Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Modeling The Permittivity Of Two-Phase Media Containing Monodisperse Spheres: Effects Of Microstructure And Multiple Scattering, Timothy E. Doyle, David A. Robinson, Scott B. Jones, Keith H. Warnick, Brent L. Carruth

Plants, Soils, and Climate Faculty Publications

A numerical modeling approach was developed to predict the dielectric properties of heterogeneous particulate materials with arbitrary microstructures. To test the method, simulation and experimental data were acquired for the effective permittivities of various glass sphere suspensions. Both ordered lattices and random microstructures of up to 3600 spheres were modeled for volume fractions of 0.025–0.60. The electric fields in the suspensions were computed using an iterative multipole method that included multiple-scattering effects. The effective permittivities were obtained by averaging the electric field and electric displacement over a representative volume. Frequency spectra, electric field images, and single-scattering results (i.e., no particle-particle …

Characteristics Of Short-Period Wavelike Features Near 87 Km Altitude From Airglow And Lidar Observations Over Maui, J. H. Hecht, A. Z. Liu, R. L. Walterscheid, S. J. Franke, R. J. Rudy, Michael J. Taylor, Pierre-Dominique Pautet

All Physics Faculty Publications

Small-scale (less than 15 km horizontal wavelength) wavelike structures known as ripples are a common occurrence in OH airglow images. Recent case studies attribute their origin to the presence of either convective or dynamical instabilities. However, little is known about their frequency of occurrence and period. The Maui-MALT Observatory, located at Mt. Haleakala, is instrumented with a Na wind/temperature lidar, which allows the determination of whether the atmosphere is dynamically or convectively unstable, and a fast OH airglow camera which takes images every 3 s with a sensitivity high enough to see the ripples. This study reports on 2 months …

The Role Of Geographic Information Systems Inwildlife Epidemiology: Models Of Chronic Wasting Disease In Colorado Mule Deer, Matthew L. Farnsworth, Jennifer A. Hoeting, N. Thompson Hobbs, Mary M. Conner, Kenneth P. Burnham, Lisa L. Wolfe, Elizabeth S. Williams, David M. Theobald, Michael W. Miller

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

The authors present findings from two landscape epidemiology studies of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in northern Colorado mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). First, the effects of human land use on disease prevalence were explored by formulating a set of models estimating CWD prevalence in relation to differences in human land use, sex and geographic location. Prevalence was higher in developed areas and among male deer suggesting that anthropogenic influences (changes in land use), differences in exposure risk between sexes and landscape-scaled heterogeneity are associated with CWD prevalence. The second study focused on identifying scales of mule deer movement and mixing that …

Gravitational Wave Bursts From The Galactic Massive Black Hole, Clovis Hopman, Marc Freitag, Shane L. Larson

All Physics Faculty Publications

The Galactic massive black hole (MBH), with a mass of M_•= 3.6 × 10⁶ M_⊙, is the closest known MBH, at a distance of only 8 kpc. The proximity of this MBH makes it possible to observe gravitational waves (GWs) from stars with periapse in the observational frequency window of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). This is possible even if the orbit of the star is very eccentric, so that the orbital frequency is many orders of magnitude below the LISA frequency window, as suggested by Rubbo, Holley-Bockelmann & Finn (2006). …

Tumbleweed Exploratory Drilling Environmental Assessment, United States Deparment Of The Interior, Bureau Of Land Management

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

This Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared to analyze Stewart Petroleum Corporation’s (Stewart) proposed exploratory natural gas drilling on their Federal leases within the Tumbleweed Oil and Gas Unit (Tumbleweed Unit). This EA is a site-specific analysis of potential impacts that could result with the implementation of Alternative - the Proposed Action; Alternative B – Buried Pipelines; or Alternative C - the No Action Alternative. The EA assists the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in project planning and ensuring compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and in making a determination as to whether any “significant” impacts could result …

