Fine Arts

Authors: Cristina Chirvasa, Tyler Williams, Matteo Petit Bon. Mentors: Karen Beard. Insitution: Utah State University. Arctic regions are experiencing climate change impacts at disproportionately high rates. Rising temperatures, flooding from melting sea ice and increasing storm surges, and changing animal migration patterns are all contributing to altered Arctic ecosystems. Here, we examine the impact of warming, flooding, and increased herbivory on three plant communities, with varying levels of background inundation due to their distance from rivers, in the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) delta, a large riverine delta in Alaska. While previous research has examined climate change responses in the Arctic, there have been few studies on the response of plant functional traits to herbivory with other environmental factors. We will conduct an experiment to measure the impact of these variables (herbivory, flooding, and warming) across three different habitat types. My research will investigate the response of plant functional traits to the experimental treatments. I will fit linear mixed effects models to analyze the impact of our three treatments. This study will increase knowledge on climate change impacts on different plant communities across the Y-K Delta.

Authors: Jacob Atkinson. Mentors: Vinodh Chellamuthu. Insitution: Utah Tech University. Insurance is a crucial part of economies worldwide, paying billions of dollars in claims yearly. Insurance companies need to anticipate future claim liabilities to manage the high volume of claims. This research investigates the use of linear and non-linear machine learning algorithms, including linear regression, ridge, lasso, elastic net, Decision Tree Regressor, Random Forest Regressor, and Gradient Boosting Regressor, to predict auto insurance claim amounts. The performance of each model is assessed using various metrics, such as mean squared errors, mean absolute errors, and R-squared. An optimized model will also be used to estimate the future financial impact.

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

Authors: Baylee Christensen, Reagan Mckee, Dante Celani, Candice Johnson, Randy Klabacka. Mentors: Randy Klabacka. Insitution: Utah Tech University. When studying the genetics of biological systems, we often assign individuals to categories (e.g., “ecotypes”) and then assess genetic differences using computational biology tools. If populations within categories are used as units in statistical models, this can present a potential statistical pitfall called pseudo-replication (which happens when multiple measurements of the same population are compared). To circumvent this flaw, we developed a software package called CatPop. CatPop considers all possible population assignments (using combinatorics) and performs a permutation test to determine whether a locus has significantly greater divergence between groups compared to within the same group. Our test of CatPop on simulated data shows that it can accurately identify divergent loci between categories, and we also examine its utility with previously-published datasets that examine divergence between ecotypes.

Authors: Haley LeFevre, Julie Pynn. Mentors: Julie Pynn. Insitution: Southern Utah University. Loneliness is a perceived isolation resulting from a lack of meaningful social connections. The COVID-19 pandemic increased rates of loneliness for many people, including college students. At the same time, internet use also went up. As loneliness and internet use increased, many people turned to parasocial relationships, forming one-sided emotional connections with online content creators and celebrities. Do students at SUU use parasocial relationships to cope with loneliness? We predict that students at SUU who are experiencing loneliness will be more likely to engage in parasocial relationships. Understanding how people interact with online content and develop relationships with online personalities is essential for promoting digital literacy and positive online behavior as internet usage grows. This research can explain the significance of digital media in students' lives if SUU students are using parasocial relationships to deal with loneliness. In that case, the university can create specialized support programs, workshops, or counseling services to assist students in making more effective coping strategies and minimizing feelings of isolation. Results are forthcoming.

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

Authors: Atira Schulte. Mentors: Michael Popich. Insitution: Westminster College. We live in an environmental crisis caused by mass overconsumption and non-sustainable practices of humans- issues rooted in anthropocentric beliefs that humans may use all other life to our benefit with no regard for consequences. Animals and ecosystems have the right to exist and flourish, they have intrinsic worth, so they ought to have moral standing. This research aimed to build a new ethical theory that would extend the same rights humans are widely considered to have to other animals and ecosystems; especially citing Martha Nussbaum, James Sterba, and John O’Neill. The age-old desire to dominate nature must be replaced with a newfound respect and wonder for non-human life and the environment; Reframing our methods of thinking and moving towards more sustainable methods of living. Only by changing the mindset of humans, from one of domination and exploitation to stewardship and coexistence-even friendship, can we resolve this environmental crisis.

