Past Volumes
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- Volume 18
Research Articles
Article 1: Discovery of Tea Extract Activators of Acyl Peptide Hydrolase (APEH)
Jacob Lee
Abstract: Acyl peptide hydrolase (APEH) activity is important for normal cellular function. APEH activity is lower in many different diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Type II Diabetes. Therapeutic activators of APEH are of interest because they may increase cytoprotective mechanisms. Based on the paper by Izishaki, et. al., tea extracts can activate APEH. In this work, additional teas were tested to see if the published results could be replicated and to extend the work by finding additional activators. Tea extracts were brewed and then tested in vitro to determine the APEH activity. Winter spice tea was the only activator in the teas tested and a dose curve was obtained.
Article 2: The Role of Communication in Managing College Student Stress
Kathryn Hales
Abstract: College students deal with a lot of stress, and it can impact their college experience and success. This mixed-methods study helps explain how current Weber State students’ communication with their faculty are affected by stressors. Students responded to a survey answering questions about how they experience and respond to stress and communicate in the classroom, and interviews were conducted to gain more depth on what instructors do that are helpful or not to relieve stress in the classroom.
Article 3: Assessing the Quality of Weber State University’s Drinking Water: An Investigation into Lead and Copper Contamination
Ben Cornwall; Ethan Mayfield; Rebekah Nilson; Tara Tankersley; Ryan Brown; and Jon Henriod
Abstract: Contaminants in drinking water can be invisible and deadly. Weber State University (WSU) has pipe material capable of leaching heavy metals into drinking water. We built a geochemical reaction model to predict metal concentrations based on pipe material and length, then measured actual concentrations of metals in water in buildings of interest. We found lead, copper, zinc, and iron levels below Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) federal action limits.
Article 4: Desiccation, Re-submergence, and Recovery of Microbialites in the Great Salt Lake, Utah (USA)
Kayden Kawaguchi; Krimson Anderson; Kenley Stanger; Sophie Trafelet; Kami Nalder; Jessika Tobey; Brody Manore; and Carie Frantz
Abstract: The Great Salt Lake’s hypersaline environment sustains migratory birds, international aquaculture, and unique microbialite reefs. Historic lake level fall from 2021–2022 subjected microbialites to desiccation, with consequences for the lake ecosystem. Summer 2023 saw lake level rebound over five feet, presenting an opportunity to understand the recovery of desiccated microbialites as salinity returned to normal. We collected core samples of microbialites at different lake depths, representing varied durations of submergence to assess the health and recovery of microbial communities. Pigment analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequencing of these samples indicate that microbialites resubmerged for several months show partial recovery of the surface microbial community, expanding on previous research indicating the same over shorter timescales.
Article 5: Preventing Adherence of Candida spp. with Pre-Therapeutic Drug – Filastatin
Jordan Brown; Ben Cornwall; and Colten St. John
Abstract: Candida albicans along with other pathogenic Candida species, especially C. auris, are becoming multidrug resistant and are spreading at alarming rates, especially through hospitals. This is especially of concern to immunosuppressed and immunocompromised patients. Filastatin is a drug that has not yet been approved for human use but has been found to uniquely inhibit adhesion of C. albicans to the surface of several biomaterials and human cells. This study assessed filastatin’s ability to inhibit the adhesion of other pathogenic Candida species. Our research determined that filastatin causes a significant reduction in biofilm production among the Candida species tested and should be further investigated as a viable option for treatment, prevention of infection, or as a biofilm inhibiting coating on medical devices.
Article 6: Viability of Trypanosoma cruzi in RBCs at Cold Storage Temperatures
Cameron Clark; McLayne Arnold; Ben Laughter; and Misia Farnsworth
Abstract: Trypanosoma cruzi is an extracellular blood parasite that is primarily transmitted via the reduviid bug in South and Central America. Rarely, it can be transmitted through donated blood products. Although the incidence of trypanosomiasis acquired through blood transfusion is rare, warming temperatures may cause the northern migration of the reduviid species, creating an opportunity for the parasite to infiltrate blood products from asymptomatic donors in other areas. This research was conducted in order to determine a cold storage temperature in which T. cruzi viability in donated blood units would be reduced. A manual hemocytometer was initially utilized to determine viability and parasite counts at various time intervals in cold storage. The use of the hemocytometer for the manual count resulted in values of low statistical significance combined with a laborious procedure. Flow cytometry was later explored in an attempt to detect parasites in inoculated blood based on size and complexity. Control parameters were established, however, when simulated patient blood samples were tested, these parameters were lost due to background scatter. Parasites were not identified clearly within the overlapping cell populations. Although the results of this experiment were inconclusive, flow cytometry has the potential to detect live T. cruzi in blood donor samples once proper differentiation of cell populations is achieved.
