2024 Abstracts

Authors: Remington R Motte. Mentors: Carl Hjelmen. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Down Syndrome Cell Adhesion Molecule (DSCAM, an immunoglobulin protein) is a protein that is important for neuronal development, especially in invertebrates. While DSCAM is present in other organisms, it has gone through multiple independent duplication events in arthropods. This has resulted in four to six DSCAM exon clusters with thousands of isoforms throughout arthropoda. Due to DSCAM’s role in brain development, I investigated DSCAM1 evolution and its relationship to the evolution of sociality in arthropods. I defined eusocial as having a common nest, cooperative brood care, reproductive castes and generational overlap. Any species that exhibited one or some of these traits I categorized as sub-social, and any that didn’t show these traits were categorized as solitary. Using Bayesian phylogenetic techniques, I compared DSCAM1 phylogenies to mitochondrion phylogenies and found higher rates of evolution in the DSCAM gene within Hymenoptera. The same increased rates were not found with other eusocial species. I then mapped sociality status onto phylogenies to visualize patterns of evolution and estimate ancestral condition of sociality for common ancestors. Increased taxon sampling within cockroaches and termites (Blattodea), as well as including ambrosia beetles (Austroplatypus incompertus), aphids (Pemphigus spyrothecae) and thrips (Kladothrips) could elucidate the relationship between DSCAM evolution and sociality in arthropods.

Authors: Hunter Nelson. Mentors: Jamie Jensen. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Burnout is a mental condition resulting from prolonged stress in work or school. The Healthcare workforce experiences burnout much more than other career fields and many students in undergraduate STEM are pursuing a career in this field. The Pre-Health degree is one of the most competitive and demanding majors in STEM and we expect there to be high levels of burnout amongst these students. Our purpose was to gather and analyze data on the goals and burnout of pre-health care undergraduate students. We used surveys to collect data from students ranging from Freshmen to Seniors. The survey asked students questions regarding their goal motivations and feelings of burnout. Our results display a correlation between mastery-avoidance and experiencing burnout. By understanding these relationships, we can better help pre-health students avoid burnout.

Authors: Jakob G Bates, Matthew B Snyder, Porter Adelman. Mentors: Christopher R Dillon. Insitution: Brigham Young University. High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-invasive medical procedure that uses ultrasound waves to heat up and destroy harmful cells such as tumors. In order to accurately perform this procedure the ultrasound waves must reach and accumulate at a specified target location. This can be difficult to predict because of the way that ultrasound waves reflect, refract, and lose energy within the human body. Tests are run using simulations in order to ensure successful targeting of the ultrasonic transducers. These simulations use data collected from human tissue samples to provide the best results. Unfortunately it is difficult to obtain real human tissue samples from histology labs of hospitals.Our objective is to create a portable measurement device that will allow us to enter histology labs and collect necessary data on site. We propose to design and build an acoustic property measurement device that integrates acoustic transducers with digital calipers. The portability of this measurement device will enable access to a greater number of tissue samples and provide more accurate property measurements. This will lead to better simulations of the HIFU therapy and therefore improve the overall safety and success of the medical procedure.

Authors: Angela Gomez. Mentors: Chizu Matsubara. Insitution: Utah Tech University. Once students know their letter names and sounds, educators have them begin to learn irregular words, commonly known as sight words. These words are irregular due to them not following common patterns that make up a word. Typically, teaching irregular words is done by having students learn a set number of words through flashcards or reading them off a list. However, students who learn irregular words with flashcards or lists struggle and need help when reading those same words in a text. Action research will be used to study the hypothesis: “Will direct phonics literacy instruction help students learn and retain irregular words?” The research is being conducted in a kindergarten classroom by a preservice teacher in her practicum placement. The focus students for the research will be working with the preservice teacher in a small group setting where they will be reading decodable texts that contain irregular words within the text. The students will be able to decode the regular words they come across using their knowledge of alphabet letters and sounds. Students will be learning the irregular words of the text through direct phonics instruction to help them learn and retain their knowledge of irregular words. By using direct phonics instruction within a text, students can learn how to successfully read the irregular word while simultaneously applying it to a text. The other approach to learning irregular words is reading them on flashcards or a list and then having students transfer their knowledge of these words from a list to reading them in a text, which can become problematic for students as they cannot do so. By having students learn irregular words through direct phonics instruction, the expected result is to have students know around 50 irregular words by the deadline required by the local school district.

