Poster Presentations: Two

Dust emissions can significantly impact air quality in Utah communities. The dust in Utah primarily comes from two types of sources; large desert playas and smaller local industrial sites, both of which can be analyzed through dust modeling. Accurate dust modeling requires accurate representation of wind velocities and land surface properties. Traditional modeling tools such as the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model operate on coarse spatial scales (e.g., 4 km × 4 km grid resolution), which can overlook smaller, localized dust sources. To address this limitation, WindNinja (WN) provides finer-scale modeling (e.g., 150 m × 150 m grid resolution) capable of resolving local topography and detailed surface properties. While WN performs functions like WRF, its refined resolution allows researchers to better capture variations in wind flow and terrain effects at the community level. My specific contribution involved identifying local industrial sites that could be accurately represented to improve the land surface resolution data used by both WRF and WN. Using the Multi-Resolution Land Characteristics (MRLC) database, I compared classified land cover and soil information with high-resolution imagery from Google Earth to evaluate data accuracy in disturbed regions such as mines and urban dust sources. Case studies at Bingham Mine, Point of the Mountain, and Parley's Canyon Rock Quarry revealed inconsistencies between MRLC classifications and observable ground conditions, for example, barren rock often misclassified as shrub or scrub vegetation. Such discrepancies can lead to errors in model estimates of dust emissions, wind flow, and pollutant dispersion. By identifying and correcting these smaller dust sources, we can improve how refined dust models represent real-world surface conditions. These enhancements make WRF and WN analyses more accurate, supporting more reliable predictions of air quality and pollutant exposure for Utah communities. This research ultimately aims to provide residents with better information about the air they breathe.

WWII (1939-1945) was a global conflict that involved more than 30 countries. It began with Germany's invasion of Poland. The United States eventually joined the battle after the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Using archival records, census data, and newspaper reports, this research explores enlistment and military service among West Farms residents, employment, shifts in housing, and the neighborhood's civic participation during WWII. Findings reveal that West Farms played a far more active role in World War II than its public image suggests. This work challenges the perspective people have of New York and reveals wartime sacrifices and stories that deserve recognition. In doing so, it invites people, regardless of where they are based, to approach every new location they visit with historical curiosity, seeing not just a location but the lives and stories behind it. Although this research focuses on West Farms in the Bronx, its meaning reaches far beyond New York. The experiences of West Farm residents during WWII mirror the sacrifices and civic participation found in communities across the United States, including places like Utah. By studying one neighborhood in depth, we gain insight into national patterns of service and social change that shaped the entire country. By examining local history, we connect past and present, preserve memory, learn from prior experiences, enrich our understanding of society, and inspire civic engagement, while also building a more inclusive narrative for future generations. We honor the veterans of West Farms, who celebrate the spirit of ordinary Americans everywhere, and whose contributions have often been overlooked.

One day I walked into my local coffee shop to finish up some homework when I noticed a folded piece of paper with a star drawn on it wedged into the picture frame next to my table. There are plenty of other papers with cute drawings or inspiring messages stuck in all of the frames around the cafe, a way for the locals to share their presence but somehow I knew there was something more to this one. Naturally, I plucked out the paper and found a phone number written inside. Without thinking about what scams or viruses could possibly ensue, I texted the number. What followed wasn't as interesting as I had hoped: it was just a college student asking for help on their philosophy final. There wasn't much I could help them with, but then they asked me, "Why did you pick up the paper?" I wasn't quite sure myself. I answered that I liked stars and I was just curious then I left it at that. But why did I pick up the paper? I really don't know. I really was just curious. A few days later, I was still thinking about the interaction, and I realized maybe the student's philosophy final was about why people had picked up the paper, about natural human curiosity. If that wasn't their original intention, they missed a fantastic opportunity. Curiosity is vital for the human experience: "Curiosity killed the cat, some may say, "but satisfaction brought it back" is the continuation of the phrase not everyone knows. In my presentation, I will be arguing the reasons for this vitality and sharing how to further utilize this instinct in day to day life. Why is it important? Why is looking for what is overlooked or jumping head first into the rabbit hole needed for a good life? Asking questions and searching for all the little things in life are what make life interesting. Taking risks is vital for the human experience, and one can't get that without curiosity. How else would Alice have had her adventures in Wonderland or Curious George learned so much about the world? Curiosity is how we learn, how we experience, how we live. Without it, my day at the local coffee shop would have been a lot more boring.

