UMSS20 Business, Education, Allied Health and Art
UMSS20 Presentations by Category
UMSS20 Social Sciences and Humanities
UMSS20 Physical and Mathematical Sciences
UMSS20 Engineering and Information Sciences
UMSS20 Interdisciplinary Research
Links provided will take viewers to UMaine’s Kaltura video gallery. Presentations available for viewing by UMaine users only are noted (*).
Business
0203.* On The Accuracy of IPO Underpricing in Different Sectors of the Stock Market
Undergraduate Presentation. Author(s): Samuel Varga. Mentor(s): Grant Miles.
Abstract: Is there variability between the level of accuracy in underpricing of IPOs in different sectors of the stock market? Can we find new independent variables that predict the level of underpricing? The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy of IPO underpricing in different sectors of the stock market. We tested the short-run performance (relative to the S&P 500) of IPOs in the past five years (2015-2019) at four time-stamps (offer to first open, first close, 1 week, and one month). The statistical analysis showed that there is significant variability between the sectors at each time stamp, and we discovered that at one of the four time-stamps the different sectors do not behave uniquely. We focused on providing possible explanations for these results by referring to classical equity valuation techniques, social construction theory, and behavioral finance. We also used the regression model to test if four independent variables (market cap, total debt, net income, EBITDA) predict short-run IPO performance. The results show that none of the four do in any sector, except Real Estate. In the sectors with consistent results the findings reaffirm our anticipation that these variables are built into the initial offering price.
Education
0301. The Co-Parent Co-Op
Undergraduate Presentation. Author(s): Emma Richardson. Mentor(s): Daniel Puhlman.
Abstract: This project focuses on coparenting, a relatively new area of family studies which focuses on how two adults share the responsibility and care of a mutual child. While some parents are able to successfully navigate challenges, such as conflict resolution, others require the assistance of outside resources to help them along the way. The Co-Parent Co-Op is a digital app which will use machine learning technology to learn about parents and how they interact, ultimately teaching them healthy communication and team parenting strategies. While there are similar applications which are already available, none of these options offer a therapeutic intervention; rather, they are a collection of tools, such as a calendar and message board, which make coparenting easier for parents who already have the basic skills to do so. A form of “virtual therapy,” the Co-Parent Co-Op would have a profound impact on rural communities, especially those in Maine, where divorce rates are high and parents are geographically isolated from therapists or counselors. Three groups stand to benefit from this program; first, family court cases will be resolved more faster and with fewer litigations, thus alleviating pressure on the legal system; second, therapists and counselors who offer the app will be able to gain greater insight into their client’s concerns and dynamics related to their parenting and communication; third, children will positively adapt and adjust to their new family structure faster and more effectively. In conclusion, the Co-Parent Co-Op will offer Maine parents a cost-effective and therapeutic intervention to improve their relationship.
0302. The Perceptions of Coparenting According to Parents
Undergraduate Presentation. Author(s): Taylor Corey, Kittiya Reeves, Emma Richardson, Sara Hunt. Mentor(s): Daniel Puhlman.
Abstract: When a child is brought into a family, the couples must adapt to this change. Parents develop a coparenting relationship in order to raise and provide for the child(ren). The coparenting relationship is an integral part of raising children in families where 2 or more parents or parental figures are involved. The current study focused on how parents define the coparenting relationship. At the time of this proposal, the sample included 9 parents residing in a small, New England town. All participants had at least one child at the time of the interviews and shared the responsibility with a coparenting partner. This study focused on responses to three specific questions: How would you describe coparenting? What are some qualities of good and bad coparenting? And how would you describe your coparenting relationship with your child’s other parent? The research team, which included 4 members, analyzed the questions using a grounded theory methodology. In conclusion, there were five significant themes parents identified. The significant themes found were the Default Parent, Implicit vs. Explicit, Communication, Default Parenting, Boundaries, and Support/Relationship. While the findings are consistent with the literature, it provides a greater depth as to how parents themselves experience and define the coparenting relationship. Specifically, the idea of default parenting is a concept that is not defined in the literature and further understanding is important.
