2014 Abstracts

Sharisa Nay, Brigham Young University Life Sciences Gene therapy is a growing field of science with the potential to improve thousands of lives. With an eye toward improving the effectiveness and longevity of gene therapies, my project examines the preferential binding tendencies of the histone protein variants Htz1 and Htas1. Htz1 is the Ceanorhabditis elegans homolog of H2AZ, an important variant of the H2A histone. This protein has been shown as necessary for survival and as playing a role in the prevention of ectopic heterochromatin spread. Htas1 is another variant of H2A that plays a role in the increased transcription of sperm-producing genes. The preferred positioning of these variants on naked DNA is not yet known. Through a DNA extraction, nucleosome reconstitution, and DNA digest and sequencing, we will take these variants and examine where they are prone to localize within the N2 Bristol strain of c. elegans. This will allow us to include DNA sequences on our gene insertions possessing a high binding-affinity for these transcription-promoting histones. Thus, if we can identify the locations at which these variants will localize within DNA, we will be able to insert these preferred constructs into the genes used for gene therapy and thereby increase the effectiveness of gene therapies.

Kevin Nay, Southern Utah University Life Sciences Leech taxonomy has traditionally been based on morphological characters, but with new developments in DNA technology many taxonomists are starting to use genetic information in descriptions of new species. Leeches in southern Utah are poorly inventoried with respect to many other aquatic animals. There have been few morphological inventories of leeches and even fewer descriptions of the genetic diversity within leeches. Landscape genetics is a powerful tool used to understand geographic patterns of genetic diversity. Southern Utah has many naturally isolated bodies of water due to the climate and the dramatic changes in elevation in this part of the country. The landscape genetic study of leeches in southern Utah will provide us with a better understanding of genetic differentiation within southern Utah leeches. The mitochondrial DNA (CO I region) will be used to estimate genetic diversity and examine the relationships among individuals in two populations of leeches. I hypothesize that leeches in southern Utah will have greater genetic diversity then historically recognized from morphological studies suggesting a new species of leech. The study will lead to better understanding of the taxonomy and identification of southern Utah leeches.

Julia Hull, Weber State University Life Sciences Endophytes are fungi that live within aerial portions of plants for most or all of their life cycle without causing visible signs of disease. Gall forming aphids, Pemphigus betae, are highly competitive over gall site selection (Moran 1993), forming galls on the leaves of narrowleaf cottonwood and their hybrids. The favored gall location overlaps with areas of highest endophyte probability. I hypothesized that a negative correlation would exist between endophyte infection and aphid galling on leaves of backcross hybrid cottonwood trees.

Brianne Palmer, Utah State University Life Sciences Inversions have plagued the valleys in Utah resulting in built up pollution carpeting the cities and spreading into surrounding ecosystems. The ecological impact of these inversions is unknown. Inversion-based pollution events deposit nutrients and pollutants in the ecosystems. The purpose of this study is to determine if lichens, due to their unique physiology, preserve a record of inversion-based nitrogen deposition in order to assess the ecological impact of the inversions. In June and July of 2013 we collected 111 samples of lichens from sites exposed to the inversions, along Red Butte Creek and on an elevation gradient on Grandeur Peak in Salt Lake City. The collection focused on two species of lichens (Xanthomendoza montana and Xanthomendoza fallax) because they are easily identifiable and live in all the sampling sites. The samples were ground, run through a stable-isotope mass spectrometer and analyzed for the %N and δ15N. If lichens hold a record of inversion-based depositions there should be more nitrogen in lichens from the sampling sites closer to the pollution source (Salt Lake City). Once the data was complied, the resulting graphs showed no correlation between %N and distance from Salt Lake City between δ15N and the pollutant source. However, the isotopic variability within the samples was greater than expected and requires further research.

Tamara Fox, Weber State University Life Sciences Clostridium botulinum has been implicated in cases of infant botulism across the United States. It is recommended that infants under the age of one year not be fed honey because of the presence of C.botulinum spores. The goal of this project is to determine whether honey produced in small and large apiaries in Utah contain varying amounts of toxin producing C. botulinum. Honey samples will be collected from hives maintained in Utah and tested for the presence of toxin producing strains of C. botulinum. Samples will be dissolved and centrifuged to isolate the spores and then superheated to release the DNA. Testing will then be done through a multiplex polymerase chain reactions (PCR) using primers specific for 16s rRNA, Clostridia species, and toxins A, B, E, and F. The presence and type of toxin producing Clostridia species will be compared with a Chi-Squared Test of Independence. Research will be completed by February of 2014 and we expect small apiaries will have a lower frequency of toxin producing C. botulinum strains than large apiaries and that toxin phenotype will vary between the two groups. The results will increase understanding on the variance of C. botulinum in Utah honey and will contribute to further research on this topic.

Whitney Badal, Brigham Young University Life Sciences Light therapy has been utilized to treat alcoholism and opiate-dependent rats as well as ameliorating symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. As both addiction and Parkinson’s Disease (PD) are often associated with decreased dopamine transmission in the striatum, it is likely that light therapy is able to increase dopamine release. A similar technique called near-infrared light treatment has also been shown to be effective in mice in restoring the function of dopamine cells in the substantia nigra pars compacta (an area associated with PD). A possible explanation for this is that light catalyzes the formation of neuromelanin. It is likely that neuromelanin is a neuroprotective cellular agent that is able to reduce damage caused by reactive oxygen species. Using UV-IR spectrophotometry, we show that in the presence of photostimulation, dopamine (0.3-30 uM) oxidizes and polymerizes into neuromelanin. Since hydrogen peroxide catalyzes this formation of neuromelanin, it is likely that this is a radical-polymerization reaction, suggesting that neuromelanin may be a radical scavenger. Additionally, the presence of the selective iron chelator desferrioxamine, the calcium chelator EGTA, or lack of calcium in the artificial cerebral spinal fluid markedly reduces the formation of neuromelanin. Using fast scan cyclic voltammetry in mouse horizontal and/or coronal brain slices, dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens core was enhanced by light exposure, in particular UV and short-wavelength visible light. These findings indicate that both iron and calcium are necessary for melanization in neural tissues and that light-induced melanization enhances dopamine release, suggesting a physiological role for melanization in synaptic transmission.

