Fine Arts

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: Ellery White. Mentors: Yi Yin. Insitution: Utah Valley University. This study will examine the influence that parental political beliefs may have on students’ academic performance. Decades of research have formed empirical links between social- contextual factors and student academic achievement, and this paper will seek to identify whether parental political values play a role in the academic achievement of their children (Lee and Shute 2010; Yamamoto and Holloway 2010). Parental attitudes, behavior, and stylistic approaches to their child’s rearing and education have been extensively studied for how they impact educational outcomes (Pandey and Thapa 2017). This study fulfills the gap in research on the association between parental political beliefs and children’s academic performance. This adds to the academic discourse on the impact parents can have on their children in an academic setting by answering the following questions: How can the political beliefs of parents impact a students’ way of thinking and therefore ability to perform in school? Does the extremity of the parents’ political beliefs make a difference in the outcome of the child’s academic performance? A survey was distributed to a random sample of UVU students which measured their academic performance and the political beliefs of their parents. The statistical program SPSS will be used to conduct a multiple regression analysis to examine the relationship between the independent variable (parents’ political beliefs) and dependent variable (students’ academic performance) to see if there is an association between the two. I hypothesize that students with parents who have strong political beliefs are more likely to be impacted in their academic performance than students with parents who do not have strong political beliefs. Discovering the impact of parental political belief will open several important avenues of inquiry related to educational outcomes of students.

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: Genna Howard, Cameron John. Mentors: Cameron John. Insitution: Utah Valley University. In the history of psychology, the concept of soul played a significant role informing philosophy and theory. In the late 1800’s many questioned the concept of soul in favor of measurable concepts that aligned with the scientific method, distinguished from religious classification that were deemed unworthy of pursuit. In the emergence of the science method, the concept of soul faded and the field of psychology experienced soul-loss, becoming soul-less. After nearly 150 years, there is a movement in the field advocating for soul to return to its former status by shedding light back onto the soul. For some, soul is aligned with religious thought. Religions are experiencing a loss of congregants, members engaging in faith transitions, and experiencing soul-loss. This paper will compare and contrast what happened in psychology with the experiences of some in religious organizations while looking at how the emotion of fear plays a part in both organizations. The methodology utilizes historical concepts and experiences shared by the brave souls who are challenging the current beliefs in both fields. In addition, anecdotal, informal information provided by individuals close to the authors is used to emphasize the practical application of this crisis in psychology and religions with the goal of reigniting a passion for soul.

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: Lindsay Beekman. Mentors: Olga Kopp. Insitution: Utah Valley University. This research probes the primary historical newspapers of early 1900s Utah, providing insights into the cultural atmosphere of the time and the widespread support for the Eugenics movement throughout the state. Our findings indicate that out of 72 distinct newspaper articles discussing Eugenics in Utah between 1908 and 1938, 62 conveyed a positive perspective, 9 remained neutral, and only 1 expressed opposition. Notably, from 1947 to 1996, leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints administered the ‘Indian Student Placement Program’ or ‘Lamanite Placement Program,’ aligning with many Eugenics principles. Utah, like many places worldwide, embraced Eugenics with open arms.

Authors: Heidi Blaylock, Carter Leuba, Eddie Hill, Christina Aguilar, Carla Cox, Aiden Hill. Mentors: Eddie Hill. Insitution: Weber State University. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic disease that influences all health aspects. The self-determination theory (SDT) suggests that three psychological needs of competence, autonomy, and relatedness are necessary for motivation to engage in healthy behaviors. Through medical specialty camps, these needs can be met by educating campers on how to manage T1D and realize they are not alone. The volunteer-based, five-day, inaugural REACH teen/tween camp for youth with T1D was held at WSU. Camp activities were engineered around the three basic needs described by the SDT. These needs were promoted by physical and educational activities, and meeting friends. A pre and post evaluation was given. Two measures were significant with autonomy being the greatest, (M=3.93, SD= .75) to post test (M=4.49, SD= .56), with t(25) = -6.258, p= <.001), effect size r = 1.2 Blood glucose levels were collected through an online platform that allowed staff to monitor campers’ levels. The week's average blood glucose level was 152 mg/dL. This study explored the use of SDT to examine the effectiveness of a diabetes camp for youth and hopefully result in better physical and emotional health thus mitigating the risk of complications.

Authors: Brandon Rojas. Mentors: Kristen Arnold. Insitution: Weber State University. The Mountain Haven building in Salt Lake City, a mixed-use facility, offers a wide range of services, including housing, childcare, and healthcare. The Single Parent Project, a non-profit organization, is working to provide suitable housing solutions for single parents and their children. The primary challenge is creating a secure, private, and healthy living environment that supports the emotional, financial, and mental growth of single parents and their children. To address this challenge, the Mountain Haven building must be designed to meet the unique needs of single-parent families. This includes providing access to quality childcare, flexible work arrangements, and efficient household management solutions. It is also important to foster a sense of community and neighborliness and to ensure that single parents have access to affordable and safe housing in a safe neighborhood (Johnson, 1986). Additionally, the arrangement of the home should be flexible to accommodate both work and childcare responsibilities. The design of the Mountain Haven building should also consider the latest research on daycare centers, healthcare facilities, and interior design. This includes using materials that are free of harmful substances, creating spaces that promote learning and nurture children's development (Monoko, Mukurunge, Bhila, 2021), and using light and color to create a healing environment for parents and children to reduce stress and strengthen the mood, mind, and body. (Khaleghimoghaddam, 2023) By incorporating these principles into its design, the Mountain Haven building can provide single parents and their children with a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment in which to thrive.

