Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Co-Designing Elementary-Level Computer Science And Mathematics Lessons: An Expansive Framing Approach, Umar Shehzad, Jody Clarke-Midura, Kimberly Beck, Jessica Shumway, Mimi Recker

Publications

This study examines how a rural-serving school district aimed to provide elementary-level computer science (CS) by offering instruction during students’ computer lab time. As part of a research-practice partnership, cross-context mathematics and CS lessons were co-designed to expansively frame and highlight connections across – as opposed to integration within – the two subjects. Findings indicated that most students who engaged with the lessons across the lab and classroom contexts reported finding the lessons interesting, seeing connections to their mathematics classes, and understanding the programming. In contrast, a three-level logistic regression model showed that students who only learned about mathematics connections …

Future Of Great Salt Lake Survey, Lisa W. Welsh, Joanna Endter-Wada, Karin M. Kettenring, Anna Mcentire

Reports

The Future of Great Salt Lake Survey was conducted in fall 2022 when state and global attention on Great Salt Lake was ramping up, following record lows of the elevation of lake water levels. In the survey, we asked Utahns their opinions on securing water for Great Salt Lake and focused on strategies that individuals, local communities, and the state of Utah could pursue. When it comes to how water is used and managed in Utah, there are multiple actors and institutions who all make decisions and have authority or ability to take different actions. While the state of …

Red Wolf Multispecies Justice Publication 2023, Eskar, Elizabeth Bennett, Finley Schad, Alex Baldwin, Oluwaseyifunmi Adejugbe, Mufti Nadimul Quamar Ahmed, Maisie Schad, Sadie Braddock, Azra Soyer, Melih Soyer, Anne-Laure Blanche, Zubair Barkat, Amol K, Sarah Ann Woodbury, Kirsten Vinyeta

Publications

Our understanding of multispecies justice is still solidifying. In spring 2023, a group of Utah State University undergraduate and graduate students attended a course by Dr.Kirsten Vinyeta on Multispecies Justice and Indigenous Approaches to the Environment. Throughout this course, we studied the works of scholars and writers from a variety of social locations and identities who challenge Western theoretical frameworks in social science.

This publication celebrates our intellectual struggle with this emerging field and opens a forum for conversations about justice for humans and additional species. This issue features various writings, reflections, and photos from students taking the Multispecies Justice …

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Residents’ And Farmers’ Views On Urban And Suburban Growth, Edem Avemegah, Jessica D. Ulrich-Schad

Publications

What the future of agriculture in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (CBW) will look like is uncertain due to issues such as the loss of farmland to sprawling suburban development. In this rapidly urbanizing landscape, tension can also arise between farmers and their non-farm neighbors due to their proximity to each other. Understanding the concerns of these stakeholders regarding the urban and suburban growth and the potential problems that are likely to occur with farmers being in close contact with their non-farm neighbors is a good step in ensuring an economically thriving and environmentally beneficial agricultural system that all residents depend …

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Residents’ And Farmers’ Views On Water Quality, Edem Avemegah, Jessica D. Ulrich-Schad

Publications

Poor water quality is an issue in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (CBW). In this rapidly urbanizing landscape, both farmers and non-farm residents contribute to nutrient pollution of rivers and streams. Understanding these important stakeholders’ views of water quality problems and how to address them is essential for creating an economically thriving and environmentally beneficial agricultural system that all residents depend upon. To understand stakeholder views on water quality both locally and regionally, researchers from Utah State University and the Pennsylvania State University surveyed residents of the CBW and agricultural producers of the southern part of the CBW (Maryland, Delaware, and …

Chesapeake Bay Watershed Residents’ And Farmers’ Concerns And Perceptions Of Water Quality, Edem Avemegah, Jessica D. Ulrich-Schad

