Digital Commons Network^™

Practical Effectiveness Of Large Language Models In Assisting Landscape Architects In Plant Selection, Paul Gardner

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming many industries, but its role in landscape architecture remains relatively unexplored. This study examines how AI, specifically GPT-4, can assist landscape architects in selecting plants for projects. By comparing AI-generated plant lists to those that human experts created, the research evaluates Accuracy, Suitability, Availability, Aesthetics, and Professional Usability.

The results show that AI-generated plant lists were highly efficient, accurately matching site conditions and improving plant availability while significantly reducing selection time. However, human expertise was essential for ensuring aesthetic quality and design intent. While AI can serve as a powerful tool for streamlining plant …

A Critical Policy Analysis Of Dual Language Education Policies On The Equity And Opportunity Of Participation And Access For Multilingual Learners, Justin A. Andersen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Dual Language Immersion programs help students become fluent in two languages while achieving academic success. Originally designed to support students who speak languages other than English at home, these programs have grown rapidly across Utah and the U.S. However, they increasingly serve white, English-speaking families seeking enrichment opportunities, while multilingual students who could benefit most remain underrepresented.

This study examined recruitment and admissions policies in two Utah school districts’ dual language programs. By comparing policy documents, analyzing enrollment data, and interviewing district staff, school leaders, and parents, the research revealed significant implementation differences despite identical statewide program requirements.

One district …

Exploring Life History Trade-Offs In The Facultative Eusocial Bee Megalopta Genalis, Ana Gutiérrez Zuluaga

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Organisms face many trade-offs in how to invest in these traits. One example is the trade-off between reproduction and longevity. Queens of social insects seem to escape this trade-off, producing thousands of eggs daily, despite having a longer lifespan than their workers. Some hypotheses have been proposed to explain this phenomenon, such as an evolutionary change in the molecular pathways that regulate queen investment in maintenance, growth, and reproduction. An alternative hypothesis suggests that the tradeoffs are rarely observed in queens due to the extensive resources provided by the help of workers. While these hypotheses have supporting evidence, they have …

Fast Computation Of The Friction Stir Welding Process With Model Order Reduction, Joshua Kay

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Friction stir welding (FSW) is a manufacturing process used to join materials through intense heat and pressure. To better understand and optimize this FSW process, mathematical models incorporating non-Newtonian Navier-stokes equations for large plastic deformation and heat equation for the heat transfer are used to simulate the FSW process. However, solving these coupled and nonlinear equations with high accuracy requires significant computational power and time. This thesis has applied model order reduction, more precisely the Proper Orthogonal Decomposition (POD) and Discrete Empirical Interpolation Method (DEIM), to efficiently solve the FSW system in low-dimensional space. Slight modifications are made regarding the …

The Effects Of Secondary Students Using Metacognitive Strategies On Reading Comprehension Scores, Georgia Miller

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This study focuses on researching the use of metacognitive strategies on secondary students reading comprehension scores. Metacognitive strategies are strategies that help students become more aware of their own thought process and learning. The metacognitive strategies used for this study were self-monitoring, self-regulation, self-questioning as well as the use of vocabulary knowledge. The study takes place in an intermountain west charter high school Reading for Pleasure course for students ninth through twelfth grade. All students within the Reading for Pleasure course received specialized reading instruction over a six-week term from the researcher. All students received approximately 360 minuets of specialized …

Enabling Scalable Camera-Based Streamflow Monitoring With Serverless Cloud Computing, Sajan Neupane

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This thesis introduces a modern and automated method for monitoring rivers and streams using cameras and cloud-based software tools. Traditional monitoring methods often rely on sensors placed directly in the water, which can be expensive, hard to install, and difficult to maintain, especially in remote or rough terrain. In contrast, this approach uses cameras to observe water flow from a distance, offering a safer and more cost-effective alternative. However, camera systems come with their own challenges, such as collecting large amounts of image data, transferring it reliably from the field, and analyzing it quickly enough to be useful. This research …

Analysis On Modifications To An Outdoor Field-Scale Rotating Algal Biofilm Reactor With A Focus On Biomass Productivity And Power Usage, Davis R. Haag

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

A rotating algal biofilm reactor (RABR) was operated outdoors for one calendar year to see how the microalgae grown were affected. The algae are grown in wastewater that contains nitrogen and phosphorous, which are elements found in fertilizer. The design used was modified from a previous design, and this project tested the modifications to see if they improved how much microalgae were grown. In February 2025, the objectives of the field study were updated to focus on growing as much microalgae as possible instead of removing as much nitrogen and phosphorous as possible. This updated design increased the fluid flow …

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy As A Transdiagnostic Approach To Improve Quality Of Life Among Adults Living With A Physical Chronic Health Condition, Marissa L. Donahue

