Fine Arts

Authors: Hunter Mitchell, Grace Carsey, Maria Balaceanu, Peg Bird, Bridger Lisonbee, Dannelle Larsen-Rife. Mentors: John Jones. Insitution: Utah Tech University. Early experiences in the home have long-term effects on health and well-being. This study will examine the connections between parenting styles and coping mechanisms, shedding light on their implications for child development and adult mental health and well-being. Parenting styles looked at in this study, specifically authoritarian has varied views on expectations, discipline, and rewards (Doepke & Zilibotti, 2017). Parenting styles have been shown to impact how children express themselves, and more specifically their expression of anger (Radomir-Beliţoiu, 2019). The expression of anger may indicate a deficiency in healthy coping skills. When individuals are found without healthy ways of coping, they become increasingly vulnerable to mental health disorders and poor relationship satisfaction. Based on our current understanding we believe that an authoritarian parenting style will be positively correlated with unhealthy coping mechanisms such as avoidance, substance use, and self-criticism. Adult participants (N = 100) varying in ethnicity and age will be recruited to complete the Brief Cope Questionnaire (Carver, 1997) and an adaptive version of the Parenting Styles and Dimensions Questionnaire (PSDQ; Robinson, Mandleco, Olsen, & Hart, 2001) to assess their parent's style of parenting and their ability to cope with challenges. We will run an ANOVA on the collected data using SPSS. We expect to see a correlation between parenting styles and children’s coping skills. It is anticipated that there will be a strong positive correlation in unhealthy coping skills and parental strategies. This study may suggest the importance of educating children and young adults in healthier coping skills and adults in healthy parenting strategies. This education may aid in reducing the frequency and intensity of mental health crisis in adults.

Authors: Patrick R Davies II. Mentors: Acacia Overono. Insitution: Utah Valley University. While there is a dedicated area of the brain for recognizing faces, the efficacy of recognition tasks can vary depending on the context under which they’re performed. The existing literature is undecided on whether anxiety helps or harms tasks relating to emotional content recognition, and some studies have taken steps into researching memory as an additional layer to these recognition tasks. A preliminary study was performed with 16 participants using virtual reality to study the effects of acute anxiety on the ability to correctly identify faces. Participants played either a brief horror game or a brief virtual sandbox in order to induce a desired emotional state, then were asked to complete a brief paired-face identification paradigm. Initial results show that anxiety strengthens identification of neutral emotionally-valent face pairs. Further results may clarify the relationship between anxiety and face identification processes.

Authors: Jared Barrot, Mackenzie Burr, Isaac Packer, Peyton Worley, Delaney Anderson, Jack Davis, Jeffrey Okojie, Ken Dixon. Mentors: Jared Barrott. Insitution: Brigham Young University. In cancer diagnosis, drug testing, and treatment, analysis is done almost exclusively on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples, a process known to cause chemical cross-linking, DNA fragmentation, and degradation. With the push for genetic testing and personalized medicine, cryopreservation of tissue samples has started to gain traction in the research community. We utilized FFPE samples and cryopreserved samples, extracted DNA, and compared the samples using three criteria: DNA purity, quality, and yield. DNA yield, measured on nanograms of DNA to milligrams of tissue basis, demonstrated a five times the yield in cryopreserved samples than in FFPE. DNA purity did not show significant differences between a cryopreserved tissue sample versus a FFPE tissue sample, confirming valid use of FFPE storage methods if purity is the only factor; however, DNA quality was significantly better in cryopreserved tissue samples, with nearly twice the DNA quality number (DQN) than FFPE samples demonstrated, with significant portions of longer base pair DNA fragments present, widening the range of molecular applications of the sample. These cryopreserved tissues provide higher DNA quality, a higher percentage of significantly longer DNA fragments, and increased DNA yield from individual samples, confirming that cryopreservation is a better option than FFPE when it comes to choosing tissue preservation and storage methods. More molecular assays and tests can be run, and smaller samples are necessary when utilizing cryopreservation, proving it to be a better option than the “gold standard” of FFPE, particularly in regards to cancer diagnosis, drug testing, and treatment exploration.

Authors: Peg Bird, Maria Balaceanu, Grace Carsey, Tiffanee Suhaka, Hunter Mitchell, Ives Hong, Tara Caplin, Ed Wu, John T Jones, Dannelle Larsen-Rife. Mentors: John T Jones. Insitution: Utah Tech University. This study examines the relationship between perfectionism and self-compassion. Perfectionism may be beneficial, but often promotes unrealistically high self-imposed standards, a preoccupation with making mistakes, and a compulsivity toward order, leading to self-criticism and self-loathing. Perfectionism results in persistent feelings of failure, indecision, procrastination, and shame, which negatively impact relationships, work-life satisfaction, and overall well-being (Enns et al., 2001; Frost et al., 1993). Self-compassion is directing warmth and care toward oneself during times of suffering and comprises three core components: self-kindness (offering oneself warmth during adversity), common humanity (acknowledging shared suffering), and mindfulness (approaching the experience of pain with presence and curiosity) (Neff, 2003). Self-compassion is associated with mental health and well-being, including a stable sense of self-worth, increased resilience, life satisfaction, and perspective-taking. Furthermore, self-compassion negatively correlates with anxiety and depression, reduced fear of failure, perfectionism, and self-criticism (Barnard et al., 2011; Neff, 2003; Neff et al., 2006). This correlational study will recruit approximately 100 adult participants to evaluate associations between perfectionism and self-compassion. Participants will complete the Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale and the Self-Compassion Scale (Frost et al., 1990; Neff, 2003). We anticipate a negative correlation between self-compassion and perfectionism, with higher levels of self-compassion corresponding with lower levels of perfectionism. If this prediction is supported by the data, the study’s outcomes will extend existing research on the potentially deleterious effects of perfectionism and pave the way for the development of interventions aimed at improving mental health outcomes among individuals adversely impacted by this trait.

Authors: Jude Werth. Mentors: Alex Shcheglovitov. Insitution: University of Utah. Glioblastoma (GBM) is the deadliest brain tumor that affects more than 10,000 people a year. Unfortunately, our understanding of the mechanisms disrupted by GBM is extremely limited. We are unable to safely manipulate brain cells in live patients, and the complexity of human brain networks are difficult to recapitulate in animals. This study employs brain organoids, derived from induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs), to model the impact of GBM on neural activity. Organoid batches, grown under normal conditions and co-cultured with GBM cells, were monitored using microelectrode arrays (MEA) to record power in frequency bands. Over time, drugs influencing neural activity were introduced. Significant behavioral distinctions were observed between control and GBM-cultured organoids. Under Bicuculline and Tetrodotoxin, power in GBM organoids exhibited dramatic changes compared to the minimal difference in control organoids. Conversely, 4-Aminopyridine induced increased high-frequency activity exclusively in control organoids. Correlating power in frequency bands with spike activity, this study provides insight on how brain tumors influence neural networks, furthering disease comprehension to eventually develop effective treatment for patients.

Authors: Trenton M. Gibson, Brett E Pickett. Mentors: Brett E Pickett. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Lynch Syndrome, formerly known as Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer, is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by non-functional DNA mismatch repair genes, leading to mismatch repair deficiency (dMMR). Individuals with dMMR have an increased risk of developing cancerous tumors with microsatellite instability (MSI). The aim of this study was to investigate significant perturbations in gene expression among different dMMR variants within Lynch Syndrome, specifically focusing on variants in the PMS2, MLH1, and MSH2 loci. We obtained 55 public RNA-seq human colorectal tumor samples with specific germline dMMR mutations and 20 samples of healthy colorectal epithelium from the GENE Expression Omnibus (GEO). These samples were subjected to a robust RNA-seq data preprocessing and analytical workflow, which involved quality control, trimming, read pseudomapping and quantification using Salmon, identification of significant differentially expressed genes using edgeR, and gene ontology enrichment analysis using Camera. Signaling pathway impact analysis (SPIA) was employed to assess gene pathway perturbations. Our results revealed that tumor samples from individuals with germline mutations in the PMS2 MMR gene exhibited transcriptomic profiles indicating upregulation in pathways related to intrinsic and extrinsic prothrombin activation, fibrinolysis, and uPA/uPAR-mediated signaling, in comparison to other tumor and healthy samples. Previous research has established a correlation between these pathways and tumor growth, invasiveness, and metastasis. These findings provide a foundation for further research to explore the interactions between PMS2 and these pathways in influencing tumor development.

