Digital Commons Network^™

Exploring The Mechanism Of Increased Survival In Rb1-Mutant Glioblastoma Multiforme, Lucia Wesemann

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is an incredibly invasive and particularly lethal central nervous system cancer. Recent work has shown that GBM patients with mutated RB1 have greater overall survival. A proposed mechanism for the improved prognosis of this molecular subgroup is mainly supported by previous research that is not specific to GBM. I utilize the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) dataset to interrogate this mechanism using GBM-specific data. The mechanism is largely not supported by the CPTAC GBM dataset, and the trend of significantly improved overall survival in RB1-mutant GBM patients is not validated here. This study highlights the …

Power In Picturebooks: A Teacher's Critical Multicultural Analysis Of Illustrated Versions Of Little Red Riding Hood, Adrianna Catherine Galtieri

Theses and Dissertations

This study is a critical examination of the ways power is depicted in six illustrated versions of the "Little Red Riding Hood" story. Anchored in the notions that children's texts are neither ideologically neutral nor inherently benign, a kindergarten teacher analyzed "Little Red Riding Hood" tales for the ways the main character acts and/or is acted upon. Traditional versions of the story are often read as didactic tales that remind young readers to obey their parents in order to stay safe. However, the findings of this study suggest that reimagined versions of the classic tale can open important conversations about …

Engineering Cell-Free Protein Synthesis Biosensors For Point Of Care Use, Tyler Jordan Free

Theses and Dissertations

Diagnostic tests can dramatically improve and save lives. Survival rates and patient outcomes related to cancer and other diseases can be improved when routine testing guides personalized treatment. Highly accurate laboratory tests exist for thousands of biomarkers, including those of interest in this dissertation, but cost and complexity limit access to life-saving lab tests in many cases throughout the world. To fill this need and increase accessibility of diagnostics, in this report we report our engineering advancements towards portable biosensors for colorimetric detection of glutamine, endocrine disrupting compounds (EDC), and pathogenic RNA which are key biomarkers in cancer treatment monitoring, …

A Proposal For A Compassionate Behavior Consultation - A Pilot Study, Danina Lynne Thatcher

Theses and Dissertations

Teachers frequently encounter disruptive or other challenging behavior in their classrooms, which often results in poor outcomes for both teachers and students. Behavior consultation is frequently used to assist teachers in managing challenging behavior. However, it is difficult for teachers to implement behavioral interventions with consistent fidelity, even with consultative support. This pilot study utilized a multiple-baseline design to evaluate the effects of a compassionate behavior consultation on teachers' implementation fidelity of evidence-based classroom management practices in three junior high classrooms. It also assessed the teacher's ratings of the social validity of the consultation process and resulting interventions. A compassionate …

Partisanship, Security, And Global Status: Anatomy Of Taiwan’S March 19 Shooting Conspiracy Theories, William Martindale

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Previous research has shown how belief in particular conspiracy theories is subject to their salience to believers. Using the example of Taiwan’s March 19 shooting conspiracy theories, I show in this paper that salience is created by appealing to existing collective memory. Additionally, I show that conspiracy theory spreaders help to reinforce the elements of collective memory that make their conspiracy theories salient. Using evidence from primary sources and a representative survey sample, I demonstrate the relevance of three contextual elements in belief in conspiracy theories about the March 19 shooting. These can be summarized as Partisanship, Security, and Global …

Religious Liberty: Natural Rights Or The Politics Of Conscience, Madeline Nielsen

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Religion Clause jurisprudence in the United States has long been a subject of debate. Vincent Phillip Muñoz and Steven D. Smith, two prominent scholars in the field, offer distinct perspectives on the interpretation and application of the Religion Clauses. Muñoz advocates for a natural rights construction, grounding religious liberty in the Founders' understanding of inalienable rights. In contrast, Smith analyzes the principle of religious liberty through reflecting upon how the Founders’, particularly James Madison, were influenced by the historical, philosophical, and theological development of the principle. This thesis conducts a comparative analysis of their viewpoints, focusing on their interpretations of …

