Fine Arts

Authors: Benjamin Furniss, Britton Borget, John Sanders. Mentors: Patrick Ling. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Mortality model is the underlying model used by life actuaries to price life policies, set reserve amounts, and compute policy values. A mortality model investigates how mortality rates evolve over time. Current insurance law in many states (including Utah) suggest the use of Scale AA (or a similar model) in projecting future mortality rates, which is a special case of autoregression time series model. This model is flawed because it is built on the assumption that (1) there is no ARCH effect in the central death rates data, and (2) there is no unit root in the time series of mortality index. These assumptions are questionable. No wonder why state insurance laws (including Utah state insurance law) are recently revised in recognition of discrepancy between model predicted mortality rates and actual mortality rates. Recent published literatures indicate that the second assumption is questionable, as some statistical tests suggest that there is some near unit root in the mortality model. In this talk we want to argue that ARCH effect is present in the mortality data, so there is need to adopt a time series model that incorporates heteroskedasticity in the mortality data. We will later propose a GARCH model for better predicting future mortality rates – a key task life actuaries conduct, for it is important for life actuaries to predict what will happen over the next few decades of policy term.

Authors: Avery Larsen, Heath Ogden. Mentors: Heath Ogden. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Mayflies, also known as Ephemeroptera, are members of the anciently derived infraclass known as Paleoptera, the first group of insects that evolved the ability to fly (Gillott, 2005). Distinct developmental characteristics of the life stages of the mayfly are the reason that ephemeroptera are of particular interest. The life stages are; the egg, nymphs, subimago, and imago. The aquatic nymph stage does not have wings but instead has leaf-shaped gills that can be used to help propel the insect through its environment (Eastham, 1936). Centroptilum triangulifer will be used for RNA extractions to study the development of both wings and gills. Objectives for this research are 1). Elucidate, describe, capture, and record distinguishing characteristics of the different instars of Centroptilum triangulifer. 2) Identify key instars integral to gill and wing development in Centroptilum triangulifer. 3) Perform 10 RNA extractions. 4) Use Qubit technology to ensure ≥ 20 ng/μL RNA concentration per ≥ 10 μL. 5) samples will be packaged in thermo-stable shipping boxes and sent to Novogene where samples will be tested once more for quality control. 7) Once the quality is confirmed, samples will be processed using poly-A enrichment and then sequenced using high-throughput Illumina sequencing. Data will be tested for quality control and then sent to Ogden labs. 8). Using an in-house bioinformatics workflow, RNA data will be checked for quality, trimmed, and aligned, before RNA data is first trimmed, and then aligned to Ogden labs transcriptome reference genome. After alignment, the number of reads per gene, or hit counts, are calculated and compared. 9) RNA results of different instars will be compared to each other as well as NCBI databases using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool.

Authors: Alex Montgomery, Mason Gordon. Mentors: Eddy Cadet. Insitution: Utah Valley University. TRACE METAL CONCENTRATIONS OF VARIOUS LAND USE TYPES SURROUNDING UTAH LAKEMason Gordon, Alex MontgomeryKeywords: Trace metals, Soil, Land use, Utah LakeUtah Lake has a history of anthropogenic impacts that have resulted in the accumulation of trace metals (TMs) in the sediments of this region. Previous studies have evaluated the water and saturated soils, but have not provided a complete picture of the human impact on upland soils. Some pollutants may be contained in unsaturated soils and never enter the water due to the inherent soil characteristics and chemical properties of the TMs. Elevated concentrations of TMs in the environment pose hazards to the ecosystem and local residents. These impacts can be better understood by evaluating TMs in unsaturated upland soils. In this study a comparison of TMs in saturated wetland and unsaturated upland sediments, as related to anthropogenic sources, was completed. This study analyzed the types and concentrations of TMs to understand their mobility throughout the ecosystem. 52 core samples were collected from the saturated and unsaturated soils in eight sites. These sites represent recently developed areas (New Dev), more established areas (Mid Dev- those that have been developed over five years), recreational areas, mining areas, industrial areas, agricultural areas, and a wastewater treatment plant site. The soil samples were dried, ground, sieved, acid digested, and analyzed in the ICP-OES for TM (As, Pb, Cu, Cr, Cd, and Zn) content. Preliminary results show that TM concentrations in upland sediments were higher than those in wetland sediments. Cr levels in industry and Mid Dev are 43.0 ppm and 47 ppm, respectively. Saturated sediments at the same sites revealed Cr levels of 23 ppm and 21 ppm, respectively. This indicates that TMs are contained in unsaturated sediments. Of the observed land use types, Mid Dev is the most impacted, having the highest elevations of TM levels on average. Cd concentrations exceeded background levels in both New Dev (.97 ppm) and Mid Dev (.83 ppm). This is indicative of anthropogenic impact, as developed areas have higher TM content. The statements of this study will provide information to regulatory authorities in order to create policy to improve human health.

Authors: Tyler Daynes, Jair Gonzalez, Jeremy Tait, Josh Jumper, Ellie Purcell, Tyler O'Loughlin, Vern Hart. Mentors: Vern Hart. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Coherent diffractive imaging is a common method for resolving small objects such as cells in order to determine their morphology. In it's essence it takes the diffraction pattern of laser light attenuating through an object and computationally reconstructs them back into the image that the light goes through. On the downside resolution of these diffraction patterns resulting from CCD size and sensitivity can be poor resulting into a less than optimal reconstruction. We have set out to build a system that can magnify this diffraction pattern without distorting the original image of the pattern. We have done this by building our own rastering system that can magnify light on the far edges of our beam. It does this by taking images with a lens attached to the rastering camera. This also has a problem because when the camera moves our detected light quickly falls off the screen of the detector. To fix this we added a gyroscopic system to our camera and lens so that the incident light may hit the system asmuthally at every point on the raster. This in turn will provide a higher quality diffraction pattern for reconstructing in CDI.

Authors: Brantson Yeaman. Mentors: Machiel van Frankenhuijsen. Insitution: Utah Valley University. There has been considerable curiosity at the graduate and postgraduate level in regards to heights, that is, heights in their relation to Diophantine geometry. One application of heights is in the $abc$ conjecture, which remains highly mysterious. Often, the only height undergraduates encounter is the traditional absolute value. This talk seeks to define the height for use in investigating the $abc$ conjecture and connect it at a level that undergraduates with little experience with number theory may approach. It will introduce the idea of a $p$-adic norm of a number, a projective point, and a view that lends itself to both a simple idea of distance, and yet has an analogue in the Hamiltonian numbers.

Authors: Tate Thomas. Mentors: Alexander M Panin. Insitution: Utah Valley University. We wanted to see if accidentally creating mini black holes in high energy particle collisions posed a real threat to humanity. To do this, we calculated some properties of such a black hole, such as its life span, radius, density, and minimum energy required. We found that it is unlikely to exist, let alone destroy the planet. Furthermore, we calculated what would happen if it were to exist, finding that it would move through the Earth with little resistance and with a small amount of Earth matter absorbed. Depending on initial velocity, the black either quickly escapes Earth or would settle orbiting it with the orbit part of which passes via Earth. It is interesting that in a simplified model of Earth as of a sphere of uniform density, the inner part of the orbit of black hole is also elliptical (as the outer is) but not Keplerian - with Earth center not at the focus but at the center of another ellipse. In the case of small initial velocity when entire orbit is inside Earth, the period of such inner orbit is constant regardless of birth location and initial velocity of black hole. The goal of this presentation is to discuss the results of our calculations and to explore potential applications to our understanding of interaction of mini black holes with ordinary atomic matter.

