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Timber Harvesting Was The Most Important Factor Driving Changes In Vegetation Composition, As Compared To Climate And Fire Regime Shifts, In The Mixedwood Temperate Forests Of Temiscamingue Since Ad 1830, Daniela Robles, Yan Boulanger, Jesus Pascual, Victor Danneyrolles, Yves Bergeron, Igor Drobyshev

Aspen Bibliography

Context The vegetation composition of northeastern North American forests has significantly changed since pre-settlement times, with a marked reduction in conifer-dominated stands, taxonomic and functional diversity. These changes have been attributed to fire regime shifts, logging, and climate change.

Methods In this study, we disentangled the individual effects of these drivers on the forest composition in southwestern Quebec from 1830 to 2000 by conducting retrospective modelling using the LANDIS-II forest landscape model. The model was run based on pre-settlement forest composition and fire history reconstructions, historical timber harvest records, and climate reanalysis data. We compared counterfactual scenarios excluding individual factors …

Stabilizing A Bio-Inspired Rotating Empennage Fighter Aircraft In Multiple Trim Scenarios, Benjamin C. Moulton, Matthew W. Harris, Douglas F. Hunsaker

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Student Publications and Presentations

This paper considers the problem of stabilizing a bio-inspired fighter aircraft at its Air Combat Maneuver Condition in steady level and coordinated-turning flight. The aircraft equations of motion are linearized, and an infinite-horizon linear quadratic regulator design is conducted. The open-loop system is unstable in the short period and Dutch roll modes. This is mitigated in the closed-loop system, which is analyzed in the time and frequency domains. Included in the simulation dynamics are first-order actuator models, actuator deflection limits, and actuator rate limits. These are particularly important for this bio-inspired aircraft because control actuation requires rotation of the empennage, …

Influence Of Process Parameter And Build Rate Variations On Defect Formation In Laser Powder Bed Fusion Ss316l, Tasrif Ul Anwar, Patrick Merighe, Rahul Reddy Kancharla, Boopathy Kombaiah, Nadia Kouraytem

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Student Publications and Presentations

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) is an additive manufacturing process that has gained interest for its material fabrication due to multiple advantages, such as the ability to print parts with small feature sizes, good mechanical properties, reduced material waste, etc. However, variations in the key process parameters in LPBF may result in the instantiation of porosity defects and variation in build rate. Particularly, volumetric energy density (VED) is a variable that encapsulates a number of those parameters and represents the amount of energy input from the laser source to the feedstock. VED has been traditionally used to inform the quality …

A Comprehensive Parcel-Level Dataset On Farmland Assessment: Addressing Grid-Cell Data Bias Estimation, Wai Yan Siu, Man Li, Arthur J. Caplan

Applied Economics Faculty Publications

Grid-cell data are increasingly used in research due to the growing availability and accessibility of remote sensing products. However, grid-cell data often fails to represent the actual decision-making unit, leading to biased estimates in socio-economic analysis. To this end, this paper presents a comprehensive parcel-level dataset for Salt Lake County, Utah, spanning from 2008 to 2018. This dataset combines detailed spatial and temporal data on land ownership, land use, and preferential farmland tax assessments under the Greenbelt program. Compiled from multiple geospatial sources, the dataset includes nearly 200,000 parcel-year observations, providing valuable insights into landowner decision-making and the impact of …

Great Salt Lake Data And Insights Summary: A Synthesized Resource Document For The 2025 General Legislative Session, William Anderegg, Craig Buttars, Joel Ferry, Natalie Gochnour, Kim Shelley, Brian Steed, David G. Tarboton, Leila Ahmadi, Eric Albers, Blake Bingham, Paul D. Brooks, Tim Davis, Eric Dixon, Joanna Endter-Wada, Tage Flint, Candice Hasenyager, Timothy Hawkes, William Johnson, John Lin, John Mackey, Anna Mcentire, Bethany T. Neilson, Sarah Null, Kevin Perry, Ben Stireman, Courenay Strong, Laura Vernon, Marisa Weinberg, Matt Yost

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

In 2024, Great Salt Lake continued to rise from the record-low elevation reached in 2022, aided by two years of above-average precipitation and the adaptive management berm. Economic activity, public health, and the lake's ecosystems continue to be adversely impacted by low water levels. This summary synthesizes essential data and insights so decision-makers have the information they need to improve water management, increase water deliveries to the lake, mitigate adverse impacts, and recover the lake to a healthy range.

