Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Digital Commons Network

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Brigham Young University

Theses and Dissertations

Discipline
Keyword
Publication Year

Articles 1 - 30 of 144

Full-Text Articles in Entire DC Network

Gt-Ches And Dycon: Improved Classification For Human Evolutionary Systems, Joseph S. Johnson Mar 2024

Gt-Ches And Dycon: Improved Classification For Human Evolutionary Systems, Joseph S. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this work is to rethink the process of learning in human evolutionary systems. We take a sober look at how game theory, network theory, and chaos theory pertain specifically to the modeling, data, and training components of generalization in human systems. The value of our research is three-fold. First, our work is a direct approach to align machine learning generalization with core behavioral theories. We made our best effort to directly reconcile the axioms of these heretofore incompatible disciplines -- rather than moving from AI/ML towards the behavioral theories while building exclusively on AI/ML intuition. Second, this …


The Effects Of Diesel Exhaust Particle Exposure On Adipos Mitochondrial Bioenergetics And Inflammation, Cali Elizabeth Warren Mar 2024

The Effects Of Diesel Exhaust Particle Exposure On Adipos Mitochondrial Bioenergetics And Inflammation, Cali Elizabeth Warren

Theses and Dissertations

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) constitutes a significant component of ambient air pollution that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders, including insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Among PM2.5 constituents, diesel exhaust particles (DEP) are prevalent particulates that infiltrate the bloodstream to drive systemic pathologies. The purpose of this study was to characterize the metabolic response of adipose tissue to DEP. We aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding by exploring mitochondrial bioenergetics, characterizing the inflammatory marker profile, including adipokines, and conducting a detailed histological analysis of adipocytes to provide valuable insights to the evolving understanding of the intricate …


Development And Validation Of A Spanish Nutrition Screening Tool For Hispanic American 3 To 5-Year-Olds, Denisse Arias Olivas Apr 2023

Development And Validation Of A Spanish Nutrition Screening Tool For Hispanic American 3 To 5-Year-Olds, Denisse Arias Olivas

Theses and Dissertations

Latinos comprise 18.9% of the population in the United States and are the largest and fastest growing minority group. Obesity prevalence was 26.2% among Hispanic children compared to 16.6% among non-Hispanic White children. The obesity epidemic among Latino children has been growing rapidly over the past three decades. Multiple barriers, such as lack of culturally appropriate screening tools, language, and lack of access to nutritional assessment and expert consultation, prevents screening of Latino children and further nutritional guidance. For this reason, prevention efforts such as the use of nutritional screening tools is required for early intervention, more so with populations …


Estimating Age In Mule Deer: Accuracy And Influence On Reproduction, Morgan S. Hinton Aug 2022

Estimating Age In Mule Deer: Accuracy And Influence On Reproduction, Morgan S. Hinton

Theses and Dissertations

Accurate estimates of parameters and demographic rates of wildlife populations are crucial to management and conservation. One parameter of interest is age because it influences multiple demographic rates and behaviors including reproduction, dispersal, migration, and disease transmission. There are a number of methods used to estimate ages of wildlife. One of the most common methods used for mammals is evaluation of patterns in dental eruption and tooth wear. In the first chapter, we evaluate the accuracy associated with estimates of age from dental eruption and patterns of tooth wear for mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). In the second chapter, we use …


A Survey-Based Analysis On Adult Community Esl Learners: Perceptions Of Challenges, Online Learning, Resources, And Skills, Adriana Reeve Apr 2022

A Survey-Based Analysis On Adult Community Esl Learners: Perceptions Of Challenges, Online Learning, Resources, And Skills, Adriana Reeve

Theses and Dissertations

"One thing cannot be disputed: immigrants from all backgrounds and levels of cultural capital are drawn to noncredit ESL programs with high hopes of a brighter future and the attainment of the American dream" (Becker 2011). Adult ESL community learners are a fast-growing and diverse group of individuals. Previous studies demonstrate the many challenges this group faces in attending English classes (Tan, Nabb, Aagard, and Kim 2010; Tucker 2007) and the need for more online learning to better meet their needs (Eyring 2014; Reynard 2003). A survey was administered to 136 adult community ESL learners enrolled at the Provo, Utah …