Authors: Alexander Panin, Benjamin Miera. Mentors: Alexander Panin. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Recent searches for extrasolar planets have brought a surprising discovery – almost any star seems to have a planetary system around it. We know that massive stars end their lives in a violent supernova explosion, during which an extremely large amount of energy (~3x10^46 J) is released from the star in a very short time. In this presentation, we analyze the effect of this explosion – primarily the impact of the neutrino flash, the gamma ray flash, and the expanding plasma shell - on the mechanical and thermal stability of an orbiting planet. Our calculations show that a planet's orbit can be significantly disrupted by the momentum of the exploding star shell (depending on the planet's mass and proximity to the host star), but the radiation pressure from the explosion has a much weaker effect. If a star loses too much mass to the expanding shell, any previously stable orbit will become unstable, causing the planets to escape. Additionally, we found that the gamma ray flash and the plasma shell incident on the planet can cause significant heating, while the neutrino flash would have virtually no effect. Also, if a star’s collapse is asymmetric then the star itself can leave the planetary system due to the momentum of the asymmetric neutrino radiation. The sequence of events during a supernova explosion and how they influence such a planet is discussed in the presentation.

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

Authors: Karli Kallas. Mentors: Jared Colton. Insitution: Utah State University. For this presentation, I will present a care ethics analysis of Web3 and decentralized internet, with a specific focus on privacy concerns and the increase of internet scams due to the lack of regulation and accountability. Ethics of care argues that there is moral importance in promoting the well being of care givers and receivers in a network of social relations, recognizing that all human life is co-dependent. It is important to note that care ethics was not designed to engage with such large networks of relationships, I will be expanding it to apply to the situation, so it gives us one new way of viewing the situation. I will expand on this ethical lens by including points from care ethics such as the empathy in the design of Web3, and responsibility for online communities. My research explores the intricate web of relationships and responsibilities in the decentralized environment, aiming to shed light on the vulnerabilities within internet scams in contrast to the benefits of cryptocurrency. I examine the moral dimensions of these scams, considering the impact on individuals and the broader digital community. The emphasis on care ethics demonstrates the interconnectedness of actors within Web3, as well as the need for a collective commitment to certain forms of innovation.

Authors: Maren Archibald. Mentors: Jared Colton. Insitution: Utah State University. Two-factor authentication was in use as early as 1994 with a patent belonging to telecommunications company Ericsson, which described the tech as “an authentication unit which is separate from preexisting systems." Today, multifactor authentication (MFA) requires a user to prove their identity by way of their knowledge, through a password or one-time code; their possession, through a physical key; or their inherence, through biometrics like a fingerprint or an eye scan. The secure sign-in method has proliferated in recent years, but while significant time has been dedicated to refining it, little if any research has been done in relation to its ethical implications. In his scholarship on discipline, Michel Foucault writes of “examination that places individuals in a field of surveillance.” MFA is one such method of surveillance — various forms track users’ location data, common usage and login hours, and biometric information. In my presentation, I will apply Foucauldian ethics to show how MFA is uniquely situated among other forms of societal documentation because of its purpose. The very data that depersonalizes users into numbers is also meant to be so precise and personal that it is the only way to believe users are who they say they are. And beyond MFA’s treatment of individual users looms the widespread collapse of a distinction between privacy and security. These values are not incompatible, but organizations have implemented MFA in a way that requires users to sacrifice privacy in order to gain security. My research will show how MFA aggrandizes the power differential between users and tech giants and threatens the ability to simultaneously maintain privacy and digital identity.

Authors: Shauri Thacker. Mentors: Nicole Dib. Insitution: Southern Utah University. The representation of Black narratives within the medium of comics and graphic novels has been and continues to be sparse compared to the focus on white characters and stories. In recent years, however, a new paradigm of Black representation has been appearing in comics and comics studies. Emerging from Black Lives Matter movement discourse about police brutality and taking a new angle on the “organic black protest tradition” is Victor LaValle and Dietrich Smith’s 2017 graphic novel Destroyer. Their visual narrative follows the last descendant of Frankenstein—Dr. Josephine Baker—and her endeavors for justice after the murder of her son Akai as her plotline weaves with the original Frankenstein creature’s quest to subdue humanity (Rickford, 35). In this paper, I will perform a close reading of this work using the theoretical lens of critical race theory and its intersection with feminist theory. My reading will prove that LaValle and Smith’s comic—though it does not have the intent of treating Black women as a “unitary and monolithic entity”—increases a reader’s focus on mother and doctor Josephine Baker in order to portray her rage and grief over Akai’s death at the hands of a police offer (Nash, 8). This analysis of Dr. Baker’s character, combined with LaValle’s usage of allusions and intertextuality, subverts the stereotypically white comic narrative by portraying the lived reality and precarity of many Black individuals within the United States. Through this reading, I will demonstrate that the medium of comics allows for a multifaceted depiction of Black narratives and a new form of literary activism.

Authors: Parker Johns, Chandler Warr, Gregory P Nordin, William G Pitt. Mentors: William G Pitt. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) microfluidic devices have gained prominence in various biomedical and analytical applications due to their exceptional material properties and compatibility with cell culture systems. However, the presence of residual uncrosslinked PEGDA monomers and photoinitiators within these devices can lead to cytotoxicity concerns, potentially compromising cell viability and experimental results. In this study, we present an innovative approach to reduce cytotoxicity associated with PEGDA microfluidic devices by implementing an isopropanol (IPA) washing method.Our investigation involves thoroughly characterizing the cytotoxicity of untreated PEGDA microfluidic devices and comparing it with devices subjected to the IPA washing procedure. We systematically assess cytotoxicity using cell viability assays and cell proliferation studies to quantify the impact of residual cytotoxic compounds on cells cultured within the microfluidic channels. Our results demonstrate that IPA washing significantly reduces the cytotoxic effects of PEGDA microfluidic devices, leading to improved cell viability and overall biocompatibility.Furthermore, we elucidate the mechanisms behind the reduction in cytotoxicity, shedding light on the role of IPA in effectively removing unreacted PEGDA and photoinitiators. This study provides valuable insights into the optimization of PEGDA microfluidic device fabrication processes, enhancing their biocompatibility and usability for various biological and biomedical applications.In summary, our research highlights the importance of addressing cytotoxicity concerns associated with PEGDA microfluidic devices and offers a practical solution through the implementation of an IPA washing method, ultimately expanding the potential of these devices in diverse scientific and clinical applications.

Authors: Remington R Motte. Mentors: Carl Hjelmen. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Down Syndrome Cell Adhesion Molecule (DSCAM, an immunoglobulin protein) is a protein that is important for neuronal development, especially in invertebrates. While DSCAM is present in other organisms, it has gone through multiple independent duplication events in arthropods. This has resulted in four to six DSCAM exon clusters with thousands of isoforms throughout arthropoda. Due to DSCAM’s role in brain development, I investigated DSCAM1 evolution and its relationship to the evolution of sociality in arthropods. I defined eusocial as having a common nest, cooperative brood care, reproductive castes and generational overlap. Any species that exhibited one or some of these traits I categorized as sub-social, and any that didn’t show these traits were categorized as solitary. Using Bayesian phylogenetic techniques, I compared DSCAM1 phylogenies to mitochondrion phylogenies and found higher rates of evolution in the DSCAM gene within Hymenoptera. The same increased rates were not found with other eusocial species. I then mapped sociality status onto phylogenies to visualize patterns of evolution and estimate ancestral condition of sociality for common ancestors. Increased taxon sampling within cockroaches and termites (Blattodea), as well as including ambrosia beetles (Austroplatypus incompertus), aphids (Pemphigus spyrothecae) and thrips (Kladothrips) could elucidate the relationship between DSCAM evolution and sociality in arthropods.