Chelsea Moody, Dixie State University Life Sciences A relatively new pathogen, chytrid fungus, has been a major cause of decline in amphibians worldwide. This pathogen has been found on Canyon Tree Frogs in Zion National Park. Earlier data suggested that chytrid did not affect populations of Canyon Tree Frogs in Zion National Park. We predicted that since the populations weren’t impacted by the presence of the fungus, there must exist a mechanism by which the frogs rid themselves of the infective agent. To test this prediction, we captured and swabbed ten frogs in each of nine canyons in Zion National Park during the summer of 2013. Swabs were sent to the San Diego Zoo to be analyzed for the presence of chytrid DNA. Chytrid infection rates and population sizes were compared with data from previous years. As expected, the data showed that two of the three infected canyons experienced declines in the percentage of frogs testing positive for the fungus. Thus, these frogs must possess a mechanism to survive this pathogen, whereas most amphibians do not. Our results may prove helpful to other biologists seeking to understand how amphibians can survive this pathogen.

Eric Swenson, Dixie State University Life Sciences Underwater invasive species such as mussels and algae attach to submersible substrates that are advantageous for growth, and often include recreational boats that are frequently moved from one waterway to another. This can lead to rapid and uncontrolled spread of the invasive species. Through the use of newly developed ionic surfactants, growth and attachment of species on submersible surfaces can be inhibited. New surfactants have been incorporated into the final coating of typical product sealants to prevent the attachment of various marine organisms. By integrating the surfactant into the coating, an increase in the usefulness and longevity of effective inhibition is expected, as compared to commercially available alkali anti-fowling agents that are applied after the sealing process. It is hypothesized that the adherence properties possessed by marine organisms will be compromised by the introduction of ionic surfactants through changes in the chemical makeup of the exposed surfaces. The ultimate goal is to develop a substrate surface in which there is no affinity for attachment and/or causes fatality to the organism. If the desired outcome is reached, the potential benefits that ensue could create drastic improvements in areas of invasive species prevention and management in the desert southwest fresh-water lakes. Additionally, extension of the surfactant application to metal surfaces could have significant impacts on efficiency in water treatment systems, as well as cargo shipping in saltwater environments.

Brian Ballard, Brigham Young University Life Sciences Antigen presenting cells digest and display proteins from foreign and infected cells on the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) which can then be recognized by T-cells through their T cell receptor (TCR). LLO56 and LLO118 are CD4+ T cells specific for the same Listeria monocytogenes epitope but show dramatically different primary and secondary responses to infection. Because TCRs have very low affinity for MHC we would like to create a high affinity T cell. We reasoned that the single chain LLO118 TCR (Vβ2-linker-Vα2) could be subjected to directed evolution to generate mutants that are more stable and then used as a template for engineering high affinity T cell receptors. Single chain LLO118 was fused to the yeast surface protein Aga-2 and error prone PCR was used to generate mutagenic libraries. The first generation stabilized LLO118 single chain TCR (scTCR) was selected using biotinylated Vβ2 and Vα2 antibodies and anti-biotin beads and it expressed LLO118 at higher levels than wild type by flow cytometry. To produce mutants with additional stability, a second mutagenic library using the first generation mutants as templates has been produced and the most stable clones will be selected after temperature denaturation, permitting isolation of clones with increased stability for generating high affinity pathogen specific scTCRs. After engineering a high affinity T cell our research will further understanding on TCRs and the MHC and could also serve as a resource for creating a therapeutic drug.

David Vogelsang, Brigham Young University Life Sciences More than one-third of U.S. adults (35.7%) are obese (CDC, 2013a), and since 1980, obesity among adolescents has risen from 5% to 18% (CDC, 2013b). Unless we do something to combat the growing obesity epidemic, we are consigning ourselves and future generations to a lifetime of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and psychological distress (CDC, 2013a). Cooking Anatomy Academy (CAA) promotes healthy eating and cooking among parents and students in the Polynesian community to raise awareness about the growing obesity epidemic. Our primary focus is introducing parents and students to healthy, great tasting foods and easy to prepare meals (Brown, 2011). Our secondary focus is to teach the simple anatomy and physiology important to understanding healthy nutrition. CAA is composed of seven, one hour lessons that are being offered as an afterschool program at Mana Academy Charter School. We’ve developed the CAA curriculum to incorporate many of the nutrition guidelines on MyPlate.gov, and focus on moderation, variety and raw/unrefined foods. To study the impact of Cooking Anatomy Academy, we will take a qualitative approach and use journal entries to collect data. Participant journal entries will answer prompts like, “based on what you learned today, what will you have for a snack tomorrow,” or, “how many fruit servings should you have each day?” CAA mentors will record any positive or negative feedback they receive during each lesson. From the data we collect, we hope to see that CAA is helping participants make healthy food choices and increasing their obesity awareness.

