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Self-interpretation of symptoms in pediatric brain tumor patients: a comparison study of symptoms with other cancer types
No full texthonors thesisCollege of NursingNursingLauri LinderBackground: Enhanced survival in pediatric oncology has redirected focus toward longterm well‐being, especially for children with brain tumors, who often face enduring neurological, endocrine, and social challenges due to their disease and treatment. However, traditional symptom assessment methods frequently fail to engage younger patients or capture the full breadth of their experiences. Child-centered tools-like the MSAS 7-12-have demonstrated reliability and validity in eliciting accurate self-reports from children aged 7-12, making them promising instruments for this population. Purpose: The goal of this thesis is to 1) understand how pediatric patients with brain tumors self-report symptoms in comparison to peers with leukemia/lymphoma and other solid tumors, and 2) to examine whether symptom frequency, severity, and distress differ by time since diagnosis among patients with brain tumors. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis involves 95 children (aged 6-12, mean 9 ± 2 years; 57% male) from an instrument development study. Participants completed the MSAS 7-12, which evaluates the prevalence, frequency, severity, and distress of eight common cancer-related symptoms. Patients were categorized by diagnosis (brain tumor, leukemia/lymphoma, other solid tumor) and, among the brain tumor group, by time since diagnosis (≤ 6 months vs. > 6 months). ANOVA assessed differences across diagnostic groups, and non-parametric tests compared patients with brain tumors based on time since diagnosis. iii Results: Fatigue (40%) and pain (28%) were the most frequently reported symptoms across diagnoses. Patients with brain tumors reported fewer symptoms on average (mean = 1.57) and lower severity (1.49) and distress (0.62) compared to those with leukemia/lymphoma (mean = 1.92; severity = 1.66; distress = 0.85) and other solid tumors (mean = 2.63; distress = 1.15). One-way ANOVA tests showed no significant differences between diagnostic groups in average symptoms reported (p = 0.16), severity (p = 0.80), and symptom distress (p = 0.42). Within the brain tumor cohort, children diagnosed within six months reported a higher symptom count (mean = 3.3 vs. 1.3), while average severity and distress remained similar among both groups. Discussion & Nursing Implications: These findings affirm that fatigue and pain are pervasive across pediatric cancers, echoing prior studies. Although pediatric brain tumor patients reported fewer symptoms, symptom severity, and distress compared to other diagnostic groups, a comparison across time suggests how patients with brain tumors continue to experience distress throughout their diagnosis and treatment. These results underscore that symptom experiences can continue to be distressing and impact lifestyle across timelines. For nursing practice, the study highlights the importance of implementing age-appropriate, engaging self-report tools like MSAS 7-12 to detect subtle differences in symptom burden-especially during the early stages of diagnosis when symptom load appears greatest. Nurses should consider proactive, developmentally suitable symptom-screening and follow-up interventions, particularly aimed at fatigue and pain management. Conclusion: By applying a validated pediatric tool in a comparative study across cancer types and diagnostic timelines, this thesis advances understanding of symptom selfreporting in pediatric patients with brain tumors. Although limitations exist-such as parent-reported diagnoses, unverified treatment data, and the study\u27s cross-sectional design-the work lays essential groundwork for future longitudinal, multi-center research and supports the wider integration of tailored symptom-assessment strategies into pediatric oncology nursing care
Genventory reflection: a postmortem of a computer science capstone project
No full texthonors thesisSchool of ComputingComputer ScienceDavid BeanThis thesis outlines the methodologies and framework developed by the Genetics Biology Clinic Team in making a centralized genetic database, "Genventory," for the Jorgensen Lab enhancing my undergraduate interdisciplinary education. The project addresses limitations in current systems, such as Google Sheets and File Maker, by implementing a user friendly interface database architecture optimized for genetic research. This centralized system supports seamless data management, secure backups, and real-time integration with the WormWorld database. Key aspects of this development include utilizing Django for backend development, React with Vite for frontend implementation, and AWS for scalable cloud services. Additionally, features such as user-friendly UI/UX, data visualization tools, and authentication mechanisms are incorporated to enhance user experience and data accessibility. Future development will focus on expanding data types within Genventory, ensuring comprehensive coverage of genetic data, including CRISPR modifications, strain lineage tracking, and phenotype annotations. Additional features, such as interactive visualization tools for tracking genetic relationships and integrating automated gene crossing simulations, will further enhance the platform\u27s utility. These future improvements will allow national genetics labs to utilize this tool by streamlining experimental planning and providing intuitive tools for large-scale data analysis. Moreover, improvements in API connectivity will facilitate seamless integration with external databases, promoting collaboration and data standardization across research institutions. With these capabilities, Genventory aims to establish itself as a foundational tool for genetic research, adaptable to various laboratory environments worldwide
