2014 Abstracts

Brielle Woolsey, Brigham Young University Physical Sciences A method of forming zinc oxide (ZnO) single crystal hexagonal prisms is derived from a standard sol-gel method. The new synthesis requires water, zinc acetate, and diethanol amine (DEA) to create a zinc hydroxide/zinc hydroxide acetate gel, which forms single crystal hexagonal prisms upon heating. Characterization of the gel was done by XRD as well as by XRD high temperature chamber (HTK) to determine the role of temperature in prism formation. SEM images showed hexagonal prisms were of uniform size (approx. 0.5 — 2 µm). TEM and electron diffraction images showed a change from randomly oriented particles to an ordered single crystal after heating. Ethanol amines, heating of the gel, and the zinc acetate salt proved to be critical to prism formation.

Mattie Jones, Dixie State University Physical Sciences New methods aimed at forensic analysis of sensitive, minute samples are critical to the intelligence community. In particular, successful extraction of dyes from materials found at crime scenes will provide innumerable benefits for matching, identifying, and finding origins of these materials and dyes. Current methods of isolating components of samples by their unique chemical properties are lengthy and often destroy important forensic evidence. Ionic liquids possess the necessary chemical properties to ensure efficient extractions, while maintaining the forensic signatures of the original materials. They also provide a one-pot approach that avoids intermediate species and increases analyte yield while extracting and separating constituents in a more efficient manner. By combining traceable dyes with an ionic liquid, the versatility of single-component extraction-separation-identification was demonstrated. Analysis using absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy validated complete extraction and recovery of trace analytes. Following extraction and isolation, identification by infrared spectroscopy has provided evidence of preserved quality and complete separation of material and dye. This novel approach to forensic analysis is advantageous particularly when sample sizes are extremely limited, but it can be readily scaled to larger applications. Developing a simple and affordable method of achieving specific molecular interactions provides a solution for often unidentifiable evidence in crimes. Harnessing the versatility of ionic liquids in a high-yielding recovery and efficient single-pot methods will enhance forensic abilities for the intelligence community and forensic investigators.

Kim Nielsen, Utah Valley University Physical Sciences Infrared Thermography (IRT) has become popular in the medical field for various applications and procedures. One such application involves the use of IRT in the active detection of skin lesions and neoplasms. More specifically, medical professionals are using IRT as a non-invasive method for the early detection of harmful lesions, such as melanoma.

Adam Kingsley, Brigham Young University Physical Sciences In the construction of various sensors in the lab, highly accurate integration times are required. It is advantageous to have a precise external timer to run the circuitry contained in the sensor. By taking a signal in the range of megahertz down to hertz or milihertz range, it is possible to control the start and stop times for circuits. Overall this means that every time a measurement is taken it represents the same length of time.

Andrew Fletcher, Utah Valley University Physical Sciences Springville, Utah, is known for its high water table and many freshwater wetlands and springs, which gave rise to the name of the city. Flooding of barns is a common problem among farmers in western Springville, which is just east of Utah Lake. These frequent barn floods are anecdotally linked to high-intensity precipitation events and the common use of flood irrigation. The objective of this study is to determine the cause of barn flooding and to make recommendations for mitigation of barn flooding for individual farmers with whom we are working in this area. The objective is being addressed first by using ArcGIS to determine the watershed of each barn and the NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) Web Soil Survey to map hydrologic soil groups within each watershed. Results from the larger-scale Web Soil Survey will be supplemented with measurements of soil hydraulic conductivity using the SoilMoisture Equipment Model 2800K1 Guelph Permeameter. The above data will be used in the NRCS Curve Number Method to estimate the volume of surface runoff expected in a 100-year 24-hour precipitation event. The objective is also being addressed by installing shallow, hand-augured wells for monitoring the depth to the water table during high-intensity precipitation events and flood irrigation events. The results will be used to develop recommendations for a combination of (1) installation of French drains for diversion of stormwater (2) modification of current irrigation methods (3) pumping and diversion of groundwater. Results and specific recommendations for individual farmers will be presented at the meeting.

Nils Otterstrom, Brigham Young University Physical Sciences Filtered photodiodes show potential as inexpensive laser wavelength meter. Photocurrents are measured digitally. The photocurrent is digitized using externally controlled integration times to achieve the highest precision possible from the digital to analog converters on the photosensor chip. Using an algorithm we’ve developed and calibrated intensity curves, we can precisely calculate wavelength from the output of the different photodiodes. Limitations due to etaloning from reflections off of the surfaces of the filters were analyzed and effectively mitigated, allowing the device to achieve high precision with a stability of 0.102 nm over several hours.

