Digital Commons Network^™

Behavioral And Landscape Factors Affecting The Effectiveness Of Egg-Bait Management For Common Ravens In The Great Basin, Usa, Sierra L. Pederson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Common Ravens have become increasingly common across the Great Basin of the western USA, largely because human activities, such as roads, agriculture, livestock operations, and human-made structures, provide them with abundant food, water, and nesting sites. As raven numbers have grown, so has their impact on vulnerable species like the greater sage-grouse. Like many other ground-nesting species, greater sage-grouse eggs and chicks are especially susceptible to predation. To help reduce raven numbers in sensitive areas, wildlife managers often place hard-boiled chicken eggs treated with a toxin (DRC-1339) on the landscape, expecting that ravens will die after eating these eggs and …

Experimental And Numerical Investigation Of Flow Coefficients In Three-Way, T-Port, Ball Valve, Tyler A. Mindrum

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Many systems that move fluids, like water distribution networks and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, rely on valves to control flow. This study evaluates a three-way valve, which can direct flow in multiple directions, but has not been extensively researched. Testing included physical data collection and computer simulations to compare how the valves behaved under different valve openings and flow conditions. The results showed that computer simulations can predict the general flow behavior of three-way valves, but that physical testing is still important, especially for valves with complex internal geometries.

Cadmium Biosorption By Fusarium Venenatum And Its Application In Functional Permeable Materials For Metal Removal, Bradley Lawson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Heavy metals are pollutants of increasing concern as continued industrialization and urbanization have escalated the discharge of these toxins into aquatic environments. Cadmium (Cd) is a metal of particular concern due to its acute toxicity and high mobility in aquatic ecosystems. Given these characteristics Cd poses significant health risks to both humans and aquatic ecosystems. The continued development of sustainable, low-cost remediation technology is imperative to manage metal pollution.

This research explores the use of fungal-based remediation systems to remove Cd from contaminated water. Living biomass of the filamentous fungus Fusarium venenatum was evaluated as a biosorbent material for Cd …

Review Of Selecting And Appraising Archives And Manuscripts, Laura Uglean Jackson

Journal of Western Archives

Review of Selecting and Appraising Archives and Manuscripts edited by Audra Eagle Yun and Chela Scott Weber.

Ucedds Fill Gaps In Disability Services: A Storyteller’S Perspective, Jolynne J. Lyon

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

A UCEDD writer's reflections on years of interviewing people with disabilities, service providers and researchers. The stories are profound, often because the service gaps bridged by the UCEDD are so great.

The Legacy, Importance, & Impact Of Lend: Evidence And Personal Stories, Emily Zalimeni, Emma Stone, Alexa Fortier, Leia Getchell, Nataliya Kloyzner, Asha Abdullahi, Elizabeth Barkoudah, Meghan Chapman, Meredith Close, Heather Engholm, Melissa Levin, Aanchal Sharma, Sarah Sparks, Patricia Rissmiller, Amy Szarkowski, Jason M. Fogler

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and related Disabilities (LEND) programs offer an interdisciplinary/interprofessional training opportunity for medical and allied health professionals, and individuals impacted by disability, including family members and self-advocates. Toward the aim of advocating for the enduring need of LEND and similar training programs, this article centers the voices of a subset of our alumni who have advanced the rights and improved the lives of persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These stories are intended to illustrate the key lessons and principles of LEND training, including attending to disability issues in education, growing skills within and between individuals working …

Stability Of The Apogee Galvanic Cell Sensors In The Utah State University Biological Oxygen Demand System, Tia Lawrence, Carson Richards, Bruce Bugbee

Techniques and Instruments

The Utah State University Crop Physiology Laboratory has developed a six-chamber biological oxygen demand (BOD) system to quantify respiration (Kusuma & Bugbee, 2020). Like all instruments, accuracy depends on the ability to get a zero in empty containers. Here we report the signal output and zero stability in empty containers over a five-day interval.

