Digital Commons Network^™

Visibility Assessment In Urban Areas: Exploring Measures And Approaches For Viewing Green Space, Doo Hong Lee

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Urban greenery is often used to understand the quality of living conditions in cities. However, measuring greenery is not always simple. Some methods show how much vegetation exists from above, while others try to show what people actually see while walking or moving through streets. These are different ways of understanding green space. This dissertation focuses on visible greenness, or the greenery that people can see from eye level in everyday urban environments.

This research addresses a practical problem. Many existing methods for measuring visible greenness require large image datasets, advanced computing, or commercial street-view images. These requirements can make …

Strain Monitoring And Site Characterization At Birds Landing From Transmission Tower Implosions Recorded Using Das And Nodal Stations, Prajwal Panthi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

When two old electrical transmission towers in the Sacramento River Delta in California were demolished by Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Utah State University saw an opportunity hiding inside the demolition. Because one of the towers stood close to the Sacramento River and its protective levee, they used the controlled collapse not only to monitor strains in the levee and surrounding ground, but also to learn what lied beneath the ground surface.

To capture this event, the researchers buried a 1.4-kilometer fiber optic cable along the ground and connected it to a system called Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS), which can …

Assessing Ecological Integrity Of Streams Across The Western U.S., Jennifer L. Courtwright

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Large-scale assessments of stream health (ecological integrity) are required by policies such as the U.S. Clean Water Act and provide critical information needed to properly manage public lands. Our ability to quantify the ecological condition of streams in the western U.S. and identify the causes of degraded conditions has previously been impeded by a lack of standardized large-scale datasets, high natural temporal and spatial variability of ecological attributes, and poor-quality land use data. I compiled large-scale monitoring datasets and built models to predict the values of ecological attributes (metrics) at a given site in the absence of human impacts. In …

Investigating Recruitment Bottlenecks Of Juvenile Native Fish In The Colorado River Basin, Utah, Anna R. Amidon

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The first year of life is a vulnerable period for most fish species. Whether young fish survive this early stage determines how many individuals eventually survive and grow into reproductive adults, a process called recruitment. In desert rivers like the Colorado River Basin, native fish evolved alongside extreme natural conditions but now face additional pressure from drought and water storage infrastructure, which alter the shoreline habitats on which young fish depend. Long-lived, migratory native species with complex life cycles are especially vulnerable. We used four decades of monitoring data from the Upper Colorado River Basin to evaluate whether young-of-year (YOY, …

Cultural Humility In Motion: A Graduate Student Hybrid Immersion In Self- And Other Awareness Through Dance, Emily Jeanne Slater

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Universities bring together people from many different backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Yet university spaces often focus on mind-centered and discussion-based learning and overlook how the body plays a role in education. When education ignores the bodily experience of learning, students lose opportunities to reflect, connect, and make meaningful change in their lives and communities. To address this gap, this dissertation designed and implemented a learning experience for graduate students that creates space from them to examine their own assumptions, engage across differences, and share in inclusive practices. The learning experience draws on and advances cultural humility theory, which understands self-awareness, …

Quaking Aspen On Cedar Mountain, Utah: Status And Update, Jaycee Cappaert, Larissa L. Yocom, Paul C. Rogers, Darren J. Mcavoy, R. Justin Derose

Wildland Resources Student Research

Quaking aspen forests are important communities in the western United States where they provide preferential food and habitat for animals, limit wildfires from spreading, and have favorable aesthetics, among other things. Their putative decline is an issue for ecology and management. We remeasured the aspen population on Cedar Mountain, Utah, to assess changes to its condition since it was originally measured in 2008 and laid the groundwork for continued aspen monitoring on Cedar Mountain. Our objectives were to compare current metrics of stand structure and composition, mortality, crown dieback, bole damage, regeneration, and recruitment, to those of the original inventory. …

Divergent Belowground Strategies Of Savanna Grasses Under Varying Fire Regimes, Abigail C. Schmidt

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Savannas are unique ecosystems, where trees and grasses live together across the landscape, not quite forming full forests or open grasslands. The ability for trees and grass to coexist is largely the result of widespread disturbances, such as fire. Fire in savannas is largely thought of in how it maintains plants above ground, however, fire also plays a key role in ecosystem and plant processes belowground. First, fire can change how soil nutrients, namely phosphorus, are cycled. Phosphorus is a key nutrient that plants need to function, and plants acquire phosphorus through their roots. Frequent fire can enhance phosphorus availability, …

Toward Risk-Informed Design Of Supercooling Heat Exchangers: Statistical Inference And Experimental Investigation Of Heterogeneous Ice Nucleation, Daniel B. Gardner

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Ice-based cooling storage systems can reduce electricity costs and grid strain by making ice during off-peak hours and using it for air conditioning during the day. One promising design works by chilling water below its freezing point as it flows through a heat exchanger, then allowing it to freeze in a separate storage tank. The challenge is that the chilled water can freeze prematurely inside the heat exchanger itself, blocking the flow and shutting the system down. Preventing this unwanted freezing requires understanding how and where ice begins to form on surfaces, a process called nucleation.

