Digital Commons Network^™

Outvoice: Bringing Transparency To Healthcare, Autumn Clark

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Industries are not incentivized to price reasonably and spend responsibly if consumers do not have the ability to shop around within that industry, and shopping around is not possible without pricing transparency (knowing how much a good or service costs before purchasing it). But in the healthcare industry, we typically default to whichever clinic or hospital is closest, with no prior knowledge of what costs we can expect to incur at that particular institution. According to a poll published by Harvard University, nine out of ten Americans feel the healthcare industry is too opaque and greater transparency is needed.

We …

Effects Of Positive And Negative Emotion On Picture Naming For People With Mild To Moderate Aphasia: A Preliminary Investigation, Tyson G. Harmon, Courtney Nielsen, Corinne Loveridge, Camille Williams

Faculty Publications

Purpose: To investigate how emotional arousal and valence affect confrontational naming accuracy and response time in people with mild to moderate aphasia compared with adults without aphasia. We hypothesized that negative and positive emotions would facilitate naming for people with aphasia but lead to slower responses for adults with no aphasia.

Method: Eight participants with mild to moderate aphasia, 15 older adults, and 17 young adults completed a confrontational naming task across three conditions (positive, negative, neutral) in an ABA case series design. Immediately following each naming condition, participants self-reported their perceived arousal and pleasure. Accuracy and response time were …

Decline Of The Northern Long-Eared Myotis (Myotis Septentrionalis) In The Eastern Great Plains After The Arrival Of White-Nose Syndrome, Jeremy A. White, Patricia W. Freeman, Madelene I. Shehan, Cliff A. Lemen

Western North American Naturalist

The northern long-eared myotis (Myotis septentrionalis) has declined sharply in the eastern United States due to the disease white-nose syndrome (WNS), which is caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). However, less is known about the species’ status in the central and western parts of its range where WNS has arrived more recently. Here we report the timing of the arrival of Pd and WNS to eastern Nebraska and examine acoustic and capture data of M. septentrionalis to determine the initial impact of the disease on this species. We sampled bats for the presence of Pd …

Swiss Heritage Preserved At New Glarus Museum, Duane H. Freitag

Swiss American Historical Society Review

Born of Depression-era nostalgia, the Swiss Historical

Village at New Glarus, Wisconsin, continues to be among the state’s

most well-known ethnic heritage sites.

Its development over many years was accomplished by a mix

of descendants of the colonists from Canton Glarus who founded the

community in 1845, later immigrants from Switzerland, and now non-

Swiss who have moved to New Glarus and have embraced its history.

Today the museum complex consists of 14 buildings focusing on

various aspects of the community’s past. Visitors can tour the buildings

on their own or with a guide who provides additional interpretation.

Annual Reports Of The Swiss American Historical Society

Swiss American Historical Society Review

It is a pleasure to greet everyone and to wish you good fortune

in all that you do. I deeply appreciate your interest in and continued

support for the Swiss American Historical Society.

The continued problems with COVID-19 virus has forced

changes in how the Swiss American Historical Society (SAHS)

operates. Even though many attempts have been made to return to

normal operations in 2021, there remain challenges; but I am very

pleased to report that many functions of the SAHS have been stellar in

2021. Please note the following.

Stent Retriever Versus Direct Aspiration Thrombectomy For Acute Large Vessel Occlusion: A Meta-Analysis Including 17,556 Patients, From Mr Clean To Present, Eric R. Smith, Jacob A. Bethel, Timothy B. Smith, Grant Holden, Furkan Torlak, Matthew Grimsbo, Ali Seifi, Justin R. Mascitelli

Faculty Publications

Objective

Stent retriever (SR) and direct aspiration (DA) mechanical thrombectomy (MT) improve clinical outcomes for stroke secondary to large vessel occlusion. The purpose is to perform an updated meta-analysis comparing the two techniques.

Methods

PubMed database was searched for studies between January 1, 2015, and July 5th, 2021 with mechanical thrombectomy to treat acute ischemic stroke.