The Effects Of Curricular Change On Student Learning And Well-Being In Biomedical And Clinical Education, Rachel Jalaire Tomco Novak Mar 2022

The Effects Of Curricular Change On Student Learning And Well-Being In Biomedical And Clinical Education, Rachel Jalaire Tomco Novak

Theses and Dissertations

The implementation of curriculum change, and innovative pedagogical theory, can help educators and administrators in higher education further the learning gains of students in the sciences. But the introduction of new methods of teaching, or curricular restructuring, can be interpreted by students differently, potentially affecting students' emotional states as well as their relationships with peers. To support not only the learning of students, but also their emotional and social well-being, pedagogical and curricular theory should be enacted in ways that take into consideration the full scope of the student experience. In this dissertation, the implementation of curriculum and pedagogical theory, …


Transparent Capacitive And Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers For Tactile Feedback With 3d Displays, Emily Anne Laughlin Aug 2021

Transparent Capacitive And Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers For Tactile Feedback With 3d Displays, Emily Anne Laughlin

Theses and Dissertations

3D display technology is limited by the user's ability to interact with displays without being connected to external equipment. In order to feel tactile feedback in conjunction with displays, ultrasonic sound pressure fields have been created; however, ceramic transducers interfere with the user's immersive experience. We have created transparent ultrasonic transducers using capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) and piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (PMUT) technology that allow the user to remain immersed in the experience while interacting with the display. Individual transparent piezoelectric transducers made with indium tin oxide (ITO) and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) generate 66.9dB with 91.6% transparency. Samples were …


Feasibility And Impact Of Liquid/Liquid-Encased Dopants As Method Of Composition Control In Laser Powder Bed Fusion, Taylor Matthew Davis Aug 2021

Feasibility And Impact Of Liquid/Liquid-Encased Dopants As Method Of Composition Control In Laser Powder Bed Fusion, Taylor Matthew Davis

Theses and Dissertations

Additive manufacturing (AM) – and laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) specifically – constructs geometry that would not be possible using standard manufacturing techniques. This geometric versatility allows integration of multiple components into a single part. While this practice can reduce weight and part count, there are also serious drawbacks. One is that the LPBF process can only build parts with a single material. This limitation generally results in over-designing some areas of the part to compensate for the compromise in material choice. Over-designing can lead to decreased functional efficiency, increased weight, etc. in LPBF parts. Methods to control the material …


Invariant Lattices Of Several Elliptic K3 Surfaces, Joshua Joseph Fullwood Jul 2021

Invariant Lattices Of Several Elliptic K3 Surfaces, Joshua Joseph Fullwood

Theses and Dissertations

This work is concerned with computing the invariant lattices of purely non-symplectic automorphisms of special elliptic K3 surfaces. Brandhorst gave a collection of K3 surfaces admitting purely non-symplectic automorphisms that are uniquely determined up to isomorphism by certain invariants. For many of these surfaces, the automorphism is also unique or the automorphism group of the surface is finite and with a nice isomorphism class. Understanding the invariant lattices of these automorphisms and surfaces is interesting because of these uniqueness properties and because it is possible to give explicit generators for the Picard and invariant lattices. We use the methods given …


Cationic Steroid Antimicrobials: Applications To Medical Device Coatings, Mechanism Of Pro-Osteogenic Properties, And Potential Synergy With Common Antifungals, Brian J. Hilton Jun 2021

Cationic Steroid Antimicrobials: Applications To Medical Device Coatings, Mechanism Of Pro-Osteogenic Properties, And Potential Synergy With Common Antifungals, Brian J. Hilton

Theses and Dissertations

Cationic steroid antimicrobials (CSAs or ceragenins) are a novel class of synthetic, cholic acid-based mimics of endogenous antimicrobial peptides. These small molecule compounds display broad bactericidal activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, potent ability against fungal pathogens, and cidal effects against drug resistant and multidrug resistant microbes. Implantable medical devices provide an abiotic surface upon which bacteria and fungi can accumulate--thereby leading to localized or systemic infection. We proposed that CSA antibiotics can be incorporated into medical device surface coatings which can be optimized for the active release or elution of the CSA compounds over time to prevent device-associated infections. …


