2024 Abstracts

Authors: Alyssa Muller, Russ Ross. Mentors: Russ Ross. Insitution: Utah Tech University. University course timetabling assigns rooms and times to courses, considering instructor availability, curriculum conflicts, and quality of life considerations. Computing an optimal solution is computationally intractable. Researchers have refined approximation algorithms that yield far better results than the conventional pencil-and-paper approach used at many universities, including our own. Transitioning to an automated system can be disruptive and poses both real and perceived risks to an institution. The implicit knowledge that humans bring to the problem is hard to fully capture within formal rules that a computer can understand. Our research addresses the impedance mismatch between abstract solutions and the messy real world.In this project we build on prior research to fit the specific needs of our university. We will pilot our system with a set of departments in parallel with the traditional by hand process. We will analyze outcome quality through subjective assessment and quantitative comparison between human and machine generated timetables.

Authors: Justin Webb. Mentors: Jeffrey Edwards. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Understanding the mechanisms underlying depotentiation in the context of previously induced long-term potentiation (LTP) is crucial for unraveling the processes of memory consolidation and forgetting. Our research is focused on synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, the primary brain region responsible for mediating learning and memory. Using electrophysiology and neuropharmacological techniques, our goal is to elucidate the cellular mechanisms behind depotentiation, a reversal of the increase in postsynaptic response and overall synaptic strength characteristic of LTP. By doing this research, we hope to both fill existing gaps and resolve conflicting views about the processes and receptors involved in depotentiation. Experiments were performed on hippocampal brain slices of young mice. We induced LTP in hippocampal CA1 neurons using high-frequency electrical stimulation, and then elicited depotentiation in the same neurons via low-frequency electrical stimulation. This creates a cellular event analogous to learning and subsequently forgetting a new memory trace. Our preliminary findings show that depotentiation still occurs in the presence of MPEP, a metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR5) antagonist, suggesting that the depotentiation mechanism is independent of mGluR5. Additionally, because female rodent models have largely been ignored in prior electrophysiology experiments involving LTP and depotentiation, we investigated and observed gender-related differences, which show female mice exhibiting more pronounced depotentiation than their male counterparts. Building on these findings, our research will continue to identify gender-related differences in both juvenile and adolescent mice, as well as explore the role of NMDA receptors on depotentiation. We will also extend the temporal gap between LTP induction and depotentiation to explore the impact of early-phase versus late-phase LTP on subsequent depotentiation. This research aims to shed light on the intricate mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and its implications for learning, memory, and potential therapeutic modulation of these processes in the context of conditions like Alzheimer's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other disorders of learning and memory.

Authors: Miaja Coombs, Greg Carling. Mentors: Greg Carling. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Our research delves into the intricate relationship between glaciers and Alaskan rivers. We embarked on an extensive study across Southcentral and Interior Alaska, spanning various mountain ranges, to examine how glaciers affect the water chemistry in these regions. From small cirque glaciers to expansive valley glaciers and sediment-covered glaciers, we collected data from river sites extending from glacier termini to the ocean or larger river systems. Over a span of two years, our weekly and monthly samples shed light on the complex interplay of elements, isotopes, and seasonal variations in water sources within these proglacial rivers and streams. Our findings reveal the dynamic nature of glacier-influenced watersheds, especially in the context of a changing climate.

