Digital Commons Network^™

Scaling Ai In Decision-Based Learning: A Data-Driven Evaluation For Resource Optimization, L. Ashley Schumacher

Instructional Psychology and Technology Graduate Student Projects

This project evaluated a AI Assistant built inside ChatGPT to support faculty in creating Decision-Based Learning (DBL) expert decision models in the Conate DBL software. The evaluation addressed a persistent training bottleneck: faculty experienced high cognitive load and significant time loss when navigating a documentation-heavy workflow that required repeated movement between training guides, ChatGPT, and the DBL platform, including extensive copy-and-paste steps. The AI Assistant was developed to replace much of the manual prompting process by providing structured protocols that guide model creation (e.g., exploring possible DBL models, creating paths, generating scenarios, and drafting learning modules) while faculty still build …

Evaluating Feature Importance In Antarctic Soil Biota Models: An Exploratory And Modeling-Based Approach, Rachel E. Hunter

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The Antarctic McMurdo Dry Valleys are some of the harshest environments on our planet. They may not support higher fauna and vegetation, but the environment has a fairly diverse soil microbiome. The soil microbiome consists mainly of invertebrate nematodes (Plectus, Scottnema, and Eurydiolaimus), rotifers, and tardigrades. In this study, we examined ecological modeling approaches to enhance our understanding of the processes contributing to the overall population. In this process, two extensive data sets were used: the Biotic Effects Experiment (BEE) and the Elevational Transect (ET) data set compiled by the McMurdo Dry Valleys Long Term Ecological Research program were combined. …

A New Model For Predicting Two-Zone Parameters Based On Geometric Modifications In Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulations, Jason B. Metten

Theses and Dissertations

This study uses Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to create a new and improved model for key Two-Zone modeling parameters, 𝜒 and 𝛿2𝑝. It explores how geometric changes to centrifugal compressors impact these modeling parameters. While centrifugal impellers are an important part of many systems, the flow through such impellers is inherently complex, making performance often difficult to predict. There are many approaches for modeling this complex flow environment, one method being the Two-Zone model developed by Dave Japikse. Values for 𝜒 and 𝛿2𝑝 are often determined from data obtained from test rigs or correlations. In this study high-fidelity CFD simulations …

The Policy Project: Translating Menstrual Equity Resources, Ashley Jackman

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This creative project focuses on translating key materials from The Period Project, a campaign by the Utah nonprofit The Policy Project that tackles menstrual inequity by pushing for free period products in schools and public spaces. Their educational toolkits guide students and parents toward menstrual resources and outline compliance requirements for school administrators. However, a significant portion of Utah’s population speaks Spanish at home, and current toolkits are not readily available in Spanish. As a Spanish translation major, I saw this as an opportunity to use my skills in a real-world setting, as the translated toolkit will be immediately electronically …

Multiple Baseline Single-Case Study: Narrative Resiliency Intervention For Couples With Adverse Childhood Experiences, Emma Elizabeth Allen

Theses and Dissertations

A multiple baseline single case study design was used to examine the effects of a narrative and resiliency-based intervention for couples with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). Using piecewise multilevel modeling (MLM), the study evaluated changes in depressive symptoms, dyadic coping (DCI), and growth and empowerment measure (Emotional Empowerment Scale [EES-14] and 12 Scenarios [12S]) across waitlist and treatment phases. Five couples (10 individuals) participated in up to 17 waves, with staggered baseline and treatment lengths across dyads. Results indicated significant fixed effects of the 12S subscale for growth and empowerment during the treatment phase. There were no statistically significant fixed …

Spiritual Booster, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

Are you experiencing spiritual stagnation amidst the noise of a busy life?

This Spiritual Booster is not just knowledge—it’s a practical, high-performance toolkit designed to switch your spiritual journey from "idle" to maximum momentum.

Inside, you will find four core methodologies distilled for high impact:

1. Zoom Out to God's Perspective: The "Zoom-Out Technique" to shift instantly from anxiety to an eternal viewpoint.

2. Habits of Revelation: Use the "Revelation Notebook" and "Retrospective Analysis" to consistently hear the Lord’s voice.

