Digital Commons Network^™

Topological Homotopy Groups, Tyler Evans

Theses and Dissertations

In general, the homotopy groups of topological spaces fail to be topological groups when endowed with the quotient topology. In this thesis, we show that for Peano continua with Abelian fundamental group, the fundamental group endowed with the quotient topology is indeed a topological group. However, this result does not extend to higher homotopy groups; that is, there exists a Peano continuum whose nth homotopy group, endowed with the quotient topology, is not a topological group. Additionally, a new characterization of the quotient topology in terms of a limit operator is introduced.

Development Of Numerical Tools And Performance Metrics For Analysis Of Optical Particle Counters, Doug Webb

Theses and Dissertations

Monitoring air quality is essential for understanding and mitigating the health impacts of airborne particulate matter (PM), which is linked to respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Optical particle counters (OPCs) are widely used for air quality monitoring, yet their precision and accuracy remain uncertain due to inconsistent performance evaluations. In this thesis, performance metrics are developed that can be used to assess the accuracy of OPCs in measuring PM concentrations and size distributions. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are employed to analyze the behavior of particle-laden air streams through representative OPC models. The impact of design parameters is quantified using newly …

Tracing Tremor: From Upper-Limb Neuromusculoskeletal Dynamics To Movement Signatures In Essential Tremor, Landon J. Beutler

Theses and Dissertations

Tremor is a common neurological condition that significantly impairs the quality of life for millions. Despite this prevalence, the underlying mechanisms of its propagation remain poorly understood, and current treatment options often rely on trial-and-error methods. Moreover, the most common type, Essential Tremor (ET), presents a unique challenge due to its heterogeneity--patients exhibit a wide range of symptoms, severities, and responses to treatment. This thesis primarily advances tremor understanding through computational modeling, with a secondary focus on data-driven subtyping of ET via cluster analysis. These parallel paths aim to improve both mechanistic insight and clinical classification. Tremor propagation refers to …

Extracting Magnetic Exchange Interactions From Magnetic Pair Distribution Function Data Via Monte Carlo Simulations, Emma Zappala

Theses and Dissertations

The magnetic pair distribution function (mPDF) is a powerful tool used to analyze diffuse magnetic scattering data in real-space. Presently, mPDF is usually used to model real-space spin configurations of materials, offering important insights into the local magnetic structure, but not to directly probe the magnetic interactions giving rise to the magnetic structure in the first place. Using Monte Carlo simulations, a robust algorithm to simulate the magnetic structure of materials, we can connect the underlying magnetic exchange parameters to the spin configurations from experimental mPDF data. We prove this concept using a simple two-dimensional Ising model and then demonstrate …

Transcendental Formulas For The Coefficients Of Ramanujan's Mock Theta Functions, Gradin Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

Ramanujan's 1920 last letter to Hardy contains seventeen examples of mock theta functions, including the famous third order function f(q), which resemble modular forms of weight 1/2. This list has since been expanded by individuals such as Gordon and McIntosh and the McKay--Thompson series arising in moonshine theory. In 1964, Andrews---improving on a result of Dragonette---gave an asymptotic formula for the coefficients of f(q) and conjectured an exact formula: a conditionally convergent series that closely resembles the Hardy--Ramanujan--Rademacher formula for the partition function. A key breakthrough came in 2001, when Zwegers wrote f(q) as the holomorphic component of a vector-valued …

Coding For Nonstandard Channels: A Capacity-Oriented Approach, J Daniel Harman

Theses and Dissertations

This work addresses the issue of coding for non-standard channel models with an emphasis on capacity-oriented channel analysis and system design. The first channel studied is the Wyner wiretap channel. Channel sounding results were obtained to calculate the capacity for the multi-antenna case of the Wyner wiretap channel to ascertain the potential for secure communication via secrecy coding. The second channel studied is an asymmetric binary crossover erasure channel (ABCEC) with a short-blocklength constraint. The capacity for this channel was derived, and linear codes were chosen and tested. Another study was conducted on the ABCEC within a degraded wiretap channel …