Authors: Natalia Rubio, Madison Farrer. Mentors: Christopher Anderson. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a neuroimaging technique used to monitor brain activity by measuring the changes in blood oxygenation levels, especially when presented with stimuli or given tasks. This is due to the principle that active brain regions require more oxygen, resulting in changes of blood flow and concentrations of hemoglobin. These observable results are achieved by diodes placed on the surface of the scalp that emit near-infrared (NIR) light into the skull. The absorption of this light by the hemoglobin in the brain’s blood vessels is then detected, localizing neural activity. Due to its portability and cost-efficient nature, fNIRS is being widely used across various fields of research and clinical applications whereas other neuroimaging methods might be less feasible or practical. Psychologists and neuroscientists are able to utilize fNIRS to understand how different regions of the brain are involved in various cognitive processes. It has been used in studying conditions like Alzheimer's disease, stroke, traumatic brain injury, autism, schizophrenia, mood disorders, and dementia. In the context of dementia research, fNIRS has emerged as a promising tool . While fNIRS has a low spatial resolution with measurements restricted to the outer cortex of the brain, it enables the study of the progression of dementia by providing real-time data and offering relative tolerance to subject motion. In fact, a neuro-clinic in Provo, Utah (Cognitive FX) has been studying the use of this fNIRS technique on patients with dementia while they perform language tasks. Although no patient data will be used in this study, the use of fNIRS as a technique to learn about the progression of dementia is noteworthy. Therefore, following IRB approval I will perform semi-structured qualitative interviews with two neuro-technicians using fNIRS in this clinic. Items will focus on the strengths and challenges of using fNIRS with dementia patients. Additionally, I will shadow these technicians to gain hands-on experience. Qualitative results will be analyzed and presented. It is anticipated that this research project will raise awareness of the use of fNIRS as a technique in neuroscience as well as its potential to benefit those with dementia.

Authors: Ellie P. Evans, Mmadili Ilozumba, Sheetal Hardikar, Neli Ulrich, Jennifer Ose. Mentors: Mmadili Ilozumba. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Cachexia is a complex syndrome characterized by severe weight loss and muscle wasting. It is also a prevalent complication in various chronic diseases, including cancer and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Recent research has underscored the pivotal role of the gut microbiome in systemic well-being. Furthermore, it has been shown that cancer patients suffering from cachexia have unique bacteria composition in the gut compared to that of non-cachectic patients. In the absence of stool samples, there are a few metabolites in the circulatory system that can be directly linked to gut microbiota. Examples include bile acids, and short chain fatty acids as metabolites produced by specific Phylum. The presence of these gut microbiota derived metabolites (GMDM) in the circulation indicate a compromise in the integrity of tight junctions in the intestines. These results prompted an investigation of GMDM as an indicator of gut permeability. Our hypothesis is that an increased concentration of GMDM in the circulation is linked to gut permeability, leading to the development of cachexia in patients with colorectal cancer.  This literature review provides a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between gut permeability and cachexia, seeking to identify which GMDMs are the most accurate indicators of specific bacteria linked to gut permeability, and subsequently, are accurate projectors of cachexia.  Acetic acid, a short chain fatty acid (SCFA) is a GMDM detected in the plasma of patients with gut permeability. Acetic acid makes up about 60% of the SCFAs produced by a healthy gut flora and 90% of it is produced by the genus Bifidobacterium. Our literature review will cover how closely a measurement of acetic acid and other GMDMs measured in plasma can be linked to gut permeability and to Bifidobacterium levels in the gut. Similarly, Indole is a GMDM produced by Escherichia coli and other indole-producing bacteria. Indole isn’t produced naturally anywhere else in the body. When it is naturally absorbed into the liver through the portal vein, it’s mostly converted into indoxyl sulfate. The heightened presence indole in plasma in sulfate-free forms could indicate that indole is being absorbed through holes in the tight junctions of the intestines, rather than through the portal vein. This information would allow cohorts that have collected plasma samples in the past to measure gut permeability by proxy, even if they’re unable to investigate the gut microbiota and metabolites present from stool samples. These connections found could further help us to use-already collected samples to find accurate biomarkers for early cachexia development in cancer patients. If an oral presentation is unavailable, a poster presentation would be great.

Authors: Ana Paulina Medellin-Alvarez, Jared Almazan, Tursun Turapov, David A. Kircher, Karly A. Stanley, Gennie L. Parkman, MiKaela N. Field, Katie M. Culver, Silvia Coma, Jonathan A. Pachter, Howard Colman, Sheri L. Holmen. Mentors: Sheri Holmen. Insitution: University of Utah. Despite promising results from recent FDA-approved therapies, many advanced melanoma patients develop resistance to both immunotherapy and targeted therapy. A common resistance mechanism to targeted therapy is upregulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which has also been shown to promote the development of melanoma brain metastases. Historically, AKT inhibitors have failed in the clinic due to their limited efficacy or intolerable toxicity. Proteomic analysis comparing non-metastatic vs brain metastatic primary tumors in mice revealed focal adhesion kinase (FAK) as an AKT1 specific effector and a potential alternative therapeutic target. FAK is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase that localizes primarily to focal adhesions to regulate cell migration. To determine whether targeting FAK alone or in combination with the RAF/MEK inhibitor avutometinib reduces brain metastases and prolongs survival, we utilized both autochthonous and syngeneic melanoma mouse models. Mice with either subcutaneous tumors or established brain metastases were treated with FAK inhibitor, RAF/MEK inhibitor, or the combination of FAK and RAF/MEK inhibitors. Each cohort was assessed for tumor onset, growth, metastasis, and survival. Our results show that combined RAF/MEK/FAK inhibition significantly delays tumor onset, causes regression of established tumors, prevents the development of brain metastases, promotes the regression of established brain metastases, and prolongs survival. In addition, patient-derived BRAF V600E melanoma xenograft mouse models resistant to the BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib and the MEK inhibitor trametinib, were sensitive to combined RAF/MEK/FAK blockade. The addition of the BRAF inhibitor encorafenib to these models further enhanced the effect on tumor growth. These results support the initiation of a clinical trial evaluating the efficacy of the RAF/MEK inhibitor avutometinib in combination with the FAK inhibitor defactinib in patients with brain metastases from cutaneous melanoma. Additionally, we are assessing non-canonical roles of FAK in modulating the tumor microenvironment to determine whether avutometinib and defactinib also enhance the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibition in this disease.

Authors: Corin Marsh, Acacia Overono. Mentors: Acacia Overono. Insitution: Utah Valley University. A variety of memorization techniques have been shown to enhance the ability to recall important information. While many of these techniques focus on repetition and retrieval of verbal information, the drawing superiority effect (DSE, Wammes et al., 2016) is a phenomenon where drawing leads to better recall compared to re-writing. The present study investigates the extent of these findings by combining the DSE with retrieval practice. This experiment utilized a within-subjects, single-blind design consisting of 32 undergraduate students ranging in age from 18 to 42. Participants were tasked with learning 20 vocabulary terms through a guided slideshow, then studied terms through; reading definitions (verbal restudy), viewing images of the definitions (visual restudy), writing definitions (verbal retrieval), and drawing definitions from memory (DSE with retrieval). After a brief distractor task, participants were tested on their recall of the definitions. Finally, subjects completed a shortened version of the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire (VVIQ) and a funnel debrief. Preliminary analyses using a repeated measures ANOVA revealed that re-reading was the study method that resulted in the highest recall scores (M = .57) compared to all other conditions (F (3, 93) = 14.9, p < .001, ηp2 = .324). Further — VVIQ ability showed no significant correlation with participant scores for any of the study methods. These results indicate that re-reading was a more effective study strategy for memorizing vocabulary terms with a short delay when compared to viewing images, writing definitions, and drawing definitions from memory. Future work will examine how longer delays and providing feedback influence may modulate the benefits of re-reading, drawing, and retrieval as study strategies. Keywords: drawing superiority effect, retrieval practice, memory, VVIQ

Authors: Ty Wilson. Mentors: Amita Kaundal. Insitution: Utah State University. Climate-induced environmental stresses and the increased use of fertilizers to meet the increasing demand for food significantly threaten food production and soil health. In natural environments, microbes are vital to the growth and development of plants. Their presence in the soil allows for enormous flexibility and nutritional availability for plants, particularly those living in harsh conditions. A plant’s microbiome, especially the underground, plays a significant role in its growth and development and mitigates environmental stresses. Idaho and Utah are particularly challenging environments due to extreme temperatures and arid soil. However, despite these difficult environmental factors, the native plants of Utah and Idaho can thrive. Here, we are exploring the rhizosphere microbiome of Shepherdia x utahensis ‘Torrey,’ a hybrid of two highly drought-tolerant buffaloberry species, S. argentea and S. rotundifolia native to the Intermountain West region of the US to isolate plant growth promoting bacteria. In this study, we isolated drought-resistant plant growth-promoting microbes from the rhizosphere of hybrid buffaloberry. Root samples of hybrid buffaloberry were collected from three locations in Utah: the USU campus, Greenville Farm USU, and the USU botanical garden, Kaysville. The rhizosphere was removed from these root samples and pooled together. The bacteria were isolated on five different bacterial growth media twice. The isolated microbes were then purified using the streak plate method. Forty-six unique isolates were selected based on morphological characteristics and tested for four plant growth-promoting traits. Fourteen bacteria could show the ability to fix nitrogen fix, 18 produced a siderophore, 17 could solubilize phosphate, and 11 produced catalases. IAA production, ACC deaminase, and protease activity assays are in progress. All isolates will be identified by 16S rRNA Sanger sequencing.