Eugenics And Feminism: The Reflections Of Two Ideologies In The Reproductive Policies Of The Nazi Regime, The Reunification Period, And Present-Day Germany, Sydney Reil

Undergraduate Honors Theses

German abortion law is restrictive for a Western European nation of strong economic standing and with relatively liberal social policy. Additionally, Germany is one of few Western European nations without an embryopathy indication, which allows for exceptional abortions in cases of fetal defects. The law (as it stands in 2024), has been immeasurably shaped by two ideologies, eugenics and feminism, and by modern Germany’s consideration of both the ideologies themselves, and of how they influenced the reproductive policies of the twentieth century. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the influences of eugenics and feminism on German reproductive law …

Key Factors In Internship Selection: A Survey Study Of Non-Doctoral School Psychology Interns, Haley Erickson Hand

Theses and Dissertations

There is currently a national shortage of school psychologists (National Association of School Psychologists (NASP), 2021c). This shortage has created a job market that favors the job seeker, meaning employers must find ways to actively attract potential candidates to hire enough professionals to meet the needs of their students. However, there is little research on the factors that school psychologist practitioners consider when choosing a district to work in. This research study examined what factors non-doctoral-level school psychologist interns consider when deciding which district to intern in. Likewise, it examined what an ideal working environment looks like for non-doctoral interns. …

Striking At The Root: A Categorization Of Dns Clients, Tyler Dean

Theses and Dissertations

The Domain Name System (DNS) root servers have provided a useful look into the DNS and internet ecosystems for decades. We present a categorization of clients querying DNS root servers. Using two clustering algorithms on DNS traffic sampled in 2020, we can predict the structure and volume of queries originating from different types of clients. Previous research has used unsupervised techniques to better understand DNS traffic patterns, but none have, to our knowledge, considered clients beyond those driven by queries from end users. By performing clustering on IP addresses rather than on individual queries, we are able to examine the …

An Applied Mental Health Course And Student Well-Being, Alison Nicole Anglen

Theses and Dissertations

Addressing mental health concerns and promoting well-being is imperative for university students to function optimally and to succeed academically. The demand for mental health care is exceeding the capacity of traditional counseling center resources at universities, suggesting the need for innovative interventions that can serve a broader scope of students. There is emerging evidence suggesting that mental health can be addressed, and well-being improved through psychoeducation and applied skills taught in classroom settings. Objectives: To examine a Mental Health and Well-Being course at a large, private religious university and its relationship to students’ well-being. This will be measured by assessing …

Exploring The Effects Of Delayed Auditory Feedback On Speech Kinematics: A Comparative Analysis Of Monologue Speech And Tongue Twisters, Abbey Corinne Persons

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigated the effects of delayed auditory feedback (DAF) on speech kinematics during tongue twisters and monologues. Participants were 20 adults (10 men, 10 women) aged 18-29 with typical speech and hearing abilities. A smartphone app provided DAF latencies of 50 ms, 100 ms, and 150 ms. Kinematic measures were made of peak speed, stroke distance, and hull area for the tongue front, jaw, and lower lip under typical and the three DAF conditions. Results indicated that DAF significantly reduced peak speed and stroke distance for all articulators during tongue twisters (p < .01), with the effect magnitude increasing with longer delays. No significant DAF effects were observed in monologues (p > .05). Sex differences were noted, with women …

Sex Influences Of Age Of Onset And Duration Of Illness On Patterns Of Cortical Thickness In Individuals With Schizophrenia, Rachael Olivia Slate

Theses and Dissertations

Given that the manifestation of schizophrenia varies by sex, it is hypothesized that the interaction between diagnosis and sex significantly influences brain structure and is believed to be a crucial factor in understanding the neurobiology of schizophrenia. While much is known about cortical thickness mapping of the condition, there is currently no work that has assessed how changes to the cortical mantle relate to important clinical features of schizophrenia that vary by sex, such as age of illness onset (AOO) or duration of illness (DOI). This study utilized a sex-wise approach to examining cortical thickness alterations in men and women …

