Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

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'.

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

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 …

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 …

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 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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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.

Electric Field Induced Hopping Conductivity And Polarization In Hytrel, Steve Hart

Senior Theses and Projects

The focus of my 4900 research project is centered on the conductivity of Hytrel, a complex, newly developed block co-polymer. I first began to study Hytrel during the summer of 2006, as part of the USU College of Science Mini-Grant program¹. My general objective was to study the relationship between the resistivity of Hytrel and hopping conductivity. Hopping conductivity is a theory of electron transport for nonconducting solids, originally developed for amorphous semiconductors^2,3. The theory will be examined in greater detail later in this document. While studying this relationship last summer, I noticed an unusual phenomenon …

Gauging Newton’S Law, James Thomas Wheeler

All Physics Faculty Publications

We derive both Lagrangian and Hamiltonian mechanics as gauge theories of Newtonian mechanics. Systematic development of the distinct symmetries of dynamics and measurement suggest that gauge theory may be motivated as a reconciliation of dynamics with measurement. Applying this principle to Newton's law with the simplest measurement theory leads to Lagrangian mechanics, while use of conformal measurement theory leads to Hamiltonian mechanics.PACS Nos.: 45.20.Jj, 11.25.Hf, 45.10.–b [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Green Beam—Lidar Investigations Of The Mesosphere, Vincent B. Wickwar

Presentations

No abstract provided.

Lake Mead Complex Final Gather Plan: Environmental Assessment, U.S. Department Of The Interior, Bureau Of Land Management

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

This Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Las Vegas Field Office (LVFO) to analyze the environmental effects of a gather to remove approximately 195 resident wild burros from National Park Service-administered lands adjacent to the El Dorado Mountains, Gold Butte and Muddy Mountains Herd Management Areas (HMAs) within the Lake Mead Complex (LMC) in March 2007. The LMC is located in southern Nevada in Clark County. The BLM Las Vegas Field Office and National Park Service coordinate management activities for wild burros on these public lands within their individual administrative responsibilities through a …

Scoping Report For The Glen Canyon Dam Long-Term Experimental Plan Environmental Impact Statement, U.S. Department Of The Interior, Bureau Of Reclamation

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

This report summarizes the issues raised during the initial scoping process for the Bureau of Reclamation's Long-term Experimental Plan for Glen Canyon Dam Operations and Other Management Actions Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). This report describes the initial scoping process and presents the schedule, describes the scoping meetings, summarizes comments submitted by the public, and provides an overview of the relevant issues that Reclamation anticipates will be analyzed in the EIS.

Scoping is defined by the regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) as the process whereby lead agencies solicit input from the public on what the issues and alternatives …

A Very Active Sprite-Producing Storm Observed Over Argentina, J. N. Thomas, Michael J. Taylor, Pierre-Dominique Pautet, T. Berkey, N. N. Solorzano, R. H. Holzworth, M. P. Mccarthy, M. Kokorowski, F. Sao Sabbas, O. Pinto Jr., S. A. Cummer, N. Jaugey, J. Li, N. J. Schuch

All Physics Faculty Publications

During the night of 22–23 February 2006, more than 400 middle- atmospheric optical discharges were observed above one large thunderstorm system over northeastern Argentina. These transient luminous events (TLEs) were imaged during the Southern Brazil Sprite Campaign, the first campaign to focus on TLEs over southern Brazil, northeastern Argentina, and Uruguay. All of the TLEs were imaged from the Brazilian Southern Space Observatory (SSO) near Santa Maria, which is nearly in the center of the southernmost Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. Although the fields of view of the imaging cameras were too narrow to view the entire storm, …