Micromechanisms Of Near-Yield Deformation In Bcc Tantalum, Joshua Jr-Syan Tsai Apr 2021

Micromechanisms Of Near-Yield Deformation In Bcc Tantalum, Joshua Jr-Syan Tsai

Theses and Dissertations

New materials, optimized for increased strength, ductility, and other desirable properties, have the potential to improve every aspect of modern living. To achieve these optimums, the necessary technological advancements are impeded mainly by the limits of available material models. Innovations in this field rely on research into the nature of material behavior. While a typical model of material behavior in the region near yield involves the initial linear elastic response, followed by yield and isotropic hardening, this fails to explain various important phenomena that manifest in a range of materials, such as pre-yield nonlinearity, anelasticity, yield point phenomena, hardening stagnation, …


Defining And Measuring Learner-Content Interaction In Digitally Augmented Learning Experiences, Sandra Thatcher Powell Dec 2020

Defining And Measuring Learner-Content Interaction In Digitally Augmented Learning Experiences, Sandra Thatcher Powell

Theses and Dissertations

Using content analysis, researchers reviewed literature to identify the meanings attached to and methods used for measuring learner-content interaction in digitally augmented learning experience. Digitally augmented learning experiences are defined in this dissertation as situations where a learner interacts with content delivered using a computer. Examples include online learning using a desktop, laptop, or mobile device, classroom use of a device to interact with content such as a digital textbook, computer simulation, augmented or virtual reality, smart watch or phone, or other similar educational activities. These activities can be delivered directly from a digital device, over a wireless connection, or …


Client Experiences Of A Brief Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Protocol, Sheilagh Fox Jun 2020

Client Experiences Of A Brief Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback Protocol, Sheilagh Fox

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the experiences of clients who completed a brief heart rate variability biofeedback protocol. The purposes of this study were to (1) learn about client experiences of biofeedback because almost no previous research has done so and (2) explore the potential role of common factors in biofeedback. Fifteen clients were interviewed and their data analyzed according to the methods of Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR; Hill, 2012). CQR relies on the use of group consensus to construct representations of participant experiences and categorize themes within the data. The results of the study showed that participants generally experienced the HRVB+ …


Kinematic And Acoustic Adaptation In Response To Electromagnetic Articulography Sensor Perturbation, Emily Adelaide Bartholomew Jun 2020

Kinematic And Acoustic Adaptation In Response To Electromagnetic Articulography Sensor Perturbation, Emily Adelaide Bartholomew

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined kinematic and acoustic adaptation following the placement of electromagnetic articulography (EMA) sensors, which measure speech articulator movements. Sixteen typical native English speakers had eight EMA sensors attached to obtain kinematic data: three to the tongue (front, mid, and back at midline), one on the lower incisors (jaw), two on the lips (one on each lip at midline), and two reference sensors on the eyeglass frames worn by the participants. They repeated the same sentence stimuli 5 times every two minutes (0, 2, 4, 6 minutes post-attachment) while both acoustic and kinematic data were recorded. Global kinematic measures …


A Systems-Level Approach To The Design, Evaluation, And Optimization Of Electrified Transportation Networks Using Agent-Based Modeling, Landon Clark Willey Jun 2020

A Systems-Level Approach To The Design, Evaluation, And Optimization Of Electrified Transportation Networks Using Agent-Based Modeling, Landon Clark Willey

Theses and Dissertations

Rising concerns related to the effects of traffic congestion have led to the search for alternative transportation solutions. Advances in battery technology have resulted in an increase of electric vehicles (EVs), which serve to reduce the impact of many of the negative consequences of congestion, including pollution and the cost of wasted fuel. Furthermore, the energy-efficiency and quiet operation of electric motors have made feasible concepts such as Urban Air Mobility (UAM), in which electric aircraft transport passengers in dense urban areas prone to severe traffic slowdowns. Electrified transportation may be the solution needed to combat urban gridlock, but many …


