Digital Commons Network^™

Full Issue, Marriage &. Families

Marriage and Families

No abstract provided.

A Framework For Extraction Plans And Heuristics In An Ontology-Based Data-Extraction System, Alan E. Wessman

Theses and Dissertations

Extraction of information from semi-structured or unstructured documents, such as Web pages, is a useful yet complex task. Research has demonstrated that ontologies may be used to achieve a high degree of accuracy in data extraction while maintaining resiliency in the face of document changes. Ontologies do not, however, diminish the complexity of a data-extraction system. As research in the field progresses, the need for a modular data-extraction system that de-couples the various functional processes involved continues to grow.

In this thesis we propose a framework for such a system. The nature of the framework allows new algorithms and ideas …

Optimization Of Shape, Size, And Topology Design Variables In Trusses With A Genetic Algorithm, Kevin M. Gillman

Theses and Dissertations

Briggs' genetic algorithm was extended in the Gillman algorithm to include shape optimization of trusses. Other contributions include value representation, different member linking, alternate genes, automatic k-factor evaluation for buckling, and the option to prevent overlapping members. The purpose of these contributions was to make optimization using a genetic algorithm more accessible to design engineers. The Gillman algorithm was demonstrated in two original examples as well as an example from a published work. The Gillman algorithm was effective in finding lighter designs.

Java Performance Of The Rijndael Encryption Algorithm Across Compilers And Virtual Machines, Gregory Leavitt Orgill

Theses and Dissertations

The Rijndael encryption algorithm has recently been published as the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES), a Federal Information Processing Standard, and is being accepted by developers and designers as the algorithm of choice where encryption is required. Java is becoming the language of choice for E-Business applications, many of which require cryptography. The performance of any Java application is dependent on the compiler and virtual machine used to compile and interpret. Prior research has provided performance information for the Rijndael algorithm in Java for specific virtual machines. This research includes the development of a Rijndael implementation in Java. Using Java system …

Computer-Simulation-Assisted Lean Manufacturing Training, Luoding Wang

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis assesses the potential of using computer simulation to aid existing lean manufacturing training methods such as lecture and live simulation. An investigation of this possibility was carried out in conjunction with UMEP's Lean 101 class. In the study, two experimental computer simulation models demonstrating the push and pull production scenarios were constructed using ProModel software. Simulation models were equipped with a Visual Basic interface to aid trainees to manipulate the model via ActiveX. Constructed computer simulation was compared with live simulation to answer these research questions: 1. Was computer simulation able to teach additional lean concepts not covered …

Comprehensive Black Liquor Droplet Combustion Studies, Leong-Teng Ip

Theses and Dissertations

Black liquor, a byproduct from pulp production, is burned in a recovery boiler to generate electricity and recover inorganic materials. Black-liquor-droplet combustion is fundamental to understanding and potentially improving recovery boiler performance. This investigation reports comprehensive experimental data collected for a suite of five liquors. All the data were collected with newly-designed laboratory equipment, several aspects of which are unique. Single droplets were suspended on a thermocouple and heated in a furnace. Simultaneous diameter (size and shape), internal and surface temperatures, surface emissivity, and mass were measured under various furnace temperatures and gas compositions. The images recorded by the cameras …

Understanding Process Improvement: Social Psychological Factors Affecting The Use Of Project Management Practices, Russell K. Thornley

Theses and Dissertations

To facilitate a better understanding of the social psychological factors that influence adoption of project management practices, this study draws upon the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and the theory of planned behavior (TPB) from social psychology, and the technology acceptance model (TAM) from information systems research. These models define and relate a number of belief constructs that predict the acceptance of technologies in a variety of settings. In general, the three models each have relatively consistent empirical support, with comparison studies showing mixed support for each of the models being the moderately "better" model. In the current study, the …

Dynamic Reconfigurable Machine Tool Controller, Wei Li

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presents a dynamic reconfigurable control strategy based on the Direct Machining And Control (DMAC) research at Brigham Young University. A reconfigurable framework is proposed which will allow a machine tool to be controlled by a variety of applications and control laws. This Reconfigurable Mechanism for Application Control (RMAC) paradigm uses a hierarchical architecture to configure a mechanism into a device driver for direct control by an application like CAD/CAM. The RMAC paradigm is one of a mechanism device driver assigned to each mechanism class or model, and uses only the master model to control the mechanism. The traditional …

Performance Of Concrete Bridge Deck Joints, Lik Hang Yuen

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to identify the types of joints available for use on concrete bridge decks and to investigate the performance characteristics of each type, including primary functions and movement ranges. Eleven reports on joint performance published by state departments of transportation and universities nationwide were analyzed in order to obtain information on joint performance problems typically encountered by state transportation agencies. In addition, test methods and specifications provided by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) were reviewed for application by bridge engineers to ensure the adequacy of deck joints.

