Fine Arts

Authors: Joshua Evans, Allison Voyles, McKenzie Bellon, Julianne Grose. Mentors: Julianne Grose. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Alpha-crystallin B (CryAB) is a small heat shock protein that acts as a molecular chaperone and plays an essential role in cytoskeletal organization and myofibril function. Human mutations in CryAB have been associated with various diseases, such as cardiomyopathy and cataracts. However, the precise molecular pathways and protein substrates of CryAB are not yet fully understood and require further investigation. This project aims to increase understanding of CryAB by determining proteins that bind wild-type versus disease-causing variants using yeast two-hybrid screens. It also involves testing for binding specificity of variant-binding partners. A series of these Y2H screens gives valuable information regarding the binding patterns of CryAB, showing distinct binding partners for different alleles of CryAB. Overall, the project provides greater insight into the molecular functions of CryAB as well as a better understanding of the dysfunctional pathways of its disease-causing variants—a factor which may, in the future, have potential applications to the treatment of related diseases in a clinical setting

Authors: Ishmael Elliott Molina-Zepeda, Brandt Jones, Myke Madsen, Douglas Sborov, Brian Avery, Nicola J. Camp . Mentors: Nicola J. Camp. Insitution: University of Utah. Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a malignancy of plasma cells and one of the more common hematological malignancies (6.3/100,000 new cases/year). Although treatments have improved, most patients fail their first line of treatment and ultimately do not survive beyond 5 years. Identifying patients at high risk of failing treatment early is a critical need. SPECTRA is a statistical technique developed by the Camp Lab to characterize global gene expression (the transcriptome) by representing it as multiple quantitative tumor variables. Spectra variables allow gene expression to be incorporated into predictive modeling to identify high-risk groups.Transcriptome data for myeloma cells was available from 768 patients in the international CoMMpass study where 39 spectra variables were derived. Each patient has a value for each of the 39 variables (their spectra “barcode”); patients can be compared for each bar in the barcode. Predictive modeling using spectra variables was successful in identifying risk groups for time to treatment failure, such that a patient’s tumor transcriptome can be used to predict whether they are at high risk of having their treatment fail earlier.To replicate the CoMMpass data findings, we collect and process local biological samples from MM patients at the Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI). We collect bone marrow samples, which are then cell-sorted to identify tumor (CD138+) cells. RNA is extracted from these cells and sequenced to generate transcriptome data. Then the spectra barcode is calculated.Utilizing the SPECTRA technique provides a more complete understanding of MM by better characterizing the tumor. Each spectra is a tumor characteristic. Our future research includes an investigation of whether inherited variations (in normal DNA from saliva or whole blood) are associated with the transcriptome risk score. We are also pursuing the SPECTRA technique in several other cancers.

Authors: Jared Wieland, Jacob Herring. Mentors: Jeffery Tessem. Insitution: Brigham Young University. A central attribute of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is beta cell damage. This damage commonly affects beta cell’s ability to secrete insulin and regulate blood glucose levels. Nkx6.1 is a beta cell transcription factor essential for proliferation, differentiation, and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Hyperglycemia is detrimental to beta cell function and function. We hypothesize that hyperglycemia may negatively affect the expression and activity of beta cell transcription factors, including Nkx6.1. To provide an understanding of the effects of hyperglycemic conditions on Nkx6.1 expression, INS-1 832/13 beta cells were cultured in hyperglycemic conditions, then primary rat islets were treated for the same durations of time. Here, we present transcriptional, translational, cellular localization, and degradation of states of Nkx6.1 over 48 hours of hyperglycemic culture conditions both in vitro and ex vivo models. Comprehension of the mechanisms involved in hyperglycemic downregulation of Nkx6.1 is imperative to the development of treatments for diabetes.

Authors: Sofia Denise Flowers. Mentors: Lauri Linder. Insitution: University of Utah. Background and Purpose: In the year 2023, roughly 9,000 children will be diagnosed with cancer each year in the United States. Dealing with a potentially fatal diagnosis is already difficult for many grown adults, let alone a young child. The aim of this project is to describe caregiving experiences of parents and children with cancer as related through feedback comments within written and oral feedback to proposed items to measure self-efficacy for managing their child’s symptoms and behaviors used to manage their child’s symptoms.Methods: This project involved a secondary analysis of qualitative data from 21 parents (19 mothers; mean age 38 years) of school-age children with cancer who participated in a study to establish the content validity of instruments to measure aspects of symptom management. Data consisted of interview transcripts and free responses to the content review surveys. The data were then uploaded to Dedoose. My mentor and I worked independently to identify statements pertaining to parents’ experiences in managing their child’s symptoms and responding to the child’s cancer diagnosis. We then met together to reconcile content and then organize parents’ statements into categories and subcategories. Results: 101 excerpts were extracted from the transcripts and included for the secondary analysis. Excerpts were grouped into four main categories: informational resources, social support, emotional support, and medication management Within these four main categories, subthemes of professional staff support, managing child attitude and mood changes, and balancing between being a parent and their child’s medical advocate were present. Conclusion: The insights gained from this project can guide the information healthcare providers need to provide better care to the child and additional support to parents. This can allow professional staff to get a stronger understanding of not just the family’s medical needs but their informational, social, and emotional needs as well.

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 computation time allows us to break through previous computational limitations, enabling more sophisticated and complex applications of the simulation. The principal applications we will be assessing are the viability and potential of spatially offset Raman spectroscopy (SORS) for deeper tissue analysis, exploring the possibilities of topographical imaging using Raman techniques, and the advanced application of chemical imaging of microscopic tumors. This expanded scope demonstrates the simulation's potential in early cancer detection.

Authors: Emmalie Parker. Mentors: Heather Thiesset. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Changes in health insurance due to the Affordable Care act created a bridge for college students to remain on their parent or guardian’s health insurance for a longer period of time. However, little is done to close the gap of education deficiency in the area of health insurance literacy during this time. While most students in a universal health system have relatively few options to choose from, students in the US are faced with many different plans through employment or the open marketplace. Therefore, in order to ensure adequate access to care, it is imperative that students understand the fundamentals of this system in the US. This quantitative cross-sectional survey sampled 500 currently registered UVU students to assess their knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and healthcare utilization. This data was stratified by age and sex. Descriptive statistics and chi2 analyses were performed. This study showed that disparities in healthcare literacy affect healthcare utilization and can be a catalyst for long-term healthcare access issues for students and their families.

Authors: Isaac Stubbs, Skyler Russell, Melissa Blotter, Maxwell Holmes. Mentors: Ryley Parrish. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Status Epilepticus (SE) is a severe medical condition marked by continuous seizures lasting over 5 minutes. When SE becomes resistant to anticonvulsant drugs, the condition is known as Refractory Status Epilepticus (RSE), which lacks effective treatments and has a mortality rate of 38%. RSE lacks effective treatments partially due to our limited understanding of the mechanisms that lead to patient drug resistance to commonly used anticonvulsants. This study aims to address this knowledge gap in two pivotal ways.First, we have employed a high-density multi-electrode array (HD-MEA) with acute mouse brain slices to better understand RSE propagation patterns and various seizure states with unparalleled spatial precision. The HD-MEA allows us to record from the entire brain slice with 4096 electrodes sampling electrophysiological activity at every 60 micrometers for many hours at a time. Our data demonstrates that different seizure states, such as phasic seizure-like events, short duration epileptic discharges, or RSE itself, occur within both the same brain region and in different brain regions simultaneously. With our novel data visualization software, we can visualize the unique propagation of this phenomenon. These findings indicate that RSE might be a progressive event, challenging conventional understanding of RSE. Second, we are currently exploring a potential pharmacoresistance mechanism that may contribute to the patient entering RSE, which suggests that changes in the chloride reversal potential may lead to a phenomenon known as depolarizing GABA. Depolarizing GABA may negate the effectiveness of the currently used antiepileptic drugs that rely on standard physiological chloride conductance to effectively limit seizure activity. We are studying this drug resistant mechanism with the HD-MEA by introducing anticonvulsant drugs to acute mouse brain slices during the evolution of RSE to locate a critical point at which the slice becomes resistant to these compounds.We hope this study will illuminate the complexities of RSE by revealing its progressive nature and drug resistant properties.

