2020 Abstracts

Symons, John David; Cho, Jae Min; Ly, Kellsey; Thompson, Lauren; Lee, Sebastian; Hansen, Michele; Carter, Kandis (University of Utah)
Faculty Advisor: Symons, John David (University of Utah; Nutrition and Integrative Physiology)

The process of macroautophagy is operational during basal conditions to maintain organelle and protein quality control, but is upregulated during cellular stress to adapt to changing nutritional and energy demands. We tested the hypothesis that intact endothelial cell (EC) autophagy is required to observe exercise training-induced vascular improvements. Rationale for this hypothesis was provided by an earlier report that obese mice with germline, whole body mutation of a protein requisite for autophagy i.e., Bcl2-AAA mice were refractory to training-induced improvements concerning glucose homeostasis. First we demonstrated that : (i) workload achieved during a maximal treadmill test; (ii) soleus muscle citrate synthase activity; (iii) vascular indices of autophagy; and (iv) endothelium-dependent function were greater (p<0.05) in male C57Bl/6 mice that completed 10-weeks of treadmill-training vs. age-matched sedentary animals. These findings indicate that an efficacious training protocol improves vascular autophagy and arterial function. Next, age-matched male mice on a C75Bl/6 background with tamoxifen-inducible Cre/LoxP-based impairment of autophagy-related gene 3 (Atg3) specifically in ECs (iecAtg3KO mice) or wild-type (WT) littermates were trained (ETR) identically or remained sedentary (SED). Atg3 mRNA was minimal (p<0.05) in ECs obtained from iecAtg3KO vs. WT mice, but vascular smooth muscle cell Atg3 was similar between groups. These data verify that specific knockdown of Atg3 existed in ECs but not vascular smooth muscle of iecAtg3KO mice. As expected, intraluminal flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) improved (p<0.05) in WT-ETR vs. WT-SED mice, while vascular smooth muscle responses to sodium nitroprusside were similar between groups. Further, as anticipated, intraluminal FMD was blunted (p<0.05) in iecAtg3KO-SED vs. WT-SED mice, indicating the importance of EC autophagy to FMD induced vasodilation. Contrary to our hypothesis, however, training-induced vascular adaptations were observed (p<0.05) in iecAtg3KO-ETR vs. iecAtg3KO-SED mice, while vascular smooth muscle responses were similar between groups. Indeed, training-induced vascular improvements concerning intraluminal FMD were not different between WT-ETR and iecAtg3KO-ETR mice. These findings are not congruent with our original hypothesis, and indicate that intact EC Atg3 is not required for training-induced vascular adaptations to occur.

Carrington, James; Xue, Qian; Roh-Johnson, Minna (University of Utah)
Faculty Advisor: Roh-Johnson, Minna (University of Utah, Biochemistry)

Metastasis of melanoma to distant sites of the body result in poor patient prognosis with a high mortality rate (76%). Cell migration has been studied in vitro and focal adhesions, which allow cells to move forward by attaching to extracellular matrix (ECM) on the front of the cell and breaking down at the back of the cell, have been shown to play important roles in locomotion. However, it has been difficult to visualize these structures in vivo, especially during tumor cell dissemination. Understanding how cancer cells are utilizing focal adhesions could play an important role in developing therapeutics to counteract metastasis using focal adhesion inhibitors and lead to improved patient outcomes. This research focuses on identifying if a previously observed focal adhesion marker in melanoma is formed at surfaces where cells are in contact with ECM. Because zebrafish share 80% disease homology with humans and are transparent during early embryonic development, they provide an optimal model for visualizing cell migration while still maintaining physiological significance. To identify if migrating melanoma cells are in contact with ECM, we injected fluorescently labeled melanoma cells in zebrafish. We allowed the melanoma cells to migrate and labeled components of the ECM (laminin, collagen, and fibronectin). We then imaged the zebrafish and determined the proximity of melanoma cells to the ECM. We also used transmission electron microscopy to identify the location of melanoma cells in respect to the ECM. We found that melanoma cells are in contact with ECM in vivo. The in vivo contact of focal adhesion markers in melanoma with ECM suggests that focal adhesions can be visualized and studied in zebrafish. Future studies will examine how focal adhesion formation is regulated and how inhibiting their function will impact tumor cell dissemination.

