Fine Arts

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Authors: Brandon Barlow, Ethan Reese, Victoria Vazquez, Abbi Stark, Monica Sanchez, Alex Wilson, Rain Evans, Josef Becker, Amy Chevrier, James Taylor. Mentors: James Taylor. Insitution: Utah Valley University. This study focuses on memory and learning observed in Madasgascar Hissing Cockroaches (MHC). Research on insects can be used to inform our understanding of behavior and cognitive processes and add to our existing knowledge about the studied species. While there is existing literature focused on memory and learning in many insects, cockroaches are often chosen as a model due to their adaptability, resilience, and availability. Little research on MHC currently exists, especially in regard to memory and learning or drug seeking behaviors. This study uses a mixed model design, looking at arm choice percentages and latency to choose, between the control and experimental groups and comparing trials for each subject. In earlier trials, MHC demonstrated behavior that indicated they had learned not to fear light, a naturally aversive stimulus for cockroaches. Building on data collected in earlier trials, we developed a new protocol to evaluate the MHC associative learning behaviors and to test drug-seeking as a motivated behavior. Subjects are individually tested in a T-shaped apparatus in which they have to choose an arm to go into or are timed out. Each arm has a specific reward, either a sucrose and ethanol solution (experimental group) or plain sucrose solution (control group) in the left arm, and plain sucrose solution (experimental group) or water (control group) in the right arm. Each subject is run 2 days (6 trials per day) in these conditions, and then 3 days with the left arm lengthened to test if the subjects will seek their preferred reward even if it requires traveling a greater distance.

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

Authors: Samantha Curnow, Carl Hjelmen. Mentors: Carl Hjelmen. Insitution: Utah Valley University. The genome sizes of insects vary immensely; some insects have only 100 million base pairs, while others reach nearly 18 billion base pairs. Many selective pressures can have an influence on genomes, but we still lack a clear understanding of which selective pressures cause such variation in genome size even within well-studied groups. To determine the influence of environmental factors on this variation, we investigate the relationship between genome size and the average natural environment of 152 Drosophila species. The nature of the relationship between genome size and environmental factors is investigated using phylogenetic models and linear analyses such as phylogenetic generalized least squares analysis. We collected data from peer-reviewed papers and publicly available datasets, such as karyotype.org and WorldClim, to compare the genome size of each species to the temperature, altitude, humidity, etc. of their natural environments using linear phylogenetic models. The distribution of these species was also visualized using geographic and biological analysis packages in R, such as geodata, to extract environmental data of specified regions, and phytools in combination with caper to run phylogenetic comparative analyses.

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

Authors: Feyan Hoffman, Roshan Abraham, Christine Fowles, Abi Conger, Scott Jenson. Mentors: Daren Nelson. Insitution: Utah Valley University. One of the least understood part of our local water budget is the interaction of groundwater into our lakes and streams. Groundwater models completed by the United States Geological Survey in 2005 for the Utah Lake Watershed suggest zones where groundwater interactions should be either discharging or recharging into our local streams, wetlands, and other water bodies. However, more recent data has suggested that many of these water interaction maps created by the model are inaccurate, and we need a better understanding of how groundwater interacts with these water bodies. Using a water budget analysis, groundwater and surface water interactions are measured by collecting discharge measurements using flow meters at different cross sections along the Provo River and its tributaries. A gaining or losing stream may swap depending on seasonal changes, such as a particular water year being dry or wet–a stream that is typically gaining may be recharging the aquifer during a dry year. The USGS model is a good basic representation of interactions between groundwater and surface water. Our data suggests that due to highly variable water levels of Utah Lake and local groundwater levels, some discharge and recharge zones in the Provo River subbasin are likely to change over time. In addition, some sections of the river may be perched and not interact with the groundwater system at all. In order for us to better manage these important resources, further analysis of flow behaviors in the Provo River and its tributaries need to be completed. This study is part of a larger study that includes adding two new permanent flow gauging stations to provide a long term record that will enable water managers to better decipher why the groundwater and surface interactions are not fitting the USGS model.

Authors: Jacob Sampson, Joshua Goates, Brian Patchett, Abolfazl Amin, Bonnie Andersen. Mentors: Bonnie Andersen. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Noise from an interstate can reach extreme levels. The OSHA limit for when sound becomes dangerous for the health of individuals is 85 dB. At UVU there is a pedestrian bridge that goes over I-15 and the students and other pedestrians that use this bridge are exposed to sound levels that could be potentially dangerous for their hearing, along with other adverse health effects due to sound on a regular basis. Sound levels have been measured on the bridge using two different measuring devices. The first being an Extech noise dosimeter, that was worn on the shoulder of the measurer as they walked across the bridge. The second instrument used was a Larson David sound level meter. That was placed on several places along the length of the bridge at set to record for several minutes to get the sound levels at those places. Sound levels that have been recorded have ranged form 79 dB to 102 dB. The OSHA limit for occupational exposure at 100 dB is two hours while for non-occupational exposure it is only 15 minutes. This research seeks to better understand and quantify the noise exposure pedestrians experience on the bridge. Also this research hopes to find out what facts influence the sound levels on the bridge and we hope to compare our experimental results to an ANSYS model of the bridge to confirm our findings.

