Digital Commons Network^™

Toward Real-Time Flip Fluid Simulation Through Machine Learning Approximations, Javid Kennon Pack

Theses and Dissertations

Fluids in computer generated imagery can add an impressive amount of realism to a scene, but are particularly time-consuming to simulate. In an attempt to run fluid simulations in real-time, recent efforts have attempted to simulate fluids by using machine learning techniques to approximate the movement of fluids. We explore utilizing machine learning to simulate fluids while also integrating the Fluid-Implicit-Particle (FLIP) simulation method into machine learning fluid simulation approaches.

The Development Of A Reliable Change Index And Cutoff For The Score-15, Cara Ann Nebeker Adams

Theses and Dissertations

The Systemic Clinical Outcome and Routine Evaluation version 15 (SCORE-15) is an assessment used to assess for clinical change in family functioning. The SCORE-15 has been demonstrated in the past to be a reliable and valid measure for assessing for clinical change and is largely used throughout the UK. However, the SCORE-15 lacks the ability to determine whether an individual's change in family functioning is clinically significant. This study aims to establish a reliable change index and clinical cutoff score based on a US sample so that researchers and clinicians can determine clinically significant change. A sample of 63 clinical …

Innate Immune Cell Phenotypes Are Dictated By Distinct Epigenetic Reprogramming, Kevin Douglas Adams

Theses and Dissertations

The innate immune system is the first line of host defense against external exposures. During these initial encounters, antigen presenting cells - specifically monocytes and macrophages - modulate further inflammatory responses. Macrophages exist along a spectrum of phenotypic programs; on the inflammatory M1 end they enhance immune activity while on the anti-inflammatory M2 end they suppress further immune activation. Furthermore, within M2 macrophages there exist many subpopulations, namely M2a and M2d, each with specific roles during infection or exposure. We sought to compare the epigenetic profiles of these subpopulations of macrophages to determine key regulatory gene networks and factors that …

Pore Pressure Generation And Shear Modulus Degradation During Laminar Shear Box Testing With Prefabricated Vertical Drains, Landon Scott Kinney

Theses and Dissertations

Liquefaction is a costly phenomenon where soil shear modulus degrades as the generation of excess pore pressures begins. One of the methods to mitigate liquefaction, is the use of prefabricated vertical drains. Prefabricated vertical drains provide a drainage path to effectively mitigate the generation of pore pressures and aid in shear modulus recovery. The aims of this study were to define shear modulus degradation vs. shear strain as a function of excess pore pressure ratio; define the effects of prefabricated vertical drains on the behavior of pore pressure generation vs. shear strain; and to define volumetric strain as a function …

Bobcat Abundance And Habitat Selection On The Utah Test And Training Range, Kyle David Muncey

Theses and Dissertations

Remote cameras have become a popular tool for monitoring wildlife. We used remote cameras to estimate bobcat (Lynx rufus) population abundance on the Utah Test and Training Range during two sample periods between 2015 and 2017. We used two statistical methods, closed capture mark-recapture (CMR) and mark-resight Poisson log-normal (PNE), to estimate bobcat abundance within the study area. We used the maximum mean distance moved method (MMDM) to calculate the effective sample area for estimating density. Additionally, we captured bobcats and estimated home range using minimum convex polygon (MCP) and kernel density estimation (KDE) methods. Bobcat abundance on the UTTR …

Property Localization For Grain Boundary Diffusivity Via Inverse Problem Theory, Christian Kurniawan

Theses and Dissertations

The structure and spatial arrangement of grain boundaries strongly affect the properties of polycrystalline materials such as corrosion, creep, weldability, superconductivity, and diffusivity. However, constructing predictive grain boundary structure-property models is taxing, both experimentally and computationally due to the high dimensionality of the grain boundary character space. The purpose of this work is to develop an effective method to infer grain boundary structure-property models from measurement of the effective properties of polycrystals by utilizing the inverse problem theory. This study presents an idealized case in which structure-property models for grain boundary diffusivity are inferred from a noisy simulation. The method …

Strength Investigation Of Damaged And Repaired Thin-Walled Composite Structures, Analise Barlow

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research was to quantify the strength of novel composite repair methods for thin-walled composite structures. Carbon/epoxy plates were manufactured and repairs were made at Gloyer-Taylor Laboratories. At BYU, specimens were damaged in a controlled and repeatable process. Three damage modes were implemented: impact, groove, and abrasive damage. Tensile strength tests were performed on control, damaged, and repaired specimens. Four 24 x 24 in (60 x 60 cm) carbon/epoxy plates were received. Each plate was made up of seven plies cured together with epoxy resin for a nominal total thickness of 0.04 in (1.02 mm). The thickness, …

