2020 Abstracts
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Centering Student of Color Voices to Examine Pedagogical Practice in Service-Learning Courses
Valencia-Garcia, Nelson Omar (undergraduate student); Coles-Ritchie, Marilee (faculty) (Westminster College)
Faculty Advisor: Coles-Ritchie, Marilee (Westminster College; School of Education, DUMKE Center for Civic Engagement)
This study contributes to the literature on the impact of service-learning on students of color by intentionally centering their experience within the critical service-learning courses. We align with critical service-learning framework that highlight "collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity" (Driscoll, 2008, p. 39). This work contrasts volunteerism or philanthropy as it aims to be grounded in reciprocity where students, faculty, and community partners work toward a common goal through sharing experiences, knowledge, networking, and resources. Historically, one of the founding principles of higher education is serving the public good often by applying academic expertise to society's needs rather than scholars being givers of receptacle knowledge. Also, research demonstrates that first-generation college students benefit from community service (Ting, 2003). Because graduation rates of low-income, first-generation, SOC continue to be lower than middle- and upper-class students, pedagogy that addresses the needs of SOC is vital, and it is crucial that instructors in institutions of higher education learn how to design service-learning that highlight their strengths.
Recently, higher education stakeholders have renewed efforts to develop more connections between the community and institutes of higher education. These efforts have included institutional mission statements that strengthen the emphasis on community engagement, promoting the legitimacy of community-engaged scholarship and developing centers for civic engagement to support faculty creation of service-learning courses. Despite this renewed effort, some aspects of the role and purpose of pedagogy in higher education are often overlooked (Berrett, 2012), especially for SOC (Boyle-Baise & Langford, 2005).
This study contributes to the literature on the impact of service-learning on SOC by intentionally centering their experience within the critical service-learning courses. This study contributes to the literature on service-learning pedagogy for SOC. Our findings demonstrate that well-designed pedagogy can enhance critical consciousness and community relationships while facilitating deep learning of the material. In contrast, the data also highlighted aspects of service-learning courses that were not culturally sustaining or effective and even harmful to SOC. These data could benefit educators in higher education with specific tools for creating meaningfully designed, critical culturally sustaining service-learning courses by connecting the SOC's strengths and demonstrating a keen awareness of their lived experiences.
Faculty Advisor: Coles-Ritchie, Marilee (Westminster College; School of Education, DUMKE Center for Civic Engagement)
This study contributes to the literature on the impact of service-learning on students of color by intentionally centering their experience within the critical service-learning courses. We align with critical service-learning framework that highlight "collaboration between institutions of higher education and their larger communities (local, regional/state, national, global) for the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources in a context of partnership and reciprocity" (Driscoll, 2008, p. 39). This work contrasts volunteerism or philanthropy as it aims to be grounded in reciprocity where students, faculty, and community partners work toward a common goal through sharing experiences, knowledge, networking, and resources. Historically, one of the founding principles of higher education is serving the public good often by applying academic expertise to society's needs rather than scholars being givers of receptacle knowledge. Also, research demonstrates that first-generation college students benefit from community service (Ting, 2003). Because graduation rates of low-income, first-generation, SOC continue to be lower than middle- and upper-class students, pedagogy that addresses the needs of SOC is vital, and it is crucial that instructors in institutions of higher education learn how to design service-learning that highlight their strengths.
Recently, higher education stakeholders have renewed efforts to develop more connections between the community and institutes of higher education. These efforts have included institutional mission statements that strengthen the emphasis on community engagement, promoting the legitimacy of community-engaged scholarship and developing centers for civic engagement to support faculty creation of service-learning courses. Despite this renewed effort, some aspects of the role and purpose of pedagogy in higher education are often overlooked (Berrett, 2012), especially for SOC (Boyle-Baise & Langford, 2005).
This study contributes to the literature on the impact of service-learning on SOC by intentionally centering their experience within the critical service-learning courses. This study contributes to the literature on service-learning pedagogy for SOC. Our findings demonstrate that well-designed pedagogy can enhance critical consciousness and community relationships while facilitating deep learning of the material. In contrast, the data also highlighted aspects of service-learning courses that were not culturally sustaining or effective and even harmful to SOC. These data could benefit educators in higher education with specific tools for creating meaningfully designed, critical culturally sustaining service-learning courses by connecting the SOC's strengths and demonstrating a keen awareness of their lived experiences.
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Connecting with Complexity: The Physician's Perspective on Type 2 Diabetes and Patient-Provider Relationships
Clark, Emilia (Utah State University)
Faculty Advisor: Glass-Coffin, Bonnie (College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology Department)
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) affects roughly 1 in 10 Americans with as many as 1 in 4 Americans suffering from pre-diabetes, which often leads to full-blown T2D within five years. The role of the physician in managing diabetes is especially crucial, as this is a chronic illness. Because of its long-term impacts and comorbidities, successful treatment of the condition requires the development of effective and on-going provider/patient partnership. The physician must not only thoroughly and accurately assess the patient's condition and recommend the appropriate treatment options, but also guide and motivate patients in ongoing lifestyle changes relevant to each patient's individual circumstance. And, they must do this while working in a system that creates significant barriers and obstacles for creating and maintaining these physician/patient partnerships. Although there is no shortage of research on T2D, there are very few studies that focus on physician insights about these barriers nor are there many studies that analyze the specific strategies, aims, perspectives, and challenges physicians face when juggling the many dimensions of managing T2D over a patient's lifetime. This study adds to what we know about diabetes care by conducting in-depth interviews with a local physician at the Logan Clinic who has been treating T2D for 20 years. Developed in the context of an Ethnographic Methods class in the Anthropology program at Utah State University, this study thus provides new insights on the challenges of approaching type 2 diabetes from the physician perspective.
