Digital Commons Network^™

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Sexual Functioning: A Mediation Analysis Of Difficulties In Emotional Regulation, Haven Travis

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Sexual dysfunction can lead to a negative impact upon a person’s mental and relational health, including relational and overall distress, poor relationship and sexual satisfaction, and clinical mood disorders such as depression. Moving upstream to identify factors that may predict sexual dysfunction would therefore be beneficial for early intervention in at-risk populations. History of childhood trauma is one such factor that may influence sexual functioning later in life. While adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) have been less studied in association with sexual dysfunction, there is some evidence to indicate that they may be related. ACEs have been shown to increase the …

A Potential Klebsiella Bacteriocin With Efficacy Toward The Enterbacteriaceae Family, Kasey Barber

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Drug resistance is unfortunately becoming a prevalent issue in the course of patient treatment, ranging from chemotherapy resistance to antimicrobial resistance. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated in 2016 that at least 23,000 people die every year in the United States from an infection with an antibiotic-resistant organism (Munita, et al, 2016). Carl Friedlander was the first scientist to describe Klebsiella pneumoniae in 1882 as an encapsulated bacillus after isolating the bacterium from the lungs of patients who had died from pneumonia (Ashurst and Dawson, 2022). Klebsiella pneumoniae is the type species for the Klebsiella genus and …

Detection Of Jamming Attacks In Vanets, Thomas Justice

Undergraduate Honors Theses

A vehicular network is a type of communication network that enables vehicles to communicate with each other and the roadside infrastructure. The roadside infrastructure consists of fixed nodes such as roadside units (RSUs), traffic lights, road signs, toll booths, and so on. RSUs are devices equipped with communication capabilities that allow vehicles to obtain and share real-time information about traffic conditions, weather, road hazards, and other relevant information. These infrastructures assist in traffic management, emergency response, smart parking, autonomous driving, and public transportation to improve roadside safety, reduce traffic congestion, and enhance the overall driving experience. However, communication between the …

Scare If You Dare: A Look Into Scare Acting, Hana Goss

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Scare acting has always been the unsung villains of the entertainment industry. For three months of the year, for about five minutes of a haunted house, they get attention. However, the work scare actors do to is way more than just a five second “boo.” Scare actors have been at the beginning of theatre and continue to influence modern entertainment. Even though the patrons may be the ones feeling the danger, scare actors may be even more in danger than them. Each scare actor is unique from their looks to their moves. It might be take a lot of nerve …

"Great Injustice In American Literature": African American Girlhood In Black And White Authored Children's Publications, 1887-1920, Becca Driggs

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis examines the role of African American girls in creating and dismantling nineteenth-century race myths through a comparison of publications in black and white authored presses. Fictional stories published in St. Nicholas, the most popular turn-of-the-century children’s magazine, reveal that white authors, specifically Southern women, intentionally crafted narratives demeaning African American girls to cement a national racial hierarchy. Their work indoctrinated white children in racism and undermined African American legitimacy in the decades following the Civil War and Reconstruction. Concurrently, black authors recognized these attacks and in their press explored the lived experiences of African American girls to counter …

Power And Participation: Women's Participation In The Arab Spring And Its Impact On Women's Empowerment, Mary Harris

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Middle Eastern governments typically score at or near the bottom of indices measuring women’s rights and political participation. The Middle East also contains a large percentile of authoritarian regimes. The Arab Spring challenged these regimes' gender structures as they included vast female participation, but there is little existing research to understand the Spring's impact on opinions of women's participation and empowerment in the region. This study aims to add to existing research on this topic by analyzing Arab Barometer data from 4 questions dealing with opinions of women’s participation in society gathered before, during, and after the Arab Spring. I …

Against A Ternary Analysis Of Syllable Strength: Positional Variation In The Vowel Inventory Of English, Joseph Lorber

Undergraduate Honors Theses

All of the vowels in Standard American English (SAE) are distinguishable from each other in stressed syllables, and it is generally accepted that none of them are contrastive in unstressed syllables. However, unstressed word-final syllables (or ultimas) without a coda consonant are able to host more vowel contrasts than unstressed syllables, evidenced by the minimal pair [ˈwɪndi] ‘windy’ and [ˈwɪndo͡ʊ] ‘window,’ but not as many contrasts as stressed syllables. Therefore, the standard analysis of syllable strength in SAE is a ternary one, where stressed syllables are Strong, unstressed non-final syllables are Weak, and unstressed open ultimas are Intermediate.

