Applied Mathematics Commons^™

Interdisciplinary Modeling For Water-Related Issues Graduate Course, Laurel Saito, Alexander Fernald, Timothy Link

All ECSTATIC Materials

The science and management of aquatic ecosystems is inherently interdisciplinary, with issues associated with hydrology, atmospheric science, water quality, geochemistry, sociology, economics, environmental science, and ecology. Addressing water resources issues in any one discipline invariably involves effects that concern other disciplines, and attempts to address one issue often have consequences that exacerbate existing issues or concerns, or create new ones (Jørgensen et al. 1992; Lackey et al. 1975; Straskraba 1994) due to the strongly interactive nature of key processes (Christensen et al. 1996). Thus, research and management of aquatic ecosystems must be interdisciplinary to be most effective, but such truly …

Rooted In Hell: Predicting Invasion Rates Of Phragmites Australis, Rachel Nydegger, Jacob P. Duncan, James A. Powell

Browse All Undergraduate research

Across the estuaries of the east coast and wetlands of the Great Lakes, the invasive grass Phragmites australis outcompetes other vegetation and destroys local ecosystems. Because its roots are tolerant to salinity that other plants find hellish, Phragmites invasions begin with vegetative spread of genetic clones in brackish marshlands. This plant can grow over three meters tall at densities of 50 stems/m2, provides poor wildlife habitat, and is very difficult to eradicate.

A discrete life stage model on a yearly time step captures seed survivorship in a seed bank, sexual and asexual recruitment into a juvenile age class, and differential …

The Riemann Curvature Tensor, Its Invariants, And Their Use In The Classification Of Spacetimes, Jesse Hicks

Presentations and Publications

The equivalence problem in general relativity is to determine whether two solutions of the Einstein field equations are isometric. Petrov has given a classification of metrics according to their isometry algebras. This talk discusses the use of the Petrov classification scheme, together with the use of scalar curvature invariants, to address the equivalence problem. These are the slides for a presentation at the Mathematics Association of America Spring 2015 conference at Brigham Young University.

Predicting Invasion Rates For Phragmites Australis, Rachel Nydegger, Jacob Duncan, James A. Powell

Browse All Undergraduate research

In wetlands of Utah and southern Idaho as well as estuaries of the east coast, the ten-foot tall invasive grass Phragmites australis can be found near waterways, where it outcompetes native plants and degrades wildlife habitat. Phragmites australis is an obligate out-crossing plant that can spread sexually through seed disper- sal, or asexually via stolons and rhi- zomes (Kettenring and Mock 2012). Small patches are usually a single genetic individual, spreading vegetatively (and slowly) via runners; when patches become genetically diverse viable seeds are produced and invasion rates can be increase by an order of magnitude (Kettenring et al. 2011)

A Rank 7 Pfaffian System On A 15-Dimensional Manifold With F4 Symmetry Algebra, Ian M. Anderson

Tutorials on... in 1 hour or less

Let I be a differential system on a manifold M. The infinitesimal symmetry algebra of I is the set of all vectors fields X on M such that preserve I. In this worksheet we present an example, due to E. Cartan of a rank 7 Pfaffian system on a 15-dimensional manifold whose infinitesimal symmetry algebra is the split real form of the exceptional Lie algebra f4 .

Rainich-Type Conditions For Perfect Fluid Spacetimes, Dionisios Krongos, Charles G. Torre

Research Vignettes

In this worksheet we describe and illustrate a relatively simple set of new Rainich-type conditions on an n-dimensional spacetime which are necessary and sufficient for it to define a perfect fluid solution of the Einstein field equations. Procedures are provided which implement these Rainich-type conditions and which reconstruct the perfect fluid from the metric. These results provide an example of the idea of geometrization of matter fields in general relativity, which is a purely geometrical characterization of matter fields via the Einstein field equations.

Vector Spaces (Appendix B), Charles G. Torre

Foundations of Wave Phenomena

Throughout this text we have noted that various objects of interest form a vector space. Here we outline the basic structure of a vector space. You may find it useful to refer to this Appendix when you encounter this concept in the text.

