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Voxel-Selected Ray Tracing, Darwin Baines, Dr. Robert P. Burton Feb 2014

Voxel-Selected Ray Tracing, Darwin Baines, Dr. Robert P. Burton

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Voxel-Selected Ray Tracing (VSRT) is a technique that uses undersampling to reduce the computation time necessary to render realistic looking animations. Although undersampling tends to reduce the quality of an image, VSRT includes error checking techniques that minimize the reduction in quality of the animation. I produced a basic working model of VSRT that reduced the number of voxels calculated. I explored a way to improve the algorithm even further by making the sampling adaptive so that we could find more similarity between picture frames and therefore reduce the number of calculations. Although I found it possible to implement such …

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The Effects Of Prenatal Phytoestrogen Exposure On Fetal Brain Calbindin Levels, Heather Taylor, Dr. Edwin Lephart Feb 2014

The Effects Of Prenatal Phytoestrogen Exposure On Fetal Brain Calbindin Levels, Heather Taylor, Dr. Edwin Lephart

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Calcium plays a major part in muscle contraction, bone growth, but especially in central nervous system (CNS) development and function. Calcium participates in neuronal growth and degeneration. For example, the CNS depends on calcium during the development of neuronal cytoskeletal structures and synapse formation. When there is an excess of calcium, it disrupts the formation and the essential synapses or connections and they fail to form correctly.

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Ultrasonic Study Of Normal Tendons And Ligaments Of The American Quarter Horse, Joseph Thurgood Feb 2014

Ultrasonic Study Of Normal Tendons And Ligaments Of The American Quarter Horse, Joseph Thurgood

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The palmar metacarpal aspect of 27 purebred (n=24) and appendix (n=3) American Quarter Horses were divided into sections and ultrasonically viewed to determine the circumference and cross-sectional area of the four principle tendons and ligaments in this region: superficial digital flexor tendon, deep digital flexor tendon, inferior check ligament, and suspensory ligament. This study was conducted using Brigham Young University Equitation schooling horses between May 1997 and February 1998. The structure measurements were analyzed for relationships to weight, age, sex and size of the horses (n=27). No correlation between weight, age, and sex of the horse and dimensions of any …

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Ruth Berlau: A Talented Author In Her Own Right, Julie Kalani Smith, Dr. James K. Lyon Feb 2014

Ruth Berlau: A Talented Author In Her Own Right, Julie Kalani Smith, Dr. James K. Lyon

Journal of Undergraduate Research

As I began researching Ruth Berlau’s life, I encountered repeated references to Berlau’s beauty, always accompanied by the suggestion that it was her looks that attracted German playwright Bertolt Brecht’s attention. Berlau was one of a long line of women whom Brecht drew into his orbit, but most critics seem to agree that Berlau lacked the literary and secretarial skills of her predecessors Elisabeth Hauptmann and Margarethe Steffin. In contrast, Berlau is often regarded as an eccentric, overly aggressive woman, who was Brecht’s lover and follower, but not his equal. Despite, or perhaps because of this widespread but superficial assumption, …

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Beyond The Canvas: Digital Art Tools In The 3rd Dimension, Todd Sheridan Feb 2014

Beyond The Canvas: Digital Art Tools In The 3rd Dimension, Todd Sheridan

Journal of Undergraduate Research

A revolution is occurring in the way artists and designers create imagery. While computers have long been a valuable tool for photograph manipulation, only recently have the programs necessary for creating original content become publicly available. Three-dimensional imaging software is a key player in this revolution. The very tools that were used to create the dinosaurs in Steven Spielberg’s film jurassic Park are now available and affordable for artists to use in creating still imagery. However, availability and affordability are not the only factors one must consider when determining whether to adopt three-dimensional imaging as a primary tool.