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

Authors: Tyler Randall. Mentors: Joshua Price. Insitution: Southern Utah University. This research paper investigates the relationship between men's consumption of pornography and its potential influence on women's decisions regarding marriage. In an era of increasing acceptance of pornography, this study delves into the socio-economic implications of its widespread usage. The research builds upon existing literature that suggests individuals turn to pornography as an escape from negative emotional state. As internet pornography has grown into a big industry, we aim to understand its impacts not only individuals but also on society. Numerous studies have found that pornography as a factor contributing to divorce cases. Specifically, women may perceive pornography as a form of infidelity, which is shown to lead to unhappiness and potentially divorce. Our research contributes to the field by examining the distinct needs and motivations of men and women in the context of marriage. We seek to determine whether men's pornography consumption leads women to view them as less suitable for marriage. We explore the possibility that men may be giving up their ability to be an attractive option for women if they are looking at pornography.

Authors: Joshua Booher. Mentors: Jacob Hickman. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Musicians in Northern Ireland described the space and community that they were actively trying to build in Belfast as “the Third Thing”. In Belfast, music has remained as an alternative third space to the sectarian dualism of Protestant vs Catholics. Since before the Easter Rising in 1916 Catholic Nationalists have fought to obtain sovereignty by establishing a United Ireland while Protestant Unionist fight to retain what they have obtained and defend king and country from Nationalist siege. Their opposition to each other fueled The Troubles in Belfast. Since signing the good Friday agreement in 1998, active tension between these communities still creates further divides and oppositions toward their counterparts. The Good Friday Agreement ostensibly marked the end of the Troubles by providing equal sovereignty to both sides. In Belfast, music has played a significant role in anti-sectarian thirdness. Punk fostered this thirdness within the conflict of the Troubles through its references by way of its anti-sectarian framework. In contemporary Belfast, the residual punk scene now serves as one genre of many in the broader music scene. This music scene has now been self proclaimed as this “third thing” which pushes back on implosive sectarian frameworks between Catholic and Protestant communities.

Authors: Grace Collier, Sadee Ball, Shelby Shepherd, Madi Kotter, Sierra Jeppesen, Tanner Wilson. Mentors: Julie Pynn. Insitution: Southern Utah University. ABSTRACTA large body of research indicates that nature has a positive effect on anxiety levels and overall well-being. This has been tested in many different ways, including through the use of soundscapes. This study aims to analyze how different soundscapes—nature sounds, urban sounds, and white noise—impact anxiety levels. Furthermore, it aims to determine whether or not this relates to one’s perception of origin. Quantitative results indicated that nature sounds and white noise tended to reduce anxiety levels the most, with urban sounds having an insignificant effect. Qualitative results revealed that nature sounds evoked the highest rate of positive emotion, with the white noise soundscape having the second highest rate, and the urban soundscape having the lowest rate. Keywords: soundscapes, nature sounds, urban sounds, white noise, anxiety, perception of origin

Authors: Leif Ravnsen

Authors: Hunter Gordon. Mentors: Geoff Smith. Insitution: Utah Tech University. Precipitation and temperature represent two of the most critical and extensively studied abiotic factors that impact ectotherms. With climate change, regions already under stress are experiencing heightened heat and aridity, which is forcing populations to adapt or face extinction. Scalation patterns, which may vary in response to these abiotic factors, could hold valuable insights for predicting the future. This study focuses on Side-blotched lizards, specifically Uta stansburiana, sampled from various populations to assess the influence of local climatic factors on their scalation. Additionally, museum specimens are integrated into the analysis to discern how these patterns have evolved over time, possibly in response to shifting climatic conditions. Through the examination of multiple locations spanning different time periods, we aim to enhance our ability to forecast the adaptive responses of organisms in the face of the hotter and drier future predicted by climate models for the American Southwest.

Authors: Alyssa Taylor. Mentors: Dr. Marquez-Velarde . Insitution: Utah State University. Athletics United (AU) is a non-profit organization in Logan, Utah dedicated to using “sport to provide a supportive environment for new American families to integrate with local communities for personal, physical and social growth” (https://www.athleticsunited.us/). To this point, AU lacks meaningful research to measure its progress in meeting its mission statement. In order to qualify and quantify AU’s impact, this project investigates question: “Does Athletics United help families integrate into local communities and how?” Athletics United integrates families into the community by providing a space to build friendships, expand one’s world view, and access community resources. During Summer of 2023, nine families participating in AU were interviewed. A mix of American and new American families were recruited. Four interviewees required an interpreter. Interviews are being qualitatively analyzed using NVivo. The interview data confirms that Athletics United integrates families into the community by providing a space to build friendships, expand one’s world view, and access community resources. To further improve, AU can consider assigning volunteers to help new American families participate in events and access resources more consistently.