Brittney Thaxton, University of Utah Physical Sciences There are many undocumented shorelines seen in Utah. As many as 30+ shorelines have been identified along the edges of the basin throughout the state. The purpose of this study is to characterize undocumented shorelines and identify potential evidence for tsunamis that might have occurred in Lake Bonneville thousands of years ago in areas such as Little Mountain, Stansbury Island, and Promontory Point, Utah. Lake Bonneville existed 32-10K years ago and was influenced by the Wasatch fault which was active as early as the Miocene. Scarps of this age are common and range between 15-20 feet in height (Machette, Personius, Nelson, Schwartz, Lund 1991; Dinter, Pechman, 2004a and 2004b). Several faults beneath Lake Bonneville could have produced tsunamis. The more water that is displaced the greater the tsunami will become and leave a greater impact onshore (Dutykh and Dias 2009). The East Great Salt Lake fault cuts NS across Bear River Bay east of Promontory Range. This fault line is an excellent candidate for causing a tsunami during the Lake Bonneville highstand because it is beneath the Great Salt Lake meaning it would have uplifted the entire water column of Lake Bonneville and since it is also close to the Promontory Range, it is likely it would leave tsunamite evidence along the shore. The fault rupture interval is between 3,000 and 3,500 years meaning fault ruptures could produce a tsunami during the lake’s high stand. Tsunamite is the term used for deposits related to tsunamis. The tsunamite features found along the shorelines will be similar to sedimentary features such as normally graded sand, mudstone clasts, and other gravel deposits that are out of place with the known shorelines (Shanmugam 2006). This is a unique opportunity to discover ancient tsunami evidence in Utah, a topic that has yet to be pursued.

Isaac Allred, Utah State University Physical Sciences We examine the number and location of Class II wells in the central U.S. to constrain future work on the potential for induced seismicity. The EPA, state oil & gas commissions, scientific papers, and media stories frequently state that there are ~140-160 k Class II wells. Excluding California, we expected to find approximately 120 k wells; but instead found ~ 82 k active injectors in the available databases. State datasets vary in accessibility, availability, and content of well data. Lack of digitized well data also limited our online search, and several states require FOIA requests to be filed. State databases with poor searching and sorting functions further complicated data mining, requiring a well-by-well search, and for several states, well locations and injections were difficult to determine. Common discrepancies between EPA well totals and state database totals appear to be due to counting of plugged and abandoned wells, and wells that are permitted but not in use. No data has been retrieved for about 1,600 wells on tribal lands and Indian Country, and several states would not provide “confidential” well data. Of the active injectors, at least 55 k wells inject into producing, pressure-depleting oil and gas formations and are less likely to generate damaging earthquakes. Of the ~ 16 k non-EOR wells, we found 3,400 wells that inject at depths > 1.8 km, where most M > 3.0 midcontinent earthquakes occur. We will present examples of data from several states, that show the locations and depths of injectors, earthquakes, depth to basement, and we will provide an overview of the public file sharing system of the data. We will search for correlations between the depth of injection, the number of injection wells, recent seismic activity, the nature of the subsurface geology, and regional stresses.

Adam Blair, University of Utah Physical Sciences Objectives: Histone covalent modifications influence regulation of gene expression. Changes in histone covalent modifications are triggered by abrupt changes in environment, such as preterm birth followed by mechanical ventilation (MV). Whether histone modifications also occur in the kidney of chronically ventilated preterm lambs is not known. We hypothesized that ventilation of preterm lambs affects histone modification in kidneys.

Ben White, University of Utah Physical Sciences We evaluated the ambient noise wavefield of select arches in the Moab area as a means to assess changes in their structural health over time. Our measurements revealed that the fundamental frequency of vibration at Mesa Arch and Corona Arch are both in the range of 3 Hz, while other spectral peaks are likely related to higher-order vibrational modes. We use numerical modeling for modal analysis in an attempt to predict and visualize the various modes of vibration and their frequency Resonant frequencies are projected to change with snow or rain loading or after a strong earthquake. By monitoring resonant frequencies over time and under various environmental conditions, our goal is to detect reversible and/or irreversible changes that may accompany damage of these arches.

Enoch Lambert, Brigham Young University Physical Sciences Extended-cavity diode lasers are important tools in scientific research. Current extended-cavity diode laser systems will change frequency unpredictably while operating, requiring extensive effort to tune them back to the right frequency. We seek to implement a novel method of extended-cavity diode laser control that adds an extra control system to prevent these unpredictable changes.

Jeff Selck, Utah Valley University Physical Sciences Stream discharge through narrow, deep slot canyons can be a major source of groundwater recharge in the arid Southwest. Various state and federal agencies use the empirical Manning Equation to predict the discharge through artificial slots created for diversion of rivers around coal mines. However, it is not obvious that the Manning Equation could be applied to slot canyons or artificial slots as the data base used for development of the Manning Equation did not include either natural streams or artificial structures for which most of the friction occurs along the sides of the channel. The objective of this research is to develop an empirical formula for estimating the Manning roughness coefficient for flow through narrow, deep slots. The objective is being addressed by measuring stream discharge through natural slot canyons in southern Utah that are fed by perennial streams, springs or dam outlets. Based on measurements at ten sites along eight streams, the best estimate for the Manning roughness coefficient is n = 0.873nJ exp(5.108A/w2) where A is stream cross-sectional area, w is stream width, and nJ = 0.39S0.38R-0.16 is the roughness coefficient estimated by Jarrett (1984) for high-gradient streams, in which S is slope of the stream bed and R is hydraulic radius (ft). The new formula estimates stream discharge with a mean accuracy of 44%. On the other hand, Jarrett’s (1984) formula underestimates stream discharge by 1-2 orders of magnitude for aspect ratios A/w2 in the range 0.6-0.7. The new formula will be refined by additional measurements on slot canyons, artificial diversions, and a laboratory hydraulics bench. It is hoped that the new formula will lead to a more realistic design for artificial slot diversions.