Authors: Quinn Gerber, Lucas Carpenter, Jacob Clemons, Cindy Kin. Mentors: Cindy Kin. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Introduction: It is vital that patients are adequately prepared for surgical intervention. To meet this need, many medical centers have adopted prehabilitation protocols. The aim of this study was to establish an in-depth comprehension of the attitudes towards surgery and barriersand preferences to prehabilitation for patients identifying as Latino, in order to develop a preliminary framework for adapting prehab programs to best meet the needs of this specific patient population.Methods: We conducted qualitative semi-structured in-person one-on-one interviews with Latino patients who had recently undergone major abdominal surgery. The interviews, conducted at an academic medical center, were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, translated into English (as needed), iteratively coded, and discussed by four researchers to reach consensus. We used thematic analysis to identify shared attitudes held by patients and common barriers to the adoption of prehabilitation programs. Analysis of these attitudes and barriers, along with stated patient preferences, led to the development of several ideas that physicians can implement to increase prehab adoption among Latino patients.Results: We interviewed 16 patients, at which point we reached thematic saturation. The patients were on average 52 years old (range 20 to 79) and 50% were women. Our pooled kappa score was .92, indicating a very high degree of concordance among the coding researchers. We identified five common attitudes held by Latino patients regarding surgery: anxiety associated with hospitalizations and surgical procedures, deep trust in physicians, reliance on positivity, tight-knit families/communities, and prominent religious and cultural beliefs. A lack of understanding, physical limitations, a reactive/delayed approach to healthcare, dietary barriers, and mental barriers emerged as obstacles to prehabilitation adoption. These attitudes and barriers, along with direct patient feedback, led us to identify several programmatic priorities that may increase adherence to prehab. These components consist of face-to-face interaction, increased communication, patient and physician collaboration in program development, and family/support group engagement in surgical preparation.Conclusion: Our study provides physicians preliminary insight into customizing prehabilitation programs to best meet the needs and customs of the Latino community, including anxiety associated with hospitalizations, strong social support, and a dominant role of religious faith in coping with illness. We identified several critical components that may make prehab more culturally competent and thus more likely to be adopted by patients. These include in-person coaching, increased information about the upcoming operation and recovery, and engagement of family members. We recommend that healthcare teams committed to prehabilitation consider these needs to make their programs more attractive and accessible to their Latino patients.

Authors: Caroline Cowley, Megan Jewell, Brenda Mendoza, Aubrey Cluff, Ryan Summerhays, Jason Hansen. Mentors: Jason Hansen. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Approximately 8 million newborns manifest a birth defect every year worldwide. One of the most common birth defects involve disruptions in musculoskeletal development. Oxidative stress has been found to propagate teratogenesis. Thioredoxin-1 (Trx1), an oxidoreductase, is an important antioxidant regulator required for proper embryonic development. Trx1 knockouts have been found to be embryolethal prior to implantation. A preliminary study to assess osteogenesis was conducted using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) originating from transgenic conditional Trx1 knockout embryos. Upon confluence, MEFs were stimulated to undergo osteogenesis via commercially available media. A subset of cells were treated with doxycycline (DOX) prior to and throughout the culture period. MEFs were maintained over a 21 day period in a reduced oxygen environment. MEFs were then fixed in formalin and stained with Alizarin red to determine the degree of osteogenesis. MEFs treated with DOX were unable to undergo proper osteogenesis. While this would suggest that osteogenesis is regulated through proper functions of Trx1, it is unknown how Trx1 regulates osteogenesis in utero. Because Trx1 deletion is lethal prior to implantation it has been historically difficult to study the role of Trx1 during organogenesis. With the development of the DOX-inducible Trx1 conditional knockout mouse, we can now target specific developmental periods and evaluate post-implantation processes like osteogenesis. Using proper transgenic mice and breeding schemes, DOX-inducible Trx1 conditional knockout embryos were treated in utero with DOX through the dam’s drinking water, starting on gestational day (GD) 8.5. The embryos were collected on GD 16.5, fixed in 95% ethanol, and then skinned. To visualize bone and cartilage, the embryos were placed in ethanol and subsequently stained with Alizarin red and Alcian blue. The staining showed that embryos lacking Trx1 were significantly stunted in their skeletal maturation. With this data, we are the first to show that during organogenesis, the musculoskeletal system is affected by deletions of Trx1 at specific periods of development. Under oxidizing conditions which exceed the capacity of the oxidoreductase pathway of Trx1, Trx1 exists primarily in its oxidized form and can no longer reduce proteins that have been turned off by oxidation. Our Trx1 deletions model a highly oxidized state in which Trx1 is dysfunctional. Because regulatory redox control of protein activity is required for proper embryonic development, exposure to oxidizing environmental conditions specifically affecting Trx1 redox state may target the disruption of the musculoskeletal system.

Authors: Tayler Fearn, Caroline Torgensen, Vern Hart. Mentors: Vern Hart. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) is a newly developed modality used to measure phase shifts introduced by fine-scale structures in cells. These phase shifts can be used to distinguish healthy and malignant cells, providing a diagnostic marker for early cancer detection. However, this process, in which diffracted light interferes with incident light, requires collecting scattered photons at large angles, representing high spatial frequencies and short wavelengths. The highest frequencies, needed to reconstruct small details in cells for improved image quality, occur at distances of several centimeters from the central bright fringe. As such, these signals are faint and difficult to collect experimentally. We propose the use of deep learning to synthetically extrapolate diffraction patterns at large distances, where measurements are difficult. In prototyping this method, we will present results produced by a generative adversarial network (GAN), trained using existing data of watercolor paintings to preform style transfer and image extrapolation. This will be an essential step in working towards the larger goal of developing GAN’s that can accurately extrapolate diffraction images.

Authors: Drew Allred, Vern Hart. Mentors: Vern Hart. Insitution: Utah Valley University. Surgery remains one of the most common and effective treatments for a variety of cancers, especially those that form solid, localized tumors such as breast and colorectal cancers. During these treatments, the palpable lesion is surgically resected with the assumption that cancerous cells have metastasized to nearby tissues. As such, surgeons will excise a tissue margin surrounding the tumor in hopes of removing any additional cancer, thus preventing further spread of the disease. However, this process is time-consuming and requires specialized expertise from a trained pathologist to verify that all cancer has been removed. Furthermore, if the pathology report indicates that not all cancerous cells have been extracted, additional follow-up visits and surgeries are typically required. In recent years a number of non-invasive technologies have been developed which seek to map cancerous cells in whole tissues. Training and validating these methods still requires a reliable ground truth, typically provided by an annotated pathology report. We propose a simpler model in which two cell species were co-cultured to provide a heterogeneous training sample. One of these species (PANC-1) was transfected with a vector coding for a fluorescent marker to represent healthy tissue, while the other species (COS-7) remained untreated, representing cancerous cells. An experiment was then conducted using a coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) system, in which laser light incident on the cells was used to quantify phase shifts produced by each cell type. Fluorescent microscopy was then used to create a map of transfected and non-transfected cells for comparison. Results will be presented demonstrating a correlation between the phase shifts produced by the two cell types and the corresponding fluorescent images, potentially facilitating optical cell identification without the need for pathology.