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Phylogeny Of The Order Siphonaptera Based On Molecular Data, Alison Swindle, Dr. Michael F. Whiting Feb 2014

Phylogeny Of The Order Siphonaptera Based On Molecular Data, Alison Swindle, Dr. Michael F. Whiting

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The insect order Siphonaptera (fleas) has been historically significant for thousands of years. Beginning as early as 430 B.C. outbreaks of the bubonic plague have swept across continents and killed millions of people. Before fleas were linked with the plague, they were a little known order. Karl Linne recognized only two species of fleas in his “Systemae Naturae” in 1735. From 1735 to 1897 the described species count increased slowly from two up to sixty-eight. After 1897, and the recognition that fleas may be carriers of the plague, there was a rapid escalation in the research and interest in the …

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Determining The Expression Patterns Of Developmental Genes In Tribolium, Cecily P. Vaughn, Dr. Randy Bennett Feb 2014

Determining The Expression Patterns Of Developmental Genes In Tribolium, Cecily P. Vaughn, Dr. Randy Bennett

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Development in animals is controlled by a set of genes called homeotic genes whose protein products regulate the expression of other genes. Although many homeotic genes have been locates in numerous organisms, there is still much that remains to be learned about the manner in which these genes control development. The aim of my ORCA project was to determine the expression patterns of a few key developmental genes in the red flour beetle (Tribolium castaneum).

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Chelex, Guanidine, And Phenol/Chloroform: A Comparison Of Extractions For Ancient Dna From Dentin Powder, J. Daniel Rasband Feb 2014

Chelex, Guanidine, And Phenol/Chloroform: A Comparison Of Extractions For Ancient Dna From Dentin Powder, J. Daniel Rasband

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Several different methods have been employed in the extraction and amplification of ancient DNA (aDNA). The work in this thesis Is an effort to compare three popular extraction techniques, chelex, guanidine/ silica slurry, and phenol/chloroform, as applied to extracting DNA from the dentin of ancient teeth. Modern and ancient samples were extracted using the three techniques. The extract was then amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The data show that of the three extraction procedures, the most favorable results were obtained using the guanidine/silica slurry extraction technique, producing consistently good amplification. The phenol/chloroform extraction was mildly successful, showing amplification …

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Educational Software For Toddler-Age Children Castle: Computer Aided Steps To Learning, Scott D. Frel, Benjamin W. Holladay Feb 2014

Educational Software For Toddler-Age Children Castle: Computer Aided Steps To Learning, Scott D. Frel, Benjamin W. Holladay

Journal of Undergraduate Research

CAStLe was developed during the Spring of 1995. The primary purose of the project was to complete the requirements for the mandatory senior project all Electrical and Computer Engineering majors must complete. With the support provided by the Office of Research and Creative Activities, this project was enhanced with sound, graphics and a friendly user interface using some of the best product development tools available to date.

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What Is Socially Responsible Business?, Kevin Pestinger Feb 2014

What Is Socially Responsible Business?, Kevin Pestinger

Journal of Undergraduate Research

It is becoming increasingly apparent in the world of business that companies have to address the issue of social responsibility. Consumers have begun to demand, with both their purchases and their investment dollars, that companies start to account for their impacts on numerous social issues such as poverty, unemployment, the environment, and world peace. As information becomes readily available to the masses, people recognize the disparity between those whom business should serve and those whom business does serve. The future of business does not lie in the maximization of profits for the owners at the expense of society, but rather …

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Summary Of Creative Research Grant Results, Carin C. Fausett Feb 2014

Summary Of Creative Research Grant Results, Carin C. Fausett

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In the original proposal, I indicated that this Creative Research Grant would enable me to widen my scope of artistic ability and possibility. My ability would improve through increased production which this grant would make possible through the purchase of materials and tools. The results of being accepted for this grant was a large body of work, which consisted of 25 pieces, supported by original poetry and a four page paper that explained the ideas behind the visual work. The work was completed between Jan.- june 1995. Opening night was June 19, and the show lasted until the 30th. It …

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The Genotoxicitv Of 1.4-Dioxane Using The Single Cell Gel, Edward Harris Feb 2014

