Digital Commons Network^™

Climate Prediction As An Adaptive Force-Multiplier: Reasons For Hope In A Rapidly Changing World, Matthew D. Laplante

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

It's not unreasonable to feel pessimistic about our future under climate change. But "believing the science" doesn't require you to accept that we are headed toward apocalypse. It is true that human-caused climate change is real, it is underway, and our societies face many increased risks because of it. But that's just part of what climate science tells us about our future world. This same field is responsible for the recent and rapid development of tools and techniques that permit the identification of patterns in our oceans and atmosphere that will aid us in making increasingly accurate predictions about climate—the …

Game Changing Education: Empowering High School Stem Teachers To Teach Engineering Using Games, Leslie Brown

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In response to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) released in 2013, there was a nationwide push for K-12 schools to include engineering concepts in science classrooms. However, there is an overall lack of teacher preparedness and training towards engineering topics as shown by common engineering misconceptions. To improve this issue, I initiated a qualitative study to describe the strategies and attitudes of high school science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teachers that have implemented game-based, engineering activities into their classroom. Game-based learning is an instructional framework that utilizes game-like elements in a classroom and was used in this study …

A Systematic Review: Learning Emotion Regulation With Virtual Reality, David Boyd Bobo

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This systematic review explored how immersive virtual reality (IVR) can help people manage emotions like stress and anxiety by analyzing existing studies. It highlighted therapies such as mindfulness, compassion therapy, and exposure therapy, showing how IVR can teach effective emotion-regulation skills. Researchers also identified innovative tools, like biofeedback, which uses physical signals such as heart rate to help people understand and control their emotional responses.

Interactive and gamified approaches, like Stressjam and Deep, demonstrated practical uses of IVR for mental health support. While the review confirmed IVR's potential in therapy, it also revealed gaps in research, particularly in applying …

On The Multi-Modal Psychological Experience Of Competence In Youth Sport, Liam O'Neil

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Over the past half century, beliefs about athleticism (i.e., sport competence) have been thought of as central to motivation for youth sport. In this time, however, these competence beliefs have been narrowly studied which has limited their value in explaining youth sport participation. To expand our understanding of competence beliefs and their motivational significance in youth sport, the three studies of this dissertation tested a longstanding but understudied idea that competence beliefs encompass both judgments of, and emotions about, competence. In Study One, existing research on judgments of competence in youth sport was reviewed. This study showed that many personal …

Caregiver Mand Training: Evaluating The Effects Of Using Bug-In-Ear Coaching Via Telehealth, Makenna P. Carnesecca

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Applied Behavior Analysis has been seen to be an effective way to help teach skills to children with autism. Caregivers' involvement in teaching these skills is beneficial for their child's progress. Using Bug-in-Ear coaching, which provides in-the-moment instructions and feedback to caregivers via Bluetooth headphones, has been demonstrated to be a potential way to train caregivers to teach skills to their children. This current study aimed to evaluate if the use of Bug-in-Ear coaching via telehealth was an effective way to teach caregivers to train their children how to ask for wanted foods using picture cards. The results of this …

Attachment, Emotional Experiencing, And Physiological Response During Couple Interaction, Kyla Iverson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In this master’s thesis, I conducted a study using data from 63 hetereosexual couples from a previous research study done by Dr. Ryan Seedall. These couples participated in a micro-intervention where each partner discussed personal issues for three to four minutes while the other received guidance on supportive responses, promoting open communication. Using this data, I conducted a coding project studying the relationship between attachment styles and emotional experiencing, specifically how attachment styles intersect with emotional experiences, moment-to-moment feelings, and physiological arousal. This coding project involved utilizing the Emotional Experiencing Scale (EXP) by Klein and colleagues (1986) to observe couple …

Exploring The Utilization Of Benefits And Participation Experiences Among Immigrants And Refugees In Wic Program: A Mixed-Method Study, Melissa Murillo Timoschenco

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Food insecurity is a critical issue globally and in the United States. The USDA’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) aims to address this by improving the nutrition of low-income pregnant women and children. However, immigrants and refugees, who are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity, often encounter barriers to accessing WIC benefits. This study aimed to: i) evaluate how immigrant and refugee families in Utah utilize WIC benefits, and ii) explore their experiences, challenges, and suggestions for improving the program. This mixed-method study combined surveys with 116 participants and in-depth interviews with 25 participants. Surveys were …

Learning Outdoors: A Pilot Program For Early Childhood Educator Professional Development, Cari Lee Gongora

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Research supports the use of outdoor spaces as a learning environment for child development; however, some early childhood educators may struggle to support learning when outdoors with young children. Reframing teacher mindset towards outdoor environments, gaining a knowledge of child development, and understanding how it applies within the context of naturalist studies have been identified as three key areas supportive for early childhood educators as they work outdoors with young children. Additionally, designing professional development sessions with targeted material, opportunities for observations, and providing time with a coach for support may further support learning and implementation of targeted material.

