Digital Commons Network^™

Homeless Social Service Workers As Street-Level Bureaucrats, Curtis Smith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Social service outreach workers serving homeless populations exemplify what Michael Lipsky calls street-level bureaucrats (SLBs) who exercise discretionary power in the performance of their professional roles. This dissertation draws on over 200 hours of ethnographic fieldwork in an urban center in the Mountain West to examine the challenges faced by homeless outreach workers and case managers in serving the needs of homeless clients and the practices they use to manage those challenges. Using a grounded theory analysis of participant observation and interview data, this dissertation focuses on what is termed “aggressive advocacy” in which social service SLBs creatively and actively …

Evaluation Of Therapeutics For An Enterovirus 71 Infection In An Ag129 Mouse Model, Christopher Peterson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Discovered in 1969 in California, enterovirus 71 (EV-71) is a serious cause of disease in young children. It is one of the major causative agents of hand, food, and mouth disease (HFMD), and can produce neurological complications, such as meningitis, encephalitis, and an acute flaccid paralysis. For serious cases, the fatality rate can be up to 26%, almost exclusively in young children.

While the virus was initially discovered in the United States, it was soon detected in the Eastern hemisphere, causing outbreaks in Europe and Asia. The largest outbreak occurred in Taiwan in 2008, with approximately 490,000 cases and 128 …

Effects Of Isokinetic Eccentric Versus Traditional Lower Body Multiple-Joint Resistance Training On Muscle Function In Recreationally Trained College-Aged Adults, Joshua P. Gordon

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

Purpose: Early adaptations of eccentric training show several advantages over concentric training. The purpose of this study was to quantify the effects of 4 weeks of multi-joint eccentric training versus traditional leg press training on muscle strength, rate of torque development (RTD; rapid strength) and jump and sprint performance adaptations.

Methods: Twenty-six resistance trained college-aged men and women performed either an eccentric or a traditional (control) resistance training program twice per week for 4 weeks. Single-joint isometric maximum and rapid strength (Biodex dynamometer; peak torque and RTD, respectively) and isokinetic strength of the knee extensors and flexors, maximum multi-joint eccentric …

Commuter Rail And The Landscape: Alternative Futures For Planning In Southeastern Box Elder County, C. Michael Gottfredson

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

This thesis analyzes the impact the FrontRunner commuter-rail service would have on Southeastern Box Elder County, Utah, using both anticipated future and alternative future scenarios created in a geographic information system (GIS). These alternative future scenarios include having the FrontRunner developed at anticipated stops and a transit-oriented development (TOD) scenario. Using techniques and methods developed by scholars in the bioregional planning field, these alternative future scenarios were compared against impact-data models addressing residential land-use suitability and landscape risk.

Outcomes: from this analysis, the TOD alternative future scenario had the least impact on landscape risk impact-data model. The TOD model …

Towards The Prediction Of Climate Extremes With Attribution Analysis Through Climate Diagnostics And Modeling: Cases From Asia To North America, Boniface Opoku Fosu

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This project summarizes the findings of research organized in two parts. The first involved the characterization of changes in the variability of climate that lead to extreme events. The second focused on the predictability of extreme climate on time-scales ranging from short forecast lead-times to long-lead climate predictions exceeding a year.

Initial studies focused on three interrelated, yet regionally unique extreme climate phenomena. First, the relationship between increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and particulate matter (PM) concentration in basin terrain was investigated. Next, we evaluated changes in large-scale atmospheric circulation associated with two climate phenomena at either extreme side of …

The Industry And Occupation Incidence Of State Mandated Maternity Benefits, Adam Bahr

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Government mandates are often used to promote equality in the workplace, often imposing additional costs upon employers. Economic theory suggest that these additional costs will be shifted onto the employees through a reduction in wages. However, when wage shifting is not an option due to anti-discrimination laws, how will employers respond to the additional costs imposed? Gruber (1994) found that wage shifting occurs when the groups benefiting from a government mandate are easily identifiable to the employer, despite the existence of anti-discrimination laws.

This study seeks to further the work of Gruber (1994) and examine wage shifting at an industry …

The Effects Of Enhanced Flows On Community Structure And Ecosystem Functioning In A Montane Utah River System, Joshua A. Epperly

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Due to growing human demands for freshwater within the last century, manmade flow alterations are now a common characteristic of rivers worldwide. Alterations to the volume and timing of flows in rivers are known to negatively impact aquatic biodiversity, biological productivity and ecosystem functions such as nutrient cycling. While previous research has focused on the effects of flow reductions and spates, there is a lack of knowledge on how high flows across longer timespans (i.e. ‘enhanced flows’) impact the structure of river communities and the integrity of ecosystem functions.