Taylor, Sarah; Fawver, Bradley; DeCouto, Brady; Lohse, Keith R.; Williams, A. Mark� (University of Utah)
Faculty Advisor: Lohse, Keith (University of Utah; Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation); Williams, Mark (University of Utah; Health, Kinesiology, and Recreation)

Achieving elite status in sport often requires athletes to overcome significant physical injuries. However, to date, there has been a paucity of studies exploring how hours engaged in practice and early developmental milestones influence injury rates in "high-risk" winter sports, such as alpine skiing. Moreover, despite numerous published reports on injury epidemiology, a lack of objective measures of performance has been a notable oversight. The purpose of this study was to assess how previous sport engagement and performance are related to injury in a sample of sub-elite youth alpine skiers. Adolescent skiers enrolled in U.S. academies (N = 169, males = 81) were given questionnaires assessing practice/injury history and sport-specific milestones, while performance in speed and technical disciplines were derived from participants' National points (i.e., ranking) for each year available. Simple correlations, MANOVAs, and linear mixed-effect regressions were used to assess relationships between predictors: age, gender, sport-specific milestones (e.g., age of first competition), practice hours, ranking; and the outcomes of interest: injury incidence (i.e., proportion of seasons an athlete sustained injuries causing them to miss > 4 weeks) and injury impact (i.e., average weeks missed due to injury each year). Results revealed that while older athletes had accumulated more injury weeks across their career (p = .020), female skiers reported greater injury incidence (p = .049). Neither injury incidence nor injury impact was associated with performance trends (all p's > .05), but they were negatively associated with time spent in group and individual practice (both p's < .05). Finally, the age of first competition was positively correlated with injury impact (p = .014). These and other findings are discussed in relation to previous studies of sport-injury, as well as applied implications for working with developmental athlete populations in high-risk domains.

Contreras, John; Forrest, Rachel T.; Bayles, Madelyn (Westminster College)
Faculty Advisor: Contreras, John (Westminster College, Public Health); Forrest; Rachel T. (Westminster College, Public Health)

Air pollution, much of which results from human activities like transportation, may significantly harm children's health, from worsening asthma to potentially even lowering I.Q. This makes idling near schools a serious concern. In response, the EPA has developed an idle-free schools campaign. This campaign will be implemented during the 2019-2020 school year at a Salt Lake City elementary school. Ground-level ozone and PM2.5 levels will be measured before and after the campaign in order to determine its efficacy. Additionally, during the spring and summer of 2019, parents' perceptions of idling, and, by extension, air pollution, were examined using a focus group and a survey. The resulting data, which was analyzed using R statistical software and Excel, found associations between gender and beliefs about air pollution, as well as between education level and beliefs about air pollution. A better understanding of the effectiveness of the EPA's campaign and of parents' perceptions may be helpful in combating air pollution, leading to improved community health.

Poudyel, Kamala; Gurung, Surya (University of Utah)
Faculty Advisor: Kamimure, Akiko (Social and Behavioral Science, Sociology)

Bhutanese refugees are often torture survivors and experience mental health issues such as post-traumatic stress disorders, anxiety and depression. However, there are few studies focusing on mental health among Bhutanese women in the US. The purpose of this proposed study is to examine mental health among Bhutanese women with a refugee background living in Utah. Specifically, this study analyzes how social support and acculturation are associated with mental health (stress) and images of mental illness. A Self-administered or interviewer-administered survey has been collected from Bhutanese women since September 2019. Preliminary results suggest stronger sense of belonging to American and Bhutanese cultures was associated with higher levels of social support. Lack of social support was associated with higher levels of stress. The notable images of people with mental illness among the participants included "People with chronic mental illness are, by far, more dangerous than the general population," and "Mental health facilities should be kept out of residential neighborhood." Those negative images were related to lower levels of understanding both American and Bhutanese cultures. It is important to maintain ethnic identity as Bhutanese as well as to learn American culture to promote social support and reduce stress. In addition, reducing negative images of mental illness may help seek help for mental health issue when they experience such problems. Strong sense of belonging to American and Bhutanese cultures is important for well-being among Bhutanese women in Utah.

