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Predictors of Adherence to a Publicly Available Self-Guided Digital Mental Health Intervention
Get PDFLow adherence to self-guided digital mental health interventions (DMHIs) have raised concerns about their real-world effectiveness. Naturalistic data from self-guided DMHIs are often not available, hindering our ability to assess adherence among real-world users. This study aimed to analyze 3 years of user data from the public launch of an empirically supported 12-session self-guided DMHI, to assess overall program adherence rates and explore predictors of adherence. Data from 984 registered users were analyzed. Results showed that only 14.8% of users completed all 12 modules and 68.6% completed less than half of the modules. Users who were younger, had milder depression, had never seen a mental health provider, and who rejected signing-up for weekly program emails completed significantly more modules. Results add to concerns about the generalizability of controlled research on DMHIs due to lower adherence outside of research trials. This study highlights the potential of user data in identifying key factors that may be related to adherence. By examining adherence patterns among different sub-sets of users, we can pinpoint and focus on individuals who may adhere and benefit more from self-guided programs. Findings could also have implications for guiding intervention personalization for individuals who struggle to complete DMHIs
Using an Interrupted Case Study to Engage Undergraduates’ Critical Thinking Style and Enhance Content Knowledge
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The interrupted case study is a structured way to engage students in active learning. Interruptions, or pauses for reflection and discussion scheduled within the case-study presentation, provide students with a chance to collaborate and engage in critical thinking. Critical thinking style, which is a measure of how one tends to think critically, provides insight into how one tackles problem solving. This article describes a pilot project that combined critical-thinking style and an interrupted case study, delivered over a two-class-period time frame, to four college courses. The project’s goals were to assess students’ self-reported knowledge, self-reported ability, changes in thinking, and intentions to use their critical thinking style in the future. The University of Florida Critical Thinking Inventory and an end-of-session evaluation were administered online, and 110 students voluntarily responded. Results indicated that many students enjoyed the discussion-based and problem-solving structure of the interrupted case study. Results also showed increases in students’ self-reported knowledge about critical thinking style and content covered in the case study. For teachers looking to pilot an interrupted case study with a critical thinking style component, two class sessions can have a positive effect on student learning and encourage critical thinking
Comparison of Large- and Small-Scale Gravity Waves Over Halley, Antarctica and Petrolina, Brazil
No full textInvestigations of small-scale mesospheric gravity waves have been made from a number of sites around the globe. The Center for Atmospheric Space Sciences at Utah State University has operated all-sky CCD imagers at Petrolina (9°S), Brazil and Halley (76°S), Antarctica, to capture images of gravity waves in the OH airglow emission (altitude `87km). A recently proven method utilizing Keograms has been used to analyze larger-scale gravity waves (e.g. Taylor et. al, 2009). Keograms were initially developed to study auroral motions at high-latitudes. Using the same technique we have investigated the characteristics, such as horizontal wavelength, phase speed, and the observed period, at high-latitude and the equatorial region of both the larger- and small-scale gravity waves. Further analysis using this method will be applied to other available data sets to develop a better understanding of the characteristics and variability of larger-scale mesospheric gravity waves
Faculty Senate Executive Committee Minutes February 20, 2024
Get PDFCall to Order - Maureen Hearns University Business - Elizabeth Cantwell, President | Larry Smith, Provost Faculty Senate Business - Maureen Hearns | John Ferguson | Grant Cardon Information Reports Old Business New Business Adjourn: 5:00 p
Studies of Early Night Equatorial Spread F Over Jicamarca
No full textWe use Jicamarca JULIA and incoherent radar observations from 1996 to 2006 to study the initial development of equatorial spread F over Jicamarca. We show that the times of initial spread F occurrence do not change with solar flux, but their altitudes increase from about 280 km to400 km from solar minimum to solar maximum. The times of initial plumes occurrence decrease with increasing solar flux during both equinox and December solstice. The altitudes of the onset of the early night radar plumes also increase with solar flux and is greater in December solstice than during equinox. The initial upward drift velocity at the time and height of initial spread F echoes increases from solar minimum to solar maximum and is approximately proportional to the maximum prereversal drift velocity
Optical Measurements of Equatorial Plasma Depletions From Christmas Island
No full textNight time equatorial F region plasma irregularities (depletions) can significantly affect low-latitude communications and navigation systems. Deep plasma depletions referred to as plasma bubbles, can rise through the F region peak up to the topside ionosphere up to about 1500 km. The variability in the occurrence and intensity of equatorial plasma bubbles constituents an important problem in the study of the space weather. Air force Communication/Navigation Outage Forecasting System (C/NOFS) satellite is used to quantify and forecast ionospheric irregularities responsible for the development of equatorial spread F. The plasma depletion zonal velocity is a very important parameter for the understanding and modeling of the electrodynamics of the equatorial ionosphere and for the predictions of ionospheric scintillations
A National Perspective of Mental Health Awareness Among Agricultural Workers
Get PDFThe knowledge and perceptions of mental health resources for agricultural workers were explored at the 2024 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) National Conference. Data were gathered via a voluntary survey conducted at the event. With 137 completed surveys, the study revealed that the participants desired more information regarding agricultural mental health resources and revealed their preferences for receiving this information. These findings will lead USU Extension to create impactful educational resources to better address mental health awareness and education needs in agricultural workers
A Position Allocation Approach to the Battery Electric Bus Charging Problem
Get PDFWith an increasing adoption of Battery Electric Bus (BEB) fleets, developing a reliable charging schedule is vital to a successful migration from their fossil fuel counterparts. In this work, a BEB charging scheduling framework that considers fixed route schedules, multiple charger types, and battery dynamics is modeled as a Mixed Integer Linear Program (MILP). The MILP is modeled after the Berth Allocation Problem (BAP) in a modified form known as the Position Allocation Problem (PAP). The optimization coordinates BEB charging to ensure that each vehicle remains above a specified charge percentage. The model also minimizes the total number of chargers utilized and prioritizes slow charging for battery health. The model validity is demonstrated with a set of routes and is compared to a heuristic algorithm based on charge thresholds referred to as the Qin-Modified method.