Since 1981, the BYU excavation team has worked at a site in the Fayum region of Egypt. This site has become known as Fag El Gamous. Each year, the team has worked hard to uncover burials at the site to try and understand more about the individuals buried there. Despite the discovery of hundreds of tombs, not much is known about who these people were and if it was a site used by one group of people or multiple groups. Minimal analysis has been performed on those buried at the site about their gender, using cranial measurements, and fabric buried with said individuals. This study is the first step to understanding more about the lives of people from the Fayum region. To do this, we will look at the carbon and nitrogen isotope readings of the bone and skin samples we have selected. The carbon and nitrogen isotopes will help us understand plant and meat consumption. The skin and bone samples give us short-term and long-term affects of their diet. This is the start of our understanding. Our results show, the average carbon reading was – 19.7 ± 0.7 and the average nitrogen reading was 16 ± 2.6. The carbon values suggest the diet consisted of C3-derived plants along with some influence of C4- derived plants. The nitrogen values indicate that fish consumption was a key part of the diet. When these result are compared to similar studies, the values of both nitrogen and carbon indicate diet remained consisted throughout environmentally similar regions and different time periods of ancient Egypt.

Background: This study observed and evaluated the presence of plant parasitic and free-living nematodes in commonly consumed legumes, commercially available in the U.S. The objective was to determine whether nematode contamination occurs in retail food products and whether viable nematodes can emerge under germination conditions. Methods: Commercial dried legumes, including soybean, pinto, black, kidney, adzuki, and navy beans, were purchased from grocery stores, surface sterilized, and hydroponically germinated for seven days. Beans, both germinated and nongerminated after the 7 day period, were homogenized, filtered through 20-, 60-, 100-, and 325-mesh sieves, and the 325-mesh fraction was collected. This was pelleted at 1000 rpm for 2 minutes, resuspended in 30% sucrose, and recentrifuged, isolating viable eggs. Nematode eggs were counted, processed for DNA, RNA, and protein isolation and visualized by microscopy. Species identification was performed by PCR. To assess viability, eggs were placed on soil for seven days, and emerging nematodes were recovered using a Baermann funnel. Results: Nematode eggs were detected in multiple soybean samples but not readily detected in other legumes. Several nematode species were identified, and viable adults were recovered after incubation. The abundance of eggs varied among soybean samples, suggesting variation between sources. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the presence of plant parasitic and free-living nematodes in select legumes within the U.S. food supply. Soybeans contained viable nematodes capable of developing into adults. These findings raise questions about the agricultural and commercial processing of commercial food products, and the potential public health implications of consuming these nematodes.

The common aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) alcohol flushing variant, ALDH2*2, affects approximately 8% of the global population. Even in heterozygous form, the ALDH2 polymorphism causes a severe reduction in enzymatic activity that has been linked to an increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). Endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction is a critical factor in the onset and progression of CAD, and its disruption can be intensified by environmental and chemical stressors. Cigarette smoking is known to increase the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, and stroke, as compounds such as nicotine, acetaldehyde, and formaldehyde enter the bloodstream and impair vascular health. Similarly, exposure to environmental pollutants such as Great Salt Lake dust (GSLD) and pine smoke has been shown to induce inflammation and cytotoxicity in ECs. However, the contribution of ALDH2 to mitigating these harmful effects remains unclear. We hypothesize that ALDH2*2 would worsen the effect of cigarette and e-cigarette smoke, GSLD, and pine smoke-induced endothelial dysfunction compared to wild-type iPSC-ECs. Specifically, we examined cell viability, oxidative stress, inflammation, endothelial function, and gene expression in human iPSC-ECs carrying either wild-type or ALDH2*2. Understanding how ALDH2*2 exacerbates EC dysfunction under hazardous aerosol exposure may provide new molecular insights for the prevention and treatment of CAD.