Lindsey Hall, Utah State University Social and Behavioral Sciences The benefits of physical activity among young adults are widely recognized (Healthy People 2020). However, approximately 50% of college students are physically inactive (Keating et al., 2005). In the case of college students’ physical activity, parents serve as a resource for health information (Vader et al., 2011). In fact, the American College Health Association reported that parents are college students’ primary source for health information, and therefore may impact their physical activity levels. Although parents are often utilized as health advisors, the quality of this communication and children’s reaction to parental advice has not been explored (Romo et al., 2011). Although advice is sometimes perceived as helpful and supportive by parents, children can also view it as ineffective and insensitive. Advice about physical activity that is negatively received by college students might exacerbate stress, damage the parent-child relationship, or inhibit the student’s physical activity. A growing body of research identifies factors that predict more positive evaluations of advice messages and beneficial outcomes from supportive interactions that include advice. To date, research has identified a variety of source, content, style, and context factors that influence advice evaluations and outcomes (see MacGeorge et al., 2008). However, none of these aspects have been examined when considering the parent-child relationship within the context of physical activity. The present study sought to extend research on advice-giving, the parent-child relationship, and college students’ physical activity by surveying college students about their experiences receiving physical activity-related advice from a parent. Participants (N=224, ages 18-24 years) completed an online survey about the physical activity-related advice they received from their parents. Results highlight a range of parent advice-giving strategies relative to children’s physical activity and children report responding to advice based on a number of factors related to the parent, the child, the parent-child relationship, and the advice context.

James Westwood, Utah Valley University Social and Behavioral Sciences The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints expects young adult males to serve a religious mission, and gives young women the same option. Those who choose to serve, do so for two years if male, and 18 months if female. Occasionally, some return home prior to the full term of service due to unforeseen medical, mental health, or adjustment-related issues. Many who return early perceive themselves as failures, ostracized and unfairly judged. This phenomenological study explores the experiences of these young men, gains an understanding from their perspective, and provides helpful insight and understanding to church members, church leaders and clinicians who work with this population.

Emily Jordison, Weber State University Social and Behavioral Sciences Over the last thirty years, millions of dollars in federal funding has been poured into school districts across the nation to promote abstinence among young people. Lawmakers continue to fund abstinence-only education in hundreds of schools, although research has shown that abstinence-based platforms have a lower success rate in reducing teen pregnancies. This study will focus on the opinions of parents residing in Ogden. Currently, Ogden’s teen pregnancy rate is the fourth-highest in the state of Utah. With teens becoming sexually active at an earlier age now than in previous decades, it seems imperative to examine what is being taught in public schools regarding sexual health and how parents feel about it. This study aims to examine the parental attitudes regarding the sexual education being taught in schools in Ogden, Utah to see if the general opinion supports lawmakers’ decisions regarding the sex education policy or if there is a disparity between what parents want and what policy makers have put into place. Sexual education laws in Utah generally lean toward the conservative side; therefore, this study will attempt to broaden the understanding we have regarding how parents feel toward sexual education in schools. Currently, the literature suggests that parents are not happy with the sexual education their children are receiving, noting that it is not as comprehensive as they would prefer (McKay, 1998). A similar survey indicated that parents believe that they, along with health officials, should have more of a say in the sexual education that takes place in schools rather than politicians (Ito, 2006). Further research indicates that local policies overwhelmingly encourage an abstinence-only approach regarding sexual education in schools (Dailard, 2001). This study aims to contribute to the knowledge we have regarding parental attitudes toward the sexual education youth are receiving in schools in Ogden, Utah.

Branden Nuttall, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences The Relationship Anxiety Test was developed to find a way to measure the level of Anxiety in Latter-day Saint (LDS) college aged individuals who are currently searching for a future companion. Research has suggested that relationship anxiety was higher in individuals who are currently looking for a future spouse. The goal of our test was to measure this anxiety in LDS individuals because it is believed that these individuals are under more pressure to find a spouse. The test was formatted by using a set of questions to measure the anxiety using two domains cognitive, and behavioral. The test was administered using Qualtrics and was distributed through email and Facebook. The results of the test are currently being measured and will be available within the next month.

David Anderson, Utah Valley University Social and Behavioral Sciences Purpose

Caitlin Lagasse, Utah State University Social and Behavioral Sciences In many instances, child labor is a way to exploit the cheap labor a child has to offer. Although in many situations, the exploitation of child labor is not normally the case, such as families living in a developing country. What individuals raised in Western cultures fail to realize is that in some nations and for some families, child labor is a necessary resource to survive, children act as an exceptional resource in these situations. Without the extra income a child could make working in the fields, on the street, or the diamond mines, the family would suffer. Families in developing countries do not have the same luxuries that already developed countries can afford. Without the full knowledge of the detrimental effects, developed countries attempt to superimpose child labor restrictions on countries. Western societal norms differ from countries around the world; our parental views of childhood are far from the reality of parents in developing nations. Furthermore, children face difficulties outside the exploitation of labor, such as slavery, prostitution, malnutrition and low educational standards. The dilemma to send their child to school or work is an ongoing daily battle for parents, even though the families are aware that the schools are an ineffective way of educating their children. All of those situations are the reality of the lives of children living in a developing country. Even though, the money that they make on a day’s wage is small, and generally smaller than that of an adult, it is still more money than they would have been able to make on the street, selling drugs or sex trafficking.

Kaylie Carbine, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences There are multiple benefits of physical activity, such as weight maintenance and overall lower rates of morbidity and mortality; however, individuals with sedentary desk-bound jobs may not receive these health benefits due to less time for physical activity. Consequently, an increasing trend in the workplace is for employees to walk on treadmills while working. Although job-related treadmill walking has known health benefits, such as decreasing back pain, alleviating stress, and reducing weight gain, the effect of treadmill walking on cognitive performance is not well known and may affect employee productivity. Our objective was to determine if there are significant behavioral differences in response inhibition (the ability to withhold an overt response) and conflict-related interference between participants walking on a treadmill and sitting controls. Seventy-six neurologically and psychologically healthy individuals were randomly assigned to sitting (n = 39; 17 female) or treadmill walking (n = 37; 23 female) conditions. Participants did not differ significantly in body mass index or overall fitness levels (ps > .20). All participants completed a computerized Go/No-Go and a computerized Eriksen Flanker task. Accuracy and response time data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results indicated that there were no significant between-groups differences for individuals walking on a treadmill versus sitting on indices of response inhibition and conflict-related interference (ps > .24). The results suggest that walking on a treadmill does not decrease efficiency in these cognitive tasks and may not impact workplace performance.

