Undergraduate Honors Theses

Media Gender Bias in the 1984 and 2008 Vice Presidential Elections

Katherine Shaunesi Reeves — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:24:15 PST

Media coverage in political campaigns helps shape public opinion and can be a factor in people determining how to vote. Thus, bias evident in the coverage of political candidates should be a concern for a society which values fair elections. In the 2008 general election, for the first time in 24 years, a woman was on a major party ticket. The treatment of female candidates historically has been sexist. To understand the media coverage of Sarah Palin I chose to look at editorials in The New York Times. I compared her editorial references to Joe Biden's in The Times. Then, to better understand the 2008 coverage and the treatment of gender in political campaigns, I analyzed the 1984 election. I read the editorials about Geraldine Ferraro and George Bush Sr. I looked specifically at the number of editorials which covered the candidates and how they were framed by The Times in those editorials. As a result of this research I found that the women were treated differently from the male candidates. They received substantially more coverage and were framed by their gender. The implication of these differences is that the women will have a more difficult time getting elected.

The Weeping Land: Postcolonialism in La Llorona

Kirianna Marie Florez — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:17:15 PST

Legends of weeping or vengeful women occur in diverse cultures throughout the world, such as Die Weisse Frau in Germany (Kirtley 157), the shrieking banshees in Ireland (Chiu), Kuchisake-onna in Japan (Wells), and La Llorona ("the weeping woman") in the American continents. La Llorona legends can be found throughout parts of Latin America and the Southwest United States, but are most common in Mexico and parts of the Southwest where there is a high population of Chicanos/Chicanas and Mexican-Americans. The La Llorona legends vary remarkably throughout the places of their dispersion, and the different variations often highlight local fears, concerns, and history. In this thesis I will argue that La Llorona legends circulating in the Southwest U.S. often show a unique situation in the lives and cultures of U.S. Chicanos/Chicanas. The legends demonstrate the dispossession and disenfranchisement suffered by the men and women who, through the disparity between Spanish and Amerindian culture and the ceding of the Southwest to the U.S., have effectively become foreigners in their homeland.

What's Going On In the Macomb, Wayne, and Oakland Counties; Is There A Link Between Arab American Acculturation and Perceived Prejudice?

Justin Du Mouchel — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:11:55 PST

Arab Americans are a growing segment of the U.S. population. Issues like anti-Arab prejudice are becoming more visible, but few studies have considered how the problem might be viewed by an Arab American community member. This study asks the question: does acculturation within the Arab American community have an effect on the amount of perceived prejudice the group senses? Secondary data from the Detroit Arab American Study was used to test for a relationship between perceived prejudice as measured by "American Media Bias", and acculturation within the Arab American community as measured by "Arab Acts" and "Arab News". Findings show a positive relationship between acculturation within the Arab American community and the perception of prejudice by the members of the group. The results imply that measurement of perceived prejudice by the use of measuring perceptions of media bias could be a promising way to determine how perceived prejudice is shaped.

Discovering Metabolic Networks of Bovine Fertilization

Erin Lynn Young — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:11:54 PST

At the time of fertilization, a dramatic change occurs in the oocyte that transforms this cell from a metaphase arrested state into a metabolically active and dynamic state. The view of the flow of biological processes within organisms has recently shifted from that of a linear path to a more complex network. Biological processes are no longer thought of in the simple terms of DNA to RNA, RNA to proteins, and proteins to final activity. It is now known that many biological processes involve interconnected networks and feedback loops in which DNA, RNA, proteins, and metabolites perform specific roles. We hypothesized that there are key metabolites and metabolic pathways yet to be determined that are involved in normal mammalian fertilization and embryonic development. The key objective of this research project was to study the metabolic profiles of unfertilized oocytes and fertilized zygotes to find the differences in the concentration and flux of key metabolites. Examining these differences provides evidence for which metabolic pathways are important during fertilization. Concentration differences of metabolites were assessed within unfertilized bovine oocytes and in vitro fertilized zygotes. Metabolites were identified using gas chromatography� mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Differences in metabolite pools pre- and post-fertilization may be used as intracellular biomarkers of normal embryonic development. It was found that D-glucose, arabinose and fumaric acid were present in lower concentrations in the zygote than the unfertilized oocytes.