Results

We identified 136 studies including 17,556 patients, with 11,258 (64.1%) patients treated by SR or a combined approach and 6298 (35.9%) patients with DA. The DA group had less posterior cerebral artery strokes, was significantly older, and had lower National Institutes …

A Proposal For Paid Family Leave In Utah, Erin Wong

Student Works

When a woman gives birth, the arrival of that child will have a statistically significant negative impact on that woman’s employment, earning potential, health, and overall wellbeing. The arrival of a child has no statistically significant impact on men’s employment, earning potential, or overall health and wellbeing. The labor force experiences a drain of talent and productivity when mothers leave the market in large numbers after having a child. Many mothers who wish to remain the workforce after childbirth are faced with the impossible choice of their child’s health or their own job and earning potential. Many fathers or partners …

Variation In Trophic Niches Of Fish In Lake Powell Prior To Full Colonization By Quagga Mussel (Dreissena Rostriformis Bugensis), Joshua A. Verde, Nathan R. St. Andre, Mark C. Belk

Western North American Naturalist

Invasive species can cause disruption of the trophic niche of resident species such that patterns of energy flow through ecological systems are altered. Quagga mussel Dreissena rostriformis bugensis Andrusov, 1897, a notorious invasive species, was introduced to Lake Powell (Utah and Arizona, USA) in 2012 and colonized the entire reservoir by 2017. To help understand potential effects of this invasive species on the trophic niche of fishes in Lake Powell, we characterized trophic niche of fishes and other organisms, as well as sources of variation in trophic niche, using stable isotope analysis of carbon and nitrogen prior to full colonization …

Optimization Of A Smart Sensor Wearable Knee Sleeve For Measuring Skin Strain To Determine Joint Biomechanics, David Steven Wood

Theses and Dissertations

This work addresses three objectives related to the design and modeling of an instrumented knee sleeve and its high deflection strain gauges for at-home knee rehabilitation. First, a multi-objective Bayesian approach was developed to economically optimize a high deflection strain gauge's mechanical and electrical behavior. Four objective functions were simultaneously optimized with two design variables in seven iterations; 90% faster than a grid search approach. The presented algorithm adjusts variables in the manufacturing process of high deflection strain gauges and produces a sensor with optimized properties for a predetermined purpose. Second, an algorithm was created to accurately approximate the dynamic …

Vulnerable Leadership: Breaking Down Walls To Build Up Firms, Gabrielle E. Gordon

Marriott Student Review

No abstract provided.

Flood Warning: A Generalized Approach To Forecast The Impacts Of Flooding Events Using Arcgis Pro, Qgis, And Python, Robert Evan Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Floods are the most common global natural disaster, and 1 billion people live in floodplains worldwide adding to the impactful damage that inundation causes. Disaster managers strive to mitigate damages to their communities but need to know what the impact of a potential flood may be. GEOGloWS ECMWF Streamflow Services estimates forecasted streamflow around the world. These forecasted streamflow's can be used to create predicted flood extent maps using Height Above Nearest Drainage (HAND) or Sedimentation and River Hydraulics - Two Dimension (SRH-2D). Another method to obtain a flood map is using Setinel-1 satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery. Flood …

Postsecondary Education Achievement And Employment Outcomes In Adults With Self-Reported Autism Diagnosis, So Yeon Park

Theses and Dissertations

More autistic adults are entering into the work force and enrolling in postsecondary schools. However, overall, autistic adults experience a more difficult time than neurotypical peers completing postsecondary education, obtaining employment, and maintaining employment. Less is known about outcomes for subgroups of autistic adults who have typical or elevated intellectual and verbal abilities. The present study looks at the significance of self-reported autistic traits, camouflaging, and mental health (anxiety, depression, intolerance of uncertainty) factors for predicting educational and employment outcomes in a sample of 148 adults with an autism diagnosis and no co-occurring intellectual disability. Of the total sample, 118 …

Full Issue - Human Trafficking Awareness

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

What are the latest data points about human trafficking and the efforts being made to reduce it in our community? This issue addresses what's happening in the anti-trafficking community.

HUMAN TRAFFICKING DEFINED: The Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, as amended (TVPA), defines “severe forms of trafficking in persons” as:

• sex trafficking in which a commercial sex act is induced by force, fraud, or coercion, or in which the person induced to perform such an act has not attained 18 years of age; or

• the recruitment, harboring, transportation, provision, or obtaining of a person for labor or services, …

Full Issue

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

No abstract provided.

Think About It: Using Mindfulness As A Means To Treat Eating Disorders, Gabriella C. Breen

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Eating disorders are complicated and prevalent issues among the general population; it is estimated that 30 million people are affected in the United States alone (Foundation for Research and Education in Eating Disorders, 2018). Because of the complex psychological nature of eating disorders, it is difficult to find a treatment that is broadly effective. Traditional therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, and acceptance and commitment therapy. In recent years, mindfulness has emerged as a potentially effective way to treat eating disorders due to its ability to reduce maladaptive coping strategies, improve emotional regulation, and treat anorexia nervosa (Cowdrey …