Kinematic And Acoustic Adaptation To A Bite Block During Syllable Production, Allison Marie Barney Apr 2020

Kinematic And Acoustic Adaptation To A Bite Block During Syllable Production, Allison Marie Barney

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of the current study was to gain a better understanding of speech adaptation by examining kinematic and acoustic adaptation to bite block perturbation over time. Fifteen native American English speakers (7 female, 8 male) with no history of speech, language, or hearing deficits participated in the study. Custom bite blocks were created for speakers which created a 10mm interincisal gap when inserted. Speakers produced five repetitions of the sentence, I say ahraw /ərɑ/ (as part of a larger set) prior to bite block insertion, immediately following bite block insertion, 2-mintues post insertion, 4-minutes post insertion, 6-minutes post insertion, …


The Role Of Growth Arrest Specific 6 And Axl Signaling In Skeletal Muscle Regeneration, Marc Shigeru Matsumura Dec 2019

The Role Of Growth Arrest Specific 6 And Axl Signaling In Skeletal Muscle Regeneration, Marc Shigeru Matsumura

Theses and Dissertations

Skeletal muscle regeneration is a critical process that replaces damaged muscle fibers with new fibers. The regenerative process can be segmented into four main phases: necrosis, inflammation, regeneration, and maturation. While many of the key signaling molecules are known and characterized, there are still gaps in our understanding of how this process is regulated. While it is reported that growth arrest specific 6 (Gas6) and its receptor Axl are expressed in mature muscle tissue, nothing is known about the effect that Gas6 and Axl have on regulating skeletal muscle regeneration. In this study we investigated the regenerative process in a …


A Preliminary Study Using Electropalatography In Second Language Instruction: An Examination Of Formant Frequencies, Summer Ann Price Dec 2019

A Preliminary Study Using Electropalatography In Second Language Instruction: An Examination Of Formant Frequencies, Summer Ann Price

Theses and Dissertations

The importance of accent reduction to those who are learning English as a second language cannot be understated as it has direct and indirect impacts on credibility and income. This study is an evaluation of an instructional technique involving visual feedback through an electropalatography device to assist speakers in acquiring the /r/ and /l/ sound contrast in American English and whether or not that progress varied across speech task type or word position. This study involved four native Japanese participants in their first semester at the English Language Center located at Brigham Young University. Each subject participated in 7 45-minute …


The Impact Of Electropalatography In Teaching The /R/-/L/ Sound Contrast For Native Japanese Language Learners Of English: Evidence From Lingua-Palatal Contact, Nicole Rose Mcdougal Nov 2019

The Impact Of Electropalatography In Teaching The /R/-/L/ Sound Contrast For Native Japanese Language Learners Of English: Evidence From Lingua-Palatal Contact, Nicole Rose Mcdougal

Theses and Dissertations

The ability for English Language Learners (ELL) to communicate in a native-like manner can be vital when seeking to improve job opportunities and social interactions. Native Japanese ELL speakers commonly struggle with identifying and producing the English consonants /r/ and /l/ as separate phonemes, even for experienced Japanese ELLs. Traditional means of second language (L2) learning has primarily used auditory feedback. Electropalatography (EPG) is a visual biofeedback system designed to visualize lingua-palatal contact in real time. This study explores the impact of using EPG technology in L2 Speech Learning with Japanese ELLs. Research has shown that EPG technology is an …


Understanding Adult English Language Learners' Experience With Self-Regulation In A Blended English Language Course, Karen T. Arnesen Oct 2019

Understanding Adult English Language Learners' Experience With Self-Regulation In A Blended English Language Course, Karen T. Arnesen

Theses and Dissertations

Self-regulation is necessary for success in any learning context, but for adult immigrants to the United States who are trying to learn English, it is critical. This qualitative research investigated 46 such learners enrolled in a blended English language course. Using Zimmerman’s 6 dimensions of self-regulation as a framework and data from observations, interviews, and reflexive journals, we attempted to understand and describe how these learners experienced self-regulation. We found that although these learners had strong desires to learn English, they lacked the self-regulation abilities that could bring their desires to fruition. They had difficulty transferring their desires to learn …


