Digital Commons Network^™

Multi-Sensor Integration And Machine Learning For High-Resolution Classification Of Herbivore Foraging Behavior, Bashiri Iddy Muzzo, Kelvyn Bladen, Andres Perea, Shelemia Nyamuryekung’E, Juan J. Villalba

Wildland Resources Student Research

This study classified cows’ foraging behaviors using machine learning (ML) models evaluated through random test split (RTS) and cross-validation (CV) data partition methods. Models included Perceptron, Logistic Regression, Support Vector Machine, KNearest Neighbors, Random Forest (RF), and XGBoost (XGB). These models classified activity states (active vs. static), foraging behaviors (grazing (GR), resting (RE), walking (W), ruminating (RU)), posture states (standing up (SU) vs. lying down (LD)), and posture combinations with rumination and resting behaviors (RU_SU, RU_LD, RE_SU, and RE_LD). XGB achieved the highest accuracy for state classification (74.5% RTS, 74.2% CV) and foraging behavior (69.4% CV). RF outperformed XGB in …

Home, Health, Community, & Allyship: Utahns’ Awareness, Understanding, And Attitudes, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

During the fall of 2023, Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) researchers conducted a statewide study to establish a baseline for public perceptions related to the awareness, understanding, and attitudes about challenges that Utah women and girls face. In early 2024, we published 20 short research summaries that shared the results of this comprehensive study. Then, in the fall of 2024, we administered the survey, with slight refinements, around the state of Utah. We now share the results of the 2024 data by releasing six white papers; this is the fifth in the series.

Overall, this comprehensive study was designed …

Bryce Canyon Aspen: Recent Trends, Future Actions, Paul C. Rogers

Aspen Bibliography

In cooperation with Bryce Canyon National Park, we undertook a survey of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) conditions throughout the Park with the intention of better understanding conditions and prescribing corrective measures where needed. There are clear disparities within the Park between sustainable aspen conditions and failing stands. Based on condition of mature trees, but most importantly regeneration and recruitment of juvenile stems, most aspen forests within Bryce Canyon are in poor condition. Aspen recruitment—generally sapling-sized trees that have survived browsing ungulates—is the most important metric of future stand resilience and here we found 83% of all aspen sample …

Fact Sheet: Methamphetamine, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Jenna Hawks, Alyssa Ferrin

All Current Publications

Methamphetamine, or meth, is a powerful stimulant that speeds up the central nervous system, causing increases in heart rate, blood pressure, and how fast the body uses energy. This fact sheet explains how meth is habit-forming and addictive and what it does to your body. It also explains overamping and responding to such an emergency.

Fact Sheet: Ketamine, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Jenna Hawks, Alyssa Ferrin

All Current Publications

This fact sheet discusses ketamine, which has pain-relieving properties and has gained recent attention for its antidepressant effects. However, as a Schedule III substance, it has a risk of strong psychological and physical dependence. Recreational use can lead to short- and long-term effects on health and risk of overdose and death.

An Alternative To Biliverdin, Mesobiliverdin Ixα And Mesobiliverdin-Enriched Microalgae: A Review On The Production And Applications Of Mesobiliverdin-Related Products, Naveena Poudyal, Jon Y. Takemoto, Yuan-Yu Lin, Cheng-Wei T. Chang

Chemistry and Biochemistry Student Research

Despite attracting interest for decades due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities, the use of biliverdin IXα (BV) in medicine and agriculture is hampered by uncertain purity and limited availability. A significant amount of effort has been devoted to the production and application of BV, but with limited success. Mesobiliverdin IXα (MBV), a natural BV analog derived from microalgae, offers a path to overcome the limitations of BV. MBV production is scalable, and it can be obtained at high purity. MBV and BV share important structural features (e.g., bridging propionate groups) and both are substrates of biliverdin reductase A (BVRA), …

Solar Flare Prediction Using Multivariate Time Series Of Photospheric Magnetic Field Parameters: A Comparative Analysis Of Vector, Time Series, And Graph Data Representations, Onur Vural, Shah Muhammad Hamdi, Soukaina Filali Boubrahimi

Computer Science Student Research

The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive resource for the selection of data representations for machine learning-oriented models and components in solar flare prediction tasks. Major solar flares occurring in the solar corona and heliosphere can bring potential destructive consequences, posing significant risks to astronauts, space stations, electronics, communication systems, and numerous technological infrastructures. For this reason, the accurate detection of major flares is essential for mitigating these hazards and ensuring the safety of our technology-dependent society. In response, leveraging machine learning techniques for predicting solar flares has emerged as a significant application within the realm of …

Thriving Hives: Propolis - Harvest And Usage, Brynn Meredith, Teresa Hunsaker, Andree' Walker Bravo

All Current Publications

One of the lesser-known substances produced by honeybees is something called propolis. Propolis is a type of adhesive that bees use to construct their hives and keep unwanted invaders out. Propolis is difficult to collect and process but can be beneficial, as it has many useful applications. This fact sheet addresses harvesting and using propolis.

