Fine Arts

Authors: Joseph Holmes. Mentors: Jared Nielsen. Insitution: Brigham Young University. BACKGROUND Anosognosia is characterized by a stroke victim’s inability to acknowledge their acquired physical deficits. Such patients could believe they can operate their limbs normally even when they cannot. Patients will often attribute other reasons to explain their deficit (unwillingness to move, a sprain, arthritis, etc).Previous research has reported damage from various brain areas, including several fronto-temporal-parietal areas, insula, and subcortical regions. Many studies suggest that the deficit is caused from impaired sensory feedback coupled with spared motor intentions, which involves premotor, sensory-motor regions, basal ganglia, temporal-parietal junction, insular cortex, and prefrontal cortex. The objective of this study is to confirm the involvement of these brain areas. It is also to identify other possible networks that could contribute to the development of AHP. METHODSWe performed a literature review for case studies of patients presenting with anosognosia for hemiplegia (n=17). The majority of cases were attributed to ischemic stroke (n=15) while the others resulted from hemorrhagic stroke. Lesion network mapping analysis was performed on the 17 lesions with a large cohort of healthy control resting-state scans (n=1000). RESULTSThe main regions to which the lesions were functionally connected included the right transverse temporal gyrus (n=17) and the anterior left insula (n=17). It is also important to note that the lesion networks were found to be negatively correlated with a few areas in the prefrontal cortex. CONCLUSIONFurther research should be done to investigate the involvement of specific areas of the prefrontal cortex in AHP. Some regions in the prefrontal cortex may be negatively correlated; however, past research suggests a positive correlation of other prefrontal regions. It is important that clinicians understand the lesion networks of AHP, as it will guide them to treat patients more effectively. Interventions such as transcranial brain stimulation could become more beneficial to patients, as clinicians will know specific areas of the brain to stimulate to mitigate symptoms of AHP.

Authors: Alex Jarvis, Brooklyn Flowers, June Oaks, Sadie North. Mentors: Tyson Harmon. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Background: Dual tasks have been found to negatively affect language production for people with and without aphasia (Harmon et al., 2023). For people with aphasia (PWA) specifically, previous research suggests that limited working memory or attentional capacity contributes to their difficulty with language tasks (Harmon et al., 2019; Pompon et al., 2015; King & Karen 1996; Obermeyer et al., 2020). One common situation in which communication occurs within a dual task environment is talking while driving. Investigating how talking while driving impacts spoken language could help us better understand how to facilitate both safer driving behaviors and improved communication among friends and family while driving. Longer-term, this understanding can springboard further research addressing assessment and intervention practices in aphasia, which better reflect communication in daily life. Original findings related to speech acoustics revealed that talking while driving led to increased speech intensity and decreased speech time ratios (Glenn, 2017; Simmons, 2016). The potential impact of these driving tasks on spoken language, however, has not been investigated. For the present study, we will conduct a secondary analysis of language samples produced across the aforementioned conditions to understand how they impact spoken language production. Method: Data for the present study was collected for a larger project with initial aims of investigating the impact of driving on speech acoustics (e.g., frequency, intensity). This project also investigated bidirectional interference between speech acoustics and driving as well as the effects of different conversational modalities (e.g., talking on the phone, in person, or through Bluetooth). Forty healthy adults who reported no speech, language, or hearing impairment participated in the study. Participants completed seven tasks, which were presented in a random order: driving without speaking, speaking on a hand-held cell phone, speaking on a hands-free phone, talking to a person next to them speaking on a hand-held cell phone while driving, speaking on a hands-free phone while driving, and talking to a person next to them while driving. Within each of these conditions, participants discussed a topic they selected from a list while completing these tasks. To analyze spoken language, we will first transcribe samples orthographically. These transcriptions will then be coded for lexical-phonological, morphosyntactic, and macro-linguistic errors. Parametric statistical analysis will be used to compare across different age groups. Anticipated Results: We hypothesize that participants will demonstrate increased errors in conditions that involve talking while driving (i.e., dual task conditions) than in conditions that involve talking alone (i.e., single task conditions). Previous research suggests dual-tasking has a negative effect on language including lexical and phonological errors even in non-aphasic participants (Harmon et al., 2023). In this study, we would expect more lexical-phonological (e.g., fillers, revisions, repetitions) and macro-linguistic (e.g., aposiopesis) errors during dual task conditions. For future studies involving PWA’s, we would expect more impaired language in dual-task activities than those without aphasia.