Vines In The Landscape: Japanese Wisteria, Saroj Burlakoti, Youping Sun, Shital Poudyal

All Current Publications

Japanese wisteria (Wisteria floribunda) is a vigorous, woody, deciduous climbing vine known for its spectacular, drooping (pendulous) clusters of pea-like flowers. This fact sheet provides information on planting and management guidelines, as well as its landscape performance in Utah.

The Role Of Social Emotional Learning In Utah’S Implementation Of Essa, Sharon Walles

Transforming Communities

The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), as a policy, offers an additional tool to address the escalating adolescent mental health crisis. By acknowledging the critical link between student well-being, academic success, and evidence-based practices, this policy analysis explores how funding from ESSA can be leveraged to integrate Social Emotional Learning (SEL) within Utah’s schools. Experts, educators, and parents can be voices to combat misinformation surrounding the recent politicization of SEL and its implementation. This analysis connects Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory, which highlights the interconnectedness of the environment, with the importance of prioritizing mental health within schools to help adolescents with issues …

Assessing A Fourth Trimester Support Group Using An Adapted Ripple Effects Mapping, Kayleigh Gregory, Aubrey Jones, Isabel Paulk, Krysten Munn, Karli Adams, Diana Frankenburger

Transforming Communities

Purpose: Maternal mental health disparities warrant attention, particularly as rural communities face substantial barriers to timely screening and treatment. The Fourth Trimester group at the University of Kentucky was established in April 2022 to address the need for additional postpartum support. This qualitative study examined participants’ perspectives on the group.

Method: Participants included 8 mothers who engaged in the online fourth-trimester social support group. Data were collected using an adapted ripple effects mapping via semi-structured interviews.

Findings: Results of the thematic content analysis revealed six key themes: (1) Community and Belonging, (2) Circle of Wisdom, (3) Empowerment, (4) Practical Support, …

Comparative Analysis Of Strain-To-Velocity Conversion Methods For Active-Source Das Data And Collocated Nodal Stations, Prajwal Panthi, Brady R. Cox

Civil and Environmental Engineering Student Research

Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) provides dense spatial measurements of the dynamic strain along fiber optic cables, offering high-resolution wave sensing for ground motion monitoring and subsurface imaging applications. However, DAS records the axial strain or strain rate, whereas traditional seismic and engineering ground motion equipment and derived metrics are based on particle displacement, velocity, or acceleration, necessitating reliable strain-to-velocity conversion methods. This study evaluates three widely used conversion approaches: the fk-rescaling, curvelet-based conversion, and slant-stack methods. These approaches are applied to a unique high-energy, near-field, active-source dataset collected at the Birds Landing Site in Sherman Island, California. The dataset includes …

Postmenopause: Understanding Utahns' Experiences, Cris Meier, Moth Huenemann, Cara Murray, Ashley Yaugher

All Current Publications

The first stage of menopause, known as perimenopause, is signaled by fluctuating or declining hormone levels, irregular menstruation, and the onset of symptoms such as hot flashes and mood changes. Menopause follows this phase, which is 12 consecutive months when no menstrual cycles occur in combination with hormone decline and experiencing additional symptoms (e.g., hot flashes, sleep disturbances).To better understand Utahns’ needs and preferences during and after menopause, Utah State University Extension researchers conducted a needs assessment to inform programming creation and delivery. This report details the results, identifying survey participants, women's sources of information, symptoms, and symptom management.

Perimenopause And Menopause: Understanding Utahns' Experiences, Cris Meier, Moth Huenemann, Cara Murray, Ashley Yaugher

All Current Publications

The first stage of menopause, known as perimenopause, is signaled by fluctuating or declining hormone levels, irregular menstruation, and the onset of symptoms such as hot flashes and mood changes. Menopause follows this phase, which is 12 consecutive months when no menstrual cycles occur in combination with hormone decline and experiencing additional symptoms (e.g., hot flashes, sleep disturbances).To better understand Utahns’ needs and preferences during menopause, Utah State University Extension researchers conducted a needs assessment to inform programming creation and delivery. This report details the results, identifying survey participants, women's sources of information, symptoms, and symptom management.