Mystical Epistemologies: Understanding Divine Love Through Ibn 'Arabi And Thomas Aquinas, Janai Wright

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper explores the epistemological role of love in the mystical frameworks of Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi and Thomas Aquinas, two significant figures of medieval philosophy and theology. Though rooted in distinct monotheistic traditions—Islamic mysticism and Christian scholasticism—both thinkers share a foundation in Aristotelian thought, from which they derive skepticism regarding the intellect's capacity to fully comprehend or relate to the divine. Instead, they elevate love as the essential means to attaining knowledge of God. By comparing Ibn ‘Arabi’s concept of the heart with Aquinas’ notion of the will, the paper elucidates how each philosopher positions love as transcending the limitations …

Recent Advances In Developing Cell-Free Protein Synthesis Biosensors For Medical Diagnostics And Environmental Monitoring, Tyler P. Green, Joseph P. Talley, Bradley Charles Bundy

Faculty Publications

Cell-free biosensors harness the selectivity of cellular machinery without living cells’ constraints, offering advantages in environmental monitoring, medical diagnostics, and biotechnological applications. This review examines recent advances in cell-free biosensor development, highlighting their ability to detect diverse analytes including heavy metals, organic pollutants, pathogens, and clinical biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity. We analyze technological innovations in cell-free protein synthesis optimization, preservation strategies, and field deployment methods that have enhanced sensitivity, and practical applicability. The integration of synthetic biology approaches has enabled complex signal processing, multiplexed detection, and novel sensor designs including riboswitches, split reporter systems, and metabolic sensing modules. …

Classification And Analysis Of Families Of Graphs With Focus On Nordhaus-Gaddum Bounds, Sibi Pranav Muthuprakash

Theses and Dissertations

Nordhaus-Gaddum type problems focus on bounding characteristics of graph and its complement. There are certain families of graphs which yield optimal upper bounds on various Nordhaus-Gaddum characteristics of graph. In this paper, we will talk about bounding combinatorial algebraic connectivity, normalized algebraic connectivity, the Cheeger constant, and the isoperimetric number of a graph and its complement. We will identify some optimal or near optimal families of graphs and conduct an analysis on these families that will help to bound these characteristics. We will also prove and conjecture some bounds that can help in formulating stronger bounds on these characteristics of …

Flowdb: A Complete Method For Extracting Queries From Functional Programs, Koby J. Lewis

Theses and Dissertations

Programmers working on database-backed applications frequently face trade-offs between designing maintainable software and efficient software due to the overhead of querying a database. We demonstrate FlowDB, an analysis for database-backed programs that can aid in program transformations that allow a program to be written in a maintainable style while still being performant. FlowDB employs demand-driven control flow analysis (DCFA) to produce a set of query sites that may be evaluated during the execution of a program. This set of query sites may then be used by a developer or compiler to cache needed results.

Modeling Steady-State Navier-Stokes Flow Using Structure-Preserving Truncated Hierarchical B-Splines, Daira Sofia Velasco Vega

Theses and Dissertations

Accurate simulation of incompressible steady-state fluid flow is critical for engineering applications where mass conservation, numerical stability, and geometric fidelity are essential. This thesis develops and analyzes a structure-preserving isogeometric framework for steady-state incompressible Navier"“Stokes simulations using truncated hierarchical B-splines (THB-splines). By leveraging divergence-conforming spline spaces designed to keep the fluid's divergence exactly zero based on the mathematical de Rham complex, this method ensures the fluid remains incompressible everywhere without needing extra stabilization techniques. The use of THB-splines allows the mesh to be refined locally in areas where the flow changes sharply. It still keeps the solution smooth and ensures …

Impact Of Late Universe Constraints On Early Universe Measurements Of Hubble, Garrett D. Suggs

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Early universe measurements of the Hubble constant usually find the best-fit value for H₀ given a specific data set and a particular cosmological model. Planck’s all-sky survey of the Cosmic Microwave Background is a common choice for this data, and is often supplemented with additional constraints from other measurements of cosmological phenomena. For example, the SH0ES collaboration’s measurement of H₀ from local type Ia supernovae is a common constraint to include, in the hope of reconciling the tension between late and early universe measurements. We attempt to quantify the effect of this constraint on early universe measurements of …

Fabrication, Calibration, And Deployment Of A Home-Made Radiometer, Callum Flowerday, Ryan Thalman, Jaron Hansen

ScholarsArchive Data

Subfolders and Contents:

Chamber Characterization: Contains emission spectrum measured from inside the chamber with converted spectra to power and photon flux.

