Digital Commons Network^™

Assessing Chatgpt As A Programming Exercise Generator, Maxwell Ramsdell, Fawad Khan

Student Research Symposium

Motivation

• Proximal Zone of Development
• Teaching Efficiency
• Cross-Discipline Applications

For these to work, we need to evaluate the effectiveness with which chatGPT writes coding exercises

Teaching A Computer To Do Mechanics, Andrew Watson

Student Research Symposium

Classical Mechanics

- Used for determining motion of objects

- Three Main Formulations of Classical Mechanics

• Newtonian Mechanics: Revolves around Newton’s 2nd Law (F = ma)
• Lagrangian Mechanics: Revolves around the Lagrangian
• Hamiltonian Mechanics: Revolves around the Hamiltonian

- Hamiltonian Mechanics provides the most powerful view of mechanics – but it’s complicated!

• My goal is to get the computer to do Hamiltonian Mechanics.

Investigating Geomorphic Controls On The Luminescence Properties Of Quartz Sand In A River System, Jenna Mills

Student Research Symposium

Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) dating of quartz sand grains is used to date young deposits across disciplines in geology and archaeology. OSL dating requires that the quartz mineral is sensitized, or pre-conditioned to produce a luminescence signal following exposure to ionizing radiation. The geological processes that enhance the OSL sensitivity (photons released per given radiation dose and sediment mass) remain uncertain. Our Research Objectives are to investigate the geomorphic controls (bedrock source, fluvial transport, and hillslope processes) on OSL sensitivity using sediment collected along the Pagliara River in NE Sicily.

The Pagliara catchment (13km²) is tectonically active and …

Wave Properties Of 2019 Southern Ssw Event, Gabriel Decker

Student Research Symposium

Sudden Stratospheric Warming (SSW) events are extreme increases in polar stratospheric temperatures (10s of Kelvins) over several days. They happen nearly yearly in the Northern Hemisphere, but they’re rare in the Southern.

Planetary Waves (PWs) are large-scale perturbations of the atmospheric dynamical structure that extend coherently around a full longitude circle. (A. K. Smith, 2003)

The exact relationship between SSWs and PWs is not known, but in September 2019, there was a Southern Hemispheric SSW (2^nd ever recorded) which coincided with a strong PW activity. In this investigation, we examined the PW to better understand whether this PW activity …

The 2022 Hunga Tonga Volcanic Eruption's Impact On Radio Communications, Spencer Brothers

Student Research Symposium

On January 15^th 2022, the Hunga Tonga volcanic eruption, Figure 1, ejected unprecedented amounts of water into the stratosphere. The resulting plume may present temporary opportunities for long distance radio communication.

Towards Fast, Realistic Gas Plume Simulation For Lwir Hyperspectral Images To Improve Deep Learning Identification Models, Scout Jarman

Student Research Symposium

• Longwave infrared (LWIR) hyperspectral images (HSI) are taken from airborne platforms and can be used to find gas plumes.
• Detection and identification of gas plumes has applications in environmental monitoring, disaster response, and national security
• Deep learning can be used to identify gases from a large library of materials,  but can be difficult to apply in practice

Neural Machine Translation Vs. Computer Assisted Technology: Machine Translation Post Editing Human Quality Assurance, Sarah Aland, Sarah Kane, Kenya Merida Millan

Student Research Symposium

What is neural machine Translation (NMT) and Computer Assisted Technology (CAT)?

Dynamics Of Rotating 2d Ellipse In Stratified Flow, Anton Kadomtsev

Student Research Symposium

• In nature, there exist innumerable flows with varying density, known as stratified flows.

• The density variation is caused by salt content or temperature variation.

• Submersibles in stratified flows approximated by spheroid.

• Fluid parcels perturbed from their neutral position gain potential energy, which becomes kinetic energy. Inherent oscillation is Brunt-Väisälä frequency.

• Stratification affects the flow structures and forces on bodies.

Analyzing Atmospheric Gravity Waves Over Antarctica And Visualizing Machine Learning Data, Anastasia Brown

Student Research Symposium

• Gravity Waves are buoyancy waves that propagate in the atmosphere [1]
• Mostly generated by tropospheric weather,
• Can vertically propagate above 100 km altitude,
• Affect the temperature structure of the atmosphere, 
• Drive pole-to-pole circulation.

Solar Factors Influence High Frequency (Hf) Radio Propagation, Jayson Wiggins

Student Research Symposium

Although it has been around for over 100 years, high frequency (HF) radio is here to stay.

HF radio is in the range from 3-30 MHz, and is used by amateur radio enthusiasts, commercial airlines, and the Department of Defense.

Communication over greater distances than other methods is possible due to skywave propagation, a process in which radio waves are reflected by the lower regions of the ionosphere. This means changes in the ionosphere have important effects on propagation.

