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Valerie Flattes, Ph.D., A.P.R.N. Oral History
No full textInterview with Valerie Flattes, Ph.D., A.P.R.N., on June 23, 2025. This interview is part of the "Healing Hands and Hearts: Stories of Women in Healthcare Professions" oral history project, conducted by the Spencer S. Eccles Library and sponsored by Utah Humanities and the Utah Historical Society
Tony Gomez transcript for audio interview
No full texttranscriptCenter for First-Generation SuccessFirst-Generation Scholarsinterview transcrip
Vocal fold pressure prediction using convolutional neural networks
No full texthonors thesisCollege of EngineeringElectrical & Computer EngineeringAnil Kumar PalaparthiAccurate modeling of the pressures and airflow across vocal fold surfaces is essential to understanding the biomechanics of vocal phonation. While high-fidelity simulations based on the 3D Navier-Stokes equations provide detailed insights into vocal fold aerodynamics, their computational demands render them unsuitable for real-time applications. Inspired by recent advances in deep learning, this thesis investigates the use of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to predict vocal fold surface air pressures based on glottal width input data. The project encompasses the development, training, and implementation of CNN models using simulation-derived datasets. Throughout the project, existing multi perceptron model (MLP) architectures were tested against 2D CNNs with UNet variants. The best model was embedded into existing simulation software in Fortran. Results indicate that the trained CNN achieves adequate predictive accuracy, with emphasis on its ability to detect contact patterns, validating its viability as a low-cost alternative to physics-based simulations. This approach offers a step toward real-time dynamic modeling and analysis of the vocal folds
Understanding well-being in adult survivors of the troubled teen industry: the roles of moral injury and meaning-making
No full texthonors thesisCollege of Social & Behavioral SciencePsychologyPatricia K. KerigThe Troubled Teen Industry (TTI) refers to a network of private youth programs, wilderness camps, boarding schools, and residential facilities marketed as treatment centers for adolescents with perceived mental illnesses or behavioral problems. However, given that a range of negative experiences have been reported by survivors during their time in the TTI, it is important to investigate whether the outcomes associated with these treatment programs are indeed positive ones. The present study aimed to investigate potentially stressful experiences during TTI involvement and their association with adult well-being. This association was examined through the exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs), defined as experiences in which individuals witness, perpetrate, or fail to prevent acts that violate their personal moral code (e.g., experiencing mistreatment at the hands of therapeutic staff). It is understood that PMIEs, when left untreated, result in symptoms which may significantly impact well-being. Additionally, this study further examined the role of meaning-making as a potential moderating factor influencing the association between PMIE exposure and well-being in adulthood. It was hypothesized that there would be a negative association between PMIEs experienced during TTI programs and adult wellbeing, and that this association would be moderated by meaning-making, such that individuals who have been able to make better sense of moral transgressions and integrate this understanding into their worldviews would be less impacted by PMIEs and have higher well-being in adulthood. Participants included 302 survivors of the TTI ages 18 and older who were recruited primarily through outreach to online TTI survivor communities. The majority of participants self-identified as male and/or Non-Hispanic White, and most reported having attended at least one TTI program for one to two years during their lifetime. Eligible participants completed a Qualtrics survey assessing PMIE exposure during TTI involvement, meaning-making, and adult well-being. A moderation analysis was conducted to investigate these relationships. Results from our analyses did not support the original hypothesis given that no significant association was found between PMIE exposure and well-being in adulthood. Additionally, no significant interaction was found between PMIEs and meaning-making, suggesting no moderation effects. However, meaning-making was found to be a significant predictor of well-being, irrespective of PMIE levels. Ultimately, this study not only adds to the current literature on moral injury in youth but may also inform efforts to support youth\u27s recovery from negative TTI experiences
Structure-function relationships of conotoxin κM-RIIIJ and analogs on K-channels
No full texthonors thesisSchool of Biological SciencesBiologyShrinivasan RaghuramanVoltage-gated potassium channels (Kv) are critical regulators of neuronal excitability, with Kv1.2 playing key roles in central nervous system signaling. Cone snail venoms contain diverse conotoxins that target ion channels with high specificity, making them valuable tools for probing ion channel function. κM-RIIIJ, a conotoxin from Conus radiatus, selectively inhibits heteromeric Kv1 channels and has emerged as a model for structure-function studies. This thesis investigates the contributions of lysine residues to peptide folding and channel potency at positions 10 and 18 in κM-RIIIJ by generating two analogs: RIIIJ[K10R] and RIIIJ[K18R]. To examine structural effects, both analogs were chemically synthesized and subjected to oxidative folding under NaCl-enhanced conditions. RIIIJ[K10R] showed improved folding in the presence of NaCl, suggesting structural sensitivity at position 10. In contrast, RIIIJ[K18R] showed less folding variation, implying a subtler role for this residue in peptide stability. Electrophysiological analysis using two-electrode voltage clamp on Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing Kv1.2 channels demonstrated that RIIIJ inhibited 55.9% of current, while RIIIJ[K18R] showed a significantly reduced inhibition of 29.8%. The I-V relationship further confirmed diminished function in the K18R analog. These findings highlight the role of position 18 in mediating peptide-channel interactions and suggest that even conservative substitutions can impact peptide efficacy
Investigating the role of HNF4a in the dual-identity State of lung adenocarcinomas