Authors: Quinn Gerber, Lucas Carpenter, Jacob Clemons, Cindy Kin. Mentors: Cindy Kin. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Introduction: It is vital that patients are adequately prepared for surgical intervention. To meet this need, many medical centers have adopted prehabilitation protocols. The aim of this study was to establish an in-depth comprehension of the attitudes towards surgery and barriersand preferences to prehabilitation for patients identifying as Latino, in order to develop a preliminary framework for adapting prehab programs to best meet the needs of this specific patient population.Methods: We conducted qualitative semi-structured in-person one-on-one interviews with Latino patients who had recently undergone major abdominal surgery. The interviews, conducted at an academic medical center, were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, translated into English (as needed), iteratively coded, and discussed by four researchers to reach consensus. We used thematic analysis to identify shared attitudes held by patients and common barriers to the adoption of prehabilitation programs. Analysis of these attitudes and barriers, along with stated patient preferences, led to the development of several ideas that physicians can implement to increase prehab adoption among Latino patients.Results: We interviewed 16 patients, at which point we reached thematic saturation. The patients were on average 52 years old (range 20 to 79) and 50% were women. Our pooled kappa score was .92, indicating a very high degree of concordance among the coding researchers. We identified five common attitudes held by Latino patients regarding surgery: anxiety associated with hospitalizations and surgical procedures, deep trust in physicians, reliance on positivity, tight-knit families/communities, and prominent religious and cultural beliefs. A lack of understanding, physical limitations, a reactive/delayed approach to healthcare, dietary barriers, and mental barriers emerged as obstacles to prehabilitation adoption. These attitudes and barriers, along with direct patient feedback, led us to identify several programmatic priorities that may increase adherence to prehab. These components consist of face-to-face interaction, increased communication, patient and physician collaboration in program development, and family/support group engagement in surgical preparation.Conclusion: Our study provides physicians preliminary insight into customizing prehabilitation programs to best meet the needs and customs of the Latino community, including anxiety associated with hospitalizations, strong social support, and a dominant role of religious faith in coping with illness. We identified several critical components that may make prehab more culturally competent and thus more likely to be adopted by patients. These include in-person coaching, increased information about the upcoming operation and recovery, and engagement of family members. We recommend that healthcare teams committed to prehabilitation consider these needs to make their programs more attractive and accessible to their Latino patients.

Authors: Andrew Knowlton, Matt Olson. Mentors: Matt Olson. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Snow melt is one of the most important parts of Utah’s water budget and has an impact on the Great Salt Lake (GSL) ecosystem, which hit a historic low point in 2022. One aspect contributing to water availability is an increase in dust on our snowpack which enhances snow melt and causes less water in the GSL basin. Using satellite imagery, we will calculate the increase in energy (radiative forcing) over the snowpack due to dust on snow. In previous research, I used a coarse satellite product from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) to locate areas of dust hotspots on snow in the mountains surrounding the GSL. This project will use imagery with higher spatial detail (Landsat 8) using the same algorithm to measure radiative forcing over snow due to dust deposition. I will compare this data to the same algorithm using MODIS data to have a better analysis of dust in the snowpack. After performing this analysis I can better understand how spatial detail and acquisition frequency affect our accuracy at detecting radiative forcing due to dust on snow and how it changes our water budget.

