Matching Items (533)

MMS Electrical Design: Aiding Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Research

Description

This project revolves around the enhancement of an existing data collection device utilized for patient monitoring within the framework of the leadership of Shad Roundy's team. The initial deployment involved a 10-Axis Internal Measurement Unit (IMU) sourced from MetaMotionS (MMS) for comprehensive data acquisition from patients at University of Utah’s…

This project revolves around the enhancement of an existing data collection device utilized for patient monitoring within the framework of the leadership of Shad Roundy's team. The initial deployment involved a 10-Axis Internal Measurement Unit (IMU) sourced from MetaMotionS (MMS) for comprehensive data acquisition from patients at University of Utah’s Downtown Behavioral Health Clinic (BHC). The primary objective transitioned towards optimizing the device's functionality, particularly addressing challenges related to limited battery life, device size, and data transfer efficiency. A systematic approach was undertaken to address these challenges, involving meticulous research into alternative batteries, with the CL 582728 identified as a promising solution capable of extending the device's operational lifespan to around one month. Additionally, the initiative aimed at refining data collection processes through real-time transmission facilitated by Raspberry Pi devices at BHC via Bluetooth, leveraging the energy-efficient Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 Bluetooth chip. The project also entailed intricate circuit design endeavors utilizing Autodesk Eagle, with reference to a model provided by MMS. Despite encountering programming challenges for the microcontroller, the groundwork was laid for a conceptual solution, with plans to delegate the programming task to a team member possessing advanced expertise. Though the device has yet to be fabricated, the design is near completion.
ContributorsJust, William (Author) / Andersen, Erik (Thesis director) / Roundy, Shad (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Electrical Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2024-05

The Rise of Activism on Campus: An Analysis of Ethnic Studies Role in Understanding Forms of Democratic Engagement Among College Students

Description
In contemporary society, the intersection between education and democratic engagement has become a focal point of inquiry, with researchers and educators alike recognizing the profound impact that educational experiences can have on shaping an individual's level of democratic engagement. Within this broader discourse, an increasingly relevant and pressing question emerges:…

In contemporary society, the intersection between education and democratic engagement has become a focal point of inquiry, with researchers and educators alike recognizing the profound impact that educational experiences can have on shaping an individual's level of democratic engagement. Within this broader discourse, an increasingly relevant and pressing question emerges: How does the perception of, or the content within, ethnic studies education influence different forms of democratic engagement among college students who are notoriously known for their apathetic participation in politics and democracy? This inquiry delves into the intricate relationship between educational interventions addressing ethnic studies and the subsequent choices made by the emerging generation of politically active individuals. Understanding the nuances of this connection is crucial for informed educational practices and policies that seek to cultivate an engaged and socially conscious citizenry.
ContributorsRamos, Yailin (Author) / Suhail, Sarah (Thesis director) / McGibbney Vlahoulis, Michelle (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor) / Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies, Sch (Contributor)
Created2024-05

Invisible to Visible: Changing the Lives of Those Impacted Through Community Organizing

Description
In 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom passed Senate Bill 731 (SB731), landmark legislation that would allow individuals’ old convictions, or even an arrest without conviction, to be electronically sealed. Doing this would allow millions of people who fall into this category to not bear the burden of having limitations from…

In 2022, California Governor Gavin Newsom passed Senate Bill 731 (SB731), landmark legislation that would allow individuals’ old convictions, or even an arrest without conviction, to be electronically sealed. Doing this would allow millions of people who fall into this category to not bear the burden of having limitations from their past lives. In understanding how transitional and pivotal this piece of legislation can be, the impact that it could have might be stifled due to various barriers. Understanding these truths, I take on the challenge of documenting my work with communities and community organizers to bridge the gap that is present so that we ensure that disenfranchised groups are aware and take advantage of legislation that has the potential to change their lives.
ContributorsOkuagu, Rachel (Author) / Blount-Hill, Kwan-Lamar (Thesis director) / Fine, Adam (Committee member) / Harvey, Aaron (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor)
Created2024-05

Mapping Histories of LGBTQ+ Migrant Discrimination and Resistance in the US

Description

Although Immigration and LGBTQ+ issues have been at the forefront of political discourse in the US, there is often less of an emphasis on the intersection of these two. LGBTQ+ migrants often face a disproportionate amount of abuse and assault while in transit or detention compared to their straight counterparts,…

