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Growing Season Frost Defoliates Aspen And Reduces Growth By 40%, James A. Lutz, Joseph D. Birch

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Results of research in forest health and forest futures in Utah.

Medium-Sized Fires Burn Less Severely Than Large Fires, James A. Lutz, Joseph D. Birch

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Results of research in forest health and forest futures in Utah

High Deadwood Loadings Decades After Spruce Beetle Outbreak, James A. Lutz, Joseph D. Birch

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Results of research in forest health and forest futures in Utah.

Key Results 1. Variable fuels: Fuels are highly variable on the landscape (upper left) - making estimations from transects difficult. 2. Slow to decay: Slow decay rates of Pinus deadwood can lead to high accumulations of loading - even after decades. 3. Brown's transects underestimate fuel: Brown’s transects underestimated fuels by 24%, compared to mapping all deadwood.

Pine Seedlings Regenerate Close To Large Deadwood And Mature Trees, James A. Lutz, Joseph D. Birch

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Results of research in forest health and forest futures in Utah

Could A Carbon Tax Improve Utah's Air Quality And Mitigate Climate Change?, Rose Cameron, Kendall Becker, Alexi Elizabeth Lamm, Scott Hotaling

All Current Publications

Urban areas in Utah have suffered from poor air quality since Euro-American settlement in 1847. Because today’s harmful air pollutants and carbon dioxide—the most significant driver of contemporary climate change—are often emitted together, a carbon tax could improve air quality while also mitigating climate change. Here, we explore how Sweden has successfully implemented a carbon tax and consider the viability of a similar approach for Utah. While a carbon tax would pressure Utah’s transportation and energy sectors to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, revenue from the tax could finance renewable energy infrastructure to support companies transitioning away from fossil fuels …

The Utah Statesman, September 9, 2024, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Faculty Senate Minutes September 9, 2024, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes
• University Business
• Faculty Senate Business
• Information
• EPC Report
• HB 261 Compliance Efforts
• Faculty Senate Discussions
• Reports
• Center for Instructional Design and Innovation
• Empowering Teaching Excellence Annual Report
• Old Business
• New Business
• Adjourn: 4:16 pm

A Simulated Annealing Approach To The Scheduling Of Battery-Electric Bus Charging, Alexander Brown, Greg Droge

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Publications

With an increasing adoption of battery-electric bus (BEB) fleets, developing a reliable charging schedule is vital to a successful migration from their fossil fuel counterparts. In this paper, a simulated annealing (SA) implementation is developed for a charge scheduling framework for a fixed-schedule fleet of BEBs that utilizes a proportional battery dynamics model, accounts for multiple charger types, allows partial charging, and further considers the total energy consumed by the schedule as well as peak power use. Two generation mechanisms are implemented for the SA algorithm, denoted as the "quick" and "heuristic" implementations, respectively. The model validity is demonstrated by …

Faculty Senate Agenda September 9, 2024, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• 3:00 Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes
• 3:05 University Business
• 3:20 Faculty Senate Business
• 3:35 Information
• EPC Report
• HB 261 Compliance Efforts
• Faculty Senate Discussions
• 3:55 Reports
• Center for Instructional Design and Innovation
• Empowering Teaching Excellence Annual Report
• 4:10 Old Business
• 4:15 New Business
• Adjourn: 4:30 pm

How Environmental Accidents Influence Consumer ‘Green’ Behavior: An Econometric Analysis, Rick Hardcopf, Suvrat Dhanorkar

Management Faculty Publications

Environmental accidents (EAs) are firm operational failures that harm human health, the natural environment, and offending firms. We propose they also initiate a subtle form of activism among consumers living near the accident by stimulating increased ‘green’ behavior. Using annual county-level data in California from 2000-2015, we show that following an EA, consumers reduce the trash/garbage they generate and the energy they consume. The impact is long-lasting and stronger when EAs are more severe and when consumers have pro-environmental beliefs, ready access to information, and convenient access to ‘green’ options, such as recycling. Since affected consumers may also refuse to …

