Digital Commons Network^™

Are Effort And Helpfulness Ratings Of Session Activities Associated With Improved Outcomes In Web-Based Acceptance And Commitment Therapy (Act) For Caregivers?, Hannah R. Cragun

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Family caregivers for people with dementia are providing care for up to ten years because people with dementia are living longer. This role can be demanding because the person with dementia can have behavioral and psychological symptoms that can be stressful for the caregiver to witness and manage. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) in its traditional face-to-face format has strong scientific support in helping caregivers to be less depressed and better cope with the stress associated with taking care of their loved one. However, because caregiving is a time-demanding role, caregivers can struggle with accessing face-to-face therapy, making online ACT …

Solar Irradiance Prediction Using Xg-Boost With The Numerical Weather Forecast, Pratyusha Sai Kamarouthu

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

To defeat global warming, the world expects to look at renewable energy sources. Solar energy is one of the best renewable energy sources which causes no harm to the environment. As solar energy changes with atmospheric parameters like temperature, relative humidity, cloud coverage, dewpoint, sun position, day of the year, etc. It is difficult to understand its nature by science. Predicting solar irradiance which is directly proportional to solar energy using atmospheric parameters is the main goal of this work. Powerful artificial intelligence algorithms that won many coding competitions have been used to predict it. Using these methods and numerical …

Exploring The Influence Of Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (Pals) In Increasing Reading Comprehension Of Grade-Level Biology Text And Biology Self-Efficacy In Students With Learning Disabilities: A Formative Experiment, K. Lea Priestley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The present study used a formative design experiment framework which does not answer a research question but addresses a pedagogical goal. The goal of this study was to determine the influence of Peer-Assisted Learning Strategies (PALS) on the reading comprehension of grade-level biology text and biology self-efficacy with students diagnosed with learning disabilities. As a result of this intervention, it was expected that students would better understand biology text and feel better about themselves as a biology student.

Students were separated into pairs, or dyads, with each pair having a stronger reader and a weaker reader. These dyads participated in …

Developing And Validating Stealth Assessments For An Educational Game To Assess Young Dual Language Immersion Learners' Reading Comprehension, Frederick J. Poole

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this multiple-paper dissertation is to design a digital game and stealth assessments within the game to assess young second language learners' Chinese reading proficiency. In Chapter 2 (Paper 1), I describe the game designed for this dissertation and how it was implemented in a dual language immersion classroom. This study found that the digital game and in-class implementation led to significant vocabulary and reading comprehension gains. Further, seven types of support that students needed while playing the game were identified. In Chapter 3 (Paper 2), I describe how educational data mining approaches, and more specifically, how data-driven …

A Translational Investigation Of Reinforced Behavioral Variability: Implications For Promoting Behavioral Variability In Individuals With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Ann Galizio

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Behavioral variability is sometimes adaptive and can be maintained by the delivery of reinforcement. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often show restricted and repetitive behaviors. Therefore, interventions to promote behavioral variability in individuals with ASD are needed. The present line of research was designed to inform such interventions by investigating reinforced behavioral variability from basic, applied, and translational perspectives. Each of these laboratory studies involved participants making sequences of well-defined responses, which were compared to previous responses. Responses that meet a variability contingency (i.e., were sufficiently different from previous responses) produced rewards. Studies 1 and 2 were basic experiments, …

“Racist, Sexist, Profane, And Violent”: Reinterpreting Wwe’S Portrayals Of Samoans Across Generations, John Honey

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This paper examines the shifting portrayals of Pacific Islanders in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) across three generations. As both a popular and historically racially problematic venue, WWE’s politically incorrect programming has played an underappreciated and under examined role in representing the USA. Although many different groups have been portrayed by gross stereotypes in WWE, this paper uses the family of Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson—the Samoan Dynasty—as a case study. The WWE originally presented Pacific Islanders using the most offensive stereotypes, and the first two generations of the Samoan Dynasty had to “play Indian” or cosign onto gross representations of their …

Fostering Student Success Through Meaningful Communication And Positive Connections In Language Teaching, Bracken Lind

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This portfolio is a compilation of the research I completed during my studies in the Master of Second Language Teaching program at Utah State University. The research was informed by my personal experiences as a high school aide to English Language Learners and as a college-level Spanish instructor, as well as by my coursework throughout the program.