Authors: Michaela Thackeray, Cicilee Petersen, Scott Wiltbank, Emma Newman, Enoch Thackeray. Mentors: Matt Draper. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Abstract: Unlocking Well-Being, Workplace Morale, and Employee Retention: A Tech Company’s Success Story This qualitative study, titled "Unlocking Well-Being, Workplace Morale, and Employee Retention: A Tech Company’s Success Story," explores the experiences of employees and leaders at a Utah-based tech company with an unusually low turnover rate. Motivated by the National Institute of Mental Health's call for workplace well-being focus and exacerbated mental health issues during the COVID-19 pandemic, this research investigates the factors contributing to the company's low turnover and high employee satisfaction. The study employs a series of case studies to delve deeply into individual experiences, utilizing phenomenological methods to uncover and describe the depth and breadth of participants' experiences. The research question guiding the study is, “What experiences inform the mental health and well-being of employees and leaders at this low-turnover company individually and collectively?” Qualitative data collection involved interviews with executives, managers, and employees, facilitated through Microsoft Teams software or on-site at the company campus. The data was transcribed, blocked, and analyzed using Giorgi’s Phenomenological Method, a descriptive qualitative approach, supplemented by Nvivo 12 Plus or similar software for a broader thematic examination across participants. The study aims to provide insights into the workplace dynamics that contribute to employee well-being, satisfaction, and retention in the context of a successful tech company. We will present our findings by poster presentation and are open to presenting orally. Thank you for your consideration!

Authors: Rayne Beau Vanderpool. Mentors: Alexandra Giannell. Insitution: Utah Valley University. For this upcoming UCUR art presentation, I will be showcasing two paintings that I created during a previous painting class under the guidance of my mentor. Both artworks are landscape portraits inspired by the breathtaking Utah mountains. Through these paintings, I experimented with new techniques and aimed to express myself uniquely. I had a lot of fun experimenting with my color palette and visual mixing techniques while creating both of these paintings. Through this presentation, I aim to demonstrate how you can find purpose in your artwork while also enjoying the creative process.

Authors: Vanessa Tuttle. Mentors: Liz McGuire. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Despite significant strides in global gender equality, women remain underrepresented in leadership roles, prompting investigation into public perceptions of women’s leadership. Our research delves into the often-overlooked aspect of female-to-female interactions and their impact on women's self-perception as leaders. We aim to identify the voices that most influence women's beliefs about their leadership abilities, contributing to the broader discourse on gender parity in leadership. Drawing on historical and cross-cultural perspectives, we theorize that women, historically designated as primary caregivers and reproducers of society, play a pivotal role in shaping individuals' beliefs. This designated role may lead women to internalize societal norms that undervalue their leadership capabilities outside the home. We examine the potential impact of empowered female role models on women's confidence in leadership roles. We employ a lab-in-field experiment conducted in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Arusha and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Participants are assigned to groups with varying gender compositions, engaging in a task where success is dependent upon the leader, followed by a post-treatment survey evaluating their experience, leader, and perceptions of female leadership. Through this experiment, we contribute empirical evidence to the ongoing discussion on gender disparities in leadership and challenge existing theories, providing valuable insights into the complex dynamics that contribute to the confidence gap between men and women in leadership roles. Our preliminary findings from our ongoing research may have implications for strategies aimed at fostering gender equality in leadership, encouraging a more nuanced understanding of the factors influencing women as leaders.

Authors: Ainsley E Parkins, Sylvia Lee, Elizabeth J Heath, Thomas Petitjean, Kyle Cink, Kyle Kittelberger, Cagan Sekercioglou, Rodolfo S Probst. Mentors: Rodolfo S Probst. Insitution: University of Utah. Biodiversity loss poses a significant threat, requiring accurate species assessment and conservation strategies. Non-invasive and cost-effective techniques should be prioritized, especially when dealing with threatened vertebrate fauna. By focusing on cryptic Eastern European species within the genus Emberiza (Passeriformes: Emberizidae), we designed an affordable molecular pipeline (including DNA primers and bioinformatics) integrating DNA barcoding with Nanopore sequencing to address species boundaries and provide conservation information for avifauna diversity. We conducted non-invasive DNA extractions from individual feathers of 192 specimens collected in the Aras River Riparian Corridor (ARRC), an important ecological hotspot in Turkey. By targeting the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (CO1) region, our goal was to differentiate Emberiza taxa and identify potential cryptic lineages while using cutting-edge next-generation sequencing (NGS) of multiplexed specimens with portable Oxford Nanopore Technologies. Our focal study examined boundaries in Emberiza subspecies (E. shoeniclus shoeniclus and E. shoeniclus caspia) with subtle morphological differences, utilizing DNA barcoding and Nanopore sequencing. We obtained 182 Emberiza DNA barcodes. Clustering analysis recovered a paraphyletic assemblage (n=32) and a clade, the latter recovering majority of the barcodes (n=150), separated by at least 8% genetic difference. In both cases, we observed a mixture of barcodes from the nominal subspecies and Caspian subspecies, suggesting that cryptic morphological characteristics are not reflected in genetic separation. Our results also suggest putative cryptic Emberiza species, highlighting the importance of the ARRC for conserving avian diversity. We demonstrate that our pipeline, integrating real-time Nanopore sequencing with non-invasive DNA barcoding, can be used for conservation initiatives (particularly aiding cryptic species identification). This study expands our knowledge of avian diversity and highlights the potential of NGS DNA barcodes as a powerful tool for aiding conservation efforts amidst biodiversity loss.

