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General Education Subcommittee Agenda, February 17, 2015, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

Syllabi Approvals

Business

• Communications Intensive (CI) policy modifications
• Proposed revisions of the R 470 Governing Gen Ed
• Water Cluster for Gen Ed

General Education Subcommittee Minutes, February 17, 2015, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

Syllabi Approvals

Business

• Changing the policy wording requiring CI depth courses to provide experiences in both written and oral communication
• Amending the current CI Criteria statement
• Proposed revisions of the Regents’ policy 470 Governing Gen Ed
• Water Cluster

The Utah Statesman, February 12, 2015, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Ecological Changes In Two Contrasting Lakes Associated With Human Activity And Dust Transport In Western Wyoming, Janice Brahney, Ashley P. Ballantyne, P. Kociolek, P. R. Leavitt, G. L. Farmer, Jason C. Neff

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

The atmospheric transport and deposition of aerosols has the potential to influence the chemistry and biology of oligotrophic alpine lakes. In recent decades, dust and nitrogen emissions to alpine ecosystems have increased across large areas of the western U.S., including Wyoming. Here, we use sediment geochemistry and 87Sr/86Sr and 143Nd/144Nd isotopes to examine historical dust deposition rates to alpine lakes in the southwestern region of the Wind River Range, Wyoming. We evaluate the biological response using diatom fossil assemblages and sediment pigment concentrations. Sediment core analyses indicated that prior to a recent rise in dust flux, phosphorus concentrations and species …

A Synopsis Of Short-Term Response To Alternative Restoration Treatments In Sagebrush-Steppe: The Sagestep Project, James Mciver, Mark W. Brunson, Steve Bunting, Jeanne C. Chambers, Paul Doescher, James Grace, April Hulet, Dale Johnson, Steve Knick, Richard Miller, Mike Pellant, Fred Pierson, David A. Pyke, Benjamin Rau, Kimberly Rollins, Bruce Roundy, Eugene W. Schupp, Robin Tausch, Christopher Jason Williams

Articles

The Sagebrush Steppe Treatment Evaluation Project (SageSTEP) is an integrated long-term study that evaluates ecological effects of alternative treatments designed to reduce woody fuels and to stimulate the herbaceous understory of sagebrush steppe communities of the Intermountain West. This synopsis summarizes results through 3 yr posttreatment. Woody vegetation reduction by prescribed fire, mechanical treatments, or herbicides initiated a cascade of effects, beginning with increased availability of nitrogen and soil water, followed by increased growth of herbaceous vegetation. Response of butterflies and magnitudes of runoff and erosion closely followed herbaceous vegetation recovery. Effects on shrubs, biological soil crust, tree cover, surface …

Hydrologic And Erosion Responses Of Sagebrush Steppe Following Juniper Encroachment, Wildfire, And Tree Cutting, Frederick B. Pierson, Christopher Jason Williams, Stuart P. Hardegree, Patrick E. Clark, Patrick R. Kormos, Osama Z. Al-Hamdan

Articles

Extensive woodland expansion in the Great Basin has generated concern regarding ecological impacts of tree encroachment on sagebrush rangelands and strategies for restoring sagebrush steppe. This study used rainfall (0.5 m² and 13 m² scales) and concentrated flow simulations and measures of vegetation, ground cover, and soils to investigate hydrologic and erosion impacts of western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis Hook.) encroachment into sagebrush steppe and to evaluate short-term effects of burning and tree cutting on runoff and erosion responses. The overall effects of tree encroachment were a reduction in understory vegetation and formation of highly erodible, bare intercanopy …

Plant Establishment In Masticated Utah Juniper Woodlands, Kert R. Young, Bruce A. Roundy, Dennis L. Eggett

Articles

Juniper (Juniperus spp.) encroachment into sagebrush (Artemisia spp.)-bunchgrass communities has reduced understory cover on millions of hectares of semiarid rangelands. Mechanical masticators shred trees to restore desirable vegetation and reduce the potential for catastrophic wildfire. Mechanical mastication where juniper density is high and perennial grass cover is low brings a risk of invasive weed dominance unless perennial species are established. To determine whether juniper mastication favors annual- or perennial-grass establishment, we compared seedling emergence, tillers, and aboveground biomass of cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) and Anatone bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata [Pursh] A. Löve). Comparisons were made among …