Jared Weaver, Southern Utah University Physical Sciences Organoarsenic are compounds containing carbon and arsenic. These compounds have been shown to have biological activity and pharmaceutical properties, and some organoarsenic compounds have even displayed potential for aiding in current medical problems up to and including possibilities as anticancer agents. Currently relatively little research is being done on organoarsenic compounds by the pharmaceutical community due to current views from the media based largely upon the toxicity of their inorganic arsenic counterparts (inorganic compounds are compounds not containing carbon), organoarsenic compounds however have significantly toxicity. Also, like with any medicine, toxicity depends predominately upon concentration, and given a high enough concentration organoarsenic compounds would logically follow the same trend. Synthesis of a large variety of novel organoarsenic compounds has been found via a reaction involving a variety of aldehydes or ketones and 2-(Dichloroarsino)benzaminium chloride. Research will focus on synthesis, isolation, and characterization of a library of organoarsenic compounds and then determine their respective biological activities. Synthesis will determine mechanistic requirements of said reaction and will be done to produce a diverse selection of organoarsenic compounds. Compounds will be isolated through precipitation of product and vacuum filtration of formed product. Structure will be determined through IR, NMR, and Gas Chromatography/ Mass Spectrometry, and through X-ray crystallography. Biological activity is suspected with potential for testing via a Kirby-Bauer Disc treatment. It is hypothesized that novel organoarsenic products will be formed by reaction of 2-(Dichloroarsino)benzaminium chloride with all carbonyl compounds containing an alpha carbon with at least one proton used, and that compounds synthesized will inhibit bacterial growth.

Kelly Hoerger, University of Utah Physical Science Implant devices such as orthopedic, dental, and cochlear implants are commonly utilized as part of many medical treatments. However, these foreign objects are susceptible to bacterial contamination, thereby putting the host at risk of an infection that is challenging to eliminate due to biofilm formation. Biofilms are formed when a bacterial cell adheres to and colonizes such metal or plastic surfaces. The cells aggregate to form and embed themselves in a thick and protective polysaccharide matrix, making biofilms resistant to many antibiotic treatments.

Bruce Chiarelli, Brigham Young University Mathematical Sciences A Gallai coloring of the complete graph on n vertices is an edge coloring such that no triangle has edges of three different colors.

Samantha Smiley, Brigham Young University Mathematical Sciences Dementia is a clinical syndrome characterized by an overall loss of cognitive ability. There are multiple forms of dementia with various causes and various impacts on the suffering individuals. Accurate diagnosis is essential to effective intervention and treatment. Currently, clinicians lack a biological marker that definitively distinguishes the different forms of dementia. Hence, they rely on physical exams, neuropsychological tests, and patient report to provide a diagnosis. Recent advances in brain imaging make it possible to obtain detailed maps of brain activity, which in turn may offer insight into many conditions such as dementia. Developing a predictive model from patient data, including brain scans, would greatly enhance the ability of clinicians to provide accurate diagnosis, and hence appropriate treatment, to their patients. Doing so, however, is not trivial as patient data is heterogeneously and non-uniformly distributed across sites, where some sites have far more data than others and calibration varies among scanners used. We report on the development of novel predictive models based on distributed learning for the effective diagnosis of dementia.

Steffan Larsen, Brigham Young University Mathematical Sciences The popularity of metamaterials has exploded with in the last decade. Metamaterials are materials that exhibit interesting properties not found in nature; one of the most widely known features being a negative refractive index. Metamaterials are composites different types of materials that give them their interesting properties. In addition to being composed of several element types, metamaterials also contain certain inclusions that influence their electromagnetic properties. Among these are space filling curves. Space filling curves are curves that are entirely contained within a specific area and yet can become infinitely long. In my research I investigated the properties of space filling curves and their application/benefit to the research surrounding metamaterials, specifically metamaterial antennas.

Brennon Bauer, Southern Utah University Mathematical Sciences We study the Lotka-Volterra competition model. This model can be applied to Math Biology. We propose a Semi-Implicit numerical scheme, which guarantees that the populations are always positive. Also we prove that the numerical scheme is uniquely solvable, and is unconditionally stable.

