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Geographies of Scheele: On-Campus Housing and the Sorority Landscape at Valparaiso University
No full textThis paper focuses on the sorority experience at Valparaiso University in order to reveal how traditional gender roles and expectations influenced housing disparities and geographies that still exist today. From their inception, collegiate fraternities and sororities have fostered a sense of place, personal development opportunities, increased retention for universities, and other social benefits that are unique to each member. While they serve similar purposes, they are governed by separate rules and expectations, resulting in vastly different experiences. Sorority culture at Valparaiso University diverged from other schools in the early 1960s when the sororities collectively moved into Scheele Hall, an on-campus dormitory. Designating Scheele Hall as the home for Valparaiso University’s sororities initiated a paradigm shift in the culture of sorority life that is still embodied today. As a symbol of Greek life, Scheele Hall facilitated visibility, leadership, and community that made Valparaiso University’s sorority life real and helped keep the culture alive for over a century. Today, the physical and cultural geography of Valparaiso University is changing. Mid-twentieth-century buildings are aging, enrollment demographics are shifting, and the liberal arts curriculum is weakening. These changes will culminate in university-wide cultural changes, which will undoubtedly impact the institution’s role in the sorority complex’s landscape. Therefore, the future of sorority life is dependent on the culture wars being fought today
Native plant species show differential growth when planted at low and high densities, as well as in mixed species plantings
No full textThe successful germination and growth of native plant species in ecological restoration efforts are not well-characterized. Native seed mixes are often used in restoration efforts, but oftentimes the success of these seed mixes are not known and factors enhancing this success are neglected. We studied how well native restoration plants grow in low competition, high competition monocultures and mixed. We studied three native plant species, P. digitalis, C. lanceolata, and A. tuberosa. Growth performance was measured by wet and dry biomass of the plants after 5 weeks of growth when planted in low density monocultures, and high density mono and mixed cultures. We found that plants in low competition conditions grew better than those in high competition conditions. All three species showed significantly lower dry weight in high density monocultures (p\u3c0.0167). P. digitalis performed worse in high competition mixed species than in high competition monocultures (p\u3c0.167), while A. tuberosa showed no significant difference between these conditions (p\u3e0.167). C. lanceolata showed mixed results. A. tuberosa is likely a strong competitor in mixed species restoration; however, P. digitalis appears more sensitive to competition, which could impact its success in restoration mixes or when facing invasive species
Optimization of Mordenite and Brooker\u27s Merocyanine
Full text linkZeolites are a class of materials that are composed of oxygen, silicon, and aluminum with channels embedded in the crystalline structure. Zeolites have many applications, some of which include water purification, biomass conversion, or as molecular sieves. The zeolite’s crystal structure allows them to act as a host for smaller guest molecules without chemical bonding between the host and guest molecules. An example of a guest dye molecule is Brooker’s Merocyanine. Brooker’s Merocyanine is zwitterionic, where there are opposite charges on each end, and is a unique property that could be used to enhance the dye organization within the channel. By combining the host zeolite with the guest molecule Brooker’s Merocyanine, the dye is expected to go into the zeolite channels by a cation exchange process, based on previous work. This project focused on a zeolite known as Mordenite, chosen due to this lab\u27s previous work with other similar zeolites studied with Brooker’s Merocyanine that included LTL and ZSM-5. The purpose of this project was to optimize the combination of the Mordenite and Brooker’s Merocyanine. We used UV-Visible spectroscopy to confirm the dye is interacting with the zeolite. Dye loading Mordenite was most successful when refluxing the sample in acidic aqueous dye solution in the dark overnight with stirring. Through these experiments, we found that Mordenite can interact with Brooker’s Merocyanine more than LTL or ZSM-5
Backend Design and Development for Sales Data Insights Project
Full text linkBackend design requires a deeper understanding of systems and technologies in a software project. In Sales Data Insights Project for Family Express, we designed and developed a secure, modular, and scalable backend system to support the analysis of multi-year, multi-store retail and fuel sales data. It also enables automation of data workflows to enhance strategic decision-making.
The system infrastructure supports data analysis by pre-processing and transforming data into a suitable format for effective analysis and insight generation. The backend is designed to deliver analytical output for frontend visualization while ensuring secure, reliable, and high-performance access through authorization controls. A well-structured backend architecture enables the dynamic routing of analytical data based on timeframe and location filters, with FastAPIimplemented for clarity, scalability, and efficient routing. To address secure authentication challenges, APIs are equipped with token management and refined permission layers using secure JWT-based authentication and role-based access control. Generative AI-based reasoning posed challenges, particularly when using externally hosted cloud models, leading to access restrictions, latency issues, and reduced flexibility. The developed architecture integrates generative AI tools to provide narrative insights, leveraging locally hosted models on platforms like LM Studio and LLaMA3 for greater customization, privacy, and control.