Kyle Haderlie, Utah State University Social and Behavioral Sciences Much has been written about the positive and negative influences of parents in sport and the mechanisms through which parents can enhance their involvement within youth sport contexts (e.g., Côté, 1999; Gould et al., 2006; Holt et al., 2009). Parents’ previous sporting experiences or sports knowledge is often identified as a factor that might influence the appropriateness of parental involvement youth sport (Bowker et al., 2006; Holt et al., 2008; Knight & Harwood, 2010). Further, children (and coaches) have indicated that parents’ own sporting experiences might alter the types of feedback or involvement children will actually accept from their parents (Knight et al., 2010; Knight et al., 2011). However, the specific ways in which parent experiences might influence their involvement in their children’s sport is relatively unknown. Developing an understanding of this relationship is necessary as researchers and practitioners aim to better understand the factors that influence positive and negative parental involvement. As such, the purpose of this study was to examine how parents’ previous sporting experiences influence their sport parenting style and practices. Specifically, this study sought to identify the influence of parents’ own experiences in sport (e.g., through their own youth sport participation), their experiences with children in sport (e.g., with older offspring), and their knowledge or understanding of sport (e.g., through education or coaching) on their present involvement. Open-ended survey data were collected from 102 mothers and fathers of children aged 6-18 in the USA, Canada, the UK, and Australia. Study data illuminate patterns of parent experiences that are consistent with authoritative sport parenting styles and adaptive practices (e.g., support), as well as patterns consistent with authoritarian parenting styles and less adaptive practices (e.g., pressure). Data hold the potential to inform both sport and family theory, as well as policy for parent involvement in organized youth sport.

Varvara Jones, Utah Valley University Engineering Mobile devices are promising tools today to people’s life thanks to lower-cost hardware, steep subsidies from wireless carriers and the popularity of mobile apps. Equipping with touchscreen is the point of fulfillment for all that a mobile device promises to deliver to normal users. However, few mobile devices today have been built that address accessibility and usability of the touchscreen for a wide range of physical capabilities and challenges. In this research, we investigate human capabilities, environmental factors and hardware ergonomics that can improve the usability when people with impairment disabilities use a touchscreen-equipped mobile device.

Benjamin Lindsay, Brigham Young University Engineering Current treatments for cancer and diseased tissue often cause severe side effects due to drug interactions with healthy cells. In order to minimize these effects, we are developing a nano-scale near-infrared (NIR) light-responsive drug delivery system based on liposome-encapsulated perfluoropentane (PFC5) emulsions with gold nanorods in the PFC5 phase. The nanorods efficiently convert NIR light to heat, vaporizing the liquid PFC5 emulsions, which have boiling points near body temperature. Emulsion vaporization increases the volume inside the liposome enough to burst the phospholipid bilayer and release encapsulated cargo. This system will allow continuous therapeutic drug release localized at the site of NIR laser irradiation with a low-power, portable NIR laser diode. To date, we have successfully loaded PFC5 emulsions with gold nanorods and have loaded liposomes with PFC5 emulsions. Previous work in our lab has shown that a release to the cytosol of cells can be induced by ultrasound using similar liposomes. Experiments designed to demonstrate NIR laser-induced cargo release are currently in progress. We will continue to improve upon this system over the coming months to increase release and decrease the required laser power.

Shana Black, University of Utah Engineering Goals: The pudendal nerve (PN) was targeted in attempt to create controlled micturition via intrafascicular electrical stimulation (IES) following the onset of surgically induced incontinence. We investigated both the effectiveness of unilateral and bilateral transection of the PN in creating a model of urinary incontinence and the ability of IES of efferent fibers to excite the external urethral sphincter (EUS) in order to restore a controlled voiding pattern. High Density Utah Electrode Arrays (HD-USEAs) were used to provide IES in these studies.

Anthony Bennett, Brigham Young University Engineering Foot Mouth Disease is considered to be the greatest hindrance to livestock trade in the world. The disease is extremely contagious and can transmit via aerosol, food scraps, and through blood, and tears among other transmission routes [1]. Currently, technological challenges hinder eradication efforts due to a wide variety of FMD strains, high vaccine production costs, as well as limited efficacy of vaccines across strains [2]. The countries most affected by the disease also face economic, social, and political challenges to disease eradication. Based upon historical evidence disease eradication has proven to be possible as shown in the US, the UK, and other countries [3]. In this presentation, we highlight these challenges and propose various routes to eradication in order to open up economic opportunities to developing countries as well as eliminating the threat of a disease outbreak in countries currently free of the disease. Morgan, E.R., et al., Assessing risks of disease transmission between wildlife and livestock: The Saiga antelope as a case study. Biological Conservation, 2006. 131(2): p. 244-254. Parida, S., Vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease virus: strategies and effectiveness. 2009. Perry, B. and K. Sones, Poverty reduction through animal health. Science, 2007. 315.