Evolution is a process that results in genetic changes within a population. These genetic changes can be a result of pressures that the population experiences that help them to survive. When two populations are separated geographically, they face different pressures, and often evolve different genetic changes. We ask however, can microscale geographic differences still impact evolution without isolation? To test this, we ask can Drosophila melanogaster populations from within the same orchard exhibit genetic differences? The focus of this study is the phenotypic difference in development of Drosophila melanogaster. Drosophila are a model organism and have benefits as subjects when studying evolution given their highly researched genome (Tolwinski 2017). Studying the genome directly would be far too expensive, and isolating development phenotypes can still provide the same insight into evolutionary processes. Some existing studies have demonstrated genetic differences across spatial microscales from Drosophila melanogaster from the same orchard (Hoffmann and Nielsen 1985). However, these flies had colonized microbiota. The microbiota has a significant effect on the development of Drosophila melanogaster (Walters 2018) which means that the existing studies may not have identified genetic differences. To test for genetic differences while controlling for microbiota, the 65 lines of Drosophila melanogaster will be reared axenic (without microbiota). Then, the number of fly eclosians will be measured 3 times per day in real time. Finally, the number of developed casings will be compared across the 65 lines to determine the influence of microscale geographic differences on genetic differences. This will help determine if genetic differences can arise within a population of Drosophila melanogaster from the same orchard, which will contribute to our understanding of geography on evolutionary biology.

This project addresses a central evolutionary question: can microbial diversity across a landscape drive genetic diversification in Drosophila melanogaster? To evaluate this, the first and most fundamental step is determining whether flies within a single orchard already exhibit spatial genetic heterogeneity, because diversification cannot occur without some degree of restricted dispersal and genetic structuring. I will test for this fine-scale structure using starvation resistance as a phenotype that reflects underlying genetic differences. This experiment builds on my prior work establishing 65 isofemale lines derived from flies collected across five diet-associated microhabitats (apples, pears, nectarines, tomatoes, and compost). Because microbes can dramatically alter starvation resistance, each line will be rendered axenic to ensure that any observed phenotypic differences reflect host genetics rather than microbial effects. Axenic lines will be generated by dechorionating embryos and rearing them on sterilized media, with axenicity verified by plating homogenized adults on nutrient agar. Starvation resistance will then be measured by monitoring survival on 1% agarose across replicate male and female vials for each line. If mean starvation resistance differs among microhabitats, this will indicate spatial genetic heterogeneity, demonstrating restricted dispersal and establishing the necessary first condition for diversification. These results will form the foundation for the larger goal of determining whether microhabitat-specific microbial communities can act as drivers of evolutionary change in natural fly populations.

Background: Volumetric muscle loss (VML) removes myofibers and resident satellite cells, creating a regenerative void that doesn't naturally heal. Juvenile skeletal muscle contains a high density of satellite cells and smaller myofibers, potentially providing a superior source of regenerative donor tissue. Purpose: This study compared satellite cell abundance across developmental stages and examined the distribution of satellite cells following juvenile and adult muscle transplantation into a VML defect. Methods: Tibialis anterior (TA) muscles from juvenile (21 d) and adult (~120 d) male Lewis rats were analyzed for myofiber and satellite cell density. GFP⁺ juvenile or adult muscle was then transplanted into full thickness VML defects (~15-20% volume) in adult hosts. Seven weeks post-surgery, Pax7⁺ cells were quantified within defined regions of the muscle. Results: Developmental analyses revealed distinctive age-related differences in cellular composition. Juvenile muscle exhibited a ~5-fold greater myofiber density (p < 0.001). Juvenile muscles contained 122.8 ± 28.4 Pax7⁺ cells/mm², ~15 times higher than adults (8.4 ± 3.3; p < 0.0001). In uninjured controls after transplantation, satellite cell density averaged 8.0 ± 1.0 cells/mm². Untreated VML defects showed limited Pax7⁺ presence (3.6 ± 2.3 cells/mm²), whereas both adult and juvenile transplants displayed substantial enrichment within the defect zone (adult: 33.6 ± 14.9; juvenile: 27.1 ± 13.2 cells/mm²; p < 0.01 vs control and no-treatment). Border regions also showed elevated satellite cell densities (~25-35 cells/mm²; p < 0.001 vs control) with no difference between donor ages, and distal muscle remained comparable to controls (~7-13 cells/mm²; p > 0.05). Conclusions: Juvenile skeletal muscle possesses higher satellite cell density than adult tissue, offering a denser potential option of regenerative cells. Transplantation of either donor type restores satellite cell populations within VML defects, but the expansion remains spatially restricted to the transplant tissue with no migration into border regions. These findings suggest that while juvenile muscle provides a cellular advantage, additional interventions may be required to promote satellite cell migration and integration throughout the injured muscle.