Transformation Of The Dental Faculty To Promote Changes In Dental Educaiton, Clark A. Dana Aug 2019

Transformation Of The Dental Faculty To Promote Changes In Dental Educaiton, Clark A. Dana

Theses and Dissertations

This work introduces a series of papers developed to explore the case for change in dental education. Three issues facing dental education are (a) the challenging financial environment of higher education, making dental schools very expensive and tuition-intensive for universities to operate and producing high debt levels for students, which limits access to education and restricts career choices; (b) the profession's apparent loss of vision for taking care of the oral health needs of all components of society and the resultant potential for marginalization of dentistry as a specialized health care service available only to the affluent; and (c) the …


Kinematic And Acoustic Vowel Changes In Adult Bite Block Speech, Tanner Keith Low Jun 2019

Kinematic And Acoustic Vowel Changes In Adult Bite Block Speech, Tanner Keith Low

Theses and Dissertations

The current study examined the lingual kinematic and acoustic effects of bite blocks on vowels in a sentence context. Twenty adult native English speakers (10 male, 10 female) with no speech, language, or hearing deficits participated in the study. The corner vowels found in the sentence, The blue spot is on the black key again (i.e., /u/, /É‘/, /æ/, /i/), were measured kinematically and acoustically immediately before and after bite block insertion. The participants' speech was audio-recorded and their lingual articulatory movements were measured with a Northern Digital Instruments Wave electromagnetic articulograph. The sensor coils were attached to three different …


Articulatory Kinematic Compensation For A Bite Block During Diphthong Production, Michelle Olson Richins Apr 2019

Articulatory Kinematic Compensation For A Bite Block During Diphthong Production, Michelle Olson Richins

Theses and Dissertations

The current study examined the effects of bite blocks on articulatory kinematics when producing diphthongs /ɑɪ/ and /É‘ÊŠ/ within a phrase. Participants consisted of 20 young adults (10 males, 10 females) with no speech, language or hearing disorders. Participants produced the diphthongs in the carrier phrase Im an owl that hoots. A Northern Digital Instruments Wave electromagnetic articulograph measured the articulatory movements while the speaker produced the stimuli in two conditions (pre bite block insertion and post bite block insertion). Bilateral bite blocks were made using Express dental putty, which is a silicone impression material, in order to create a …


Antibacterial And Antifungal Activity Of Ceragenins, Mimics Of Endogenous Antimicrobial Peptides, Marjan Mohammadihashemi Apr 2019

Antibacterial And Antifungal Activity Of Ceragenins, Mimics Of Endogenous Antimicrobial Peptides, Marjan Mohammadihashemi

Theses and Dissertations

The continuous emergence of drug-resistance pathogens is a global concern. As a result, substantial effort is being expended to develop new therapeutics and mechanisms for controlling microbial growth to avoid entering a "post-antibiotic" era in which commonly used antibiotics are no longer effective in treating infections. In this work, we investigate the efficacy and application of ceragenins as non-peptide mimics of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). First, this work examines the susceptibility of drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. The susceptibility of colistin-resistant clinical isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae to ceragenins and AMPs suggests that there is little to no cross-resistance between colistin and ceragenins/AMPs. Furthermore, …


Mesoscale Modeling Of Shape Memory Alloys By Kinetic Monte Carlo–Finite Element Analysis Methods, Adam David Herron Apr 2019

Mesoscale Modeling Of Shape Memory Alloys By Kinetic Monte Carlo–Finite Element Analysis Methods, Adam David Herron

Theses and Dissertations

A coupled kinetic Monte Carlo – Finite Element Analysis (kMC–FEA) method is developed with a numerical implementation in the Scalable Implementation of Finite Elements at NASA (ScIFEN). This method is presented as a mesoscale model for Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) material systems. The model is based on Transition State Theory and predicts the nonlinear mechanical behavior of the 1st order solid–solid phase transformation between Austenite and Martensite in SMAs. The kMC–FEA modeling method presented in this work builds upon the work of Chen and Schuh [1, 2]. It represents a “bottom-up” approach to materials modeling and could serve as a …