Authors: Kennedy Parker. Mentors: Melinda Russell Stamp. Insitution: Weber State University. Role-playing is considered one of the most effective teaching strategies for training undergraduate clinical psychology students because it fosters active learning in a supportive and safe environment (Gibbs, 2019; Osborn & Costas, 2013). The literature is replete with studies that document the benefits of role-playing for clinical training. These benefits include the development of active-listening, perspective-taking, empathy, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, problem-solving, and increased enjoyment of course material (Dawood, 2013; Gibbs, 2019; Grose-Fifer, 2017). A challenge associated with classroom role-plays involves student reluctance to participate due to feelings of self-consciousness and anxiety associated with being negatively evaluated (Mallonee, 2018). There is limited research on the effectiveness of different role-play modalities which may include classmates role-playing with one another; as well as actors and virtual avatars role-playing with students. There have been mixed findings in the literature regarding whether students are more comfortable disclosing to virtual avatars or to actors in face-to-face encounters (Rogers et al., 2022; Roster & Chen, 2016). To date, there are no research studies comparing student perceptions of role-plays with virtual avatars to face-to-face interactions with actors in undergraduate psychology classes. For the current study, 60 undergraduate Psychology students were randomly assigned to either role-play with an avatar or an actor. Following the 25-minute role-plays, students completed surveys assessing perceived utility value, self-efficacy, level of anxiety, engagement, and future interest in role-playing. This preliminary study will compare the effectiveness of avatar and actor role-play modalities which will help educators better structure training for undergraduate students in clinical psychology.

Authors: Kiersten Gardner, Hannah Duffy, Abbey Blair, Nicholas Ashton, Porter Stulce, Dustin Williams. Mentors: Dustin Williams. Insitution: University of Utah. Transdermal antiseptic products as a method to decrease skin bioburden prior to surgeryKiersten Gardner(1,2), Hannah Duffy(1,2), Abbey Blair(2), Nicholas Ashton(2), Porter Stulce1(2), Dustin Williams(1,2,3,4)1 Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT2 Department of Orthopaedics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT3 Department of Pathology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT4 Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda MDIntroduction: Preoperative skin preparation (PSP) kits are used before surgery to prevent surgical site infection (SSI). These kits consist of alternating scrubs of alcohol and Chlorohexidine Gluconate (CHG) or Povidone Iodine (PVP-I). Transdermal antiseptic products like Ioban, Tegaderm, and Surgiclear are also used clinically to eradicate skin bacteria by releasing antiseptic over time. Despite these precautions, infections often occur, usually stemming from a patient’s endogenous skin flora. The bacteria causing SSI reside deep in dermal sweat glands and hair follicles, untouched by traditional PSP. To eliminate these bacteria, antiseptics must diffuse deeper into the skin at concentrations above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). We screened FDA-approved topical antiseptic products using a modified Kirby Bauer Assay to assess bacterial kill over time. We hypothesized that extended use of topical antiseptic products prior to surgery would kill deep-dwelling skin bacteria. We tested the extended use of these products on pig backs in conjunction with a CHG PSP to evaluate remaining bioburden. Methods:We determined the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for CHG and PVP-I against three common skin bacterial strains. We then took 6 mm biopsy punches of Tegaderm, Surgiclear, and Ioban and placed them on fresh bacterial lawns daily for 3 days. We measured the zones of inhibition (ZOI). Lastly, we applied the products to the backs of 4 Yorkshire pigs (n=4 products per test). After 48 h, we removed the products, performed a PSP- CHG scrub, and excised skin sections underneath the products. We homogenized the skin and quantified colony forming units (CFU)/g tissue. We analyzed the outcomes statistically using a mixed effects linear regression to determine significance.Results:The average MIC values for CHG and PVP-I were 2 and 2,000 ug/mL for Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. The average 24 h ZOIs for S. aureus were 7.9, 22.4, and 10.1 mm for Ioban, Tegaderm, and Surgiclear, respectively. The average log10 reduction for the CHG PSP, Ioban, Tegaderm, and Sugiclear were 1.87 ± 0.232, 1.65 ± 0.192, 1.69 ± 0.222, and 1.77 ± 0.316 CFU/cm2, respectively. The p values between the CHG PSP and Ioban, Tegarderm, and Surgiclear were 0.491, 0.572, and 0.746, respectively. Discussion:The benchtop data indicated adequate antiseptic diffusion and kill. In the porcine model, however; the presence of any of the products resulted in a statistically insignificant log reduction. Extended use of FDA-approved transdermal antiseptic products does not appear to decrease the skin’s bioburden. It appears that the products are not releasing high enough concentrations of the antiseptic to kill bacteria.

