2020 Abstracts

Lengele, Alexius (Weber State University)
Faculty Advisor: Seaboch, Melissa (Salt Lake Community College, Anthropology)

Primate defecation behaviors contribute notably to forest growth and diversity because primates are important seed dispersers in their environment. Understanding these defecation patterns is important to understand how primate populations impact tropical dry forests. Preexisting research on Allouatta seniculous (red howler monkeys) avoided defecating near their foraging and resting areas, potentially to avoid parasitic infection from contaminated feces. The goal of my research is to test whether the same pattern is found in A. palliata, the mantled howler monkey. I predicted that A. palliata would not defecate near their food resources as a parasite-avoidance behavior. La Selva Biological Station, where this research was conducted, is located in Sarapiqui, in northeastern Costa Rica. Data were collected in May 2017 at the beginning of the rainy season. Using all-occurrence sampling, I recorded all defecation events for A. palliata and whether any group members were feeding. I recorded 15 instances of defecation. Howler monkeys defecated in the same area where they had been feeding 46.7% of the time (n=7) and they defecated in an area where feeding did not occur 53.3% of the time (n=8). My hypothesis, that A. palliata would not defecate near food resources, was not supported as the data showed no bias toward non-feeding areas versus feeding areas. These results differ from prior research of Alouatta in the Amazon Basin, Venezuela, and Brazil, which all reported evidence of parasite-avoidance in defecation behavior. My sample size is small, and my data were collected in a short time span, likely contributing to this discrepancy. Additionally, the parasites infecting those species in South America may not be present in this Central American location, suggesting a lack of the need for this adaptive behavior.

Figgins, Anna C.; Hunter, F. Kate; Kapheim, Karen M. (Utah State University)
Faculty Advisor: Kapheim, Karen (College of Science, Biology Department)

Certain species of ants, bees, and wasps have some of the most sophisticated forms of cooperative behavior known throughout the animal kingdom. These eusocial insects live in large family groups made up of castes (e.g., queens and workers) that specialize on different tasks within a colony. In many species, division of labor between queens and workers is associated with behavioral and physiological traits such as dominance interactions, ovary maturation, and lipid stores. Remarkably, these large phenotypic differences between castes emerge from a shared genome. This suggests caste differences stem from changes in how shared genes are regulated. We have been investigating the role of a small regulatory molecule (microRNA miR-13b) as a potential regulator of division of labor in bumble bees (Bombus impatiens). We tested the hypothesis that miR-13b regulates division of labor by inhibiting its function using small-interfering RNA (siRNA). We inhibited miR-13b function by injecting a synthetic antagonist of miR-13b (antagomir) into the abdomens of live bees. The average expression of miR-13b in the fat body of bees that received the antagomir injection was 0.52 relative to those that received the control injection (n = 7). This inhibition of miR-13b expression was accompanied by a significant decrease in fat body size. However, the influence of the antagomir only lasted 1 day. Future experiments will determine if the antagomir can influence gene expression longer than 1 day and assess physiological and behavioral changes in B. impatiens after miR-13b is inhibited. Knowledge gained from this study allows us to understand more about the mechanisms underlying social behavior in bees and helps us investigate how behavior is regulated by gene expression.

Stapleton, Michael; DeRose, Justin. (Utah State University)
Faculty Advisor: DeRose, Justin (S.J. & Jessie E. Quinney College of Natural Resources, Wildland Resources Department)

Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) is the most widespread coniferous tree in North America, occurring from Mexico to British Columbia and from California to Nebraska. Surprisingly, however, P. ponderosa is largely absent within the center of this range. Previous studies suggest that this absence may be linked to a range of climatic variables, but collectively fail to identify specific climate-growth responses. Using dendroclimatology, we will analyze how a disjunct population of P. ponderosa in northern Utah responds to local climate conditions. We seek to identify which of these variables the species is most sensitive to by correlating the population's average annual growth to a variety of climate composites. Similar tests will be conducted across three treatment blocks throughout the stand in order to distinguish if previous management altered the population's resilience to climate. Our results will help explain the current distribution of P. ponderosa and suggest how that distribution may respond to changing climate conditions.

