The Development and Refinement of Constant-Force Mechanisms for Use in Future Applications

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Brent L. Weight and Dr. Larry L. Howell, Mechanical Engineering A compliant mechanism is one in which the mechanism’s motion comes from deflection of one or more of its members. Compliant mechanisms offer several advantages over rigid-body mechanisms. The member deflection characteristic of compliant mechanisms results in the ability to store energy directly within the […]

Mathematical Model of Friction Stir Welding

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Jeremy D. Webb and Dr. Russell Daines, Mechanical Engineering Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is a semi-solid state joining process. The process utilizes a threaded pin tool “stirring” two aluminum plates together as it “sews” the seam together. One application of this process would replace the use of rivets to join aluminum paneling on commercial aircraft. […]

Short-Term Effects of Dietary Phytoestrogens on Calbindin, Calretinin, and COX-2 in Specific Brain Sites of Male Rats

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Melanie A. Watson and Dr. Edwin D. Lephart, Zoology Cyclooxygenase, a bifunctional enzyme, converts arachadonic acid to prostaglandins that are important for maintaining critical physiological functions such as nervous system regulation, pain response, and specifically inflammation of tissues. The enzyme exists in two isoforms: COX-1 is constitutionally produced, playing important maintenance roles throughout the body. […]

Locating Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus N Gene Inserts in Tomato

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Ryan L. Walker and Dr. Mikel R. Stevens, Agronomy and Horticulture Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV) of the genus Tospovirus is able to infect both the plant and the thrips vector (an insect). This unique method of transmission has allowed the various Tospovirus species to rapidly spread throughout the world. This virus is very adaptable […]

YSCAT—BYU’s Dock Based Scatterometer

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Brett T. Walkenhorst and Dr. David V. Arnold, Electrical and Computer Engineering Scatterometry is a method used today to track and predict global warming, storms, and other important factors in the earth’s climate. NASA currently has a scatterometer in orbit around earth called QuikScat. There are many useful applications of scatterometry, but there are still […]

Summary of Research and Writing the Screenplay “Cora Chattering” Based on Terrie Petree’s Award-Winning Short Story “Eating the Old Thoughts”

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Ethan L. Vincent and Professor Stan Ferguson, Theater and Media Arts Research and writing “Cora Chattering” was an interesting process. Terrie Petree’s seven page short story “Eating the Old Thoughts” offered enough material for a 21 page script, translating into approximately 20 minutes screen time – the ideal length for a student short film. Although the […]

Synthesis of MDR-Homodimers Used to Explore the Structure of P-Glycoprotein

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Emily Parker Updegraff and Dr. Merritt B. Andrus, Chemistry and Biochemistry Chemotherapy is one of the primary methods of combating cancer, and if it fails, the patient may be left with few options for treatment. Multi-drug resistance (MDR) is a clinical condition manifested by the failure of chemotherapy. It is primarily due to the expression […]

Designing Outdoor Spaces for People and an Analysis of the Brigham Young University Campus

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Jared C. Tveter and Dr. Samuel M. Otterstrom, Geography The purpose of my research was to discover how to create greatness and magic in outdoor spaces. I culminated my research with an analysis of the Brigham Young University campus and how to improve it in such ways. The analysis was presented to the Campus Planning […]

Automatically Creating Records From the Extracted Data Fields of Genealogical Microfilm

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Kenneth Martin Tubbs Jr. and Dr. David W. Embley, Computer Science Introduction A wealth of information is locked up in millions of microfilm documents. The process of extracting and organizing this enormous amount of data is overwhelming. Automated data extraction techniques offer the ability to rapidly and systematically capture this information so that it can […]

Revolution and Memory: An Oral History of the Revolution in Zanzibar and its Relationship with the Study of Memory in Small Villages

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Mark Troger and Dr. Gary Daynes, History Originally I intended to travel to Cameroon, West Africa to conduct an oral history of a village and decipher the results and study how westernization and modernization had taken its affect over the years. My initial intent came from a simple desire to first, study the history of […]