Josh Hall, Weber State University Life Sciences Reproduction in birds is extremely conservative with the vast majority of the birds adopting bird-egg contact incubation to maintain an appropriate microclimate for embryonic development (Deeming, 2004). The Great Salt Lake is a vital nesting site for American Avocets (Recurvirostra Americana) that shows extreme temperatures and hostile environments where nest success can be as low as 1 -14% (Cavitt, 2008). Constancy of incubation, i.e. the time that the eggs are in contact with an adult, is a major indicator of nest success and environmental conditions. Our goals were to examine some of the costs natural selection places on embryos and parents to maintain a constant embryo temperature. We hypothesized that incubation attentiveness would increase across the nesting cycle. Over 200 AMAV nests were surveyed. Thermal probes were used to record various nest microclimates at every minute. A pseudonest with painted chicken eggs was also created and a thermal probe was placed to measure the ambient temperature without any adult incubation. A motion sensitive camera was placed over nests to examine differences in parental care. Nests will be divided into three phases: early, mid, and late incubation. Thermal data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and mean variance values to calculate how incubation constancy varied throughout these phases. We expect this data to tell us more on how natural selection is working on these populations and some possible theories of how this developed.

Janweb Lagazo, Brigham Young University Life Sciences The scientific community and the general public have long been interested in the effects of water pollution. Most studies on water pollution have focused solely on industrial pollution, but have failed to consider the potential impact of pharmaceuticals that unintentionally accumulate in aquatic ecosystems via wastewater treatment effluents. The purpose of this study is to advance our understanding on how these wastewater effluents affect aquatic ecosystems in Utah. We quantified the concentration of select pharmaceuticals in Hobble Creek using mass spectrometry. Then we sampled above the treatment plant, at the effluent outlet, and downstream of the effluent to determine pre-effluent and post-effluent drug concentrations. We are currently using this preliminary data to investigate how common endocrine disrupting, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-anxiety drugs may potentially affect the aquatic ecosystem of the endangered Chasmistes liorus, commonly known as June sucker.

Lauren Archibald, Brigham Young University Life Sciences Increased intake of selenium (Se) and soy have both been shown to reduce risk for prostate cancer, especially if these dietary treatments are combined. The purpose of this project is to determine how the timing of Se supplementation of either a low- or high-soy diet affects prostate cancer risk. [C57BL/6 X FVB] F1 TRAMP (TRansgenic Adenocarcinoma of Mouse Prostate) male mice were fed stock diets low or high in soy. Half of the mice received Se supplementation (4.0 mg Se/kg BW as Se-methylselenocysteine) by gavage 5 d/wk in a 2 X 2 factorial design. Se supplementation began at conception, 6 weeks, 12 weeks, or 18 weeks of age. The mice were then sacrificed at different stages of maturation (4, 12, 18, and 24 weeks). Our results showed that, at 12 weeks of age, urogenital tract weights, a measure of prostate proliferation and tumor volume, were significantly reduced by Se supplementation (p<0.001) and by soy (p=0.044), independent of time of dietary intervention. Histological scores of prostate cancer progression also showed a protective effect of Se supplementation (p=0.030). At this writing, statistical analysis of data from mice sacrificed at 18 weeks is in process. Data derived from 18-week mice, combined with our previous findings from 12-week animals, will allow us to chart the progress of prostate cancer in this model. In addition, results will show how dietary Se and soy may alter disease progression and how the timing of dietary intervention may determine its effects.

Charlee Byers, Brigham Young University Life Sciences Agave utahensis (Utah agave) plays a critical role as a keystone species in its native habitat. A rise in frequent, intense fires across the range of these habitats threatens to eliminate Utah agave populations, and consequently limit its genetic diversity. Characterizing the genetic diversity of Utah agave and its subspecies will help in restoration efforts to protect the species. We constructed primers to amplify microsatellite markers of two subspecies of Utah agave, ssp. kaibabensis and ssp. utahensis. Using these markers, we determined the level of polymorphism within four populations of each of the two subspecies.

Sean Studstill, Weber State University Life Sciences Imidacloprid is a popular systemic insecticide that has been applied to our staple crops for two decades. According to the EPA, it is persistent in the environment and at risk of effecting non-targeted organisms. Imidacloprid is an insect neurotoxin; however it is also known to be toxic to various aquatic species in concentrations as low as 37 ppb. Ingestion of imidacloprid causes paralysis in organisms through the blockage of postsynaptic nicotinic cholinergic receptors. We sought to find out how toxic imidacloprid is to brine shrimp and what kinds of physiological reactions occur upon exposure.

Goyeun Tun, University of Utah Life Sciences Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS) are disorders which their symptoms and treatments are not clearly known. CFS and FMS are not life threatening diseases; however, they can affect patients’ quality of life because they experience symptoms including exercise intolerance, need for bedrest, and debilitating chronic pain and fatigue with these disorders. The research from Dr. Light’s lab has shown that moderate exercise for 25 minutes causes changes in mRNA levels in CFS and FMS patients but not healthy controls. The objective of our study was to examine changes in white blood cell gene expression of CFS and FMS patients both on Lyrica and on placebo in a double-blinded, cross-over design (where each study subject was his or her own control) by using quantitative PCR gene expression analysis. The lab routinely analyzes blood samples for 48 different genes from study subjects and healthy controls collected before (baseline) and then 8, 24, 48 hours after exercise moderate exercise. My focus was on changes in expression of two ATP-responsive purinergic receptors, P2X7 and P2Y1, which have not been studied after exercise in CFS and FMS but have been associated with chronic inflammation and pain in animal models. White blood cell layers (buffy coat) were collected from samples, RNA was extracted and converted to cDNA. 384 well PCR plates were robotically loaded from 96 well source plates, then the PCR reaction was run in an ABI 7900 thermal cycler that tracks fluorescence in “real time” (real time qPCR). Analysis of results is in progress and will be reported on the poster.