Faculty Advisor: Glass-Coffin, Bonnie (College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology Department)
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) affects roughly 1 in 10 Americans with as many as 1 in 4 Americans suffering from pre-diabetes, which often leads to full-blown T2D within five years. The role of the physician in managing diabetes is especially crucial, as this is a chronic illness. Because of its long-term impacts and comorbidities, successful treatment of the condition requires the development of effective and on-going provider/patient partnership. The physician must not only thoroughly and accurately assess the patient's condition and recommend the appropriate treatment options, but also guide and motivate patients in ongoing lifestyle changes relevant to each patient's individual circumstance. And, they must do this while working in a system that creates significant barriers and obstacles for creating and maintaining these physician/patient partnerships. Although there is no shortage of research on T2D, there are very few studies that focus on physician insights about these barriers nor are there many studies that analyze the specific strategies, aims, perspectives, and challenges physicians face when juggling the many dimensions of managing T2D over a patient's lifetime. This study adds to what we know about diabetes care by conducting in-depth interviews with a local physician at the Logan Clinic who has been treating T2D for 20 years. Developed in the context of an Ethnographic Methods class in the Anthropology program at Utah State University, this study thus provides new insights on the challenges of approaching type 2 diabetes from the physician perspective.
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Cosmology Episode in HEALAfrica Hospital, Goma: An interview study of sense-losing following trauma
Roy, Taylor; Nguyen, Richard; Moffitt, Drew; Bonsrah, Dicken; Fannin, Austin; Yirenya Tawiah, Daniel (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: O'Grady, Kari (Brigham Young University, Psychology)
Outline:
- Anticipating a cosmology episode
- Sense-losing in different levels of trauma
- Outcomes of certain sense-losing methods
Abstract: With significant life-changing events occurring throughout the world on a daily basis--on an individual, societal or organizational level--BYU's Organizational Psychology and Societal Resilience Lab studied the aspects concerning how people have prepared for and maneuver their way through losing a sense of their identity, beliefs, and relationships following a traumatic event. Using O'Grady & Orton's model (2016), we explored different ways that individuals anticipate a cosmological episode and how they react in the sense-losing process. Using 40 interviews with employees from the organization HEALAfrica, we attempted to outline possible methods of sense-losing used by these individuals to attempt to cope with the traumatic event on losing their beloved Co-Founder, Lyn Lusi, who was deemed a mother figure to the organization. We discovered that there are two broad categories of sense-losing that play a factor in how these individuals lose sense of this traumatic event--whether it is on the level of the individual or the organization: Rigid Sense-Losing and Resilient Sense-Losing. The outcomes that each of these two pathways take end in significantly opposite directions, one leading to suicidal ideations, alienation, and hopelessness, while the other leads to improvising, sense-remaking, and a sense of renewing.
Faculty Advisor: O'Grady, Kari (Brigham Young University, Psychology)
Outline:
- Anticipating a cosmology episode
- Sense-losing in different levels of trauma
- Outcomes of certain sense-losing methods
Abstract: With significant life-changing events occurring throughout the world on a daily basis--on an individual, societal or organizational level--BYU's Organizational Psychology and Societal Resilience Lab studied the aspects concerning how people have prepared for and maneuver their way through losing a sense of their identity, beliefs, and relationships following a traumatic event. Using O'Grady & Orton's model (2016), we explored different ways that individuals anticipate a cosmological episode and how they react in the sense-losing process. Using 40 interviews with employees from the organization HEALAfrica, we attempted to outline possible methods of sense-losing used by these individuals to attempt to cope with the traumatic event on losing their beloved Co-Founder, Lyn Lusi, who was deemed a mother figure to the organization. We discovered that there are two broad categories of sense-losing that play a factor in how these individuals lose sense of this traumatic event--whether it is on the level of the individual or the organization: Rigid Sense-Losing and Resilient Sense-Losing. The outcomes that each of these two pathways take end in significantly opposite directions, one leading to suicidal ideations, alienation, and hopelessness, while the other leads to improvising, sense-remaking, and a sense of renewing.
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Aliefs and Social Justice
Ashton, S. Jeramy (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Mizell, Karen (Utah Valley University, Philosophy)
In 1968, the United States of America passed the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution granting citizenship to all persons born in the United States. This Amendment and further enactments, policies and addendums changed the way many African American people (former slaves) were explicitly treated in regard to segregation and racial bias...or at least it should have.
In looking further into what a "belief" truly is (how they are formed, how they change), and then examining the "alief" in a similar manner, I will explain that because of society's deeply rooted aliefs, rational persuasion alone will never achieve social justice.
I will examine the history of the Civil Rights and LGBTQIA+ movements with how beliefs restricted, discriminated and then promoted change. After analyzing how beliefs have played a role in the journey of these causes, I will use modern day empirical data from court cases, and current housing and institutional discrimination cases to help others to become aware of ones subconscious biases, or aliefs.
My purpose is to help all to become aware of such biases before attempting to enact social change. As a majority fail to incorporate change, to respond to such empirical data, to be receptive to rational persuasion and make a change even when we believe that that is what we should do. It is because of the inability to adapt, to adopt such changes in permanence that aliefs are often too difficult to overcome, therefore rational persuasion alone will never achieve social justice.