Gaona-Partida, Paul; Chan, Julian; Aguilar-Alvarez, David (Weber State University)
Faculty Advisor: Chan, Julian (Weber State University, Mathematics); Aguilar-Alvarez, David (Weber State University, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences)

PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS:
Low hemoglobin (HB) levels are used to indicate anemia, which increases your risk for contracting infectious diseases and overall mortality. The rate of iron deficiency anemia in Ghana is more than triple the world average, making this condition a main health concern for the country. In this study, we sought to identify the influence of location and iron consumption on HB levels of Ghanaians.

METHODOLOGY:
Food frequency questionnaire was given to 140 participants in 5 different locations of Ghana (Jamestown, King Tower, Mole, Larabanga, University of Ghana). All food was classified as low, medium, or high iron content according to the USDA food database. Participants were categorized as adequate or inadequate iron consumers according to this classification. ANOVA and t-test analysis was conducted to determine the differences in hemoglobin level means. P-value was set at µ0.05 and HSD was used as the post-hoc test.

RESULTS/PREDICTED RESULTS:
Mole National Park population had higher HB (µ=13.3 ± 2.51) compared to Jamestown (µ=12.1 ± 1.97) (p=0.034) and Larabanga (µ=12.0 ± 1.97) (p =.032). Individuals classified as high iron consumers had significantly higher HB that their low iron consumers counterparts (µ=13.8 ± 2.42 vs µ=12.1 ± 1.97, p=0.001).

CONCLUSION:
We were able to identify foods associated with increased Ghanaians HB. Mole had higher access to iron-rich foods such as game meat, which was reflected in their HB levels. This study illustrates the importance of promoting consumption of indigenous iron-rich foods in the current Ghanaian diet to prevent iron deficiency anemia in this population.

Bergen, Makenna; Meier, Amanda; Thomas, Victoria; Banna, Jinan; Cluskey, Mary; Stokes, Nathan; Richards, Rickelle (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Richards, Rickelle (Life Sciences; Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science); Stokes, Nathan (Life Sciences; Nutrition, Dietetics, and Food Science); Banna, Jinan (Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (University of Hawaii at Manoa), Department of Human Nutrition, Food, and Animal Sciences)

Background: Food insecurity among college students has been reported to be as high as 59%. Most research related to this phenomenon has used quantitative approaches. The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of college students' perceptions of their own food security using qualitative methodology.
Methods: Researchers interviewed 57 college students at three universities across the western United States. A random sample of transcripts were independently coded in NVivo to determine interrater reliability. Kappa statistics ranged from 0.44-0.99 (food insecure) and from 0.73-0.99 (food secure), indicating moderate to almost perfect agreement. Percent agreement ranged from 92-100% (food insecure) and from 97-100% (food secure). Researchers then divided transcripts for final coding and overarching themes, including differences between food secure and food insecure students under each theme, were discussed.
Results: Three themes emerged to help explain drivers of food insecurity in college students: 1) transition from pre-college life to college life; 2) students' management of finances; and 3) methods and barriers to obtaining food. Differences were identified between food secure and food insecure students. Food insecure students prioritized other living expenses over food and used various strategies when funds were low: purchasing lowest cost campus meal plans, stretching food budget, buying cheaper groceries, and skipping meals. In regards to eating away-from-home, food insecure students prioritized eating at home, using discounts, or waiting to get paid before eating out. Both food secure and food insecure students reported positive aspects of using food assistance programs but believed stigma and embarrassment would deter students from using these programs. A few food insecure students expressed confusion about qualifying for these programs.
Conclusions: This study helps us better understand the context surrounding food insecurity in college students. This understanding could lead to broader solutions to helping college students become more food secure.