Ariel Herbert-Voss, University of Utah Mathematical Sciences A typical problem in numerical analysis is finding a smooth interpolation of a given data set such that information at extended positions can be evaluated. When extended to higher dimensions, there are few such algorithms available for practical use. Drawing from techniques used in geometric modeling we developed a practical algorithm with improved complexity by implementing the techniques in a query model as part of a MATLAB software package. From initial input data the algorithm builds a d-dimensional cell complex using Delaunay triangulation. Each cell has an associated interpolation function that satisfies Lipschitz continuity for each new point. During query time the user specifies a query point and the algorithm returns the interpolated function value. To reduce complexity related to point location within the cell complex, we implemented a binary tree search based on hyperplane decision criteria. Efficiency analysis completed using benchmark data sets indicated that the decision tree algorithm improved the efficiency from O(N) to O(N log N). This algorithm is the first of its kind that can be used on actual data sets and is the first implemented as a MATLAB package.

Nirdosh Chapagain, Brigham Young University Mathematical Sciences Rainbow is an optical phenomenon created by reflection and refraction of light at the boundaries of water droplets. Descartes was the first to provide a geometric explanation for the optics of the rainbow. We use Descartes’ method to examine if rainbow effect is possible with metamaterial droplets. Metamaterials are artificial materials whose permittivity and permeability can be simultaneously negative hence, giving them negative index of refraction for certain frequencies. The recent extraordinary level of output in the field of metamaterials has resulted in examinations of applications of these substances to a variety of fields, including the arrow of time and cloaking. Many applications of metamaterials can create physical effects that were previously assumed impossible. In this study we have considered that our hypothetical droplet has negative refractive index for visible band of the electromagnetic spectrum. We also examine the effect of using composite metamaterial droplets.

Ammon Washburn, Brigham Young University Mathematical Sciences In many problems with seepage flow, there are non-linear problems that don’t have an easy analytical solution. There is already good research on what can be done in certain situations with these problems. I will present on numerical methods that have been proven to solve certain conditions and then present other solutions for similar problems where the numerical method isn’t so readily available in past research. I will implement the algorithms and compare results.

Laurin Wilson, Utah State University Social and Behavioral Sciences Premature birth and subsequent hospitalization of an infant in the Newborn (or Neonatal) Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can be an extremely stressful time for parents and has been associated with maternal depression, anxiety, and decreased coping ability (Hack, Taylor, Klein, & Mercuri-Minich, 2000; Hughes, McCollum, & Sheftel, 1994; Partridge et al., 2005; Shaw, Sweester, St. John, Lilo, Corcoran, Jo, & Horwitz, 2013). Interventions to reduce parents’ stress levels during the hospitalization of their very preterm infants have mixed results (Boyce, et al., 2008; Matricardi, S., Agostino, R., Fedeli, C., & Montirosso, R., 2013). This study examined the medical, family, and maternal mental health factors that influenced feelings of parental distress for mother of very premature infants.

Kyle Nelson, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences Most research on eye movement while reading has focused on native speakers reading in their own language. This has led to detailed characterizations of the differences between the eye movement of English and Chinese speakers when reading. However, there is a lack of research concerning eye movement differences when reading in a second language. It is expected that English speakers, reading simple letters, would exhibit different eye movements when reading Chinese characters, where words are commonly made up of one or two intricate symbols. Similar adjustments in eye movement are expected if a Chinese speaker tried to read English. Our study seeks to first measure how second language skill influences eye movement during reading and secondly, to distinguish eye movement behaviors that are controlled by either cognitive or visual factors. We hypothesized that as individuals increase in proficiency in their second language, their eye movements while reading a second language would begin to mimic a native speaker’s reading his own native language. Participants were native Chinese or English speakers selected from Chinese language courses and ESL courses taught at Brigham Young University. Participants were matched based on language proficiency and history of exposure to their second language. Native Chinese and English speakers read paragraphs in both Chinese and English while an eye-tracking machine recorded their eye movements. We measured such variables as fixation duration, Saccade amplitude, refixation probability and other important variables. These results will be analyzed to find the differences in eye movement that occur when reading in a second language compared to the participant’s native language. The results, strengths and limitations of the study and future research will be discussed. We believe our research will be beneficial in characterizing how individuals read in a second language, assessing language proficiency, and directing the development of language instruction methods.

