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Migration Of Elk (Cervus Canadensis) And Barriers To Movement, Levi Watkins Apr 2023

Migration Of Elk (Cervus Canadensis) And Barriers To Movement, Levi Watkins

Theses and Dissertations

Movement patterns of animals are varied, complex, and can be influenced by environmental and anthropogenic factors. One form of animal movement, migration, is influenced by environmental factors that alter the timing, duration, intensity, and likelihood of migration. Additionally, features of the landscape, both natural and anthropogenic, can alter how animals move through their seasonal and home ranges. Movement patterns can be impeded or prevented by features such as railroads, rivers, and roads. Here we explore characteristics of elk (Cervus canadensis) migration by evaluating the strategies of migration exhibited and the factors that influence migration of elk in central and eastern …

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Zero And Few-Shot Concept Learning With Pre-Trained Embeddings, Jamison M. Moody Apr 2023

Zero And Few-Shot Concept Learning With Pre-Trained Embeddings, Jamison M. Moody

Theses and Dissertations

Neural networks typically struggle with reasoning tasks on out of domain data, something that humans can more easily adapt to. Humans come with prior knowledge of concepts and can segment their environment into building blocks (such as objects) that allow them to reason effectively in unfamiliar situations. Using this intuition, we train a network that utilizes fixed embeddings from the CLIP (Contrastive Language--Image Pre-training) model to do a simple task that the original CLIP model struggles with. The network learns concepts (such as "collide" and "avoid") in a supervised source domain in such a way that the network can adapt …

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Overcoming Barriers To Native Species Restoration Using Gibberellic Acid And Fungicide Seed Coatings, Amber Jo Johnson Apr 2023

Overcoming Barriers To Native Species Restoration Using Gibberellic Acid And Fungicide Seed Coatings, Amber Jo Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

Many barriers can limit restoration success. In the first chapter of this thesis, the barrier of strong seed dormancy is addressed. While dormancy benefits the species' long-term survival, it can present a challenge within a restoration scenario where rapid establishment is required. Soaking seeds in gibberellic acid (GA3) can overcome dormancy. An easier and potentially more effective method to apply this hormone is to coat seeds with a GA3-impregnated polymer, which provides a slow release of the hormone. Seed dormancy can also be mitigated by creating a favorable microsite with increased soil moisture. We compared the emergence and establishment of …

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Development, Reliability, And Validity Of A Measurement Of Attitudes Toward Non-Binary Individuals, Jane Green Apr 2023

Development, Reliability, And Validity Of A Measurement Of Attitudes Toward Non-Binary Individuals, Jane Green

Theses and Dissertations

Researchers have commonly clustered together both binary transgender and non-binary individuals in their research studies. When assessing attitudes, it is likely that attitudes toward these two groups have been combined leading to valuable reports of attitudes missing from the literature. While measurements within the field of psychology have been created to assess attitudes toward binary transgender individuals, there currently is no measurement to assess attitudes toward non-binary individuals. As such, three studies were conducted to create a reliable and valid measurement of attitudes toward non-binary individuals. In Study 1 Part 1, 33 items were reworded and utilized from previously created …

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Perfusion Pressure-Flow Relationships In Synthetic Poroelastic Vocal Fold Models, Cooper B. Thacker Apr 2023

Perfusion Pressure-Flow Relationships In Synthetic Poroelastic Vocal Fold Models, Cooper B. Thacker

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to study perfusion pressure-flow relationships in self-oscillating synthetic poroelastic vocal fold (VF) models before, during, and after vibration. This was accomplished by developing a custom ultra-soft poroelastic material, incorporating the poroelastic material as the cover layer in a synthetic VF model, and studying the model vibratory response and the flow rate of fluid perfused through the cover layer while undergoing flow-induced vibration. The custom ultra-soft poroelastic material was developed using the method of direct templating with sucrose spheres as the sacrificial template and silicone as the infiltration medium. The average modulus of elasticity of …

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A Game Theoretical Approach To Optimal Pitch Sequencing, William Melville Apr 2023

A Game Theoretical Approach To Optimal Pitch Sequencing, William Melville

Theses and Dissertations

This paper presents a game theoretical solution to the difficult challenge of optimal pitch sequencing. We model the batter/pitcher matchup as a zero-sum game and determine the equilibrium strategy for both the pitcher and batter. We conclude that the Stackelberg equilibrium and our newly defined decision point equilibrium serve as effective pitch sequencing strategies.