Authors: ANNA EDLER, RYAN KUNKLER, CASEY WEBB, JACOB MANNING, MARCUS M LAWRENCE. Mentors: Marcus Lawrence. Insitution: Southern Utah University. Climbing (sport and bouldering) has become a very popular hobby for people all over the globe.Now that climbing is an Olympic sport the need for understanding best training practices through evidence, not anecdotal experience, has grown. Using the International Rock Climbing Research Association (IRCRA) individual grading scale based on route completion difficulty,some research has shown that upper limb strength is important for individuals to progress from recreational/intermediate to more advanced/elite levels. However, many studies use non-sportspecific measurements (i.e., hand dynamometer versus a finger climbing hold) and none have assessed rate of force development (RFD) or lower body strength contributions. PURPOSE: To test the hypothesis that compared to recreational/intermediate climbers advanced climbers would have greater dominant and non-dominant upper-body strength and finger RFD as well as lower body compound strength. METHODS: Nineteen subjects (n=8 female and n=11 male;age: 24.7±7.5 yrs; height: 177.6±7.8 cm; mass: 76.0±14.9 kg; IRCRA Sport Grade: 14.1±6.7; n=10 intermediate, n=9 advanced) completed this study. During a single session, following a standardized 3-5 min. warm-up all participants dominant and non-dominant finger strength andRFD (using a Tindeq dynamometer load cell attached via static rope to a 20mm edge) as well as shoulder strength (using the same Tindeq load cell with a static rope attached to an olympic ring), and lower-body compound strength (isometric mid-thigh pull using G-strengthdynamometer load cell attached to a straight bar with a static rope) were assessed. Three trials were done on each measurement with 1 min. between trials and 3-5 min. between tests. Unpaired t-tests determined differences, p<0.05. RESULTS: Across every measurementadvanced climbers had significantly (p<0.05) higher values for absolute and relative (normalized to body weight, BW) measurements. As absolute and non-dominant results were similar we onlyreport dominant relative results, where appropriate. Indeed, compared to intermediate climbers advanced climbers had significantly higher relative dominant finger RFD (9.9±3.7 vs 20.8±9.4N/s*BW -1 ), finger strength (0.5±0.1 vs 0.7±0.3 kg/BW), shoulder strength (0.7±0.2 vs 0.9±0.2 kg/BW), as well as relative compound strength (1.8±0.4 vs 2.6±0.7 kg/BW, respectively). CONCLUSION: Advanced climbers have larger absolute and relative RFD in their fingers,stronger dominant and non-dominant fingers and shoulders, as well as stronger lower body compound strength. Thus, individuals looking to progress from recreational/intermediate climbing grades to advanced/elite should focus on improving total body absolute and relative strength as well as finger RFD.