The Distinction Between Lingua-Palatal Contact Patterns Of English Light And Dark [Ɫ]: A Precursor To Using Electropalatography In Second Language Instruction, Kallie Lynne Chaves Apr 2019

The Distinction Between Lingua-Palatal Contact Patterns Of English Light And Dark [Ɫ]: A Precursor To Using Electropalatography In Second Language Instruction, Kallie Lynne Chaves

Theses and Dissertations

Electropalatography (EPG) is a system designed to provide visual feedback of lingua-palatal contact via electrodes and computer software in real-time. Traditionally, EPG technology has been effective in the treatment of both developmental and acquired speech disorders. Little research, however, has been done to show the effectiveness of EPG feedback in second language instruction and foreign accent reduction. The present thesis is part of a larger project examining the utility of EPG technology as a potential tool for teaching English speakers learning German as a second language (L2). A common error that English speakers make in German pronunciation is the incorrect …


Annual Survival And Harvest Vulnerability Of Elk (Cervus Canadensis), Maksim Sergeyev Mar 2019

Annual Survival And Harvest Vulnerability Of Elk (Cervus Canadensis), Maksim Sergeyev

Theses and Dissertations

Across the western United States, most populations of Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis) are managed through hunter harvest (Sandrey 1983). In hunted populations, human harvest is the leading source of mortality (Ballard 2000). With the exception of elk in national parks, populations are primarily managed through hunter harvest. Other sources of mortality include disease, automobile collisions, and predation from mountain lions, coyotes, wolves, and black bears (Childress 2003, Hornocker 1970). As a species of management concern and high economic value (Pickton 2008), hunted populations of elk are carefully managed to target population sizes to guarantee a sustainable supply and ensure …


The Influence Of Task Type On Speech Production By Second Language Learners Of German: An Electropalatographic Study, Elizabeth Cope Dec 2018

The Influence Of Task Type On Speech Production By Second Language Learners Of German: An Electropalatographic Study, Elizabeth Cope

Theses and Dissertations

Electropalatography (EPG) is a computer-based system that tracks and measures contact patterns between the tongue and palate during speech production. The present study is focused on how the lingua-palatal contact patterns of native English speakers learning German as a second language (L2) differ as a function of task type. The fricatives ich-Laut [ç] and ach-Laut [x] were used as the target sounds, placed in nonsense words, short sentences, and spontaneous speech. The productions of the fricatives in the varying speech tasks were gathered from 12 university students enrolled in their second semester of a university level course of German. Comparisons …


Cross-Lingual Diphthong Perception: A Simultaneous Eeg/Fmri Investigation, David Olonzo Sorensen Nov 2018

Cross-Lingual Diphthong Perception: A Simultaneous Eeg/Fmri Investigation, David Olonzo Sorensen

Theses and Dissertations

Previous research indicates that humans develop a phonological library in infancy. As humans grow into adulthood, their phonological library becomes well established. Upon encountering phonemes from a new language, humans process these phonemes by comparison to their native phonological library. Event-related potentials (ERP), specifically the mismatch negativity, have been shown to indicate that this process of comparing non-native phonemes to our native phonological library is not improved through learning the new language as an adult. An alternative explanation may be that there is an underlying change in the neural generators as the non-native phonemes are learned, but that this change …


Acoustic Correlates Of Aging And Familial Relationship, Samantha Michelle Taylor Oct 2018

Acoustic Correlates Of Aging And Familial Relationship, Samantha Michelle Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the potential differences in selected acoustic measures of speech as a function of age, across sexes, and between families. The data used in this study were previously collected for a larger project on voice production at the University of Utah. Participants included 169 individuals, 79 men and 90 women, from 18 Utah families, ranging in age from 17 to 87 years. All participants had no history of articulation disorders, stroke or active neurologic disease, or severe-profound hearing loss. Participants were recorded reading two passages aloud in a sound booth. These two passages …