Halogeton And Greasewood Poisoning In Cattle And Sheep In Utah, E. Jane Kelly, Stephen T. Lee, Ammon Brown, Daniel Cook

Poisonous Plant Research (PPR)

Halogeton (Halogeton glomeratus) is a fast-growing annual plant while greasewood (Sarcobatus vermiculatus) is a perennial shrub of the Western States. Oxalates are the toxic principle in halogeton and greasewood. Most losses occur when hungry animals are allowed to graze in heavy stands of halogeton and greasewood. Halogeton and greasewood are always dangerous and become more toxic as the growing season progresses. Here we report on two clinical cases of halogeton and greasewood poisoning in cattle and sheep. Histologically, oxalate crystals were observed in the kidneys of the cow and sheep consistent with oxalate poisoning. Oxalate was …

Refurbishing Used Gps Transmitters Improves Performance For Subsequent Deployments On Greater Sage-Grouse, Melissa S. Chelak, Michel T. Kohl, Justin R. Small, Kurt T. Smith, Aaron C. Pratt, Jeffrey L. Beck, Codi R. Backen, M. Brandon Flack, Hailey P. Wayment, Jason A. Wood, Ryan Howell, Trevon D. Strange, Lucian R. Mcdonald, Kezia R. Manlove, Shandra N. Frey, Randy T. Larsen, Brian A. Maxfield, David K. Dahlgren, Terry A. Messmer, David C. Stoner

Wildland Resources Student Research

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) radio transmitters are increasingly used across taxa to monitor animal populations. However, GPS transmitters can be susceptible to malfunctions that may result in location errors or data loss causing potential inferential bias that can have important implications for monitored species. Research using GPS transmitters on greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; sage-grouse) has increased, but few sage-grouse studies have evaluated GPS performance. Because sage-grouse management has been subject to intense legal and political scrutiny with consequential economic implications, reliable data acquisition is central to informed decision-making for the species. We evaluated differences in the performance of …

A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Of A Single-Session Digital Acceptance And Commitment Therapy Intervention, Michael E. Levin, Miriam N. Mukasa, Emily M. Bowers, Korena S. Klimczak, Ty B. Aller

Psychology Faculty Publications

Adherence challenges are common among digital mental health interventions (DMHIs). Single-session DMHIs may help by providing a low-intensity intervention that takes less time to complete. This pilot randomized controlled trial sought to evaluate the acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a single-session DMHI based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in a non-clinical sample of college students. The trial was pre-registered (NCT06139718). A total of 61 students were recruited, which was below the target of 100 participants. The participants were randomized to the single-session ACT DMHI or to a waitlist condition, with assessments completed at 1-week and 1-month follow-ups. The vast …

Keeping Kids Safe At Meals: Preventing And Responding To Choking, Mia Dustin, Savannah Daines, Stacy Bevan, Palak Gupta, Mateja R. Savoie-Roskos

All Current Publications

Introducing solid foods is an exciting developmental milestone, but it can also raise concerns about choking for parents and caregivers. Choking occurs when an object, such as food or a toy, blocks a child’s airway and prevents air from moving in and out of the lungs. This fact sheet offers practical guidance on how to prevent food-related choking, recognize the signs of a choking emergency, and what to do if a child is choking.