The portfolio is divided into two main sections: teaching perspectives and research perspectives. In the teaching perspectives, I highlight some of the crucial themes in language teaching. The section on research perspectives contains two research papers written in support of my teaching philosophy.

Effects Of Flywheel Resistance Training On Muscle Function And Sport-Specific Performance In Collegiate Club Water Polo Players, Jennifer Xu

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Flywheel training has been shown to be beneficial for improving a multitude of muscle function and performance parameters, but its short-term training effects on athletic performance have yet to be established. PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of four weeks of flywheel squat training on lower body muscle function adaptations and sport-specific performance in collegiate club water polo players. METHODS: Thirteen men and women who participated in collegiate club water polo performed flywheel squat training twice a week for four weeks. Isokinetic knee extension peak power (PP) and peak torque (PT), flywheel squat peak power (FPP) and mean power (FMP), countermovement …

Pointing Enhancement For An Optical Laser Downlink Using Automated Image Processing, Sebastian Wenzel, Steffen Gaisser, Christian Kley, Johannes Reinhart, Sabine Klinkner

Small Satellite Conference

The small satellite Flying Laptop, launched in July 2017, was developed and built by graduate and undergraduate students at the Institute of Space Systems of the University of Stuttgart with support by space industry and research institutions. The mission goals are technology demonstration, earth observation, and serving as an educational satellite. At a mass of 110 kg, it features three-axis stabilized attitude control and several payloads, including an AIS receiver, a multi spectral camera system, a wide angle camera, and an optical communication terminal.

The pointing requirement for the optical communication is an accuracy of less than 150 arcseconds …

Optical Modeling, Alignment, And Testing For The Deformable Mirror Demonstration Mission (Demi) Cubesat Payload, Rachel Morgan

Small Satellite Conference

Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) Deformable Mirrors (DMs) are a promising technology to enable the wavefront control required for high contrast imaging and characterization of exoplanets with coronagraph instruments. MEMS DMs are a key technology option for future exoplanet imaging space telescopes because they can provide precise wavefront control with low size, weight, and power required. The Deformable Mirror Demonstration Mission (DeMi) is flying a MEMS DM-based adaptive optics instrument on a CubeSat in order to demonstrate this technology in the space environment for the first time. The DeMi payload will characterize the on-orbit performance of a 140 actuator MEMS DM with …

General Catalog 2020-2021, Utah State University

University Catalogs

This catalog contains information on the Academic Departments and Programs as well as Course Descriptions for the above school year at Utah State University. To avoid large file downloads, the Academic Departments and Programs information is located in this file. The Course Description information is located in the secondary file.

Proba-3: Esa’S Small Satellites Precise Formation Flying Mission To Study The Sun’S Inner Corona As Never Before, Luis F. Peñin, Yann Scoarnec, J. M. Fernández-Ibarz, Carolina Cazorla, José Ramón Villa, Ronald Kassel, Francisco Javier Benito, Dominique Baudoux, Luigi Strippoli, Damien Galano, Karim Mellab

Small Satellite Conference

This paper showcases ESA’s Proba-3 mission as a demonstration of how small satellites, in combination with formation flying technology, can achieve relevant scientific goals and perform scientific measurements not possible otherwise, all within a tight cost and programmatic context. The study of the Sun inner corona down to 1.1 solar radius can only be performed by creating in space artificial eclipses with a large distance between a Coronograph instrument and an occulting disk, much bigger than the size of any spacecraft that can fit within a launcher.

Proba-3 will achieve these enhanced scientific observations by controlling two small satellites (~1.5 …

Army Decade In Space, Matthew A. Anderson, Christopher M. Duron, Timothy A. Farmer, Matthew A. Hitt, Melanie G. Klinner, Gerald E. Lanz, John R. London Iii, Mark E. Ray, Molly E. Riebling, Sierra L. Smith, Davis J. Weeks, Ryan T. Wolff

Small Satellite Conference

In the twelve short years since the announcement of the SMDC-ONE satellite initiative by Lieutenant General Kevin Campbell, then Commanding General of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC), SMDC has put in place an active program of satellite technology development and a Low Earth Orbit Investment Strategy that holds great promise for providing low-cost, responsive data from space as the next major evolution in technology to enable Multi-Domain Operations for the Army of 2028 and beyond. The first fruits of that initiative were seen ten years ago with launch and successful mission of the first SMDC-ONE satellite. This …