Allied Health
0408. Case Study of a 22 year old football player with Achilles Tendon Rupture
Undergraduate Presentation. Author(s): Jasmin C. Le, Christopher Nightingale. Mentor(s): Christopher Nightingale.
Abstract: The Achilles tendon is a tendon that attaches the gastrocnemius muscle to the calcaneus and allows you to plantarflex your foot. Without this tendon, it would be very difficult to perform everyday activities such as walking, running, or pushing on the gas pedal. Achilles tendon ruptures are most common in the older population due to the decreased pliability of the tendon; however, Achilles tendon ruptures can occur in any population. There is still a debate about whether operative or nonoperative treatment is best for the recovery and outcome of the patient. This case report focuses on a 22 -year-old male collegiate football player who sustained an Achilles tendon rupture. This patient received operative treatment on his Achilles tendon. He also received a guided rehabilitation program from a team physical therapist. This study focuses on his recovery and the patient’s outcome.
0411. Assessing Health Related Quality of Life, Language Impairment, And Psychosocial Factors in Post-Stroke Aphasia
Undergraduate Presentation. Author(s): Sophia Palangas, Christopher Grindrod. Mentor(s): Christopher Grindrod.
Abstract: Aphasia, an impairment of language comprehension and production typically due to an acquired brain injury or stroke, has been shown to negatively impact an individual’s quality of life (Hilari, Needle, & Harrison, 2012). It has also been shown that people with aphasia (PWA) have an increased risk of developing depression (Kauhanen et al., 2000). There are few current assessments or screening tools which focus on depression in aphasia and the relationship between mood disorders and prognosis for language recovery. This type of screening tool is critical in order to identify a PWA’s susceptibility for depression because depression elongates and/or prevents language recovery (Hackett & Anderson, 2005). In order to develop a more patient-centered quality of life screening measure, a focus group was conducted with PWA. Participants were asked questions on their health-related quality of life based on physical, psychosocial and language impairment influences, and shared their opinions on what most impacted their quality of life post-stroke. Responses were then transcribed and analyzed to find the most common issues in PWA. Based on this information, questions were developed and implemented as part of a brief quality of life screening tool specific to stroke survivors with aphasia. It is hoped that this screening tool will be used by speech-language pathologists to refer stroke survivors with aphasia to the correct mental health services as early as possible in the recovery process.
0419. Volunteer Participation of Older Adults: A Comparison Between Volunteers in the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program and American Time Use Survey
Graduate Presentation. Author(s): Rachel Coleman. Mentor(s): Jennifer Crittenden.
Abstract: Declining volunteer rates among older people as other activities compete for their time are a concern due to the benefits of volunteering for older people and their community. Primarily, these activities are caregiving for dependent family members and employment where personal interest or financial strain necessitates working until a later age. Identifying how these activities impact an older person’s volunteering is critical for improving volunteer engagement. To explore this, volunteers aged 55 and older were compared from the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) (n=1,139) and the broader volunteering population from the 2018 American Time Use Survey (ATUS) (n=328). Volunteer participation was analysed through regressions examining factors that may impact volunteer participation. Higher caregiving and working hours were expected to result in lower volunteering hours while RSVP volunteers were hypothesized to contribute more volunteer hours than ATUS volunteers. The analysis found increases in annual household income predicted lower volunteer hours in both groups (p < .05). RSVP volunteer hours (M = 37.5) were also predicted by gender (p < .05) and caregiving hours (p < .0001); however, household income and gender both lost significance once working status and work hours were removed from the model. Conversely, ATUS volunteer hours (M = 71.7) were predicted by household income and the number of people in a household (p < .05). Implications of similarities and differences between RSVP and ATUS volunteer participation are important for effectively engaging and retaining older people in volunteer activities.
0420. A look at older adult volunteers: Volunteers with a caregiving role for their grandchildren
Graduate Presentation. Author(s): Abbie Hartford, Jennifer Crittenden. Mentor(s): Jennifer Crittenden.
