveforms detected. In this talk, I present a short historical overview and some of the challenges of the GW science.

Nicoleta Tarfulea

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CES

Title: A hybrid model for cell motility in angiogenesis

Abstract: The process of angiogenesis is regulated by the interactions between various cell types such as endothelial cells and macrophages, and by biochemical factors. In this talk, we present a hybrid mathematical model in which cells are treated as discrete units in a continuum field of a chemoattractant that evolves according to a system of reaction-diffusion equations, whereas the discrete cells serve as sourcessinks in this continuum field. It incorporates a realistic model for signal transduction and VEGF production and release, and gives insights into the aggregation patterns and the factors that influence stream formation. In particular, it serves as a tool for investigating tumor-vessel signaling and the role of mechano-chemical interactions of the cells with the substratum.

Rhon Teruelle

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CHESS

Title: When the “Children” Speak for Themselves: A Case Study of Social Media Use by the Survivors of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting

Abstract: Valentine’s Day 2018 will forever be marked by infamy. In the span of seven minutes, Nikolas Cruz managed to kill seventeen students and teachers at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. In the aftermath of this tragedy, many have blamed the availability and popularity of guns in America for indirectly helping Cruz execute his heinous plan. This paper seeks to investigate how the young survivors of the massacre have purposefully utilized social media in an attempt to enact changes to America’s current gun laws and – perhaps more fundamentally – its gun culture. Moreover, we will examine the political implications of the students’ choice to position themselves as “children.” This qualitative study will utilize a combination of critical discourse and content analysis to examine the media depiction and self-representation of the students through close readings of the reports, articles, and user-generated social media content that have been produced since the tragedy. The primary questions that will help guide this project are as follows: • What is the nature of the Parkland survivors’ relationship with social media? To what extent are they using it, and to what extent is it using them? • How does the role of youth activism in the #NeverAgain movement compare with the role played by youth in other mass movements, e.g., the anti-war movement in the Vietnam era or the Arab Spring? • How have the survivors turned social media into a tool for producing increasingly confrontational spectacles in real life – from mass walkouts to the public shaming of political figures like Marco Rubio? • The apparent effectiveness, so far, of the Parkland students’ push for gun law reform poses a sharp and surprising contrast with the abject defeat of the push made after the Newtown massacre of 2012, an effort which also appealed to what Lee Edelman called the “unquestionable” value of “the Child whose innocence solicits our defense.” What is different, this time, when the adolescent survivors themselves say, in the words of David Hogg, “We’re children. You guys are the adults”?

Jane Thomas

Named Collaborators: Michael Palanski, Rochester Institute of Technology; Michelle Hammond, Oakland University; Gretche Vogelgesang Lester, San Jose State University

College(s) Represented: COB

Title: Cross-Domain Antecedents of Leader Behaviors at Work: An Examination of Leader Identity

Abstract: The 21st century has seen a rapid increase in research surrounding leader identity, exploring the (dis)connect between the "doing" and the "being" of leadership (Day & Harrison, 2007; Derue, Ashford, & Cotton, 2009; Epitropaki, Kark, Mainemelis, & Lord, 2017). Studies have explored how individuals adopt and discard leader identities (Miscenko, Guenter, & Day, 2017), how others grant leadership status to individuals through claiming and granting behaviors (Derue, 2011; Derue et al., 2009), and how leadership development can focus on leader identity in training programs (Miscenko et al., 2017). Research has also explored conflict between identities, noting that an adopted leader identity can oftentimes create dissonance with existing identities, particularly during work transitions such as promotions (Croft, Currie, & Lockett, 2015). In this research, we apply a leader identity framework to examine how social evaluations of an individual's leader identity influence the individual's sense of identity as a leader and subsequent transformational and transactional leadership behaviors at work. Specifically, we propose that individuals who are highly rated in leader identity by others in their family and friends social networks have higher self-ratings of leader identity, which positively impacts their exhibited leadership behaviors as rated by work colleagues. Data from a multi-source, multi-domain 360-degree evaluation of 256 leaders by3,256 raters provided support for the hypothesized model. Implications for theory and practice will be discussed.