Article 7: Elimination of Multi-Drug Resistant Candida auris Utilizing RNP-Cas9 System
Alexandra Kelley; Angelina Macwan; and Wanutchaporn Sonsawat
Abstract: Candida auris (C. auris) has recently become a cause for concern in healthcare facilities worldwide due to its ability to cause severe infections and its resistance to a limited arsenal of antifungals, including azoles, amphotericin B, and echinocandins. Utilizing a ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complex, it may be possible to eliminate C. auris without the need to rely on antifungals and can potentially eliminate antifungal-resistant fungi. However, little research has been done regarding utilizing RNP mechanisms to abrogate
resistance or promote apoptosis in multi-drug resistant yeast such as C. auris. The objective of this research is to identify potential genes necessary for crucial cellular function and study the effects of manipulating these genes to see if the changes will lead to the elimination of C. auris without the use of antifungal drugs. Two groups of C. auris isolates—one control and one modified—will test the hypothesis. The control group of C. auris will contain an off-target green fluorescent protein (GFP) and the experimental modified group will consist of C. auris with ADE2, a housekeeping gene, as a target via an RNP complex. Both the control and experimental groups will undergo incremental culturing to effectively monitor growth pre- and post-transfection in varying organism concentrations.Article 8: Effects of Standard Household Rice Cooking Methods on B. cereus Growth
Angelina Macwan, MLS (ASCP)CM
Abstract: Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) can withstand various environmental stresses due to spore and biofilm formation. Rice is often contaminated with B. cereus spores during the harvesting and processing stages. In many countries, cooked rice is stored at room temperature for prolonged periods and may be consumed days later, increasing the potential pathogenic risk of B. cereus. Commercial high-end decontamination processes are unavailable to individual households; hence, studying B. cereus growth under varying circumstances like pressure and storage temperatures using household appliances is essential. To test this hypothesis, rice inoculated with B. cereus spores was cooked using household cooking appliances (stovetop pot, pressure cooker, and Instant pot) and was incubated for twenty-four hours at three different temperatures (4 degrees Celsius, Room temperature, and 30 degrees Celsius). The post-cooking survival of the spores was estimated using the colony forming units (CFU) and flow cytometer. Spores’ survival was noticed by higher bacterial colonies and absolute count of spores on the stovetop-cooked rice, and the most negligible growth and count in the refrigerated rice, implying that pressure cooking is better than stovetop cooking, and storing rice at lower temperatures is better.
Article 9: Discrepancies Between Cleaning Procedures in Medical Settings Regarding Clostridioides difficile Prevention
Jennifer Nava; McKenna Hogan; and Braydon Pesnell
Abstract: Clostridioides difficile (C.diff), a common healthcare-associated infection (HAI), is a gram-positive bacteria that causes life-threatening diarrhea (12,800 deaths in the US in 2017), especially in immunocompromised individuals. Patients who receive extensive broad-spectrum antibiotic treatment are at an increased risk of developing this infection and it is highly contagious in clinical environments. Despite it being primarily spread through exposure in hospitals, there are no standardized procedures between clinical settings on sanitizing surfaces after coming into contact with a patient who is positive for C.diff. The goal of this research is to compare cleaning procedures between healthcare facilities in different regions of the United States. Surveys will be sent to various medical facilities nationwide, categorized by region, inquiring about patient
history and cleaning techniques. Their status of being a reporting versus a non-reporting state will also be evaluated to determine its effect on their overall cleaning procedures. Following their responses, each procedure will be evaluated on its efficacy in eliminating spores based on CDC guidelines and procedures using their cleaning supplies.Travel Abstracts
Every year the Office of Undergraduate Research has the opportunity to send students to conferences all over the world to present their research. These students represent Weber State University and our commitment to research and scholarly advancement. What follows is a summary of these industrious students and their hard work that they presented to the world.
Click here for Travel Abstracts
Locations Traveled:
San Diego, California
Rochester, New York
Boston, Massachusetts
Gramado, Brazil
Chicago, Illinois
Denver, Colorado
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Pasadena, California
Erfurt, Germany
New Orleans, Louisiana
Spokane,Washington
Fort Hall, Idaho
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Spokane, Washington
New York, New York
Atlanta, Georgia
National Harbor, Maryland
San Francisco, California
Chicago, Illinois
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Orlando, Florida - Volume 17
Research Articles
Article 1: Recolonization of Severely Stressed Microbialite Communities at Great Salt Lake
Cecilia Gibby and Rebekah Nilson
Abstract: In recent years, the water level at Great Salt Lake reached record breaking lows, exposing microbialite communities for the first time in recorded history. Subaerial conditions are bleaching these complex and keystone communities, making their future uncertain. This study asks: If the lake level rises and the now severely stressed microbial communities are re-submerged into water, will they recover their previous healthy state? By combining DNA and pigment extractions, we were able to quantify the degree of microbialite community recovery over the course of 40 days incubation in lake water. Our findings suggested that when microbialites are re-submerged, an exponential regrowth of these microbial communities can be found. This brings hope to the possibility of Great Salt Lake’s ecosystem recovering.