Publications

Poor water quality is an issue in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed (CBW). In this rapidly urbanizing landscape, both farmers and non-farm residents contribute to nutrient pollution of rivers and streams. Understanding these important stakeholders’ views of water quality problems and how to address them is essential for creating an economically thriving and environmentally beneficial agricultural system that all residents depend upon. To understand key stakeholders’ views on water quality both locally and regionally, researchers from Utah State University and the Pennsylvania State University surveyed residents of the CBW and agricultural producers of the southern part of the CBW (Maryland, Delaware, …

Upep 2023 Overview, Jessica Schad, Elizabeth Brunner

Utah People and Environment Poll (UPEP)

Utah's people and environment are currently experiencing significant changes as the population continues to grow, droughts and flooding pose threats to agriculture, air quality leads to health concerns, energy needs rise, and public lands see increased use. Action is needed to address these changes, especially given how rapidly they are occurring. Political leaders, environmental organizations, Tribal Nations, and universities play a critical role in ensuring Utah’s environment, economy, workforce, and underserved communities have a sustainable path forward. Understanding residents’ views, values, and concerns can help better craft the policy, inform infrastructure, and identify the services needed to do so. With …

The Path To U.S. National Registration Of A Toxic Bait For The Control Of The Small Indian Mongoose, Carmen C. Antaky, Steven C. Hess, Emily W. Ruell, Israel L. Leinbach, Shane R. Siers, Robert T. Sugihara

Human–Wildlife Interactions

The small Indian mongoose (Urva auropunctata [syn. Herpestes auropunctatus]; mongoose) is a highly invasive species in its introduced range that negatively impacts ecosystems. Mongooses depredate native species, serve as a vector of disease posing a risk to human health, and cause sanitation issues in food processing facilities and public areas. Introduced for biocontrol in the late 1800s in Hawaiʻi and the Caribbean, mongooses currently have well-established populations across multiple islands in both island archipelagos and have invaded numerous other locations throughout the world. The concern of accidental introduction to mongoose-free islands, the difficulty in species detection, and the …

Establishing A Volunteer Group To Assist In The Eradication Of Invasive Brown Treesnakes From Islan Dåno' (Cocos Island), Guam, Martin Kastner, Olympia Terral

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Islan Dåno’ (Cocos Island) is an islet of high conservation value located 2.5 km off Guam, USA, in the Western Pacific. It has long been considered free from invasive brown treesnakes (Boiga irregularis; BTS). A recently confirmed breeding population of BTS puts its wildlife populations, including U.S. Endangered Species Act-listed lizard and bird species, at risk. In response, we established Guam’s first volunteer group dedicated to BTS eradication, which we named Friends of Islan Dåno’. We provided training to local volunteer snake searchers and organized regular night searches for BTS on Islan Dåno’. We completed 25 searches between …

The Impact Of Feral Honey Bees On Endangered Seabirds In The Hawaiian Islands, André Francis Raine, Scott Driskill, Stephen Rossiter, Jennifer Rothe, Kyle Pias, Rachel Sprague, Alex Dutcher

Human–Wildlife Interactions

The ʻaʻo (Puffinus newellii; Newell’s shearwater) and ʻuaʻu (Pterodroma sandwichensis; Hawaiian petrel) are both endangered seabirds endemic to the Hawaiian Archipelago. For the last decade, multiple colonies on the islands of Kauaʻi and Lānaʻi have been the focus of intensive management (particularly predator control) and monitoring programs. Management has been effective at reducing the number of introduced mammalian predators recorded within colonies with a resultant increase in reproductive success rates for both seabird species. However, in recent years a new threat has emerged—feral honey bees (Apis mellifera; bees)—which were deliberately introduced to the Hawaiian …

Strategies To Secure Water For Great Salt Lake, Lisa W. Welsh, Joanna Endter-Wada, Karin M. Kettenring

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

Great Salt Lake is the largest saline lake in the Western Hemisphere (Wilsey et al. 2017) and plays an important role in Utah’s economy, environment, and ecology (Baxter and Butler 2020; Great Salt Lake Advisory Committee 2021). It has a long history of commercial and recreational activities including mineral production, brine shrimp harvesting, waterfowl hunting, boating, and sightseeing (Utah Department of Natural Resources 2013a, 2013b). The Great Salt Lake ecosystem supports over 10 million birds representing 338 species and acts as an important stopover for migratory birds between North and South America (Great Salt Lake Ecosystem Program; Wilsey et al. …

Colorado River Basin Water Accounts: 1-Page Summary, David E. Rosenberg

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

26 Colorado River managers and experts constructively improved basin water accounts as a framework to transition emergency reservoir operations into more sustainable, equitable, and adaptive water uses.

