2013 Abstracts

Thermal springs in northern Utah and southeastern Idaho mostly lie near active or inactive Basin-and-Range normal faults. They are dynamic systems, and the character of some has changed drastically since work as early as the 1980’s (Blackett and Wakefield, 2002; IDWR, 2001). We examined and sampled 60 thermal springs and most samples met criteria for cation geothermometers, or mathematical-geochemical tools used to estimate the maximum temperature of hydrothermal reservoirs. Of the 60 springs, 51 met criteria for the Na-K-Ca geothermometer and the remaining nine springs did not meet the criteria for the K-Mg, Na-K, Na-K-Ca, or Na-K-Ca-Mg cation geothermometers used in this project (Fournier and Truesdell, 1973; Fournier and Potter, 1979; Giggenbach, 1988). Of those 51 springs, only one is considered to be in partial equilibrium with the thermal reservoir, and estimates a reservoir temperature of 79°C (Giggenbach, 1988). Though the majority of springs exhibit a chemical signature of having mixed with shallow groundwater (Giggenbach, 1988), the Na-K-Ca geothermometer gives the most reliable results for springs in northern Utah and southeastern Idaho, but only for springs with surface temperatures exceeding 30°C and with greater than 1000 ppm total dissolved solids (TDS). Geothermometer results for these springs yield reservoir temperature estimates between 193 and 249°C.

Bhutan, a remote country in the Himalayas, has an underdeveloped economy that relies heavily on hydro-electric power and agriculture. Glacial lake outburst floods, or GLOFs, threaten both of these sectors of their economy. More importantly, they threaten human lives. In this study, I will estimate the increase in volume of the most rapidly growing glacial lakes in the Bhutanese Himalayas and investigate potential causes of their growth. In addition, I will develop a simple model to simulate the flooding effects of a GLOF on downstream cropland and villages.

The uncertainty existing within the scientific community as to why quantum mechanics (QM) behaves as it does comes from the fact there exists no mathematically sound approach for deriving the postulates of QM. It is the purpose of our research to present a derivation for the postulates of QM through the theory of Scale Relativity (SR), followed by a search for physical signatures of SR in the mechanics of celestial bodies. The construction of SR is based on an extension of the relativity principle to scale transformations coupled with a loss of differentiability. Our first paper presents the derivation of QM through scale relativity. During the SR derivation we also show fundamental qualities of QM, such as the presence of complex numbers in state functions. Lastly, the seemingly unrelated behaviors between relativity and quantum phenomena are shown a single mathematical formulation, only to change form due to scale. The new resolution variable within the adapted Schrodinger equation allows it to become applicable to macroscopic scales allowing us to look at large scale mechanics for signs of SR. Gravitation being scale invariant leads it to be a perfect candidate for experimental purposes. Our second paper investigates whether or not celestial bodies, formed by chaotic gravitational structuring, obey the properties of a Schrodinger equation dependent on the Keplerian potential. If so SR implies solar systems would form along probability distributions predicted by the square magnitude of the Schrodinger-Keplerian wave equation. In theory a planets probability distribution would depend on discrete variables, denoted orbital rank, n=n. In search for SR it is sufficient to see if planets tend to have orbital ranks near integer values. We start by calculating the orbital ranks within various solar systems, followed by testing whether the accumulation of planets’ rank near integer values is a probable event. To test this we take the squared difference between the calculated rank and the nearest integer. As a result we are able to test how likely orbital structuring will be discrete. Our results show a strong certainty that orbital rank is likely to accumulate near integer values.

The chemical derivatization of oxide surfaces (silica, alumina, glass) is critical to the development of separation media, sensing surfaces, or biocompatible interfaces. Presently, there are few analytical methods that allow the detection and characterization of functionalized monolayers on these surfaces. Raman scattering spectroscopy can provide useful structural information in the form of vibrational spectra of molecules of interest, and it is compatible with oxide substrates. Raman scattering, however, is a very weak effect so that its application to detecting monolayers is challenging. In this work, two approaches to detecting and characterizing molecular layers on oxide surfaces with Raman spectroscopy are compared. First, gold colloidal nanoparticles are deposited onto the surface of interest, which enhance the Raman scattering near the gold surface by surface-plasmon resonance. This technique is suitable for ex situ analysis of monolayers on planar surfaces. Secondly, monomolecular layers can also be detected by Raman scattering on porous oxide supports such as alumina or silica without any optical enhancement due to the very high surface area of these materials. Detection in porous particles is compatible with in situ monitoring of surface derivatization reactions. These two methods are compared for monitoring of reactions of silane-coupling agents and their subsequent functional group transformations on glass and silica surfaces.

Coal Creek is a perennial stream that runs through Cedar City, Utah and drains into Rush Lake. The basin is a closed basin, meaning that most of the surface water will eventually become ground water, the main source of drinking water for Cedar City. Because of the increase of urbanization of this region in par- ticular, there is a higher probability of pollutants entering the water source and greatly affecting the quality of the drinking water. Most pollutants are characterized as nonpoint source pollution, which is defined by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as, “land runoff, precipitation, atmospheric deposition, drainage, seepage or hydrologic modification” and is the leading cause of water quality problems (Environmental Protection Agency, 2012). Common sources of land runoff, as defined by the EPA, include septic waste, lawn and garden fertilizers, improperly disposed chemicals, automobile fluids, vehicle emissions, and road deicers (Environmental Protection Agency, 2012). In order to characterize the pollutants found in samples and determine the concentration of ions of interest, ion chromatography was used. By determining the identity and concentrations of particular ions, the presence of nonpoint pollution, and the source, may be determined. This study may lead to better indications of where major sources of drinking water pollutants are originating, illustrating the effect that urbanization and rapid population growth have on the quality of both surface and ground water. This will allow better characterization of pollutants and pollution sources in the future.

Multi-messenger astronomy employs both electromagnetic and gravitational-wave detectors to paint a richer picture of celestial objects, providing more depth and information. The interferometers utilized for gravitational-wave observations receive input from very broad fields of view on the sky, typically a few square degrees. To have simultaneous electromagnetic observations (typically less than one square degree) requires innovative techniques for the telescopes to find the origin of radiation. One idea is to “tile” the view of the interferometer, using multiple telescopes to simultaneously point at different areas of the field to observe the source. One difficulty of this observing paradigm is distinguishing random electromagnetic variable sources from a gravitational-wave counterpart. To better understand this problem, this project repeatedly observes a single field on the sky. Each observation is analyzed to count the number of sources that appear in the field as a function of brightness. Repeating this process over time will yield the frequency of random optical transients, as well as characterize the population and brightness distribution of variables in the field. Future work will extend this observation campaign to cover different galactic latitudes.

