Digital Commons Network^™

Molecular Sensing And Imaging Of Human Disease Cells And Their Responses To Biochemical Stimuli, Lifu Xiao

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Advancement in microscopic and spectroscopic techniques could significantly improve our ability in the study and diagnosis of diseases. Especially, being able to image and detect human diseases at the cellular and molecular level allows people to diagnose diseases at early stages and to study the molecular mechanisms behind various diseases. Currently, histopathological techniques are most widely used for prognosis and diagnosis of human diseases. However, conventional histopathology requires a complex process of sample preparation, which limits the diagnostic efficiency of this technique. More importantly, it requires fixation of tissue or cell sample, making it unsuitable for the study of dynamic …

Factors Contributing To The Conservation Of Phacelia Submutica (Boraginaceae), A Threatened Species In Western Colorado: Reproductive Biology And Seed Ecology, Alicia M. Langton

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Conservation and recovery plans for rare species require biological and ecological information to discern how they may be susceptible to human disturbances. Phacelia submutica is a threatened annual species in western Colorado. Human activities including energy development, recreation, and livestock grazing are occurring within the species’ range. To provide conservation practitioners with a scientific basis for management, this research aimed to elucidate elements of the species’ ecology. Chapter 2 describes the reproductive biology of P. submutica. Potential insect pollinators were not observed during two years of observations. Floral traits and development ensure self-pollination and reduce the likelihood that insects …

Improvement Of Nutrient Utilization Efficiency, Ruminal Fermentation And Lactational Performance Of Dairy Cows By Feeding Birdsfoot Trefoil, Rachael G. Christensen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Condensed tannins (CT) are compounds that have shown potential to reduce the environmental impact of dairy farming waste products. In two live animal studies and a continuous culture study, it was hypothesized that feeding birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus, BFT), a CT-containing legume, would improve nutrient utilization, milk, and component yield of dairy cows compared with feeding alfalfa hay or grass pasture in two studies, while feeding BFT forage would decrease methane production and improve rumen fermentation in addition to concentrate supplementation was the hypothesis of the third study. Reduction in milk urea nitrogen (MUN) and …

Cultural Entropy: A Grounded Theory Study Of Early Childhood Experiences In Nature In The Arroyo Grande Creek Watershed, Nathaniel Miles Millard

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Through support from a Quinney Fellowship and the Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism in the Department of Environment and Society at Utah State University, the theory of cultural entropy emerged as an explanation for changing behavior across generations of people living in the Arroyo Grande Creek watershed. Through a trounded theory methodology data collection around early childhood experiences with nature leading towards positive civic engagement with the community, the theory of cultural entropy emerged along with a policy recommendation for reconnecting the community to the local watershed.

Lifelong residents participating in the research were found to have high levels …

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy-Based Biomarker Detection For B-Cell Malignancies, Nathan Israelsen

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

B-cells are responsible for the production of antibodies and the recognition of dangerous pathogens. When B-cells become cancerous, they no longer perform these vital functions. This reduced B-cell activity results in greater susceptibility to opportunistic infections and increasing health risks. To effectively care for different cancer subtypes, targeted diagnosis and treatment is required. To determine the specific B-cell cancer type, up to twenty different cancer biomarkers on the cell surface need to be detected at the same time. Traditional methods are not capable of detecting such a large number of biomarkers simultaneously. This paper presents the design of a system …

Romantic Relationship Quality And Technological Communication: Examining The Roles Of Attachment Representations And Rejection Sensitivity, Ron C. Bean

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

It is important to understand normal developmental patterns in romantic relationships, which develop within historical and cultural contexts and are influenced by social and technological advancement. One of the core features of developing attachment in romantic relationships is proximity to the attachment figure, for which technology may be a substitute. This study described patterns of computer-mediated communication (CMC) in young adult relationships. We hypothesized that core relational and personality features were linked to participants’ interpretations of CMC.

For this study, 97 college students provided overall scores for rejection sensitivity, insecure attachment styles, relationship satisfaction, and data about CMC with their …

Scalable Bio-Production Of High Value Products In Bacteria, Yukie Kawasaki

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Natural products are structurally and chemically diverse bioactive compounds produced by living organisms. The complex structures of natural products are often difficult to duplicate synthetically and thus industrial production of natural products most often depends on use of the host organisms. In this dissertation research, scalable production of natural products was pursued in bacterial platforms.

Biliverdin IXα is a natural anti-inflammatory compound which is emerging as a potent cytoprotectant in the medical field. Syringomycin E is a natural fungicide expected to be an effective agrofungicide in organic farming. Both biliverdin IXα and syringomycin E have limited supplies in the market. …

Ego-Identity And Long-Term Moratoria: Associations With College Attendance And Religious Volunteerism, Mark A. Jackson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The objective of this study was to examine the extent to which college experiences and participation in religious missionary service for an extended period were associated with ego-identity development, specifically in terms of identity exploration and commitment. A sample of late adolescents (N = 425), all of whom had participated in at least some college and of whom 122 had volunteered as LDS missionaries, provided information about their college/missionary experiences that could be related to identity development and reported levels of identity exploration and commitment.