Spencer Alexander, Dixie State University Life Sciences Antibiotic resistance has increased with each new developed medication, creating new problems as bacteria become more difficult to defeat. Some of these bacteria are resistant because they can excrete an extracellular polymeric substance known as a biofilm. The polysaccharide-based biofilm matrix allows the colony to communicate, absorb nutrients, and exchange genetic material giving it an advantage in possible resistance through plasmid exchange. At present, there are no effective antimicrobial agents that can safely treat and prevent resistant bacteria like ORSA. Biofilms have a negative impact ranging from human pathogenesis down to economic expenses. In order to break down established biofilms, we utilized newly developed organic salts known as ionic liquids. These novel liquids have been observed to prevent bacterial colonies and biofilm formation, possibly by introducing intermolecular interactions that disrupt the chemical bonding in biofilms. The morphology of the microbes was characterized and observed to determine the effect of the ionic liquids on biofilms. Inhibition studies were also performed to determine antimicrobial efficiency of the ionic liquids as a function of organic structures. These novel ionic liquids provide an unprecedented, effective and efficient method to combat resistant bacteria, which could have tremendous impacts in achieving sterile environments in medical and remote settings.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Austin Spence, Utah State University Life Sciences This study investigated the physiological effects of localized habitat disturbances around two well-studied hibernacula of the wandering gartersnake Thamnophis elegans. After three years of monitoring snake morphology and physiology at several hibernacula, several disturbance events occurred, including log clearing, stream bank disturbance, and vegetation removal. Individuals from three populations, two with disturbed hibernacula and one control population with no disturbance, were collected during the spring emergence immediately following the disturbance. Blood samples were collected upon capture and following a uniform stressor to measure baseline and post-stress physiological conditions. The samples were analyzed using a radioimmunoassay to measure corticosterone levels and a bacterial killing assay to measure innate immunocompetence. Baseline and post-stress corticosterone levels were higher in both populations with disturbance events compared to the control population. The bacterial killing ability of the site with the most anthropogenic activity was lower than the control site, indicating immunocompromise. Data are currently being analyzed to assess differences within the same populations between years with and without disturbance events. Pre-disturbance data are a rare and useful commodity and allow us to facilitate a better understanding of the various effects of anthropogenic change on natural populations. This study was funded through the Undergraduate Research and Creative Opportunity Grant from Utah State University.

Jacob Bassett, Utah Valley University Life Sciences Many discoveries regarding the complex interplay between biological pathways within a cell begin with attempts to link new observations to scrupulously studied cellular mechanisms. Our lab is studying the soluble inter-mitochondrial space protein mdm35, which has been observed to facilitate the function of ups1 & 2 proteins, as they in turn regulate the mitochondria’s phosphatidic acid metabolism. In addition to this phenotype, our lab has observed a copper resistance at 0.17% on YPD plate and 0.14% in liquid cultures of S. cerevisiae lacking the mdm35 protein, when compared to the Wild Type strain. Our investigation measures the levels of expression in the cup1 and ctr1 promoters in an attempt to link this observation to a potential mechanism contributing to this resistance.

Laurel Thompson, Utah Valley University Life Sciences Breast cancer is divided into subtypes which are defined by their proteomics, histology, and genetic expression profile. Current methods, therefore, are aimed at testing these, and include DNA microarrays, immunohistochemical staining, and proteomic analysis. These methods are effective classifiers, but are not easily transferable to real-time clinical applications, such as the determination of cancerous status during operation or when taking a biopsy. The determination of molecular subtype by other means would be a significant advancement in cancer detection and treatment. We have made some preliminary studies that suggest high-frequency ultrasound may be sensitive to variations among the cancer subtypes as manifest in cell cultures through their cytoskeletal protein structure, which has a distinct spectral signature. The object of this study was to explore the basis for this variation through a combination of experimental and theoretical analysis. We used first-principal modeling methods and compared the model spectra generated from these to spectra obtained in the cell culture lab. Variations in bulk modulus, cell position and size were modeled and combined with experimental spectra in principal component analysis (PCA), and the Euclidean distances between each principal component of the experimental were found as they relate to the theoretical principal components. A graphical method similar to heat maps used for gene expression profiling was then developed to display the relative distances (similarities) between spectra. The program was tested by comparing experimental spectra of three breast cancer cell lines to model spectra. The results indicate the properties and thus molecular subtypes of breast cancer cells could potentially be determined by comparing their measured spectra to model spectra using a feature classification program such as PCA and that these classifying features can be displayed in a convenient graphical representation according to their spectral similarities.

Teressa Paulsen, University of Utah Life Sciences Breast cancer is still the most common cancer among women regardless of race or ethnicity. The focus of our research is to uncover the mechanism breast cancer cells use to escape the inherent limitations of the telomere and obtain immortality. The protective end of a chromosome, the telomere, degrades with each cellular division. The cellular response to telomere dysfunction is to activate programmed cell death. Therefore, this type of damage normally limits the proliferative potential of the cell and subsequently carcinogenesis.

Dasom Kim, Brigham Young University Life Sciences The main purpose of the project is to compare the phylogeography of a species of stonefly (Klapopteryx kuschelli) and a species of dragonfly (Rhionaeshna variegata) in Patagonia. Specifically, the project will study how geography and behavior (i.e., their dispersal abilities) have affected their evolutionary histories. Of all the varied climates and geography in South America, comparatively few phylogeographic studies have been conducted with insects, especially in Patagonia. This study will provide an important foundation for a comparative phlyogeographic study of two insect groups inhabiting the same regions of Patagonia. Also, if funded, this project will give me an exclusive opportunity to interact with international research institutions in South America as well as their scientists.

