Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Landscape Influences On Thermal Sensitivity And Predicted Spatial Variability Among Brook Trout Streams In The Southeastern Usa, George P. Valentine, Xinyi Lu, C. Andrew Dolloff, Craig N. Roghair, Jacob M. Rash, Mevin B. Hooten, Yoichiro Kanno

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Publications

Warming water temperatures as a result of climate change pose a major threat to coldwater organisms. However, the rate of warming is not spatially uniform due to surface-ground-water interactions and stream and watershed characteristics. Coldwater habitats that are most resistant to warming serve as thermal refugia and identifying their locations is critical to regional aquatic conservation planning. We quantified the thermal sensitivity of 203 streams providing current and potential habitat for brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) across nearly 1000 linear km of their native range in the southern and central Appalachian Mountains region, USA, and characterized their spatial variability …

"It's Like Educating Us Older People...": Unveiling Needs And Expectations Regarding Educational Features Within Parental Control Tools, Prakriti Dumaru, Mahdi Nasrullah Al-Ameen

Computer Science Faculty and Staff Publications

As children are getting access to devices at an increasingly younger age, parents need to grapple with new ways to protect them from online risks. This indicates the need for support from parental control tools to enhance their self-efficacy, which we refer to as educational features. This is little addressed in the existing literature on parental mediation. As we begin to address this gap, we created a low-fidelity prototype with designs of Google's existing parental control as our baseline design. We used the baseline design in semi-structured interviews with 12 parents whose children (aged below 14) are active Internet users, …

A First Look Into Targeted Clickbait And Its Countermeasures: The Power Of Storytelling, Ankit Shrestha, Audrey Flood, Saniat Sohrawardi, Matthew Wright, Mahdi Nasrullah Al-Ameen

Computer Science Student Research

Clickbait headlines work through superlatives and intensifiers, creating information gaps to increase the relevance of their associated links that direct users to time-wasting and sometimes even malicious websites. This approach can be amplified using targeted clickbait that takes publicly available information from social media to align clickbait to users’ preferences and beliefs. In this work, we first conducted preliminary studies to understand the influence of targeted clickbait on users’ clicking behavior. Based on our findings, we involved 24 users in the participatory design of story-based warnings against targeted clickbait. Our analysis of user-created warnings led to four design variations, which …

"I Feel Like He's Looking In The Computer World To Be Social, But I Can't Trust His Judgement": Reimagining Parental Control For Children With Asd, Prakriti Dumaru, Bryson D. Hackler, Audrey Flood, Mahdi Nasrullah Al-Ameen

Computer Science Faculty and Staff Publications

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often seek comfort from devices (e.g., smartphones) to deal with social overstimulation. However, such reliance exposes them to inappropriate digital content and increases susceptibility to mimicry and social vulnerability. Thus, parents having children with ASD encounter unique challenges in regulating their device usage, which are little addressed in the existing literature on parental mediation. As we begin to address this gap, we designed low-fidelity prototypes centered around open communication and self-regulation, which we refined based on the feedback from six ASD experts in two focus groups. We evaluated updated designs (presented in the form …

Comparison Of Various Theoretical Measures Of Aromaticity Within Monosubstituted Benzene, Caleb K. Swain, Steve Scheiner

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty Publications

The effects of monosubstitution on the aromaticity of benzene are assessed using a number of different quantitative schemes. The ability of the mobile π-electrons to respond to an external magnetic field is evaluated using several variants of the NICS scheme which calculate the shielding of points along the axis perpendicular to the molecule. Another class of measures is related to the drive toward the uniformity of C-C bond lengths and strengths. Several energetic quantities are devised to approximate an aromatic stabilization energy and the tendency of the molecule to maintain planarity. There is a lack of consistency in that the …

Using Multi-Scale Spatial Models Of Dendritic Ecosystems To Infer Abundance Of A Stream Salmonid, Xinyi Lu, Yoichiro Kanno, George P. Valentine, Jacob M. Rash, Mevin B. Hooten

Mathematics and Statistics Faculty Publications

1. Understanding patterns of species abundance is essential for planning landscape-level conservation. The complex hierarchies of dendritic ecosystems result in different levels of heterogeneity at distinct geographic scales. Species responses to dynamic environmental drivers may also vary spatially depending on their interactions with landscape features. Monitoring abundance by explicitly quantifying their spatial and temporal variation is important for strategic management.

