2014 Abstracts

Michael Nielson, Dixie State University Humanities Character development is arguably the greatest driving force in fiction writing. But how does an author create a believable, complex character? Oftentimes, writers attempt to mimic characters they’ve encountered in literature. These characters repeated over time are generally known as character-specific archetypes; However, these archetypes delve deeper than writers simply copying other writers. The Oxford Dictionary of Literary Terms defines archetypes as a “symbol, theme, setting, or character-type that recurs in different times and places in myth, literature, folklore, dreams, and rituals so frequently or prominently as to suggest that it embodies some essential element of ‘universal’ human experience.” This paper will survey the effectiveness of writers consciously using character-specific archetypes—such as the hero, the sage, and the jester—drawing upon the expertise of Carl Jung, Joseph Campbell, and Victoria Schmidt with specific attention to J. R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of The Rings series and Edgar Allan Poe’s short stories. Ultimately, I will suggest that the best way to create a believable, complex character is through the conscious use of archetypes, which allows the reader full immersion into the fictional work and fosters the suspension of disbelief.

Jeremy Lofthouse, University of Utah Humanities The identity of Mormon women has been sharply contested throughout the Latter-day Saint movement. Women in the nineteenth-century were targeted by critics of Mormonism as oppressed, even enslaved through polygamy. Following the termination of polygamy, Mormon women became hyper-domestic, following patterns of mainstream America. The identity of some Mormon women has made another dramatic transition in the last decade.

Meg Siner, Westminster College Humanities I would like to present my research on the 1913 Utah opera The Sun Dance Opera, written and directed by Lakota activist Zitkala-Sa. The opera, score, libretto are found in the L. Tom Perry Special Collections of the Harold B. Library at Brigham Young University. The opera premiered to rave reviews but has since fallen into obscurity.

Jordan Bracken, Dixie State University Humanities Of the many problems facing woman today, one of the more serious is the unrealistic standard of beauty and behavior that women are expected to achieve, maintain, and accept as normative. However, I will show how select works of fiction, including Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Birthmark and Edgar Allen Poe’s The Oval Portrait, exemplify the dangers of the male gaze; additionally, I will explicate non-fiction works such as Betty Friedan’s The Feminine Mystique and Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex, which explore the severe consequences of attempting to force women to conform to a gendered societal paradigm. These works demonstrate the destructive characteristics to both men and women which can be easily overlooked by those who believe that a cultural standard, any cultural standard, represents a natural or necessary state of gendered behavior. When the image of the perfect feminine is idealized and internalized it both pressures women to alter their true identities and expects men to hold women to an unattainable behavioral and physical standard.

Benjamin Tullis, Utah Valley University Humanities Wayne Both has defined rhetoric as “the whole range of arts not only of persuasion but also of producing or reducing misunderstanding” (10). In The Rhetoric of Fiction, Wayne Booth also writes about four general rules that an author can use to enhance his or her writing and persuade readers. This rhetorical approach to fiction is not common. In addition, literary texts can be analyzed from a rhetorical perspective and many classical texts can be seen in a new way. My research uses Booth’s four general rules to dissect The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This book has been read and analyzed by millions of people since it was first published in 1884. My work finds a new correlation between Booth and Mark Twain. For example, Booth’s first general rule is that “…novels must be realistic” (23). Twain used his life experiences to create a world that, though it is imaginary, still rings true to the reader. Booth also states that, “all authors must be objective” (67), and “true art ignores the audience” (89). Twain was successful in following both of these rules because although he personally believed that that racism was wrong, he knew that other people, especially during his lifetime, did not share this same view. He used rhetoric indirectly in the story so that the reader can make up his or her own mind. Booth’s fourth rule states that authors should use “emotions, beliefs, and the reader’s objectivity” (119). Twain manipulates the emotions of his readers through the characters he created and the scenes he described. By carefully analyzing The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn in this new way using Booth’s four general rules, the modern reader will find a powerful rhetorically persuasive function in this classic text that many view primarily as children’s entertainment.

Steven Hepworth, Weber State University Humanities Mormons and Missourians were at war with one another 1838. At the heart of the issue was the political and literal power of the Mormons in the state. The Mormon leader, Joseph Smith, claimed to have received revelations stating Missouri, and more particularly Jackson County, was to be the land of inheritance for Mormon Saints. Missourians feared a Mormon overtake of the State. During this same time the growing issue of slavery was the issue in Missouri. Mormons and Missourians found themselves on opposite ends of the slavery debate. These heated issues caused both Mormons and Missourians to persecute, harass, destroy, and fight one another. Orson Hyde changed the landscape of this conflict. On October 24, 1838 Orson Hyde signed a sworn affidavit declaring that Joseph Smith and the Mormon Church planned to overtake, possess, and control the State of Missouri. At the time, Orson was an Apostle, or leading member of the Mormon Church. He was well respected within the church and throughout the Missouri community. His testimony against the church and its leaders came as a shock to many. He showed no sign of discontentment previous to his signing a sworn affidavit against Joseph Smith and the Mormon Church. Why would a leading member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints testify against his religion, which he still held dear, and his friends? Orson Hyde indicted Mormon leaders of treason to save the lives of his family, to placate non-Mormon neighbors, and because of a failed mind due to illness. I will explore the involvement of Hyde in the Mormon Missouri war, what led him to testify against the Mormon Church, and the consequences resulted from his testimony.

Colby Townsend, University of Utah Humanities A vast amount of literature has been produced on the Book of Mormon since its initial publication in 1830. Writers from all backgrounds have approached this text, generally in a polarized manner. Either they approach it as committed believers or non-committed skeptics. In reviewing this literature it becomes apparent that not enough work has been done on the influence of the King James Version (KJV) of the Biblical text on the actual production of the Book of Mormon. A large project is underway to locate all of the places in the text of the Book of Mormon that are literarily dependent on the KJV. This paper will be a contribution toward that end. Malachi 3-4 is quoted in numerous places throughout the Book of Mormon, not just 3 Ne. 24-25 where Jesus gives the Nephites these chapters because “they [had them] not.” The paper will locate all of those places in the text of the Book of Mormon where the language and phraseology of Malachi is used, and its use will be analyzed through literary and source criticism. At present this paper is still a work in progress, and therefore has no set conclusion, but the working hypothesis is that Joseph Smith either utilized the KJV Malachi directly in the process of dictating the Book of Mormon by taking out a KJV and having his scribe copy it down, or the language was so familiar to him it came to mind as he dictated to his scribe. This will contribute to the larger study of locating all those places in the Book of Mormon that are dependent on the Bible, which will be published as a scholarly reference for use in comparative studies between the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

Echo Smith, University of Utah Humanities Since the publication, in 1995, of Jonathan Shay’s Achilles in Vietnam, an increasingly popular view of PTSD in soldiers holds that modern day combatants experience the horrors of warfare in much the same way as did ancient Greek and Roman soldiers and that PTSD must have been just as prevalent in the classical world as it is today.