Article 2: Examining the Relationship between Trade Balance and Exchange Rate: The Case of the U.S. Trade with Canada
Botao Cao
Abstract: This paper examines the relationship between the exchange rate and the trade balance between the United States and Canada. Quarterly time series data from 1991(Q1) to 2021(Q4) and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression method is used to examine the relationship between variables of interest. I find a positive but insignificant relationship between exchange rate and U.S.-Canada trade balance.
Article 3: Wind Power in Utah
Joseph Markin, Diana Mora, Davis Opheikens, Ashley Sargent, and Carson Wilkins
Abstract: We have examined the many facets of the question of wind power development in Utah. We have researched topics such as Utah’s current growth rate of wind power output. We found that the rate we would need to adopt if we were to arrive at the output of maximum potential by 2050 is even less than the current growth rate of Texas.
Calculating this output depends on a value we found in our research for viable land in Utah, determined by the Utah Renewable Energy Zones (UREZ) Task Force.
Advancements in technology have increased rapidly as the need for renewable energy sources has increased. We determined based on the changes taking place in the technology industry that changing the wind turbine blades in Utah by 2026 would produce a cost-effective way to increase output.
Offering clean electricity at a reasonable rate to customers is our goal. With great advancements in technology already being made, wind power has become increasingly reasonable. Our findings show that there is much to be improved in Utah for wind power, and a real opportunity to become a competitor in clean energy.
Article 4: Detection of Unamplified Genomic Material Using Field Effect Transistors: Phase I
Jacob Sandgathe, Kaydee Davis, and Jazmin Ramirez
Abstract: With the spread of SARS-COV2 on the rise, healthcare providers are in search of a test that is rapid, accurate, and requires minimal training. The gold standard for SARS-COV2 is nucleic acid amplification testing (NAATs). The drawbacks to NAATs are high complexity laboratory tests with extensive sample preparation and specialized post-analytical determinations. While rapid antigen lateral flow immunoassays fulfill the needs that NATs cannot, rapid antigens tests have a higher limit of detection and thus miss a lot of positive samples. The goal of this project is to design a device that harnesses the sensitivity of genomic testing with the convenience of point-of-care testing. This can be accomplished with the specificity of the enzyme, CRISPR Cas-9, and with the sensitivity of graphene field-effect transistors, as shown in previous research detecting large gene deletions in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy patients (Hajian 2019). This project has been executed in phases. This abstract is for Phase I of the project.
Cas-9 guide RNAs (gRNA) was designed with a proprietary search engine from Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) and was ordered through IDT. D gRNAs were incubated in equimolar concentrations with deactivated and biotinylated Cas-9 to form two final ribonucleoproteins (RNPs). Fluorescent RNA probes were used to evaluate the binding affinity of the RNPs to on-target and off-target sequences. Three separate experiments were run in an attempt to optimize the assay, as no previous protocols were defined. The first RNP designed showed marginal binding affinity to on-target sequences, while the second RNP did not show any preference to on-target sequences. One of the limitations to the final results is that there were not enough sample replicates performed due to reagent shortages.
Article 5: Detecting Unamplified Genomic Material Using Field Effect Transistors: Phase II
Kaydee Davis, Jacob Sandgathe, and Jazmin Ramirez
Abstract: The coronavirus SARS-CoV2 has caused a public health crisis throughout the world. It has caused nearly a million deaths in the U.S. alone in about two years (CDC, 2022). The COVID-19 pandemic has created demand for testing that is rapid, reliable, accurate, and cost effective while requiring minimal operator training. The current gold standard identification techniques for SARS-CoV2 are nucleic acid tests (NATs). The drawbacks to NATs include complicated sample processing, use of expensive instrumentation, need for highly-trained operators, and complicated post-analysis data interpretation.
Our goal is to design a simple-to-operate device that does not require nucleic acid amplification and can be used in a variety of clinical settings. This can be accomplished using the specificity of the enzyme, CRISPR-Cas9, and the sensitivity of graphene field effect transistors (FETs). This project has 3 phases, and this research focuses on phase II: fabrication of the FET and peripheral circuitry. This phase will be followed by a validation phase. Many aspects of this project are rather novel, but this research builds off previous fabrication applications and validation methods.
The final product is a complete, wire-bonded circuit in which a potentiostat measures the current running through a sample-containing FET integrated with CRISPR-Cas9 proteins. The device can screen samples for the detection of SARS-CoV2. Presence of the virus in a sample should be evident via a significant change in current running through the device; absence of the virus should show no such change. Unideal phase I data, which failed to prove accurate binding of the CRISPR-Cas9 proteins, and imperfect experimental methodologies in phase II led to suboptimal measurement results. However, the proof of concept provides promising potential for future research and experimentation.