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: 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: 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: Tage T Burnett, Jakob G Bates, Christopher R Dillon, Matthew R Jones. Mentors: Christopher R Dillon. Insitution: Brigham Young University. In recent years, modeling and simulation have become more prominent in solving heat transfer problems. The accuracy and predictive power of heat transfer simulations is limited by the quality of the thermal properties used within the model. Thus, one method for improving computational accuracy is measuring thermal properties more precisely. Additionally, increased precision of thermal properties benefits other aspects of engineering including design and analysis. This research focuses on quantifying approximation errors in the widely adopted flash method for measuring thermal diffusivity. The flash method leverages several approximations to make it simple and easy to use; however, these approximations do not reflect reality and introduce measurement errors. Understanding these errors is critical for developing high-precision thermal diffusivity measurement techniques.In the flash method, the top surface of a small, cylindrical disc of material is subjected to a short pulse from a laser or flash lamp and the time-dependent temperature at the opposite surface is recorded. The thermal diffusivity is calculated using those temperature measurements in combination with a mathematical model. The accuracy of the flash method depends upon the accuracy of the mathematical model. One common mathematical model is the Parker Model. This model assumes that all of the energy from the pulse is deposited in an infinitesimally thin layer at the surface of the material and negligible heat is lost to the environment. These assumptions simplify the model, making it easy to use, but introduce errors into the measured thermal diffusivity.Computational methods can quantify these inaccuracies. Factors including heat lost to the environment, the temporal profile of the laser pulse, and the spatial distribution of the deposited energy can be incorporated into heat transfer simulations. Higher fidelity mathematical models can also be developed to account for these complexities. This project includes these and other factors to make simulations as realistic as possible. Various mathematical models, such as the Parker Model and higher fidelity models, are then used to calculate the thermal diffusivity from the resulting time-dependent temperature profiles and their measurements are compared to the simulated material’s true thermal diffusivity. Repeating this process for several material types will allow the precision of the models to be analyzed for each case. This analysis will be summarized at the conclusion of this project, providing a framework for developing more precise thermal diffusivity measurement techniques.

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: Asmaa Alsharif. Mentors: Sayeed Sajal. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Ransomware is malicious software which restricts users from accessing their computer and personal data through encryption. Ransomware attacks target a variety of victims including individuals, organizations, businesses, and governments. Attackers take control of this sensitive data and hold it hostage until a ransom is paid. Whether or not ransom is paid, the attackers’ damage can be irreparable. It includes but is not limited to exposing personal information, identity theft, blackmail, permanent deletion or corruption of valuable data, and Distributed Denial-of-service (DDos). Moreover, the financial implications of ransomware attacks are substantial. Victims face not only the direct costs of ransom payments, but also the expenses associated with system restoration and the potential fines for data protection violations. Furthermore, an ethical dilemma emerges from the response to extortion, as victims must grapple with the moral implications of potentially supporting criminal activities by paying ransoms to recover their data. This raises questions about the broader responsibility of stakeholders in cybersecurity and their duty to protect data privacy. The first ransomware attack emerged in 1989 and since then, ransomware attackers have persisted as a cybersecurity threat, striking at the core of data privacy. This paper delves into the multifaceted impact of ransomware incidents on data security, current ransomware techniques and strategies, and the ethical dilemmas they raise.Because ransomware attackers are constantly evolving their methods, it is important to routinely review the current literature to fully understand the tactics and techniques used by these cybercriminals. This research paper will review, analyze, and synthesize the existing literature about ransomware. It is crucial for individuals and organizations to be proactive, understand the nature of the threat, and take precautions to protect themselves and their data. This study encourages further research and discourse on the multifaceted impact of ransomware attacks on data privacy and the pursuit for effective countermeasures.

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: Matilda Gibb. Mentors: Ami Comeford. Insitution: Utah Tech University. Prior to 1930, cannabis was used frequently in therapeutic practices and was found in many over the counter health products. However, around this time what has been dubbed the “pot panic” began infecting American citizens. It was then the film Reefer Madness came onto the scene, exacerbating the public’s trepidation over the allegedly morally degrading effects cannabis inflicted. Putting melodrama at the forefront, the film exploits societal queasiness over sex, drugs, violent crime, and immigration to push its propagandist agenda. The fear mongering rhetoric and imagery used effectively poisoned the public and altered societal perceptions of medical and recreational cannabis use. The goal of this project is to analyze the rhetorical argument presented in the film and address its broader reach and effects. Lastly, I will argue that the message presented in Reefer Madness was not based on any logical argument; it was based on folklore.

Authors: Natalya Misener, John Wolfe. Mentors: John Wolfe. Insitution: Utah Tech University. In our effort to improve education and create a more inclusive learning environment, Natalya Misener and Professor John Wolfe from Utah Tech University are exploring the experiences of neurodivergent students in classrooms. Our goal is to better understand, support, and empower these students, challenging the way things are typically done. We believe it's important to understand that these conditions come in a variety of forms and affect both students and professors in the classrooms in ways that are not currently being discussed, especially as many minorities, especially women and people of color, go undiagnosed and unaccommodated for a variety of reasons. We believe that by educating professors and students alike on how classroom environments can be more supportive of neurodivergent students, we can benefit the entire classroom, including ‘typical’ students. To make this happen, we believe it's important to rethink how we organize our classes, assignments, and interactions, so that we don't have to rely too much on services like the Disability Resource Center (DRC). We have practical suggestions, like adjusting assignments and deadlines and creating a comfortable classroom environment. It's also crucial to be clear in our expectations and listen to what the students need. We ask some important questions, like whether students should consider their instructors' limitations and how students see disabled instructors in their journey to graduation as well. We call for a shift beyond just accommodating neurodivergent students. We want to encourage educators to think about how they can better support all students in their classrooms. It's urgent that we change how we approach neurodivergent students- in order to create a more inclusive, supportive, and successful environment for us all.