Authors: Kylie Hansen. Mentors: Janis Boettinger. Insitution: Utah State University. Cache Valley, Utah, has unique soils due to environmental events such as Pleistocene pluvial Lake Bonneville. This lake extended about 20,000 square miles in Northern Utah, and its depletion left numerous shorelines, the most relevant being the Bonneville and Provo shorelines. These various water levels influence the geological formations in Cache Valley and the different characteristics of soil formation. An important soil-forming factor used to characterize varying soils is the parent material. Parent material is the original sediments the soil formed on and can be various things such as sediments deposited by gravity, streams, lake sediments, or wind. These different materials depend on the location and alter the soil properties. A dominant soil parent material in the Lake Bonneville area is sediment deposited by this lake. This type of parent material is identifiable by coarser-sized sediments, such as cobbles, gravel, and sand. This pattern is evident on terraces in Cache Valley’s lower soil layers, but the near-surface layers have fewer rock fragments and more fine sand, silt, and clay. This distinct difference in particle size leads to the question of what is the parent material source in the surface horizons of soil formed in Lake Bonneville deposits in Cache Valley. There is not much literature on this question and little documentation compares the soil profiles for different Lake Bonneville terrace levels (Bonneville shoreline compared to Provo shoreline). We hypothesize that the different particle sizes of parent material in the surface of soils formed dominantly in Lake Bonneville deposits is eolian sediment transported and deposited by wind. To determine this, we will sample soils across Cache Valley and analyze the fine and very fine sand sediments in plane-polarized and cross-polarized light. This process will identify various minerals within each soil horizon, showing possible differences in the upper and lower horizons. The minerals present in each soil will indicate the parent materials, allowing us to understand what is causing the different textured horizons in these soils and where the sediment originated from.

Authors: Adriana Bibo, Nicole Losurdo, Nichole Link. Mentors: Nichole Link, Cindy Greaves. Insitution: University of Utah. Microcephaly is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by occipital frontal circumference (OFC) more than two standard deviations below the mean. It can be accompanied by comorbidities including intellectual disabilities, seizures, and other developmental phenotypes. Microcephaly is attributed to malnutrition and exposure to toxins or infection during pregnancy, but genetic mutations are also a leading cause. To investigate the genetic mechanisms behind microcephaly, our lab collaborates with a physician who has completed whole exome sequencing for two hundred microcephaly patients. He identified potentially pathogenic human variants, which we are studying using Drosophila melanogaster as our model organism. We screened for loss of function phenotypes through RNAi knockdown of fly orthologs to determine if these genes are necessary for brain development. In our primary screen, we found that RNAi knockdown of Bx42 in neural stem cells or post-mitotic neurons causes significantly reduced brain lobe volume. In our current study, we are assessing potential causes for reduced brain lobe volume. We seek to determine if RNAi knockdown of Bx42 in neural stem cells or neurons affects cell number, proliferation, or death in developing brains.

Authors: Grace Moore. Mentors: Aaron Olsen. Insitution: Utah State University. AbstractAnimal care technicians for research labs have many responsibilities in order to maintain the integrity of a research project. However, it is difficult to determine what tasks will require most of a technician’s time and effort. Thus, it is proposed that tracking what each individual does during a given shift can allow supervisors and technicians to create an efficient schedule of how they will work and provide a standard for individuals to meet every day. This project consists of tracking in detail what an animal care technician does in a given “shift”, including observation hours, handling and restraining, working in different biosafety levels, cleaning and prepping caging, and changing the caging. This data collection, over several months of work, finds relationships between tasks, the frequencies of being completed, and the time they take. The key tasks of an animal care technician are observing, providing nourishment, maintaining clean environments for both the researchers and the subjects, and maintaining supplies and accurate records. Additionally, many hours are dedicated solely to observing the animals to ensure their health and safety. Moreover, cleaning and prepping of caging or supplies are completed more than half of the time during a given shift. Finally, working with a given species may require more time to complete a task (such as cage changing or cage preparation) compared to another species despite the task being the same. If each technician were to track their tasks and create a profile of personal statistics, they would be able to easily determine how long a task should take. Moreover, a supervisor would be able to determine if a technician is working more efficiently or even falling behind during daily tasks. Overall, these findings could be used to incorporate better time management or planning for institutions to know what more time or resources may need to be devoted to in order to maintain a safe environment, provide exceptional care for the subjects, and follow every protocol.

Authors: Sylvia Lee, Ainsley Parkins, Rodolfo S Probst. Mentors: Rodolfo S Probst. Insitution: University of Utah. Mutualisms between ants and plants are ubiquitous interactions and have been evolving for over 100 million years. Studies have been done on systems wherein the plants provide nutritional resources for ants, but the dynamics of mutualistic interactions in environments where host plants do not provide obvious nutritional rewards continue to remain elusive, raising questions about their co-evolutionary histories. In these circumstances, associated fauna, such as mealybugs and soft scales (Hemiptera: Coccoidea: Pseudococcidae and Coccidae), serve as intermediaries of the association, providing honeydew (enhanced plant sap) as a main food source to their host ants. However, the identity of the insects involved in these associations and their co-evolutionary history with ants is poorly understood. By focusing on samples collected in Costa Rica from 33 colonies of the Neotropical plant-ant genus Myrmelachista (Formicinae: Myrmelachistini), we sequenced DNA barcodes (cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 [CO1]) using Oxford Nanopore Technology and employed Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) for both the Myrmelachista ants and their associated fauna. We aimed to identify their taxonomy, phylogenetic relationships and identify unique interactions between ants and their associated fauna. We recovered DNA barcodes for eleven Myrmelachista species and seven putative species of mealybugs (n=5) and soft scales (n=2). For the seven putative species of Coccoidea, our DNA barcodes, when compared to available sequences from the NCBI database, recovered an average of 85% match similarity. The closest matches associated our putative species to Old World Coccoidea taxa, reinforcing the need for taxonomic studies of this superfamily for the Neotropical region. Each putative species of soft scales was found uniquely associated with two Myrmelachista species (M. flavoguarea and M. cooperi). For all eleven Myrmelachista species, five were associated with two putative mealybug species. One putative mealybug species was associated with five different Myrmelachista species; one was uniquely associated with M. nigrocotea. Same associations were found between the associated fauna of M. flavocotea and M. lauropacifica; M. haberi and M. RSP027; M. plebecula, M. meganaranja, and M. osa, respectively. These results suggest that there may be unique associations between some Myrmelachista species and their Coccoidea associates, unconstrained by the ant phylogeny. Our findings also provide insights on Coccoidea taxonomy, emphasizing NGS DNA barcoding as a tool to illuminate how ant-plant associations might have evolved.

Authors: Ainsley E Parkins, Sylvia Lee, Elizabeth J Heath, Thomas Petitjean, Kyle Cink, Kyle Kittelberger, Cagan Sekercioglou, Rodolfo S Probst. Mentors: Rodolfo S Probst. Insitution: University of Utah. Biodiversity loss poses a significant threat, requiring accurate species assessment and conservation strategies. Non-invasive and cost-effective techniques should be prioritized, especially when dealing with threatened vertebrate fauna. By focusing on cryptic Eastern European species within the genus Emberiza (Passeriformes: Emberizidae), we designed an affordable molecular pipeline (including DNA primers and bioinformatics) integrating DNA barcoding with Nanopore sequencing to address species boundaries and provide conservation information for avifauna diversity. We conducted non-invasive DNA extractions from individual feathers of 192 specimens collected in the Aras River Riparian Corridor (ARRC), an important ecological hotspot in Turkey. By targeting the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (CO1) region, our goal was to differentiate Emberiza taxa and identify potential cryptic lineages while using cutting-edge next-generation sequencing (NGS) of multiplexed specimens with portable Oxford Nanopore Technologies. Our focal study examined boundaries in Emberiza subspecies (E. shoeniclus shoeniclus and E. shoeniclus caspia) with subtle morphological differences, utilizing DNA barcoding and Nanopore sequencing. We obtained 182 Emberiza DNA barcodes. Clustering analysis recovered a paraphyletic assemblage (n=32) and a clade, the latter recovering majority of the barcodes (n=150), separated by at least 8% genetic difference. In both cases, we observed a mixture of barcodes from the nominal subspecies and Caspian subspecies, suggesting that cryptic morphological characteristics are not reflected in genetic separation. Our results also suggest putative cryptic Emberiza species, highlighting the importance of the ARRC for conserving avian diversity. We demonstrate that our pipeline, integrating real-time Nanopore sequencing with non-invasive DNA barcoding, can be used for conservation initiatives (particularly aiding cryptic species identification). This study expands our knowledge of avian diversity and highlights the potential of NGS DNA barcodes as a powerful tool for aiding conservation efforts amidst biodiversity loss.

Authors: Taylor Millett, Wendy Schatzberg, Samuel Tobler. Mentors: Wendy Schatzberg. Insitution: Utah Tech University. This study delves into the intriguing world of hollow hair strands in animals, focusing on their role in thermoregulation, and the ability to maintain a stable body temperature in the face of fluctuating external conditions. While the Pronghorn antelope is widely known for having hollow hair strands among hunters and conservationists, little is known about their internal structure. Employing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we explored the inner composition of these hollow hair strands and their contribution to thermoregulation. Our investigation centered on several notable North American big game animals, including Mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, and Pronghorn antelope, all of which exhibit a unique adaptation: the transition between summer and winter coats. Through SEM analysis, we measured and compared the winter and summer coats of these animals to gain insights into how they effectively regulate their body temperatures during the extremes of hot summers and cold winters. These seasonal changes manifest in alterations in fur and hair thickness and length. Under the microscope, we unveiled the distinct topography of the inner structure of individual hair strands. Notably, our findings revealed that the inner hair structure contains larger hollow pockets in the winter coats of these animals. Our research thus sheds light on the role of these hollow structures in heat transfer and their pivotal contribution to the thermoregulation abilities of these remarkable creatures, expanding our understanding of their unique adaptations.