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Rigorous Computation Of The Evans Function, Devin Mcghie Apr 2023

Rigorous Computation Of The Evans Function, Devin Mcghie

Theses and Dissertations

We develop computer-assisted methods of proof for rigorous computation of the Evans function in order to prove stability of traveling waves. We use the parameterization method, series solutions, and the Newton-Kantorovich Theorem to obtain precise, rigorous error bounds for the numerical solution of the ODE used in the construction of the Evans function. We demonstrate these methods on a scalar reaction-diffusion model and on the Gray-Scott model.

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Experimental Validation Of A Vibration-Based Sound Power Method, Trent P. Bates Apr 2023

Experimental Validation Of A Vibration-Based Sound Power Method, Trent P. Bates

Theses and Dissertations

A vibration-based sound power (VBSP) measurement method is appealing because of its potential versatility in application compared to pressure- and intensity-based methods. The VBSP method is based on the well-known elementary radiators approach and is reliant on the acoustic radiation resistance matrix. Previous research has developed and validated the VBSP method for flat plates and cylinders. This thesis details work on extending the VBSP method to arbitrarily-curved structures. The approach of computing surface normal velocities from 3D velocity data measured by a scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (SLDV) is presented. This approach is validated with experimental sound power results of a …

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Factors That Influence The Recruitment And Retention Of Civil Engineers, Gina Young Souriac Apr 2023

Factors That Influence The Recruitment And Retention Of Civil Engineers, Gina Young Souriac

Theses and Dissertations

With a growing demand for civil engineers in the United States, understanding factors that influence students to choose civil engineering (CE) as a major in college, pursue an M.S. degree in CE, and persist in the CE industry can lead to valuable insights for recruitment and retention of future and current civil engineers. Additionally, understanding factors that prominently influence male and female civil engineers to persist in and depart from CE, separately, can lead to valuable insight towards improving focused recruitment and retention of both genders. This thesis includes three research studies that identify, analyze, and discuss these important factors. …

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Dorothy Wordsworth, Religion, And The Rydal Journals, Emily Stephens Kasper Apr 2023

Dorothy Wordsworth, Religion, And The Rydal Journals, Emily Stephens Kasper

Theses and Dissertations

Dorothy Wordsworth’s religious practices continued to evolve throughout her life. She was baptized Anglican, but after her mother’s death she resided with her mother’s cousin, where she practiced Unitarianism. When she later moved in with her uncle, she embraced evangelical Anglicanism. Records of her religious beliefs in her twenties are scarce, as after moving to Racedown with her brother William in 1795 and throughout her years living in Alfoxden, she rarely wrote of her involvement with organized religion. Only in the 1810s while at Grasmere did Dorothy Wordsworth begin to record a gradual return to church attendance. Concerning her religious …

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Full Issue Apr 2023

Full Issue

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

No abstract provided.

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Honorary Volume Focuses On Church History And Doctrine Apr 2023

Honorary Volume Focuses On Church History And Doctrine

Insights: The Newsletter of the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship

Richard Lloyd Anderson - known as a devoted teacher, careful writer, and perfect gentleman - has had a great impact on the study of LDS Church history. In The Disciple as Witness: Essays on Latter-day Saint History and Doctrine in Honor of Richard Lloyd Anderson, one of two Festschrift volumes published in recognition of his work, friends and colleagues have written 18 scholarly studies in his honor. Several of these papers were presented on 8 March 1997 at a conference titled "Pioneers of the Restoration."

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Sound, Stories, And Psychology: The Perceptions And Motivations Of Audiobook Consumption, Ellice K. Tan Apr 2023

Sound, Stories, And Psychology: The Perceptions And Motivations Of Audiobook Consumption, Ellice K. Tan

Theses and Dissertations

The demand for audiobooks is higher than ever--and increasing each year, surpassing the growth rate of electronic books, print books, and the US economy overall. Audiobooks have long been used to aid adolescent and struggling readers; however, recent studies have revealed that the majority of audiences consume audiobooks for the purpose of entertainment and relaxation. Despite this, much of the research available on audiobooks still applies to audiobooks as they are used in education. The purpose of this study was to understand the attitudes, opinions, and beliefs of people who love listening to audiobooks. The study was conducted using Q …

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Understanding Gendered Hierarchy In Highly Religious Couples, Jolyn C. Schraedel Apr 2023