Thompson, Lauren; Ramous, Caroline; Ly, Kellsey; Luu, Kiana; Margetts, Alex; Warren, Tahno; Tippetts, Trevor; Choi, Ran Hee; Symons, JD (University of Utah)
Faculty Advisor: Symons, J. David (University of Utah, Nutrition and Integrative Physiology)

Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an epidemic worldwide. Cardiovascular complications (e.g. endothelial dysfunction and hypertension) are associated with T2DM. T2DM affects the quality of life for the patient and their caregivers, and the costs for treating cardiovascular complications are unsustainable. An urgent need exists to elucidate new therapeutic targets for intervention. Our laboratory is interested in defining the contribution from the sphingolipid ceramide. We reported earlier that arterial dysfunction and hypertension that otherwise develop in mice that consume an obesogenic diet is attenuated by pharmacological inhibition of ceramide using myriocin and by germline haploinsufficiency for dihydroceramide desaturase (DES1), an enzyme required for ceramide biosynthesis. However, each study had limitations. Myriocin improved systemic glucose homeostasis, and DES1 inhibition elevated dihydroceramides, both of which could impact arterial function. In the present study, we used a novel murine model to inhibit the rate-limiting enzyme responsible for ceramide biosynthesis (serine palmitoyl transferase light chain 2; Sptlc2) specifically in endothelial cells (ECs). We hypothesized that EC specific inhibition of ceramide biosynthesis would preserve arterial function in obese mice. Six-week-old male mice with intact Sptlc2 (wild-type; WT) and EC specific deletion of Sptlc2 (iecSptlc2KO mice) consumed either standard (CON) or high fat diet (HFD) for 14 weeks. qPCR results indicated Sptlc2 was knocked down > 80% in ECs but not media and adventitia from iecSptlc2KO vs. WT mice. In general, results were similar between WT and iecSptlc2KO mice concerning glucose, insulin, and pyruvate tolerance tests (indicating intact glucose homeostasis) and lean mass, fat mass, and fluid mass (indicating body composition was unaltered). Of note, intraluminal flow-mediated vasodilation was greater in femoral arteries from iecSptlc2KO vs. WT mice that consumed high-fat chow. Preventing ceramide biosynthesis specifically in ECs from mice that consume an obesogenic diet might be vasculoprotective.

Kunzelman, Jacqueline; Gabor, Rachel; Scrobotovici, Monica; Blades, Natalie; Longstreth, WT; Heckbert, Susan; Psaty, Bruce; Arnold, Alice; Fitzpatrick, Annette; Llewellyn, David; Kuzma, Elzbieta; Kamel, Hooman; Dhamoon, Mandip; Chaudhry, Sarwat; Dodson, John; Hedges, Dawson; Gale, Shawn; Erickson, Lance; Brown, Bruce; Thacker, Evan (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Thacker, Evan (Life Sciences, Public Health)