The effects of neuronal subpopulations on overall brain encephalization values in drosophila species
No full texthonors thesisSchool of Biological SciencesBiologySophie CaronEncephalization refers to the disproportionate growth in brain size relative to body size. While the brain-to-body ratio has been extensively studied in Drosophila species, prior research has largely focused on whole-brain metrics. There is a notable gap in understanding how specific neural subpopulations and circuits scale with overall brain size. This study examines the relationship between encephalization and the size of two subpopulations in the dopaminergic learning pathway-the PAM and PPL1 complexes- across a range of Drosophila species. Using dissection, immunostaining, and a combination of automated and manual cell counting techniques, neural data was collected and analyzed for multiple species within the Drosophila genus. Statistical analysis of this data revealed no consistent correlation between overall brain size and the number of cells within these subpopulations. These findings suggest that encephalization in Drosophila- and potentially in other organisms due to inherent analogy in neural structures-may not be strongly influenced by dopaminergic circuits involved in associative learning, but instead by other cognitive domains such as spatial estimation or problem-solving
Comparing ankle joint morphologies in pilon fracture patients with mild or severe PTOA
No full texthonors thesisCollege of EngineeringMaterials Science & EngineeringAmy LenzPilon fractures are high-energy injuries of the distal tibial plafond that often lead to posttraumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). PTOA can lead to a lifetime of pain and has no effective treatment. PTOA development is not well understood. We investigated morphological differences in the tibiotalar joint between patients with mild and severe PTOA using weight-bearing computed tomography (WBCT) and statistical shape modeling. WBCT scans from 32 pilon fracture patients were analyzed at 6, 12, and 18 months after treatment to assess differences in tibial and talar morphologies. We found few significant differences in the distal tibia articular surface. Similarly, the talus showed few significant differences. Longitudinal comparisons within severity groups indicated minimal morphological changes over time. Demographic comparisons showed large, significant differences between both tibias and tali between sexes and age groups, which may have complicated the study. These findings indicate that tibial and talar morphology differences between mild and severe PTOA patients are not significant and that bone remodeling and adaptation play a negligible role in the development of PTOA
Community and gender in Colombia\u27s disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration programs
No full texthonors thesisCollege of Social & Behavioral SciencePolitical Science & International StudiesTyler Pack,This thesis examines the post-conflict landscape of Colombia, specifically in relation to their reintegration practices pertaining to former female combatants. Colombia has been a particularly progressive case in relation to peacebuilding, yet women attempting to reintegrate into society post-conflict often find themselves forced back into traditional gender roles. It further argues that both community-based reintegration and gender considerations need to be prioritized in Colombia\u27s disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration programs (DDR), especially for former female combatants to have the best chance at successful reintegration and a lasting peace. The fundamental shift in perception in DDR as presented through a community based and gendered lens can lay the foundation for more inclusive and progressive peacebuilding for all
A comparison of the Russian and U.S. executive branches over time in response to terrorism
No full texthonors thesisCollege of HumanitiesWorld Languages & CulturesElizabeth EwaskioThis thesis examines the expansion of executive power in response to terrorism in Russia and the United States, comparing the 1999 Moscow apartment bombings and the September 11, 2001, attacks as key case studies. It analyzes how the Russian Constitution of 1993 and the U.S. Constitution of 1788 shaped their respective executive branches and how both governments leveraged counterterrorism efforts to expand presidential authority. Despite similar constitutional structures that emphasize checks and balances, the two nations diverged significantly in their long-term responses to crises. Following the Moscow apartment bombings, the Putin administration consolidated responsibilities in the federal government and streamlined legislative processes through the United Russia party in the State Duma. The Bush administration\u27s post- 9/11 response also saw expanded executive power through the USA PATRIOT Act, the AUMF, and domestic surveillance programs. However, judicial and legislative constraints in the U.S. led to eventual repeals or modifications of many emergency measures. This study concludes that while both Russia and the U.S. expanded executive authority under crisis, the U.S. system gradually reasserted constitutional checks. In contrast, Russia maintained and institutionalized these powers, leading to a lasting shift in governance
Return on investment in higher education: the State of Utah