Authors: Jacob Armstrong, Tyler Standifird. Mentors: Tyler Standifird. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Lower Limb Asymmetries in Unilateral Jump Mechanics as Possible Risk Factor for Injury in Collegiate WrestlersJacob Armstrong and Tyler Standifird 1Utah Valley University, Orem, Ut. Injuries impose a multi-faceted burden on athletes, coaches, and sporting organizations, encompassing physical, financial, and psychological ramifications. Determining risk factors and identifying them in athletes has been a widespread goal amongst researchers and practitioners in attempts to reduce injuries. Investigating Limb asymmetries, or limb imbalances, has been a common approach in identifying such factors but has shown inconsistent correlations with injuries (Melony, 2018). Moreover, much of the current research investigates asymmetries of outward limb performance (i.e., Strength, flexibility, jump performance etc.) and not asymmetries of internal joint mechanics. Identifying relationships between internal joint asymmetries and lower limb injuries can further aid coaches, practitioners and sporting organizations in effectively identifying injury risks. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate internal joint asymmetries of the lower limbs during unilateral jump testing and their association with injuries in collegiate wrestlers. Methods: 23 healthy Division 1 NCAA collegiate wrestlers performed single leg depth jumps from a 12-inch platform unto force plates (Bertec Inc 1000 hz). Additionally, markerless motion capture technology was used to collect video data using Qualisys Mocap cameras (Qualisys North America, Inc. Buffalo Grove, Ill). Imagery was then processed in Theia (Theia Markerless, Inc. Kingston, Ontario) to produce 3d joint locations for all the joints of the lower extremity. Each wrestler performed 3 jumps with the left leg and then 3 with the right leg for a total of 6 jump attempts. 7 total variables were calculated and recorded in Visual 3D software (Dolomite Enterprises, LLC. Tallahassee, FL) for each wrestler and leg: drop max vertical force, vertical loading rate on drop, peak knee adduction angle, peak knee abduction moment, peak knee adduction moment, peak knee flexion angle, peak knee extension moment. Averages, standard deviations and percent differences were also calculated and compared between limbs. Injury history data was also collected from each participant from the year 2021 - present day.Results: Averaging found asymmetries in peak knee adduction angle with the left knee being greater than the right by 4.9 degrees (p=0.001), peak knee abduction moment with the right knee being greater than the left by .95 newton meters (p=0.001), and peak knee adduction moment with the left knee being greater than the right by .44 newton meters (p=0.001). All significant asymmetries were found in the frontal plane. No significant asymmetries were found in the sagittal plane. Injury history report found a total of 24 seperate lower limb injuries within the described timeframe. 16 associated with the right limb and 8 associated with the left. A total of 5 ACL injuries, 8 MCL injuries, 5 LCL Injuries, 3 meniscus injuries, and 3 ankle injuries. Conclusion: Asymmetry trends in collegiate wrestlers potentially indicate that internal joint asymmetry is specific to sport or activity. Also, internal joint asymmetry could be a potential indicator for training protocols for overall better movement and health within the studied population. Asymmetrical values of the peak knee adduction angle, peak knee abduction moment, and peak knee adduction moment combined with the frequency of knee injuries of the participants indicate possible positive correlations between the magnitude of asymmetry discovered and injury risk.

Authors: Michaela Lovejoy, Rylee Udom, Lindsey Fry, Hailey Roubidoux, Makayla Dunbar, Kali Hunt, Mandy Gibbs, Lisa Welch. Mentors: Lisa Welch. Insitution: Utah Tech University. Traditional dental radiography education necessitates the exposure of both clinician and patients to radiation to build clinician skill. Virtual reality (VR) may enable practitioners to learn valuable hands on skills without the use of expensive equipment and without patient or operator exposure to radiation. The purpose of the research is to determine if access to practice in virtual reality (VR) using a specifically designed application, builds skill competency in dental radiology compared with traditional practice methods. A convenience sample of 24 first year dental hygiene students at Utah Tech University were recruited and randomly assigned to the test and control groups. Test group participants were given access to a VR headset with a dental radiology skill practice application installed. Control group participants were given access to traditional dental radiography skill practice methods. To encourage participation, an incentive of a $10 Amazon gift card upon completion of the study was offered. Data will be collected via skill competency evaluation at two-months, mid-term grade scores and final grade scores from the participants’ dental radiology laboratory course. To increase internal validity and reliability, investigators responsible for skill competency evaluation will be blinded and undergo both intra and inter-rater reliability testing to 95% agreement. Upon completion of the Fall semester 2023, data will be analyzed using ANOVA repeated measures between factors accounting for the two independent variables of traditional practice and practice in VR and the dependent variables of competency assessment scores, mid-term and final clinical course grades. Alpha will be set at 0.05. Should it be determined that practice in VR contributes to student learning, VR may enable students to practice additional health science skills in a safe, low stakes environment; thus, increasing student experiential learning and contributing to increased student and patient safety.