This …

The Impact Of Absolute Education On Young Voter Turnout, Reagan Roark

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

American civic education continually proves to need attention and reform. This research evaluates whether implementing specific teaching strategies at the high school level impacts a student's future political participation; specifically, to more clearly outline whether a high school level civics curriculum directly impacts a student's likelihood to cast a voting ballot in midterm and presidential elections within six years of graduation. This paper aims to understand better if teaching and/or education reform is effective in helping future generations and the democratic fate of our country. In this study, we measure the current state civic graduation requirements compared with the state's …

Deterring Gray Zone Activity In A Strategic Flashpoint: U.S. Freedom Of Navigation Operations And China’S Maritime Militias, Joseph D. Potter

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In today’s complex world, nations often use irregular forces, such as militias, to achieve political goals without escalating conflicts. This study examines how the United States of America uses its Navy’s Freedom of Navigation Operations in the South China Sea to influence the behavior of Chinese maritime militias. These militias are involved in activities such as harassment, assault, and other aggressive or deceptive actions. By analyzing data from 2012 to 2024, this research discovered 239 incidents and discovers that these militias reduce their confrontational activities during Freedom of Navigation Operations to avoid direct conflict while continuing their broader objectives in …

Making Peace Among The People: The Development Of Brigham Young's Political Thought And Activity, 1838-1846, Garrett R. Elkins

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Brigham Young assumed the role as president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1838, as the Church began to face extreme persecutions by the state of Missouri. Although he was a mostly apolitical individual preceding his new role, over the next eight years Young would hold political office and help the Church navigate challenging relationships with local, state, and federal governments. By the time he led the Latter-day Saints to the Great Basin and became president of the Church in 1847, Young had gained significant experience over several years …

The Desert Shall Rejoice: Lds Relational Values And Multispecies Justice In The Intermountain West, Sarah A. Woodbury

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In the American West, climate change is shifting weather and climate patterns in ways that may dramatically change lands, livelihoods, and communities. In the face of these threats, conservationists and local communities must work collaboratively to ensure that environmental and human communities are healthy enough to weather approaching shifts. Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint (LDS) values, practices, and histories strongly influence the Intermountain West, yet there is little research on LDS environmental values and perceptions. This study seeks to answer questions that work in this gap. It documents the knowledge and values of communities in the Intermountain West …

Seasonal And Temporal Influences On Successful Crossing Rates By Ungulates Of A North Utah Wildlife Overpass, Blake Ledbetter

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Encroachment of human infrastructure fragments wild landscapes and introduces a suite of negative impacts for humans and wildlife. In Utah, roadways threaten migratory ungulates by creating a barrier to movements and preventing access to seasonal migration routes. To mitigate these conflicts, state transportation agencies often install wildlife crossing structures to allow animals to safely cross over or under roadways. Selecting the proper crossing structure requires consideration of the species of interest, landscape, location, and structural dimensions. Often there is balance between the optimal location, the dimensions of the crossing structures, and what is feasible given the landscape. In 2018, the …

Leadership, Identity, And Student Voice In Secondary Schools, Gordon S. Geddes

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Many student leadership programs in U.S. high schools operate without clear guidance, often leaving students as passive participants in systems that may not effectively prepare them for leadership roles both in school settings and elsewhere. This study explores how listening to students’ voices can improve leadership programs by better understanding how young people see themselves as leaders. Using a case study approach at one school, I observed student leaders over one school year and analyzed their experiences through leadership development theories. The findings suggest that when schools take students' perspectives into account, they can create leadership programs that are more …

Challenging Behavior In Inclusive Postsecondary Education Programs, Samantha J. Nercesian

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Inclusive postsecondary education programs – higher education programs that are specifically designed for individuals with intellectual disabilities – have grown exponentially in the last 10 years. With this growth has come the emergence of several barriers to inclusive postsecondary education admission and completion. Given the relatively short time inclusive postsecondary education programs have existed, only a small amount of research has looked into barriers that prevent graduation from inclusive postsecondary education programs. One barrier in particular has received little to no attention from researchers – challenging behavior. Challenging behavior is a construct that includes socially inappropriate behaviors, which may harm …

Analyzing Sedentism In The Built Environment: A Case Study In Archaeological Geophysics At Boundary Village, Uintah County, Utah, Alix Sofie Piven