Lahy, Neve (Westminster College)
Faculty Advisor: Kruback, Matt (Westminster College, Art)

Tree of Trees
Neve Lahy:
The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest is a group of national forests within our Wasatch Mountains. The forest is a host to many species of trees, both coniferous and flowering. I have chosen seven of each of the most prominent local cone bearing and flowering trees to focus on.
The trees are a crucial part of the ecosystem and participate in many symbiotic relationships. Without the trees the ecosystem wouldn't survive. It is important to acknowledge the vitality of our local forests not only for us, but for all other organisms dependent on the trees.
A phylogenetic tree is a branching diagram showing the evolutionary relationships among various biological species. Phylogeny is based upon similarities and differences in their physical or genetic characteristics. The branches indicate closeness in relation to one another. The species nearest to each other on the phylogeny are the most closely related organisms based on special derived traits.
Learning how to identify the trees that I am so often surrounded by has brought me a deeper appreciation and love for the organisms around me. Now that I can spend time in trees and know exactly what I am looking at has given me a broader understanding of how the trees not only interact with me but the other ecological factors present in the area. I feel more keenly aware of what it takes to protect these trees and enjoy them more respectfully.

Funk, Stephen; Wood, Jacob; Catmull, Ashley; Martin, Brett (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: McCleary, Bill (Brigham Young University College of Life Sciences, Microbiology & Molecular Biology)

The survival of the model microorganism E. coli depends largely on its ability to regulate the concentration of nutrients in its cell. This regulation often relies on complex systems of both cooperative and competitive enzymes. One of these enzymes, encoded by the YjbB gene, was known to play some role in phosphate regulation. However, its exact function had not yet been characterized. We attempted to deduce the function of the YjbB-encoded protein in the context of two other phosphate regulatory systems: the PitA/B phosphate transport system and the PpK/X polyphosphate storage system. Using comparative growth curves in both phosphate-rich and phosphate-deprived media, we found that the YjbB-encoded protein protects against phosphate poisoning in the absence of phosphate exporters, suggesting that the protein in question functions primarily as a phosphate exporter as well.

Buehler, Nate; Hoehn, Nick; Stokes, Britt; Tyler, Areiann; Dr. Kopp, Olga (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Kopp, Dr.Olga (Utah Valley University, Biology)

Bacterial infections are difficult to treat with antibiotics because of the protective nature of the biofilms produced by bacteria. Biofilms are a common cause of nosocomial and medical devices-related infections. The current treatments for biofilms include mechanically removing the biofilm itself or by treatments with antibiotics. Biofilms usually become resistant to drugs because of the higher frequency of mutation and horizontal gene transfer compared to planktonic cells. Liposomes are promising delivery systems because of their small size, surface characteristics and ability to encapsulate drugs and other molecules. Liposomal particles can slowly release the encapsulated drugs, increasing their distribution in targeted areas. Studies have shown that the fusion between liposomes and bacterial cells enhances the penetration of antibiotics. The purpose of this study is to form liposomes to encapsulate Gentamicin and characterize the formation and characteristics of these liposomes. Liposomes will be formed using the thin film hydration method and characterized using a scanning electron microscope. This project will present an analysis of the use of different ratios of phospholipids and cholesterol to evaluate the stability and ability to carry Gentamicin.

Call, Tanner; Bean, Joseph; Chaston, John (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Chaston, John (Life Sciences, Plant and Wildlife Sciences)

The gut microbiome, or the microorganisms that colonize the GI tract of all macro-organisms, plays a significant role in host health and physiology. In a study last year, I found that the microbiome of D. melanogaster has a direct influence on dietary preference using a well-established, automated feeding assay. In this study, I extend these findings by performing a metagenome-wide association (MGWA) screen to predict bacterial genes responsible for the effect. Specifically, I measured dietary preferences in flies mono-associated with each of 40 different bacterial species. My mentor compared the dietary preference of these flies with the genomes of their associated bacteria using a MGWA. This analysis predicted 1932 bacterial genes that could be responsible for the feeding preference phenotype. I selected the top 22 genes, including all uncharacterized genes, for which we have knock-out mutants in a laboratory stock of bacterial mutants. I will test if these genes are necessary for inducing specific host feeding preferences by comparing feeding preferences of flies mono-associated with a bacterial mutant with controls, using a generalized mixed linear model. These results will help us understand how different members of the microbiota can influence animal feeding behaviors.