Authors: Rainey Hughes, Avalon Marker, Elizabeth Bouwhuis, Yeshaswini Dudde, Bryan Dopp, Scot Carington, Jared Nelson. Mentors: Daniel Clark. Insitution: Weber State University. Antibiotic resistance is a pressing concern within the medical community as bacteria's resistance to antibiotics is escalating alongside the increased usage of antibiotics. According to the CDC, there are close to 2.8 million antibiotic resistant infections every year, with about 35,000 of them resulting in death. This issue has prompted antibiotic stewardship programs in clinics and hospitals to avoid adding to the list of resistant bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus, including the formidable methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) strain, poses a grave threat due to its antibiotic resistance. The challenges stemming from this resistance become even more formidable when these infecting bacteria assemble into biofilms. Biofilms are robust, adhesive layers composed of bacteria and their extracellular matrices of polysaccharides, proteins, and DNA. In clinical environments like hospitals, biofilms frequently develop on medical devices such as stents, catheters, and IV lines, as well as on metal and plastic surfaces of medical equipment. These biofilms exacerbate antibiotic treatments due to incomplete eradication; the most resilient bacteria persist after exposure. There is evidence indicating that bacteriophages, which are viruses that will a target particular species or strain of bacteria, have the ability to encode depolymerases. These depolymerases can identify biofilms, adhere to them, and subsequently break down extracellular polymeric substances. Furthermore, bacteriophages can produce lysins, which induce bacterial cell death through cellular lysis. These characteristics can potentially render the bacteria more susceptible to antibiotics. The use of bacteriophages can also be beneficial when it comes to the concern of opportunistic infections. Due to its selectivity to specific bacteria, it can attack the target hosts and leave the natural flora intact.In our research, we have induced biofilms in our bioreactor. With these biofilms we have been able to test different concentrations of multiple antibiotics, including Vancomycin, Oxacillin, and Carbenicillin in combination with phage K at different concentrations. Our research is aimed at showing a synergistic relationship between phage K and antibiotics, that will allow a subinhibitory concentration of both, in combination, to induce a complete kill and clearance. We have measured this by evaluating bacterial growth via absorbance measurements at 600nm in a Tecan plate reader. We have also measured biofilm clearance using the plate reader and measuring fluorescence at 630nm with a biofilm tablet assay. It was found that a subinhibitory concentration of antibiotic alone did not induce a complete kill and clearing, and that a subinhibitory concentration of phage alone did not induce a complete kill and clearing. However, once these concentrations were used in combination with each other, the complete clearing and killing of MRSA was achieved, and furthermore, was achieved with the antibiotic that the staphylococcus aureus is resistant to. Leading us to believe that we have found a renewed use for a currently ineffective defense mechanism.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Michelle Stanley. Mentors: Baktybek Abdrisaev. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, much of Europe has been striving to reduce their dependence on Russian energy. Lithuania, however, began this process 11 years ago when Russia raised the price of Russian gas transported through Gazprom. Lithuanian leadership recognized the potential danger of being dependent on Russia and with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, those concerns proved to be well-founded. Through its history, Lithuania has experienced Russian oppression and has fought for its sovereignty. The history of Lithuania’s energy relationship with Russia from its declared independence from the Soviet Union in March 1990, its complete dependence on Russia for gas, and the process of becoming the first European Union country to become independent from Russian gas in May 2022. This is a case study which shows that: independence from Russian energy removes Russia’s coercive power over that country, the current European energy crisis is the culmination of long-standing European dependence on Russian energy, and that eventually European countries will have to reconcile with Russia. The article will outline three significant periods of time in Lithuania’s energy relationship with Russia: the Lithuania-Soviet Union energy relationship immediately before the fall of the Soviet Union, the process whereby Lithuania has pursued its energy independence from Russia since 1991, and Lithuania’s efforts to achieve full energy independence from Russia following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Authors: Rebecca Burton. Mentors: Doug Tree. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Programmable control of colloidal particles is important in various micro and nanoscale applications, including dynamic materials, targeted drug delivery, and nanorobotics. Current top-down manipulation methods, such as optical tweezers, offer control over a limited number of particles, restricting their applicability. Alternatively, active matter demonstrates self-assembly of numerous particles, exhibiting intriguing phase behavior such as clustering and collective rotation. However, active matter is more difficult to control. In this study, we hypothesize that introducing a controllable and chemically active "herder" particle to an active matter system will enable us to combine the precision of top-down control methods with the natural collective behavior of active matter. Specifically, we employ 2D Brownian Dynamics simulations to model the dynamic interactions among active Brownian particles. The herder emits a chemical gradient, causing a direct effect on the self-propulsion of surrounding particles. Localized alterations in reactivity result in a distinct phase transition near the herder. By focusing on the collective state of the particle system rather than individual particles, we attain a substantial scaling-up of user control over colloid behavior.