Authors: Nathan Anderson. Mentors: Zoe Thompson. Insitution: Utah Valley University. The pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) gene is expressed in the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland. The products of this gene are important for food intake and energy expenditure. Mutations in the POMC gene can lead to obesity, excess hunger, and infertility. We are studying a mouse model of POMC deficiency in order to better understand what causes the infertility. In this experiment, we want to study the estrus cycle of mice who have the POMC mutation. The estrus cycle is similar to the menstrual cycle in humans. Specifically, the estrus cycle can be divided into four different stages: estrus, metestrus, diestrus, and proestrus stages. To determine which stage of the cycle the mice are in, we analyze the cells that are present in a vaginal smear, which is collected by a pipet smear technique, and then can be viewed under a microscope. This technique consists of filling a pipet with 0.9% saline solution and flushing this into the vagina of the mice. The cells lining the vagina will be washed off and then collected back into the pipet. These cells will then be added to a slide where they will be looked under a microscope and analyzed based on the number of cornified epithelial cells, leukocytes, and nucleated cells that are present. We have taken pictures of these smears and are analyzing them to determine what stage of the cycle the specific mouse is in at that time. Data was collected over a several week period. Since the POMC gene is absent in the mice being studied, we expect the estrus cycles in the mice to be abnormal. Based on our results, we will continue our research into looking at the specific hormone levels of the mice.

Authors: Gideon Bowes. Mentors: Michael Rotter. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Correctly identifying plants in the field can be a daunting task. Making an accurate ID typically requires one to understand a complex lexicon of terminology, possess a level of inherent taxonomic understanding, and have the know-how to traverse complex dichotomous keys and species descriptions. This process often necessitates an array of resources, including large hardbound texts, online references, and stand-alone glossaries of terms. In order to better meet the demands of beginning botanists, we created the Field Manual of the Utah Valley Flora Project. This project includes students taking botany classes at Utah Valley University and tasks them with creating botanical treatments to the plants growing in the Utah County vicinity. The students’ treatments are curated with the objective of providing descriptions that are usable by their peers. Here, we present an example of how treatments are composed using the mustard family (Brassicaceae) and data regarding the efficacy of this project with regard to course learning objectives. The goal of this project is to simplify the identification process by producing a student-written, comprehensive text that is user-friendly and accessible to the beginning botany student.

Authors: Ellie Martin. Mentors: Mike Searcy. Insitution: Brigham Young University. As part of the 2023 Hinckley Mounds excavation, BYU Field School participants excavated a sizable amount of beam-impressed adobe and burnt wooden beams from the partially excavated pit house. This research proposal will focus on these two types of artifacts and what can be learned about the Fremont people through their study. Specifically, in this research project I will attempt to answer the question of what specific types of wood and adobe were used, and how they were used together to build the Fremont pithouse. To do this, the charcoal will be sent in for wood testing to get dates and tree type. I will also test the beam-impressed adobe to understand the type of clay used to make the hardened adobe. Finally, I will study the beam impressions in the adobe to find the average diameter of the beams used in the pit houses, any outliers in the diameters, and analyze any visible angles on corner pieces to put together a picture of how the beams and adobe came together to form the skeleton of the pit house structure. This research has the potential to reveal much about the Fremont people that lived at Hinckley Mounds, and help us to better understand their living conditions. The research that I conduct will potentially generate data about the age and type of wood used in their living structures, the diameter of the wooden beams they used, and the angles of the corners of the structure. At the conclusion of this research we aim to gain a better understanding of how the Fremont people constructed their dwellings, from the materials to their methodologies. I anticipate finding that the trees they used were locally sourced and date to a similar period of the other dates that we have from the Hinckley Mounds site, between 700–1300 CE. The pithouse will likely prove to be sub-rectangular, similar to Structure 1 at the Hinckley Mounds site, although any angles that can be found in the adobe impressions could give more precise data. All of this new data may serve to provide more insight into how the Fremont lived and chose to operate in their society.

Authors: Caleb Slade, Evelyn Davis, Michael Orr, Brevin Bell. Mentors: Vinodh Chellamuthu. Insitution: Utah Tech University. Our study examines a viral video featuring a dog named Fritz who consistently fails to catch thrown food items. This research aims to determine whether Fritz's inability to catch is a result of his owner's throwing technique or Fritz's own inherent clumsiness. To investigate this, we employ a mathematical model based on kinematic differential equations to analyze the rotational dynamics of various geometrical shapes that simulate the thrown food items. By pinpointing moments in the projectile trajectory where the food items are most easily caught, we provide empirically-based recommendations aimed at improving Fritz's success rate.

Authors: Jen Hansen. Mentors: Nicole Dib. Insitution: Southern Utah University. Toni Morrison’s contribution to Gothic horror with Beloved expands the tradition into the history of human enslavement, specifically in the context of American history. She reconceptualized ‘remembering’ as both the conscious awareness of the past and the literal reassembling of members of the body, and by extension the family and the home. Morrison coined the term “rememory” in reference to the intentional act of recollection performed by an entire community. The characters of the novel are haunted in several ways and each haunting is only exorcized or overcome through acts of communion, or rememory — many of which are symbolically religious even if not sanctioned as such. The main character is a woman named Sethe, who is haunted by the ghost of the daughter she murdered rather than allow to be taken as a slave. The ghost of Beloved represents the return of the repressed trauma of her death and the connection to Sethe’s previous life in captivity. In order to exorcize Beloved’s ghost and free themselves from her oppressive presence, Sethe and her living daughter, Denver, must re-member the broken family structure within their home, and rememory the traumatic past with the support of the community in order to heal. American Gothic traditions in literature have long been used to reflect on anxiety, discrimination, and disempowerment related to the Other. In this novel, Morrison uses that tradition to give shape to the culturally specific legacy of slavery in America. In this presentation I examine the novel’s Gothic elements and the ways the community plays the part of the exorcist as an essential advocate for the physical and emotional survival of Sethe and Denver.

Authors: Miranda Judson. Mentors: Mike Ashfield. Insitution: Utah State University. This research explores the relationship between Latter-Day Saint views and classical Christianity through the lens of the problem of evil. More specifically, this research looks at the implications both Augustine’s theory of evil and Latter-Day Saint theology have on each other and the impact that would occur should certain aspects be accepted by Latter-Day Saints. I argue that Latter-Day Saints should accept an interpretation of doctrine through the privation theory of evil in order to avoid potential threats to God’s goodness and the Plan of Happiness. Understanding Latter-Day Saint doctrine through this lens will better situate further research in the broader context of Christianity. Furthermore, accepting this theory will allow for a deeper understanding of the premortal existence and postmortal states. This deeper understanding is beneficial for both adherents to and researchers of Latter-Day Saint teachings. Finally, I argue this interpretation does not pose a threat to the doctrine of “opposition in all things.”