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The research contained in this dissertation presents rationale and empirical support for the application of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) as a transdiagnostic approach in improving quality of life for adults living with chronic health conditions (CHCs). The first study consists of a systematic review that aims to examine (1) the current state of evidence of ACT for adults living with a CHC, (2) how outcomes are being characterized within this population, (3) the methodological quality of the included trials, as well as (4) summarizing the health conditions in which ACT has been evaluated for. The second study examines the …

Cognitive Dynamics In Undergraduate Engineering Education: Effects Of Need For Cognitive Closure And Achievement Goal Orientation On Cognitive Engagement, Zain Ul Abideen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Cognitive and motivational factors play an important role in students’ engagement during problem-solving, which can lead to academic and professional success. Among these factors, Need for cognitive closure (NFCC) and achievement goal orientation (AGO) have been studied extensively individually, but their interaction and impact on engineering students’ problem-solving is still not explored. NFCC refers to the person’s desire for quick answers, and AGO is the student’s approach to learning and success. This research investigated the impact of NFCC on gender and engineering major, and the relation between NFCC (five facets) and AGO (Mastery, Performance) at their different levels. Additionally, this …

Software Developer Job Satisfaction: Interpretable Machine Learning Insights From The Stack Overflow Developer Survey, Reagan E. Hoopes

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Many researchers have investigated the factors influencing software developer workplace outcomes, such as job satisfaction, due to the central role of the tech industry in the global economy and the specialized expertise of software developers. Past research has often relied on small surveys and traditional analysis methods, with limited use of modern machine learning techniques. This study introduces an efficient and scalable approach to analyzing software developer job satisfaction using interpretable machine learning.

We use data from the 2019 and 2024 Stack Overflow Developer Surveys, an annual survey of software developers worldwide that encompasses a broad range of topics, including …

The Sexual Objectification Experiences Of Amab Non-Binary People, Lee Rosemary Pradell

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The current study combines two narrative-based methods to understand how AMAB non-binary people experience sexual objectification. Sexual objectification is the process of being treated as an object instead of as a whole person while also being sexualized. Individual people can sexually objectify others (i.e., catcalling, asking “What gender are you really?”, repeatedly asking female people about when they’re giving birth); institutions and systems can also objectify people (i.e., listing sex on driver’s licenses instead of gender; providing binary bathrooms, sports teams, and schooling; labeling female reproductive care “women’s health”).

The current study employed a process chart task that guided participants …

From Feedback To Insight: Using Hierarchical Clustering Analysis To Identify And Analyze Feedback Dimensions In Online Courses, Reagan R. Siggard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The demand for online courses continues to increase, as do the critiques of their effectiveness. Studies have found that peer interactions positively impact the online course experience and that peers can offer feedback to each other at the instructor's level with proper guidance. To help understand this feedback, researchers have identified feedback dimensions. Most feedback dimensions have been created through inductive coding, not exploratory data analysis approaches. This study sought to identify those feedback dimensions that perhaps had been missed or were highly associated with those already existing in the literature, hoping to inform research and practice to improve the …

Impact Of Thermodynamic Factors And Intrinsic Properties On Crystallization Behavior And Physical Properties Of Edible Fats, Nabila Anjum

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Crystallization behavior of three edible fats: interesterified soybean oil (IESBO), interesterified palm olein (IEPO), and fully hydrogenated palm kernel oil (FHPKO) were explored to understand how this process is affected by different factors. The study focused on how the chemical composition of these fats affects their behavior like how much time they require to be crystallized at a certain temperature. By using different scientific methods, how quickly each fat began to crystallize and how much energy it took to start the process was measured. Among the methods used, Gompertz equation, a mathematical model, gave the most consistent and reliable results …

The Impact Of Transmission Thresholds Across Multiple Scales On The Spread Of Chronic Wasting Disease In Wisconsin, Jen Mcclure

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Wildlife diseases can be difficult to control once they are established. This is especially true when they spread through contact with infectious material left in the environment. One such disease is chronic wasting disease (CWD), a fatal illness affecting deer and related species in North America and other regions. CWD is caused by prions, misfolded proteins that can remain infectious for years after shedding by infected hosts.

Recent research shows that CWD infection does not always follow from the gradual accumulation of prions through small contact events. Rather, an individual may need to encounter a certain prion dose all at …

Implications Of The Attenuated Allee Effect On Population Dynamics, Dana Strong

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The Allee effect is an ecological phenomenon characterized by a per capita growth rate that increases as the population size increases in the context of low population density. The Allee effect can lead to rapid extinction events. Consequently, ecologists can attempt to control the strength of the Allee effect to help increase the population (in the case of endangered species) or decrease the population (in the case of parasites or pests).