Authors: Britt Wyatt, Alyssa Habel, Jess Cusick, Heath Ogden, Josh Premo. Mentors: Dr.Britt Wyatt. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Vaccines are crucial to maintaining healthy communities as they provide immunological protection against a variety of infections (Geoghegan, S. et al. 2020). By providing immunity, vaccines prevent serious illnesses, reduce disease severity, and protect communities. However, in 2019 the World Health Organization (WHO) declared vaccine hesitancy (resistance to getting vaccinated) as one of the top 10 dangers to global health (Dubé, Ève, et al. 2021). Previous studies have shown that certain communities are more vaccine hesitant than others. For example, individuals who are religious, conservative, Black, and women have been found to be more vaccine hesitant than other individuals (Savoia, E. et al., 2021) (Gowda C. & Dempsey, A., 2013). Therefore, we wanted to investigate vaccine hesitancy at an open enrollment institution that serves a unique student population where ~70% of students are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and ~30% are non-traditional (over the age of 24) (UVU IR, 2023). Compared to the overall 1.6% of individuals in the United States who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Pew Research Center, 2023), the identities of the students attending the open enrollment institution are vastly underrepresented in education research that has been conducted at other institutions. To investigate vaccine hesitancy, a survey was given to 1,444 students in the beginning of the Fall 2023 semester asking questions around vaccine safety and support. Preliminary results indicate that 70% of non-religious students will choose to be vaccinated against known and new diseases compared to 37% of religious students. 53% of non-religious students think that vaccine mandates are appropriate compared to 25% of religious students. These results indicate more vaccine hesitancy with religious students compared to non-religious students. As religious students make up most of the student population, results can help inform instructors and/or other stakeholders on scientific literacy topics to support in the academic setting. Lastly, further investigation on the intersectionality of identities will be explored such as gender and religion as women make roughly 80% of health-related decisions in their family unit. If religious women are more likely to be vaccine hesitant, development of strategies to support those students in making evidence-based decisions could be a future aim.

Authors: Kade Robison, David Britt, Elizabeth Vargis. Mentors: David Britt. Insitution: Utah State University. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading cause of sensorineural hearing loss, the most prevalent form of permanent hearing loss, worldwide. CMV treatment requires long term administration of nucleoside analog antivirals such as ganciclovir (GCV). Although ganciclovir effectively inhibits CMV, it also inhibits neutrophils, an essential component of the immune system, reducing optimal treatment duration. Previous studies have demonstrated that ganciclovir toxicity can be reduced while maintaining effective CMV inhibition by combining subtherapeutic doses of ganciclovir with quercetin, an FDA approved hydrophobic flavonoid with antiviral properties, solubilized with a mitochondria-targeting drug delivery vehicle, Poloxamer 188 (P188). Further efforts have been made to optimize the combinatorial ganciclovir with quercetin encapsulated in P188 (GCV-QP188) treatment by exploring the potential benefits of adding antioxidant vitamins to the GCV-QP188 treatment. One of the pathways by which CMV induces hearing loss is the generation of excess reactive oxygen species, specifically in the mitochondria. Current literature suggests that the toxic effects of the reactive oxygen species produced by CMV in the could be reduced via natural vitamin antioxidant treatments. Ascorbic acid, also known as vitamin C, was the first antioxidant vitamin investigated due to its synergistic antiviral properties when paired with quercetin to treat SARS-CoV-2. Yet, the addition of ascorbic acid into the combinatorial treatment was more toxic than the existing GCV-QP188 treatment. Current efforts are concentrated on assessing the effect of selectively delivering hydrophobic antioxidants to the mitochondria of CMV infected mouse fibroblast cells as targeted antioxidant delivery will require lower antioxidant concentrations, reducing associated toxicity. The addition of hydrophobic antioxidants retinol and alpha-tocopherol, vitamins A and E respectively, delivered via mitochondria-targeting P188 to the existing GCV-QP188 treatment is being investigated to determine if it will significantly improve GCV-QP188 treatment efficacy.

