Digital Commons Network^™

Population Increases Of The Threatened American Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus Americanus) Linked To Large-Scale Collaborations In A Working Lands Ecoregion, Caleb P. Roberts, Alison K. Ludwig, Dillon T. Fogarty, Erica F. Stuber, Daniel R. Uden, Thomas L. Walker Jr, Dirac Twidwell

Wildland Resources Faculty Publications

Woody plant encroachment and row-crop agricultural land conversion are existential threats to species that rely on grassland ecosystems. The American Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus americanus) is a threatened species whose largest remnant populations are predominantly located in grassland ecoregions comprised of privately-owned ranching lands. Here, we seek to determine functional scaling patterns and population trends of the American Burying Beetle in the face of conservation threats and grassland restoration. We used 13 years (2007–2019) of American Burying Beetle abundance data collected from permanent sampling locations across the Loess Canyons ecoregion (Nebraska, USA), where a network of ranchers have been …

Practitioners' Needs For Addressing The Challenges Of Sea-Level Rise—A Qualitative Assessment, D. Hirschfeld, K. M. Archie, E. Mateo, J. C. Arnott, J. A. Vano

Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning Faculty Publications

Practitioners at the local and regional scale are under increased pressure to reduce risks to people and property posed by the threats of sea‐level rise (SLR) and associated impacts. To achieve this, a dialog between practitioners and scientists is imperative. Current research documents impacts of SLR, evaluates local SLR adaptation activities, identifies barriers to action, and works to assess local adaptive capacity. Despite this work, there has been little qualitative assessment of practitioners' needs when it comes to translating SLR science into local changes. To fill this gap, we used a combination of semi‐structured interviews and surveys. The interviews revealed …

Academic Standards Subcommittee Minutes November 21, 2024, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• COMMITTEE BUSINESS
• Follow-up Topic
• ACTION ITEMS
• New Topic
• ACTION ITEMS

Understanding The Teen Brain And Building Strong Relationships: A Foundation For Supporting Healthy Decisions, Josie Hatch, Ashley Yaugher, Christina Pay, Cris Meier

All Current Publications

This fact sheet overviews the importance of strong caregiver relationships with youth to support healthy decision-making.

Revisiting Charles Perrault’S Iconic “Bluebeard” Serial Killer In Modern French Variants, Christa Catherine Jones

World Languages and Cultures Faculty Publications

“Bluebeard” (ATU 321: Maiden-Killer), a fairy tale about a wealthy noble man and serial killer, is the most gruesome of Charles Perrault’s fairy tales. Bluebeard epitomizes evil and horror. In Perrault’s tale, Bluebeard’s evilness is linked to patriarchy and power, as symbolized by the villain’s iconic blue beard. Historically linked to Henry VIII (1491–1547), King of England, Bluebeard has also been associated with Breton commander Gilles de Rais who was hanged for sorcery and satanic abuse. This article examines how contemporary francophone “Bluebeard” variants refashion and redefine evil and whether they contain any new morals linked to evilness. Do …

Quasi-Static Indentation Characteristics Of Foam-Filled Sandwich Composite Structures With Additively Manufactured Cfrp And Gfrp Corrugated Cores, S.Z.H. Shah, Juhyeong Lee, Khurram Altaf, M. Mohammad, M.Z. Hussain, R.S. Choudhry

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper presents an experimental investigation on the quasi-static indentation performance of polyurethane (PU) foam-filled carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) corrugated sandwich composite structures (SCSs) under different indenter tip geometries (conical, trapezoidal, hemispherical, pyramidal, and cylindrical shapes). The SCSs were produced using hybrid manufacturing methods: (1) the facesheets were fabricated using the vacuum-assisted resin infusion (VARI) process, (2) the CFRP and GFRP corrugated cores were additively manufactured using the fused filament fabrication (FFF) process, and (3) the self-expanding PU foam-filled the open spaces in the core. The results elucidated that the indenter tip geometry and core …

Body Condition Scoring For Sheep, Abigail Johnson, Reganne K. Briggs, Chad Page

All Current Publications

Body condition scoring is a helpful tool for sheep producers to use to evaluate the status of their flock. This fact sheet illustrates how to condition score sheep and the importance of condition scoring on production.

Fact Sheet For Parents: What You Need To Know About Adderall, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Alyssa Ferrin

All Current Publications

This fact sheet provides information about what Adderall is used for, how it can be misused, and what parents can do to talk to their kids about appropriate use.

