Master of Science

thesisDuring the late afternoon of 18 June 2015, ozone concentrations within a strong lake breeze arising from the Great Salt Lake in northern Utah were observed to be ~20 ppb higher than those in its advance. Ozone observations from an enhanced network were available from state air quality measurement sites, additional fixed locations, and mobile platforms, including a news helicopter. The southward progression of the well-defined lake-breeze front through the Salt Lake Valley was observed by wind, temperature, and moisture observations available at automated weather stations, as well as radial velocity scans from a nearby Terminal Doppler Weather Radar. Strong flow opposing the lake breeze increased convergent frontogenesis and delayed the onset of its passage through the Salt Lake Valley. Ozone concentrations were exceptionally high aloft in the head of the lake-breeze front. The development and progression of lake breezes on both 17 and 18 June 2015 were simulated using the Weather Research and Forecast model at 1-km horizontal resolution over northern Utah. The model was initialized at 0000 UTC 14 June 2015 using hourly analyses at 3-km resolution from the High Resolution Rapid Refresh model. The underlying surface state was improved by specifying the areal extent and surface temperature of the lake observed during June 2015. An urban canopy parameterization was added as well to better simulate urban effects on wind and heat fluxes. These modifications improved the model simulation particularly for the more typical lake breeze event on 17 June. However, on 18 June weaker than observed opposing southerly flow allowed the development of the simulated lake-breeze front to occur too early and its subsequent speed up the valley was too fast. Continuous passive tracers initialized at the surface within and ahead of the lake breeze highlight the dispersion and transport of pollutants arising from the strong lake-breeze front on 18 June. Tracers within the lake breeze are confined closer to the surface while tracers in advance of the front are lofted vertically over it

Chesapeake Energy Corporation

Chesapeake is the second largest producer of natural gas in the United States, but the company is struggling financially. In addition, its CEO left the company amid governance concerns. This case provides a description of upstream, midstream and downstream energy production and trends in those segments, and how Chesapeake has shifted its emphasis in an effort to increase its performance. The extreme price volatility in this industry is also described, as are technological advances in areas such as “fracking.

Summer Ozone Concentrations in the Vicinity of the Great Salt Lake

Residents near the Great Salt Lake in northern Utah, USA have been exposed to ozone levels during recent summers exceeding the current United States National Ambient Air Quality Standard. Accurately forecasting those exceedances has been difficult as a result of the complex meteorological and photochemical processes fostering them. To help improve such forecasts, a low-cost field study was conducted during summer 2015 to provide comprehensive observations of boundary-layer ozone concentrations in the context of the prevailing meteorological conditions. A network of surface ozone sensors was supplemented by sensors mounted on vehicles, a public transit light-rail car, news helicopter, tethered sonde, and unmanned aerial vehicle. The temporal and spatial evolution of boundary-layer ozone concentrations were compared with the prevailing regional and local meteorological conditions on the basis of gridded operational analyses, surface weather stations, and additional sensors deployed for the field study. High ozone concentrations during June 2015 resulted primarily from local processes while smoke transported from distant wildfires contributed to elevated ozone concentrations during August. The Great Salt Lake influenced ozone concentrations along the Wasatch Front through several mechanisms, most importantly its impact on local wind circulations. The highest ozone concentrations were often found in a narrow zone between the Great Salt Lake and the urban regions to its south and east. Observations from multiple fixed site and mobile platforms during 18–19 August illustrate the complex variations in ozone concentrations as a function of elevation at the surface as well as vertically through the deep boundary layer

Supporting decision making process with "Ideal" software agents: what do business executives want?

According to Simon’s (1977) decision making theory, intelligence is the first and most important phase in the decision making process. With the escalation of information resources available to business executives, it is becoming imperative to explore the potential and challenges of using agent-based systems to support the intelligence phase of decision-making. This research examines UK executives’ perceptions of using agent-based support systems and the criteria for design and development of their “ideal” intelligent software agents. The study adopted an inductive approach using focus groups to generate a preliminary set of design criteria of “ideal” agents. It then followed a deductive approach using semi-structured interviews to validate and enhance the criteria. This qualitative research has generated unique insights into executives’ perceptions of the design and use of agent-based support systems. The systematic content analysis of qualitative data led to the proposal and validation of design criteria at three levels. The findings revealed the most desirable criteria for agent based support systems from the end users’ point view. The design criteria can be used not only to guide intelligent agent system design but also system evaluation

Summary of State v. Lucero, 127 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 7

An appeal of the Second Judicial District Court’s denial of the State’s motion to correct a reduced sentence imposed upon revocation of probation

Summary of Dynalectric Co. of Nev. v. Clark & Sullivan Constructors, Inc., 127 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 41

An appeal from an Eighth Judicial District Court judgment awarding expectation damages to Clark & Sullivan Constructors, Inc. (“C&S”) for its promissory estoppel claim against Dynalectric Co. of Nevada (“Dynalectric”)

Summary of Yellow Cab of Reno, Inc. v. Second Jud. Dist. Ct. of Nev., 127 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 52

Rehearing of a petition for a writ of mandamus challenging a district court order denying a motion for summary judgment in a personal injury action

Learning and knowing construction :a phenomenological study of construction leaders /by Brian Blaylock.

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to gain deeper understanding of the meaning and essence of learning and knowing construction, as perceived by industry professionals who have developed that learning and knowing through industry experience. Through a purposeful sampling method, eight adult construction managers were selected to participate in taped interviews in which they described their experience learning and knowing construction from their unique perspective. The participants, both male and female, were successful construction managers with a diverse range of opportunities and experiences, who had at least ten years of industry experience, and had developed the learning and knowing that is essential for their success outside of a university construction management program.;The results of this study describe learning that occurs in dual realms of technical skills and management/leadership skills and describes how most participants feel more confident in one realm or the other, but usually not in both and suggests that a lingering sense of inadequacy may develop because of a perceive lack of expertise in one realm or the other. The participants described a number of preliminary or pre-learning strategies and methods that they utilize to gain initial understanding, but all suggested that the real learning and knowing doesn't occur until they have had the opportunity to touch it, feel it, and do it.;The results of this study also describe the participant's perception of a vast industry in which the essential knowledge is always increasing. It also describes their perception of what it means to know construction and identifies three understandings that are essential including interpersonal relations; application and execution skills; and forward thinking, vision, and innate ability.;The findings of this study suggests that there is a relationship between technical skills and management/leadership skills and that successful construction managers develop learning strategies and methods that help them to overcome any perceived inadequacies and that successful construction managers are forward thinking and have vision both to see and understand a construction project before it is built and vision in the management and direction of construction projects and companies.Thesis (Ph. D., Education)--University of Idaho, December 3, 2008

Summary of Yellow Cab of Reno, Inc. v. Second Jud. Dist. Ct. of Nev., 127 Nev. Adv. Op. No. 52

Rehearing of a petition for a writ of mandamus challenging a district court order denying a motion for summary judgment in a personal injury action