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Deep Learning Method for Image Processing in Cold Atom Experiments
No full text“Ideal” Absorption Imaging
Not always simple in practic
Evaluating Energy Transition Winners and Losers: Are Algae Biofuels Desirable, Feasible, and Viable?
No full textClimate change, environmental degradation, finite resources, and the uneven distribution of energy access all points to an urgent need for a global energy transition. But making that transition responsibly requires more than enthusiasm for “green” solutions—it demands careful evaluation of which energy sources are truly worth investing in. This dissertation develops a practical decision-making framework to help policymakers, scientists, and the public answer three foundational questions about any new energy technology: Is it desirable? Is it feasible? Is it viable? By systematically weighing public narratives, biophysical constraints, and patterns of innovation, the framework aims to prevent wasted time, funding, and political will on options that cannot ultimately deliver.
To demonstrate how the framework works in practice, this study applies it to a real-world example: algal biofuels. Once promoted as a revolutionary clean energy solution, algae promised the ability to grow fuel on non-arable land using wastewater, with rapid reproduction and high yields. However, despite more than 50 years of research, algae biofuels have struggled to prove themselves in energy returns, cost efficiency, and scalable production.
This project combines media discourse analysis, energy return on investment (EROEI) data, and patent analysis to evaluate algal biofuels through the lens of desirability, feasibility, and viability. The findings reveal that public interest in algae peaked early but declined as scientific innovation slowed. Energy return data showed low and stagnant results. Patent research confirmed a statistically significant decline in productivity and inventorship over time. Together, these insights illustrate that algal biofuels, while initially compelling, are unlikely to become a successful large-scale energy solution.
More importantly, this case study demonstrates how the DFV framework can be used to assess the strengths and limitations of any energy innovation. Rather than focusing solely on technological potential, it encourages critical consideration of biophysical, economic, and social dimensions. In doing so, it helps answer not only can we pursue a particular energy source—but should we, and do we want to. This approach brings clarity to complex energy decisions and supports a more thoughtful, sustainable path forward
Material Differentiation on the Yellow Point Ridge Lithic Landscape
No full textThis paper identified material use differences on the Yellow Point Ridge Lithic Landscape, utilizing flake morphology to identify use stages of materials found on site. This research confirmed the viability of methods like PXRF in conjunction with Infield material identifications and geologist identifications, as well as expanded the understanding of South-west Wyoming land use by hunter-gatherers
Data-Driven Streamflow Forecasting in the Upper Colorado River Basin Using Spatio-Temporal Graph Networks
No full textForecasting river flow is essential for managing water supplies, reducing flood risk, and supporting healthy ecosystems. In the Upper Colorado River Basin, much of the yearly water comes from melting snow. However, many traditional models struggle to capture how snowpack and river flow interact, especially across such a large and complex region.
This study uses a modern machine learning approach called a Spatio-Temporal Graph Neural Network (STGNN) to improve streamflow prediction. The model uses Snow Water Equivalent (SWE)—a measure of how much water is stored in the snowpack—along with river flow data. By treating each river gauge as part of a connected network, the STGNN learns how conditions in one part of the basin affect flow in other areas downstream.
Using 30 years of historical data, the results show that adding SWE information significantly improves prediction accuracy by about 12.8%. The model is especially effective during spring and early summer, when melting snow drives most of the river’s flow. The greatest improvements appear at mid- and high-elevation stations, where snowpack changes strongly influence when and how much water enters the river.
Overall, this work demonstrates that combining snowpack data with advanced network-based learning provides a powerful tool for forecasting streamflow in snow-dependent regions like the Upper Colorado River Basin. This approach can help water managers make better decisions as climate change and declining snowpack continue to challenge water availability in the western United States
Readability of Spanish Language Early Intervention Materials for Children who are D/deaf and Hard of Hearing
No full textThis paper discusses how accessibility to information may be limited for families and considers why this is of a critical concern for families using Spanish. To look at accessibility of materials online, six search terms were used in the Google search engine. Ninety-one unique websites were included for readability analysis (43 written in English and 48 written in Spanish). Readability was assessed for English materials using Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL; mean=12.83, sd=2.737) and Flesh-Kincaid Ease of Reading Score (FKERS; mean=35.602, sd=15.651). FKGL scores were consistent with prior work (Woodruff & Cienkowski, 2021). For materials written in Spanish readability was assessed using the Fernandez-Huerta (FH, mean=56.157, sd=9.44634). Using the FKERS and F-H allowed for comparisons since both use 100-point scales from easiest (100) to hardest (0) to read. In our sample, the average readability score was consistent with the reading skills needed to attend college (M = 46.44, SD =16.35; University of Canerbury, n.d.; Weise, 2006). A comparison found that English and Spanish materials were challenging to read and scores exceeded recommended guidelines. Further, materials written in English were significantly more difficult to read (p \u3c .05) than those in Spanish. The implications of having a large amount of difficult-to-read information is discussed in the context of early intervention access so that readers can identify actionable steps to address this concern
A Randomized Controlled Trial of Self-Help Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Perfectionism
No full textThe prevalence of perfectionism is increasing in undergraduate students, highlighting the need to expand accessible treatment options for this population. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) are effective interventions for perfectionism, but have yet to be examined when delivered in a bibliotherapy format. This randomized controlled trial (NCT06057740) assessed the efficacy of ACT and CBT self-help books for perfectionism compared to a waitlist control. University students with high perfectionism (N = 110) were randomized to ACT (n = 37), CBT (n = 37), or waitlist (n = 36). Participants completed self-report assessments at pre-, mid-, post-intervention, and 1-month follow-up. Analyses were run with multilevel linear modeling with the intent-to-treat sample. Participants assigned to ACT and CBT showed significantly improved perfectionism, psychological inflexibility, cognitive reappraisal, well-being, and stress, compared to the waitlist participants. There were no significant differences between ACT and CBT on total perfectionism scores, cognitive reappraisal, well-being, and stress, except for psychological inflexibility scores, where ACT demonstrated stronger improvements in evaluative concerns and psychological inflexibility scores compared to the CBT and waitlist conditions over time. No intervention effects were found for anxiety or depression. The high adherence rates and satisfaction ratings indicate bibliotherapy for individuals with perfectionism is a feasible intervention. Bibliotherapy for perfectionism may be effective in reducing perfectionistic symptoms, potentially increasing access to evidence-based interventions for perfectionism among undergraduate students
Col. John F. Jack Anthony (USAF Ret) and Dr. Jordi Puig-Suari
No full textThis special merit is awarded to Col. John F. Jack Anthony (USAF Ret) in recognition of his considerable contributions of outstanding significance to the small satellite community over the course of his distinguished career.