Article 6: Role of IL-6 in COVID-19 Associated Coagulopathy (CAC) Initiation
Skylar Dearden, Tyler Calder, and Easton Van de Walle
Abstract: COVID-19 associated coagulopathy (CAC) was found in more than 70% of non- survivors of COVID-19. CAC is when blood clots in the vasculature of the lungs, causing damage and eventual organ failure. The goal of this study was to determine the effect on von Willebrand factor (vWF) in pulmonary artery endothelial cells when stimulated with interleukin- 6 (IL-6). The cytokine IL-6 compromises vascular endothelial cell membrane integrity causing a release of vWF, a protein that mediates blood clotting; both IL-6 and vWF are increased in CAC. Cell cultures in 105 concentrations made from primary endothelial cells were exposed to several concentrations at different time periods. Each combination was done in triplicate. The supernatant was extracted, and the cells were lysed for RNA collection. This was then amplified and the rate of vWF was measured via reverse-transcriptase quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). It was hypothesized that the samples with the highest concentrations of IL- 6 and longest incubation time would show an increased vWF when compared to other combinations. Our results showed that the majority of our PCR samples failed to amplify, and our experiment cannot provide further insight into the causes of CAC and potential treatments at this time.
Article 7: Current Practices in Low Titer Group O Whole Blood Transfusion
Amy Z. Lund and Ryan C. Kohli
Abstract: Blood transfusion is a strictly monitored field of laboratory medicine with multiple regulatory bodies in charge of establishing and enforcing standards for the collection, testing, and transfusion of blood products. However, there are few standards in place for the increasingly popular blood product low titer group O whole blood (LTOWB). The lack of robust standards for the collection, testing, and transfusion of LTOWB forces facilities utilizing this blood product to establish their own practices, thus leading to inconsistencies from one facility to another. This survey illustrates the degree of variation in those practices and clearly demonstrates the need for the regulatory bodies to establish and enforce standards to ensure the consistency and safety of LTOWB products–no matter the facility. Additionally, the survey provides data as to what the majority of facilities’ current practices are, which can be used as a resource for establishing standards for all participating facilities to adopt.
Article 8: The Effects of Food Dyes on Gastrointestinal and Oral Normal Flora
Sydney Boyer, Coleman Barnson, Ariel Laub, and Aubree Wood
Abstract: The food industry uses colored dyes to improve the appearance of their products. Many colorants have not been adequately tested for carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, and hypersensitivity. Normal flora of the oral and gastrointestinal systems is exposed to foods, medications, and cleansers manufactured with dyes. Disruptions in the indigenous microbiota may increase susceptibility to infections. Brilliant Blue, Allura Red, Tartrazine, and Curcumin dyes were added to aerobic and anaerobic normal flora of the oral and gastrointestinal tracts to study possible effects on growth and dysbiosis of the microbiome. The most significant results included Allura Red decreasing the growth rates of P. acnes and S. pyogenes, with p-values of 2.7E-8 and 4.2E-7, respectively. Tartrazine decreased the growth rates of E. coli and P. acnes with p-values of 2.2E-16 and 4.9E-6. The growth rate of P. acnes was increased by Curcumin and Brilliant Blue; p-values of 0.038, 0.042. The dyes were also tested for mutagenic properties through the Ames test. Brilliant Blue showed similar mutagenicity to the positive control, ethidium bromide. No other dyes had significant mutagenic properties. In conjunction, no single dye affected all the bacteria. Some dyes decreased the growth rate while others increased it. Some bacteria experienced no change in growth with any dye.
Travel Abstracts
Every year the Office of Undergraduate Research has the opportunity to send students to conferences all over the world to present their research. These students represent Weber State University and our commitment to research and scholarly advancement. What follows is a summary of these industrious students and their hard work that they presented to the world.
Click here for Travel Abstracts
Locations Traveled:
Boston, Massachusetts
Washington D.C.
Albuquerque, New Mexico
San Diego, California
Denver, Colorado
Kobe, Japan
Pasadena, California
San Francisco, California
Phoenix, Arizona
Rochester, New York
Las Vegas, Nevada
Sandy, Utah
Gramado, Brazil
New Orleans, Louisiana
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Boulder, Colorado
Boise, Idaho
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Alexandria, Virginia - Volume 15 & 16
ERGO Volume 15: Research Articles
Article 1: Potential Student Colonization by Bacterial Pathogens in the Medical Laboratory
Monica Fernandez, Natalie Finlinson, and Amber Sugden
Abstract: Studies evaluating the body’s microbiome for differences amongst bacterial composition are at the forefront of microbiological studies. The nasal microbiome is comprised of the microorganisms that live within the nares and nasal passageways and differs based on a plethora of conditions, such as disease and exposures. The nasal microbiome has been shown to have been colonized by pathogens, such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in established healthcare professionals, this suggests that those in healthcare are exposed to pathogens that can lead to species specific changes of the nasal microbiome. Nasal microbiomes of first year and last year Medical Laboratory Science students will be evaluated using DNA sequencing of the bacterial genomes within the nasal microbiome; thus, giving an insight into how the nasal microbiome of college Medical Laboratory Science students changes with exposure to potential pathogens and other bacterial species in the laboratory. DNA extracted from nasal swabs using the QIAamp DNA mini kit will be sequenced using Nanopore Technology and then compared between the two groups for differences in the microbiomes in association with program year. We saw a wider range of bacteria species and higher percentage of potential pathogens in last year students than first year students.
