Digital Commons Network^™

Enhancing Silicon Sampling In Large Language Models: Fine-Tuning Techniques Using Survey Data, Davis P. Forster

Theses and Dissertations

Large language models (LLMs) are increasingly used to simulate responses of human demographic groups, a task known as silicon sampling. This paper investigates whether supervised fine-tuning can improve algorithmic fidelity in such settings. We construct a dataset from the General Social Survey (GSS), converting demographic attributes into natural-language backstories and randomly selecting one attribute as a held-out target. Fine-tuning a LLaMA-3.1-70B model on this dataset yields significant improvements on two tasks: (1) imputing missing attributes at the individual level, and (2) reproducing response distributions for demographic slices, such as racial and age groups. Notably, these improvements are achieved with minimal …

Enabling Constraints In Artmaking: Developing Creative Confidence Through Discarded Materials, Lydia Romney Stewart

Theses and Dissertations

This design-based research thesis explores the possibility of fostering creative confidence in students and examines how a project-based curriculum can help them rediscover their artistic abilities. It investigates two guiding questions: How does working with repurposed materials shape students' artmaking, creative confidence and sense of ownership in their artwork? And, in what ways do enabling constraints serve as a catalyst for student engagement? As a teacher-researcher, I designed and implemented a quarter-long curriculum in which 21 junior high students were challenged to create a collaborative public art installation using only discarded materials. The methodology blended qualitative and quantitative data, including …

Be My Guest: Discovering The Benefits Of Being Interviewed On A Podcast, Daisy Arvonen

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis seeks to discover in what ways podcast guests benefit from being interviewed on a podcast, and what podcast hosts can do to optimize the experience of their guests. While much research in journalism and storytelling is centralized on the needs, experience, and interests of the audience, this project shifts the focus onto those involved in the creation of the podcasts—the guests.

At the end of the research presentation, five episodes of The Greatest Cause Podcast are included, created as part of this project. The guests featured in these episodes and guests of other podcasts were sent an anonymous …

Snow Surfacing Optimized For An Animated Short Film Pipeline, Kristen Whitehouse

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Love and Gold is the BYU Center for Animation’s 2025 senior capstone short film. This ambitious film is the longest produced in the history of the animation program. It’s a love story that takes place in at least five different large environment sets. Two of these sets contain snow. This creative thesis tackles the problem of surfacing the snow within that context.

Surfacing snow required research and development of a snow generator for adding new geometry on top of objects in a scene and a snow shader to make that geometry appear like snow in the final render. Packaging the …

Spatial Ecology And Population Dynamics Of Chukar Partridge, Jacob Taft Barnes

Theses and Dissertations

Chukar (Alectoris chukar) are a non-native bird that has naturalized in North America following its introduction over a century ago. Today, the species supports hunting opportunities in 11 U.S. states and one Canadian province. Despite its wide distribution and recreational value, key aspects of chukar ecology remain poorly understood. Limited information is available on the species' spatial ecology, including patterns of space use. Likewise, information regarding the influence of weather on population dynamics of chukar has not been formally conducted. As part of our investigation, we evaluated the space use of chukar in western Utah, USA utilizing GPS transmitters (Chapter …

Intrinsic Stability Of Controlled Systems Via Gershgorin-Type Estimates, David Friedbaum

Theses and Dissertations

Time delays are an inherent feature of real-world dynamical systems, arising whenever information, matter, or energy requires non-negligible time to propagate. Even small delays can destabilize systems that are otherwise well behaved, yet most standard control designs--such as PID or LQR--do not explicitly account for them and may fail when delays are present. This thesis investigates the stability of controlled dynamical systems subject to arbitrary time delays and develops new tools to determine when such systems remain stable. Our approach builds on the notion of intrinsic stability, a strong form of global stability introduced by Webb and Bunimovich, which guaranties …

Play-Based Assessment Of The Cardinal Principle, Allyssa Sonnefeld Leavitt

Theses and Dissertations

Gelman and Gallistel (1986) determined five counting principles that are essential for successful counting, including the cardinal principle where children understand that the last number counted represents the quantity of a set of objects. The traditional How many? task and the Give-n task are the most common tasks that have been used to assess whether children understand the cardinal principle. However, many researchers claim that these tasks either overestimate or underestimate children's understanding of the cardinal principle. Some researchers (Baroody & Pellegrino, 2023) suggest that embedding the traditional How many? task in a game may improve its validity. In this …

Listening To Life In A Noisy World: The Pitfalls And Promise Of Urban Acoustic Ecology, Leah O'Barr

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This thesis examines the application of soundscape ecology principles to urban settings. Soundscape ecology is the study of the entire sonic makeup of a community, composed of biophony (biological sound), geophony (environmental sound), and anthrophony (human-generated sound). By examining the changes in and qualities of the soundscape, researchers can gain information about the biological makeup and ecological quality of an area, and the temporal and spatial distribution of resident species. Recent technological advances in recording equipment and machine learning methods are making soundscape ecology an increasingly relevant and practical tool.