Carson Bennett, Brigham Young University Humanities A short story based on my grandfather’s experiences in the Battle of the Bulge.

Jacob Newman, Brigham Young University Humanities In ‘A New Approach to Assessing Strategic Learning: The Case of Self-Regulation in Vocabulary Acquisition’ Tseng et al. (2006) discuss their design of an instrument that measures learners’ self-regulatory capacity rather than use of specific learning strategies. Learning strategies include a variety of behaviors or activities that a learner does to help them during the learning process. This instrument (SRCvoc), designed as a questionnaire, aims to help learners discover their self-regulatory capacity and then apply personalized learning strategies that are beneficial to their own vocabulary learning. Vocabulary learning is essential in developing language skills. According to their research, SRCvoc ‘can serve as a diagnostic measure to identify and understand learners’ strengths and weaknesses in terms of the five areas of self-regulation in the area of (English vocabulary) learning’ (Tseng et al. 2006: 96). The goals of the study, per Tseng et al. (2006) were (a) to create an instrument that ‘measured learner trait of self-regulatory capacity rather than survey specific behavioral habits’ (b) to create ‘an instrument based on a theoretical construct.’ SRCvoc is based on self-regulatory strategy research from the area of educational psychology, with facets including commitment, metacognitive, satiation, emotion, and environmental control and (c) to design an instrument “in one particular learning domain only, that is vocabulary learning.” We replicated the administration of SRCvoc to verify that it is of value beyond the original context. With assistance from Dr. Neil Anderson and Dr. James Hartshorn, I administered the questionnaire through a Qualtrics survey to learners in the academic program at Brigham Young University’s English Language Center (ELC) to replicate the original administration of SRCvoc. I created and distributed self-regulatory profiles from the results of SRCvoc to the students. We examined the validity and reliability of SRCvoc through statistical analysis and learned more about training self-regulated learners.

Lauren Harding, Utah Valley University Humanities From the Classical world, the male nude has come to be one of the most recognizable symbols for Greek civilization. This nude is a protean and multifaceted entity that took on different meanings as Hellenic society progressed. Two binary forms of these nudes recur as archetypes, which in this paper are identified as (1) the Heroic/Athletic nude and (2) the Ephebic/Mythological nude. Within the new discursive framework of these two physiques, it is necessary to incorporate the recent research that has been produced after the large feminist and gender studies awakening that has swept through the Classical scholarly world. The field has been wonderfully enriched with this research, and as such a re-evaluation of the male form is in order. This investigation will reveal new and fascinating aspects of Greek sculpture that previously have not been studied, and will illustrate how the distinctions between the two nudes are more easily seen, or, in certain cases, how these distinctions are blurred. Through better understanding this complicated, omni-sexual world of Classical Greece, we will enrich the understanding of our own culture, which is more nuanced than the hetero-normative standard that many believe exists.

Ward Symes, Dixie State University Humanities Some people think a heavy blanket of intellectual darkness was thrown over Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire and not lifted until the Renaissance. Were the Dark Ages a time of total illiteracy when learning and education ceased to exist? Did the Dark Ages only end with the emergence of great milestones like the invention of Gutenberg’s movable type printing press and Martin Luther protesting the Catholic Church?

Bronson Beatty, Dixie State University0 Humanities If we are the targets of bullying and slander, we have the right to defend ourselves and our good name. But how thick is the line separating self-defense from striking back or taking vengeance? This short story, inspired in part by Poe’s classic tale “The Cask of Amontillado,” is historical fiction set in the era of Renaissance Italy and its warring noble families. Fabiano, our protagonist, is the son of fabulously wealthy merchants. He is a respected pillar of his community and hosts tri-annual masques which are the toast of southern Italy. However, the son of a powerful northern family arrives uninvited and reveals that Fabiano was a ward to his family in their youth, humiliating him in front of his guests. Fabiano’s tormentor visits every masque for over a year, insulting Fabiano further and gradually turning him into a laughingstock. Fabiano becomes obsessed with restoring his honor and with defeating his tormentor, but his schemes may carry too far. How far can we go trying to right wrongs committed against us? Is it always right to do so?

Andrew Gibson, University of Utah Humanities In many languages we have words that don’t have a one-to-one correlation, for instance, ‘Wednesday’ sounds more like ‘wensday’. Although writing systems can be consistent, some syllables are pronounced differently in some contexts. The point is; that words have different sounds from their written form. I theorized this as ‘word deceptive.’ These words can often deceive us when spelled differently from the way they sound. This can be difficult for others learning a language. But to aid in this difficulty is with word deceptive strategies: 1.Make the unfamiliar familiar 2. Associate visuals to the word to increase word retention 3. Use words in interpersonal experiences.

Hayden Smith, University of Utah Humanities While serving as a full-time volunteer missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from 2010-2012, I gained a new perspective of discrimination and racism in contemporary America. My mission was located in West Texas and East New Mexico. While living in this region, I came into contact with a much different setting then I had experienced growing up in Salt Lake City, Utah. I learned Spanish and worked very closely with the Latino and also the African American minority populations. This was compelling as I learned a great deal about the types of discrimination which minorities experienced in the United States. In Lubbock, TX in particular, I saw a very segregated community, as the city was still divided upon racial lines.

Mary Ellison Barlow, Brigham Young University Humanities In the 15th and 16th centuries of the Portuguese golden age was followed by a period of decline in the 17th and 18th centuries. For a majority of Western Europe, this latter period heralded the age of Enlightenment and brought with it a cultural movement of reason and individualism that changed the history of the world. There is a vacuity surrounding Portugal in respect to the role and level of influence it had in the movement of the Enlightenment. The purpose of this study is to discover how Portugal received enlightened European thinking and how the enlightened world saw Portugal. This study will include the affect the Lisbon Earthquake of 1755 influenced Enlightenment thinking, foreign and domestic. We will also analyze the reception of ones such as Mozart and Voltaire and their corresponding works, and how these ideas influenced Portuguese society.