The Utah Reclamation, Mitigation and Conservation Commission has expressed interest in …

Rangeland Weed Control And Pasture Rejuvenation, Linden Greenhalgh, Jerry Caldwell, Burt Staples

All Current Publications

The purpose of this fact sheet is to show how rangeland pastures can be rejuvenated through weed control, fertilization, reseeding, and improved management practices.

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug Management For Fruits And Vegetables In Utah, Lori R. Spears, Diane G. Alston, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB), an invasive agricultural and nuisance pest from eastern Asia. It includes information on how to identify, feeding injury, monitoring, management, and chemical control.

Market Goat First Aid, Basic Care, And Common Diseases In Show Goats, Flip Book, Karah Nay, Deric Despain

All Current Publications

This flip book gives information on first aid for market goats as well as basic care and common diseases and treatments in show goats.

Fresh And Easy: How To Make Pureed Baby Food, Shayla Shearer, Mateja R. Savoie-Roskos, Carrie Durward

All Current Publications

This fact sheet tells how to safely prepare and store pureed baby food so it is nutritious, convenient and less expensive than store bought baby food.

Proper Care And Management Of Common Health Concerns With 4-H Goat Projects, Karah Nay, Deric Despain

All Current Publications

The purpose of this fact sheet is to give youth and their parents a basic guide of what signs and symptoms to watch for to prevent illness or death. It includes instructions on how to take vitals, how to assist the veterinarian when called, the compiling of materials for a first aid kit, proper antibiotic administration, vaccinations, and preventive practices that the youth can implement while caring for their animal.

Proper Care And Management Of Common Health Concerns With 4-H Hogs, Karah Nay, Dennis Worwood, Kerry A. Rood

All Current Publications

The purpose of this fact sheet is to give youth and their parents a basic guide of what signs and symptoms to watch for to prevent illness or death. It includes instructions on how to take vitals, how to assist the veterinarian when called, the compiling of materials for a first aid kit, proper antibiotic administration, vaccinations, and preventive practices that the youth can implement while caring for their animal.

Proper Care And Management Of Common Health Concerns With 4-H Steers And Heifers, Karah Nay, Matthew D. Garcia, Kerry A. Rood, Chelsea Walker

All Current Publications

The purpose of this fact sheet is to give youth and their parents a basic guide of what signs and symptoms to watch for to prevent illness or death. It includes instructions on how to take vitals, how to assist the veterinarian when called, the compiling of materials for a first aid kit, proper antibiotic administration, vaccinations, and preventive practices that the youth can implement while caring for their animal.

Nutritional Needs Among High School Athletes, Andy Mitchell, Mateja R. Savoie-Roskos, Natalie Norris, Carrie Durward

All Current Publications

High school athletes have a greater need for nutritional adequacy for proper growth, development, wellness and performance as compared to students who do not participate in sports. This fact sheet discusses the purpose of carbohydrates, protein, fat, and hydration, why they are necessary in an athlete’s diet, food sources of each, and fun facts to help the young athlete enhance their diet.

Create Farm Fresh Food Curriculum, Casey Coombs

All Current Publications

This curriculum focuses on increasing Food Sense participants' use of Utah farmers market. It includes information to successfully implement, and evaluate Create Farm Fresh Food classes. The goal of this set of classes is to increase SNAP participants’ use of local farmers’ markets. Markets are a great place to buy fresh fruits and vegetables that offer better taste and nutritional value than many of those found at traditional grocery stores. With the Double Up Food Bucks, and Fresh Fund incentive programs, shopping at farmers’ markets has even become more economical for our target population.