The State of Utah Space Environment & Contamination Study (SUSpECS) experiment flown on the Materials International Space Station Experiment 6 (MISSE-6) was an experiment designed to examine the consequences of the space environment on various materials used in space-component design. SUSpECS was comprised of approximately 180 samples that were suspended from the side of the International Space Station (ISS) for 18 months and returned to allow for pre- and post-flight comparisons. The sample with the most evident changes was a thin film of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MylarTM coated with Vapor Deposited Aluminum (VDA). The post-flight analysis showed evidence of atomic oxygen erosion of the VDA layer, UV-induced discoloration of the polymer, and a crater created by a micrometeoroid impact. This presentation focuses on the UV-induced discoloration and laboratory tests to simulate these effects. The UV tests expose similar polymers to varying intensities of vacuum UV radiation from deuterium lamps over a condensed time span and quantify the discoloration of the polymers through comparison of the UV/Vis/NIR reflection spectra. The results from the UV simulation are used to determine the approximate time period of the UV exposure for the SUSpECS sample and in turn the erosion rate of the VDA layer.

In the spirit of many chemistry instructors’ longstanding interest in making teaching labs less “cookbook-like” and more research-driven, we recently restructured our second-semester sophomore organic chemistry lab to include a synthesis project that was chosen, designed, and carried out by students. Students were given the incentive of co-authorship on any publications resulting from their work. This led to the development of total syntheses of JBIR-94 and JBIR-125, new antioxidative/anticancer compounds with radical-scavenging potencies comparable to those of a-tocopherol, the active constituent in Vitamin E. Our presentation will summarize our progress and findings, and includes our progress on bioactivity studies conducted on the JBIR’s and their synthetic precursors.

It has been long debated whether early astronomers could truly see any detail during their first observation and rough sketches of the satellites of Jupiter. Many have argued against the accuracy and validity of such drawings, claiming the lack of technological advance led to rough hewn and mediocre drawings with little evidence of these individuals having truly seen these satellites. Through our research, we hope to prove validity in those early sketches based on current knowledge. By converting the dates and times each early sketch was created into Julian Calendar days, then using the date obtained to calculate the position of each individual satellite of Jupiter, as well as the face that was approximately facing Earth at the time the sketch was made, we can compare current images to those previously obtained sketches. By analyzing the sketches for determining features as well as the relative location of those features in relation to their approximate location on the satellite face the astronomer was most likely observing, we can either validate or disclaim these early sketches. This experiment will provide beneficial insight into the accuracy of primitive sketches made centuries before more detailed information was discovered about the celestial bodies that continue to fascinate us. The information gained from this experiment may even lend a greater knowledge and understanding of how to study these celestial bodies, since if the information presented by these early sketches were accurate, we could potentially reevaluate the manner in which we currently conduct our present observation.

The DOE-funded HotSpot Project out of Utah State University has collected a more than mile-deep core from the central Snake River Plain, Idaho, to study the geologic history of the area. The core consists mostly of volcanic basalt, however 16 sediment layers have been identified and sampled between the basalt-flow layers. These layers of sediment are the key to understanding environmental conditions on the Snake River Plain between basalt flows. The sediment was sampled in 25cm increments and the grain size of the sediments were examined in a laser particle size analyzer to better understand depositional conditions on the snake river during the past 5 million years. The analysis revealed that the majority of the sediment was deposited as windblown silt with several fluvial deposits.

Solid breast tumors contain heterogenous microenvironments where tumor cells are often exposed to metabolic stress (e.g., hypoxia due to poor blood supply). Such environments select for tumor cells that can adapt metabolically to survive, while other cells fail to adapt and undergo cell death. The survival of cells through periods of hypoxia can promote chemoresistance and metastasis (1). Thus, it is critical that we develop therapeutic strategies to enhance metabolic-stress-induced tumor cell death. One promising strategy is the modulation of lysine acetylation pathways by HDAC inhibitors that potently pro- mote cell death in response to various stimuli, including hypoxia/glucose withdrawal. Given the relatively non-specific nature of chemical HDAC inhibitors, the precise acetylation-regulating enzymes and pathways that govern cell death in these settings have yet to be fully elucidated. Our goal is to identify the cellular factors that link acetylation to cell death in response to hypoxia and other metabolic stresses, with the hope that such factors could be exploited therapeutically in cancer. Previous studies have implicated protein lysine acetylation in the coordination of cellular metabolism to the available nutrient supply (2). In line with this idea, our preliminary data suggest that lysine acetylation pathways dictate whether breast tumor cells survive (through metabolic adaptation) or die in response to hypoxia and glucose deprivation. Moreover, we have observed that general increases in protein lysine acetylation precede the activation of pro-apoptotic caspases in response to these stresses. In addition, our proteomics efforts have shown that breast tumors that are sensitive to hypoxia/glucose withdrawal exhibit significant increases in acetylation across the proteome, whereas resistant cells show very little change. Together, our data suggest that lysine acetylation pathways play a role in metabolic adaption and survival under conditions of hypoxia/glucose withdrawal. We are currently using an RNAi approach to target all known deacetylases, acetyl-transferases, and metabolic enzymes that modulate acetylation (e.g., acetyl-CoA synthetase) in order to identify the specific acetylation-regulating factors that govern tumor cell susceptibility to metabolic stress.

Faraday cups provide a simple and efficient apparatus to measure the absolute magnitude of charge particle fluxes, and with the addition of a retarding field analyzer and defining apertures the capability to determine the energy and angular distributions of the fluxes. Through careful design of the electron optics, a Faraday cup can be tailored to meet specific requirements for detector size, minimum detectable flux, collection efficiency, absolute accuracy, energy discrimination, and angular resolution. This work explores design concepts through electric field and charged particle trajectory simulations, theoretical analysis, and evaluation of experimental prototypes to develop compact, high efficiency Faraday cups capable of a range of energy and angular resolutions. The designs rely on high efficiency Faraday cups coupled with grid-free Einzel lens energy analyzers for nearly energy-independent determination of absolute fluxes. We also review specific designs and applications of these Faraday cup detectors to electron emission and transport studies, spacecraft charging applications, and electron beam characterization measurements done in conjunction with various projects conducted by the Materials Physics Group.

The Udu drum, sometimes called the water pot drum, is a traditional Nigerian instrument. Musicians who play the Udu exploit its aerophone and idiophone resonances. This paper will discuss an electrical equivalent circuit model for the Udu Utar, a specific type of Udu, to predict the low frequency aerophone resonances and scanning laser vibrometer measurements to determine the mode shapes of the dominant idiophone resonances. These analyses not only provide an understanding of the unique sound of the Udu instrument but may also be used by instrument designers to create instruments with resonance frequencies at traditional musical intervals for the various tones produced and to create musical harmonic ratios.