Authors: Cassandra Nelson, Braden Richards, Grace Van Buren, Fernando Gonzalez, Ian Kirkpatrick, Paul Dunn. Mentors: Paul Dunn. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Many organisms experience a life history pattern called ontogenescence, a high but declining mortality risk during early life. Ontogenescence can have a large effect on a population’s growth by limiting the number of new recruits to the population. Clearly, and yet paradoxically, death before reproductive maturity should be selected against, yet ontogenescence persists across many otherwise dissimilar organisms. Some intriguing hypotheses to explain this pattern have been proposed but have not been thoroughly tested. One of these hypotheses, acquisition of robustness as a function of age, is perhaps the most intuitive. The goal of our current research is to examine the validity of this hypothesis by using brine shrimp (Artemia franciscana) as a model organism.Tracking life-history traits like ontogenescence often requires the researcher to be able to follow an individual throughout its lifespan. In aquatic invertebrates, this means culturing animals individually, which can be quite difficult. Here we report on progress we are making with these culturing methods by testing how food availability and variety affect the early life mortality and development rate of brine shrimp in small-volume culture. Our null hypotheses are that neither of these variables will affect mortality or age to maturity in the animals. Our alternative hypotheses are that increased food availability and variety should lower mortality risk and age to maturity. To test our hypotheses, we hatched brine shrimp cysts in artificial seawater and placed individual artemia into wells of 6-well cell-culture plates filled with artificial seawater. We fed the shrimp one of several food treatments to see how diet affects development and mortality. In our first round of trials, we provided our animals with two different food concentrations (high food vs. low food) of the three food types we evaluated: a unicellular alga (Nannochloropsis), a cyanobacterium (Spirulina), and brewer’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). In our second set of trials, we provided the shrimp with less variety in their diet (only two of the three food types). As the artemia developed, we conducted regular water changes and monitored development and mortality. We tracked the fate of the artemia until all individuals had either died during development or reached adulthood. Our food availability trials resulted in no significant difference in either mortality risk during development or age at maturity based on food concentrations. Trials examining the effects of limiting the variety of food types are ongoing.

Authors: Noah James, Rebekah Hakala, Todd Spencer. Mentors: Todd Spencer. Insitution: Utah Valley University. The Relationship Among Attachment Styles, Couple Satisfaction, and Perceived StressNoah James, Rebekah Hakala, Todd SpencerIntroductionAttachment styles play a pivotal role in romantic relationships. According to existing research, individuals with fearful, dismissive, or preoccupied attachment styles tend to experience elevated stress levels (Candel & Turliuc, 2021; Waring et al., 2019). Conversely, those with secure or preoccupied attachment styles report greater relationship satisfaction (Candel & Turliuc, 2021). By exploring the relationship between attachment styles, stress, and relationship satisfaction we hope to foster healthier relationships and deepen our understanding of the interaction between attachment orientations and emotional well-being (Candel & Turliuc, 2021; Waring et al., 2019).AnalysisThe purpose of the present study is to examine the relationship among attachment styles and couple satisfaction and stress. Our sample consists of 411 married individuals. Participants completed the Perceived Stress Scale - short form (PSS-4; Cohen, Kamarck, & Mermelstein, 1983), The Relationship Questionnaire (RQ; Bartholomew & Horowitz, 1991), and Couple Satisfaction Index (CSI-4; Funk & Rogge, 2000). Results of the one way Anova were significant F (3,407) = 10.48, p=<.001. There was a significant difference in levels of relationship satisfaction among attachment styles. Secure attachment (M=15.66, SD = 2.44), fearful attachment (M=14.09, SD = 3.30), preoccupied (M=15.75, SD = 2.35), and dismissing (M=14.05, SD = 3.54). Results of the Bonferroni Post-hoc analysis indicated a significantly higher levels of couple satisfaction than fearful and dismissing attachment styles (p.<.001). There was no significant difference in level of relationship satisfaction between Secure and preoccupied attachment styles. Additionally, there was a significant difference in levels of perceived stress among attachment styles. Secure attachment (M=11.79, SD = 2.47), fearful attachment (M=13.91, SD = 2.55), preoccupied (M=13.20, SD = 3.35), and dismissing (M=11.81, SD = 3.54). Results of the Bonferroni Post-hoc analysis indicated a significantly lower levels of stress among securely attached compared to fearful and pre-occupied attachment styles (p.<.001). There was no significant difference in level of stress between Secure and dismissing attachment styles. Results provide empirical support that secure attachment styles tend to be beficial for both relationship satisfaction and perceptions of stress. Further, dismissive attachment styles reported similar levels of stress as securely attached participants but had the lowest level of relationship satisfaction.

Authors: Alley Fausett, Megan Ritter Martin, Kristin Davenport, Malisa Brooks, Kent Hinkson. Mentors: Kent Hinkson, Malisa Brooks. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Background: University students oftentimes face challenges with well-being and mental health, including depression, anxiety, sleep problems, PTSD, and suicide ideation/behaviors. However, previous research in some areas such as depression and its impact on student’s academic performance has remained generally inconclusive because of the contradictory findings that have often been reported. For example, one study will find a moderate association between grade point average (GPA) and depression, while another will in turn fail to find a significant relationship. Thus, more research is needed beyond simple correlations between GPA and depression to understand possible mechanisms and pathways. The current research hypothesizes that depression symptoms will either not be related or be weakly related to GPA but will be significantly associated with several possible mediating variables such as “turning in assignments late”, “having withdrawn from a class”, and “being placed on academic probation.”Methods: University students (n = 1,359) were recruited to participate in this study from dozens of universities across the United States in 2021. Data was collected anonymously and confidentially through a targeted online survey. Students were compensated with a $10 Amazon gift card for their participation. Zero order correlations were conducted to examine the relationship between variables of interest, which may lead to possible mediating pathways.Results: No statistically significant correlation was observed between depression symptoms and academic performance among students. Yet, several other measures of academic performance beyond GPA were found to have negative relationships with depression including five questions of particular academic activity and items such as withdrawing from class, being placed on academic probation, etc. Further, the strength and significance of the relationship between depression symptoms and these measures of academic performance were stronger and more pronounced in those in their Freshman and Sophomore years. Additionally, the relationships were weaker during their Junior and Senior years, and practically non-existent in graduate programs.Conclusion: In summary, our study contributes to the growing number of often-contradictory studies demonstrating a sometimes-yes, sometimes-no relationship between depression and GPA. However, our study goes beyond this binary comparison to explore other variables of academic performance and found several significant relationships that can help the field better understand the impacts of depression on student’s performance. These findings emphasize the importance of addressing mental health for better academic outcomes for university students. Implementing targeted support systems and interventions within educational institutions could benefit students’ overall well-being and improve academic performance.