Spencer Yamada, Brigham Young University Humanities This project is designed to use the actions of the US military in response to American civilians advocating for direct military intervention in the holocaust as a case study to apply the economic Theory of Disruption. The complex situation during the war, involving Anti-Semitism, technical challenges, political motives and military bureaucracy has traditionally been impossible to untangle. Existing theories of management and economics were applied using their data-proven ability to understand human behavior. Clayton Christensen of Harvard Business School developed the Theory of Disruption to describe the process by which companies are able to innovate, grow, and conversely stall and fail. Christensen found that large companies that had traditionally been innovative and successful had become so by bringing new products to new markets that had been previously ignored. Christensen noted that the world’s most successful corporations had changed dramatically overtime by initiating self-disruption and changing focus from what has traditionally been successful for them to smaller new markets and new products. The Allied purpose during the Second World War was centered on one key policy decided at the Bermuda Conference in 1943, which was to defeat Nazi Germany. Around the same time groups of both Gentile and Jews began clamoring for a new strategy involving the bombing of Auschwitz as reports of the camps reached the American public. The American Military did not produce the product this small market demanded, acting in the same way a large corporation would that failed to initiate the process of disruption and took no action against any holocaust targets. Christensen’s Theory of Disruption explains of this phenomenon as a function of economic forces and organizational behavior.

Nicholas Sheets, Brigham Young University Humanities This honors’ thesis analyzes a lesser-known drama by Jorge Ibargüengoitia, Llegó Margo (1956), by approaching historic social critiques in Mexico through dialogue, plot, and character development. Readers will approach this play through various elements of Marxist and historical criticism. Through this, higher significance to social themes develops when considered in the historical context of the semicentennial celebration of Mexico’s revolution of 1910. The play then falls into a broader national dialogue of Mexico’s social structures post-revolution. Research for this thesis includes the Ibargüengoitia papers at the Firestone Library, an interview with Joy Laville (the author’s widow), and travels to various locations in Mexico, ultimately resulting in the thesis’ higher awareness to historic social themes and a richness of Mexican ideals. Ibargüengoitia offers a critique of & for his own middle-class audience, calling attention to its hypocritical treatment of the poor as well as a hyper awareness to social traditions which ultimately maintain an unsympathetic class structure in Mexico.

Lucas Lloyd, Utah Valley University Physical Sciences The high cost of air quality monitoring stations makes it difficult for citizens or local governments to monitor air quality in their own neighborhoods. For example, Utah County, Utah, with an area of 2141 mi2, has only four air-quality monitoring stations: (1) north Provo close to both Provo High School and Brigham Young University (2) Spanish Fork Airport (3) near State Street in Lindon (4) just south of SR-92 on 6000 W in Highland. The air-quality stations monitor levels of CO, NO2, O3, PM-2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns), and PM-10. The objective of this study is to find a much cheaper method of measuring air quality. The objective was addressed by measuring the magnetic susceptibilities of 10 replicates each of the leaves of 12 species of trees (cypress, crab apple, elm, flowering pear, green ash, honey locust, linden, Norway maple, pine, red maple, Russian olive, spruce) collected within a two-mile radius of each of the four air-quality monitoring stations in Utah County. After air-drying and crushing the samples, both low-frequency (0.46 kHz) and high-frequency (4.6 kHz) magnetic susceptibilities were measured with the Bartington MS3 Magnetic Susceptibility Meter. The best correlations between tree leaf magnetic susceptibilities and air-quality parameters were between the three-year average of PM-2.5 and the high-frequency magnetic susceptibility of leaves of pine (Pinus aristata) (R2 = 0.87) and Norway maple (Acer platanoides) (R2 = 0.86). The correlation was used with measured high-frequency magnetic susceptibilities of pine to estimate PM-2.5 in two unmonitored locations heavily impacted by highway traffic (corner of 800 N and I-15 and corner of University Parkway and I-15, both in Orem, Utah) on one day in August 2013. It was found that estimated levels of PM-2.5 were 9.5 µg/cm3 and 8.9 µg/cm3, respectively, which were within the EPA PM-2.5 Standard of 12.0 µg/cm3.

Frederickk Sudbury, University of Utah Physical Sciences Triphenylphosphine stabilized gold nanoparticles were synthesized using a method developed previously by the Jennifer Shumaker-Parry group. Aminated silica colloids were obtained from the Ilya Zharov group. The gold nanoparticles were adhered to the silica colloids using a method developed for another purpose by the Zharov group. The presence of the particles on the silica colloids was confirmed using both scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The catalytic activity of the gold nanoparticles both with and without adhesion was investigated. It was found that free nanoparticles had significant catalytic activity, in agreement with previous research. Gold nanoparticles attached to silica colloids do not seem to exhibit the same level of catalytic activity as the free particles. It was also found that not all the gold nanoparticles adhered to the surface of the silica particles. Experiments were conducted to determine if there was a critical concentration of silica colloids that would allow for high levels of adhesion of the gold nanoparticles. It was found that only by adding a significant excess of silica colloids to the solution can all the gold nanoparticles be removed from the solution. It was also found that the silica can be saturated with gold nanoparticles by including a small amount of them in a very concentrated gold nanoparticle solution. Further studies for functionalization of the silica colloids and the ability to physically isolate the silica with gold nanoparticles from free nanoparticles are currently in progress.

Benjamin Pound, Utah State University Physical Sciences Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Forests are vertically grown carbon nanotubes. They can be as tall as millimeters, with radii from less than one nanometer (single-walled) to tens of nanometers (multi-walled). Their high surface area to volume ratio provides a unique material system for biosensor applications. However, the CNT surface does not provide covalent bonding sites to many antibodies of interest. One approach is to attach linker molecules with aromatic rings via π-stacking to the CNT surface and activating the linker molecules to bind covalently to specific antibody molecules. Unfortunately, the conventional solution-based functionalization approach often leads to collapse of the CNT forest and hence a significant loss of binding sites. In this presentation we demonstrate that CNTs can be lithographically defined to form various structures that are resistant to liquid-induced collapse. We show that the CNT forest can be functionalized with 1,5-diaminonaphthalene as a linker molecule and its coverage can be characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy.

