Digital Commons Network^™

Inhibition Of Venom Gland V-Atpase Proton Pumps And Their Role In Snake Venom Acidification And Storage, Samuel Kerwin

Master's Theses

Venomous snakes are capable of storing venom for years while maintaining functionality upon injection, with no known harmful impact to their own physiology; however, the mechanisms behind this are poorly understood. Several major components of venom, most notably SVMPs, are autolytic when active, suggesting the presence of an inhibitory environment during storage to preserve venom functionality. It is hypothesized that the venom gland is continuously acidified by vacuolar rotary proton pump mechanisms (V-ATPases) localized in mitochondria-rich cells found in small concentration within the venom gland secretory epithelium, keeping the venom inert at a pH of 5.4-5.6 during the production/storage period. …

Brain Dance And Brain Power: Impact Of Movement On Problem-Solving Skills For Exceptional Learners, Kristin Crain

Master's Theses

The goal of this research was to answer the question: Q1 In what ways do Brain Dance type movements impact problem-solving skills for exceptional learners? The research was completed within the public education setting with a group of volunteer participants including one cooperating teacher and six student participants identified as exceptional learners. The researcher focused on problem-solving skills including identifying a problem, showing work, implementing a solution, and identifying a solution. Research instruments were created based on these skills including a pretest, posttest, and teacher rubric. Student participants completed the pretest prior to being introduced to movement exercises. The researcher …

Dance And Emotional Intelligence: Mitigating Anxiety In The Modern Teen, Bridget Morris

Master's Theses

The purpose of this thesis study was to find if emotional intelligence could be increased through participation in dance classes, and if that increase of emotional intelligence could mitigate anxiety in teens today. The researcher held four dance classes with a total of five 15–16- year-old volunteer participants, all with dance experience. Two research instruments were used and data were analyzed quantitatively. The research questions explored were: Q1 What immediate effects do participating in a dance class have on emotional intelligence? Q2 Which components of emotional intelligence develop the most from participating in dance? The data demonstrated that participation in …

Confidence In The Classroom: A Guide For Teaching Dance To Exceptional Learners, Brianna Janae Denmark

Master's Theses

This study focuses on highlighting the need for proper training for dance educators faced with teaching classes that include students with exceptional needs. Few dance classes will openly welcome or properly accommodate exceptional learners, which means that these learners are presented with minimal opportunities to participate in this extracurricular activity that promotes self-expression and socialization with their peers. Wanting to create more opportunities for exceptional learners to participate in dance, the researcher sought to find a solution that could be applied to multiple programs or organizations. The researcher realized that teaching exceptional learners can be viewed as daunting or uncomfortable …

Factors Shaping The Choreographic Process Of Studio Dance Teachers, Anna Duvall

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study is to determine what factors inform or shape the choreographic process of studio dance teachers. The research evaluates the role that teacher factors, student factors, social media, and non-person elements have in influencing studio dance instructors’ creation of choreography. A total of 54 people participated in this study and completed an in-depth survey. These teachers currently teach at various dance studios in Salt Lake County and Utah County, which are the two highest-populated counties in the State of Utah, comprising a significant majority of Utah’s population. Of this group of teachers, a total of nine …

Facilitating Artistic Growth In Athletically Trained Contemporary Dancers: Using Brain-Compatible Dance Education And Flow State Psychology To Promote Autonomous Movement Choices In Contemporary Movement Practice, Paige Alexis St John

Master's Theses

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the ability of a curriculum based on Brain-Compatible Dance Education (BCDE) and Flow State Psychology to influence and inform the training of artistry within athletically and competitively trained contemporary dancers – specifically the collegiate dance athlete population. Through this study, participants worked to understand how to texturize and deepen their movement through guided improvisation exercises and contemporary movement practice. Lesson plans were developed within the framework of Gilbert’s BCDE, primarily following her inspiration from Bartenieff Fundamentals and Laban movement concepts. Based on conclusions drawn from journal reflections, survey results, and researcher …

Putting Dance In Triple Threat: Confidence And Knowledge Of Dancing In Middle School Actors, Miranda Taylor

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study is to alleviate feelings of inadequacy in middle school musical theater actors through gained dance knowledge and confidence. The researcher evaluated middle school actors throughout the rehearsal process of a musical. The goal was to answer these three essential questions: Q1 Does feeling confident on stage as an actor/singer correlate with being a confident dancer? Q2 How can dance and choreography be used to increase confidence? Q3 How does previous dance experience effect confidence during a musical? Pre and post questionnaires were given to students who were cast in the show. The data suggested that …

Making It Stick: Exploring Teaching Tools For Choreography Retention In High School Musicals, Katie Arjona

Master's Theses

Dancers often perform pieces that linger in their brains and bodies long after they are danced on stage. For some dancers, the use of unique pieces of music, unusual technical elements, or an emotional connection to the movement has imprinted choreography in the dancer’s body and mind. In preparation for musicals done at the high school level, dancers are often asked to learn choreography to multiple songs within a short span of time and often have little dance training. This creates a unique position for the high school choreographer who will not only have to teach the actors the steps …

Strength-Training Curriculum For Middle And High School Dancers In A Studio Setting, Monica Taplin

Master's Theses

The purpose of this research study was to explore the effects of a strength training curriculum on middle and high school competitive dancers in a studio setting. Two research questions guided the study. Q1 What effects does a strength training curriculum in a studio setting have on middle and high school competitive and performance-based dancers’ technique, balance and stability, and body awareness?