Authors: Alexander Romano, Matthew Hesterman, Rachel Hill, Melodie Weller. Mentors: Melodie Weller. Insitution: University of Utah. Sjogren’s Disease (SjD) is an autoimmune disease diagnosed by symptoms of reduced tear and saliva excretion, accumulation of lymphocyte foci in the salivary glands, and the occurrence of antibodies against Ro (SSA), La (SSB), and nuclear proteins. The cause of SjD is unknown, though previous studies have detected the sequence and antigens of Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) in the minor salivary gland acinar, ductal, and adipose cells of patients with SjD; without the typical presence of a Hepatitis B coinfection. In this study, murine models were transduced with Adeno-associated virus containing expression cassettes for Luciferase (control), small, large, or a combination of both small and large HDV antigens to evaluate the impact of HDV antigen expression on salivary gland function and SjD autoimmune disease development. After a ten- or four-month period, the models were analyzed. Findings included a significant increase of inflammation for samples expressing both small and large HDV antigens, a significant increase of anti-SSA(La) antibodies in samples expressing the short HDV antigen, and a correlation between increased overall inflammation and decreased overall saliva flow. Performing qPCR methods verified the amount of HDV in the submandibular glands and Illumina sequencing portrayed an increase in glycolysis and beta oxidation metabolism in models with detectible HDV sequence. The models showed significantly increased IgM expression in the HDV exposed murine models, without significant change of other antibodies. Future plans include an ELISA diagnostic assay to verify the antibody levels and further sequencing analysis. With this information we can build a better picture of the direct mechanisms of HDV-mediated changes in salivary gland dysfunction and determine the extent that HDV can inducing systemic SjD symptoms.

Authors: Bradley Lawson, Lukas Keller, Marshall Burrows, Sam Perkins, Emery Wheeler. Mentors: Ronald Sims. Insitution: Utah State University. Subcritical water hydrolysis (SWH) is a developing method of processing organic materials/waste without the use of acids and alkali materials. SWH lyses peptides differently than acid hydrolysis and can produce Maillard products, which have various effects in cell culture. In this study, a batch-mode pressure vessel with a semi-continuous sampling apparatus will be used to optimize temperature and retention time for the hydrolysis of Chlorella vulgaris biomass for the development of serum-free (or low-serum) cell culture media. Hydrolysis will be done at temperatures from 140°C to 300°C and retention times from 5 minutes to 30 minutes. The SWH products will be assessed for their general protein content, lipid content, bioactivity, and carbohydrate content. These efforts will be of use to Upside Foods in its efforts to create sustainable and ethical cultured meat products.

Authors: Ada Cottam Allen, Mikhael T Semaan. Mentors: Mikhael T Semaan. Insitution: University of Utah. Regularly buoyed from thermodynamic equilibrium by complex and fluctuating environments, living systems must continually respond and adapt to external stimuli. Recent tools from stochastic thermodynamics place concrete energetic and entropic bounds on these processes, for systems arbitrarily far from equilibrium both in and out of steady-state conditions, and thus reveal mechanisms by which these systems absorb and dissipate energy to function. Here, we leverage these tools to simulate and calculate the thermodynamic signatures of several models of sodium and potassium ion channels---channels crucial to propagating action potentials in mammalian neurons---as driven by biologically-realistic action potential spiking protocols. Thus uncovering their detailed energetic responses to such complex environmental conditions, these results enable detailed comparison between the thermodynamic functionality of each channel type with driving one would expect in-vivo. When applied to competing models of the same channel, these tools also provide additional criteria for model selection; to this end, we close by calculating expected ionic currents, directly facilitating comparison with dynamically-driven patch-clamp experiments.

Authors: Sydney Larsen. Mentors: Joshua Steffen. Insitution: University of Utah. Pollen preserves are crucial to maintaining Apis mellifera’s hive health. This pollen provides bees with a source of protein, amino acids, lipids, and other nutrients that are vital for larvae development (Dharampal et. Al, 2019). In addition to providing these essential nutrients, bee collected pollen also provides the hive with an excellent source of external pollen-borne microorganisms. These microbes provide a variety of benefits including serving as a major dietary requirement for larvae, assisting in biochemical processes such as bee bread fermentation, and assisting in bee resistance to pathogens (Gilliam, 1997). Despite the importance that these organisms play on bee health, there is currently little research on how the microbial composition of bee foraged pollen changes throughout the foraging season in response to abiotic and biotic factors. Rapid advancements in DNA metabarcoding approaches and DNA sequencing technologies have made the assessment of hive level foraging patterns easily accessible. We attempt to leverage the benefits of these new approaches to characterize how microbial composition in pollen provisions changes in relation to shifts in foraging preferences. Here we describe general patterns plant foraging behaviors for two hives across a single foraging season. In addition, we describe the variability of microbial diversity associated with pollen across this same time frame. Our initial description plant and microbial communities present in pollen provisions suggest that pollinator foraging preferences play a significant role in pollen associated microbial communities. This will allow for further research into how the presence of specific beneficial microbes is affected by changes in climate, floral availability, pathogen presence, etc..ReferencesDharampal, P. S., Carlson, C., Currie, C. R., & Steffan, S. A. (2019). Pollen-borne microbes shape bee fitness. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 286(1904), 20182894.Gilliam, M. (1997). Identification and roles of non-pathogenic microflora associated with honey bees. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 155(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0378-1097(97)00337-6

Authors: My Nha Quyen Tran, Cindy Greaves. Mentors: Martin Horvath, Cindy Greaves. Insitution: University of Utah. I have been studying the DNA repair enzyme MutY found at the Lost City thermal field 3000 feet deep in the Atlantic Ocean with conditions similar to those that may have shaped the origin of life. With no sunlight and very little oxygen, life at the Lost City is driven by chemical transformations in rocks at extremely high levels of pH and temperature. DNA in all organisms strictly follows base pairing rules in which A pairs with T and G pairs with C. We all think of oxygen as beneficial, but it can cause damage to DNA. Oxidized guanine (OG) violates the base pairing rules and pairs with A. This causes mutations, which can lead to changes in the genetic information. The mutagenic potential of OG was a challenge that had to be solved early in the emergence of DNA-encoded life. The enzyme MutY functions in suppressing mutations and therefore protects us from developing cancer by finding and removing A from OG:A mispairs. In my effort to replicate conditions at the Lost City so as to explore how the DNA repair enzyme MutY evolved to function in this strange environment I need to purify the enzyme. I used DNA cloning to attach the MutY-encoding genes to a soluble bacterial protein called GST that hopefully will make it easier to purify the MutY proteins. Encouragingly, these fusion proteins expressed well in bacteria and appeared to be soluble. I am now exploring different conditions looking for optimal enzyme activity, which I predict to be different from what familiar bacteria can tolerate. Basic science research on how DNA repair enzymes adapted to the strange environment at the Lost City may inform future translational applications to treat and cure cancer and thus ensure a healthy society in Utah.

Authors: William Lee, Rishab Nayak, Cecilia Knapp, Camila Soderholm. Mentors: Ryan Stolley. Insitution: University of Utah. Recent publications have shown pyridine carboxylate functionalized aza-crown ethers coordinate strongly to a number of rare earth elements. Considering their strong coordination, we have modified these crown-ethers with a number of hydrophobic moieties to allow for adsorption to non-polar substrates to enable packed bed isolation of these elements to address the broad use and limited availability of these elements.

Authors: Nathan Jackson, Ryan James, James Crutchfield. Mentors: Mikhael Semaan. Insitution: University of Utah. Symbolic dynamics allows for modeling---and designing for---the effects of imperfectly measuring a time series of data, by partitioning into a finite number of possibilities. The resulting time series of discrete symbols is then made especially amenable to information-theoretic methods for understanding its temporal structure and correlation. In particular, as long as the partitioning scheme is generating, the resulting estimations for entropy rate---the rate at which the process creates information---converge to a measure of chaos in the underlying system, a dynamical invariant.However, the entropy rate is not sensitive to what kind of generating partition: colloquially, an instrument must be at least accurate enough, but can be more fine-grained as desired. In contrast, its breakdown into a piece which affects future measurements (“bound”) and a piece which does not (“ephemeral”) depends quite dramatically on the choice of generating partition. We ask, then: is there a canonical partitioning scheme for which the full suite of information measures relate to dynamical invariants?To tackle this, we simulate the well-known tent and logistic maps, sweeping over all two-boundary partitions, calculating the full information anatomies for each. We find that ephemeral and bound information are extremized by the single-boundary coarsest generating partition, suggesting a canonical role for the simplest “good enough” instrument. The remaining multivariate measures, meanwhile, reveal hitherto-unseen structure in the process of imperfect measurement.