Derrick Crawford, Brigham Young University Life Sciences Members of the FGF family of signaling factors are key components in distal outgrowth and patterning of the vertebrate limb. These factors are expressed and secreted by the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) on the distal margin of the limb. Blocking their function is known to truncate the limb skeleton. Conversely, replacing the AER with beads soaked in Fgf protein can rescue limb outgrowth and patterning. Our lab has demonstrated that one of the mechanisms whereby the Fgf/AER functions is to mediate directed outgrowth of the adjacent mesenchyme. As the AER regulates growth of mesenchyme toward itself, it would be predicted that the AER’s dimensions would be important for shaping the mesenchyme that it recruits. We have found that the shape of the AER changes over time in a manner that corresponds to the shape of limb elements as they form along the proximal distal axis. Further, mutants that exhibit defects in the dimensions of the AER show corresponding anomalies in the limb skeleton. Given these observations it would be predicted that an Fgf soaked bead being of fixed spherical dimensions would only be capable of forming a cylindrical, rod-shaped limb. A bead placed posteriorly fulfills this expectation whereas a bead placed apically does not. We provide a molecular explanation for this discrepancy. We have also manipulated the shape of the AER surgically and find that similar to beads the shape and the AP position of the AER dictates the shape of the forming limb skeleton.

Daniel Hall, Brigham Young University Life Sciences OBJECTIVE(S): Predictive analytics (PA) is increasingly being used in the delivery of healthcare. Whether PA can improve patient handoffs on a busy surgical service is unknown. This study aims to determine if predictive models for acute cellular rejection (ACR) episodes and biliary complications after orthotropic liver transplantation (OLT) can be built in order to improve patient care.

Sara Fauver, University of Utah Life Sciences We know that novel genetic variants have driven evolution for millions of years and that natural selection favors phenotypes most suited for survival, leading to the enormous diversity of life we see today. However, what remains unclear, are the patterns of mutations that lead to large phenotypic changes. For example, do mutations in a single gene of large effect lead to morphological changes more often than numerous mutations in genes of smaller effect? Also, do these mutations occur more often in protein coding regions or regulatory regions of DNA? Finally, are the same genes or gene pathways used repeatedly across lineages when parallel phenotypes evolve?

Lee Leavitt, University of Utah Life Sciences The ventral respiratory column (VRC) is a region in the brainstem shown to control breathing patterns in mammals. Using activation and inhibition of neurons in this region, classes have been assigned based on response-combinations. Using a mouse model, cells from this region are dissociated, plated and incubated with a dye that indicates changes in cytoplasmic calcium levels. Hundreds of cells are measured while varieties of pharmacological agents are applied. Response-combinations provide a profile of the receptors found on these neurons. Previously, varieties of cell classes were shown to contain NMDA receptors (receptors linked to learning and memory). However, specific compositions of subunits within these receptors are not known. These receptors are ligand gated ion channels composed of four non-covalently bound proteins. Each subunit has a different activation profile determined by interactions of agonist and antagonists. Conantokins (peptides isolated from snail venom) and other compounds further afford understanding of the architecture the assigned cell-classes. This project has continued to classify the subunit compositions of NMDA receptors with the ultimate goal of understanding which NMDA receptor subunits are present in each class. This will provide valuable information on the VRC’s function, and will allow for pharmacological innervations to change behavior in this region.

Michaelle Cadet, Utah Valley University Life Sciences Utah County, Utah has an estimated population of 540,000 residents and is considered to be a non-attainment area for criteria pollutants such as PM-10 and CO. High levels of these contaminants may increase the risk of respiratory diseases. Additional environmental issues exist including water contamination and eutrophication of Utah Lake. These environmental issues are frequently on the news and warnings are issued by the Department of Environmental Quality notifying citizens of the potential health concerns associated with environmental pollution. With these announcements, it is expected that Utahans are acutely aware of environmental issues, particularly, in the academic settings. The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of environmental awareness among students at Utah Valley University and to correlate the results to socio-demographic categories. Utah Valley University, located in Utah County, is a public institution of higher education with approximately 30,000 registered students. Data for this study was collected through a survey using a multistage sampling technique with population stratified based on colleges and schools within the university. Sample size included approximately 1,000 students. The survey contained 12 environmental questions relating to recent local, national and international media exposure. Standards and protocol of the International Research Board were employed. We hypothesize that married, educated, religious males will positively correlate with higher levels of environmental awareness, but will be less than atheists. Additionally, those identifying with the Republican Party will have lower levels of awareness. No significant difference will be found between majors. Furthermore the young, poor and ethnic populations will be less aware than their more affluent counterparts. Results of this study will be used to inform residents of environmental issues and the associated health concerns. Additionally, this study will be used to inform legislators about the importance of environmental education in the community.

Ashley Jolin, University of Utah Social and Behavioral Sciences This paper analyzes the essentiality of creating a just European Union banking union between member states of the eurozone, in response to the European debt crisis. In 1992, the Maastricht Treaty established strict financial criteria for member states to follow, ensuring a strong economic environment to support the new currency union. However, numerous member states did not abide by these limits, and countries with weaker economic stability such as Greece and Ireland began to accumulate huge public deficits. As a response to this debt crisis, in June 2012 the key institutions and leaders of the EU proposed working towards a genuine Economic and Monetary Union, a banking union serving as the keystone of this project. I argue it is imperative that this banking union is designed to be successful at dissolving the current economic crisis and anticipating future problems, as the existence of the eurozone is contingent upon it.

Lucas Brook, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences Present day Peru finds itself in the midst of an interesting transition. Government decentralization is creating increased levels of political participation among the historically skeptical citizenry (Crabtree 2011). While some Peruvians participate through established institutional channels such as voting, campaigning or contacting political leaders, many others choose to engage in community improvement activities, private organization undertakings, or public protests as their avenue of political participation (Booth and Seligson 2009). What causes some Peruvians to participate in these extra-governmental activities while others use established government institutions? Although the causes of political participation are vast, this study focuses on political knowledge (both actual and perceived) as the independent variable. I hypothesize that Peruvians with less political knowledge (actual or perceived) understand (or at least perceive that they understand) less about Peru’s democratic institutions. Therefore, they will forgo participation through these established government institutions and employ extra-governmental means when participating politically. This hypothesis will be tested through the performing of regression analysis using data from Vanderbilt University’s AmericasBarometer survey project conducted in Peru in 2012. The results of this research will illustrate the effects that citizen’s political knowledge have on their participation in extra-governmental activism.