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

Authors: Kennley Cook. Mentors: Crystal Koenig. Insitution: Southern Utah University. This research examines a brief history of pornography and then the porn industry itself. Specifically what has been driving men and women to perform lewd acts in front of a camera. It explores the mental, emotional, and social impacts that porn stars face from their line of work. The early days of the porn industry were permissive with acts that are considered highly immoral by today’s standards. Early porn included bestiality, child sex abuse, and highly violent pornography. While such acts have been illegalized, the industry continues to be exploitative. The ease of exploitation in the industry is largely driven by the stigma which pornography carries. Those who perform in pornographic settings are often shamed so much that it drives them to stay in the industry long after they may have wished to depart. While porn has always been taboo, it’s become far more taboo in recent years which has left many workers in the industry unprotected and open to abuse. Despite many of the dangers of pornography, porn itself is not inherently evil. In proper settings, pornography can be helpful for individuals in coming to terms with their sexuality. It can also be used to help couples equalize libidos and form bonds. It can also be liberating for some performers, with some research even suggesting porn stars have higher self esteem than those not in the porn industry . The dangers of pornography come about due to lack of regulation and outside shaming forces. To truly minimize the harms of pornography (and maximize its benefits), it’s crucial that the stigmas surrounding it be reduced so that laws and regulations may be enforced to protect its performers and viewers.

Authors: Hunter Gordon, Jace Riley, McCade Larsen. Mentors: Aaron Davis. Insitution: Utah Tech University. Tracking animal populations is key to ensuring that populations are healthy and thriving. Current data collection methods, such as radio tagging, manned aerial flyovers, and camera traps, are not only time-consuming and expensive but also fail to provide accurate population estimates. This interdisciplinary research project aims to produce a more accurate and less expensive data collection system for large game populations that could potentially be used to monitor other animal populations. The planned procedure for data collection is to attach a thermal imaging device to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and perform aerial transects throughout the observation area. Using a thermal camera will allow the UAV to fly at a higher altitude, lessening the disturbance to the animals themselves. The imaging device will take images at a set time interval along transects that can be stitched into a complete data set for the area. By using image processing techniques and deep learning models, the images will be processed to show the location as well as population counts of the animals in the area. Results from similar experiments have shown that using UAVs to collect population data not only provides more accurate data but also requires less time overall to collect the data.[1] This experiment expands upon those findings by creating automatic image processing and analysis software to increase the ease of use, allowing for more data to be collected and analyzed in the same time period.

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

Authors: Carolina Corrales. Mentors: James R. Allison. Insitution: Brigham Young University. This research analyzes ceramics found at the Alkali Ridge Site 13 in southeast Utah. The information generated with this research will allow us to know more about the technological choices of the Early Pueblo I people who lived at this location in the late A.D. 700s. The methodology will examine rim sherds through refiring and porosity tests. Refiring small sections of the sherds will provide initial information about the chemical composition of the clay used to create the vessels. The porosity tests should help determine the pieces' physical properties linked to different technologies. The combination of all these data will show differences in raw materials and their impact on the constitution of the vessels. The database obtained will allow us to statistically compare information from red, grey, and white wares, identifying patterns in size, shape, kind of material, and the technology used for each type.