Article 2: Fighting Dragons in Critical Role with Cultivation Theory
Jennifer Greenlee
Abstract: With decades of theoretical application and continuous study, it might be assumed that there is nowhere left to take cultivation theory. However, with the advent of YouTube and the rise of a new nerd culture in mainstream media, there are more fields that have cropped up over the past 10 years that require the use of cultivation theory to understand the intricacies of these internet primetime shows. One such show, Critical Role, a Twitch stream and YouTube show, has been airing over the past five years and has shaken up the Dungeons & Dragons world. George Gerbner’s theory (1975) first posited that exposure to television can fundamentally change the viewer. YouTube is, at its core, a slightly modified version of television, complete with commercial breaks. By breaking down Critical Role under cultivation theory, it is possible to extrapolate the modifications in world view and behavior that heavy viewership is likely to make in fans of the show and the overall community. The application of cultivation theory allows the research to show how fans receive and use the information and messages of Critical Role through a message analysis of what Critical Role attempts to portray and what messages are prominent in the show. This analysis will explore how this show has shaped the viewers’ worldviews of the Table-Top Gaming community, including the principles of cultivation analysis, such as mainstreaming, where players in the audience hold Critical Role to the best and only standard of playing Dungeons & Dragons because of their consumption of the show, and the resonance principle, when it is applied to an audience of typically non-mainstream and self-identified nerds when finding a group that labels themselves in the same way.
Article 3: Inflammation and Inflammatory Markers in the Lungs of Chronically-Vaped Mice
Katlyn Langston
Abstract: The CDC has tracked 2,807 cases of vaping-related illness in 48 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There have been 68 deaths in 29 states (Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with the Use of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products, 2020). Individuals who use vaping substances have been found to have Vaping-Associated Lung Disease, which is inflammation of the lung tissue. This study determines whether the lung tissue from chronically-vaped mice shows pathologies associated with histological abnormalities and characterizes the cytokine immune profile of the vaped mouse lungs. Mice were sacrificed at the end of a 28-day vaping cycle and the respiratory tract was extracted during necropsy. Left lungs were used for homogenization and cytokine testing. Right lungs were used to create histology slides for staining procedures. Inflammation was found within the lungs of the vaped mice that were exposed to nicotine as was shown in pathological structures in the lung-tissue slides, as well as shown by the cytokine panel.
Article 4: Polyagglutination: Lectin Isolation for T-Activated Red Cells
Jesus Rebolledo
Abstract: Polyagglutination (PA) is a rare condition that can occur during microbial infections where enzymes capable of modifying carbohydrates on the erythrocyte membrane are produced. These enzymes expose cryptantigens that react with naturally stimulated antibodies found in nearly all adult sera, except autologous sera (Klein et al., 2014; Beck, 2000). Certain lectins can agglutinate red blood cells (RBC) carrying these cryptantigens. The agglutination patterns of test RBCs in lectin panels can provide presumptive evidence to identify major forms of PA. Lectin testing kit manufacturers within the United States have discontinued their production. However, immunohematology reference labs (IRL) must continue offering PA testing under current AABB IRL Standards (AABB press, 2020).
Consequently, IRLs must adopt unapproved storage methods for expired lectin kits or create lectin reagents in-house. Quality control (QC) RBCs evaluating lectin reagents’ performance are often from PA patients and are difficult to obtain. This study describes a method to produce a lectin reagent and QC RBCs in-house to efficiently and cost-effectively identify the T-activated form of PA. The quality control testing was successful because a 4+ (on a scale of 0 to 4+) hemagglutination reaction was seen in the positive QC and a non-hemagglutination reaction was seen in the negative QC for three consecutive months.
Additionally, we report the results of a national survey disseminated to evaluate the current status of lectin testing procedures in IRLs. The survey responses indicate that there is a need for a standardized and consistent method to test for PA.
Article 5: Characterizing the Intestinal Microbiome of Fibromyalgia Patients
Bryant Stewart
Abstract: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a painful and debilitating condition that affects an estimated 2 to 4% of American adults. It is characterized by diffuse bilateral chronic pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and impaired cognitive function. Interactions between the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, communities of intestinal flora, and the central nervous system have been investigated as potential contributing factors to a variety of pathologies, including auto-immune, rheumatological, and psychiatric diseases. A recent investigation of the intestinal microbiomes of female FM patients and controls found characteristic alterations in intestinal flora at the genus and species levels. This study characterized the gut microbiomes at the genus level of nine FM patients, along with ten control-group individuals. Prepared stool samples were analyzed by sequencing the 16S rRNA genes of bacteria present using the MinION portable nanopore sequencer. Although there were no significant differences between the FM and control groups in the diversity of their intestinal microbiomes as measured by Shannon diversity scores (Mann-Whitney U = 38, p = 0.596), the control group’s microbiota included three additional genera at an abundance greater than 1%.