Authors: Jayden Peacock. Mentors: Jodi Corser. Insitution: Southern Utah University. Healthcare access disparities remain a persistent and pressing issue in the community, disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. These disparities include aspects such as geographic location, socioeconomic standing, and ethnicity, all of which can hinder individual and societal growth. Addressing these disparities is vital as it can improve the well-being of individuals and therefore society. Examining the nature of healthcare access disparities helps present a holistic approach that can help bridge the gap, providing a more equitable healthcare system. Healthcare disparities are deeply embedded in the network of social and structural inequalities, driven by a complex interplay of geographical, economic, and cultural factors. Such disparities create health gaps, where individuals from marginalized communities are disproportionately burdened by a lack of access to essential medical services. The historical neglect of underserved communities has contributed to the persistence of these disparities, necessitating a comprehensive and transformative approach to address the problem.Effectively combating healthcare access disparities includes implementing community involvement that empowers underserved communities, enacting healthcare policy reforms to address systemic barriers, and leveraging locum tenens to improve access to care in all areas. Addressing these aspects will lead to a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system, that results in improved health outcomes and well-being for all individuals. Addressing healthcare access disparities is essential for individual and community improvement. Through community engagement, healthcare reforms, and the use of locum tenens a comprehensive approach can be represented in regards to a more equitable and inclusive healthcare system.

Authors: Karina Geranios, Madison Mathews, Connor Baird. Mentors: Robert Kagabo. Insitution: Utah Tech University. Abstract: Addressing Teenage Pregnancy and Related Public Health Issues in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlements in UgandaIntroductionWhen individuals cross international borders for fear of persecution due to reasons such as their race, belonging to a particular religion, or political group and seeking safety, they become refugees in the new host country. In most resource deprived countries, these refugees are placed in refugee camps where they receive necessities such as food, water, medical care, or shelter. However, in some cases even in these intended safe refugee camps there are many social and public health challenges mostly due to overcrowding. Teenage pregnancy, which is girls getting pregnant between the ages 10-19 is one of those issues not well investigated within refugee camps. Teenage pregnancy is associated with several adverse outcomes for young mothers including intergenerational cycles of poverty and is the leading cause of death among adolescent girls.MethodsUsing constructs from the community-based participatory research approach, the authors used mixed methods study in June 2023 to collaborate with community members to assess and initiate culturally acceptable teenage pregnancy interventions in Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement. Play and sports activities were used to enhance collaborative efforts between community members and researchers.FindingsMeasures intended to decrease the spread of Covid-19 such as tough lockdowns might have increased risk sexual behaviors and abuse and therefore increased teenage pregnancy. Community leaders are in search of appropriate interventions to reduce teenage pregnancy and provide education to teenage mothers.ConclusionThe study resulted in a collaborative interest between researchers, public health providers, and community leaders to identify culturally acceptable teenage pregnancy measures of intervention. Organized play activities, and menstrual clinics proved to be excellent ways to share teenage pregnancy and related public health challenges information including preventive measures.

Authors: Lilliana Rogers. Mentors: Dannelle Larson-Rife. Insitution: Utah Tech University. One in five girls and one in twenty boys are victims of childhood sexual assault in the United States (Crimes, 2012). There is ample research on the effects and treatment of CSA on victims, however, a paucity of research on pedophiles and sexual offenders. In this social policy paper, the effects of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) on victims should use neuroscience research to prevent CSA. Furthermore, attachment in childhood is pertinent in developing healthy adult relationships, however, despite having a secure attachment to parents, children still face adverse effects of CSA in intimacy in adulthood (Barnum & Perrone-McGovern, 2017). Furthermore, adults exposed to CSA face a higher risk for mental health disorders, physical health problems, and substance abuse disorders, compared with adults who have not been exposed to CSA (Herder & Redner, 1991). Four main effects of concern are addressed in CSA victims: intimacy in adulthood, mental health risks, physical health risks, and substance abuse. These main points of concern illustrate the detrimental effects of CSA, and justify the need for change. Survivors are not the root cause of childhood sex abuse; perpetrators of sexual abuse against children are, leaving perpetrators who commit CSA at risk for reoffending. Incarceration is ineffective due to short sentencing and the child has already been sexually abused (Grady et al., 2015). In addition to ineffective reprimands, little research has been conducted on why and how pedophilia occurs. However, the limited research that has been conducted, is promising, but needs further funding and research to investigate the origins of pedophilia, how to treat it and how to prevent it. In addition, current pedophilia prevention efforts are noninclusive, inaccurate, and not targeted toward caregivers (Kenny & Wurtele, 2010; Grady et al., 2015; Finkelhor, 2009). Pedophilia is not addressed and treated, only the aftermath of CSA is. By analyzing these main concerns, we examine three points of intervention by addressing sexual offenders and pedophiles through the ineffectiveness of incarceration, the lack of funded research, neuroscientific research, and inadequate prevention methods. These points of intervention can be implemented and may reduce the risk of CSA so no child ever has to experience childhood sexual assault.

