Digital Commons Network^™

Theory-Based Science Communication At Comic Cons, Lisa Lundgren, Emily Slater, Man Zhang, Kadie Kunz, Gabriel-Philip Santos

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

The majority of research concerning science communication happens in spaces where people already have a vested interest in or knowledge of science, such as museums and science cafes. Thus, there is a gap in understanding what theory-based science communication looks like in non-science-centered spaces. This qualitative research study, which featured cosplaying science communicators at comic conventions, offers insights into what science communication practices occur within everyday spaces. We conducted observations of and semi-structured interviews with 15 cosplaying scientists, examining how they utilized effective framing and narrative structuring when communicating science at comic cons in cosplay. Across 700 coded utterances, cosplaying …

Diffraction Analysis For Blackbody Calibrations, Eric L. Shirley

The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Annual Meeting (CALCON)

Realistic blackbody calibrations in low-background infrared chambers involve multiple optical elements that affect radiometric throughput by diffraction at aperture and baffle perimeters. There are many aspects to the problem, including (1.) developing efficient numerical algorithms that describe wave propagation, (2.) identification of important/ unimportant optical elements and subsystems that affect results, (3.) classifying results in terms of first- and secondorder contributions to diffraction corrections on measurements, (4.) integrating results for spectral throughput over the Planck spectrum (or other weighting function) to determine outcomes of total-power measurements. Progress in all of the above has been achieved in the past, and recent …

Use Of Celestial Objects For Viirs Day-Night Band On-Orbit Calibration, Jack Xiong, Truman Wilson, Amit Angal, Hongda Chen, Kevin Vermeesch, Xu Geng

The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Annual Meeting (CALCON)

The VIIRS has 22 spectral bands: 14 reflective solar bands (RSB), 7 thermal emissive bands (TEB), and 1 day-night band (DNB). The DNB, with a broad banwidth of 500-900 nm, can sense reflected light from space during both day and nighttime, covering an extreme large dynamic range by collecting data at three different gain stages: low gain (LG), mid gain (MG), and high gain (HG). Apart from a broad range of remote sensing applications facilitated by the VIIRS RSB and TEB observations, its DNB nighttime observations have also enabled a number of unique applications, including monitoring and assessment of the …

Assessing Bias In Lunar Irradiance Model Outputs Using Nighttime Aerosol Optical Depth Retrievals, Thomas C. Stone, Natalia Kouremeti, Saulius Nevas

The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Annual Meeting (CALCON)

Typical lunar calibration applications utilize spectral irradiance for comparing sensors’ lunar measurements against a reference. Because the Moon’s brightness continuously changes with time and the sensor location, reference lunar irradiance values are generated for the particular Sun-Moon-viewer geometry of the instrument’s observations by computing a numerical model. Nighttime aerosol optical depth (AOD) retrievals using ground-based photometer measurements and the Langley method require accounting for changes in the Moon’s brightness over the Langley data collection period, typically 1-2 hours. Models used for lunar calibration provide the exo-atmospheric irradiances needed for the Langley analyses. The success of nighttime AOD retrievals is indicated …

Assessment Of Pace Oci Linearity Prelaunch And On-Orbit, Jeff Mcintire, Shihyan Lee, Robert E. Eplee, Gerhard Meister

The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Annual Meeting (CALCON)

The Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission, recently launched in February of 2024, has a payload of two polarimeters and the Ocean Color Instrument (OCI). OCI is the next generation sensor for ocean color science from low Earth orbit, drawing heritage from sensors such as MODIS, SeaWiFs, and VIIRS, but with increased spectral coverage and improved accuracy. OCI is a grating spectrometer with hyperspectral coverage from the ultraviolet (about 315 nm) to near-infrared (about 895 nm), with additional filtered channels in the short-wave infrared (940 nm – 2260 nm). In order to maintain the high levels of accuracy demanded …

Post-Launch Calibration Of A Line-Of-Sight Model For Planetscope, Graham Mills

The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Annual Meeting (CALCON)