Authors: Spencer Brown, Shawn Pepper, Carson Draughon, Ulises Thornock, Dustin Shipp. Mentors: Dustin Shipp. Insitution: Utah Valley University. In the shadow of the 2021-2023 global energy crisis, the need for alternative sources of energy has reached an all time high. To combat this, we have developed a prototype method of harvesting kinetic energy from a door swing, converting that energy into electricity, and storing it inside a battery for future use. Our experiments have demonstrated the capability to use the energy from one door to charge a cellular phone, but we believe this method could be applied on a much larger scale. In this poster we will discuss the method, design, and measurements from our device, as well as possible future applications.

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

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

Authors: Kaycie A Melville, Ashley N Egan, Yu Ya Liang. Mentors: Ashley N. Egan. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean) and P. lunatus (lima bean) provide protein and nutrition for millions of people across the globe. Native to the New World, these cultivated species present unique histories of multiple and independent domestications in Mesoamerica and the Andes. Brazil is the leading producer globally of these beans. With both wild and cultivated landraces present, Brazil may act as a secondary center of domestication for these two economically significant leguminous crops. Brazil's indigenous populations’ cultivation efforts may include both wild and cultivated germplasm, potentially contributing to the continued domestication of these crops to create novel shapes, sizes, and colors that are grown and hand-selected by the natives in these regions. To investigate Brazil as a secondary domestication center of beans, this research addresses several key questions: Are signals of past and current domestication processes discernible in current Brazilian cultivars of these species? Can we unravel the relationships between these Brazilian crops and their primary centers of domestication? What genetic differences are underpinning domestication? How diverse are Brazilian cultivars? How do they relate to wild and related material and species? This work focuses on 48 accessions of P. lunatus and P. vulgaris from Brazil, including wild material and two accessions from two related species, P. polystachios and P. filiformis from North America. Whole genomes were resequenced using Illumina sequencing and compared against the published genome of Phaseolus vulgaris to identify SNPs in each accession. Whole chloroplast genomes were also assembled and compared. Phylogenetic analyses, network analyses, population structure, and tests for neutral and positively selected mutations were conducted, revealing distinct clades for both P. vulgaris and P. lunatus with clear links to their Andean and Mesoamerican origins. Genetic diversity was assessed both within (cultivated vs wild) and between P. vulgaris and P. lunatus, demonstrating significant variations, not only between species but also within each species, suggesting the influence of diverse selection pressures and local adaptation during the domestication process. McDonald-Kreitman tests analyze and locate possible domestication genes from the library of SNP’s between outgroups (Phaseolus filiformis and Phaseolus polystachios) and between species. Overall, this research advances our understanding of the intricate process of domestication in P. vulgaris and P. lunatus, highlighting potential ongoing domestication in Brazilian cultivars, unraveling their genetic relationships, and shedding light on the complex interplay of genes that underpin domestication and diversity. These findings contribute to the broader understanding of crop evolution and have practical implications for crop improvement and conservation.

Authors: Joshua Stubbs, Annette Lewis, Kendall Holcomb, Barbara Suassuna Schincariol. Mentors: Geoffery Zhan. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Does Greater Phylogenetic Distance Affect Competition Outcomes in Fungal Communities?Annette Lewis, Kendall Holcomb, Bárbara Suassuna Schincariol, Josh Stubbs, Geoffery Zahn PhDFungi play a critical role in decomposition, affecting nutrient cycling at a global scale. Saprotrophic fungi competitively decompose dead organic matter. However, the role of phylogenetic relatedness on interspecific competition in fungal communities has not received much attention. The theory of phylogenetic over-dispersion suggests that species within a community tend to be less related than expected by chance, therefore limiting competition due to functional redundancy. Similarly, Darwin’s naturalization hypothesis suggests that taxonomically distinct invaders might experience reduced competition and resistance. In this study, we chose three different saprotrophic fungal species with varying relatedness: Aspergillus niger and Fusarium keratoplasticum (from the same family), and Pleurotus ostreatus (from a different phylum). These species were chosen based on decomposition abilities and phylogenetic distances. These species were cultured and placed in seven combinations to assess their ability to decompose and compete as individual fungal populations and as combined communities (e.g., A, B, A+B, B+C, and A+B+C). Each species was placed near a sterilized piece of paper such that competition was evaluated by analyzing the paper coverage in Petri dishes over three weeks. Each Petri dish was analyzed individually based on the average percentage of paper covered and, within combined communities, the percentage of paper each species covered. Interactions between each species and the percentage of the paper covered was recorded for further analysis. Assessing paper coverage allows for the observation of any potential competitive inhibition of decomposition. We hypothesize that decomposing and competitive abilities would be the strongest with A. niger. Despite the fast growth rate of A. niger individually, preliminary results suggest that it was outcompeted when paired with other species. This research highlights the potential nuances in fungal community interactions influenced by phylogenetic relationships, shedding light on the principles of phylogenetic overdispersion and Darwin’s naturalization hypothesis.