Authors: Tara Caplin, Tiffanee Suhaka, Maria Balaceanu, Peg Bird, Dannelle Larsen-Rife. Mentors: Dannelle Larsen-Rife. Insitution: Utah Tech University. Early parent-child interactions have a profound impact on the developing brain, influencing lifelong emotional and social well-being. This review evaluates the Newborn Behavioral Observation (NBO), a relationship-based neurobehavioral approach for families and infants three months old and younger. The NBO supports newborns, caregiver’s, and families by providing individualized information on their infants' behavior and competencies. It facilitates communication and intersubjectivity between infants and caregivers during a critical developmental period, while reducing maternal postpartum depression (PPD). Research on the association between the NBO, PPD, and infant neurodevelopment is reviewed and evaluated in high-risk populations. Although evidence supports approaches like the NBO, they are not yet standard in early intervention due to clinicians' lack of training in infant mental health. The NBO is a foundational tool for cultivating positive early relationships with beneficial implications for clinician standard care of newborns and families. Keywords: Newborn Behavioral Observation (NBO), early relationships, postpartum depression (PPD), infant development, relationship-based, early intervention.

Authors: Maria Balaceanu, Dannelle Larsen-Rife, Tara Caplin, Peg Bird, Grace Carsey, Tiffanee Suhaka. Mentors: Dannelle Larsen-Rife. Insitution: Utah Tech University. Attachment theory provides a framework for understanding how early experiences with caregivers influence individuals' emotional and relational development throughout their lives. In addition to understanding how an individual interacts with close others, attachment predicts relationship satisfaction (Gardner et al., 2020). Individuals with secure attachments demonstrate greater adaptability in coping and regulating their emotions, leading to improved socio-emotional well-being. In contrast, those with insecure attachment styles tend to encounter difficulties in socio-emotional adjustment (Gardner et al., 2020). This study will examine how insecure attachment is associated with romantic relationship dissatisfaction, specifically those lasting five years or longer. We focus exclusively on romantic relationships lasting five years or more because in adult relationships, each partner serves as an attachment figure for the other (Diamond et al., 2008). Therefore, spouses have the potential to increase each other's attachment security. This means an initially insecure individual can develop earned secure attachment with their spouse's support. Approximately 300 diverse participants over the age of 18 will be recruited for the study. The Relationship Structures Questionnaire (ECR-RS; Fraley et al., 2011) will assess insecure attachment. The Relationship Assessment Scale (Hendrick, 1988) will assess satisfaction. It is expected insecure attachment will be correlated with lower relationship satisfaction with a romantic partner of five years or longer. Results of the analyses will be presented.

Authors: Mary Harris. Mentors: Joshua Gubler. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Middle Eastern governments typically score at or near the bottom of indices measuring women’s rights and political participation. The Middle East also contains a large saturation of authoritarian regimes. The Arab Spring challenged these regimes' structures and included vast female participation, but there is little existing research to understand the Spring's impact on women's participation and empowerment in the region. This study aims to add to the research by gathering data from the Arab Barometer to plot public opinion surveys before, during, and after the Arab Spring for a variety of countries in the Middle East and North Africa region. A difference on difference t-test shows the statistical difference of change in opinion before and during the Arab Spring. Twenty semi-structured interviews (conducted in Jordan in 2022) supplemented the quantitative analysis attempting to show the causation between the Arab Spring and the growth in public opinion toward women's empowerment. These are conducted under the hypothesis that: Women’s participation in the Arab Spring improved public opinion towards women’s empowerment in the region. The quantitative analysis illustrates a correlation between the Arab Spring and opinions of women's empowerment, but the shifts of opinions are both negative and positive. The data suggests that the negative impact is connected with the second half of the Arab Spring when the governments were subject to more instability. The interview's results differ from the hypothesis and illustrate little connection between the Arab Spring and public opinion of women's empowerment. These results are affected by the lack of movement in Jordan during the Arab Spring. More research is needed to understand the causation of such a phenomenon in other countries.

Authors: Kacey Rowe, Rachel Arocho, Allison Ensign. Mentors: Rachel Arocho, Allison Ensign. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Mental health amongst IBD patients is often overlooked and forgotten when they are dealing with their personal physical symptoms. There is little research on the benefits of social support for IBD patients. In online forums, it appears some IBD patients report feeling depressed and having negative thoughts about living life on a day-to-day basis. Indeed, prior research has found associations between IBD and mental health; for example, one study found that 17.3% of IBD patients had lifetime suicidal ideation, which is much higher than the general population at a 4.0% rate (Xiong et al., 2022). Another study did physical and mental exams and found on average, people with higher depression symptoms were six times more likely to have their disease be more active (Marrie et al., 2021, para. 16). Due to the high rate of depression, it would be beneficial to design a website to track symptoms and create online forums giving people the opportunity to connect with peers who have IBD. IBD can drastically affect a person’s life, even in a mild case. According to the CDC, IBD is estimated to affect 3 million US adults, a little over 1% of all Americans (Xu et al, 2018). Few people in the 1% category who struggle with IBD have connected online with others who are experiencing the same autoimmune disease. Although prior research has identified the association between physical IBD symptoms and mental health, little has been proposed to help these patients. Our goal is to create a form of social support for people who have been diagnosed with IBD. For 30 days, we will take 20 participants and have them record their symptoms and thoughts through quantitative and qualitative data. To do this, the participants will be asked to use a website which we have created from scratch. They will be using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and the Short Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (SIBDQ). The PHQ-9 will be used to check in on mental health, while the SIBDQ will focus on the physical symptoms of IBD. Each week, they will participate in forums on the website, which will allow them to connect online and anonymously with others who share their experiences. At the start of the month, daily throughout the study, and at the end of the month, participants will report on their health symptoms through a combination of the measures named above and short tracker questions. (Note: Project is still under IRB approval, we aim to start participants by the end of the year.)

Authors: Danielle Alvarado, Kasidy Weber, Shannon Buckley. Mentors: Shannon Buckley. Insitution: University of Utah. The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) plays a critical role in cancer by regulating the degradation of key proteins involved in cell cycle control, DNA repair, apoptosis, and signaling pathways, making it a crucial mechanism for maintaining cellular homeostasis and preventingtumor development and progression. The expression levels of F-box ubiquitin E3 ligase, FBXO21, correlates with patient survival in several types of cancer, suggesting a role in tumorgenesis. We have previously shown silencing FBXO21 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines and patient samples leads to differentiation, slowed tumor progression, increased chemotherapy sensitivity, and altered cytokine signaling. Further, we found that FBXO21 ubiquitinates p85α, a regulatory part of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway, for degradation resulting in altered PI3K signaling. Although PI3K inhibitors are used in cancertreatment, issues like off-target effects, dose-limiting toxicities, and resistance necessitate further research and development for optimized efficiency and minimal negative effects in targeting the PI3K pathway. To further understand the role of FBXO21 in cancer, we utilized shRNAs targeting FBXO21 in various cancer cell lines to identify the role of FBXO21 in cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and alteration of the PI3K pathway. The PI3K signaling pathway is initiated through p85α binding to the catalytic subunit, p110, leading to downstream AKT and mTOR activation. We found knockdown of FBXO21 stabilizes p85α, leading to dimerization of free p85 and decreased PI3K pathway activation. Therefore, we hypothesize that FBXO21 may function as a novel regulator of PI3K signaling, offering an alternative approach to PI3K inhibitors. Our findings suggest that FBXO21 may represent a novel therapeutic target acrossvarious cancer subtypes to target the overactive PI3K pathway. Targeting FBXO21 may enhance the efficacy of current therapies and provide potential benefits for improving patient outcomes in the treatment of cancer, including but not limited to AML

Authors: Bryce Tolman, Jasper Terungwa Iorkula , Justin Singleton, Matt Peterson. Mentors: Matt Peterson. Insitution: Brigham Young University. An efficient method for preparing C-3 aminated pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines was developed. The method consisted of treating 3-bromopyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine with a wide range of 1° or 2° alkylamines with CuI (20 mol%), L-proline (40 mol%), and Et 3 N (2 equiv) in DMSO under microwave heating conditions (130 °C, 4 hours). C-3 aminated products were obtained in good to excellent isolated yields (54–90%; ave. yield = 77%), and represents the most broadly applicable, non-palladium-catalyzed amination of 3-bromopyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine ever reported. The coupling worked well for unfunctionalized 1° alkylamines such as butylamine, benzylamine, isopropylamine or cyclohexylamine, and more densely functionalized 1° amines with CH 2 - or CH 2 CH 2 -linked heterocycles were also well tolerated (e.g. pyridine-, indole-, thiophene-, and furan-linked methyl- or ethylamine derivatives). 2° Alkylamines such as morpholine, pyrrolidine, and piperidine also reacted well under these conditions. Heating under conventional oil-bath conditions required a more extended reaction time (40 h), but also gave products in good yield (72-76%) for both 100-mg and gram-scale reactions. A pegylated azide (11-azido-3,6,9-trioxaundecan-1-amine) was also coupled in good yield (65% yield microwave), demonstrating compatibility of this methodology for potential click-type applications. Our method is simple and efficient, and avoids drawbacks associated with alternative methods, including long reaction times, limited substrate scope, and required use of air-sensitive/extremely expensive palladium catalysts and specialized synthetic ligands.