Authors: Aksel Anderson, Lindsay Rupp, Anna Busatto, Rob MacLeod. Mentors: Rob MacLeod. Insitution: University of Utah. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death globally, and one of the most impactful subsets is coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD occurs when an obstruction(s) in the arteries fails to supply the heart with sufficient blood flow, ultimately resulting in tissue death. Understanding the geometric structure of the heart’s vasculature can provide insight into the development of CAD. However, previous research has only captured vasculature geometries for the main coronary branches, neglecting the downstream vasculature. Therefore, capturing the downstream vasculature would offer researchers a more comprehensive model to study CAD. Our study developed a method to efficiently obtain subject-specific, comprehensive vasculature geometries. First, we obtained five computed tomography (CT) scans of explanted porcine hearts with the coronaries highlighted via a contrast agent. From these CT images, we developed a novel method to efficiently capture the vasculature geometry of each subject. Once we obtained the final geometries, we computed two metrics to determine the extent of the captured vasculature: (1) the number of vessel segments and (2) the smallest vessel radius. We obtained an average vessel segment count of approximately 169 +/- 63 vessels and a smallest vessel radius of approximately 0.44 +/- 0.15 mm. We were able to successfully capture vessels over 85% smaller than the largest porcine coronary artery with a radius of approximately 3.5 mm. Our methodology will help researchers and clinicians obtain comprehensive vascular geometries to enhance the study and treatment of CAD.

Authors: Korina Ziegler, Aaron McKenzie, Wesley Ziegler, Spencer Maxwell, Bryson Carrier, Charli Aguilar, Alexandra Routsis, Talon Thornton, Jae Bovell, Setareh Star Zarei, Devin Green, Amanda Hawkes, Jeffrey C Cowley, Merrill Funk, James Navalta, Marcus M Lawrence. Mentors: Marcus Lawrence. Insitution: Southern Utah University. ACSM has again determined that resistance training (RT) and outdoor activities are two of the top ten worldwide fitness trends for 2023. We previously found that RT outdoors had a significantly lower perception of effort (RPE) compared to indoor RT, despite no physiological differences in heart rate (HR) and energy expenditure (EE). However, no study has examined other feelings during RT in indoor or outdoor settings. PURPOSE: To determine how indoor or outdoor environments effect perceptions of fatigue and physical activity enjoyment following RT in recreationally resistance trained adults. METHODS: Twenty-three adult participants (n=10 female, n=13 male) completed this study. The Visual Analog Scale Fatigue (VAS-F) measured perceived fatigue and the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale – Short Version (PACES-S) measured PA enjoyment, and both were measured at baseline and then immediately following an acute session of indoor or outdoor RT. HR was obtained from a chest strap (Polar H10) and EE from a Portable Metabolic Cart (COSMED K5). Randomly in indoor and outdoor settings, participants completed 4 supersets of the reverse lunge and shoulder press exercises using dumbbells at a light (2 sets) and moderately heavy (2 sets) intensity with 1 superset of 6 repetitions per exercise and 1 min rest between supersets. A paired T-test (for HR & EE comparisons) or one-way repeated measures ANOVA with Sidak post-hoc test (for VAS-F & PACES-S comparisons) were used to determine differences (p<0.05). RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between indoor and outdoor RT for the physiological variables of average HR (129.4±17.2 and 127.75±23.3 bpm, respectively, p=0.66) and EE (30.6±11.5 and 28.3±9.9 kcals, respectively, p=0.06). Perceived fatigue significantly (p<0.0001) increased from baseline (1.13±0.94 arbitrary units, AU’s) following indoor (4.54±1.91 AU’s) and outdoor (3.99±1.54 AU’s) RT, but no environmental differences (p=0.36) were observed. PA enjoyment was not significantly (p range: 0.27-0.93) different between baseline (18.73±1.83 AU’s) and following indoor (18.18±1.99 AU’s) or outdoor (18.36±1.99 AU’s) RT. CONCLUSION: In recreationally resistance trained adults, moderately heavy superset RT in indoor or outdoor settings does not alter perceived fatigue or physical activity enjoyment.

Authors: Gabe Matthews, Easton Eddie. Mentors: Jennifer Meyer. Insitution: Utah Tech University. Diabetes is a prevalent chronic health condition associated with significant complications, including diabetic kidney disease. The accumulation of elevated glucose levels in cells triggers an upregulation of NADPH Oxidase (NOX) expression, contributing to diabetic kidney disease. NOX activation results in an increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), inducing oxidative stress and cellular proliferation. Pterostilbene, recognized for its natural antioxidant properties, has demonstrated efficacy in reducing oxidative stress across various cell types. This study focuses on elucidating the NOX pathways in endothelial cells exposed to hyperglycemic conditions and assessing the extent of oxidative stress reduction with the introduction of pterostilbene. To quantify cellular oxidative stress, we will employ an Amplex Red assay to measure superoxide and hydrogen peroxide levels within the cells. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) will also be utilized to assess NOX protein gene expression at the mRNA level. To complement these methods, a western blot analysis is conducted to quantify NOX protein concentrations under distinct environmental conditions. Our research aims to shed light on the potential of pterostilbene as a therapeutic agent in mitigating oxidative stress associated with hyperglycemic conditions in endothelial cells.

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

Authors: Marcus M Lawrence, Merrill Funk, Jeffrey C Cowley, Amanda Hawkes, Aaron McKenzie, Alexandra Routsis, Wesley Ziegler, Talon Thornton, Spencer Maxwell, Korina Ziegler, James Navalta. Mentors: Marcus Lawrence. Insitution: Southern Utah University. American College of Sports Medicine has again found that wearable technology and resistance training (RT) are two of the top 5 fitness trends in 2023. Our lab recently found that the bicep-worn Polar Verity device was valid and reliable for measuring average and maximal heart rate (HR) during light intensity circuit RT. However, no study has examined other bicep worn devices during RT while also examining heavier intensities. PURPOSE: To determine the concurrent validity of identical Polar OH1 (x2) and Verity Sense (x2) bicep-worn devices in recording average and maximal HR following moderately heavy RT. METHODS: Twenty-one adult participants completed this study (n=10 female, n=11 male; age: 26.1±9.2 yrs; height: 171.3±9.4 cm; mass: 71.4±18.2 kg; RT experience: 5.7±4.9 yrs). The four bicep devices (Polar OH1 x2 and Polar Verity Sense x2) were worn along with the Polar H10 chest strap, criterion for HR. Participants completed 8 supersets of the reverse lunge and shoulder press exercises using dumbbells at a light (4 sets) and moderately heavy (4 sets) intensity with 1 superset of 6 repetitions per exercise (12 repetitions per superset) and 1 min rest between supersets. Data was analyzed for validity (Mean Absolute Percent Error [MAPE] and Lin’s Concordance Coefficient [CCC]), with predetermined thresholds of MAPE<10% and CCC>0.70. Paired t-tests were used to determine differences (p<0.05). RESULTS: For average or maximal HR, neither the Polar Verity Sense 1 (127.2±17.8 or 151.5±16.7bpm) or 2 (125.7±18.8 or 147.9±18.9bpm) or the Polar OH1 1 (128.7±18.5 or 154.5±18.1bpm) or 2 (129.5±18.2 or 156.4±17.4bpm) were significantly (p range: 0.14-0.97) different than the criterion (128.6±19.2 or 149.3±18.0bpm). However, the Polar Verity 1 and 2 were not considered valid for average HR (MAPE range:16.17-17.57%; CCC range: 0.07-0.13) or maximal HR (MAPE range: 11.60-13.33%; CCC range: 0.02-0.29). The Polar OH1 1 and 2 devices were not considered valid, either, for average HR (MAPE range: 17.22-17.25%; CCC range: 0.08-0.09) or maximal HR (MAPE range: 13.24-13.92%; CCC range: .024-0.27). CONCLUSION: Despite our lab previously finding the Polar Verity as valid for HR measurements during light intensity RT, the current bicep-worn devices should not be utilized during heavier intensity RT for accurate HR measurements. Individuals resistance training and utilizing bicep-worn devices for heart rate should use them cautiously.

Authors: Anthony Cornwall, Jake Rhea, Travis Ficklin. Mentors: Travis Ficklin. Insitution: Utah Tech University. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation among various barbell tracking methods for both validity and between-method variability. Back squat and snatch lifts were simultaneously tracked using three systems: a corded linear transducer system (Tendo), a laser-based system (Flex), and a reflective marker multi-camera motion capture system (3D). The 3D system was considered a gold standard for validation. Nine repetitions each of barbell back squat and a snatch lifts were executed. Each system simultaneously tracked peak velocity, peak power, mean velocity, mean power, and displacement of the barbell for both lifts. All correlations were tested using Pearson Product Moment, with alpha set a priori at 0.05. Correlations among tracking methods were high for the back squat, and considerably lower for the snatch lift. Correlations for displacement were poor among all methods (-0.63 < r < 0.65). Correlations for velocities and powers were strong in the back squat (0.79 < r < 0.99), but weak-to-moderate for the snatch (-0.31 < r < 0.63). A discussion will be presented of tracking methods and lift mechanics, which can explain some, but not all, disparities among methods.

