Digital Commons Network^™

Trauma-Informed Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction To Increase Family Quality Of Life For Mothers Of Children With Autism: A Pilot Study, Carol May Vaughn

Theses and Dissertations

Mothers of children with autism have a higher rate of stress than mothers of neurotypical children and mothers of children with other disabilities. This impacts their family quality of life. This study aimed to show that by teaching mothers trauma-informed mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques they were able to switch their perspectives and feel that they had increased the relationships with their child with autism and increased the rating they give their family quality of life. The participants were recruited using word of mouth and through distribution of posters to autism communities following approval of the experiment through the institutional review …

Distinguishing Between Symptom Presence And Severity Using A Two-Part Sequential Model, Luiza Ferreira Pradera

Theses and Dissertations

Most symptom measures either implicitly or explicitly distinguish between symptom presence and symptom severity. For example, item 2 on the PHQ-9, a commonly used measure of depressive symptoms, asks respondents to rate how much they have been 'feeling down, depressed, or hopeless.' The response options are 0 (Not at all), 1 (Several Days), 2 (More than half the days), and 3 (Nearly every day). Answering 0 indicates that the symptom is not present, and any response greater than 0 suggests the symptom is present. Higher values indicate higher severity of the symptom. Although the response options distinguish between symptom presence …

Systems, Models, And Simulation For Novel Microfabrication Of Silicon Carbide And Metal Mesh Filters, Hunter R. J. Stevenson

Theses and Dissertations

As the boundaries of Moore's Law rapidly approach, research is increasingly turning to exotic materials and metamaterials to advance the capabilities of electronic and micromechanical systems. This thesis presents systems, models, and simulation techniques for novel microfabrication in the realms of silicon carbide (SiC) and metal mesh filters. Through the unification of femtosecond laser pulses, high numerical aperture (NA) objective lenses, and system power and motion control, a system capable of achieving arbitrary 3D features without line-of-sight with aspect ratios up to 109:1 in SiC is developed. Additionally, a model of a direct-write femtosecond-laser-ablation fabricated metal mesh filter (MMF) is …

Multifunctional And Moisture Tolerant Zinc-Based Mono- And Bi-Metallic Metal-Organic Framework (Mof) Thin Films, Emmanuel Agbata

Theses and Dissertations

Many applications of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are highly dependent on their structures. The type and consistency of structure inform their properties. Zinc-based MOFs are applicable in different fields because of the low toxicity of zinc materials and are therefore also useful for catalysis. While MOF-5, a zinc-based MOF with carboxylate linkers is moisture intolerant, a variant of this is moisture tolerant. The introduction of a nitrogen-based linker in the zinc MOF which renders the structure moisture-tolerant. This material has not been explored as much, despite its multifunctional properties. Furthermore, the growth of Zn-based bimetallics of this MOF has not yet …

Quality Of Life Outcomes Among Female Student-Athletes: Exploring The Role Of Coach-Athlete Relationships, Ashley Renee Kernan

Theses and Dissertations

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) first integrated into collegiate athletics in 1906 with the goal to govern burgeoning sports activities. More than 1,098 colleges and universities participate in the NCAA and have sports teams on their campuses. Although NCAA athletics has gained popularity through the years, much of the research and education has focused on men's sports in the NCAA, thus ignoring the sharp increase of women participating in NCAA. This increase came after Title IX was implemented and now almost half of student-athletes in Division I sports are female. While some conducted research includes female student-athletes in the …

Modified Coulomb Approach For Squat Silos, Mitchell Cade South

Theses and Dissertations

Traditional methods for calculating lateral pressures in silos, such as Janssen's Method and Coulomb's Method, have limitations due to the underlying assumptions of each methodology. This research investigates an approach which adapts Coulomb's Method to account for the cylindrical geometry of silos. The Silo Wedge Method (SWM) distinguishes between two cases based on the aspect ratio (height/diameter) of the silo. Comparative analysis reveals that the SWM accurately matches Coulomb's Method for linear retaining walls when the silo aspect ratio approaches zero. As the aspect ratio increases above 0.25, the SWM exhibits behavior similar to Janssen's Method. This suggests a potential …