Managing Usda Wildfire Crisis Strategy Landscapes In The Intermountain West (Region 4): A Program For Training Future Forest Managers, Justin Derose

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Career: The Behavioral, Hormonal, And Neural Basis Of Coyote Monogamy, Sara M. Freeman

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

The Southwest Climate Adaptation Science Center (Sw Casc), Michelle Baker

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Faculty Evaluation Committee Minutes January 13, 2025, Utah State University

Faculty Evaluation Committee

• Agenda
• Attendees
• Action Items
• Minutes

The Utah Statesman, January 13, 2025, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Agricultural Producers' Motivations And Challenges With Improving Soil Health In Utah, Peggy Petrzelka, Jessica Ulrich-Schad, Matt Yost, Jenae Dean, Tony Richards, Kristy Davis

All Current Publications

The Utah Soil Health Program (USHP) developed a five-year project to increase understanding of how best to implement soil health practices into Utah’s diverse farming systems. Fifteen producers were selected to participate in the USHP On-Farm Soil Health Demonstration Project. During 2022, the trial’s first year, the participating farmers and ranchers were interviewed. We begin by discussing participant demographics and operation characteristics. Next, we turn to challenges the producers faced in implementing soil health practices in the IMW and then turn to motivations for the producers to enroll in the USHP trial. This will help (1) document what is currently …

Role Of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi In Maintaining Sustainable Agroecosystems, Anju Chaudhary, Shital Poudyal, Amita Kaundal

Plants, Soils, and Climate Faculty Publications

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi play a crucial role in maintaining sustainable agroecosystems by forming mutualistic relationships with plant roots, improving soil health, facilitating nutrient uptake, and enhancing resilience to abiotic stresses. The mutualistic relationship between AM fungi and plants promotes a balanced microbial community and improves soil structure by forming stable soil aggregates. Additionally, AM fungi can lower the adverse effects of high soil phosphorus (P) while also enhancing plant tolerance to drought, salinity, and heavy metal toxicity through osmotic regulation and antioxidant production. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi also support beneficial microorganisms, such as potassium (K)-solubilizing microbes and nitrogen (N)-transforming bacteria, …

"It's Definitely New And Different...It's Really Engaging": Understanding The Power Of Storytelling Towards Secure Password Creation, Rizu Paudel, Mahdi Nasrullah Al-Ameen

Computer Science Student Research

There is a dearth in existing literature to attain systematic understanding of leveraging digital storytelling in security designs. As we begin to address this gap, we focused on user authentication where the existing password composition policies and password meters often fail to help users around creating a strong and memorable password. To this end, we conducted a lab study with 19 participants, where we updated our initial designs in an iterative manner based on their feedback. We then conducted a between-subject online study with 104 participants over Amazon Mechanical Turk to evaluate our designs. We found that all of our …

Intrusion Detection For Wireless Sensor Network Using Particle Swarm Optimization Based Explainable Ensemble Machine Learning Approach, Shaikh Afnan Birahim, Avijit Paul, Fahmida Rahman, Yamina Islam, Tonmoy Roy, Mohammad Asif Hasan, Fariha Haque, Muhammad E. H. Chowdhury

Instructional Technology and Learning Sciences Faculty Publications

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) play a pivotal role in various domains, including monitoring, security, and data transmission. However, their susceptibility to intrusions poses a significant challenge. This paper proposes a novel Intrusion Detection System (IDS) leveraging Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and an ensemble machine learning approach combining Random Forest (RF), Decision Tree (DT), and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) models to enhance the accuracy and reliability of intrusion detection in WSNs. The system addresses key challenges such as the imbalanced nature of datasets and the evolving complexity of network attacks. By incorporating Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique Tomek (SMOTE-Tomek) techniques to balance the …

Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Iii Program, Ty Aller

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Species Differences In The Biotransformation Of Aflatoxin B1: Primary Determinants Of Relative Carcinogenic Potency In Different Animal Species, David L. Eaton, David E. Williams, Roger A. Coulombe