Madeleine Ary, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences In 2010 I conducted research in the city of Cambridge England on the relationship between the Muslims of Cambridge and the police of the same city. I conducted this research primarily through single interviews and data analysis from the United Kingdom in general and England specifically. From this research I discovered that the relationship between these two groups was maintained by frequent, mutual contact and trust. England at the time was experiencing a summer of rioting, much of which revolved around Islam. This may have increased the difficulty in such a faith group, authority relationship, however their efforts to maintain a positive relationship only intensified and there was little to no real disruption within the Cambridge Muslim community. My research demonstrates how such relationships can be effectively conducted even in otherwise tumultuous circumstances.

Ryan Hill, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences We analyze the presence of two types of framing bias in ballot wordings that affect election outcomes: status quo bias and agent-external loss aversion. Both of these biases are studied extensively in behavioral economics and likely have salient impacts on initiative or proposition measures in state elections. Status quo bias is the tendency of a voter to be more likely to maintain a currently enacted policy rather than passing a new law. Agent-external loss aversion is the tendency for a voter to be more likely to grant a right to a minority population rather than vote to restrict a right. Both of these biases have had important impacts on the outcome of recent ballot initiatives especially on California Proposition 8 that failed to legalize the right of marriage for same-sex couples. We test the salience of these framing biases by conducting a nationwide survey experiment that randomly assigns different ballot wordings for the same policies across different survey respondents. The survey mimics a real voting situation and the randomization of questions ensures that we can identify the specific effect of each bias on the voting outcome. We analyze the treatment effects using difference of means and ordinary least squares analysis. We also extend our analysis to examine whether moderating variables such as political knowledge or opinion have an impact on the magnitude or direction of the bias effects.

Patrick O’Connell, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences Studies show that the CRH gene has several variants that are associated with psychopathological disorders and dysregulation of the HPA system, including a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located on the promotor region (201 C/T). In rhesus macaques there is a orthologous SNP in the promoter region of the corticotrophin releasing hormone gene, CRH-248 C/T, that up-regulates the production of corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH), inhibits the down-regulation of CRH expression in the presence of glucocorticoids, and is related to stress-induced alcohol consumption (Barr 2009). HPA Axis differences due to genotype will manifest initially in CRH concentrations, affecting the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal stress response (HPA axis). This effect translates peripherally in the form of plasma ACTH concentrations and subsequently in concentrations of plasma cortisol. 180 rhesus monkey subjects reared either with their mothers or in adult-absent, peer-only groups were genotyped and underwent a series of social separations from their attachment source. Blood samples were obtained one and two hours following separation to assay for ACTH and cortisol. Our analyses showed a significant effect of the orthologous CRH-248 genotype on plasma ACTH concentrations following repeated experimentally induced stress. Further analyses showed that this genotypic difference was only found however in the peer-reared subjects. Interestingly, analyses showed no effect of genotype on plasma cortisol levels. This finding suggests while negative feedback at the level of CRH is disrupted leading to pituitary hypersecretion of ACTH, intact negative feedback at the level of the adrenal cortex may moderate this dysfunction. Additionally, genotypic effects were only different after prolonged, chronic stress, as measured separations three and four. We suggest a GxE effect with CRH genotype effects only present after deleterious rearing experiences and chronic or repeated stressful situations.

Jay Winters, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Science The common stereotype of feminism has a negative connotation implying that feminist’s are simply radical women’s rights activists. The reality is that feminism is hard to define given its complexity and the range of issues it encompasses. A scale was developed in 1994 called the Attitudes Toward Feminism and the Women’s Movement (FWM), which sought to predict attitudes toward feminism (Fassinger, 1994). Many social psychologists see it as an effective way of predicting attitudes despite its age or lack of an emotional component. Our Assessment of Feminist Attitudes (AFA) scale was developed to include an emotional response component as well as provide a contemporary view of the ever-changing feminist movement. Our study is in the process of being assessed for statistically significant data. The effectiveness of the AFA in measuring feminist attitudes will be known in the coming weeks.

Wendy Hendley, Utah Valley University Social and Behavioral Sciences The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) passed in 1996 changed welfare dramatically. Meant to stop welfare fraud and dependency, it put into place numerous restrictions and promoted work, which meant that people on welfare, usually single mothers, were forced to participate in job-search activities in order to qualify for benefits. As a result, welfare recipients’ opportunities to attend college have decreased. Research has shown a negative correlation between educational attainment and poverty, the higher a person’s education the less chance they have of living in poverty. The human capital theory proposes that investing in education increases labor market returns. Unfortunately, with PRWORA’s focus on work, welfare recipients are forced to find low-wage jobs, which is not enough to lift them out of poverty. Although numerous studies have focused on welfare recipients’ reduced chances of receiving an education, few have looked at the wishes of welfare recipients themselves. This quantitative descriptive study uses secondary data analysis from a study done by the University of Utah’s Social Research Institute in 2006, and answers the following three questions: (1) what is the current level of completed education of welfare recipients; (2) do welfare recipients have a desire to further their schooling; (3) what barriers do they feel are preventing them from achieving their goals? This study found that a high percentage of welfare recipients had a desire to further their schooling, with the number one obstacle being financial. There is a significant gap between the wishes of welfare recipients concerning higher education and what is actually happening in their lives.