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Time-Dependent Radiation Induced Conductivity of Polyimide: Effects of Dose Rate and Temperature on Dynamic RIC
No full textRadiation induced conductivity (RIC) can impact charge dissipation within highly insulating materials used in spacecraft in harsh space plasma environments. Previous Utah State University (USU) research analyzed only the equilibrium portions of an extensive RIC database for polymeric materials, including Kapton HN (Trademark). This confirmed that equilibrium RIC follows a standard theoretical model that is temperature and dose rate dependent. The current study provides a new analysis of RIC’s time-dependent behavior of the Kapton HN data from this database. With the onset of radiation, the material response is characterized by an exponential increase in conductivity, while a hyperbolic inverse time-dependent decline characterizes the decay of delayed RIC. A model with dual fast and slow time constants, representing the capture and release of charges from shallow and deep traps, respectively, produces the best fits to time-dependent RIC from successive dosing cycles at fixed temperatures. This dual-defect model provides information about the dose rate and temperature dependence of material properties in response to dynamic (time-dependent) RIC and helps infer relative trap state distributions and occupancy of the material
Impacts of Changing Temperatures on the Water Budget in the Great Salt Lake Basin
Get PDFQuantifying the water budget in the Great Salt Lake (GSL) basin is a nontrivial task, especially under a changing climate that contributes to increasing temperatures and a shift towards more rainfall and less snowfall. This study examines the potential impacts of temperature thresholds on the water budget in the GSL, emphasizing the influence on snowmelt, evapotranspiration (ET), and runoff under varying climate warming scenarios. Current hydrological models such as the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model use a universal temperature threshold to partition snowfall and rainfall across different regions. Previous studies have argued that there is a wide range of thresholds for partitioning rainfall and snowfall across the globe. However, there is a clear knowledge gap in quantifying water budget components in the Great Salt Lake (GSL) basin corresponding to varying temperature thresholds for separating rainfall and snowfall under the present and future climates. To address this gap, the study applied temperature thresholds derived from observation-based data available from National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) to the VIC model. We also performed a suite of hydrological experiments to quantify the water budget of the Great Salt Lake basin by perturbing temperature thresholds and climate forcing. The results indicate that higher temperature thresholds contribute to earlier snowmelt, reduced snowpack, and lower peak runoff values in the early spring that are likely due to increased ET before peak runoff periods. The results show that the GSL undergoes higher snow water equivalent (SWE) values during cold seasons due to snow accumulation and lower values during warm seasons as increased temperatures intensify ET. Projected climate warming may result in further reductions in SWE (~71%), increased atmospheric water demand, and significant impacts on water availability (i.e., runoff reduced by ~20%) in the GSL basin. These findings underscore the potential challenges that rising temperatures pose to regional water availability
Aircraft Water and Waste Systems Curriculum Alignment for Updated Airmen Certificate Standards (ACS)
Get PDFThe purpose of this project was to create a curriculum that aligns with the updated Airmen Certificate Standards (ACS) related to aircraft water and waste systems. The curriculum was designed to align with the FAA standards outlined in the ACS section II. Airframe Subject O. Water and Waste Systems. The curriculum includes components, operation, inspection, and servicing requirements for potable water and lavatory waste systems. The curriculum should equip students with the ability to identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with lavatory waste systems, and the ability to locate and explain the procedures for servicing water and waste systems. The methods for creating the curriculum was accomplished by using the standards from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), using industry standard practices, and by the collection and creation of instructional materials to support the learning objectives. The outcome of this project is a curriculum and materials that not only meet the regulatory requirements but also reflects the industry-relevant practices and knowledge for aviation professionals. The end result is a curriculum that is useful and adaptable to educational settings
What Do Utahns Think About Global Warming and Climate Change?