Article 6: Effectiveness of eccentric exercise in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL-R) reconstruction in rehabilitation protocols: A Literature Review.
Lucas Venegas
Abstract: Injuries to the structures of the knee complex can be classified as one of the most common impairments within the musculoskeletal system. As a part of this complex, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is an essential structure that provides stability and is fundamental in restraining translational forces. However, this ligament is commonly susceptible to being injured leading to functional alterations that can cause atrophy and chronic weakness in other knee muscles, such as the quadriceps. To minimize these possible consequences eccentric exercise, although controversial, has been
implemented as a part of a rehabilitation protocol. Recent research suggests that eccentric exercise has been beneficial in increasing muscle volume and muscular strength, compared to other regimens of strengthening in post ACL reconstruction. (ACL-R).ERGO Volume 15 Travel Abstracts
Every year the Office of Undergraduate Research has the opportunity to send students to conferences all over the world to present their research. These students represent Weber State University and our commitment to research and scholarly advancement. What follows is a summary of these industrious students and their hard work that they presented to the world.
Click here for Travel Abstracts
Locations Traveled:
Alpine, Texas
San Francisco, California
Gonzaga University, Washington
Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Germany
Los Angeles, California
New York, New York
Arlington, Virginia
Denver, Colorado
Gold Coast, Australia
Washington D. C.
Wichita, Kansas
Orlando, Florida
Fullerton, California
Carmel, California
Chicago Illinois
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jacksonville, Florida
Virtual Conference
Baltimore, Maryland
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Tokyo, Japan
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
San Diego, California
Phoenix, Arizona
New Orleans, Louisiana
ERGO Volume 16 Research Articles
Article 1: Relative Deprivation Theory: Reconstruction Perceptions on Graffiti
Rebecca Baggett
Abstract: During the year 2020, after the death of George Floyd and the events surrounding the Derek Chauvin trial, the Smithsonian documented a significant increase in street art across the United States and internationally. These events bring to light an important discussion of graffiti as a form of peaceful protest. Research by Ohio University and the Harvard Political review finds a link to protest art in multiple Black Lives Matter Movements as it plays a significant role in building community and connection. The connotation surrounding the term “graffiti” in a negative context holds demographically exclusive roots. This paper seeks to highlight the importance of recognizing the beneficial elements of graffiti. Additionally, this research emphasizes the needed changes in the art industry to validate forms of accessible free speech such as street art.
Article 2: Review: SHERLOCK Point-of-Care Genetic Test for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex
Brittany Basham
Abstract: Nucleic acid testing (NAT) has become the gold standard for the identification of microorganisms but current methods have significant disadvantages: cost, complexity, specificity, and sensitivity. The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) system is a recent advance in the understanding of genetics in microorganisms that has fundamentally altered the field of organic science. Our present understanding of how the CRISPR system works allows us to further specialties such as agriculture, biology, chemistry, and medicine. One such advance is the utilization of the CRISPR system in NAT, specifically for the detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) complex. Given that the current testing methodologies for MTB complex can be generally limited, time-consuming, or expensive, CRISPR provides a path forward to quick and inexpensive diagnostic genetic testing. This review highlights the need for better MTB complex testing and summarizes the evidence in favor of implementation of CRISPR technology as a diagnostic tool for tuberculosis in point-of-care settings based on lower cost, higher sensitivity, and lower testing procedure complexity when compared to current alternatives.
Article 3: College Student Stress Levels and Their Willingness to Communicate
Tracy Compton
Abstract: While many researchers have examined the impact stress has on college students, those studies have not yet fully examined how stress levels in college students might affect their ability/willingness to communicate with faculty and/or in their university courses. This study surveyed 223 Weber State College students to explore how undergraduate students’ levels of stress (and reported causes of stress) affect students’ willingness to communicate and motives for communicating in their classrooms and with their instructors. This pilot study revealed important findings about the relationship between stress and communication and offers interesting future paths to support the communication between college students and their professors.
Article 4: Validation of a Laboratory Developed Test for the Detection of Polyagglutination
Ryan Kohli
Abstract: The T-activated form of polyagglutination (PA) is a rare condition caused by certain microorganisms that cause abnormal agglutination of red blood cells (RBCs). This occurs when the microorganisms produce enzymes that modify the surface antigens on RBCs. These modified antigens, called cryptantigens, can react with antibodies found in human sera that occur naturally. Adult sera containing the naturally occurring anti-T antibody will react with T-activated RBCs. This is harmful as PA can cause in vivo hemolysis, especially during plasma transfusion. Currently, there are no commercial testing kits available in the United States to test for PA if the patient is suspected of having the condition. Previous researchers at Weber State University produced a Laboratory Developed Test (LDT) kit that can be used to detect T-activated PA. This study validates the LDT they developed as a viable test that can be adopted by clinical labs for the detection of T-activated PA after the replication and successful T-activation and agglutination of 60 samples using the lectin isolate. Further, this study provides confirmation that seven of the eight major blood types can be used for the creation of the T-activated control cells for the LDT and demonstrates that the various anticoagulants or preservatives the cells have been collected and stored in does not inhibit the T-activation process.
