Digital Commons Network^™

A Review Of Fitness Tracker Game Elements And A Novel Game Approach For The Design Space, Aatish Neupane

Theses and Dissertations

Physical activities like walking have proven health benefits. People are adopting fitness trackers to track physical activity, but they often stop using them after a relatively short time. Many apps and games exist in the app markets that use gamification to tackle this problem of motivation. In this thesis, we examined these existing gamified fitness tracker apps from app markets and looked at the usage of different game elements within these apps. We conducted a systematic review of existing fitness Tracker Apps from Google Play Store and Apple App Store and used a mixed-method approach to identify apps, categorize them …

Multilattice Tilings And Coverings, Joshua Randall Linnell

Theses and Dissertations

Let L be a discrete subgroup of \mathbb{R}^n under addition. Let D be a finite set of points including the origin. These two sets will define a multilattice of \mathbb{R}^n. We explore how to generate a periodic covering of the space \mathbb{R}^n based on L and $D$. Additionally, we explore the problem of covering when we restrict ourselves to covering \mathbb{R}^n using only dilations of the right regular simplex in our covering. We show that using a set D= {0,d} to define our multilattice the minimum covering density is 5-\sqrt{13}. Furthermore, we show that when we allow for an arbitrary …

A Psychometric Analysis Of The Precalculus Concept Assessment, Brian Lindley Jones

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Precalculus Concept Assessment (PCA), a 25-item multiple-choice instrument designed to assess student reasoning abilities and understanding of foundational calculus concepts (Carlson et al., 2010). When this study was conducted, the extant research on the PCA and the PCA Taxonomy lacked in-depth investigations of the instruments' psychometric properties. Most notably was the lack of studies into the validity of the internal structure of PCA response data implied by the PCA Taxonomy. This study specifically investigated the psychometric properties of the three reasoning constructs found in the PCA taxonomy, …

Test-Enhanced Learning In Post-Secondary Biology Courses: The Effect Of Cues And Incentives On High-Level Learning, Bryn Ellen St. Clair

Theses and Dissertations

Cognitive scientists and psychology researchers have given growing attention to evidence of the testing effect, that is, the improvement of students' recall through memory-retrieval practice in the form of quizzes and exams. While laboratory experiments consistently show dramatic positive effects on learning through the testing effect, discipline-specific education researchers have sought to generalize these findings in real, instead of simulated classrooms. The objective of this dissertation was threefold: (1) To survey the current literature on the testing-effect as it applies to learning biology at the post-secondary level. In this review, I consider how further research on the testing effect may …

Talking To Your Patients About Antibiotics: What Nurse Practitioners Need To Know, Danae M. Titensor, Katreena Collette-Merrill

Student Works

Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat to our current ways of treating infections. The overuse of antibiotics is a major contributor to this threat, especially with the prevalence of unnecessary prescriptions written for upper respiratory infections (URIs). Better education tools are needed for providers and patients regarding antibiotic resistance. The purpose of this project was to use evidence-based practice to produce an educational video about antibiotic resistance. Following a review of the literature, a 6-minute video was made using Mayer’s cognitive theory of multimedia learning. A convenience sample of 15 family nurse practitioner (FNP) students, from one master’s program, participated …

Domestic Violence Victims, A Nuisance To Society?: Moving Toward A More Equitable System In Protecting Vulnerable Women, Elizabeth Haderlie, Layla Shaaban

Brigham Young University Prelaw Review

Recent conversations about racial biases that exist towards the black community have required many of us to rethink systems and laws that unconsciously perpetuate racial discrimination. This article uses state, federal, and local lawsuits to argue the case against nuisance ordinances and the negative effects they can have on victims of domestic abuse, namely black women. We dive into the histories and statistics of domestic violence and nuisance ordinances. We provide evidence that indicates a correlation between domestic violence victim’s fear of reaching out for help, and nuisance ordinances being in place. Finally, we urge the federal government to amend …

From Trump Tower To Trump White House: The Rhetoric Of Donald Trump's 'Winning' Brand, Benjamin Metcalf

Theses and Dissertations

Donald Trump's rhetoric of winners and losers has prompted dangerous division in the United States. It is well understood that Trump's divisive discourse appealed to white, blue-collar Americans who had become disillusioned with the political establishment. This study explores how Trump persuaded this audience by transitioning business communication principles, highlighted by his signature 'winners and losers' theme, into politics. Trump's use of the reality television show, The Apprentice, as a branding platform had the rhetorical effect that catapulted Trump's unique 'winning' brand back into the public's consciousness. While the principles of business rhetoric Trump used in The Apprentice were clearly …

What Her Missionary Son’S Letter Didn’T Say, Darlene Young

BYU Studies

Rain hangs in the air. Even my underwear feels wet.

I listen to the tapping fingertips of the bodies of bugs hitting netting at night. Gray water. Bare floors.

Shoulders, Bethany Sorensen

BYU Studies

"We” are taking a nap, but she’s the only one sleeping. The canvas shade above our heads and the subtle breeze off the water make the 95-degree heat tolerable. The gentle rocking of the houseboat lulls us both into a trance.