The Utah Statesman, February 10, 2015, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Transition From Sagebrush Steppe To Annual Grass (Bromus Tectorum): Influence On Belowground Carbon And Nitrogen, Benjamin M. Rau, Dale W. Johnson, Robert R. Blank, Annmarrie Lucchesi, Todd G. Caldwell, Eugene W. Schupp

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Vegetation changes associated with climate shifts and anthropogenic disturbance have major impacts on biogeochemical cycling. Much of the interior western United States currently is dominated by sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt.) ecosystems. At low to intermediate elevations, sagebrush ecosystems increasingly are influenced by cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum L.) invasion. Little currently is known about the distribution of belowground organic carbon (OC) on these changing landscapes, how annual grass invasion affects OC pools, or the role that nitrogen (N) plays in carbon (C) retention. As part of a Joint Fire Sciences-funded project called the Sagebrush Treatment Evaluation Project (SageSTEP), we quantified …

Stand Dynamics, Humus Type And Water Balance Explain Aspen Long Term Productivity Across Canada, Kenneth A. Anyomi, Francois Lorenzetti, Yves Bergeron, Alain Leduc

Aspen Bibliography

This study examined the relative importance of soil, stand development and climate hypotheses in driving productivity for a species that is widely distributed in North America. Inventory plots, 3548 of such, either dominated by aspen or made up of species mixture of which aspen occurs in dominant canopy position were sampled along a longitudinal gradient from Quebec to British Columbia. Site index (SI), was used as a measure of productivity, and soil, climate and stand attributes were correlated with site index in order to determine their effects on productivity. Results show a decline in productivity with high moisture deficit. Soil …

Curriculum Subcommittee Agenda, February 5, 2015, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences

• Prerequisite Change
• New Course, Pass/Fail

School of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education

• Prerequisite Change
• Course No Change

Art and Design

• Delete Course
• New Course, Restriction, Prerequisites
• Inactivate Course
• Restriction
• Restriction, Repeatable
• Restriction, Prerequisites, Credit Hour Change, Repeatable
• Prerequisites, Restriction
• Remove Repeatable

Music

• Prerequisite Change
• Title Change, Course Description Change, Restriction
• Inactivate Course
• Credit Hour Change
• Description Change, Prerequisite Change, Info Item
• Course Description Change, Prerequisite Change, Restriction
• Prerequisite Change, Restriction
• Restriction, Credit Hour Change, Repeatable

Theatre Arts

• Restriction
• Credit Hour Change

Health, Physical Education and Recreation

• New Course

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences

• Course Description …

Curriculum Subcommittee Minutes, February 5, 2015, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences

• Prerequisite Change
• New Course, Pass/Fail

School of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education

• Prerequisite Change
• Course No Change

Art and Design

• Delete Course
• New Course, Restriction, Prerequisites
• Inactivate Course
• Restriction
• Restriction, Repeatable
• Restriction, Prerequisites, Credit Hour Change, Repeatable
• Prerequisites, Restriction
• Remove Repeatable

Music

• Prerequisite Change
• Title Change, Course Description Change, Restriction
• Inactivate Course
• Credit Hour Change
• Description Change, Prerequisite Change, Info Item
• Course Description Change, Restriction
• Prerequisite Change, Restriction
• Restriction, Credit Hour Change, Repeatable

Theatre Arts

• Restriction
• Credit Hour Change

Health, Physical Education and Recreation

• New Course

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences

• Course Description Change
• Course …

The Utah Statesman, February 3, 2015, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Intramolecular S···O Chalcogen Bond As Stabilizing Factor In Geometry Of Substituted Phenyl-Sf3 Molecules, Vincent De Paul Nziko, Steve Scheiner