Authors: Alexis West Salinas. Mentors: Johnathan Chidester. Insitution: Southern Utah University. There is a growing need to further understand the psychological and physical effects of religiosity among female-identifying members within the LDS church. According to recent studies, as of June 2023, Utah has a Mormon population of 68.55%. Within these statistics, about a fifth of LDS members reported that they have or are currently taking medication for depression. The article also states that 27% of LDS women have depression compared to the 14.5% of LDS men. The church has an infamous reputation with the demonization of mental illness, especially with women. Given the history of society’s treatment of women, women are at an increased risk of suffering within the LDS church. It is important to have the best interests of LDS women in discussing the effects religiosity has on female members within Utah. This paper will analyze the well-being among women of the LDS church as well as assess the specific effects religiosity within Utah may produce surrounding the topics of purity culture, societal expectations, job opportunities, and relationships. This paper will also touch on topics relating to Utah education, LGBTQ+ women within the church, as well as compare and contrast gender roles and sociology. Composing a formulated understanding of these relationships paves the pathway forward in implementing accommodating tools for women within the LDS church in mental health and spirituality.

Authors: Megara Jensen, Matthew Hatch, Brock Hughes, Madeline Gillies, Spencer Myres, Maddie Blackham, Autumn Gould, Kate Leigh, Nate Lieshman. Mentors: Rebecca A. Lundwall. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Parenting is stressful. Of all children with special needs, parents of children on the autism spectrum report spending the most time at educational, medical, psychological, and behavioral appointments. They also have significant financial expenses. Therefore, we set out to determine if parents on the autism spectrum are more stressed than parents of neurotypical children. We recruited participants using fliers and posts on social media autism support groups and on bulletin boards across campus. The parents (all mothers) had children between 8- and 32-months-old. For this analysis, we divided families into the ASD-sib group if the toddler had an older sibling with autism and the neurotypical group if they had no first-, second-, or third-degree relatives with autism. We asked them to complete surveys using Qualtrics regarding Family Quality of Life, Parenting Daily Hassles, and Parenting Stress measures. Twenty-three parents completed all surveys (n = 7 in the ASD group and n = 16 in the neurotypical group). We performed an ANCOVA with Parenting Stress as the outcome variable, presence of ASD in the family as the grouping variable, and Daily Hassles and Family Quality of Life as predictors. Age was entered as a control variable. We found a trend for the significance for Family Quality of Life predicting Parent Stress (F [17, 23] = 3.80, p = .083, eta2 = .17). No other variables showed a trend for significance. This suggests that parents of children on the autism spectrum are indeed more stressed. Although we need to collect more data, this motivates us in a larger study we are conducting regarding the effects of mindfulness on parental stress levels.

Authors: Brooklyn Matthews, Andrew Rowley, Michael Salas, Shaun Kader. Mentors: Michele Culumber, Daniel Clark. Insitution: Weber State University. Paucilactobacillus wasatchensis causes significant product loss in the dairy industry by causing gas build-up in packaging, and slit-crack defects in the cheese. By invitation, we tested a cheese manufacturing plant in northern Utah for Plb. wasatchensis in their creamery based on reports of puffed packages of aged cheese. We were allowed to swab several locations in the production area where contamination with Plb. wasatchensis was possible. Swabbed areas included the areas exposed to milk before and after pasteurization, floor drains, the cheese vat, curd cutters, cheddaring table, and packaging environment. Samples of raw milk, fresh curds, and gassy cheese were also collected. Swabs taken from surface samples were vortexed in 1 mL sterile saline solution. The solution was diluted and plated on deMan, Rogosa, and Sharpe agar with 1% ribose (MRS+R) agar. All agar plates were incubated anaerobically for 1 week. Enrichment cultures for Pbl. wasatchensis were also made by inoculating 0.1 mL of the saline rinse from each swab in MRS+R broth, and incubated for 2 days. After growth, were diluted and plated on MRS+R agar. After 1 week of incubation, we selected small (~1 mm), slow-growing colonies that were morphologically similar to Pbl. wasatchensis. The 16S rRNA gene and N-acetyltrasferase gene were amplified using PCR primers specific for Pbl. wasatchensis. Positive Pbl. wasatchensis isolates were found on the handle of the cheese cutter and in the final cheese product showing a gas defect. Our finding suggests that Pbl. wasatchensis is a potential contaminant in the creamery, and though only found in one location, may exist throughout the facility at unculturable levels. Further studies will use molecular techniques to identify Pbl. wasatchensis throughout the facility to identify bacterial DNA instead of live cells, which may more accurately represent the presence of this fastidious organism.

Authors: John Walton, Dallin Durfee. Mentors: Dallin Durfee. Insitution: Utah Valley University. We are developing an inexpensive optical power meter to measure lasers in our lab. In the device the signal from a photodiode is directed through a transimpedance amplifier to provide a voltage proportional to the power of the incident light. We will use an Arduino and a 16 bit ADC to collect the voltage measurement. The Arduino will also control a switch, allowing us to change the gain of the transimpedance amplifier for measurements over a larger range of powers. The Arduino will be programmed with the responsivity curve of the photodiode so that the correct power can be calculated for a given wavelength.

Authors: Amanda Lee, Alex Phillips, Bonnie Baxter, Amy Schmid. Mentors: Bonnie Baxter. Insitution: Westminster College. The Great Salt Lake is home to a massive variety of microorganisms and insights into these populations will aid in understanding the ecosystem. The Union Pacific Railroad’s causeway has divided the lake into two distinct sections and over time caused the North Arm to increase in salinity over the South Arm and gain its hallmark pink color due to restricted freshwater input. Terminal rivers flow into the South Arm while the North Arm’s water evaporates, leaving behind accumulating salty brine, and the two very different waters have nurtured two accordingly distinctive ecosystems. Breaches periodically opened in the causeway allow the waters to mix and provide opportunity for the microbial communities of the two arms to intermingle. In a collaboration between the Great Salt Lake Institute at Westminster University and the Schmid Lab at Duke University, this project focuses on procuring a picture of the North Arm’s microbial diversity and the extent that it adapts to new environments over the four seasons, as well as what happens to the microbes and their nutrient exchange at that breach mixing point. Halophilic archaea and algae comprise the majority of biodiversity in the lake, and we hypothesize that those taxonomic compositions of the North Arm are stable over the different seasons, due to their extremophilic nature. Every season, we have collected water samples from the causeway, breach, and Spiral Jetty to grow and isolate bacterial colonies for DNA extraction and imaging. We also collect biofilm on filters to analyze RNA gene expression and metabolite usage as the environment changes. Over nearly two years of sampling, the hypothesis has been supported and we are seeing stability in community compositions in comparison to the less-salty South Arm. We are still interpreting results from the mixed breach samples, but thus far the microbes appear to be similar to those in the North Arm.

Authors: Greg Avalos. Mentors: Sierra Warner. Insitution: Southern Utah University. The primary objective of this study is to explore caffeine's impact on explicit memory, particularly during the early morning when cognitive performance tends to be at its lowest. We aim to investigate how caffeine modulates attention, memory recall, and consolidation, shedding light on the less-understood psychological effects of caffeine in a real-world context. Participants will be assigned either the caffeine condition or the noncaffeine condition and will be tested on their explicit memory recall using the Craft 21 story recall test. Expected results are that those in the caffeine condition will score higher on the Craft 21 story recall test compared to those who didn't drink caffeine before the study.