Application Of Cost-Effective High-Resolution Remote Sensing To Characterize Flooding In Mountain River Corridors, Ishwar Joshi, Ian Gowing, Brian M. Crookston

Civil and Environmental Engineering Student Research

This study evaluated a cost-effective UAV-based multi-sensor approach for characterizing river corridor conditions during and after moderate floods in two mountain river corridors in Northern Utah, USA: the Logan River and Blacksmith Fork River. These study reaches included urban, rural, and agricultural areas, hydraulic structures and bridges, and fish passage structures. A DJI Matrice 300 UAV was used with two separate payloads: an AgEagle Altum-PT multispectral camera and an R3 Pro V2 two-return LiDAR system. The workflow included UAV flight planning and data collection, post-processing of the multi-spectral and LiDAR sensor data, spatial resolution and accuracy assessment, and interpretation of …

Lameness In Dairy Cattle: A Practical Overview, Drew Swartz, Kalen Taylor, Jacob Hadfield, Justin Wyatt Clawson

All Current Publications

This fact sheet provides an overview of lameness in dairy cattle, including what it is, why it matters, and how to recognize and manage it. Information is geared toward producers, consultants, and educators.

Career: New Insights Into The Ancient Carbon Cycle From Siliceous Deep-Sea Sediments, Donald Penman

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Summer Research Internships In Agricultural Biotechnology For Off-Campus Undergraduate Students, Aaron J. Thomas

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Inhibiting Chikungunya Virus Protease Using Mtase-Like Domain Interactions For Novel Antiviral Therapies, Justin G. Julander

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Three Common Hoof Problems In Dairy Cows: What To Look For And How To Prevent Them, Drew Swartz, Kalen Taylor, Jacob Hadfield, Justin Wyatt Clawson

All Current Publications

This fact sheet covers the three most common hoof lesions in dairy cows and explains why they matter and how to prevent them on your farm.

Digital Dermatitis, Sole Ulcers, And White Line Disease In Dairy Cattle: Pathogens, Diagnosis, And Treatment, Drew Swartz, Kalen Taylor, Jacob Hadfield, Justin Wyatt Clawson

All Current Publications

This fact sheet focuses on three common hoof lesions in dairy cattle: digital dermatitis, sole ulcers, and white line disease, and describes how differences in pathogenesis and risk factors influence diagnosis, prevention, and treatment.

Mechanistic Determination Of Host Environmental Impacts On Shigella Virulence, Nicholas E. Dickenson

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Technological Advancements Of Hybrid Rocket Engines For Sustainable And Competitive In-Space Propulsion Applications, Ryan J. Thibaudeau, Stephen A. Whitmore, Jared Coen, Joshua Sorenson, Logan Mecham, Ava Wilkey

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Student Publications and Presentations

Hybrid rocket engines (HREs), which pair a fluid oxidizer with a solid fuel, offer safety and handling advantages, can reduce environmental impact relative to selected legacy systems, and are capable of deep throttling and restart, making them strong candidates for “green” in-space propulsion applications. However, until very recently, there has not been any flight heritage of an HRE used in a spaceflight mission. Over the past decade, the Propulsion Research Laboratory at Utah State University (PRL-USU) has matured a portfolio of HRE technologies—low-energy arc ignition, digital throttling, additively manufactured sustainable fuels, the Nytrox green oxidizer, and electroplated thruster assemblies—that together …

Harmful Algal Blooms: Risks For Food In Utah, Jose Brandao, Sarah Erwin, Stephanie Vaughn, Clare Entwistle

All Current Publications

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a problem because they can produce toxins that make water unsafe for people, animals, and the environment. In recent years, HABs have emerged as a growing concern in freshwater systems throughout Utah, including irrigation canals, reservoirs, and livestock ponds. HABs in freshwater are caused by cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae. These microorganisms can release dangerous toxins that can harm swimmers, pets, and the food supply. Unlike foodborne pathogens, these toxins cannot be removed by boiling, cooking, or washing the food. Therefore, regular monitoring is essential to detect HABs early and reduce exposure risks. This fact …

Tips For Growing Garden Vegetables In Utah: Soil Preparation, Gastone Makalaya, Josh Martin, Milena Oliveira

All Current Publications

To help Utah gardeners maintain healthy soils and enhance early vegetable production, this fact sheet provides practical guidance and tips on soil preparation for vegetable gardening.