The Lightsail 2 Controlled Solar Sailing Demonstration Mission, David A. Spencer, Justin R. Mansell, Bruce Betts, John M. Bellardo, Alex Diaz, Barbara Plante

Small Satellite Conference

The LightSail 2 mission is the culmination of a decade-long program sponsored by The Planetary Society to advance solar sailing technology. The objective of LightSail 2 is to demonstrate controlled solar sailing in Earth orbit using a CubeSat platform. The LightSail 2 attitude is controlled using a single-axis momentum wheel and magnetic torque rods. During solar sailing operations, two 90 degree slews are performed each orbit to harness momentum from solar photons. Flight data show that LightSail 2 is successfully controlling its orientation relative to the Sun, and the controlled thrust from solar radiation pressure is measurably reducing the rate …

Landsat Imagery From A Cubesat: Results And Operational Lessons From The R3 Satellite's First 18 Months In Space, Dee W. Pack, Garrett Kinum, Patrick D. Johnson, Timothy S. Wilkinson, Christopher M. Coffman, Cameron R. Purcell, Jon C. Mauerhan, Brian S. Hardy, Ray Russell, Kevin Mercy

Small Satellite Conference

R3 is a 3-U CubeSat launched on a RocketLab Electron into a 500 km circular orbit at 85° inclination on December 16th, 2018. The spacecraft flies a multispectral sensor that takes data in the six Landsat visible and near infrared bands. The R3 sensor mates a custom refractive telescope with a Materion Precision Optics Landsat filter, and an ON Semiconductor fast-framing high-sensitivity Si CMOS array, to produce 50-km wide, 44-m resolution Landsat-like image strips. Data are taken in push-broom mode and are downlinked via a 100Mbps compact lasercom system. Frames are then co-added on the ground in time-delay-integration (TDI) fashion …

The Small Satellite-Based, Imaging X-Ray Polarimeter Explorer (Ixpe) Mission, W. D. Deininger, J. Masciarelli, W. Kalinowski, G. Hibbard, J. Wedmore, S. Gray, M. Ferrie, D. Dolan, M. Onizuka, T. Seek, D. Sharma, S. Mitchell, K. Ferrant, C. Boree, S. Antoniak, R. Mize, C. Alexander, M. Foster, S. L. O'Dell, B. D. Ramsey, F. Santoli, M. Pinchera, M. Minuti, A. Trois, E. Del Monte, F. Muleri

Small Satellite Conference

The Imaging X-ray Polarimeter Explorer (IXPE) focuses on high energy astrophysics in the 2—8 keV x-ray band. IXPE is designed to explore general relativistic and quantum physics effects of gravity, energy, electric and magnetic fields at extreme limits. IXPE, a NASA Small Explorer (SMEX) Mission, will add new dimensions to on-orbit x-ray science: polarization degree, polarization angle and extended object polarization imaging. Polarization uniquely probes physical anisotropies that are not otherwise measurable—ordered magnetic fields, aspheric matter distributions, or general relativistic coupling to black-hole spin. Detailed imaging enables the specific properties of extended x-ray sources to be differentiated. The IXPE Observatory …

Deployable Optics For Cubesats, G. S. Aglietti, M. Honeth, S. Gensemer, O. Diegel

Small Satellite Conference

Since the beginning of the space age, many structures with different levels of complexity have been proposed for the deployment of equipment such as solar arrays, antennae, and scientific instruments. By increasing the packaging efficiency, stowing during launch and then deploying in orbit provides an opportunity for the improvement of the capabilities of small satellites payloads while maintaining a contained launch volume. The latter is particularly important when considering the launch of future constellations and, in particular, CubeSats where the volume is significantly constrained by the size of the pod. The focus of this work is the development of a …

An Off-Axis Iodine Propulsion System For The Robusta-3a Mission, Javier Martinez Martínez, Dmytro Rafalskyi, Ane Aanesland, Xavier Laurand, Sara Vega Martinez, Gary Quinsac

Small Satellite Conference

The decrease of the force of the magnetic field in altitudes above Low Earth Orbits (LEO) drives the need for miniaturized propulsion systems that can provide attitude control. In addition, these systems are already needed for orbit maintenance, phasing and lifetime extension of small satellite missions, and could also help with end-of-life decommissioning and debris mitigation. The I2T5 cold gas thruster, an iodine-based propulsion system, will be integrated on the Robusta-3A mission, developed by the CSUM, along with several educational and scientific payloads, related to meteorology and technology demonstration.

