Digital Commons Network^™

Counting Threshold Graphs And Finding Inertia Sets, Christopher Abraham Guzman

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is separated into two parts: threshold graphs and inertia sets. First we present an algorithmic approach to finding the minimum rank of threshold graphs and then progress to counting the number of threshold graphs with a specific minimum rank. Second, we find an algorithmic and more automated way of determining the inertia set of graphs with seven or fewer vertices using theorems and lemmata found in previous papers. Inertia sets are a relaxation of the inverse eigenvalue problem. Instead of determining all the possible eigenvalues that can be obtained by matrices with a specific zero/nonzero pattern we restrict …

Brief Monocular Deprivation As An Assay Of Short-Term Visual Sensory Plasticity In Schizophrenia - "The Binocular Effect", John J. Foxe, Sheralyn Yeap, Victoria M. Leavitt

Publications and Research

Background: Visual sensory processing deficits are consistently observed in schizophrenia, with clear amplitude reduction of the visual evoked potential (VEP) during the initial 50-150 of processing. Similar deficits are seen in unaffected first-degree relatives and drug-naïve first-episode patients, pointing to these deficits as potential endophenotypic markers. Schizophrenia is also associated with deficits in neural plasticity, implicating dysfunction of both glutamatergic and GABAergic systems. Here, we sought to understand the intersection of these two domains, asking whether short-term plasticity during early visual processing is specifically affected in schizophrenia.

Methods: Brief periods of monocular deprivation (MD) induce relatively rapid changes …

Teaching A Novel Using The Common Core State Standards, Danielle Holley

Education

The purpose of this project was to explore ways that teachers can use the newly adopted Common Core State Standards to drive their instruction while teaching a novel. I created lessons for teachers to apply to the teaching of any novel and also gave specific lessons to use while teaching the novel The Adventures of Ulysses, by Bernard Evslin. I created lessons that addressed the Common Core's English Language Arts standards in reading literature, reading informational texts, writing, speaking and listening. My goal for this project was to explore how teachers could incorporate the use of informational texts, multimedia tools, …

Primary Care And Youth Mental Health In Ireland: Qualitative Study In Deprived Urban Areas, Dorothy Leahy, Elisabeth Schaffalitzky, Claire Armstrong, Gerard Bury, Paula Cussen-Murphy, Rachel Davis, Barbara Dooley, Blanaid Gavin, Rory Keane, Eamon Keenan, Linda Latham, David Meagher, Pat Mcgorry, Fiona Mcnicholas, Ray O'Connor, Ellen O'Dea, Veronica O'Keane, Tom P. O'Toole, Edel Reilly, Patrick Ryan, Lena Sanci, Bobby P. Smyth, Walter Cullen

Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Mental disorders account for six of the 20 leading causes of disability worldwide with a very high prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in youth aged 15-24 years. However, healthcare professionals are faced with many challenges in the identification and treatment of mental and substance use disorders in young people (e.g. young people's unwillingness to seek help from healthcare professionals, lack of training, limited resources etc.) The challenge of youth mental health for primary care is especially evident in urban deprived areas, where rates of and risk factors for mental health problems are especially common. There is an emerging consensus that …

Bride-Stealing: A Myth Of Misogyny, Seetha Murugesan

Indigenous Studies

Bride-stealing, an explicit symbolic misogynistic action in The Iliad and The Kamba Ramayanam, is analyzed as a long-term patterned conduct of human behavior among the peoples who produced these works. The systematic pattern of bride stealing found in the epics discussed suggests that within these groups social constructs had always been in favor of female inferiority and subjugation. This places an emphasis on gender as an issue, manifested in the treatment of women by men as "others." The narrations of marginalization of women in the epics lead to a critique of the hypothesis that they are misogynistic. Here a framework …

Use Of Family History To Improve Colorectal Cancer Screening Outreach Among Alaska Native People, Diana Redwood

Psychology

Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality among Alaska Native people are the highest of any ethnic or racial group in the United States. First-degree relatives (FDRs), which include parents, siblings, and children of CRC patients, are at increased risk. There is a paucity of data on predictors of screening adherence among Alaska Native FDRs, and the extent to which screening outreach is occurring within the Alaska Tribal Health System (ATHS) for FDRs. There is also a lack of data available on barriers and facilitators to increasing screening outreach efforts in this population. This study assessed the prevalence of CRC screening …

Ms 179 Guide To Irvin A. Kraft Papers (1939-2010), Irvin A. Kraft (1921-2010)

Manuscript Finding Aids

Printed paper is the predominant format in the collection though there are numerous black and white and color photographic prints, some objects and other ephemera and an 8mm sound film. A large portion of the collection is comprised of various scrapbooks. See more at MS 179.