3. Strategic Defense: Apply Chief Moroni's "Anti-Temptation Strategy" and routines to keep the "fire" of your covenants burning.

4. The Art of Focus: Practical …

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Making Space For Learning: Textile Based Learning Resources For Material Reuse, Mary-Evelyn Mcconkie Howell

Instructional Psychology and Technology Graduate Student Projects

This paper outlines two textile-based learning resources that I created for Making Space Thrift (MST), a community-focused creative thrift store in Utah. MST expressed a need for instructional materials that promote intentional material use, support customer well-being, and strengthen ties with their community. To address these needs, I conducted interviews with stakeholders and local textile hobbyists to understand what learning resources would benefit MST. As a result, I created two projects. The first is called Making Peace with Materials, an interactive, decision-based digital experience housed on the MST website. This resource helps learners navigate the emotional, practical, and sustainable …

Power Resilience In Utah's Water Sector: A Survey Of Stakeholder Practices, Preferences And Potential, Tyler Christopher Peterson

Theses and Dissertations

Drinking water and wastewater services are vulnerable to disruptions because they rely heavily on the electric grid. As a result, power outages can lead to water outages, creating cascading failures that compromise sanitation, firefighting, healthcare, and daily routines. Although an important topic, there are little to no studies of water and wastewater power resilience at a geographic or state level. In this study we investigate the extent of existing backup power and renewable energy integration as well as the motivations and barriers around their power resilience. We collect our data through semi-structured interviews with staff at 19 urban and rural …

The Impact Of Social Factors On Vagally Mediated Parasympathetic Activity, Andrew Scot Proctor

Theses and Dissertations

Loneliness and social disconnection are recognized risk factors for morbidity and mortality, yet the psychophysiological pathways remain contested. This dissertation examines how social factors relate to vagally mediated parasympathetic activity indexed by heart rate variability (HRV) and tests whether conversational interventions with a human or a large-language-model (LLM)-based companion can acutely reduce loneliness and enhance connection. Across two university sites (BYU, UCSD), N=297 participants (18-27 years) were randomized to (a) a reciprocal self-disclosure conversation with a trained human confederate, (b) a parallel, vocalized LLM chatbot conversation, or (c) a non-social, vocal reading control. Resting HRV (RMSSD, SDNN, HF-HRV) was recorded …

【超速】霊的成長ブースター, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

忙しさの中で霊的な停滞を感じていませんか？

この【超速】ブースターは、単なる知識ではなく、あなたの霊的な旅路を「停滞」から「最大の推進力」へと切り替えるための実践的な高性能ツールキットです。

中には、以下の4つの核となるメソッドが凝縮されています。

1. 神の視点へのズームアウト: 不安を永遠の視点に変える「ズームアウト技法」。

2. 啓示の習慣化: 主の声を聞き逃さない「啓示ノート」と「振り返り分析」。

3. 戦略的防御: モロナイ司令官の「対誘惑戦略」と聖約の「火」を燃え立たせる習慣。

4. 集中の技術: 心の雑音を排除し、霊的な時間を魂の栄養に変える実践法。

変化を願うだけでは終わりません。このマニュアルは、あなたの霊的な潜在能力を最大限に引き出し、待ち望んでいたブレイクスルーを実現するための具体的な戦略を提供します。

あなたの霊的な飛躍は、ここから始まります。

霊的成長を評価するツール, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

どんな能力も、ふさわしい評価を伴った訓練をしないと確実な成果を期待できません。このツールには、１２項目の指標とその１つ１つを１０段階で評価するための目安になる説明がまとめてあります。それぞれの利用目的に合わせて、手直しをしながら使ってください。

Tool To Evaluate Spiritual Growth, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

You cannot expect reliable results from any ability without training that includes proper evaluation. This document compiles 12 specific metrics and provides explanatory guidelines for assessing each one on a 10-point scale. Please feel free to customize and adapt these for your specific application purposes.

