Digital Commons Network^™

Evaluation Of The Community Multiscale Air Quality Model For Simulating Winter Ozone Formation In The Uinta Basin, Rebecca Matichuk, Gail Tonnesen, Deborah Luecken, Rob Gillam, Sergey L. Napelenok, Kirk R. Baker, Donna Schwede, Ben Murphy, Detlev Helmig, Seth N. Lyman, Shawn Roselle

Bingham Research Center

The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) and Community Multiscale Air Quality (CMAQ) models were used to simulate a 10 day high-ozone episode observed during the 2013 Uinta Basin Winter Ozone Study (UBWOS). The baseline model had a large negative bias when compared to ozone (O₃) and volatile organic compound (VOC) measurements across the basin. Contrary to other wintertime Uinta Basin studies, predicted nitrogen oxides (NO_x) were typically low compared to measurements. Increases to oil and gas VOC emissions resulted in O₃ predictions closer to observations, and nighttime O₃ improved when reducing the deposition velocity …

Mystory: Scary Head…, Gonca Soyer, Mehmet Soyer

Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology Faculty Publications

This work is an example of critical autoethnographic study of the writer’s personal experiences. In this particular study, I share my experiences while wearing a headscarf in Turkey, and my desire to settle down in United States in order to pursue my academic career. Due to the political changes in Turkey and United States, my experiences while wearing a headscarf in academia and social environments triggered me to write a reflection about them. In this article, my goal is to deconstruct the symbolic meanings of the Muslim headscarf in social spaces. In addition, the piece will show my “double consciousness" …

Large Birds Of Prey, Policies That Alter Food Availability And Air Traffic: A Risky Mix For Human Safety, Rubén Moreno-Opo, Antoni Margalida

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Raptors are considered to pose one of the greatest aviation bird strike risk. We investigated raptor bird strikes reported at the largest Spanish airport (Adolfo Suárez Madrid Barajas; AS-MB) from 2009 to 2016 to determine the factors contributing to the increased incidences and develop recommendations to mitigate the risks. We hypothesized that increased raptor bird strikes resulted from changes in foraging and dispersal patterns of Iberian Peninsula vultures (Aegypius spp. and Gyps spp.) after 2004-2005. We used information on raptor bird strikes obtained from official databases and published studies, reported incidences of raptor bird strikes and their characteristics (i.e., …

Confessions Of A Collaborator: Shoesole And Stewardship Alliance Of Northeast Elko County, Nevada, Robin Boies

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Abstract – The Shoesole Management Team (Shoesole) and the Stewardship Alliance of Northeastern Elko (SANE) are place-based, landowner-organized, natural and human resource conservation initiatives. The Shoesole was organized in 2002 to take a more holistic approach to grazing management issues on two federal livestock grazing allotments. This effort provided the foundation for SANE, which was organized in 2012 by representatives of eight ranches in northeastern Nevada in response to the potential listing of the greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse). Shoesole and SANE came together voluntarily, as a rancher organized initiative, with a common goal of creating a better …

Collaborative Groups Related To Sustainable Grazing On Public Lands, Michele Straube

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Based on a talk given at the Local Knowledge – Local Solutions: Science, Management and Policy Symposium on February 1, 2017 (held as part of the 2017 Society for Range Management Annual Meeting), the article describes three highly “dynamic” collaborations focused on sustainable grazing issues, for which the author served as facilitator/mediator. The article draws conclusions about what worked well in those collaborations, along with some lessons learned: the process of striving for consensus supports a problem-solving conversation; collaboration takes time; a shared “love of place” helps the participants find common ground; and an early commitment to an ongoing working …

Utah’S Watershed Restoration Initiative: Restoring Watersheds At A Landscape Scale, Alan G. Clark, Tyler W. Thompson, Jason L. Vernon, Alison Whittakker

Human–Wildlife Interactions

Abstract: The Utah Watershed Restoration Initiative (WRI) is a partnership-based program, administered by the Utah Department of Natural Resources, which seeks to improve the functional capacity of high priority watersheds throughout the state. Since its inception in 2006, the WRI partnership has completed nearly 1,500 projects to restore and rehabilitate over 526,091 ha in Utah watersheds. The WRI program is unique to the west, in that it transcends jurisdictional boundaries, and local, state, and federal management authority to focus finite resources on completing high priority conservation projects. We surveyed selected WRI selected participants in 2015 to determine what factors they …

Wyoming Sage-Grouse Working Groups: Lessons Learned, Thomas J. Christiansen, Lorien R. Belton

Human–Wildlife Interactions

The greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) has been the subject of multiple status reviews under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Wyoming accounts for approximately 38% of the range-wide population. Since 2000, 2 statewide and 8 local citizen working groups have been established in Wyoming to developed conservation plans and advise state policy. The first statewide plan for the conservation of sage-grouse was formally adopted in 2003. The statewide plan established local sage-grouse working groups charged with developing and facilitating implementation of local conservation plans. Those 8 plans were completed in 2007 and 2008, and updated in 2014. From 2005-2017, …