Authors: Anya Weglarz. Mentors: Melissa Watt. Insitution: University of Utah. AbstractBackgroundWomen living with HIV (WLHIV) commonly experience internalized HIV stigma, which refers to how they feel about themselves as a person living with HIV. Internalized stigma interferes with HIV care seeking behavior and may be particularly heightened during the pregnancy and postpartum periods. This thesis aimed to describe internalized HIV stigma among WLHIV giving birth, identify factors associated with internalized HIV stigma, and examine qualitatively the impacts of internalized HIV stigma on the childbirth experience.MethodsPostpartum WLHIV (n=103) were enrolled in the study between March and July 2022 at six clinics in the Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania. Participants completed a survey within 48 hours after birth, prior to being discharged. The survey included a 13-item measure of HIV-related shame, which assessed levels of internalized HIV stigma (Range: 0-52). Univariable and multivariable regression models examined factors associated with internalized HIV stigma. Qualitative in-depth interviews were conducted with pregnant WLHIV (n=12) and postpartum WLHIV (n=12). Thematic analysis, including memo writing, coding, and synthesis, was employed to analyze the qualitative data.ResultsThe survey sample had a mean age of 29.1 (SD = 5.7), and 52% were diagnosed with HIV during the current pregnancy. Nearly all participants (98%) endorsed at least one item reflecting internalized HIV stigma, with an average endorsement of 9 items (IQR = 6). The most commonly endorsed items were: “I hide my HIV status from others” (87%), “When others find out I have HIV, I expect them to reject me” (78%), and “When I tell others I have HIV, I expect them to think less of me” (75%). In the univariable model, internalized stigma was associated with two demographic characteristics: being Muslim vs. Christian (ß = 7.123; 95%CI: 1.435, 12.811), and being in the poorest/middle national wealth quintiles (ß = 5.266; 95%CI: -0.437, 10.969). Internalized stigma was associated with two birth characteristics: having first birth vs. having had previous births (ß = 4.742; 95%CI: -0.609, 10.093), and attending less than four antenatal care appointments (ß = 5.113; 95%CI: -0.573, 10.798). Internalized stigma was associated with two HIV experiences: being diagnosed with HIV during the current pregnancy vs. diagnosis in a prior pregnancy (ß = 5.969; 95%CI: -1.196, 10.742), and reporting experiences of HIV stigma in the health system (ß = 0.582; 95%CI: 0.134, 1.030). In the final multivariable model, internalized stigma was significantly associated with being Muslim vs. Christian (ß = 6.80; 95%CI: 1.51, 12.09), attending less than four antenatal care appointments (ß = 5.30; 95%CI: 0.04, 10.55), and reporting experiences of HIV stigma in the health system (ß = 0.69; 95%CI: 0.27, 1.12). Qualitative discussions revealed three key themes regarding the impact of internalized HIV stigma on the childbirth experience: reluctance to disclose HIV status, suboptimal adherence to care, and the influence on social support networks.ConclusionWLHIV giving birth in this sample experience high rates of internalized HIV stigma. This stigma was significantly associated with being Muslim, as opposed to being Christian, attending less than four ANC appointments, and reporting experiences of HIV stigma in the healthcare setting. Other factors that were correlated to higher levels of internalized stigma were socioeconomic status, parity, and timing of HIV diagnosis, all of which can impact access to and engagement in healthcare services during the intrapartum and postpartum periods. Internalized HIV stigma impacts the childbirth experience for WLHIV, making the labor and delivery setting an important site for intervention and support.

Authors: Caroline Nielson, Connor Baird. Mentors: Robert Kagabo. Insitution: Utah Tech University. Opioid Use Disorders Treatment Related Disparities in Patients with Psychiatric IllnessAuthors: Caroline Nielson, Connor Baird, Robert Kagabo, PhD, MSW, MPHAbstractBackgroundThis study is a review of peer-reviewed articles of Opioid Use Disorders (OUD) treatment among individuals with psychiatric illness. OUD is a subset of substance use disorders (SUD) that is chronic and a growing public health concern. There were 47,000 opioid-related deaths in 2018 in the US; OUD is responsible globally for 68% of the drug-related deaths. OUD can result from either prescribed or non-prescribed opioid use. Some populations such as individuals with psychiatric illness have high rates of prescription opioids yet face opioid use treatment and research-related disparities. This review study examines OUD treatment and research-related disparities among patients with psychiatric illness with the goal to improve treatment among this vulnerable population.MethodsUsing PubMed and PsycINFO databases, we performed a search of journal articles regarding OUD treatment which were published between 2010 and 2023. We then completed a review of the journal articles using narrative overview guidelines. All articles reviewed were from randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies. Examples of search terms used include OUD treatment and mental health; OUD and psychiatric illness RCT studies; and opioid use treatment and mental health. Studies included were those of OUD treatment among individuals with psychiatric illness and or with a DSM5 or DSM4 diagnosis. Any studies that did not include OUD treatment and, or a DSM diagnosis, or RCT design were excluded. To avoid duplication, only one journal article from a study was included. ResultsThere were 18 journal articles reviewed that met the inclusion criteria. Treatment periods ranged from 8-24 weeks. Generally, studies excluded individuals with diagnoses such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, or other serious mental health diagnoses. Several studies included participants with a DSM5 or DSM4 diagnosis of OUD, while excluding individuals with other psychiatric or substance use disorders. Most of the studies used pharmacological treatments and only a few studies had combined pharmacological and behavioral treatments. The common medicines in pharmacological treatments were methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone.ConclusionOUD treatment and research related disparities exist among individuals with psychiatric illness, yet this is the population who suffer most from OUD. Additional studies regarding OUD treatment among individuals with psychiatric illness are needed to improve OUD treatments and reduce OUD-related morbidity and mortality rates.