Applying soundscape ecology methods to urban ecosystems introduces unique challenges, …

Plant Preservation: The Contribution Of Bacteriophage And Transposons To Pathogenic Xanthomonas Evolution, And The Demographic And Reproductive Analysis Of Castilleja Parvula, Ciara A. Green

Theses and Dissertations

Plant preservation, whether through disease research or endemic extinction analyses, plays an important role in the relationship between humans and our surrounding environment. In these analyses, both the role of mobile elements in the evolution of pathogenic Xanthomonas sp. bacteria, and the demographic and reproductive analysis of Castilleja parvula, an imperiled alpine plant, are evaluated. Xanthomonas species are one of the top agricultural threats, and are known to evolve rapidly. Until now, the contributions of mobile elements and particularly bacteriophage have not been thoroughly evaluated. The contribution of these agricultural diseases to food insecurity and the devastation of crops that …

One Barrier To Rule Them All: Exploring The Impact Of The Language Barrier For Immigrants In Utah, Reagan Lyman

Undergraduate Honors Theses

In this paper, I examine the effect of English-language fluency on immigrant experiences and access to integration or inclusion, using Utah as a case study. I seek to answer the following research questions: does language or region of origin matter in integrating into a new country and learning a new language? Is this effect still relevant in a context like Utah where it is easier to find native-born residents who speak one’s first language? And how does English language ability and the language barrier impact the lives of Asian and Latina immigrants living in Utah? I draw upon 34 in-depth …

Curious Contradictions: A Critical Edition Of 'The Great War In England In 1897,' By William Le Queux, Jacob D. Liljenquist

Student Works

Written by William Le Queux in 1894, The Great War in England in 1897 is a work of invasion literature, and a book full of curious contradictions. Once popular and now forgotten, its material construction belies its status as sensational literature. This critical edition of the 4th edition copy of the novel housed in the L. Tom Perry Special Collections evaluates the book's conception, creation, and reception, and provides a material bibliography of the HBLL's unique copy, all with the aim to reveal and explain the contradictions in the book as a product of imperial culture.

Travels In West Africa: A Critical Edition, Erere Iwhi

Student Works

First published in 1897, Mary Henrietta Kingsley’s Travels in West Africa became one of the most influential travel narratives of the Victorian era, changing the way British audiences encountered accounts of West Africa and its peoples. This critical edition examines the book not only as a travel narrative but also as a material artifact shaped by the historical, publishing, and cultural networks that guided its production, circulation, and reception. Extending its analysis beyond Kingsley's experiences of exploration, this edition investigates the forces behind the book’s creation, including Kingsley’s intellectual development, her identity as an independent female traveler and writer, and …

Scaling Ai In Decision-Based Learning: A Data-Driven Evaluation For Resource Optimization, L. Ashley Schumacher

Instructional Psychology and Technology Graduate Student Projects

This project evaluated a AI Assistant built inside ChatGPT to support faculty in creating Decision-Based Learning (DBL) expert decision models in the Conate DBL software. The evaluation addressed a persistent training bottleneck: faculty experienced high cognitive load and significant time loss when navigating a documentation-heavy workflow that required repeated movement between training guides, ChatGPT, and the DBL platform, including extensive copy-and-paste steps. The AI Assistant was developed to replace much of the manual prompting process by providing structured protocols that guide model creation (e.g., exploring possible DBL models, creating paths, generating scenarios, and drafting learning modules) while faculty still build …

The Policy Project: Translating Menstrual Equity Resources, Ashley Jackman

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This creative project focuses on translating key materials from The Period Project, a campaign by the Utah nonprofit The Policy Project that tackles menstrual inequity by pushing for free period products in schools and public spaces. Their educational toolkits guide students and parents toward menstrual resources and outline compliance requirements for school administrators. However, a significant portion of Utah’s population speaks Spanish at home, and current toolkits are not readily available in Spanish. As a Spanish translation major, I saw this as an opportunity to use my skills in a real-world setting, as the translated toolkit will be immediately electronically …

Multiple Baseline Single-Case Study: Narrative Resiliency Intervention For Couples With Adverse Childhood Experiences, Emma Elizabeth Allen

Theses and Dissertations

A multiple baseline single case study design was used to examine the effects of a narrative and resiliency-based intervention for couples with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Using piecewise multilevel modeling (MLM), the study evaluated changes in depressive symptoms, dyadic coping (DCI), and growth and empowerment measure (Emotional Empowerment Scale [EES-14] and 12 Scenarios [12S]) across waitlist and treatment phases. Five couples (10 individuals) participated in up to 17 waves, with staggered baseline and treatment lengths across dyads. Results indicated significant fixed effects of the 12S subscale for growth and empowerment during the treatment phase. There were no statistically significant fixed …

Spiritual Booster, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

Are you experiencing spiritual stagnation amidst the noise of a busy life?