Authors: Leif Ravnsen. Mentors: Scott Abbott. Insitution: Utah Valley University. After years of drought and water mismanagement Great Salt Lake is facing a crisis that is and will continue to directly affect everyone that lives along the Wasatch Front. As the water levels recede and expose the lakebed, the toxic materials within are disturbed out of the parched ground to poison our air. This issue also impacts our famous snow, as the lake moisture which would help rejuvenate our water supply diminishes into a feedback loop of ever increasing scarcity. According to a scientific report published on BYU’s website, our best hope for averting this crisis is water conservation. This project aims to accomplish two broad goals to help educate people about the need for this conversation: examine the issues surrounding the crisis within an interdisciplinary framework and create more ways for people to connect personally with Great Salt Lake. This project leverages many different perspectives and methods toward these ends, with theological appeals, expert interviews, examinations of the ecological and cultural impacts, comparisons to contemporary conservation efforts, focus articles on the local flora and fauna, and creative works in various formats. The Lake of Salt website will be added to the network of conservationists working toward the positive resolution of this ecological crisis, to help shed the fog of apathy and bring more hands to this great, but not insurmountable, task.

Authors: Kathryn Hales. Mentors: Sarah Steimel. Insitution: Weber State University. College students are exposed to a lot of stress, and it can impact their college experience and success. This mixed-methods study helps explain how current Weber State students’ communication with faculty is affected by stressors. Students responded to a survey we created by compiling questions from four existing studies. They answered questions on how they experience and respond to stress and how they communicate in the classroom. Interviews were also conducted to gain a more in-depth understanding of what instructors do, and whether it is helpful or not for relieving stress in the classroom. The results show statistical evidence of a relationship between stress and the type of communication students will engage in with their instructors. Instructors’ preparedness and style of communication also influences a student’s willingness to participate and communicate with their instructor.

Authors: Nathan Klundt, Violeta Vasilevska. Mentors: Violeta Vasilevska. Insitution: Utah Valley University. In electrical power networks, phase measurement units (PMUs) are sensors used to monitor the network. However, these PMUs are very costly, hence the electric company are interested in using the minimum number of PMUs that will ensure that they can observe the whole network. This real-life problem is modeled in graph theory as a graph coloring game. Namely, the power domination problem [2, 3] in graph theory is concerned with finding a minimum number of these sensors needed to color (observe) the entire graph (network) according to a set of rules. We consider two variants of this coloring problem. The k-fault-tolerant power domination [3] is asking to find minimum number of PMUs needed to observe (color) the whole network (graph) even when k number of the PMUs are faulty but allows only one PMU to be placed on an electric node (vertex). The other variant, called robust power domination [1], asks the same as fault tolerant power domination, but allows for multiple PMUs to be placed on the same electric node (vertex). In this presentation, we introduce these coloring problems through examples, and provide some theoretical bounds on the minimum number of PMUs needed for various families of graphs for both k-fault-tolerant and robust power domination problems. References: [1] Beth Bjorkman and Esther Conrad. (2023). Introduction to Robust Power Domination. arXiv:2305.13430. [2] Dennise J. Brueni and Lenwood S. Heath. The PMU placement problem. SIAM Journal on Discrete Mathematics, 19(3): 744-761, 2005. [2] Teresa W. Haynes, Sandra M. Hedetniemi, Stephen T. Hedetniemi, and Michael A. Henning. Domination in graphs applied to electric power networks. SIAM Journal on Discrete Mathematics, 15(4): 519-529, 2002. [3] Kung-Jui Pai, Jou-Ming Chang, and Yue-Li Wang. Restricted power domination and fault-tolerant power domination on grids, Discrete Applied Mathematics, 158(10):1079–1089, 2010.

Authors: Joshua Zander, Angel Rodriguez, Mason Davis, Edwin Nazario Dejesus, Mohammad Shekaramiz, Mohammad A S Masoum, Abdennour Seibi. Mentors: Mohammad Shekaramiz. Insitution: Utah Valley University. The proposed approach of using computer vision and autonomous drones for inspecting small wind turbines is a significant step towards improving the efficiency and safety of wind turbine inspections. The use of DJI Mini 3 Pro and Matrice 300 drones in conjunction with DJI’s Mobile SDK, which allows for programmed flights, enables the drones to fly autonomously and capture high-quality images of the wind turbines. The images are then processed using object detection with YOLOv8, which can accurately detect the turbines. Navigation is based on both GPS and object detection, which ensures that the drones can navigate accurately and avoid any obstacles. The proposed approach is expected to reduce the cost and time required for wind turbine inspections, while also improving the accuracy of the inspection process. This approach can be used to inspect wind turbines in remote locations, which are difficult to access, and can help identify any issues with the turbines before they become major problems.The proposed approach has the potential to revolutionize the wind energy industry by making wind turbine inspections more efficient and cost-effective. The use of computer vision and autonomous drones can help reduce the need for human intervention in the inspection process, which can be dangerous and time-consuming. The proposed approach can also help improve the accuracy of the inspection process by providing high-quality images of the turbines. This can help identify any issues with the turbines before they become major problems, which can help reduce the risk of accidents and improve the safety of the wind energy industry.