Positive Youth Development At Camps For Youth With Chronic Illness: A Systematic Review Of The Literature, Mya Deboer Sendak, Clarissa Schilstra, Eitan Tye, Samuel Brotkin

Journal of Youth Development

his study aimed to systematically review all the literature on camps for youth with childhood onset chronic illness (COCI) utilizing the Positive Youth Development (PYD) framework to assess camp processes and psychosocial outcomes. This paper describes a unique dataset of 425 included studies published over the last 70 years and gives a broad overview of camp demographics, processes that align with PYD’s Big 3 (sustained adult-youth relationships, skill-building, and youth leadership) and measured outcomes that align with the PYD’s 5 Cs (Competence, Confidence, Character, Social Connectedness, and Compassion). Among the included studies, 36% included diabetes camps, 15% included camps accepting …

Book Review: The Negotiator's Desk Reference, Dorcas Quek Anderson

Research Collection Yong Pung How School Of Law

Negotiation theory and practice have evolved at a phenomenal pace since thepublication of Fisher and Ury’s seminal work Getting to Yes.1 The sheer breadth of topics inThe Negotiator’s Desk Reference2 (“NDR”) attests to how negotiation has advanced as a multidisciplinary field. Published in 2017 to replace its predecessor The Negotiator’s Fieldbook,3the NDR comprises 101 chapters written by very prominent academics and practitioners drawnfrom a wide range of professions, disciplines and cultures. According to its editors, more thanhalf of the contents are new, reflecting the new frontiers of the negotiation field.

Characterization Of Cancer Incidence In Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Single Center Study, 2008 – 2018, Jagadeesh Puvvula

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but the significance of lower Glomerular filtration rate on incidence and mortality from cancer is uncertain. There is evidence that cancer risk and cancer mortality may be increased in individuals with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis or after renal transplantation but whether less severe kidney disease is associated with cancer remains poorly understood.

Some studies indicate that these associations do appear to be organ specific. It has been reported that reduced renal function is associated with an increased risk of cancers of the kidney and …

Hearing Conservation In A Meat Processing Facility, Abolore Muinat Idris

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate personal noise exposures at a meat processing facility, and educate employees on the proper use of hearing protectors.

Materials and Methods: We collected full-shift personal dosimetry on thirty-six production floor employees, one quality control employee, and four maintenance employees. These were compared to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) criteria. We also collected point source noise measurement at eight workstations from precook. We administered a questionnaire to assess production floor employees’ hearing loss perception and non-occupational source of noise exposure. …

A Quality Improvement Initiative To Implement The Geriatric Depression Scale In A Geriatric Inpatient Psychiatric Unit, Candice Hall

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The World Health Organization (2017) estimated that over 300 million people worldwide have depression. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013), 7 million Americans over 65 years old experience depression annually. The United States Preventive Health Services Task Force recommends the use of a depression screening tool in the adult population. The purpose of this evidence-based quality improvement project was to improve screening for depression in an inpatient geriatric psychiatric unit. The primary objectives included educating nursing staff on depression screening and using the geriatric depression scale (GDS) to assess patient's level of depression at admission and …

Allergy Training Or Lack Thereof, Madelyn Freeman, Mary Kate Klenke

Human Nutrition and Hospitality Management Undergraduate Honors Theses

Food allergies affect many people in our society today, and the food service industry must keep up with the demand for allergen-free food from their customers. The objective of this research is to gain insight from the employee’s perspective of the importance of food allergies and what training method would help them learn best. Through this research we intend to learn how we can engage employees during training, increase training retention, and stress the importance to change their behaviors and utilize safe practices in regards to allergens. We compared both quick and full-service restaurants’ food-allergy training methods in this study …

Effective Measures Of Weight Gain Five Years Post-Kidney Transplantation, Tara Calico Cherry

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

BACKGROUND: Weight gain is commonly observed post-kidney transplantation and is associated with unfavorable health outcomes, such as graft loss, new onset diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to determine the most effective measure for assessing body composition after kidney transplantation.

DESIGN: The study was a descriptive correlational follow-up study from a single kidney transplant site.

SUBJECTS: A total of 45 eligible patients from a 2007-2011 parent study were selected, ages of 37 to 78.