Sas Macro For Hierarchical Dependence In Meta Analysis, Matthew Wayne Maw

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

This project implemented a simple and useful SAS (Statistical Analysis Software) macro for meta-analysis. The macro was specifically designed for hierarchically dependent meta-analysis but may also be used for independent meta-analysis. Two data files are necessary for this macro. One data file contains the study names, control and treatment group sizes with corresponding means and standard errors, covariates to be tested, an indicator variable noting hierarchically dependent study groups, and a variable providing the degrees of freedom for interdependent studies. The second file contains a variance/covariance matrix for the studies. The macro returns useful information such as study estimates and …

Black-Scholes And Extended Black-Scholes Models: A Comparative Statistical Analysis, Bradley Thomas Bush

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

Much research has been done on options pricing. Black and Scholes [12] set the benchmark in 1973 with their model for arbitrage-free, risk-neutral options valuation. Arbitrage-free refers to a market environment where prices are such that trading opportunities with no risk do not exist and risk-neutral commodities earn a risk free interest rate. Since then the literature has seen a multitude of models improving the fit of the traditional Black -Scholes (BS) model. A brief overview of options and these models is given. A derivation and discussion of BS is followed by a derivation and discussion of the Extended Black-Scholes …

Decomposing Vector Space Representations Of The Lie Algebras S[2c And S[2r, Brian W. Gleason

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

It is known that any finite-dimensional representation of a semi-simple Lie algebra is decomposable into a direct sum of irreducible representations. Here we prove some theoretical results that allow us to construct an efficient algorithm for computing such a decomposition for representations of s[2C and s[2R. We then implement this algorithm in a procedure for the computer algebra system Maple that will quickly and easily perform the decomposition. We also give several examples of this decomposition performed by the procedure in order to illustrate its advantages over calculations done ‘by hand'.

A Method For Finding Standard Error Estimates For Rma Expression Levels Using Bootstrap, Gabriel Nicholas

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

Oligonucleotide arrays are used in many applications. Affymetrix GeneChip arrays are widely used. Before researchers can use the information from these arrays, the raw data must be transformed and summarized into a more meaningful and usable form. One of the more popular methods for doing so is RMA (Robust Multi-array Analysis).

A problem with RMA is that the end result (estimated gene expression levels) is based on a fairly complicated process that is unusual. Specifically, there is no closed-form estimate of standard errors for the estimated gene expression levels. The current recommendation is to use a naive estimate for the …

Quaternary Evolution Of The Colorado River At Lees Ferry, Arizona, William Scott Cragun

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

A well-exposed suite of Colorado River fill terraces preserved at Lees Ferry records the oscillating history of this major river superimposed on its overall downcutting of the Colorado Plateau. Detailed mapping, sedimentology, cross-sectional surveys, and the use of two geochronometers have been used in order to establish a detailed chronostratigraphy for the area. Eight distinct deposits have been identified along the Colorado River (Ml -M7, and S3), and four deposits have been identified along the Paria River (Pl -P4).

Geochronology of six of these deposits using optically stimulated luminescence and cosmogenic ¹⁰Be exposure techniques indicates a long-term average bedrock …

Discharge Monitoring, Chemical Characterization, And Source Identification Of Springs Along The East Side Of Southern Cache Valley, Utah, Aric Alan Olsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Discharge monitoring and water sampling of springs in the southeastern portion of Cache Valley, Utah was performed in order to determine recharge sources and the cause of decreasing flows for some springs. The discharges of 43 springs were measured monthly from May or June of 2005 through March of 2006. Water samples from 36 of these springs plus an additional 10 were analyzed for major ions and trace metals. Twenty-one of the springs were analyzed for deuterium and oxygen-18 and 10 of these were analyzed for tritium.