2. We analysed brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) count data collected from 173 sites in western North Carolina between 1989 and 2015. We developed a Bayesian hierarchical model that used single- and multi-pass electro-fishing data and characterized their respective …

Determining The Exit State Of Centrifugal Pumps And Compressors, Chase Oliphant

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Meanline performance models have a rich history in the design of radial flow pumps and compressors. These models are typically based on point data, such as static pressures and temperature measurements at walls, along with occasional traverses to capture additional flow field details. These point measurements, while valuable, do not fully characterize the internal flow behavior within the machine. The Two-Zone model, developed by Japikse and others, is a meanline model based on these measurements to predict machine performance. It posits that the flow at the impeller exit consists of two distinct zones: a primary zone assumed to be isentropic …

Investigation Of Poly(Olefin Sulfone) Depolymerization And Its Dust Mitigation Abilities For Potential Use On Spacecraft, Alexandra Stapley, Walter Paxton, David Allred

Utah Space Grant Consortium

The ubiquity of particulate contamination requires dust mitigation techniques to provide low-scatter surfaces and edges on sensitive optical devices in space. Poly(olefin sulfone)s have been shown to photodegrade with the assistance of a photobase generator when exposed to UV light (254 nm) and heat (120°C). These may be applicable to minimizing dust on optical surfaces for space applications. However, their behavior in vacuum has not been fully characterized. We synthesized poly(2-methyl-1-pentene sulfone) (PMPS) and poly(1-hexene sulfone) (PHS) with and without a photobase generator. We studied the photodegradation (172 nm or 254 nm) of thin films in vacuum. Spectroscopic ellipsometry was …

Creating Models Of Inter-Panel Slipping In Rolled Gossamer Arrays, Nathan Coleman

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Many deployable satellite systems benefit from having low mass and high surface area, which has led to the proliferation of gossamer structures in space-based applications. Gossamer structures are characterized by lightweight, low stiffness membranes, which can flex and roll to compactly stow. An effect of rolling a gossamer structure is that there is tangential separation along adjacent panels as they roll, resulting in relative motion between panels. To aid designers in predicting and accommodating this motion, a method for modeling the slippage between adjacent panels that occurs while rolling is presented. This analytical slippage model and algorithm is a function …

Discovering What Cannot Be Seen: Dust Attenuation Modeling In Early-Type Galactic Nuclei, Nonnie Bash, Benjamin Boizelle

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Black holes (BHs) are believed to reside at the center of every luminous galaxy. Increasingly accurate techniques are now seeking to expand the BH census. Most of these primary techniques account for extended masses by using a stellar luminosity profile derived from optical or near-IR imaging. About 10% of early type galaxies (ETGs) contain a circumnuclear, dusty disk that obscures much of the stellar light originating from behind this thin disk. Few studies have accurately accounted for dust obscuration, or even acknowledged its effect on a BH mass measurement. In this work, we introduce a sample of ETGs with wide …

Expanded Fabrication Of Terahertz Metal Mesh Filters, Jared E. Payne, Joseph Eddy, Hunter R.J. Stevenson, Brad Ferguson, Ryan T. Beazer, Gregory N. Nielson, Stephen M. Schultz

Utah Space Grant Consortium

A metal mesh filter is fabricated by creating metallic squares on a dielectric substrate. This capacitive metallic filter is fabricated using direct write laser ablation consisting of a femtosecond laser in combination with a high numerical aperture objective. A galvanometer beam scanning system is implemented to improve filter size by 12.5x from the previously demonstrated 2x2 mm filter. The transmission and reflection characteristics are discussed.