The earths ionosphere is very important in our everyday life. During large solar flares the ionosphere expands to the point of disrupting communications from GPS, military, and commercial communications satellites, and even radio blackouts can occur. The EVE instrument on the SDO satellite has given unprecedented spectral resolution for the Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) spectrum with a time cadence of 10 seconds. This has made it possible to analyze flare spectra as never before. Using the Time Dependant Ionospheric Model (TDIM) we have input this new spectral data for large solar flares and analyzed the effect on the ionosphere. We take as a test case the X1.6 flare on March 9, 2011. Even this minor X-class provides insight into how the ionospheric layers respond differently to solar flares.

For the past century, the standard technique used to interpret soft-tissue preservation in the fossil record has been the camera lucida drawing. A new technique called False Color Treatment (FCT), which uses digital photography and photo manipulation, shows an increased ability to not only interpret soft-tissue features but also identify trace amounts. Hyolithids from the Cambrian of northern Utah were used to test the capabilities of FCT. Results were then compared to camera lucida drawings of the same specimens. Comparisons show the camera lucida drawings missed areas of soft-tissue that FCT found. Depending on the specimen, and the type of preservation, this disparity in interpretations can increase or decrease. Hyolithid specimens from the Spence Shale show an odd form of Burgess Shale Type (BST) preservation which makes them particularly well suited for FCT manipulation. Overall, False Color Treatment provides an informative and aesthetic method for interpreting soft-tissue fossils with BST-like preservation.

It has been reported that an estimated 11% of women in the population have undiagnosed endometriosis, emphasizing the need for early detection tests and treatment options. Diagnosis is typically determined through an analysis of symptoms, including painful menstrual cycles, pain in the lower abdomen, and prolonged menstrual cramping. Diagnosis is further confirmed through invasive procedures such as transvaginal ultrasound and pelvic laparoscopy. Serum proteomic studies in which small biomolecules and peptides are analyzed for biological significance in endometriosis cases and controls can lead to the discovery of novel methods whereby the disease is detected and eventually treated earlier in development without the need of invasive procedures. Comparative analysis of cases and controls through mass spectroscopy has led to the discovery of novel biomarkers capable of correctly identifying individuals with endometriosis. Further pursuing this study will allow for a greater understanding of the genesis of the disease, eventually uncovering the mechanism whereby endometriosis develops.

G proteins play a vital role in cellular signaling. It has recently been shown that the nascent G polypeptide requires the assistance of phosducin-like protein 1 (PhLP1) for proper folding and formation of the G beta gamma dimer. This mechanism is derived from cell culture experiments and structural data, but until now had yet to be tested in vivo. We tested PhLP1 function in vivo using retinal rod photoreceptor-specific PhLP1 conditional knockout mice. Electroretinogram analyses of these mice showed a dramatic decrease in light sensitivity of rod photoreceptors. Consistent with this finding, the expression of all subunits of the photoreceptor G protein was reduced by 80%. This decrease was reflected in a similar decrease in the amount of G beta gamma dimers. All of these in vivo results are consistent with the hypothesis that PhLP1 is required for G beta gamma assembly and G protein signaling.

Gold nanostructures exhibit tunable optical properties that depend on a nanomaterial’s composition, shape, and size. These optical properties arise from a phenomenon known as the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), which contributes to surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra. SERS enhances detection by up to 9 orders of magnitude vs. normal Raman scattering thereby routinely improving detection limits of target molecules to nM μM concentrations. In this study, gold nanorods, which exhibit tunable LSPR properties from the visible to near-IR regions, were synthesized using a solution phase seed-mediated growth method. LSPR tunability was achieved by varying gold nanorod growth temperature, silver ion concentration, or reducing agent (ascorbic acid) concentration. Systematically varying these parameters yielded gold nanorods with LSPR wavelength maximums ranging from 692 to 763 nm. By increasing the concentration of ascorbic acid from 0.54 mM to 0.63 mM, gold nanorods with an average LSPR wavelength maximum of 755 ± 8 nm were synthesized. Following the synthesis, the gold nanorods were used for the direct and enhanced detection of the anti-cancer drug, 6-mercaptopurine and one of its metabolites, 6-thiouric acid. It was observed that as molecular concentrations were increased signal intensities systematically increased; therefore, the identification and quantification of each molecule individually as well as in a mixture of the molecules in buffer was achieved.

Mercury is a toxic element that adversely impacts the health of wildlife and ecosystems worldwide. While all forms of mercury are toxic, methylmercury is the only form of mercury that is biomagnified, and thus organisms with the highest mercury concentrations and most at risk to mercury toxicity are typically the top predators in an ecosystem. To evaluate if arachnids, a top predator in the insect realm, are bioaccumulating mercury a spatial and temporal study of mercury bioaccumulation in arachnids and terrestrial invertebrates was conducted at the Great Salt Lake. Total mercury (HgT) and methylmercury (MMHg) concentrations were measured in arachnids collected once each month from two different sites on Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake, and at a control site at Utah Lake, a fresh water lake to the south where mercury concentrations in the water column are substantially lower. Average concentrations of HgT and MMHg in arachnids from Antelope Island were 2600 ± 497 ppb and 1690 ± 169 ppb, respectively. These were significantly higher than the HgT and MMHg concentrations in arachnids at Utah Lake, where they are only 72 ± 54 ppb and 42 ± 30 ppb, respectively. Substantial spatial variation in HgT and MMHg concentrations in arachnids at the two sites on Antelope Island was also documented, and may be due to differences in the abundance of brine fly prey at the different locations.

Mini black holes (BH) of various mass could be left over in space from the early expansion Big Bang phase (so called primordial BHs). As a result of interaction of those BHs with interstellar hydrogen they could form a bound system with an electron or a proton (or both). What would such system look like? Would it be stable, metastable, or would BH quickly consume the orbiting particle? How much is life time of such “gravitational atom”? If such system is stable then what is the size of it; how much is the bonding energy of its ground state (=ionization potential energy) and how much are the energies of its exited states? Are those atoms “gravitational atoms” observable? What other properties do they have? Based on known physics we try to analyze the behavior of such exotic systems and answer the above questions for black holes of various masses.