Authors: Reagan Bartholomew. Mentors: Dylan Hansen. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Unveiling the Challenges Faced by Deaf and Disabled Undocumented ImmigrantsThis paper shows the overlooked challenges confronted by a particularly vulnerable group—deaf and disabled undocumented immigrants. The motivation behind this study comes from the need to address the unique hardships experienced by this marginalized population. Our research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining participant observation, policy analysis and comparative analysis. Comprehensively exploring their experiences and shed light on their daily struggles.Our finding show that access to language resources is not just a matter of practicality but a matter of preserving their cognitive abilities and preventing language loss, particularly among young immigrants. We advocate for programs and specific policy changes that can help these individuals and their families with the skills they need to communicate effectively and integrate into society.This research significantly contributes to the fields of immigration studies, disability studies, and language acquisition. It underscores the urgency of allocating resources to address the specific communication needs of deaf and disabled undocumented immigrants, preserving their linguistic development and cognitive abilities.In conclusion, this paper seeks to raise awareness and advocate for more inclusive policies and resources to facilitate language acquisition for this vulnerable population. We look forward to presenting our research at UCUR 2024 and engaging in productive discussions about this pressing issue.

Authors: Danyon Gedris, Paul Frandsen. Mentors: Paul Frandsen. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Whole genome assembly has rapidly improved as third-generation sequencing technology like PacBio HiFi and Oxford Nanopore (ONT) have bridged the gaps of complex genomes by providing high-accuracy, long read data. The improvements in these technologies have resulted in long average read lengths (>15 kbp) and sequence quality scores above 99% (>Q20). They are particularly well-suited to assembling long, repetitive regions of the genome. Current assembly techniques combine reads with identical sequences to form longer, continuous sections. In repetitive regions, this process tends to condense the repeated sequences into one shorter read, instead of preserving the continuous nature of the repeats. Long reads avoid this issue by sequencing repeats together in one continuous read. Heavy chain fibroin (h-fibroin), the gene that encodes for the primary silk protein in Trichoptera and Lepidoptera, is long (often >20 kbp) and repetitive. Recent work showed that PacBio HiFi sequencing provided higher quality assemblies of h-fibroin when compared to the last generation of ONT pores (R9.4.1) and chemistry despite having a shorter average read length. Recent advances in ONT chemistry and nanopores (R10.4.1) have led to higher quality scores, perhaps allowing successful assembly of this gene region. To better understand the advances in ONT sequencing and its ability to provide high-quality, continuous genome assemblies of complex organisms, we assess the quality of assemblies of the h-fibroin silk gene for the Trichoptera species, Arctopsyche grandis and Parapsyche elsis, using the newest ONT chemistry.

Authors: Isaac Sudweeks, Bradley Adams. Mentors: Bradley Adams. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Isopleths are graphical representation of atmospheric data used to analyze the response of an atmospheric chemical such as Ozone to the change in other chemicals in the atmosphere such as oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds. Isopleths then can be used by researchers and other to decide the best way to reduce pollutants in the atmosphere. I set out to use data processing and statistical models to better understand and interpret large experimental chemistry data through the creation of 3 dimensional isopleths. I started by splitting up the data into 2 figures that were functions of 1 variable to make simpler 2d plots. After exploring several techniques to create models such as smoothing splines, b-splines and least squares to fit a quadratic, and through using tools such as generalized cross validation, analysis of covariance, and general visual inspection, I concluded that the best model to create an isopleth is, in the case of the data I was given, a least squares fit-b spline (LSQ spline) using a small number of knots spread evenly over the range of data.