Authors: Allison Gabbitas, Kaitlyn Allen, Gene Ahlborn, Shintaro Pang. Mentors: Shintaro Pang. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Mycotoxin contamination on food and feed can have deleterious effect on human and animal health. Agricultural crops may contain one or more mycotoxin compounds; therefore, a good multiplex detection method is desirable to ensure food safety. In this study, we developed a rapid method using label-free surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to simultaneously detect three common types of mycotoxins found on corn, namely aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), zearalenone (ZEN), and ochratoxin A (OTA). The intrinsic chemical fingerprint from each mycotoxin was characterized by their unique Raman spectra, enabling clear discrimination between them. The limit of detection (LOD) of AFB1, ZEN, and OTA on corn were 10 ppb (32 nM), 20 ppb (64 nM), and 100 ppb (248 nM), respectively. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to predict concentrations of AFB1, ZEN, and OTA up to 1.5 ppm (4.8 µM) based on the SERS spectra of known concentrations, resulting in a correlation coefficient of 0.74, 0.89, and 0.72, respectively. The sampling time was less than 30 min per sample. The application of label-free SERS and multivariate analysis is a promising method for rapid and simultaneous detection of mycotoxins in corn and may be extended to other types of mycotoxins and crops.

Authors: Jared Carter. Mentors: Jeff Tessem. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a chronic condition affecting nearly half a billion people worldwide. Symptoms of T2D include impaired glucose tolerance, decreased insulin secretion and significant weight gain. While the symptoms of T2D are well-documented, the underlying pathology remains unclear. Recent research has indicated the critical role of the nuclear receptor Nr4a3 in the development of glucose intolerance and weight gain. In individuals with T2D, the Nr4a3 promoter is hypermethylated, leading to decreased Nr4a3 expression. Elucidating the role of Nr4a3 in mitochondrial respiration in adipose will help define the mechanism of T2D onset and treatment. I studied mice with full body knockout (KO) for Nr4a3. These mice exhibited T2D-like symptoms, including impaired glucose tolerance, reduced insulin secretion and increased adiposity. I measured mitochondrial respiration in muscle, liver, kidney, and adipose tissue, with impaired respiration only observed in adipose tissue. This impairment in adipose tissue respiration correlated with an increase in the size of all adipose deposits, larger adipocytes, and expanded lipid droplets. Intriguingly, the analysis of electron transport chain and tricarboxylic acid complex proteins revealed no significant differences compared to control samples. Instead, the change in respiration was attributed to a reduction in active DRP1 protein, responsible for mitochondrial fission and maintenance. These findings have important implications for our understanding of T2D and its potential treatment strategies, which will be discussed in more detail.

