Digital Commons Network^™

Training The Concept Of Innovate In Dolphins (Tursiops Truncatus) Is Both Creative And Cognitively Stimulating, Deirdre Yeater, Kathleen M. Dudzinski, Dawn Melzer, Andrew R. Magee, Michaela Robinett, Gonzalo Guerra, Kimberly Salazar, Terri Bolton, Heather Manitzas Hill

Psychology Faculty Publications

Creative or novel behaviors in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) can be indicators of flexible thinking and problem solving. Over 50 years ago, two rough-tooth dolphins demonstrated creative novel behaviors acquired through reinforcement training in human care. Since this novel training, a variety of species have been trained to respond to this conceptual cue. The current study assessed the creativity of 12 bottlenose dolphins (5 females, 7 males) housed at the Roatan Institute for Marine Sciences (RIMS) in Roatan, Honduras. Individual differences were found across four constructs measured for creativity: fluency, flexibility, elaboration, and originality. Variability in performance occurred across test …

Contributing Factors And Interventions For Increased Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (Clabsi) Rates During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Literature Review, Brittney Perry

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The purpose of this literature review is to determine the contributing factors of CLABSI rate increases during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify interventions which restored CLABSI rates to pre-pandemic levels to guide healthcare professionals’ actions during the next pandemic. Background: In the first two decades of the 21^st century, CLABSI rates were reduced in United States hospitals by innovating safer patient care practices. However, there was a significant increase in the annual CLABSI rate in 2020 and 2021, increasing the average length of stay, mortality rate, and cost to the U.S. healthcare system. Methods: An extensive search of CINAHL …

Exploring Evidence-Based Intervention Methods In The Juvenile Justice System, Edgar J. Quinones-Gomez

Honors Undergraduate Theses

A large body of research has been devoted to understanding evidence-based interventions (EBI) and their effectiveness in the juvenile justice system. This systematic review examines three commonly used interventions used to reduce recidivism among adolescents involved in the juvenile justice system: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Functional Family Therapy (FFT), and Multisystemic Therapy (MST). The systematic review analyzes findings from prior studies evaluating the impact of CBT, FFT, and MST on recidivism among adjudicated youth. The sample includes 23 peer-reviewed studies that utilized samples of adjudicated youth in the United States and were published after 2010. Findings revealed CBT as the most …

Sars-Cov-2 Infection History Is Positively Correlated With Frequency Of Psychotic Symptoms In Schizophrenia, Jackson D. Beecher

Honors Undergraduate Theses

Previous work in human and animal studies has implicated aberrant insular cortex (IC) activity in the pathophysiology of hallucinations. Of note, the IC overlaps with the olfactory cortex (OC), a region of the brain that receives extensive projections from sensory neurons of the olfactory epithelium. SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious coronavirus with a demonstrated ability to cause anosmia; the virus does this by colocalizing with and damaging support cells in the olfactory epithelium, ultimately leading to alterations in olfactory receptor cell signaling to the OC. Given the overlap between OC and IC, we asked the question of whether COVID-19 …

Predicting Willingness To Attain Telehealth Medical Treatment From Personality Variables, Maxwell J. Belshe

Honors Undergraduate Theses

The continued integration of technology into healthcare has made telehealth a vital resource. Yet, factors influencing individuals' willingness to seek telehealth treatment remain relatively underexplored. In this study, I examined the relationship between social media use, personal growth, environmental mastery, and social anxiety, as well as their relationship to college students’ willingness to utilize telehealth services. A sample of 402 participants was surveyed and a multiple regression analysis was conducted to assess these variables' abilities to predict willingness to use telehealth services. The model explained 10.6% of the variance in willingness to use telehealth with social media use and personal …

Insights Into The Heart Microstructure: A Case Study, Sarah Bulger

Honors Undergraduate Theses

This thesis focuses on better understanding the structures of the heart at the micro-scale. Cardiomyocytes and the branching of cardiomyocytes are of specific interest. A literature review was performed to extract key information on cardiomyocyte size, the branching type and frequency of cardiomyocytes, and cardiomyocytes' organization in general. The purpose of conducting the literature review was to find quantifiable data on the micro-structure of the heart. Three studies in particular provided data on the branching of cardiomyocytes. Two of these studies were conducted on rat hearts, while one other study was conducted on human hearts. The methods and terminology between …