Faculty Advisor: Mizell, Karen (Utah Valley University, Philosophy)
In 1968, the United States of America passed the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution granting citizenship to all persons born in the United States. This Amendment and further enactments, policies and addendums changed the way many African American people (former slaves) were explicitly treated in regard to segregation and racial bias...or at least it should have.
In looking further into what a "belief" truly is (how they are formed, how they change), and then examining the "alief" in a similar manner, I will explain that because of society's deeply rooted aliefs, rational persuasion alone will never achieve social justice.
I will examine the history of the Civil Rights and LGBTQIA+ movements with how beliefs restricted, discriminated and then promoted change. After analyzing how beliefs have played a role in the journey of these causes, I will use modern day empirical data from court cases, and current housing and institutional discrimination cases to help others to become aware of ones subconscious biases, or aliefs.
My purpose is to help all to become aware of such biases before attempting to enact social change. As a majority fail to incorporate change, to respond to such empirical data, to be receptive to rational persuasion and make a change even when we believe that that is what we should do. It is because of the inability to adapt, to adopt such changes in permanence that aliefs are often too difficult to overcome, therefore rational persuasion alone will never achieve social justice.
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Cantracting and Inforcing Burnout On Dixie State Campus
Mattei, Dustin; Angell, Emma; Truman, Savanah; Wood, Kyle; Holiday, Pam; Gonzales, Veronica (Dixie State University)
Faculty Advisor: Oxley, Robert (Dixie State University, Applied Sociology)
This presentation analyzes burnout and how it is created and reinforced contractually within our campus at Dixie State University. This is a study from the Quality of Life Initiative who is part of the Applied Sociology. This portion of the analysis focuses on burnout among the university staff and administration. Through literary review, it has been suggested that on school campuses, regardless of level and grade, there has been in increase in burnout among school counselors, administration, and staff. Burn out itself has many symptoms and suggested sources. Symptoms range in physical, emotional, mental, and socially. These symptoms include; chronic fatigue, insomnia, forgetfulness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, depression, anxiety, and much more. Our research suggests that some sources that create burnout in the staff are; an increase in students who also are afflicted with burnout, a lack of resources available to manage the increase in student cases, the requirement of participation within the university, and also the compounding stress in their personal lives. The independent research team has also developed a survey instrument which is in circulation. The information that is gathered through the instrument has not yet finished being recorded and consolidated. However, we expect there to be information coordinate to the information that we have found through research.
Faculty Advisor: Oxley, Robert (Dixie State University, Applied Sociology)
This presentation analyzes burnout and how it is created and reinforced contractually within our campus at Dixie State University. This is a study from the Quality of Life Initiative who is part of the Applied Sociology. This portion of the analysis focuses on burnout among the university staff and administration. Through literary review, it has been suggested that on school campuses, regardless of level and grade, there has been in increase in burnout among school counselors, administration, and staff. Burn out itself has many symptoms and suggested sources. Symptoms range in physical, emotional, mental, and socially. These symptoms include; chronic fatigue, insomnia, forgetfulness, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, depression, anxiety, and much more. Our research suggests that some sources that create burnout in the staff are; an increase in students who also are afflicted with burnout, a lack of resources available to manage the increase in student cases, the requirement of participation within the university, and also the compounding stress in their personal lives. The independent research team has also developed a survey instrument which is in circulation. The information that is gathered through the instrument has not yet finished being recorded and consolidated. However, we expect there to be information coordinate to the information that we have found through research.
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Burnout Techno-reliance Big Data
Holiday, Pamela (Dixie State University)
Faculty Advisor: Oxley, Robert (Dixie State University, Applied Sociology Program)
May 2019, "burnout" was recognized and defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). Since the term was coined in the 1970's, society has changed dramatically through the advancement of technology and with the naive notion that progress would make life easier. Today, the term burnout describes "the consequences of severe stress and high ideals," in professions. This perspective of "high ideals" and "stress" describes an individual's pursuit of success in academics, occupation, and/or lifestyle. In this regard, the societal culture determines that individuals are self-actualized when they exceed the prescribed standards of production. Studies have shown the adverse effects of technology advancements leading to isolation, mental and physical health issues, and an overall increase in stress. Contrary to WHO's new definition of burnout as an occupational phenomenon, it has been linked through several studies to non-occupational symptoms and situations during an individual's lifespan. Chronic stress is cited as a fundamental symptom of burnout - and is used as a key marker in identifying useful data for this examination. The Institute for Social Research, as part of Dixie State University's Applied Sociology program, through The Quality of Life Initiative project is exploring the question, "How has burnout been accepted into societies contract?" Using content analysis, we will identify the societal cost of burnout with the advancement of technology in a techno-reliant era and its effects on the Saint George, UT area.