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Faculty Publications

It has been known since the early days of the discovery of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) that there were large species differences in susceptibility to AFB1. It was also evident early on that AFB1 itself was not toxic but required bioactivation to a reactive form. Over the past 60 years there have been thousands of studies to delineate the role of ~10 specific biotransformation pathways of AFB1, both phase I (oxidation, reduction) and phase II (hydrolysis, conjugation, secondary oxidations, and reductions of phase I metabolites). This review provides a historical context and substantive analysis of each of these pathways as contributors …

Extensive Admixture Among Karst-Obligate Salamanders Reveals Evidence Of Recent Divergence And Gene Exchange Through Aquifers, Chris C. Nice, Katherine L. Bell, Zachariah Gompert, Lauren K. Lucas, James R. Ott, Ruben U. Tovar, Paul Crump, Peter H. Diaz

Biology Faculty Publications

Karst ecosystems often contain extraordinary biodiversity, but the complex underground aquifers of karst regions present challenges for assessing and conserving stygobiont diversity and investigating their evolutionary history. We examined the karst-obligate salamanders of the Eurycea neotenes species complex in the Edwards Plateau region of central Texas using population genomics data to address questions about population connectivity and the potential for gene exchange within the underlying aquifer system. The E. neotenes species complex has historically been divided into three nominal species, but their status, and spatial extent of species ranges, have remained uncertain. We discovered evidence of extensive admixture among species …

Utah Producers And Soil Health: Statewide Survey Results, Peggy Petrzelka, Jessica Ulrich-Schad, Matt Yost, Jenae Dean, Earl Creech, Linda Schott, Tony Richards, Kristy Davis

All Current Publications

To gain soil health perspectives and actions from a representative sample of Utah farmers and ranchers, a mail and online survey of Utah producers was conducted in 2024, focused on those who indicated they produced crops in 2023. In this report, we provide an overview of the survey results, with a specific focus on producers’ views on soil health, indicators used for soil health, factors that influence soil health adoption, and information sources used for soil health.

Effects Of Fire Recurrence And Severity On Mediterranean Vegetation Dynamics: Implications For Structure And Composition In Southern Spain, Macarena Ortega, Ángel Lora, Larissa Yocom, Rafael Zumaquero, Juan Ramón Molina

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Most Mediterranean ecosystems have been profoundly shaped by wildfires, driving the evolution of plant species. Through photo interpretation and field inventories, this research assessed vegetation dynamics from 1984 to 2021, examining how fire severity and recurrence, key fire regime variables, influenced changes in structure and woody species diversity. Using two burn scars (1988 and 2006), we identified four scenarios dominated by Pinus pinea tree species: control (unburned), areas burned once (either in 1988 or 2006), and twice (in both 1988 and 2006).

Areas affected by two high-severity fires experienced the most pronounced expansion of dense shrubland. However, when fire severity …

Evaluating Elk Distribution And Conflict Under Proposed Management Alternatives At The National Elk Refuge In Jackson, Wyoming, Gavin G. Cotterill, Paul C. Cross, Eric K. Cole, Jonathan D. Cook, Margaret C. Mceachran, Tabitha A. Graves

Aspen Bibliography

We evaluated measurable attributes describing the current and future distribution of Cervus elaphus canadensis (elk) across a region surrounding Jackson, Wyoming, for five feedground management alternatives proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a revision to 2007 "Bison and Elk Management Plan" of the National Elk Refuge. A resource selection function evaluated measurable attributes of interest to managers, including elk use of private property and sensitive habitat types at monthly timesteps and varying winter conditions. The study area boundaries were created through an expert elicitation process and consist of the Jackson Elk Herd Unit, Grand Teton National Park, …

Impact Of Arctic And Antarctic Sudden Stratospheric Warmings On Thermospheric Composition, Jiarong Zhang, Jens Oberheide, Nicholas M. Pedatella, Guiping Liu