OBJECTIVE: We investigated two hypotheses: First, incident CHD, defined as myocardial infarction or definite angina, leads to faster long-term cognitive decline. Second, among those with CHD, treatment with CABG surgery or PCI leads to slower long-term cognitive decline.
METHODS: The Cardiovascular Health Study is a cohort of US adults aged 65+. Global cognitive ability was assessed annually up to 9 times from 1990 to 1998 with the 100-point Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS). We estimated trajectories of 3MS scores in the absence of stroke, adjusting for demographics, health behaviors, and comorbidities. For hypothesis 1, we compared 3MS trajectory after incident CHD with 3MS trajectory in the absence of CHD, censoring at first receipt of CABG/PCI. For hypothesis 2, among participants with CHD, we compared 3MS trajectory after first receipt of CABG/PCI with 3MS trajectory without CABG/PCI.
RESULTS: For hypothesis 1, of 4,122 participants, 398 had incident CHD during a mean of 5.9 years of follow-up. Model-predicted 3MS score declined faster after incident CHD, especially for CHD diagnosed at age 80 or later. For example, after incident CHD at age 85, predicted 5-year decline in mean 3MS score through age 90 was 13.9 points (95% CI: 11.0, 16.7) versus 8.9 points (95% CI: 8.1, 9.7) among those without CHD. For hypothesis 2, of 1,183 participants who had prevalent or incident CHD, 118 had their first CABG/PCI during a mean of 4.1 years of follow-up. Model-predicted 3MS score declined faster after first receipt of CABG/PCI.
CONCLUSIONS: Older adults diagnosed with incident CHD had faster average cognitive decline than those without CHD. However, treatment with CABG/PCI did not slow cognitive decline among those with CHD. This finding may be due to adverse effects of CABG/PCI on brain health or CABG/PCI recipients having more severe CHD or more cerebral atherosclerosis.

Winters, Blaine; Dustin, Tracy; Escobar, Jeana; Ostlund, Megan (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Blaine, Winters (Brigham Young University, Biology)

Background:
Evaluation of patients who have fallen varies significantly between nurses as well as health care facilities. In many cases, injuries go unrecognized or their identification is delayed due to poor or incomplete assessments and follow-up.

Purpose:
The purpose of this project was to design a standardized post-fall assessment for geriatric patients residing in long-term care and community settings.

Methods:
A literature review revealed that in the past 10 years, very few studies were conducted on post-fall assessments, and the majority of these studies were conducted outside of the United States. Due to the lack of current literature on the subject, the Advanced Trauma Life Support algorithm was used as a framework for the development of the post-fall assessment.

Outcomes:
A post-fall assessment evaluation was developed which includes the production of a standardized post-fall assessment flowchart, accompanied by a documentation guide. A training video was also produced to illustrate the use of the assessment tools and to allow nurses to practice their new skills.

Implications for Practice:
The standardized post-fall assessment tools will lead to more thorough evaluation and follow-up of patients who have fallen in long-term care or the community setting. This will lead to more rapid treatment of identified injuries as well as fewer missed injuries.

Teaching Methods:
Participants will receive training on the post-fall evaluation method, how it was developed and how it will be implemented.

DeNiro, Adara; Cao, Erhu; Wang, Qinzhe; Wang, Jinliang (University of Utah)
Faculty Advisor: Cao, Erhu (University of Utah, School of Medicine)

The kidneys are responsible for several essential bodily functions critical to our survival. These include filtering blood and excreting metabolic waste into urine. Two proteins, polycystin-1 and polycystin-2, interact in renal tubules and promote the normal development and function of the kidneys. However, the proteins' actions are not well understood. Polycystin-1 and Polycystin-2 are encoded by the PKD1 gene and the PKD2 gene respectively. A mutation in either of these genes can lead to Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD), a common inherited disease leading to progressive renal failure. Several extrarenal manifestations occur as a result of ADPKD including hepatic cysts and intracranial aneurysms. Ultimately, ADPKD often leads to end-stage renal disease that requires dialysis or transplantation. Currently, there is no cure for ADPKD due to setbacks regarding structural determination of the Polycystic Kidney Disease Proteins. Some setbacks are the inability to view the regulatory cytosolic domains of the PKD1/PKD2 channel in atomic detail and understand the function(s) of the polycystic kidney disease proteins. My project examines the ability of Fabs and nanobodies to bind to the PKD2 channel and the PKD1/2 complex as this potentially facilitates structural determination. This is done by stabilizing cytosolic domains and/or promoting a more uniform orientation distribution of these proteins essential for imaging by cryo-electron microscopy.