Authors: Tessa C Black, Craig D Thulin. Mentors: Craig Thulin. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) are a distinctive and beloved species due to their unique wing coloration. In 2022, UVU student Kyri Forman and Dr. Craig Thulin identified seven pigments in monarch butterfly wings, three of which have not yet been identified in any other organism. The novel pigments are modified versions of xanthommatin, and their discovery implies the existence of presently unknown enzymes which catalyze the pigments’ biosynthesis. The western blot and its modified technique, the far western blot, are useful tools for identifying protein-protein interactions using antibodies and bait-proteins, respectively. To identify xanthommatin-binding proteins present in monarch butterfly pupae, we are developing a new blotting technique which we are calling the midwestern blot. This technique uses pigment molecules to identify the presence of pigment-binding proteins within a mixture. The midwestern blot technique will be validated is being validated using cytochrome C, hemoglobin, and myoglobin, three heme-binding proteins of known molecular weight and structure. Once validated, we will use the midwestern blot to identify xanthommatin-binding proteins extracted from monarch butterfly pupae. The midwestern blot will help promote future investigations into pigment-binding proteins, including the enzyme responsible for the novel pigments identified in monarch butterfly wings.

Authors: Alexander Gibb. Mentors: York Young. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Our research group’s long term goal is to build a student-constructed nonlinear optical system to create a tunable source of longwave infrared (LWIR) photons for probing molecules for early detection of disease in human tissue. I previously developed a diode laser system as the optical pump for a 5 Watt Nd:YVO4 laser which was reported at UCUR in Feb 2023. However, recent nonlinear optical calculations for our optical parametric oscillator (OPO) show that we will need the average laser power from that Nd:YVO4 laser to be in the 7-8 Watt range. My work to power scale the Nd:YVO4 laser is described in this presentation.

Authors: Rebekah Hakala, Moroni Black. Mentors: Todd Spencer. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Over the years countless studies have delved into the theory of attachment due to its influence in the field of child development. Attachment theory is the idea that the sensitivity of parents or caregivers to a child’s bids for attention affect how the child will bond in relationships (Bretherton, 1992; Wilson-Ali et al., 2019). The style of attachment that a child has can affect them long-term and may influence other relational and developmental characteristics (Kurth, 2013). Due to the influence of attachment, our study investigates the relationship it has with cognitive reappraisal. Cognitive reappraisal is the ability to regulate one’s emotional states and the idea that a change in these thoughts is necessary to change negative emotions (Troy et al., 2017; Clark, 2022). With its ability to process and regulate emotion, cognitive reappraisal is another influential characteristic to the human psyche. Our results and analysis of the relationship between attachment theory and cognitive reappraisal come from a quantitative survey.The purpose of the present study is to examine the relationship among attachment styles and Cognitive Reappraisal. Our sample consists of 411 married individuals. Participants completed The Relationship Questionnaire (RQ; Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991) and Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (ERQ; Gross & John, 2003). Results of the one way Anova were significant F (3,407) = 3.36, p=<.01. There was a significant difference in levels of cognitive reappraisal among attachment styles. Secure attachment (M=29.95, SD = 6.41), fearful attachment (M=27.27, SD = 5.92), preoccupied (M=27.99, SD = 7.27), and dismissing (M = 28.78, SD = 7.54). Results of the Bonferroni Post-hoc analysis indicated a significantly higher levels of cognitive reappraisal than attachment styles (p.<.001). Results provide empirical support that secure attachment styles tend to be beneficial for cognitive reappraisal.

Authors: Nate Lovett. Mentors: Harish Bhatt. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Coupled nonlinear Schrödinger equations (CNLSEs) are an extension of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) that applies to multiple interacting wave systems. They occur naturally in many physical systems, including nonlinear optics, multi-component Bose-Einstein condensates, and shallow water waves. Solitons, which are self-contained, localized wave packets that preserve their shape and speed during propagation, are a significant application of CNLSEs. Solitons are prevalent in nonlinear systems and play a critical role in long-distance information transmission in telecommunications. Despite their widespread use in various fields, solving CNLSEs analytically is challenging, and numerical approximations are necessary. However, solving CNLSEs numerically is a difficult task because of their high nonlinearity.To overcome this challenge, in this presentation, we will introduce, analyze, and implement an established fourth-order Exponential Time Differencing scheme in combination with the Fourier spectral method for simulating one-dimensional CNLSEs. In order to check the performance of this method in terms of accuracy, efficiency, and stability, we will present simulation results on CNLSEs. Our results will consider single, two, and four soliton interactions for homogeneous Neumann, homogeneous Dirichlet, and periodic boundary conditions. The numerical results will show that the proposed method is able to preserve energy and mass for a long time simulation in soliton interactions, as well as preserve the expected order of convergence for the proposed method.

Authors: Samuel Charles. Mentors: Marc Killpack. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Robots have an incredible potential to help humans in extreme or dangerous situations due to their significant and consistent durability, strength, endurance, replaceability, etc. However, humans and robots move very differently, leading to difficulties working intuitively with a robot partner when completing a task such as lifting a heavy object. We recently conducted studies in which human subjects moved a 60-lb table to several different positions in a room; we recorded force and torque data, along with many other aspects of the movement. In these studies of human-human co-manipulation, we noticed a trend during particularly difficult maneuvers; when lifting the table to high positions or acute angles, subjects switched their hand holds on the table’s handles. This was likely an easier method of holding the table, but it may have also communicated placement, stability, understanding, and strength to the other partner, leading to a smoother and more intuitive movement and experience overall. If this is the case, this data could be used to help a co-manipulation robot both effectively understand the subtle commands in human movement and intuitively communicate needed movement to the human partner. This is particularly useful in emergencies like natural disaster sites and war zones, in which immediate help is needed, but there is no time to troubleshoot an unclear or unintuitive robot.

Authors: Baylee Schumacher, Ryley Horrocks, Divya Singh. Mentors: Divya Singh. Insitution: Utah Tech University. 3D printed plastics have gained immense popularity in the recent times given the direct integration with CAD based software platform as well as ease of manufacturing. In addition, use of 3D printed parts can be more economical and less labor intensive.However, the mechanical behavior of these plastics is not well defined. There are many factors that affect the integrity of 3D printed plastic – extrusion temperature, infill pattern and infill percentage being a few of them.In this work, authors have attempted to study the effect of these factors on the tensile and flexure (bending) strength of 3D printed plastics. Firstly, tensile and bending samples are prepared by varying on more of the following – extrusion temperature, infill patter and infill percentage. Further, the specimens are tested in a destructive manner for tensile and flexure strength following the standard tensile and three-point bending technique on a Materials Testing System. The results on the variation in the strength as a function of print parameters provides an insight on the importance of standardizing these parameters to maximize strength and minimize cost.Keywords: additive manufacturing, 3D printed plastic, tensile strength, flexure strength

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

Authors: Natalie Welsh, Lauren Brooks, Skyler Belka. Mentors: Natalie Welsh, Lauren Books. Insitution: Utah Valley University. When bacteria gain resistance to antimicrobial substances, they become a public health threat due to an inability to treat infections and control outbreaks. Staphylococcus aureus is a common element of the human microbiome that is widely associated with antibiotic resistance. While MRSA (or methicillin-resistant S. aureus) has long been prevalent, new types of antibiotic resistance, including VRSA (or vancomycin-resistant S. aureus), have become an increasing threat in recent years. This research aims to collect samples and use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to screen for genes associated with resistance to common antibiotics, such as erythromycin, tetracycline, methicillin, and vancomycin. Molecular biology techniques are used to test various resistant genes. First, sample collection uses FloqSwabs dipped in phosphate-buffered saline and swabbed on various locations on the UVU campus (e.g., door handles/knobs, vending machines, elevators, stair rails, water fountains, cash registers and keypads, countertops). Then, DNA from collected swabs was extracted using the DNeasy PowerSoil Kit. PCR was used to amplify the 16S rRNA gene to act as a positive control and confirm the methodology captured bacteria. Once confirmed, we also examined the samples for various antibiotic-resistant genes (e.g., ErmA, ErmC, TetM, TetT, etc.). Lastly, amplified DNA is visualized using electrophoresis gels, observing under UV light to verify amplification. Understanding the genes found on campus and where they are most prevalent will help elucidate the risks to students on UVU’s campus, providing valuable public health knowledge.