Faculty Advisor: Oxley, Robert (Dixie State University, Applied Sociology Program)
May 2019, "burnout" was recognized and defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). Since the term was coined in the 1970's, society has changed dramatically through the advancement of technology and with the naive notion that progress would make life easier. Today, the term burnout describes "the consequences of severe stress and high ideals," in professions. This perspective of "high ideals" and "stress" describes an individual's pursuit of success in academics, occupation, and/or lifestyle. In this regard, the societal culture determines that individuals are self-actualized when they exceed the prescribed standards of production. Studies have shown the adverse effects of technology advancements leading to isolation, mental and physical health issues, and an overall increase in stress. Contrary to WHO's new definition of burnout as an occupational phenomenon, it has been linked through several studies to non-occupational symptoms and situations during an individual's lifespan. Chronic stress is cited as a fundamental symptom of burnout - and is used as a key marker in identifying useful data for this examination. The Institute for Social Research, as part of Dixie State University's Applied Sociology program, through The Quality of Life Initiative project is exploring the question, "How has burnout been accepted into societies contract?" Using content analysis, we will identify the societal cost of burnout with the advancement of technology in a techno-reliant era and its effects on the Saint George, UT area.
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Alcohol as a Coping Mechanism is not Equally Effective Across Trauma Types
Jorgensen, Leteasha; Hinkson, Kent; Brooks, Malisa; Bryan, Craig (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Hinkson, Kent (Utah Valley University, Behavioral Science)
Alcoholism has become a large concern for the United States military, beginning decades ago. With the abundance of challenges faced by service members (e.g. multiple deployments, being away from social support for longer periods of time, injury and death, etc), alcohol is often used as a coping mechanism during these times and continues after they have left the military. Veterans are at increased risk of comorbid substance use disorder and other mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. With the prevalence of several different types of traumas occurring in and around military service, the question was raised if the type of trauma a veteran experiences results in different rates of alcohol consumption. The hypothesis was that certain subpopulations (based on type of trauma) within a sample of veterans would have higher rates of alcohol consumption than others. Data was collected on the amount of alcohol that is consumed, as well as trauma the types of trauma participants may have experienced including categories such as assault, natural disaster, sexual assault, and exposure to war zone. Analyses of the data suggested that interpersonal traumas were associated with increased drinking when compared to non-interpersonal traumas, with the exception of sexual assault which is non-significant. Further inspection identified that when sexual assault is split between inappropriate touching or non-penetrative assault, coercive rape, and forcible rape, the associations between trauma type and alcohol use vary significantly with coercive rape having a strong negative relationship with alcohol consumption. One possible explanation for this is that those who survived a coercive assault desire to remain focused and cognitively capable of avoiding such a situation again. With veterans having such higher rates of trauma exposure, understanding how this relates to alcohol consumption can help facilitate mental health treatment in a variety of ways.
Faculty Advisor: Hinkson, Kent (Utah Valley University, Behavioral Science)
Alcoholism has become a large concern for the United States military, beginning decades ago. With the abundance of challenges faced by service members (e.g. multiple deployments, being away from social support for longer periods of time, injury and death, etc), alcohol is often used as a coping mechanism during these times and continues after they have left the military. Veterans are at increased risk of comorbid substance use disorder and other mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. With the prevalence of several different types of traumas occurring in and around military service, the question was raised if the type of trauma a veteran experiences results in different rates of alcohol consumption. The hypothesis was that certain subpopulations (based on type of trauma) within a sample of veterans would have higher rates of alcohol consumption than others. Data was collected on the amount of alcohol that is consumed, as well as trauma the types of trauma participants may have experienced including categories such as assault, natural disaster, sexual assault, and exposure to war zone. Analyses of the data suggested that interpersonal traumas were associated with increased drinking when compared to non-interpersonal traumas, with the exception of sexual assault which is non-significant. Further inspection identified that when sexual assault is split between inappropriate touching or non-penetrative assault, coercive rape, and forcible rape, the associations between trauma type and alcohol use vary significantly with coercive rape having a strong negative relationship with alcohol consumption. One possible explanation for this is that those who survived a coercive assault desire to remain focused and cognitively capable of avoiding such a situation again. With veterans having such higher rates of trauma exposure, understanding how this relates to alcohol consumption can help facilitate mental health treatment in a variety of ways.
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Authenticating artifacts through non-destructive methods
Melgar, Emiliano; Calligaro, Thomas; Wendt, Carl; Delsescaux, Jeffery; Bernard, Henri; Robles, Alma; Claes, Pieterjan; Rojas, Miguel; GarcIa, Martha; Castillo, Sabrina; Garber, James; Kenneth, Hirth; Grove, David; Hoopes, John; Juarez-Rodriguez, Octavio; Argote-Espino, Denisse; Santos-Ramirez, Marco; Lopez-Garcia, Pedro; Manrique-Ortega, Mayra; Mitrani, A.; Casanova-Gonzales, Edgar; Jimenez-Galindo, L.; Ruvalcaba-Sil, Jose; Solis Ciriaco, Reyna; Curado, Jessica; Laclavetine, Killian; Cruz, R.; Manzanilla, Linda (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Forest, Marion (Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Anthropology); Allison, Jim (Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Anthropology)
The collecting of antiquities has been popular since Roman times. In recent years, however, this practice has become more and more disheartening for archaeologists as they try to piece together history. Private collections donated to museums often lack the provenience of the artifacts and include many fakes. Such is the case with the collection of greenstone artifacts privately donated to BYU's Museum of Peoples and Cultures starting in the 1970s. An analysis of this collection strove to develop a methodology of identifying the fake from the authentic artifacts through non-destructive methods. Initially, visual examination of the artifacts was completed including microwear analysis and recording the color and density of the stones. Further authenticating methods included microscopy, X-ray florescence, and SEM (scanning electron microscope). Through a thorough examination of the density and color of the stone as well as the elements present as shown by the PXRF scan, an endeavor was made to identify what stone the artifact was made of and its source. Using the resulting data, a detailed catalog was created of the artifacts. Employing these same analyses, museums everywhere can check the authenticity of donated collections and possibly source the artifacts.