リアホナプロジェクト関連資料の利用法ガイド, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

啓示を力に変える：リアホナ抽出プロジェクト

「ウィッツ心理学（みたまと共に考え行動する心理学）」の土台を築くため、約3か月で400時間以上を費やし、4,000以上の日本語版『リアホナ』記事を徹底分析しました。この集中的な「リアホナプロジェクト」は、信仰に関する知識を、即座に活用できる実践的ツールへと変貌させました。

主な成果（デジタル宝庫）：

• 350ページ超の核心データ: 記事から抽出されたインサイトをまとめた現象学的研究データ。

• 37の「実践原則＆行動プラン」: AIを活用し、膨大なデータから導き出された5つの原則と具体的行動のセット。

• 37の聖餐会トーク原稿: 抽出された原則を、7分間の説得力あるスピーチ原稿に再構築。

• 霊的成長測定ツール: 個人の成長を多角的に測るための12の指標と10段階評価スケール。

• 飛躍と変革の秘蔵ツール: 努力を要するものの、力強い霊的成長をもたらすための追加資料。

このプロジェクトの全資料は、BYU ScholarsArchiveにて公開されています。あなたの信仰生活に確実な成果と継続的な啓示をもたらすための、このデジタル宝庫をぜひご活用ください。

Guide To Utilizing Liahona Project Related Materials, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

💡 Transforming Revelation into Power: The Liahona Extraction Project Guide

To establish the foundation of "Witts Psychology" (a psychology of thinking and acting with the Spirit), over 400 hours were spent analyzing 4,000+ Japanese Liahona articles in approximately three months. This intensive "Liahona Project" transformed knowledge about faith into immediately usable, practical tools.

Key Deliverables (Digital Repository):

• Core Phenomenological Data: Over 350 pages of research data compiling extracted insights.

• 37 "Practical Principles & Action Plans": Five core principles and specific action sets derived from the data using AI.

• 37 Sacrament Meeting Talk Scripts: Principles restructured into compelling, 7-minute speeches.

• Spiritual …

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Experimental And Theoretical Characterization Of Molten Salt Thermal Conductivity, Jacob C. Numbers

Theses and Dissertations

Molten salts form an ideal heat transfer fluid for advanced energy generation systems, including molten salt reactors (MSR). Accurate characterization of molten salt thermal conductivity is needed to confidently predict transient thermal behavior and optimize salt properties. Measurements are hindered by salts' challenging material properties, which---in the case of the needle probe device---induced unaccounted physical changes that limited its accuracy and repeatability. Sparse thermal conductivity data in general is exacerbated by a limited fundamental understanding of molecular energy transfer in liquids. This work extends the experimental capacity for compositional studies using the needle probe and proposes a theoretical model for …

Actionable Insights From The Liahona 1, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

This article is based on data extracted from Liahona articles, with approximately ten pages of that data processed in two distinct ways. First, the principles were synthesized into five key concepts along with their explanations. Second, specific action plans were created to make these explanations more practical.

The original data exceeded 350 pages of Japanese text, resulting in a total of 37 different summarized sets (or themes). What is fascinating is that, while a certain amount of conceptual overlap is expected, intriguing new perspectives constantly emerge. Therefore, I highly recommend reviewing all 37 sets repeatedly (only a portion of which …

From Liahona To Talk: An Inspired Method 1, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

If our past series, Actionable Insights from the Liahona, laid out essential principles like a detailed instruction manual, this time, I'm shifting gears into a softer narrative.

The core question is: "How do we make sure these essential principles stick?"

To answer that, I've sprinkled in approachable metaphors and a bit of humor that will make you want to slap your knee and exclaim, "That's exactly my story!" My goal is that, once you've finished reading or listening, these vital principles will adhere to your mind like a magnet on a refrigerator door.