Impact Of County-Level Urbanicity On Quality Of Life For People With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities In A Rural State., Alyssa M. Smith, Allison Caudill

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) face challenges, such as decreased access to physical, environmental, and social health-related services that can negatively impact their overall quality of life (QoL). Additionally, people living in rural communities may experience geographic distancing and other factors, like decreased transportation and available housing, that contribute to increased isolation and decreased health outcomes, overall. It is important to consider the QoL of people with IDD living in these communities given the additional intersectional constraints of rurality and having an intellectual disability or other co-occurring conditions. A secondary data analysis reviewed closed and open-ended survey data …

Impact Of A Narrative Language Intervention On Language, Behavior, And Self-Concept Among Bilingual Children With Developmental Language Disorder, Nancy Tarshis Ma, Ms, Ccc-Slp, Kathleen Mcgrath Mss, Lsw, Ida Barresi Ma, Ccc-Slp, Risa Battino Ms, Ccc-Slp, Bcs-F, Sarah Henderson Msed, Ms, Ccc-Slp, Shankar Viswanathan Drph, Jee-Young Moon Phd, Karen Bonuck Phd

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

The growing research on narrative interventions is promising but has gaps regarding cultural/linguistic diversity and outcomes beyond language. We evaluated whether a structured, oral narrative intervention affects narrative language, problem behaviors, and self-concept in a diverse group of children with developmental language disorder. A 10-session intervention was implemented within routine care. Baseline and follow-up data included: (a) Narrative recordings—coded by therapists using the CUBED Narrative Language Measure, (b) Child Behavior Checklist—a parent-reported behavioral assessment, and (c) the Piers-Harris Children’s Self-Concept Scale. Among the sample’s n = 33 children, aged 6-16, 55.6% were bilingual. Post intervention, participants’ narrative language scores improved …

Disability Education In Medical Schools: A Paradigm Shift For Inclusive Care, Hannah Ship Md, Mph, Sahana Shankar M.D., Rochelle Baer Lcsw, Jeffrey Brosco M.D., Ph.D., Jairo Arana, Damian Gregory, Robert Irwin M.D., Gauri Agarwal M.D., Sabrina Taldone Md, Mba, Sheryl Eisenberg Michalowski Ma, Daniel Quintero M.D., Anna Shah M.D., Frank Woo M.D., Michelle Schladant Ph.D., Ashley Falcon Phd, Mph

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Disability education for medical students is often insufficient and can contribute to health disparities for people with disabilities. Our interdisciplinary curriculum development team created a longitudinal 4-year disability education model aimed at improving patient care for people with disabilities. Central to our curriculum are progressive sessions aligned with students' medical journey, including three required sessions covering interdisciplinary healthcare teams, implicit bias, health disparities, disability culture, shared decision-making, communication, and self-determination. Through the inclusion of people with disabilities, an interdisciplinary curriculum development team, and trainee-driven advocacy, our longitudinal multi-phasic disability education curriculum seeks to mitigate health disparities. Our innovative approach addresses …

An Examination Of Transition Professional Profiles Based On Value-Based Principles: A Latent Profile Analysis, Anthony Plotner, Angie Starrett, Charles Walters, Rebecca Smith Hill

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

This paper presents findings from a study utilizing Latent Profile Analysis to examine the value-based principles of transition professionals from two distinct disciplines: special education and Centers for Independent Living (CIL). Specifically, this paper aimed to identify profiles emerging from the value orientations of special education and CIL professionals, and to explore how individual factors such as professional role, disability status, education, and years’ experience differ across these profiles. Findings revealed a taxonomy comprising four distinct profiles within the transition professionals sampled. These profiles delineate varying dominant values that encapsulate the convergence of special education and independent living philosophies. Implications …

Inclusion In Disability Evaluation And Surveillance Projects: Reflections And Recommendations For Inclusive Project Teams, Tamara M. Douglas, Nathan J. Rabang, Marlene A. Attla, Tasha Boyer, Vanessa Hiratsuka