Manuscripts, Murder, And A Miniseries: A Personal Essay, Richard E. Turley Jr.

BYU Studies

On March 3, 2021, a three-part miniseries on the Mark Hofmann forgery-murder case of the 1980s premiered on Netflix, a popular subscription-based streaming service. The three-part miniseries, titled Murder among the Mormons, quickly catapulted into the top echelon of most-watched Netflix programs in the United States.1 Because I appeared in the miniseries, many people began asking me questions about this criminal case I have followed since it first attracted widespread public attention.

Latter-Day Saints In Washington, D.C., Tina Hawley

BYU Studies

Latter-day Saints in Washington, D.C., is edited by Brigham Young University professors of Church history and doctrine Kenneth L. Alford, Lloyd D. Newell, and Alexander L. Baugh. This volume collects essays written by the faculty of the Department of Church History and Doctrine at BYU after they traveled to D.C., attending a symposium in the Washington D.C. Temple Visitors’ Center. The essays are organized into three sections—“History,” “People,” and “Places”—aiming to educate readers about the intriguing, complicated relationship between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the United States federal government.

Innovating Institute, Ryan J. Wessel

Religious Educator: Perspectives on the Restored Gospel

Seminaries and Institutes (S&I) recently began a process to innovate the institute experience. There was a general concern among the leaders of S&I that while participation in institute seemed to have a meaningful, positive impact on students’ lives, the institute experience appealed to too few of the young single adults in the Church. At the time, about half of young adults who participated in the Church enrolled in institute each year. Perhaps institute could be updated to more effectively teach the restored gospel within the context of current technological and demographic trends, and with a greater understanding of students’ circumstances …

Hugh Nibley Observed, David R. Seely

BYU Studies

As a tribute to Hugh Nibley the editors of this volume have collected forty essays written by Nibley’s family, peers, colleagues, students, and friends. The title of the book is a play on the title of Nibley’s autobiographical film, The Faith of an Observer: Conversations with Hugh Nibley. As described in the introduction, this volume contains “a kaleidoscope of portraits, perspectives, and memories from family, friends, and colleagues—observers, as it were, of a preeminent observer.”

Publisher's Note, Kris Tina Carlston Jd, Mba

Brigham Young University Prelaw Review

The 2021 Brigham Young University Prelaw Review (Journal) continues to demonstrate Brigham Young University’s commitment to excellence in scholarship and student development. Throughout this past year, it has been a privilege to work with ambitious students who want to produce the best possible undergraduate legal journal.

Front Matter

Brigham Young University Prelaw Review

No abstract provided.

Editor In Chief & Managing Editor's Note, Denise Han Editor In Chief, Alexis Watson Managing Editor

Brigham Young University Prelaw Review

During this unprecedented year, we have been honored to continue a tradition of scholarship with the publication of the 2021 edition of the Brigham Young University Prelaw Review. This year’s topics are grounded in issues on the cutting edge of legal thought, ranging from the legal liability of corporate supply chains to the thorny conundrum of internet censorship, and from the intersection of property law and religious liberty to the question of statehood admission.

A Certainty Of Hopelessness: Adjustments To Student Exceptionalism In Bankruptcy Law, Jordan Higham, Jenica Bunderson

Brigham Young University Prelaw Review

For over forty years, student exceptionalism has been a crucial doctrine of U.S. bankruptcy law, stating that student debt can only be discharged in bankruptcy under extraordinary circumstances of undue hardship. This practice has been essential for the survival of the federal student loan program, however, the high and unclear standards for what constitutes undue hardship makes it almost impossible for even the most deserving debtors to discharge student debt. This paper explores the history of student exceptionalism and makes proposals for how to balance fairness between debtor and creditor.

Eliminating Forced Labor In American Corporations And Their Supply Chain: Existing Solutions And Failures, Breann Hunt

Brigham Young University Prelaw Review

The author of this article examines current judicial precedent pertaining to human rights violations perpetrated in the supply chains of American companies. The author argues that existing legislation is insufficient to prevent firms from profiting from forced labor. The author demonstrates the effect of forced labor upon the competitive landscape and illustrates the damage done to ethical companies forced to compete with low-priced competitors. By analyzing existing research on competitive injury and Antitrust regulation, the author thus proposes that there be a synthesis of third party research capabilities and legislation that would help prove competitive injury due to forced labor …

Plea Bargains: Justice For The Wealthy And Fear For The Innocent, Emily Stauffer

Brigham Young University Prelaw Review

The Supreme Court has consistently recognized the hardships of the poor in the criminal justice system and has set a precedent that if a person cannot afford access to any level of the criminal justice system, the state must remove that financial barrier. Prosecutorial tactics in the plea-bargaining process coerce the poor into waiving their right to trial. The unequal access to trial between the poor and non-poor violates the Fourteenth Amendment, which requires that states remove any barrier that restricts the poor from the criminal justice system. The Court has left the states to decide which solutions will work …

Statehood Admissions Codification As A Protection Of Voting Rights, James Caleb Uhl

Brigham Young University Prelaw Review

Historically, the process for admitting territories into the United States as states has been ambiguous and subsequently discriminatory. This ambiguity, when viewed in conjunction with the inherent voting rights of United States citizens, proves a systematic violation of said rights. By defining the statehood admission process, the voting rights of United States citizens residing in territories will no longer be violated. This article proposes legislation that includes five distinct criteria intended to rectify the ambiguity and subsequent discrimination in current admissions procedures while still allowing Congress to retain its constitutionally delegated processional authority.