Perriton, Kiersten; Eppley, Sydnie; Young, Colleen (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Jensen, Francine (Utah Valley University, Nursing)

Purpose: To determine the preparedness of new graduate nurses to practice after completion of nurse residency programs.

Background: New graduate nurses often feel anxious, concerned or ill prepared to practice as nurses on their own. New graduate nurses worry if the residency program has prepared them for their first nursing job sufficiently for them to gain enough confidence and skill to be on their own. Studies on nurse residency programs show that nurses who complete one-year nurse residency programs had remarkable increases in communicating with family, patients and team members, confidence in skills, and ability to prioritize and organize work. There is a need for continued education, such as nurse residency programs and an active interest in new graduate nurses, such as involved mentors or preceptors to help strengthen clinical reasoning and preparedness of new graduate nurses. Stress in new graduate nurses can impede patient safety and can result in the new nurse quitting the position. When new graduates have designated mentors, fit well with unit socialization, and are oriented to multiple areas, it has been identified that it can build their confidence levels and improve retention rates of new graduate nurses. Nurse residency programs need to provide high quality orientation to help them master their careers.

Significance: This research can give insight into whether the implementation of nurse residency programs helps new nurses feel ready to practice on their own. This information may help provide increased safety and quality of care to patients due to new graduate nurses feeling competent and confident to carry out the patient's health care plan. This can help healthcare companies determine if current programs are effective and what needs to be changed. New nurse graduates may gain confidence, practice with increased patient safety, and corporations may retain the new nurses they have just trained.

Boatright, Greggory; Medrano, Braxton; Goeckeritz, Joel (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Roeder, Beverly (Brigham Young University, Life Sciences)

Schwann cells play a major role in helping heal injured nerves. They help clear debris, produce neurotrophins, upregulate neurotrophin receptors, and form bands of Büngner to guide the healing nerve. But nerves do not always produce enough neurotrophins and neurotrophin receptors to repair themselves. Nerve growth factor (NGF) is an important neurotrophin for promoting nerve healing and lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) has been shown to stimulate NGF receptors (NGFR). This study tested the administration of a single intraneural injection of LPC (1 mg/mL for single LPC injection and 10 mg/mL for multiple LPC injections) at day 0 and one (day 7), two (days 5 and 7), or three (days 5, 7, and 9) injections of NGF (160 ng/mL for single injections and 80 ng/mL for multiple injections) to determine baseline effects on crushed sciatic nerves in rats. The rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, crush, crush-NGF, and crush-LPC-NGF. The healing of the nerves was measured weekly by monitoring gait; electrophysiological parameters: compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitudes; and morphological parameters: total fascicle areas, myelinated fiber counts, fiber densities, fiber packing, and mean g-ratio values at weeks 3 and 6. The crush, crush-NGF, and crush-LPC-NGF groups statistically differed from the control group for all six weeks for the electrophysiological parameters but only differed from the control group at week 3 for the morphological parameters. The crush, crush-NGF, and crush LPC-NGF groups did not differ from each other over the course of the study. Single injections of LPC and NGF one week apart or multiple treatments of NGF at 5, 7 and 9 days post-injury did not alter the healing rate of the sciatic nerves during weeks 1-6 of the study. These findings are important to define the baseline effects of NGF and LPC injections, as part of a larger effort to determine the minimal dose regimen of NGF to regenerate peripheral nerves.