リアホナから学ぶ実践的戦略１, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

この記事には、リアホナの記事から抽出されたデータを土台として、その約１０ページほどを２通りに処理しました。１つ目は、５つの原則にまとめ、それについての解説をすることで、２つ目は、その解説をより具体的にするため、アクションプランを作ることでした。もともとのデータは日本文で３５０ページを超えていたので、ここにまとめられたセットは、全部で３７種類にもなりました。面白いのは、もちろん重複する考えが出てくるのは当然ですが、次から次へと興味深い視点が出てくるので、３７種類のセット（このドキュメントにはその一部だけが含まれる）の全部に、繰り返し目を通していただくようにお勧めします。霊的な成長を育むための、飛躍につながる限りないヒントがあちこちに潜んでいることに気づかれるでしょう。この６８ページの記事には宝物が詰まっています。

リアホナから学ぶ実践的戦略２, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

この記事には、リアホナの記事から抽出されたデータを土台として、その約１０ページほどを２通りに処理しました。１つ目は、５つの原則にまとめ、それについての解説をすることで、２つ目は、その解説をより具体的にするため、アクションプランを作ることでした。もともとのデータは日本文で３５０ページを超えていたので、ここにまとめられたセットは、全部で３７種類にもなりました。面白いのは、もちろん重複する考えが出てくるのは当然ですが、次から次へと興味深い視点が出てくるので、３７種類のセット（このドキュメントにはその一部だけが含まれる）の全部に、繰り返し目を通していただくようにお勧めします。霊的な成長を育むための、飛躍につながる限りないヒントがあちこちに潜んでいることに気づかれるでしょう。この４５ページの記事には宝物が詰まっています。最後の方には、ズームアウトの仕方、「啓示ノート」の工夫の仕方、モロナイ司令長官の戦略に倣って誘惑に立ち向かう、マルタからマリアへの視点の変更の仕方などの短い記事も入っています。

Actionable Insights From The Liahona 2, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

The original data exceeded 350 pages of Japanese text, resulting in a total of 37 different summarized principle/action plan sets. What is fascinating is that, while a certain amount of conceptual overlap is expected, intriguing new perspectives constantly emerge. Therefore, I highly recommend reviewing all 37 sets repeatedly (only a portion of which is included in this document). You will find countless hints for spiritual growth hidden throughout, often leading to significant breakthroughs.

This 63-page article is filled with treasures. Towards the end, you will also find shorter supplementary articles on techniques such as how to "zoom out" (gain an …

リアホナの記事から聖餐会のスピーチに （１）, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

以前の「リアホナから学ぶ実践的戦略」では、大切な原則をまるで取扱説明書のようにきっちり項目立てて解説しました。今回はそのギアをニュートラルに入れ、もっとソフトな語り口に切り替えました。

テーマは「大切な原則を、どうすれば忘れないか？」

そこで、皆さんが「あ、これ私の話だ！」と膝を叩きたくなるような、親しみやすい比喩やちょっとしたユーモアをちりばめました。読み終えたとき、あるいは聞き終えたときに、重要な原則が冷蔵庫に貼ったマグネットのように、あなたの心にピタッと吸着していることを願っています。

リアホナの記事から聖餐会のスピーチに（２）, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

前回のシリーズ「リアホナから学ぶ実践的戦略」でカチッとした宝石のような原則をたくさんご紹介しましたが、今回のシリーズでは少し趣向を変え、それらの原則を心に響くメロディに乗せてお届けします。堅苦しい項目分けは横に置き、読者の皆さんが思わず「クスッ」と笑ってしまったり、「ああ、それ知ってる！」と感じられるような、身近な状況やちょっとユーモラスな比喩で包み直しました。この新しいお話が、大切な原則をあなたの心にそっと錨を下ろすように、深く刻み込むことを願っています。

From Liahona To Talk: An Inspired Method 2, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

In my previous series, Actionable Insights from the Liahona, I introduced many principles that felt like tightly cut jewels. This time, I'm changing the tempo and delivering those same principles set to a heart-stirring melody. I've set aside the rigid outlining and repackaged the principles with relatable stories and humorous metaphors that I hope will make you chuckle and think, "Oh, I know that feeling!" My wish is that this new approach helps these vital principles to gently drop anchor deep within your heart.