Authors: Dylan Snook, Anthony Cornwall, Travis Ficklin. Mentors: Travis Ficklin. Insitution: Utah Tech University. The purposes of this study were to (a) experimentally measure the moment of inertia of a regulation baseball and (b) use the same method to measure the new moment of inertia of a modified baseball about orthogonal axes. The moment of inertia (I) of a rolling sphere follows the form I = k*m*r2, where m = ball mass, r = ball radius, and k represents a constant specific to the ball. Because baseballs are multi-layered of varying densities, they were not treated as a solid spheres. The balls were rolled multiple times down a plane inclined at 4.55 degrees and acceleration was derived by video tracking the ball using a camera with optical axis perpendicular to the plane of the ball’s motion. Position and velocity were derived during the rolling acceleration, and the slope of velocity was taken to be the rolling acceleration (acc). This was then used in the equation: k = (g sin(theta)/acc) – 1, where g is the acceleration due to gravity and theta is the angle of inclination of the plane. The variable k was calculated based upon average acceleration over many rolling trials and then used to finally calculate I for each ball. Results for the regulation ball and for the modified balls will be presented for multiple axes.

Authors: Nathan McCoy. Mentors: Jeff Mason. Insitution: Utah State University. Aging-associated changes in motor function often leads to the development of musculoskeletal tremors. In women, the development/severity of tremors is causally related to ovarian failure atmenopause. In the laboratory, mice can serve as an effective model for the development of aging-associated tremors. Based on our previous studies, ovarian somatic tissues transplanted from young mice to old mice significantly decreased the tremor amplitudes and lowered levels ofgliosis in the brains of the older recipient mice, compared to age-matched control mice. The study was carried out using both germ-cell-containing and germ-cell-depleted ovarian tissue. Neurological improvement and overall health were achieved using both types of tissue with similar results indicating that it may be a non-hormonal influence that is responsible for this phenomenon. This study is aimed to identify which properties of ovarian tissue causes these neurological health benefits to occur. Ovarian tissues excrete exosomes, vesicles that can befilled with miRNA which are transported throughout the body. We aim to isolate these exosomes from ovarian tissues using density gradient based centrifugation and have them introduced via injection intraperitoneally into mice to see if the same neurological improvements are achievedas it was done in mice with ovarian somatic tissue transplants. If such improvements are corroborated then ovarian exosomes will be sequenced to identify which miRNA sequences signal the body to undergo these health improvements.

Authors: Wesley Ziegler, Spencer Maxwell, Aaron McKenzie, Talon Thornton, Alexandra Routsis, Korina Ziegler, Jae Bovell, Devin Green, Bryson Carrier, James Navalta, Setareh Star Zarei, Kaye Lavin, Jeffrey C Cowley, Amanda Hawkes, Merrill Funk, Marcus M Lawrence, Charli Aguilar. Mentors: Marcus Lawrence. Insitution: Southern Utah University. Wearable technology and strength training with free weights are two of the top 5 fitness trends worldwide. However, minimal physiological research has been conducted on the two together and none have measured the accuracy of devices measuring repetition counts across exercises. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the concurrent validity of four wrist-worn Garmin devices, Instinct (x2), Fenix 6 Pro, and Vivoactive 3, to record repetition counts while performing 4 different exercises during circuit resistance training. METHODS: Twenty participants (n=10 female, n=10 male; age: 23.2  7.7 years) completed this study. Participants completed 4 circuits of 4 exercises (front squat, reverse lunge, push-ups, and shoulder press) using dumbbells at a light intensity with 1 set of 10 repetitions per exercise and 30 seconds rest between exercises and 1-1.5 min rest between circuits. Mean absolute percent error (MAPE, ≤10%) and Lin’s Concordance Coefficient (CCC, ρ≥0.7) were used to validate the device’s repetitions counts in all exercises compared to the criterion reference manual count. Dependent T-tests determined differences (p≤0.05). RESULTS: No devices were considered valid (meeting both the threshold for MAPE and CCC) for measuring repetition counts during front squats (MAPE range: 3.0-18.5% and CCC range: 0.27-0.68, p value range: 0.00-0.94), reverse lunge (MAPE range: 44.5-67.0% and CCC range: 0.19-0.31, p value range: 0.00-0.28), push-ups (MAPE range: 12.5-67.5% and CCC range: 0.10-0.34, p value range: 0.07-0.83), and shoulder press (MAPE range: 18.0-51.0% and CCC range: 0.11-0.43, p value range: 0.00-0.79) exercises. CONCLUSION: The wearable wrist-worn devices were not considered accurate for repetition counts and thus manual counting should be utilized. People who strength train using free weights will need to wait for either improved repetition counting algorithms or increased sensitivity of devices before this measure can be obtained with confidence.

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

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

Authors: Syrus Miner, Ryland Day, Justin LeClair, Adam Dimaio. Mentors: Randy Klabacka. Insitution: Utah Tech University. Accurate measurement of the knee joint angle is important for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. With the advancement of wearable technology the measurement of range of motion can now be measured dynamically during exercises. The primary purpose of this research project is to provide a mechanism by which physical therapy outcomes can be improved after knee replacement surgery. This will be accomplished by creating a knee brace attachment that will employ motion detecting sensors to chart the post-op and/or post-injury progression of the movement of the knee joint. It is estimated that approximately 5% of the population over the age of 50 in the United States are currently living with a knee replacement. It has been shown that knee pain has been coupled with depression, low self-esteem, eating disorders, and an overall lower satisfaction in life. Improved knee function has reduced the dissatisfaction experienced in life as daily activities are able to be retained. While physical therapy helps recovery of range of motion for patients, the incentive for patients to complete tasks at home and the lack of standardized data collection may impede patient recovery times. The desired outcome of this research is to create a device that reports the effectiveness of a patient's treatment by using off-the-shelf electronics to accurately measure knee joint range of motion and communicate it to physicians.

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

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

Authors: Hunter Morrill, Ryley Parrish. Mentors: Ryley Parrish. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Spreading depolarizations (SDs) are slow propagating waves of depolarization that move through the brain and have been associated with a wide variety of neuropathologies including the termination of seizures, the cellular correlate of aura in migraines, traumatic brain injury, and ischemic stroke. Though first characterized by Aristides Leão in the 1940s, only a very limited understanding of the mechanisms of SD induction has been achieved. SDs have been induced in mouse models using a variety of techniques, however regardless of the method of induction, high extracellular potassium and/or a strong cellular depolarization have been largely hypothesized as necessary conditions for SD induction. Interestingly, we have recently demonstrated that using a light-induced chloride pump (Halorhodopsin) to drive chloride ions into the neurons can reliably induce SDs even in the absence of high extracellular potassium levels (Parrish, 2023). It was also demonstrated that the triggering of archaerhodopsin, which removes protons from the cell and therefore hyperpolarizes the neuronal membrane without affecting chloride levels, did not induce SDs, suggesting the implication of chloride loading as a primary mechanism in SD induction. This challenges the prevalent hypothesis regarding the induction of SDs and results in a novel method of induction that allows for more characterization of the mechanisms involved. The use of genetically expressed light-gated ion channels or pumps is referred to as optogenetics. Using zebrafish, a common model for electrophysiology recordings that is also cost-effective to genetically manipulate, we have established an optogenetically induced model of SD induction. We are currently characterizing mechanisms that result in optogenetically induced SDs with pharmacology to further our understanding of SD initiation and propagation.Parrish, R. R.-G.-T. (2023). Indirect Effects of Halorhodopsin Activation: Potassium Redistribution, Nonspecific Inhibition, and Spreading Depolarization. The Journal of neuroscience: the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 43(5), 685-692.