Authors: Anna Norman, Chloe Houghton, Macall Walker, Audrey Saunders. Mentors: Tyson Harmon. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Face it! How reliable is emotional facial expression coding within and across raters? Background Emotion, described as “physiological forces, located within individuals, that bolster our sense of uniqueness....” (Katriel, 2015, p. 57) is a critical aspect of day-to-day communication. For people with acquired language disorders post-stroke (i.e., aphasia), this interaction is particularly important due to relatively spared emotional processing, which has the potential to either facilitate or interfere with language processing (see e.g., Harmon et al., 2022; Ramsberger, 1996). The present study is part of a larger project, which seeks to determine whether people with aphasia exhibit more emotional facial expressions during personal narrative discourse than adults who do not have aphasia and whether these expressions are more emotionally arousing. The present study specifically seeks to investigate the reliability of facial coding by comparing average frequency and intensity of emotional facial expressions both within and across undergraduate student coders. Methods In order to quantify emotional facial expression frequency and intensity, undergraduate research assistants are trained to code facial expressions using a modified FACES protocol (Kring and Sloan, 2007). The modified protocol will be used to code emotional facial expressions of video footage that was obtained from participants while they told personal narratives (e.g., talking about an illness they experienced or an important life event). First, research assistants identify the baseline facial expression for each participant. Next, research assistants code transitions from a neutral expression to an emotional facial expression for valence (positive/negative) and intensity. Intensity ratings are scaled from 1 to 4 depending on how many units of the face are involved within the corresponding facial expression. Using this protocol, research assistants will begin facial coding after they are trained and demonstrate mastery by attaining 80% agreement with a master code. Upon completing initial data coding, research assistants will be assigned to recode 10% of previously completed video samples as well as 10% of samples that were previously coded by other coders. This secondary coding will be used to measure intra- and inter-rater reliability across dependent variables: frequency of emotional facial expressions, intensity of positive facial expressions, and intensity of negative facial expressions. Average frequency of emotional facial expressions will be calculated as the number of facial expressions produced per minute within a given sample. Intensity of positive and negative facial expressions will be calculated as the mean intensity within each valence respectively. The average frequency and intensity of initial and reliability codes will then be compared using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Anticipated Results We anticipate that intra- and inter-rater reliability will be above 0.8. Through a strict training process, research assistants will calibrate their coding to achieve 80% agreement with the master code. We anticipate this training process to produce effective intra- and inter-rater reliability. Findings will be important for determining the reliability of facial coding procedures and trustworthiness of data for answering questions related to the longer-term project. References Harmon, T.G., Jacks, A., Haley, K. L., & Bailliard, A. (2020). How responsiveness from a communication partner affects story retell in aphasia: Quantitative and qualitative findings. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 29(1), 142-156. https://doi.org/10.1044/2019_AJSLP-19-0091 Harmon, T.G., Nielsen, C., Loveridge, C., Williams, C. (2022). Effects of positive and negative emotion on picture naming for people with mild to moderate aphasia: A prelimariny investigation. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 64(3), 1025-1043. https://doi.org/10.1044/2021_JSLHR-21-00190 Katriel, T. (2015). Exploring emotion discourse. In H. Flam & J. Kleres (eds.), Methods of exploring emotions (1st ed., pp.57-66). Taylor & Francis Group. Kring, A.M., & Sloan, D.M. (2007). The facial expression coding system (FACES): Development, validation, and utility. Psychological Assessment, 19(2), 210-224. https://doi.org/10/1037/1040-3590/19.2.120