A “Hammer Held Over Their Heads”: Voluntary Conservation Spurred By The Prospect Of Regulatory Enforcement In Oregon, Katherine L. Wollstein, Emily Jane Davis

Human–Wildlife Interactions

When the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service determined that greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) did not warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 2015, the agency recognized a coordinated effort of private landowners, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and state and federal agencies that effectively reduced threats to the species. This effort exemplified an alternative model to species conservation that relies on voluntary conservation of private landowners to preclude government regulation. Through one in-depth case study of private landowners’ voluntary sage-grouse conservation efforts in Lake County, Oregon, we explored features of these voluntary arrangements that motivate participating private …

Learning To Live With Wolves: Community-Based Conservation In The Blackfoot Valley Of Montana, Seth M. Wilson, Elizabeth H. Bradley, Gregory A. Neudecker

Human–Wildlife Interactions

We built on the existing capacity of a nongovernmental organization called the Blackfoot Challenge to proactively address wolf (Canis lupus)-livestock conflicts in the Blackfoot Valley of Montana. Beginning in 2007, wolves started rapidly recolonizing the valley, raising concerns among livestock producers. We built on an existing program to mitigate conflicts associated with an expanding grizzly bear population and worked within the community to build a similar program to reduce wolf conflicts using an integrative, multi-method approach. Efforts to engage the community included one-on-one meetings, workshops, field tours, and regular group meetings as well as opportunities to participate in …

Usu And Aggieair Featured In Usda Agresearch Magazine, Jessica Griffiths

News

As part of Dr. Alfonso Torres-Rua precision agriculture research, AggieAir took to the skies over Gallo Vineyards in Barelli, CA to map the vineyards into ARS computer models. The analytical data, collected over three years and combined with other researchers, will help vineyards efficiently determine vine health and irrigation practices in varying soil and climate conditions.

Mitigating Projected Impacts Of Climate Change And Building Resiliency Through Permaculture: A Community ‘Bee Inspired Gardens’ Movement In The Desert Southwest, Usa, Roslynn Brain, Jeffrey Adams, Jeremy Lynch

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

Permaculture, an integrative design process creating resilient and productive landscapes and communities, can serve as a useful mitigation tool for projected climate change impacts. In the United States, the desert southwest town of Moab, Utah, has employed permaculture design in a community initiative called ‘Bee Inspired Gardens.’ This initiative has harnessed social capital to create resilient landscapes demonstrating pollinator health, water conservation, and perennial food and forage systems. Bee Inspired Gardens have been designed at a University, middle school, charter school, Bureau of Land Management property, hotel, public park, environmental education non-profit, and more. Community members are now harvesting fruit …

Imw Journal Of Religious Studies Volume 8 Number 1

Intermountain West Journal of Religious Studies

No abstract provided.

Front Matter

Intermountain West Journal of Religious Studies

No abstract provided.

Usda/Ars And Aggieair Research Featured In The December 2017 Issue Of Usda's Agresearch Magazine, Utah Water Research Laboratory

News

The December 2017 issue of AgResearch magazine (USDA) featured ongoing precision agriculture research that incorporates AggieAir’s advanced scientific remote sensing technology and analytical products developed at the UWRL into ARS computer models. This research is providing the tools and data that will help California’s vineyards better evaluate vine health and manage irrigation water more efficiently across differing soils and climate conditions.

Small-Animal Models Of Zika Virus, Justin G. Julander, Venkatraman Siddharthan

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Zika virus (ZIKV) infection can result in serious consequences, including severe congenital manifestations, persistent infection in the testes and neurologic sequelae. After a pandemic emergence, the virus has spread to much of the new world and has been introduced to many countries outside of endemic areas as infected travelers return to their home countries. Rodent models have been important in gaining a better understanding of the wide range of disease etiologies associated with ZIKV infection and for the initial phase of developing countermeasures to prevent or treat viral infections. We discuss herein the advantages and disadvantages of small animal models …

Seasonal Resource Selection And Habitat Treatment Use By A Fringe Population Of Greater Sage-Grouse, Rhett Boswell

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

Movement and habitat selection by Greater Sage-grouse (Centrocercus uropasianus) is of great interest to wildlife managers tasked with applying conservation measures for this iconic western species. Current technology has created small and lightweight GPS (Global Positioning Systems) transmitters that can be attached to sage-grouse. Using GIS software and statistical programs such as Program R, land managers can analyze GPS location data to assess how sage-grouse are geospatially interacting with their habitats. Within the Panguitch Sage-Grouse Management Area (SGMA) thousands of acres of land have been restored or manipulated to enhance sage-grouse habitat; this usually involves removal of pinyon pine …

Plant–Soil Feedback: Bridging Natural And Agricultural Sciences, Pierre Mariotte, Zia Mehrabi, T. Martijn Bezemer, Gerlinde B. De Deyn, Andrew Kulmatiski, Barbara Drigo, G.F. Ciska Veen, Marcel G.A. Van Der Heijden, Paul Kardol