Understanding Gendered Hierarchy In Highly Religious Couples, Jolyn C. Schraedel

Theses and Dissertations

Although religious beliefs often associate with gendered hierarchy in sociological studies, very few studies have examined religion and gendered hierarchy within intimate relationships. This study used an exemplary sample to explore how religious, heterosexual married couples view and possibly practice gendered hierarchy. Interviews from 77 highly religious, highly satisfied couples provided insight into the following themes: (1) the potential harm of hierarchy, (2) misunderstanding hierarchy, (3) rejection of hierarchy, and (4) acceptance of hierarchy. For couples who expressed acceptance of hierarchy, further exploration revealed subthemes explaining how they conceptualized this practice. Subthemes included (4a) mutual submission, (4b) joint discussion, and …

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Exploring The Impact Of Hour Of Code On Students' Cs Interest And Perceptions, Jessica Marie Yauney Apr 2023

Exploring The Impact Of Hour Of Code On Students' Cs Interest And Perceptions, Jessica Marie Yauney

Theses and Dissertations

As the focus on computer science in K-12 classrooms grows, the 'Hour of Code' program has also grown. As Hour of Code is one of the largest educational campaigns, it is worth evaluation to ensure effects are well understood so that implementation can be made most effective. This research sought to better understand the impact of Hour of Code. This thesis presents findings from a systematic review and from a quasi-experimental study. A large number of research articles have been published on Hour of Code. Systematic review identified 64 papers including reports from experiments testing the efficacy of Hour of …

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Development Of A Valid And Reliable Survey To Assess Personal, Behavioral, And Environmental Factors Surrounding Food Insecurity In A College Population, Jennette Kilgrow Apr 2023

Development Of A Valid And Reliable Survey To Assess Personal, Behavioral, And Environmental Factors Surrounding Food Insecurity In A College Population, Jennette Kilgrow

Theses and Dissertations

Objective: The aims of our present study were to develop a valid and reliable survey framed around the social cognitive theory, which would evaluate internal and external factors associated with food insecurity from the student's perspective, and to test the survey with a multi-state population. Design: The College Perspectives around Food Insecurity (CPFI) survey was developed through several revision and improvement steps using a mixed methods approach. In Phase 1 (2018-2019), data were translated into survey items and assigned to a theoretical concept (personal, behavioral, or environmental) in the social cognitive theory. In Phase 2 (2019-2020), content validity testing occurred …

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Ecuadorians In The Sacramento California Area: Attitudes And Language Maintenance, Jacob M. Strawn Apr 2023

Ecuadorians In The Sacramento California Area: Attitudes And Language Maintenance, Jacob M. Strawn

Theses and Dissertations

The present qualitative study investigated Spanish language maintenance among a familial/friend group of ten Ecuadorians that live in Northern California. The participants completed a survey and participated in an interview from which I retrieved information about the importance of Spanish and English, their self-reported confidence in Spanish and English, language attitudes, language use in private/familial contexts, and language use in public/social contexts. Previous studies regarding language maintenance and language shift in California were primarily focused on the Mexican-American population. California has the fourth largest population of Ecuadorians in the United States, yet there are no maintenance and shift studies for …

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Testing Methodologies And Results Of Radiation Induced Soft Errors For A Cots Sram, Fram, And Soc, Wesley Raymond Stirk Apr 2023

Testing Methodologies And Results Of Radiation Induced Soft Errors For A Cots Sram, Fram, And Soc, Wesley Raymond Stirk

Theses and Dissertations

Methods for testing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) digital devices at varying levels of complexity is presented and discussed as well as the results for testing a COTS SRAM, FRAM, and SoC using these methodologies in a pulsed dose rate environment at Little Mountain Test Facility (LMTF) and neutron testing at Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). Investigations at LMTF revealed a dependence in all three devices on the integrated dose of a single pulse of radiation, implying that the duration of radiation plays a significant role in the response. The test infrastructure necessary to dynamically access an FRAM at LMTF and …

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A Large-Scale Survey Of Brown Dwarf Atmospheres, Savanah Kay Turner Apr 2023