Although Immigration and LGBTQ+ issues have been at the forefront of political discourse in the US, there is often less of an emphasis on the intersection of these two. LGBTQ+ migrants often face a disproportionate amount of abuse and assault while in transit or detention compared to their straight counterparts, yet receive considerably less media attention. As congresspeople, news sources, and past presidents villainize or infantilize immigrants, what is spread by the general media is often not a true reflection of the nuanced and diverse stories of migration–much less for those with intersecting identities like LGBTQ+ migrants. This project is in collaboration with “DETAINED: Voices from the Migrant Incarceration System,” which aims to provide the public with real narratives of those who previously have been or are currently incarcerated in detention centers. The stories highlight the humanity of migration, deconstructing the false narratives spread by the media. This StoryMap will dissect LGBTQ migrant discrimination and resistance in three sections. The first is an exploration of policy, law, and historical moments that impacted the way in which the US immigration system is set up. The second is a collection of individual LGBTQ migrant stories while in detention or in transit. The third is an exploration of acts of resistance to discrimination, violence, and alienation experienced by LGBTQ migrants. This is meant to be viewed digitally, find the StoryMap at this link: https://arcg.is/108Wan
ContributorsZarate, Nayeli (Author) / Huizar-Hernandez, Anita (Thesis director) / Lara-Valencia, Francisco (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor)
Created2024-05

Shroom for Improvement: The Implications of Psilocybin Research on Scheduling and its Impacts in the Medical and Legal Fields

Description
Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found organically in psychedelic mushrooms, is currently classified as a Schedule I drug with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Schedule I classification regulations on psilocybin largely makes doing significant research infeasible due to bureaucratic and financial barriers. Despite this classification,…

Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found organically in psychedelic mushrooms, is currently classified as a Schedule I drug with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. Schedule I classification regulations on psilocybin largely makes doing significant research infeasible due to bureaucratic and financial barriers. Despite this classification, some researchers have studied the impact of ingesting psilocybin as a means of treating mental disorders and other conditions. Current and past research shows promising results for psilocybin’s ability to alleviate symptoms associated with mental disorders while also having a low abuse potential. In the interest of public benefit for the discovery of novel treatments and insight into brain function, psilocybin must be redesignated to allow for more extensive research in order to determine its therapeutic potential.
ContributorsCristal Resendiz Zarazua, Cristal (Author) / Puttick, Jessica (Co-author) / Rigoni, Adam (Thesis director) / Fong, Benjamin (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor)
Created2024-05

Post-Nuclear Urbanism in Visaginas, Lithuania: The Consequences of the Decommissioning of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant and New Possible Futures for the Region

Description
The town of Visaginas, originally known as Sniečkus, is a small city in Lithuania located about a two hour drive from the country's capital of Vilnius. While Vilnius is a lively and big city of about 600,000 that draws people in and acts as the country’s hub, Visaginas is a…

The town of Visaginas, originally known as Sniečkus, is a small city in Lithuania located about a two hour drive from the country's capital of Vilnius. While Vilnius is a lively and big city of about 600,000 that draws people in and acts as the country’s hub, Visaginas is a small and quiet town. The town is a Soviet-planned city, and was fully established in 1975 almost exclusively to house workers of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. Its ties to Russia and nuclear energy give Visaginas a complex history. Almost all workers at the nuclear plant came from the Soviet Union, so the community served as an instrument for Russification. Visaginas' geographically isolated location and predominantly Russian speaking demographic effectively makes it an exclave in Lithuania. When the decommissioning of the INPP was completed, Visaginas lost its main source of economic revenue, but it was also a huge loss to the community because their sense of identity was strongly tied to the nuclear plant. Visaginas provides a one of a kind case study and a unique opportunity to examine the energy justice implications of the end of the nuclear industry. The complex relationship between Lithuania and the Soviet Union, succeeded by Russia, has played a major role in shaping Visaginas as well as contributing to some of the ongoing struggles in the region. This thesis will aim to address the history of Visaginas in relation to the geopolitics between Russia and Lithuania and examine the lifespan of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant. The decommissioning will be framed through the lens of energy justice by examining the distributive, participatory, and recognition justice implications that stemmed from the decommissioning process. Finally, the paper will address the era of post-nuclear urbanism in Visaginas, Lithuania, and explore possible future avenues for the town. This thesis is a comprehensive literature review of relevant research and studies completed relating to the topic, and elements informed by the Generator Project week-long field school, a European Humanities University energy justice fellowship.
ContributorsBussiere, Jacqueline (Author) / Richter, Jennifer (Thesis director) / Kelman, Jonathan (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor) / School of Sustainability (Contributor)
Created2024-05