Dusty Pilkington, Weber State University Social and Behavioral Sciences Boundaries dividing political authority rarely match natural water flow. Multiple agencies, often with competing policies and agendas, manage water within single watersheds. This discrepancy can render management efforts ineffective. Local water agencies include soil conservation districts, local health departments, and engineering agencies. Agencies have varying funding sources, managerial structures, and jurisdictional boundaries. Fragmentation can frustrate management efforts at watershed scales. Comparisons between natural watersheds and human political geography can therefore be helpful in avoiding conflicts. This research examines discrepancies between political and physical geographies for sections of three Utah rivers : the Logan and Provo Rivers, and Red Butte Creek. These rivers are being targeted for intensive research as part of a statewide, multidisciplinary water sustainability project, titled iUTAH. Water-related land use (WRLU) data acquired from Utah’s Automated Geographic Resource Center were analyzed using ArcGIS geoproceessing tools. WRLU contributing to water quality in urban river reaches is described. WRLU was examined using three boundary sets, comparing the political geography of the river reaches, as depicted in municipal boundaries and management areas of community water providers, to their physical geography, as depicted in United States Geologic Survey Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC) watersheds. WRLU mixes using political infrastructure were contrasted with land use mixes from HUC boundaries. WRLU was classified in seven categories: residential, commercial/industrial, riparian/water features, irrigated agriculture, non-irrigated agriculture, farmsteads, and parks/open spaces. A gradient from rural Heber, to urbanizing Logan, to fully urbanized Red Butte Creek is shown. While Red Butte Creek HUC boundaries showed 53.8 % residential land use, Red Butte Creek municipal boundaries and community providers totaled 26 % and 39 % residential use, respectively. Differences emerged when irrigated agriculture was assessed using HUC boundaries. Irrigated agriculture totaled 0.2 % in Red Butte Creek, with Logan showing 29. 7% and Heber irrigated agriculture sitting at 41.1 %.

Renette Goodrich, Utah Valley University Social and Behavioral Sciences In the realm of Adoption most of the focus is given to the birth parents and the adoptive couple. However, there are many more people involved, some being the birth grandparents, who are the parents of the expecting parents. These grandparents, most of who are dealing with feelings of loss and grief, have been left to struggle through the experience by themselves. A scholar from Well’s, were the law requires social services to be offered to the extended family, conducted studies with grandparents; some of whom received social services and some who did not. His found a statistically significant difference in those who participated in the social services and those who did not. Grandparents who took advantage of social services where less stressed and more excepting of the adoption. This pilot study was conducted at one agency in Utah. Because of HIPPA laws the only access was to those grandparents who attended the support group. This study also showed social service support for these grandparents where significant; by lowering the stress level of dealing with a child’s unexpected pregnancy and helping them with direction and acceptance. This was a qualitative and quantitative survey handed directly to the participants to fill out and return. The agency where this survey was conducted and other associated agencies are interested in these results to better improve currents services and reach out to other grandparents who are not currently participating in these groups. This topic has not been studied in the United States; thus this study will add to the body of scholarly knowledge on this topic.

Luz Maria Carreno, Utah State University Social and Behavioral Sciences Significance: Patients’ health literacy, or ability to comprehend and understand health information, influences their health status, knowledge about medical care and conditions, and hospitalization and adherence rate (Andrus, & Roth, 2002). Low-English proficiency patients are especially at risk, given they must overcome English and health literacy barriers.

Heather White, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences The purpose of this poster is to illustrate the use of storyboards in visually evaluating exhibits and the visitor experience in a narrative museum. Storyboards, a key tool used to develop a visual story, can be used in museums to provide unique insights into the dynamic experience of visitors as they move through exhibits. This poster focuses on how storyboards can be used post-installation to evaluate how visual elements and space effect the visitor’s engagement and experience within exhibits. This poster will present storyboards for three exhibits and the resulting analysis. I analyzed the storyboards by examining artistic elements (line, color, shape, space, etc.) and design principles (unity, balance, scale, proportion, etc.) as they are formed and reformed throughout the storyboard. These changes are only noticeable because of the temporal aspect of sequenced storyboard images. The results show how the visual and spatial visitor experience encourages or discourages engagement with the exhibits. These results can be used, in addition to written and oral evaluation methods, to critique and improve exhibitions to be more accessible and engaging for future visitors.

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.

Danielle Jennings, Utah Valley University Social and Behavioral Sciences The popularity of surgical cosmetic procedures continues to climb in the U.S. (ASPS, 2012) and in other industrialized economies (ISAPS, 2011). This includes women in conservative cultures like Morocco and Afghanistan (Women of Afghanistan, 2012). This research was undertaken to examine attitudes towards plastic surgery among women who are members of the LDS Church. Utah boasts one of the highest concentrations of plastic surgeons in the U.S. (Lim, 2011) and is also majority LDS (Phillips and Cragun, 2011), rendering it ideal for this study. Data regarding attitudes towards surgery and levels of religious participation were collected from LDS women [n = 100] and men [n = 25] in Utah through a pilot survey administered in spring, 2013. The sample included women 19 — 81 years of age, 64% of whom were married, and 63% had grown up in Utah. Results indicated levels of religious participation were in keeping with other research involving Mormons (Hill et al., 2008) and 67% of women knew a female member of the Church who had had cosmetic surgery. Attitudes towards surgery varied by age and marital status. A second survey was created and administered via Qualtrics to LDS women [n =473] and men [n = 116] across the U.S. Results suggest variation in attitudes by geographic location, along with variation by gender, age, marital status, and familiarity with surgery. These results suggest aspects of Mormon life in Utah contribute to the popularity of surgery among Church members. These may include the pressures of dating and earlier ages at marriage (Maffly, 2010), coupled with demographic changes (Cragun and Phillips, 2011), as well as earlier ages at first birth of children (Davidson, 2008).