W.T. Evert Ting

Named Collaborators: Chen-Hsuan Chiu and Yen-Hao Chiao Department of Biological Sciences, Purdue University Northwest, Hammond, IN, USA (Both are biology graduate students)

College(s) Represented: CES

Title: SCREEING ALKALINE RESISNAT SPOREFORMING BACTERIA AS CONCRETE HEALIGN BACTERIA

Abstract: Concrete, one of the most common construction materials in the world, may cracks during and after concrete setting. Once cracks form, water and other harmful agents penetrate into the structure and cause degradation. The costs of repairing and replacing deteriorated concrete infrastructures such as bridges and dams can be very expensive. Hence, it is critical to repair concrete cracks as soon as they occur to ensure structural integrity. Using a microbial induced calcium carbonate (CaCO3) precipitation mechanism to repair small cracks in concrete has been investigated during the past decade. This method incorporates crack healing bacteria, bacterial growth substrates, and a calcium source into concrete mix. When concrete cracks, water enters the concrete structure and allows the bacterial spores to germinate and grow. The bacteria near the cracks metabolize the nutrients provided to produce CO2 or CO3- which interacts with the calcium source to produce CaCO3 precipitate to seal the cracks. This repairing process occurs automatically when cracks form; therefore it is referred as “self-healing.” An ideal bacterial healing agent not only precipitates CaCO3 effectively, it must also survive and grow in the harsh alkaline environment (pH 10~13) in concrete. Spores of alkaline resistant bacteria are preferred choices for making self-healing concrete because spores are very resistant to environmental stresses and remain viable for years. Spores can germinate and grow into vegetative cells when water and nutrients are available. Our present study is focusing on isolating and screening alkaline resistant spore-forming bacteria that can produce spores rapidly in lab, survive in concrete environment long term, and precipitate CaCO3 effectively in concrete environment.

Staci Trekles

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CHESS

Title: Trends in iPad Use within the Elementary School Classroom: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract: As schools adopt 1:1 technology into their classrooms, wherein students possess their own electronic devices, students and educators alike experience ambivalent feelings and attitudes. However, the data show that there do exist some notable trends. First, there appears to exist an initial high degree of enthusiasm that decreases over time. It has been argued that this may be attributed to a novelty effect in which the initial unique quality of these devices diminishes as they become part of ordinary daily instruction. Yet, there continues to be a dearth of research related to long-term elementary 1:1 adoption, and with technology constantly changing, we believe it is vital to investigate how classroom technology works over extended time periods. The purpose of our research was to conduct a follow-up study with the case of one Midwestern elementary school during its second year of iPad adoption. In particular, our study investigated the manner in which elementary teachers used iPads in their classrooms during the second year of implementation, including the issues experienced, and the perceived benefits and challenges of 1:1 iPads. Based on survey responses, quantitative procedures utilizing frequency data and Chi-square inferential statistics identified both similarities and changes in iPad use both within and across the two-year period. Further, qualitative analysis was used for open-ended survey items. The data showed that while first-year struggles included a lack of professional development training, classroom management issues regarding technology, timing decisions made by administration, technical problems, and poor planning, teachers did find success in differentiating instruction and creating collaborative activities. By comparison, second-year data showed that while confidence in technology use grew, actual usage in certain areas decreased as teachers began to identify the areas of strength and weakness for the iPads in their individual classrooms.

Steffanie Triller Fry

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CHESS

Title: Writing to Change the World

Abstract: Kolb (2014) has argued that people learn best through experience, and that Experiential Learning (ExL) has applications in the workplace, in the classroom, and for personal growth. In a climate where the university is becoming increasingly professionalized, with pressure to give students the skills that they need to succeed not only in their other courses but also in the workplace, ExL gives educators the opportunity to extend the classroom beyond the walls of Purdue Northwest and invite students to create products with real-world implications and results. All sections of English 105, the second semester course in the first year writing sequence at PNW, incorporate an ExL component. As part of this collaborative community writing experience, students partner with a Community-based Organization (CbO). As part of this partnership, students research the genre conventions used in the organization’s written documentation and the issues that the organization seeks to solve. They practice writing annotated bibliography entries and interview questions. They interview community experts on the problem. Students ultimately create real-world public documents that can be used by the organization in the furthering of its agenda. Past student groups have created new organizations at PNW, raised funds for CbOs, and brought speakers to campus. Our poster will provide a course description of English 105, a list of the ways that the course benefits student writing across the curriculum as well as writing in the professions, and a guide to the 21 student groups who we expect to be present at Days of Discovery.