Authors: Zach Moore, Owen Benzley, Austin Flitton, Frederic Schaper, Jared Nielsen. Mentors: Jared Nielsen. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Objective: Identify neural networks that are associated with panic disorder symptoms through lesion network mapping.Background: Panic Disorder is a neurological disorder in which one experiences unexpected and reoccurring panic attacks. Panic attacks can be characterized by the following symptoms: trembling, racing heart, excessive fear and worry, weakness, tingly hands, chest pain, or a feeling of unreality. A proposed circuit for panic disorder includes the amygdalofugal pathway, which deals primarily with the amygdala. The lesion network mapping method uses functional connectivity to identify neural networks associated with symptoms arising from brain lesions. This is a benefit compared to previous studies done on panic disorder because it relates brain circuits to symptoms rather than individual regions.Methods: 21 lesions causing Panic Disorder were found in the literature, traced on a standard template, and analyzed using lesion network mapping. Specifically, lesion networks for each lesion were calculated using a large cohort of healthy control resting state scans (N = 1000). In our sensitivity analysis, overlap between lesion networks was observed. Results: Of the 21 lesion networks, 14 (67%) positively overlap on the parahippocampal gyrus in the sensitivity map; 13 (62%) positively overlap at the ventral tegmental area in the sensitivity map.Discussion: Symptoms of panic disorder may be associated with the parahippocampal gyrus and ventral tegmental area of the brain. These results found are unique compared to previous studies, but do have general connections.

Authors: James Blood, Nathan Sheets, Chase Seiter, Lydia Hawley, Erin Taylor, Eliza White, Hillary Wadsworth, Jason Hansen, Jordan Yorgason. Mentors: Jordan Yorgason. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Microglia are the immune cells of the brain and are activated by many drugs of abuse. One drug of abuse of interest is methamphetamine, which is known to increase reactive oxygen species (ROS). Microglia are sensitive to ROS. Methamphetamine changes microglia morphology. To determine if the effects of methamphetamine on microglia are through ROS, glucose oxidase, which reacts with glucose to form hydrogen peroxide, was applied. Glucose oxidase increased ROS production and decreased dopamine release but had little-to-no effect on ATP release. Glucose oxidase has similar effects on microglia morphology compared to methamphetamine. This suggests that methamphetamine effects on microglia are due to ROS production. Methamphetamine locomotor sensitization behavioral experiments were run to mimic repeated methamphetamine exposure. Along with voltammetry experiments to measure dopamine and ATP release, methamphetamine treated animals were used to detect microglial morphology changes using confocal microscopy. Our methamphetamine treatment was able to change microglial morphology compared to saline treated controls. Methamphetamine injected animals also had attenuated glucose oxidase effects on dopamine release. By understanding how neuronal outputs affect microglia activity in the context of psychostimulant use we can better parse out how the mechanisms of addiction are connected to immune system function.

Authors: Noah Bezzant, Mikayla Kimball, Ashley Allan. Mentors: Brent Feland. Insitution: Brigham Young University. BACKGROUND: General knee pain is a common complaint among both athletes and older adults. Osteoarthritis is a common etiology for knee pain that can interfere with function during aging and can be assessed by validated questionnaires. It remains unclear whether there exists a dose–response relationship between cartilage loss and pain worsening. Articular cartilage thickness of the femoral condyles can be measured by ultrasound imaging and few studies utilizing this form of measurement exist. It is currently unknown if articular cartilage thickness measured ultrasonographically correlates with pain related ratings in aging athletes. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess whether articular cartilage thickness at the femoral condyles as measured by ultrasound imaging has any relationship to knee pain as rated by the modified KOOS (Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) survey in senior athletes over the age of 50.METHODS: Data was collected from 35 volunteers (participants in the Huntsman World Senior Games) in St. George, Utah, 2023. All subjects (22 females: mean age = 64.9 ± 6.6 yrs, Ht = 158.7 ± 35.6 cm, Wt= 66.3 ± 10.0 kg; 13 males: mean age = 67.3 ± 8.3 yrs, Ht = 179.3 ± 10.7 cm, Wt= 84.3 ± 13.4 kg) signed an approved consent and completed a modified KOOS survey before being seated on a table, with their back flattened against the wall directly behind them. They were then asked to bring either knee as deeply into flexion against their torso as possible; approximating 120°-140° of knee flexion, depending on the range of motion the subject was capable of. In flexion, the patella was shifted inferiorly enough to expose the femoral condyles so that a short axis image of the articular cartilage was obtained and the thickness of the cartilage was assessed at 3 points.ANALYSIS: All data were analyzed using JMP ver16.2 with a Pearson product pairwise correlations to determine if a relationship between average cartilage thickness correlates with pain subscale scoring from the KOOS in males and females. Correlation between age and thickness was also examined.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: There were no significant correlations between the pain subscale score and cartilage thickness in males (p=.6998, r=0.1316), females (p=.8733, r=0.0392), or combined (p=.7308, r=0.0655) in this group of senior athletes. Age and thickness was not significantly correlated (p=.1232, r= -0.2877), but did show a trend of decreasing cartilage thickness with age. The addition of more subjects should show age and thickness to be negatively correlated with each other.

Authors: Dean Peterson. Mentors: John Chaston. Insitution: Brigham Young University. The microbiota of Drosophila melanogaster fruit flies can be observed to study their effects on fly phenotypes. This paper will focus on the microbiota’s effects on fruit fly dietary preference for yeast (DPY), to determine if specific nutritional molecules produced by the microbiota control DPY. Previous studies have unsuccessfully sought to identify such small molecules by testing for roles of essential amino acids (Leitao-Goncalves 2017). A study completed in our lab suggested that bacterial thiamine biosynthesis/metabolism genes influence fly DPY because mutations shifted the preference from a diet with less yeast to a diet with more yeast (Call 2022). In our first efforts we found that raising flies on thiamine supplemented diet influenced their DPY. I want to determine if supplementing thiamine specifically causes this shift, and if the shift observed in the mutants is seen due to a lack of dietary thiamine. Here, I will perform the same tests with flies given diet supplemented with other B vitamins to test specificity. I will then confirm the role of bacterial thiamine on these phenotypes by rearing flies colonized with bacterial thiamine biosynthesis/metabolism mutants on thiamine supplemented diets. If these flies raised with increased dietary thiamine prefer a diet with less yeast, and the experiment with other B vitamins does not show a similar shift as thiamine, then the specificity of thiamine as the small molecule involved in yeast preference is confirmed.

Authors: Jakob Lenker, Trevor Kendrick. Mentors: Jeff Tessem. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Diabetes is characterized by a loss in beta cell function within the pancreas and the subsequent inability to produce sufficient insulin to regulate blood glucose. While current diabetes treatments focus on delivering pharmaceutical insulin to diabetic individuals, such treatments are temporary solutions and do not address the root of the issue. Instead, our research focuses on potential mechanisms for inducing greater insulin secretion within the pancreas of the individual. NK6 Homeobox 1 (Nkx6.1) is a major transcription factor in beta cells and its overexpression in beta cells is associated with higher insulin secretion. We have shown that Syntaxin 1A (Stx1A) interacts with Nkx6.1; Stx1A is of particular interest due to its role in mediating insulin granule fusion at the beta cell plasma membrane, directly impacting insulin secretion. We hypothesize that the interaction between Nkx6.1 and Stx1A may play an important yet understudied role in insulin secretion. Here, we present the results of Stx1A overexpression on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion within pancreatic beta cells, as well as the effect on the Nkx6.1 interaction. Understanding more about the role of Stx1A in beta cells could provide therapeutic targets to induce greater insulin secretion, which could aid in the effort toward finding a cure to diabetes.