Q2 In what ways can the curriculum be specifically targeted to meet the needs of dancers with a rigorous schedule?

The instrumentation involved in this study included an entrance questionnaire, a pre- and post-curriculum evaluation rubric, and an …

A Comparison Of The Perceived Effects Of Injury On Collegiate Dancers And Athletes, Megan Chiles

Master's Theses

This research study focused on sustained injuries to collegiate dancers and athletes and the physical and mental effects that followed the sustained injuries. The researcher used an electronic survey to gather quantitative and qualitative data. Quantitative data included average weekly hours of practice and conditioning, if an injury was sustained during participation of their activity, where the injury was sustained, and if medical treatment was provided to them through their universities. Qualitative data included whether the injured participants ever felt pressured to continue participation after an injury was sustained. This research study demonstrated that both collegiate dancers and athletes sustain …

Rhythm And Meter As Text Expression: Jake Runestad's "Come To The Woods", Samantha Brewer

Master's Theses

Core to Western music education curriculum is the teaching and history of “word painting,” or text expression particularly as it pertains to the sixteenth-century madrigal. This approach to text expression is explored primarily through the lens of melodic and harmonic movement through a vocal line and the manner in which the line allows for better portrayal of the text or poem. The purpose of this thesis is to take a new approach to text expression in contemporary choral literature through the viewpoint of rhythm and meter. In this thesis, various analytical techniques from decades past and present are applied to …

The Creation And Application Of A Fundamental Hip-Hop Curriculum: What Are The Benefits And Drawbacks Of Codifying Classic Hip-Hop Technique?, Julie Wolfrum

Master's Theses

In this study, the researcher proposed using knowledge collected of hip-hop dance experts and pioneers to create a curriculum applicable for the youth. Using interviews with various experts and research on hip-hop pioneers, the researcher tested the proposed curriculum on third, fourth, and fifth grade participants in a Colorado private school. The curriculum was tested over a span of five weeks with seventy-four participants. Within the study, the participants were given historical knowledge, various vocabulary, creative prompts, and were introduced to different hip-hop musical artists. The participants were required to participate in cyphers, Battles, various hip-hop dance exercises, and create …

Integrating Braindance Inspired Movement Into The Classroom: Elementary Teachers Respond To The Outcomes Of Student Involvement, Callie Taylor

Master's Theses

The purpose of this study was to reveal the benefits of BrainDance and to guide teachers on appropriate and tangible methods to intentionally integrate movement into their non-movement lessons to aid in student engagement. The researcher analyzed responses from surveys from ten participants regarding their comfort level in using movement as part of a lesson and the benefits they see in using movement. Next, the researcher taught the participants about BrainDance and how to integrate it into the subjects they taught. After being given time to implement BrainDance into their rooms, the researcher surveyed the participants again and analyzed the …

Understanding The Physical Oceanography Of The Mississippi Sound: Observational Climatologies, Trends And Relationships In The Sound And Comparison Of The Surface Currents Of Ocean Models With High Frequency Radar Data, Tasnim Islam

Master's Theses

The Mississippi Sound is a shallow lagoon-type water estuarine system that is a major part of Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOM) separated from the shelf waters by a series of barrier islands. It is mostly characterized by its strong weather fronts, storms and hurricanes that affect the hydro-morpho-dynamics of the region. This includes strong impact on the current circulation, flow pattern, sedimentation etc. Understanding the physical oceanography of the Sound through observing the climatologies of the ocean parameters, discovering the trends and relationships and knowing the circulation pattern is extensively important since the Sound is an indisputable ecological resource to …

Evaluating Habitat Use By Nekton In Widgeon Grass (Ruppia Maritima), Shoal Grass (Halodule Wrightii), And Unvegetated Bottom Habitats In The Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Jessica Woodall

Master's Theses

Seagrass beds support high biodiversity and animal abundance, serve as feeding grounds for a variety of animals, offer shelter from predation, and act as a nursery habitat for juveniles. The species composition of seagrass beds can impact their use as habitat by animals. Two common species of seagrass in the Gulf of Mexico are Ruppia maritima (widgeon grass) and Halodule wrightii (shoal grass). The shallow coastal waters of the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) support both species, but the use of each seagrass as habitat by nekton is poorly understood, which can limit management decision-making. Nekton communities were …

Estimation Of Angular Response Curves Using A Phase Differencing Bathymetric Sonar, Kandice Gunning

Master's Theses

Although Multibeam Echosounders (MBES) backscatter products like Angular Response Curves (ARC) and mosaics have been used and applied to different sediment types as classification tools, little is known about the extraction and interpretation of ARCs using Phase Differencing Bathymetric Sonar Systems (PDBS). This thesis aims to use an across-track approach to develop a method for extracting ARCs from georeferenced bathymetric data using PDBS.