Authors: Naavah Craze, crazen@byu.edu . Mentors: John Chaston. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Wolbachia are maternally inherited bacteria found in the reproductive organs of many arthropod species. These parasitic bacteria are influential in the reproductive fitness of the host and can affect a population’s male-to-female ratio. Wolbachia can only be cultured in living cells and current methods for inoculating hosts with this bacteria have low success rates. These factors make these bacteria difficult to study in lab environments. In this project, we test a pricking method for inoculating Drosophila melanogaster with Wolbachia. In this method, axenic, or bacteria-free, female flies will be pricked in the abdomen with a Wolbachia-coated needle. Eggs from these flies will be collected from 3 to 5 days after pricking and will be incubated. The offspring will be tested using gel electrophoresis to see if inoculation was successful. If successful, this method can be used as a simple and efficient way to introduce Wolbachia into Drosophila melanogaster. These inoculated flies can then be used in experiments to study the relationship between the bacteria and the host organism.

Authors: Aaron Brown, Kimball Jardine, Nathan Schill, Courtney Webb, Joanne Guthrie. Mentors: Joseph Price. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Background: Many school districts consider meeting the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) sodium standards challenging. USDA national survey data indicate that in School Year 2014-15, 28% of lunch menus did not meet the standard. Entrees contributed the largest share of sodium, making their sodium content especially important.Objective: Assess variation in sodium content of popular entrees across a large national sample of school districts.Study Design, Settings, Participants: School menu data including item sodium content were obtained from 1149 school districts using an automated web scraping program.Measurable Outcome/Analysis: Menus were web scraped monthly between August 2022 and January 2023. Variation in sodium content of two popular entrees−pizza and chicken nuggets−was analyzed, with average sodium content compared across different regions in the US and also based on the per-pupil spending of the district.Results: There is statistically significant variation in entree sodium content between regions, with the South having the highest average level of sodium. The average sodium level is also highest in the districts that have the lowest per-pupil spending.Conclusion: Sodium content of popular entrees exhibits significant variation across school districts. This highlights the fact that districts could reduce the amount of sodium in their lunch entrees while still offering the popular entrees they serve.

Authors: Hayley Karns, Dylan Bryant, Noah Christensen, David Kirby, Sarah Marchant, Sarah Nicholas, Emmaline Saunders, Hannan Thomas, Nathan Smith, Dan Cavan, Daniele Ghiretti. Mentors: Alessandro Zanazzi. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Arthropods play a crucial role within terrestrial ecosystems by virtue of their substantial consumption of plant matter, their status as primary prey for various organisms, their function as key recyclers of organic material and nutrients in ecosystems, and their pivotal role as primary pollinators. Ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae, or “Carabids”) represent a prominent and highly diverse taxonomic assemblage among arthropods inhabiting temperate forest floors. Despite their significance in these ecosystems, little is known about their trophic structure and level. These knowledge gaps primarily arise from the limitations associated with traditional investigative methods. For instance, the observation of feeding behavior in carabids proves challenging due to their diminutive size and predominantly nocturnal foraging habits. These uncertainties hinder the attainment of an understanding of community structure and trophic interactions both within the arthropod realm and with the vertebrates in their ecosystem. As a result, this research aims to gain a greater knowledge of the trophic structure of carabids using 15N/14N and 13C/12C isotopic analysis. Ground beetles were collected using pitfall traps placed near Big Springs Park (Provo Canyon, northern Utah) in September 2023. The traps were made with two plastic cups: a smaller cup was suspended inside a bigger cup. The smaller cup was partly filled with vinegar to attract the insects whereas the bigger cup was partly filled with monoethylene glycol, a compound that has been shown to preserve the insects without affecting their isotopic composition. Insect samples were collected over a period of four weeks. The beetles were then cleaned with a 2:1 mixture chloroform and methanol, dried, ground in an agate mortar and pestle, and placed in tin capsules for the isotopic analyses. Once the results are obtained, mixing model analysis will allow us to estimate the proportions of different food items based on the stable isotope ratios of consumers and food items and on known fractionations. This knowledge will contribute to a greater understanding of trophic structures and carbon pipelines in local ecosystems of northern Utah, and to a better prediction of ground beetle response to ongoing global warming and the associated changes in forest environments.