Lindsey Fields, Brigham Young University Social and Behavioral Sciences For my senior thesis in anthropology, I conducted fieldwork in a small Hmong village in northern Thailand studying the process of religion conversion. Traditionally, Hmong people practice a mixture of spirit rituals and ancestral worship known as Dab Qhuas and classified as shamanism. Within the past fifty or so years, other religious groups have emerged in the village both Christian sects and Hmong messianic groups. Though many in the discipline of anthropology argue that conversion is a break from traditions of the past, I observe that Hmong of this village in Thailand undergo a much more syncretic type of conversion. Though they identify as either Christian or of a Messianic sect, much of their practices and ideology retain elements of their shamanist past. Though they stress their differences in doctrine and practice, much of the ontology permeating shamanism and Hmong culture is still very much present. In order to better examine this phenomenon, I will focus the beliefs and practices in both Is Nbis and Christianity that take on slightly different forms in each religious practice, yet, still maintain some of the same ideologies. Rituals merely shift in order to fulfill the same metaphysical needs. By studying new practices that retain much of the feel of old culture rituals, I hope to illustrate that these Hmong are not as far removed from their traditional roots as they imagine themselves to be.

Mitchell Reid, Utah State University Social and Behavioral Sciences Chronic childhood aggression can be the beginning of a developmental trajectory that begins with minor aggression, moves on to physical fighting, and then to violence (Loeber & Farrington, 2000). Behaviors during toddlerhood may be more malleable than later in childhood (Reid, 1994). To better understand what predicts children’s early aggressive behavior we examined the role of parenting behaviors, parent mental health, and child characteristics in a sample of toddlers. Sixty-five mothers and their toddlers between the ages of 17 and 24 months (60% female) participated in the study. Mother-child dyads were videotaped during teaching and clean-up tasks. Mothers also responded to several questionnaires to assess toddlers’ social-emotional behaviors, language development, attachment security, and temperament and their own parenting stress and depression. The teaching and clean-up tasks were coded for maternal language supporting behaviors such as asking questions and providing praise, directives, expansions, and labeling. We examined the correlations between the independent maternal (depression, parenting stress, and language supporting behaviors) and child (age, gender, language development, temperament, and attachment security) variables and the dependent variable of aggression/defiance. Correlations between attachment security (r = -.28, p =.03) and maternal directives during the teaching task (r = .33, p =.01) and during the clean-up task (r = .39, p =.00) showed statistical significance. We included these variables in a regression model and found that attachment security and maternal directives during the teaching and clean-up tasks accounted for 29% of the variance in maternal reports of toddlers’ aggression and defiance. These results suggest that toddlers with greater attachment security and with mothers who use fewer directives in everyday tasks are rated as less aggressive and defiant than those with less attachment security and with mothers who use more directives. The full regression model and early intervention implications will be presented.

Kelsea Hill, Utah Valley University Social and Behavioral Sciences Sexuality has long been identified as foundational in the lives of married couples. An area lacking in research, however, is the transition into sexuality made by couples who practiced abstinence prior to being married. The data for this study comes from a survey of 597 respondents that had practiced abstinence before being married. This focuses on the qualitative responses to questions asked abstinent couples about what helped make the transition into sexual intimacy, what purpose(s) sex has in their relationship, what they wished they had discussed prior to having sex, and what challenges they experienced in the transition into sexual intimacy.

Jared Glenn, Utah State University Social and Behavioral Sciences Previous research shows that girls and women tend to prefer and perform better in classes taught by women. However, much less research analyzes the impact of instructor gender on learning outcomes among boys and men. This research fills that gap by analyzing the effect of professor gender on male college students’ achievement. Relying on survey and in-depth interviews among undergraduate men at a large research university, this study finds no significant empirical data that professor gender significantly impacts men’s academic achievement, in contrast to previous findings among girls and women. Interview findings, however, suggest that men prefer the tough grading, which they indicate is integral in male-taught classes. The study contributes to our understanding of gender differences in an academic setting and how that factor shapes learning outcomes and achievement.

Briana Bowen, Utah State University Social and Behavioral Sciences The U.S. Secret Service (USSS), one of the most elite security agencies in the world, is charged with protecting the President of the United States at any cost. Three American presidents fell to assassins’ bullets before the USSS was assigned the role of presidential protection; one more would later be slain despite USSS protection. This study examines the organizational culture of the USSS, employing the methodology of cultural topography to identify the agency’s norms, values, identity, and perceptual lens. We review three of the most impactful twentieth-century assassination attempts––two failed, one successful––and their formative effect on USSS organizational culture. Beginning with the lesser-known plot to assassinate Harry Truman, we examine the permanent authorization of the Presidential Protective Division. We apply our main focus to the assassination of John Kennedy, the USSS’s darkest hour and still its most powerful motivator. Lastly, we review the attack on Ronald Reagan and the development of the modern USSS security apparatus. Our final profile of USSS organizational culture gives insight into the agency’s strengths and weaknesses and informs our concluding recommendations for institutional change.