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This thesis presents a case study that evaluates the ability of near-surface remote sensing to generate archaeological data suitable to answer questions about human behavior. Specifically, this project assesses the ability of two remote sensing methods, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and magnetic gradiometry to resolve subsurface archaeological features that are markers of sedentism. In this study, the markers of sedentism are features of village sites where their variability is linked to the anticipated and actual length of time spent occupying a domestic site. A comparative dataset was generated to assess how specific subsurface archaeological features would look in GPR and magnetic …

Measuring Support In Couple Relationships: The Psychometrics Properties Of The Couple Support Behavior Questionnaire, Jacqueline Johnson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Couple support, a unique form of social support, as defined in this thesis is the felt sense of being upheld, valued, lifted up, and empowered by your romantic partner, during both times of distress and success. In this master’s thesis, I used secondary data provided by Dr. Ryan Seedall and conducted statistical analyses to develop a new measure, the Couple Support Behavior Questionnaire (CSBQ). Using data from 443 individuals who had all been in a relationship for at least three years and were all above the age of 18, I used statistical methods to shorten and provide a 19-item measure, …

The Effect Of Dietary Protein Source On Gut Health, Spencer Lawson Schow

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

We investigated the impact of protein source in a western-style diet on colon cancer, colitis, and the gut microbiome. The Western dietary pattern is energy-dense, low in fiber, and has a sub-optimal micronutrient profile. Our group has formulated the Total Western Diet (TWD) that emulates the Western dietary pattern using survey data (NHANES), and we have demonstrated that this diet increases gut inflammation and colorectal cancer relative to a healthy control diet (AIN-93G), which is optimized for mouse health. However, the effect of protein source in the TWD and its effects on gut health have yet to be investigated.

Recent …

Second Nature: Nurturing Stewardship Through Ecological Presence, Tyler Hansen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Environmental education is essential for preparing students to address today’s ecological challenges. However, many educational approaches focus primarily on individual behavior (e.g., personally conserving water) rather than broader systemic solutions. This research highlights that gap through a review of environmental education and introduces a new framework for designing and evaluating environmental education. This framework aims to help students explore their relationship with the environment in locally relevant and place-based ways. By applying this framework in rural Hawaii, this study examines how students perceive their roles within ecological systems and compares different curricular approaches to see how students’ understanding evolves. This …

Describing Functionality In Natural Language May Improve Decomposition Behaviors, Matthew R. Burns

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Problem decomposition—the ability to break complex problems into simpler parts—is a critical skill for computer programming that many beginning students struggle to develop. This research examines how using natural language to describe program functionality can help students develop better problem-solving approaches.

We created a tool called ”Natural Language Functions” (NLFs) that allows students to write descriptions of what they want their code to do in plain English, which then generates working Python functions. We studied how students used this tool compared to students who solved programming problems in traditional ways.

Our findings show that students who used the NLFs tool …

Advancing Multi-Agent Robotics Simulations Through Heterogeneous Reinforcement Learning In Isaaclab, Jacob R. Haight

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Robots increasingly operate in collaborative teams across domains such as search-and- rescue, warehouse automation, and autonomous driving—scenarios that demand advanced coordination strategies enabled by multi-agent reinforcement learning (MARL). However, existing simulation frameworks often struggle to balance realism, speed, and scalability, especially when supporting diverse, heterogeneous robot teams. This research extends Isaac Lab, a high-performance robotics simulator, by integrating heterogeneous-agent reinforcement learning (HARL) capabilities. The result is a flexible and GPU-accelerated platform for training both homogeneous and heterogeneous robot teams in complex, physics-based environments. These enhancements significantly narrow the gap between simulation and real-world deployment for multi-robot systems.

Changing Climate, Changing Minds: Social Media's Role In Shifting Climate Change Beliefs, Rachel M. Clarke

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This study explores how social media messages influence individual beliefs, attitudes and behaviors related to climate change. Despite widespread exposure to social media, there is concern about its effectiveness in shaping beliefs and actions regarding climate adaptation and mitigation. Research indicates that many people in the United States show limited concern for climate change, underscoring the need for targeted communication strategies. By designing and implementing a survey experiment with random participants within the United States, this study examines how sharing first- person experiences of climate-related hazards on social media affects opinions about climate change, in comparison to traditional third-person news …

On The Challenges Posed By Non-Machian Solutions To Relationalism In General Relativity, Zachary Matthew Zito

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The relationship between Mach’s Principle and solutions to Einstein’s field equations is examined, with special attention to Friedmann-Lematre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) cosmology. Mach’s Principle is outlined, and the extent to which general relativity fulfills Machs vision is assessed. It is argued that several important solutions to Einsteins equations, particularly the FLRW cosmological models, embody key Machian features. In order to elucidate the FLRW cosmological model, the associated energy-momentum tensor for a perfect fluid under the assumptions of large-scale homogeneity and isotropy is derived and used to obtain the Friedmann equations that govern cosmic expansion. It is shown that FLRW cosmology can be …