Faculty Advisor: Forest, Marion (Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Anthropology); Allison, Jim (Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Anthropology)
The collecting of antiquities has been popular since Roman times. In recent years, however, this practice has become more and more disheartening for archaeologists as they try to piece together history. Private collections donated to museums often lack the provenience of the artifacts and include many fakes. Such is the case with the collection of greenstone artifacts privately donated to BYU's Museum of Peoples and Cultures starting in the 1970s. An analysis of this collection strove to develop a methodology of identifying the fake from the authentic artifacts through non-destructive methods. Initially, visual examination of the artifacts was completed including microwear analysis and recording the color and density of the stones. Further authenticating methods included microscopy, X-ray florescence, and SEM (scanning electron microscope). Through a thorough examination of the density and color of the stone as well as the elements present as shown by the PXRF scan, an endeavor was made to identify what stone the artifact was made of and its source. Using the resulting data, a detailed catalog was created of the artifacts. Employing these same analyses, museums everywhere can check the authenticity of donated collections and possibly source the artifacts.
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Assessing the Impact of Sustainability Education in a Closed Population Through Individual-Based Modeling
Smith, Heather; Chellamuthu, Dr. Vinodh (Dixie State University)
Faculty Advisor: Chellamuthu, Vinodh (Dixie State University, Mathematics)
The Zero Waste movement aims to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, incinerators, and recycling through education on more sustainable choices. Individuals are educated on how to avoid single-use items, reduce, reuse, and compost as much as possible, and recycle when necessary. Making more sustainable choices on an individual or family level can be a significant part of the solution to plastic pollution and climate change. We developed an individual-based model that shows the relationship between idea dissemination, individual choices, and waste collection. The model is based on statistical data concerning waste, pollution, and idea dissemination to better understand how education about Zero Waste can efficiently reduce landfill contributions and help the local economy. Our results from this model can help policymakers make decisions about waste management, and influencers educate people on the Zero Waste movement.
Faculty Advisor: Chellamuthu, Vinodh (Dixie State University, Mathematics)
The Zero Waste movement aims to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills, incinerators, and recycling through education on more sustainable choices. Individuals are educated on how to avoid single-use items, reduce, reuse, and compost as much as possible, and recycle when necessary. Making more sustainable choices on an individual or family level can be a significant part of the solution to plastic pollution and climate change. We developed an individual-based model that shows the relationship between idea dissemination, individual choices, and waste collection. The model is based on statistical data concerning waste, pollution, and idea dissemination to better understand how education about Zero Waste can efficiently reduce landfill contributions and help the local economy. Our results from this model can help policymakers make decisions about waste management, and influencers educate people on the Zero Waste movement.
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Improving Clinical Trials Through Meta-Analysis: Estimating Heterogeneity in Meta-Analysis for Binary Outcomes.
Jake, Baldauf; Nolan, Cole; Zabriskie, Brinley (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Zabriskie, Brinley (Brigham Young University, Physical and Mathematical Sciences)
Meta-analysis is a statistical procedure that combines data from multiple studies. This is particularly useful in clinical research when multiple studies produce conflicting results or when reaching a definitive conclusion on the effectiveness of a medication. Determining the extent to which these studies differ from one another due to differences in treatment administration and patient populations is key to identifying treatment efficacy. Estimation of the differences the studies demonstrate is known as heterogeneity. Estimating the heterogeneity test statistic tau for meta-analysis is key to ensuring the validity of clinical research. We investigate the ability of available heterogeneity methods for dichotomous data by analyzing data from multiple clinical trials; we have found that specific methods of estimating heterogeneity outperform others while a select few consistently underperform. Understanding which method performs best will allow clinical researchers to better estimate heterogeneity, thereby improving their ability to find new treatments.
Faculty Advisor: Zabriskie, Brinley (Brigham Young University, Physical and Mathematical Sciences)
Meta-analysis is a statistical procedure that combines data from multiple studies. This is particularly useful in clinical research when multiple studies produce conflicting results or when reaching a definitive conclusion on the effectiveness of a medication. Determining the extent to which these studies differ from one another due to differences in treatment administration and patient populations is key to identifying treatment efficacy. Estimation of the differences the studies demonstrate is known as heterogeneity. Estimating the heterogeneity test statistic tau for meta-analysis is key to ensuring the validity of clinical research. We investigate the ability of available heterogeneity methods for dichotomous data by analyzing data from multiple clinical trials; we have found that specific methods of estimating heterogeneity outperform others while a select few consistently underperform. Understanding which method performs best will allow clinical researchers to better estimate heterogeneity, thereby improving their ability to find new treatments.
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Resistance Distance on Chains of Graphs
Knudson, Adam; Faught, Nolan (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Kempton, Mark (Brigham Young University, College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences)
Resistance distance is a form of metric on connected graphs that becomes exponentially difficult to compute as the size of a graph increases. We examine the resistance distance on a class of graphs that may be decomposed into chains of some graph G and derive a generalized formula for the resistance between any two vertices. We apply this formula to a subclass of these graphs, named flower graphs, and proceed to give an explicit formula for Kemeny's constant and the Kirchhoff index of these flower graphs.