Integrating Nutrition And Stress Into Life History Stages Of Wild Free-Ranging Female Pronghorn, Cole A. Bleke, Eric M. Gese, Juan J. Villalba, Shane B. Roberts, Susannah S. French

Wildland Resources Student Research

Studies addressing seasonal changes in diet quality and hormones are important for understanding the interactions between ecology and physiology. We collected fecal samples from free-ranging adult female pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) to examine the relationships between indicators of nutrition and glucocorticoid activity. This occurred during three population-level, life-history-correlated sampling periods across five subpopulations. We evaluated nutrition via fecal nitrogen, fecal 2,6-diaminopimelic acid (DAPA), and assessed glucocorticoid activity using fecal glucocorticoid metabolites (FGM). We found positive relationships between fecal nitrogen and DAPA, whereas DAPA and fecal nitrogen with FGM varied in influence and strength, depending upon life history stage. Generally, …

Lgbtq+: What Utahns Need To Know, Susan R. Madsen, Deborah Lin

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

LGBTQ+ Utahns who identify as girls and women thrive when they are valued and accepted for who they are. Creating environments where they feel safe, welcomed, and empowered to participate fully strengthens their health, wellbeing, and sense of belonging. Communities also benefit when LGBTQ+ women and girls are encouraged to share their perspectives, talents, and leadership. When diverse voices are welcomed into dialogue and collaborative decision-making, organizations and communities are better equipped to serve everyone. By fostering belonging, representation, and meaningful participation, Utah can create communities where every person has the opportunity to thrive.

Eating Disorders: What Utahns Need To Know, Brie Sparks, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions characterized by persistent disturbances in eating behaviors and related thoughts and emotions. They affect individuals of all ages, backgrounds, body sizes, and life stages, often occurring alongside other mental health challenges. Eating disorders can have profound impacts on physical health, emotional wellbeing, relationships, educational attainment, and workforce participation. Understanding the prevalence, risk factors, and barriers to treatment in Utah is essential for developing effective prevention, intervention, and recovery efforts.

Women Refugees & Immigrants: What Utahns Need To Know, Susan R. Madsen, Deborah Lin

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Refugee and immigrant women are an integral part of Utah’s communities, contributing as neighbors, workers, entrepreneurs, caregivers, and advocates. They enrich our state through their diverse perspectives, experiences, and talents. Utah has a long tradition of welcoming newcomers, and our communities are stronger when everyone has the opportunity to belong and contribute. At the same time, research shows that many of the challenges facing Utah women and girls disproportionately affect refugee and immigrant women. Understanding the experiences, needs, and contributions of these women is essential to fostering welcoming, supportive communities so that all Utah women and girls can thrive.

Tips For Growing Garden Vegetables In Utah: Soil Fertilization, Gastone Makalaya, Josh Martin, Milena Oliveira

All Current Publications

A successful vegetable garden requires precise nutrient management to achieve maximum yields. Fertilization must provide adequate nutrients to support plant growth throughout the season. Fertilizer applications should be based on soil test recommendations and crop nutrient requirements. This fact sheet provides Utah gardeners with practical guidance and tips on soil fertilization for vegetable gardening.

Mammography: What Utahns Need To Know, Brie Sparks, Susan R. Madsen

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

Mammography is a critical preventative health tool that enables early detection of breast cancer and improves the likelihood of successful treatment. In Utah, screening behaviors are shaped by access to care, personal perceptions, healthcare experiences, and broader social and structural factors. Understanding both measurable trends and attitudes toward preventative care provides essential context for improving screening rates. Together, these factors influence how, when, and whether Utah women utilize mammography services, ultimately impacting early detection outcomes across the state.