Authors: Mikaela Cowles, Joseph Jensen. Mentors: Joseph Jensen. Insitution: Utah Valley University. We are developing a newly calibrated distance ladder based on surface brightness fluctuations (SBF) to decrease systematic uncertainties in the current measurement of the Hubble Constant. James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) observations of 14 nearby elliptical galaxies are now being observed to measure a new zero point for SBF distances independent of Cepheids. We have recently acquired 69 images of massive early-type galaxies using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). These HST distances have doubled the number of galaxy distances measured using SBF and will be combined with past SBF surveys to calculate the Hubble Constant to help resolve the Hubble tension. These distances will be added to the Cosmicflows-4 database to help map the mass distribution in the local universe. This project will continue with the allocation of an additional 123 HST orbits, from which we expect to add ~40 galaxies in 2024.

Authors: Asher Mitchell, Neil Chilson. Mentors: Neil Chilson. Insitution: Utah State University. With the rapid adoption of Artificial Intelligence marked by the release of OpenAI’s GPT model and a number of similar models, concerns are being raised about the potential for centralization of control over the technology, which could have implications like control of user data, increased political influence, lack of user choice, and several other potential issues.This paper focuses on an alternative to the currently proposed solutions to this threat; creating a separate regulatory agency for the technology, or legislating conformity to specific standards. We focus instead on different interoperability-based solutions that allow end users to tap into the source code, giving them the ability to ensure control of their data and allowing for competition in the AI market.

Authors: Leif Ravnsen

Authors: Amanda Kanno Davis. Mentors: Jerry Petersen. Insitution: Utah Valley University. In December of 1941, following the attack by the nation of Japan on Pearl Harbor, the United States experienced a period of anti-Japanese sentiment which was directed at both Japanese immigrants as well as Japanese-American citizens. The rhetorical theories of Aristotle, Lloyd Bitzer, Kenneth Burke, and Byron Hawke show that the United States government actively participated in the anti-Japanese hysteria of World War II through its use of propaganda, executive orders, and public proclamations. The result of this hysteria was the breach of civil liberties for over 120,000 Japanese people, approximately two-thirds of whom were American citizens. This research demonstrates the rhetorical methods employed by the U.S. government and examines modern-day concerns regarding the possibility of recurrence.

Authors: Lisa Bell, Kelsey Hixon Bowles, Joni Hayward Marcum, Maren Neild, Asmaa Alsharif. Mentors: Lisa Bell. Insitution: Utah Valley University. With the development of artificial intelligence and its breakthrough into the academic sphere, some might argue that artificial intelligence is a better and more effective tutor than human tutors. However, it’s important to acknowledge that peer tutoring itself aligns with High-Impact Practice (HIPs) as coined by George Kuh, and it effectively leverages each core element of HIPS. As a high-impact practice, tutoring enhances student engagement, critical thinking skills, and overall academic and personal development and success. Although evidently peer tutoring aligns with HIPs criteria, it is severely underrepresented in HIPs research and discussions, warranting a closer examination and recognition in the academic community. By integrating writing center research with High-Impact Practices (HIPs) and original Institutional Review Board (IRB) research, this presentation establishes peer tutoring as a High-Impact Practice (HIP) and underscores its significance in education, even in the era of advancing artificial intelligence.

Authors: Alexander Goslin, Hazel Ticas, Morgan Covarrubias. Mentors: Daniel Scott. Insitution: Utah Valley University. In the evolving realm of personal care product development, striking a balance between ingredient choice, manufacturing intricacies, and consumer demands is pivotal. As the industry grapples with escalating costs and the clamor for novelty, there's an imperative to find methods that refine the development pathway, keeping both product quality and cost-effectiveness in check. Machine Learning (ML) emerges as a promising contender, proposing a data-centric route to formulation - from discerning patterns to forecasting efficacies, and even creating formulas themselves. This study delves into the intricacies of leveraging ML for personal care formulations, specifically emphasizing its role in substituting ingredients to either amplify a product's qualitative facet or reduce production costs. Despite the allure of ML, its integration into personal care isn't without challenges, given the industry's unique regulatory, consumer-centric, and trend-driven landscape. Through rigorous testing, evidence-based enhancements, and in-depth analysis, we aim to shed light on ML's functional dynamics in cosmetic formulations, underscoring both its potential dividends in cost and quality.

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: Elise Bennett, Megan Frisby, Rob Hess, Max Taylor, Erin Riggs, Alma Laney. Mentors: Alma Laney. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Beet curly top virus (BCTV) is a highly destructive virus found in most of the Western United States characterized by curling of the leaves, yellowing, and lack of produce. Historically, BCTV was a key factor in the decline of sugar beet production in Utah, formerly a large factor in the state economy. Commonly found in beets, tomatoes, and peppers, BCT is vectored by the beet leafhopper, Circulifer tenellus, as it feeds on the phloem tissue. Novel hosts of this virus found in Utah include sunflower, mallow, eggplant, hemp, big sagebrush, and Solanum jamesii, the Four Corners potato. Sunflowers showed symptoms of curled leaves and stunting. Similarly, the eggplant developed shriveled leaves and a mosaic at the leaf tips. Four Corners potato, a staple food source of the Indigenous peoples of the Southwest, displayed strong symptoms including stunting, leaf yellowing, and leaf curling. Weedy species and other garden plants displaying various viral symptoms were also collected for testing. Detection was done using published BCTV detection primers and rolling circle amplification with the use of Phi29 polymerase to prepare the genome for whole genome sequencing. A 518 bp region was sequenced to 4x coverage from eight host samples. To ensure the validity of diagnosis, a triple antibody sandwich ELISA was performed confirming the results. Considering the history of BCTV in relation to the agriculture industry of Utah, the discovery of novel hosts is cause for concern since this virus is adaptable and limits crop yield. The diagnosis of BCTV in native plants, such as the Four Corners potato and the big sagebrush, is pressing as it these local flora are unique to the region. The verification of BCTV in these novel hosts allows for the agriculture industry of Utah to prepare prevention methods including the monitoring of beet leafhoppers and increased integrated pest management strategies are needed to protect our local environment.