Planet’s medium resolution satellite imagery products are derived from a fleet of roughly 200 SuperDove CubeSats operating in low Earth orbit. Their hardware is frequently updated and the constellation replenished to ensure the availability of daily updates to the image catalog. Until now, on-orbit geometric calibration of these satellites has been limited to an initial estimation of lens distortion parameters performed during commissioning. A new line-of-sight model describes the SuperDove imaging system in greater detail, adding rotational parameters for boresight calibration and incorporating corrections for pointing errors in the attitude control system. Using historical imagery we study the temporal stability …

Planet’S Hyperspectral Constellation: First Light Campaign And On-Orbit Calibration, Geert Barentsen, Joseph Harris, Hannah Bourne, Justin Haag, Emily Martin, Caroline Pritchett, Paul Giuliano, Dominic Leduc, Keely Roth, Alan Collison, Graham Mills, Arin Jumpasut

The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Annual Meeting (CALCON)

No abstract provided.

Calibration Considerations And Scoring The Quality Of Calibration, Joe Tansock

The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Annual Meeting (CALCON)

This paper gives an introduction to “Guidelines for Radiometric Calibration of Electro-Optical Instruments for Remote Sensing” and includes a typical calibration timeline, discussion on why calibration is necessary, a couple examples of calibration success, typical imaging radiometer calibration parameters, lessons learned considerations, why on-board sources are important to calibration, examples on-board calibration source types, and considerations for scoring the quality of calibration.

On-Orbit Temporal Trending Of The Oli Radiance Scale Cross-Cal For The Landsat Mini-Constellation Using Solar Diffuser Panels, Raviv Levy, Kurtis Thome

The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Annual Meeting (CALCON)

The on-orbit Landsat 9 Operational Land Imager (OLI) absolute radiometric calibration was adjusted during commissioning to improve the agreement with Landsat 8 OLI based on five days of underfly collections. These adjustments were cross-checked with data from a near simultaneous solar diffuser collects made with both platforms. Post commissioning the two platforms follow orbits that set their ground tracks to be eight days apart, limiting direct earth scene comparisons between the two OLIs. The current work describes an approach relying on the solar diffuser data to evaluate the radiometric consistency between the two OLI radiance scales for the period of …

Copernicus Sentinel-2 And Sentinel-3 Radiometric Performance: Inter-Comparison With Landsat8/ 9 And Aqua-Modis Using Vicarious Methods Over Desert-Pics And Dcc Targets, B. Alhammoud, L. Rivoire, A. Deru, S. Clerc, V. Boccia, S. Dransfield

The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Annual Meeting (CALCON)

As part of the Copernicus program of the European Commission, the European Space Agency (ESA) developed and operates the Sentinel-2 constellation (S2A, S2B); and in cooperation with the EUMETSAT, they are operating the Sentinel-3 constellation (S3A, S3B). Both are Earth Observation optical missions, where the MultiSpectral Instrument (MSI) is carried on board Sentinel-2 mission and the Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI) and Sea Land Surface Temperature Radiometer (SLSTR) are on board the Sentinel-3 mission. In the framework of the Copernicus Optical Mission Performance Cluster (OPT-MPC), we use the Database for Imaging Multispectral Instruments and Tools for Radiometric Inter-comparison (DIMITRI) …

Initial Application Of Intra-Fleet Simultaneous Crossovers For Rapid Commissioning Of New Satellites, Alan Collison, Graham Mills, Hannah Bourne, Arin Jumpasut

The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Annual Meeting (CALCON)

Planet owns and operates a large fleet of medium resolution CubeSats. These satellites, named Doves and SuperDoves, provide monitoring of the world’s full land surface on a near-daily basis. For accurate production of radiance based imagery, SuperDoves are calibrated on orbit using Sentinel-2 as reference due to the close similarity between the spectral responses of their corresponding spectral bands. As older satellites age out of production use due to orbital decay or technical issues, new satellites are launched to maintain coverage. When launching these new satellites, it is important to execute commissioning activities quickly so that coverage continuity is maintained …

Noaa-21 Viirs Thermal Emissive Band (Teb) On-Orbit Performance, Wenhui Wang, Slawomir Blonski, Taeyoung Choi

The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Annual Meeting (CALCON)

The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) onboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - 21 (NOAA-21) satellite was successfully launched on November 10, 2022. NOAA-21 VIIRS Cold Focal Plane Assembly (CFPA) temperature reached 82 K on February 10, 2023, and the Thermal Emissive Band (TEB) Sensor Data Record (SDR) products became available. This study presents NOAA-21 VIIRS TEB on-orbit performance.