The research indicates that compression …

Review Essay: Rodney Stark’S Vision Of Medieval Christianity, Elspeth Whitney

Quidditas

Rodney Stark. For the Glory of God: How Monotheism Led to Reformations, Science, Witch-Hunts, and the End of Slavery. Princeton and Oxford: Princeton University Press, 2003, 504 pages, and The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success. New York: Random House, 2005, 304 pages.

Editor's Introduction: The First Steps, Louis Midgley

Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 1989–2011

No abstract provided.

Missing The Boat To Ancient America . . . Just Plain Missing The Boat, Ryan Parr

Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 1989–2011

Review of Simon G. Southerton. Losing a Lost Tribe: Native Americans, DNA, and the Mormon Church.

Leaving The Facts And The Faith, Kent P. Jackson

Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 1989–2011

Review of Martha Beck. Leaving the Saints: How I Lost the Mormons and Found My Faith.

Reflections On Secular Anti-Mormonism, Daniel C. Peterson

Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 1989–2011

No abstract provided.

Assessing The Countercult, Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, David M. Whitchurch

Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 1989–2011

Review of Douglas E. Cowan. Bearing False Witness? An Introduction to the Christian Countercult.

Book Notes, Farms Review

Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 1989–2011

No abstract provided.

Vol. 17 Num. 1 The Farms Review, Farms Review

Review of Books on the Book of Mormon 1989–2011

No abstract provided.

Five Powerful Practices For Using Technology To Enhance Teaching And Learning In Higher Education, Charles R. Graham, Richard E. West

Faculty Publications

This presentation reports the findings from our investigation of the professors designated as the most innovative users of technology at our university. After seeking nominations from department heads, we selected thirty-five of the most successful and innovative professors as case studies. After interviewing these cases, and in some instances observing their classes, we identified five major patterns that represented the positive impacts technology was having on their instruction. These patterns were evident in several cases across many different disciplines, indicating they might be generalizable to many different situations and contexts. In our interviews, we identified what technologies these professors were …

Front Matter

Swiss American Historical Society Review

No abstract provided.

Response To Edmund Campion's Film Review Of Luther, Christian P. Stehr

Swiss American Historical Society Review

After the success of the film BONHOEFFER: AGENT OF GRACE, with over 13 million viewers on U.S. Public Television,63 the same German-American production partners (NFPteleart Berlin and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans) took up a much larger project in 1999: an epic movie about the historic Martin Luther. The goal was to portray Luther in such a way that he would appeal to the young generations of the 21 st century, while making them understand why the man showed up on countless top ten lists of millennial figures. This essentially meant taking Luther off his pedestal to tell the real-life story …

Full Issue

Swiss American Historical Society Review

No abstract provided.

Vol. 23, Sigma: Journal Of Political And International Studies, Sigma: Journal Of Political And International Studies

Sigma: Journal of Political and International Studies

No abstract provided.

Metabolic Profile And Live Weight Of Male Llamas (Lama Glama) Fed With Barley Hay, Alfalfa, And Quinoa Scrub, Karla Coaquira Arratia

Theses and Dissertations

In recent years llamas have attracted great national and international interest for their qualities of human food production, fiber production for high-quality textiles, and for being an ecological animal. These qualities have allowed a resurgence of cultivating them for commercial ends. One of the principal limits is secure food for allowing a constant, sustainable growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the metabolic profile and live weight of male llamas (Lama glama) fed with barley hay, alfalfa hay, and quinoa scrub. The fieldwork occurred in metabolic chambers in a closed environment at the demonstration farm of the Benson …

The Online Language Learning Environment: New Roles For The Humanist, James S. Noblitt

Russian Language Journal

Thomas Edison played an important role in improving the technologies needed for the telephone. He was said to have been excited about the educational potential of the new instrument and speculated that it would soon be found in every classroom.