Authors: Isabella Scalise. Mentors: Conan Kinsey. Insitution: University of Utah.

Authors: Allison Stevens, Gennie Parkman. Mentors: Gennie Parkman. Insitution: Weber State University. The principal genes that are responsible for the conversion of benign nevi, or pigmented lesions, to cancerous melanomas have been discovered and validated. However, we are still identifying the additional genetic alterations that are responsible for the migration and invasion of melanoma cells and ultimately metastasis of these melanomas as that is where treatment needs remain. (Davies, et al., 2002)One gene that has been identified to potentially play a role in the metastasis of melanoma is thymocyte selection associated high mobility group box, or TOX. Based on one study, the levels of TOX gene expression were found to be elevated in melanoma brain metastases versus extracranial metastases (Bierman et al., 2022). These findings have led us to hypothesize that TOX plays a role in the migration and invasion of melanoma into the brain. Preliminary work has been completed to clone our gene of interest, TOX, into an expression vector and transduce mammalian melanoma cells to evaluate their effects on melanoma cell rate growth and migration. These experiments will identify the effect of TOX on the initiation and progression of melanoma cells through in vitro melanoma cell culture and experimentation before potentially progressing to well-validated mouse models of melanoma.

Authors: Matthew Stecher, Terungwa Iorkula, Matt A. Peterson. Mentors: Matt A. Peterson. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Tropomyosin Receptor Kinase (TRK) inhibition has become an effective therapeutic approach for treatment of a variety of cancers including soft tissue sarcoma, pilocytic astrocytoma, non-small cell lung cancers, colorectal cancers, glioblastomas, pediatric gliomas, papillary thyroid cancers, and secretory breast carcinoma. Despite the successful use of first-generation TRK inhibitors Larotrectinib and Entrectinib which have shown significant therapeutic response in patients, acquired resistance to these drugs has emerged and is creating serious barriers to maintaining long-term therapeutic efficacy. A common mechanism for acquired resistance is associated with the emergence of mutations. Hence, mutation-induced drug resistance continues to be a major challenge for both first- and second-generation TRK inhibitors. Here, we present the design of novel macrocyclic 3,5-diaminated pyrazolo[1,5-a] pyrimidine ligands with high potential for combating drug-resistant disease.

Authors: . Mentors: Jared Nielsen. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Objective: This study examines the role of positive reframing as a strategy to mitigate suicidality and enhance positive emotions. Background: Emotional regulation difficulties have been identified in numerous psychiatric populations, potentially leading to stress, incarceration, and tragically, suicide. Amidst the rising rates of suicidality among at-risk populations, this study aims to investigate the pivotal behavioral factors influencing suicidal thoughts and actions in autistic and socially anxious populations. Methods: Our investigation employed a longitudinal ecological momentary assessment study to explore the impact of various emotional regulation skills on positive emotion, negative emotion, and suicidality. We recruited 95 participants, 72 of which met criteria for inclusion, to answer daily surveys administered through a smartphone app that tracked emotional regulation use, positive emotions, negative emotions, and suicidal tendencies over time. Results: Our results indicate that for the social anxiety group, enjoying the moment significantly affects positive emotions (E=2.14, p<.05), but this effect is not observed in the autism group. Furthermore, both groups demonstrated that accepting feelings (E=4.40, p<.001; E=2.63, p<.01) and acknowledging that feelings don’t last (E=1.69, p<.05; E=3.13, p<.001) significantly increased daily positive emotions. Conversely, hiding feelings significantly decreased daily positive emotions in the social anxiety group (E=-1.76, p<.05). Self-blame increased negative emotions in both groups by, on average, four points. Regarding the reduction of daily average suicide composite scores, accepting feelings emerged as a significant factor for both groups (E=-1.88, p<.01; E=-2.15, p<.001). On the other hand, using self-blame significantly increased average suicide composite scores for social anxiety, mirroring its effect on negative emotions (E=1.42, p<.01). Conclusion: Positively reframing one's emotions is associated with increased daily positive feelings and reduced daily suicidal tendencies. This research sheds light on the complex interplay between emotional regulation strategies and their impact on mental health and emotions in these at-risk populations.

Authors: Eliya Rodrigues. Mentors: Grant Corser. Insitution: Southern Utah University. Does an Insecure Attachment (Anxious and/or Avoidant) to God and the Contextual Perception of God (Belief that God’s Character is Consistent with what the Bible says about God’s Character) Affect Levels of Distress? People who identify as spiritual/religious that have an attachment to God are associated with having lower levels of depression, while people that have an insecure attachment to God, and a judgmental perception of God have higher rates of depression (Bonhag, R., & Upenieks, L. (2021). The purpose of this research is to investigate if there is a relationship between the style of attachment to God, the contextual perception of God, and levels of distress. The perception element of this research question will be analyzed through the contextual perception of God as defined in appendix D. Data will be collected using Qualtrics and will have three different scales (Attachment to God Inventory, Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, and Belief of the Character of God Through a Contextual Perspective) consisting of qualitative questions and a few open-ended questions regarding the subject. Data will be analyzed through correlational statistics on SPSS. It is hypothesized that a low score of an insecure attachment to God and regarding scripture in the bible as truth for God's character will decrease levels of distress. This research needs to be conducted because it could be a way for people to evaluate their own attachment to God; the way people view God could lead them to understanding that if part of the distress they experience in their lives is from their own perception and/or attachment to God.

Authors: Robert Macdonald. Mentors: Troy Munro. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Due to the recent developments in the precision of small scale 3-D printing, the use of complex multi-dimensional heating geometries is now very feasible in microfluidics. Small channels can be filled with liquid metal and can become a heat source by passing an electrical current through the liquid metal. There is a desire for the creation of isothermal areas within microfluidic chips for processes such as polymerase chain reaction and melt curve analysis of DNA to detect mutations. One difficulty of designing isothermal areas in microfluidics is the complexity of the geometries involved and the precision needed to be useful. These two problems were addressed by using a finite element software COMSOL to simulate the microfluidic chip to aid in design iteration. Quick evaluation of the performance of different heating geometries in COMSOL allows for faster evolution of our design. Using these principles, a novel microfluidic chip design was developed with a simulated isothermal volume of 5 microliters and a temperature variation of <0.1 degrees Celsius.

Authors: Tanner Frahm, Eugene Kwan, Ravi Ranjan. Mentors: Ravi Ranjan. Insitution: University of Utah. Introduction:Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is a non-invasive treatment for ventricular tachycardia (VT) that acts as a promising alternative to the current gold-standard treatment, catheter ablation. Preliminary clinical successes indicate the promise of SBRT while subsequent animal studies suggest that the mechanism of SBRT is novel and unknown. We propose SBRT may alter Connexin-43 (Cx43) gap-junction distribution in cardiac myocyte walls, affecting electrical conduction and reducing VT episodes. A large animal model was used to evaluate Cx43 changes post-SBRT, aiming to elucidate its mechanism of action. Understanding this could expand SBRT's use in arrhythmia management and explore myocyte reprogramming.Methods:A large animal model (n=3) underwent cardiac SBRT on portions of their heart. Each animal provided control, untreated tissue, and treated tissues. Post-treatment, the hearts were excised, perfused, and preserved. Transmural sections were processed for histological and confocal microscopy analyses to assess scarring and Cx43 distribution. An algorithm for semi-automatic myocyte segmentation and Cx43 distribution analysis was developed and used. Two-sample student t-tests were conducted to compare Cx43 distribution between treated and control regions. All image and statistical analysis were performed in MATLAB.Results/Discussion:Preliminary results for the three preliminary animals indicate that treated regions of the myocardium had statistically significant differences in Cx43 distribution (p-values < 0.05). Treated values (mean  standard deviation) were 48%  25%, 62%  26%, and 64%  17% of the distribution of Cx43 on the longitudinal ends while the untreated were 42%  30%, 44%  25% and 26% 16%. The proportion of Cx43 distributed along the longitudinal axis (the short ends of the myocyte) increased in all three animals. The results build on the findings of previous animal studies which suggested that the scarring like ablation was not the mechanism, but that Cx43 or other cellular components could be changing in response to therapy. Conclusions:The findings support the hypothesis that Cx43 distribution changes in response to SBRT indicating that the radiation could be inducing remodeling at the cellular level. Evidence of non-invasive cardiac reprogramming provides basic science credence to the preliminary and ongoing clinical studies evaluating the treatment in patients. The findings further inform and motivate more animal studies and analysis of changes to other cellular components.

