Digital Commons Network^™

Observational Study And Treatment Of Problem Behavior Associated With Transitions Of Two Elementary School Children With Disabilities, Brian K. Hollingshead

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

I examined the effects of an intervention based on an observational study to treat two children’s problem behaviors, which were associated with transitions. Participants were one 7 year old boy with the educational classification of intellectual disability, and a 10 year old girl with the educational classification of multiple disabilities. There were three phases in this project. In phase 1, a preliminary observational study was conducted to identify the antecedent and consequent events that seemed to be affecting the occurrence of problem behavior during transitions from one activity/location to another. Next was Phase 2, in which a preference assessment was …

A Nation That Wasn't: The Whiskey Rebellion And A Fractured Early Republic, Kevin P. Whitaker

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Scholars often present nationalism as a cohesive social construction, modeled on Benedict Anderson's theory of imagined communities.1 The strength and popularity of Anderson's immensely useful paradigm of nationalism, however, perhaps leads to excited scholars over-extending his theory or seeing imagined communities that are little more than imaginary. The early Republic forms one such historical time period where, evidence suggests, historians have conjured nationalism where only a fractured nation existed. The various riots and rebellions during the early Republic strikingly expose a severely fractured nation. This paper will examine and critique some theoretical frameworks of nationalism and mobs in order to …

Starting Early: Perceptions Of Parents And Teachers On 6th To 12th Grade Transition Timeline For Students With High-Incidence Disabilities, Josie M. Nielsen

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Post-secondary educational and employment outcomes for students with high- incidence disabilities continue to lag far behind their nondisabled peers. A carefully designed timeline including evidence-based transition skills and practices may serve as a guideline for teachers and parents as they prepare student /child with high-incidence disabilities for successful transition into adulthood. This project examined the importance and age/grade-appropriateness of skills/activities on a transition timeline, based on ratings by teacher and parent focus groups. Participants included eight secondary teachers with at least10 years experience, and five parents of children with high-incidence disabilities who graduated from both high school and post-secondary school. …

Pyrolysis Of Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene (Abs) Under High Heat Flux Conditions, James R. Wilson

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) is a common industrial plastic that is widely used for structural and piping applications. Additionally, within the past decade ABS has become the most popular material used in a type of rapid prototyping known as fused- deposition modeling (FDM). Within the past three years, ABS plastic blends have also been investigated as a potential fuel for hybrid- and solid-propelled rocket systems, exhibiting promising results. Because the use of ABS as a rocket propellant is very recent, a pyrolysis database, describing how ABS will burn, at the temperatures and heating rates experienced by rocket systems does not exist. Previous …

An Analysis On Soil Properties On Predicting Critical Hydraulic Gradients For Piping Progression In Sandy Soils, Tammy Jacobson

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Piping is a form of internal erosion in which soil particles are eroded at a seepage exit location due to the forces imposed on the particles by seeping water. Laboratory testing was performed on a variety of soils in order to assess a correlation between unit weight, angle of internal friction, grain size, gradation, and void ratio and the critical hydraulic gradient at which piping initiates and progresses. A multi-variable regression analysis was used to form equations to predict critical hydraulic gradient based upon each of these soil parameters. Variations in the accuracy of these equations are thought to be …

The Modern Language Classroom: Individuality, Technology, And Context, Eric Sims

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This portfolio is a compilation of the author’s research-supported ideas on what good language teaching looks like. The central component is the teaching philosophy, in which the author explains that respect for individuality, use of technology, and use of culture as context for learning are the three elements seen as most important for successful language learning.
The teaching philosophy is supported by artifacts about peer feedback in language learning, literacy in adult English as a Second Language learners, and autonomy in culture learning. Finally, in three annotations the author branches out from the pillars of the teaching philosophy and examines …

Methylmercury Fate In The Hypersaline Environment Of The Great Salt Lake: A Critical Review Of Current Knowledge, Danielle Barandiaran

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Methylmercury (MeHg) is a highly potent neurotoxic form of the environmental pollutant Mercury (Hg). The processes that are responsible for the conversion of Hg to MeHg are known to be both biotic and abiotic in freshwater systems. Although MeHg contamination is well documented in Great Salt Lake (GSL), the conversion of Hg into MeHg is not well-understood in saline environments much less in hypersaline waters such as GSL. The GSL is a broad, shallow high altitude (1280 m above sea level) lake that is exposed to large amounts of ultraviolet radiation and evaporation, which lead to great volatilization losses of …