Faculty Advisor: Kempton, Mark (Brigham Young University, College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences)
Resistance distance is a form of metric on connected graphs that becomes exponentially difficult to compute as the size of a graph increases. We examine the resistance distance on a class of graphs that may be decomposed into chains of some graph G and derive a generalized formula for the resistance between any two vertices. We apply this formula to a subclass of these graphs, named flower graphs, and proceed to give an explicit formula for Kemeny's constant and the Kirchhoff index of these flower graphs.
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Cognitive-behavioral group therapy for psychosis: A follow-up meta-analysis
Jonah Nicoll; Zach Clement; Hal Svien; Gary Burlingame (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Burlingame, Gary (Brigham Young University, Psychology)
Aims: Many practice guidelines place cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as the gold-standard treatment for psychotic disorders. Our previous meta-analysis on group psychotherapy for schizophrenia (Burlingame et al., under review) employed a strict set of inclusion criteria (e.g., RCT, use of 2 measures, comparison groups, etc.) limiting the number of CBT studies applied to patients presenting on the psychosis spectrum. It found no meta-analytic evidence for group CBT (GCBT) ameliorating psychotic symptoms but only included 5 studies. This meta-analysis will be less restrictive to include more interventions under a broader GCBT umbrella to extend our earlier findings.
Methods: A literature search identified nearly 20 more randomized controlled trials that included in our previous analysis that evaluated some form of GCBT in treating psychosis. Three main outcomes will be assessed: schizophrenia-specific measures of psychotic symptoms, treatment-specific measures assessing treatment aims, and general measures assessing broad functioning.
Results: Preliminary results are still being calculated. Subgroup analyses will include Burlingame et al.'s (under review) CBT categorization and include interventions broadly focused on behavior and cognition, including social skills interventions that also emphasize cognition (viz., Granholm et al., 2005, 2007).
Discussion: Results will be framed in relation to Burlingame et al.'s (under review) meta-analysis. It is likely that the stricter classification of CBT resulted in an attenuation of the effects with a psychosis population. Furthermore, there is a general lack of agreement on what interventions should be labeled CBT (nb., Wampold et al., 1997; Wampold & Imel, 2015).
Keywords: group treatment, schizophrenia
Faculty Advisor: Burlingame, Gary (Brigham Young University, Psychology)
Aims: Many practice guidelines place cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) as the gold-standard treatment for psychotic disorders. Our previous meta-analysis on group psychotherapy for schizophrenia (Burlingame et al., under review) employed a strict set of inclusion criteria (e.g., RCT, use of 2 measures, comparison groups, etc.) limiting the number of CBT studies applied to patients presenting on the psychosis spectrum. It found no meta-analytic evidence for group CBT (GCBT) ameliorating psychotic symptoms but only included 5 studies. This meta-analysis will be less restrictive to include more interventions under a broader GCBT umbrella to extend our earlier findings.
Methods: A literature search identified nearly 20 more randomized controlled trials that included in our previous analysis that evaluated some form of GCBT in treating psychosis. Three main outcomes will be assessed: schizophrenia-specific measures of psychotic symptoms, treatment-specific measures assessing treatment aims, and general measures assessing broad functioning.
Results: Preliminary results are still being calculated. Subgroup analyses will include Burlingame et al.'s (under review) CBT categorization and include interventions broadly focused on behavior and cognition, including social skills interventions that also emphasize cognition (viz., Granholm et al., 2005, 2007).
Discussion: Results will be framed in relation to Burlingame et al.'s (under review) meta-analysis. It is likely that the stricter classification of CBT resulted in an attenuation of the effects with a psychosis population. Furthermore, there is a general lack of agreement on what interventions should be labeled CBT (nb., Wampold et al., 1997; Wampold & Imel, 2015).
Keywords: group treatment, schizophrenia
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A Source Study of Ancestral Puebloan Obsidian in San Juan County, Utah
Jensen, Samuel J. (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Allison, James (Brigham young University, Anthropology)
The development of Portable X-ray Fluorescence (PXRF) technology has allowed researchers to accurately determine the source of obsidian lithic material. The data produced using this method in turn allow researchers to examine the social interactions of prehistoric peoples through analysis of potential spheres of trade or points of contact. Prior researchers have applied PXRF technology to the analysis of obsidian from the Mesa Verde and Northern San Juan regions of the Ancestral Puebloan world respectively. Despite this work, however, there is a conspicuous lack of data from San Juan County, Utah, which lies at the northwestern edge of the Ancestral Puebloan extent and contains a high density of archaeological sites spanning almost the entirety of Ancestral Puebloan occupation in the American Southwest. This paper aims to fill this gap in data so as to make observations about the potential spheres of interaction that existed across time in this region of the Ancestral Puebloan world. Specifically, this research compares obsidian samples from across San Juan County and from sites with different time periods of occupation to reveal potential patterns of obsidian procurement throughout temporal space in San Juan County.
Faculty Advisor: Allison, James (Brigham young University, Anthropology)
The development of Portable X-ray Fluorescence (PXRF) technology has allowed researchers to accurately determine the source of obsidian lithic material. The data produced using this method in turn allow researchers to examine the social interactions of prehistoric peoples through analysis of potential spheres of trade or points of contact. Prior researchers have applied PXRF technology to the analysis of obsidian from the Mesa Verde and Northern San Juan regions of the Ancestral Puebloan world respectively. Despite this work, however, there is a conspicuous lack of data from San Juan County, Utah, which lies at the northwestern edge of the Ancestral Puebloan extent and contains a high density of archaeological sites spanning almost the entirety of Ancestral Puebloan occupation in the American Southwest. This paper aims to fill this gap in data so as to make observations about the potential spheres of interaction that existed across time in this region of the Ancestral Puebloan world. Specifically, this research compares obsidian samples from across San Juan County and from sites with different time periods of occupation to reveal potential patterns of obsidian procurement throughout temporal space in San Juan County.