MEASUREMENTS: Body composition was obtained 5–8 years posttransplant via anthropometric measures (waist circumference, body mass index, and dual energy X-ray …

A Phenomenological Study On Persistence To Program Completion Of Students Of A Second Language In Associate’S Degree In Nursing Programs In Central New York, Christina Granato

Education Doctoral

With an increasingly diverse U.S. general population and an increased need for nursing staff, the Institute of Medicine Future of Nursing (IOM, 2010) has called for a needed increase of racial/ethnic and gender diversity in the nursing workforce to reduce health disparities. The purpose of this study was to explore factors that influence academic success of nursing students who speak English as a second language (ESL) in Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) Programs. This qualitative, phenomenological study used semi-structured, face-to-face, individual interviews with a convenience sample of eight nursing students. Essential themes included cultural and language differences limiting learning and …

First-Generation Latinas’ Perspectives Of College Involvement: A Phenomenological Study, Melissa E. Aponte

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this study was to understand how first-generation Latinas define college involvement and how they feel this involvement contributed to their successful graduation from a community college. Because more Latinas are successfully completing college than their male counterparts (Latinos), this study sought to better understand the validating and student involvement factors that allow Latinas, who are also first-generation college students, to graduate from college. Community colleges are the primary entry into higher education for this student group; therefore, the study sought to explore college involvement at this type of institution. This study utilized a phenomenological approach to describe …

African American Women In New York State Who Overcame Barriers To Become Superintendents Of Schools, Augustina Biney Amissah West

Education Doctoral

African American women educators who possess the leadership characteristics to become superintendents of schools in New York State are not rising to top positions at the same rate as women of other racial and ethnic groups. There is limited research on the barriers and challenges experienced by African American women as well as the strategies that aided in their maintenance of the position. This phenomenological qualitative research study examined the perceptions of African American women who successfully obtained the position of superintendents of schools in New York State at suburban public schools, the barriers and challenges they overcame, and the …

Improving Transitions Of Care In Primary Care By Standardizing Discharge Summary And Medication Reconciliation Practices, Christine Virk

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Communication breakdown happens between transitions of care because healthcare disciplines function as silos. Medication and treatment plan changes are not always communicated to the next healthcare provider resulting in fractured care and preventable unnecessary cost. The purpose of this project was to create a standardized transition of care process from the acute care setting to the primary care setting in adult patients using evidence-based practice. The objectives of the project were the following: (1) to have a follow-up appointment within 14 days of discharge from an acute care setting, (2) to have a medication reconciliation performed and documented by the …

Implementing Evidence-Based Dietary Instruction Strategies In A Specialty Care Clinic, Jacobie Landers

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Cardiovascular disease is a significant health concern that increases risks for stroke, escalates the development of renal disease, and significantly increases morbidity and mortality risk. Dietary changes can significantly reduce complications in patients with heart and vascular disease. This project was designed to effectively implement and sustain provider and cardiovascular staff instructions on dietary modifications to improve hypertension control and lower cholesterol in patients with cardiac disease using staff support. The project facilitated provider evaluation of patients’ dietary habits to promote wellness in a patient population which was not receiving dietary education. Project interventions included establishing structured methods of providing …

Establishing A Coumadin Clinic In A Rural Family Medicine Practice, Kathleen E. Zeledon

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Background. Coumadin is the most commonly prescribed oral anticoagulant worldwide and is safe and effective in the prevention and treatment of stroke and venous thromboembolism (Stoudenmire, DeRemer, & Elewa, 2014). Coumadin is dangerous when poorly managed due to high risk for bleeding and mortality. It is best managed using evidenced-based models of care such as point-of-care (POC) International Normalized Ratio (INR) testing (Garcia et al., 2008; Harrison, Shaw, & Harrison, 2015; Rossiter, Soor, Telner, Aliarzadeh, & Lake, 2013). Purpose. Establish a Coumadin Clinic in a rural family medicine practice with POC INR testing to improve anticoagulant management. Methods …

Practicing Justice : Justice In A Millennial, Wesleyan-Holiness Context, M. Andrew Gale

ATS Dissertations

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Music In Worship Among Deaf Culture Christianity, Mallory Ruth Dunn

Masters Theses

Throughout the Word of God, we are called to worship our Creator through music. "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn--shout for joy before the Lord, the King" (Psalm 98: 4-6 [NIV]). It has been said that music is a universal language: but all cultures use it differently and therefore it is not a universal language but a universal phenomenon. What about the individual who cannot hear the music or …

Finding Identity Through Irish Music In The Appalachian Mountains, Marina Delores Rayl

Masters Theses

The Appalachian Mountains are filled with remnants of Scot-Irish heritage. The music found in this region includes bluegrass, Old-time, and country music, all created from the blending of Scottish and Irish traditional music with other ethnic sounds. Despite these music variations, traditional Irish music has remained consistent in its original form in the mountain region. This concept is supported by the popularity of two key events occurring in both the northern and southern sections of the Appalachians. Through fieldwork and personal interviews, the rationales of those who participated were discovered. The research brought to light three people sub-groups revealing the …

The Reduction Of Wave Overtopping By Means Of Rubble Mound Revetment (At The Dawlish Coastline), Steffan Henson

The Plymouth Student Scientist

To evaluate the performance of an additional rubble mound breakwater to the Dawlish Coastline sea wall defence, a number of 2-dimensional physical model tests were undertaken at the Plymouth University Coast Laboratory. The subsequent results of the tests are presented and analysed in this paper. The research found that the most significant influencing factors on overtopping were the significant wave height and the crest freeboard.