Skill Finder: Automated Job-Resume Matching System, Thimma Reddy Kalva

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Skill Finder is a tool which ranks the student skills from the resumes to the job requirements from Employers, Department and Faculty looking for student interns, full-time employees and also Research, Graduate and Teaching Assistants. Skill Finder hosts student resumes, Academic history and contact information. Authorized users from the Department can post jobs, view job applicants and the Skill finder automatically sorts the students resumes based on the degree of match with the job. Skill finder also sends e-mail alerts to students about the jobs posted and keeps track of employer’s history by maintaining the complete history of jobs posted …

Examining Written And Spoken Fast-Mapping Abilities In Children With And Without Language Impairment: A Feasibility Study, Brooke Rice

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Linguistic skills foundational to literacy success are skills such as phonology, morphology, and orthographic knowledge. Phonological awareness, the awareness of specific units of sounds within words, and morphological awareness, the meaningful units which make up words, have been studied in depth and received recent attention in research. Phonological awareness has been attributed to increased literacy abilities of written word decoding, syllable analysis, and word recognition (Stackhouse, 1997). Additionally, morphological awareness has been attributed to increased literacy abilities of sight word reading, decoding, reading comprehension, and spelling (Carlisle, 1995, 2000; Carlisle & Nomanbhoy, 1993; Wolter, Wood, & D’zatko, 2009). Orthographic awareness, …

The Benefits Of Using Building Information Modeling In Structural Engineering, Cesar Augusto Hunt

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This paper explores how the use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) can be a beneficial platform for structural engineers. The current state of BIM is analyzed, giving a general overview on how architectural; engineering and construction firms are applying it on their projects. The applicability of BIM to structural engineering is discussed, and how it impacts the structural design and its workflow. The benefits of using BIM in structural engineering are then analyzed, in the areas of productivity, coordination, and visualization, and a case study is developed to test the interoperability between BIM software and structural analysis software. The findings …

A Review Of Apomixis And Differential Expression Analyses Using Microarrays, Jonathan Harris Cardwell

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Apomixis is a complex trait of great interest to the agricultural community, as it has the potential to fix hybrid vigor in many agriculturally significant crops. Although apomixis has been studied extensively morphologically, the genetic and epigenetic factors responsible for apomixis are still very poorly understood. As no apomictic species has been sequenced and annotated, various low-cost tools and techniques are being utilized to begin profiling the trait. These include cross-species microarrays using probe masking, which deletes information from array probes that do not hybridize to the genomic DNA of the cross species. Despite their limitations, these tools are providing …

Investment Performance And Price-Earnings Ratios: Basu 1977 Revisited, Richard John Criddle

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

In this work I reexamined Basu’s 1977 work using an out-of-sample, out-of-period test on the returns of a sample of common stock for the period February 2003 to December 2012, from the viewpoint of a rational investor wishing to use data for investment approaches. The data was examined for normalcy, and similar methodology and definitions of ratios and return were used in order to closely follow Basu’s work. I found that the assets in the sample used here do not display the same results found by Basu in regard to the relationship between returns and price-earnings ratio under either the …

The Effects Of Financing Unfunded Social Security With Consumption Taxation When Consumers Are Shortsighted, Michael P. Clagg

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Using a representative-agent life-cycle model with consumer shortsightedness, I study an unfunded social security program financed via consumption taxation. Compared to financing an unfunded program with payroll taxation, I find that there is only a slight increase in well-being across planning horizons that is generated by a program with a consumption tax.

We suggest that both our data and the available time-series evidence are consistent with Milton Friedman's view that people save to smooth consumption over several years but, because of liquidity constraints, caution, or shortsighted-ness do not seek to smooth consumption over longer horizons. . . . Indeed, Milton …

Effect Of Aquatic Immersion On Static Balance, Talin J. Louder

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Objective To quantitatively assess measures of static balance and limits of stability (LOS) in an aquatic environment compared to on land. Methods Fifteen healthy, young adults (23 + or - 2 years) performed 90 s static balance trials on land and aquatic immersion at two different depths (greater trochanter, xiphoid process). Measures of 95% ellipse area and center of pressure (CoP) mean velocity were computed from the force data. Additionally, participants completed a visual analog scale (VAS) of perceived stability for each environmental condition. Following the static balance trials, participants performed anterior-posterior and medial-lateral LOS assessments. Results Significant differences in …

Spatial Model Of Grazing In Southeast Utah, Tyler Allen

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The goal of this study is to model potential grazing values in southeast Utah and to provide a framework for others to follow in creating their own analysis. Grazing is a vital part of the community and history of southeast Utah. With new technology and new information, there is greater potential for more efficient grazing practices. The intention of this project is to provide a systematic approach to the modeling of grazing in southeast Utah on the Colorado Plateau and provide a base from which others may develop more comprehensive models in the future.