Documentation Of Norm Negotiation In A Secondary Mathematics Classroom, Michelle R. Bagley

Theses and Dissertations

While previous mathematics education research has shown that norms can change in mathematics classrooms, little research has closely documented the struggles, concessions, and compromises involved in the negotiation process. Negotiating norms is a complex process entailing deliberate teacher moves intended to promote norms, often met with misunderstandings or resistance from students. This thesis documented the negotiation process that occurred when a teacher attempted to require conceptual explanations from students who had not previously been accustomed to doing so. I recorded six days of instruction in a 9th grade algebra unit, transcribed the class discussions, and inferred norms "at play" for …

Six Connotations Of Sustainability In Civil And Construction Engineering: A Corpus Linguistics Study, Xiaomei Wang, Andrew South, Brett James Hashimoto, Clifton Farnsworth

Faculty Publications

This research explores the historic use of the concept of sustainability in civil engineering academic literature and identifies its conceptual evolution and connotative treatment over the last 40 years. We find that academic research addressing sustainability is exponentially increasing and that the focus on sustainability is enlarging from a primarily environmental perspective to include more social elements. Additionally, we propose a set of six connotations of sustainability: assessment, progress, permanence, abstractness, multidimensional, and intersectional. These connotations provide conceptual clarity for academics and practitioners in better-defining sustainability objectives and measuring outcomes. These connotations also promote more efficient collaboration with other necessary …

The Role Of Language In Identity And Mediating Connection For Fijian College Students, Grace Taito Tora

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the role of language in constructing identity and promoting belonging for seventeen Fijian college students at one U.S. based university in the Pacific Rim. Focus group interviews were analyzed for how students described the role that language played in constructing student identity and mediating connection. Analysis was grounded in post-structural perspectives of identity alongside vā – the Oceanic notion that encompasses identity and belonging. Students described themes of native language proficiency in reinforcing kinship relationships and in participating in cultural traditions and practices. They also expressed other ways of maintaining vā without proficiency in their native languages. …

The Role Of Nr4a Transcription Factors In The Body And Their Effects In The Pancreatic Beta Cell, Jacob A. Herring

Theses and Dissertations

A central aspect of type 1 and type 2 diabetes is decreased functional β-cell mass which leads to systemic glucose dysregulation. Functional β-cell mass takes into account β-cell insulin secretion, β-cell proliferation, and β-cell survival. Several treatments are currently used to help maintain glucose levels in individuals with diabetes. However, cures for these diseases are not available due to inability to expand functional β-cell mass. Transcription factors control expression of target genes critical for various functions, and transcription factors that control β-cell function, proliferation and survival play a significant role in β-cell development and function. A more thorough examination of …

Geometrically Exact Beam Theory For Gradient-Based Optimization, Taylor Mcdonnell, Andrew Ning

Faculty Publications

Decades of research have progressed geometrically exact beam theory to the point where it is now an invaluable resource for analyzing and modeling highly flexible slender structures. Large-scale optimization using geometrically exact beam theory remains nontrivial, however, due to the inability of gradient-free optimizers to handle large numbers of design variables in a computationally efficient manner and the difficulties associated with obtaining smooth, accurate, and efficiently calculated design sensitivities for gradient-based optimization. To overcome these challenges, this paper presents a finite-element implementation of geometrically exact beam theory which has been developed specifically for gradient-based optimization. A key feature of this …

Authorship In The Age Of Algorithms: Adapting Copyright Law For Ai-Generated Content, Sydney Thomas

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

In the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the relationship between technological advancement and legal protection for human creators has become increasingly critical. From Stephen Hawking's admonition of the potential risks of unregulated AI to Sam Altman's advocacy for proactive regulation, this paper navigates the evolving landscape of AI innovation and copyright law. By examining the challenges posed by AI-generated content, including issues of intellectual property infringement and privacy concerns, it highlights the need for adaptive legal frameworks. Strategic enhancements to copyright law must be developed, such as bolstering fair use doctrine and expanding creator rights, to ensure the protection of …