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications

Density functional methods are used to examine the geometries and energetics of molecules containing a phenyl ring joined to the trigonal bipyramidal SF3 framework. The phenyl ring has a strong preference for an equatorial position. This preference remains when one or two ether -CH2OCH3 groups are added to the phenyl ring, ortho to SF3, wherein an apical structure lies nearly 30 kcal/mol higher in energy. Whether equatorial or apical, the molecule is stabilized by a S···O chalcogen bond, sometimes augmented by CH···F or CH···O H-bonds. The strength of the intramolecular S···O bond is estimated to lie in the range between …

Tremblings, February 2015, Western Aspen Alliance

Tremblings

An Interagency Approach to Aspen Management - Soda Hills Case Study

Shelli Mavor

Channing Swan

Aspen are a transitional species in a large part of our Rocky Mountain conifer ecosystems. While we observe their transition stages across various landscapes, we enjoy the immense diversity they provide. We describe how interagency coordination assisted in aspen retention, promoted resilience, and continues to delay succession.

Naturalization Of Almond Trees (Prunus Dulcis) In Semi-Arid Regions Of The Western Mediterranean., Pablo Homet-Gutierrez, Eugene W. Schupp, José M. Gómez

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Agricultural land abandonment is rampant in present day Europe. A major consequence of this phenomenon is the re-colonization of these areas by the original vegetation. However, some agricultural, exotic species are able to naturalize and colonize these abandoned lands. In this study we explore the ability of almonds (Prunus dulcis D.A. Webb.) to establish in abandoned croplands in semi-arid areas of SE Iberian Peninsula. Domesticated during the early Holocene in SW Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean, the almond has spread as a crop all over the world. We established three plots adjacent to almond orchards on land that was abandoned …

Machine Learning For Predicting Soil Classes In Three Semi-Arid Landscapes, Colby W. Brungard, Janis L. Boettinger, Michael C. Duniway, Skye A. Wills, Thomas C. Edwards Jr.

Plants, Soils, and Climate Faculty Publications

Mapping the spatial distribution of soil taxonomic classes is important for informing soil use and management decisions. Digital soil mapping (DSM) can quantitatively predict the spatial distribution of soil taxonomic classes. Key components of DSM are the method and the set of environmental covariates used to predict soil classes. Machine learning is a general term for a broad set of statistical modeling techniques. Many different machine learning models have been applied in the literature and there are different approaches for selecting covariates for DSM. However, there is little guidance as to which, if any, machine learning model and covariate set …

Exploring Water Indices And Associated Parameters: A Case Study Approach, Thushara Gunda, Laura Benneyworth, Emily Burchfield

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

In the past 20 years, over 50 water indices have been developed to characterize human-water systems within the frameworks of water scarcity, water poverty, water vulnerability, and water security. This study compares existing water indices in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to better understand which parameters (or lack thereof) contribute to the usefulness of water indices. Drawing on knowledge about human-water interactions in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, this exploration of indices at the parameter level highlights missing parameters, inadequate consideration of complex relationships between parameters, and inconsistencies in index nomenclature and units. This study reveals both the benefits and shortcomings of …

Protein Motions Control Activity In Biologically Important Phosphatases, Ryan Hirschi, Gwen Moise

Research on Capitol Hill

No abstract provided.

Utah State University And Nasa Launch Probes Into Northern Lights | College Of Engineering, Usu College Of Engineering

College of Engineering News

In the cold, nighttime skies over Alaska, a NASA Oriole IV suborbital sounding rocket blasted off from the Poker Flat Research Range today at 3:41 a.m. (MST) carrying six research payloads built by the Utah State University’s Space Dynamics Laboratory into the Aurora Borealis as part of NASA’s Auroral Spatial Structures Probe mission.