The springs were divided into groups based on when they had their peak …

The Timing And Magnitude Of Channel Adjustments In The Upper Green River Below Flaming Gorge Dam In Browns Park And Lodore Canyon, Colorado: An Analysis Of The Pre- And Post-Dam River Using High-Resolution Dendrogeomorphology And Repeat Topographic Surveys, Jason S. Alexander

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Channel narrowing on the Green River in Utah and Colorado has been well documented by several authors and has been attributed to reductions in flow after 1930, the construction of Flaming Gorge Dam (FGD), and the invasion of the woody riparian plant Tamarisk (tamarix ramosissima). Narrowing has occurred through the deposition of inset floodplains, which have vertically accreted within a previously larger active channel. Prior to closure of FGD, lower magnitude floods aggraded surfaces in the areas of the channel that had the highest divergence in the velocity flow field (i.e. bars and banks). These surfaces later became …

The Effect Of Voltage Ramp Rate On Dielectric Breakdown Of Thin Film Polymers, Anthony Thomas

Senior Theses and Projects

Electrical insulators are used in many applications in industry, education and the home environment. They work by keeping electricity contained. They are not however perfect and under stress can become ineffective. Every insulator has a dielectric strength, a measurement of how much electrical stress it can withstand. If the material is stressed beyond that strength the material will breakdown. Electrostatic breakdown is defined as “the abrupt irreversible drop in resistivity at high fields, often accompanied by destruction of the material” (See Fig. 1) [McGraw-Hill]. The point at which the material breaks down is called the electrostatic discharge breakdown voltage, or …

Escalante Valley - Iron County, Utah, Rapid Watershed Assessment - 8 Digit Huc #16030006, Usda-Nrcs

All U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository)

This rapid assessment is designed to gather and display information specific to the basin identified. This summary will highlight the natural and social resources present in the basin, detail specific concerns, and aid in resource planning and target conservation assistance needs. This document is dynamic and will be updated as additional information is available through a multi-agency partnership effort.

Effects Of Quaternary Climate Change On Tributary Sedimentation And Geomorphology In Eastern Grand Canyon, Benjamin D. Dejong

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Climate variability has had a dramatic impact on eastern Grand Canyon tributaries over the past ~100 ky. This is readily observed in the Lava Chuar and Comanche catchments, which host well preserved colluvial remnants and river terraces that resulted from several climate-induced cycles of aggradation and incision. This study investigates these climate responses using surveying, sedimentology, and luminescence geochronology methods to investigate the mechanisms and timing of their deposition.

The survey data demonstrate that the concavity of terrace treads is lower than modern drainages. The sedimentology suggests the prevalence of stream-flow reworking of debris flow deposits and portrays an expected …

The Effects Of Large Data Gaps On Estimating Linear Trend In Autocorrelated Data, Troy A. Wynn, Vincent B. Wickwar

Conference publications

It is well known that atmospheric data is autocorrelated. Techniques for fitting a model to autocorrelated data without data gaps are well known. However in cases where large data gaps exist the analysis ins more challenging. By large data gaps we mean 16-24% of the possible data present. This paper explores the challenges of estimating the correlation coefficient in an autocorrelated data set containing large data gaps and suggests ways to accurately estimate the autocorrelation and linear trend in a signal when such cases arise.

Rayleigh-Scatter Lidar Observations At Usu's Atmospheric Lidar Observatory (Logan,Ut) - Temperature Climatology, Temperature Comparisons With Msis, And Noctilucent Clouds, Joshua P. Herron

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Earth's atmosphere is typically characterized by its temperature structure, which naturally divides the atmosphere into several discrete regions. They are in order of increasing altitude the troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, and thermosphere. The first layer and a large portion of the second layer of the Earth's atmosphere are routinely measured via weather balloons that are launched twice daily around the globe. Satellites and their development have motivated the study of the thermosphere. It is the middle region of the Earth atmosphere, which is mainly composed of the mesosphere that lacks routine in situ measurements. Routine observations are therefore carried out …

A Classification Of Real Indecomposable Solvable Lie Algebras Of Small Dimension With Codimension One Nilradicals, Alan R. Parry

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis was concerned with classifying the real indecomposable solvable Lie algebras with codimension one nilradicals of dimensions two through seven. This thesis was organized into three chapters.

In the first, we described the necessary concepts and definitions about Lie algebras as well as a few helpful theorems that are necessary to understand the project. We also reviewed many concepts from linear algebra that are essential to the research.