Cloud Solutions For Clinical Trial Data Analysis, Kelli Nelson

Student Research Symposium

In clinical trials, how can we determine whether "rare but serious side effects" are results of the treatment or just random?

Meta-Analysis: Understanding The Effects Of Assumption Violations, Wyatt Williams

Student Research Symposium

Overview

• Clouds Scenario
• Why Meta-Analysis Matters
• What Assumptions are Being Violated
• Our Current Research
• Conclusion

Inferring Inertial Navigation Errors From Sar Image Distortions Using A Convolutional Neural Network, Teresa White

Student Research Symposium

Precise navigation data is necessary for autonomous vehicles. In normal circumstances: GPS is typically used.

A Model Of Changeover Behavior In Two-Alternative Choice, Matias A. Avellaneda

Student Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Supply, Demand, And Fiscal Sustainability Of Outdoor Recreation In Utah, Jordan W. Smith, Chris Monz

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

Because Utah's outdoor recreation destinations are managed by several different federal and state agencies, there is no comprehensive and consistent information on the amount and types of outdoor recreation resources available within the state. Additionally, there has been no research to date on how state programs whose revenues are dependent on outdoor recreation activity, are likely to fare in the coming years. This report begins to address these limitations by: 1) compiling and synthesizing data that characterize the amount and location of outdoor recreation resources throughout the state; and 2) presenting the results of a suite of econometric forecasting models …

Non-Destructive Thickness Uniformity Measurement Of Photosensitive Gelatin Film, Clayton Halper

Physics Capstone Projects

Volume phase holographic gratings (VPHG’s) depend on dichromate gelatin of which uniform thickness is vital. The photosensitive nature of the film makes current thin film measurement devices not viable for production means. This project attempts to create a non-destructive measurement of photosensitive gelatin film used in VPHG production. Application of thin film interference at chosen wavelengths enable analysis of uniformity by comparison between the thin film inference patterns at different wavelengths. An initial proof of concept was established and a path towards a production ready device is outlined.

Utilizing Hybrid Machine Learning Techniques And Gridded Precipitation Data For Advanced Discharge Simulation In Under-Monitored River Basins, Reza Morovati, Ozgur Kisi

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

This study addresses the challenge of utilizing incomplete long-term discharge data when using gridded precipitation datasets and data-driven modeling in Iran's Karkheh basin. The Multilayer Perceptron Neural Network (MLPNN), a rainfall-runoff (R-R) model, was applied, leveraging precipitation data from the Asian Precipitation—Highly Resolved Observational Data Integration Toward Evaluation (APHRODITE), Global Precipitation Climatology Center (GPCC), and Climatic Research Unit (CRU). The MLPNN was trained using the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm and optimized with the Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II). Input data were pre-processed through principal component analysis (PCA) and singular value decomposition (SVD). This study explored two scenarios: Scenario 1 (S1) used in …

Discussing Patient Emotions In Audiology: Provider Experiences With The Implementation Process Of Hearing Loss Psychological Inflexibility Screenings, Sydnee Grigsby, Karen Muñoz, Guadalupe G. San Miguel, Michael P. Twohig

Psychology Faculty Publications

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate barriers and facilitators experienced by clinical educators and graduate students when talking with patients about difficult emotions and thoughts related to their hearing.

Method: A longitudinal observational design was used, and an Implementation Research Logic Model guided the process. Five clinical educators and five graduate students participated in the study. Participants completed pre- and post-measures and attended individual debriefing sessions during the eight-month study period.

Results: Four themes emerged from the debriefing sessions: (1) learning process, (2) confidence (3) barriers, and (4) supervision. Participants described that the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-Managing Child Hearing Loss …

The First Variational Formula, The Phase Space Of Solutions, And The Ostrogradsky Formalism, Matthew Pontius, Drew Watson

Physics Capstone Projects

We consider Lagrangians for classical mechanics which depend upon an arbitrary number of time derivatives of the configuration variables. From the boundary term in the first variation of the Lagrangian we derive the Ostrogradsky formulas which define the Hamiltonian formulation of mechanical systems.

Utah Lake Paleoecology Study Report To Deq, April 2024, J. Brahney, L. King, M. Devey, M. Carter, G. Carling, S. Brothers, A. Provard, B. Young, R. West

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

Utah Lake is a large shallow eutrophic lake located in north central Utah. In recent years, the occurrence of frequent and sometimes toxic algal blooms has brought new urgency in understanding the cause and effects of eutrophication in Utah Lake. The drainage basin of Utah Lake is dominated by carbonate sedimentary materials and small pockets of phosphate rock occur. Given the bedrock geology and shallow nature of the lake, there has been uncertainty as to the natural trophic status and ecology of the lake prior to the settlement of Utah Valley. Thus, defining historical nutrient concentrations and sources in the …

Exploring Practical Measures As An Approach For Measuring Elementary Students’ Attitudes Towards Computer Science, Umar Shehzad, Mimi M. Recker, Jody E. Clarke-Midura

Publications

This paper presents a novel approach for predicting the outcomes of elementary students’ participation in computer science (CS) instruction by using exit tickets, a type of practical measure, where students provide rapid feedback on their instructional experiences. Such feedback can help teachers to inform ongoing teaching and instructional practices. We fit a Structural Equation Model to examine whether students' perceptions of enjoyment, ease, and connections between mathematics and CS in an integrated lesson predicted their affective outcomes in self-efficacy, interest, and CS identity, collected in a pre- post- survey. We found that practical measures can validly measure student experiences.