This special merit is awarded to Dr. Jordi Puig-Suari in recognition of his considerable contributions of outstanding significance to the small satellite community over the course of his distinguished career
Canopy Insect Communities are Shaped by the Genes and Phenotypes of Their Aspen Hosts
No full text1. Community genetics research aims to identify genetic and phenotypic mechanisms that shape communities as extended phenotypes. To date, most progress has been made identifying variation in herbivore communities associated with intraspecific variation in plants, with little focus on identifying specific genes or traits responsible for that variation. Here, we identify how extended phenotype variation of a foundation tree species, Populus tremuloides, arises from trait variation among individuals and specific genes. 2. We quantified heritability for 13 tree traits -- including phenology, defense chemistry, reproduction, and morphology -- and for 18 associated insect species (640,557 individuals). We performed genomic association analyses to identify genetic links to heritable traits and insects. 3. We found that both tree traits and communities of insect herbivores were highly heritable, and that structure and diversity of insect communities responded to heritable aspen traits. The most heritable insects were leaf-modifying specialist herbivores. We identified 73 genes associated with tree traits linked to insect communities and an additional 15 genes associated directly with insect community composition. 4. By linking intraspecific variation to community composition and structure through probable genomic mechanisms, this work demonstrates the salience of the genes-to-ecosystems paradigm in plant-insect systems
Changing Aspen Stand Structure Following Large Carnivore Restoration in Yellowstone
No full textRestoration of large carnivores in northern Yellowstone National Park in the late 20th century resulted in a sustained reduction of Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus canadensis) and their herbivory, facilitating new growth of quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) saplings. In 2020–21, we examined 87 randomly selected, previously sampled aspen stands across northern Yellowstone, combining random plots with stand-wide observations. Forty-three percent of stands contained a new cohort of small trees (5–10 cm dbh), the first documented recruitment of overstory aspen trees in northern Yellowstone since the 1940s. Both aspen saplings ( ≥2 m tall) and small trees were absent in 1998 but increased rapidly after 2007, to a mean density in 2020–21 of 1460/ha (95 % CI: 833–2087). This increase resulted in a loge ratio effect size of 5.0, a strong effect compared to other trophic cascade studies. Stand conditions in 2020–21 varied widely: 30 % of stands had saplings throughout, 32 % had patchy sapling recruitment, and 38 % had few or no saplings. The proportion of young aspen ≥2 m tall was inversely related to browsing rates of aspen \u3c 2 m (p\u3c 0.001), which averaged 59 % of leaders browsed (range 0–100 %). These results suggest a restoration of ecological processes resulting in widespread but highly variable recruitment of new aspen trees. Bison (Bison bison) numbers and their effects have increased in recent years, limiting aspen recovery in some areas. While future conditions may not replicate the past, new aspen trees resulting from a trophic cascade increase the likelihood that aspen stands will persist in northern Yellowstone
Evaluation of Food-Safe Silicone Rubber Containment for Seedling Emergence, Yield, and Reusability
No full textFlexible containment materials are essential for repeated planting cycles in the Utah Reusable Root Module (URRM), a zero-discharge system developed for space-based crop production. In previous trials, a vinyl top cover provided effective evaporative control and media retention but could not meet flight certification. To identify a suitable alternative, this study evaluated food-safe, flight-qualifiable silicone rubber sheets as an impermeable top cover for a wedge-based seeding system. The silicone rubber was tested at three thicknesses (1/32 , 2/32 , and 3/32 ) in combination with three linear fringe lengths (1.0 , 1.5 , and 2.0 ) and two fringe widths (0.25 and 0.5 ) and compared with an uncovered control. Mizuna (Brassica rapa var. nipposinica) was grown in peat-based media in greenhouse trays irrigated daily to maintain target volumetric water content (θv ≈ 0.60 cm³ cm⁻³), estimated by weighing.
Seedling emergence, early-stage growth, fresh biomass accumulation, cumulative evapotranspiration (ET), ET rate, and the post-harvest condition of the silicone covers were quantified. All treatments supported high seedling emergence (83–95%), with slightly lower values in the 3/32 thickness but no statistically significant differences across treatments. Fringe geometry had no significant effect on mean emergence, though the 1.5 length and 0.25 width combination achieved 100% emergence across thicknesses. Fresh biomass per tray was highest in the uncovered control and moderately reduced under silicone covers, reflecting a trade-off between containment and biomass accumulation.
Silicone covers reduced water loss by approximately a factor of four during the early evaporation-dominated phase, while ET converged among treatments as transpiration dominated later in the growth cycle. After 29 days, the silicone fringes remained intact, and mold was only observed in the uncovered treatment. Overall, food-safe silicone rubber with linear fringes is a promising reusable top-cover design, enabling replanting and high emergence while substantially reducing early evaporation and mold risk in compact, flight-qualifiable root modules