Peter Turbek

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CES

Title: Lifting the hyperelliptic involution of a Klein surface

Abstract: We consider unbranched normal coverings X -> X' between compact Klein surfaces of algebraic genus bigger than one where X' is hyperelliptic. Here unbranched means that the fixed point set of the group of covering transformations is either empty or projects onto the boundary of X'. We find a criterion which determines whether the hyperelliptic involution of X' lifts to an automorphism of X. The study splits naturally into six cases according to the different topological types that X' may possess. If the group of covering transformations is abelian and has odd order, we prove that the hyperelliptic involution always lifts. This is a joint work with E. Bujalance and J. Cirre from Madrid, Spain.

Serdar Turedi

Named Collaborators: Matthew Louis Csonka, Purdue University Northwest; Jesenia M Zendajas, Purdue University Northwest; Ivette Arredondo, Purdue University Northwest

College(s) Represented: COB

Title: Office Hours: Waste of Time or Essential for Student Success

Abstract: Both a blessing and curse, technology has significantly shaped the way information is sent and received in the twenty-first century. The classroom is no longer a stranger to modern technology, and thusly, the needs of the modern student have evolved. However, teaching, an ages old profession, is caught in the process of trying to catch up with existing technology and its continual spread and change. Perhaps the most difficult aspect of it all is understanding how technology fits into the learning process for today’s students, and which ideologies of instruction can hold strong, and which must adapt. Our study specifically examines the practice of classroom office hours in which students meet with professors after class time either one on one or in groups. Our hypothesis conclude that students would choose the option of using virtual office hours rather than the office hours that are offered now. The results supported our hypothesis partially because some students did want more virtual office hours, so it can fit into their schedules. However, the results also showed some of the students wanted to keep the way office hours are currently used.

Edward Vavrek

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: COT

Title: Applied Research Adapted in Machine Elements in Mechanical Design, 6th Ed. Studied in MET Courses

Abstract: I am a coauthor of Machine Elements in Mechanical Design 6 edition. This book is used in two MET courses: MET-21500 Applied Machine Elements and MET-42000 Machine Design. These courses cover the theories and methods developed in statics, dynamics, and strength of materials used in machine applications. My poster session will include discussion of my applied research in machine design and its adaptation in the book. I will include three different applied research projects that were included specific chapters. The first project was a deep raker screenings and grit equipment that is part of the Deep Rock Tunnel Connector Pumping Station project in Indianapolis, IN, for Fairfield Service Company. The system holds sewage and storm water in underground tunnels during a major rain event. The water is then conveyed to the local water treatment works. Before the water gets to the treatment works, the mechanical system removes large debris. The mechanical system designed includes a bridge crane, hoist drum assembly, clamshell style bucket, and screening bars. The system is discussed in chapter one, The “Nature of Mechanical Design”. In addition, a new section called wire rope was written and included in chapter seven. The wire rope was used on the hoist drum to lower the clamshell style bucket 250 feet down into the tunnel. The second applied research project was the design of a screw-type air compressor system with a receiver tank for Vanair Manufacturing, located in Michigan City. The analysis was modified and used as an example problem of a thin-walled pressure vessel in chapter 4 “Combined Stresses and Stress Transformation”. The third applied research project was the design and build of a Closed End Mailer machine in the printing industry. The machinery is shown on the cover and discussed in chapter one “The Nature of Mechanical Design” and included in chapter eleven “Keys, Couplings, and Seals”.

Gloria Vélez-Rendón

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CHESS

Title: From Hispanofobia to Hispanofonía: Linguistic Ideologies that Affect the Spanish Language in the United States

Abstract: My poster presentation examines the linguistic ideologies that affect the status of US Spanish and its speakers. The study of linguistic ideologies highlights the role of language as an instrument for political, economic and social control as well as for social stratification, and thus, has implication for language planning and language policy (Wiley & Luke, 1996). First, I examine a number of linguistic ideologies prevalent in the United states that have been deemed hispanophobic; afterwards, I will turn my attention to the linguistic ideologies promoted by Spain and that are known as Hispanofonía (Del Valle, 2009; Zentella, 1995). Despite the historical presence of Spanish and the large number of speakers, Spanish is still considered a foreign language in the United States. Dominant linguistic ideologies construct US Spanish as an inferior language and associate Spanish-English bilingualism with unwillingness to adapt to the American culture and with the notion of a linguistic, cultural and cognitive deficit. On the other hand, the linguistic ideologies associated with hispanofonía examine Spain's conflicting positions in relation to US Spanish. Due to globalization, Spain has taken a renewed interest in their former colonies and territories; currently, Spain is seeking to expand its economic and cultural influence in the Americas by tapping into the notion of Spanish as the common language that identifies and unifies millions of Spanish speakers. (Del Valle, 2009; García, 2014).