Three different data collection surveys were conducted using a PDBS operating at 540kHz. Using only the bathymetric data, initial ARCs from 3 different intensity classes (high, medium, and low) were successfully extracted, the results of which attempted …

The Classroom Password Group Contingency With Randomized Reinforcers, Emily Maxime

Master's Theses

From the principles of reinforcement and punishment established by operant conditioning, there have been a variety of different behavior modification methods explored. Group contingencies are one of these behavior modification procedures that can be applied at a class-wide level by teachers who are seeking to improve student behavior as a group or individually. The three types of group contingencies are independent, interdependent, and dependent group contingency. Additional components, such as randomization within a group contingency, have been seen to further the effectiveness of behavioral strategies. A novel independent group contingency that has recently been investigated and demonstrated some promise as …

Using Behavior Bingo To Increase Academically Engaged Behavior In A General Education Elementary School Population, Faith Elizabeth Hamilton

Master's Theses

Spending instructional and work time addressing disruptive behaviors in the classroom is a common complaint of many teachers. The literature suggests that group contingencies are beneficial for improving behavior on a classwide and individual level. The current study investigated Behavior BINGO, a group contingency intervention whose research is in its infancy, and its effectiveness on increasing academically engaged behaviors and decreasing disruptive behaviors on a classwide basis. This study utilized a nonconcurrent multiple baseline design in three 2^nd grade, general education classrooms in a public school.

An Analysis On Wildfire Mitigations Employed By Utilities In California, Evan Luu

Master's Theses

As climate change continues to worsen, environmental effects are felt by many people around the world. In California, some of its most damaging wildfires have been found to be started by utilities. As the state continues to suffer from worsening wildfire conditions, the utilities need to implement a variety of wildfire mitigations to help reduce the risk of wildfires that can affect the state and its residents. This paper analyzes the effectiveness of four mitigations employed across three California utilities and suggests potential ways for the mitigations to be used together. The technologies evaluated are covered conductor, rapid earth fault …

Complex Dimensions Of 100 Different Sierpinski Carpet Modifications, Gregory Parker Leathrum

Master's Theses

We used Dr. M. L. Lapidus's Fractal Zeta Functions to analyze the complex fractal dimensions of 100 different modifications of the Sierpinski Carpet fractal construction. We will showcase the theorems that made calculations easier, as well as Desmos tools that helped in classifying the different fractals and computing their complex dimensions. We will also showcase all 100 of the Sierpinski Carpet modifications and their complex dimensions.

The Tidal Prism, Viable Eelgrass Habitat, And The Effects Of Sea Level Rise In Morro Bay, Kaden A. Caliendo

Master's Theses

The tidal prism, or the volume of water exchanged from the sea to an estuary from mean low to mean high tide, influences system hydrodynamics and ecological functioning. Since 1884, the tidal prism in Morro Bay, California has been estimated to be decreasing over time due to sedimentation from upstream practices. What is the current tidal prism in Morro Bay and how will that change with sea level rise? How will eelgrass respond to rising sea levels?

For this study, inexpensive tidal gauges were deployed at four locations in Morro Bay from March to August 2023 to measure spatially varying …

Parametric Optimization Of A Wing-Fuselage System Using A Vorticity-Based Panel Solver, Chino Cruz

Master's Theses

Aerodynamic topology optimization is a useful tool in the aerodynamic design pro-
cess, especially when looking for marginal gains within a design. One example is
a turboprop racer concept aircraft that is designed with the goal of breaking world
speed records. An optimization framework was developed with the intention of later
being applied to this design. In the early design stages, the optimization framework
must focus on quicker methods of drag estimation, such as a panel codes. The large
number of design variables in topology optimization can exponentially increase func-
tion evaluations and thus computational cost. A vorticity-based panel solver …

Diet Induced Metabolic Alterations In The Brain Tissues Of Juvenile Pigs With Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Rhesa Lacanienta