Criteria For Transition For Self-Contained Classrooms, Christopher S. Marden

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This project was an effort to ascertain what skills regular and/or resource teachers require of self-contained students with learning disabilities in order to transition successfully in their classrooms. A twenty-one-question survey was given to regular and resource teachers in four junior high schools. This survey questioned teachers with regards to what the minimal academic, behavioral and procedural criteria should be mastered before students transition into regular classrooms. Once this information is received, self-contained teachers may analyze their curriculum, behavioral and classroom procedures to better mirror the requirements and the realities of the regular and/or resource classrooms.

Comparison Of Vo2 And Body Kinematics For Three Cycling Modes, Andrew I. Miller

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Cycling research in a laboratory has an advantage of being more tightly controlled compared to field studies; however, consideration must be given to ecological validity for the results to be best applied to its target population and environment. This was clearly demonstrated by Jones and Doust (8) where they reported treadmill running to be metabolically lower (p < 0.05) then outdoor running at the same velocity and incline. Cycling research is often targeted towards high-level cyclists interested in understanding cycling physiology and improving performance. Therefore, research results are most applicable when utilizing methods that best mimic conditions of the target population while still maintaining the control advantages that the laboratory offers

Addressing Endogeneity Of Casino, Crime And Regional Economy: A Case Of Las Vegas, Nevada, Wei Bao

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This paper presents an approach to investigate the statistical relationship among casino activities, crime rates and number of visitors in Las Vegas, NV. Numerous studies have attempted to answer the question whether casino gaming increases crime rates. Casino gaming is statistically correlated with more crimes when researchers use the reported crime rate, i.e., ratio of the number of crimes to local population. However, there is no statistical relationship between the two when researchers use the visitor adjusted crime rate (henceforth adjusted crime rate), i.e., ratio of the number of crimes to local population and visitors, in their analyses. Somewhat surprisingly, …

Items To Be Included In A Food Safety Handbook For Artisan Cheese Makers, David A. Irish

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Current written resources for artisan cheese makers include topics concerning cheese history, cheese recipes, budget planning, culture selection, processing parameters, and only limited discussion of food safety associated with cheese manufacturing. Most often food safety discussions center on HACCP, which typically are not included in artisan cheese operation planning. Recent changes in the regulatory landscape, including the Food Safety Modernization Act, make this information timely and needed. This research is designed to identify and collect a majority of topical ideas that should be included in a Food Safety Handbook for Artisan Cheese Makers. Where possible, expansion of the ideas has …

Design And Testing Of A Turbidity Sensor For Grain Size Measurements, Sara Rebeca Martin Cid

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Grain-size analysis is a measurement of the size distribution of individual particles in a soil sample. The major features of grain-size analysis are the destruction or dispersion of soil aggregates into discrete units by chemical, mechanical, or ultrasonic means and the separation of particles according to size limits by such means as sieving and sedimentation, as well as other methods.

Soil particles span a large size range, varying from boulders (exceeding 0.25 m in size) down to submicron clays (Grain-size distribution curves are used extensively by civil engineers to evaluate materials used for foundations, road fills, and other construction purposes. …

Marketing Strategies For Small Scale Producers, Irvin Yeager

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This study examines fresh produce marketing for small producers in the U.S. Rocky Mountain region by comparing risk and return attributes for farmers’ markets and wholesale outlets. Prices were collected from farmers’ markets in Utah and Colorado and San Francisco terminal market prices from USDA NASS were used to represent wholesale prices received by producers. Production and harvesting costs, as well as marketing costs for both outlets are also included in the analysis.

Simulation was used to compare the results of eleven marketing options based on the level of marketing activities in wholesale and farmers’ markets. The simulation results were …

No Child Left Inside Week: Pilot Program, Jamie C. Clark

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This program evaluation assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of a free No Child Left Inside (NCLI) week-long outdoor program to coincide with the Utah state-designated No Child Left Inside Week. The pilot program was implemented at the community level in Cache Valley, Utah, in 2012. Families attended eleven activities throughout the week that included hands-on experience and participation. A community BioBlitz was also planned as a conclusion to the week. Survey results demonstrate increased excitement and desire to spend more time outdoors exploring and learning, accomplishing NCLI goals of laying groundwork for an environmental literacy foundation in America’s children.