Authors: Lizzie Stewart, Hayden Underwood, Dallas Goolsby, Spencer Sears. Mentors: Camilla Hodge. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Social connection is critical to understanding how individuals interact with one another and form social bonds in groups. Our research evaluates the effects on social connection based on the Ecology of Family Experiences framework, which considers the interplay between three domains: family, activity, and time. We believe that the EFE is a transferable framework that will have important social implications for understanding interpersonal relationships and designing experiences intended to increase social connection. In this study, we examine the relationship between social connection and two variables: 1) social interaction, or the behavior between two or more people crossing paths. Social interaction considers joint or parallel interaction styles between people; 2) self-disclosure, or interaction where one intends to willfully and deliberately divulge something personal to another. We hypothesize that social interaction and self-disclosure influence social connections outside the family context. We seek to shed light on the mechanisms that shape and alter the quality and depth of interpersonal connection. In our experiment, we used a 2x2 quasi-experimental design. Participants were assigned to one of four conditions varying in self-disclosure (high vs. low) and social interaction (joint vs. parallel). Self-disclosure questions asked participants to answer prescribed questions, including highly personalized questions (high disclosure) and non-personalized information (low disclosure). Participants either interacted with a partner (joint) or wrote responses next to a partner without verbal communication (parallel). Social connection was measured using the Inclusion of Others and Self Scale. The sample consisted of 148 university students. The average participant was a white, unmarried, 20-year-old from a middle- to high-class economic background. Data analysis was conducted using mixed model techniques that took into account the unique dyadic relationship of each pairing. Results suggested a significant interaction between self-disclosure and social interaction (t = 2.354, p < 0.05). With high self-disclosure and joint activity having a mean of 4.54, high self-disclosure and parallel activity having a mean of 2.33, low self-disclosure and joint activity having a mean of 3.47, and low disclosure parallel activity having a mean of 2.01. These findings highlight the importance of self-disclosure and social interaction styles in influencing social connection, extending the applicability of the EFE framework beyond the family unit.

Authors: Ramon Zabriskie, Erica Miller, Felicia Korth, Anna Taylor. Mentors: Ramon Zabriskie. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Implicit bias occurs automatically and unintentionally based on a person’s lifetime experience and cultural history (National Institutes of Health, 2022; Handelsman & Sakraney, 2015). In this study, implicit bias is evaluated through the lens of a transformative diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging business course. DEIB originated in the 1960s in response to equal employment and affirmative action laws (Sarrett, 2022). Studies show that Millennials and Gen Z generations are the most diverse populations ever in the United States (Stamps & Foley, 2023). Benefits of DEIB include the creation of a more unified, diverse, and successful workplace, less biases in hiring, team development, promotions, and who companies do business with (El-Amin, 2022). This study’s theoretical framework is based on the transformative learning theory which seeks to understand and promote human development through learning. Transformation is more than "knowing more" through time; when a learner is transformed by education they undergo a shift in perspective, and after that shift, they cannot go back to see the world the way they once did, at least in some small way (Wichita State University). The class was designed with experiential learning approaches and introduces a variety of DEIB concepts such as privilege, unconscious bias, assumptions, and intersectionality. Students interacted with a variety of experiential components such as DEIB events, panels, and interviews which addressed various minority groups. At the beginning of the DEIB course, students completed an IAT test focused on racial bias. The IAT test is known as the Implicit Association Test that uses positive and negative connotative words in association with pictures of minority groups to measure automatic reactions targeting an individual's level of implicit bias towards one minority group versus another. After students completed the racial IAT test, scores were recorded representing the level of implicit racial bias students held towards white people vs. black people. At the conclusion of the 14-week-long course, students completed the same IAT test on racial bias. Scores were recorded once again, comparative with previous IAT scores, to evaluate whether the amount of racial implicit bias had changed as a result of participating in the DEIB course and its curriculum. Data was then analyzed visually comparing the means from the pre to post test results. The data was analyzed using this method because the sample size was not large enough to return what the researchers considered to be reliable results. More data is available for this study, but has not been cleaned and matched, this process is currently taking place. Once the data is available, the researchers will use paired sample T-tests to conduct a full analysis. Additionally, descriptive analysis will be represented in the form of histograms of pre and post test scores observing the progression towards less implicit bias. The mean for the pre-test was .78 (sdv=1.34, n=171) and the post-test was .63 (std=1.38, n=144). Our sample size was 181 participants with 25 that chose not to answer. Demographics of participants consisted of 66% Caucasian, 3% Hispanic, 2% Asian, 2% Native Hawaiian, 1% other, and 26% who chose not to respond. The average age of participants was 21. Gender of participants consisted of 121 females and 34 males. Visual examinations of the means suggest there was migration toward 0, which would represent little to no bias and the class was making a difference in participants’ implicit bias scores. This study underscores the utility of DEIB instruction in promoting changes in bias. The impact of changes in implicit bias through this learning coupled with DEIB principles in a transformative way will greatly influence the workforce for generations to come.