Hyman, Rachel; Light, Tim; Montague, Angela; Lucero, Jessica (Utah State University)
Faculty Advisor: Lucero, Jessica (College of Humanities and Social Sciences; Sociology, Social Work and Anthropology Department)

Refugees are recognized as having unique and complex health needs which demand attention upon arrival and throughout the resettlement process (Agrawal & Venkatesh, 2016). Refugee populations are particularly vulnerable to health disparities due to push factors influencing forced migration (Tempany, 2009). These factors include exposure to political violence, natural disasters, and other forms of anthropogenic conflict (UNHCR, 2014). Refugees may arrive in the host country with undiagnosed and untreated health issues, such as infectious diseases, mental distress due to prior traumas, undiagnosed chronic illness, and nutritional deficiencies (Deen & Bridges, 2011). Refugee populations represent high rates of mental and physical health problems compared with the host population (Kirmayer, Gomez-Carrillo, & Veissi�re, 2017). Additional dynamics compound health disparities facing refugees. These include: language barriers, unfamiliarity with a complex health care system, limited health literacy, and inadequate alignment of medical treatments with religious and cultural beliefs (Bowen, 2001; Brown, Carroll, Fogarty, & Holt, 2010). Though there is robust scholarship in the literature and analysis of prevalent health disparities and needs of refugees post-resettlement, few studies address the specific health care concerns of refugees resettled in northern Utah. This study seeks to expand previous findings related to the most salient health care issues facing the refugee community and develop community response to address health disparity. A secondary aim of the research is to determine best practices for the provision of appropriate and effective health services.

Miles, Leslie; Valentine, Julie (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Miles, Leslie (Brigham Young University, College of Nursing); Valentine, Julie (Brigham Young University, College of Nursing)

1 in 10 adolescents (13-18 years old) reported sexual violence in the dating environment with a prevalence rate of 14% among girls and 8% among boys (Wincentak et al., 2017). Additionally, Arliksson-Schmidt et al. (2010) found that adolescent girls with a physical disability or long-term health problem were more likely to experience sexual violence (p=.003). The current literature is limited on describing the characteristics and vulnerabilities of adolescent sexual assault patients. Researchers have found multiple negative sequelae in adolescents who have been sexually assaulted, which includes the following; major depressive disorder, suicide risk, agoraphobia, alcohol abuse & dependence, and substance abuse & dependence (Walt et al., 2014).

To better understand adolescent patients and to guide nursing care, a large (n=5,600) retrospective chart review of SAFEs documentation (2010-2018) examines adolescent descriptors (age 14-18) in a Western state in the United States. Variables include gender, race, age, relationship to suspect, online meeting, pre-existing medical conditions, pre-existing mental illness, previous history of sexual assault, number of non-anogenital injuries, number of anogenital injuries, alcohol and drug use, multiple suspects, and suspect actions (violent physical acts). Comparisons to patients over the age of 18 years will be provided.

The purpose of this podium presentation is to review research findings concerning the demographics and characteristics of adolescents seen for sexual assault forensic examinations to better inform health care professionals. Discussion will include possible medical and nursing interventions to mitigate the potential harmful effects of adolescent sexual assault.

Greaves, Aspen ; Allison, Jim (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Allison, Jim (Family, Home, and Social Sciences; Anthropology)

Portable x-ray fluorescence (PXRF) analysis is a quantitative measure of the presence of an element. Elements from painted red ware sherds from the San Juan region were measured on painted and non-painted portions of the sherds, demonstrating the presence of elements in the paint as opposed to the paste. In particular, manganese, lead, and copper, along with a more ubiquitous iron, were found in the paint. The presences of manganese indicates the intention for the paint to be black when fired, a useful tool in identifying sherds. At Site 13 (42sa13) for example, which was burned, the sherds can appear to be Abajo red-on-orange when they may better be described as Bluff black-on-red. Lead and copper are a bit less straight-forward. Lead appears rarely, and may have no purpose, or could be an intentional sourcing choice. Another question comes from the presence of copper, which may have created a turquoise paint pre- firing. Turquoise is an important color in Pueblo color theory, and so if copper does create a turquoise paint, the presence of copper may be deliberate. Variation in paint, particularly crossed with neutron activation data, leads to a firmer understanding of decisions inherent in the ceramic creation process.