Authors: Abigail Cheever, Chloe Kang, Hunter Lindsay, Mackenzie Hansen, Kim O'Neill, K Scott Weber. Mentors: K Scott Weber, Kim O'Neill. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is a modern technology that has become a widely accepted treatment for blood cancers such as lymphoma and leukemia. Recent studies have proven the successful application of CAR T cell therapies in autoimmune diseases as well. Graves’ Disease (GD) is an autoimmune disease that affects approximately 1 in 100 Americans and is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. GD is mediated by anti-thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) antibodies produced by autoreactive B cells. Our hypothesis is that a curative treatment for GD can be created by designing a CAR T cell that specifically targets the autoreactive B cells in GD, by using TSHR as a binding domain to act as bait for the anti-TSHR B cells. We selected TSHR epitopes for the binding domain of the CAAR T cell, and our anti-TSHR antibodies bound significantly to our engineered CAAR T cells. A target B cell line with anti-TSHR B cell receptors was engineered using the Nalm6 B cell line. Using primary human CAAR T cells, activation and cytotoxicity assays against anti-TSHR B cells shows that CAAR T cell therapy is an effective and promising method to treat antibody mediated autoimmune diseases like GD.

Authors: Ian Eggleston, Ashley N Egan. Mentors: Ashley N Egan. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Ecological Niche Modeling (ENM) is a very useful technique that gives us insight into a species’ present and possible future ranges, habitats, and niches. ENM has applications within conservational biology as models can be used to understand the extent to which climate change may impact a species. Additionally, ENM can be useful for prospecting for and propagation of rare plant species. This project will use ENM to create predictive range models for a rare plant species, Pediomelum aromaticum, with the goal of defining an ecological niche, determining impact of climate change, and general conservation of P. aromaticum. Here, we will compare 19 bioclimatic variables using correlation analysis and ecological niche modeling to determine which are the most impactful on the range of P. aromaticum. Additionally, ENMs will be created using the MAXENT algorithm from historical and predicted future climate data. By comparing these models, we can hypothesize as to how climate change may impact P. aromaticum. Finally, models will be compared between predicted climate futures defined as shared socio-economic pathways or SSP. SSP models estimate the impacts of human interactions within the scope of environment, governments, and each other to estimate the impact of varying sets of human interactions as defined by modified global behaviors within humanity and the impacts on global climate change. Different ENM models will be created with different SSP climate models so that we can understand how actions taken by humanity right now may impact the critically imperiled species P. aromaticum.

Authors: Nathan Klundt, Violeta Vasilevska. Mentors: Violeta Vasilevska. Insitution: Utah Valley University. In electrical power networks, phase measurement units (PMUs) are sensors used to monitor the network. However, these PMUs are very costly, hence the electric company are interested in using the minimum number of PMUs that will ensure that they can observe the whole network. This real-life problem is modeled in graph theory as a graph coloring game. Namely, the power domination problem [2, 3] in graph theory is concerned with finding a minimum number of these sensors needed to color (observe) the entire graph (network) according to a set of rules. We consider two variants of this coloring problem. The k-fault-tolerant power domination [3] is asking to find minimum number of PMUs needed to observe (color) the whole network (graph) even when k number of the PMUs are faulty but allows only one PMU to be placed on an electric node (vertex). The other variant, called robust power domination [1], asks the same as fault tolerant power domination, but allows for multiple PMUs to be placed on the same electric node (vertex). In this presentation, we introduce these coloring problems through examples, and provide some theoretical bounds on the minimum number of PMUs needed for various families of graphs for both k-fault-tolerant and robust power domination problems. References: [1] Beth Bjorkman and Esther Conrad. (2023). Introduction to Robust Power Domination. arXiv:2305.13430. [2] Dennise J. Brueni and Lenwood S. Heath. The PMU placement problem. SIAM Journal on Discrete Mathematics, 19(3): 744-761, 2005. [2] Teresa W. Haynes, Sandra M. Hedetniemi, Stephen T. Hedetniemi, and Michael A. Henning. Domination in graphs applied to electric power networks. SIAM Journal on Discrete Mathematics, 15(4): 519-529, 2002. [3] Kung-Jui Pai, Jou-Ming Chang, and Yue-Li Wang. Restricted power domination and fault-tolerant power domination on grids, Discrete Applied Mathematics, 158(10):1079–1089, 2010.