Ask A Catbrarian: Marketing Library Services Using A Cat, Teagan Eastman, Jennifer Saulnier, Kati Richardson

Library Faculty & Staff Publications

This case study aims to describe how employees at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Undergraduate Library (UGL) utilized a cat mascot as part of a marketing campaign to promote awareness of library resources and services and to overcome undergraduate students’ library anxiety. The authors describe how the idea of a cat mascot emerged, how librarians determined campaign objectives, and the process they undertook for developing videos, social media posts, events and displays for the campaign. This article also describes how the campaign was able to build a sense of community not only among the large university library system but …

Chronic Migraines And Couples: A Grounded Theory Of Adaptation To Chronic Migraines For Patients And Their Partners, Douglas P. Mcphee

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This study was completed to better understand and treat couples wherein one partner suffers from chronic migraines. I interviewed eight couples about their experiences in dealing with migraines as a patient, as a partner, and together. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed by a team of seven researchers. We developed a theory that can be used to understand how patients and their partners adapt to chronic migraines. The theory was grounded in the experiences of the patients and partners who were interviewed. We found that patients and partners alike dealt with burdens and costs associated with chronic migraines. Coping, healthcare, …

Landscape Values And Aesthetic Preferences Across The Front Range, Emily J. Wilkins, Hongchao Zhang, Derek Van Berkel, Monica A. Dorning, Scott M. Beck, Jordan W. Smith

All Current Publications

Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) lands are managed to provide a diverse set of benefits valued by Boulder’s residents as well as tourists. Not all OSMP lands provide the same set of benefits however. Understanding how the values associated with OSMP lands vary across the region can provide managers with insights into how best to allocate resources so that they yield the maximum public benefit. In addition to an understanding of the values visitors associate with OSMP lands, management can benefit from knowledge of how different features of the landscape impact user experiences, both positively and negatively.

Counseling Competencies In Audiology: Important Knowledge, Skills, And Attitudes, Alex R. Meibos

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this study was to identify counseling competencies considered important for audiologists to possess to provide effective counseling in practice. To achieve this, researchers and clinicians with expertise in audiologic counseling, were recruited to participate in a three-round consensus survey. These experts were asked to generate and rate a list of counseling competency items they believed were important for audiologists to possess. In the final round of the study, final consensus was met on 64 counseling competency items (16 knowledge, 35 skills, and 13 attitudinal items) deemed important for audiologists to possess. The results of this study revealed …

Word Recognition In Nutrition Labels With Convolutional Neural Network, Anuj Khasgiwala

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Nowadays, everyone is very busy and running around trying to maintain a balance between their work life and family, as the working hours are increasing day by day. In such hassled life people either ignore or do not give enough attention to a healthy diet. An imperative part of a healthy eating routine is the cognizance and maintenance of nourishing data and comprehension of how extraordinary sustenance and nutritious constituents influence our bodies. Besides in the USA, in many other countries, nutritional information is fundamentally passed on to consumers through nutrition labels (NLs) which can be found in all packaged …

Integrated Management Of Billbugs (Coleoptera: Dryophthoridae) In Intermountain West Turfgrass, Madeleine M. Dupuy

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Billbugs are a serious pest of turfgrass in the Intermountain West. Billbug larvae severely discolor and eventually kill turfgrass by feeding in stems, on roots, and on crowns of the plant. Billbugs are typically managed with preventive, calendar-based applications of insecticides. Most of our knowledge on the biology and management of billbugs comes from research in the eastern U.S, and little is known about billbug biology and best management practices in the Intermountain West. First, I examined the seasonal activity of billbug life stages in Intermountain West turfgrass and developed a predictive degree-day model to better time management strategies against …

Gene-Environment Interaction: Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (Bdnf) As A Moderating Factor For The Effects Of Exercise And Diet On Cognitive And Mental Health: The Cache County Study On Memory In Aging, Chelsea L. Sanders

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Cache County Study on Memory in Aging, funded by the National Institute on Aging, studied longitudinal changes in memory and aging over 12 years’ follow-up in a population-based sample of 5,092 older adults in semirural Cache County, UT. Among the extensive interview procedures, researchers collected information regarding the participants’ demographics, health, genetic factors, diet, physical activity, and cognitive abilities. This study has allowed researchers to investigate how genetic and modifiable lifestyle factors interact to predict health, cognitive function, and psychological wellbeing in older adults.