Alexandra Kent, University of Utah Physical Sciences Prescription drug overdose and abuse is a leading cause of death in the United States. It is a serious issue and has become increasingly problematic as opioids are being prescribed at a higher frequency. For this reason, fast, accurate detection of small drug molecules is crucial. The current standard for use in clinical drug detection is an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that uses a series of antibodies to bind to the target drug and enable quantification via a colorimetric output. However, the antibodies used in an ELISA often cannot distinguish between similar molecules. Aptamers are short sequences of DNA that have emerged as a promising alternative to antibodies, as they are generated in vitro, where negative selections can be used to increase target selectivity. These aptamers can be cleaved to make split aptamers that only assemble in the presence of the target small molecule. One inherent problem of this system is the need for split aptamers that are selective for their small molecule targets. While there are many known aptamers, there are only a few known split aptamers that bind small molecules. Separating aptamers with a privileged, three-way-junction structure provides a reliable method to generate new split aptamers.

Jazmin Myres, Brigham Young University Physical Sciences In scan-based array measurements, stationary reference sensors are needed to temporally correlate the different measurement scans and produce coherent complex pressure fields. Because the number of references required increases with the number of subsources contributing to the sound field, an extended, partially correlated source comprising many ill-defined sources can result in significantly increased measurement complexity. A different approach to creating spatiotemporally coherent pressures is demonstrated here. Scan based measurements of a partially coherent line source have been taken in an anechoic chamber. This experimental data has been used to explore “stitching” together a complex pressure field by spatially overlapping measurement scans instead of using separate reference channels. Various methods of stitching have been explored and the most robust method identified. Unwrapping of intrascan phases is first accomplished with a two-dimensional phase unwrapping algorithm. Individual scan positions are then stitched together using median phase differences between multiple adjacent scans to create coherent planes of data. Amplitude-stitching is done by averaging across scans and preserving the integrated squared pressure across the overall aperture. This method has been verified using reference microphones. This stitching method has been applied to scan based measurements of a military aircraft, exhibiting its effectiveness dealing with a partially correlated complicated source. This method works well for low-frequency jet data, where there is not a ground-based interference null creating a physical phase discontinuity. This technique provides direction for efficient experimental design for scan-based array measurements of extended sources. [Work sponsored by ONR.]

Buchanan Kerswell, Utah Valley University Physical Sciences This project is designed to investigate anthropogenic impacts on the geochemistry and physical characteristics of Utah Lake-Jordan River transition zone, in Utah Valley, Utah. The zone has experienced dramatic, multifaceted shifts since European settlement in 1847, especially in recent decades. Our chosen study location is uniquely situated to capture changes recorded in the sediment cores due to land use, nutrient enrichment, vegetation shifts and river dynamics since pre-settlement.

Phillip Lundgreen, Utah State University Physical Sciences By developing a low-noise, high-voltage battery power supply, system noise has been reduced, increasing accuracy of conductivity measurements of highly disordered insulating materials. The method involves a simple parallel plate capacitor setup with the sample sandwiched between electrodes, a voltage potential applied to one electrode, and a measurement device applied to the back electrode measuring current. Previous methods involved use of a commercial power supply with a claimed low noise and high linearity, but with a low AC output ripple. At high voltages (1000 V), however, the noise became apparent in the readings and an unacceptable uncertainty was introduced in our precision conductivity measurements. Through the use of a stable dc battery high-voltage power supply, we were able to reduce noise in current measurements and achieve a more accurate measurement of conductivity for various samples.

Nathaniel Wells, Utah Valley University Physical Sciences Previous research with bottle-shaped thermoacoustic prime movers has revealed hysteresis with transitions to higher modes as the cavity length is varied. A string with an abrupt change in mass density was studied to investigate potentially similar behavior. Three base guitar strings were studied at three different tensions with weights of 25, 30, and 35 lbs. Each string consisted of a “thin side” that was stripped to the stainless steel core and a “thick side” with an outer wrapping of nickel around the core. The strings studied had diameters of 0.65, 0.45, and 0.50 mm on the thin side and 2.14, 1.31, and 1.24 mm on the thick side, respectively. An anchor was attached on one end of a short board with a pulley at the other for hanging the weight. The end of the thick side of the string was attached to the anchor, and the string was guided over the pulley, with the change in mass density occurring approximately 12 cm from the pulley. Measurements were taken after placing a glass jar under the thick end of the string, between 42 cm and the position of the change in mass density, in 3-cm steps. The string was plucked and the dominant frequency was recorded with a microphone at each location. Frequency data is generally consistent with a solution to a 1D wave equation. Preliminary results indicate mode transitions occurring for all strings, with several hysteresis region candidates.

Zachary Anderson, Brigham Young University Physical Sciences Correlation analysis is useful in extracting spatiotemporal relationships between signals and can be used to examine features of near-field jet noise for source properties. Characteristic correlation envelopes determined by Harker et al. [JASA 133, EL458 (2013)] can be used to relate correlation lengths to fine and large-scale turbulent structures. As an extension, cross-correlation shows spatial variation in jet noise and further reveals the transition between short (fine-scale) and long (large-scale) correlation lengths. These analyses are applied to a military jet dataset of a ground based linear microphone array positioned 11.6 m from the jet axis. Correlation analyses over multiple engine conditions and observation directions are reported. In particular, a maximum correlation coefficient greater than 0.5 exists over a range spanning multiple wavelengths in the region of greatest overall sound pressure level at military power. [Work supported by ONR.]

Mallory Millington, University of Utah Physical Sciences Groundwater in the western United States is a limited and important resource for agriculture, industry, and residents alike. Knowing the movement of groundwater is critical to understanding the potential of groundwater contamination from human activities. While groundwater flow is difficult to quantify, it typically recharges in high elevation and discharges towards lower elevation. The first commercially-approved tar sands mine in eastern Utah is located on a ridgetop in the PR Spring area within the high plateaus on the south rim of the Uinta Basin. To evaluate the potential of groundwater contamination due to tar sands mining a study was conducted to understand groundwater flow in the PR Spring area, specifically the canyon directly south of the tar sands mine called Main Canyon. Water samples were taken from four groundwater springs at elevations ranging from 7040 to 8040 ft in or near Main Canyon. Water quality measurements taken in the field showed that the lower springs exhibited higher conductivity (900 vs. 636 μS/cm) and lower dissolved oxygen (30% vs. 88% saturation) than the higher elevation springs. This suggests that the lower springs have had a greater amount of water-rock interaction and so are chemically more evolved than the springs at higher elevations. SF6 age dating indicated that the high elevation springs are younger than the lower elevation springs, 5.5 vs. 16.0 years since recharge respectively. The field parameters and SF6 age data all indicate that higher elevation springs are younger and less chemically evolved than the water at lower elevations. This indicates that the springs in Main Canyon are sourced from local recharge at the ridgetops. Given these findings the tar sands mine should consider taking preventative measures to protect groundwater resources.