Evaluating The Effects Of Cheatgrass On Western Burrowing Owls, Kaylee R. Draughon

Theses and Dissertations

There has been a global decline of specialist species observed in recent decades due to the impacts of climate change, invasive species, and habitat loss. Habitat loss and degradation may lead to a mismatch between habitat attractiveness and actual quality, otherwise known as an ecological trap. Ecological traps occur when an organism is constrained by its evolutionary past to select for cues that no longer accurately predict habitat quality. Specialist species are more susceptible to ecological traps due to greater reliance on and fidelity to historic sites and resources. The burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia), a specialist bird species adapted to …

Synthesis Of Streptococcus Pneumoniae Serotypes 6a And 6b Di- And Trisaccharides As Propargyl Glycosyl Antigens For Glycoconjugate Vaccines, Tianyao Meng

Theses and Dissertations

Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) is a globally prevalent Gram-positive pathogen responsible for invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD). Among its over 90 serotypes, Spn serotypes 6A (Sp6A) and 6B (Sp6B) are two of the most common causes of IPD around the world and are more frequently isolated from infections than most of the other serotypes. Our group has previously developed a method for making immune responses to bacterial glycans T cell-dependent, involving attachment of short synthetic glycans to a virus-like nanoparticle (VLP), and in combination with a natural killer T cell (NKT cell) adjuvant. This strategy enhanced immune responses by facilitating T cell …

Characterizing The Potential For Failure In Environment Testing Due To Bolted-Joint Friction Nonlinearity And Bilinearity, Brennen Clark

Theses and Dissertations

Nonlinear behavior in systems complicates the analysis and design of many systems in engineering. In vibration engineering, typical methods such as modal analysis fail or require significant adjustment in the presence of nonlinearity. Understanding and modeling nonlinear behavior is becoming more important in many modern engineering applications. One area that is relatively unexplored is how nonlinearity affects environment testing. This can cover a wide variety of subtopics, but this thesis focuses on failures that can occur in a system which are not predicted by corresponding linearized systems. To further limit the scope of this work, and to provide a context …

Byu Library Digital Content Exploratory Committee Final Report, Lindsey Memory, Rebecca A. Wiederhold, Cory L. Nimer, Dainan Skeem, David Brownell, Jamie E. Wiser, Nicole Lewis, Paul K.J. Robbins, Trevor Alvord, Tyler Thorsted

Harold B. Lee Library Faculty Publications

The BYU Library's cross-divisional Digital Content Exploratory Committee examined the extant personnel, systems, and workflows allocated to the care of a wide range of digital content types stewarded by the library (examples: digitized master and access derivative files, born-digital manuscript materials, born-digital scholarly materials, web archives, data, etc.). We compared our problems, standards, and staffing structures to the field at large through a literature review and an environmental scan. Our research has affirmed to us the unique and in many ways still-uncharted challenges and opportunities inherent to collecting, facilitating access to, and preserving digital content of research and historical value …

Manipulating Colloidal Particles Using Chemical Gradients And Top-Down Control, Mark Nichols Mcdonald

Theses and Dissertations

Colloidal particles provide the ideal building blocks for the next generation of microdevices, such as advanced sensors and precision drug delivery systems. However, many such applications require the use of top-down (i.e. humanly controllable) forces to manipulate colloidal particles with single-particle precision, and current methods can only achieve such precision for small numbers of particles at a time. To address this challenge, we propose using chemical forces in combination with existing top-down techniques to enable the control of larger numbers of particles simultaneously. Controlling colloids using chemical reactions is a novel technique not typically utilized. Due to its distinct difference …