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: Annika Wood. Mentors: Michael Rotter. Insitution: Utah Valley University. The Asteraceae is the most common plant family in Utah County, Utah. With over 79 genera and 238 species, it is also the most diverse family. Due to this substantial size and diversity, the genera of the Asteraceae have traditionally been placed into tribes. This confusing taxonomic situation has made the Asteraceae a noticeable but difficult group to identify. In particular the beginning botany students and non-technically trained citizens often can recognize the Asteraceae but have trouble distinguishing the many species. To help with this issue, we are creating a guide to the tribes and genera of the Asteraceae of Utah County. This key will provide a general view of which genera are connected and which are not. Knowing these patterns and differences could prove to be useful information for those who wish to know more about the fantastic plants that grow within Utah County. The course of action for creating these keys include research of the specimens in Utah Valley University's herbarium as well as other online herbariums. For the tribes we are specifically researching the distinct taxonomic classifications for each tribe individually as well as what connects them together. When those connections and distinctions are laid out in an understandable key, we will further create keys for each genera in the tribes. The end result we hope will be a useful and informative tool for identifying plants in the Asteraceae family.

Authors: Brayden Roberts, Joshua Lothringer, Denise Stephens. Mentors: Joshua Lothringer. Insitution: Utah Valley University. We present theoretical model fits to the spectra of two complex cloudy L-type brown dwarfs, VHS 1256b (L8) and J0624 (L5). Using the James Webb Space Telescope’s (JWST) Near Infrared Spectrograph (NIRSpec) and Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI), we get the complete spectra from 0.6-28 microns. We first fit the data using two forward model grids from the Sonora group to estimate the temperature and cloud properties of our object. Then, we apply a modified retrieval fitting code called PICASO, to make more complex fits to our observations. We conclude that forward models struggle to accurately fit our objects, while PICASO’s complex modeling can help us better understand what physics and chemistry could be lacking from our forward models.

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: Megan Wesenberg, Britain Jeppesen, Brianna McDaniel. Mentors: Jodie Lopez. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Abstract: Hydroxyapatite is a natural substance found in bones and the enamel of teeth. When hydroxyapatite is compromised, demineralization begins to occur which can eventually lead to cavities. There are many fluorides on the dental market, some having negative connotations associated with them. Hydroxyapatite products have been explored as an alternative for traditional fluorides to create similar effects without the potential for toxicity. Fluorosis is the main toxicity point addressed. Many patients are apprehensive of the use of fluorides due to possible overconsumption and uncontrolled levels within the local water supply. Because Hydroxyapatite is very biocompatible, access to it does not pose any toxic concerns. Using this alternate material allows these patients access to similar benefits in the oral cavity that fluoride would provide them while also being considerate of their personal beliefs and concerns. Caries are an extremely prevalent issue within the dental office, accounting for pain in patients and a majority of treatment done daily. Caries are very prevalent in the adult population. Hydroxyapatite is a useful substance in caries prevention, another similarity that it has in common with fluorides. Remineralization of these early carious lesions through the aid of hydroxyapatite leads to avoidance of more invasive treatment at a later date. A common use for fluoride is limiting sensitivity of teeth that can be felt from a variety of different stimulants within the oral cavity. Hydroxyapatite can also be used as a desensitizing agent. Hydroxyapatite enters dentin tubules and blocks them, limiting nerve stimulation within the dental pulp.

Authors: Tyler R Shaver, Lainey S Smith, Michael T Stevens. Mentors: Michael T Stevens. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Clay phacelia (Phacelia argillacea) was placed on the endangered plant list in 1978; at that time there were less than a dozen specimens alive at a single location on private land. This year, that same location, a steep hillside in Spanish Fork Canyon, had over 300 individuals. For the past four years, at suitable sites on public land nearby, we have been planting clay phacelia seeds and monitoring seedlings to understand the factors that will lead to successful establishment of this plant on public land. Following the planting of 32,400 seeds in 2020 and 13,500 in 2021, germinants that emerged were monitored and counted in the spring, summer, and fall each year between 2021 and 2023. In 2021, ten seedlings emerged, and of those six survived to produce seed. In 2022, 110 seedlings emerged, and of those 3 survived to produce seed. In 2023, 30 seedlings emerged, and of those four have survived as of the last monitoring trip. It is interesting to note that although emergence across the three years varied by as much as 11-fold, the number of plants that survived to reproduce was uniform and consistently low. The majority of seedlings that survived to produce seeds emerged in the late summer and fall. It is likely that monsoonal rains that occur in the late summer and fall make clay phacelia seed production more probable.