This research aimed to study not the strength of the Allee effect, but the intensity of the Allee effect, or how rapidly cooperation between individuals causes the per capita …

From Mechanisms To Management: Implications Of Biogeochemical Controllers And Land Management For Soil Carbon Cycling And Storage, Savannah R. Adkins

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Climate change and its cascading effects are driven by increases in atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂). Many climate solutions exists to remove this excess carbon (C) from the atmosphere, and soils, in particular, represent one of the few win-win solutions. Soils play a vital role in the global C cycle because they store more C than plants and the atmosphere combined, however, they also release more CO₂ annually than fossil fuel combustion (a major contributor to accelerating climate change). Therefore, preventing CO₂ loss from soil could help slow the progression of climate change, and increasing overall soil …

“Are There Any British Soldiers In Tobruk?” National Identity During The Siege Of Tobruk, May To November 1941, Stewart Golightly Weight

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Throughout this thesis, I examine what it meant to be British during the 1941 Siege of Tobruk. This is important as it reveals previous assumptions about the Second World War’s British Army, including its religious practices and regional distinctions, were more diverse and influential than previously assumed. To do this, I analyze previously overlooked sources concerning religion, morality, and regional identities to demonstrate that Second World War Britishness was not monolithic.

Using Behavioral Skills Training To Teach School Staff To Implement Functional Communication Training, Megan Johnston

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This project looked at how to train school staff in effective strategies for supporting students with disabilities who engage in challenging behaviors like hitting, self-injury, or crying. We taught three school staff members to use a behavioral intervention called Functional Communication Training (FCT), which helps students learn more appropriate ways to communicate their needs, while also ensuring they do not gain access to reinforcement for challenging behaviors. Staff were trained using Behavioral Skills Training (BST), a step-by-step approach that includes instructions, modeling, practice, and feedback. After the training, the school staff were able to use these strategies correctly, and the …

Evaluating Use Of Multiple Hydrologic Storage Indicators To Enhance Streamflow Forecasting, Reza Morovati

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Accurate seasonal streamflow forecasts are essential for managing water resources in the western United States, where much of the water supply depends on snow accumulation and melt. Water managers, farmers, and communities rely on these forecasts to plan for water use, prepare for droughts, and protect the environment. However, traditional forecasting methods often do not fully use all the available information about how water is stored in the landscape, such as in snowpacks, soil moisture, and groundwater. This can limit the accuracy of predictions and make water management more difficult.

This study aimed to improve streamflow forecasts by explicitly including …

Social Media Mining For Extracting The Experience Of Neurodivergent Individuals On Twitter (X) And Reddit, Kartik Thakkar

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Neurodiversity refers to the natural neurological variations in the human brain such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia, Tourette syndrome and other neurological disorders. it’s estimated that around 15% to 20% of the world’s population is neurodivergent. This means a significant portion of people experience neurological differences in how they think, learn, and interact with the world.

Social Media has become an important space for neurodivergent individuals to share their experiences, build communities, and seek support. This thesis explores how the online venues like X (Twitter) and Reddit offer themselves as digital spaces where …

Integrating Manager Perspectives Into The Evaluation Of Wetland Revegetation Strategies, Loren F. Taylor

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Ecological restoration is the process of assisting the recovery of an ecosystem that has been degraded and is dependent on complex and context-specific decisions. The decision-making process influencing restoration is rarely examined alongside ecological processes. There is a need for research that incorporates the social, economic, institutional, and logistical considerations that shape real-world practices, as well as ecological processes. Decisions made by restoration practitioners and land managers (hereon “manager”) are challenged by the lack of information shared regarding the practical constraints (e.g., cost, labor, specialized equipment) they face. Revegetation, particularly in wetlands, poses challenges due to site conditions and degradation …

Multi-Agent Robotaxi Dispatch Coordination In A Real-World Simulation – Optimizing Rider Assignment, Rebalancing, And Charging Using Battery-Dependent Rewards And Welfare Maximization, Paden Thompson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

We propose an approach to coordinate a robotaxi fleet for an autonomous ride-hail service. This is a service similar to a traditional ride-hailing service (Uber, Lyft), where customers request a ride and are then picked up in a car and dropped off in a new location; except, driverless vehicles called robotaxis are used to transport the customers.