The insights given on the development process of this mission are …

Is There A Paradigm Shift For On-Board Computing And Processing?, Anders Petersén, Thomas Lindgren, Patrik Sandin

Small Satellite Conference

Today we see the need for increased processing performance, driven by increased digitalization and new services such as Software Defined Radio, real-time Image Processing and enhanced Compression techniques, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Visual Navigation & Autonomous Control, Debris Removal etc. This, in combination with the bandwidth limitation in downlink channels present, the payload data needs to be processed and compressed on board before downlinked to the user on ground. Historically image processing in orbit has been performed using dedicated hardware and to certain extends software processing. These have been often, costly and in-flexible solutions, either using customized FPGAs or …

Ground-Based 1u Cubesat Robotic Assembly Demonstration, Ezinne Uzo-Okoro, Christian Haughwout, Emily Kiley, Mary Dahl, Kerri Cahoy

Small Satellite Conference

Key gaps limiting in-space assembly of small satellites are (1) the lack of standardization of electromechanical CubeSat components for compatibility with commercial robotic assembly hardware, and (2) testing and modifying commercial robotic assembly hardware suitable for small satellite assembly for space operation. Working toward gap (1), the lack of standardization of CubeSat components for compatibility with commercial robotic assembly hardware, we have developed a ground-based robotic assembly of a 1U CubeSat using modular components and Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) robot arms without humans-in-the-loop. Two 16 in x 7 in x 7 in dexterous robot arms, weighing 2 kg each, are shown to …

Active Thermal Architecture: Design And Status, Lucas Anderson, Charles Swenson, A. J. Mastropietro, Jonathan Sauder

Small Satellite Conference

This paper presents a design update for the Active Thermal Architecture (ATA) project. ATA is a joint effort between Utah State University and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, funded by the NASA Small Spacecraft Technology Program (SSTP). The objective of the ATA is to develop advanced active thermal control technologies for Small Satellites in support of cryogenic electro-optical instrumentation.

Specifically, the development of a 1U ground-based prototype of a single-phase, two-stage mechanically pumped fluid loop based active thermal control subsystem targeted at 6U CubeSat platforms and above. The first stage utilizes a micro-pump to circulate working fluid between an integrated heat …

Integrating Globally Dispersed Calibration In Small Satellites Mission Value, Afreen Siddiqi, Sheila Baber, Olivier L. De Weck, Chris Durell, Brandon Russell, Jeff Holt

Small Satellite Conference

The availability of earth observation (EO) data has rapidly increased from small satellite missions, however, there are often important deficiencies in its accuracy due to lack of calibration. If calibration is rigorously used with emerging sensors, there can be important improvements in reducing uncertainty with profound implications in use of remote sensing data for climate modeling, disaster recovery, and other applications. Here, a novel methodology for modeling the value of multi-spacecraft earth observation missions with globally dispersed calibration systems for frequent radiometric calibration of earth imaging sensors is presented. The mission value is quantified with a proxy metric, Effective Data …

Exploring The Impact Of Musical Mnemonic Strategies On Student Achievement And Engagement In Inclusive Science Classes, Zinna Eaton

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Students with disabilities often struggle with comprehending material and performing at grade level, and teachers often find new ways to help their students comprehend the curriculum. A common challenge for special education teachers is incorporating different learning styles and various instructional strategies to better assist their students. One teaching strategy and resource that many teachers incorporate is the use of music in their instruction. This research project examines how incorporating music teaching strategies into daily instruction impacts the level of engagement and the academic achievement level of sixth-grade students with and without mild/moderate disabilities within inclusive science classrooms. The study …

College Prescription Opioid Misuse: An Exploration Of Social Learning, Social Control, And Strain Theories, Julie Murray

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Prescription opioids, when used as medically intended, can be effective in pain management. However, the consequences and costs of widespread misuse of prescription opioids in the United States are cause for concern. Prescription opioids are related to increased risk of death and injury. Young adults, between the ages of 18 and 25, have the highest rates of misuse nationally and within this age group, college students may be particularly at risk. In order to effectively curb the growing misuse of prescription opioids within college populations, we must have a better understanding of the factors that potentially lead to misuse.