Yonic Michaca, Utah Valley University Physical Sciences It is well known that some of the worst air pollution in the country each winter is found along the Wasatch front in northern Utah. This study examines the effects of environmental pollutants on the production of the novel compounds produced by the endophytes found in Rumex crispus. The Rumex crispus plant was selected due to its natural medicinal uses. It is anticipated that environmental pollutants have an effect on the production of bioactive compounds in order to protect their plant host from foreign pathogens. The theory is that the more stressful environment a plant lives in, i.e. desert climates, high altitude, and man-induced stresses such as pollution, the more bioactive compounds the endophytes produce as a response to protect their plant host. This study analyzes the effects of environmental pollutants along the Wasatch front on the production of novel bioactive compounds produced by the endophytes found in Rumex crispus. Plant samples are also collected from sites near the Wasatch front, but they are not exposed to the same amount of air pollution to be used as a control.

Ting Ruan, University of Utah Physical Sciences Cardiovascular complications are more prevalent in patients with diet-induced obesity and type 2 diabetes. Both of these conditions are associated with elevated levels of free fatty acids (FFAs). Elevated FFAs might precipitate cardiovascular complications by disrupting endothelial nitric oxide (NO) synthase (eNOS) enzyme function. The physiologically abundant saturated FFA palmitate decreases eNOS phosphorylation at serine 1177 (p-eNOS S1177) in a ceramide and protein-phosphatase 2A (PP2A) -dependent manner. p-eNOS S1177 is a positive regulatory site on the eNOS enzyme. As such, p-eNOS S1177 to total eNOS can be used as an estimate of eNOS enzyme function. We sought to determine the extent to which two other phosphatases that are abundant in the cytosol i.e., protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and protein phosphatase 2B (PP2B) might contribute to palmitate-induced reductions in p-eNOS S1177 to total eNOS. Bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) were treated for 3 hours with 500 uM palmitate or vehicle in the absence and presence of the PP1 inhibitor tautomycin (3 uM). p-eNOS S1177 to total eNOS was assessed using immunoblotting procedures. Palmitate-induced reductions (30±3%, p<0.05, n=3) in p-eNOS to total eNOS were similar in the absence and presence of tautomycin. These data indicate that PP1 does not contribute to palmitate-induced disruption of eNOS enzyme function. Next, BAECs were treated for 3 hours with 500 uM palmitate or vehicle in the absence and presence of the PP2B inhibitor cyclosporine (100nM). Palmitate-induced reductions (31±4%, p<0.05, n=3) in p-eNOS to total eNOS were similar in the absence and presence of cyclosporine. Taken together, these data suggest that neither PP1 nor PP2B contribute to palmitate-induced reductions in p-eNOS S1177 to total eNOS.

Kip Brower, Utah Valley University Physical Sciences Juniperus osteoperma has been reported to exhibit beneficial pharmacological activity against symptoms of diabetes, as a traditional treatment for kidney ailment and the essential oil of juniper berries has also been subject to investigation for antioxidant activities. Endophytes, particularly endophytic fungi, have produced numerous novel bioactive compounds, several of which are currently used as antifungal, anti-bacterial, and anti-cancer agents in organisms other than their plant hosts. This investigation looks into the possibility of endophytic fungi being a means of producing compounds that may be a functioning agent in antioxidant, antifungal, or hyper/hypoglycemic activities of Juniperus osteoperma. The investigation involves samples of Juniperus osteoperma collected from multiple different locations within Utah, and isolates the resident endophytic fungi.

Stephen Erickson, Brigham Young University Physical Sciences “The spherical protein ferritin has often been used to fabricate nanoparticles of various shapes and compositions with its walls. Ferritin occurs naturally with a ferrihydrite (FeOOH) mineral core, but it has also been used to synthesize nanoparticles of several other semiconductors. While the methods for creating these nanoparticles within ferritin are well established, the characterization of such nanoparticles is not. Previous studies on native ferrihydrite core ferritin disagree on the band gap, giving values anywhere from 1.1-3.5 eV, depending on the method. We have used absorption spectroscopy to measure these band gaps with an unprecedented accuracy of up to .01 eV. This method also allowed us to determine that ferrihydrite nanoparticles are indirect gap semiconductors. By employing this method on particles of various sizes, we have shown the effects of quantum confinement, resulting in variations in the band gap. We also provided the first ever direct evidence that ferritin works to crystalize its core with time, an effect that has long been theorized but never observed. By characterizing the effect of size and time on nanoparticle band gap, we have shown the potential for selectively tuning that gap. This opens up a world of possible applications in light harvesting and photo detectors. By controlling the band gap, we will be able to select which wavelengths of light are absorbed, allowing for full spectrum photovoltaic cells and wavelength specific optical detectors. Future studies will focus on nanoparticles of other metal hydroxides and various anion replacements to further expand our tunable range of band gaps.

Byron Millet, Weber State University Physical Sciences The relative solvolysis rates of norbornenyl derivatives have been of interest. To date, only one other norbornenyl compound has been found that solvolyzes slower than anti-7-norbornene. It has been suggested that through-space interactions between π-bonds plays a significant role in stabilizing the carbocations. However, through-space interactions do not account for the similar observed solvolysis rates of nearly identical compounds both with and without adjacent π-bonds. Studies have shown that the stability of these compounds is significantly affected by σ-bond interactions. We report on our current computational study of the relative energies of several norbornenyl compounds with and without adjacent π-bonds to evaluate both π-bond and σ-bond effects on the stability of the norbornenyl cations. The effect of a ketone functional group on the relative stability of the carbocation is also analyzed. The literature solvolysis rates of the various norbornenyl derivatives and the stability of their respective cations is compared. With some exceptions, a correlation was found between the stability of a derivative’s carbocation and its respective rate of solvolysis.