LED Calibration: (Each calibration file contains folders of data from each LED used in calibration)

• Cone
• Cone 2
• Dome 2
• Flat Top
• Quartz Rod
• Uniform Dome

Outside:

• Cone 2 front porch
• Cone 2 roof
• Flat top

Math Information Retrieval From Images Via Formula Extraction, Vector Embedding, And Multimodal Llm-Based Question Answering, Angel Wheelwright Crawford

Theses and Dissertations

Math Information Retrieval (MIR) aims to revolutionize the retrieval of math information by addressing the challenges in representing, retrieving, and producing highly specialized math content. In order to develop a robust MIR system, designers must be able to process math equations (MEs) to a format that different systems can use, which is difficult due to various formats math information are stored in, including visual images and document texts. To improve the usage of math information in varied forms for people who are learning and utilizing math, we propose three different methods of handling ME data. The first method is a …

Performance Analysis Of University Wifi Using 802.11e Information Elements, Douglas Christopher Hales

Theses and Dissertations

Wireless networks, including IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), continue to become more important for many uses, including university classrooms. Factors that impact the performance of these networks have changed greatly over time, with increased scale at which they are used, and growing dependence of latency sensitive applications. In order to better understand the performance of current WiFi networks, a methodology was created to capture and analyze beacon frames with optional 802.11e information elements (IE), using Quality of Service enhanced Basic Service Set or QBSS load (channel utilization) and station count. This methodology is able to collect channel use more frequently than many …

Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor Effects On The Mesolimbic Dopamine Circuitry And Adaptations With Chronic Ethanol Exposure, Rachel Ji-Hyae Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

The mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system contributes to reward and reinforcement learning for ethanol (EtOH). The nucleus accumbens (NAc) receives DA input from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) encoding rewarding information. Acute EtOH increases NAc DA levels, and this DA response is attenuated with chronic EtOH exposure. Furthermore, chronic EtOH results in reduced DA release, increased DA clearance and presynaptic D2-type auto-receptor sensitization. Further research into EtOH-induced neural adaptations that modulate NAc DA release is explored herein, including changes in cholinergic interneurons (CIN), which are known regulators of DA transmission. One potential class of regulators are immune related cytokines, that can …

Source Characterization From Near-Field Acoustic Intensity On Moving Launch Vehicles, Carson F. Cunningham

Theses and Dissertations

Rocket launches generate extremely high acoustic levels, particularly in the low-frequency range, posing risks to both launch vehicle integrity and surrounding infrastructure. This thesis investigates the use of near-field acoustic intensity measurements to localize sound sources on moving launch vehicles, with a focus on characterizing source behavior during the early phases of liftoff. Using data from the Antares 230 NG-19 mission, acoustic pressure was recorded at multiple stations surrounding the pad, and the Phase and Amplitude Gradient Estimator (PAGE) method was employed to compute intensity vectors as a function of frequency and time. Signal processing parameters were systematically evaluated, including …

Using Linear Programming And Game Theory To Optimize The Relation Between Us And China, Junhao Su

Student Works

This paper develops an optimization model to analyze U.S.–China bilateral trade dynamics and competition in artificial intelligence (AI). First, grounded in WTO tariff limits, we formulate a linear programming model to maximize the combined trade volume and conduct a comprehensive sensitivity analysis on tariff parameters. Second, we integrate zero‑sum and non‑zero‑sum game‑theoretic frameworks to identify the Nash equilibria governing both trade negotiations and technological rivalry. The model is implemented in Python using PuLP and is empirically validated with real‑world tariff data to highlight the policy relevance of the optimal solutions. Our results reveal a high concordance between the zero‑sum game …

A Machine Learning Approach To Quantitative X-Ray Diffraction Analysis, Spencer Snow Chandler