Of Form And Fire, Louis R. Reilly

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

I will design and create a body of functional ceramic vessels for soda firing. These ceramic vessels will have clean silhouettes, undulating rims, stretched proportions, and smooth surfaces. I intend for these characteristics to best display the wide-ranging texture, sheen, and hue possible with the soda firing process.

Teaching Spanish To Second-Language And Heritage-Language Learners, Kathryn R. Wall

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The following portfolio is an assemblage of work submitted for the Master of Second Language Teaching (MSLT) program at Utah State University. Contained herein is the author’s personal teaching philosophy about teaching beginning level Spanish in college with second and heritage language learners in the classroom. Following the teaching philosophy are artifacts and reflections relating to specific topics of the teaching philosophy. These artifacts represent the author’s understanding of the role that language, culture, and literacy play in the Spanish second and heritage language classroom.

Miniature Wire Boom System For Cubsat Application, Keith R. Bradford

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Small satellites and especially CubeSats are becoming more widely used to study the space environment. The Ionosphere is one region of particular interest, more specifically the altitude region of 85 km to 600 km. Small satellites are particularly useful for studying this region of the Earth’s atmosphere since the effects of aerodynamic drag on a CubeSat are much less than those on a larger more traditional satellite, thus the lifespan of a CubeSat in this region is much longer. In order to observe the electric field in space, the electric potential between various points needs to be measured. These measurements …

Intramuscular Temperature Of Rectus Femoris During Cold Water Immersion, Nicholas Rech

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Purpose: To establish a protocol for cold water immersion (CWI) temperature and duration based on adipose tissue thickness and desired cooling at 2 cm sub-adipose tissue of rectus femoris (RF) after exercise.

Methods: Sixteen participants received a CWI treatment (10 °C) until either intramuscular thigh temperature (2 cm sub-adipose) decreased 7 °C below pre-exercise level or 30 minutes was reached. Temperature was recorded every 30 seconds using skin and implantable fine-wire thermocouples. Temperature reductions and cooling rates were analyzed.

Results:Five out of the 16 participants cooled 7 °C below baseline within 30 min. Adipose thickness and percent body fat …

The Cost Of Primacy: The Potential Impacts On American Domestic Health, Peter James Crosby

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

While scholars, soldiers and politicians have argued about the international consequences of American grand strategy, relatively little attention has been paid to the potential domestic consequences of American hegemony versus isolationism. This paper is an effort to start the process of understanding the relationship between American primacy (the current strategy) and its domestic impact. It looks at general areas of measurement, economic and social indicators, to determine if primacy has a positive or negative impact on the American people. Though additional research is necessary, this paper suggests primacy has not had the negative consequences suggested by proponents of isolationism.

Vitalogy: The Study Of Life, Zachary D. Proctor

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

A selection of artwork conveying Vitalogy: The Study of Life

Strategies To Enhance Conversion Of Lignocellulosic Biomass To Fermentable Sugars And To Enhance Anaerobic Digestion Of Algal Biomass For Biogas Production, Kristen M. Sims

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

For economical conversion of cellulosic biomass to biofuel sources, such as ethanol and biogas, high concentrations of biomass must be processed to minimize downstream costs associated with dilute solutions. Further, the fundamental processes that drive biomass transformation must be understood in order to optimize conversion processes and to efficiently overcome the technological and economic barriers of biofuel production. One such barrier includes the recalcitrance of biomass to degradation. In order to overcome the recalcitrance of biomass, this study focuses on pretreatment strategies to break down the cell wall components and to make the biomass more susceptible to enzymatic action.

Specifically, …

Nutritional Habits & Knowledge In The Division I Collegiate Football Player, Mallory Hale

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Objectives: Athlete’s nutritional habits and knowledge can directly affect their performance. The purpose of this study is to investigate the nutritional habits and knowledge of the Division I collegiate football player.

Methods: The participants of this study are male Division I college football players at Utah State University. The athletes included 45 players ranging from 18-26 and include freshman through seniors.

Results: Over eighty six percent of the athletes were unaware that a nutritionist was readily available to them. Sixty percent of the athletes were interested in meeting with the nutritionist. Forty percent of the athletes ate at a fast-food …