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

In both agricultural and natural systems, researchers have demonstrated large effects of plant-soil feedback (PSF) on plant growth. However, the concepts and approaches used in these two types of systems have developed, for the most part, independently. Here, we present a conceptual framework that integrates knowledge and approaches from these two contrasting systems. We use this integrated framework to demonstrate how (1) knowledge from complex natural systems can be used to increase agricultural resource-use efficiency and productivity and (2) research in agricultural systems can be used to test hypotheses and approaches developed in natural systems. Using this framework, we discuss …

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Agenda, December 11, 2017, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• EPC December Report
• Council on Teacher Education (CTE) Annual Report
• Scholarship Advisory Board Annual Report
• Policy 405.11.4 External Peer Reviews (first reading)

Usu Computer Science Students Hack Homelessness | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Computer science and engineering students from across Utah met on the USU campus recently for the third-annual HackUSU event.

Educational Policies Committee Agenda, December 7, 2017, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Curriculum Subcommittee
• Course approvals
• Program proposals
• Academic Standards Subcommittee
• General Education Subcommittee

Judith Holt: Working For The Day, Judith Holt

Blog Posts

Blog post is about Judith Holt reflecting on a career-long quest for inclusion for people with disabilities.

Curriculum Subcommittee Agenda, December 7, 2017, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

Program Proposals

• Offering a Minor in Unmanned Aerial Systems
• Offering a Minor in Animal Biotechnology
• Dropping the BA in International Agribusiness and add emphasis areas to the existing BS in Agribusiness degree
• Offering an Agriculture and Natural Resources Pre-Law Minor
• Restructuring the BS into three separate BS degrees
• Establishing a Marketing and Strategic Department
• Offering a Bachelor’s Degree in Integrated Studies

Semester Course Approval Reviews

Other

• Zero Credit Classes
• R401 Updates
• Syllabus Update

Using Survey Data To Determine A Numeric Criterion For Nutrient Pollution, Paul Mark Jakus, Nanette Nelson, Jeffrey Ostermiller

Applied Economics Faculty Publications

We present a scientific replication of a benthic algae nuisance threshold study originally conducted in Montana, but we do so using a different sampling methodology in a different state. Respondents are asked to rate eight photographs that depict varying algae conditions. Our initial results show that Utah resident preferences for benthic algae levels are quite similar to those of Montana residents, thus replicating the Montana study. For the full Utah sample, though, Cronbach's α indicated poor internal consistency in rating the photographs, so a “monotonicity rule” was used to identify respondents providing monotonic preferences with respect to chlorophyll a densities. …

A Minute Too Late, Camille Rasband

Tutor's Column

Time management is a tool that everyone should learn to use. Tutors must manage time in the tutoring center for a successful session as well as in their everyday life. When tutoring sessions are rushed because time isn’t watched, there are many consequences. Relationships built between students and tutors are damaged, anxiety begins to build up, and an overall feeling of complete exhaustion begins to rule our bodies. It begins affecting individual lifestyles in and out of the workplace. It creates extreme stress levels which can impair abilities to control our emotions. There are several tactics we can turn to …

Usu Professor Elected To American Institute For Medical And Biological Engineering College Of Fellows | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

Utah State University Professor of Biological Engineering Dr. Ron Sims was elected this week to the College of Fellows of the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering, or AIMBE.

The Utah Statesman, December 5, 2017, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

The Value Of Native Plants And Local Production In An Era Of Global Agriculture, Oren Shelef, Peter J. Weisberg, Frederick D. Provenza

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

For addressing potential food shortages, a fundamental tradeoff exists between investing more resources to increasing productivity of existing crops, as opposed to increasing crop diversity by incorporating more species. We explore ways to use local plants as food resources and the potential to promote food diversity and agricultural resilience. We discuss how use of local plants and the practice of local agriculture can contribute to ongoing adaptability in times of global change. Most food crops are now produced, transported, and consumed long distances from their homelands of origin. At the same time, research and practices are directed primarily at improving …

Faculty Senate Agenda, December 4, 2017, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• EPC November Report
• USUSA Annual Report
• Retention and Student Success Annual Report
• Policy 405.6.2 | 405.8.2 Promotion Advisory Committee (PAC)

Faculty Senate Minutes, December 4, 2017, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• Academic Calendar Change - John Mortensen
• Policy 345 Annual Leave - Marla Boyer | Doug Bullock
• EPC November Report – Edward Reeve
• USUSA Annual Report - Michael Peters
• Retention and Student Success Annual Report- Heidi Kesler
• Policy 405.6.2 | 405.8.2 Promotion Advisory Committee (PAC) - Ronda Callister
• 405.6.2
• 405.8.2

Truth Or Ultimate Truth, Mealii Enos

USU Student Folklore Fieldwork

Mac: Kay, so basically. We only did it once this year, but usually every travel trip that we, um [every one?] my freshman year and my sophomore year we did it every single one. [wow] So we got everybody on the team like a couple times. Um, so we, usually its on the way home from wherever we are, and usually it’s hopefully after we win, cause it’s only usually after we win and everybody is in a good mood that we play this game. So, usually a senior gets everybody to the back of the bus and says ‘everybody …