Differently from the VIIRS onboard S-NPP and NOAA-20 satellites, NOAA-21 VIIRS TEBs have experienced three phases of on-orbit responsivity changes during its early mission. The first phase is from launch to March 3, 2023. Small degradation in the TEB …

Global Space-Based Inter-Calibration System: An Operational Satellite Monitoring Framework, Manik Bali

The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Annual Meeting (CALCON)

The Global Space-Based Inter-calibration System (GSICS) is a sixteen consortium of satellite operating agencies that have come together to monitor in-orbit satellite sensors by comparing them with stable references.

GSICS has developed and deployed algorithms that can leverage the stability of instruments such as CrIS, VIIRS, ATMS, and IASI by multiple methods. These include Simultaneous Nadir Overpass (SNO), Ray-Matching, and Indirect Double difference comparisons to monitor in-orbit geostationary satellites, including the GOES, Meteosat, FY-2/4, Himawari, and COMS geostationary series. GSICS contributors provide over 76 bias monitoring products for operational satellites. These are disseminated through its Product Catalog (Product Catalog). Each …

Development Of Multi-Edge Slant Target For Unlocalized Mtf Measurement Of Airborne Imaging System Payloads, Kylel Scott, Carey Scott, Hyun Jung Kim, Matthew Boyda

The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Annual Meeting (CALCON)

Calibration of imaging instruments is a critical step in effectively characterizing imaging data. A comprehensive characterization of an imaging system provides valuable insight into the overall uncertainties in the results derived from the raw data collected. The Scientifically Calibrated In-Flight Imagery (SCIFLI) team (based at NASA Langley Research Center) has designed, built, tested, and successfully flown the optical payload known as the SCIFLI Airborne Multispectral Imager (SAMI). SAMI is a multispectral imaging payload, complete with sensor configurations for the Ultraviolet-Visible spectrum as well as Near- Infrared, Shortwave Infrared, and Midwave Infrared bands and is fitted with various optical hardware designed …

A System For Pre-Launch Characterization Of Imaging Sensors Using Tunable Laser Sources, Allan W. Smith, Steven Lorentz

The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Annual Meeting (CALCON)

L-1 Standards and Technology has developed a detector-based calibration system utilizing tunable laser sources for characterizing moderate aperture imagers. Currently, the spectral coverage is set by reference detector standards, calibrated by NIST, that cover the range from 360 nm to 1775 nm. Future expansion is possible as the tunable lasers produce light from below 300 nm to greater than 2500 nm. The sources consist of a large Spectralon integrating sphere with a 180 mm diameter exit port and, for increased radiance, collimators/projectors with a 170 mm diameter aperture that use a smaller integrating sphere. The sources reside on a large …

New Facility For The Ground Radiometric Calibration Of Libera Using A Tunable Narrow Band Source From 0.3 To 16 Μm, Robert Haun, Dave Harber, Cameron Straatsma, Katherine Catani, Karl Heuerman, Chris Randall, Peter Pilewskie

The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Annual Meeting (CALCON)

No abstract provided.

Radiometric Flat Field Calibration Using Integration Time Dither, Tom Chrien, Caden Laisy

The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Annual Meeting (CALCON)

No abstract provided.

Modtran® In-Band Radiative Transfer, Alexander Berk

The Characterization and Radiometric Calibration for Remote Sensing Annual Meeting (CALCON)

No abstract provided.