It has long been a goal to achieve higher spatial resolution in optical imaging and spectroscopy. Recently, a concept emerged that merges optical microscopy with scanning probe microscopy, increasing the spatial resolution of optical imaging beyond the diffraction limit. The scanning probe tip’s optical antenna properties and the local near-field coupling between its apex and the sample allows for few nanometer optical spatial resolution (Atkin, Berweger, Jones, and Raschke 2012). We investigate a nano-imaging technique, known as scattering scanning near-field optical microscopy (s-SNOM) and image several different materials using said technique. We report our data and provide potential paths for future work.

Cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) or complex IV is the terminal component of the electron transport chain. In eukaryotic organisms, CcO is composed of 12-13 subunits. The core of eukaryotic CcO contains three mitochondrially encoded subunits that comprise the catalytic core of the complex and several gene products encoded for by the nucleus (1). Essential to the redox function of CcO are several critical cofactors: two hemes and two copper centers (2). The crystal structure of CcO has led us to several insights about its structural components and catalytic activity (3). However, a large set of nuclear gene products are essential for CcO activity that are not part of the structural machinery of the complex (4,5). These components have been implicated in various stages of CcO assembly including, heme processing and insertion (6), CuA and CuB site delivery and insertion (7), subunit processing and subunit assembly (8,9). Among them are well characterized CcO assembly factors that involve the biogenesis of the CuA and CuB sites in CcO. Sco I, Cox17, Cox 11 and Cox23 are all essential to CcO activity and have properties that appear to be critical to the maturation of the CuA and CuB sites(10-13). Cmc4 appears to be involved in cytochrome c oxidase biogenesis. Peroxide phenotypes have been linked to cytochrome c oxidase assembly (14). Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains lacking CMC4 were found to exhibit peroxide resistance when compared wild type parental stains. Resistance was seen in liquid culture and in media containing glucose and glycerol. These results may indicate that cytochrome c oxidase assembly is altered in CMC4 deletion stains.

The electron transport chain (ETC) is a system within a cell that couples electron transfer between a donor and a receptor. The ETC is made up of several components, specifically: complexes one through four, a coenzyme Q, and a cytochrome complex. Cytochrome C oxidase (CcO), also known as complex IV, uses electrons and H_ ions to reduce molecular oxygen to water. CcO is made up of several subunits or proteins that are responsible for the function of CcO. The creation of CcO involves multiple steps that include many different gene products or proteins. (3) Of these proteins several are from a specific type of family called cysteine-X _-cysteine motifs (twin CX_C). The cysteine residues in the cysteine pairs are each spaced by nine residues. The best characterized protein of this group is Cox17, a copper-binding protein that plays a role in copper transfer to CcO. There are 14 potential proteins that are twin-Cx_C motifs (1). There were four knock out strains that showed resistance when plated on YPD with varying concentrations of hydrogen peroxide: 0.010%, 0.014%, 0.018%, and 0.022%. Strains lacking CMC4, MIC14, MIC17, and PET191 all showed resistance to hydrogen peroxide compared to the parental strain. Strains lacking MDM35 and COX23 showed sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide. These result may indicate a tie to impaired or incomplete cytochrome c oxidase assembly.

Luminol with its chemiluminescense properties can be used at crime scenes to develop and document bloodstains. By itself, luminol cannot be used because it destroys the blood stain pattern details. Using a fixing agent before applying luminol will chemically fix the detail of the bloodstain, preserving the pattern for analysis. 5-Sulfosalicylic acid (5-SSA) is used as a fixing agent and can be applied to bloodstains before the luminol to adhere the blood to the surface, but it interferes with the luminosity. We investigated the degradation effects of luminol and 5-SSA to develop a better method to use both chemicals together. Blood patterns were placed onto glass, systematically treated with a series of Bluestar (a commercial, luminol-based, blood detection reagent), 5-SSA and/or buffered rinse solutions then, photographed immediately. The luminol intensity was measured by processing digital photographs of the luminescent blood stain through Image J to examine the individual pixels of the photographs. The effect of the treatment on the pattern fastness was measured by making fingerprint impression in blood, and having fingerprint analyst score the treated prints on their second level detail quality. Results will be presented to show if an intermediate rinse between the application of the blood fixing reagent and the application of luminol can mitigate some of the negative effects of this procedure.

Future space propulsion systems will likely use annihilation of matter and antimatter in propulsion system. Annihilation of matter and antimatter is not only the energy source of ultimate density 9×10^16 J/kg but also allows to utilize ultimate exhaust speed the speed of light c thus potentially allows to accelerate a payload to ultrarelativistic velocities. Such velocities make interstellar and even intergalactic travel possible in the lifetime of one generation only (20-30 years). In our presentation we discuss advantages and disadvantages of interstellar travel with relativistic and ultra-relativistic velocities. Using relativistic Tsiolkovsky rocket equation we also discuss the feasibility of achieving relativistic velocities with annihilation powered photon engine and technical challenges to build such engine.

Transition regions to higher resonant modes of a bottle-shaped thermoacoustic prime mover (neck: 5.39 cm long, 1.91 cm ID; variable cavity with a sliding piston: up to 38 cm long, 4.76 ID) were studied. As the piston is extended, lengthening the cavity, starting from the neck, a transition of the dominant frequency from the fundamental to the first overtone occurs. However, when the length is then shortened, transition back to the first mode does occur at the same piston position, revealing hysteresis. Within the window of hysteresis for the cavity length, either state of the fundamental or first overtone is possible. Transition regions to higher modes continue as the length of the cavity is increased. The position and width of the hysteresis was studied for the first two transition regions as a function of input power and stack volume filling factor. Input powers studied were between 12.0 and 16.5 W and volume filling factors for the stack were about 3.0, 3.7 and 4.9%. The transition regions occurred with cavity lengths between 12.6 and 14.0 cm for the first transition and between 25.0 and 27.8 cm for the second transition. Preliminary results indicate that the transition region occurs shallower in the cavity and the hysteresis widens as the input power is increased. The hysteresis is wider for the second transition region. Decreasing the stack mass causes an increase of the hysteresis width, but has no strong effect on the hysteresis depth.

Dissonant overtones of closed bottle-shaped thermoacoustic prime movers are discussed. The resonator consists of two concentric cylinders with differing cross-sectional areas, closed at the outer ends. The condition for resonance results in a transcendental equation, which is solved numerically. The neck and cavity behave as coupled resonators, where the neck is a quarter-wave resonator and the cavity is a half-wave resonator. A variable cylindrical cavity with a sliding piston was constructed to study the nature of the device as the cavity length is varied. The stack is located in the neck region and the length and inner diameter of the neck are 5.39 and 1.91 cm, respectively. The inner diameter of the cavity is 4.76 cm and has a maximum length of 38 cm. The dominant mode of operation depends on the length of the cavity, favoring successively higher modes as the cavity length increases. The volume filling factor of the stack material was varied from 2 to 5% to determine whether the amount of stack material affects the transitions. These filling factors were selected to yield hydraulic radii comparable to the thermal penetration depth for the highest and lowest possible fundamental frequencies of the system. The transition to higher modes occurs roughly where the higher mode overlaps with the fundamental frequency of the neck region, and is independent of the stack filling factor. With the given dimensions, three transitions to higher modes were observed, with frequencies consistent with the model.