Authors: Ellie P. Evans, Mmadili Ilozumba, Sheetal Hardikar, Neli Ulrich, Jennifer Ose. Mentors: Mmadili Ilozumba. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Cachexia is a complex syndrome characterized by severe weight loss and muscle wasting. It is also a prevalent complication in various chronic diseases, including cancer and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Recent research has underscored the pivotal role of the gut microbiome in systemic well-being. Furthermore, it has been shown that cancer patients suffering from cachexia have unique bacteria composition in the gut compared to that of non-cachectic patients. In the absence of stool samples, there are a few metabolites in the circulatory system that can be directly linked to gut microbiota. Examples include bile acids, and short chain fatty acids as metabolites produced by specific Phylum. The presence of these gut microbiota derived metabolites (GMDM) in the circulation indicate a compromise in the integrity of tight junctions in the intestines. These results prompted an investigation of GMDM as an indicator of gut permeability. Our hypothesis is that an increased concentration of GMDM in the circulation is linked to gut permeability, leading to the development of cachexia in patients with colorectal cancer.  This literature review provides a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between gut permeability and cachexia, seeking to identify which GMDMs are the most accurate indicators of specific bacteria linked to gut permeability, and subsequently, are accurate projectors of cachexia.  Acetic acid, a short chain fatty acid (SCFA) is a GMDM detected in the plasma of patients with gut permeability. Acetic acid makes up about 60% of the SCFAs produced by a healthy gut flora and 90% of it is produced by the genus Bifidobacterium. Our literature review will cover how closely a measurement of acetic acid and other GMDMs measured in plasma can be linked to gut permeability and to Bifidobacterium levels in the gut. Similarly, Indole is a GMDM produced by Escherichia coli and other indole-producing bacteria. Indole isn’t produced naturally anywhere else in the body. When it is naturally absorbed into the liver through the portal vein, it’s mostly converted into indoxyl sulfate. The heightened presence indole in plasma in sulfate-free forms could indicate that indole is being absorbed through holes in the tight junctions of the intestines, rather than through the portal vein. This information would allow cohorts that have collected plasma samples in the past to measure gut permeability by proxy, even if they’re unable to investigate the gut microbiota and metabolites present from stool samples. These connections found could further help us to use-already collected samples to find accurate biomarkers for early cachexia development in cancer patients. If an oral presentation is unavailable, a poster presentation would be great.

Authors: Jacob Adams, Larry Catalasan. Mentors: Tianyi He. Insitution: Utah State University. Soft robotics is a field of robotics involving the controlled movement and manipulation of soft materials to fulfill tasks that standard robots cannot. In this project, we aim to create a soft robotic arm capable of movement by using a machine-learning algorithm to generate its subsequent moves. To fulfill this goal, the robotic arm is contained in a metal frame that has cameras monitoring its position. The camera feed is then processed through a machine-learning algorithm into instructions that can be used to pull various strings attached to the arm which will allow the arm to move. Currently, our team has finished building the frame/arm as well as software that can use cameras to map the position of the arm. The next steps in this project are to research and implement a machine-learning algorithm and write a program that can appropriately adjust stepper motors to pull the strings.