Xiuling Wang

Named Collaborators: Shabbir Ahmed, Argonne National Laboratory

College(s) Represented: CES

Title: Thermal Investigation of Li-ion Battery

Abstract: Li-ion battery is becoming a popular energy storage device in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) and Electric Vehicles (EV) due to its high energy density, high voltage and low self-discharge rate. The major concerns in designing Li-ion batteries are their life, performance and safety, which have close relations to their thermal behaviors. The temperature of Li-ion batteries rises during chargedischarge process. It goes faster especially with high chargedischarge rate during fast charging procedure. In this research, CFD models are developed based on ANSYSFLUENT MSMD battery model coupled with electrochemical submodel-Newman, Tiedeman, Gu and Kim (NTGK) empirical model. Detailed simulation results are obtained in battery thermal and electrochemical behavior for different bi-cell electrode and current collector tab configurations. The temperature, potential, current density distribution at the battery length scale are determined, temperature gradient distribution is computed, and the maximum temperature at different discharge rate are also compared. The thermal investigation can provide valuable input for Li-ion battery design and analysis, especially for fast-charging batteries where heat distribution and cooling is critical for the battery design.

Aaron Warren

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CES

Title: Numerical Relativity: Studying Binary Neutron Star Mergers

Abstract: The current generation of gravitational wave detectors, including Advanced LIGO, is opening a new field of observational astronomy. With the direct detection of a binary neutron star (BNS) merger, GW170817, and subsequent detections of the gamma-ray and ultravioletopticalinfrared phenomena produced by it, a wealth of information has been obtained regarding neutron stars, gamma-ray bursts, and kilonovae. Here, we share a quick account of gravitational wave astronomy and numerical relativity, a summary of GW170817 and associated electromagnetic counterparts, some of the implications of these observations, and an overview of ongoing research conducted here at PNW. In particular, analysis of GW170817 supports the notion that BNS systems may be far more varied than traditionally believed, with very large mass differences between the two stars. Many of the most outstanding uncertainties in the analysis of GW170817 are tied to the lack of numerical simulations of such high mass-ratio (q > 1.7) binary systems. For example, estimates of the dependence of dynamical mass ejecta on the mass-ratio suffer from uncertainties of ~72%. We are currently conducting a series of simulations studying the ejecta and gravitational wave characteristics for high mass-ratio systems that are consistent with estimates from GW170817. These simulations include six binary systems with q = 1.75, 2.00, and 2.25, and total gravitational masses of either 2.50 or 2.75 Msol. These simulations employ a 7-component piecewise-polytropic approximation to a realistic equation-of-state (Sly4) that is consistent with GW170817, and several of the binaries are evolved with both unmagnetized and magnetized (B ~ 10^13 G) initial conditions. Preliminary visualizations and discussion of these simulations will be shared.

Elsa Weber

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CHESS

Title: Cuba: Coordinating Family Care and Education

Abstract: Cuba is a tiny island nation, known for both universal health care and universal education. One remarkable characteristic is that these systems are coordinated in such a way as to improve the well being of families overall. Conversations with Cuban educators over the last several years have shown how despite severe economic isolation, family welfare has been improved through opportunities offered through the health and education system. The Educa a tu Hijo program, (Educate Your Child) is a comprehensive system of education directed toward the extended families of young children. Beginning with pregnancy, the mothers and their partners are supported by access to the universal health system. Upon the birth of a child, “promotors”, university prepared education professionals coordinate health and cultural professionals to provide necessary educational services to new parents. Parenting classes and other educational courses are available to members of extended families. Parents are provided with guidelines for approaches and activities appropriate for babies on a month by month schedule, so that they get the experiences needed for academic and social development. If children are identified with special needs, they are provided with appropriate assessment and support. First implemented in the early 1990s, Educate Your Child addressed large academic and social gaps between rural and urban children, which have been virtually eliminated. A major strength is that it addresses the needs of children even in isolated rural areas who cannot participate in center based child care. Professional providers visit individual homes of families several times per week to offer guidance. Through this comprehensive program, families receive guidance not only on academic and social interaction for children, but for the whole family. Interaction is calmer and more appropriate, rendering Cuba one of only a few countries who meet International benchmarks for early childhood services.