This work …

Transformational Experiences And Decision-Making Processes: Factors Influencing The Choice Of College Major, Ashley Hunsaker

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis examines the influence of transformational experiences on decision making when it comes to choosing one’s major. Participants attended a one-on-one interview with the primary researcher where questions were asked about how they chose their major and how much they enjoy it. Participants were given the chance to tell stories about how they discovered their major and how they decided to pursue it. Results suggested that transformational experiences, internal and external factors, and mentorship led students to choose and stick with a major where they felt a sense of belonging and “fit.” When belonging and perceived fit were not …

Development And Demonstration Of An Apparatus For Assessing Frost-Heave Susceptibility Of Soil, Becca Apgar, W. S. Guthrie

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The objective of this research was to develop and demonstrate an apparatus for assessing the frost-heave susceptibility of soil in a laboratory setting. Development of the frost-heave testing apparatus required several components, including a freezing system, a heating system, temperature controllers, a metal frame, a water delivery system, and an insulated specimen container. For the freezing system, a chest freezer was selected to provide a test environment that can be maintained at an adjustable air temperature below 32 °F. For the heating system, thermostat-controlled heat tape was selected for positioning around the base of the specimen and along the water …

Effect Of Evening Vs. Morning Exercise On The Appetite Hormones, Penny Akre

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper explores the potential impact of exercise timing on appetite hormones and metabolic outcomes, aiming to enhance understanding of the complex interplay between exercise, appetite regulation, and weight management. A randomized trial involving premenopausal women investigated the effects of morning versus evening exercise sessions over an eight-week intervention period. Participants underwent comprehensive screening and a supervised exercise regimen, with pre-and post-training laboratory sessions assessing body composition and appetite hormone levels. Statistical analyses revealed no significant differences in appetite hormone levels between morning and evening exercise groups, but notable correlations were observed between appetite hormones and body composition measures. Despite …

Effects Of Enzymatic And Chemical Bisulfite Conversion On Cell-Free Dna Fragmentation, Caroline G. Ploeger

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This project aims to investigate the DNA fragmentation produced by enzymatic bisulfite conversion compared to DNA fragmentation produced by traditional chemical bisulfite conversion techniques for the analysis of cytosine methylation in seminal cell-free DNA (cfDNA). Traditional chemical bisulfite (HSO₃^-) conversion methods are known to introduce biases and damage DNA, potentially compromising methylation analysis accuracy. In contrast, enzymatic conversion, utilizing biological molecules, is hypothesized to offer more precise visualization with reduced fragmentation (Lambert et al., 2019). While previous studies have analyzed methylation conversion efficiency in genomic DNA, this project specifically examines how these conversion techniques impact cfDNA.

20 …

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Remote Patient Monitoring Using Spirometry: A Systematic Review, Joseph Nielson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects an estimated 30 million Americans and is the third leading cause of death worldwide. A recent effort to curb deaths and hospitalizations involves remote patient monitoring (RPM). Of all possible monitoring parameters, spirometry presents itself as potentially helpful. Existing RPM studies using spirometry present software systems in early stages of development that have yet to be tested thoroughly in large trials. Further, the array of data elements and software features that should be combined with spirometry for effective COPD RPM and care have yet to be determined. A meta-analysis was performed to determine a …

Isothiocyanates In The Prevention Of Neural Tube Defects In Chick Embryos, Katrina Lantz

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Neural tube defects (NTDs), including anencephaly and spina bifida, contribute significantly to neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite the widespread implementation of folic acid (FA) supplementation, its ineffectiveness in certain genetic populations, alongside the persistent prevalence of NTDs, underscores the need for alternative preventative strategies. This study investigates the potential of isopropyl isothiocyanate (IPI), a compound derived from Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera), in mitigating NTDs through the modulation of oxidative stress pathways. Using the chick embryo model, we aimed to determine whether IPI significantly reduces the incidence of chemically-induced NTDs by activating the Nrf2 cofactor, a key regulator of cellular …

Silicates As An Explanation For Discrepancies In Atmospheric Modeling Of L-Type Brown Dwarfs, Zacory Shakespear

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Forward retrieval modeling is a powerful method for classifying brown dwarf atmospheres and their physical parameters. However, the results of this method are only as good as the models compared against the data. Silicates in the atmospheres of L-type brown dwarfs have been shown to cause model overfitting around $10 \mu m$, but it is not known what impact, if any, these silicates have on other portions of brown dwarf atmospheric spectra. I report a preliminary negative correlation between model overfitting at $10 \mu m$ and model underfitting from $3.5-4.25 \mu m$ using spectra from two L-dwarfs from JWST and …

Facebook Complaints On Dating By Gender, Whitley Williams

Undergraduate Honors Theses

With changes in technology, world events, and society in the last 20 years, dating has been both recreated and redefined. From the dating process itself to new technology, the way American youth see dating has changed from times past. By examining feedback on dating from both genders (collected via Facebook), it is possible to see how dating trends have changed and what is being complained about in each of those time periods. Although no exact causes within this study can be determined about how much technology and world events have influenced the changes in dating trends, the coincidences of both …