Authors: Viridian Hellebore, Isabella Rodriguez, Stockton Palmer, Sim Perry, Justine Padilla. Mentors: Kirsten L Graham. Insitution: Southern Utah University. The examination of attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community presents a newly found psychological concept that plays an important role in fostering social inclusion, reducing discrimination, and promoting a more accepting society. The purpose of our study is to create a measure that will assess a person's general attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community. In the current social and political climate of the US, there are a multitude of differing thoughts, opinions, and feelings regarding the community- some that are positive, and some that are negative. Current and past research generally only focus on sexuality, requiring the need for a scale that includes all members of the LGBTQ+ community. Such past works include Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gays Scale (Herek 1988) as well as the Index of Attitudes Toward Homosexuals (Hudson & Ricketts 1980). The Attitudes regarding Gender and Sexuality Scale (AGSS) was created to provide a single scale that will measure a variety of attitudes towards the LGBTQ+ community. The AGSS covers fear, understanding, and tolerance- related aspects of these attitudes. Before releasing the scale to the general public, the scale was given to five subjects to assess for face validity. Participants will be recruited from MTurk and social media, and will be asked to respond to 21 questions that envelop the above aspects of attitudes. The participants will answer the “Gender/Sex Diversity Scale'' (Sudson, 2022) alongside AGSS to test for construct validity. The participants will also be asked to answer two scales that are measuring different constructs to test for discriminant validity. Once all of the data has been collected a confirmatory factor analysis will be ran. To test for reliability, we will be using the internal consistency method. For this we will be testing for Cronbach’s coefficient alpha since our scale using a 7-point Likert scale. We hypothesize that AGSS will be able to measure both negative and positive attitudes that are directed towards the LGBTQ+ community. With these results further research could be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-discrimination laws, the reasoning behind these attitudes, and how the attitudes affect the wellbeing of the LGBTQ+ community.

Authors: Kevin Young. Mentors: Gretchen Ellefson. Insitution: Southern Utah University. The concept of competition is not new to humans, nor is it simple. Countless philosophers throughout the years have approached competition in many ways. One of the core subjects that philosophers have used to discuss competition is that of decision theory. Decision theory, in short, discusses the best things to do. Game theory, a subset of decision theory, discusses the same within the context of games, or in other words, strategy. Both of these subjects have been used to evaluate how best to win games of chance, games of choice, and games in between. I work to explore the concept of making moves to gain information, seeking to learn another person’s moves before you make your own. This subset of moves deserves recognition, especially within the modern eras of competition.

Authors: Alyson Camacho, Camille Bryner, Bowen Houser. Mentors: William Pitt. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Current methods for the diagnosis of bacterial infections require time consuming cultures. To prevent deaths caused by sepsis, faster methods for bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility methods are urgently needed. Necessary to these faster methods is the ability to separate and concentrate bacteria. While techniques such as filtering and centrifugation have been explored for this purpose, we propose an innovative approach. Polydopamine (pDA) is a remarkably adhesive polymer that has been used to create antibacterial and anti-biofouling coatings on medical devices. In this study, however, we show how magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) coated with pDA can selectively bind and remove specific bacteria from suspensions. For these experiments, pDA- MNPs were added to suspensions of bacteria mixtures and allowed to bind for 10 minutes. The MNP/bacteria mixture was then placed on a holder with a magnet which collected the MNPs on the side of the test tube. Finally, the bacterial supernatant was carefully removed and plated. Capture efficiency of the beads was calculated and it was shown that the pDA-coated MNPs preferentially isolated S. epidermidis from a suspension of both S. epidermidis and E. coli. This approach holds great potential for separating bacteria from clinical samples like urine or blood, enabling faster and more efficient diagnosis of bacterial infections.

Authors: Daniel Davis, Paul B Frandsen. Mentors: Paul B. Frandsen. Insitution: Brigham Young University. The nut and acorn weevils of the genus Curculio (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) are a diverse group of beetles with a unique life history. A female weevil uses her rostrum (snout) that is about the length of her body to dig into the flesh of a developing hard-shelled seed and lay her eggs inside where they can safely develop into larvae. After the grown larvae exit their seeds, they spend one or more years burrowed in the soil near host trees. During this time they enter diapause, a state of suspended development to minimize the energy that they expend. Studies indicate that a major purpose of this behavior is to align their adult emergence with masting events (large scale seed production every 2-5 years) of their host trees. Between, and even within, Curculio species, there is significant variation in diapause lengths and behaviors (Higaki, 2016). This wide array of adaptive behaviors is a result of the coevolution between these insects and their various hosts. Here, we present a high quality genome of a Curculio species. With this genome, we discuss the genetic and evolutionary factors that have given rise to this unique life history of Curculio and future plans to compare the genomes of multiple Curculio to further unravel this mystery.

Authors: Emma Manley. Mentors: Johnathan Chidester. Insitution: Southern Utah University. This presentation will be about the indescribable magical Studio Ghibli movies. Specifically, I will be analyzing how these movies are great at representing life. From the weird, outstanding world of Chihiro’s ghost town from Spirited Away, all the way down to the simple little Iron town of Princess Mononoke. These movies are amazing, not just for their remarkable art work and lovable characters, but for the relatability and symbolism of these stories. These stories are weird and strange, but so is everyone. We are human. A complex being that is evolving every single day. We have creative minds in all sorts of differing ways, and these movies are great at explaining this; they are complex, imaginative, and life-like. I will not be defining every single Studio Ghibli movie, but I have chosen a few movies I wish to expand on. My first one is The Wind Rises. This movie is based on a true story about Jiro Horikoshi, the designer of the A5M fighter aircraft. This story goes into detail about his life: his failures, his trials, and the hardships he endured. The second one is Spirited Away: this story is Studio Ghibli's most famous work. This is a story of a little girl who gets trapped in a spirit world all alone. Along her journey she makes new friends, discovers new ideas, and is able to discover who she is. The final movie is Princess Mononoke: Princess Mononoke is Studio Ghibli's masterpiece. The young warrior Ashitaka is strucken with a curse and will soon die. This story is about him getting rid of his curse, discovering how to make peace and stop hate.We should know and understand these movies, not because they are just films and that I like them, but because they are innovative and original. With these movies we jump into a creative world that we can make our own. These movies are relatable in every sense because they are just like us: weird, quirky, and just so compelling. We feel a connection to the trials that each character has because in a sense we all have been through something of the same. These movies represent life in a silly way that I wish to know more about. I will expand on the way these movies are made, the theme and writing, and the characters that we relate to.

Authors: Jared Carter. Mentors: Jeff Tessem. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) is a chronic condition affecting nearly half a billion people worldwide. Symptoms of T2D include impaired glucose tolerance, decreased insulin secretion and significant weight gain. While the symptoms of T2D are well-documented, the underlying pathology remains unclear. Recent research has indicated the critical role of the nuclear receptor Nr4a3 in the development of glucose intolerance and weight gain. In individuals with T2D, the Nr4a3 promoter is hypermethylated, leading to decreased Nr4a3 expression. Elucidating the role of Nr4a3 in mitochondrial respiration in adipose will help define the mechanism of T2D onset and treatment. I studied mice with full body knockout (KO) for Nr4a3. These mice exhibited T2D-like symptoms, including impaired glucose tolerance, reduced insulin secretion and increased adiposity. I measured mitochondrial respiration in muscle, liver, kidney, and adipose tissue, with impaired respiration only observed in adipose tissue. This impairment in adipose tissue respiration correlated with an increase in the size of all adipose deposits, larger adipocytes, and expanded lipid droplets. Intriguingly, the analysis of electron transport chain and tricarboxylic acid complex proteins revealed no significant differences compared to control samples. Instead, the change in respiration was attributed to a reduction in active DRP1 protein, responsible for mitochondrial fission and maintenance. These findings have important implications for our understanding of T2D and its potential treatment strategies, which will be discussed in more detail.

Authors: Kenna Johnson. Mentors: Nicole Dib. Insitution: Southern Utah University. My paper is an interpretative analysis of Thomas Harris’ 1988 novel The Silence of the Lambs as analyzed through the lens of feminist film critic Laura Mulvey’s concept of the masculinization of spectators. In her essay collection Visual and Other Pleasures, Mulvey discusses how cinema, as a traditional medium, has misogynistic, voyeuristic characteristics. Through camera angles and editing, the audience is subconsciously led to identify with the protagonist (who is typically male). As a result, we, the audience, follow his gaze to his object of desire: the woman. This phenomenon she deems the masculinization of spectators. In my paper, I have applied Mulvey’s theory to Harris’ novel and concluded that the masculinization of spectators is, in fact, subverted in The Silence of the Lambs. Here, the audience identifies with Agent Clarice Starling, a young FBI trainee. We follow her gaze to the man she has been tasked with hunting: Jame Gumb, who is referred to colloquially throughout the novel as “Buffalo Bill.” Throughout my paper, I analyze the stark differences in characterization between these two. While Starling is depicted as a pillar of feminine strength, Gumb, a male to female transgender character, is depicted as gaudy and grotesque. In comparing the notable differences in characterization, I determine these characters to serve as each other’s foils. Having been denied as a candidate for gender reassignment surgery, he creates a ‘girl suit’ out of his victims’ skins as an attempt to pass as a woman. Gumb’s atrocities paint the transgender population in a monstrous light; Starling’s actions, conversely, portray her as fiercely independent, and a hero for the feminist cause. Drawing from this analysis, I argue that The Silence of the Lambs is a stark support for the trans-exclusionary radical feminism, or TERF, movement. Through an in-depth analysis of the literary symbols present in the novel in conjunction with the two main characters’ characterization, I determine that TERF rhetoric beats strongly underneath the novel’s surface feminism.