Pariette Wetlands Water, Sediment And Plant Total Selenium Concentration, Colleen P. Jones, Paul R. Grossl, Astrid R. Jacobson

Browse all Datasets

We measured total Selenium in plants from July through November of 2012 and in water, macroinvertebrates, plants, and sediments from July of 2014 from Pariette Wetlands, Utah, U.S.A. to test for spatial, temporal, plant species and plant tissue distribution of Selenium.

Effects Of Exposure To Atmospheric Humidity On Breakdown Field Strength Measurements Of Polymers, Megan Loveland Dewaal

Physics Capstone Projects

This study investigates the effects of absorbed water introduced via exposure to atmospheric humidity on electrostatic breakdown field strength measurements of polymers. Conducting breakdown tests under sample conditions appropriate for different applications is essential. If the breakdown field strength is overestimated for an application, an insulator may be used inappropriately in high electric fields where they are more likely to break down. Comparisons are made between: sets of pristine samples, samples that underwent a thorough vacuum bake out to remove absorbed water, and samples subject to subsequent incremental prolonged atmospheric exposure. These investigated the effects of absorbed water and determined …

Examining Cultural And Chemical Treatments To Fusarium Bulb Rot In Onions, Tim Miller

Fall Student Research Symposium 2022

Onions are grown in 1,500 acres in northern Utah and are a large part of growers' income. In the fall of 2021, 30% of a grower's onion yield was affected by Fusarium bulb rot (caused by a fungus known as Fusarium proliferatum) and the onions were unmarketable. The literature surrounding this pathogen is sparse and losses of this magnitude could cause growers to lose between six and seven thousand dollars per acre. Samples of the fungus were plated onto potato dextrose agar at half strength and maintained fresh throughout the winter. In vitro experiments were performed with various fungicides at …

Assessing The Impact Of Storage Time And Shape Of The Block On The Slicability Of Commercial Cheddar Cheese, Nathan Pace

Fall Student Research Symposium 2022

Cheddar cheese is one of the world's most popular cheeses and is consumed in blocks and slices. The slicability of cheddar cheese can depend on textural and rheological properties. Understanding these characteristics can enhance desirability and reduce material loss occurring during slicing. In this study, we focused on four main parameters: slice thickness, cheese shape, storage period, and cheese type. Four thicknesses (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm) and two shapes (triangular and square) of mild, medium, sharp, and extra sharp were selected. Cheeses were purchased from Walmart and the Utah State University creamery. At first, cheese blocks were cut …

Why America Should Switch To Nuclear Energy As Its Primary Power Source, William Fike

Fall Student Research Symposium 2022

While nuclear waste and public fear hurt the image of nuclear energy, I believe that nuclear energy should be used instead of alternative power sources because it is safe, carbon-free, and more fuel efficient than alternative energy sources. Nuclear power is the process of using uranium 235 to make energy. Nuclear energy is a very clean and safe energy producer. My target audience would be someone who does not know a lot about nuclear power. Or they are possibly scared because of past nuclear disasters. My goal in this poster is to convince you that nuclear power is safe and …

Electron Yield Measurements Of Highly Insulating Granular Samples Related To Charging Of Dusty Plasmas, Heather Allen

Fall Student Research Symposium 2022

Reliable electron yield (EY) measurements of highly insulating granular particles have long been considered too difficult to collect due the many experimental complexities that arise from the nature of the granular materials. This has led to a critical knowledge gap for both engineering strategies and basic science issues essential for myriad important space applications. This talk will emphasize the preliminary EY measurements of highly insulting granular samples we have collected, including a range of samples with typical particle size ranging from ~1 μm to ~100 μm, samples with cubical, spherical and highly angular particle shapes, studies of highly angular Al2O3 …