On Sensible Limits Of Love: Implications Of Moral Failure In Loving Relationships, Macy West

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In this thesis, I aim to establish the groundwork for an account of love that is sensitive to serious moral failure, both descriptively and normatively. I attempt to articulate not only how love is compromised by abuse, but also by serious moral failure that is not directed at the relationship participant. I first refute two popular accounts that argue for the compatibility of moral failure with love, Vida Yao’s permissive love and Eric Matthes’s dismissive love, on the grounds that they fail to adequately respond to more serious moral flaws. I then propose my own conception of practical identity as …

Exploring The Border Identity Of The Residents Of Ambos Nogales: A Pilot Study, Emily Rodriguez

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis is a mixed-methods pilot study seeking to explore Border Identity among the residents of Ambos Nogales. Border Identity is a concept that has been widely debated in Border Studies yet is still under-researched. This thesis adds to the existing literature by conducting survey and interview analyses to determine the essential characteristics that make up Border Identity in today’s political climate. It also serves as a pilot study meant to encourage further research on the Border and Border people. This thesis provides important suggestions for future Border research and amplifies the voices of the Residents of Nogales.

The Nordstjärna Project: Recovering Voices Of Swedish Migration, Benjamin Austin

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis investigates the Swedish-Mormon migration of the 19th century through the lens of Nordstjärnan, a periodical that served as a crucial link between the Swedish diaspora in Utah and their counterparts in Sweden during this era. This study compares Arnold Barton's observations of a love-hate relationship within the broader Swedish emigration to the diasporic relationship Swedish-Mormons had among themselves; suggesting that Nordstjärnan played a central role in portraying Swedish-Mormons as a symbiotic group compared to their countrymen. Nordstjärnan played this key role in reinforcing distinct Swedish-Mormon-American identity in both its positive reflection of the Swedish-Mormon identity and of immigration …

The Implementation Of Transformative Learning Theory And Immersion, Kelsi Niepraschk

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Through this creative project, Transformative Learning Theory and immersion are implemented into the redesign of a core business class in Brigham Young University’s Experience Design and Management discipline. Experience design principles of empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test are discussed and used to map out the redesign of EXDM 415, Experience-Centric Management. Empathy data was collected through course evaluations, emailed correspondence, and word of mouth. The data was then used to define underlying needs of students and potential concerns from previous iterations of the course. The class prototype consists of newly developed learning outcomes/objectives, immersive class simulations, and an employee …

How Fundamental Epistemic Limitation Impacts My Human Experience, Matthew Mcnairy

Undergraduate Honors Theses

My thesis examines different ways that I am ignorant through a philosophical lens. Through examining my ignorance, I gain insight into myself and the world. However, the kinds of ignorance that interest and irk me the most are fundamental to life. I explore two major sources of ignorance and reference many more. The first source of ignorance is myself. Myself includes my body, my emotions, and my actions. I can partially control each of these, but they also are not fully understood by me. I explore who I am as a self and what my moral responsibility is in the …

Using Lean Six Sigma Methodologies To Improve The Patient Experience At A Local Health Center, Marshall S. Butler

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Lean Six Sigma is a methodology originally designed for a manufacturing context but has process improvement applications that can be used in many fields including medical and business. These tools were applied to addressing issues at a local health center with the aim to help patients receive better medical treatment and have a more positive overall experience. Initial baseline data was collected to identify the core problems patients were experiencing with the health center. Adjustments were made in the survey process to capture more accurate results about the patient experience, which led to the creation of a patient-focused action plan …

Improving Human Recognition Of Deepfakes, Jeremy Mumford

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis is focused on deepfakes, a new term given to fake videos and images generated by deep learning algorithms and models. Deepfakes pose a considerable threat to society by raising the bar for quality in misinformation while also lowering the amount of skill and effort required. Deepfakes threaten to undermine democratic societies by swaying public opinion through misinformation. While many researchers are working hard to develop automated tools to combat deepfakes, this thesis used a 10-item IRB approved survey to examine whether two separate interventions could successfully improve an individual’s ability to recognize deepfakes. Demographic differences in recognizing deepfakes …

Explainable Ai Using Assumption-Alignment Tracking On Multiple Algorithms, Darien Campbell

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Autonomous robots are becoming increasingly prevalent in our everyday lives. In order for humans to effectively take advantage of automated systems, robots need to understand their limitations across different environment states, recognize when they need user assistance, and effectively communicate their assessments to human users. The ability of AI systems to communicate their decision process is referred to as Explainable AI.