No full texthonors thesisCollege of Social & Behavioral ScienceEconomicsRichard FowlesThis thesis begins by pondering why certain universities are considered elite and others are not. After exploring potential answers to this question, I note one area that could serve as an indicator of an university\u27s elite status: investment by the state government. In a political climate where state legislators are troubled by universities not aligning with commonly held cultural values and in which higher education\u27s value is being continuously questioned, this thesis argues that the state of Utah is deriving benefits from at least three specific areas in regards to investment in higher education: 1) a highly educated population is less likely to be incarcerated, leading to savings in corrections, 2) a highly educated population is healthier and in turn less likely to qualify or use social services such as Medicaid, leading to savings on social spending, 3) a highly educated population is the backbone of the state\u27s income tax revenue generation, leading to higher tax revenue pools and trickle-down investment for the rest of the state. These three factors make an argument that Utah is still deriving tangible benefits from its system of higher education, and that the system should receive continued support through state appropriations as competing needs arise due to the state\u27s ageing population. For Utah\u27s public university administrators that wish to raise their institution\u27s prestige, working with state legislators to secure long-term support is a promising strategy
Exploring the relationships among trauma exposure, obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms, and self-stigma
No full texthonors thesisCollege of Social & Behavioral SciencePsychologyAnu AsnaaniPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can cooccur, yet few studies examine the association among trauma exposure, OCD symptoms, and self-stigma. The present study investigates how OCD symptom levels and self-stigma differ in 137 college students across individuals with no trauma exposure (n = 63), individuals with trauma exposure only (n = 50), and individuals with probable PTSD (n = 24). Aim 1 examined average OCD symptom severity across trauma groups, where it was hypothesized that the probable PTSD group and trauma exposure only group would report greater average OCD symptom levels compared to the no trauma exposure group. Additionally, Aim 2a looked at self-stigma across groups, hypothesizing that those with probable PTSD would have the highest levels of self-stigma, followed by the trauma exposure only and no trauma exposure groups, respectively. Lastly, Aim 2b took an exploratory approach in investigating OCD symptoms as a potential moderator of the relationship between trauma exposure and self-stigma. Study results indicate that the probable PTSD group had higher average OCD symptoms compared to the other two groups (F(2, 57.96) = 7.3, p = .001) and that self-stigma did not differ significantly between groups (F(2, 134) = 1.05, p = .35). Moreover, OCD symptoms moderated the association between the trauma exposure only group and self-stigma when OCD symptoms were low (B = -4.88, SE = 1.68, p = .004). These results underscore the importance of understanding comorbid PTSD and OCD symptoms, and the influence of OCD symptoms on the relationship between trauma exposure and self-stigma. Future studies should examine these relationships in larger and more representative samples
University of Utah vs. #23 Baylor University; Nov. 9, 2025
No full textVolleyball meet results, scoresAttendance: 832; Head coach: Beth LauniereWomen\u27s VolleyballBaylor 3 (25, 25, 25 ); Utah 0 (19, 12, 22)Utah (11-13,3-10 Big 12) -vs- Baylor (14-8,9-5 Big 12) 11/9/2025 at Waco, TX (Ferrell Center) Site: Waco, TX (Ferrell Center) Date: 11/9/2025 Attendance: 832 Officials: Set Scores Utah (0) Baylor (3) Time: 2:57 pm 1 19 25 2 12 25 3 22 25 Utah (11-13,3-10 Big 12) # 5 8 2 18 9 10 12 11 TM 20 3 17 Player Wilton-LaBoy, Leah Linahan, Iliana Moea\u27i, Emrie Gibadlo, Kamryn Moss, Grace Key-Powell, Levani Field, Katelynn Payne, McKenna TEAM Joki, Neea-Maria Marco, Isabelle Grossenbach, Allie Totals Set 1 2 3 SP 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 33 K 13 10 16 39 Attack K 0 0 4 13 0 12 6 0 0 2 1 1 39 E 7 5 3 15 E 0 0 3 6 0 4 0 0 0 1 1 0 15 TA 3 0 12 33 0 27 10 0 0 10 2 8 105 TA 35 29 41 105 PCT .000 0 .083 .212 0 .296 .600 0 0 .100 .000 .125 .229 Set A 18 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 14 0 36 E 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Serve SA 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 SE 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 0 6 Block BS 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 BA 0 0 1 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 1 6 BE 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 4 Defense DIG 2 4 1 7 3 5 4 5 0 3 4 1 39 BHE 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 Rec RE 0 0 0 3 3 2 0 0 1 0 0 1 10 PTS 1.0 0.0 4.5 14.5 0.0 12.0 7.0 1.0 0.0 2.5 1.0 1.5 45.0 Set A 0 31 0 1 0 0 1 5 1 0 0 39 E 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 Serve SA 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 7 0 0 10 SE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 Block BS 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 BA 1 0 4 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 1 10 BE 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Defense DIG 0 11 1 11 1 1 6 6 7 0 0 44 BHE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Rec RE 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 2 PTS 6.5 5.0 6.0 0.0 4.0 0.0 9.5 2.0 26.5 0.0 0.5 60.0 % 0.171 0.172 0.317 .229 Baylor (14-8,9-5 Big 12) # 10 1 7 26 20 3 17 22 6 TM 9 Player Essix, Gabrielle Kreck, Harley Davis, Victoria Ulufatu, Tehani Bibinbe, Manuela Crain, Taylor McCurdy, MJ Madison, Morgan Rakhmanchik, Ksenia TEAM Nikolnikova, Anastasiia Totals Set 1 2 3 K 13 16 14 43 SP 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 32 E 6 1 3 10 Attack K 6 4 4 0 2 0 9 0 18 0 0 43 E 1 0 0 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 0 10 TA 35 23 40 98 TA 9 6 8 1 13 0 19 2 40 0 0 98 PCT .556 .667 .500 .000 .000 0 .316 .000 .350 0 0 .337 % 0.2 0.652 0.275 .337 Tie scores Lead changes 1 5 4 2 1 1 3 8 4 Total 14
Foxwood Ward meetinghouse
No full textAddress: 200 South Eagle Ridge Drive, North Salt Lake, UT. The Eaglewood and Foxhill Wards meet here