Removal of all cancerous tissue in breast conservation surgery (BCS) is critical to prevent local recurrence. Unfortunately, 30-50% of patients require additional surgery due to failure to resect all the necessary tissue. A real-time method for detecting infected tissue is therefore desirable. Previous studies have shown that the complexity of high-frequency (50 MHz) ultrasonic spectra can be correlated to a range of breast pathologies in BCS. However, the mechanism behind this correlation is still not very well understood. The purpose of this research is to explore the connection between tissue micro-heterogeneity and ultrasonic spectral complexity using breast tissue phantoms, i.e. materials that mimic breast tissue properties and microstructure. A physical basis can then be determined that links ultrasonic measurements to breast tissue pathology. Phantoms were made from a Knox® gelatin base and soluble fiber (Metamucil®). Heterogeneities simulating lobular and ductal components of mammary glands were created through the addition of polyethylene microspheres and nylon fibers. Pitch-catch and pulse-echo waveforms were acquired from the samples using high-frequency ultrasound. The data were analyzed by measuring the number of peaks (the peak density) in the first-order spectrum (Fourier transform of the time-domain waveform) and the slope of the second-order spectrum (two consecutive Fourier transforms of the time-domain waveform). The phantom specimens displayed first-order peak densities that were significantly greater and second-order spectral slopes that were significantly lower than homogeneous control samples. Phantoms with large fibers (250 micrometer diameter) showed the highest peak densities with values greater than 3x those of the controls. The peak density trend of the phantom samples with increased microscopic heterogeneity was consistent with data of breast tissue specimens. These results provide a physical mechanism for the use of these parameters in the imaging of breast tissues with atypical and malignant pathologies.

Finding a source of energy to supply the demands of energy consumption globally is one of the biggest problems facing society today. With fuel for transportation, heating, and manufacturing representing 70% of energy demands, an efficient fuel source must be used to supply the world’s energy needs (Gouveia and Oliveira, 2009). Algae represent an abundant source of biomass that could be used as a source to make biodiesel. Over the past several years, microalgae have become a logical potential candidate for producing biofuel in large masses. This is mainly due to the fact that they are more efficient at photosynthetic processes than traditional crops grown on the land (Vasudevan, 2008). Another feature of algae that make it suitable as a source for biodiesel is the fact that it can survive in harsh environments, such as salty water or compromised water where crops would not be able to grow (Mata et al., 2010). For my project, I researched and tested the effect of varying light frequency and intensity on the lipid production of Chlorella vulgaris algae. I along with Dr. Herzog and Abram Bernard, set up an array involving 40 flasks that were split into 8 rows and 5 columns. Each row had a unique frequency of light that came from a combination of red, green or blue LEDs. Each column varied the light intensity by changing the distance of the flask from the light source. The goal of our research was to show that algae of the species Chlorella vulgaris could be grown in this system and that algae growth rates were dependent on light frequency and intensity. This was accomplished by converting the lipids produced by the algae into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and then analyzing the FAMEs using a gas chromatograph (GC). In order for this analysis to be effective in terms of accuracy and precision, a quantitative method was developed and verified to quantify the lipid production of the algae under different light conditions. The light intensity and the number of photons of light emitted in each column were monitored by Chandler Greenwell, a fellow Chemistry student. The correlation between light intensity and the quantity of algae was noted during this project.

Alternative energy sources are becoming more important in today’s society. Algae provide a potential source of fuel that can is currently under study by many in the scientific community. The fats that algae can produce can be used as biofuel. Algae is a good candidate as a biofuel source because it can be grown in many conditions that crops, such as corn, cannot. Certain algae have very high percentages of fat that can be used for biofuel and it can be grown in large quantities. To add to the knowledge of algae and its potential as a fuel source, we have researched the effects of varying light conditions on the algae’s fat production. Working with faculty in the chemistry and microbiology departments at Weber State University, we set up an experiment to discover the effects of different wavelengths of light on fat production in algae. 40 samples of Chlorella Vulgaris were grown in different light environments. Our apparatus separated the algae into 8 different colored lights at 5 different. The intensity of light was quantified to allow us to map the changes. We extracted the fat from these samples using a transesterification method previously used on meat and analyzed them using a gas chromatography method we developed. Currently we are analyzing the correlations between the quantified light data, the mass of algae grown, and the amount of fats present in these samples. We hope to be able to draw conclusions from this data about the effects of varying light wavelengths and intensities on the fat production of algae. From these conclusions, we would be able to contribute to the research of algae as a source of biofuel. We have also approached this project as a way of developing interdisciplinary research here at Weber State University. Our work has not only provided us with data on this project but has also been involved in developing methods for future research by other undergraduates.

We consider a list of properties of isomorphic simple graphs and the use of these properties as quick tests to show nonisomorphic relationships. We compare advantages of tests, and list these in order of efficiency. We consider a nonisomorphic test using cospectral graphs with its drawbacks. And lastly, we observe an algorithmic approach showing two graphs are isomorphic through efficient adjacency matrix reordering techniques.

Despite being a problem for more than two decades, malicious software (or malware) remains a serious threat to the information security of organizations. Increasingly, attackers target the computers of end users to gain a beachhead from which the network of a user’s organization can be surveilled and exploited. Given the growing threat of malware to end users and their or- ganizations, there is a need to understand how malware warnings can be made more effective to alert end users of potential threats. We address this need by performing a NeuroIS study to examine whether men and women process malware warnings in the brain differently (or whether men process them at all?). We conducted a laboratory study that employed electroencephalography (EEG), a proven method of measuring neurological activity in temporally sensitive tasks. We found that the amplitude of the P300, an ERP event-related potentialcomponent indicative of decision making ability, was higher for all participants when viewing malware warning screenshots relative to legitimate website shots. Additionally, we found that the P300 was greater for women than for men, indicating that women exhibit higher brain activity than men when viewing malware warnings. Our results demonstrate the value of applying NeuroIS methods to the domain of information security and point to several promising avenues for future research.