A Large-Scale Survey Of Brown Dwarf Atmospheres, Savanah Kay Turner

Theses and Dissertations

Brown dwarfs are substellar objects that fall in-between the smallest stars and largest planets in size and temperature. Due to their relatively cool temperatures, the atmospheres of these 'failed stars' have been shown to exhibit interesting properties such as iron, silicate, and salt clouds. Theoretical atmospheric models based on known physics and chemistry can be used as tools to interpret and understand our observations of brown dwarfs. I have fit archival and new infrared spectra of over 300 brown dwarfs with atmospheric models. Using the parameters of the best-fit models as estimates for the physical properties of the brown dwarfs …

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Rfssw Behavior Prediction Using A Numerical Model, Evan Robert Berger Apr 2023

Rfssw Behavior Prediction Using A Numerical Model, Evan Robert Berger

Theses and Dissertations

A two-dimensional axisymmetric thermo-mechanical model of the Refill Friction Stir Spot Welding (RFSSW) process was developed and validated with experimental data. Welding temperatures, tool forces, and material flow including defect formation, were accurately predicted by the model. Qualified repair techniques are critical for successful implementation of a welding process for use on large weldments with a significant number of spot joints, and this work demonstrates a repair technique for RFSSW that is validated both experimentally and numerically. Repaired properties are shown to exceed 90% of the original mechanical properties of the RFSSW process. RFSSW has different process parameters for every …

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The Rhetoric Of Teaching A Crisis: Incorporating Rhetorical Pedagogy Into Crisis Communications Textbooks, Maren Louise Johnson Apr 2023

The Rhetoric Of Teaching A Crisis: Incorporating Rhetorical Pedagogy Into Crisis Communications Textbooks, Maren Louise Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

A crisis is a pivotal moment for a company, and having prepared communicators can impact the reputation and financial state of a company. But there is currently a gap in learning how to manage a crisis and performing in the workplace. To explore this problem, I analyzed the four most popular textbooks in crisis communications and analyzed how they used theory to help students craft a fitting response to a crisis. My thesis recommends incorporating rhetorical theory, specifically the theory of the rhetorical situation, to bridge theory and practice and provide students with flexible theory to learn how to respond …

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Cross-Cultural Adjustment Factors Influencing International Collegiate Student Athletes, Samantha Young Apr 2023

Cross-Cultural Adjustment Factors Influencing International Collegiate Student Athletes, Samantha Young

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to further investigate the experience of international student-athletes (ISA) studying and competing at the collegiate level in the United States. This mixed methods study used a survey and interviews to probe ISAs' challenges and support sources. ISAs attending a large private four-year university located in the western United States along with university athletic support staff participated in this study. In the survey comments and interviews the ISAs expressed that they are highly concerned with their ability to financially survive in this new environment. A demanding schedule requiring the balancing of athletics and academics does …

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Comparative Gpr Analysis Of Carbonate Strandline Deposits, Sydney Adelaide Richards Apr 2023

Comparative Gpr Analysis Of Carbonate Strandline Deposits, Sydney Adelaide Richards

Theses and Dissertations

The Bahamas Island archipelago grows by the precipitation and secretion of calcium carbonate. A majority of this growth is by lateral accretion of shoreline sedimentary deposits. Previous research is not clear on whether the growth is largely due to eustasy, sediment input from catastrophic events, or a combination of both. The Bahamas is an ideal location for studying Holocene carbonate generation and deposition, but there is limited research on the analysis of strandlines in relation to lateral accretion. Carbonate strandline deposits are commonly classified as low-energy beach ridge deposits. Previous researchers have primarily focused on ooid shoals and subtidal regions. …

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Bézout Domains And Elementary Divisor Domains: Are They The Same?, Michael D. Walton Apr 2023

Bézout Domains And Elementary Divisor Domains: Are They The Same?, Michael D. Walton

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines the connections between Bézout domains and elementary divisor domains. I establish what both of these domains are, and I provide some clarifying examples of each. I state and prove some key results that have been established already in the literature. I describe a process by which I tried to show a distinction between Bézout domains and elementary divisor domains, and then provide an explicit example which shows that this process as formulated would not lead to an example of a Bézout domain which is not an elementary divisor domain. Throughout the thesis, I also state open questions …

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The Impact Of Independence: A Look At First-Generation College Student Writers' Help-Seeking Behaviors, Emily Durney Apr 2023

The Impact Of Independence: A Look At First-Generation College Student Writers' Help-Seeking Behaviors, Emily Durney