Article 5: Effect of baiting on image capture rate and species richness documented using trail cameras at Weber State University
Jaicia Mills
Abstract: As human interest in monitoring wildlife populations grows, there is an increasing need for efficient and minimally invasive methods to effectively monitor these different populations of wildlife. Camera trapping has become a popular method for monitoring wildlife populations for many (Villette et al., 2016). Camera traps are devices that have a sensor trigger designed to take a photograph when an organism is present in the field of view and sets off the sensor. It has been used to answer a large variety of research questions in the field of ecology, behavioral studies, and
conservation biology (Lamelas et al., 2020). These devices have opened several research opportunities for ecologists that were not possible with traditional trapping techniques.With camera traps, scientists have been able to observe and estimate the distribution and population densities of elusive, nocturnal large mammal predators to inform conservation efforts (Preez et al., 2014; Trolliet et al., 2014). This can be seen in studies using camera trapping that have been able to estimate the population densities of tigers and other large cats for 20 years in India (Villette et al., 2016). In this study, camera traps were permanently left out in the trapping locations, allowing the animals to have familiarity with the traps, thus capturing more images of the individuals
who the researchers were able to identify using unique markings, such as stripes or spot patterns (Villette et al., 2016).Camera traps have proven to be a less invasive and disruptive way to study wildlife compared to traditional methods, such as mist netting and pitfall traps (Dundas et al., 2019) . One study found that camera traps were much more effective in detecting wildlife when trying to study the effects of an environmental disturbance, such as human development of roads or housing as the researchers ended up disturbing the study site much less often (Dundas et al., 2019) . On the other hand, it was shown in the same study that pitfall traps were much more effective for capturing and identifying populations of lizards, insects, and other small animals that camera traps were less able to capture (Dundas et al., 2019).
As seen from these shared studies and many others, camera traps offer a reliable, minimally invasive, visual means of surveying wildlife that substantially reduces survey effort (Caravaggi et al., 2017). To help bring the animals to the camera traps, researchers are seeing that positive effect of using attractions, such as food nearby. Attractions, like food or scents, have been used to enhance both the probability of animals visiting the camera traps and species identification (Randler et al., 2020). Collected data has been effectively used to quantify species diversity, relative abundance,
population parameters and describe species replacement processes, all from a single image captured (Caravaggi et al., 2017). While this method is an extremely useful tool in observing animals, there are of course small drawbacks and limitations. For example, they can capture a lot of irrelevant photos as any movement, weather or human activity around the camera can be recorded. These drawbacks can be easily mitigated through careful study design, but they should be addressed when using camera traps as a tool. Placement of the cameras and camera trigger times are some topics to be addressed when preparing to use this method as this can help in decreasing the chances of those drawbacks occurring.To this end, our study aimed to determine the effects of using bait on image capture and species richness on the Weber State University campus. Specifically, we wanted to look at how bait affected the number of visits by mule deer (Odocoileus heminous) in gamble oak (Quercus gambelii) communities, as well as the overall number of animal species observed (species richness).
We hypothesized if there was bait put out near the traps, then the number of unique images of mule deer caught on the camera traps would increase from when there was no bait set out. We also hypothesized that if there was bait put out near the traps, then the total species richness would also increase.
Article 6: CRISPR-Cas9 Mediated Elimination of Fermentative S. cerevisiae
Chandler Nicholas
Abstract: Auto-Brewery Syndrome (ABS) is a rare disorder in which yeast in the gut ferment ingested carbohydrates, leading to ethanol production. This research investigated the efficacy of CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing as a treatment by designing an efficient guide RNA and Cas9 system to cleave vital genes of the ethanol-producing Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Plasmids targeting genes ADE2 and THG-1 were incorporated into S. cerevisiae cells using electroporation. Cells were then plated and colony forming units (CFUs) were counted for each condition. A significant reduction in CFUs was seen in plasmid-transformed cells when compared to controls (ADE2 B and THG-1 t(2)=-6.623, p=0.0220 and ADE2 A t(2)= -6.593, p=0.0222). This indicates that the CRISPR-Cas9 model resulted in fatal damage to S. cerevisiae cells, demonstrating the potential for CRISPR’s use in treating ABS patients.