Allodynia is defined as a symptom that causes a painful reaction to normally innocuous stimuli (Jensen et al., 2014). Cold allodynia, specifically, is a temperature-based symptom that triggers pain when in contact with a cold object, such as a cool breeze or a refrigerated drink. This condition occurs most often in people with general nerve injuries, such as those with conditions such as diabetes and fibromyalgia, or who have undergone chemotherapy. Studies estimate that cold allodynia affects up to 50% of patients with neuropathic pain (Jensen et al., 2014), with the possibility of getting worse over time (Pietro, 2017). Despite its prevalence and persistence, the mechanism for cold allodynia is not fully understood, and there is currently no treatment that can eliminate it completely. Instead, patients are often forced to rely on antidepressants, topical medications, and opioids, most of which have heavy side effects and insufficient pain management (He & Kim, 2023). Diiodomethoxytyramine (DIMTA), a molecule isolated from extractions of Didemnum sp. tunicates, was found to selectively block voltage-gated potassium and calcium channels in low-threshold cold thermosensors (LTCTs), theoretically affecting cold sensation by making it more difficult for new stimuli to trigger a response (Paguigan et al., 2021). When testing DIMTA's physiological effects on mice, the molecule produced decreased responses to cold-induced pain (Paguigan et al., 2021). This research is focused on synthetically investigating the structure-activity relationship of DIMTA to identify chemical features influencing this compound's antinociceptive activity. By modifying the functional groups on DIMTA's structure, a library of analogs has been synthesized and evaluated to determine dorsal root ganglion cell type and ion channel preferences. With this project, we hope to identify more selective compounds with minimal side effects to ease pain in future medication. Jensen, T. S., & Finnerup, N. B. (2014). Allodynia and hyperalgesia in neuropathic pain: clinical manifestations and mechanisms. Lancet Neurology, 13(9), 924-935. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(14)70102-4 MaryAnn De Pietro, C. R. T. (2017, August 10). Allodynia: Causes, types, and treatment. Medicalnewstoday.com; Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318867 He Y, Kim PY. Allodynia. [Updated 2023 Sep 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537129/ Paguigan, N. D., Yan, Y., Karthikeyan, M., Chase, K., Carter, J., Leavitt, L. S., Lim, A. L., Lin, Z., Memon, T., Christensen, S., Bentzen, B. H., Schmitt, N., Reilly, C. A., Teichert, R. W., Raghuraman, S., Olivera, B. M., & Schmidt, E. W. (2021). The tunicate metabolite 2-(3,5-diiodo-4-methoxyphenyl)ethan-1-amine targets ion channels of vertebrate sensory neurons. ACS Chemical Biology, 16(9), 1654-1662. https://doi.org/10.1021/acschembio.1c00328