This Spiritual Booster is not just knowledge—it’s a practical, high-performance toolkit designed to switch your spiritual journey from "idle" to maximum momentum.

Inside, you will find four core methodologies distilled for high impact:

1. Zoom Out to God's Perspective: The "Zoom-Out Technique" to shift instantly from anxiety to an eternal viewpoint.

2. Habits of Revelation: Use the "Revelation Notebook" and "Retrospective Analysis" to consistently hear the Lord’s voice.

3. Strategic Defense: Apply Chief Moroni's "Anti-Temptation Strategy" and routines to keep the "fire" of your covenants burning.

4. The Art of Focus: Practical …

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Making Space For Learning: Textile Based Learning Resources For Material Reuse, Mary-Evelyn Mcconkie Howell

Instructional Psychology and Technology Graduate Student Projects

This paper outlines two textile-based learning resources that I created for Making Space Thrift (MST), a community-focused creative thrift store in Utah. MST expressed a need for instructional materials that promote intentional material use, support customer well-being, and strengthen ties with their community. To address these needs, I conducted interviews with stakeholders and local textile hobbyists to understand what learning resources would benefit MST. As a result, I created two projects. The first is called Making Peace with Materials, an interactive, decision-based digital experience housed on the MST website. This resource helps learners navigate the emotional, practical, and sustainable …

Power Resilience In Utah's Water Sector: A Survey Of Stakeholder Practices, Preferences And Potential, Tyler Christopher Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

Drinking water and wastewater services are vulnerable to disruptions because they rely heavily on the electric grid. As a result, power outages can lead to water outages, creating cascading failures that compromise sanitation, firefighting, healthcare, and daily routines. Although an important topic, there are little to no studies of water and wastewater power resilience at a geographic or state level. In this study we investigate the extent of existing backup power and renewable energy integration as well as the motivations and barriers around their power resilience. We collect our data through semi-structured interviews with staff at 19 urban and rural …

【超速】霊的成長ブースター, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

忙しさの中で霊的な停滞を感じていませんか？

この【超速】ブースターは、単なる知識ではなく、あなたの霊的な旅路を「停滞」から「最大の推進力」へと切り替えるための実践的な高性能ツールキットです。

中には、以下の4つの核となるメソッドが凝縮されています。

1. 神の視点へのズームアウト: 不安を永遠の視点に変える「ズームアウト技法」。

2. 啓示の習慣化: 主の声を聞き逃さない「啓示ノート」と「振り返り分析」。

3. 戦略的防御: モロナイ司令官の「対誘惑戦略」と聖約の「火」を燃え立たせる習慣。

4. 集中の技術: 心の雑音を排除し、霊的な時間を魂の栄養に変える実践法。

変化を願うだけでは終わりません。このマニュアルは、あなたの霊的な潜在能力を最大限に引き出し、待ち望んでいたブレイクスルーを実現するための具体的な戦略を提供します。

あなたの霊的な飛躍は、ここから始まります。

The Impact Of Social Factors On Vagally Mediated Parasympathetic Activity, Andrew Scot Proctor

Theses and Dissertations

Loneliness and social disconnection are recognized risk factors for morbidity and mortality, yet the psychophysiological pathways remain contested. This dissertation examines how social factors relate to vagally mediated parasympathetic activity indexed by heart rate variability (HRV) and tests whether conversational interventions with a human or a large-language-model (LLM)-based companion can acutely reduce loneliness and enhance connection. Across two university sites (BYU, UCSD), N=297 participants (18-27 years) were randomized to (a) a reciprocal self-disclosure conversation with a trained human confederate, (b) a parallel, vocalized LLM chatbot conversation, or (c) a non-social, vocal reading control. Resting HRV (RMSSD, SDNN, HF-HRV) was recorded …

Actionable Insights From The Liahona 1, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

This article is based on data extracted from Liahona articles, with approximately ten pages of that data processed in two distinct ways. First, the principles were synthesized into five key concepts along with their explanations. Second, specific action plans were created to make these explanations more practical.

The original data exceeded 350 pages of Japanese text, resulting in a total of 37 different summarized sets (or themes). What is fascinating is that, while a certain amount of conceptual overlap is expected, intriguing new perspectives constantly emerge. Therefore, I highly recommend reviewing all 37 sets repeatedly (only a portion of which …

From Liahona To Talk: An Inspired Method 1, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

If our past series, Actionable Insights from the Liahona, laid out essential principles like a detailed instruction manual, this time, I'm shifting gears into a softer narrative.