Christensen, Kate L.; Hinkson Jr, Kent D.; Brooks Malisa M.; Bryan, Craig J.� (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Hinkson Jr, Kent (Utah Valley University and University of Utah, Psychology); Brooks, Malisa (University of Utah, Psychology)

Among the staggering rates of sexual assault, little attention has been directed towards the specific risk factors involved with coercive sexual assault. The few studies that have been conducted focus solely on college campuses. Studies have found that the potential risk factors between forced sexual assault and coercive sexual assault are fundamentally different. While forced sexual assault is associated with environmental risk factors such as alcohol, coercive assault risk factors have a stronger relationship with the victim's level of depression and self-esteem. Though depression and low self-esteem can affect people for a variety of different reasons, age tends to be a reliable predictor of both of these risk factors. Depression and low self-esteem have some of the highest rates among teens and young adults. When focusing on the Military, we see depression rates higher than that of the general public, with similar patterns of teenagers and young adults (18 to 25) being the most affected. With the knowledge that depression and low self-esteem are risk factors in coercive sexual assault and knowing an age group that is more likely to be depressed and struggle with esteem, we should expect to see a relationship between age and being a victim of coercive sexual assault. In a survey consisting of veterans, age had a mild relationship with coercive rape, with younger people being more susceptible and their older counterparts holding less risk. When focusing on other distinctions of sexual crimes such as harassment, assault, and rape, age was not found to be a risk factor. Knowledge of the relationship between coercive sexual assault and age carries important implications, particularly in the form of education and support. Leaders armed with this data can inform young people of this potential risk, provide preventative strategies, and recommend therapy or support groups when necessary.

Oram, Kathryn; Griffiths, Alayna (Utah Valley University)
Faculty Advisor: Gazdik-Stofer, Michaela (Utah Valley University, Biology)

The World Health Organization currently estimates that 4,384 individuals die per day due to complications of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis and affects 1.8 million people worldwide as it infects individuals through air droplets from a cough or sneeze. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is known to be a major component in TB because it acts as a macrophage inhibitor that is responsible for blocking the immune defense allowing the M. Tuberculosis to rapidly replicated within cells. The function of cAMP in TB patients is known but the focal point of our research is why and how the increased levels of cAMP effects patients that are infected with TB. Our team uses mutated M. Smegmatis bacteria due to the comparable levels of cAMP secretion and high pathogenicity of M. Tuberculosis. We are currently screening the cAMP secretion in 1,000 mutated M. Smegmatis colonies to identify secretion differences from the wild-type M. Smegmatis. The mutants samples with high variation from the wild-type will be sequenced to identify the genes and determine the proteins that are present. Finding the genes and proteins can help understand why and what causes the inflation on cAMP secretion in TB patients.

Brooksby, Austin; Meyer, Jake; Rentschler, Lucas; Spofford, Robbie (Utah State University)
Faculty Advisor: Rentschler, Lucas (Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, Economics and Finance Department)

The ultimatum game is a common experimental economics game done in pairs in which one person chooses a way of dividing a sum of money, and then proposes that split as an ultimatum to the other: Either accept it, or we both walk away with nothing. In theory, equilibrium play would indicate everyone should accept any split they're offered-regardless of the equity-but the experimental economics literature robustly rejects that theory. Smith and Wilson's 2017 paper "Equilibrium Play in Voluntary Ultimatum Games: Beneficence Cannot Be Extorted" produced results different from the vast literature, by making game participation voluntary within the lab. We attempted to replicate Smith and Wilson's results, but failed to do so. The most notable difference between our experiments was our subject pool, so we ran additional trials of the standard ultimatum game and confirmed our subject pool was not significantly different than the general literature. Our paper provides a great example of the importance of replicating results in the social sciences, in addition to a specific contribution to the ultimatum game literature.

Maw, Madison (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Nuckols, Janis (Brigham Young University, Linguistics); Thompson, Gregory (Brigham Young University, Anthropology)

In Ecuadorian Quichua culture people do what they can do to avoid being described as quilla—a behavior encapsulating both laziness and sexual promiscuity. Many of their myths revolve an individual who encapsulates one or both parts of quilla, the tale of Wituk and Manduru included. These behaviors are ones that estrange an individual from their family ties, which is a keystone motor of Quichua society. These myths, being origin stories, always end up with the person transforming into a part of nature, usually an animal or plant.