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Disability rights advocates emphasize “Nothing about us without us,” yet a program evaluation or surveillance team’s composition rarely reflects inclusion of the individuals from the disability populations they focus on. Individuals who have lived experience with disabilities should be present during all steps of program evaluation and surveillance projects in meaningful ways to progress the impact of disabilities work. In this paper, we describe a process used by staff at Alaska’s University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) to hire, train, and work with individuals with intellectual, development disabilities (IDD) as team members. The case example for the inclusion …

Barriers To Health Care Among Adults With Disabilities In Connecticut, Mary Beth Bruder Phd, Tara M. Lutz Phd, Kelly E. Ferreira Phd

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

It is estimated that 25% of adults in the US are living with one or more disabilities. Persons with disabilities (PWD) have unmet health care needs, experience health disparities compared to those without disabilities. Barriers to quality health care include structural barriers such as access to transportation, physical access to facilities, and lack of accessible medical equipment. Other barriers include the knowledge, skills, beliefs, and attitudes of health care providers to meet the needs of PWD. To examine the barriers to health care experienced by adults with disabilities in Connecticut, the University of Connecticut Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities …

Applying A Framework Of Epistemic Injustice To Understand The Impact Of Covid-19 On People With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Sarah Lineberry, Matthew Bogenschutz

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Epistemic injustice, the theory of unfairness related to knowledge, is a useful framework for understanding the ways in which historic and ongoing marginalization and stereotypes have shaped the ways that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a scoping review of the literature and divided findings into physical health (cases, hospitalization, and death) and psychosocial outcomes (access to services, mental health symptoms, community participation, etc.). Impacts were then analyzed using the key principles of epistemic injustice. Findings suggest that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) experienced high rates of negative …

Technology Skill Building For Adults With Intellectual And/Or Developmental Disabilities, Heather J. Williamson, Hailee E. Riddle, Cynthia Sloan, Cameron Dogan, Byran Dai, Jon Meyers

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Compared to their peers without disabilities, adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities are less likely to be employed. Adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities also face a digital divide, with less access to and use of technology in their daily lives. This lack of technology use also limits the types of employment available to adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. The purpose of this paper is to describe the implementation of an individualized technology skill-building program for adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in Arizona. The community-engaged project was overseen by a Community Advisory Board who provided insights on program …

Conducting A Pilot Evaluation Of A Civic-Engagement Program For Youth With Disabilities, Megan Best, Amanda Johnston, Sarah Demissie, Julianna Kim, Ruchi Mendiratta Khanna, Kelly Fulton, Abby Hardy, Catherine Cheung, Timothy Kunzier, Oscar Hughes, Meghan M. Burke, Zachary Rossetti

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the federal law that ensures all students with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate public education. In the last IDEA reauthorization in 2004, only 1% of public comments were from individuals with disabilities—the population that IDEA serves. To ensure that the feedback of individuals with disabilities is reflected in the next IDEA reauthorization, it is important to support them to learn about IDEA and advocate. To this end, for this pilot study, 16 transition-aged youth with disabilities participated in a 6-hour civic-engagement program across four states to learn about IDEA …

Acknowledgments, Matthew T. Wappett Ph.D.

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

No abstract provided.

Exploring Parental Perspectives On The Transition To Kindergarten For Children With Disabilities, Kari Alberque, Somer Matthews

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

This qualitative interview study explores the personal narratives of parents of children with disabilities regarding the transition of their child to kindergarten. Informed by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, we conducted six parent interviews during the kindergarten year to collect insights about their experiences, challenges, and sources of support. This study aimed to inform the development of effective practices that support families during this critical transition period. Through reflexive thematic analysis, we identified several themes from the data, which include: (1) challenges in understanding the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and the transition process, (2) the value of parent-to-parent support networks, (3) …

Efficacy And Feasibility Of Web-Based Act-Enhanced Behavioral Treatment For Skin Picking In Adults: A Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Trial, Emily M. Bowers, Leila K. Capel, Mercedes G. Woolley, Aubry Barnes, Michael P. Twohig, Michael E. Levin