Hildt, Alyssa; Anderson, Abby; Miles, Leslie; Valentine, Julie (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Miles, Leslie (Brigham young University, Nursing); Valentine, Julie (Brigham Young University, Nursing)

Purpose: To describe characteristics that impacted sexual assault (SA) patients' reports of pain and subsequent pain treatment.
Research Question(s) / hypotheses: 1. What percentage of SA patients complaining of pain received any treatment? 2. What associations exist between SA variables and reports of pain and pain treatment?
Methodology: Retrospective chart review (n=1,652) of SA examinations (2017-2018) was conducted in several counties in Utah, representing 80% of the state. 241 variables were entered into SPSS. Approximately 64% of SA cases reported pain. Descriptive statistical analysis of SA patients reporting pain was conducted on the following variables: pain location, pain severity, gender, race, age, relationship to suspect, pre-existing medical conditions, pre-existing mental illness, suspect actions, time between assault and exam, physical injuries, anogenital injuries, and pain treatment (pharmacological and non-pharmacological).
Findings: On a scale of zero to ten, reported pain mean level 5.68 with a median of six. Eight percent of patients who reported pain did not have a documented pain level, signifying an incomplete pain assessment. Three most common pain locations were the genitals (40%), abdomen/pelvis (31%), and head (24%). Those with mental illness, medical problems, or reported history of SA prior to age 14, were more likely to report pain. Despite the prevalence of pain amongst SA patients, a large majority (78%) received no documented pain treatment. However, some patients received the following: 16% NSAIDs or Tylenol; 5% narcotics; and only 0.1% received non-pharmacological treatment.
Implications: All SA patients should be assessed and treated for pain. SA examination forms should include treatment type, including treatment provided by the emergency department. Nurses should take the lead in advocating for pain treatment in SA patients.
Conclusion: This is the largest study of SA patients' pain assessment and treatment and helps create a comprehensive picture to understand patient and variables that impact pain.

Larsen Gibby, Ashley; Crockett, Kaelie (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Larsen Gibby, Ashley (Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Family Life)

Past research has found a strong association between sibling characteristics and academic achievement, but very few studies have considered the impact of adoption. Family theories, such as resource dilution, stress, and compensation theories, suggest that adoption may negatively impact biological children's educational outcomes by reducing the resources available to these children and introducing stress and complexity into their family. However, despite its likely importance, no representative studies have investigated the impact of adoption on biological children, to our knowledge. Using the American Community Survey Data from 2013-2017, we test the relationship between having an adopted sibling and being held back in school among 1,684,608 biological children. We use logistic regression and included several child and household characteristics as controls. We find that having an adopted sibling is significantly associated with an increased likelihood of being held back but that this association is almost entirely explained by family size and socioeconomic status. Therefore, we conclude that although our findings suggest a negative impact of having an adopted sibling on non-adopted children, this impact may actually be capturing differences in socio-economic status, rather than adoption itself. Further investigations of the differences among children with or without adopted siblings are needed to understand the associated classed nuances.

Reschke, Peter; Clayton, Colter; McLean, Ryan; Cordon, Hallie (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Reschke, Peter (Family, Home, and Social Sciences; School of Family Life)