A Tale Of Two Sams: Effective Altruism’S Threat To The Security Of Emerging Technology, Mackenzie Young

SMU Science and Technology Law Review

Since the onset of scientific innovation, the character and charisma of the inventors and scientists behind emerging technologies have been a centerpiece of focus. However, in light of the driving forces behind innovation—especially the global need to “get ahead” of competitors—few are willing to inquire into the sincerity of held belief. From the ouster of Sam Altman as CEO of OpenAI to the criminal conviction of cryptocurrency mogul Sam Bankman-Fried, the philosophy of “effective altruism” has taken over the minds, hearts, and pocketbooks of Silicon Valley.

This Comment evaluates the origins of the Effective Altruism movement and argues that its …

The Problem Of Teaching The Science Of Climate Change: A Call For Critical Thinking In Teacher Education And Professional Development, Isidoro Talavera

All Faculty and Staff Scholarship

This article discusses how to teach the science of climate change as a call for introducing critical thinking in science teacher education programs and professional development. It can be argued that to get a science student to develop his/her critical thinking skills to think outside the box, teachers must work to overcome the student’s and their own dogmatic beliefs, hardened biases, and motivated and/or distorted reasoning. The article shows how teacher education programs and professional development providers should change their methods and strategies by providing a framework to overcome the key elements of the problem of teaching the science of …

Andragogy In The Age Of Ai: Transformative Pathways For Adult Education, Valerie A. Storey, Amiee Wagner

All Faculty and Staff Scholarship

This chapter explores the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on adult education, drawing on the foundational work of Malcolm Knowles, who emphasized the necessity for adaptive and self-directed learning practices. It examines the rapid technological advancements since Knowles' time, highlighting how modern AI technologies, particularly Generative AI, are reshaping the landscape of adult education. By aligning AI with andragogical principles, educators can enhance the learning experience while addressing potential challenges such as algorithmic bias and inequity. The chapter is structured into three sections: the first explores AI-based learning science and its congruence with Knowles' principles; the second assesses the …

Netchoice V. Fitch, Southern District Of Mississippi

Historical and Topical Legal Documents

No abstract provided.

On The Road With Richard Bushman, Grant Wacker

BYU Studies

Richard Bushman invited me to respond to his essay, given my long-standing interest in the Protestant encounter with world religions. With this very short essay of my own, I am pleased to offer a few words of appreciation and thoughts about further inquiries.

Solidifying Students' Right To Gender Expression, Scott Skinner-Thompson

Publications

No abstract provided.

Race, Disability, And Section 230, Blake Reid

Publications

No abstract provided.

Will The Real Shareholder Primacy Please Stand Up?, Ann Lipton

Publications

No abstract provided.

Every Billionaire Is A Policy Failure, Ann Lipton

Publications

No abstract provided.

From Carnival Games To Plastic Filters: Preparing Elementary Preservice Teachers To Teach Engineering, Jennifer Kidd, Pilar Pazos, Kristie Gutierrez, Danielle Rhemer, Stacie Ringleb, Krishna Kaipa, Isaac Kumi, Orlando Ayala, Francisco Cima

Teaching & Learning Faculty Publications

Preservice teachers (PSTs) in an educational foundations course were tasked with leading elementary students in an engineering design challenge. In order to explore different approaches for helping the PSTs develop competence in engineering education, two implementation methods were tested. In Spring 2022, PSTs collaborated with undergraduate engineering students to develop carnival-themed design challenge lessons. In Fall 2022, PSTs worked with their PST classmates to teach a professionally prepared engineering lesson focused on designing plastic filters. PSTs’ knowledge of engineering and engineering pedagogy were compared across the two semesters using an exploratory approach. Both groups showed increases in engineering knowledge and …

Counting Words: Harnessing Text Mining For Information Literacy Purposes, Abigail Mann

LOEX Conference Proceedings 2024

No abstract provided.