Constant-Thickness Accommodation By Pattern Modification For Origami Flashers, H. Pruett, S. Magleby, L. Howell

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Thickness accommodation is one of the most significant challenges in creating an origami flasher array. If it is a membrane array, thickness accommodation is generally simpler as panel deformation allows the array to wrap about itself with relative ease. However, for rigid-panel arrays, thickness accommodation is considerably more complicated. This works develops thickness accommodation techniques that yield origami-inspired mechanisms of constant thickness and high-volume efficiency. In this paper, current methods for accommodating thickness in flashers are presented and issues associated with those methods are discussed. Two methods for accommodating thickness in flashers such that panels are constant thickness are proposed.

Optimizing Turbulence Generation For Studying The Dynamics Of Particle Laden Flows, Rhett T. Parry, Tim Berk

Utah Space Grant Consortium

In order to extend the study of particle dynamics into a turbulent fluid regime, novel apparatuses must be developed to simulate desired environments. Synthetic jets are a compact and adaptable tool to generate turbulent flows, however, current studies on synthetic jets are not focused on generating optimal turbulence. Our study seeks to understand how important physical parameters influence the generation of turbulence. By relating far field behavior to near field influence, the parameters that govern a synthetic jet can be specified to produce a jet with desired flow characteristics. We find scalings of velocity, momentum flux, and energy flux that …

Modeling The Effects Of Retinal Thinning And Oxidative Stress During Space Travel, Dillon Weatherston, Dylan Nelson, Justin Jones, Elizabeth Vargis

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Spaceflight causes both physical and chemical changes within the subretinal tissue, particularly the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and Bruch’s membrane. Changes such as layer thinning and increases in oxidative stress are both implicated in vision loss caused by spaceflight. While these changes can lead to cell death, the mechanistic impact that these changes have on retinal function are unknown. To isolate the physical alterations to the subretinal tissue caused by space travel, we utilized a tunable in vitro model of Bruch’s membrane and primary porcine RPE cells. Initial results showed that while thinner models can be constructed, they are difficult …

Evaluation Of Clinical Features Of Venturi Adapters For Cpap In Procedural Sedation, Trey Blackwell, Joseph Orr, Derek Sakata, Kai Kuck

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Research has shown that CPAP therapy reduces airway obstruction and oxygen desaturation during procedural sedation. However, the cost and real estate associated with a non-invasive ventilator render this an impractical approach. A Venturi adapter is an alternative device for administering CPAP, which amplifies oxygen flows to produce high flows sufficient for CPAP with cheap and compact hardware. A clinically useful Venturi adapter will generate low noise levels, exhibit high efficiency for generating pressures with low oxygen flows, and minimally dilute the end-tidal carbon dioxide sample for monitoring. To meet these needs, we designed and resin-printed a custom Venturi adapter for …

Developing Membrane Hinges To Enable Predictable And Reliable Arrays For Spacecraft, Mitchel Skinner, Andrew Geyser, Brandon Sargent, Spencer Magleby, Larry Howell

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Deployable space structures that incorporate thin, flexible solar cells allow for innovative designs that are capable of high stowing efficiency. The purpose of this work is to present an approach to predicting the deflection of deployable space structures with flexible panels connected with thin sheets as a function of their material properties, geometry, and applied moments. Related methods are described. An analytical model and finite element analysis are compared and validated with a physical model. The end angle, coordinates, and radius of curvature of each segment are calculated and the results are compared. Important factors related to the reliability of …

Chemical Herding: Using Chemical Reactions To Steer Colloidal Particles, Mark N. Mcdonald, Cameron K. Peterson, Douglas R. Tree