Stress is known to negatively impact reproduction in fish, but its effects on offspring development after birth are less understood. To better understand how maternal stress affects offspring development, we studied the live-bearing fish Alfaro cultratus from birth to reproductive maturity. We observed the timeline of developmental milestones in offspring whose mothers experienced stress during gestation to assess long-term effects on growth and future reproduction. Thirty pregnant females were split between a control group and a chronic stress treatment group who experienced daily rotating stressors throughout pregnancy. We measured brood size at birth, offspring growth rates, and age they reached sexual maturity. Stressed mothers produced smaller broods on average than controls. Offspring from stressed mothers grew at similar rates to control offspring but reached sexual maturity at an earlier age. These results suggest that maternal stress alone can reduce immediate reproductive output (fewer offspring) while inducing an accelerated life-history strategy in offspring. As live-bearing fish, these results can be applied to humans showing us that stress alone during gestation can change offspring life history strategies even if the offspring themselves experience limited stress.

Over the past 55 years, a variety of studies showed a reduced amount of typical brain function lateralization for left handers compared to right handers. Current theories attempted to explain this difference by attributing it to inconsistencies in study participants, i.e., as a small subset of left-handed participants with reversed asymmetries, or several left-handed participants who happened to have reduced symmetry. However, Johnstone et al.'s 2021 study debunked both of those theories by excluding any left-handed participants with any atypical symmetries and using the Waterloo Handedness Questionnaire to compare levels of handedness. We completed a replication study to investigate the possibility that redefining handedness could change these results. To investigate that possibility, the Edinburgh Handedness Index (EHI) data of 896 participants were obtained from two studies (Human Connectome Project (Van Essen et al., 2013) and Human Connectome Project-Development (Somerville et al., 2018) ) and were used to conduct a multiverse analysis to examine the robustness of handedness-related asymmetries in brain network lateralization. Using 17 rolling threshold classifications (EHI cutoff scores of -40 to +40), we tested whether effects of handedness on network lateralization remained consistent across varying definitions of left- versus right-handedness in 8 brain networks. Results were evaluated using Bonferroni-corrected significance testing and Cohen's d effect sizes. In 5 of the 8 networks (2-visual b, 6-dorsal attention a, 8-salience/ventral attention b, 11-control b, 17-limbic b), handedness showed a significant effect (Bonferroni-corrected α = 0.00042) in network lateralization. In these same 5 networks, a small to moderate effect size (|d| = 0.2-0.8) was shown on lateralization. In the other 3 networks (5-language, 12-control c, 15-default c) handedness was not shown to have a significant impact, but a small effect size (|d| = 0.2) was observed. Interestingly, for both networks 10 and 17 (control a and limbic b), p values were shown to be significant for the majority of threshold values, but a moderate effect size was observed below particular threshold values and a small effect size above them. Johnstone, L. T., Karlsson, E. M., & Carey, D. P. (2021). Left-Handers Are Less Lateralized Than Right-Handers for Both Left and Right Hemispheric Functions. Cerebral Cortex, 31(8), 3780-3787. https://doi.org/10.1093/cercor/bhab048 Somerville, L. H., Bookheimer, S. Y., Buckner, R. L., Burgess, G. C., Curtiss, S. W., Dapretto, M., Elam, J. S., Gaffrey, M. S., Harms, M. P., Hodge, C., Kandala, S., Kastman, E. K., Nichols, T. E., Schlaggar, B. L., Smith, S. M., Thomas, K. M., Yacoub, E., Van Essen, D. C., & Barch, D. M. (2018). The Lifespan Human Connectome Project in Development: A large-scale study of brain connectivity development in 5-21 year olds. NeuroImage, 183, 456-468. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2018.08.050 Van Essen, D. C., Smith, S. M., Barch, D. M., Behrens, T. E. J., Yacoub, E., & Ugurbil, K. (2013). The WU-Minn Human Connectome Project: An overview. NeuroImage, 80, 62-79. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2013.05.041