Authors: Brett Pickett, Lincoln Sutherland, Jacob Lang. Mentors: Brett Pickett. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent types of cancer present in society today, and is the second leading cause of cancer death for women. Approximately 13% (1 in 8) of women will develop invasive breast cancer, with 3% of women (1 in 39) dying from this type of cancer. Three important classifications used when formulating a treatment plan for breast cancer are the presence or absence of Estrogen Receptor (ER), Progesterone Receptor (PR), or Hormone Receptor (HR). Treating Estrogen Receptor Positive (ER+) breast cancer with aromatase inhibitors, such as Letrozole, is the current standard treatment for all postmenopausal women. A prior study by Lee et. al. identified PRR11 as the only gene that was significantly overexpressed in resistant vs non-resistant cancers among the 51 genes in chromosome arm 17q23. The goal of the current study is to perform a secondary analysis of this valuable dataset to identify genes, signaling pathways, and biomarkers across the whole human transcriptome that are significantly associated with treatment resistance in ER+ patients.Methods: We retrieved, preprocessed and analyzed 58 ER+ breast cancer samples from patients who had been treated with Letrozole, which are publicly available in the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. The Automated Reproducible MOdular Workflow for Preprocessing and Differential Analysis of RNA-seq Data (ARMOR) was used to process our data downloaded from NCBI. This workflow trimmed low quality reads from the RNA-sequence reads, mapped and quantified our data to generate a DEG list. Gene ontology enrichment with camera was also performed. Next, the genes were mapped to common gene identifiers and input to the signaling pathway impact analysis (SPIA) algorithm to identify intracellular signaling pathways that were enhanced by our DEGs. With that information, Pathway2Target was used to identify known drug targets within our identified pathways. Finally, a decision tree-based machine learning approach was used to predict features/expressed genes that could be used to most accurately classify responders vs nonresponders to Letrozole. Results: Our comparison of 36 responders versus 22 non-responders detected a total of 18,735 genes and identified 105 that were statistically significant (p-value < 0.05) after applying a false-discovery rate (FDR) correction, including SOX11, S100A8/S100A8, and IGLV3-25. We then used the Signaling Pathway Impact Analysis (SPIA) algorithm to determine whether any known intracellular signaling pathways were significantly enriched in DEGs (Bonferroni-adjusted p-value < 0.05). This analysis identified 4 pathways that were statistically significant in Non-Responders to Letrozole Treatment. We then used the pathway results to predict 60 existing therapeutic targets that could be repurposed to treat the resistance phenotype. Notably, the predicted targets for the non-response phenotype included VEGFA, a current target for solid tumors as well as ESR1, an Estrogen Receptor. We next wanted to determine whether we could predict transcriptional biomarkers that could aid with identifying patients that do not respond to treatment. To do so, we used the read counts for all samples as the input for this analysis and identified 278 transcriptional biomarkers. Performance metrics for all biomarkers identified yielded an area under the receiver-operator characteristic (AUROC) curve of 0.972 (Figure 2), indicating an exceptional ability to classify Letrozole responders vs non-responders by the transcriptional profile. Sensitivity for all transcriptional biomarkers was measured at 100%, and specificity at 94%. We used the top two biomarkers from our first analysis as input for a second analysis to determine the performance of a smaller subset. Our second analysis determined that PRDX4 and E2F8 together yielded an AUROC of 0.823 and an overall accuracy of 88.2%. Discussion:Our results identify additional DEGs, pathways, targets and biomarkers for further exploration in the treatment and categorization of ER+ breast cancer.

Authors: Eden Beazer, Aubree Bench, Ethan Jones, Jared Carter. Mentors: Jeffrey Tessem. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Incidence of diabetes worldwide has grown from 108 million people in 1980 to 422 million people in 2014, nearly tripling in just thirty-four years. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by the loss of pancreatic beta cell mass and the failure of the remaining beta cells to provide adequate insulin. Contributing to the development of T2D is glucolipotoxicity (GLT), a condition characterized by the harmful elevation of glucose and fatty acid levels within beta cells. While there are existing treatments for symptoms of diabetes, much remains to be understood about its underlying causes and effective preventative measures. Flavonoids are naturally occurring phenolic compounds found in many fruits and vegetables that have various anti-inflammatory health benefits. Previous studies suggest that epicatechin, a flavonoid present in cocoa, can reduce the effects of diabetes by diminishing insulin desensitization and increasing glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Interestingly, the bioavailability of epicatechin is poor, while its metabolites are more easily absorbed in the small intestine. Further studies demonstrated that under non-stressed conditions in beta-cells, hippuric acid, homovanillic acid, and 5-phenylvaleric acid, metabolites of epicatechin, stimulate insulin secretion at concentrations more realistically found in the body. However, the effects of these metabolites in glucolipotoxic conditions are unknown. Here, we present the effects of epicatechin and its metabolites hippuric acid, homovanillic acid, and 5-phenylvaleric acid on beta cell insulin secretion and mitochondrial respiration under GLT culture conditions. This study aimed to contribute to the limited body of knowledge on the bioactivity of flavonoid metabolites on beta cell function under damaging conditions observed with T2D, offering crucial insights for developing effective strategies to harness the health benefits associated with flavonoids.

Authors: Owen Damitz. Mentors: Jeffrey Tessem. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Type one and two diabetes affect the everyday lives of millions of people worldwide. These diseases are characterized by decreased functional beta cell mass. Functional beta cell mass is defined by the beta cell’s ability to proliferate, secrete insulin, and resist apoptosis. Wehave shown that the orphan nuclear receptor Nr4a3 is sufficient to induce beta cell proliferation. We have sought to define compounds that can interact with and modulate Nr4a3 activity. Using AutoDock Vina we have defined a number of compounds that interact with Nr4a3. Here wepresent data demonstrating the ability of these compounds to modulate Nr4a3 mediated proliferation, survival, and insulin secretion in the beta cell. Furthermore, we demonstrate the effect of these compounds to modulate Nr4a3 transcriptional control. These findings are the basis for developing interventions to increase functional beta cell mass as a treatment for type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Authors: Mikayla Kimball, Noah Bezzant, Ashley Allan, Josh Sponbeck. Mentors: Brent Feland. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Ultrasonic analysis of patellar tendon thickness in active older athletesBACKGROUND: Recent research has suggested that patellar tendon loading through exercise and resistance training can help maintain and increase patellar tendon thickness in older adults. Limited research exists that identifies the average thickness of patellar tendons in younger athletes, however, it is unknown if this thickness remains or is maintained in older adult athletes who have maintained a very active lifestyle.PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine how gender correlates to patellar tendon thickness in the proximal and middle patellar tendon of active older athletes participating in sporting events at the Huntsman World Senior Games.METHODS: Data was collected from 59 volunteers (participants in the Huntsman WorldSenior Games) in St. George, Utah, 2022. All subjects (34 females: mean age = 61.09 ± 7.00 yrs, Ht = 162.41 ± 25.73 cm, Wt= 66.29 ±11.38 kg; 25 males: mean age = 68.68 ± 7.03 yrs, Ht = 178.21 ± 8.63 cm, Wt= 84.42±10.90 kg) signed an approved consent form and then sat on a treatment table with their legs relaxed and dangling off. The probe was placed vertically below the kneecap and an ultrasonic image was taken. Each image showed a small section of the patellar for reference. Each ultrasonic measurement showed the middle and proximal thickness of the patellar tendon. ANALYSIS: All data were analyzed using JMP ver16.2 with a stepwise multiple regression analysis to determine the effect of age, height, wt and gender on patellar tendon thickness. A sex*location mixed model was used to determine differences in middle and proximal thickness between gender. Data were normally distributed, not requiring transformation.RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS: Proximal tendon measurements were thicker than middle tendon measurements on both sides (p=0.0001). There was no significant difference either proximal tendon thickness (p=0.9323) or middle tendon thickness (p= 0.3993) between left and right sides. No significant difference between male and female tendon thickness at either location (p=0.7700). Proximal tendon thickness was greater and this has been found to be greater in younger athletes with a history of patellar tendinopathy. Aging athletes may also have a history of knee pain episodes that could have contributed to this finding. The lack of gender differences in thickness measures was surprising, but may be a result of the level of activity of senior athletes. In the future studies should look to compare active vs non-active aging athletes, more specific age range differences, and how knee replacements and other injuries affect patellar tendon thickness.