Investigating The Color-Changing Properties Of Poly-Phenyl Sulfide, Dallen Dewaal

Fall Student Research Symposium 2022

Investigating the Color-Changing Properties of Poly-Phenyl Sulfide Dallen DeWaal, Megan Loveland DeWaal, Heather Allen, JR DennisonMaterials Physics Group, Physics Department, Utah State UniversityAbstractWhile preparing samples of FortronTM PPS (poly-phenyl sulfide) for spacecraft charging testing, it was discovered that the polymeric dielectric material exhibits color-changing properties from mechanical forces while shearing and bending. Given enough time, PPS reverts from blue-green back to its original tan color. PPS samples were characterized by the magnitude of color change and recovery time. PPS samples were subjected to multiple tests to discover which forms of energy input activate the color change, and which (if any) …

The Effect Of The Plant-Based Diet On Athletes And Its Limitations, Dylan Hill

Fall Student Research Symposium 2022

In this study, I was hoping to learn more about the differences between the omnivore diet and plant-based diet in relation to the effects on an athlete. Research was conducted using library and internet resources to locate both primary and secondary research. For this study, personal accounts and experiences of athletes who had experimented with a plant based diet were examined. Research showed that although a very enticing option for a healthy diet for athletes, the plant-based diet is just as effective as a balanced omnivore diet but much more difficult to do properly and is much less accessible to …

Effects Of Exposure To Atmospheric Humidity On Breakdown Field Strength Measurements Of Polymers, Megan Loveland Dewaal

Fall Student Research Symposium 2022

This study investigates the effects of absorbed water introduced via exposure to atmospheric humidity on electrostatic breakdown field strength measurements of polymers. Conducting breakdown tests under sample conditions appropriate for different applications is essential. If the breakdown field strength is overestimated for an application, an insulator may be used inappropriately in high electric fields where they are more likely to break down. Comparisons are made between: sets of pristine samples, samples that underwent a thorough vacuum bake out to evaporate absorbed water, and samples subject to subsequent incremental prolonged atmospheric exposure. These investigated the effects of absorbed water and determined …

Light Scattering From Periodic Conducting Nanostructures, Wesley Mills

Fall Student Research Symposium 2022

Carbon nanotube (CNT) forests are roughly vertically aligned carbon tubes with a diameter of a few nanometers, and a height of hundreds of micrometers. CNT forests of proper densities and heights can be excellent absorbers of visible light, so a lot of interest has been generated in their application in optical calibration, energy conversion, antireflection, and radiometry. Unfortunately, reflectance from CNTs rises quickly above the mid-infrared range, limiting their present use. Improving a CNT-based broadband absorber requires understanding why the forests have almost zero visible-light reflectance, as well as a strategy to extend that low reflectance into longer wavelengths. Since …

How Does Perceived Human Instability Affect One's Own Stability?, Madi Braunersrither

Fall Student Research Symposium 2022

Participants were prompted to evaluate the stability of pictured human postures while standing on a force plate. We measured irregularity by analyzing the presence of patterns in the sequential center of pressure values. To measure the presence of patterns, sample entropy, a time series statistic, was developed and we utilized it on the force plate data. Does one's own stability change when viewing a posture deemed unstable? Is Sample Entropy (SampEn) an effective tool to determine stability? This relationship could have implications for modeling the progression of motor skills, understanding human development, and the design of environments for rehabilitation.