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Creating the next generation of dynamic colloidal materials that change their structure based on external stimuli may require the capability to precisely manipulate colloidal particles. Colloidal particles can be manipulated using a variety of forces, such as electric, magnetic, and optical, but so far chemical reactions have received less attention. We consider here a novel paradigm for using a chemically active colloidal particle to interact with other, passive colloids and precisely manipulate colloidal particles in a microfluidic device, a strategy which we dub “chemical herding”. Specifically, we show in simulation that chemical herding can be used to move a small …

Novel Apparatus For Studying The Effect Of Gravity On The Dynamics Of Particle Laden Flows, Ryan Lewis, Tim Berk

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Dust is a major concern for NASA Lunar and Martian missions due to its abrasive nature tendency to cover equipment. However, little is known how dust behaves in low gravity environments. This paper studies the methodology and validation of a novel apparatus that will simulate low gravity using upward coulomb forces. A parametric study found that the optimized charging parameters to create a charged particle stream, using corona discharge, was a wire-plate spacing of 25 mm at 8 kV and 30 mm at 9 kV. Future work will expand the platform to simulate low gravity in turbulent conditions.

Rr Lyrae Variable Star Light Curves As Audible Sound, Isaac Bentley, Jonathan Barnes

Utah Space Grant Consortium

RR Lyrae stars have light curves that look similar to sound waves inspiring curiosity as to how they might audibly sound. Differences in the composition of RR Lyrae, a property called metallicity, creates slight differences in their light curves. We aim to first convert these light curves to audio, and secondly, see if the difference in metallicity is perceptible. We did this by using publicly available magnitude data taken at several instances of time to create the light curve for one cycle. We processed this data using a Python script to produce a Fourier fit and sound file.

Production Of Steel From Lunar Regolith Through Carbonyl Iron Refining (Cir), Collin T. Andersen, John F. Otero, Olivia Dale, Christian Norman, Cole Walker, Jason Sheets, Talon Townsend, Juliana Ortiz, Olivia Slane, Hong Yong Sohn, Michael F. Simpson, Zhigang Z. Fang

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Transporting equipment to the moon is extremely cost-prohibitive, and competition is fierce over a limited cargo volume. Freight impediments are circumvented if the required material can be harvested, processed, and shaped at the destination. The hostile and remote environment constrains candidate technologies to establish a production pipeline with minimal equipment volume and a low dependence on consumables.

Rr Lyrae Variable Stars From The Gaia Dr3 Dataset In The Palomar 5 Stream, Jacob Best, Jonathan Barnes

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Palomar 5 is a stellar stream orbiting the Milky Way galaxy. Using RR Lyrae variable stars, which are standard candles, the structure of stellar streams can be investigated. Results on the distribution of RR Lyrae variable stars in Palomar 5 have been obtained by Price-Whelan et al. (2020), hereafter PW, using the second data release (DR2) from the Gaia spacecraft mission, but have not been obtained for the third data release (DR3). Using DR3 we investigate whether additional RR Lyrae stars might be identified as part of the stream. Some may be, and these stars have similar locations and proper …

Microgravity Mobility: Redesigning Footwear And Intravehicular Activity Infrastructure For Space Stations, Bennett Graff

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Currently, on the International Space Station, the most commonly used foot restraints are handrails. This presents ergonomic challenges as astronauts try to maintain their position in a microgravity environment, which is exacerbated for astronauts with a predisposition to repetitive strain injuries.

Relevant contexts could include an astronaut with a preexisting medical condition such as early-onset osteoporosis (1 in 5 women over 50) or any astronaut traveling in deep space or spending extended time in microgravity, as this causes a significant decrease in bone density over time. Astronauts Scott Kelly and Don Petit specifically articulated the problematic nature of the current …

Establishing A Common Framework For Triangles, Jordan Gertino, Lane Law, Bryan Wilson

Utah Space Grant Consortium

This study investigates the inscribing of a tetrahedron within a unit circle, presenting a unique approach to generate a comprehensive array of all triangles with a specific scale and orientation. While this endeavor is a work in progress, the ultimate objective is to establish a mapping between the creation angle and the resulting transformation of the triangle. This research aims to yield a set of triangles characterized by consistent side ratios, which can serve as a benchmark for scalable transformations. By creating a standard family of triangles this research may provide a different framework in geometric manipulation with potential applications …

