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Surface Impact Dissociation of Neutralized Ions: Studying Unimolecular Gas-Phase Reactions in the Context of Cassini INMS Data
No full textAnalysis of spaceborne analytes using mass spectrometers is complicated by hypervelocity impacts (v \u3e 6 km s-1), which induce dissociative scattering of analyte molecules and obscure compositional signatures. However, neutral dissociative scattering remains poorly understood due to the lack of controlled experimental data. To address this gap, we are developing the Surface Impact Neutralization Dissociation Instrument (SINDI), a laboratory platform that reproduced and analyzes these processes under controlled conditions. SINDI implements a two-stage experiment. First, mass-selected ions are accelerated onto a gold-plated surface to induce neutralization and dissociation. Second, following dissociation, the resulting neutral fragments are adsorbed onto a gold-plated aluminum cryotrap, then thermally desorbed and analyzed using Evolved Gas Analysis Mass Spectrometry (EGA-MS) with a 5–15 °C min-1 thermal ramp. To ensure reproducible thermal desorption, we characterized the cryotrap\u27s temperature uniformity under atmospheric conditions: at 24–36 V, the root-mean-square deviation (δTRMS) between the body and endcaps remains below 2 °C. Once fully operational, SINDI will enable controlled investigation of neutral dissociative scattering in the context of extraterrestrial mass spectrometric analysis
Predicting Residual Stress of High Entropy Allow Si-Hf-Cr-Ta-Zr for Directed Energy Deposition 3D Printing
No full text• Directed energy deposition (DED) is a developing additive manufacturing branch finding applications in aerospace, nuclear, and automotive industries
Educational and Engaging Scientific Outreach: A Dinosaur Case Study
No full textClear communication of scientific findings is critical in academic settings. However, it is just as important, if not more so, in settings where researchers are trying to educate the public. Through engaging and entertaining methods, science communication can effectively share advancements from the scientific community with the general public
Advancing Faecalibacterium Prausnitzii Growth to Mitigate Psychological Stressors in Space
No full textIsolation and Confinement are two of the five main hazards of human spaceflight identified by NASA, leading to sleep loss, circadian desynchronization, and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. These conditions can impair intestinal barrier function and decrease populations of butyrate-producing bacteria like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, increasing the risk of stress-related brain disorders. Different fiber sources in diet can affect the growth and butyrate production of F. prausnitzii. This study reviews existing data on F. prausnitzii\u27s fiber response and suggests new fiber combinations for testing, aiming to prevent reductions in F. prausnitzii populations and mitigate psychological disorders in astronauts, potentionally enhancing mission success
Further Investigation of Using RR Lyrae Periods as a Tracer of Multiple Populations in Globular Clusters
No full textRecent work (Racker & Barnes 2024) using Gaia spacecraft data appeared to show a weak but noticeable correlation between the spread of periods for both the ab- and c-type RR Lyrae variable stars in certain Milky Way Globular Clusters (GCs) and the fraction of first-generation to the total number of stars as determined in (Milone et al. 2017). This research further suggests that the correlation is unaffected by angular distance from the GC center relieving the question of whether crowding or other effects impact the results. Then, looking outward, this correlation was used on just over one thousand RR Lyrae stars located within 39 GCs from OGLE survey data of the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds and the Milky Way Bulge to explore the previous relation. The LMC and the Bulge appear to have similar population types as the Milky Way although the LMC seems to have more uniform percentages of first-generation stars
Jail Based Substance Use Disorder Treatment
Get PDFThis session will cover how to create community partnerships with law enforcement and incarceration partners. The goal of our program with the Tooele County Sheriff\u27s Office was to reduce jail recidivism and overdose by preparing individuals to safely leave the jail. Come join an interactive discussion on creating programs for high need communities through innovative partnerships
Community Strategy for Equitable Home Electrification
Get PDFBetween 2021-2023, Utah Clean Energy collaborated with four community partners to develop the Community Strategy for Equitable Home Electrification. This involved developing an understanding of the barriers and challenges to home electrification, creating a vision statement for equitable home electrification, developing four high-priority solutions to the barriers to home electrification, and creating several action steps for each solution, all based on community input. This document is intended to inform and guide the design and implementation of programs and policies related to home efficiency and electrification that are intended to expand access for low-income and disadvantaged communities
Archival Adventures: A First-Year Quest Through Campus History
Get PDFUniversity Archives endeavors to collect, preserve and make available the permanent historical record of Utah State University (USU). These records include published material, faculty papers, office files, and other historical material generated by the academic departments, extension offices, statewide campuses, research centers and institutes
The Impacts of Anthocyanins on Gut Health: Microbiome Dynamics and Colorectal Cancer Cell Responses
No full textAnthocyanin-rich foods such as berries and other colorful fruits have been widely studied for their potential to support gut health and reduce inflammation. These benefits may occur through direct effects on the lining of the gut or by influencing the gut microbiome, which is the community of bacteria in the digestive system. However, many previous studies used levels of anthocyanins that are much higher than what people typically consume, making it difficult to apply the results to real-world diets. This dissertation investigated how the gut microbiome responds to anthocyanin-rich foods when consumed as part of a Western-style diet, which is known to increase inflammation and raise the risk of colon cancer. Two studies were conducted. The first study used mice fed a Western diet supplemented with realistic amounts of anthocyanin-rich food powders. The second study tested the effects of purified anthocyanins on human colon cancer cells using concentrations that reflect typical dietary intake. In the first study, the gut microbiome changed as early as one day after introducing anthocyanin-rich foods. However, these changes were temporary and reversed after the foods were removed from the diet. Different foods produced different microbiome responses, likely because they contain different types of anthocyanins. In the second study, purified anthocyanins did not have significant effects on cancer cell growth, suggesting that other compounds in the food powder or extract or metabolites produced by gut bacteria may be responsible for any protective effects. Overall, this research emphasizes the importance of consistent consumption of anthocyanin-rich foods to maintain a healthy gut microbiome. It also highlights the need to study how these foods work in real-world dietary patterns and how gut bacteria may help unlock their full health benefits
Risk Perceptions and Water Governance: Experiences of Irrigation Companies in the Great Salt Lake Basin of Northern Utah, United States
Get PDFIrrigation companies are important water management entities in the Western US. However, these companies often face barriers when managing water. Particularly as the state of Utah grows and water resources are drying, there is much finger pointing at those in irrigation and agriculture for better water management. However, pointing fingers without the participation of these companies often does not lead to effective water management outcomes. Therefore, it is important to understand the role of these irrigation companies, and particularly how they are approaching water management.
I set out to understand the role of these irrigation companies, specifically in the Great Salt Lake Basin in Utah. I approached this work through two primary chapters. In Chapter Two, I describe how irrigation companies and other entities are organized and structured. Additionally in Chapter Two, I discuss the data complexities associated with irrigation company water rights and organization. In Chapter Three I conducted a total of 18 interviews with irrigation company representatives and surveyed 45 companies. Both interview and survey efforts aimed to address what risks companies perceive, what company priorities are, what challenges they face, water resource planning in the future, perspectives on company governance, and perspectives on the Great Salt Lake. From these efforts, I conclude that companies are multi-faceted but often do not feel as though they have a seat at the decision-making table regarding water. I conclude this thesis with discussions of research limitations as well as managerial and policy implications moving forward