The Genotoxicitv Of 1.4-Dioxane Using The Single Cell Gel, Edward Harris

Journal of Undergraduate Research

1.4-Dioxane (DX), a common ingredient in solvents for oils, waxes and many other organic compounds, has an undetermined genotoxicity. It has been reported to be both a nongenotoxic (Salmonella and Cl-IO chromosome aberration assays) and a genotoxic compound (1). Previous experiments carried out indicate that Sherman strain and Sprague-Dawley rats receiving 0.1% to 1% DX in drinking water develop hepatic/renal damage and hepatocellular and nasal carcinoma respectively (4,7). In this preliminary study, the single cell gel assay was used to determine possible DNA damage caused by DX. Human Raji Burkitt’s lymphoma cells were grown In the presence of various concentrations …

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Determination Of The Cell Tvpe(S) In The Rat Adrenal Zona Glomerulosa That Release Interleukin-6, Michael F. Erickson Feb 2014

Determination Of The Cell Tvpe(S) In The Rat Adrenal Zona Glomerulosa That Release Interleukin-6, Michael F. Erickson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Recent studies have shown that the cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) are produced by cells found in the zonaglomerulosa of the rat adrenal cortex (I ,2). These cytokines modify adrenal hormone release gland. Specifically, IL-6 stimulates the release of glucocorticoids from the zona fasciculata/reticularis (3) and TNF inhibits the release of aldosterone from the zona glomerulosa (4). It is of interest that during times of traumatic injury or septic shock the serum and tissue levels of these cytokines increase. This increased cytokine level is partly responsible for the lethal effects of septic shock (including severe hypotension) since …

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Culture And Isolation Of Embryonic Stem Cells From Porcine Blatocysts, J. Zachary Bruneel, Dr. Jeralyn J. Franson Feb 2014

Culture And Isolation Of Embryonic Stem Cells From Porcine Blatocysts, J. Zachary Bruneel, Dr. Jeralyn J. Franson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Embryonic stem (ES) cells are obtained through the culture of undifferentiated cells of embryos in early devel-opment. Because embryonic cells will undergo differentiation and development when placed in standard culture conditions, a media which contains differentiation inhibitors must be used in order for successful development of ES cells. ES cells are capable of becoming any cell type in the body when removed from the influence of differentiation inhibitors, making ES cells a potential agent for gene transfer and livestock cloning. ES cells are therefore an invaluable research tool, providing both a better understanding of genetics as well as providing genetically …

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Contralateral Suppression Of Click-Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (Eoae) In Pre-Term And Term Infants, Amanda K. Rasmussen Feb 2014

Contralateral Suppression Of Click-Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (Eoae) In Pre-Term And Term Infants, Amanda K. Rasmussen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Eighteen pre-term and term infants ranging in age from 26 weeks postconception to 43 weeks post-conception were used to study developmental changes in the crossed oliviocochlear bundle (COCB) using evoked otoacoustic emissions (EOAE).

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Inhibition Of Lordosis In The Male, Paul C. Butler, G. J. Block Feb 2014

Inhibition Of Lordosis In The Male, Paul C. Butler, G. J. Block

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This study was designed to examine the effects of exogenous gonadal hormones on the inhibition of lordotic behavior in estradiol benzoate (EB) primed and non-primed male rats. Adult male rats were gonadectomized and given one of four treatments, blank (Bk), testosterone (T), progesterone (P), or testosterone plus progesterone (T + P). Animals were then given 5 pg EB for three days prior to testing for lordotic behavior.

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A Brief Survey Of American Indian Religious Tradition Represented In Stained Glass Windows, Andrew Kosorok Feb 2014

A Brief Survey Of American Indian Religious Tradition Represented In Stained Glass Windows, Andrew Kosorok

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The research project consisted of the design of five windows, each representing a religious tradition of a Native American group, in a style reminiscent of that group. Each religious tradition was picked because of its correspondence or similarity to a Christian tradition. The five groups were the Columbia Plateau Indians, the Hopi, the Aztecs, the Quiche Maya, and the Indians of the Northwest Coast.