Taylor’S Theorem And Taylor Series (Appendix A), Charles G. Torre

Foundations of Wave Phenomena

Taylor’s theorem and Taylor’s series constitute one of the more important tools used by mathematicians, physicists and engineers. They provides a means of approximating a function in terms of polynomials.

References And Suggestions For Further Reading (Appendix C), Charles G. Torre

Foundations of Wave Phenomena

References and Suggestions for Further Reading (Appendix C)

Schematics Of A Water Balloon Launcher Design And Reproducible Water-Balloon-Filling Procedures Used For A Middle School Summer Science Camp, Mike A. Christiansen, Boyd F. Edwards, David D. Sam

USU Uintah Basin Faculty Publications

We recently held a Science Summer Camp for middle school students, designed to infuse young people with increased excitement for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) subjects. Our efforts, which received nationally-syndicated news coverage, included the invention of a versatile water balloon launcher.

This document contains:

(1) detailed construction schematics and user operation guidelines for our balloon launcher;

(2) data and instructions for reproducibly filling water balloons to specific volumes and weights, within used by students during the summer camp.

How To Find Killing Vectors, Charles G. Torre

How to... in 10 minutes or less

We show how to compute the Lie algebra of Killing vector fields of a metric in Maple using the commands KillingVectors and LieAlgebraData. A Maple worksheet and a PDF version can be found below.

How To Create A Two-Component Spinor, Charles G. Torre

How to... in 10 minutes or less

Let (M, g) be a spacetime, i.e., a 4-dimensional manifold M and Lorentz signature metric g. The key ingredients needed for constructing spinor fields on the spacetime are: a complex vector bundle E -> M ; an orthonormal frame on TM ; and a solder form relating sections of E to sections of TM (and tensor products thereof). We show how to create a two-component spinor field on the Schwarzschild spacetime using the DifferentialGeometry package in Maple. PDF and Maple worksheets can be downloaded from the links below.

The Octonions And The Exceptional Lie Algebra G2, Ian M. Anderson

Research Vignettes

The octonions O are an 8-dimensional non-commutative, non-associative normed real algebra. The set of all derivations of O form a real Lie algebra. It is remarkable fact, first proved by E. Cartan in 1908, that the the derivation algebra of O is the compact form of the exceptional Lie algebra G2. In this worksheet we shall verify this result of Cartan and also show that the derivation algebra of the split octonions is the split real form of G2.

PDF and Maple worksheets can be downloaded from the links below.

Higher Order Symmetries Of The Kdv Equation, Ian M. Anderson

Research Vignettes

In this worksheet we symbolically construct the formal inverse of the total derivative operator and use it to construct the recursion operator for the higher-order symmetries of the KdV equation. Using this recursion operator we generate the first 5 generalized symmetries of the KdV equation and verify that they all commute.

PDF and Maple worksheets can be downloaded from the links below.

Modeling Phloem Temperatures Relative To Mountain Pine Beetle Phenology, Matthew Jared Lewis

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

We explore a variety of methods to estimate phloem temperatures from ambient air temperatures suitable for the mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae. A model's ability to induce the same phenology generated from observed phloem temperatures measures its effectiveness rather than a simple reconstruction of phloem temperatures. From a model's phenology results we are able to ascertain whether the model produces a similar amount of developmental energy exhibited by observed phloem temperatures.

Three models performed best: Newton, Newton South and Matching. The Newton model uses Newton's Law of Cooling to effectively estimate northern aspect phloem temperatures. The Newton South model …

Dietary Patterns And Cognitive Decline In Aged Populations, Austin J. Bowles

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

In this paper, we discuss distinctive features of longitudinal studies, and illustrate two regression-based methods for the analysis of longitudinal data. A study of dietary patterns and cognitive decline (Cache County Memory Study) is used to motivate our discussion and analysis. Cognitive decline is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease, the sixth leading cause of all deaths among Americans. The study attempted to identify dietary patterns associated with reduced risk of age-related cognitive decline in elderly populations. Higher levels of adherence to the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) and/or Mediterranean diets were found to be associated with increased cognitive …

Statistical Analysis Of Wastewater Remediation And Bio-Fuels Production Of Algae, Jay D. Jones