Abstract: Intergenerational connections between grandparents and grandchildren are found to benefit both parties. For grandparents specifically, these connections provide improved cognitive ability, closer social supports, and an increase in health and quality of life. This poster presentation focuses on the comparison of older adult volunteers not caring for grandchildren and older adult volunteers with a caregiving role for their grandchildren. Analysis looked at how the role of caring for grandchildren impacts older adult volunteers. This poster presentation will review quantitative and qualitative findings from a recent national survey of older adult RSVP volunteers. The original RSVP study looked at role conflict and the relationship it had to volunteer satisfaction and retention. In the study, of the 1,697 respondents, 21% of the respondents (n=356) reported having a caregiving role for their grandchildren. Analysis of participant responses revealed 83.1% of volunteers caring for grandchildren had a quality of life rating of 4 or higher, with 5 being the highest, versus 78.9% of volunteers not caring for grandchildren. Discussed in this poster presentation are the results of further analyses that demonstrate the health and well-being advantages of intergenerational contact and caregiving. Implications include the need to support and encourage intergenerational connections for older adult volunteers. Further, the importance of RSVP recognizing the benefits volunteers caring for grandchildren have is key in order to better promote and incorporate this role more often.
Art
0602. Paper, Pulp, and Practice: Investigating Connections Through Process Art
Undergraduate Presentation. Author(s): Olivia Bradstreet, Ronald Nadeau. Mentor(s): Ronald Nadeau.
Abstract: A small papermaking studio was assembled for making archival quality handmade papers and pulps appropriate for printmaking, book arts, and paper cast to demonstrate the connections between artist practice, materials, and medium through process art. In the home studio a variety of machine made cotton and abaca linters from an artist supplier were torn by hand and beaten by individual fiber types with a standard kitchen blender. Pulp batches were pH tested throughout and common papermaking additives were mixed into the pulp in controlled measurements to decrease acidity, decrease bleeding from later application of paint or ink, and bond added pigments to the fibers. Sheets were pulled in batches from a vat using a board and deckle, pressed between boards, and then dried in a box dryer system. Sheet quality varied as the blender chops instead of traditionally beating fibers together, leading the pulp textures to be inconsistent between batches. Application of the wet sheets and pulps for paper cast demonstrated that the blender method for pulping is most effective when processing pulp for paper casting and heavy sheet forming. Further study and materials, such as a cement pulp mixer, are needed to test uniform sheet formation methods in the small studio. This study suggests that by working with an art substance through many steps of formation, an artist has more control and connection to the medium itself creating a deeper dialog between process art and material applications.
0603. When I Live at Home Again: Changing Domesticity
Graduate Presentation. Author(s): Rachel Church, Susan Smith. Mentor(s): Susan Smith.
Abstract: Food is a vehicle to connect with one another. It can communicate who we are, where we come from, and what we value. As an artist I am using autoethnography, family history, and my research in food and cookbooks, particularly manuscript cookbooks, to investigate the history and changes in domesticity, tradition, and female experience. Using a combination of performance, interactive installation, video, audio, and books arts, I invite the viewer to contemplate their own experiences with food, domesticity and the changing roles of women.
0606. Exploring Interpersonal Relationship Structures Through Sound
Graduate Presentation. Author(s): Katarina Hoeger. Mentor(s): Owen Smith.
Abstract: This submission presents a method of exploring interpersonal relationship structures using non-traditional modeling techniques. A non-traditional approach provides the projects the public with a secondary way to consider the impacts of their actions on personal relationship networks. The investigator uses multiple media in the approach. Mathematical concepts are used to create and test the system used to explore the relations. System perturbations and alternative network compositions and transition rates are explored. Sounds are used to create an experience for the public to experience the results of the investigation for themselves. The investigator draws upon personal relationships to create the model. The investigation yields no definitive results, allowing the public to extrapolate from the case provided and consider how they themselves might impact their personal relationship networks.