L-spaces, taut foliations, and graph manifolds

If $Y$ is a closed orientable graph manifold, we show that $Y$ admits a coorientable taut foliation if and only if $Y$ is not an L-space. Combined with previous work of Boyer and Clay, this implies that $Y$ is an L-space if and only if $\pi_1(Y)$ is not left-orderable.Comment: 10 pages, 1 figure; version 3 is accepted version, to appear in Compositio Mathematic

Youth Media Still Matters: Elevating the Voices and Identities of Young People in Disruptive Times

When schools, colleges and youth organizations shut down en masse in March 2020 in response to the emerging pandemic, none of us had any idea what lay ahead. Amid all the uncertainty, one thing quickly became clear: With opportunities to meet in person sharply curtailed, teens and young adults needed new outlets to connect, collaborate and find their creative voice more than ever.Using Zoom and other digital platforms, Spy Hop mentors delivered instruction remotely and students collaborated virtually on projects and performances. While the experience wasn't always the same, Spy Hop programming was able to reach a larger group of students who were no longer limited from participating by their geography.Through surveys, interviews and focus groups with Spy Hop mentors and students, we have assembled a comprehensive picture of the outcomes from Spy Hop programming in 2020 and 2021. In the course of our evaluation, we have found that Spy Hop continues to play an invaluable role in youth development and media skills.While Spy Hop programming continues to have indelible and far-reaching effects on youth participants in Utah and beyond, we believe the organization can deepen its impact even further by following a few suggestions. These include supporting youth employment opportunities beyond high school, broadening access to Spy Hop for students with fewer resources and being more intentional about mentor development

Cortnie Devore and Jacob Watson in Joint Senior Recital

This is the program for the joint senior recital of mezzo-soprano of Cortnie Devore and tenor Jacob Watson. Ms. Devore was accompanied on the piano by Mary Worthen, and Mr. Watson was accompanied on the piano by Phyllis Walker. This recital took place on March 8, 2011, in the McBeth Recital Hall in the Mabee Fine Arts Center

The Effects of Polyphosphate on SPX Domains in Dictyostelium Discoideum

Phosphorus is an atom taken up by cells as inorganic phosphate (Pi). The mechanism behind how cells measure cellular Pi levels is not well understood. SPX domains are positively charged helical bundles located at the N-termini of phosphate transporters, PolyP polymerase vacuolar transporter chaperone proteins, and phosphate signaling proteins. SPX domains have been shown to sense inositol polyphosphate signaling molecules in plants and yeast. These proteins are conserved in eukaryotes and affect polyphosphate synthesis, phosphate transport, and phosphate starvation. The genome of the simple eukaryote Dictyostelium discoideum encodes five predicted uncharacterized SPX domains. Using this knowledge a homologous recombination gene knockout for SPX 2 containing a Blasticidin resistance gene as a selectable marker was created. After validating the genotype of the knockout the associated phenotypes were elucidated. The SPX 2- cells exhibited a lack of aggregation upon exposure to 150 μM PolyP. SPX 2- fruiting bodies had longer stalks, smaller spore heads, and more mounds than wild-type. SPX 2- cells also had slightly higher motility rates. As polyphosphate and SPX domains are conserved across eukaryotes, anything learned about these areas can be applied to other organisms in areas such as Pi transport and starvation responses

Pathfinder VI Experimental Payload: Desna

The objective of this project is to design, fabricate and test a fixed wing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that is to be carried in, and deployed from the Pathfinder VI rocket. The UAV, known as Desna, is tasked with being able to carry a Tamarisk 640 75mm thermal imaging camera, and transmit live video footage to a ground station from 8500 feet AGL. Desna must also fit inside Pathfinder VI’s 7.5” diameter, 35” long cargo bay. To accomplish this, Desna’s wing configuration, determined through description matrices and light prototype testing, will consist of a 35” wing that rotates about its center with 11” folding winglets to increase lift and stability. Desna will be constructed from blue high-density foam to allow for cheap, rapid prototyping as well as being light as possible while still being able to survive the G loadings during assent. Desna will fly in Pathfinder VI this June in the Intercollegiate Rocket Engineering Competition as an experimental payload