Article 7: Investigating the cytotoxicity of Centella asiatica methanolic leaf extracts on MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells
Mercedes Randhahn
Abstract: This study evaluated the effectiveness of two Centella asiatica (CA) methanolic leaf extracts on the triple-negative breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231. The purified extract (PE) was created using precise lab equipment and was intended to possess a greater concentration of triterpene glycosides, particularly asiaticoside (Helan et. al, 2011). The crude extract (CE) was created using a similar procedure, however instead of precise lab equipment it used materials accessible to someone living in impoverished regions. Each extract was tested at dilutions of 10%, 1%, 0.1%, 0.01%, and 0.001% at 60 and 96 hours. After evaluation, it was determined that CE induced the greatest amount of cytotoxicity in comparison to PE. Furthermore, CE possessed statistical significance in a concentration dependent manner at time points of 60 hours and 96 hours. Therefore, CE may be a justifiable antineoplastic agent for those diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer living in developing regions.
Article 8: An Application of an SIR Epidemic Model in Predicting the Impacts of Variable Vaccination and Booster Rates of the Propagation of COVID-19 in Utah
Joseph Richey
Abstract: As of December 11, 2020, the FDA announced their decision to allow individuals 16 years and older to be able to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. The U.S. began vaccinating willing individuals soon after. The effectiveness of the vaccine (and others formed thereafter) has been scrutinized, and many individuals still have questions as to its effectiveness. This paper presents a series of models that discuss vaccination efficacy. We claim that vaccinating individuals will help to stop the spread of the virus.
In this paper we track Utah’s infection rates using a SIR model, accounting for vaccination rates and booster shots and their effectiveness in slowing down the spread COVID19. Using data we collected from the NY Times and Bloomberg, we created a model which closely approximates the infection rates in Utah from August 22 to November 22, 2021. We determine how various vaccination rates and booster rates correlate with infection rates of individuals in the state of Utah.
We conclude that the most effective way to decrease daily infections of COVID-19 is to increase initial vaccination rates and booster doses.
Article 9: Using Computer Aided Drug Design to Improve Semagide Receptor Binding
Gwenyth Skriner
Abstract: Insulin resistance is the most common risk associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D), so it is vital to develop treatments that overcome this disrupted biological mechanism. GLP-1R agonists significantly increase insulin production and lead to weight loss in patients affected with T2D independent of insulin. Semaglutide, the favored GLP-1R agonist, has unwanted gastrointestinal side effects despite its treatment efficacy. We hypothesized that increasing semaglutide binding to the target could extend the half-life, thereby lowering the amount needed and off-target effects in the gut. To test if semaglutide modifications with increased binding affinity could be created, the primary drug-target interactions were investigated. Key amino acids within semaglutide’s polypeptide chain were virtually substituted to create a new drug molecule with higher binding affinity for GLP-1R. The results of our study indicate that semaglutide with a Val33Ile mutant had a more favorable free energy of binding with target GLP-1R.
Article 10: Analysis of beneficial microbial flor and their effects on bacterial species associated with MDD
Zachary Tangaro, Hunter Bird, Jose G Mendoza-Escareno, and Heather Morgan
Abstract: Gut microbiomes vary among populations, but especially in patients diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Research by Zheng et al. 2016 has shown that after fecal samples from patients with MDD were transplanted into mice, the mice later developed symptoms of MDD. MDD symptoms could later be eradicated if the Microbiome was then normalized. The phylum of Actinobacteria is significantly higher and the phylum Bacteroidetes is significantly lower in patients with MDD and the scope of this research posits if beneficial enteric flora, Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophilus, can “normalize” the concentrations of the two phyla. Collinsella aerofaciens and Actinomyces israelii represent the Actinobacteria phylum, while Allistipes shahii and Bacteroides fragilis represent the Bacteroidetes phylum. Experimentation using an artificial gut and inhibitory experiments using BHI agars were used to assess the effect the beneficial enteric flora has on the MDD associated species. A. israelii showed the most significant inhibition in both experiments, experiencing a near 4-fold decrease when grown with B. bifidum (p=0.011) and a near 1.5-fold decrease when grown with L. acidophilus (p=0.08). The members of the Bacteroidetes phylum experienced mixed results, as did C. aerofaciens.
ERGO Volume 16 Travel Abstracts
Every year the Office of Undergraduate Research has the opportunity to send students to conferences all over the world to present their research. These students represent Weber State University and our commitment to research and scholarly advancement. What follows is a summary of these industrious students and their hard work that they presented to the world.
Click here for Travel Abstracts
Locations Traveled:
Chania, Crete, Greece
Toronto, Canada
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Washington D.C.
Chicago, Illinois
New York, New York
New Orleans, Louisiana
Virtual Conference
Mesa, Arizona
Atlanta, Georgia
Tucson, Arizona
Pasadena, California
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Louisville, Kentucky
Anchorage, Alaska
Norman, Oklahoma
Las Vegas, Nevada
Toulon, France
Boston, Massachusetts
Carmel, California
Seattle, Washington