Diet and exercise are important lifestyle factors in maintaining cognitive health and psychological wellbeing throughout …

The Immediate Influence Of Whole Body Vibration On Proprioceptive Precision, Sean Madill

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

As our bodies are exposed to whole-body vibration inertial and strain sensitive sensory receptors throughout our body are activated. The information relayed from these receptors to the central nervous system and brain is used to analyze our environment and coordinate movement. The aim of this study was to investigate whether extended duration whole-body vibration influences sensory adaptation and coordinated movement, specifically our joint position acuity immediately following vibration exposure. Twenty-five adults completed a between ankle joint matching task before and immediately following a 20-minute whole-body vibration session and a control session of 20 minutes of standing near, but not on …

A Return To The Cash Conversion Cycle And Corporate Returns, Madyson Mcpherson

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

A little over twenty years ago, Jose, Lancaster, and Stevens (1996) wrote a paper examining the relationship between profitability and ongoing liquidity management for firms over a twenty-year period, from 1974 to 1993. They test the relationship between the cash conversion cycle, ongoing liquidity management, and other methods of profitability using a regression analysis (Jose, Lancaster, and Stevens, 1996). This paper aims to do the same but with a selection of firms over a different twenty-year period, from 1993 to 2013. We implement Jose et al.’s methodology with updated data to see if contemporary data yields similar results: aggressive working …

Parent Priorities And Knowledge Regarding Transition To Adulthood For Middle School Students With Significant Disabilities, Laura A. Hackwell

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

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 requires transition planning to begin at age 16 years, but many states require transition planning to begin even earlier. In Utah, the amended age for starting transition planning is 14 years. Early implementation of transition planning requires collaboration between middle school teachers, parents, and adult service agencies. Parents of middle school students with significant disabilities completed an online survey to identify postsecondary transition related priorities and knowledge. Participants identified top priorities within seven transition outcomes, as well as the information needed to understand and support their student within each specific transition area. …

Use Of Favipiravir To Treat Lassa Virus Infection In Macaques, Kyle Rosenke, Heinz Feldmann, Jonna B. Westover, Patrick William Hanley, Cynthia Martellaro, Friederike Feldmann, Greg Saturday, Jamie Lovaglio, Dana P. Scott, Yousuke Furuta, Takashi Komeno, Brian B. Gowen, David Safronetz

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Lassa virus, the cause of Lassa fever in humans, is endemic to West Africa. Treatment of Lassa fever is primarily supportive, although ribavirin has shown limited efficacy if administered early during infection. We tested favipiravir in Lassa virus–viremic macaques and found that 300 mg/kg daily for 2 weeks successfully treated infection.

Using Systematic Conservation Planning To Establish Management Priorities For Freshwater Salmon Conservation, Matanuska-Susitna Basin, Ak, Usa, Andrew W. Witt, Edd Hammill

Ecology Center Publications

1- The Alaskan Matanuska-Susitna Basin (MSB) provides habitat for all five Pacific salmon species, and their large seasonal spawning runs are important both ecologically and economically. However, the encroachment of human development through urbanization and extractive industries poses a serious risk to salmon habitat in the MSB.

2- Using systematic conservation planning techniques, different methods of incorporating anthropogenic risks were assessed to determine how to cost-effectively conserve salmon habitat in the area.

3- The consequences of four distinct conservation scenarios were quantified: no consideration of either urbanization or extractive industries (‘Risk ignored’ scenario); accounting for the risk of urbanization, and …

Parenting Advice And Regrets Of Empty-Nesters, Ashton Chapman, David G. Schramm

Human Development and Family Studies Faculty Publications

Objective: To identify the advice and regrets empty-nest parents have when reflecting on their experiences as parents, and to investigate the utility of the parenting pyramid framework for parent education on the basis of that advice and those regrets.

Background: The parenting pyramid specifies that the parent–child relationship, teaching, and corection are key components of parenting, and that they should be emphasized in that order or priority. However, the extent to which this model is reflective of what parents actually think or do, or wish they would have done, remains unclear.

Method: Empty-nesters were recruited through social media, professional e-mail …

When Is Experiential Avoidance Harmful In The Moment? Examining Global Experiential Avoidance As A Moderator, Michael E. Levin, Jennifer Krafft, Benjamin G. Pierce, Sarah Potts

Psychology Faculty Publications

Background and Objectives: Although experiential avoidance has been shown to predict a wide range of mental health problems, there has been minimal research to-date on the more immediate effects of engaging in experiential avoidance in the moment or the moderators that predict when it is more or less harmful.

Methods: An ecological momentary assessment (EMA) study was conducted with 70 undergraduate students who completed assessments three times a day, over seven days as well as a baseline assessment of global questionnaires.

Results: Both greater global experiential avoidance and momentary experiential avoidance independently predicted greater momentary negative affect, lower positive affect, …