Undergraduate Honors Theses

Ultrasonic Analysis of Breast Tissue for Pathology Classification

Kristina Marie Sorensen — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:32:17 PST

Real time measurements may assist surgeons in obtaining negative or cancer free margins during lumpectomy to eliminate invasive re-excision. Previous findings show that high-frequency ultrasound can differentiate between a range of breast pathologies in surgical specimens. Two parameters, peak density and second-order spectral slope, are sensitive to histopathology. Our objective was to determine the mechanism linking high-frequency ultrasound to histology. The hypothesis is that ultrasound sensitivity is a function of the microscopic heterogeneity (and thus histology) of the tissue. Ultrasonic results from breast specimens were used to construct a multivariate analysis of the parameters that permitted differentiation of normal, adipose, benign, and malignant breast pathologies.

Observational Research in a Marketing Classroom: A Guidebook

Kristen Winterton — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 11:32:13 PST

Qualitative research plays an integral part in marketing research (Denzin and Lincoln, 1998). In fact, a search of the website for the American Marketing Association for the term “qualitative research” reveals literally hundreds of documents (white papers, case studies, etc) discussing methods of conducting observational research, examples of observational research studies, and the importance of observational research in marketing. Interestingly, though qualitative methods are used frequently by practitioners, they receive very limited attention in marketing textbooks. This seems particularly true of observation research, which is among the least expensive and easily conducted qualitative methods (Mann, 2003). The purpose of this research is to provide a substantive review of marketing texts to determine how observational research is being introduced to a student audience, and to confirm the existence of an education gap in the instruction, as well as to offer recommendations for improvement. Qualitative reviews performed in both practitioner and academic areas confirmed that treatment of observational research in the marketing classroom seem relatively less than its use in the field. To help address these differences, a guidebook is developed outlining the benefits, challenges, and methods of conducting elementary observational research techniques.

"Sing the Dionysus": Euripides' Bacchae as Dramatic Hymn

Rebecca Anne Richards — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:16:01 PDT

Of the extant classical and pre-classical hymns to Dionysus, both literary and cultic, none praises him as the god of drama nor explicitly connects him with theatre. This paper will argue that Euripides has modeled the dramatic action of The Bacchae on the conventional form of Greek hymns, creating a play that is a variegated quilt of songs, all designed in one way or another to extol Dionysus and the benefits he brings to humankind. Some of these have a conventional appearance; others are more imlOvative in content and form, in particular, what we call the "dran1atic hymn" which encompasses the middle part of the play. We wi ll argue that in these central scenes Euripides presents theatre itself as one more item to be added to the traditional li st of Dionysus' blessings, like wine and joy, those divine gifts most often featured in traditional hymns to this god. It is natural, then, that The Bacchae does not just recount this new benefaction through a straightforward narration, the way Homeric Hymns typically do, but reenacts it in a manner appropriate to drama, "the active art."

Experience Design

Alexandra Lee Davis — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:16:00 PDT

This undergraduate research project aims to explore the question: “What is Experience Design(XD)?” and “How can Experience Design be executed in a magazine, both print and online versions?” My methods included extensive research on the history of XD, ethnography of typical magazine users, the study of magazine layout and design principles (both in print and online form) and finally, the execution of an XD-minded print and online digital-comp version of a fashion/lifestyle magazine. I used the Adobe Creative Suite to compile my research into tangible proof of the theory of XD in action. My results proved to be difficult to measure, as I found several constraints to my project throughout my course of study. For example: It was difficult for me to study good design principles being applied to fashion magazines as most American magazines have become so commercial and advertising based.

Breathe In, Breathe Out: Utilizing Mindfulness in the Social Work Practicum

Allison Leigh Leonard — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:15:59 PDT

Mindfulness is defined as the ability to be aware of your thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and actions – in the present moment – without judging or criticizing yourself or your experience (McKay, Wood, & Brantley, 2007). It has been used in a variety of settings and in a variety of ways. Within the context of social work, mindfulness can be used to prevent burnout and increase awareness. This paper reports research on teaching mindfulness techniques with the purpose of training students to use mindfulness and improve their professional development. Specifically, the paper presents the following: review of current literature on the professional use of mindfulness; a description of the research design and methods; and analysis of the data; and a discussion of the implications for the use of teaching mindfulness to prevent burnout and increase awareness.