Multiple Coulomb Scattering In The Lariat Detector, Dalton Sessumes

Physics Theses - Archive

LArIAT is a liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) deployed in a dedicated charged particle test beam line at the Fermilab Test Beam Facility. LArIAT aims to measure an interaction process known as multiple coulomb scattering, which describes the process of a charged particle passing through a slab of material. As it passes, it will experience millions of scatters due to the Coulombic interactions with the nuclei of the material. This work presents a characterization of charged particle multiple coulomb scattering as a function of incoming momentum and particle type as it passes through the LArIAT detector. Employing data collected …

Early Career Special Education Teachers Perceived Value Of Being Mentored By General Education Teachers, Kyena E. Cornelius Ed.D., Karin N. Sandmel Ph.D.

The Journal of Special Education Apprenticeship

Special education induction research has examined mentor support and working conditions of early career special education teachers (ECSETs) for over 20 years. Recently researchers provide specialized professional development to mentors based on suggestions of special education induction research. Drawing on quality indicators of single-subject research and the belief that social validity data is valuable, we used qualitative methods to discover ECSETs’ perceptions of the intervention and the helpfulness of the mentors. We then compared responses of the participants with the existing research in special education induction. Findings indicate the participants appreciated the specialized training for their mentors and perceived their …

The Effect Of Digital Storytelling On Academic Performance, Interest And Motivation Of Police Cadets In A Law Enforcement Academy, Damon Ing

Theses and Dissertations

The Effect of Digital Storytelling on Academic Performance, Interest and Motivation of Police Cadets in a Law Enforcement Academy. Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), December 2018, 93pp., 6 tables, 83 references, 5 appendices. With increasing criticism concerning police interactions with the public and the use-of-force decisions, the importance of preservice law enforcement instruction is an ongoing concern for both police practitioners and the public. Law enforcement education can benefit from the integration of new instructional strategies that can increase comprehension and long-term knowledge retention transferable into the field. Digital storytelling has been proffered as an effective cross-cultural communication tool and has …

Bluegrass And Old-Time In Catalonia: An Ethnographic Case Study Of Aesthetic Communitas, Michael J. Luchtan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This is an ethnographic case study of a musical community in Catalonia centered around the performance of bluegrass and old-time music. By using Victor and Edith Turners’ ideas of normative communitas, this paper identifies an aesthetic communitas model which describes a community centered around a performative genre. Through participant observation in the 16th Annual Al Ras Bluegrass and Old Time Music Festival and interviews with local musicians, fans, venue owners, and luthiers, the ethnographic narrative details the characteristics of the aesthetic communitas in Catalonia and searches for associations of Appalachia that accompany the cross-cultural manifestation of bluegrass and old-time music …

The Impact Of Foreign Aid On Extreme Poverty: A Case Study Of Liberia’S Development Complexities (1980-2018), Roosevelt Seedee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Many countries in West Africa, including Liberia, remain trapped in extreme poverty and dysfunctional social services amid continued increase in foreign aid. This study examines complexities influencing decisions of government donors in determining the kind of development assistance needed in Liberia and nation states in West Africa. This research explains the ways in which aid perpetuates poverty instead of alleviating it using interdisciplinary research approaches. Although aid is critical to Liberia’s development agenda, aid implementation faces numerous challenges because of extant poverty and rampant corruption.

Part of the problem in Liberia is not solely the failure of aid to meet …

Perceptions Of Confidentiality And Stigma Associated With Use Of Counseling Services, Jesi Hall

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Counseling services are offered in most universities, but are often underutilized. Past researchers found that students listed time, cost, stigma, and confidentiality concerns as their top reasons for avoiding seeking help (e.g., Clement et al., 2015; Dearing, Maddux, and Tangney, 2005). The purpose of this study was to identify whether concerns about confidentiality affect stigma related to use of mental health services. Students answered questions about perceived stigma and the reasons they have avoided seeking counseling in the past. Those who had previously used services reported fewer confidentiality concerns. In a stepwise multiple regression, concerns about confidentiality were found to …