Leveraging Biological Mechanisms In Machine Learning, Kyle J. Rogers

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis integrates biologically-inspired mechanisms into machine learning to develop novel tuning algorithms, gradient abstractions for depth-wise parallelism, and an original bias neuron design. We introduce neuromodulatory tuning, which uses neurotransmitter-inspired bias adjustments to enhance transfer learning in spiking and non-spiking neural networks, significantly reducing parameter usage while maintaining performance. Additionally, we propose a novel approach that decouples the backward pass of backpropagation using layer abstractions, inspired by feedback loops in biological systems, enabling depth-wise training parallelization. We further extend neuromodulatory tuning by designing spiking bias neurons that mimic dopamine neuron mechanisms, leading to the development of volumetric tuning. This …

Challenging The Master Narrative Of Holocaust Victimhood: Examining The Holocaust Through A Gendered Lens, Annabella Blowers

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Women are severely unrepresented in the master narrative that has come to define what it means to be a Holocaust victim. Although men and women were subjected to different forms of victimization, women’s unique experiences of suffering have been marginalized and subsumed within the male-dominated master narrative. Examining the Holocaust through a gendered lens challenges this existing narrative of Holocaust victimhood. Conducting a gender analysis of the Holocaust is essential to fully incorporate women’s experiences into Holocaust history and the grossly inadequate narrative society uses to define Holocaust victimhood.

An analysis of fifty Holocaust fiction novels revealed that literature’s depiction …

Exploring How Sino-Business Culture Informs United States Business Negotiation Practice, Chase Peterson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Numerous scholarly works have explored the intricacies of negotiating with China. This paper aims to add value to previous research by providing insights deduced from cross-cultural communication with individuals from the People's Republic of China (PRC), while emphasizing the advantages of adaptation of Chinese business culture by U.S. negotiators. The United States Institute of Peace observed several biases among U.S. negotiators including a tendency to accept initial solutions prematurely, as well as a lack of understanding regarding counterparts' objectives and contextual circumstances (Quinney 2002). The strengths of Chinese business culture help remedy these tendencies and inform Western negotiators how different …

Mathematical Modeling And Understanding The Physiological Mechanisms Of Vibration On Wound Healing And Scar Remodeling, Devin Rion Needs

Theses and Dissertations

Chronic wounds and pathological scars reduce the quality of life for millions of people worldwide. Through mathematical modeling and clinical testing, understanding of how these conditions occur continues to increase. These tools have also been employed to investigate the efficacy of treatments that could impact wound healing and scar remodeling. The purpose of this work is to investigate the physiological effects of vibration treatment on wound healing, blood flow, and scar remodeling through mathematical modeling and experimental testing. This work presents and validates a mathematical murine model for whole body vibration enhanced wound healing (VEWH). This VEWH model builds on …

Dungeons & Dragons & Dissertations: A Study Of Therapeutically Applied Tabletop Roleplaying Game Groups At A University Counseling Center, Samuel Mischa Chun

Theses and Dissertations

Although there is a large body of research on the effects of unstructured group therapy among college students, there is inconclusive research on how implementing tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) as a structured activity affects group cohesion for therapy groups made up of college students. Participants were adult, full-time university students who are seeking therapy at the university counseling center. This study measured the effectiveness of therapeutically applied TTRPGs in group therapy with a mixed-methods approach. Participants took the Outcome Questionnaire-45 (OQ-45) to measure psychological functioning, the Group Questionnaire (GQ) to measure group cohesion, and answered five qualitative questions to describe …

Toward Overcoming The Double Empathy Problem: Bridging Autistic And Neurotypical Minds Through Science And Art, Elizabeth Rose Bessey

Theses and Dissertations

Historically, autistic people have been portrayed as lacking empathy. However, more recent research reveals mutual, rather than one-sided, gaps in empathy between autistic and neurotypical (NT) people. Decreased empathy can lead to marginalization and even violence, usually toward those in the minority. Regardless of diagnosis, however, there are fundamental aspects of the human experience upon which empathy could be built. In the present study, we explored commonalities and differences in how autistic and NT individuals experience comfort and discomfort. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to discover the causes, emotions, and reactions to comfortable and uncomfortable social situations and environments across autistic …

End Matter

Swiss American Historical Society Review

No abstract provided.