Authors: Michael Mann, David Bates, Steven Johnson. Mentors: Steven Johnson. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Nucleosome positioning, or the placement of nucleosomes along DNA, is known to be a significant factor in determining gene expression in eukaryotic cells. Further, post-translational modifications (or PTMs) help modulate gene expression by acting as an intermediate to other factors. The extent to which PTMs directly affect nucleosome positioning is poorly understood, however. Since gene expression is known to be affected by several coincident PTMs on each histone, the goal of this research is to evaluate the suitability of a Lys-->Gln mutation as a substitute for histone lysine acetylation. If successful, this research can be used to support future combinatorial studies on PTMs and nucleosome positioning without the difficulty of combining several forms of PTMs simultaneously.

Authors: Zach Fiore. Mentors: Jared Nielsen. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Gait apraxia is a type of apraxia that affects lower limb use in walking. It is characterized by difficulty initiating gait, freezing of gait, and other gait disturbances that cannot be attributed to complications affecting sensory, motor, or cerebellar function, psychiatric disease, nor ataxia. Symptoms often present following brain trauma. Previous research has indicated that gait apraxia may be linked to lesions in the frontal lobes, basal ganglia and supplementary motor area. However, the specific cerebral location has been debated with minimal research done on the symptom’s implicated neural circuits. The purpose of this study is to determine the networks in the brain that are involved in the pathophysiology of gait apraxia. To determine this, we used the lesion network mapping method. A systematic literature review was performed, with specific inclusion criteria, to find case studies of patients presenting with gait apraxia stemming from acquired brain injury (n=15). Lesion network mapping analysis (Fox et al., 2018) was performed on 15 cases with a large cohort of healthy control resting-state scans (n=1000). The analysis showed that lesions exhibited functional connectivity to the bilateral medial dorsal and pulvinar nuclei of the thalami (n=15), which supports previous associations of basal ganglia damage contributing to gait apraxia. A novel region, the cingulate cortex (n=15), was also found to be functionally connected to the lesion networks. This region is a part of the cingulo-opercular network, responsible for many functions, including action. This network has recently been found to display strong functional connectivity with the somato-cognitive action network, responsible for coordinating movements with cognitive processes. Further research is necessary to determine the mechanism of how these networks interact in contributing to gait apraxia.

Authors: Joshua Hutchins, Kevin Wong. Mentors: Dario Mizrachi. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Tight junctions (TJ’s) are composed of mainly three types of cell-adhesion molecules (CAMs) that regulate paracellular permeability in epithelial and endothelial cells. These are claudins (CLDNs), occludin (OCLN), and junctional adhesion molecules (JAMs).There are, however, several (27) isoforms of the claudin molecule, all of which are suspected to have different strengths and other properties in cell adhesion. Currently, the comparative strength of the interactions between different CAMs are unknown and no easily replicable model of a TJ has been created. To address this question we resourced to bacterial expression of these mammalian proteins. MG1655 E. coli cells (with flagellum) were transformed to express claudins 1, 2, 3, 5, and 10 as well as occludin and plated on 0.2% agar plates, allowing them to swim overnight. This allowed for a qualitative spectrum of strengths of the CAMs based on how far the cells were able to spread throughout the plate. Cells that interacted strongly swam less. This technique was applied to the case of the Atlantic Salmon. It swims both in fresh and ocean water. As it transitions, the TJs in its skin changes its composition of claudins. We were able to determine that the set of claudins employed during ocean water swimming are capable of stronger strength. This is consistent with the changes in osmolarity dictated by the amount of solute in the ocean water.

Authors: Grant Rousseau, Kenneth Harrington, Jamie Jensen. Mentors: Jamie Jensen. Insitution: Brigham Young University. We know that evolution acceptance is low in the United States, and a perceived conflict between evolution and religion is a big predictor of whether someone accepts or rejects evolution. Helping undergraduates accept evolution involves multiple teaching strategies, including teaching evolution with a reconciliatory approach, increasing their knowledge of evolution, and introducing role models (scientists who maintain religious beliefs) to the students. However, because some students have higher scientific reasoning abilities than others, they may find certain evolution teaching strategies more beneficial than others. In our study, we assessed scientific reasoning ability, change in evolution acceptance, and teaching strategy rankings with surveys before and after evolution instruction. We predicted that students who possessed more scientific reasoning skills would rank evolution knowledge above role models when asked which strategy was most influential in helping them accept evolution. However, we saw that scientific reasoning did not appear to moderate the effect of evolution knowledge. Role models were more important in increasing evolution acceptance, regardless of scientific reasoning skills. This reinforces the importance of having a role model present when teaching evolution to religious audiences.

Authors: Abigail Cheever, Chloe Kang, Hunter Lindsay, Mackenzie Hansen, Kim O'Neill, K Scott Weber. Mentors: K Scott Weber, Kim O'Neill. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T cell therapy is a modern technology that has become a widely accepted treatment for blood cancers such as lymphoma and leukemia. Recent studies have proven the successful application of CAR T cell therapies in autoimmune diseases as well. Graves’ Disease (GD) is an autoimmune disease that affects approximately 1 in 100 Americans and is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism. GD is mediated by anti-thyroid stimulating hormone receptor (TSHR) antibodies produced by autoreactive B cells. Our hypothesis is that a curative treatment for GD can be created by designing a CAR T cell that specifically targets the autoreactive B cells in GD, by using TSHR as a binding domain to act as bait for the anti-TSHR B cells. We selected TSHR epitopes for the binding domain of the CAAR T cell, and our anti-TSHR antibodies bound significantly to our engineered CAAR T cells. A target B cell line with anti-TSHR B cell receptors was engineered using the Nalm6 B cell line. Using primary human CAAR T cells, activation and cytotoxicity assays against anti-TSHR B cells shows that CAAR T cell therapy is an effective and promising method to treat antibody mediated autoimmune diseases like GD.

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

Authors: Naavah Craze, crazen@byu.edu . Mentors: John Chaston. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Wolbachia are maternally inherited bacteria found in the reproductive organs of many arthropod species. These parasitic bacteria are influential in the reproductive fitness of the host and can affect a population’s male-to-female ratio. Wolbachia can only be cultured in living cells and current methods for inoculating hosts with this bacteria have low success rates. These factors make these bacteria difficult to study in lab environments. In this project, we test a pricking method for inoculating Drosophila melanogaster with Wolbachia. In this method, axenic, or bacteria-free, female flies will be pricked in the abdomen with a Wolbachia-coated needle. Eggs from these flies will be collected from 3 to 5 days after pricking and will be incubated. The offspring will be tested using gel electrophoresis to see if inoculation was successful. If successful, this method can be used as a simple and efficient way to introduce Wolbachia into Drosophila melanogaster. These inoculated flies can then be used in experiments to study the relationship between the bacteria and the host organism.

Authors: Lillian Davis, Paul B Frandsen. Mentors: Paul B. Frandsen. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Insects of the order Embioptera (webspinners) typically live in colonies that can cover the ground of entire fields with their silk-constructed galleries, providing them with camouflage from predators and cover from the rain. Uniquely amongst silk-producing insects, webspinners possess silk glands in their forelimbs and, like spiders, retain the ability to produce silk throughout their life history. They typically live together in semi-social colonies, feeding off of decaying plant matter. Previous studies have been limited to morphological descriptions of species, testing various qualities of their silk, and a few molecular studies based on short DNA sequences. Here we present the genome of Apostonia ceylonica, a webspinner species from India, providing the first embiopteran genome assembly, opening the door to a multitude of analyses. At a haploid size of approximately 3.1 gigabases, their genome is significantly larger than previous estimates, containing a significant number of repeating segments. This data provides valuable information for future studies into the genes that control silk production, information for identifying this species through meta-barcoding, and data that could improve phylogenetic trees. By evaluating the effect of repetitive elements on their oversized genomes, we gain insights into the evolutionary history of Apostonia ceylonica.