Psychology Faculty Publications

Skin picking disorder is a chronic repetitive condition that impacts daily functioning and causes significant distress. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) enhanced behavioral training (A-EBT) has shown promise in targeting skin picking symptoms but is not widely disseminated among providers. This study examines the efficacy and feasibility of an eight-week fully-automated online A-EBT program for skin picking disorder. Participants with skin picking disorder (N = 84) were randomized into either an online intervention (n = 43) or a waitlist control (n = 41). All participants completed self-report assessments at baseline, mid-, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up. Analyses used …

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

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Organizations increasingly thrive when both men and women hold leadership roles and work together. This is true not only in 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 signal the …

Assessing The Feasibility Of Implementing A Hands-On Diabetes Course Curriculum In Community Settings, April Litchford, Jenna Dyckman, Carrie Durward

Transforming Communities

Diabetes remains a significant health concern in the United States, with millions affected and at risk. Despite the known benefits of diabetes education programs, barriers such as accessibility and engagement persist. To address these challenges, Utah State University Extension developed the Diabetes Cook Along (DCA) program and conducted a study to determine the feasibility of implementing these classes in community settings. The DCA curriculum is based on national standards and emphasizes changes in dietary and lifestyle components critical for diabetes management. Data collection included pre- and post-surveys, along with qualitative feedback. Overall participation in the classes and satisfaction of participants …

Educational Neglect In Utah: How The State Allows Children To Fall Through The Cracks, Celeste D. Barker

Transforming Communities

Chronic absenteeism due to educational neglect is a prevalent social need in the state of Utah. Thousands of children in Utah are falling through the cracks of the system that is designed for their success and it is imperative that Utah’s State Legislature examines this dilemma more closely. It is recommended that the legislature examine real cases of educational neglect and realize how current decision making and policy framework is impacting the future success of Utah’s children. Modifications include extending the scope of intervention to secondary school-aged children, creating standardized attendance infraction letters for every school district in Utah, reevaluating …

What Kane County Leaders And Residents Can Do To Strengthen The Impact Of Girls And Women In Their Area, Deborah Lin, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

This idea sheet is based on a 2024 gathering of leaders in Kane County, with input from 23 individuals. Girls and women face challenges unique to the area in which they live, and the goal of this gathering was to identify those barriers and determine strategies and initiatives that local leaders and residents can implement to address them. This document includes recommendations in the following areas: home and family, education, business and economics, government and community, and culture.

What Wasatch County Leaders And Residents Can Do To Strengthen The Impact Of Girls And Women In Their Area, Amy Z. Anderson, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

This idea sheet is based on a 2024 gathering of 42 leaders in Wasatch County. Girls and women face challenges unique to the area in which they live, and the goal of this gathering was to identify those barriers and determine strategies and initiatives that local leaders and residents can implement to address them. This document includes recommendations in the following areas: home and family, education, health and wellbeing, culture and community engagement, and business and economics.

The Utah Statesman, September 2, 2024, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

What Millard County Leaders And Residents Can Do To Strengthen The Impact Of Girls And Women In Their Area, Deborah Lin, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

This idea sheet is based on a 2024 gathering of leaders in Millard County, with input from 20 individuals. Girls and women face challenges unique to the area in which they live, and the goal of this gathering was to identify those barriers and determine strategies and initiatives that local leaders and residents can implement to address them. This document includes recommendations in the following areas: home and family, education, culture, business and economics, and government and community.

Scale-Dependent Population Drivers Inform Avian Management In A Declining Saline Lake Ecosystem, Aimee M. Van Tatenhove, John Neill, Russell E. Norvell, Erica F. Stuber, Clark S. Rushing

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Shrinking saline lakes provide irreplaceable habitat for waterbird species globally. Disentangling the effects of wetland habitat loss from other drivers of waterbird population dynamics is critical for protecting these species in the face of unprecedented changes to saline lake ecosystems, ideally through decision-making frameworks that identify effective management options and their potential outcomes. Here, we develop a framework to assess the effects of hypothesized population drivers and identify potential future outcomes of plausible management scenarios on a saline lake-reliant waterbird species. We use 36 years of monitoring data to quantify the effects of environmental conditions on the population size of …