Theses and Dissertations

X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) is a powerful method in material sciences that gives insights into the atomical and crystallographic structure of a material, revealing information into the material's properties and suitability for industrial and scientific application. In geology, XRPD analysis is frequently leveraged to identify and quantify the present mineral phases in an unknown mixture. Despite it's widespread use, interpreting XRPD patterns requires highly-specialized knowledge, making the analysis largely dependent upon the background experience of the analyst. To assist experts, computational methods have been developed over the years. Some of these techniques involve fitting diffraction patterns using pseudo-Voigt functions, which …

Approximating Transport Maps Using Minibatch Optimal Transport Plans, Dawson Collins

Theses and Dissertations

Optimal Transport theory (OT) has gained much attention in the past decades due to its rich mathematical content and striking connections to other areas of math. It has also naturally found a place in data science as a way to compare and transform probability measures. Unfortunately, there remain significant computational burdens that restrict its effectiveness in large-scale data regimes. In this thesis, we consider Minibatch Optimal Transport (MiniOT), which breaks up the task of computing the optimal transport plan between datasets into several smaller tasks of computing the optimal transport plan between minibatches of the datasets. After obtaining the minibatch …

The Role Of The Cytosolic Chaperonin Cct In The Folding And Assembly Of G Protein Complexes, Mikaila I. Sass

Theses and Dissertations

All organisms depend on cellular signaling pathways to dictate cell growth, responses to stimuli, and all other cellular functions necessary to maintain health and survival. Many of these signals rely on G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and their associated heterotrimeric G proteins for signal detection and transduction. To perform this function, the three subunits of the G protein must be assembled after synthesis on the ribosome. This process requires additional proteins called molecular chaperones to assist in folding of the subunits and assembly into the G protein heterotrimer. Among these chaperones, the cytosolic chaperonin CCT plays an essential role in …

A New Approach To Stability Of Delay Differential Equations With Time-Varying Delays Via Isospectral Reduction, Quinlan Leishman

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding how time delays impact the stability of a delay differential equation is important for modeling many natural and technological systems that experience time delays. Here we introduce a new stability criterion for delay-independent stability of these equations, called intrinsic stability, showing global exponential stability for a large class of nonautonomous nonlinear systems. Our approach is able to incorporate bounded time-varying delays, including those with certain types of discontinuities. The approach we take to prove this result is novel, associating the delay differential equation with a sequence of finite-dimensional matrices of increasing size and using the graph-theoretic technique of isospectral …

Math 112 At Byu: Student Averages On Various Exam Questions, Makayla Mcleod

Theses and Dissertations

In Math 112 at BYU, exams play a crucial role in evaluating students' understanding of the course content. Traditionally, these exams are a combination of multiple-choice and free-response questions, with the latter serving as a means to assess a student's thought process while solving problems. Will students perform as well on a multiple-choice exam? Or will students' averages be higher on free-response exams? In this thesis, we test 7 hypotheses related to these questions to provide more insight into the answer. We examine other factors that may affect students' averages, including various Calculus 1 topics, modes of questioning, and difficulty …

Digital Infrastructure For The Regenerative Movement: A Case Study Of The Mycelium Learning Network, Abigail Karparis

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

The regenerative movement is gaining momentum worldwide, driven by communities working to restore ecological and social systems through place-based, culturally rooted action. Yet many of the groups leading this work, especially in the Global South or in hyper-local contexts, remain digitally invisible due to structural barriers, including limited access to appropriate technology, funding constraints, and misalignment between available tools and local values. Conventional digital infrastructures often exclude or marginalize these efforts, leaving regenerative practitioners disconnected from each other and from potential sources of support.