No full texthonors thesisSchool of Biological SciencesBiologyEric SnyderLung adenocarcinomas often exhibit cellular plasticity that contributes to disease progression and treatment resistance. In KRAS-driven LUAD, a key transitional phase involves a dual-identity state marked by co-expression of pulmonary and gastric phenotypes. While HNF4α is known to promote liver and gastric-like differentiation and has been associated with increased proliferation in this state, its exact role remained unclear. This study investigates the contribution of HNF4α to proliferation and differentiation in KRAS-driven, NKX2-1-positive LUAD. Using both in vitro cell and organoid lines and in vivo mouse models, we show that overexpression of HNF4α alone cannot induce the growth associated with the dual-identity state, despite HNF4α deletion decreasing growth substantially. Additionally, we identify IDH1 as a downstream target of HNF4α. Proliferation assays indicate that IDH1 is one contributing factor to growth in the dual-identity state. These findings further explore the role of HNF4α in KRAS-driven LUAD progression and establish downstream targets like IDH1 as potential therapeutic targets
Integrating player-centric procedural content generation in a human testing environment
No full texthonors thesisSchool of ComputingComputer ScienceDaniel S. BrownI present an attempt to integrate artificial intelligence learning systems into video game procedural content generation to adapt to a player\u27s interests dynamically. Artificial intelligence has developed rapidly over the past few years, and the possibility of applying it in entertainment environments is yet to be explored in an engaging yet ethical manner. Procedural Content Generation (PCG) is already used to help create unique levels or change the difficulty without needing explicit information. By integrating support vector machines (SVM) into a procedural content generator, player-centric procedural content generation (PCPCG) can create unique and personalized experiences for the players. Based on on-the-fly, sparse data collection, PCPCG learns from players themselves as they play through different levels to generate future content, allowing for following playthroughs to match player preferences. This research attempts to analyze the effectiveness of PCPCG in a Pac-Man game environment when humans play through. Previous work on PCPCG in video games has used computer-generated players with different preferences for what would most engage them in their environment. As a part of this new research, an experiment was conducted involving two groups playing a recreation of Pac-Man and recording their preferences. One group played through 30 minutes of levels that would randomly generate. Another group would play through 30 minutes of levels, but would have the environments generated using PCPCG with multiple SVMs recording. It was observed that between the control and test groups, the difference in terms of enjoyment was positive but statistically insignificant. Many players saw potential in the system if further refined and implemented into other genres
Accepting hope: examining emerging solution aversion within a climate change museum exhibit
No full texthonors thesisCollege of Social & Behavioral ScienceEnvironment, Society & SustainabilityLynne ZummoClimate change is a polarizing, yet extremely impactful issue that requires urgent and coordinated efforts to mitigate. This is made increasingly difficult by negative reactions to climate solutions that are characterized as "solution aversion". In order to combat solution aversion and foster higher levels of acceptance for climate solutions, informal education settings such as museums have received increasing levels of scientific inquiry. Research indicates that more empirical work is necessary to determine how and why solution aversion manifests in informal education settings. This study investigates the presence of solution aversion within recorded transcripts of visitors to the Natural History Museum of Utah\u27s "A Climate of Hope" exhibit. By examining participants\u27 engagements with the Solution section of the exhibit, we collected and analyzed reactions from 58 visitors. Visitors seemed to react positively towards trends related to solutions, but often challenged the current viability of specific solutions with outside information. These preliminary insights reveal the existence of trends and offer further lines of inquiry for future iterations of this research and for other informal education environments
Assessing the accessibility and feasibility of the webewell program
No full texthonors thesisCollege of Social & Behavioral SciencePsychologyMarissa DienerThere is an increasing prevalence of mental health issues among college students such that nearly one half of them report experiencing loneliness and over one-third have a mental health diagnosis (Abrams, 2022; ACHA, 2024; Lipson et al., 2019). These statistics highlight the need for multiple types of well-being and mental health programs to exist on college campuses. To ensure that these programs are effective, it is important to study participant feedback in order to understand the factors that influence their engagement with well-being and mental health programming. This research paper examines the accessibility and feasibility of the WeBeWell program for its college student participants at the University of Utah. WeBeWell is a positive psychology intervention (PPI) whose aim is to enhance the mental health and well-being of its participants. The program spans six weeks and uses virtual support groups and web technology to teach concepts from positive psychology and cognitive behavioral therapy. Survey data from 626 participants were collected at the end of the program. Participants were recruited for the program through snowball sampling on campus, social media recruitment, and in-class visits. They were compensated $80 for their involvement. The study did not have a control group. This study analyzed the qualitative data collected from participants through posttest surveys from 2021-2024 in order to explore their experiences with the program- suggestions for improvement, what they liked the most, what motivated them to stay in the program, their perceptions of the impact of the program on college enrollment, and factors that would have increased their lesson completion. This was done through analyzing open-ended questions in the post-test survey which sought to highlight various iii factors that influenced students\u27 engagement with the program such as program facilitators, app usability, and the structure of the sessions. The research shows the strengths and weaknesses of PPIs in the context of higher education so that similar programs can be improved in future iterations. Students enjoyed aspects such as group connection and perceived improvements in mental health, and suggested improvements in engagement strategies and more flexible scheduling times. By focusing on feedback from the participants, this study reveals the potential value in continuing investment into well-being and mental health programs like WeBeWell that are funded by universities