Authors: Anna Wilkinson, Feyan Hoffman, Roshan Abraham. Mentors: Daren Nelson. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Remote sensing technologies, involving drone and satellite imagery, have recently begun to be used in hydrologic research with various applications. The technology is relatively easy to obtain, is noninvasive, and helps minimize cost, access, and safety concerns related to the study of wetlands. The thermal and multispectral imagery can provide unique datasets that expand understanding into groundwater and surface water interactions. As part of this project, we are exploring remote sensing applications within the hydrology of wetlands surrounding Utah Lake, a large freshwater lake within Utah Valley. The project has involved the collection of thermal and multispectral drone imagery from 2021 to 2023. Thermal imagery collected in these areas has assisted in the determining of hot and cold spring locations and how these springs have shifted due to changes in groundwater levels and lake levels. In addition, this imagery has shown how physical anthropogenic influences have also impacted the location and stream channels associated with these springs. Multispectral imagery is used to understand the health of phreatophytes near the lake during dry and wet years to be used as an indicator for groundwater level changes. Even though much of the data is still preliminary and part of a long-term study these remote sensing technologies are already showing how these groundwater systems adapt to seasonal and anthropogenic changes.

Authors: Cole Statham, Katelyn Thomas. Mentors: Michael C Rotter. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Datura (Solanaceae) is a potent hallucinogenic genus of plants that has varied uses across cultures. Tropane alkaloids in these plants are potent compounds that, depending on dosage, can offer the user a psychoactive experience or cause severe reactions including death. For some, Datura is little more than an ornamental flower or an ideal source to have a psychedelic experience. While for others it is a sacred plant, used on special occasions, and only permitted to be handled by those who have been prepared and trained to do so. An explanation for these cultural differences could be that cultures with taboos surrounding this plant are likely those that have species of Datura with variable levels of tropane alkaloids, while cultures without taboos are likely to have species with consistent levels of tropane alkaloids. Here we focus on six species of Datura using literature reports of tropane alkaloid contents and compare the variability in these phytochemicals to cultural uses of these plants. We predict that societies with cultural taboos will be more likely to be those with species that have higher variability in tropane alkaloids.

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

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

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

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

Authors: Veronica Gunyan, Minh Nguyen. Mentors: Kevin Shurtleff. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Our team’s project green hydrogen production from plastic waste by high temperature plasma pyrolysis aims to help aid in reducing waste by taking UVU’s recycled plastic waste, decomposing it using plasma pyrolysis, and turning it into clean hydrogen and carbon in a cost-effective manner. Pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of organic materials in an oxygen-free zone. Green hydrogen comes from renewable energy and releases no CO2 by products into the air. The purity of the hydrogen can be improved by adjusting components such as temperature in the reactor, range, the gas used, the time frame, catalysts and other operational elements. Energy prospects can be determined by considering the energy consumed subtracted by that produced to determine the net output.

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

Authors: Juan Palencia, Tanner Probst, Clair Yeaman. Mentors: Machiel Van Frankenhuijsen. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Abstract: The ABC conjecture is an unsolved problem in mathematics first formulated by Joseph Oesterlé and David Masser. The conjecture attempts to show an analogy between polynomials and integers. This insight arises from the Stothers-Mason Theorem (also known as Mason’s Theorem). The theorem states that the maximum degree of a polynomial is always equal to or less than the number of distinct roots minus one. The ABC conjecture attempts to bridge this analogy by defining the height as the maximum algebraic number in the sum a + b = c where a, b and c are relatively prime. Masser and Oesterle define the radical as the sum of log p where p divides abc. Mason’s theorem states that the height is less than the radical minus one. It turns out that this is not true for the integers. Thus Masser and Oesterle formulated a conjecture which may be true. Over the past decades, this inequality has been strengthened and reformulated. Shinichi Mochizuki has recently published what he claims to be a proof of the conjecture, but many mathematicians are currently still working to understand it. The aim of our research is to better understand the height and radical in the ABC conjecture. In addition, we intend to explore the possibilities of expanding the Stothers-Mason Theorem. Since the ABC conjecture is concerned with an analogy between commutative rings (integers and polynomials), we are interested in seeing whether Mason’s Theorem for polynomials also holds for non-commutative rings, such as matrix rings and the ring of quaternions. In addition, we intend to explore the connection between the factorization of polynomials and finite Abelian groups.