The Catholic Experience in Utah

Thomas G. Evans — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 11:00:51 PST

The Merrill-Cazier Library at Utah State University has in its collection an infamous book that is talked about by both Mormons and non-Mormons alike: the first edition of Bruce R. McCon.1de'sMormonDoctrine.l Shocking and controversial when it first appeared in print for its characterization of the Catholic Church, among other controversial assessments, I had heard about it myself growing up as a member of the L.D.S. Church in various tales of Mormon folklore. McConkie's penchant for brusque, un-apologetic apologetics and bold declarations of the truth of the Mormon faith was legendary. One day, as I perused the book in the Library, I noticed several notes scribbled in pencil throughout the book. The first such scribbling reads "[Mormon Doctrine] IS F_KED Anti� christian Bulls_t.,,2 He continues his assessment of McConkie's work by writing: This book is total bulls_t made up by emotional fools! If you mormons had enough guts to examine your religion with facts and objectivity - not emotion, you would fmd that it was totally created bl men. It is a marriage of Christianity and freemasonry, wed by utter irrationality. What follows on a dozen subsequent pages is a critical and hostile interpretation of Mormon theology and culture as the unknown Roman Catholic reacts to the content of Bruce McConkie's assessment of his faith.4 On the other hand, McConkie writes that Roman Catholic beliefs are "senseless, unintelligent, and incomprehensible." He states, with a thinly veiled attack on those who believe in such things, "Enlightened persons can judge for themselves...,,6 In response to this, our unknown writer scribbles, "The catholic church does not attack others � does not defend its validity through aggression, Mormonism does, so does the devil!"

The Banco Itau Business Communications Course

Cohen Summers — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:52:54 PST

In the ever changing business world, establishing a competitive advantage is essential in order to build and sustain the viability of a company. The global investment industry has developed dramatically over the past 20 years generating new opportunities for investors worldwide. One example is exhibited by the increasing global demand for Brazil securities ds well as others in various emerging markets. With this increasing demand by foreign investors in the Brazilian markets, firms are constantly attempting to identify the best, most efficient, cost-effective products and services. Because a majority of the products are relatively the same across the industry, companies must focus on the services they provide to their clientele in order to distinguish themselves as the provider of choice. This paper provides a complete overview of the Banco Itau Business Communications course that personnel developed and implemented to support Itau's constant endeavor to provide its clients with the highest level of service possible. The complete report of the Banco Itau Business Communications Course project contains information that is confidential and also proprietary; items such as employee names, clients' names, and other proprietary information are not incorporated. All examples in this document have been recreated with the permission of Banco Itau and Utah State University.

Effects of Direct and Indirect Predator Cues on Heteromyid Seed Selection and Seed Fate

Kelly J. Sivy — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:47:55 PST

Many factors affect foraging behavior of rodents, including predation risk, which is thought to influence seed selection and seed handling by desert rodents in patchy environments. Understanding forces that drive seed selection and seed fate can aid understanding of rodents' impacts on vegetation structure and dynamics. In a feeding arena study, we tested how indirect and direct predation cues influence seed selection and handling behaviors (e.g., scatterhoarding and larderhoarding) of two heteromyid rodents, Dipodomys ordii (Ord's kangaroo rat) and Perognathus parvus (Great Basin pocket mouse), foraging on three seed species. The indirect cue was shrub cover: one half of the arena had sagebrush shrubs present while the other half was free of shrub cover. Direct cues, presented one per trial, were (1) control, (2) vocalization of Canis latrans, (3) scent of C. latrans, (4) scent of Vulpes vulpes, or (5) vocalization of Asio jlammeus. We offered seeds of two native grasses, Achnatherum hymenoides (Indian ricegrass) and Pseudoroegneria spicata (bluebunch wheatgrass), and the non-native Secale cereale (cereal rye), each in separate plastic trays. D. ordii preferentially harvested A. hymenoides while P. parvus predominately harvested A. hymenoides and S. cereale. P. parvus was more likely to scatterhoard preferred seeds, whereas D. ordii mostly consumed and/or placed preferred seeds in a larder. Neither indirect nor direct cues significantly affected seed preferences. However, both species altered seed handling behavior in response to direct predation cues by leaving more seeds alive in the seed pool, though they responded to different predator cues. The two rodents are expected to have different impacts on plant recruitment in both natural and managed settings. Variation in preference, as revealed in this study, could be exploited as a component of reseeding strategies at sites where estimates of rodent community composition are available. To the extent that predator cues alter handling behavior, they provide a potential tool in developing restoration strategies that minimize seed loss.