Authors: Eli F Smith, Christopher Dillon, Matthew S Allen. Mentors: Matt Allen. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Background: Shear wave tensiometry offers a method to measure in vivo tendon tension, crucial for inferring applied loads on tendons. However, existing equipment for this purpose is costly and lacks mobility, limiting the ability to study a larger cohort of subjects engaged in various physical activities. Goal: This research aimed to assess the viability of utilizing low-cost digital accelerometers in conjunction with an Arduino-based microcontroller for shear wave tensiometry. Approach: This work employs surface-mounted accelerometers on a custom flexible printed circuit board (PCB), so that even spacing can be maintained between the accelerometers without interfering in data collection. To test the system and verify its ability to acquire measurements at a high enough rate, the PCB was connected to a shaker driven with a known sinusoidal signal. The flexible PCB was held in place on the Achilles tendon using athletic tape with a tapper placed on the tendon to send a shear wave through the tendon. Results: The results obtained to date compare the accuracy of the proposes system relative to the current system, which uses instrument grade accelerometers. Results obtained to date on the tendon reveal the degree to which the PCB interferes with the measurements, and suggest possible modifications to improve future designs. Conclusion: To attain valid shear wave tensiometry data, further iterations of the flexible PCB design are needed. Moreover, employing more powerful microcontrollers capable of accommodating the requisite sample rates is necessary for an improved system.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Authors: Tanner Van Orden, Dennis Shiozawa, Peter Searle, Ana Kokkonen, Paul Evans. Mentors: Paul Evans. Insitution: Brigham Young University. The Bonneville cutthroat trout (Onchorynchus clarki utah) is the only trout species native to the Northern and Southern Snake ranges in Eastern Nevada. Streams on the east side of both ranges flowed into Lake Bonneville 12,000 – 15,000 years ago when Lake Bonneville was at its maximum. As Lake Bonneville retreated, Bonneville cutthroat trout in these streams were left isolated. To better understand how Bonneville cutthroat trout in the study area are coping with a changing climate, we Investigated the genetic diversity of Bonneville cutthroat in the Northern and Southern Snake ranges and compared them to historic samples. We found highly differentiated cutthroat trout populations in close proximity to each other and a genetic diversity loss of up to 86.3% in the last 12 years.

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

Authors: Jacob Prescott. Mentors: Zoe Thompson. Insitution: Utah Valley University. The pro-opiomelanocortin (Pomc) gene encodes POMC, which is differentially processed to produce adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), beta-endorphin, and three melanocyte-stimulating hormones, among other peptides. POMC neurons are principally located in the arcuate nucleus (Arc) of the hypothalamus, where they are essential in the control of food intake, energy expenditure and body weight. Several different mutations in the POMC gene have been shown to cause early-onset obesity and adrenal cortical insufficiency in humans. We are working with a mouse model with a hypothalamic-specific POMC deficiency. These mice exhibit hyperphagia, early-onset obesity, and also seem to be infertile. We are interested in examining potential differences in pubertal development, as well as reproductive function. Specifically, we will examine day of vaginal opening, day of first estrus, and estrus cycling in juvenile female POMC-deficient mice. The estrus cycle has four stages: proestrus, estrus, metestrus and diestrus. Although hormone levels in the blood differ during the four stages, these are difficult and expensive to measure. A less invasive measurement is to take vaginal cell samples each day and examine them under the microscope. Three different types of cells are present in different ratios depending on the stage of the cycle: nucleated epithelial cells, leukocytes, and cornified epithelial cells. We will track estrus cycle changes during pubertal development and after to see if there are differences between wildtype, heterozygous, and homozygous POMC-deficient mice.Learning more about how POMC-deficiency affects reproductive function may help us understand more about the link between obesity and infertility.

Authors: Cora Rasmuson, Carly Biedul, David Herbst. Mentors: Carly Biedul. Insitution: Westminster College. Great Salt Lake (GSL) is a unique ecosystem known for its elevated saline conditions, supporting diverse biological communities. However, GSL's vital habitats for birds and invertebrates are diminishing due to climate variability and water diversions. The keystone species, Ephydra gracilis, known as brine flies, is central to this ecosystem's food web.Microbialite mounds of haloarchaea, algae, and cyanobacteria sustain E. gracilis, but receding shorelines and record-low lake levels intensify salinity, reducing food sources and brine fly survivability. This decline has far-reaching consequences, as E. gracilis accounts for over 50% of the diet for 10 million migratory birds at GSL.Ongoing research is focused on refining methods for monitoring populations of Ephydra species in response to changing salinity and elevation levels. This research is vital for the preservation of the lake's ecosystem and biodiversity.