The Utah Statesman, January 27, 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, January 23, 2015, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

For 20-plus years, the Plants, Soils, and Climate Department (PSC) offered a Bachelor degree in Horticulture both on the Logan campus and along the Wasatch Front through USU’s regional campuses. While every attempt was made to ensure regional campus students get the same training and experience as those on the Logan campus, their classes were unavailable at the regional campuses or could not be taught in the same way due to a lack of facilities. Recently the department changed the BS degree in Horticulture to a BS in Plant Science and with that change, the disparities between the regional campus …

The Utah Statesman, January 22, 2015, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Rift Valley Fever Virus Infection In Golden Syrian Hamsters, Dionna Scharton, Arnaud J. Van Wettere, Kevin W. Bailey, Zachary Vest, Jonna B. Westover, Venkatraman Siddharthan, Brian B. Gowen

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a formidable pathogen that causes severe disease and abortion in a variety of livestock species and a range of disease in humans that includes hemorrhagic fever, fulminant hepatitis, encephalitis and blindness. The natural transmission cycle involves mosquito vectors, but exposure can also occur through contact with infected fluids and tissues. The lack of approved antiviral therapies and vaccines for human use underlies the importance of small animal models for proof-of-concept efficacy studies. Several mouse and rat models of RVFV infection have been well characterized and provide useful systems for the study of certain aspects …

The Utah Statesman, January 15, 2015, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Transitioning The Benefits Of Algal Growth To The Byproducts Of Oil And Natural Gas Production, Alan Hodges, Tyler Gladwin, Cody Maxfield, Jonathan Wood

Research on Capitol Hill

No abstract provided.

Curriculum Subcommittee Agenda, January 8, 2015, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

Department of Theatre Arts

• Prerequisite Change
• Prerequisite Change, Title Change
• New Course
• Title Change
• Delete Course

School of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education

• Prerequisite Change

Health, Physical Education and Recreation

• Prerequisite Change

Psychology

• Delete Course

School of Teacher Education and Leadership

• New Course

Computer Science

• Course Number Change
• Delete Course
• Inactivate Course
• Title Change

History

• Remove Dual List, Delete Course
• Delete

Environment and Society

• Delete Course

Watershed Sciences

• Delete Course

Wildland Resources

• Delete Course

Mathematics and Statistics

• Designation Request for QI

Other

• Restructuring the Agricultural Systems Technology MS degree
• Discontinuing the Associates of Pre-Engineering (APE) degree at the Regional and …

Curriculum Subcommittee Minutes, January 8, 2015, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

Department of Theatre Arts

• Prerequisite Change
• Prerequisite Change, Title Change
• New Course
• Title Change
• Delete Course

School of Applied Sciences, Technology and Education

• Prerequisite Change

Health, Physical Education and Recreation

• Prerequisite Change

Psychology

• Delete Course

School of Teacher Education and Leadership

• New Course

Computer Science

• Delete Course
• Inactivate Course
• Title Change

History

• Remove Dual List, Delete Course
• Delete

Environment and Society

• Delete Course

Watershed Sciences

• Delete Course

Wildland Resources

• Delete Course

Mathematics and Statistics

• New Course, Designation Request for QI, Title Change, Course Description Change

Other

• Restructuring the Agricultural Systems Technology MS degree
• Discontinuing the Associates of Pre-Engineering (APE) degree …

Images Of The Surreal: Contrived Photographs Of Native American Indians In Archives And Suggested Best Practices, Zachary R. Jones

Journal of Western Archives

This essay explores the complex history of contrived photographs of Native American Indians created by non-Native photographers around the turn of the twentieth century. Based on research and surveys this essay overviews issues associated with contrived photographs, colonial narratives of history, and offers perspectives and survey feedback on practices that could improve archival description of controversial historical photographs of American Indians found in archives around the world.

Year-End Report On Rac Project Entitled "Propagating Aspen Clones: Survival In The 21st Century", Ralph Baierlein

Aspen Bibliography

Initial damage caused by wild ungulates was minimal. In August 2013, a large elk pulled off five cones and destroyed three saplings on the exposed, eastern side of the exclosure. Although deer tracks were plentiful in the bare earth of the fire line, there was no evidence that deer had harmed the saplings. The combination of a cone and a mesh sleeve on the exposed saplings sufficed.