Authors: Haylee Beck, Lauren Weidner, Carl E Hjelmen. Mentors: Carl E Hjelmen. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Blow flies, scientifically known as family Calliphoridae, are important primary colonizers of remains that play a crucial role in decomposition, making them useful in forensic investigations for estimating a time of colonization (TOC). Unfortunately, there is little information on the species and distributions of blow flies present in Utah. Our research seeks to address this issue through collection, preservation, and identification of these blow flies. To collect the specimens, traps baited with chicken liver were set up in various locations across Salt Lake and Utah Counties. While we have only collected from these two counties thus far, our intention is to gather flies across the state, spanning both rural and urban environments. We will then use standard metrics of diversity to compare the species makeup in each location. The results of our research offer significant insights into the biodiversity, distribution, and ecological functions of these flies and their development in different ecosystems. In addition, this research has far-reaching implications in the field of forensics. These findings will contribute significantly to our understanding of blow fly distribution and behavior, providing valuable information for forensic investigations in our region.

Authors: Seth Stringham, Audrey Elison, Kevin Shurtleff, Dustin Shipp. Mentors: Dustin Shipp. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Graphene, a single atom thick layer of carbon, has become a focal point of research in various fields due to its unique and diverse properties. As many researchers apply new methods to develop this material, it is crucial to have tools and practices in place to determine if the newly created sample is indeed graphene. This study focuses on using a 785nm Raman Spectrometer for analyzing graphene samples. The key analysis methods used in this study are Raman spectral analysis and the construction of a Carbon Spectral Library. The Raman spectroscopy, leveraging the G and 2D bands, helps identify the structural and vibrational properties of graphene. The Carbon Spectral Library provides a comprehensive collection of Raman spectra from diverse carbon-based materials, aiding in accurate comparison and identification. The study's findings emphasize the significance of the 785nm Raman Spectrometer as an effective tool for characterizing graphene samples.

Authors: Kyri Forman, Craig Thulin, Heath Ogden. Mentors: Heath Odgen. Insitution: Utah Valley University. The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) uses orange filtering pigments in the eyes to discriminate between different hues of orange and yellow and these pigments are believed to be used for deciphering wing color during mate selection (Blackiston et al., 2011). However, it is not known if these orange pigments in the eyes match those in the wings, or if they are present in the wings or eyes of the white monarch (Danaus plexippus nivosus); a variant caused by a mutation in the wing pigmentation process. For this study, pigment extracts from the wings and eyes of typical orange monarchs and white monarchs were characterized using LCMS and fragmentation MS (including MSMS and MSn) and compared. Of the seven pigments known to occur within the wings of orange monarchs (Forman and Thulin, 2022), three were found in the eyes of orange monarchs and little to none of these pigments were present in the nivosus wings or eyes. This lack of orange pigment within the eyes of white monarchs may signify possible color blindness within this mutant. This is supported by previous reports of these butterflies being less likely to breed and forage for nectar, but behavioral studies will be needed to confirm this hypothesis further.

Authors: Stone Smith, Ben Belt. Mentors: Sally Rocks. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Microplastics are particles less than 5 mm in length. These particles act as a vector for heavy metal and carcinogens, which have negative effects on human health. Often invisible to the naked eye, microplastics are extremely mobile and have been found in the most extreme parts of the planet, from the peak of Mount Everest to depths of the Mariana trench. Because microplastics are readily transported via air and water, microplastics have been found in every location exposed to wind or rain. However, one place that is sheltered from wind and rain are caves. In some subterranean environments, the earth acts as a natural filter of the water that descends into caves. It is suspected that caves will have lower levels of microplastics present in their environments compared to surface environments. However, another mechanism for microplastic introduction is human activity. Humans utilize plastics in relatively all synthetic items. Everything from clothing to packaging to regular household items employs the use of plastics, which can abrade to release microplastics. The goal of this research is to determine if caves with high levels of human visitation have higher concentrations of microplastics than caves with little to no human visitation. Analysis of subterranean water samples will reveal if microplastics are invading cave environments regardless of human activity, and through what mechanisms. A consequence of microplastic pollution in cave environments is the capture of plastic particles within mineral matrices. As mineral rich water evaporates in caves, the minerals left behind form speleothems that could capture plastic particles and thus preserve them (e.g. stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, etc.). With a better understanding of the presence or absence of microplastics in caves, efforts can be made to minimize plastic accumulation and prevent microplastics from entering the geologic record of the cave.

Authors: Thomas Caldwell. Mentors: Dustin Shipp. Insitution: Utah Valley University. In this research project, we have transformed an existing Raman spectroscopy simulation, enhancing its performance and capabilities through the integration of parallel computing with GPU acceleration. This significant improvement in computational time allows us to break through previous computational limitations, enabling more sophisticated and complex applications of the simulation. We are currently focused on two main objectives: assessing the viability and potential of spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) for deeper tissue analysis, and exploring the possibilities of topographical imaging using Raman techniques.

Authors: Silvi Rouskin, Matthew Allan, Dragui Salazar. Mentors: Merrill Halling. Insitution: Utah Valley University. A 3’ untranslated region (UTR) is a non-coding region between the stop codon and the 3’ end of an mRNA. 3’ UTR can regulate post-transcriptional gene expression by influencing mRNA stability, translation, and localization. They fold into complex structures that contain elements and binding sites that interact with various molecules, including proteins and microRNAs (miRNAs). Despite the recognized importance of 3’ UTRs and their structural features, the vast majority of their structures in humans remain unknown. Indeed, the structures of long RNAs in general have been difficult to solve due to their heterogeneity and to the paucity of known, ground-truth RNA structures for training and validating models. This project aims to circumvent these limitations by characterizing the structures of 3,000 to 4,000 human 3’ UTRs. The project can be simply described as follows. The cDNA is received and prepared for PCR with the needed primers. After the PCR, genetic material is transcribed into RNA where dimethyl sulfate mutational profiling with sequencing (DMS-MapSeq) will be introduced. After this, it is reverse transcribed and prepared for sequencing. The project implements thousands of primers to facilitate the comprehensive identification of genes. The vast dataset of structure profiles will be used to develop an advanced machine learning algorithm to predict first the DMS-MapSeq results and eventually the structure of an RNA solely from its sequence. The preliminary results show that it is possible to determine hundreds, even thousands of 3’ UTR structures using DMS-MapSeq and the creating an accurate image of such structure. These results also contain druggable pockets that can be used in RNA based therapeutics in a near future.