Research has already been done on how a robot should evaluate its proficiency to predict how well it can perform a task [1]. This thesis explores current Social Science research on how humans explain their own behaviors. These insights …

The Abuse Of Greatness: A Comparative Study Between A Leader's Recognition Of Remorse And Their State's Economic, Political, And Social Success, Joleah Long

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In the year 1599 William Shakespeare penned a line for his new political drama The Tragedy of Julius Caesar: “The abuse of greatness is when it disjoins remorse from power.” This thesis investigates if and how this claim is mirrored in reality. Utilizing the literature and philosophies of two historic political figures, Marcus Aurelius and Machiavelli, a spectrum of remorse in leadership is defined. On one end Aurelius articulates the necessity of remorse while Machiavelli argues the opposite on the other end of this spectrum. The research then takes us to sub-saharan Africa to explore differences in the leadership styles …

Leaving Home: Loss And Restoration In Marilynne Robinson's "Gilead" And "Housekeeping", Zachary Stevenson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The concepts of restoration and reconciliation are central to Marilynne Robinson’s first two novels, Housekeeping (1980) and Gilead (2004). Housekeeping structures itself around the narrator Ruth Stone’s thirst for familial wholeness, and Gilead tracks the aging Congregationalist minister John Ames’s growing realization that there are rifts in both his town and his personal life that demand healing. The books are also united in their ambivalence towards the possibility of achieving total wholeness, as in each novel the movement towards restoration is undercut in important ways. However, the books ultimately diverge in the scope of the restitution that they allow. Whereas …

Visual Thinking Strategies (Vts) In The Clinic: How The Humanities Affect The Way We Make Visual Diagnoses Within Medicine, Mitchell Smith

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS), a system of humanistic critical analysis that was developed in the 1990’s by Abigail Housen and Philip Yenawine, affords viewers of art the opportunity to have an increased level of interaction with artwork through the use of questions posed by an instructor. For viewers, such a process of critical analysis affords greater visual literacy. The same is arguably true of medical personnel who have trained to use said process in the making of medical observations and diagnoses. The purpose of this study is to understand if VTS has direct application within the realm of medicine, and …

Blue Moon: Exploring The Complexities Of Human Love Through A Werewolf Romance Novel, Kayla Lafroth

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Blue Moon is a werewolf romance novel that emphasizes the heartbreak and triumph of human love through a cast of non-human characters. This story is written to explore the complexities of love, acting as an intersection between werewolves and romantic tragedy. In Blue Moon, Luna’s perfect world comes crashing down when her soulmate, Aspen, rejects her as his mate, something unheard of in werewolf culture. In a desperate attempt to win his affection, Luna feigns a soulmate bond with Kodiak, an alpha werewolf who is looked down upon for having no mate. As the layers of Luna’s relationship with …

Rapid Discovery Of House-Keeping Genes In The Bacterium Kushneria, Using A Slalom-Library-Based Crispri Forward Genetic Screen, Andrew Jenkins

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Rising soil salinity levels worldwide have resulted in the loss of millions of hectares of viable cropland. Several solutions to this problem have been posited, including looking into the properties of salt-tolerant plants. Recent research into salttolerant plants in southern Utah has found a host of microorganisms isolated from the soil, plant surfaces, or plant tissues that stimulate salt tolerance in alfalfa. Leveraging a Mobile-CRISPRi system to repress a library of genes created through the recently developed sgRNA Library Assembly by Ligation onto Magnetic Beads (SLALOM) protocol, we induced genome-wide repression of genes in Kushneria spp. grown under optimal and …

The Role Of Age, Sex, And Mglur5 Receptors In Hippocampal Depotentiation In Mice, Michael Dew

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Synaptic plasticity of excitatory hippocampal circuits is one of the primary cellular mechanisms of learning and memory. Synaptic plasticity is also implicated in many disease states such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and Alzheimer disease. Long-term potentiation (LTP) is the plastic strengthening of synapses, while long-term depression (LTD) is the weakening of synapses. Depotentiation is the process of reversing previously established long-term potentiation. Depotentiation has not been studied as thoroughly as long-term potentiation and long-term depression. We examined the role of age, metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5), and sex in the process of CA1 hippocampal depotentiation in young CD-1 mice …

“The History Of Every Country Begins In The Heart Of A…Woman”: Willa Cather’S Reclamation Of The Female American Immigrant Through Edenic Western Narratives, Emma Fox

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis analyzes Willa Cather’s Great Plains Trilogy—O, Pioneers! (1913), The Song of the Lark (1915), and My Ántonia (1918)—in the context of the immigration boom of the early 1900s and the myth of an “American Eden.” This concept was born of cultural portrayals of the West as dominated by white, male pioneers who subdued the landscape, but Cather’s novels, centered around immigrant families, significantly revise this popular myth. Nativists saw the West as the source of American virtues such as democracy and diligence and viewed sending immigrants West as an essential tool for “Americanization,” the process by which …