Wituk and Manduru's tale is one of the longer myths as well as one of the only that demonstrates both aspects of quilla so clearly. However, while it depicts what is considered the worst traits, it also demonstrates how to redeem oneself. At the end of the story the sisters transform themselves into trees that produce pods that when mashed create red or black paint. The girls use this to paint the men who they interacted with in their journey into more productive animals.

This paper will explore the implications this story has in modern life for the Quichua people, women in particular. The paint of these trees is highly important in all realms over which women preside, including pottery, beauty, and maintaining the chagra (in simplistic terms, a garden). The paint is used in a transformative and representative way, making the ritual plant grow stronger and allowing women to harness the power of animals around them, just to name a few. Women are able to use this plant to transform themselves and those around them in order to make a better society overall.

Brammer, Brianna; Denham, Steven; Wambaugh, Morgan; Brown, Jessica. (University of Utah)
Faculty Advisor: Brown, Jessica (University of Utah, Pathology)

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen, which primarily affects those with compromised immune systems, contributing to 15% of global AIDS-related deaths. Initial human exposure occurs after inhalation of desiccated cryptococcal cells, which undergo morphological changes in the lungs, including altering cell body and polysaccharide capsule size. Fatality occurs after C. neoformans disseminates to extrapulmonary organs, including the brain where it causes cryptococcal meningitis. Preliminary data show that fungal cells decrease in size throughout the course of infection; we hypothesize that this shift increases the ability of fungal cells to exit lung epithelium, either extracellularly or via macrophage, as small cryptococcal cells exhibit enhanced extrapulmonary dissemination. We later determined that this effect was not solely due to fungal cell size by inoculating mice with fluorescent beads corresponding to cryptococcal cell size groups. The beads showed similar dissemination trends, but were significantly less efficient at extrapulmonary dissemination, suggesting the necessity of cell surface factors. By measuring the exposure of various fungal factors relative to size, we have identified mannose as a potential key factor in dissemination, as small cells exhibit higher levels of exposed mannose relative to size. The hypothesized role of mannose in cryptococcal dissemination is investigated throughout this project utilizing a variety of techniques, including the addition of polysaccharides to macrophage-cryptococcal association assays to determine mannose-specific recognition, in vivo co-inoculation with mannose and cryptococcal cells, and identifying differential gene expression between cell sizes using RNA sequencing and gene ontology. These data have contributed to our working model of cryptococcal infection, where cryptococcal cells undergo morphological changes in the lungs, yielding a higher prevalence of small cells. Cell size is an important, but not determinant factor in dissemination, suggesting the role of cell surface factors, such as mannose, that increase virulence by promoting phagocytosis and intracellular survival.

Miller, Roxanne; Winzenried, Eric; Everett, Anna; Edwards, Jeffrey (Brigham Young University)
Faculty Advisor: Edwards, Jeffrey (Life Sciences, Physiology and Developmental Biology)

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a complex anxiety/depression disorder that affects about 1 out of 4 individuals after a stressful/traumatic experience. One common model to induce PTSD is social defeat (SD) combined with chronic light exposure in rats. First, more naturally anxious rats were selected based on results of an open field test where cat fur and fox urine were placed in one quadrant. Rats were classified as anxious if they avoided that quadrant, froze for long periods of time, did not rear, and frequently urinated or defecated. The naturally anxious rats were used in the SD protocol. Next, the elevated plus maze (EPM) and light-dark transition (LDT) tests were used to detect anxious behavior at the conclusion of SD. The SD protocol caused significant anxious behavior when compared to controls. Next, we performed LTP field electrophysiology experiments in brain slices of ventral hippocampus and basolateral amygdala, regions known to have altered plasticity in PTSD. SD caused a significant increase in long-term potentiation (LTP) in the ventral hippocampus and basolateral amygdala. To determine whether a prophylactic treatment could prevent the physiological changes of PTSD, propranolol and mifepristone were simultaneously administered at 10 mg/kg doses by intraperitoneal (IP) injection one week prior and during the entire duration of SD. These drugs significantly decreased LTP in the VH and BLA back to near-control levels while SD rats with vehicle injections still had elevated LTP.