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

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

Authors: Jerzee Findlay, Gina Fuller. Mentors: Katrina Twing. Insitution: Weber State University. Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) are toxic chemicals which were popularly used in electrical manufacturing companies from the 1930s - 1970s and are known to cause significant health concerns for humans even today. These have also been termed “forever chemicals” due to their ability to bind to sediments and soils, which results in difficulties with removal or degradation in contaminated environments. One site of widespread PCB contamination is Pittsfield, Massachusetts, where improper disposal of industrial waste by a General Electric plant has led to chronically contaminated rivers and ponds, even decades later. The aim of this research project is to learn more about the microbial communities that coexist with these toxic forever chemicals, hoping to find evidence that they can degrade PCBs through metabolism. This specific study within the project focuses on microbial diversity of sediment samples collected from the contaminated Woods Pond, located downstream of the Pittsfield General Electric plant.: We performed DNA extractions, PCR amplification, and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing on an Oxford Nanopore MinION DNA Sequencer. Preliminary data suggest that the samples contain genera known to be associated with PCB degradation, such as Paenibacillus, Clostridium, Rhizobium, and Sphingobacteria. With this understanding, future efforts aim to evaluate the ability of these environmental bacteria to degrade PCBs.

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

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

Authors: Melissa Rangel, Avery Larsen, Heath Ogden. Mentors: Heath Ogden. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Mayflies, also known as ephemeroptera, are members of the first group of insects that evolved the ability to fly(Gillott, 2005). Distinct developmental characteristics of the life stages of the mayfly are the reason that Ephemeroptera are of particular interest.The aquatic nymph stages do not have wings, but they do possess abdominal leaf-shaped gills, and in some cases gills associated to the legs. The abdominal gills can sometimes be used to help propel the insect through its environment (Eastham, 1936) in addition to performing gas exchange. Centroptilum triangulifer (family Baetidae), will be used for RNA extractions to study the developmental genetic profiles for characteristics such as wings and gills. Objectives for this research are 1). Acquire samples from different instars, subimago, and imago. 2) Perform 10 RNA extractions. 3) Use Qubit technology to ensure ≥ 20 ng/μL RNA concentration per ≥ 10 μL. 4) samples will be packaged in thermo-stable shipping boxes and sent to Novogene where samples are tested once more for quality control. 5) Once quality is confirmed, samples will be sent and processed by Novogene. 6). Using an in-house bioinformatics workflow, RNA data will be checked for quality, trimmed, aligned, and assembled. The assembled contains will be used to search for genes of interest. 7) the resulting RNA expression profiles will be compared across the installs, sub imago, and imago and to other expression profiles from other related insects.

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

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

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

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

Authors: Lauren Silvatti.. Mentors: Zoe Thompson. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Proopiomelanocortin (Pomc) deficiency, stemming from a mutation in the Pomc gene, presents a myriad of health challenges, including extreme hyperphagia, early-onset obesity, and infertility. This study leverages a mouse model exhibiting Pomc-deficiency to delve into the root causes of infertility. While the correlation between obesity and fertility is well-established, our primary focus is to discern whether the POMC mutation independently contributes to reproductive challenges. Our investigation extends into the interplay of genetics, endocrinology, and obesity through data analysis using R, with an emphasis on deploying advanced statistical models.Video recordings of sexual behavior interactions have been analyzed manually, with independent observers marking each behavior. The frequency and duration of each behavior will be compared among three groups of pairings: wildtype-wildtype, heterozygote-heterozygote, and homozygous POMC-deficient mice. Techniques will include data cleaning, timestamp manipulation, and behavior categorization in R, a programming language commonly used for data analysis. To discern patterns and variations, our analysis will also employ statistical models such as linear mixed-effects models. We can account for potential confounding variables and significant differences in durations of previously identified important reproductive behaviors. Visualization tools, including box plots and violin plots, will provide an initial glimpse into the distribution of behavior durations. Subsequently, we plan to conduct inferential statistics, employing techniques such as Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to assess the significance of differences across multiple groups. Our investigation extends beyond descriptive statistics, with a focus on predictive modeling. Regression analyses will explore potential relationships between behavior durations and reproductive success. Machine learning algorithms will be applied to uncover complex interactions within the dataset.The anticipated results promise not only a nuanced understanding of the interplay between Pomc mutations and reproductive challenges but also the identification of potential biomarkers or predictors of successful reproduction. This comprehensive statistical approach contributes significantly to the fields of genetics, endocrinology, and obesity research, offering a robust framework for future investigations into the intricate relationship between genotype and behavior.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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