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The Logan city wastewater treatment system consists of a series of seven large aerated ponds (460 acres) that biologically treats 15 million gallons per day of wastewater from Logan city and six other communities. Tighter regulations of allowed phosphorus levels in the effluent have recently been implemented due to environmental concerns of a downstream reservoir. The Biological Engineering program at Utah State University, the Bio-fuels Center, the Utah Water Research Laboratory (UWRL) and the city of Logan are working together to remediate the wastewater treatment system using microalgae. Algal growth requires the uptake of phosphorus. Thus, phosphorus in the effluent …

Grading Practice Influence On The Value Of An Assigned Grade, Carrie Bala

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

This article presents results of a study of grading practice influence on the value of an assigned grade. The value of an assigned grade, as an indication of student achievement of learning goals, was measured using the Utah Criterion-Referenced Test (CRT) in the subjects of Geometry and Algebra 2. The grading policies of six mathematics teachers at the same high school were categorized according to grading practice and their combined 587 students' scores on the Utah CRT were collected and analyzed. The findings suggest that certain grading practices , such as the use of a 1-4 scale and a criterion-referenced …

Intermediate-Complexity Biological Modeling Framework For Nutrient Cycling In Lakes Based On Physical Structure, Michael Clay Rigley

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Mathematical models for the change in concentration of total dissolved nitrogen (TDN) in mountain lakes are developed based on the dynamics of coupled, well-mixed containers. Each includes a stratified lake structure without the complexity of a full fluid model. A lake is divided into a suite of compartments based on physical structure: warm upper layer (epilimnion), cold inflow and insertion layer (metalimnion), cold lower layer (hypolimnion), and a warm shallow shelf. With the compartments as the framework and literature values for uptake rates, death rates, half-saturation constants, and sinking rates, systems of equations are written for three models. The first …

Heritability Of Cognition Subscales In The Cache County Memory Study Cohort And Methods For Estimating Heritability, Colette Kelly Childs

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The rapid improvement of genotyping technology holds the promise of better understanding the genetic causes of complex disease. While traits of interest often include the presence or absence of disease, there is growing interest in intermediate phenotypes (or so-called endophenotypes) that may yield more information about disease onset or course. In particular, changes over time with respect to an investigative ordinal measure often contain significant predictive power, and rate-of-change phenotypes are becoming important in their own right when studying genetic association. Initial steps in assessing the potential genetic determinants of a continuous trait often involve estimating the degree of the …

Capstone Mathematics And Technology: A Collection Of Mathematical Technology Enhanced Activities For Students And Teachers, Heidi Eastman

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The purpose of this project is to provide an introduction to how technology can be used in the mathematical classroom to enhance students' learning of mathematics, while at the same time leading students to a richer and deeper understanding of those mathematical concepts. The topics were selected based on their relevance to the Utah State Core Curriculum for middle and secondary mathematics courses. It was intended that each lesson plan would challenge a preservice mathematics educator to build relationships between different areas of mathematics and/or to create deeper understandings of specific mathematical concepts. At the same time many of the …

Tournament Matrices An Overview, Russel O. Carlson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The results of a round robin tournament can be represented as a matrix of zeros and ones, by ordering the players and placing a one in the (i,j) position if player i beat player j, and zeros otherwise. These matrices, called tournament matrices, can be represented by graphs, called tournament graphs. They have been the subject of much research and study, yet there have been few attempts to give a wide exposition on the subject. Those that have been done tend to focus on the graph theoretical aspects of tournaments. S. Ree and Y. Koh did write a brief …

Nonlinear Schrödinger Type Equations With Asymptotically Linear Terms, Francois A. Van Heerden

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

We study the nonlinear Schrödinger type equation

–Δu + (λg(x) + 1)u = f(u)

on the whole space R^N. The nonlinearity f is assumed to be asymptotically linear and g(x) ≥ 0 has a potential well. We do not assume a limit for g(x) as |x| → ∞ . Using variational techniques, we prove the existence of a positive solution for λ large. In the case where f is odd we obtain multiple pairs of solutions. The limiting behavior of solutions as λ → ∞ is also considered.