Authors: Fatoumata N'diaye, Kevin Shurtleff. Mentors: Kevin Shurtleff. Insitution: Utah Valley University. The use of solar energy for water purification purposes has proven to be an efficient tool with promising results which could help tackle the issue of water scarcity in developing regions of the world. The low-cost, solar water purification system built previously will be improved through increasing thermal conduction, enhancement of the water flow uniformity, strengthening of the piping system, increasing airflow inside the water purification system, and thus maximizing the clean water production rate. We used aluminum foil as the condensation surface with silicone caulk as a binding agent between the materials. We used ultra-violet resistant greenhouse plastic film to protect the purifier overall from sunlight damage. We measured the incident solar irradiance, airflow inside the purifier, temperature of the evaporation side, temperature of the condensation side, ambient temperature outside, conductivity of the dirty and clean water, and clean water quality/taste. Finally, we compared this data to previously collected data.

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

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

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

Authors: Iris Cepeda, Tabitha Weir, Jonathan Cook, Honey Ordonez. Mentors: Olga Kopp. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Solanum lycopersicum (tomatoes), are beloved herbaceous crops well known for their red bearing fruits. They are best grown in well-draining soils with access to full sun and are endemic to South America but grow all across the world where the conditions allow. Tomato fruits provide a quality source of phytochemicals and antioxidants such as lycopene, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and phenolic compounds which can substantially improve one’s healthy diet. S. lycopersicum are members of the nightshade family, which are known for their production of often toxic glycoalkaloids. The presence of these compounds usually deters herbivores by increasing their concentration as a defense response. There are, however, herbivores like Manduca sexta (tobacco hornworms) that feed on members of the nightshade family by dealkylating these glycoalkaloids. It is hypothesized that plants have the ability to modulate their defensive response based on queues from the environment and from their herbivore pests. Our research objective is to determine whether a S. lycopersicum plant undergoing defoliation from M. sexta will have the same molecular response as a plant undergoing simulated herbivory. Four treatment groups will be used with each treatment group having 8 replicates. Before treatment begins, the groups will be isolated by a non-permeable surface so air-borne defense signals from one group do not elicit a response in another. In the herbivory treatment group, M. sexta will be allowed to feed for a 24-hour period to account for diurnal and nocturnal herbivory, as well as high plant enzymatic response. Damage treatment 1 will simulate herbivory using a hole-punch, avoiding the midvein. Damage treatment 2 will simulate herbivory using a single transverse cut across the leaf blade and midvein. The undamaged control will have no herbaceous or mechanical damage done. After the treatment period, half of the leaf matter from all groups will be collected and frozen in liquid nitrogen to preserve all metabolic processes and GCMS will be used to analysis metabolite differences. The other half of the leaf matter will be analyzed using UV-spectrophotometer analysis with bromocresol green to compare the glycoalkaloid expression between the treatments. It’s expected that there will be a reduced expression of the defense glycoalkaloids in the herbivory group of S. lycopersium when compared to the two defoliation groups. While the three treatments could respond similarly to their treatments by primary metabolite expression, the type of defoliation could have a greater effect on this than the herbivory group.

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

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

Authors: Jaylee Montague, Skylar Belka, Gabe Espinoza, Geoff Zahn, Alma Laney. Mentors: Alma Laney. Insitution: Utah Valley University. In May of 2022, a several unidentified trees on Utah Valley University (UVU) campus property exhibited severe virus-like symptoms including: mosaic patterning; yellowing, curling, deformed leaves; and flaking bark. Due to the presence of unidentified aphids and after a literature search, we began investigating the sample for a +ssRNA virus. Extensive testing and RNA sequencing using the MinION v9.4.1 and the cDNA PCR Barcoding kit revealed that neither a ssRNA nor a dsRNA virus were present in the samples, thus, it was suspected that a DNA virus could be the cause. We utilized Rolling Circle Amplification (RCA) on extracted DNA. Following the RCA, gel electrophoresis revealed a strong amplicon larger than 10 kb, suggesting the presence of a DNA virus. Sequencing of the viral genome from the RCA product using the MinION vs10.4.1 chip showed that the mulberry did contain baculoviruses and large DNA viruses. Unfortunately, though, the MinION did not get results for DNA plant viruses, so we sent samples for RNAseq on the Illumina NovaSeq, with results still pending. This is significant since it is likely that the other symptomatic plants near these trees—including redbud and spirea—were infected with the same virus due to RCA amplification in those samples and the presence of the same potential aphid vector. Mechanical inoculations to several herbaceous hosts were done using infected spirea tissue. Furthermore, to our knowledge this is the first report of a DNA virus infecting spirea and redbud in the United States.

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

Authors: 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