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Agenda November 18, 2024, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• 3:00 Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes
• 3:05 University Business
• 3:20 Faculty Senate Business
• 3:35 Information
• EPC Report
• Library Budget
• 3:45 Report
• Faculty Evaluation Committee Annual Report
• USUSA Annual Report
• 3:55 Old Business
• 4:00 New Business
• Adjourn: 4:10pm

The Utah Statesman, November 18, 2024, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Faculty Senate Executive Committee Minutes November 18, 2024, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes
• University Business
• Faculty Senate Business
• Information
• EPC Report
• Library Budget
• Faculty Evaluation Committee Annual Report
• USUSA Annual Report
• Old Business
• New Business
• Adjourn: 4:25 pm

Unlocking Stem Pathways: Revealing Stem Choices And Science Teachers Empowering Black Queer Students, Arsene Frederic Jr., Madison Fitzgerald-Russell, William Shelton, Mario I. Suárez, Jason C. Garvey

Teacher Education and Leadership Faculty Publications

Despite efforts to address racial disparities in STEM fields, little attention has been paid to the experiences and aspirations of queer and trans Black (QT Black) students in grades K-12. This study explored whether there were any significant differences in the choice of STEM majors between QT Black students and non-QT Black students. We found that Black QT students are less likely to choose STEM majors. Additionally, we found significant differences in science teachers’ perceptions of teaching, comparing between QT Black and non-QT Black students. Finally, we found that several factors predicted science-teacher perception of collective responsibility, perceptions of content …

Multi-Decadal Aspen Dynamics Show Recruitment Bottleneck Across Complex Mountain Community, Michael T. Stoddard, Kyle C. Rodman, Connor D. Crouch, David W. Huffman, Peter Z. Fulé, Kristen M. Waring, Margaret M. Moore

Aspen Bibliography

Changes in forest structure and shifts in tree species composition have occurred globally due to climate change and altered disturbance regimes. With climate trending toward warmer and drier conditions, these altered forest communities may reorganize in diverse and unpredictable ways. This is especially true in mountain environments where a range of vegetation types and abiotic conditions coexist. In this study, we used long-term permanent plot data from a site spanning broad environmental gradients to assess regeneration and mortality patterns in populations of aspen (Populus tremuloides). The study site, located on the San Francisco Peaks, Arizona, USA, is near …

Chasing A Little-Known Fairy Bee (Perdita Meconis) In A Dynamic Desert Landscape, Sarit Chanprame, Colleen Meidt, Terry Griswold, Joseph S. Wilson, Kelsey K. Graham

Biology Student Research

The Mojave poppy bee, Perdita meconis Griswold, is a small fairy bee endemic to the eastern Mojave Desert, known to be associated with the Las Vegas Bearpoppy, Arctomecon californica. Because of the reported decline in populations of P. meconis, it has been targeted for protection under the Endangered Species Act. Here, we present the results of a 3-year study investigating the current distribution and floral preferences of P. meconis in Clark County, Nevada. We found that populations of P. meconis fluctuated dramatically from 2020 to 2022. This area experienced extreme drought conditions during these years, which consequentially affected …

The Effects Of Intersectional Identity Affirmation On The Relationship Between Racist Or Heterosexist Microaggressions And Mental Health For Lgbtq+ People Of Color, Kevin J. Chi, Joshua G. Parmenter, Renee V. Galliher

Psychology Student Research

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people of colour (POC) live at the intersection of multiple marginalised statuses. While previous literature has linked positive, affirmed identity with better mental health for LGBTQ+ individuals, identity affirmation may be compromised by intersecting systems of oppression. This study 1) investigated how multiple intersecting forms of oppression (i.e. racism within LGBTQ+ communities and heterosexism within ethnoracial communities) relate to anxiety and depression for LGBTQ+ POC, and 2) examined the indirect effects of intersectional microaggressions on mental health through identity cohesion. A subsample of participants who identified as both a member of the LGBTQ+ …

Hacker, Their Actions, And Fear Appeal: A First Look Through The Lens Of Children, Rizu Paudel, Mahdi Nasrullah Al-Ameen

Computer Science Student Research

With the increasing use of computers and smartphones by children, their online safety has become a major concern due to the lack of security awareness. Prior studies pointed to children's poor password habit and vague perceptions on the significance of passwords. While users must be sufficiently motivated to perform a target behavior, a little study to date, focused on understanding how we can encourage children towards strong password creation. As we begin to address this gap, we examined children's perceptions of adversary's actions that instill fear in the context of password compromise. Our semi-structured interviews with 20 children (aged between …

Faculty Evaluation Committee Minutes November 12, 2024, Utah State University

Faculty Evaluation Committee

• Agenda
• Attendees
• Minutes
• Action Items
• Next Meeting

The Utah Statesman, November 11, 2024, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

The Importance Of Monitoring Beef Cattle Body Condition, David Secrist

All Current Publications

A body condition scoring system commonly used in the U.S. is an objective effort to quantify a cow’s body condition with ratings from 1 (severely emaciated and weak) to 9 (excessively obese), resulting in a body condition score (BCS). Optimal BCS in commercial cow/calf operation is from 5 to 7, depending on the production stage, feed resources, and the animal’s age. Reproductive efficiency is critical to operational success and is closely tied to BCS. This fact sheet discusses why BCS is important and how to apply BCS to a herd effectively.