Lower Limb Muscle Activation In Young Adults Walking In Water And On Land, Christopher Long, Christopher J. Dakin, Sara A. Harper, Joonsun Park, Aaron Folau, Mark Crandall, Nathan Christensen, Talin Louder

Kinesiology and Health Science Faculty Publications

Previous research has shown that exercise interventions requiring increased activation of the tibialis anterior (TA), the primary ankle dorsiflexor, can improve walking performance in individuals with foot drop. Correspondingly, heightened drag forces experienced during walking performed in water may augment TA activation during the swing phase of gait, potentially leading to improved walking gait on land. Therefore, this study aimed to compare surface electromyographic (sEMG) activation in the TA and medial gastrocnemius (GM) during gait performed in water versus on land. Thirty-eight healthy, recreationally active young adults, comprising 18 females and 20 males, participated in the study. Each participant completed …

Whitetop (Hoary Cress) Control In Residential Situations, Taun Beddes, Michael Caron, Jacob Hadfield, Corey Ransom

All Current Publications

Whitetop (Lepidium draba, formerly Cardaria draba) is a persistent, perennial weed that grows in open, sunny areas. It spreads by seeds and rhizomes, enabling it to spread by several feet in a single season. It is common in wildlands, agricultural, and residential areas. It rapidly spreads into unhealthy lawns, landscape beds, and vegetable gardens. This fact sheet provides information on identification, lifecycle, landscape damage, and suppression and control options.

A Comprehensive Examination Of Age-Related Lower Limb Muscle Function Asymmetries Across A Variety Of Muscle Action Types, Kylee L. Heap-Eldridge, Brennan J. Thompson, Cody Fisher, Talin J. Louder, Jon Carey

Kinesiology and Health Science Faculty Publications

Previous research has found that lower limb muscle asymmetries increase with age and are linked to fall and injury risks. However, past studies lack a wide variety of muscle function modes and measures as well as comparison to a comparable younger age group. The purpose of this study was to examine age-related lower limb muscle function asymmetries across a variety of muscle action types and velocities in young and old adults. Lower limb balance, strength, power, and velocity were evaluated with concentric, isometric, isotonic, and eccentric muscle actions during a single-leg stance test and on single- and multi-joint dynamometers in …

Ecosystem Sentinels As Early-Warning Indicators In The Anthropocene, Elliott L. Hazen, Matthew S. Savoca, T.J. Clark-Wolf, Max Czapanskiy, Peter M. Rabinowitz, Briana Abrahms

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

We are already experiencing the rapid pace of environmental perturbation in the Anthropocene, necessitating the development of new tools and techniques for measuring changes in ecosystem dynamics. Sentinel species, from birds to invertebrates, have been used to provide insights into ecosystem function, as leading indicators of risk to human health and as harbingers of future change, with implications for ecosystem structure and function. Here, we offer an update to previous research identifying marine top predators as indicators of ecosystem shifts and examine terrestrial sentinels and the latest research on sentinels of pollution and human health. Using ecosystem sentinels enables rapid …

Understanding Non-Designers' Practices And Processes In A Human-Centered Design Course, Luettamae Lawrence, Saadeddine Shehab, Mike Tissenbaum

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

Human-centered design (HCD) has been identified in the literature as a useful problem-solving approach for learners. However, learning and applying HCD poses several challenges for students who are unfamiliar with this form of learning. In this paper, we analyse how a novice design team worked on a HCD class project to examine how non-designers learn about and integrate HCD practices into their project. We introduce the HCD taxonomy to define the processes and practices that students engage in. The team’s design work is triangulated across multiple data sources and revealed three challenges for engaging non-designers in HCD: 1) the need …

The Status Of Women Leaders In Government – State Of Utah: A 2024 Update, April Townsend, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Organizations thrive more abundantly when both men and women hold leadership roles and work together. Gender inclusivity in leadership benefits not only Utah’s businesses but also its government organizations, such as state legislatures, city councils, and state and local bureaucracies.¹

American democracy is based on the concept of representation.² Governments mirror this idea by encouraging agencies to employ a workforce that shares the demographic characteristics of the community it serves.³ In fact, the presence of a diverse public workforce “implies equal access to government positions promoting empowerment and connection with government in diverse communities, [and] can also …

Effects Of An Indole Derivative On Cell Proliferation, Transfection, And Alternative Splicing In Production Of Lentiviral Vectors By Transient Co-Transfection, Nataly Carolina Mier, Donald Keith Roper