Meaningful Work, Lincoln N. Bay

Undergraduate Honors Theses

I study the relationship that preferences for meaningful work—work that provides utility through more than just income—have with wages and time spent working in a variety of scenarios by developing, calibrating, and validating a Roy-inspired structural model of occupational choice where heterogeneous households choose to provide standard and "meaningful" work, where each type of labor has a distinct wage. Within the framework of the model, I find that meaningful work is associated with lower wages and higher hours; that in response to exogenous transfers, households will work less overall but spend more time on meaningful work; that policies that mandate …

Exploring The Potential Of Artificial Intelligence To Improve The Journal Peer Review Process, Eliza Fanny Bondah

Theses and Dissertations

Academic publishing depends on the peer review process to guarantee quality, scholarly rigor, and credibility, but the traditional peer review system receives mounting criticism because of its inefficient operations, biased judgments, and irregular standards. This study explores how artificial intelligence (AI) can improve journal peer review systems to solve a variety of issues, including reducing reviewer exhaustion, minimizing bias, improving consistency, and accelerating the review process. Current literature shows AI as a promising yet controversial solution, which may provide structured feedback with improved consistency and efficiency. Our study examined 52 human reviews together with 26 AI-generated reviews from EdTechnica--An Open …

Bayesian Alignment Prior To Connectionist Temporal Classification Loss, Lawry Sorenson

Theses and Dissertations

We propose revisions of Connectionist Temporal Classification (CTC) loss and forced alignment to support longer input sequences. CTC loss is normally used for training in speech and handwriting recognition tasks when the labels are not fully aligned with the data, while forced alignment is a downstream task that finds the optimal path for segmentation purposes. The current implementations consider all possible alignments between the input and label, which grows exponentially with the size of the input. We show that in cases when silence is removed and speaking rate is consistent, the true alignment is a mostly straight line across time …

Commutative Schur Rings Over Characteristic 2 Special Orthogonal Groups, Andrew Haviland

Theses and Dissertations

We study commutative Schur rings over the special orthogonal groups $\mathrm{SO}^{\pm}(n,2)$ that contain the class $\mathcal{C}$ of transvections. We show that the partition of $\mathcal{C}$ determined by a commutative Schur ring has either one or two parts. We classify all remaining partitions of $\mathcal{C}$ that could be determined by a commutative Schur ring.

Cracking The Shell: A Corpus-Based Analysis Of The Functions Of Shell Nouns In American Legal Contracts, Geoffrey T. Julian

Undergraduate Honors Theses

The forms and functions of shell nouns (SN), semantically abstract nouns that can package and characterize complex segments of discourse, have been documented in academic discourse and L2 English writing (e.g., Aktas & Cortes, 2008; Benitez-Castro & Thompson, 2015). The abstract nature of SNs lends itself to use where vague language might be favored to allow for a variety of contingencies (Benitez-Castro, 2015). Thus, SNs have also been found to be present in legal language where some of these functions are desirable (Ren et al., 2019). The present study examines the use of SNs in a corpus of 2,700 US …

Liahona Project Data Set 3 Up To June, 2021, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

This document is a collection of highlights extracted from more than 1000 articles from the Japanese online Liahona magazines, spanning from the beginning of 2019 to June, 2021. Each article was individually checked to extract inspirational principles and highlights from personal experiences, serving as a resource to develop Spiritual Proficiency and build the foundation for Wits Psychology (With the Spirit Psychology). The document is 97 pages long.

Liahona Project Data Set 2 Up To 2018, Yoshihiko Ariizumi

Spiritual Proficiency

This document is a collection of highlights extracted from more than 500 articles from the Japanese online Liahona magazines, up to the end of 2018. Each article was individually checked to extract inspirational principles and highlights from personal experiences, serving as a resource to develop Spiritual Proficiency and build the foundation for Wits Psychology. The document is 112 pages long.