Sustainability In Civil And Construction Engineering, Connotations, Paradigms, And Perceptions, Xiaomei Wang

Theses and Dissertations

Over the last four decades, the concept of sustainability has evolved significantly, gaining prominence since the Brundtland report in 1987. Operating at the intersection of built and natural environments, Civil and Construction Engineering (CCE) projects and designs inherently impact the natural surroundings. In this context, the concept of sustainability serves not only as a guiding principle to mitigate depletion but also as a pathway to achieving balance among diverse societal needs so every creature can survive and thrive. Despite considerable efforts in this domain, the definition of sustainability within the CCE discipline remains elusive. Paradoxically, the popularity and vagueness of …

"Hey, Guys": How Youtubers Attempt To Fix Their Mistakes With Apologies And Transparasocial Relationships, Callie Day Tenney

Theses and Dissertations

YouTube apology videos from social media influencers offer a compelling perspective on personal accountability, the intricate bond between creators and viewers, and a way to take a closer look into them. This study employs the situational crisis communication theory and expands upon the trans-parasocial relationship model to elucidate how YouTubers leverage these theoretical frameworks in their apology videos. Through a qualitative thematic analysis of 30 videos spanning the last eight years on YouTube, this research seeks to identify common apology strategies, linguistic patterns, nonverbal cues, and technical aspects to uncover recurring themes and consistencies. The analysis found strong themes of …

Development Of Zr(Iv) Mof-Enabled Nerve Agent Electrochemical Hydrolysis Sensors, Tyler James Marlar

Theses and Dissertations

Nerve agents are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and among the most toxic chemical warfare agents ever synthesized. Detection of these chemicals is critical for the protection of populations and strategic resources. G-series nerve agents are volatile compounds. V-series nerve agents are persistent phosphonothioate compounds. Persistent nerve agents do not readily volatilize and can contaminate environmental resources for extended periods. While nerve agents are inherently non-electroactive, they can be hydrolyzed to electroactive products compatible with electrochemical sensing. Zr(IV) MOFs are next-generation nanoporous materials, which have been shown to rapidly catalyze nerve agent hydrolysis. In this work, the catalytic processes of MOF-808, a specific …

Hózhó + Art Heals, Eugene Tapahe

Theses and Dissertations

The land where I grew up gives me a sense of purpose and belonging. It embodies the Navajo concept of hózhó, which represents harmony, beauty, and balance. Being in tune with this spiritual connection inspires me to bring people together through art and healing. I use natural materials like sand, sage, cedar, tree twigs, and yellow and blue cornmeal to create my art. To maintain the spirituality of my work, I employ traditional and ritualistic harvesting methods passed down from generation to generation. These techniques are deeply connected to the land and are essential to my identity as an artist …

Studio As Laboratory: Prioritizing Artistic Fluency Through The Morphogenesis Of Paper, Jeannette Lina Neal

Theses and Dissertations

This paper describes a curriculum designed to examine relationships between artistic fluency in middle school art classrooms, and a robust year-long paper curriculum. A sustained focus with one material, such as paper, combined with relevant artists and investigative skills activities was designed to increase artistic fluency during a time when students often experience a decline in identity and confidence. Concerns with the U-curve theory suggest that many factors affect the continuity of art during these crucial years of school. Educational standards of the Reggio Emilia Approach can be applied to secondary education, encouraging both students and educator to create dynamic …

Developing An Artistic Self In Preservice Elementary Teachers: A Studio Art Curriculum To Promote Art Integration, Karilee D. Park

Theses and Dissertations

With the continual use of standardized testing, teaching art in schools, particularly elementary schools, often falls to generalist teachers with little to no experience in art. While art can be integrated into daily curriculum for deeper and lasting learning, without the proper training or support, generalist teachers are left to implement art as they encountered it in the past, if at all. Artistic anxiety and culturally misappropriated artistic experiences result in the arts being used inefficiently or avoided completely. Creating a curriculum for preservice elementary generalist teachers, I explored art integration through developing artistic confidence, skill, and identity for 16 …

La Unión Hace La Fuerza: The Power Of Parental Involvement In The Emotional Well-Being Of Hispanic/Latinx Youth, Ana Mccarl

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

The present study seeks to answer how parental involvement impacts the emotional health of Hispanic/Latinx youth, a population known for disproportionately experiencing high rates of mental health disorders in the US.