The Power Of Human Connection: Autism And The Suicide Risk, Rachel Barton

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

As researchers continue to understand autism spectrum disorder (ASD), one outstanding factor is causing concern within the psychological community: those with ASD are at a much higher risk of suicidal tendencies. These tendencies include suicidal ideation, attempting suicide, and death by suicide. Possible contributing factors to this increased risk include high levels of loneliness, pressure to conform to societal norms, as well as depression and anxiety. To decrease suicidality among the ASD population, further research is needed to fully understand why this behavior occurs at such a high percentage. Research is also needed to find appropriate and effective solutions to …

The Need For A More Holistic Approach For The Treatment Of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Haylee E. Dahlin

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been shown to be associated with psychological symptoms as well as physical. Despite this correlation, physicians are more likely to focus on and provide treatments primarily for the physical aspects of IBS, which may result in a less-than-ideal treatment of the disorder. This literature review examines many IBS-related studies which show the existence of psychological components of IBS and the efficacy of treatment methods based in psychology. The conclusion of this research is that the current medical treatments of IBS are insufficient, and patients would likely see more improvements if physicians were to create a …

Reducing College Student Burnout: Predictive Factors, Harmful Effects, And Preventative Strategies, Eden Semu

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Academic burnout is defined as experiencing emotional exhaustion, having cynical attitudes toward other people and one’s studies, and feeling unable to achieve one’s academic goals (Schaufeli et al., 2002b). Academic burnout has been observed among college student populations, and its prevalence is increasing as college students are more susceptible to psychological illness, are experiencing peak levels of life stress between ages 18 and 33, and are learning to handle novel demands associated with emerging adulthood (APA, 2012; NAMI , 2019). Internal factors, such as motivational style, attitude, and coping mechanisms, have been shown to mediate the relationship between demands and …

Infant Language Development: The Consequences Of Trauma, Janna Pickett

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Infants between 0 and 36 months who experience physical and emotional trauma are at risk for severe social, emotional, cognitive, and physiological developmental deficits (Carpenter & Stacks, 2009; Jacobsen et al., 2013). As researchers search for protective factors against these deficits, productive language acquisition (the words an infant can verbally produce) has emerged as a potential predictor of resilience (Bellagamba et al., 2014; McCabe & Meller, 2004). This review proposes that infants who have acquired more advanced language, such as emotion descriptors, are able to define their experiences, learn how to respond to those experiences, and feel in control of …

Sexual Intimacy After The Transition To Parenthood: Using Emotionally Focused Therapy, Mallory Kindt

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

The transition to parenthood requires a significant amount of adjustment and often leads to a decrease in a couple’s relationship satisfaction. Specifically, new parents often experience attachment distress that can negatively affect their sexual relationship. Attachment distress may stem from the over prioritization of the parent role, postpartum fatigue and overall toll on new mothers, and unreasonable sexual expectations. One specific treatment that may help couples to overcome the negative repercussions that the transition to parenthood may have on their sexual relationship is Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT). EFT uses three stages, cycle de-escalation, changing interactional patterns, and consolidation/integration. These stages …

Anxious For Answers: A Behavioral Approach To Anxiety In The Home, Kassidy Bowen

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Children who have one or more parents with anxiety disorders are 76% more likely to develop anxiety disorders themselves (Hudson et al., 2014). With this correlation in mind, many studies aim to improve the treatment outcomes of children in such circumstances. However, the involvement of caregivers with anxiety disorders in the treatment of their children, specifically with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), does not always decrease the effects of anxiety on their children (Breinholst et al., 2012). Additionally, child CBT may not reduce stress-inducing factors originating from parental responses in the home (Metz et al., 2018). Parental tendencies that are common …

Society’S Responsibility To Prevent Rising Mental Illness In Youth, Spencer Smith

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

The increasing rates of mental illness in the world is becoming an issue that has been ignored for too long. Stigma and ableism, “discrimination against individuals with disabilities or the tendency to be prejudiced against and to stereotype them negatively,” are contributing factors to the delay of seeking mental health treatment and worse prognosis (VandenBos & American Psychological Association, 2007). Preventing mental illness in youth requires changes in education. By increasing education at school, from parents, and understanding personal responsibility, it may be possible to prevent or mitigate mental illness development. Though there seems to be no one best practice …

Exploring The Non-Malicious Influencers Of Lying, Sienna Stroud

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Although lying is often studied in relation to malicious factors like crime, delinquency, and lie-detection, there may be people who lie without any antagonistic intentions. In those cases, other factors like age, self-regulation, and impression management may be at play. Some studies suggest that teenagers and children may be more likely to lie than adults because of a lower maturity or because of desires for autonomy rather than malicious intent (Dykstra et al., 2020; Levine et al., 2013). Other researchers propose that some may lie because of low levels of self-control or ego depletion (Fan et al., 2016; Welsh et …