In this project, we designed and developed a structured backend system that effectively bridges data analysis with user-facing tools, while coordinating multiple backend components seamlessly, incorporating machine learning algorithms and AI-reasoning into the project. Our design serves as a practical reference for future projects requiring coordinated data analytics, automation, AI-reasoning, and insight delivery
Animals in the Sky
No full textSince the beginning of the new presidency, there have been massive cuts to many government departments. In addition, recent executive orders are also seen with such scrutiny. These orders and cuts are what many Americans believe to be bizarre. Animals in the Sky, is a reflection of the uncertainty and instability that is happening within our government. The piece showcases a variety of animals flying through the sky; a pig with wings, a jackal with wings, a monkey with a dragon’s tail, and a seal with a jetpack. This work is inspired mainly by the surrealist movement and the Mexican channel De Película, a movie channel my grandmother would watch occasionally. The absurdity of our political climate is akin to the impossible suddenly happening. Animals in the Sky is a playful reflection of the current administration and invites the audience to contemplate the current decisions the government is making, rather than pushing it aside. Nevertheless, the work also serves as a standalone piece that is separated from politics
The Eagle and the Dragon: US and Chinese Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America
No full textSince enduring colonization by the Spanish and Portuguese and neocolonialism under United States capitalism-hungry policies, Latin American countries have been objectified for their material resources for centuries. The 21st century has seen a shift in investment and attention to another global superpower as China has stepped in to implement numerous foreign direct investment (FDI) infrastructure projects. As the US scrambles to reconcile China’s investment trends, Latin American countries have emerged as a point of political and economic competition between the eagle and the dragon. This matter of FDI relationship gives rise to the question: does US FDI reactively follow Chinese FDI in Latin American countries? This article compiles data from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Inter-American Dialogue and Boston University Global Development Policy Center, and other sources in an analysis of Chinese and US government FDI in Latin America as a region and in individual countries from 2007 to 2023. Through statistical analysis of US direct investment positions abroad and loans from China\u27s development finance institutions, I test the data for correlation between US changes in FDI levels in relation to previous Chinese FDI trends. The correlation demonstrated that the US increased FDI spending in countries where China had invested the most two years prior. With these findings, Latin American countries could exploit FDI patterns to negotiate improved FDI deals and gain traction on the world stage
Soil Metric Analysis Around Engquist Nature Preserve
Full text linkThis project analyzed soil parameters from multiple locations owned by the Shirley Heinze Land Trust in Porter County, Indiana, some of which are being ecologically restored or have been restored in the past. The samples were collected from prairie, forested wetland, riverine wetland/floodplain ecological areas, and current agricultural areas that are to be restored to each of those same environmental types. To measure the effectiveness of the rehabilitation mentioned above, this project compared bulk density, soil chemistry, organic matter, aggregate stability, and particle size analysis from the agricultural area to those from restored and natural settings. This allowed the estimation of targets and a baseline to assess the effectiveness of future rehabilitation projects. The results helped us to learn more about restoration projects on plots of land that have been used for agriculture for an extended period of time and can help other environmental projects find effective ways of rehabilitating formerly cultivated land
Improving Traffic Flow and Reducing Congestion Using Predictive Analytic
No full textTraffic congestion is a significant issue in urban areas, leading to increased travel times, fuel consumption, and environmental pollution. Traditional traffic management methods, such as fixed traffic signal timings and manual interventions, often fail to adapt dynamically to changing traffic conditions. This study explores the application of predictive analytics and machine learning techniques to optimize traffic flow and reduce congestion. By leveraging historical traffic data, real-time traffic monitoring systems, and external factors such as weather conditions and road incidents, predictive models can be developed to forecast congestion levels and suggest optimal traffic management strategies.
The methodology involves data collection from multiple sources, processioning for quality enhancement, and the application of machine learning algorithms, including decision trees, random forests, and neural networks, to predict traffic patterns. These models will help in dynamic traffic signal control, congestion mitigation, and route optimization. The anticipated outcome is a smart traffic management system that enhances urban mobility, reduces delays, and contributes to sustainable transportation infrastructure. This research can potentially aid city planners, transportation agencies, and policymakers implement data-driven solutions for improving urban traffic efficiency
Guitar Research
Full text linkTo better understand the effects bracing structures have on guitar sound quality, we are investigating how adding weight to an acoustic guitar\u27s soundboard affects its resonant frequency. Based on the typical mass of a guitar soundboard (200 to 250 grams), we predict that even a few grams of additional weight will yield measurable differences in the frequency peaks. Our objective is then to determine the minimum mass required to produce noticeable changes. We measure resonant frequencies by striking the guitar bridge with an impact hammer and recording the resulting frequency by measuring the displacement of the soundboard with a capacitor probe. This approach has provided consistent and reliable data throughout the years this experiment has been performed. Our next experiments will build on this foundation, in which we will incrementally adhere weights directly to the soundboard, increasing the mass with each set of tests. Previous data suggests that the system is sensitive enough to detect subtle variations. We hypothesize that adding small masses suffices to alter the resonant frequency, but the challenge of determining the minimum mass required remains. By systematically altering the weight, we aim to identify the threshold where frequency changes become significant. Future experiments will expand on this work by exploring how different weight distributions and placement locations on the soundboard influence resonant frequency. These investigations will contribute to a deeper understanding of how physical modifications, such as the bracing design, affect acoustic performance.
Ruth Cook (Mechanical Engineering), Thane Martin (Mechanical Engineering), Chris Noga (Physics) Advisors: Pete Johnson, Andy Richter, Rob Swanso
Pedestrian Traffic Analysis for Building Site Selection: A Valparaiso University Case Study
No full textCampus infrastructure plays an important role in student mobility, safety and overall quality of life. This study compares pedestrian travel times to Valparaiso University’s proposed nursing building site compared to two alternative locations. The objective is to evaluate pedestrian flow and travel times to the three sites. Using VISSIM, micro-simulations were done to analyze walking routes and travel times for students accessing all three locations from the campus student union, dorms and commuter parking lots. Results indicate that the university’s proposed site would increase pedestrian travel times and expose walking students to conflicting vehicle traffic and potentially impact adjacent campus buildings with added cut-through traffic. In contrast, relocating the nursing building at one of the alternative site would reduce walking distances, improve student safety by minimizing street crossings, and enhance pedestrian flow across campus. These findings suggest that careful site selection can significantly impact student convenience and campus walkability, contributing to a more efficient and accessible university environment