Corporate Style Guides: Understanding and Construction

Riley Ann Ashcroft — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:15:57 PDT

Style guides have existed for many years and yet there is almost no information concerning how to write one. Since corporations are so different from one another, each could have its very own style guide. Most, however, use an existing style guide and fill in any gaps with customer specific information. One such corporation is the Utah State University Research Foundation (USURF). To answer the question “how to write a style guide,” this paper compares five style guides with similar content to what would appear in a USURF guide. The paper then discusses interviews from USURF’s technical writers to determine the needs of the individual organization. The latter half of this paper is the actual style guide presented to USURF management as a standard.

Directed Cell Phone Antenna

Benjamin Carroll — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:15:53 PDT

The purpose of this project is to design a Yagi-‐Uda antenna with a very high forward directivity. This antenna will be built to the parameters of the Motorola Razr v3 cellular phone. The designed antenna will have a much higher forward gain than the internal antenna in the phone. This means that when the antenna is connected it will have an improved range of reception as long as the antenna is pointing in the direction of a cell tower. The impact of this project is that the signal reception of a popular model of cell phone will be drastically improved. While it is not ideal to carry this rather awkward antenna around everywhere to improve the signal, it could easily be mounted to improve signal. When situations are encountered that the phone consistently exhibits poor reception this antenna could be used to boost the reception at that location.

Automation of Tangential Flow Filtration for Purification of Biosynthetic Spider Silk

Candace N. Clark — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:15:48 PDT

The objective of this project is to create a user-friendly, automated flow regulation system for a tangential flow filtration (TFF) process. These filtration units are crucial for the initial stages of extracting the spider silk proteins from transgenic goat milk. Automated flow regulation systems do exist, but not at an appropriate scale for this application. This system will allow bench-top studies to be conducted with automated efficiency. Spider silk is an amazing material and if commercially available, it could be used in hundreds of applications. Currently, cost effective production is the most significant issue stopping large-scale production and use of spider silk. An increased availability of spider silk would allow for exploration into new applications. The TFF system already produces valuable spider silk protein and automating the process will result in increased quantities of spider silk proteins. With larger amounts of protein available, researchers are better able to explore the many exciting applications of spider silk proteins.

Technological Evolution and its Effects on Graphic Design and Textbook Design

Danielle Renae Allen — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:15:46 PDT

Technological Evolution and its Effects on Graphic Design and Textbook Design Although fundamental principles of art and design have been around for thousands of years, the development of new technology has greatly altered how designers must use these foundations. This paper investigates how this complex history has changed graphic design practices and specifically the design of textbooks. It also discusses technology’s huge role in changing the way design fundamentals are taught and practiced and how this affects where the profession is headed. Through researching the history of graphic design and then examining three editions of the textbook, Design Basics by David Lauer that span a period of about 32 years, it is easy to see how society’s changing needs, as well as dramatically changing technology, have affected textbook design. This series of textbooks has evolved through multiple editions to appeal to a much broader group of people, especially students, and to include new technologies. These adaptations can easily be seen through evaluating what changes and additions have been made to these books. Technology has become the driving force behind design and specifically textbook design. This paper argues that technology will constantly be changing and evolving and that graphic design will continue to evolve at a similar rate to reflect these changes.