Curriculum Subcommittee Agenda April 4, 2024, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Approval of Minutes – March 7, 2024
• Program Proposals
• Semester Course Approval Reviews: https://usu.curriculog.com/
• Other Business
• Adjourn: 2:30 pm

Educational Policies Committee Agenda April 4, 2024, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Approval of Minutes – March 7, 2024
• Subcommittee Reports
• Curriculum Subcommittee (Chad Simon)
• Academic Standards Subcommittee (Renee Galliher)
• General Education Subcommittee (Matt Sanders)
• Other Business
• Adjourn: 3:00 pm

Bear Lake Session, Lawrence Culver, Ben Shaw, Wesley Matthis, Mario Harper

Spring Runoff Conference

No abstract provided.

Eurasian Aspen (Populus Tremula L.): Central Europe's Keystone Species 'Hiding In Plain Sight', Antonín Kusbach, Jan Šebesta, Robert Hruban, Pavel Peška, Paul C. Rogers

Aspen Bibliography

Knowledge of Eurasian aspen’s (Populus tremula L.) ecological and growth characteristics is of high importance to plant and wildlife community ecology, and noncommercial forest ecosystem services. This research assessed these characteristics, identified aspen’s habitat optimum, and examined causality of its current scarce distribution in central Europe. We analyzed a robust database of field measurements (4,656,130 stands) for forest management planning over 78,000 km² of the Czech territory. Our analysis we used GIS techniques, with basic and multivariate statistics such as general linear models, ordination, and classification. Results describe a species of broad ecological amplitude that has heretofore attracted …

Faculty Senate Agenda April 1, 2024, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• 3:00 Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes – March 4, 2024
• 3:05 University Business
• 3:30 Faculty Senate Business
• 3:40 Information
• 4:00 Reports
• 4:05 Old Business
• 4:10 New Business
• Adjourn: 4:30 pm

Investigating Channel Narrowing And Nonnative Vegetation Encroachment In Three Dryland Rivers, Casey Pennock, Benjamin Miller, Phaedra Budy

Browse all Datasets

Water development and the proliferation of invasive riparian vegetation has led to widespread habitat loss and simplification of rivers in the western United States, contributing to the imperilment of native fishes. Here, we quantify channel narrowing and vegetation encroachment, which are conspicuous indicators of riverine habitat degradation, along approximately 400 km of three dryland tributaries of the upper Colorado River. To accomplish this, we conducted a comparative analysis of aerial photographs from historical (1930s) and contemporary (2010s or 2020s) time periods and utilized Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) data and Object-Based Image Analysis (OBIA) to determine contemporary canopy cover of …

Buckets Of Fun: Impacts Of Fraction Ball Activities On Students' Math-Related Emotions, Siling Guo, Drew H. Bailey, Katherine Rhodes, Kreshnik Nasi Begolli, Vanessa N. Bermudez, Luettamae Lawrence, Daniela Alvarez-Vargas, Lourdes M. Acevedo-Farag, June Ahn, Andres S. Bustamante, Lindsey E. Richland

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

Rational number learning can cause frustration and negative emotions for elementary school students. Fraction Ball, a play-based math intervention, allows students to actively learn rational numbers through engaging and interactive activities. Based on a cluster-randomized trial with 16 teachers and 360 students, our pre-registered analyses showed moderate positive impacts of Fraction Ball on overall students' self-reported math-related emotions. Exploratory analyses indicated that students with higher negative emotions at pretest showed larger experimental impacts on decreasing negative emotions at posttest. Finally, we found that Fraction Ball evidenced no trade-off between rational number learning and emotional outcomes at the classroom block level, …

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Agenda March 18, 2024, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• 3:30 Call to Order
• 3:35 University Business
• 3:55 Faculty Senate Business
• 4:10 Information
• Education Policies Committee
• Presidential Investiture
• Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
• 4:20 Reports
• 4:20 Old Business
• 4:25 New Business
• Administrator Evaluation Discussion
• Faculty Code 409 & 410
• Faculty Senate President Elect
• Adjourn: 5:00 pm

Curriculum Subcommittee Minutes March 7, 2024, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Approval of Minutes – February 1, 2024
• Program Proposals

• Semester Course Approval Reviews: https://usu.curriculog.com/

• Other Business

• Course Requests (Deadline) – Toni Gibbons

• Adjourn: 2:50 pm