Using Thermal Camera Drones In Beef Cattle Roundup, Justin Wyatt Clawson, Eric Galloway, Shalyn Drake, Shawn Barstow, Ross Israelsen, Michael Pate

All Current Publications

Using drones with thermal sensors can be an effective tool in finding and collecting livestock from summer mountain ranges in the West. Drones can complete searches in much less time than required on horseback in demonstrated areas. Using drones reduces the workload of the rider and horse, saving time and energy and reducing the risk of injury. With proper training and certification, livestock producers can use drones to locate cattle and perform many other cost-cutting operations.

The Utah Statesman, March 17, 2025, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Agenda, March 17, 2025, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• 3:00 Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes - February 18, 2025
• 3:05 University Business
• 3:20 Faculty Senate Business
• 3:35 Information
• EPC Report - March 6, 2025
• 3:40 Report
• Budget of Faculty Welfare Committee
• Sustainability Council
• Policy 323, 378, 389
• 4:00 Old Business
• 4:05 New Business
• 2025-2026 Faculty Senate Calendar
• Adjourn: 4:30 pm

Spatio-Temporal Graph Neural Networks For Streamflow Prediction In The Upper Colorado Basin, Akhila Akkala, Soukaina Filali Boubrahimi, Shah Muhammad Hamdi, Pouya Hosseinzadeh, Ayman Nassar

Computer Science Student Research

Streamflow prediction is vital for effective water resource management, enabling a better understanding of hydrological variability and its response to environmental factors. This study presents a spatio-temporal graph neural network (STGNN) model for streamflow prediction in the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB), integrating graph convolutional networks (GCNs) to model spatial connectivity and long short-term memory (LSTM) networks to capture temporal dynamics. Using 30 years of monthly streamflow data from 20 monitoring stations, the STGNN predicted streamflow over a 36-month horizon and was evaluated against traditional models, including random forest regression (RFR), LSTM, gated recurrent units (GRU), and seasonal auto-regressive integrated …

A Checklist Of The Bees Of Utah, Joseph S. Wilson, Anthony Hunsaker, Terry L. Griswold, Olivia Messinger Carril

Biology Faculty Publications

Understanding bee distributions is essential to protecting these vital pollinators. Since conservation efforts and policies are often made at the state level, maintaining state-specific bee species lists can aid conservationists and policy makers. While several North American state- and province-level bee species lists have been published, few exist for the arid western states, where bee diversity tends to be higher. Here we provide a bee species list for Utah, compiled from online occurrence records from the Symbiota Collection of Arthropods Network (SCAN) and specimen records housed in the USDA-ARS Pollinating Insect Research Unit (BBSL). In total we document 1167 bee …

Utah Organizations Supporting Women & Girls: Exploring The Landscape, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

In 2024, U.S. News & World Report rated each state using 71 metrics in eight categories. Utah came out on top, declared as the “Best State Overall” for the second year in a row, ranking number two in education, and number three in both economy and infrastructure categories. ¹ In addition, WalletHub dubbed Utah 2023’s Most Charitable State, citing high levels of charitable giving and volunteerism,² and ConsumerAffairs declared Utah the “Best State to Move to in 2024.”³ In addition, Utah also ranks high in work hours, volunteerism, affordability, happiness, outdoor recreation, social mobility, and more.⁴ See …

Exploring The Social Validity And Diffusion Potential Of Common Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Intervention Strategies Implemented In Community Preschools, Sophia R. D'Agostino, Trenton J. Landon, Alyssa Roylance, Avery Briggs, Naima Bhana-Lopez

Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling Faculty Publications

It is imperative that researchers include the perspectives from key voices regarding early support practices, yet very few studies have included direct assessment of autistic individuals and parents of young autistic children. Despite emerging evidence of effectiveness of naturalistic developmental behavioral intervention (NDBI) strategies, it is currently unknown whether autistic adults and parents of autistic individuals know about NDBI and if they view NDBI strategies as socially valid practice. We aimed to explore the perceptions of autistic adults and parents of young autistic children regarding the social validity of NDBI strategies implemented in community preschool classrooms and their dissemination potential. …

Continuous Exposure To An Aversive Mixture: A Means Of Maintaining Aversion In Sheep Averted To Geigeria Ornativa O. Hoffm. (Vermeerbos) - An Assessment, Leendert D. Snyman