This article explores these challenges and presents a case study response: the co-creation of accessible, relational …

Directivity And Sound Radiation Of Percussion Instruments And Harmonic Analysis Of The Alto Saxophone, Hanna Michelle Pavill

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates how musical instruments radiate sound, with a focus on directional behavior under realistic performance conditions. High-resolution measurements using a rotating microphone array were used to study percussion and woodwind instruments, providing new insight into how design, excitation, and frequency content shape acoustic output. The first set of experiments analyzed the directivity of the bass drum, triangle, and open snare. Each instrument exhibited unique radiation patterns reflecting its structure and playing method. The bass drum showed dipole-like behavior at low frequencies, transitioning to omnidirectional spreading at mid frequencies, and increasingly irregular patterns at higher frequencies. The triangle, due …

Low Surface Brightness Features Of Edge-On Galaxies In Deep Sky Surveys, Kyle R. Adams

Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, we present a comprehensive visual analysis of low surface brightness (LSB) structures in edge-on galaxies using two statistically complete samples: 838 galaxies from the SDSS Stripe 82 region (ES82) and 5,745 galaxies from the Edge-on Galaxies in SDSS (EGIS) catalog, both containing galaxies with spectroscopic redshifts out to 𝑧 ∼ 0.2. Using deep imaging data from the SDSS, SDSS Stripe 82, DESI Legacy Imaging Surveys, and the HSC-SSP, we construct RGB and coadded images for comparison and to improve feature detection. Average limiting photometric depth for each survey in the 𝑟 band for the surveys analyzed in …

Applying Ceragenins In Translational Medicine: Activating Mesenchymal Stem Cells And Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections, Aaron L. Zaugg

Theses and Dissertations

Healthcare-associated infections are a major global concern. Increased infections among vulnerable populations lead to millions of deaths, annually, complicated by the emergence of multi-drug resistant pathogens. These infections are often facilitated by medical devices serving as abiotic surfaces that facilitate the formation of biofilms. Notably, colonization of prostheses and other bone-associated medical devices can lead to corrective procedures, revisions and death. To address these issues, inspiration can be drawn from natural sources of bone health and defenses against infection. Cathelicidins are endogenous peptides involved in both bone maintenance and infection control. Ceragenins are small molecule mimics of cathelicidins with broad …

Linking Static And Dynamic Structures And Properties Of Materials With Computational And Mathematical Models, (Enoch) Sin Hang Ho

Theses and Dissertations

Terahertz (THz) spectroscopy is an effective technique to study and manipulate the structural dynamics of materials, due to its frequency range being very similar to the vibrational frequencies of collective atom motions in a host of materials. High-field and broadband THz radiation can be generated via optical rectification (OR) in nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals. The efficiency of OR response in an NLO crystal is determined by many factors, including molecular hyperpolarizability (β), 2nd order electric susceptibility (χ(2)), crystal structure, primary growth orientation, refractive index, absorption and phase matching condition. In this dissertation, I will focus on using computation methods and …

Predicting Single-Leg Eccentric Hamstrings Strength In Aging Athletes Using Diagnostic Ultrasound- And Survey-Derived Parameters, Lee J. Hinkle

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Eccentric hamstring strength declines with age and contributes to mobility limitations. Although Nordbord testing quantifies eccentric strength, few studies have examined it in older adults, and none have predicted strength performance on this test using ultrasound or survey- based measures. Methods: We recruited 122 senior athletes (60 female) at the 2024 Huntsman World Senior Games. Ultrasound-derived cross-sectional area (CSA), echogenicity, and subcutaneous fat thickness, along with demographic and activity data, were used to predict single-leg peak force using Bayesian regression. Models were sex-stratified, and predictors were selected using leave-one-out cross-validation (LOO IC). Results: In males, CSA, age, leg side, …

Characterization Of Ultra-High-Speed Friction Stir Welds Made In Thin Sheet Aa6061-T4 Material, Todd Grant Lainhart

Theses and Dissertations

Friction stir lap welding (FSLW) of thin aluminum sheets in industry and in research has faced challenges in weld quality that limit welding speeds. Interfacial defects such as hooking and thinning are common defects that appear at the interface of FSLW, and researchers and process operators have traditionally reduced process parameters such as feed rate and spindle rotation to fully eliminate the defects. While such measures are successful in creating fully consolidated FSLW, feed rates for FSLW have stagnated around 1 mpm with the fastest feed rates recorded at 3 mpm, making it difficult for manufacturers to implement FSLW in …