The second chapter was occupied with a description of how we went about classifying the Lie algebras. In particular, it outlined the basic premise of the classification: that we can use …

The Marriage Of Eolian Rock Properties And Deformation Of The Nugget Formation; Anschutz Ranch East Field: Northeast Utah And Southwest Wyoming, Dustin J. Keele

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Nugget Formation in the Anschutz Ranch East field, northeast Utah and southwest Wyoming, provides an exceptional example of how primary eolian rock properties have a considerable influence on the style of structural deformation. Both new and existing subsurface data were integrated for an overall characterization of sedimentologic and diagenetic heterogeneities, which demonstrate relationships with different styles of structural compartmentalization in reservoirs. The Anschutz Ranch East field is a large asymmetric anticlinal trap in the Utah-Wyoming thrust belt. Three cores were analyzed in order to investigate brittle deformation in eolian facies: dune, apron, and interdune. Selected cores are located along …

The Geologic History Of Subsurface Arkosic Sedimentary Rocks In The San Andreas Fault Observatory At Depth (Safod) Borehole, Central California, Sarah D. Draper

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The aim of the San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth (SAFOD) project, a component of the NSF Earthscope Initiative, is to directly observe active fault processes at seismogenic depths through the drilling of a 3 km deep (true vertical depth) inclined borehole across San Andreas fault. Preliminary subsurface models based on surface mapping and geophysical data predicted different lithologies than were actually encountered. At 1920 meters measured depth (mmd), a sequence of well-indurated, interbedded arkosic conglomerates, sandstones, and siltstones was encountered. We present a detailed lithologic and structural characterization as a step toward understanding the complex geologic history of this …

Structural Characterization Of Three Southeast Segments Of The Clark Fault, Salton Trough California, Benjamin E. Belgarde

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

We examine the structural complexities of a 28-km long part of the Clark fault of the San Jacinto fault zone in southern California in order to better document its lateral extent and the style of deformation of its southeast end. Changes in structural style are observed as the Clark fault’s damage zone widens from ~ 1-2 km in crystalline rocks of the Peninsular Ranges southeastward to ~ 18 km in the sedimentary rocks of the San Felipe-Borrego subbasin of the Salton Trough. The Clark fault extends into the San Felipe-Borrego subbasin as the Arroyo Salada segment for ~ 11-12 km …

Comparison Of Water Dynamics In Aspen And Conifer: Implications For Ecology Water Yield Augmentation, Eric Martin Lamalfa

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Differences in water dynamics between deciduous aspen (Populus tremuloides) and co-occurring evergreen conifer species in the Northern Rocky Mountains result from complex physical and biological interactions. A comprehensive evaluation of individual water transfer mechanisms was used to elucidate the relative importance of several components of the hydro logic cycles of aspen and conifer, and determine which water transfer mechanisms have potential to cause differences in net water yield.

Adjacent aspen and conifer stands were monitored to determine snow accumulation and ablation (snow survey), soil moisture recharge (capacitance probes), snowpack sublimation (sublimation pan), transpiration period (thermal dissipation probes), and …

Bats And Mines: Evaluating Townsend's Big-Eared Bat Maternity Colony Response To Reclamation, Gabrielle F. Diamond

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

With the loss or modification of natural roosting habitat afforded by caves, abandoned mines have assumed increased importance as surrogate roosting sites for Townsend's big-eared bats (Corynorhinus townsendii) and other chiropteran species. However, increasing concerns for human safety have led to accelerated programs for mine closure. In efforts to protect roosting sites in mines showing significant bat activity, "bat compatible" gates are installed, thus allowing continued access to mine workings. Aside from ensuring public safety, these structures afford protection from disturbance to roosting bats. To date few posting-gating studies have been conducted to obtain information on the effects …

Sequence Stratigraphy Of The Middle Cambrian Marjum Formation: Response Of Sedimentary Facies And Biota To Sea-Level Changes, Douglas D. Smith

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Research on the Marjum Formation provides insight into facies transitions in the House Range embayment of southwestern Utah during the Middle Cambrian. Sections of the Marjum Formation and equivalents were measured in strata representing shallow- (Drum Mountains), intermediate- (Wheeler Amphitheater), and deep-ramp (Marjum Pass) environments. This traverse across the embayment reveals strong litho- and biofacies changes. The Drum Mountains strata (343 m thick) are dominated by thick-bedded shallow-water limestone facies containing polymerid trilobites and stromatolites. The Wheeler Amphitheater locality (392 m thick) provides an example of intermediate deposits between deep-water and shallow-water environments and is characterized by limestone and subordinate …