The MILP approach is then further extended via a Simulated Annealing (SA) implementation. The framework maintains the same considerations and while further developing a method to minimize the peak power use (demand cost). Two mechanisms are implemented for the SA algorithm denoted as the “quick” and “heuristic” implementations, respectively. The model validity is demonstrated by utilizing a set of routes sampled form the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) and comparing the results two other models: the MILP approach and the Qin-Modified. The MILP is utilized as a baseline as it is formulated in a way that can guarantee optimality. The results presented show that the “heuristic” approach was able to generate a solution comparable to that of the MILP over a similar execution times. The SA PAP framework is further extended to incorporate non-linear battery dynamics to further increase the accuracy of the SOC model during a BEBs charging phase
California Condor Feeding Habitat, Vigilance, and Competition With Avian Scavengers in Southern Utah, USA
Get PDFIndependent foraging is needed for the reintroduction of a species to be successful, but it can cause cascades in interconnected ecological communities. California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) were reintroduced to the Colorado Plateau in 1996, and the population has continued to grow with yearly releases of captive individuals. However, little is known about foraging behavior of condors and their potential competitors. Carrion is a risky food source, and there is a tradeoff between vigilance and feeding. Altering behavior can maximize caloric intake while minimizing risk. Here, I investigate habitat selection, vigilance, and interspecific interactions among condors, golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos), turkey vultures (Cathartes aura), common ravens (Corvus corax), coyotes (Canis latrans), and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) on a high-elevation plateau in southern Utah. I assessed scavenger activity and measured habitat variables for 89 carcasses over the summers of 2022 and 2023 and obtained video of scavenger behavior for 76 carcasses. Condors selected for sparser understory cover, allowing easy access to lead-free carcasses on sheep bedding grounds, where most livestock mortality occurs. Eagles selected for sparse understory cover only when close to roads, and eagles and condors displaced each other when simultaneously present. Increased human activity could lead to more intense competition between eagles and condors. The presence of condors at carcasses can force eagles to increase their vigilance, especially when condors arrive in groups. Vultures did not select for any vegetation type, which may buffer against competitive impacts of condors. Vultures prioritize feeding over vigilance when arriving at large carcasses that are likely to attract condors and visit rates of vultures decline after condors have visited a carcass. Ravens, coyotes, and foxes did not display preference for any variable tested. Condors, eagles, and vultures used different environmental variables to modify their vigilance, suggesting several tactics to balance energetic demands and safety. Condors arrive at carcasses less than an hour after the first scavenger and on average consume over half the carrion, leaving little for other scavengers. The population densities of eagles and vultures may decline in areas where condors occur because of additional competition for carrion. This study offers insights into the impacts of condor reintroduction and aids the management of condors and their competitors. The potential for changes in avian scavenger community composition may lead to broader changes in carcass distribution on the landscape and could lead to trophic cascades in scavenger, predator, prey, and vegetative communities
Utilizing Bayesian Optimization in Technoeconomic Analyses for Integrated Energy Systems
Get PDFTechnoeconomic analysis is a key element in the study of integrated energy systems. The goal of this analysis is the sizing of technologies resulting in the best economic outcome for the system. The evaluation of this system involves sizing the components and simulating the resulting market to determine an outcome. This simulation incorporates multiple possible values of uncertain parameters like grid price and wind generation. This problem is currently approached with the gradient descent optimization method. An alternative approach, Bayesian optimization, sees success on simple problems of a similar nature to technoeconomic analyses. These results motivate applying Bayesian optimization as a substitute for gradient descent. For simple test problems, Bayesian optimization sees improved efficiency in comparison to gradient descent. A thorough comparison of Bayesian optimization variations identify the best optimizer configurations. Using these preferred variations, a final comparison on realistic technoeconomic analyses suggests that it is a better approach for solving this class of problems