All Physics Faculty Publications

Using the Global‐scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) and the Global Ultraviolet Imager (GUVI), we examine the impact of sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) on the changes of thermospheric composition during the 2018–2019 and 2020–2021 Arctic SSWs and the 2019 Antarctic SSW. Contributions of planetary waves, gravity waves, and migrating tides are assessed by performing numerical experiments with the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) vertically extended version of the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model (WACCM‐X). The variations in the column integrated O and N2 density ratio (∑ O/N₂) are generally similar among WACCM‐X, GOLD, …

We Need Deep Theories Of Virtues: Four Principles For Advancing Research On Virtues In Positive Social Science, David S. Bright, Jason M. Stansbury, Bradley A. Winn

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

This article aims to help Positive Social Science (PSS) researchers develop theories of virtues, whether of single, discrete virtues, or several virtues considered together. We argue that a weak virtue theory assumes a virtue consists of single constructs, whereas a deep virtue theory assumes a virtue is an integrated system of constructs. We briefly review indicators of weak theory in the PSS literature: definitional divergence, valence confusion, and conceptual incommensurability. Drawing from the field of Virtue Ethics, we suggest four essential attributes of a virtue that should guide the development of deep virtue theory. Any virtue is (1) holistic, in …

The Continuing Search For A Better Mouse Trap: Two Tests Of A Practical, Low-Cost Camera Trap For Detecting And Observing Small Mammals, Raymond D. Dueser, John H. Porter, Nancy D. Moncrief

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

The advent of digital wildlife cameras has led to a dramatic increase in the use of camera traps for mammalian biodiversity surveys, ecological studies and occupancy analyses. For cryptic mammals such as mice and shrews, whose small sizes pose many challenges for unconstrained digital photography, use of camera traps remains relatively infrequent. Here we use a practical, low-cost small mammal camera platform (the “MouseCam”) that is easy and inexpensive to fabricate and deploy and requires little maintenance beyond camera service. We tested the MouseCam in two applications: a study of small mammal species composition on two transects across a barrier …

Teal 6545, Usu Libraries

All E-Learning Resources

Attention: As of 2026 updated versions of this module will no longer be available on Digital Commons. Please contact [email protected] for more information.

The learning objectives for TEAL 6545 are to develop a research question about a chosen topic and to design a realistic study to conduct in the future. This library module teaches viewers about research and resources including strategies, grey literature, peer review, and more.

Increased Positive Tree Species Mixture Effects On The Abundance And Richness Of Collembola With Stand Development In Canadian Boreal Forests, Yakun Zhang, Sai Peng, Zilong Ma, Chen Chen, Bilei Gao, Xinli Chen, Han Y.H. Chen

Aspen Bibliography

It is well established that species mixtures could enhance ecosystem functioning in diverse ecosystem types, with these benefits increasing over time. However, the impact of tree mixtures on Collembola communities following stand development in natural forests remains unclear, despite the critical roles Collembola plays in litter decomposition and nutrient cycling. We investigated the effects of tree species mixtures on Collembola abundance, diversity, and community structure by sampling pure and mixed jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) of 15-year-old and 41-year-old stands in natural boreal forest. In total, 6,620 individuals of Collembola were identified …

Women In The Workplace: Part 1: Utahns’ Awareness, Understanding, And Attitudes, Susan R. Madsen, Kolene Anderson

Marketing and Strategy Faculty Publications

During the fall of 2023, Utah Women & Leadership Project (UWLP) researchers conducted a statewide study to establish a baseline for public perceptions related to the awareness, understanding, and attitudes about challenges that Utah women and girls face. In early 2024, we published 20 short research summaries¹ that shared the results of this comprehensive study. Then, in the fall of 2024, we administered this survey, with slight changes, around the state of Utah for the second time. This is the first of six white papers to share the results of the new data.

Overall, this comprehensive study was designed …