Nicholas Labrum, Utah State University Physical Sciences Increasing concerns on the anthropogenic climate change, rising global energy demands, and diminishing fossil fuels have urged the search of alternative carbon-neutral and sustainable energy resources, among which solar energy stands out as the most promising target since it is the largest exploitable resource. However, its nature of diurnal variation, intermittence, and unequal distribution requires efficient and cost-effective capture, conversion, and storage. Generation of chemical fuels, such as hydrogen, from solar energy input represents an appealing approach to meet this goal. An ideal scheme would tap hydrogen from the splitting of water with concomitant evolution of oxygen. Due to the nature of the four-proton and four-electron process, water oxidation is the bottle neck of the overall water splitting process. Nature catalyzes water oxidation using an oxygen evolving complex (OEC) in photosystem II. This project aims at mimicking the OEC to prepare and investigate bimetallic Mn-Ca catalysts for water oxidation catalysis. Calcium has been reported to be critical in water oxidation by OEC, however its functional role has not been well studied. By positioning a calcium atom in the second coordination sphere of manganese in molecular scaffolds, we are able to systematically study the functional role of calcium at the molecular level. Our project will prompt the development of water oxidation catalysis and benefit artificial photosynthesis at large.

Jeremiah Rundall, Utah Valley University Physical Sciences Utah Valley University has a long-term program of groundwater development in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, in cooperation with Choice Humanitarian. Thus far, we have drilled a successful 50-m well in basalt and an unsuccessful 22-m well in rhyolite. Well sites have been chosen based on spring locations and fracture traces (linear features as seen on aerial photos). The objective of this study is to measure and model the geoelectric and magnetic characteristics of fracture traces as a means of determining which fracture traces are most indicative of actual fractured rock. Thus far, studies have been carried out on 20 fracture traces in rhyolite in the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt, six fracture traces in rhyolite/diorite/monzonite of the La Sal Intrusives in the La Sal Mountains of Utah, and one fracture trace in rhyolite of the Soldiers Pass Formation west of Utah Lake. The total magnetic field has been measured at about 1-m spacing along profiles perpendicular to fracture traces using the Geometrics G-856 Proton Precession Magnetometer. Geoelectric soundings for resistivity, chargeability and self-potential have been carried out both on and off fracture traces using the Iris Instruments Syscal Junior Resistivity Meter with the Schlumberger array parallel to the fracture trace at spacings in the range AB/2 = 2.29-137 m. Geoelectric profiles have been carried out perpendicular to fracture traces (array parallel to the fracture trace) at spacings AB/2 = 15.2 m and 137 m. Geoelectric and magnetic modeling is being carried out using the 1X2D-GM Magnetic Interpretation Software and the 1X1D Sounding Inversion Software. Preliminary results indicate that some fracture traces are associated with both magnetic and electrical resistivity lows consistent with intermediate depth (~ 50 m) fractured rock, although not all fracture traces have these characteristics. Further results will be reported at the meeting.

Greg Carling, Brigham Young University Physical Sciences Wyoming the second most glaciated state in the lower 48 United States has seen drastic changes in the size of its glaciers. Glaciers in high elevation ecosystems of Grand Teton National Park are not anywhere near to the size that they were 100 years ago. The glaciers continue to decrease in size every day. As the environment changes the glaciers change in size and can be affected by many factors in the environment. Deposition of particulate matter from the atmosphere into the glaciers occurs as pollution is becoming worse and more common. Studies done throughout the world have shown that glaciers can act as a source for mercury and other trace metal elements in high elevation ecosystems. Through the assistance of the UW-NPS Research Station Dr. Greg Carling of BYU and his team of graduate and undergraduate assistants retrieved 100 glacial melt water samples from the Middle Teton, and Teepee Glaciers and stream sites in Garnet Canyon, and from the Teton Glacier in the Glacier Gulch area. In the data analysis completed up until this point, concentrations of various trace elements have found in sample sites in close proximity to the Middle and Teton glaciers on the glacial moraine. We hypothesize that these glaciers act as a source for mercury and trace elements that can then be transported to lower elevation ecosystems within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Brandon B Davis, Utah Valley University Physical Sciences A recent study (Ferreira 2013) examined concentrations of fluvial As and transition metals associated with As in Provo and American Fork Rivers, which flow westward across the Wasatch Range and drain into Utah Lake. Within Utah Valley average fluvial As for Provo River (As= 0.342 mg/L) and American Fork River (As= 0.152 mg/L) exceeded the EPA standards for freshwater streams for acute exposure (As= 0.340 mg/L) and chronic exposure (As = 0.150 mg/L), respectively. The objective of this study is to determine whether elevated levels of As and other heavy metals also occur in shallow groundwater in Utah Valley. The objective is being addressed by analyzing water samples from the “backyard wells” in Utah Valley, shallow (depths < 10 m), hand-dug wells which many residents maintain as their "emergency water supply" or for small scale agriculture. Since nearly all backyard wells are unregistered, they are being sought through conversations with water departments, real estate listings and local residents. Water and sediment samples are also being collected from American Fork River, Hobble Creek, Provo River and Spanish Fork River, which drain into Utah Lake. Samples are being analyzed for nitrate, phosphate and sulfate using the Hach DR-2700 Spectrophotometer, while the PerkinElmer Optima 8000 ICP-OES is being used to measure for As, the transition elements Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn, and other associated elements Ag, Cd, Pb and Ti. Preliminary results indicate that shallow groundwater As in the American Fork watershed is much lower (mean As= 0.0022 mg/L) than fluvial As and an excellent negative correlation (R2 = 0.83) between groundwater As and Ti. It is suggested that TiO2, which may originate in the Cottonwood Stock in the American Fork watershed, may play a role in the demobilization of groundwater As. Further results will be reported at the meeting.