Bostock’S Paradox: Intersections In Lgbtq Employment Rights And Private, Religious Businesses, Christopher Smith

Brigham Young University Prelaw Review

Thanks to the recent opinion of Bostock v. Clayton County by the United States Supreme Court regarding the protection of LGBTQ employees in the workplace, discussion has turned to how this protection relates to religious employers. Religious organizations such as churches and mosques are afforded protections thanks to an exemption found in Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. The role and scope of these protections in regards to private, religious (but not religion-owned) businesses has been debated as recently as 2014 in the Supreme Court. In this paper I address this issue and determine that, underneath current ruling …

Front Matter

BYU Studies

No abstract provided.

A Teacher’S Plea, Tyler Johnson

BYU Studies

Modernity surges from change to change.

The last thirty years, after all, have seen the advent of the smartphone, the proliferation of the internet, the democratization of the press, the dawn of social media, the creation of eBay and Amazon, the beginning of Google, and the birth of the post-9/11 world order.

Captain Moroni And The Sermon On The Mount: Resolving A Scriptural Tension, Duane Boyce

BYU Studies

A natural tension seems to exist between two important features of the Book of Mormon. On one hand, Mormon includes in his record a version of the Sermon on the Mount that Jesus gave to the Nephites—an address that sets the standard for discipleship and that contains teachings obviously opposed to violence.1 In it, we hear about not resisting evil, turning the other cheek, going another mile when compelled to go one, loving our enemies—and so forth (3 Ne. 12:39–44). On the other hand, Mormon also presents various Nephite leaders as righteous even though they were immersed in violence. Captain …

Defend Your Families And Love Your Enemies: A New Look At The Book Of Mormon’S Patterns Of Protection, J. David Pulsipher

BYU Studies

A primary purpose of the Book of Mormon, as described on its title page, is to show “what great things the Lord hath done.”1 The whole narrative serves that goal, being saturated with frequent examples of divine goodness and guidance. Then, in the book’s stunning climax, God’s presence is made most explicit through the personal appearance of the resurrected Lord, Jesus Christ, during which he displays the physical emblems of his compassion and redemption, heals broken bodies and souls, and invites everyone to become “even as I am” (3 Ne. 27:27). The power of divine love is clearly a central …

Moon To Moon Nights, Dixie Partridge

BYU Studies

like time-lapse film, signify now a moment, now a lifetime. A bonedrift of stone shapes pale and rise like years along garden’s edge. . . .

Desert Harvest, Ben De Hoyos

BYU Studies

At last, it came, The cleansing rain at the fading Of this long, parched day.

Murder Among The Mormons: Reflections On The Docuseries— And On Its Historical And Theological Implications, J. B. Hawes

BYU Studies

You know that you’ve hit upon something when a docuseries you have produced soars to number two on Netflix’s weekly list of most-watched shows. That is the place where Jared Hess and Tyler Measom found themselves with their film Murder among the Mormons in mid- March 2021.1 Their retelling of the tragic deaths of Steven Christensen and Kathleen Sheets at the hands of Mark Hofmann—and the police investigation that exposed Hofmann as a forger and murderer—made for compelling television, and millions of Netflix customers agreed.

Trinity And Monotheism: A Historical And Theological Review Of The Origins And Substance Of The Doctrine, Jason Robert Combs

BYU Studies

The history of Christian beliefs about the nature of God is complex. It would be helpful for Latter-day Saints and other Christians to have a simple, straightforward introduction to this topic. A. Keith Thompson, professor of law and the associate dean at the Sydney School of Law of the University of Notre Dame Australia, who previously worked as international legal counsel for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, set out to write such a book. Motivated in part by his interfaith work and by his own religious beliefs as a Latter-day Saint, Thompson wrote Trinity and Monotheism to …

Watchman On The Tower: Ezra Taft Benson And The Making Of The Mormon Right Thunder From The Right: Ezra Taft Benson In Mormonism And Politics, Roger Terry

BYU Studies

Although I was already fairly well acquainted with the activities and rhetoric of Ezra Taft Benson, a controversial twentieth-century Apostle, what surprised me when reading these two books about him was their relevance to what is happening in the United States today. Historian Matthew L. Harris authored the biography of Benson titled Watchman on the Tower and edited the anthology Thunder from the Right. They help explain not only Benson’s life and times but also political conservatism and paranoia about government conspiracy among American Latter-day Saints today.