Childrens' Responses to Storybook Reading

Gentri Seawright — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:02:13 PDT

This research began with the question, "How do children respond and connect to literature? The purpose of the research was to collect data about how children make connections to literature through text-to-text, text-to-self, and text-to-world connections. Three picture books were selected, and using an intact, 1st grade classroom over a period of three days, the teacher read the children the three different stories. The children were asked to listen to the stories and then respond to them. During the class discussion, field notes were taken to record childrens' responses to different questions. Data were collected in the form of written and oral responses from children. Children were allowed to write or draw their answers to the questions they were asked;and they had the opportunity to elaborate on their responses. All date were analyzed qualitatively.The study suggested that children were able to make more text-to-self connections than any other type of connections. Further, they and were able to feel empathy for characters and expressed advocacy.

Knowledge of Coumadin Use and Vitamin K Interaction in Atrial Fibrillation Patients

Heidi M. Moss — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:02:12 PDT

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most commonly observed arrhythmia and is expected to increase to over 12 million in the next few decades. Patients with AF are at high risk of stroke due to the use of Coumadin in combination with stroke risk factors such as age >75 years, hypertension, diabetes, heart failure, and prior stroke or transient ischemic attack. Coumadin specifically targets the blood clotting cascade by inhibiting the regeneration of vitamin K needed for the activation of clotting factors. A 100 mcg increase in vitamin K intake over at least 4 days can reduce patient internationalized national ratio (INR) by 0.2 units. INR values outside of the recommended range of 2.0-3.5 increase the risk of intracranial bleeding and stroke. The objective of this study was to assess the understanding of the AF population related to their role in reducing the risks associated with Coumadin and the effects of proper understanding on stroke risk with a particular emphasis on patient understanding of the interaction between vitamin K and Coumadin.Methods: Patients with known AF (n=75) who were receiving treatment from the Utah Heart Clinic and were currently taking Coumadin were asked to complete a one-time questionnaire of 52 questions related to Coumadin use and its' drug-nutrient interactions. Data collected was analyzed to identify any vitamin K and diet knowledge deficits related to nutrition and Coumadin use.Results: Sixty-eight of the patients had at least one risk factor for stroke with hypertension, the most common stroke risk factor (58.7% of the population). Age > 75 years was the second most common, followed by heart failure. Only 63.9% of the patient population had some understanding of diet/vitamin K and Coumadin use.Conclusion: This study demonstrates a lack of patient knowledge regarding the interaction of Coumadin and nutrition/vitamin K in patients with additional stroke risk factors.

Zamyatin's We: Persuading the Individual to Sacrifice Self

Jeffrey Steven Carr — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:02:12 PDT

The artistic aspects of the novel are excellent. Zamyatin has attained full maturity here--so much the worse, for all this has gone into the service of a malicious cause.

Electrostatic Discharge in Spacecraft Materials

Jennifer Albretsen Roth — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:02:11 PDT

Understanding the characteristics of electron beam bombardment that induce electrostatic discharge (ESD) of insulating materials is crucial to constructing an electrically stable spacecraft. A measurement system has been designed to determine the beam energy and charge flux densities at which typical spacecraft materials intended for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) undergo ESD. Because discharge events occur over time intervals ranging from nanoseconds to minutes, multiple detection methods were employed as charge was accumulated on a sample surface; these methods included monitoring of sample current and optical emissions from the sample surface. Each sample was also examined with optical microscopy before and after testing to determine permanent changes in the materials. Testing for various samples was done at 130 K, 170 K, and 200 K.An overview of ESD incidence for all materials is provided in relation to beam conditions and material composition. Data for a carbon fiber material is discussed in greater detail, comparing results from each detection method. Two discharge modes were observed: a sudden-onset, long-duration exponentially-decaying sample current accompanied by the release of intense blue photons, and a sudden spike or arc in current with a white light flash. The implications of test results for JWST are discussed.

Polar Mesospheric Clouds: A Satellite and Ground-Based Comparison

Jodie Barker-Tvedtnes — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:02:10 PDT

Polar Mesospheric Clouds (PMCs) are tenuous ice clouds that form near the cold (<150K) summer mesopause region (80-85 km). From the ground, these clouds are seen during twilight hours as Noctilucent or "night shining" Clouds (NLCs) and are typically seen from latitudes from 50� to 65�. Observations by the Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet (SBUV) instruments on the NOAA satellites have shown that the occurrence and brightness of NLCs have been increasing over the last three decades prompting speculation concerning their possible role in climate change. Recently the Aeronomy of Ice in the Mesosphere (AIM) satellite was launched (April 2007) and is the first satellite dedicated to the study of NLCs. In this report, we compare SBUV and AIM PMC observations with ground-based image data collected during two campaigns from Edmonton, Canada (June 30-July 17, 2007) and Delta Junction, Alaska (July 29-August 17, 2007). Four nights of data are discussed where coincident measurements were obtained by AIM, SBUV/2 and ground-based imagers. The results show good spatial or temporal agreement, but rarely both, and illustrate the importance of coordinated measurements for better understanding the geographic and local time variability of PMCs. Initial studies using data from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) on the AURA satellite are also presented.