Joshua Wallace, University of Utah Physical Sciences We study the effect of the circum-galactic gas environment on the observed Lyman-alpha emission from Lyman-alpha emitting galaxies. These galaxies are primarily high-redshift star-forming galaxies that are important in understanding both galaxy and universe evolution. The Lyman-alpha photons emitted from these galaxies should hold valuable clues about the general environmental properties (such as gas velocity, density, and distribution) around galaxies, since the photons can be strongly affected and scattered by the neutral hydrogen atoms that make up the majority of the gas. However, explaining exactly how a galaxy’s environment affects its Lyman-alpha emission is very complex and currently cannot be predicted with complete certainty — every time a Lyman-alpha photon interacts with a hydrogen atom, its direction and frequency are changed, which in turn affects how far it will travel before the next interaction. We study the environmental effects on Lyman-alpha emission properties by applying Monte Carlo Lyman-alpha radiative transfer modeling to simple analytic models and find an important role of the anisotropic distribution of gas in determining the observed photometric and spectral properties of Lyman-alpha emission. We further perform a detailed investigation by applying the radiative transfer modeling to realistic star-forming galaxies in high-resolution cosmological galaxy formation simulation. From our analysis so far, we find the Lyman-alpha emission from the models shows a strong dependence on viewing angle, as well as correlations between observed spectral features and environmental conditions. We plan to model and analyze a large sample of simulated galaxies to better describe and statistically quantify the above dependence and correlations. Our study will lead to a better understanding of the effects galaxy environment on the observed Lyman-alpha emission and in turn provide a theoretical guide on how to use observed Lyman-alpha emission to learn about the environments of star-forming galaxies and hence galaxy formation and evolution.

Tyler Jones, Brigham Young University Physical Science This project takes advantage of an inexpensive integrated circuit to create a wavelength meter. The circuit has an array of photodiodes, each of which has an optical filter of a different color. The filters cause each diode to respond differently to different wavelengths of light. The relative amplitudes of the signals are then used to compute a wavelength based on known responses for various wavelengths recorded in a calibration stage. The project focuses on improving precision of the hardware and developing an algorithm to do the computation.

Stephen Ruegg, University of Utah Physical Sciences The Black Peaks Formation (BPF) from the Tornillo Group in Big Bend National Park (BBNP) is comprised of a series of stacked paleosols and sandstone channels deposited by a fluvial system in a sub-tropical intramountain basin during the Laramide orogeny. Paleosols constituting the BPF display alternating drainage and development conditions. The BPF is bounded by the Late Cretaceous Javelina Formation and the Early Eocene Canoe Formation and is therefore thought to be of Paleocene age (65.5-55.8 million years ago). The BPF is an interesting target for paleoenvironmental reconstruction because little data have been generated from the Paleocene for sub-tropical regions, limiting the validation of global climate model predictions in these regions. However, previous attempts to resolve the age of the formation using biostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy gave ambiguous results limiting the potential of the BPF for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. We analyzed the carbon isotope ratio (δ13C ) of carbonate nodules collected from pedologically distinct paleosols throughout the BPF. δ13C of carbonates nodules found in reduced black paleosols are systematically 3-4‰ lower than δ13C from non-black paleosols from neighboring stratigraphic intervals. We hypothesize that this isotopic difference is related to the lower contribution of atmospheric CO2 to soil CO2 in water-logged and/or poorly drained black soils. Large-scale stratigraphic patterns of carbon isotope variations in carbonate nodules from non-black paleosols throughout the BPF strongly resemble well-documented secular changes in δ13C values of marine carbonates for the Paleocene. Several recognizable features are present in both curves, including the Paleocene Carbon Isotope Maximum (PCMI) and possibly the Late Danian carbon isotope excursion (LDE). These features provide a new basis for correlation of the BPF to the global geological timescale, and suggest that the Formation preserves a 6 million year record of deposition and paleoenvironmental conditions spanning the majority of Paleocene time (63-57 million years ago).

Christopher Mansfield, Westminster College Physical Science The method currently used to measure monomethylmercury (MMHg) in natural waters involves a lengthy distillation step in order to remove certain ions and dissolved organic matter that have been reported to interfere with the subsequent reaction in which MMHg is ethylated. It has recently been reported that the analysis of MMHg in seawater by direct ethylation was successfully carried out, thus removing the day-long distillation. However, the effect of many potential interfering ions and compounds on this method have not been characterized, and it has not been tested for use in natural freshwaters or the hypersaline waters of the Great Salt Lake. Thus, these became the two goals of this project. We found that optimal ethylation conditions included buffering samples to pH 4.0-4.1, reducing the amount of sodium tetraethylborate, adding EDTA to complex interfering trace metals, and adding chloride to overcome interferences by thiols and organic matter. We have since employed this improved method to analyze MMHg in natural water samples from fresh and saline lakes, achieving > 90% MMHg spike recoveries without the use of distillation.

Jasmine K Bishop, University of Utah Physical Sciences In my presentation, I will discuss the method of creating insulating gaskets for high pressure experiments using diamond anvil cells. In standard diamond anvil cell pressure experiments, metal gaskets are typically employed. However, in order to study the electric and magnetic properties of a sample without worrying about interference of the metal gasket itself, insulating gaskets are used. The insulating material needs to be ductile and yet hard enough to maintain a certain level of structure. Epoxy is ideal for ductility but is not hard enough to maintain a diamond indent under pressures generated by diamond anvil cells. When mixed with a diamond powder however, the mixture is both ductile and structurally sound. In this study we have modified the previous methods of insulating gasket preparation by addition of a metal sheet to increase the strength and ductility of the gasket. The part of the gasket that is metal can be used as an electrical lead to measure sample’s conductivity. In this design the mixture of diamond and epoxy is applied to a thin 100 micrometer metal sheet and a focused beam of high power IR laser is used to drill a hole in the gasket . I will describe the design of the optical path and the details of the gasket preparation and will present some of the gaskets that I have made.

Stephanie Bartlett, Utah Valley University Physical Sciences Ephemeroptera, commonly referred to as mayflies, are found throughout the world. Within the order of Ephemeroptera resides a superfamily, Ephemeridea, commonly called burrowing mayflies. This common name was acquired due to certain physical and behavior characteristics present as nymphs. Ephemeridea nymphs live in the silt of aquatic environments and have adaptations for burrowing which include strong legs, as well as mandibular tusks. One exception to this is the family Behningiidae, which burrow, but lack the commonly associated mandibular tusks. Morphological data supported Behningiidae as sister to the other tusked burrowing mayflies, indicating that first burrowing behavior evolved and was later followed by the development of tusks(McCafferty; 1975 and 2004). While morphological data provides important insights into the evolution and phylogeny of mayflies, the development of molecular phylogenetics offers new contributions when determining evolutionary relationships within this superfamily. Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationships of the families of burrowing mayflies in order to test the hypothesis of tusk evolution. Methods: The specimens were acquired from collection efforts and colleagues. For each specimen the following laboratory procedures were carried out: DNA extraction, gene amplification via polymerase chain reaction, visualization via gel electrophoresis, and DNA sequencing. The genes targeted for sequencing included 12S mitochondrial rDNA, 16S mitochondrial rDNA, 18S nuclear rDNA, 28S nuclear rDNA, H3 nuclear protein coding, and CO1 mitochondrial protein coding. Data was also acquired from Genbank in order to augment missing data. Taxon sampling consisted of around 20 ingroup and 5outgroup taxa. Phylogenetic relationships were estimated using Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood, and Baysian methods. Conclusion: The families Behningiidae, Potamanthidae, Palingeniidae were supported as monophyletic. Behningiidae nested well within the other burrowing families. Hence, tusks evolved and were subsequently lost in the family Behningiidae even though it retained the burrowing lifestyle in the nymph.