Passing Ashley’S Law – Protecting Persons With Disabilities From Violent Crimes, Paula Vigil, Jeff Spears

Transforming Communities

This commentary is the personal story of Paula Vigil and common macro practice strategies implemented to pass Ashley’s Law. Ashley was the daughter of Paula and suffered from Rett Syndrome. Rett syndrome is a rare genetic neurological disorder that leads to severe impairments, affecting nearly every aspect of life. Rett particularly affects speech, purposeful hand use, and coordination, leaving individuals understanding more than they can communicate. In 2021, Ashley was raped by her mother’s boyfriend and passed away in the Spring of 2024 due to the trauma and complications of Rett Syndrome. The boyfriend received a sentence of 13 years …

Relationships Matter: Unpacking Personal And Professional Grief In Archival Labor, Caroline Kinsley, Molly Stothert-Maurer

Journal of Western Archives

Archival donations are often triggered by critical transitions in donors' lives, like the end of a career, the selling of a family home, or the death of a loved one. Because donors approach archives during these transitions, archivists often find themselves in the middle of emotionally charged relationships with donors working through feelings of grief and loss. However, archivists are often unprepared and untrained for this emotionally demanding labor. A literature review reveals that while this is a common experience among archivists, there is very little guidance on how to approach this aspect of donor relations. Other fields that provide …

Leveraging The Power Of Storytelling To Encourage And Empower Children Towards Strong Passwords, Rizu Paudel, Mahdi Nasrullah Al-Ameen

Computer Science Student Research

With the increasing use of computer and smartphones by children, their online safety has been of major concern due to their limited security knowledge and skills. User authentication is pivotal for their security protection, where a body of work focused on children’s password practices. The insights from these studies highlight children’s lack of awareness and skills in creating a strong password. However, there is a dearth in existing literature to understand the scopes of designs for encouraging and empowering children towards strong passwords. As we begin to address this gap, we leveraged the power of storytelling to foster user attachment, …

Curriculum Subcommittee Minutes November 7, 2024, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Approval of Minutes
• Program Proposals
• Semester Course Approval Reviews
• Other Business
• Adjourn: 3:00pm

Education Policy Committee Agenda November 07, 2024, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Approval of Minutes
• Subcommittee Reports
• Other Business
• Adjourn

Curriculum Subcommittee Agenda November 7, 2024, Utah State University

Educational Policies Committee

• Approval of Minutes
• Program Proposals
• Semester Course Approval Reviews
• Other Business
• Adjourn: 3:30pm

A Probabilistic Kp And Hp Driven Auroral Boundary Model Using 28 Years Of Dmsp Data, Riley N. Troyer, Russell Landry, Michael David, Vincent Eccles, Adrian E. Acosta

Space Dynamics Laboratory Publications

This paper uses energy flux data from the DMSP F6 thru F19 satellites to construct a new equatorward auroral boundary model. This method of processing the data allows one to easily extend boundary detections to different instrument generations because it is based on a standard deviation value instead of hard thresholds. Using this method, the paper provides statistics from just under 1 million auroral boundaries between 1986 and 2014. These statistics are based on normal distribution fits for each Kp/Hp and MLT bin, which allows one to specify the boundary for an arbitrary distribution percentile. The paper compares …

Water Features For The Garden, Loralie Cox

All Current Publications

As humans, we experience tranquil feelings from the sight and sounds of moving water. Water brings a restful quality to even the busiest backyard, the pleasant sounds detracting from unwanted noise and traffic sounds. This fact sheet discusses setting up a water feature in the garden.

Faculty Senate Agenda November 4, 2024, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• 3:00 Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes
• 3:05 University Business
• 3:20 Faculty Senate Business
• 3:35 Information
• EPC Report
• 3:40 Report
• Academic Freedom and Tenure Annual Report
• Athletic Council Annual Report
• Library Advisory Council Annual Report
• 4:00 Old Business
• 4:05 New Business
• Adjourn: 4:30 pm

Cronica, June Parry, Sydney Nolan, Tyler Godfrey, Mason Rigby, Austin Peterson

Student Spanish Newspapers Collection

A Spanish magazine made with real and fictitious interviews, chronicles, news articles, and a personal opinion essay.

Faculty Senate Minutes November 4, 2024, Utah State University

Faculty Senate & Faculty Senate Executive Committee

• Call to Order
• Approval of Minutes
• University Business
• Faculty Senate Business
• Information
• EPC Report
• Report
• Academic Freedom and Tenure Annual Report
• Athletic Council Annual Report
• Library Advisory Council Annual Report
• Old Business
• New Business
• Adjourn: 3:55 pm