Data were taken from 373 parent-child dyads from every state in Mexico, and a linear regression model was run to assess if parental involvement predicts emotional well-being while controlling for age, marital status, education, and gender.

The results showed that parental involvement predicted child emotional well-being, with each unit increase in parental involvement representing a 7.98 increase in child emotional well-being.

Given the prevalence of negative mental health outcomes …

From Pumps And Pipes To Data And Discovery: Unifying A New Division, Jeremy Myntti, Megan Mcmillan

Faculty Publications

A reorganization of the Brigham Young University Library in 2020 brought many changes to the library, including the formation of the Metadata and Information Technology (MIT) Division. This new division needed to define a vision for itself, encourage a sense of unity among its employees, and foster collaboration among those employees. This article details how the MIT Division created a Data and Discovery initiative based on the Pumps and Pipes collaboration model, a model which brings seemingly unrelated industries together to discover solutions to their respective challenges by exploring “their neighbor’s toolbox” (Pumps and Pipes, n.d., “What We Do”). Here …

General Non-Destructive Evaluation For Friction Stir Welding, Johnathon Bryce Hunt

Theses and Dissertations

Friction stir welding (FSW) is an advantageous solid state joining method for many different engineering designs. It was invented in 1991 by TWI and since that time a tremendous amount of research has been executed to understand and implement FSW in a myriad of materials in numerous industries such as aerospace, ship building, train, automotive, energy, agriculture and others. Most industries have strict weld inspection processes to validate a weld before it is put into service. One of the main weld characteristics that is measured is the size of any subsurface volumetric voids. The current standard to test friction stir …

Sometimes Windows Break, Samantha Snyder

Theses and Dissertations

The sensation of detachment and reclusion frequently gives rise to an uncanny and dreamlike space. Enveloped within this dimension, the quirks of memory become a fragile lifeline to bygone, intangible ideas of reality. Fixated on this threshold, my artistic explorations in print, collage, and assemblage navigates these elusive realms, rendering fragmented and distant shapes and figures in stark contrast to elements that evoke an eerie sense of familiarity. In this manner, my work invites viewers to embrace the disconcerting and unsettling aspects of the in-between, all the while establishing an unsettling connection to reality through the lens of nostalgic objects …

Behind Bars, Beyond Means: Why Incarceration Is The Ultimate Form Of Poverty In The U.S., Samuel Bohn, Ella Paligo, Benjamin White

FHSS Mentored Research Conference

This Fulton Mentored Student Research Conference poster examines the relationship between incarceration and poverty in the United States, where currently over 2 million individuals are imprisoned, constituting 20% of the global prison population. Comprehensive analysis reveals that incarceration exacerbates poverty in the United States through the stigmatization of ex-felons and intergenerational poverty— both perpetuated by systemic exclusions. Drawing on Christian and Islamic principles, this poster highlights the universal call for justice and compassion for these marginalized individuals. The proposed reforms emphasize investment in rehabilitation programs, sentencing reform, and addressing structural inequities. Ultimately, by integrating research-based policies and collectively advocating for …

Increasing Safety In Electric Scooter Users, Hyrum Prestwich, Blaine Winters, Daphne Thomas, Sheri Tesseyman, Michael Robinson

Student Works

Background: Electric scooters (e-scooters) have become a common form of transportation for many people in recent years. As e-scooter use has increased, so have injuries associated with accidents. Safety measures must be implemented and shared with communities to increase safe behavior and prevent injuries. This project aimed to increase safe e-scooter behaviors among Brigham Young University (BYU) students. Methods: We created a brief safety video focusing on behaviors associated with e-scooter injury prevention. A convenience sample of BYU students participated in the online survey and safety video. A pre-and post-survey was used to assess demographics, previous e-scooter use, intention …