Brielle Woolsey, Brigham Young University Physical Sciences A method of forming zinc oxide (ZnO) single crystal hexagonal prisms is derived from a standard sol-gel method. The new synthesis requires water, zinc acetate, and diethanol amine (DEA) to create a zinc hydroxide/zinc hydroxide acetate gel, which forms single crystal hexagonal prisms upon heating. Characterization of the gel was done by XRD as well as by XRD high temperature chamber (HTK) to determine the role of temperature in prism formation. SEM images showed hexagonal prisms were of uniform size (approx. 0.5 — 2 µm). TEM and electron diffraction images showed a change from randomly oriented particles to an ordered single crystal after heating. Ethanol amines, heating of the gel, and the zinc acetate salt proved to be critical to prism formation.

Mattie Jones, Dixie State University Physical Sciences New methods aimed at forensic analysis of sensitive, minute samples are critical to the intelligence community. In particular, successful extraction of dyes from materials found at crime scenes will provide innumerable benefits for matching, identifying, and finding origins of these materials and dyes. Current methods of isolating components of samples by their unique chemical properties are lengthy and often destroy important forensic evidence. Ionic liquids possess the necessary chemical properties to ensure efficient extractions, while maintaining the forensic signatures of the original materials. They also provide a one-pot approach that avoids intermediate species and increases analyte yield while extracting and separating constituents in a more efficient manner. By combining traceable dyes with an ionic liquid, the versatility of single-component extraction-separation-identification was demonstrated. Analysis using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy validated complete extraction and recovery of trace analytes. Following extraction and isolation, identification by infrared spectroscopy has provided evidence of preserved quality and complete separation of material and dye. This novel approach to forensic analysis is advantageous particularly when sample sizes are extremely limited, but it can be readily scaled to larger applications. Developing a simple and affordable method of achieving specific molecular interactions provides a solution for often unidentifiable evidence in crimes. Harnessing the versatility of ionic liquids in a high-yielding recovery and efficient single-pot methods will enhance forensic abilities for the intelligence community and forensic investigators.

Kim Nielsen, Utah Valley University Physical Sciences Infrared Thermography (IRT) has become popular in the medical field for various applications and procedures. One such application involves the use of IRT in the active detection of skin lesions and neoplasms. More specifically, medical professionals are using IRT as a non-invasive method for the early detection of harmful lesions, such as melanoma.

Ian Sohl, University of Utah Physical Sciences Current software in the High Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) Telescope data collection system only triggers saving of events that pass a specified number of hits and energy. Our analysis of the untriggered (and unsaved) data will identify the number of potentially significant events that are bypassed by the existing software. By the application of a sorting function onto current Monte Carlo generated data, we can categorize incoming events into various types of particles, primarily muons, while also filtering out randomized noise from the photomultiplier tubes used in HAWC. Due to the relatively low rate and energy of the photomultiplier tube noise, many of the significant events for the untriggered set are potential useful particles. Our triggering algorithm, based on the energy, timing and saturation of the tanks is primarily focused on separating muons from the bulk of data. These raw rate data for small events are a relatively unexplored area for HAWC and measurements can be useful for a variety of calibration tasks for the telescope. They can be useful for understanding the impact of the atmosphere on the telescope’s data collection, as well as the triggering of the photomultiplier tubes through secondary sources. This untriggered data can also be used in a variety of useful forms not directly related to HAWC’s primary usage goals, primarily solar physics. Due to the relatively low energy and hit count from solar events, most of the data are thrown away by the triggering algorithm.

Adam Kingsley, Brigham Young University Physical Sciences In the construction of various sensors in the lab, highly accurate integration times are required. It is advantageous to have a precise external timer to run the circuitry contained in the sensor. By taking a signal in the range of megahertz down to hertz or milihertz range, it is possible to control the start and stop times for circuits. Overall this means that every time a measurement is taken it represents the same length of time.

Andrew Fletcher, Utah Valley University Physical Sciences Springville, Utah, is known for its high water table and many freshwater wetlands and springs, which gave rise to the name of the city. Flooding of barns is a common problem among farmers in western Springville, which is just east of Utah Lake. These frequent barn floods are anecdotally linked to high-intensity precipitation events and the common use of flood irrigation. The objective of this study is to determine the cause of barn flooding and to make recommendations for mitigation of barn flooding for individual farmers with whom we are working in this area. The objective is being addressed first by using ArcGIS to determine the watershed of each barn and the NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) Web Soil Survey to map hydrologic soil groups within each watershed. Results from the larger-scale Web Soil Survey will be supplemented with measurements of soil hydraulic conductivity using the SoilMoisture Equipment Model 2800K1 Guelph Permeameter. The above data will be used in the NRCS Curve Number Method to estimate the volume of surface runoff expected in a 100-year 24-hour precipitation event. The objective is also being addressed by installing shallow, hand-augured wells for monitoring the depth to the water table during high-intensity precipitation events and flood irrigation events. The results will be used to develop recommendations for a combination of (1) installation of French drains for diversion of stormwater (2) modification of current irrigation methods (3) pumping and diversion of groundwater. Results and specific recommendations for individual farmers will be presented at the meeting.

Nils Otterstrom, Brigham Young University Physical Sciences Filtered photodiodes show potential as inexpensive laser wavelength meter. Photocurrents are measured digitally. The photocurrent is digitized using externally controlled integration times to achieve the highest precision possible from the digital to analog converters on the photosensor chip. Using an algorithm we’ve developed and calibrated intensity curves, we can precisely calculate wavelength from the output of the different photodiodes. Limitations due to etaloning from reflections off of the surfaces of the filters were analyzed and effectively mitigated, allowing the device to achieve high precision with a stability of 0.102 nm over several hours.