Authors: Vanessa Lozano. Mentors: April Reber. Insitution: Brigham Young University. According to the Center for Immigration Studies, “the total foreign-born or immigrant population in the U.S. hit 47.9 million in September 2022- a record high in American history. When non-English immigrant families arrive in the United States they face the challenges of new customs, rights, and practices in their new home. In the United States various NGOs, government aids, and non-profit organizations are available to immigrants to help them navigate these challenges. Evaluations about the efficacy of these resources should be considered with the increasing number of immigrants in the United States. In this research, we focus on one of these resources, a mental well-being support group geared to immigrants but attended mostly by Latina women. The support group is currently held at a non-profit community center the South Franklin Community Center (SFCC) in Provo, UT, and sponsored by the organization Inciativa Latina para el Bienestar Emocional [Latino Initiative for Emotional Well-being]. To consider the efficacy of this support group in this research we explore the following questions 1) How does support get produced in the context of this support group at the SFCC? 2) Does (and if so, how does) participating in these support groups expand the agency of participants? (By agency, I refer to the capacity or condition of someone to have control or power to act).

Authors: Yan ho Ng. Mentors: Brandon Ro. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Background: This study aims to compare the form and shape in the building designs by AI and those by architects and to find out which design is superior to the other.Purpose: The study seeks to find out if the architects, who have received formal architectural education and training, can design buildings with better form and shape than those created by AI.Method: This study uses a survey to find out the opinions of Utah Valley University students regarding the comparison of the form and shape in the designs by AI and architects. To contact the potential respondents, a flyer will be posted with a QR code to the online survey in all classrooms. In the online survey, four sets of images created by AI and four sets of images designed by architects will be provided for the respondents to select the ones with better form and shape. The respondents will then decide whether the images are designed by AI or architects. The images are Gothic and modern Catholic cathedrals and churches. After receiving the responses, the data and summarized result regarding the preference of the respondents and their ability to distinguish whether the design is by AI or by architects would be provided.Result: As expected, most of the students can tell the designs by AI and which designs may have better form and shape. Further, the results from the architectural and non-architectural students may have some differences.Conclusion: AI is one of the tools in architectural designs. Nevertheless, it cannot take over the works from architects who have received years of training on learning architectural elements such as form and shape. As an architecture student, this research will help architectural students to value the education and training more.

Authors: Nathan Anderson. Mentors: Zoe Thompson. Insitution: Utah Valley University. The pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene is expressed in the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. The products of this gene are important for food intake and energy expenditure. Mutations in the POMC gene can lead to obesity, excess hunger, and infertility. We are studying a mouse model of POMC deficiency in order to better understand what causes the infertility. In this experiment, we want to study the estrus cycle of mice who have the POMC mutation. The estrus cycle is similar to the menstrual cycle in humans. Specifically, the estrus cycle can be divided into four different stages: estrus, metestrus, diestrus, and proestrus stages. To determine which stage of the cycle the mice are in, we analyze the cells that are present in a vaginal smear, which is collected by a pipet smear technique, and then can be viewed under a microscope. This technique consists of filling a pipet with 0.9% saline solution and flushing this into the vagina of the mice. The cells lining the vagina will be washed off and then collected back into the pipet. These cells will then be added to a slide where they will be looked under a microscope and analyzed based on the number of cornified epithelial cells, leukocytes, and nucleated cells that are present. We have taken pictures of these smears and are analyzing them to determine what stage of the cycle the specific mouse is in at that time. Data was collected over a several week period. Since the POMC gene is absent in the mice being studied, we expect the estrus cycles in the mice to be abnormal. Based on our results, we will continue our research into looking at the specific hormone levels of the mice.

Authors: Audrey Wells. Mentors: Fredric Govedich. Insitution: Southern Utah University. This project is an interdisciplinary meta-analysis of literature across neuroscience, psychology, biochemistry, and biological anthropology. I am interested in comparing the neural physiology of love relationships to that of recreational drug use. I have cross referenced studies on the areas of activation and neurotransmitter level changes for each of these experiences. Both of these activities, specifically when comparing drugs to the infatuation stage of a relationship, show a dramatic increase in the reward complex within the center of the human brain, as well as an increase in risky behavior and obsession with the object of attraction/addiction. I then continued in an analysis of the termination from either positive stimuli, namely, rejection from a lover, and recreational drug withdrawal. I have found that within the motivational sectors of the brain, activation when viewing your rejector, as well as the heightened dopamine produced, show comparable similarities to those who are experiencing an active physiology drug withdrawal.