Results indicated that LDS postmissionaries and LDS non-postmissionaries differed significantly only in the variables …

The Utah Statesman, April 25, 2015, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

The Utah Statesman, April 21, 2015, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

From Plants To Bacteria | Biological Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

LOGAN, Utah – April 12, 2015 – A researcher at Utah State University is developing a cutting-edge method for synthesizing some of the most promising natural compounds found in plants using bacteria.

Electrochemical Detection Of Metal Ions In Water Using A Six-Electrode Microfluidic Device, Spencer Williams, Anhong Zhou, Han Zhang, Wen Zhang

Student Research Symposium

To be able to monitor concentration of hazardous metal ions in the environment using a simple, quick, and cost effective method is of great importance. Current standard methods such as, inductively coupled plasma and atomic absorption spectroscopy, are highly expensive and not convenient for field applications. A new device is proposed that has the potential of determining the presence of trace metals simultaneously in water using 6 gold electrodes deposited on a glass substrate in combination with an electrochemical method known as differential pulse stripping voltammetry. Microfluidic channels are incorporated into the device allowing solutions individual access to each electrode, …

Spider Silk- Hydrogels, Lyogels, Sponges, Stacia Christy, Ashley Ruben, Nate Needham, Thomas Harris, Justin Jones

Student Research Symposium

Spider silk is stronger than Kevlar and more elastic than nylon. These characteristics have led scientists to attempt mass production and world renowned research of the strongest fiber on earth and one of the strongest materials known to man. Only recently has spider silk been artificially produced in large enough quantities to branch out to its endless possibilities. Utah State University's USTAR program has used transgenic goats to produce spider silk protein within their milk. Once these proteins are extracted from the goat's milk it can be restructured in to fibers, adhesives, hydrogels, and coatings. Spider silk has opened the …

The Utah Statesman, April 2, 2015, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Curriculum Subcommittee Agenda, April 2, 2015, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences

• Credit Hour Change
• New Course

Plant Soils and Climate

• Course No. Change, New Course, Dual List
• New Course, Grade Type

School of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education

• Title Change, Course Description Change
• Title Change
• New Course
• Course Description Change

School of Veterinary Medicine

• New Course, Grade Type

Art and Design

• Prerequisite Change
• Add Repeatable for Credit
• New Course, Dual List

Theatre Arts

• New Course

Economics and Finance

• Dual List Change
• Dual List Change, Grade Type

Management

• Course No. Change, Title Change
• Credit Hour Change
• Title Change, Credit Hour Change, Grade Type

Communicative Disorders and Deaf …

Curriculum Subcommittee Minutes, April 2, 2015, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

Nutrition, Dietetics and Food Sciences

• Credit Hour Change
• Course No. Change
• New Course

Plant Soils and Climate

• Course No. Change, New Course, Dual List
• New Course, Grade Type

School of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education

• Title Change, Course Description Change
• Title Change
• New Course
• Course Description Change

School of Veterinary Medicine

• New Course, Grade Type

Art and Design

• Prerequisite Change
• Add Repeatable for Credit
• New Course, Dual List

Theatre Arts

• New Course

Economics and Finance

• Dual List Change
• Dual List Change, Grade Type

Management

• Course No. Change
• Credit Hour Change
• Title Change, Credit Hour Change, Grade Type

Communicative Disorders and …

Utah State Magazine, Spring 2015, Utah State University

Utah State Magazine

The quarterly magazine for friends and alumni of Utah State University.

Electron Penetration Range For Diverse Materials, Anne C. Starley, Lisa M. Phillipps, Jr Dennison

Posters

The penetration range of energetic electrons into diverse materials can be modeled approximately with a simple fit. This fit is a function of a single parameter, Nv, which describes the effective number of valence electrons. Using the Continuous-Slow-Down-Approximation (CSDA) for energy deposition in a material, a composite analytical formula has been developed which estimates the range or maximum penetration depth of incident electrons for energies from10 MeV with an uncertainty of

Long-Term Plant Responses To Climate Are Moderated By Biophysical Attributes In A North American Desert, S M. Munson, R H. Webb, D C. Housman, Kari E. Veblen, K E. Nussear, E A. Beever, K B. Hartney, M N. Miriti, S L. Phillips, R E. Fulton, N G. Tallent

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Recent elevated temperatures and prolonged droughts in many already water-limited regions throughout the world, including the southwestern United States, are likely to intensify according to future climate-model projections. This warming and drying can negatively affect perennial vegetation and lead to the degradation of ecosystem properties. To better understand these detrimental effects, we formulate a conceptual model of dryland ecosystem vulnerability to climate change that integrates hypotheses on how plant species will respond to increases in temperature and drought, including how plant responses to climate are modified by landscape, soil and plant attributes that are integral to water availability and use. …

Marginalia No. 36, Merrill-Cazier Library, Utah State University

Marginalia

That Voila Moment …wonders of digital access in the library…… Brad Cole, Interim Dean New &

Notable Acquisitions: Newton’s Opticks and four plays from Shakespeare’s second folio… Brad Cole

You are an alchemist: Sir Isaac Newton’s obsession with the ancient art ….. K.schockmel

Chad Nielsen wins 2014 Arrington Lecture Award …..