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Summary Of My Involvement In The Production Of The Animated Short, Rupert, Scott Porter, Dr. Brent Adams Feb 2014

Summary Of My Involvement In The Production Of The Animated Short, Rupert, Scott Porter, Dr. Brent Adams

Journal of Undergraduate Research

I have been working with a group of about 20 students on a completely computer animated cartoon named “Rupert”. The cartoon will be approximately 5 minutes long and deals with a young boy who learns about microbes. Whenever he hears new details about microbes, we see what Rupert images that the microbes would look like that perform that particular function. For example, when Rupert hears that microbes can make us sick, he imagines microbes with weapons on the attack while when he hears that microbes are used to make some foods, he imagines a factory where all the workers are …

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A Traditional And Modern Children’S Book, Maryn Roos Feb 2014

A Traditional And Modern Children’S Book, Maryn Roos

Journal of Undergraduate Research

First, I would like to thank the University for the generosity in giving this grant to me. As a result of the money I received, I experienced and learned many things that might have taken longer and had been harder to learn.

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Phosducins: Evidence For The Evolution Of New Proteins Through Gene Duplication, Tim Rand, Dr. Barry Willardson Feb 2014

Phosducins: Evidence For The Evolution Of New Proteins Through Gene Duplication, Tim Rand, Dr. Barry Willardson

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The theory of evolution by natural selection is arguably the most important scientific theory ever formulated. Its importance has not been manifest in an “ooh, ah” technological way—it doesn’t empower us to fly airplanes or to illuminate streets at night—but no scientist really thinks technology is the sine qua non of science anyway. The really big theories are the ones that change our thinking, rather than the way we get around or see at night. The theory of evolution changed the way we think about life itself. Interestingly, our acceptance of evolution is based mainly on its elegance. As far …

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Hyperdimensional Julia Set Generation System Software, Kevin Steele Feb 2014

Hyperdimensional Julia Set Generation System Software, Kevin Steele

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Chaos theory and fractal science is a recently developed technology. Julia Sets, a class of deterministic fractals, have been defined and rendered using computer software in only two and four dimensions. In my Research and Creative Work Scholarship application, I proposed to develop a software system to create and render Julia Sets in more than two and four dimensions. I have completed the software, and used it to verify my definition of and render hyperdimensional Julia Sets, the images of which I have included with this report.

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Neuropsychology Lab Rotations, Scott Steffensen Feb 2014

Neuropsychology Lab Rotations, Scott Steffensen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Our objective in 2004-2005 was to provide undergraduate students with a nurturing, inspiring, yet productive research environment in the Neuropsychology Lab on the 12th floor of the Kimball Tower.

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Mapping Of The Immune Response Gene(S) Controlling Susceptibility To Murine Experimental Orchitis, Randall Roper Feb 2014

Mapping Of The Immune Response Gene(S) Controlling Susceptibility To Murine Experimental Orchitis, Randall Roper

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The research project I proposed entailed mapping the gene or genes that control susceptibility to Murine Experimental Orchitis by using a large backcross population of 110 animals. These animals have been generated by obtaining an Fl population from the susceptible SJL mice and resistant B lO.S mice and crossing the susceptible Fl population with disease resistant BlO.S mice. Through the use of a histological report of the susceptibility of the large backcross population to Experimental Allergic Orchitis, and the use of microsatellite and RAPD markers to identify distinguishing polymorphisms, the gene may be linked to a specific chromosome of the …

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Ancient “Gene-Ology” Leads To Improvements In Ancient Dna Ex· Traction Methods And Pcr Amplication Techniques, Blake C. Ballif Feb 2014

Ancient “Gene-Ology” Leads To Improvements In Ancient Dna Ex· Traction Methods And Pcr Amplication Techniques, Blake C. Ballif

Journal of Undergraduate Research

During the past decade, the development of ancient DNA research has left modern science seemingly on the verge of breaching the barrier between the world we live in and the ancient past. Archaeologists, anthropologists, and molecular biologists alike have become increasingly more aware of the understanding that can be gleaned from genetic studies of ancient populations and extinct species. Although ancient DNA has remarkably been isolated and amplified from organisms hundreds, thousands, and even millions of years old 1·3, these breakthroughs represent in most cases a single ancient individual or animal with important yet modest amounts of data. In order …

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The Impact Of A Naturally Fragmented Habitat On The Distribution And Breeding Biology Of House Wrens, Suzanne Reeve, Dr. Brian A. Maurer Feb 2014