Authors: Euiyoung Kim, Bonnie Anderson. Mentors: Bonnie Anderson. Insitution: Utah Valley University. A thermoacoustic engine is designed to transfer heat energy into sound energy. Heat engines have a hot side (hot heat exchanger) and a cold side (cold heat exchanger) and use part of the heat flowing between them to do work. The engine in this study is shaped like a bottle with copper wire mesh heat exchangers in the neck. A heating element wrapped around the top of the neck supplies heat to the hot side and the base of the bottle is made of aluminum to keep the cold side at room temperature. When the temperature on the hot side reaches a threshold the sound wave is created. The heat goes from the mesh of the hot side into the “stack” (steel wool, in this case) and down to the cold mesh. The motion of air as it picks up and drops off heat along the stack excites the engine into one of its resonant frequencies. Different mesh configurations of the heat exchangers were tested to determine the impact on the acoustic properties of the engine. Principal Component Analysis was used to determine which parameters of the mesh affected the acoustic pressure the most. The outcomes of this research not only contribute to the emerging field of thermoacoustics but also provide valuable knowledge for the development of thermal sensors and electric energy in remote locations.

Authors: Roshan Abraham, Parker Jorgenson. Mentors: Daren Nelson. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Hobble Creek is an essential and valuable stream that the City of Springville and other local entities utilize for their water supply. However, the stream is also vital to the local environment and ecosystem since it one of the main streams that the June Sucker (an endangered endemic fish) spawn in each year. Numerous environmental projects and studies have been done in the lower section of Hobble Creek due to this importance. There are many springs in the region that provide water to the stream but there is a lack of consistent monitoring of the flow throughout the stream to determine how the stream is interacting with groundwater sources. Groundwater models completed by the United States Geological Survey in 2005 for the Utah Lake Watershed suggest locations where groundwater interactions should be either discharging or recharging the local aquifer. However, more recent data has suggested that many of these water interaction maps created by the USGS model are inaccurate. Using a water budget analysis, streamflow in the creek is being measured at 10 sites throughout the Hobble Creek Watershed to determine how the flow in the creek changes as it flows towards Utah Lake. Data gathered from this and previous studies show the zones of discharge and recharge shift seasonally and are not as consistent as the USGS model suggests. Recent data does confirm that Hobble Creek is gaining flow upstream and losing flow downstream, but there are portions of the river that also may be perched (do not interact with the groundwater). Further measurements and continued site investigation will be necessary to help us better manage this vital water resource.

Authors: Tyler O'Loughlin, Tyler Daynes, Erik Prazak. Mentors: Dustin Shipp. Insitution: Utah Valley University. In the realm of photon interactions with surfaces, the reflection and refraction of light depend significantly on the micro and macrostructures of the surfaces. Despite the use of various methods to attenuate light, their effectiveness remains a subject of interest. In this study, we delve into the properties that render super-black coatings, such as Vantablack, exceptionally dark compared to coatings with distinct surface characteristics but significantly altered amplitudes of reflected intensity. Our research focuses on understanding the optical properties of Vantablack; in particular, we investigate the role of the carbon nanotube microstructure in achieving its unique light-absorbing properties. Through a comprehensive analysis of our samples, we have uncovered that the carbon nanotube microstructure of Vantablack contributes to its remarkably low reflective intensity and exceptional absorption across all wavelengths of light. Notably, Vantablack displays such a high optical density that even at Brewster's angle, a reflection is virtually undetectable. This research sheds light on the intriguing properties of Vantablack and has implications for a wide range of applications where light absorption and reflection play a critical role.

Authors: Benjamin Holt. Mentors: York Young. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Our research group aims to create an optical system which generates tunable longwave infrared (LWIR) light as a tool for early detection of disease-indicating molecules in human tissue. This system begins with our newly constructed Nd:YVO4-type laser which generates between five and seven watts of continuous wave optical power in the near IR spectrum. This laser light will be used to drive the subsystem responsible for generating LWIR light: an optical parametric oscillator. In order for wavelength conversion to occur via a non-linear process, the near IR laser power serving as an optical drive must have an intensity on the order of tens of MW/cm2. To achieve such intensities the laser power must be concentrated into high intensity nanosecond length pulses by Q-switching the laser. Our method of Q-switching the Nd:YVO4 laser will be via an acousto-optic modulator in the laser cavity. My work to design the modulator’s kinematic mount, cooling system, and RF driver (as well as characterizing the performance of the modulator for use as a laser Q-switch) is described in this presentation.

Authors: Miranda Rose, Daniel James. Mentors: Daniel James. Insitution: Utah Valley University. In this study, we investigated mechanical vibrations as a mechanism for creating uniform droplets in a free liquid jet. A stream of liquid naturally breaks into irregular droplets as it falls due to the Plateau-Rayleigh instability. In this work, droplet break-up was triggered by utilizing a motor with Arduino-based frequency control and stroboscopic visualization. The project achieved uniform droplet sizes for multiple liquids of different viscosities. Notably, this method demonstrated the creation of Dippin Dots-like confections at a STEM fair, engaging learners in the principles of physics and engineering. Future work will focus on the original goal of utilizing acoustics for droplet formation, aiming to refine the process and expand its industrial applicability.

Authors: Vy Dao, Devin Taylor, Danielle Taylor. Mentors: Devin Taylor, Danielle Taylor. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Epilepsy is one of the most common neurologic disorders affecting about 60 million people worldwide (Chen et al., Poduri and Lowenstein, 2011). Currently in the field, there are various methods being used for mechanical seizure induction using Drosophila melanogaster. This variability makes it difficult to compare findings from different research studies. We employed various mechanical seizure induction techniques currently used in Drosophila epilepsy research. We focused on both group testing as well as individual testing using different anesthesia parameters. For individual testing, epileptiform activity and locomotor activity were recorded in adult male Drosophila through mechanical seizure induction using a vortex assay at either 24-hours post- or 1-hour post-CO2 anesthesia. We also evaluated the time for 50% of adult drosophila recovery as indicated by a group climbing assay (10 flies per group) following mechanical seizure induction using a vortex assay at either 24-hours post- or 1-hour post-CO2 anesthesia. Finally, for each of the above testing parameters, we not only tested wild-type (WT) flies, but also multiple positive control seizure phenotype flies commonly used in mechanical seizure induction studies using Drosophila melanogaster. We found significant effects in both CO2 induction methods as well as in different genetically induced seizure phenotypes.

Authors: Akir Rowe, Hali Hutchinson, Kingdom Wanjoku. Mentors: Katrina Twing. Insitution: Weber State University. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals popularly used in electrical manufacturing companies from the 1930s - 1970s. PCBs, colloquially known as ‘forever chemicals’, are known to cause significant health concerns and are notoriously difficult to remove from an environment. PCBs are currently banned in the US; however, they can still be found in the environment due to improper disposal methods. This research aims to better understand ecological networks, genomic novelties, and potential bioremediation of microbes from PCB-contaminated environments. Microcosm cultures were developed to resemble the original conditions of the environmental samples, containing PCB-contaminated mud from Woods Pond, Lenox, Massachusetts, and filtered pond water with three different treatments: aerobic, anaerobic, and anaerobic with the addition of sulfate. These cultures have been growing for five months, showing signs of active microbial metabolism (e.g., rust patches in sediment gas production). The microcosms were used as inoculum for agar containing PCBs, and 30 PCB-tolerant colonies were isolated, with some belonging to known PCB-degrading taxa of Paenibacillus, Clostridium, Rhizobium, Methylversatalis, and Sphingobacteria. Future analyses will be conducted to (a) identify the microbial diversity within the microcosms via 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, (b) explore the metabolisms within the microcosms, and (c) further characterize the isolated PCB-tolerant bacteria. This data will aid further research to determine if and how these microbes metabolize PCB compounds.