Patrick Williams Friends Lecture 2015: The Curious Case of the Connection between Sherlock Holmes & the Mormons … Patrick Williams 2014 Arrington Lecture Drew Large Crowd … Liz Kline Well Done!

Recent Presentations and publications by our Librarians

The Year of Water 2015 … USU’s long involvement in Water …

Flea Beetles On Vegetables, Bonnie Bunn, Diane Alston, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

Flea beetles are common and problematic in Utah. They are present in late spring and early summer on many vegetable crops and ornamental plants. Adult flea beetles are small, shiny insects that have enlarged hind legs, allowing them to jump great distances when disturbed.

Signs Of Kidding And Care During And After Kids Are Born, C. Kim Chapman, Justen Smith

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes the various parts of the parturition (kidding) process and the basic signals which does usually exhibit for each three stages of the process.

The Utah Statesman, March 31, 2015, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Educational Policies Committee Program Proposal, College Of Agriculture And Applied Sciences, March 27, 2015 - Land, Plant & Climate Systems, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

This proposal seeks approval for a restructuring and a name change of the major in Environmental Soil/Water Science (ESWS) to Land, Plant & Climate Systems in the Department of Plants, Soils and Climate (PSC).

Educational Policies Committee Program Proposal, College Of Science, March 27, 2015, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

This request is to discontinue the current Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Environmental Geoscience and instead create an emphasis in Applied Environmental Geoscience in the existing Bachelor of Science degree in Geology.

The Utah Statesman, March 26, 2015, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Isaw: Integrating Structure, Actors, And Water To Study Socio-Hydro-Ecological Systems, Rebecca L. Hale, Andrea Armstrong, Michelle A. Baker, Sean Bedingfield, David Betts, Caleb Buahin, Martin Buchert, Todd Crowl, Ryan Dupont, James R. Ehleringer, Joanna Endter-Wada, Susannah S. French, Jacqualine Grant, Sarah Hinners, Jeffery S. Horsburgh, Douglas Jackson-Smith, Amber S. Jones, Erica S. Limb, Sarah E. Null, Augustina Odame, Diane E. Pataki, David Rosenberg, Madyln Runburg, Philip Stoker, Courtenay Strong

Biology Faculty Publications

Urbanization, climate, and ecosystem change represent major challenges for managing water resources. Although water systems are complex, a need exists for a generalized representation of these systems to identify important components and linkages to guide scientific inquiry and aid water management. We developed an integrated Structure-Actor-Water framework (iSAW) to facilitate the understanding of and transitions to sustainable water systems. Our goal was to produce an interdisciplinary framework for water resources research that could address management challenges across scales (e.g., plot to region) and domains (e.g., water supply and quality, transitioning, and urban landscapes). The framework was designed to be generalizable …

Further Examination Of The Geographic Range Of Eriogonum Corymbosum Var. Nilesii (Polygonaceae, Eriogoneae), Mark W. Ellis, Paul G. Wolf, Shannon Bardot, James A. Walton, Carol Rowe, Sarah Kulpa, Karen E. Mock

Biology Faculty Publications

The wild buckwheat Eriogonum corymbosum is widely distributed throughout the southwestern United States, forming a complex of eight varieties. E. corymbosum var. nilesii is a predominantly yellow-flowered variant reported primarily from Clark Co., Nevada. A previous genetic study by our research group found that var. nilesii is genetically distinct from other E. corymbosum varieties, based on a limited number of populations. Here, we assess genetic variation in 14 newly sampled yellow-flowered populations from southern Nevada, southern Utah, and northern Arizona, and compare them to genetic variation in six populations of previously determined E. corymbosum varieties. Of the new populations, we …

Particulate-Matter Emission Estimates From Agricultural Spring-Tillage Operations Using Lidar And Inverse Modeling, Kori D. Moore, Michael D. Wojcik, Randy S. Martin, Christian C. Marchant, D. S. Jones, W. J. Bradford, G. E. Bingham, R L. Pfeiffer, J. H. Prueger, J. L. Hatfield

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Particulate-matter (PM) emissions from a typical spring agricultural tillage sequence and a strip–till conservation tillage sequence in California’s San Joaquin Valley were estimated to calculate the emissions control efficiency (ηη) of the strip–till conservation management practice (CMP). Filter-based PM samplers, PM-calibrated optical particle counters (OPCs), and a PM-calibrated light detection and ranging (LIDAR) system were used to monitored upwind and downwind PM concentrations during May and June 2008. Emission rates were estimated through inverse modeling coupled with the filter and OPC measurements and through applying a mass balance to the PM concentrations derived from LIDAR data. Sampling irregularities and errors …

Educational Policies Committee Program Proposal, College Of Science, March 7, 2015, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

This document requests a new Human Biology Emphasis be added to the existing Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.