Enhancing Bioluminescence, Olivia Harrison, Lane Law

Utah Space Grant Consortium

In this project, we aim to develop a strain of Escherichia coli expressing high levels of luminescence via the use of a NanoLuc. derivative, cyan-based LumiFluor (CeNLuc). CeNLuc is a self-illuminating bioluminescent-fluorescent protein that generates biologic light via bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET). We have obtained the plasmids, and are preparing to transform E. coli. cultures.

Exploring Using Dr3 Rr Lyrae Photometry To Determine Extinction In The Native Gaia Bandpasses, Izen Longhurst, Jonathan Barnes

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Recent advancements in astrometry and photometry from the Gaia mission's Data Release 3 (DR3) offer new opportunities for astronomical research, particularly in studying interstellar reddening. Traditional approaches to correcting for reddening involve extensive calculations with data from multiple sources. This study aims to streamline the process by crafting relations internal to the DR3 dataset. Using a Gaia RR Lyrae variable color and their membership in globular clusters, we identified a correlation between the Gaia’s internal G - G_RP magnitude and g-band absorption. Leveraging this correlation, we developed a relation to estimate reddening effects using solely Gaia data. Our predictions …

Rr Lyrae Variable Metallicities In Globular Clusters With Known Multiple Stellar Populations, Brent Lane Racker Jr., Jonathan Barnes

Utah Space Grant Consortium

Recent measurements showed that many globular clusters (GCs) contain multiple populations. Among GC stellar membership, variable stars called RR Lyrae are commonly used as tracers. We set out to look at RR Lyrae variable stars that are within confirmed multiple population GCs to investigate if the metallicities or RR Lyrae periods could be used as indicators for multiple populations. We used Gaia spacecraft data in conjunction with measurements on multiple populations (Milone et al. 2017) to check for correlations between metallicity and the fraction of first generation stars to the total numbers of stars (N₁/N_Tot). While …

Assessing Mycorrhizal Influence On Heat-Stressed Poplar Voc Blends, Luis Valdez, Annette Shelton, Mary Alvarez, Lane Law

Utah Space Grant Consortium

VOCs are organic compounds released by plants as gases into the atmosphere. They’ve been shown to play important roles in plant defense, plant-plant interactions, multi-trophic interactions, as well as atmospheric chemistry. Some VOCs can be induced as a result of stress. Some Terpenes & LOX pathway products, in particular, have been shown to be inducible as a result of environmental stress, such as drought or heat. Terpenes, which are made of isoprene subunits, are bigger, more complex molecules and have been shown to generally have and antioxidant function. (Vickers et al. 2009)

Investigation Of Changes In Emission Lines From Galaxies Through Time, Chloe Guerrero, Christian Draper

Utah Space Grant Consortium

We investigate the number of galaxies with strong emission lines at increasing redshift. We selected 327,327 galaxies from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey at varying redshifts, z. We then compared the total number of galazies with those with strong Hα and OIII emission lines and looked for the trend with z.

Power Scaling A Nd:Yvo4 Laser, Alexander R. Gibb

Utah Space Grant Consortium

No abstract provided.

Correcting Surface Brightness Fluctuation Distances For Stellar Populations, Sydney Holt, Joseph B. Jensen, Mikaela Cowles, John P. Blakeslee, Peter Milne

Utah Space Grant Consortium

We are using Surface Brightness Fluctuations (SBF) to measure distances to giant elliptical galaxies using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). These distance measurements will be used to better define the Hubble Constant, and hopefully help resolve the Hubble tension crisis in cosmology. Part of SBF requires a knowledge of the colors of the galaxies to be studied in order to account for variations in age and composition of the stars contained within. To this end, we are using PanSTARRS and DECam data to determine the optical g-z color (464 nm-900 nm) values for galaxies …