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Finite Difference Solution to the Bagley-Torvik Equation
Larsen, Aaron; Chow, Sum (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Chow, Sum (Brigham Young University, Mathematics)
Many definitions and fractional derivative operators are used in the application of mathematics. This paper analyzes a newly presented definition of the fractional derivative by R. Khali, el al. Numerical methods, specifically the finite difference method using boundary conditions, are applied to the Bagley-Torvik equation. This equation is used to describe the motion of a rigid plate in a Newtonian fluid. This results of using this new definition are then compared to those of the known fractional derivative operators of Riemann-Liouville and Caputo.
Faculty Advisor: Chow, Sum (Brigham Young University, Mathematics)
Many definitions and fractional derivative operators are used in the application of mathematics. This paper analyzes a newly presented definition of the fractional derivative by R. Khali, el al. Numerical methods, specifically the finite difference method using boundary conditions, are applied to the Bagley-Torvik equation. This equation is used to describe the motion of a rigid plate in a Newtonian fluid. This results of using this new definition are then compared to those of the known fractional derivative operators of Riemann-Liouville and Caputo.
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An Alternative Parametric Approach to Detect the Trend in Time Series Data
Islam, Mohammad; Heiny, Erik; Robles, Francisco; Ram, Trevor (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Islam, Mohammad (Utah Valley University, Mathematics); Heiny, Erik (Utah Valley University, Mathematics)
In this project, we investigate two methods to detect trend in the time series data, of which one proposed method what we call it "ADM- Average Difference Method" gives the estimate of trend , and the other method what we call it "AMD-Absolute Max Difference" determines if there is any trend in the time series data. Both methods are applicable to linear and nonlinear time series data. We assess the quality of our proposed methods and compare our methods with nonparametric Mann-kendall test through Monte Carlo simulation by calculating the power of the tests. The power comparisons show that ADM- Average Difference Method performs better than Mann-Kendall test when there is no autocorrelation in the time series observations and non-monotonic autocorrelated series. However, absolute max difference method works well compared to Mann-Kendall test for detecting the trend when data are autocorrelated. Finally, we use our proposed method along with those in use to detect trend in two standard datasets -Alta Snowfall data and Nile river water flow data. ADM was able to detect trend in the Nile water flow data as did MK test, which is supported by the visual identification. On the other hand, AMD method failed to detect the trend in the Nile data. For Alta snowfall data, our proposed methods and MK test didn't find any trend over time as supported by visual inspection result.
Faculty Advisor: Islam, Mohammad (Utah Valley University, Mathematics); Heiny, Erik (Utah Valley University, Mathematics)
In this project, we investigate two methods to detect trend in the time series data, of which one proposed method what we call it "ADM- Average Difference Method" gives the estimate of trend , and the other method what we call it "AMD-Absolute Max Difference" determines if there is any trend in the time series data. Both methods are applicable to linear and nonlinear time series data. We assess the quality of our proposed methods and compare our methods with nonparametric Mann-kendall test through Monte Carlo simulation by calculating the power of the tests. The power comparisons show that ADM- Average Difference Method performs better than Mann-Kendall test when there is no autocorrelation in the time series observations and non-monotonic autocorrelated series. However, absolute max difference method works well compared to Mann-Kendall test for detecting the trend when data are autocorrelated. Finally, we use our proposed method along with those in use to detect trend in two standard datasets -Alta Snowfall data and Nile river water flow data. ADM was able to detect trend in the Nile water flow data as did MK test, which is supported by the visual identification. On the other hand, AMD method failed to detect the trend in the Nile data. For Alta snowfall data, our proposed methods and MK test didn't find any trend over time as supported by visual inspection result.
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Numerical Applications and Stability Analysis of a Lengyel-Epstein System
Evans, Parker; Han, Jianlong (Southern Utah University)
Faculty Advisor: Han, Jianlong (Southern Utah University, Mathematics)
A Lengyel-Epstein system, describing the reactions of chlorite-iodide and malonic acid(CIMA), is studied through methods of numerical analysis. These reactions, describing certain natural patterns such as the recurring stripes in zebras, are examples of Turing Structures, with a non-diffusion rate application. The stability of the steady state solution of this system is analyzed to modelend-term behavior of such phenomena. We develop some numerical schemes that guarantee positive solutions and realistic applications. These numerical schemes model and verify of the theoretical results for the system.
Faculty Advisor: Han, Jianlong (Southern Utah University, Mathematics)
A Lengyel-Epstein system, describing the reactions of chlorite-iodide and malonic acid(CIMA), is studied through methods of numerical analysis. These reactions, describing certain natural patterns such as the recurring stripes in zebras, are examples of Turing Structures, with a non-diffusion rate application. The stability of the steady state solution of this system is analyzed to modelend-term behavior of such phenomena. We develop some numerical schemes that guarantee positive solutions and realistic applications. These numerical schemes model and verify of the theoretical results for the system.