Master's Theses

The objective of this study was to investigate the diet-induced metabolic changes that affect the brain tissue of juvenile pigs with NAFLD. This study explored the liver- brain axis and metabolic markers in the frontal cortex (FC) affected by liver damage. 18 male (M) and 20 female (F) Iberian pigs were randomly allocated to 1 of 3 high-fructose high-fat liquid diets (lard, olive oil, and coconut oil) and fed for 10 consecutive weeks. “Healthy” Iberian pigs were fed a eucaloric diet to establish a physiological baseline. Protein precipitation extraction using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem quadrupole mass spectrometry was performed for primary …

The Construction Of Khovanov Homology, Shiaohan Liu

Master's Theses

Knot theory is a rich topic in topology that studies the how circles can be embedded in Euclidean 3-space. One of the main questions in knot theory is how to distinguish between different types of knots efficiently. One way to approach this problem is to study knot invariants, which are properties of knots that do not change under a standard set of deformations. We give a brief overview of basic knot theory, and examine a specific knot invariant known as Khovanov homology. Khovanov homology is a homological invariant that refines the Jones polynomial, another knot invariant that assigns a Laurent …

Novel Method Of The Quantification Of Turbulent Fluid Flow In Silicone Artery Phantoms Using Acoustic Analysis, Julia Wong

Master's Theses

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally and is responsible for taking 17.9 million lives per year. Despite the use of clinical treatments and detection methods, there remains a large population of individuals that suffer from CVD whose symptoms are left undetected and untreated prior to a life-threatening cardiac event. This highlights a need for an early detection method that can prevent the manifestation and worsening of the disease as well as address limitations of current early detection methods. An area of interest for early detection of CVD is subclinical atherosclerosis, which is the long, early, asymptomatic stage …

Development Of An Angiogenic Tissue-On-A-Chip Microenvironment, Eric Stuehr

Master's Theses

Preclinical testing is necessary to investigate the safety and efficacy of novel therapeutics before moving to clinical trials, yet approximately 90% of these therapies fail once tested in humans. This has led to increased interest in developing robust preclinical models that accurately mimic the complex human in vivo physiology. Microfluidic devices that can introduce dynamic conditions to 3D cell/organoid cultures, also known as tissue-on-a-chip, have emerged as physiologically relevant in vitro preclinical models that can achieve high throughput screening of therapeutics. The research presented here aimed to develop an angiogenic environment within a novel microfluidic device to stimulate formation of …

Smartphone Based Object Detection For Shark Spotting, Darrick W. Oliver

Master's Theses

Given concern over shark attacks in coastal regions, the recent use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, has increased to ensure the safety of beachgoers. However, much of city officials' process remains manual, with drone operation and review of footage still playing a significant role. In pursuit of a more automated solution, researchers have turned to the usage of neural networks to perform detection of sharks and other marine life. For on-device solutions, this has historically required assembling individual hardware components to form an embedded system to utilize the machine learning model. This means that the camera, neural processing …

Design And Scale Model Of Wave Generator For The Testing Of Wave Energy Conversion Devices, Amanda Olla

Master's Theses

As the climate crisis draws more concern, research and development in wave energy as a renewable energy source has increased. Devices such as wave energy converters (WECs) are being researched, tested, and implemented to make wave energy a competitive power source. Testing of these devices is limited due to environmental concerns such as weather, location, and other issues. WECs require testing in a marine environment, however, performing testing in the actual environment may be difficult due to weather, access, mounting, and other issues. To eliminate environmental unknowns from testing, a wave simulator device can mimic wave behavior without the need …

"It's Good To Doubt Saints, Vladim.": Medieval Constructions Of Sainthood, Their Histories, And Their Cults In Leigh Bardugo's Shadow And Bone, Kacie Barrett

Master's Theses

The Grishaverse is the fictional world created by author Leigh Bardugo that encompasses three separate series and ten different books. First published in 2012, the Shadow and Bone trilogy introduces readers to the world of Ravka, its Grisha, and its saints. The story follows Alina as she moves from orphan and soldier to saint and martyr. Sankta Alina becomes a character of its own – a version of Alina communicated to the people of Ravka as a banner to rally behind. She is made into living saint. The questions raised by Leigh Bardugo are echoed in church history. Sainthood is …

“But You Don't Look Sick…:” Shedding Light On The Socially Constructed Problems Of Invisible Chronic Illness And The Benefits Of Shifting To A Dynamic Illness Framework, Samantha Susan Ropski

Master's Theses

Invisible chronic illness is a common, complex phenomenon that applies to any illness, disease, or collection of symptoms that is not always or ever outwardly apparent or discernable to onlookers, even in biomedical contexts. Interestingly, despite 96% of those with chronic illness fitting under the “invisible” umbrella, patients are frequently misdiagnosed, invalidated, dismissed and marginalized because they do not “look sick” enough within the context of the disease-focused medical model. This thesis aims to argue that many of the most significant and damaging problems associated with chronic illness are not due to the actual illnesses themselves but rather, are socially …