Well, he was right about the educational potential of information and communication technology, but he was wrong about the form the new technology would take.

This chapter raises questions concerning the role humanists will play in determining the development and implementation of information and communication technologies for educational purposes.

Feed Conversion Index In Two Populations And Two Lines Of Guinea Pigs For Meat Production, Kathia Jordán Vargas

Theses and Dissertations

The guinea pig (Cavia aperea porcellus) is an alternative to improve human nutrition because its meat is of excellent taste and quality. Thus, it is an important nutritional source. The feed conversion index was determined under the basic (forage) and mixed (forage and concentrate) diets during the growth phase. This was done with both sexes located in the Tamborada and MEJOCUY populations, using the AUQUI, and San Luis lines. This was done in order to quantify how many kilograms of feed an animal must eat to gain one kilogram of live weight. The animals were randomly distributed into individual pools …

Apparent Digestibility In Llamas (Lama Glama) Fed With (Stipa Ichu) Treated With Urea And Molasses At The C.E.A.C., Ninfa Jacqueline Magne Colque

Theses and Dissertations

The following work was conducted at the Agricultural Experimental Center under the title of : Apparent digestibility in llamas feed with stipa ichu (Peruvian feather grass) treated with urea and molasses, for which 3 assays were performed in reference to the study : 1) percentage of assimilation of the treated and non- treated grass, 2) apparent digestibility of fiber and protein after and before feeding, and 3) determine the adequate levels of urea and molasses for the chemical treatment of the grass (Stipa ichu). For the first assay, the greater consumption was obtained at the level of 3 (3% of …

Are Empowerment And Education Enough? Underdiversification In 401(K) Plans, James J. Choi, David Laibson, Brigitte C. Madrian

Faculty Publications

At the end of 2000, current and former employees of the energy trading company Enron Corporation held $2.1 billion in the firm’s 401(k) retirement savings plan. Sixty-two percent of that money was invested in Enron stock, then trading at $83 a share. In October 2001 Enron’s finances began to unravel as its accounting improprieties came to light. Enron stock plummeted over the next several weeks, and on December 2, 2001, the company declared bankruptcy, rendering its shares worthless. Thousands of Enron employees lost their jobs and a large fraction of their retirement wealth simultaneously.

Exchanging Identities, James R. Allison

Faculty Publications

In many societies, economic activities are an important means through which individuals create their social identity. This is particularly evident in, for example, some Melanesian societies where successful participation in exchange systems is an important determinant of an individual‘s social status. These processes are difficult to see in the ethnographic or prehistoric Southwest, where status differences are understated, but some principles apply cross-culturally. This paper focuses on ethnographic examples showing how differential participation in institutionalized, inter-community exchange systems affects the negotiation of identity within communities. Examples from the prehistoric Puebloan Southwest are then examined in light of the ethnographic insights.

Maternal Education And Child Nutritional Status In Bolivia: Finding The Links, Michelle Bellessa Frost, Renata Forste, David W. Haas

Faculty Publications

This study models various pathways linking maternal education and child nutritional status in Bolivia, using a national sample of children. Pathways examined include socioeconomic status, health knowledge, modern attitudes towards health care, female autonomy, and reproductive behavior. The data come from the 1998 Bolivia Demographic and Health Survey. Logistic regression results suggest that socioeconomic factors are the most important pathways linking maternal education and child nutritional status, and that modern attitudes about health care also explain the impact of education. Health care knowledge accounts for less of the effect of maternal education on child nutritional status, with autonomy being the …

Living Digestibility Of Alfalfa And Barley In Llamas (Lama Glama) In The Agricultural Experimental Center Condoriri, Adelaida Alarcon Chuquichambi

Theses and Dissertations

The following investigation was carried out in the Agricultural Experimental Center Condoriri (CEAC), dependent on the Faculty of Agricultural Livestock Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, located to the North of the Province border of the Department of Oruro, a distance of 12 km from the town of Caracollo and 49 km from the city of Oruro. The production of llamas and alpacas in our country is an activity of ecological, social, and especially ecological importance for Andean inhabitants. In nutrition, the fundamental factor is the power of absorption; this is because the yield of animal production depends on the quantity and …