The Impact Of A Naturally Fragmented Habitat On The Distribution And Breeding Biology Of House Wrens, Suzanne Reeve, Dr. Brian A. Maurer

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The distribution and life history characteristics of organisms can be significantly affected by structural variation in their habitats. One major type of variation is spatial arrangement and whether a habitat extends continuously or exists in small, fragmented patches. The effects of this variation have been documented in organisms from fruit flies (Jaenike 1978) to Amazonian beetles (Klein 1989) to songbirds (Andren and Angelstam 1988, Gates and Gysel 1978). According to research findings and theoretical prediction, many significant consequences of habitat fragmentation are caused by an increased ratio of habitat edge length to area. Studies indicate that increased edge length creates …

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Development Of Tailsitter Hover Estimation And Control, Jason M. Beach Feb 2014

Development Of Tailsitter Hover Estimation And Control, Jason M. Beach

Theses and Dissertations

UAVs have become an essential tool in many market segments, particularly the military where critical intelligence can be gathered by them. A tailsitter aircraft is a platform whose purpose is to efficiently merge the range and endurance of fixed-wing aircraft with the VTOL capabilities of rotorcraft and is of significant value in applications where launch and recovery area is limited or the use of launch and recovery equipment is not desirable. Developing autopilot software for a tailsitter UAV is unique in that the aircraft must be autonomously controlled over a much wider range of attitudes than conventional UAVs. Assumptions made …

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Ciliary Transport Of Particles In Polyplacophoran Gills, Matthew Palmer, Dr. Lee F. Braithwaite Feb 2014

Ciliary Transport Of Particles In Polyplacophoran Gills, Matthew Palmer, Dr. Lee F. Braithwaite

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Throughout the phylum Mollusca, gills are used to accomplish a variety of tasks and are thus highly specialized organs. The chitons, class Polyplacophora, are a primitive group of molluscs whose gills have the unique condition of being aligned on either side of the foot in series of up to 60 gills per side. Despite this unique arrangement, chiton gills have been the subject of relatively few studies. The objective of this project was to elucidate the mechanism by which chitons extrude particles from their gill surfaces. The two approaches employed to this end were, first, observation of live chitons transporting …

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The Saints At War, Geoffrey Wright, Dr. Robert Freeman Feb 2014

The Saints At War, Geoffrey Wright, Dr. Robert Freeman

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The scriptures tell us, “If all had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever…”1 Moroni was an example of faith- his faith inspired him to fight in defense, of his family, religion and liberty. Moroni “was a strong and a mighty man; he was a man of perfect understanding; yea, a man who did not delight in bloodshed; a man whose soul did joy in the liberty and the freedom of his country, and his brethren from bondage and slavery; yea, a man whose heart did …

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Social Changes And Women’S Issues Of Coimbatore India, Dana Diana Bowen Feb 2014

Social Changes And Women’S Issues Of Coimbatore India, Dana Diana Bowen

Journal of Undergraduate Research

I demonstrated in my application for The Research and Creative Work Scholarship last Fall semester that specific patterns of transition in women’s roles and statuses occur in evolving societies. Examples of this evolution were illustrated in the American, !Kung San, and Chinese societies. I further hypothesized that these same patterns of evolution are also occurring in India and possibly other countries.

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Expression, Activity And Inhibition Of Canine Cyclooxygenase, Joel Ellis Wilson, Dr. Dan Simmons Feb 2014

Expression, Activity And Inhibition Of Canine Cyclooxygenase, Joel Ellis Wilson, Dr. Dan Simmons

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) exhibit their effect by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes. However, inhibition of both COX-1 and COX-2 by the administration of NSAIDs to both humans and animals often leads to negative side effects, most commonly gastric toxicity, including ulcers, which may progress to perforation with risk of sepsis. Functional COX-1 and COX-2 are both necessary to maintain the integrity of the gastrointestinal lining. Fueled by the discovery of COX-2 and the elucidation of its biological properties, new NSAIDs have been produced that selectively inhibit only COX-2. This new class of inhibitors effectively reduces pain and inflammation with …

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