Authors: Karissa Bauer, Kennedy Lewis, James Belnap, Andrew Torena, Braden Freestone, Luis Montenegro Calla. Mentors: Daniel Clark. Insitution: Weber State University. In the United States, 157 documented cases of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM) have been recorded between 1962 and 2022. In the 60 years since the first reported case, only four patients have survived; a 97.5% fatality rate. The causative agent responsible for the highly fatal infections, is the free-living, single-celled parasite, Naegleria fowleri— or the “brain-eating amoeba.” The aquatic thermophiles are opportunistic pathogens that inhabit a wide range of environments; from poorly maintained pools, moist sediment, rivers, lakes, etc. Exposure to N. fowleri invasion is reliant on direct contact with a host’s upper nasal mucosa, and the active parasite. Rapid deterioration of neural tissues occurs shortly after infection.Today, there is no universally accepted treatment plan for treating PAM infections. The CDC has recommended an empirical approach to treatment, and suggests utilizing combination drug-therapies. Suggested drugs include Amphotericin B, Azithromycin, Fluconazole, Miltefosine, and Rifampin. To better understand and evaluate the effects of these drugs on N. fowleri, a rescue-of-infection model was applied to test the efficacy of single and combination-drug treatments, at various time points. The model utilized an immortalized HeLa cell line that was infected with the amoebae until roughly 50% cytotoxicity was observed. The rescue stage commenced with drug additions, and HeLa cell metabolism, and apoptosis levels were monitored using fluorescence viability assays and caspase-3 enzyme detection systems. Drug combinations that included Rifampin and Amphotericin B, provided the greatest protection for human Hela cells against N. fowleri infections. Data collected from this model provides deeper understanding of Naegleria fowleri pathogenicity. This knowledge will aid the development of more reliable and efficient treatments for this devastating infection.

Authors: Logan Walker, Kate Coneys, Nick Tops, Russ Bailey. Mentors: Russ Bailey. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Background: Cultural humility is an influential concept in Multicultural Orientation therapeutic research (Owen et al, 2011). Cultural humility is defined as “a lifelong process of self-reflection and self-critique whereby the individual comes to value and respect cultural diversity, recognizes his or her own biases, and is open to learning from others" (Tervalon & Murray-Garcia, 1998, p. 117). Cultural humility practices attempt to address cultural differences in therapy. Therapy absent of cultural humility can run the risk of failing the needs of culturally diverse clients. Racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to experience premature termination (Owen et al., 2015). Premature termination is defined as when a client begins an intervention but discontinues prior to recovering from the problem that he or she sought treatment for against provider recommendations (Swift & Greenberg, 2012). Premature termination is a significant concern as those who do not complete an intervention are less likely to experience symptom relief or meet their treatment goals (Steinberg et al., 2019). hope to better understand the link between cultural humility and premature termination/treatment deterioration in therapy in college students. We hypothesize that lower therapist’s cultural humility will be associated with an increased likelihood to unilaterally terminate therapy prematurely or show treatment deterioration. Methods: Data was collected from students who participated in therapy at the Utah Valley University Student Health Services from 2021-2023. The sample size for this dataset is approximately 560 participants. We will use two different operationalizations of premature termination/treatment deterioration: 1. Clients who reported have attended therapy for at least 3 sessions, has at least 1 cultural humility datapoint, and reported feeling “worse than at intake” on an item of subjective progress during at the last attended session with no future sessions scheduled for at least 90 days. 2. Clients who scored worse or the same on well-being indictors (PHQ-9 and GAD-7) and reported feeling “the same as intake” or “worse as intake” on an item of subjective progress during the last attended session with no future sessions scheduled for at least 90 days.. Clients completed the Cultural Humility Scale (Hook, 2013) and microaggression items at the beginning of their 3rd session and then every 4 sessions (e.g., session 7, 11, etc.). Clients completed the PHQ-9, GAD-7, and subjective progress items at the beginning of every session. We will use logistic regression to see how cultural humility scores and microaggression frequency/impact predict premature termination/treatment deterioration. Results: Results from the analyses will be presented during the poster presentation Discussion: The results of the study will help us determine if therapist's cultural humility is related to client premature termination. If we find support for our hypothesis, this means that cultural humility is an important factor in therapeutic processes that has direct impact on the effectiveness for therapy interventions. However, rejecting our hypothesis may suggest that cultural humility is not an important aspect of premature termination. Limitations of this study include potential ceiling effects due to therapists striving to be cultural humble and thus limiting the variability in our sample.

Authors: Kate Coneys, Nick Top, Russ Bailey, Logan Walker, Julia Toomey. Mentors: Russ Bailey. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Background: Past literature has emphasized the importance of practicing culturally competent care and has shown that higher clinician cultural humility, as well as a lower frequency of microaggressions occurring in therapy, have been associated with more desirable therapeutic outcomes in retrospective, cross-sectional studies. However, research has also shown that patient outcomes appear to be unrelated to their therapist's experience level (Erekson et al., 2017), suggesting that more experience may not lead to being a more effective therapist, including more culturally humble. Despite the breadth of research on the significance of cultural competence, less is known about how a therapist's cultural humility changes across treatment with a particular client, or how a therapist’s cultural humility changes over an extended period. The aim of the current study is to examine this concept by analyzing both the relationship between the number of sessions spent working with a given therapist and a client’s rating of the clinician’s cultural humility, as well as the relationship between the average cultural humility rating of the therapist and time. We will also examine how the impact of microaggressions occurring in therapy changes during the course of therapy. Hypotheses: It is hypothesized that the results of this study will show a positive association between the number of sessions with the same therapist and their cultural humility, as rated by the client, as well as a negative association between the number of sessions and the impact of microaggressions reported by the client. Additionally, it is hypothesized that the therapist’s cultural humility rating over the entire course of data collection will not change to a statistically significant degree. Methods: We used archival data collected by Utah Valley University’s Student Health Services Counseling Center from August 2021 – September 2023. This archival dataset consists of 564 clients with at least one cultural humility and microaggression data point. Beginning at the third session, and occurring again every four sessions, clients were asked to rate their clinician’s cultural humility, using The Cultural Humility Scale (Hook et al., 2013), and report the frequency and impact of microaggressions that had occurred during the last four sessions. We will analyze the data using multi-level latent growth modelling. Results: Results will be presented as part of the poster presentation. Discussion: If the results of this study agree with the hypothesis, the implications may be that cultural humility improves over time with specific clients, potentially explained by growth of therapeutic alliance over time. However, it may also imply that a therapist’s cultural humility does not improve over extended time periods, showing that cultural humility appears to be static rather than dynamic. If the results do not agree with the hypothesis, this may imply that a client’s perception of their therapist’s cultural humility is static, but that over extended periods of time a therapist’s cultural humility can improve, implying that it is trainable. Sources: Erekson, D.M., Janis, R., Bailey, R.J., Cattani, K., Pedersen, T.R. (2017). A longitudinal investigation of the impact of psychotherapist training: Does training improve client outcomes? Journal of Counseling Psychology, 64(5), 514-524. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000252 Hook, J.N., Davis, D.E., Owen, J., Worthington, E.L., Utsey, S.O. (2013). Cultural humility: measuring openness to culturally diverse clients. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 60(3), 353-366. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032595

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