The Double-Edged Sword: Unsuccessful Versus Successful Religious Parenting And Transmission, Avanlee Peterson

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

Religious participation can have many positive effects on children and adolescents, including improved health, academic, and social capabilities. Therefore, many parents are concerned by the decrease in religiosity in American society today. In response to this common concern, this literature review discusses how various types of religious parenting can improve parent-child religious transmission while maintaining good parent-child relationships and promoting healthy child development. Much of the research on parenting styles suggests that religious parenting is most successful when using an authoritative style of parenting (high structure, high warmth, high autonomy) rather than an authoritarian style (high structure, low warmth, low …

Advocating For The Advocates: School Psychologists Are Important In Addressing Mental Health Concerns Among Students, Brooke Curry

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

For decades, there has been a severe shortage of school psychologists and a rising number of children and adolescents with untreated behavioral and mental disorders in the United States (Castillo et al., 2014). The current national ratio of school psychologists to students is estimated to be 1:1211, which is a concerning shift from the recommended ratio of 1:500-1:700, school psychologists to students (NASP, n.d.-a). This ongoing shortage may lead to issues both for the school psychologists themselves and for the students they help. For instance, Schilling et al. (2017) found that 90% of school psychologists have reported experiencing burnout at …

Front Matter

Intuition: The BYU Undergraduate Journal of Psychology

No abstract provided.

Empathy Development Among Undergraduate Nursing Students Through Intimate Partner Violence Simulation, Jennifer Benson, Peggy H. Anderson, Gaye L. Ray, Denise Cummins, Michael Thomas

Student Works

The purpose of this Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) education quality improvement project was to evaluate the effectiveness of an undergraduate Community Health Nursing course, IPV simulation and learning activities. This experiential learning activity offered participants an opportunity to temporarily view life from the perspective of actual IPV victims/survivors, and review and discuss IPV statistics, at-risk populations, and warning signs.

The quality improvement project was developed using a mixed-methods quality improvement design. A convenience sample of 35 participants allowed matched-sample statistical analysis of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy Health Professions student version (JSE-HPS version) scores. Pre-to-post JSE-HPS version empathy survey scores …

How Have Students And Teachers Adapted To Online Instruction During The Covid-19 Global Pandemic?, Gladis Jeanneth Galvez-Mulloy

Theses and Dissertations

In order to minimize the effects of COVID-19 on teaching and learning, educational institutions around the world moved quickly to transfer education from traditional classrooms to an online learning environment. The main objective of this study was to determine the effects of COVID-19 on students and instructors of several world languages at Brigham Young University (Provo, Utah), highlighting the viability or possible limitations of online learning in university teaching and learning during COVID-19. Thus, this study investigated the effects this transition had on students' learning as well as instructors' teaching practices. Using the thematic analysis described by Braun and Clarke …

Refugees From War: Interviews With Elsa And Max Siegmund, Richard Hacken, Marianne Siegmund

Faculty Publications

In 1987, Marianne Siegmund interviewed her parents (Elsa and Max Siegmund) about their lives, which included her own life experiences as well. The family members are of Transylvanian Saxon origins, coming from a minority German-speaking group that has lived in Transylvania (within Hungary and Romania) since the early Middle Ages. This family saga extends in time from World War One through the 1950s and beyond. (The interviews do not necessarily follow chronologically, however.) The family history begins in Székelyudvarhely, a town in Transylvania that has been divided and redivided between Hungary and Romania a number of times. Because of both …

Postseptic Cognitive Impairment And Expression Of Apoe In Peripheral Blood: The Cognition After Sepsis (Cass) Observational Pilot Study, Samuel M. Brown, Sarah J. Beesley, Chris Stubben, Emily L. Wilson, Angela P. Presson, Colin Grissom, Colin Maguire, Matthew T. Rondina, Ramona O. Hopkins

Faculty Publications

Background: Cognitive impairment after sepsis is an important clinical problem. Determinants of postseptic cognitive impairment are not well understood. We thus undertook a systems biology approach to exploring a possible role for apolipoprotein E (APOE) in postseptic cognitive impairment.

Design: Prospective, observational cohort. Setting: Intermountain Medical Center, a tertiary referral center in Utah.

Patients/Participants: Patients with sepsis admitted to study intensive care units. Interventions: None.

Methods: We obtained peripheral blood for deep sequencing of RNA and followed up survivors at 6 months with a battery of cognitive instruments. We defined cognitive impairment based on the 6-month Hayling test of executive …