Get PDFIn Utah, there is widespread consensus that global warming is happening, and the strength of this consensus has been steadily rising since 2010. Over the last 14 years, some public opinion metrics have risen dramatically while others have been largely stable. The degree of climate impacts in Utah will depend on residents’ perceptions of climate change and support for implementing policies to help the state adapt to warmer temperatures, more extreme weather events, and other associated changes. In this fact sheet, we integrate multiple data sources to summarize the status and trends of Utahns’ opinions on climate change
Faculty Senate Minutes January 6, 2025
Get PDFCall to Order Approval of Minutes University Business New Business Policy 1001 Faculty Senate Business State Statute 53B Information EPC Report Policy 301 Policy 368 Reports Council on Teacher Education Annual Report Scholarship Annual Report Old Business Adjourn: 4:28 p
Tremblings, February 2025
Get PDFBridging Conservation Science With Native Meaning
James Calabaza, Indigenous Lands Director; Trees, Water & People
Last fall, I had the privilege of collaborating with the Western Aspen Alliance and other partners to carry out a 3-day workshop focused on quaking aspen genetics, fire ecology, and co-stewardship. Held at Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (Gothic, Colorado), the workshop brought together academics, NGOs, federal agencies, and Tribal members to share diverse perspectives on aspen\u27s significance and management futures
A Systematic Review of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy in Sub-Saharan Africa: Understanding the Cultural Adaptations
Get PDFAcceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is a type of therapy that helps people handle difficult thoughts and feelings by staying present, accepting what they cannot control, and focusing on what truly matters to them. Despite its growing global popularity, the implementation and effectiveness of ACT in sub-Saharan Africa remains underexplored.
We evaluated the current evidence on the application, effectiveness, and cultural adaptation of ACT in sub-Saharan Africa, identifying gaps and providing recommendations for future research.
18 unique studies that met the inclusion criteria were found. Studies on improving athletic performance were the most common, with ACT also being evaluated for academic achievement, self-esteem, and social phobia, among others. We found ACT interventions were generally effective in reducing symptoms and improving psychological flexibility. Cultural adaptations were made to include language adaptations including simplifying English to a lower grade level, delivery methods adaptations such as the use of non-technology-based methods, change of metaphors, and context specific adaptations.
In conclusion, we found that ACT was applied with equal frequency in youth and adult populations with most sessions occurring in group settings. The most commonly used ACT process was acceptance. Cultural adaptations enhanced the feasibility and acceptability of ACT. Western normed assessment measures were utilized in all studies. These findings offer valuable insights for mental health practitioners and policy makers supporting the implementation and cultural adaptation of ACT as an evidence-based intervention
Investigating Changes in Hydroclimate, Land Cover, and Evapotranspiration Across the Great Salt Lake Basin and its Major Subbasins
Get PDFThe Great Salt Lake (GSL) is a lake of environmental and economic importance for Utah, and in recent years lake levels have declined to critically low levels. The lake level is dependent on the balance between the inflow and outflow. Inflow into the lake is governed primarily by the streamflow originating from the Bear, Weber and Jordan River basins (GSL subbasins), direct precipitation over the lake and groundwater entering into the lake. The GSL is a terminal lake, with outflow via evaporation from the lake.
In this study, we examined hydrologic processes within the river basins that relate to streamflow entering into the GSL. First, we examined trends in streamflow, precipitation, temperature, and evapotranspiration to assess natural variability and their potential role in the decline lake level. The result for the study period of 2003 to 2021 showed that there was no statistically significant trend in most processes across the GSL subbasins, except for a decreasing evapotranspiration trend in the Jordan River basin.
Land cover is an important factor in water management and water availability, that is linked to evapotranspiration. Using publicly available remotely sensed data from satellites, we estimated the changes between land cover classes (land cover transformation) in the GSL subbasins. The major land cover transformations in the GSL subbasins were from Grass to Tree and Tree to Grass. Other significant land cover transformations were from Cropland to Developed and Grass to Developed.