This dissertation investigates ice …

Improving Teacher Adherence To Greeting And Attendance Routines Through Performance And Graphed Feedback, Caitlin Huppi

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Schools establish expectations for teachers to create safe, organized, and welcoming environments, but teachers may not consistently follow these expectations throughout the school year. This study examined whether brief feedback could help four high school teachers more consistently greet students and scan IDs for attendance during passing periods. Teachers received graphs showing their performance and brief weekly feedback. All four teachers increased greeting behavior, and three increased attendance scanning. Teachers also rated the intervention as acceptable, feasible, and helpful. These findings suggest that brief feedback may be a practical way for school leaders to support consistent teacher implementation of school-wide …

Microbes In Pollination Systems: Effects On Pollinator Health, Floral Traits, Nectar Robbing, And Plant Fitness, Valerie Nicole Martin

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Flowers produce nectar to attract pollinators, but nectar is also a habitat for yeasts and bacteria that arrive via pollinators, robbers, and other visitors. These microbes consume nectar sugars and release byproducts that change the smell and taste of nectar. Whether these changes affect how pollinators find and choose flowers, and whether they ultimately affect how many seeds a plant produces, is not well understood. In this dissertation, I studied how a common nectar yeast and a plant-associated bacterium affect the scent of wildflowers, the behavior of bumble bees and hummingbirds, and plant reproduction in montane meadows in central Colorado. …

A Laboratory Investigation Of Energy Dissipators At Embankment Dams, Nathan L. Young

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Dams play a critical role in protecting communities from flooding and providing reliable water supplies. When large amounts of water pass through a dam’s spillway during floods, the discharge can travel at high speeds and carry potentially destructive kinetic energy that can damage the dam or erode downstream channels if that energy is not properly controlled. To reduce this risk, engineers commonly use hydraulic structures called energy dissipators that slow spillway discharge and safely release it downstream.

Commonly used energy dissipators at embankment dams include stilling basins that rely on a hydraulic jump – a sudden rise in water depth …

The Role Of Individual Specialization In Migration Phenology And How Restored Habits Are Used By Native And Nonnative Fishes, Austin Garner

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Native fish species around the world have declined due to habitat loss, habitat fragmentation, and the spread of non-native species. Because these problems often happen at the same time and interact, recovery efforts can stall unless they address all of the factors limiting a species' comeback. The June sucker (Chasmistes liorus), native only to Utah Lake, UT, has declined for many of these reasons, though its recovery effort has made significant progress due in large part to a successful hatchery program. Yet, the recovery efforts have not yet been able to establish a self-sustaining population in Utah Lake, …

'Fast' And 'Slow' Water Handling Strategies Explain Pinyon Pine Decline And Juniper Expansion, M. Faraz Rehman

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Across the western United States, pinyon and juniper woodlands are changing with pinyon pine trees dying back while juniper becoming more abundant. Previous studies suggested that pinyon may lose more water during drier periods. But water loss is only part of the story. Water inputs, or how plants absorb water, are also likely to be important, but rarely well understood. To better understand this, we measured how pinyon and juniper absorb water from different soil depths and how actively they lose water through their leaves. Measurements were made over two years at three sites that ranged from more dry to …

Magnetic Properties And Ultrafast Spin Dynamics In Quantum Materials, Trung Kien Mac

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Modern electronics mostly work by moving electric charge, which generates heat and hence wastes energy, especially as devices become smaller and faster. An alternative is to use the spin of electrons (a tiny magnetic property) and related “valley” states in certain atomically thin materials to store and process information more efficiently. This thesis explores how magnetism and spin behavior can be created and measured in a family of ultra-thin materials known as van der Waals quantum materials. Three kinds of materials are studied. First, atomically thin semiconductors are shaped into narrow nanoribbons. Because of their narrow size, their edges can …

The Evolution Of Hymenopteran Recombination Rates, Timothy John Delory

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Individuals of some species mix their DNA frequently when producing sex cells, while others do so much less. Hymenopterans (ants bees and wasps) are especially useful for understanding this variation for several reasons. They show large differences in this frequency of shuffling, or rate of recombination, have well-studied genomes, and vary widely in how they live and reproduce. I capitalized on these features examines how recombination rates have evolved in this group at the trait, and gene level.