A Recommendation For Determining The Efficacy Of Weight Removal Estimates For The Pacific Cod Longline Cdq Fishery, Anna L. Furniss

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

In January 2000, the Alaska Department of Community and Economic Development contacted the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regarding concerns over the methods used to determine catch estimates for the Pacific Cod Community Development Quota (CDQ) fishery. Currently, NMFS determines catch estimates for the Pacific Cod CDQ fishery based on the data collected by observers from the North Pacific Groundfish Observer Program (NPGOP).

Observer estimates for catch are based on the random sampling methods for a longline fishing vessel as described in the North Pacific Groundfish Observer Manual. These sampling methods provide an official total catch (OTC) estimate for each …

Incorporating Technology In Mathematics Education: A Suite Of E-Activities For The Modem Mathematics Classroom, Jennifer E. Youngberg

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

National studies indicate major deficiencies in students' understanding of mathematics. Research suggests that students tend to view mathematics as a set of computational rules rather than a process of discovery and a tool for problem-solving. Most students fail to grasp the concepts behind the computations.

Technology provides a partial solution to this problem. Over the past decade, computers have emerged as a powerful tool in education. Computers place the control of action in the learning process with the student. They allow students to experiment with, explore, and discover mathematics at their own pace. With computers, students can consider more examples …

Measure Theory And Lebesgue Integration, Evan S. Brossard

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The Lebesgue integral is a generalization of the Riemann integral which extends the collection of functions which are integrable.

Lebesgue integration differs from Riemann integration in the way the approximations to the integral are taken. Riemann approximations use step functions which have a constant value on any given interval of the domain corres­ponding to some partition. Lebesgue approximations use what are called simple functions which, like the step functions, take on only a finite number of values. However, these values are not necessarily taken on by the function on intervals of the domain, but rather on arbitrary subsets of the …

Principal Component Factor Analysis, Herbert H. Jolliff

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

Factor analysis came into being around 1900 in the field f psychology to explain theories of human ability. Several methods of factor analysis exist; but according to Harman (1967) principal component factor analysis is unique in the mathematical sense, therefore, quite often the preferred method. The centroid method is computationally easier, and it gives close approximations to the principal component method on some data sets. An example of this is shown in Appendixes B and F by comparison.

Factor analysis is being used in many fields. A few of the fields are sociology, meteorology, political science, medicine, geography, business, economics, …

Tests Of Methods That Control Round-Off Error, Dale M. Rasmuson

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Methods of controlling round-off error in one-step methods in the numerical solution of ordinary differential equations are compared. A new Algorithm called theoretical cumulative rounding is formulated. Round-off error bounds are obtained for single precision, and theoretical cumulative rounding. Limits of these bounds are obtained as the step length approaches zero. It is shown that the limit of the bound on the round-off error is unbounded for single precision and double precision, is constant for theoretical partial double precision, and is zero for theoretical cumulative rounding.

The limits of round-off bounds are not obtainable in actual practice. The round-off error …

Algebraic Properties Of Endomorphisms Of Abelian Groups And Rings, Johnnie George Slagle

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The main objective of the thesis was to extend the definition of an M-Group to what is called an M-Ring. From this extension a system called an expanded ring follows naturally. To facilitate the development of the expanded ring, chapter I is devoted to developing properties on systems that are not quite rings where many interesting examples are constructed. In chapter II the definition of an M-Ring is given and some of its properties are derived. In chapter III some of the properties of expanded rings are proved, and examples of expanded rings are given to show their existence.

Topics In Semigroups, Merlin Ray Jenson

All Graduate Plan B and other Reports, Spring 1920 to Spring 2023

The semigroup theories of fundamental importance were discovered in 1928 with the publication of a paper by A. K. Suschkewitsch. The paper is included in the only book published prior to 1961 dealing primarily with the algebraic theory of semigroups. The book written by the above author and published in 1937 is entitles "The Theory of Generalized Groups."

Since 1940 the number of papers on semigroups has increased to approximately 30 per year. Thus we find ourselves in the midst of a new and expanding area of mathematics. Our interest centers around the structure of semigroups and their representation by …