A Comparison of FFR Measures of Young Adults with BioMARK Normative Values

Kathryn Eileen Pitts — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:02:09 PDT

The BioMARK (Biological Marker of Auditory Processing) test, formerly known as BioMAP, is a measure of the frequency following response (FFR) in children to a speech stimulus. The test was designed for 8 to 12 year old children. Other tests of the auditory brainstem such as auditory brainstem responses, have normative values that are valid for listeners from age 2 to adulthood. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the speech-evoked FFR of young adult listeners to determine if a separate set of normative values is needed for this age group. FFR tests using the BioMARK with thirteen listeners aged 18 to 30 years old revealed that a majority of the adults tested fell outside the children-based normative values of the BioMARK. The most consistent differences were found in the amplitude of the FFR responses with the young adults having lower amplitudes than that of the children upon which the normative values of the BioMARK were based. The reason for these amplitude differences in not currently known but the results do support the need to collect normative data for the BioMARK specifically for young adult listeners.

Knowledge of Coumadin Use in Atrial Fibrillation Potients

Krista Skye Viau — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:02:08 PDT

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common observed arrhythmia in clinical practice. Over the next decades, the number ofpeople affected by AF is estimated to be anywhere from 5.6 to over 12 million. In patients with AF, thromboembolism is a central concern, as it can lead to stroke with significant morbidity and mortality. Coumadin anticoagulation has been shown to significantly reduce stroke risk, particularly in patients with other risks, such as hypertension, diabetes, prior stroke, or heart failure. Although Coumadin is effective in reducing stroke, its chronic use requires frequent international normalized ratio (INR)/protime monitoring. This is necessary because nutritional status, compliance, and drug interactions can lead to under-or over-coagulation. There can be numerous interactions with food and medications in patients using Coumadin. In addition, Coumadin carries with it the major concern ofintracranial bleeding. Consequently, identifying knowledge deficits related to Coumadin use is critical to improving patient outcomes.Methods: This study took place at Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, Utah, in collaboration with Utah State University, Logan, Utah. Patients with known AF, who were receiving treatment from the Utah Heart Clinic (n=75), were asked to complete a one-time questionnaire. The data thus obtained was analyzed to identify any knowledge deficits related to Coumadin use.Results: It was found that 90.7 percent ofthe sample had at least one stroke risk factor. Descriptive data indicated 21.3 percent ofall participants reported consuming grapefruit and/or grapefruit juice and were unaware ofthe interaction with Coumadin.Conclusions: This is ofgreat clinical significance as lack ofknowledge increased the risk for thromboembolism and intracranial bleeding. The results may be skewed due to the common knowledge ofgrapefruit-drug interactions. We conclude that better strategies need to be devised to effectively educate AF patients on Coumadin to improve treatment outcomes in the future.

Implementing Research Through a Holistic Design Process

Megan Pearce — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:02:07 PDT

Most interior design students come from a creative background, with limited experience in writing and research. When faced with a challenge in the design process, valuable resources are not utilized. Students do not think to access them. This mind-set carries over as professionals. The research exists, but a lack ofunderstanding prevents designers from using it. Designers must learn to use hard sources and develop their own research to legitimize the profession.In the design profession, benefits ofresearch are especially seen when using a holistic design process. As integrated approach, the holistic design process involves all parties related to a project. As the trend in the industry is moving toward sustainable buildings, research through a holistic design process becomes even more important. Incorporating research at this stage ensures that sustainable principles are held in a whole-building perspective.Implementing research further produces change in the design industry. Research findings incorporated into healthcare facilities have promoted healing and efficiency. It also has transformed office settings into spaces which increase productivity and satisfaction among employees. Through applying research studies into practice, designers become a change agent in creating a better world.

Land in Fairyland: Edmund Spenser and Emerging Perceptions of Ecology and Gender in the Faerie Queen

Megan Angela Sieverts — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:02:07 PDT

Edmund Spenser's The Faerie Queen is an eloquent text brimming with images of nature, flowers, and gardening. Nature is not simply what is in the outdoors of the text or a passive backdrop for action to upstage; she is a character who has an active role in influencing the plot and characters of the story. Plants come alive through Spenser in many ways as he makes the natural world of his text into an enchanted fairyland. The imagery of nature is not only personified, but also actually personifies characters. Flowers found in The Faerie Queen are both plants and actual people, allowing Spenser to explore shifting perceptions of gender roles through natural spaces in his text.