Lucas Lloyd, Utah Valley University Physical Sciences The high cost of air quality monitoring stations makes it difficult for citizens or local governments to monitor air quality in their own neighborhoods. For example, Utah County, Utah, with an area of 2141 mi2, has only four air-quality monitoring stations: (1) north Provo close to both Provo High School and Brigham Young University (2) Spanish Fork Airport (3) near State Street in Lindon (4) just south of SR-92 on 6000 W in Highland. The air-quality stations monitor levels of CO, NO2, O3, PM-2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 microns), and PM-10. The objective of this study is to find a much cheaper method of measuring air quality. The objective was addressed by measuring the magnetic susceptibilities of 10 replicates each of the leaves of 12 species of trees (cypress, crab apple, elm, flowering pear, green ash, honey locust, linden, Norway maple, pine, red maple, Russian olive, spruce) collected within a two-mile radius of each of the four air-quality monitoring stations in Utah County. After air-drying and crushing the samples, both low-frequency (0.46 kHz) and high-frequency (4.6 kHz) magnetic susceptibilities were measured with the Bartington MS3 Magnetic Susceptibility Meter. The best correlations between tree leaf magnetic susceptibilities and air-quality parameters were between the three-year average of PM-2.5 and the high-frequency magnetic susceptibility of leaves of pine (Pinus aristata) (R2 = 0.87) and Norway maple (Acer platanoides) (R2 = 0.86). The correlation was used with measured high-frequency magnetic susceptibilities of pine to estimate PM-2.5 in two unmonitored locations heavily impacted by highway traffic (corner of 800 N and I-15 and corner of University Parkway and I-15, both in Orem, Utah) on one day in August 2013. It was found that estimated levels of PM-2.5 were 9.5 µg/cm3 and 8.9 µg/cm3, respectively, which were within the EPA PM-2.5 Standard of 12.0 µg/cm3.

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.

Benjamin Pound, Utah State University Physical Sciences Carbon Nanotube (CNT) Forests are vertically grown carbon nanotubes. They can be as tall as millimeters, with radii from less than one nanometer (single-walled) to tens of nanometers (multi-walled). Their high surface area to volume ratio provides a unique material system for biosensor applications. However, the CNT surface does not provide covalent bonding sites to many antibodies of interest. One approach is to attach linker molecules with aromatic rings via π-stacking to the CNT surface and activating the linker molecules to bind covalently to specific antibody molecules. Unfortunately, the conventional solution-based functionalization approach often leads to collapse of the CNT forest and hence a significant loss of binding sites. In this presentation we demonstrate that CNTs can be lithographically defined to form various structures that are resistant to liquid-induced collapse. We show that the CNT forest can be functionalized with 1,5-diaminonaphthalene as a linker molecule and its coverage can be characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy.

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.

Jazmin Myres, Brigham Young University Physical Sciences In scan-based array measurements, stationary reference sensors are needed to temporally correlate the different measurement scans and produce coherent complex pressure fields. Because the number of references required increases with the number of subsources contributing to the sound field, an extended, partially correlated source comprising many ill-defined sources can result in significantly increased measurement complexity. A different approach to creating spatiotemporally coherent pressures is demonstrated here. Scan based measurements of a partially coherent line source have been taken in an anechoic chamber. This experimental data has been used to explore “stitching” together a complex pressure field by spatially overlapping measurement scans instead of using separate reference channels. Various methods of stitching have been explored and the most robust method identified. Unwrapping of intrascan phases is first accomplished with a two-dimensional phase unwrapping algorithm. Individual scan positions are then stitched together using median phase differences between multiple adjacent scans to create coherent planes of data. Amplitude-stitching is done by averaging across scans and preserving the integrated squared pressure across the overall aperture. This method has been verified using reference microphones. This stitching method has been applied to scan based measurements of a military aircraft, exhibiting its effectiveness dealing with a partially correlated complicated source. This method works well for low-frequency jet data, where there is not a ground-based interference null creating a physical phase discontinuity. This technique provides direction for efficient experimental design for scan-based array measurements of extended sources. [Work sponsored by ONR.]