The core question is: "How do we make sure these essential principles stick?"

To answer that, I've sprinkled in approachable metaphors and a bit of humor that will make you want to slap your knee and exclaim, "That's exactly my story!" My goal is that, once you've finished reading or listening, these vital principles will adhere to your mind like a magnet on a refrigerator door.

Actionable Insights From The Liahona 2, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

The original data exceeded 350 pages of Japanese text, resulting in a total of 37 different summarized principle/action plan sets. What is fascinating is that, while a certain amount of conceptual overlap is expected, intriguing new perspectives constantly emerge. Therefore, I highly recommend reviewing all 37 sets repeatedly (only a portion of which is included in this document). You will find countless hints for spiritual growth hidden throughout, often leading to significant breakthroughs.

This 63-page article is filled with treasures. Towards the end, you will also find shorter supplementary articles on techniques such as how to "zoom out" (gain an …

From Liahona To Talk: An Inspired Method 2, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

In my previous series, Actionable Insights from the Liahona, I introduced many principles that felt like tightly cut jewels. This time, I'm changing the tempo and delivering those same principles set to a heart-stirring melody. I've set aside the rigid outlining and repackaged the principles with relatable stories and humorous metaphors that I hope will make you chuckle and think, "Oh, I know that feeling!" My wish is that this new approach helps these vital principles to gently drop anchor deep within your heart.

Exploring The Potential Of Artificial Intelligence To Improve The Journal Peer Review Process, Eliza Fanny Bondah

Theses and Dissertations

Academic publishing depends on the peer review process to guarantee quality, scholarly rigor, and credibility, but the traditional peer review system receives mounting criticism because of its inefficient operations, biased judgments, and irregular standards. This study explores how artificial intelligence (AI) can improve journal peer review systems to solve a variety of issues, including reducing reviewer exhaustion, minimizing bias, improving consistency, and accelerating the review process. Current literature shows AI as a promising yet controversial solution, which may provide structured feedback with improved consistency and efficiency. Our study examined 52 human reviews together with 26 AI-generated reviews from EdTechnica--An Open …

Bayesian Alignment Prior To Connectionist Temporal Classification Loss, Lawry Sorenson

Theses and Dissertations

We propose revisions of Connectionist Temporal Classification (CTC) loss and forced alignment to support longer input sequences. CTC loss is normally used for training in speech and handwriting recognition tasks when the labels are not fully aligned with the data, while forced alignment is a downstream task that finds the optimal path for segmentation purposes. The current implementations consider all possible alignments between the input and label, which grows exponentially with the size of the input. We show that in cases when silence is removed and speaking rate is consistent, the true alignment is a mostly straight line across time …

Cracking The Shell: A Corpus-Based Analysis Of The Functions Of Shell Nouns In American Legal Contracts, Geoffrey T. Julian

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The forms and functions of shell nouns (SN), semantically abstract nouns that can package and characterize complex segments of discourse, have been documented in academic discourse and L2 English writing (e.g., Aktas & Cortes, 2008; Benitez-Castro & Thompson, 2015). The abstract nature of SNs lends itself to use where vague language might be favored to allow for a variety of contingencies (Benitez-Castro, 2015). Thus, SNs have also been found to be present in legal language where some of these functions are desirable (Ren et al., 2019). The present study examines the use of SNs in a corpus of 2,700 US …

Liahona Project Data Set 3 Up To June, 2021, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

This document is a collection of highlights extracted from more than 1000 articles from the Japanese online Liahona magazines, spanning from the beginning of 2019 to June, 2021. Each article was individually checked to extract inspirational principles and highlights from personal experiences, serving as a resource to develop Spiritual Proficiency and build the foundation for Wits Psychology (With the Spirit Psychology). The document is 97 pages long.

Liahona Project Data Set 4 Up To 2023, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

This document is a collection of highlights extracted from more than 1000 articles from the Japanese online Liahona magazines, spanning from July, 2021 to the end of 2023. Each article was individually checked to extract inspirational principles and highlights from personal experiences, serving as a resource to develop Spiritual Proficiency and build the foundation for Wits Psychology (With the Spirit Psychology). The document is 69 pages long.

Toward Understanding Multi-Agent Decision Making In Complex Societies, Jonathan Skaggs

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation investigates Multi Agent Decision Making (MADM) within Complex Societies (CS), systems of interdependent agents whose collective behaviors emerge from local interactions. Such emergent dynamics are nonlinear and difficult to predict, posing significant challenges towards understanding how individual decisions scale to societal outcomes. Existing approaches often fall short of capturing the combined attributes of CS, including asymmetry, decentralization, and adaptivity. To address this gap, we introduce new models and analyses of agent strategies that explain how cooperation and stability can arise in CS. Structured around three interrelated projects, this dissertation enhances our comprehension of MADM in CS. The research …