Envisioning Dynamic Cultural Platforms: Strategic Integration Of Contemporary Art In Japan's Socio-Economic Landscape, Shota Hachisako

MA Theses

In this tale of transformative potential, the dissertation opens with Japan's unique juxtaposition of a burgeoning technological landscape against a modestly-sized art market. It envisions contemporary art as a dynamic force, capable of revolutionizing Japan's socio-economic fabric. This narrative of hope delves into how art, in Japan's context, can redefine corporate identities, fuel social innovation, and adapt to the digital age. The study advocates for an increased investment in the creative arts, seeing it as a key to merging Japan's rich cultural heritage with its economic aspirations. It paints a future where art not only enhances educational growth and international …

The Impact Of Ai In Gaming Industry, Huang Xiaorong

MA Theses

With the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the application
of AI art in game development is becoming increasingly popular. AI art can not only help game developers speed up the creative process but also improve the visual quality and user experience of games. This paper provides an overview of the application of AI art in games, including character design, scene generation, animation production, and more. It also discusses the challenges and future directions of AI art. Through comprehensive analysis of existing research and practices, we find that AI art has tremendous potential in game development but still faces …

The Classic, Winter 2024, Public Relations

The Classic, 2020-present

Zwemer View: Honored and Humbled; Around the Green: New Tech-Based Programs; Bella Italia; Prize-worthy Planetarium; Giving to Northwestern College in 2023-24; Campus Life: Student Influencers; More Education; Presenter; Enrollment Growth Continues; Bultman Addition; Welcome to the Hall; Best Christian Workplace; Face Value: Dr. John Vonder Bruegge; Perfect Pass Rate; Award-winning Coder; Retiring Raiders Seven contribute 124 years to NWC: Cultural Connector, Friendraiser, Pastor Teacher, Nurse + Educator, Outreach Advocate, Camera Man, Patient Provider; Recruiting Raiders; Evaluator in Training; Published; On the Job; Up and Running; Resourceful Data Master; Masterful Teacher; Strong Professor; Soulful Excellence; Mastering Business; Three New Administrators Hired; …

2024 Merc Annual Report, David Naff, Jesse Senechal, Paula L. Ogston-Nobile

MERC Publications

This is the annual report of the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium (MERC) in the School of Education at Virginia Commonwealth University for the 2023-2024 academic year. It includes vignettes depicting MERC activities in the past year that align with each of its five principles: research, relevance, rigor, multiple perspectives, and impact. It concludes with a discussion of MERC's commitment moving forward.

Trends, Challenges, And Evidence-Based Strategies For School Dropout Prevention In Virginia, David B. Naff, Thea Racelis, Regina Frazier, Meleah Ellison, Christina Tillery, Andy Bristow, Audra P. Lancaster, Sabrina Evans, Leah Wiedenhoft, Dina Abdul Rahman, Sharrie Merritte, Karli Johansen, Sooyeon Moon, Jean Samuel, Tara Davison

MERC Publications

This MERC research and policy brief explores school dropout prevention by focusing on recent trends and research. It addresses the following questions:

1) What are recent trends in school dropout?
2) What factors contribute to school dropout?
3) What are the consequences and implications of school dropout?
4) What are evidence-based strategies for school dropout prevention?
5) What are federal, state, and division-level policies related to school dropout prevention in the MERC region?

It concludes with a series of key takeaways and recommendations.

Lessons We Can Learn From The Mountain Meadows Massacre, Richard E. Turley Jr.

BYU Studies

The Mountain Meadows Massacre of 1857 has been called the worst incident in Utah, Latter-day Saint, and northwest Arkansas history. I don’t remember the first time I heard about it, but I coauthored my first publication about the atrocity more than thirty years ago, an article on the subject published in a multivolume encyclopedia set issued by Macmillan Publishing Company of New York in 1992.