Comparison of Peak Power on Four Cycling Modes

James O. Olsen — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:15:40 PDT

There has been a vast amount research conducted concerning many different aspects of cycling performance. This is, in part, due to the relative ease with which variables can be isolated and tested. The equipment used for cycling research is generally compact, stationary, and relatively inexpensive, which make cycling a convenient method to test a variety of variables. In a laboratory setting, researchers often utilize cycle rollers, ergometers, and trainers to best simulate road cycling. Rollers allow subjects the familiarity of using their personal bicycles, and the ability to experience typical factors of cycling such as angular and lateral movement. Trainers also allow the familiarity of personal bicycles, but the front wheel is immobilized while the rear wheel is placed on a roller, which restricts the angular and lateral movement of cycling. Cycle ergometers are stationary bikes that give researchers control of specific variables such as resistance, and also tend to be more restrictive than actual bicycles. What these three modes have in common is the perceived ability to accurately imitate the motions involved in road cycling, as well as the characteristics that make them convenient to laboratory testing: they are small which allow them to fit in the smallest of labs, they are stationary which makes it possible to perform several tests on them which include heart rate, blood pressure, VO2 and other metabolic tests, and many more. While these different modes make isolating variables for testing convenient, the extent to which the results transfer to the field, or the external validity, must be considered.

How to Navigate Public Accounting Recruitment

Jill Heather Aoki — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:15:34 PDT

For many accounting graduates, public accounting is an excellent place to start a career. However, recruitment at accounting firms is highly competitive. The majority of personnel are hired through internships, and competition for these positions is fierce. The process usually spans over multiple years and involves participating in leadership seminars, attending social events, and much more in addition to interviewing. Successful placement requires not only exceptional academic achievements but also strong relationships with personnel at the firm. One primary differentiator among the numerous public accounting firms is their people and culture. Other factors include local clients and specializations. Thus, candidates and recruiters spend a great deal of time and effort finding “good fit.” This paper describes and offers advice regarding many of the typical steps and activities in the recruiting process, such as Meet the Firms, social events, and summer leadership programs, which are crucial to obtaining a public accounting internship. The paper also provides resume, cover letter, and interview advice for successful recruiting. The appendix describes the differences between audit and tax work and also contrasts big and small firms.

Effects of Supplementing Propionibacteria in Lactation Dairy Diets on Ruminal Fermentation in Continuous Cultures

Karmella Ann Dolecheck — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:15:32 PDT

The aim of the present study was to assess characteristics of in vitro ruminal fermentation when mixed cultures were offered lactation dairy diets supplemented with the direct-fed microorganism, Propionibacterium P63 in continuous cultures. The design of the experiment was a 2 × 2 factorial with 4 replications. Diets based on corn silage and alfalfa hay as the forage sources were formulated; high forage (HF) or low forage (LF) diet with a forage-to-concentrate ratio of 60:40 or 40:60 (DM basis), respectively, was combined without or with P63 to form 4 treatments: HF without P63, HF with P63, LF without P63, and LF with P63. Approximately 700 mL of the strained ruminal fluid obtained from 2 lactating dairy cows was inoculated into each of 4 fermentors with a continuous dual-flow system. The cultures were allowed 6 d of adaptation to the treatments followed by 3 d of sampling and data collection. Feed totaling 40.0 g of DM was added to each fermentor daily in equal portions delivered at 0800 and 2000 h. The P63 treatments received 7 × 108 cfu of P63/fermentor/feeding. Supplementing P63 decreased culture pH (P = 0.05) in the LF diet, but not in the HF diet. Feeding the LF diet increased total VFA concentration compared with the HF diet (P = 0.01), and supplementing P63 increased total VFA concentration regardless of level of forage in the diet (P < 0.01). Molar concentrations and proportions of acetate and propionate did not differ in response to supplementing P63 in the HF and the LF diet. However, molar concentration and proportion of butyrate increased due to P63 supplementation (P < 0.05) only in the LF diet, resulting in interactions between level of forage and P63 supplementation (P < 0.08). Overall results in this in vitro study indicate that P63 supplementation enhanced ruminal fermentation by increasing VFA production, but its impacts on continuous culture fermentation differed between the HF and the LF diet.

Effective Poster Design

Kaylee S. White — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:15:30 PDT

It is claimed that a poster has about three seconds to catch the attention of a passer-by. The success of that poster teeters on those few seconds. If it fails to attract attention, then it is ineffective. However, if it catches the interest of its viewer, then half of the battle is won. Having caught attention, the poster must next deliver a swift, effective, convincing message, which then leads the viewer to a desired thought or action. Quite an ambitious to-do list for one poster, right? Quickly arrest the attention of the viewer, deliver a swift clear message, effectively accomplish a goal, convince and persuade the audience, and move them to action: how does someone design a poster that fosters all of these functions? There are many answers to this question. In fact, there are infinite ways to solve the challenge. The truth is, it is up to you as the designer to solve it, and that is where the application of design theory comes in. Design theory explains how to communicate visually. It is broken down into four different components of design: the design process, human-centered senses, design elements, and design principles. The use of these components is key to successful design.