Chancellor's Report 2013-12, John Pugh

Chancellor's Report

No abstract provided.

Soundings 2013-12-17, N/A N/A

Soundings

No abstract provided.

The Relationships Between Licensed Vocational Nurses' Care, Documentation, And Perceptions Of Dementia-Compromised Behaviors In The Nursing Home, Jennifer J. Yeager

Nursing Theses and Dissertations

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia increase as Alzheimer's disease and related dementias progress; these symptoms occur in as many as 80% of persons with dementia living in nursing homes. Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, also known as dementia-compromised behaviors, are a source of stress for nursing home staff, family members, and other residents and adversely affect the quality of life and safety of residents. Ethnonursing, a qualitative research method, was used to examine the relationship between licensed vocational nurses' responses to dementia-compromised behaviors, documentation, and perceptions of dementia care. Data analysis resulted in three overarching themes related to …

Tattoo Stigma And Job Discrimination, Phil Drazewski

Theses and Dissertations

Recent research (Madera & Hebl, 2011) has found that visible stigmas can lead to discrimination against stigmatized individuals in the form of lower job applicant ratings. Tattooed individuals may be one group that faces such discrimination. People with tattoos are perceived less positively than non-tattooed people (Martin & Dula, 2010; Resenhoeft, Villa, & Wiseman, 2008), which may be the result of a tattoo stigma. Pryor & Reeder (2011) suggested that one hallmark of stigmas is that they evoke implicit negative attitudes. In a pilot study, participants implicitly and explicitly evaluated tattooed and non-tattooed individuals, and a tattoo stigma was supported. …

Interpolation Of Rainfall For The Albuquerque Area : A Comparison To The Primary Local Climatological Data Site, Christopher N. Wolff

Water Resources Professional Project Reports

The main objective of this project was to assess the ability of the Primary Local Climatological Data Site (LCD) to estimate precipitation around the City of Albuquerque. In other words, this study determined how representative LCD precipitation data is as a point source station for characterizing precipitation within the Albuquerque metro area and nearby sites. Because the LCD is located in a permanent position near the Albuquerque International Airport, precipitation associated with rainfall localized away from the LCD, but within the Albuquerque metro area, is not accounted for in the LCD precipitation data record. This study quantified regional variability in …

Condition Assessment Of Decommissioned Bridge Decks Treated With Waterproofing Membranes And Asphalt Overlays, Eric Scott Sumsion

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research was to assess the condition of four decommissioned bridge decks treated with waterproofing membranes and asphalt overlays following the completion of their service lives. Large samples were cut from each of the bridge decks immediately prior to demolition and taken to the Brigham Young University Highway Materials Laboratory, where extensive sampling and testing was performed. Methods used to evaluate the condition of the bridge deck samples included visual inspection, hammer sounding, Schmidt rebound hammer testing, resistivity testing, half-cell potential testing, linear polarization testing, cover depth measurement, and chloride concentration measurement. The samples were removed from …

Frost Susceptibility Of Base Materials Treated With Asphalt Emulsion, Noelle Anderson

Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research was to investigate emulsion-treated base (ETB) frost susceptibility in terms of both freeze-thaw cycling and frost heave. The research performed in this study involved laboratory testing of ETB materials sampled from both the Redwood Road and 7800 South reconstruction projects in northern Utah. The effects of freeze-thaw cycling were evaluated by comparing the stiffness and strength of tested specimens to the same properties of control specimens not subjected to freeze-thaw cycling. Frost heave testing enabled evaluation of the effects of emulsion content and degree of curing on the volumetric stability of ETB materials during sustained …

Peeking Through A Frosty Window: Molecular Insights Into The Communities Of Arctic Soil Fungi, Ina Timling