Recent research has demonstrated that context plays a significant role in categorizing facial expressions of emotion (Aviezer et al., 2008). However, it is unclear which aspects of "context" drive this phenomenon. The current study sought to tease apart two unique sources of context (posture and background scene) using a fully crossed design with 6 emotions (Anger, Disgust, Fear, Sadness, Joy, and Neutral) expressed using 3 modalities (Face, Posture, Background Scene) featuring 48 different actors from 4 racial/ethnic background (Asian, Black, Hispanic, White). Seventy-two participants (Mage = 20.28, SD = 2.18, 48 female, 30 male) each viewed 216 randomly selected Face-Posture-Scene composites and were asked to select from a list an emotion that best described what the person in the image was feeling. Participants' categorizations matching the face (i.e., accuracy) were analyzed using a full factorial repeated measures Generalized Linear Mixed Model with face emotion, posture emotion, and scene emotion as factors. There were significant main effects of face emotion, F(4, 9968) = 89.602, p < .001, and posture emotion, F(5, 11574) = 34.830, p < .001, as well as significant interactions of Face Emotion X Posture Emotion, F(20, 12380) = 41.454, p < .001, and Face Emotion X Scene Emotion, F(20, 13682) = 8.066, p < .001. Post hoc analyses of the Face Emotion X Posture Emotion interaction indicated that certain face-posture combinations, such as disgust-anger and joy-anger, resulted in complete changes in emotion perception, with categorizations overwhelmingly matching the posture instead of the face. Taken together, these results suggest that face and posture play individual and interactional roles in emotion perception. Implications for theories on emotion and emotion perception will be discussed.

Hunter, Jacob; Wood, Elizabeth; Jarman, Parker; Lindell, Stephen; Schwandt, Melanie; Goldman, David; Suomi, Stephen; Barr, Christina; Higley, James (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Higley, James (Family Home and Social Sciences, Plant and Wildlife Sciences)

Rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) are commonly used as a translational model to investigate human behavior and biology, largely due to shared evolutionary history and genetic similarities. Within rhesus monkeys, there are two distinct subgroups: Indian-derived and Chinese-derived monkeys. It is surprising that research has not compared the behavioral differences in these two subgroups. While there are anecdotal reports indicating that the Chinese-derived monkeys exhibit more aggression than the Indian-derived population, the only studies to investigate differences between them investigated infants, a limitation as infants rarely exhibit significant levels of aggression. This study investigates the relationship between DCA and several behavioral measures of aggression in adult subjects. We hypothesize that rhesus monkeys with higher DCA would exhibit more aggression than monkeys with lower DCA. The subjects were n = 130 adult female rhesus monkeys, housed in indoor-outdoor runs at the National Institutes of Health Animal Center, located in Poolesville, Maryland. Observations were made while the subjects were in their home cages, using five-minute focal observations, twice weekly for six months by trained staff. Subjects were behaviorally scored for a variety of behaviors that reflect rhesus monkey aggression. DCA was determined using genealogical data tracing each subject's ancestry back to the colony's founding in the 1940s. Based on the pedigree, the subjects were divided into pure Chinese-derived, pure Indian-derived, or hybrids. Repeated measures ANOVAs showed that 100% Chinese monkeys exhibited higher rates of aggression (F(2,125) = 14.02, p < .0001), when compared to the Indian-derived or hybrid monkeys. These results suggest that, consistent with anecdotal reports, monkeys with 100% DCA exhibit higher levels of aggression than Indian-derived or hybrid subjects. Aggression may have played a pivotal role in the evolutionary success of the Chinese rhesus, allowing them to cross the Himalayas, disperse throughout China, establish territory, and successfully compete with other species.

Schiek, Haley; Thompson, Audrey; Rugo, Kelsi (Westminster College)
Faculty Advisor: Rugo, Kelsi (Westminster College, Psychology)

Background. College students face a myriad of well-documented mental health issues, including anxiety (American College Health Association, 2018), depression (Ibrahim et al., 2013), and suicidal thoughts and behaviors (Yozwiak et al., 2012). Many of these mental health issues are laden with negative social stigma and go untreated (Corrigan & Kosyluk, 2013). While most college campuses offer free mental health resources for students, a striking number of college students are unaware of resources available on their campus (Michaels et al., 2015).

Research Aims. The Abnormal Psychology class at Westminster College hosts Wellness Screening Days (WSD) on campus once per semester to provide outreach, psychoeducation, and resources for students struggling with mental health issues in the campus community. In the near future, we plan to submit an IRB application to formally collect data at WSDs with the primary aim of increasing mental wellness on our campus.