He Wei

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: COB

Title: Stakeholder Loyalty in Mergers: An Application of Theory of Planned Behavior

Abstract: The current research employed the Theory of Planned Behavior as a theoretical foundation to test the loyalty of employees and customers to remain with a company during a merger behavioral intention. The hypothesized model proposed that communication, perceived control, and subjective norm are associated with attitude, and perceived behavioral control and attitude are associated with intended behavior. The data and hypotheses were examined using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results showed that communication, subjective norm, were positively related to attitude and attitude is positively related to behavioral intention. Perceived control was negatively related to attitude and behavioral intention. Findings of this study demonstrate that the proposed modification of the Theory of Planned Behavior is applicable in measuring stakeholders’ loyalty to remain with an organization during a merger.

Henry Williams

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: COB

Title: Stakeholder Loyalty in Mergers: An Application of Theory of Planned Behavior

Abstract: The current research employed the Theory of Planned Behavior as a theoretical foundation to test the loyalty of employees and customers to remain with a company during a merger behavioral intention. The hypothesized model proposed that communication, perceived control, and subjective norm are associated with attitude, and perceived behavioral control and attitude are associated with intended behavior. The data and hypotheses were examined using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results showed that communication, subjective norm, were positively related to attitude and attitude is positively related to behavioral intention. Perceived control was negatively related to attitude and behavioral intention. Findings of this study demonstrate that the proposed modification of the Theory of Planned Behavior is applicable in measuring stakeholders’ loyalty to remain with an organization during a merger.

Henry Williams

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: COB

Title: Stakeholder Loyalty in Mergers: An Application of Theory of Planned Behavior

Abstract: The current research employed the Theory of Planned Behavior as a theoretical foundation to test the loyalty of employees and customers to remain with a company during a merger behavioral intention. The hypothesized model proposed that communication, perceived control, and subjective norm are associated with attitude, and perceived behavioral control and attitude are associated with intended behavior. The data and hypotheses were examined using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results showed that communication, subjective norm, were positively related to attitude and attitude is positively related to behavioral intention. Perceived control was negatively related to attitude and behavioral intention. Findings of this study demonstrate that the proposed modification of the Theory of Planned Behavior is applicable in measuring stakeholders’ loyalty to remain with an organization during a merger.

Yao Xu

Named Collaborators: Can Huang, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Fangxing Li, the University of Tennessee, Knoxville

College(s) Represented: CES

Title: A Novel Automatic Generation Control for Thermal and Gas Power Plants

Abstract: Automatic generation control (AGC) plays an important role in adjusting the power output of multiple generators at different power plants in response to load changes. Existing methods to design control gains in integral proportional-integral (PI) and proportional-integral-differential (PID) con-trollers for AGC is often time-consuming and largely dependent on the designer’s experience. To address this issue, a novel PID control method for AGC is proposed, where the control gains can be self-adjusted automatically and dynamically under dif-ferent disturbances. Also, in the proposed control method, both gas units and thermal units are considered to participate in frequency regulation, instead of only thermal or hydro power plants in the conventional AGC. This is more realistic in today’s power engineering. The proposed control method is tested on a modified IEEE 39 bus system and compared with a conventional PID-based control approach. Simulation results verify the effectiveness of the proposed solution.

Shuhui Yang

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CES

Title: Battery-free Sensor Network based Navigation Systems: Theory and Applications

Liu Yun

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CES

Title: Schlieren photography on freely flying hawkmoth

Abstract: Aerodynamic force on flying insects are mainly induced by the vortical flow structures which are complicated spatially and temporally. Due to its complex nature and inherent difficulties in studying freely flying insects, a complete picture about the vortical flow is hard to reveal experimentally. In this work, Schlieren, a technique which has been widely used for high-speed flow visualization, is implemented with alcohol vapor to capture the vortex structures around freely flying hawmoth. Flow features such as leading-edge vortex, trailing-edge vortex as well as the full vortex system was visualized directly. Data quantification on the Schlieren images was successfully tested with applying physics-based optical flow method, suggesting a great potential of this method in studying the complex flow of flying insects.Utilizing the Schlieren photography and isopropyl alcohol, the vortex system on a freely flying Manduca is visualized, depicting a linked vortex system. On birds and bats, similar linked vortical flow behaviors were observed through conventional PIV measurements. On slow flying bat, leading edge vortex, starting vortex, tip and root vortices were captured separately from the stream-wise and span-wise PIV measurements, suggesting a closed loop vortex system created during the down-stroke. In our study, however, the entire vortex ring structure in the down-stroke was captured directly without extra data reconstruction and interpretation. Furthermore, paired with the physics-based optical flow method, the vortical flow visualized through Schlieren photography can be further quantified. However, the flow quantification of this type only quantifies the region with strong vortical flow where the isopropyl alcohol can be seen. In addition, with limited cameras, current physics-based optical flow method cannot quantify the flow in the three-dimensional space, but the flow projected on the imaging plane. To advance this method to three-dimensional flow velocity quantification, Schlieren imaging from multiple views and advanced reconstruction algorithm are required.