Does The Southern Farmington Canyon Complex Record A Late Archean/Early Proterozoic Accretionary Complex?, Kyle C. Andreasen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Farmington Canyon Complex, situated along the Wasatch front in northern Utah, has been the target for many studies. The FCC has been interpreted to be a passive margin sedimentary wedge. Previous studies have yielded isotopic ages that broadly support an Archean age of formation, and a prominent mid-proterozoic amphibolite grade metamorphic event.

Based on this study, a new interpretation for the FCC is presented. Field relations and whole-rock geochemistry as well as recent advances in understanding Archean crustal processes have resulted in the FCC to be considered as an accretionary complex that formed along the SW margin of the …

Re-Evaluation Of The Jesse Ewing Canyon Formation: Implications For Neoproterozoic Paleogeography And Tectonic Setting Of Northeastern Utah, Andrew M. Brehm

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Detailed analysis of the basal unit of the Uinta Mountain Group, the Jesse Ewing Canyon Formation, of northeastern Utah and northwestern Colorado, expands on previous work by further documenting the character of the unit and proposing a revision of the description of the formation and interpretation. The Jesse Ewing Canyon Formation is ~≤1,000 meters thick as opposed to ≤225 meters thick, and the dominant lithology is not conglomerate, but rather finer-grained facies. The Jesse Ewing Canyon Formation reveals multiple alluvial fan point sources feeding a shallow body of water in an active rift basin at ~781 Ma.

Stratigraphic mapping, measured …

Climatology Of Middle And Low-Latitude F-Region Plasma Drifts From Satellite Measurements, John W. Jensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

We used ion drift observations from the DE-2 satellite to study for the first time the longitudinal variations of middle and low latitude F-region zonal plasma drifts during quiet and disturbed conditions. The daytime quiet-time drifts do not change much with longitude. In the dusk-premidnight period, the equinoctial middle latitude westward drifts are smallest in the European sector, and the low latitude eastward drifts are largest in the American-Pacific sector. The longitudinal variations of the late night-early morning drifts during June and December solstice are anti-correlated. During geomagnetically active time s, there are large westward perturbation drifts in the late …

Dynamics Of Spatial Pattern Formation: Cases Of Spikes And Droplets, Yuya Sasaki

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

This thesis studies the gradient system that forms spatial patterns such that the minimum distances of pairs among various points are maximized in the end. As this problem innately involves singularity issues, an extended system of the gradient system is proposed. Motivated by the spatial pattern suggested by a numerical example, this extended system is applied to a three-point problem and then to a two-point problem in a quotient space of ℝ² modulo a lattice.

The Red Top Model: A Landscape-Scale Integrodifference Equation Model Of The Mountain Pine Beetle-Lodgepole Pine Forest Interaction, Justin Heavilin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Under normative conditions the mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) has played a regulating role in healthy lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) forests. However, recently eruptive outbreaks that result from large pine beetle populations have destroyed vast tracts of valuable forest. The outbreaks in North America have received a great deal of attention from both the timber industry and government agencies as well as biologists and ecologists.

In this dissertation we develop a landscape-scaled integrodifference equation model describing the mountain pine beetle and its effect on a lodgepole pine forest. The model is built upon a stage-structured model …

Structural Properties Of Formal Polynomial Algebras In Noncommuting Or Nonassociating Indeterminates, Serge C. Ballif

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

In order to enlarge the class of equations provided by traditional polynomials over a binary algebra A to a more useful class of equations, we introduce polynomials in noncommuting or nonassociating indeterminates. We discuss algebraic properties of these formal polynomial algebras and their accompanying polynomial function algebras. We present certain basis results for polynomial algebras, which are used to address the question of zero divisors in a polynomial algebra. We give an analog of the remainder theorem and the factor theorem for polynomials. Particular emphasis is placed on showing the difference between polynomials and polynomial functions. We also provide a …