Poisonous Plant Research (PPR)

Establishing aversion to Geigeria ornativa only lasts for some time, after which the induced aversion disappears and sheep start eating G. ornativa again. This behavior is aggravated by the social influence of non-averted sheep in mixed grazing situations. Exposing sheep continuously to a so-called “aversive mixture”, containing an aversive substance (lithium chloride) and the sensory characteristics of the plant (hexane extract of G. ornativa) mixed with a tasty meal (maize meal), following an initial aversion treatment, resulted in sustained aversion to G. ornativa in the field. This method proved to be applicable to mixed grazing situations with averted and …

Psychosocial And Audiological Characteristics In Misophonia: An Interdisciplinary Comparison Study Of Adults With Misophonia To Healthy Controls, Mercedes G. Woolley, Hailey E. Johnson, Emily M. Bowers, Doris Velasquez, Julie M. Petersen, Karen Muñoz, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Student Research

Despite the increasing investigation into misophonia, its classification remains debated due to symptom overlap with audiological and psychological conditions, as well as methodological limitations in existing studies. In the present study, we compared a clinical sample of adults seeking treatment for misophonia with a non-treatment-seeking sample of age- and gender-matched healthy controls. In these two samples, we examined the psychological and audiological features of misophonia by assessing key psychological processes (anger, disgust, OCD symptoms, anxiety, depression, stress, wellbeing, and psychological inflexibility) and audiological features (hearing, hyperacusis, and tinnitus). We found that individuals with misophonia exhibit higher levels of psychological inflexibility …

Creating Sustainable School And Home Gardens: Using Drones To Enhance Garden Projects, Douglas Weber, Rita Hagevik, Kathy Cabe Trundle

All Current Publications

This fact sheet explores using drones to enhance garden projects at home and in schools. It covers the benefits of drones, such as monitoring garden health, planning layouts, and assessing plant conditions through advanced imaging technologies. Additionally, it outlines essential factors to consider when selecting a drone, including cost, battery life, camera quality, and local regulations. Tips for safe operation and effective usage are also provided, as well as fun facts about drones.

Fact Sheet: Fentanyl, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Amy May, Jenna Hawks, Alyssa Ferrin

All Current Publications

This fact sheet provides essential information on fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid increasingly found in illegal street drugs, posing significant overdose risks. It highlights how opioids affect the body, the dangers of fentanyl, and the importance of harm-reduction strategies, such as fentanyl test strips, naloxone access, and safe syringe disposal. Information on signs and symptoms and how to respond to an overdose are also included.

Creating Sustainable School And Home Gardens: Organic Pest Management, Ruby Mohr, Kathy Cabe Trundle, Rita Hagevik

All Current Publications

This fact sheet on organic pest management outlines sustainable gardening practices that promote ecological balance and biodiversity. It defines organic pest management as a proactive method, using natural insecticides like sulfur and neem oil, along with unique pest control strategies such as beer traps and cinnamon repellents. Additionally, it highlights plants like mint and marigolds that repel harmful pests while attracting beneficial insects. By implementing these approaches, gardeners can protect crops sustainably, enhance soil health, and reduce reliance on synthetic pesticides, thus supporting a healthier food system.

Enhancing Clinical Training Through Community Engagement, Tammy Taylor, Jan Thornton, Jeff Spears

Transforming Communities

Practice courses in the field of social work use a student only approach to roleplaying. This traditional approach to developing clinical skills fails to incorporate feedback from seasoned professionals in the field. Utah State University is a land-grant institution educating social workers across the state. In two generalist practice classes, faculty incorporated twenty-four licensed clinical therapists to observe and provide real feedback on various therapeutic modalities to MSW students. Students reported an appreciation for the feedback provided and more confidence in their clinical skills. Community partners felt a sense of contribution to knowledge in developing the clinical social workers of …

Recognizing Individual Variability In Misophonia: Identifying Symptom-Based Subgroups With Gaussian Mixture Modeling, Mercedes G. Woolley, Amanda M. Ramos, Emily M. Bowers, Karen Muñoz, Julie M. Petersen, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Student Research

Misophonia is characterized by intense emotional and physiological reactions to everyday sounds such as chewing and tapping. While previous researchers have focused on defining and characterizing the disorder, limited attention has been given to the variability in symptom presentations across individuals. In this study, we sought to identify distinct subgroups of individuals with misophonia by applying a Gaussian finite mixture model to explore the heterogeneity of symptom profiles. Sixty treatment-seeking participants completed the Duke Misophonia Interview, which assessed the presence and severity of various behavioral, affective, and cognitive symptoms. Items from this measure served as model indicators. Two clusters were …