Theses and Dissertations

In this qualitative research study, I share first-generation college students' help-seeking experiences with writing tasks and use an affective lens to investigate how first-generation students feel when navigating various help-seeking situations. Often, students' experiences and emotions highlight their commitments to independence. In this study, I found that students' feelings of insecurity and confidence both encouraged and discouraged help seeking with writing, that students expressed determination as a central affect when describing their commitment to independence, and that loneliness is a significant affect in regards to writing help seeking and independence. These findings provide writing center faculty and tutors and first-year …

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Descriptions, Ecological Associations And Predictive Species Distribution Models Of New Species Of Psilochalcis Kieffer (Hymenoptera; Chalcididae) Occurring In Utah's Eastern Great Basin, Mark J. Petersen Apr 2023

Descriptions, Ecological Associations And Predictive Species Distribution Models Of New Species Of Psilochalcis Kieffer (Hymenoptera; Chalcididae) Occurring In Utah's Eastern Great Basin, Mark J. Petersen

Theses and Dissertations

The genus Psilochalcis, of the Family Chalcididae, was originally described in 1905 by Kieffer. Mainly considered an Old-World taxon, the first North American Psilochalcis were not identified until 1981 by Grissell and Schauff. Little is known about the species distributions, biologies and ecological relationships of these parasitic wasps. This dissertation describes research conducted in central Utah setting arrays of Malaise traps in 4 different habitat types common to the Great Basin at three separate locations. A result of this sampling revealed a high abundance of multiple species of Psilochalcis wasps, particularly from one location and two habitat types. Chapter 1 …

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Strength And Durability Of Plastic Clays Treated With Cement Or Lime, Tyler D. Mickelson Apr 2023

Strength And Durability Of Plastic Clays Treated With Cement Or Lime, Tyler D. Mickelson

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research was to compare the efficacy of portland cement to that of lime for improving the strength and durability of plastic clays. The scope of work associated with this research involved laboratory strength and durability testing of three plastic clays treated with portland cement or lime. To ensure a broad application of the work, the clays were obtained from three different regions of the United States, specifically from project sites near Bloomington, Indiana; San Antonio, Texas; and Monticello, Utah. Laboratory testing included evaluation of selected properties of the three clays in the untreated condition and in …

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Simulating Design Experiences For New Instructional Designers: A Case Study, Melissa Franklin Apr 2023

Simulating Design Experiences For New Instructional Designers: A Case Study, Melissa Franklin

Instructional Psychology and Technology Graduate Student Projects

In this case study, I discuss designing, developing, and implementing three digital, interactive simulations for a redesigned graduate-level Introduction to Instructional Design course. The redesign of the course was intended to address students' expressed desires to master instructional design practice and theory, gain more confidence in their knowledge of and skill in the ID process, and receive more guidance and feedback throughout an authentic instructional design experience. The first simulation aims to give students an interactive overview of an authentic process. The other two simulations come at crucial moments in the course where students can practice skills in client relationships …

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Use And Misuse Of X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (Xps): Reproducibility, Gross Errors, Data Reporting, And Peak Fitting, George Hobbs Major Apr 2023

Use And Misuse Of X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (Xps): Reproducibility, Gross Errors, Data Reporting, And Peak Fitting, George Hobbs Major

Theses and Dissertations

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is the most widely used surface analysis technique for chemically probing surfaces. Its popularity stems from the large amount of information that can be gathered about the electronic states of the atoms it probes, including core shell information and valence electron information. Simple qualitative analysis (peak identification) can often be performed, but quantitative analysis is a much more complicated process. Although XPS usage has increased dramatically, so has the amount of erroneous analysis observed in the literature. In my thesis, I first present a perspective on how to improve the quality of surface and material data …

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A Survey Of Graph Neural Networks On Synthetic Data, Brigham Stone Carson Apr 2023

A Survey Of Graph Neural Networks On Synthetic Data, Brigham Stone Carson

Theses and Dissertations

We relate properties of attributed random graph models to the performance of GNN architectures. We identify regimes where GNNs outperform feedforward neural networks and non-attributed graph clustering methods. We compare GNN performance on our synthetic benchmark to performance on popular real-world datasets. We analyze the theoretical foundations for weak recovery in GNNs for popular one- and two-layer architectures. We obtain an explicit formula for the performance of a 1-layer GNN, and we obtain useful insights on how to proceed in the 2-layer case. Finally, we improve the bound for a notable result on the GNN size generalization problem by 1.

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