Significant research in Machine Learning has been directed at the application and implementation of kernel-based learning methods. However, few studies have focused on the problem of kernel construction. This paper introduces a novel method for generating new kernels by solving differential equations for kernel functions. We examine specific kernels generated using this method. These kernels are applied to various data sets and compared against state-of-the-art kernels.

Strategies for the Colonel Blotto game common in human play are generalized and compared through computer simulation. Furthermore, a variation on the game where the opponent’s resources are unknown is introduced, and differences between the variation and the classic game are explored with simulations on the common human strategies. Another variation on the scoring of the game is introduced and analyzed through simulations and a partial solution to the Nash equilibria in the two-front case.

Breast cancer is the leading cancer killer among women in the state of Utah. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC’s) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), Utah has the second lowest mammogram rate in the nation. Mammograms reduce breast cancer mortality rates by increasing early detection of the disease when it is still curable. A quick binary logistic regression of the data completed for this presentation suggests that there at least three factors that are statistically significant for not receiving a mammogram: lack of a health plan, infrequent dentist visits, and age. Some counties including Millard, Summit, Tooele, Sanpete, and Uintah appear to be statistically significant factors. Other counties have low mammography rates, but too little data to be statistically significant including Beaver, Wayne Garfield, Paiute, Daggett, and Rich. By identifying patterns and analyzing correlations between variables, we may begin to understand why Utah women are not taking advantage of early detection in the form of mammography screenings. Our research has the potential to improve the attitude with which the topic of mammography is approached, and in doing so, save lives.

Figure skating is a competitive sport that requires athletes to practice up to 5 days a week year round performing 50 to 100 jumps per day. This results in high, repetitive impact forces on the skater’s body which may lead to overuse injuries. While the negative effects of figure skating are well documented, the cause of these injuries is still unclear because the complexity of artistic figure skating limits current instrumentation from accurately measuring impact forces. This project has sought to fill this void by developing a force measurement system that will allow the figure skater to perform their jumps without any hindrance while accurately measuring the magnitude of the impact forces in the vertical and horizontal directions. Using strain gauges attached to the stanchions of the ice skate combined with a data collection system that attaches to the bottom of the boot, we have developed a prototype that accurately measures the forces produced in the ice skate. This will lead to a fully developed ice skate measurement system which will be used by researchers to investigate the impact forces generated in figure skating jumps and landings.

The SABER instrument, aboard the TIMED satellite, measures optical data regarding parameters of the Earth’s atmosphere with respect to altitude. Approximately once per minute, SABER performs a limb-scan measurement on the Earth’s atmosphere from which altitude emission profiles of key atmospheric gasses, including hydroxyl at wavelengths of 1.6 μm and 2.0 μm, are derived. Most hydroxyl profiles within the SABER dataset contain a single peak in the airglow altitude profile centered near an altitude of 87 km, but a significant portion of the profiles display two or more local maxima. MATLAB code was written to analyze the geophysical and temporal global distribution of the multiple-peak profiles. Graphs have been created which display relationships between the percentage of multiple-peak profiles and the local time, the cardinal orientation of the SABER device, and the latitude and longitude at which the atmospheric profile was measured. Patterns have been observed in multiple-peak profile distribution with respect to these variables. Possible causes of the multiple-peak occurrences in the hydroxyl altitude profiles include waves, geometrical effects of the SABER instrument, and/or chemistry of the atmosphere. In addition to graphing software, analysis software was written which counts the number of peaks present in any given altitude profile, and which ascertained the percentage of profiles displaying multiple-peak characteristics. A small (<1%) portion of hydroxyl altitude profiles were found to have abnormal distributions due to erroneous or noisy data collected by SABER. Software has also been written to remove such exceptions from the dataset. Additional investigation into the relationship between multiple-peak occurrences and cardinal direction orientation of the SABER device is required in order to further identify the causes for multiple peak profiles. An investigation into seasonal patterns for multiple-peak profiles is to be conducted. As the dataset grows, exception software will be updated to identify invalid altitude profiles. Also, ozone has been found to have multiple-peak altitude profiles similar to those of hydroxyl, and studies complementary to those performed on hydroxyl altitude profiles will be performed on ozone.

Atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia, is a rapid, irregular heart beat arising from uncontrolled and asynchronized electrical activation in the atria. This disruption of the normal electrical signaling hinders the contraction of the heart, leading to decreased blood flow, possible clot (thrombus) formation, and an increased risk of stroke. The left atrial appendage (LAA) is a small muscular pouch of highly variable anatomy within the left atrium. The LAA plays a prominent role in thrombus formation in patients with AF because of decreased blood flow within this structure. Thus, we hypothesized that the shape of the left atrial appendage is different in AF patients with a documented history of stroke. We used statistical shape analysis to determine which LAA shape variations contribute to stroke based on a cohort of AF patients who had both MRI and CT scans and a documented history of stroke. We manually delineated the boundaries of the LAA from each patient’s CT and MRI scans to analyze the resulting LAA segmentations for shape variations across imaging modalities and history of stroke. The results showed that patients who have AF and a history of stroke have an LAA with a narrower insertion site into the left atrium and are larger in size. In contrast, patients who have AF, but no history of stroke, have an LAA with a wider insertion site, which are smaller in size. By isolating specific LAA shape variants indicative of an underlying risk of stroke, we can use this shape classification scheme to better tailor AF therapies to each individual patient.

The wrist is one of the most common sites for joint injury. Over two-thirds of 75,000 annual repetitive joint injuries occur at the wrist. Excessive or abnormal wrist forces are thought to be one of the main contributing factors, yet no characterization of normal wrist forces exists. The purpose of this research is to fill this lack by creating a systematic, quantitative characterization of wrist forces and torques experienced in daily life. This database will aid further research in developing better and more personalized treatments as well as improving design considerations for human-machine interfaces. Ten healthy subjects participated in the experiment. Subjects performed 25 activities representative of daily life (e.g. hygiene maintenance, food preparation, using technology). Electromyographic (EMG) sensors recorded wrist muscle activity and electromagnetic motion sensors recorded wrist kinematics. Each subject performed a calibration task prior to the experimental protocol to determine the proportionality constant between EMG activity and torque. Wrist force and torque were determined from EMG activity using a constant of proportionality (identified by calibration), muscle length, and muscle velocity. Co-contraction was computed from torque. Wrist muscle usage, forces, torque magnitudes, torque angles, and percentage of co-contraction at varying levels of contraction were characterized. The results indicate muscle use, forces, and torques are unevenly distributed.