Teachers' Belief, Values, And Practices In Collaborative Writing Conferences With Emerging Bilingual Students, Megan Hodgman

Theses and Dissertations

Emerging bilingual (EB) students are present in many mainstream secondary writing classrooms; however, little existing research addresses how best practices designed in other contexts help these students. One such practice is writing conferences. This study analyzed the responses of five middle school English Language Arts (ELA) teachers about their writing conference practices with EB students. Teachers' responses suggested that these teachers were unsure what writing conferences should look like and what to expect from EB students. When teachers prioritized what they saw as most beneficial, their writing conferences seemed more collaborative. These findings suggest that administrators, teachers, and teacher educators …

Death Stranding: A New Digital Ecology, Jordan Long

Theses and Dissertations

This essay analyzes Death Stranding, the 2019 release from contemporary game auteur Hideo Kojima. Here, I discuss the unique potentialities of this game world, detailing the ways in which Death Stranding expresses ecological perspectives. Asynchronous multiplayer serves as a unique metagame, helping to prove that play is a process of action which facilitates ecological thinking. The world of Death Stranding is filled with strange objects. The nonhuman entities that the player encounters throughout the game, for example, seem entirely alien. And yet, when these entities are properly understood, we realize that their inclusion is necessary--and natural. Your "job" in the …

Multiscale Characterization Of Dislocation Development During Cyclic Bending Under Tension In Commercially Pure Titanium, Nathan R. Miller

Theses and Dissertations

Continuous bending under tension (CBT) has been shown to increase room temperature elongation-to-failure (ETF) in various sheet metals past that of simple tension (ST). In commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) Grade 4, up to 3x extended elongation over ST has been achieved. A greater understanding of deformation mechanisms in CBT would allow for its elongation-enhancing effects to be more fully exploited in HCP and other metals, creating potential for new forming strategies. While most of the extended ETF has been attributed to delayed localization via incremental deformation inherent to the CBT process, together with compressive stabilization and relaxation of mechanical strain …

The National Basketball Association Communications Strategy For The 2019-20 Season Restart, Trevor Dale Jones

Theses and Dissertations

This paper analyzes the NBA's communications efforts from June 4 to July 30, 2020 as it prepared for an unprecedented season restart in the early days of a global pandemic. While scholars have examined the media's framing of the NBA in this period, there is a gap in the literature when looking at the official NBA communications strategy of the organization itself. As the first study to use risk communication theory in a sports scenario while also employing corporate social advocacy as the second theoretical basis of analysis, this qualitative study is a thematic and textual analysis of 14 NBA …

Validating Boyness: How Art Education Allows Male Adolescent Students A Space For Authenticity, Vulnerability, Empathy, And Connection, Stephanie Behlke-Mcfarland

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines societal norms and unwritten rules for boys as they mature. It is hypothesized that most boys deal with emotional suppression or dissociation in varying degrees of severity due to traumas during their developmental years. This dissociation creates an inability to express their own emotions adequately and therefore affects their ability to empathize with others. A lack of vulnerability may also be a common challenge among boys society still considers vulnerability weakness. This pattern continues into adulthood and is then perpetuated through posterity and future generations. This thesis explores through a qualitative case study how using art integration …

Supplementary Data For Potential For Climate-Based Financing Of Watershed Management To Restore Streams And Improve Water Quality Following A Wildfire: A Case Study Of The Provo River Watershed, Braxton W. Porter, Robert B. Sowby

ScholarsArchive Data

Data presented in Thesis Dissertation "Potential for Climate-Based Financing of Watershed Management to Restore Streams and Improve Water Quality Following a Wildfire: A Case Study of the Provo River Watershed". Provides all inputs, results, and code used in the presented analysis.