A Comprehensive Study on Object Detection Technology for Small-Scale, Low-Power Motion Based Applications

Description
The thesis explores the avenues of machine learning principles in object detection using TensorFlow 2 Object Detection API Libraries for implementation. Integrating object detection capabilities into ESP-32 cameras can enhance functionality in the capstone dragster application and potential applications, such as autonomous robots. The research implements the TensorFlow 2 Object…

The thesis explores the avenues of machine learning principles in object detection using TensorFlow 2 Object Detection API Libraries for implementation. Integrating object detection capabilities into ESP-32 cameras can enhance functionality in the capstone dragster application and potential applications, such as autonomous robots. The research implements the TensorFlow 2 Object Detection API, a widely used framework for training and deploying object detection models. By leveraging the pre-trained models available in the API, the system can detect a wide range of objects with high accuracy and speed. Fine-tuning these models using a custom dataset allows us to enhance their performance in detecting specific objects of interest. Experiments to identify strengths and weaknesses of each model's implementation before and after training using similar images were evaluated The thesis also explores the potential limitations and challenges of deploying object detection on real-time ESP-32 cameras, such as limited computational resources, costs, and power constraints. The results obtained from the experiments demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of implementing object detection on ESP-32 cameras using the TensorFlow2 Object Detection API. The system achieves satisfactory accuracy and real-time processing capabilities, making it suitable for various practical applications. Overall, this thesis provides a foundation for further advancements and optimizations in the integration of object detection capabilities into small, low-power devices such as ESP-32 cameras and a crossroad to explore its applicability for other image-capturing and processing devices in industrial, automotive, and defense sectors of industry.
ContributorsMani, Vinesh (Author) / Tsakalis, Konstantinos (Thesis director) / Jayasuriya, Suren (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / Electrical Engineering Program (Contributor)
Created2024-05

Cryptography in the Quantum Era: How the McEliece Cryptosystem May Be Used to Develop Quantum-Resistant Cryptography

Description
If quantum computing becomes feasible, many popular cryptographic schemes, such as RSA, Diffie-Helman, and methods using elliptic curves will no longer be secure. This paper explores code-based cryptography, specifically looking the McEliece cryptosystem, as well as the more recent Classical McEliece cryptosystem, which was proposed to the National Institute of…

If quantum computing becomes feasible, many popular cryptographic schemes, such as RSA, Diffie-Helman, and methods using elliptic curves will no longer be secure. This paper explores code-based cryptography, specifically looking the McEliece cryptosystem, as well as the more recent Classical McEliece cryptosystem, which was proposed to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) as a potentially quantum-secure algorithm.
ContributorsFletcher, Julia (Author) / Sprung, Florian (Thesis director) / Childress, Nancy (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor) / School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (Contributor) / Historical, Philosophical & Religious Studies, Sch (Contributor)
Created2024-05

"El Otro Lado del Velo": Reimagining Fey in the Mestizaje of the U.S. Southwest

DescriptionA critical introduction and narrative exploration of the chimeric nature of mestizaje through the lens of Jeffrey Jerome Cohen's Seven Theses of Monster Culture
ContributorsDuhamell Escobedo, Riqué (Author) / Bebout, Lee (Thesis director) / Viren, Sarah (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor) / Department of English (Contributor) / School of Transborder Studies (Contributor) / School of International Letters and Cultures (Contributor)
Created2024-05

Loopholes in Teacher Lesson Planning: Shifting from Planning to Goal Setting

DescriptionWith professional learning communities and lesson planning being hot topics in the educational sphere, it is worth investigating how much these two components of education benefit teachers. Therefore, this research aims to determine if teachers are satisfied with these components and, if not, what can be done to improve them.
ContributorsMcPherson, Paige (Author) / Broberg, Gregory (Thesis director) / Redshaw, Jennifer (Committee member) / Barrett, The Honors College (Contributor) / School of Social Transformation (Contributor) / School of Politics and Global Studies (Contributor)
Created2024-05