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ACEs and Relationship Quality
Moore, Sydney; Lech, Kimberly; Richardson, Bianca; Jensen, Amber; Thiel, Rebecca (Weber State University)
Faculty Advisor: Dunn, Charles (Weber State University, College of Nursing); Miles, Leslie (Brigham Young University, College of Nursing)
"The impact of child maltreatment on attachment is established in childhood" (Stronach et al., 2011), "with this effect remaining relatively stable through adulthood" and most often manifested as an anxious or avoidant attachment. (Weinfeld, Sroufe, & Egeland, 2000) (Oshri et al., 2105) Anxious individuals fear abandonment, are obsessive and desire high levels of reciprocity with others whereas avoidant individuals fear intimacy and closeness and avoid committed relationships (Hazan & Shaver, 1987). Can the quality of adult romantic relationships also known as "attachment" be determined by the type and frequency of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) or trauma those adults experienced growing up? The ACE survey consisting of 10 questions covering abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, and 17 questions from the Experiences of Close Relationships (ECR) questionnaire rating participants' responses on a Lickert scale of 0-4 were used to compile the data. We propose the following hypothesis, in concordance with existing research, a higher ACE score will be an indicator of lower relationship quality/satisfaction in adulthood. Primarily through social media, the study was conducted among the student population of Weber State University and our circles of influence to explore a possible connection. This study targeted adults aged 18-70 with varying genders, backgrounds, and education levels. 344 people completed the survey. A connection can be seen between the instances of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction experienced as children and the quality of their romantic relationships as adults. The current study shows a strong negative correlation between ACE and ECR scores supporting our hypothesis. The average ACE score was 2.6 out of 10. The average ECR score 48.1 out of 68. with a significance of .000. This shows a strong negative correlation between ACE and ECR scores supporting our hypothesis.
Faculty Advisor: Dunn, Charles (Weber State University, College of Nursing); Miles, Leslie (Brigham Young University, College of Nursing)
"The impact of child maltreatment on attachment is established in childhood" (Stronach et al., 2011), "with this effect remaining relatively stable through adulthood" and most often manifested as an anxious or avoidant attachment. (Weinfeld, Sroufe, & Egeland, 2000) (Oshri et al., 2105) Anxious individuals fear abandonment, are obsessive and desire high levels of reciprocity with others whereas avoidant individuals fear intimacy and closeness and avoid committed relationships (Hazan & Shaver, 1987). Can the quality of adult romantic relationships also known as "attachment" be determined by the type and frequency of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) or trauma those adults experienced growing up? The ACE survey consisting of 10 questions covering abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, and 17 questions from the Experiences of Close Relationships (ECR) questionnaire rating participants' responses on a Lickert scale of 0-4 were used to compile the data. We propose the following hypothesis, in concordance with existing research, a higher ACE score will be an indicator of lower relationship quality/satisfaction in adulthood. Primarily through social media, the study was conducted among the student population of Weber State University and our circles of influence to explore a possible connection. This study targeted adults aged 18-70 with varying genders, backgrounds, and education levels. 344 people completed the survey. A connection can be seen between the instances of abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction experienced as children and the quality of their romantic relationships as adults. The current study shows a strong negative correlation between ACE and ECR scores supporting our hypothesis. The average ACE score was 2.6 out of 10. The average ECR score 48.1 out of 68. with a significance of .000. This shows a strong negative correlation between ACE and ECR scores supporting our hypothesis.
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A Mathematical Model to Control Mosquito Population through Optimal Treatment Strategies through Wolbachia Transinfection
Taylor, Ammon; Otterson, Jisun; Chellamuthu, Vinodh (Dixie State University)
Faculty Advisor: Chellamuthu, Vinodh (Dixie State University, Mathematics)
Dengue fever is one of the most common mosquito borne infections, and it is commonly spread in tropical climates. It can only be spread from the bite of a female Aedes aegypti mosquito. Wolbachia is a natural bacteria found in around 60% of all mosquito species, but it is not found naturally in the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the mosquito primarily responsible for the spread of Dengue virus. By infecting the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with Wolbachia, it will slow the growth of any viruses the mosquito may carry, including Dengue. One of the objectives of the proposed project is to develop a temperature-dependent mathematical model in order to predict the spread of the Dengue virus between mosquitoes and humans. Moreover, to make our simulation show the optimal range of temperature as well as what times during the year Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes should be released in order to be as cost-effective as possible. Furthermore, we will design a robust GUI that could be used by mosquito abatement centers in order to determine optimal strategies in order to most efficiently mitigate the disease outbreaks.
Faculty Advisor: Chellamuthu, Vinodh (Dixie State University, Mathematics)
Dengue fever is one of the most common mosquito borne infections, and it is commonly spread in tropical climates. It can only be spread from the bite of a female Aedes aegypti mosquito. Wolbachia is a natural bacteria found in around 60% of all mosquito species, but it is not found naturally in the Aedes aegypti mosquito, the mosquito primarily responsible for the spread of Dengue virus. By infecting the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes with Wolbachia, it will slow the growth of any viruses the mosquito may carry, including Dengue. One of the objectives of the proposed project is to develop a temperature-dependent mathematical model in order to predict the spread of the Dengue virus between mosquitoes and humans. Moreover, to make our simulation show the optimal range of temperature as well as what times during the year Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes should be released in order to be as cost-effective as possible. Furthermore, we will design a robust GUI that could be used by mosquito abatement centers in order to determine optimal strategies in order to most efficiently mitigate the disease outbreaks.
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