Authors: Amanda Carlson. Mentors: Bradford Berges. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) causes AIDS and is one of the most studied viruses in history. HIV is a retrovirus that has two copies of a single stranded RNA genome. While there is in-depth understanding of the virus and its pathogenesis, no completely effective treatment or vaccine exists. One potential target for therapeutic treatment of HIV is Viral Protein R (Vpr). Vpr is a multi-functional accessory protein encoded by the HIV genome. While HIV is a quickly mutating virus, the vpr gene remains relatively conserved. Mutations in this protein dramatically impact the rate of AIDS progression compared to the wild type (WT) version of Vpr. The Vpr polymorphism R77Q is associated with the Long Term Non Progressor (LTNP) phenotype. Regular AIDS onset is 5-7 years for WT virus and 10 or more years for R77Q. These differences in AIDS progression have been observed in vivo by following people with HIV over time. We have successfully shown that R77Q activates G2 cell cycle arrest more efficiently than WT followed by apoptosis, a death mechanism with less inflammation compared to necrosis. While the molecular mechanism of Vpr-induced apoptosis is known, it is not yet determined why point mutations in Vpr are changing levels of apoptosis. With further experimentation, we have shown that R77Q has decreased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to WT virus, which may explain why it is associated with the LTNP phenotype. The functions of Vpr come from binding and modifying cellular proteins and enzymes. The focus of our research is to determine what molecular interactions change between Vpr mutants to better understand the shifts in apoptotic levels. Vpr can be found intracellularly in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and mitochondria and extracellularly in secreted proteins and within virions. We will determine Vpr concentration in these various locations for both WT Vpr and the R77Q mutant, starting by measuring extracellular Vpr. To quantify virion-associated Vpr, we have designed a research plan. We will use WT-Vpr plasmids tagged by GFP to create GFP-tagged plasmids with either WT, R77Q or null mutations using site-directed mutagenesis. We will use Sanger sequencing for confirmation of the proper Vpr mutations tagged by GFP. We will then digest the plasmid DNA, leaving only the Vpr-GFP component and use PCR to amplify the sequences. We will transfect null virus plasmid (NL4-3) and Vpr-GFP plasmids into HEK cells to package the null virus and Vpr-GFP plasmids together to create active HIV particles. Using these virus particles, we will infect Hut-78 cells for a short time to allow the virion to enter the cells. We will then measure GFP fluorescence via flow cytometry, allowing us to quantify virion Vpr. This will be run alongside a mock infection as a control. We hypothesize that differences in virion Vpr concentrations exist among Vpr mutants. Through these experiments, we aim to discover more about the role Vpr plays in cell death by apoptosis and contribute to the existing literature exploring the importance of Vpr in HIV-1.

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: 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: 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: Justin Webb. Mentors: Jeffrey Edwards. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Understanding the mechanisms underlying depotentiation in the context of previously induced long-term potentiation (LTP) is crucial for unraveling the processes of memory consolidation and forgetting. Our research is focused on synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus, the primary brain region responsible for mediating learning and memory. Using electrophysiology and neuropharmacological techniques, our goal is to elucidate the cellular mechanisms behind depotentiation, a reversal of the increase in postsynaptic response and overall synaptic strength characteristic of LTP. By doing this research, we hope to both fill existing gaps and resolve conflicting views about the processes and receptors involved in depotentiation. Experiments were performed on hippocampal brain slices of young mice. We induced LTP in hippocampal CA1 neurons using high-frequency electrical stimulation, and then elicited depotentiation in the same neurons via low-frequency electrical stimulation. This creates a cellular event analogous to learning and subsequently forgetting a new memory trace. Our preliminary findings show that depotentiation still occurs in the presence of MPEP, a metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR5) antagonist, suggesting that the depotentiation mechanism is independent of mGluR5. Additionally, because female rodent models have largely been ignored in prior electrophysiology experiments involving LTP and depotentiation, we investigated and observed gender-related differences, which show female mice exhibiting more pronounced depotentiation than their male counterparts. Building on these findings, our research will continue to identify gender-related differences in both juvenile and adolescent mice, as well as explore the role of NMDA receptors on depotentiation. We will also extend the temporal gap between LTP induction and depotentiation to explore the impact of early-phase versus late-phase LTP on subsequent depotentiation. This research aims to shed light on the intricate mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and its implications for learning, memory, and potential therapeutic modulation of these processes in the context of conditions like Alzheimer's disease, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other disorders of learning and memory.

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: 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.