Ten Views On The Falling Away, John Gee

BYU Studies

Latter-day Saints have long known about the falling away or Apostasy of Christianity from the Church established by Jesus Christ. The two terms both come from 2 Thessalonians 2:3. Falling away is the expression used by the King James translators to render the Greek word apostasia, which came into English as a loan word: apostasy. The terms are thus synonyms for the same thing. The term apostasia was a later form of the classical term apostasis and a more intense form of the term stasis, all of which mean “dissension,” “revolt,” or “rebellion.” The Septuagint uses both the …

What Jesus Didn’T Do: The Discipled Pursuit Of Less, Greg Mckeown

BYU Studies

The soft, muted lighting reflected off wooden pews in a local church building, casting a glow on the faces of leaders gathered for a stake meeting. Among those on the stand was the young bishop of the Sixth-Seventh Ward in the Temple View Stake. Tall, with a commanding presence, he was known for his dedication, but tonight, he felt restless. He had promised to visit an older ward member in the hospital right after this stake meeting was over. As the meeting progressed, he felt a strong impression to leave the meeting and rush to the hospital. The feeling became …

Parental Influence On Adolescent Perfectionism, Jenet Erickson, Olivia Forsberg, Mckenna Schmidt

BYU Studies

I (primary author) will never forget a poignant moment in the mother’s lounge at church when our first child was about nine months old. Two other mothers with younger babies were in the lounge at the same time, and we talked as our babies nursed, then played. As I watched the two younger children crawl around, I became acutely aware that our daughter, who had not yet started to crawl, was clearly behind these other children. A panicky feeling overtook me as I wrestled with what it meant to me that these children appeared to be ahead of mine. I …

Sms : A Smartwatch Application Suite For Mobility Assessment, Suresh Avula

Theses

Regular assessment of mobility can detect changes in physical health over time and discover underlying health issues. Some of these changes in mobility may indicate an increased risk of falls, which can lead to serious injuries. Identifying mobility changes can help prevent these incidents. Wearable technology can facilitate mobility tests at home and alert caregivers or medical professionals to any irregularities and promote proactive healthcare. Adoption of smartwatches with various built-in sensors like accelerometer and gyroscope creates new opportunities for wearable health monitoring. We developed the Smartwatch Application Suite to evaluate functional mobility using standard mobility tests: Timed Up and …

The Effect Of Emotional Demeanor Of Adult Sexual Assault Victim Testimonies On Mock Jurors' Verdicts, Callie Ahearn

Theses

Experiencing a sexual assault and testifying in trial are both highly emotional events that can influence a witness to display strong negative emotions. The display of emotion is referred to as the emotional demeanor and the present study examined the impact of a victim’s emotional demeanor on jury decision-making. Results revealed a main effect of crying during the direct examination with more guilty verdicts and higher pro-victim ratings (believability, credibility, and trustworthiness). Female participants provided higher pro-victim judgments on believability than male participants. Verdict reasoning demonstrated that participants had an idea of what they expected a rape victim to look …

Isolation, Purification, Crystallization And Preliminary X-Ray Data Analysis Of The B Family Dna Polymerase From Thermococcus Thioreducens, Emika Miyamoto

Theses

Family B DNA polymerases are the core polymerizing enzymes that carry out the essential process of DNA replication in many Archaeal organisms. Archaea depend on the unique properties of their DNA polymerases to faithfully replicate DNA within extreme environments. Variation in the catalytic properties of DNA polymerases from different organisms can be elucidated through detailed structural analysis by means of macromolecular X-ray crystallography. Crystallization is the crucial and bottleneck step in the process of determining the protein’s three-dimensional structure by X-ray diffraction—essentially no crystal, no structure. This study optimizes the isolation and purification of recombinant DNA polymerase B from Thermococcus …

Spectropolarimetric Properties Of Vortex Retarders, Ella Elizabeth James

Theses

Vortex retarders are unique optical elements that create a uniform electric field phase retardance, but the traditional fast axis varies azimuthally over the area of the optic. This affects the radial and azimuthal polarization components of the incoming beam. The vortex retarders discussed here generate TEM10 and TEM20 Laguerre-Gaussian beams. While several varieties of these TEM10 and TEM20 vortex retarders exist, designed to function at specific wavelengths–and a few studies have reported their use at those wavelengths–almost no data exists detailing their polarimetric properties outside those wavelengths. Using a Mueller matrix spectropolarimeter with dual-rotating retarders, the polarization properties of four …