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The goal of this project is to design and test a universal ramp that guides runners into any size grinder that may be a short distance away from the press. Design consideration will be key to this project. It should be lightweight, easy to install, while considering other relevant design considerations as well. In addition, the universal ramp will need to be able to mount to any style press we have. The runners will vary in length and width, so the universal ramp will need to be able to change size to accommodate for the different sizes of runners
Effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 on Nonprofits’ Charitable Contributions
Background
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), passed in 2017, significantly altered individual’s taxes for all filing statuses, notably increasing the standard deduction. By nearly doubling the standard deduction, it considerably decreased those individuals choosing the itemized deduction. Due to this, it may impact charitable contributions, a major source of nonprofits’ revenues. Prior studies projected a variety of stances regarding changes in giving levels due to the TCJA. This study attempted to determine the overall effect of the TCJA on nonprofits, as well as within the National Taxonomy of Exempt Entities (NTEE) major groups Education, Health, Human Services, Public and Societal Benefit, and Religion Related.
Methodology
This study utilized paired t-tests to determine if a statistically significant positive difference in charitable contributions occurred post-TCJA. Additionally, ANOVA analysis was used to determine if the TCJA’s effects were widespread or more material to a selected segment.
Results
All t-tests performed evidenced no statistically significant positive difference in charitable contributions before and after the TCJA. All ANOVA tests were rejected at the 99% level of confidence, showing that there were statistically significant differences in charitable contributions between groups.
Conclusion
The findings of the t-tests are in alignment with prior research that indicated no change in overall giving as a result of the TCJA (Hodge, 2020). Though we failed to reject all of the t-tests, the Public and Societal Benefit tests displayed p-values less than .01, which may evidence greater contributions post-TCJA in that sector. Following the ANOVA analysis, post hoc tests identified one nonprofit within each NTEE group that received significantly greater contributions. These nonprofits were Teach for America, American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities Inc/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Feeding America, The Rotary Foundation, and Samaritan’s Purse
Deepfake it Til You Make it: How NOT To Make a Short Film
A very recent development in the realm of computer technology is the deepfake. Deepfakes, which train a computer model to digitally superimpose one person’s face onto another body in a separate video, has its uses for good and for ill, with the unfortunate tendency to the latter. The vast majority of deepfakes are used for pornography, most commonly depicting the subjects of female celebrities. At the less notable level, it is often used for revenge pornography. These aspects of deepfake technology are rarely discussed in mainstream media, which tends to focus on the less harmful uses, such as those for comedic celebrity impersonations or for beneficial uses in film. Based on the background research, this project is intended to create a short film addressing these issues within a fictional, but compelling, story with the intentions of raising awareness among the general public
Hesed: Redeemed Brokenness in a Multimedia Retelling of the Biblical Story of Ruth
Through the powerful interaction between the visual arts and music, an ancient story of brokenness and redemption is retold. This thesis seeks to give greater insight into this multimedia retelling of the biblical book of Ruth. Scholarly sources were reviewed to deepen understanding, and works from professional visual artists and musicians were examined for this project to come together. The end product is this thesis as well as a body of art and a five-movement piece of music. This combination of visual art and music allows the relevance of the biblical book of Ruth to be seen in the transforming journey of a grieving woman and her daughter