Methods. At each Wellness Screening Day, Abnormal Psychology students erect tables at 2-3 highly trafficked locations on campus. WSD banners, balloons, and free snacks are placed around the screening area to draw student interest. Abnormal Psychology students are stationed near each table to assist their peers in completing, scoring, and interpreting their wellness screener. Wellness screeners are then returned to each student with a full page of resources printed on the back for students to utilize, if desired. Additionally, mental health professionals are stationed at each table for further support.

Discussion. We are proposing a poster to present our idea to turn the Wellness Screening Day into an IRB-approved research project on our campus at UCUR 2019 in order to garner scholarly feedback from colleagues in attendance. In particular, we plan to engage other professionals in discussions on (1) prioritization of constructs to screen, (2) risk management considerations, and (3) innovative ideas for institutional collaboration. We believe UCUR 2019 will offer a unique opportunity for us to interface with other professionals in the field to refine our research methodology.

Implications. Using the Wellness Screening Day to identify, connect, and track at-risk students on our campus has the potential to decrease negative mental health stigma in our campus community, improve mental wellness of our student body, and increase awareness of free mental health resources available on campus.

Green, McKay (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Smith-Johnson, Amber (Utah Valley University, English)

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that "Six in ten adults in the U.S. have a chronic disease and four in ten adults have two or more" ("About Chronic Diseases," n.d.). This means that over half the U.S. population is trying to manage a chronic illness with their daily tasks. Those with chronic illnesses start with a shorter supply of energy. They are forced to focus solely on the basic necessities while ignoring the majority of their desires, since they do not have the energy. Because of this, they face serious problems when they put off managing their symptoms to manage society's perceptions instead. My main research question is this: "Are those with chronic illness essentially (mis)managing their illness due to the perceptions of society? And if so, how do we change this problem?" The impact of perception on chronic illness management has not been studied adequately. However, in spite of the paucity of research, I have confirmed through my own primary and secondary research that many with chronic illnesses abandon their required treatment regimens in favor of perception management. Society has this image of disability that is very appearance driven — wheelchair, crutches, etc. And because the vast majority of those with chronic illnesses appear outwardly healthy, they are expected to actually be healthy and function like everyone. In this process they typically push themselves too far and cause debilitating and painful flare-ups. Studies have shown that if those with chronic illness have hope for a productive life, their illness is easier to manage. This hope is best nourished by focusing on treatment management instead of perception management. The goal of my research is to introduce hope into the lives of those with chronic illnesses so that they can manage their symptoms instead of society's perceptions.

Sassra Dobson; Loren Larsen; Matthew Tidwell; Chris Anderson Ph.D.; Ron Hammond Ph.D. (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Hammon, Ron (Utah Valley University, Behavioral Science: Sociology)

This UVU IRB approved study (Control #35) included a UVU IRI randomly selected sample of 9,999 UVU Graduates 2014-2018, solicited via email with a link to an online Qualtrics survey. Results yielded 668 completed surveys of married respondents. The standard Gottman's "4 Horsemen of Divorce" Questions were used to create a summative scale of their divorce risk (Range 0-28). The low and high Quartile Groups were analyzed via: Frequencies, Correlations, Independent T-Tests, & Multiple Regression. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how ADHD and other marital quality issues influence higher levels of Gottman's divorce Risk levels among married UVU Graduates. This was evaluated with 21 bivariate correlations between extended family interference and other marital quality measures. It was also evaluated with 37 Independent Sample T-Tests comparisons between Low Quartile (N=143) and High Quartile (N=157) Gottman's Four Horsemen of Divorce Scale (G4HDS) Groups. Finally a Predictive Multiple Regression Model was developed. Results from analyses indicated that at the <= .05 significance level: 20 out of 21 correlations were better for those with higher extended family interference; 32 out of 37 T-Test were better for the Low G4HDS Quartile Group; and the Regression Model was able to identify 4 of the 5 independent variables which predicted higher Gottman Divorce Risks. The somewhat unexpected influence of extended family interference is also discussed.