The Stigma Against Elderly Drivers And An Analysis Of The Effects Of Age On Driving Ability, Alexander Lee

Fall Student Research Symposium 2022

Elderly drivers are not as big of a danger on the road as the general population believes. This was preliminary research into the significance of elderly drivers on the road and the statistical data on whether they are a hazard on the road. They are among the minority of people that are in car accidents and most elderly people still on the road are more experienced and drive safer to compensate for ailments they may experience from their age. Elderly that can not drive safely or can pose a hazard on the road usually remove themselves from driving or are …

Serendipity Shape Function For Hybrid Fluid/Kinetic-Pic Simulations, Trevor V. Taylor

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Sun in our solar system and stars are capable of generating enormous amounts of energy. The process by which these gaseous, celestial bodies are able to produce such large amounts of energy is called thermonuclear fusion. Fusion happens when particles collide with one another at energy levels high enough to overcome the Coulomb force and then release vast amounts of energy. Plasma, the fourth state of matter, is the natural state of stars. Plasma is an ionized gas that consists of negatively and positively charged particles. Stars, which have immense mass, can confine the plasma through their gravity to …

Bedrock Geology Map Of The Naomi Peak 7.5' Quadangle, Cache County, Utah And Novel Age Constraints On Its Cambrian Strata, Hannah R. Cothren

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Geologists use various “rock-clocks” in order to interpret the timing and tempo of events in Earth’s history. These include global geochemical events in the oceans (chemostratigraphy), the evolution of certain fossil species (trilobite biostratigraphy), and the radiogenic decay of uranium to lead in certain mineral such as zircon (U-Pb geochronology). Integrating these methods in the stratigraphic record in one location can provide a well-constrained timeline for a select part of the Geologic, or Deep Time, record. This technique is especially important in the Cambrian Period (538.8 to 486.9 million years; Ma), which sets the stage for life today with the …

Spacecraft Charging Test Considerations For Composite Materials, Allen Andersen, Wousik Kim, J. R. Dennison, Brian Wood, Todd A. Schneider, Jason Vaughn, Kenneth H. Wright Jr., Nelson W. Green, Eric Suh, Joel Schwartz, Abdul-Majeed Azad

Journal Articles

Composite materials present a growing challenge for spacecraft charging assessments. We review some recent lessons learned for charging tests of composite materials using both parallel-plate and electron beam test geometries. We also discuss examples of materials that exhibit significant variations between samples, despite them all having the same trade name.

A Study Of Electron Plasma Oscillations Using The Nimrod Code, Mckay Murphy

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

A plasma, whether ”hot” or ”cold,” magnetized or unmagnetized, electrostatic or electromagnetic, exhibits normal modes of oscillation. Critical to understanding the stability of a plasma is the study of these normal modes. Waves originate from the long-range electric interactions between charged particles. This work will consider a class of waves known as Langmuir waves. These waves occur when a group of electrons are displaced with respect to the ions, with the electric Coulomb force playing the role of the restoring force of the oscillation [1]. Since the mass of ions is much greater than that of electrons, we can approximate …

Graviweak Theory In Bicomformal Space, Mubarak Ukashat

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

There are four basic forces in nature: the electromagnetic force, which accounts for interactions of particles with charges; the weak force, which is responsible for radioactive decay; the strong force, which holds the particles inside a nucleus tightly bound together; and the gravitational force, which is responsible for keeping us on our beautiful planet, Earth and holding together our entire solar system. Physicists have been on the hunt for a theory that can single-handedly explain all these forces under the same underlying mathematical formulation. So far, physicists have suceeded in unifying the electromagnetic and weak forces in what is called …

Data Visualization, Dimensionality Reduction, And Data Alignment Via Manifold Learning, Andrés Felipe Duque Correa

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The high dimensionality of modern data introduces significant challenges in descriptive and exploratory data analysis. These challenges gave rise to extensive work on dimensionality reduction and manifold learning aiming to provide low dimensional representations that preserve or uncover intrinsic patterns and structures in the data. In this thesis, we expand the current literature in manifold learning developing two methods called DIG (Dynamical Information Geometry) and GRAE (Geometry Regularized Autoencoders). DIG is a method capable of finding low-dimensional representations of high-frequency multivariate time series data, especially suited for visualization. GRAE is a general framework which splices the well-established machinery from kernel …