Our approach teaches helpful coordination strategies to a robotaxi fleet while taking into account the individual battery level of the robotaxis. Each robotaxi acts as an individual agent in our simulation and can choose to pick up a rider, reposition to a new …

An Integrated Lithospheric Geotherm Model From Seismic Data And Plate Ages, Amanda R. Leaman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This research aims to develop advanced methods to accurately depict temperature profiles within the lithosphere, the Earth’s rigid outer layer. These temperature profiles extend from Earth’s surface to the asthenosphere, the ductile layer below the lithosphere. Constraining the poorly-known temperature distribution within the upper Earth is important for modeling the deformation of Earth’s crust over varying timescales and is essential for advancing realistic simulations of Earth dynamics. Here, I utilize enhanced global seismic data, coupled with recent advances in our understanding of mineral systems, to create several global lithospheric models in which I estimate temperature profiles from seismically observable features …

Enhancing Grid Integration Of High-Power Loads Through Modular Unfolding-Based Power Conversion With Decentralized Control, Sanat R. Poddar

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is a critical step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions and creating a cleaner, more sustainable transportation sector. However, many drivers — particularly those operating larger vehicles such as trucks and buses — face significant challenges, including limited driving range and lengthy charging times. High-power, fast-charging stations, which can rapidly replenish EV batteries, are therefore essential for mitigating these barriers and making electric transportation practical across all vehicle classes.

Despite the promise of electric vehicles, deploying high-power fast-charging stations presents significant challenges. They require large amounts of electricity, making them expensive to install, operate, and …

Impacts Of Including Sprouted Barley In The Diet Of Beef Cattle On Production, Ruminal Health, And Meat Quality, Zachary C. Crump

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Beef producers in the United States are working to meet rising global demand for animal protein while facing major challenges such as drought, climate uncertainty, and rapid urbanization. These issues make it difficult to produce consistent and dependable feed, pushing producers to explore new ways to grow feed using fewer natural resources. Vertical farming systems are one option that can grow sprouted cereal grains indoors throughout the year while using decreased land and water than traditional agriculture. Sprouted barley grows within six to seven days and may serve as a nutrient dense alternative feed source for cattle at several stages …

Reconstruction And Texturing Of 3d Surfaces From Fused Low-Cost Aerial Lidar And Optical Imagery, Samuel Kiguthi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Drones equipped with laser scanners (LiDAR) and cameras capture detailed 3D scenes. Combining the laser points with photos builds realistic, photo-textured 3D maps used in surveying, agriculture, and infrastructure planning. Conventional methods to create these maps often misrepresent inward shapes such as doorways, overhangs, and outcrops. These shapes are misrepresented because drones mainly view top surfaces and do not collect significant data on vertical or hidden areas.

This study introduces a surface-reconstruction method that groups LiDAR points into clusters, reconstructs smooth surfaces for each cluster, and uses information from recorded camera poses to stitch clusters together. Tests on real drone …

Built For Participation: A Set Of Measures For Evaluating Community Living For People Of All Abilities As Supported By The Built Environment, Christopher A. Wilson Ii

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

As the world enters a new era of urban living, it is important to develop cities that allow residents of all ages and abilities to fully participate in society. Integration of people with disabilities into daily community living involves looking beyond site- or product-specific features to community- and city-wide systems. Some tools have been developed to begin evaluating cities’ levels of inclusive social participation and to provide recommendations for city planning professionals. However, the tools that have been developed often are too complex for practical use or rely on data that varies in obtainability. Therefore, the purpose of this series …

Spatial Strategies For Restoring Native Biodiversity And Connectivity In Managed Landscapes Of The Upper Clutha Basin, New Zealand, Jessica Zuban

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Across New Zealand and around the world, biodiversity is declining due to the widespread loss and fragmentation of native habitat. This is especially true in agricultural landscapes, where native habitats have been replaced by intensive land use. This research focuses on the Upper Clutha Basin in Central Otago, New Zealand that has been significantly altered over time by farming, development, and other human activities. As a result, only a small amount of native vegetation remains, and the region is well below the critical threshold needed to support healthy ecological systems.

This study investigates how native vegetation can be strategically restored …

Design, Control, And Optimization Of Unfolding-Based Ac-Dc Topologies With Three-Port Resonant Converters For Electric Vehicle Battery Charging Applications, Aditya Zade

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels has made electric mobility a cornerstone of sustainable transportation. This transition is driving demand for advanced charging infrastructure and more efficient power conversion systems. Power converters play a central role, not only in enabling reliable EV charging but also in integrating renewable energy sources with the grid. Because of the large amount of power involved, these converters must operate efficiently, reliably, and at low cost. Conventional high-power chargers often use two stages of conversion, which are effective but limited by size and energy losses. To overcome these …

Material Differentiation On The Yellow Point Ridge Lithic Landscape, Gabriel Boghosian

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This paper identified material use differences on the Yellow Point Ridge Lithic Landscape, utilizing flake morphology to identify use stages of materials found on site. This research confirmed the viability of methods like PXRF in conjunction with Infield material identifications and geologist identifications, as well as expanded the understanding of South-west Wyoming land use by hunter-gatherers.