Evaluation of Pedestrian Risk on 700 N on Utah State University Campus

Kirk Jackson — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:15:27 PDT

One of the biggest concerns that highway designers face when designing roadways is how to safely design the interface between highway users and pedestrians. This is never truer than on the Utah State University campus where pedestrian use is much higher than on an average road. Utah State University purchased 700 N, the main collector road which runs through the heart of USU’s campus, from the City of Logan in the summer of 2010. Since then, pedestrian safety on 700 N has become the first priority of USU Facilities in regards to their efforts to improve it. It has come to the attention of USU Facilities that 700 N is no longer in compliance with the current standards for roadway design (American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, 2011). In addition, the signage for pedestrian crosswalks are not in compliance with the Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Highways and Streets (MUTCD), which although the regulations specified are not law, the regulations still reflect safety in uniformity concerning communicating to road users the risk of pedestrian collisions (American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials, American Traffic Safety Services Assosiation, Federal Highway Administration, Institute of Transportation Engineers, 2009). Section 2B.11 clearly defines the regulations for design of traffic control devices related to pedestrian crossings, which 700 N is in violation of; more will be discussed about this later. These violations of the regulations regarding traffic control and the geometric design of the roadway are not punishable by law, however they do point out safety violations that should be addressed by USU facilities in order to increase pedestrian safety.

Microfinance as an Effective Development Solution: The Case of Mongolia

Kjersten Adams — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:15:23 PDT

Microfinance is increasingly looked at as a development solution for countries around the world. Its development and practice in former communist countries, however, has been relatively unexplored. This study seeks to fill this gap by asking how the practice and operation of microfinance in Mongolia compare to global best practices. Using global best practice frameworks regarding regulatory and organizational environments for microfinance, data gathered from surveys and onsite training observations at Xacbank is used to assess Mongolia's financial sector and its relative compliance to said practices. The analysis helps address the question of whether microfinance has helped or hindered Mongolian economic development. I find that while Mongolia's formal and informal social and regulatory environment compares relatively well to global best practice frameworks, the adoption of microfinance and growth of the microfinancial sector has led to unanticipated broad level institutional changes in Mongolia's financial regulatory sector that are conducive to economic development. Despite such changes, improvements in the country regulatory and business context still need to be made to _ make Mongolia more attractive to foreign investors and domestic entrepreneurs. Ideas for further research include determining other possible events or movements that could have impacted financial industry reform, the effect of the global financial environment on the Mongolia, and the advancement of microfinance and the financial industry in other transitioning economies.

Business Intelligence Tools in a Developmental Environment: An Academic Module

Landon M. Hemsley — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:15:18 PDT

Business Intelligence (BI), defined here as the creation and use of meaningful business information for management, has over the last 20 years shown over and over again its value to professional industry. The prevalence of BI has also demonstrated that a new brand of worker is needed to take advantage of the sophisticated tools available to modern industry. Evidence suggests modern universities have struggled to educate professionals on the tremendous impact BI can have on an organization if used properly. This work is a step in an endeavor to bridge that educational gap and generate an educational strategic advantage by providing a module to be used in current information systems courses.

Bioclimatic Design Guidelines: A Valuable Tool for Landscape Architects

Laura Patricia Reyes Romero — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:15:17 PDT

This research project aims to create awareness, among landscape architects, on the importance of ecological design. Bioclimatic knowledge contributes to enhance the coexistence between natural and built environments, resulting in healthy places with high quality of life. The study examines ways of graphically representing climate information, to facilitate the understanding and application of bioclimatic design strategies for human comfort. Cache Valley, Utah is used as an example to demonstrate how extensive data can be represented graphically in a more readable and useful manner for practicing professionals. Temperature, humidity, wind and solar information were analyzed and converted into graphics through methods of bioclimatic analysis. The outcome is a recollection of graphic design guidelines to specific climate conditions, in this case Cache Valley, Utah. The resulting design guidelines will aid professionals to design sensitive spaces that minimize energy consumption while maximizing human comfort.