Stephen Ruegg, University of Utah Physical Sciences The Black Peaks Formation (BPF) from the Tornillo Group in Big Bend National Park (BBNP) is comprised of a series of stacked paleosols and sandstone channels deposited by a fluvial system in a sub-tropical intramountain basin during the Laramide orogeny. Paleosols constituting the BPF display alternating drainage and development conditions. The BPF is bounded by the Late Cretaceous Javelina Formation and the Early Eocene Canoe Formation and is therefore thought to be of Paleocene age (65.5-55.8 million years ago). The BPF is an interesting target for paleoenvironmental reconstruction because little data have been generated from the Paleocene for sub-tropical regions, limiting the validation of global climate model predictions in these regions. However, previous attempts to resolve the age of the formation using biostratigraphy, magnetostratigraphy and chemostratigraphy gave ambiguous results limiting the potential of the BPF for paleoenvironmental reconstruction. We analyzed the carbon isotope ratio (δ13C ) of carbonate nodules collected from pedologically distinct paleosols throughout the BPF. δ13C of carbonates nodules found in reduced black paleosols are systematically 3-4‰ lower than δ13C from non-black paleosols from neighboring stratigraphic intervals. We hypothesize that this isotopic difference is related to the lower contribution of atmospheric CO2 to soil CO2 in water-logged and/or poorly drained black soils. Large-scale stratigraphic patterns of carbon isotope variations in carbonate nodules from non-black paleosols throughout the BPF strongly resemble well-documented secular changes in δ13C values of marine carbonates for the Paleocene. Several recognizable features are present in both curves, including the Paleocene Carbon Isotope Maximum (PCMI) and possibly the Late Danian carbon isotope excursion (LDE). These features provide a new basis for correlation of the BPF to the global geological timescale, and suggest that the Formation preserves a 6 million year record of deposition and paleoenvironmental conditions spanning the majority of Paleocene time (63-57 million years ago).

Buchanan Kerswell, Utah Valley University Physical Sciences This project is designed to investigate anthropogenic impacts on the geochemistry and physical characteristics of Utah Lake-Jordan River transition zone, in Utah Valley, Utah. The zone has experienced dramatic, multifaceted shifts since European settlement in 1847, especially in recent decades. Our chosen study location is uniquely situated to capture changes recorded in the sediment cores due to land use, nutrient enrichment, vegetation shifts and river dynamics since pre-settlement.

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.

Nathaniel Wells, Utah Valley University Physical Sciences Previous research with bottle-shaped thermoacoustic prime movers has revealed hysteresis with transitions to higher modes as the cavity length is varied. A string with an abrupt change in mass density was studied to investigate potentially similar behavior. Three base guitar strings were studied at three different tensions with weights of 25, 30, and 35 lbs. Each string consisted of a “thin side” that was stripped to the stainless steel core and a “thick side” with an outer wrapping of nickel around the core. The strings studied had diameters of 0.65, 0.45, and 0.50 mm on the thin side and 2.14, 1.31, and 1.24 mm on the thick side, respectively. An anchor was attached on one end of a short board with a pulley at the other for hanging the weight. The end of the thick side of the string was attached to the anchor, and the string was guided over the pulley, with the change in mass density occurring approximately 12 cm from the pulley. Measurements were taken after placing a glass jar under the thick end of the string, between 42 cm and the position of the change in mass density, in 3-cm steps. The string was plucked and the dominant frequency was recorded with a microphone at each location. Frequency data is generally consistent with a solution to a 1D wave equation. Preliminary results indicate mode transitions occurring for all strings, with several hysteresis region candidates.

Zachary Anderson, Brigham Young University Physical Sciences Correlation analysis is useful in extracting spatiotemporal relationships between signals and can be used to examine features of near-field jet noise for source properties. Characteristic correlation envelopes determined by Harker et al. [JASA 133, EL458 (2013)] can be used to relate correlation lengths to fine and large-scale turbulent structures. As an extension, cross-correlation shows spatial variation in jet noise and further reveals the transition between short (fine-scale) and long (large-scale) correlation lengths. These analyses are applied to a military jet dataset of a ground based linear microphone array positioned 11.6 m from the jet axis. Correlation analyses over multiple engine conditions and observation directions are reported. In particular, a maximum correlation coefficient greater than 0.5 exists over a range spanning multiple wavelengths in the region of greatest overall sound pressure level at military power. [Work supported by ONR.]

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.

Mallory Millington, University of Utah Physical Sciences Groundwater in the western United States is a limited and important resource for agriculture, industry, and residents alike. Knowing the movement of groundwater is critical to understanding the potential of groundwater contamination from human activities. While groundwater flow is difficult to quantify, it typically recharges in high elevation and discharges towards lower elevation. The first commercially-approved tar sands mine in eastern Utah is located on a ridgetop in the PR Spring area within the high plateaus on the south rim of the Uinta Basin. To evaluate the potential of groundwater contamination due to tar sands mining a study was conducted to understand groundwater flow in the PR Spring area, specifically the canyon directly south of the tar sands mine called Main Canyon. Water samples were taken from four groundwater springs at elevations ranging from 7040 to 8040 ft in or near Main Canyon. Water quality measurements taken in the field showed that the lower springs exhibited higher conductivity (900 vs. 636 μS/cm) and lower dissolved oxygen (30% vs. 88% saturation) than the higher elevation springs. This suggests that the lower springs have had a greater amount of water-rock interaction and so are chemically more evolved than the springs at higher elevations. SF6 age dating indicated that the high elevation springs are younger than the lower elevation springs, 5.5 vs. 16.0 years since recharge respectively. The field parameters and SF6 age data all indicate that higher elevation springs are younger and less chemically evolved than the water at lower elevations. This indicates that the springs in Main Canyon are sourced from local recharge at the ridgetops. Given these findings the tar sands mine should consider taking preventative measures to protect groundwater resources.