Establishing Methods For In Vitro Static Culture Of Gut Microbiomes For Nutritional Intervention Studies, Jeremy Mathew Case

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Lipid oxidation products (LOPs), which form during high-heat processing of oils common in Western diets, are known to cause inflammation and cellular damage. While LOPs have been implicated in exacerbating colitis and promoting colon tumorigenesis in mouse models, their direct impact on the gut microbiome remains poorly understood. This capstone project aimed to develop a low-cost in vitro protocol to culture the mouse gut microbiome under anaerobic conditions, enabling future investigations into the direct effects of bioactive dietary compounds such as LOPs. The study also assessed whether viable microbial communities could be recovered from fecal samples stored at -80°C. Fecal …

Ethical Concerns And Implications Of Expanded Carrier Screening, Emily Andres

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The rapid evolution in the field of genetics is often met with uncertainty and skepticism. With the advancements in genetic technologies, expanded carrier screening (ECS) has emerged as a powerful tool in reproductive medicine. Traditionally, carrier screening was provided less broadly, often relying on ethnic-based approaches. However, further advancements have deemed this practice no longer equitable or widely accepted. While ECS provides prospective parents with insight into their genetic risk and may prevent severe genetic conditions, it also raises serious ethical questions for many. These concerns span medical, political, and societal facets including medicalization, defining severity, abortion, legislation, insurability, the …

The Art Of The Duo And The Value Of Collaboration, Rebecca Farmer

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The Art of the Duo and the Value of Collaboration explores the duo as a laboratory for understanding the collaborative process between musicians and non musicians focusing on three central points. First, this project is a means to showcase and broaden my skills as a composer. Second, this project demonstrates my understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of common and uncommon instrumental pairings. Third, this project explores interdisciplinary collaboration. This project resulted in a public lecture recital featuring six duets I composed for various instruments: violin, bass, percussion, saxophone, voice, and piano.

I studied works by Debussy, Bartók, and Paganini, …

Adaptation Of Influenza A Virus Strains A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7n9) And A/Shanghai/1/2013 (H7n9) For Development Of Effective Mouse Models, Spencer T. Mullen

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The emergence of avian Influenza A (H7N9) virus strains in humans poses a significant threat to human health globally due to their pandemic potential, limited human immunity, and lack of virus-specific interventions. This capstone aims to address some of the limitations in antiviral research regarding Influenza A H7N9 virus by adapting two low-pathogenic virus strains A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7N9) and A/Shanghai/1/2013 (H7N9) to BALB/c mice through sequential passaging through lung tissue. Following 12 serial passages, increased virulence was observed as evidenced by increased virus replication, increased weight loss, and increased mortality in infected mice. Titration of the initial non-adapted virus isolates were …

Reevaluating The Drumian Carbon Isotope Excursion (Dice) In Western-Central Utah, Michelle M. Norman

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The Drumian Stage of the Cambrian Period is defined by the First Appearance Datum (FAD) of the cosmopolitan trilobite Ptychagnostus atavus in 504.5 Ma strata deposited on the slope and shelf of the Laurentia margin. The Drumian Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP), showing the best preserved example of P. atavus compared to global outcrops, is defined in the Drum Mountains of west-central Utah. Due to the inconsistent nature of fossil preservation, researchers have sought secondary proxies to identify Drumian-aged strata in the absence of age-diagnostic fauna. One key proxy is the Drumian Carbon Isotope Excursion (DICE), an ~-2.5‰ carbon …

The Impact Of Lactoferrin And Iron-Enriched Whey On Iron Absorption, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, And Menstrual Health In Women, Mia Dustin

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Iron is an essential trace mineral involved in oxygen transport, energy metabolism, and cellular function, yet deficiency remains prevalent among women of reproductive age. In the U.S., approximately 20% of women aged 18-45 years fail to meet daily iron requirements due to lack of iron consumption in the diet, menstrual blood loss, or intense exercise, often leading to anemia, fatigue, and cognitive impairment. While ferrous sulfate is a common form of iron supplementation, it frequently causes gastrointestinal discomfort. Researchers have explored lactoferrin, a glycoprotein with immune and iron-binding properties, as an adjunct to traditional supplementation. This study examines the effects …

Ghostlight: A Fargedy, Ethan Thomas Shaw

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Frequently, throughout art media, artists rarely venture from realism. With the stylistic tools and artistic innovations made over the last 150 years that venture past realism, it is time for artists everywhere to take the next big step and begin the ombre of style and genre within works, challenging society in new ways. The goal of this project is to research the function and effect of different genres and styles within theatre and find what is required to successfully communicate them both textually and within a production. This includes reading and researching plays, theatre history, and the influence/evolution of style …