Neural Correlates Of Emotion Word Processing In Bilinguals: An Fnirs Study, Daniela Andrea Ortega Manchego

Theses and Dissertations

Despite increasing interest in the interface between emotion word processing and bilingualism, the representation of valence during emotion word processing in the bilingual brain remains unclear. In the present study, we used functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to investigate the neural correlates of written emotion words in a first (L1) and a second (L2) language. Native English (16) and native Chinese (16) bilingual participants rated emotion words in their first and second language while we recorded their brain activity. Our results show distinct neural processing patterns between L1 and L2, with the former eliciting increased overall activation in the dorsolateral prefrontal …

Still Life Happens, Mary Ann Crabtree

Theses and Dissertations

After dedicating over two years to pursuing an MFA degree focused on ceramics and sculpture, I find myself transported back to a familiar setting from my past: a tableau reminiscent of what remained in the dining space after four young children finished a meal and exited the room. Revisiting the scene recalls happy times despite the disorder. What helped maintain my sanity during the relentless repetition of the every-day-long task was the realization that every day, innocents are learning to become aware of the world around them. For my thesis exhibition, I created a tableau as a loud reminder of …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Dormant Season Grazing To Reduce Cheatgrass And Its Effect On Biodiversity, Curtis L. Drake

Theses and Dissertations

Invasion of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) into sagebrush steppe communities threatens the survival of these at-risk ecosystems. One tool available to combat cheatgrass invasion is dormant season grazing. This study investigates the effectiveness of dormant season cattle grazing to reduce cheatgrass abundance in two high-elevation sagebrush steppe communities in southeastern Idaho, as well as the impact of dormant season grazing on plant species biodiversity. Our experiment utilized a randomized complete block design with four grazing treatments – ungrazed, fall-grazed, spring-grazed, and a combination of spring- and fall-grazed. We used an ANOVA standard least squares procedure to determine differences in biodiversity …

Application Of High-Deflection Strain Gauges To Characterize Spinal-Motion Phenotypes Among Patients With Clbp, Spencer Alan Baker

Theses and Dissertations

Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is a nonspecific and persistent ailment that entails many physiological, psychological, social, and economic consequences for individuals and societies. Although there is a plethora of treatments available to treat CLBP, each treatment has varying efficacy for different patients, and it is currently unknown how to best link patients to their ideal treatment. However, it is known that biopsychosocial influences associated with CLBP affect the way that we move. It has been hypothesized that identifying phenotypes of spinal motion could facilitate an objective and repeatable method of determining the optimal treatment for each patient. The objective …

Time-Dependent Strain-Resistance Relationships In Silicone Nanocomposite Sensors, Alex Mikal Wonnacott

Theses and Dissertations

Flexible high-deflection strain gauges have been demonstrated as cost-effective and accessible sensors for capturing human biomechanical deformations. However, the interpretation of these sensors is notably more complex compared to conventional strain gauges, partially owing to the viscoelastic nature of the strain gauges. On top of the non-linear viscoelastic behavior, dynamic resistance response is even more difficult to capture due to spikes in resistance during strain changes. This research examines the relationships between stress, strain, and resistance in nanocomposite sensors during dynamic strain situations. Under the assumption that both macroscopic stress and resistance are governed by microscopic stress concentrations at the …

High Data Rate Signal Processing Architectures And Compilation Strategies For Scalable, Multi-Gigabit Digital Systems, Daniel Alexander Nybo

Theses and Dissertations

In this study we present a high-performance computing architecture and hardware acceleration strategy for a heterogeneous multi-gigabit computing system. The system architecture integrates a BeeGFS distributed file system, capable of achieving 80 Gbps of sustained write throughput across five nodes, essential for managing the high data volumes generated by a 25 high performance computer (HPC) compute cluster. To ensure operational efficiency and scalability, the tasks performed on the Linux compute cluster consisting of 30 nodes are automated using Ansible, facilitating seamless deployment, management, and updates. We present compilation strategies for a hardware accelerated Polyphase Filter Bank (PFB) channelization routine optimized …