Afshin Zahraee

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: COT

Title: Sustainable Structural Condition Assessment for Wind Turbine Towers

Abstract: Wind-based energy generation surpassed hydropower dams to become the largest source of renewable electric capacity in the United States in 2017. Based on the desire for increase in renewable electricity generation, the size of wind turbines has been tremendously increased in recent years. Moreover, larger wind turbines are subject to higher wind speeds which increases consistency of electricity generation. However, larger wind turbines are more prone to structural failure due to their size as well as presence of complexities in the structure and wind load interaction. As such, condition monitoring (predictive maintenance) and fault diagnosis of wind turbines are crucial in their sustainable operation. Current monitoring techniques involve preventative maintenance, which includes a visual inspection of a wind turbine tower every six to twelve months. In this study, a new approach for condition assessment of wind turbine towers is developed. This approach enhances the ability to assess the structural condition of in-service wind turbine towers. Using this methodology: 1) the wind data for the wind turbine location is collected and statistically analyzed to determine the wind load exertion frequency, 2) a series of finite element modeling and analysis for the wind turbine tower for various wind speeds are performed to obtain the “hot spots” with maximum induced stresses, and 3) a fatigue analysis is performed to determine the crack initiation of hot spots and to predict the remaining life of the structure. In order to illustrate the capability of the present method, a case study of an existing wind turbine using the proposed method is presented. This approach is expected to improve the maintenance planning and offer a more cost-effective process for repair and rehabilitation of wind turbine towers. This will ultimately increase the overall safety of wind turbine systems and enhance their reliability of performance.

Lin Zhao

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: COB

Title: OPTIMIZING SMALL GROUP PURCHASE WITH VOLUME DISCOUNT

Abstract: Smart Shopping (SS) is a small consulting firm which helps clients discover new products, shops, and promotions based on their interests and budget. SS can help their clients, particularly in the dilemma that individual shoppers sometimes cannot participate in “buy more save more” promotions due to limited shopping budget and needs. SS collects clients’ orders in an Access database. To consolidate the orders, Julie Jones, the senior analyst at SS, imports data from the database and builds an optimization model to maximize savings for each client when volume discount is offered. This case shows the students how to solve an optimization problem using Excel. Analyzing real-world data collected from Internet enriches student knowledge and experiences on business decision making and critical thinking.

Chenn Zhou

Named Collaborators:

College(s) Represented: CES

Title: Steel Manufacturing Simulation and Visualization Consortium

Abstract: The Steel Manufacturing Simulation and Visualization Consortium (SMSVC) is an industry-led consortium managed by CIVS, consisting of companies across the steel manufacturing value chain. The SMSVC focused research areas are workplace safety, energy efficiency, production efficiency, reliability and maintenance, workforce development, environmental impacts, raw materials utilization, and smart manufacturing. The SMSVC is currently conducting seven research projects including safety training, blast furnace, electric arc furnace, primary cooling for casting, secondary cooling for casting, ladle, and reheating furnace.

Chenn Zhou

Named Collaborators: John Moreland, CIVS

College(s) Represented: CES

Title: Virtual Training Research at CIVS

Abstract: Virtual teaching and virtual reality learning environments are major research areas at the Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation (CIVS). This research involves the creation of interactive learning modules and virtual environments through the integration of cutting-edge simulation and visualization technologies. These programs can be used to enhance teaching, learning, and training in schools, universities, and industry. CIVS has developed a number of 3D Interactive Simulators in multiple platforms in various areas, such as fall hazard safety training, automotive and wind turbine troubleshooting and maintenance training, as well as forensic teaching. Post hoc evaluations have shown positive impacts on student learning, motivation, and employee training.

Michael Zimmer

Named Collaborators: Alexis Cain, Purdue Northwest; Alex Cordova, Purdue Northwest

College(s) Represented: CES

Title: Development of a Model System Investigating Serratia marcescens Virulence Factors in Drosophila melanogaster