Women's Experiences During the Wars of the Roses

Mackenzie Van Engelenhoven — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:15:16 PDT

This paper will discuss the lived experiences of women of the English nobility and gentry during the period between 1450 and 1485, which covers the end of the Hundred Year's War to the end of the Wars of the Roses. It will focus on the vulnerabilities associated with various stages of life of a medieval woman, including childhood, marriage, childbearing, and widowhood, as well as the added vulnerabilities associated with political affiliations at the time of civil war. A woman's experience in medieval England was highly dependent upon her social status, marital status, husband's political affiliations, and her legal rights. These factors also affect our modern perception as women as victims of the Wars of the Roses. As this conflict was mostly a war of the nobility and since the majority of the records of women that exist from this era only detail the experiences of noble women, the existing information about women during the Wars of the Roses is primarily about those in the upper ranks of society. It is this record of the elite that will serve as the topic of my essay.

Re-Configurable Putting Green

Matthew Ralphs — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:15:14 PDT

This report discusses the design of a prototype transformable putting green that can be programmed to recreate the topography of any putting green. The goal of the design was to give a realistic putting experience with real topography in an indoor environment. This report discusses the design of a pair of 4’x4’ module prototypes; a commercial implementation of this design would utilize a number of modules to create putting greens on a more realistic scale (example 12’x32’). The design of a full size transformable putting green necessitates a topographical range of up to 30”. After initial concepts and preliminary designs it was determined that the budget was insufficient for a putting green with a full topographical range of 30”. To reduce cost while still providing a proof of concept, the design scope was reduced to a smaller topographical range. This design presents a 4’x8’ prototype consisting of two 4’x4’ modules each with a topographical range of 6” across their width. The prototype uses an array of linear actuators to create the topography. The actuators are mounted vertically in a frame and are placed in a square grid array. Each module contains a 6x6 array of actuators (or 36 actuators per module) with 8 inch spacing between the centers of each actuator. Each of the linear actuators has a vertical range of 6”. The actuators are attached to a subsurface to carry the loads between the actuators and to create a uniform surface. The primary purpose of the subsurface is to create a smoothly contoured putting surface that simulates the smooth curves of a putting green. Attached to the subsurface is an artificial turf that creates a seamless, realistic putting surface. Each module is controlled by a microcontroller. The microcontroller dictates the steps for all the stepper motors in each of the linear actuators. The use of stepper motors on the linear actuators gives precise control over the resolution of the putting surface. The micro-controllers are governed by a computers controlling function which dictates the steps of the motors. Power to the stepper motors is supplied by a computer power supply that runs on a standard 110 volt AC circuit. However, a 220 volt AC circuit can be used for larger module arrays. Each 4’x4’ module is self-contained and can be moved via castor wheels mounted on the base of each module. The electronic control interface between each module and the computer USB connection. Each of the prototype modules is 4’x4’x10” tall and weighs 250lbs. The cost to produce two modules with an included 10% over-run protection is $5,409.44

Social Business: Maximizing Economic Value to Create Social Value

Melody Alene Jensen — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 15:15:08 PDT

Throughout the world, there are problems threatening the lives and livelihood of humanity. Where there are problems, there are people who want to fix them. But charity has shown to be unsustainable and ineffective in creating positive change in the long run. Some companies have chosen to go beyond corporate philanthropy or "corporate social responsibility" by incorporating a social mission into the core of their businesses. The ideals and mission permeate through company goals and strategies. This new model of doing business seeks to sustainably create social value. But this undertaking would not be possible without creating economic value through the fulfillment of business level strategies. Not only does creating economic value enable the development of social business, the pursuit of social value can be conducive to building economic value. The purpose of this paper is to show how pursuing competitive strategies of price leadership and product differentiation builds economic value, which then allows companies to create sustainable positive social value and impact. Five businesses cases are presented that address social issues through the pursuit of different business level strategies.