Authors: Benjamin Merrell. Mentors: Preston Manwaring. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Stage 1 and 2 labor is often characterized by manual examination of the maternal pelvis for fetal position and continuous monitoring by fetal cardiotocography. This practice has not changed in decades despite newer technology becoming available. Manual pelvic examinations have wide inter-examiner variability. Newer technology requires education and training. Unfortunately, both the decades old standard of care and newer technologies target Western markets with high reimbursements. Our lab is seeking to develop simple, robust, reliable, and low-cost technologies for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) that don’t require the extensive education and training of modern western medical technologies. To facilitate this development, we, in collaboration with obstetric professionals, have created a 3D-printed test jig with a movable carriage that follows the normal path of fetal head delivery to test various stage 1 and 2 labor technologies in both dry and aqueous environments. Device requirements include: 1) delivery path must be representative of normal nulliparous and multiparous fetal head trajectories; 2) device must not utilize electronics or metal that could interfere with various tracking technologies; 3) device must provide a repeatable path for inter-technology evaluations; 4) device should allow for later expansion for higher-fidelity simulations. This presentation represents our early development work and initial outcomes.

Authors: Anna Trollmann. Mentors: Chris Anderson. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Past research has found positive correlations between childhood abuse and the likelihood of developing eating disorders later in life. Much of the research previously composed primarily focuses on specific categories of abuse, including sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and witnessing domestic violence. Feelings of loneliness are often studied in relation to eating disorder behaviors, specifically binge eating disorder (BED). Scarcely any research delivers studies of former college students with a specific focus on introspection regarding feelings of being unloved. The goal of this research project is to understand the correlation between feeling unloved and neglected with eating disorder behaviors. This UVU IRB-approved study (IRB Protocol #939) will use data from 6,000 randomly selected UVU current and former College of Humanities and Social Science (2014-2021) that were sent an email with a survey link. The survey assessed the past Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) related to feeling loved in childhood and their eating habits. The large sample size of this study will help support any findings in this research. Using former Utah college students in this study creates limitations as they are likely to be higher educated and younger than the general population. The results of this research could be relevant to the treatment of eating disorders, the detection of children at risk of eating disorders, and the consequences of feeling unloved in childhood.

Authors: Bryce Tolman, Jasper Terungwa Iorkula , Justin Singleton, Matt Peterson. Mentors: Matt Peterson. Insitution: Brigham Young University. An efficient method for preparing C-3 aminated pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines was developed. The method consisted of treating 3-bromopyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine with a wide range of 1° or 2° alkylamines with CuI (20 mol%), L-proline (40 mol%), and Et 3 N (2 equiv) in DMSO under microwave heating conditions (130 °C, 4 hours). C-3 aminated products were obtained in good to excellent isolated yields (54–90%; ave. yield = 77%), and represents the most broadly applicable, non-palladium-catalyzed amination of 3-bromopyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine ever reported. The coupling worked well for unfunctionalized 1° alkylamines such as butylamine, benzylamine, isopropylamine or cyclohexylamine, and more densely functionalized 1° amines with CH 2 - or CH 2 CH 2 -linked heterocycles were also well tolerated (e.g. pyridine-, indole-, thiophene-, and furan-linked methyl- or ethylamine derivatives). 2° Alkylamines such as morpholine, pyrrolidine, and piperidine also reacted well under these conditions. Heating under conventional oil-bath conditions required a more extended reaction time (40 h), but also gave products in good yield (72-76%) for both 100-mg and gram-scale reactions. A pegylated azide (11-azido-3,6,9-trioxaundecan-1-amine) was also coupled in good yield (65% yield microwave), demonstrating compatibility of this methodology for potential click-type applications. Our method is simple and efficient, and avoids drawbacks associated with alternative methods, including long reaction times, limited substrate scope, and required use of air-sensitive/extremely expensive palladium catalysts and specialized synthetic ligands.