Authors: Hazel Ticas, Daniel Scott. Mentors: Daniel Scott. Insitution: Utah Valley University. The COVID-19 pandemic’s results, though highly publicized throughout its early years, fell out of the media’s attention over time. Despite the lower volume of media coverage, the effects of the pandemic remain ongoing. In an effort to maintain accurate information about the most current impacts of COVID-19, this study will review relative COVID-19 case amounts compared to population density for four populations during the omicron peak between the years of 2021 and 2022.. The four populations are: counties in New York, United States; counties in California, United States; a collection of the largest counties from the other 48 United States, and the states in Sweden. The population density for each of the four populations was corrected using Google Maps in order to eliminate areas that didn’t have any residents, but were part of the county or state boundaries. Boundaries have been defined as anything thats stops the spread of COVID-19, said boundary can be geographical or self-isolation. We aim to analyze the data trends of how Omicron spreads in relation to population density and boundary effects by comparing the ratio of virus spreadability to boundaries on each population. The goal is to create a model that can be applied to COVID-19.

Authors: Tiba Hasan, Elise Larsen, McKell Gillins. Mentors: Jodie Lopez. Insitution: Utah Valley University. AbstractThis paper discusses studies that have researched the most effective forms of teeth whitening and the mechanism behind it. Studies discuss the oxidation of double bonds which in turn lighten the chromogens impacting the overall coloration of dentition. The three main forms of treatment that were considered in these studies include in-office treatment, at home treatment and OTC products. At home overnight bleaching proved to have the best results for both immediate and post 10 week results. At-home treatment under dentist’s care involves lower concentration of hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide ranging from three to ten percent thus it takes longer time than in-office treatment (Leh, B. 2018). Factors such as food intake, beverages, smoking, and oral hygiene care can all impact the efficiency of bleaching methods. While some toothpaste brands, like charcoal toothpaste, claim to whiten teeth, research suggests that these abrasive toothpastes may lead to enamel wear. Furthermore, studies have compared the effects of chemical and herbal toothpaste and found that both can produce similar whitening effects. However, chemical products tend to be more harmful compared to herbal alternatives As dental esthetics have become increasingly important to western populations, more whitening products are readily available for consumer use. Studies warn about the adverse risks and effects of dental bleaching to be aware of for both the consumer and those applying or prescribing bleaching methods, therefore it is important for hygienists and others in the dental field to become educated and aware of the increasing bleaching product selection.

Authors: Kirsten Sanders. Mentors: Ruth Kerry. Insitution: Brigham Young University. The Great Salt Lake (GSL) found in the Salt Lake Valley is a remnant of Lake Bonneville. In the 1980s the GSL reached record high water levels. But by 2022, the lake has been drying up and reached record-low water levels. Previous research using seven years of Purple Air Network data has shown that particulate air pollution levels, PM 2.5 and PM 10, are worse within 10km of the Great Salt Lake. Other research investigating the distribution of toxic heavy metals (Copper, Arsenic, Lead, and Zinc) in topsoil samples from throughout the Salt Lake Valley showed that some of the highest levels of Copper and Arsenic pollution were found near Saltair among dried sediments on the shoreline of the Great Salt Lake. This study involved collecting numerous samples from the dried shoreline of the Great Salt Lake and analyzing them for their heavy metal contents using Xray Fluorescence. The heavy metals were then mapped and linked to sediment particle sizes and pH to indicate where the most toxic sediments are located, and where the sediments that are most easily picked up by the wind are located. The maps of heavy metals will be used with our analysis of the Purple Air Network and wind rose data from our previous study to show where toxic dust clouds are most likely to be an issue to the population. Links with 2016 Asthma ER visits and Hospitalizations will also be investigated.

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

Authors: Coleman Judd, Alexander Beagley. Mentors: Michelle Culumber. Insitution: Weber State University. Due to the overuse of antibiotics in industrial, agricultural, and medical settings, antibiotic-resistant bacteria are becoming more prevalent in various unique settings. We set out with the goal of identifying antibiotic-resistant bacteria from the Great Salt Lake waterfront. After isolating colonies on agar containing the antibiotic Tetracycline, we performed 16S rRNA gene sequencing and identified three separate Enterobacteriaceae species all exhibiting varying levels of antibiotic resistance. We performed an array of biochemical and physiological tests to further distinguish the Enterobacteriaceae species. Full spectrum biochemical tests indicate two near identical species followed by a third, novel species as both a phenotypic and biochemical outlier. Antibiotic resistant bacteria within the Great Salt Lake region present an ever-growing dilemma of clinical and environmental danger that accompanies antibiotic resistant microbes.

Authors: Cooper Johnson. Mentors: John Chaston. Insitution: Brigham Young University. The main goal of this project is to determine the relationships between microbes in the microbiota of Drosophila and the activity rate of Drosophila at low temperatures. Previous research has already determined that the microbiota leads to changes in fly activity levels at normal temperatures (Schretter, 2019). Studying the relationship at low temperatures with the method I will outline below will help us to have a more holistic view of how the bacteria affect fly locomotion and behavior. This holistic understanding can open doors for other projects that study if manipulation of the microbiota could have a specific desired effect on the fly’s behavior, and it can help us understand how the microbiota’s impacts are affected by drastic changes in temperature. In this experiment we seek to determine how each of 41 different strains of bacteria affects fly activity at temperatures of approximately 17 degrees celsius using several different metrics to measure both locomotion and social behaviors. These metrics would be collected simultaneously by placing flies in a chamber for Drosophila Video Tracking (DVT), which would use a camera and tracking software to record the above-mentioned metrics on fly activity. Using so many different metrics allows us to have a more holistic view of the flies’ activity and to be able to better determine exactly how the bacteria are affecting the flies. In order to connect the data with the microbiota, the flies would be separated into 41 different experimental groups and each group would be “mono-associated” with one of the 41 different above-mentioned bacterial strains. Mono-association means that each of the fly eggs would be bleached, and then divided in groups, with each group being grown in an environment containing a specific type of bacteria. This means that each fly experimental group would have one species of bacteria in their microbiota, and therefore we can associate changes in fly behavior to the differences in the Drosophila microbiota. Having determined which bacteria affect the fly activity at low temperatures, we would use Metagenome-wide association to determine which bacterial genes are causing this change. Metagenome-wide association involves comparing the genomes of bacteria shown to cause changes in Drosophila activity in order to identify the similar protein-coding sequences that may be the causes of these changes in activity. To confirm the findings at that stage, the genes are expressed in a bacteria that doesn’t express them normally, and flies are analyzed to see if the changes in activity persist. If they do, we can safely say that the changes are due to that specific gene sequence. We expect that the mono-associated flies will show differences in activity level, because it has already been established in a previous study that the microbiota in the flies has a statistically significant effect on the activity level of the flies, meaning that the presence of certain bacterial cultures in the flies lead to a difference in activity. Therefore, if there is no difference in activity level, it is most likely due to the low temperatures, and it may then be necessary to perform the experiment again at different temperatures to determine at what point the temperature negates the effect caused by the bacteria present in the fly microbiota. We aim to study the relationship between the microbes present in the fly microbiota and their activity level at low temperatures and identify the mechanisms by which the microbes affect the fly activity level.

Authors: Lauryn Dupaix. Mentors: Riley Nelson. Insitution: Brigham Young University. Golger’s rule is an ecogeographic rule stating that animals in warm and humid climates are heavily pigmented, whereas animals in colder and drier climates are lightly pigmented. By using previously collected specimens of Proctacanthus sp. from across the U.S., we explore how this rule applies to several species of robber flies over time and geographic space. The average color of thorax was analyzed using a spectrophotometer which were used in correlation tests with climate measurements from where the specimen was collected. We found that this ecogeographic rule was not consistent in all four of the species of robber flies that were analyzed. Therefore, other studies of the applicability of ecogeographic rules are being assessed in this genus. This research helps define morphological variation in a widespread species and open avenues for more morphological analysis of insects in a changing climate.