First, I revisited long-standing ideas about why recombination rates differ among these species, incorporating more than a decade of new research. This …

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 …

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, …

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.

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.

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

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

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

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

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 …

“Pride Runs Through Our Veins”: A Qualitative Investigation Of Black Parents’ Ethnic-Racial Socialization Practices Among Black Youth With Disabilities, Nicole A. Telfer, Danielle J. Allen, Noreen Yazejian, Iheoma U. Iruka

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

While ethnic-racial socialization (ERS) practices are crucial in Black/African American families, little is known about ERS practices in Black families of Black children with disabilities. In the current study, we investigated ERS practices among Black/African American parents’ who are raising children with disabilities and how this may influence children’s outcomes. A total of N = 8 Black/African American parents were invited for semi-structured interviews to explore more deeply their ERS practices among their children with disabilities. Several themes emerged from the data, which highlights ERS practices from a DisCrit lens, as well as the overall experiences of parents and their …

How Intelligent? Student Success, Student Engagement, And Faculty Use Of Intelligent Agents In Online Classes, Teresa P. Raczek, Anja Bernardy, Audrey E. Garcia, Ulrike Ingram, Laura Mcgrath, Snehal Shirke

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this article here.

In asynchronous online classes, consistent engagement with the course instructor helps students connect to the course and perform better. Automated Intelligent Agent (IA) emails that can be set up in a learning management system allow faculty to send targeted communications to students in the form of personalized reminders, offers of help, words of encouragement, praise, and other tailored messages. To assess the effectiveness of IAs in supporting student success, this study analyzed the use of the technology by 10 faculty across seven humanities and social science disciplines. We examined how IAs …

Snap Challenge In Teacher Education, Eric Hogan, Sean Forbes, Carey E. Andrzejewski

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this article here.

Training pre-service teachers often focuses on educating them about issues they will see in their own classrooms. One such issue is food insecurity. Food insecurity is defined by limited or uncertain access to nutritionally adequate and safe foods or the ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways (Rabbitt et al., 2023a). This article focuses on pre-service teachers' experiences while engaging in the SNAP Challenge to learn more about food insecurity while also learning how food impacts student learning and motivation. Participants in the study discussed how living off the …

Navigating Your First Technical Paper In Social Sciences: Understanding Single Case Research Design, Diana Parry-Cruwys, Allen Karsina, Jacquelyn M. Macdonald

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this article here.

Reading and understanding a research article utilizing single case research design (SCRD) may be a particularly challenging hurdle students face when starting graduate level coursework in the social and health sciences. This paper helps ease this challenge by describing what SCRD is and why it is important to understand when interpreting results in SCRD papers. Additionally, it will explain the various parts of a single case research design paper and what should be included in each section. To understand the results of SCRD, it is imperative that students understand experimental design. …

Effects Of Cross-Curricular Instruction On Clinical Education Outcomes For Speech-Language Pathology Graduate Students, Michele Dacy, Kimberly Smith

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this article here.

Cross-curricular instruction is the process of combining information from two or more subjects within a single discipline in order to help students integrate the knowledge and skills they learn from separate courses. The purpose of this study was to examine how cross-curricular instruction impacted speech-language pathology (SLP) graduate students' knowledge, confidence, and clinical skills related to the assessment of patients with co-occurring diagnoses of dementia and dysphagia. Twenty-three SLP master's students completed a questionnaire before and after receiving cross-curricular instruction on how to assess dysphagia in persons with dementia. The questionnaire …

Overcoming Current Challenges In Higher Education Through Team Teaching, Carol Rogers Shaw, Corinne Brion, Katelyn Case

Journal on Empowering Teaching Excellence

Access the online Pressbooks version of this article here.

Team teaching in online higher education courses provides an innovative approach to meeting the needs of students and enhancing the teaching experiences of instructors. In this study, two instructors collaborated to team teach a course in an online doctoral program; this article shares their experiences. A multi-method qualitative approach was utilized to explore the benefits and challenges of team teaching. Data included questionnaire responses from students, journal entries written by instructors, and interviews with program administrators. The findings offer possible solutions to common challenges in higher education today such as increasing …