Precipitation over the basin is partitioned into streamflow or infiltrates into the soil and subsurface groundwater, where it supplies evapotranspiration, or ultimately drains to streams. Thus an increase in evapotranspiration leads to decrease in streamflow and vice versa. We quantified evapotranspiration from primary land cover classes using the land cover map and a gridded evapotranspiration dataset. Estimating evapotranspiration from these land cover classes help us assess the amount of water returning to the atmosphere, without reaching the Great Salt Lake. In addition to determining which land cover classes have higher or lower evapotranspiration depths, this information also helps to comprehend how changes in area of these land cover classes affect the basin-wide evapotranspiration. Besides water bodies, evapotranspiration depth from the Tree land cover class was the highest, while evapotranspiration from Grass land cover class was one of the lowest. One reason for evapotranspiration being highest in the Tree land cover class is that tree’ d areas receive most precipitation, because that is where the trees grow, typically at higher elevations. Additionally, changes in basin-wide evapotranspiration due to land cover changes were estimated. The results showed that for the Jordan River basin where evapotranspiration decreased overall the dominant land cover change was from Tree to Grass suggesting that this land cover change played a role in evapotranspiration changes and the overall water balance relating to streamflow.
Overall, this study has provided knowledge and insights on the hydroclimatic components, land cover changes, and evapotranspiration from different land cover classes across the GSL subbasins. It has also quantified basin-wide changes in evapotranspiration due to land cover change in the basin. These contributions provide important scientific information about the processes associated with streamflow entering into the GSL, information that may aid water managers and decision makers in developing strategies for managing water resources to help restore the GSL
Evaluating the Economic Viability of Feeding Hydroponic Barley Fodder to Growing Wethers
Get PDFAs the livestock industry combats challenges including rising feed costs and ensuring sustainable production practices, some attention is being given to hydroponic fodder as a feed source. Hydroponic fodder offers a potential alternative to traditional feed sources. Research has demonstrated hydroponic fodder production has increased water efficiency while providing a sustainable green feed source throughout the year. This study seeks to understand how using hydroponically produced barley fodder in a total mixed ration for growing wethers compares economically to feeding traditional feed sources. A stochastic simulation model is used to determine the expected total feed costs, costs of gain, and net returns over feed costs for growing wethers fed varying levels of hydroponic barley fodder in mixed rations as compared to growing wethers fed a traditional mix ration. The wethers were randomly assigned to one of four groups: a control group and three treatment groups. The treatment groups received rations containing hydroponic barley fodder at 10%, 20%, and 30% of the total mixed ration on a dry matter basis. The simulation results suggest that feeding hydroponic barley fodder as 10% of the total mixed ration, is expected to result in decreased feed costs and cost of gain as well as increased net return as compared to feeding a traditional mixed ration. Growing wethers fed a mixed ration including 10% hydroponic barley fodder are expected to have reduced feed costs and cost of gain of 0.31/lb. respectively while improving net returns over feed costs by $12.64/head compared to the control group fed a traditional mixed ration
Assessment of Auditory Conditions in Misophonia Treatment Research: A Scoping Review
No full textObjective: To identify treatment research that used a behavioral approach to treat misophonia as the primary focus of treatment, and the audiological testing included in the research.
Design: Scoping literature review completed in February 2023 and updated in March 2024.
Study Sample: Included studies provided a behavioral or audiological intervention for misophonia, were peer-reviewed, and published in English before February 29, 2024. Studies were excluded if a pharmacological treatment was provided, if misophonia was not the primary treatment target, or if assessment of misophonia severity was not a treatment outcome.
Results: Fifteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Six studies had pediatric participants and nine had adult participants. Three studies included identification of audiological comorbidities including hearing ability, hyperacusis, and/or tinnitus in their assessment process. Nine of the studies included assessment for psychological comorbidities. For the different psychological treatment approaches, misophonia severity scores decreased from baseline from 19 to 83%.
Conclusions: There is a need for misophonia research to identify audiological comorbidities and to provide evidence-based guidance for addressing them within treatment. Symptoms often appear during childhood and individuals with misophonia would benefit from timely assessment and interdisciplinary coordination to address broader patient impacts in the treatment process