Water management and flood control are essential elements of civilization. Linear weirs (e.g. ogee crest, sharp crested, and broad crested weirs) are often used in irrigation channels or reservoir spillways to regulate the discharge and upstream water level during flood flows. As hydrologic data sets increase in size and accuracy, the highest probable maximum flood (PMF) discharge is becoming increasingly more accurate, and in many cases much larger than previous estimates. Because of this, an older weir may need to be rehabilitated to ensure it can pass the updated PMF discharge safely without upstream flooding. A nonlinear weir (e.g. labyrinth or piano key weir) can replace a linear weir in a channel or spillway to pass significantly more discharge without requiring increased channel width. The Utah Water Research Laboratory at Utah State University, with the help of Utah Mineral Lease Funds, has developed and published design data for multiple configurations of nonlinear weirs. In 2012, the Utah Division of Water Resources used this data to design a labyrinth-style nonlinear weir that will replace the spillway currently in use at Millsite Reservoir in Emery County. This rehabilitation project will significantly decrease the flooding potential of the surrounding area.

Current quad-rotors provide excellent maneuverability and opportunity for data collection in large scale areas such as agriculture, but lack the capability to maintain flight for an extended period of time. This is due primarily to a lack of energy supply, requiring operators to replace the battery source before the quad-rotor completes its designated purpose [1]. In this paper, we introduce a mechanism to enable flying robotic rotorcraft, such as quadrotors and helicopters which utilize vertical takeoff and landing, to perch similar to a bird. The mechanism is passive, using only the weight of the rotorcraft for actuation. Such a mechanism will dispel the need for multiple batteries by allowing the quadrotor to perch amid its designated flight course, recharge using solar energy, and complete data collection over large scale areas in less time. In previous research to this same end, biomimetic approaches were pursued, resulting in designs that looked similar to the legs and feet of birds. The design in this paper utilizes a Sarrus mechanism to convert rotorcraft weight into perch grip. We began by designing the mechanism for a range of cylindrical perch sizes. Using MATLAB, we developed a program to optimize the various mechanism dimensions needed to perch within this range while also maximizing the mechanical advantage of grip force. Using SolidWorks, a 3-dimensional model was created and manufactured with these dimensions. In testing, the mechanism successfully allowed a small RC helicopter to perch on a 4cm diameter rod with some resistance to external forces. However, in crash tests, the mechanism was unable to withstand certain moment forces and developed large fractures. Further research will focus on decreasing these moment forces’ ability to weaken the mechanism while optimizing perching capability.

Programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4) loses its function as a tumor suppressor when co-expressed with a specific binding partner, protein arginine methyltransferase-5 (PRMT5). A better understanding of the regulation of PDCD4-PRMT5 interaction may lead to cancer therapies targeted at restoring the tumor suppressive function of PDCD4. Using Xenopus laevis (frog) eggs to generate extract trapped in either interphase or mitosis, we found that PDCD4-PRMT5 interaction is regulated by the cell cycle. Full-length PDCD4 bound PRMT5 more robustly in interphase than in mitosis. However, a truncated version of PDCD4, that retained the PRMT5 binding site, bound PRMT5 equally in interphase and mitosis. These results indicate that there may be a component of full-length PDCD4 that occludes the PRMT5 binding site in mitosis. Furthermore, we found that both full-length and the truncated PDCD4 are preferentially phosphorylated in mitosis, but preferentially methylated in interphase. From these results we speculate that phosphorylation of PDCD4 in mitosis allows PDCD4 to fold upon itself and effectively block the PRMT5 binding site. Additionally, phosphorylation may prevent methylation even when PRMT5 can bind PDCD4, explaining the lack of PDCD4 methylation in mitosis. Such an inhibitory mechanism may be useful in therapeutically restoring the tumor suppressive function of PDCD4. Future research will be aimed towards completing our understanding of PDCD4-PRMT5 interaction in the cell cycle, such as proving our model in human cells.

The Tintic Mining District is located in central Utah on the eastern edge of the Basin and Range Province. This area experienced significant hydrothermal alteration associated with volcanism in the early Cenozoic Era. This hydrothermal alteration was productive of sulfide ore deposition along fissure veins, including ores of copper, gold and silver. Previous aeromagnetic surveys showed that porphyry copper assemblages are associated with mappable anomalies in the Earth’s total magnetic field. The magnetic anomalies were interpreted as resulting from buried intrusive igneous rocks associated with the porphyry copper assemblages. The objective of this research is to map buried fissure veins on property owned by NorthStar Mine using a ground-based survey of anomalies in the Earth’s total magnetic field. This study will be the first geophysical mapping of fissure veins in this area. Previous work by the author and other Utah Valley University students showed that total magnetic field anomalies could be used to map halloysite clay deposits, the copper sulfide deposits associated with buried basaltic dikes, and a wide variety of igneous rock bodies including buried bodies of quartz monzonite, rhyolite and tuff. Because the igneous rocks are considered to be the source of hydrothermal fluids, further mapping of the distribution of igneous rocks could give some insight into the migration of fluids that deposited ore in fissure veins. The ground-based magnetic survey will be carried out using the Geometrics G-856 Proton Precession Magnetometer. Magnetic susceptibilities of outcrops will be measured using the handheld SM-10 Magnetic Susceptibility Meter. Rock samples will also be collected for crushing and more precise measurement of magnetic susceptibility in the lab using the Bartington MS3 Magnetic Susceptibility Meter. Mapped magnetic anomalies will be compared with possible subsurface rock bodies using the IX2D Magnetic Interpretation Software. All necessary equipment is currently owned by the Department of Earth Science. This research is being carried out in cooperation with NorthStar Mine. Results will be reported at the meeting.

Introduction:

Research on gifted education has shown that expertise development requires learning very basic skills to a high level (Bloom 1986). As a university education is meant to provide students with opportunities to develop expertise in a given field, it is imperative that universities provide learners with opportunities to learn very basic skills to a high level. However, do students receive adequate opportunities to learn the skills necessary to develop expertise? Do some students receive more opportunities than others? This study seeks to answer these questions by surveying honors and non-honors students to determine their perceptions respectively of opportunities to develop expertise in their chosen field of study. By matching each honors student with a non-honors student in the same class, the survey aims to evaluate the difference between the perceptions of honors students and non-honors students in the same class. Scager, et al indicate that honors students are more likely to develop expertise than non-honors students at a university (2011). Thus the hypothesis of this study is honors students receive more opportunities for expertise development than non-honors students.