An Obscene Gesture: A Civil Approach to Interpreting Community Standards

Nathan B. Laursen — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:02:06 PDT

Since the 1970's, obscenity cases in the US legal system have long been detennined by the three-part Miller test. Criminal convictions for obscenity have frequently been disputed due to the ambiguous nature contained within the three-part test, especially having the trier of fact apply "contemporary community standards." Technological advances and increasing homogeneity has added to the dubious nature of the test and some feel obscenity laws need revised, ifnot eliminated. Numerous suggestions have been made to improve the "intractable problem" ofdetennining what is obscene speech. This paper considers some of those possibilities and suggests commentary on others. One way of detennining community standards while maintaining a federalist court system is moving obscenity to the civil courts allowing individuals and communities to defme local differing standards.

Blonde? Pretty? Give Birth to the Fuhrer!: An Analysis of National Socialist Propaganda 1930-1939

Shelley Anne Johnson — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:02:05 PDT

The Third Reich is one of the most notorious government regimes the world has ever encountered and created problems that humanity had never anticipated in the modern world. Yet many aspects of the government policy before WWII are left unexplored, including the role of women in the Nazi take-over of Germany. Why were women important? What role did they play in the National Socialist policy and German life? In fact women were one of the most important intended audiences of Hitler's plans. It was women that would give him the vote into the government of the Weimar Republic, support his perspective of traditional housewife, and most importantly the continuation of his ideas through a genetically pure generation of offspring. Because of these plans several propaganda campaigns would be conducted through a myriad of outlets, presenting a perspective of a pure nationalist state supported by the strong women of the Reich. It was these plans, from the campaign posters of 1933 to the personalized Nazi Women magazines that present a clear picture of Nazi policy towards women and their importance in the plan of Lebensraum and Germany supremacy.

Algebraic computing Tools in General Relativity: Energy-Momentum Tensors and Exact Solutions to the Einstein Field Equations

Sydney JoAnne Chamberlin — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:02:04 PDT

Maple is a mathematical software program containing packages of tools that may be used in making difficult computations. The Tensor sub-package of Maple's Differential Geometry package is a collection of commands used for making tensor computations on manifolds. We present a series of new tools for the Tensor package. Included with these tools are new commands to compute objects of geometric and physical interest -energy-momentum tensors, matter field equations, the Bel-Robinson tensor, etc. -along with tools to compute the geometric properties of these objects. Additionally, an electronic database of exact solutions to the Einstein field equations has been created for use within the Differential Geometry package. Several geometric and algebraic properties of each Lorentz metric, including Killing vector fields, orbits and isometry groups, orthonormal frames, and Petrov types, have been computed and are included in this database. To provide researchers with a mechanism for utilizing elements of this exact solutions database, a graphical user interface has also been developed. Applications of the new tools in the Tensor package are extensive, and will provide researchers with a more useful interface for investigating problems in theoretical physics and mathematics.

"Our Sweat, Our Struggle, Our Success": The Women of the COMAMNUVI Cooperative

Tabitha Lazenby — Fri, 29 May 2009 14:02:03 PDT

On October 30, 1998 Hurricane Mitch swept across the shores of Nicaragua leaving countless Nicaraguans homeless, hungry, and unemployed. 14,000 of these refugees were relocated to a municipality in Cuidad Sandino called Nueva Vida (New Lift). In the year 2000 a small group of women began working with Jubilee House Community's Center for Development in Central America project and Maggie's Organics to initiate the industrial sewing project of the Cooperativa Maquiladora Mujeres de Nueva Vida Internacional (Comamnuvz). The project started with 50 women and men, but due to harsh economic conditions and the necessity for workers to find paying jobs, the group quickly dwindled to 11. These 11 people are the 11 members that currently manage the factory today. In 2005 the PIA donated 10,000 dollars to the cooperative so that they could become the world's first worker-owned free trade zone, allowing them to import and export without paying taxes. They are fighting for their autonomy, their cooperative, and their future. They face financial problems, a rocky relationship with their founding NGO, and interpersonal communication problems that have been the root cause of many of their biggest mistakes. This paper will explain and analyze how a group of former internally displaced women came to run an international business revolving around an alternative trade model particularly looking at the question of how involvement in the cooperative has influenced their lives.