This …

Teaching The Engineering Design Process To High School Students By Implementing A Non-Traditional Engineering Capstone Course, Joseph Woodard

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This plan B project is to showcase the implementation of an engineering design capstone course at a remote, rural public high school, in a non-traditional (after-school) format with a small group of students. The project documents successful strategies along with challenges that were learned from such an implementation of this course. Three high school students were supported in learning to solve an extended design challenge, in this case creating an augmented reality (AR) sandbox. The project shows how a capstone course can be utilized in teaching students to solve complex, ill-structured problems.

In this project, a manuscript was prepared for …

A Brief Online Acceptance And Commitment Training For Enhancing Outcomes Of A Cultural Competence Intervention, Elizabeth Tish Hicks

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In an increasingly diverse and multicultural society, there is a pressing and practical need for interventions to help professionals improve their cultural competence. Cultural competence trainings that target psychological flexibility in addition to knowledge, awareness, and skills may produce more efficacious results. The current study will examined the utility of targeting psychological flexibility (the ability to maintain contact the present moment and current internal experiences and to choose contextually appropriate, values-consistent behaviors, regardless of what one’s internal experiences are) as a process to enhance the impact of a cultural competence intervention with an Acceptance and Commitment Training (ACT)-enhanced cultural competence …

Psychosocial Effects Of Shared Book Reading, Amy Halling

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Many studies have examined the academic benefits of parents reading with their children, but few studies have looked at the psychological and social benefits, and even fewer have related the quality of shared book reading to psycho-social benefits. This study looked at whether positive and negative reading interactions during shared book reading predicted parent-child relationships, child social skills and child academic skills. Twenty-five parents of 4-year-olds read a story with their child and completed parent relationship and child social skills questionnaires. The reading interactions were then coded into two separate composite scores: positive and negative. Positive interactions did not significantly …

Gratitude In Adolescents: Examining The Role Of Attachment, Parental Gratitude, And Discounting, Savannah C. Rupp

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

From early childhood, parents often teach their children to use their manners by saying "Thank you"; however, are there any benefits from experiencing gratitude during youth? Understanding the relationship between gratitude and other areas, such as happiness and decision-making, can potentially help researchers in planning interventions for youth. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between gratitude and decision-making in youth, as well as the role of maternal gratitude and the mother-child attachment in determining gratitude in youth. Two hundred four participants (102 mothers, 102 adolescents) completed an online survey. Mothers and adolescents completed two gratitude questionnaires …

Novel Three-Dimensional Scaffold For Skeletal Muscle Tissue, Matthew H. Clegg

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Cells are traditionally grown on a flat, plastic surface that has been optimized for cell attachment. While this is appropriate for growing and maintaining cells, this two-dimensional cell culture model is not an adequate representation of a three-dimensional body. Creating three-dimensional lab models is an important step to model diseases and damage to the skeletal muscle system.

To create this three-dimensional environment, a plastic frame was designed to support silkworm fibers. Skeletal muscle cells were then grown along the silkworm fibers and the growth of these cells in a three-dimensional environment was compared to cells grown on a flat, two-dimensional …

Evaluating The Hydraulic Performance Of Digital Photogrammetry-Derived 3-Dimensional Models Of A Hydraulic Structure Using Computational Fluid Dynamics, Tyler J. Ashby

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This research investigated the combination of aerial imagery, photogrammetry, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Two 3D models of an 8-ft ramp flume were developed from aerial imagery using a commercial photogrammetry software. The GCP model was developed using ground control points (GCP) to improve and measure the model's accuracy. The Non-GCP model used GCPs as check points, which only measure the model's accuracy. The horizontal and vertical errors were, respectively, 0.39 in. and 0.73 in. for the GCP model, and 5.37 in. and 2.80 in. for the Non-GCP model.

In addition to the GCP and Non-GCP models, two hybrid 3D …