Building Relationships For Meaningful Co-Created Indigenous Climate Education, B. Hanson, R. Mccann, D. Smiley, S. Hinck, A. R. Archie, N. Butler

Environment and Society Student Research

This project involved a multicultural team collaboratively co-creating a climate change module by and for Indigenous people. Embracing the framework of cultural humility, we recognized the bidirectional learning inherent in the project and its role in mitigating power dynamics within the team. This endeavor underscored the significance of transparency, effective communication, respect, reciprocity, trust building, and sensitivity to cultural contexts. Our findings emphasized the need for locally grounded programs that echo local traditional wisdom. We discovered that fostering an environment conducive to active listening and patience is pivotal in establishing a secure space. Our research affirms the equal validity and …

Curriculum Subcommittee Agenda March 6, 2025, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Approval of Minutes - February 6, 2025
• Program Proposals
• Semester Course Approval Reviews
• College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
• Caine College of the Arts
• Jon M. Huntsman School of Business
• Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services
• College of Engineering
• College of Humanities and Social Sciences
• S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources
• College of Science
• College of Veterinary Medicine
• Other Business
• Adjourn: 3:00 pm

Curriculum Subcommittee Minutes March 6, 2025, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Approval of Minutes
• Program Proposals
• Semester Course Approval Reviews
• College of Agriculture and Applied Sciences
• Caine College of the Arts
• Jon M. Huntsman School of Business
• Emma Eccles Jones College of Education and Human Services
• College of Engineering
• College of Humanities and Social Sciences
• S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources
• College of Science
• College of Veterinary Medicine
• Other Business
• Adjourn: 3:00 pm

Women, Finance, And Education: Utahns’ Awareness, Understanding, And Attitudes, Susan R. Madsen, Brie Sparks

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

During the fall of 2023, Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) researchers conducted a statewide study to establish a baseline for public perceptions related to the awareness, understanding, and attitudes about challenges that Utah women and girls face. In early 2024, we published 20 short research summaries that shared the results of this comprehensive study. Then, in the fall of 2024, we administered the survey, with slight refinements, around the state of Utah. We now share the results of the 2024 data by releasing six white papers; this is the fourth in the series.

Overall, this comprehensive study was designed …

Education Policy Committee Minutes March 6, 2025, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Approval of Minutes - February 6, 2025
• Subcommittee Reports
• Curriculum Subcommittee
• Academic Standards Subcommittee
• General Education Subcommittee
• Other Business
• Adjourn: 3:15 pm

Effects Of Inertial Measurement Unit Location On The Validity Of Vertical Acceleration Time-Series Data And Jump Height In Countermovement Jumping, Dianne Althouse, Cassidy Weeks, Steven B. Spencer, Joonsun Park, Brennan J. Thompson, Talin Louder

Kinesiology and Health Science Student Research

Inertial measurement units (IMUs) are an example of practical technology for measuring countermovement jump (CMJ) performance, but there is a need to enhance their validity. One potential strategy to achieve this is advancing the literature on IMU placement. Many studies opt to position a single IMU on anatomical landmarks rather than determining placement based on anthropometric principles, despite the knowledge that linear mechanics act through the segmental centers of mass of the human body. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of positioning IMU sensors to approximate the trunk and lower-extremity segmental centers of mass on the …

Faculty Senate Agenda March 3, 2025, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• 3:00 Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes - February 3rd minutes
• 3:05 University Business
• 3:20 Faculty Senate Business
• 3:35 Information
• EPC Report - February 3, 2025
• Emergency/Risk Survey
• 3:45 Report
• School of Graduate Studies
• Professional Responsibilities (PRPC)
• Parking and Transportation
• 4:00 New Business
• 4:05 Old Business
• Adjourn: 4:30

Leveraging High-Frequency Sensor Data And U.S. National Water Model Output To Forecast Turbidity In A Drinking Water Supply Basin, John T. Kemper, Kristen L. Underwood, Scott D. Hamshaw, Dany Davis, Jason Siemion, James B. Shanley, Andrew W. Schroth

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

As high-frequency sensor networks increasingly enhance data-driven models of water quality, process-based models like the U.S. National Water Model (NWM) are generating accessible forecasts of streamflow at increasingly dense scales. There is now an opportunity to combine these products to construct actionable water quality forecasts. To that end, we couple streamflow forecasts from the NWM to a gradient-boosted decision tree algorithm (LightGBM) trained on 5+ years of high-frequency monitoring data to forecast in-stream turbidity levels in the Catskill Mountains, NY, USA. Results indicate LightGBM models are capable of relatively skillful predictions, which enable robust forecasts for 1–3 days lead times. …