Biological Engineering Faculty Publications

Lentiviral vectors derived from human immunodeficiency virus type I are widely used to deliver functional gene copies to mammalian cells for research and gene therapies. Post-transcriptional splicing of lentiviral vector transgene in transduced host and transfected producer cells presents barriers to widespread application of lentiviral vector-based therapies. The present study examined effects of indole derivative compound IDC16 on splicing of lentiviral vector transcripts in producer cells and corresponding yield of infectious lentiviral vectors. Indole IDC16 was shown previously to modify alternative splicing in human immunodeficiency virus type I. Human embryonic kidney 293T cells were transiently transfected by 3^rd generation …

Influence Of Steroidal Implants And Zinc Sulfate Supplementation On Growth Performance, Trace Mineral Status, Circulating Metabolites, And Transcriptional Changes In Skeletal Muscle Of Feedlot Steers, Dathan T. Smerchek, Emma L. Rients, Amy M. Mclaughlin, Kara J. Thornton, Stephanie L. Hansen

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Angus-cross steers (n = 144; 362 kg ± 20.4) were used to determine the effect of Zn and steroidal implants on performance, trace mineral status, circulating metabolites, and transcriptional changes occurring in skeletal muscle. Steers (n = 6 per pen) were stratified by body weight (BW) in a 3 x 2 factorial. GrowSafe bunks recorded individual feed intake (steer as experimental unit; n = 24 per treatment). Dietary treatments (ZINC; eight pens per treatment) included supplemental Zn as ZnSO₄ at 1) 0 (analyzed 54 mg Zn/kg DM; Zn0); 2) 30 mg/kg DM ( …

Sensitivity Of Ocean Circulation To Warming During The Early Eocene Greenhouse, Sandra Kirtland Turner, Andy Ridgwell, Allison L. Keller, Maximilian Vahlenkamp, Adam K. Aleksinski, Philip F. Sexton, Donald E. Penman, Pincelli M. Hull, Richard D. Norris

Geosciences Faculty Publications

Multiple abrupt warming events ("hyperthermals") punctuated the Early Eocene and were associated with deep-sea temperature increases of 2 to 4 °C, seafloor carbonate dissolution, and negative carbon isotope (δ¹³C) excursions. Whether hyperthermals were associated with changes in the global ocean overturning circulation is important for understanding their driving mechanisms and feedbacks and for gaining insight into the circulation's sensitivity to climatic warming. Here, we present high-resolution benthic foraminiferal stable isotope records (δ¹³C and δ¹⁸O) throughout the Early Eocene Climate Optimum (~53.26 to 49.14 Ma) from the deep equatorial and North Atlantic. Combined with existing …

So, You're Going On A Trail Ride, Gabriela Murza, Katelyn Barsnick, Karl Hoopes

All Current Publications

Horse trail rides provide an opportunity for individuals to partner with horses to experience the natural world in a new way. However, we should consider the physical demands it places on both riders and horses. Adequate preparation, including selecting appropriate clothing, employing safe riding practices, and engaging in pre-ride stretches to enhance rider fitness, allows participants to fully appreciate the experience.

An Overview Of Research On Acceptance And Commitment Therapy, Michael E. Levin, Jennifer Krafft, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

This review summarized recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses on randomized controlled trials evaluating ACT. Although the strength of evidence varies, overall there is plausible evidence for the efficacy of ACT for a wide range of areas including depression, anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive and related disorders, psychosis, substance use disorders, chronic pain, coping with chronic health conditions, obesity, stigma, and stress and burnout. ACT is also efficacious when delivered in digital self-help formats. Emerging evidence indicates the potential efficacy of ACT for children and adolescents and when applied across diverse populations. Reviews of mediation research indicate ACT works through increasing psychological flexibility.

Trace Element Contamination In Urban Soils: Testing And Management, Melissa Chilinski, Melanie Stock, Paul R. Grossl, Eli Oliver

All Current Publications

Trace elements, often referred to as heavy metals, naturally occur in the soil at low levels. Certain land use histories can elevate the concentrations of trace elements to levels that present health risks. Understanding which elements and soil test values may impact human or crop health is an important aspect of gardening and micro-farming, particularly in urban environments that are at increased risk of soil contamination. This fact sheet provides instructions on interpreting soil test results for trace elements through the Total Element Composition EPA 3050B Soil Test (#S19) at Utah State University Analytical Laboratory.