The Jordan River in Utah has been highly regulated for many years through intense irrigation, channelization, and managed releases from Utah Lake. As the only outlet of Utah Lake flowing north into the Great Salt Lake, it is important to the riparian ecosystem and the surrounding human population as well. The river has a long history of mixed-uses, but it is emerging as a popular recreation site for the numerous adjacent communities. Human interaction on the individual and commercial scale influences the river through development and urbanization. The physical characteristics of the river and its riparian zone can be monitored to understand how the landscape is changing over time. In this study we focus on land cover changes in the riparian zone of the upper one-third of the river flowing out of Utah Lake to what is called “the point of the mountain”. This is the portion of the river that flows in Utah County. From aerial imagery and field observations, we noted alterations in the vegetation within the riparian zone from channelization, riprap, invasive species, or removal for a variety of reasons. We use GIS and aerial imagery to evaluate the land cover change on the Jordan River in Utah County between 1992-2011. Using Anderson’s classification system of land cover, specifically Urban or Built-Up Land, Agriculture, Vegetation, and Barren Earth, we quantified the changes in vegetation within a 100 meter buffer of the river’s wetted channel. While there are areas where little change is observed, areas of greatest change occurred downstream of the outlet, where a number of new communities have been developed in the last decade. As a subset of Vegetation we mapped changed in invasive species, tamarisk and reed canary grass, along the same section of the river within the riparian zone. Urban planning and invasive species removal along the river needs to be further considered as potential future recreation and restoration efforts are advanced on the river.

The purpose of this research is to explore the current status and condition of the public and private education k-12 in Ecuador and analyze the implications that recent policy changes made by the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education hold for the future role of K-12 schools in the country. In order to do this, I first met with the Minister of Education and received information regarding national test scores of schools in six provinces, the provinces being Guayas, Santa Elena, El Oro, Manabí, Azuay, and Pichincha. I then visited four different types of schools in each of those provinces, the types being public, municipal, fiscomisional, and private. In each of these schools, I held an interview with the principal as well as a few selected teachers, and observed the general condition of the school grounds and facilities. I found that the majority of the public schools are overpopulated, while the private schools for the poor are disappearing due to the diminishing number of students who are enrolling in their programs. I propose that the reforms that the Ministry of Education has put in place will be more effective in improving education if the number of students in each public classroom is reduced to a manageable amount. This can be achieved by the government providing subsidies and financial aid for more students to attend private schools.

Student retention and persistence to graduation are two issues that receive significant attention and allocation of financial and human resources in higher education. A recent study (Creighton, Creighton, & Parks, 2010) stated that 26% of new freshmen do not matriculate their sophomore year. Consequently, many institutions within higher education have placed emphasis on the first-year experience (FYE). In response to the issues that lead freshmen to dropout, FYE program outcomes generally include student self-awareness (Krause & Coates, 2008), learning academic skills and strategies (Crisp & Cruz, 2010; Schrader & Brown, 2008), connecting students to campus (Zhao & Kuh, 2004; Bell, 2012) and social support (Tinto, 2009; Wilcox, Winn & Fyvie-Gauld, 2005). However, research shows that most institutions approach FYE programming with a “piecemeal approach” (Krause, Hartly, James, & McInnis, 2005) and do not take a “whole-of-institution” approach (Kift, Nelson, & Clark, 2010) where student retention and persistence are part of the fabric of the entire institution. One of the aspects of FYE programming is peer mentoring. Peer mentoring emerged within the FYE programs to facilitate these program outcomes and ultimately, student retention. In fact, an early literature review (Jacobi, 1991) on mentoring revealed four identifiable outcomes of mentoring, three of which claimed to be applicable to peer mentoring and successful fulfillment of FYE outcomes. Some peer mentoring programs emerge from student affairs (Lopez, Johnson & Black, 2010) while other programs originate from academic affairs (Colvin & Ashman, 2010). Aside from the differing origins of peer mentoring programs, research identifies six types of mentoring programs, five of which claim to be applicable to peer mentoring (Karcher, Kuperminc, Portwood, Sipe, & Taylor, 2006). However, there still appears to be no universal approach to peer mentoring in higher education. Specifically, research has yet to reveal a peer mentoring program that comprehensively synthesizes the great foundational work of Jacobi (1991) and Karcher and his colleagues (2006) and maintains the necessary theoretical alignment proposed in recent literature (Hall & Jaugietis, 2011; Crisp & Cruz, 2010) within a holistic and integrated institutional approach to student success and retention.

This research project was to make a film about Lloyd Alexander, one of America’s most influential authors of fantasy for young readers. Best known for his Chronicles of Prydain, including the 1969 Newbery Award winning “The High King”, Alexander won numerous awards and was translated into over 20 languages. This study includes interviews with his editors, close friends, and professionals in the children’s literature community as well as archival photographs from his life. The research actually culminated in two documentary films exploring the life and writings of Lloyd Alexander, one ten minutes long and the other an hour in length. These films already have created much interest in Alexander and his works, reaching long-time Alexander fans, as well as helping to establish some new readers of his work.

In 2008 the people of the United States and the world were awakened from a dream that huge financial gains can be made at the expense of huge public losses while everything will stay just and fair. Unfortunately, the 2008 economic crash wasn’t the result of just one idea in one sector, but rather a culture within economies; a culture that has not just investment bankers but everyday American and foreign citizens pursuing the same path. This path, that many American and foreign citizens have been enticed by, is a business structure that leaves an individual and their chances of success equal to the chances of failure of those that follow suit, namely Ponzi Schemes. The many people who follow Ponzi Schemes are looking for financial security along with promises of high earnings and early retirement, but are often met with greater debt than they had before simply due to the structure of these Ponzi schemes. For the most part Ponzi schemes have been made illegal in the United States; however, due to certain laws that have been established, Ponzi schemes have been operating under the guise of established businesses known as Multi-level Markets (MLMs). The laws in question are the DSHEA, which has aided MLMs on a national level, and Utah S.B. 0182, which created a loophole for MLMs to operate in large numbers on a State level. Thus a culture of legal positivist views allows the illegal and immoral business practices of MLMs to encourage a culture of harming many to reward a few. This conclusion about MLMs comes from contrasting the structure of MLMs with the moral theory of Immanuel Kant’s Categorical Imperative which requires that all moral actions be held as a universal maxim, and that people are not treated as merely means to an end. The purpose of this research is to assess whether the previous conclusion is in fact true of MLMs in regards to moral business practices through the Categorical Imperative. If after examination the conclusion is found to be true, the DSHEA and Utah S.B. 0182 both need to be revoked in order to begin a change in culture; else large amounts of U.S. dollars, as well as other currencies, will continue to fund illegal Ponzi schemes acting as legitimate businesses and an opportunity to take steps to change U.S. culture on the nature of wealth. In addition, a new culture that allowed for the 2008 financial crisis of large rewards for the few at huge public expenses will continue to grow.