Biological Sciences

Fungi are thought to be one of the most diverse groups of organisms in the Arctic. They drive mineral and energy cycles and influence the occurrence of other organisms as mutualists (mycorrhizae, endophytes, lichens), decomposers and pathogens. Nevertheless, information on fungal biodiversity and distribution patterns in relation to environments across the Arctic is still sparse. Molecular methods were used to examine the diversity and community structures of ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) associated with two principal arctic host plants, Salix aretica and Dryas integrifolia, as well as total soil fungal communities of adjacent disturbed and undisturbed areas of patterned-ground features across the …

Developing Guidelines For Including Mobility-Based Performance Specifications In Highway Construction Contracts, Shawn J. Larson

Theses and Dissertations

Construction zones can greatly affect the traffic flow on roadways, especially when lane closures are required. Traditionally, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has used traffic management specifications that only allow lane closures and road work to be done during predetermined hours or specifications that require a certain number of lanes to be open at all times. Recently, mobility-based work-zone traffic flow maintenance has been considered. This method requires continuous monitoring of mobility-based performance data and a mechanism to send alerts to the contractors when the mobility data does not meet the standards set by the specifications. UDOT recently tested …

A Kinetic Study Of Aqueous Calcium Carbonate, Derek Daniel Harris

Theses and Dissertations

Amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) precipitation is modeled using particle nucleation, growth, and aggregation. The particles are tracked in terms of their radial size and particle density using direct quadrature method of moments (DQMOM). Four separate nucleation models are implemented and are compared to experimental data. In discord with a recent study, it is shown that classical nucleation, coupled with equilibrium chemistry, is in good agreement with experimental data. Novel nucleation mechanisms are presented which fit the experimental data with slightly greater accuracy. Using equilibrium chemistry it is shown that the equilibrium value of ACC is pKeq = 7.74 at 24C, …

Ataam Taikina: Traditional Knowledge And Conservation Ethics In The Yukon River Delta, Alaska, Chad M. Cook

Arctic and Northern Studies

This research was conducted in collaboration with rural Yup'ik residents of the Yukon River delta region of Alaska. The thesis explores traditional knowledge and conservation ethics among rural Yup'ik residents who continue to maintain active subsistence lifestyles. From the end of July through August of 2012, ethnographic field research was conducted primarily through participant observation and semi-structured interviews, documenting Yup'ik subsistence hunting and fishing practices. Research participants invited me beluga whale hunting, seal hunting, moose hunting, commercial and subsistence fishing, gathering berries, and a variety of other activities that highlights local Yup'ik environmental knowledge, practices, and ethics. Through firsthand examples …

Improving The Renovation, Repair And Painting Training Course To Eliminate Childhood Lead Poisonings: Wisconsin Observations, Anke M. Hildebrandt

Arctic and Northern Studies

In 2011, I worked briefly with the Asbestos and Lead Program for the State of Wisconsin. It was my job to conduct audits of our training providers as well as on-site inspections of work sites. During my time there I discovered a real disconnect between what I saw in the field and what is taught in class. Wisconsin has its own lead rules that are more stringent than the EPA's. After taking a critical look at the EPA's Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (RRP) curriculum, I saw where the problems lay. The required hands-on training does not present the skills …

Re-Storing The Earth: A Phenomenological Study Of Living Sustainably, Jessica B. Buckley

Faculty and Staff Scholarship

Living sustainably evokes ideas of lived, bodily engagement with and perception of the earth. Yet, modern ways of thinking and speaking have slowly alienated the earth from consciousness. Using phenomenological methods, the author examines the experience of living sustainably, exploring her own background and the idea of restoring the earth to consciousness, before examining the lives of two students dedicated to living sustainably. Components of upholding the earth, in-volving humanity, perceiving differences in studying and embodying sustainability, and engaging in choices fill the experience of living sustainably.

The Dynamics Of Creating Strong Democracy In Portland, Oregon : 1974 To 2013, Paul Roland Leistner

Dissertations and Theses

Communities across the United States are experiencing a "civic revival" that is reconnecting community members with local decision-making and civic life in their communities. Since the 1980s, academic researchers and local governance reformers have advocated for a shift away from the traditional top-down, expert-driven approach to governance and toward a governance model in which government leaders and staff and community members work as partners to shape the community and make local decisions. Portland, Oregon, since the 1970s, has been known nationally and internationally as a city with a tradition of strong community involvement. Portland's successes and failures offer a valuable …

Diversity Of Cultivable Bacteria Involved In The Formation Of Macroscopic Microbial Colonies (Cave Silver) On The Walls Of A Cave In Slovenia, Blagajana Herzog Velikonja, Rok Tkavc, Lejla Pašić

International Journal of Speleology

Karstic caves often support white, yellow, grey or pink microbial colonies that are termed ‘cave silver’ by speleologists. Using various sample pre-treatments and culture media, a wide variety of bacteria associated with these colonies were recovered from a cave in Slovenia, Pajsarjeva jama. Decreasing the inoculum size resulted in significant increases in viable counts, while pre-treatments had the opposite effect with the exception of microwave irradiation. While all growth media yielded viable counts, the maximal counts were observed on a low-nutrient TWA medium.

Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence of OTU representatives, the majority of the 80 isolates examined …

Honorable Mentions: A Publication Of Psu Honors College, Honors College

Honorable Mentions

No abstract provided.

Bobby Vasquez And Rudy Oliva, Csusb

South Colton Oral History Project Collection

No abstract provided.

Dog Behavior Co-Varies With Height, Bodyweight And Skull Shape, Paul D. Mcgreevy, Dana Georgevsky, Johanna Carrasco, Michael Valenzuela, Deborah L. Duffy, James A. Serpell

Eidonomy Collection

Dogs offer unique opportunities to study correlations between morphology and behavior because skull shapes and body shape are so diverse among breeds. Several studies have shown relationships between canine cephalic index (CI: the ratio of skull width to skull length) and neural architecture. Data on the CI of adult, show-quality dogs (six males and six females) were sourced in Australia along with existing data on the breeds’ height, bodyweight and related to data on 36 behavioral traits of companion dogs (n = 8,301) of various common breeds (n = 49) collected internationally using the Canine Behavioral Assessment and Research Questionnaire …

Faith And Doubt As Partners In Mormon History, Gregory A. Prince

Arrington Annual Lecture

No abstract provided.

An Innovative Collective Parent Engagement Model For Families And Neighborhoods In Arrival Cities, Tania Alameda-Lawson, Michael A. Lawson, Hal A. Lawson

Journal of Family Strengths

Arrival Cities are special urban places. Amid the largest migration in human history, they provide homes for large numbers of mobile, low-income, immigrant families. These families need new human service and child welfare service models. Collective parent engagement (CPE) is one such model. CPE is designed to build on the strengths and meet the needs of immigrant families living in Arrival City neighborhoods. In contrast to interventions focused on individual parents, this CPE model mobilizes groups of parents; and with a dual agenda. CPE develops much-needed “anchoring supports” for mobile, vulnerable families, at the same time that it positions local …

Family Roots: Sustenance For Samoan And Tongan American Elders, Halaevalu F.O. Vakalahi, Emily S. Ihara, Moana P. Hafoka

Journal of Family Strengths

This article discusses the centrality of the family in supporting cultural responsibilities and in the well-being of Samoan and Tongan-American elders. Informed by the Ho’okele model, this grounded theory study was conducted in the State of Hawaii, the port of entry for most Pacific Islander-Americans migrating to the U.S. and the state in which a majority of Samoans and Tongans reside. Qualitative data was collected from 10 Samoan and 10 Tongan elders, and analysis was conducted by immersion in the data and reading for natural emergence of themes, patterns and categories. Cultural foundation of family relationships, expectations of the keepers …

Using State Wide Child And Family Services Review Data To Analyze Policies To Improve Educational Outcomes Of Children In Foster Care, Corie G. Hebert

Journal of Family Strengths

The poor educational outcomes of foster children is recognized as a national problem. The literature is reviewed to define and illustrate the magnitude of the problem. Steps have been taken to improve the problem with passage of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008; it requires states to ensure the educational stability of foster youth. A description of utilizing state level Child and Family Service Review data to analyze a state’s ability to comply with the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 is provided.

Commentary On "Family Roots: Sustenance For Samoan And Tongan American Elders", Meripa T. Godinet

Journal of Family Strengths

The article discusses the relevance of family as the foundation of well being for Samoan and Tongan elders. Negotiating dual identities (Samoan American or Tongan American) can be challenging, particularly when contexts of each identity are at odds with one another. This study indicated relevant findings that underscored the role and responsibility of Samoan and Tongan elders in transmitting cultural ways of knowing and doing to current and future generations. The role of families then becomes all the more important as they are key to supporting the health and wellbeing of their elders.