Authors: Camille Bryner, Alyson Camacho, Bowen J Houser. Mentors: William G Pitt. Insitution: Brigham Young University. In an attempt to combat a growing number of nosocomial infections related to medical devices, many studies have investigated the effect of polydopamine (pDA) coated surfaces on biofilm formation and found them to have antibacterial and anti-adhesive properties. However, we discovered that pDA coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) display strong attractive interactions with many, but not all, species of bacteria. Fe3O4 MNPs were prepared using sodium acetate, ethylene glycol, and iron (III) chloride hexahydrate solutions and characterized by a variety of methods. XRD data confirmed a magnetite pattern characteristic of Fe3O4, then TEM characterization of MNP samples showed successful pDA coating onto iron oxide particles. Bacterial capture efficiencies (CE) by pDA-MNPs for 8 strains of bacteria were measured by optical turbidity and plate counts. We have found that CE is a function of exposure time to and concentration of MNPS; thus some experiments were done with constant exposure time and variable MNP concentration and others were done at variable exposure times and constant MNP concentrations. Additionally, these pDA-MNPs exhibit extremely efficient adhesion to some bacteria such as Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) while being ineffective at capturing some strains of Esherichia coli (E. coli). We propose that such capture ability of pDA-coated MNPs can be employed for detection and identification of bacteria in hospitals and for food science quality control.

Authors: Spenser A Clark. Mentors: Acacia Overono. Insitution: Utah Valley University. It is not uncommon for a college student to see a list of learning objectives when skimming through a syllabus for a program or course. The goal of learning objectives is to set reasonable expectations for student learning and guide their study, as well as providing a framework for the development of teaching practices and assessment. Part of the inception of learning objectives as a means of organizing teaching and assessment in the classroom may be attributable to the Taxonomy of Educational Objectives, more commonly referred to as Bloom's Taxonomy. Another taxonomy similar to Bloom's, but much less well known, is the Structure of Observed Learning Outcome (SOLO) taxonomy. Bloom’s taxonomy organizes learning objectives into six categories: Remember, Understand, Apply, Analyze, Evaluate, and Create. The categories are structured as a cumulative hierarchy in which mastery of each level is assumed necessary for progressing to the next. The structure of Bloom’s is not derived from any specific learning theory, but a categorization of pre-existing learning objectives. Bloom’s therefore suffers from a lack of a strong theoretical foundation and may not accurately reflect how learning actually occurs. Additionally, although Bloom’s has been widely employed in the context of educational assessment, research has shown that it suffers from low interrater reliability and is inconsistent between educational contexts such as courses and topics. Unlike Bloom’s, SOLO is based upon Piaget’s Stage Development theory and categorizes learning into five distinct stages: Prestructural, Unistructural, Multistructrual, Relational, and Extended Abstract. SOLO does not suggest that learning is unidirectional or hierarchical. It also acknowledges internal cognitive processes rather than focusing solely on observable behaviors. Although very little research has investigated its reliability, it could be an attractive alternative to Bloom’s because it may more accurately reflect how learning occurs. The present work reviews the development and implementation of these two models and compares them.

Authors: Ezra Stein. Mentors: Nicole Dib. Insitution: Southern Utah University. In Simulacra and Simulation (1981), Jean Baudrillard lays out for stages through which a sign (an image or other representation of reality) becomes a simulacrum (a sign with no basis in reality). I argue that the followers of the Qanon conspiracy movement, as detailed in Mike Rothschild’s "The Storm is Upon Us" (2021), follow these four stages in their radicalization into the conspiracy. The first stage outlined by Baudrillard is when the image is a basic reflection of reality itself. We see this stage when Rothschild discusses how QAnon believers discuss the CIA. Adherents of QAnon will often point to the declassified MKULTRA documents released by the CIA for credibility, as this is something that was proven to have actually happened, the sign being a representation of actual reality. The second of Baudrillard’s stages is when a sign takes something from reality and twists and distorts it into something different than what it originally represented. An example of this in "The Storm is Upon Us" is seen in the way Q believers talk about adrenochrome, which is a real but harmless chemical compound, as an elixir of youth used by the elite. Stage three is when a sign claims to be based in reality but is actually based on nothing at all. The originator of QAnon, the man who goes by “Q,” fits within this stage. Rothschild lays out Q’s origins as an anonymous poster on the website 4chan who claimed to high-level military clearance. Q’s claims were supposedly based on real-life military intel, but were actually made up by an anonymous stranger on the internet. The fourth and final of Baudrillard’s stages is the simulacrum. This is when signs do not reflect anything in reality, but instead are based on other signs. The Storm is Upon Us shows that many QAnon beliefs, both major and minor, are based in pre-existing conspiracy theories like blood libel, flat earth, and global cabals that secretly control the world. Those who are completely indoctrinated into QAnon hold these beliefs that are based on other beliefs and are therefore existing in Baudrillard’s fourth stage of the precession of simulacra. My presentation will examine these four stages and demonstrate the overlap between this critical theory and the contemporary conspiracy movement that is taking up a considerable space in the American cultural imaginary.

Authors: Joseph Nielson, Ben Schooley. Mentors: Ben Schooley. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) affects an estimated 30 million Americans and is the third leading cause of death worldwide. A recent effort to curb deaths and hospitalizations involves remote patient monitoring (RPM). Of all possible monitoring parameters, spirometry presents itself as potentially accurate and helpful, but the exact effect and its size remain to be described. A systematic literature review is being performed to describe the current state and future opportunities in RPM systems that use remote spirometry for COPD patients. Only studies that specifically mention the use remote spirometry for monitoring COPD patients were included. The databases PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCO were searched in July and August 2023. Studies are being synthesized by tabulating the study sizes and designs, technological parameters, and interesting findings. Twenty-nine studies have been included spanning feasibility and pilot studies as well as one randomized clinical trial. Remote spirometry for COPD patients has generally been shown to be feasible. Many studies present systems in early stages of development that have yet to be tested thoroughly in large trials. It may be necessary to involve remote spirometry in more large-scale trials soon. Future studies could confirm the degree to which spirometry adds helpful information for monitoring COPD patients.

Authors: A. Kalani Brubaker. Mentors: Nathan Crane. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Binder Jetting is an exciting form of Additive Manufacturing in which a binding agent is selectively deposited on layers of powder to bind the powder together and create a 3D printed part. It is notable for its wide range of materials, energy efficiency, and built-in supports. Much research has been done on how to achieve desirable properties of binder-jetted parts and post-processing, but the fundamental principles of binder-powder interaction and the effects of changing printing parameters are still not fully understood. This research aims to increase that understanding. Each binder-jetted part begins by depositing individual binder droplets in a straight line, and the binder-powder droplets coalesce to form a single line. Adjacent lines are then printed to form a cross-section of the part, the next layer of powder is applied, and the process continues until a 3D part is printed. If the spacing between the droplets is too large or the inter-arrival time too short, the droplets form spheres on the surface of the powder (a phenomenon called balling), and a continuous line is not formed. This research determines how continuous line formation is affected by droplet spacing, inter-arrival time, and controlled misting of the powder bed prior to printing. To examine the effects of these parameters, lines were printed in dry and prewetted powder beds while varying the spacing and inter-arrival time between droplets. The beds were then examined using an optical microscope to determine whether continuous lines were formed. The results were recorded on a graph of inter-arrival time versus droplet spacing, and the “boundary line” for successful line formation was found for each bed. The results showed that the boundary on the prewetted data exhibited a different relationship than dry powder beds, suggesting that a different binder-powder principle may dominate after prewetting. The prewetting also shifted the boundary upwards, making it possible to form continuous lines at higher droplet spacings and shorter inter-arrival times. This increased ability to form continuous lines has the potential to significantly increase the throughput of binder-jetted parts.

Authors: Danyon Gedris, Paul Frandsen. Mentors: Paul Frandsen. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Whole genome assembly has rapidly improved as third-generation sequencing technology like PacBio HiFi and Oxford Nanopore (ONT) have bridged the gaps of complex genomes by providing high-accuracy, long read data. The improvements in these technologies have resulted in long average read lengths (>15 kbp) and sequence quality scores above 99% (>Q20). They are particularly well-suited to assembling long, repetitive regions of the genome. Current assembly techniques combine reads with identical sequences to form longer, continuous sections. In repetitive regions, this process tends to condense the repeated sequences into one shorter read, instead of preserving the continuous nature of the repeats. Long reads avoid this issue by sequencing repeats together in one continuous read. Heavy chain fibroin (h-fibroin), the gene that encodes for the primary silk protein in Trichoptera and Lepidoptera, is long (often >20 kbp) and repetitive. Recent work showed that PacBio HiFi sequencing provided higher quality assemblies of h-fibroin when compared to the last generation of ONT pores (R9.4.1) and chemistry despite having a shorter average read length. Recent advances in ONT chemistry and nanopores (R10.4.1) have led to higher quality scores, perhaps allowing successful assembly of this gene region. To better understand the advances in ONT sequencing and its ability to provide high-quality, continuous genome assemblies of complex organisms, we assess the quality of assemblies of the h-fibroin silk gene for the Trichoptera species, Arctopsyche grandis and Parapsyche elsis, using the newest ONT chemistry.