Handedness has been associated with patterns of brain lateralization, particularly within the language network. Johnstone et al. (2021) reported that right-handed individuals showed stronger left-hemisphere language dominance than left-handers. However, different measures of lateralization— metrics like the Network Surface Area Ratio (NSAR) versus connectivity-based measures such as the Autonomy Index (AI)—may yield different results. This study aimed to test whether the method of functional lateralization influences the observed relationship between handedness and language network lateralization, conceptually replicating Johnstone et al. (2021). Does the method used to measure functional lateralization (NSAR vs. AI) influence the relationship between handedness and language network lateralization? It was hypothesized that right-handed individuals would show greater language network lateralization than left-handed individuals. Fifty-two participants aged 22-36 were drawn from the Human Connectome Project (HCP) dataset, all with complete MRI scans and handedness scores from the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory. Two lateralization measures were compared: NSAR, which estimates hemispheric differences in cortical surface area for language regions, and AI, which reflects functional specialization within a hemisphere relative to interhemispheric connectivity. Data were preprocessed using custom scripts from the Computational Brain Imaging Group (CBIG) and analyzed in RStudio. Participants were matched 1:1 by age, sex, and motion (framewise displacement), yielding 26 left- and 26 right-handed individuals. Multiple regression analyses were performed for each measure, controlling for age, sex, and motion. Both measures showed no significant differences in language network lateralization between handedness groups. For NSAR, handedness was not a significant predictor (β = 0.04, t(47) = 0.84, p = .41, R² = .10). For AI, handedness similarly did not predict network autonomy, b = -3.29 × 10⁻⁸, t(19) = -0.95, p = .36, R² = .06. Contrary to prior findings by Johnstone et al. (2021), no significant group differences in language network lateralization were observed, regardless of the lateralization measure used. Differences in sample size, inclusion of only left-lateralized individuals, and stricter covariate matching may explain the discrepancy. The small sample size also likely reduced statistical power. Future research should include larger, more diverse samples and consider factors such as bilingualism or developmental history to further clarify the relationship between handedness and brain lateralization. No significant group differences in language network lateralization were observed between right- and left-handed participants.

In our poster, we focused on the behavioral analysis of Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches (MHS). More specifically, we investigated their risk assessment after being given specific solutions of ethanol, saline, and caffeine. We decided to use MHCs because of previous research that has been done using MHCs. MHCs are an ideal invertebrate model for us to learn about risk-assessment. There is currently a lack of research on MHCs and their risk assessment, specifically in regard to pharmacological effects. In this experiment risk assessment behavior is activity in the middle of the arena and crossings into the middle of the arena. When choosing what drugs to administer we chose saline as our control and ethanol because of prior research done with MHCs and ethanol. We chose caffeine because we wanted to contrast a CNS depressant (alcohol) with a stimulant (caffeine). We analyzed their risk assessment after the injection using a behavioral tracking software. We compared data indicating risk-assessment and data showing general activity levels to best determine the effects of the drugs both in an anxiolytic and locomotive context. In this poster we will analyze the results from the behavioral tracking data and look at the similarities and differences between the MHCs behavior on each drug solution. We will use this data to assist in future research with MHCs as well as pharmacological data on invertebrate models.

Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) is an important gene for endocrine regulation due to its peptide products, which include alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, a key satiety signal. Deficiency in POMC impacts hypothalamic signaling and can potentially impair downstream gonadal hormone balance and reproductive cycles. Mouse models are useful in diagnostic research as a proxy for humans, where mechanisms can be difficult to study. POMC-deficient mice show early-onset obesity due to hyperphagia, and also seem to be infertile. This study will investigate baseline estrogen levels in POMC-deficient female mice and evaluate their estrous cycle compared to wild-type control female mice. This will shed more light on the impact of POMC loss on reproductive endocrinology. Serum samples will be collected from adult female mice. Estrogen will be quantified using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and calibrated with standard curves. At the same time, vaginal smears will be collected, analyzed & imaged to classify the estrous cycle stages. The estrous cycle consists of four stages: proestrus, estrus, metestrus & diestrus, which can be identified based on the cytology present in the vaginal smear. Our analysis will compare baseline POMC-deficient and wildtype estradiol concentration, and how these concentrations change throughout the estrous cycle. We hypothesize that POMC deficiency will result in below wildtype estrogen levels, which may be the cause of the irregular estrus cycles. In turn, this may reflect altered levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone, luteinizing hormone and/or follicle-stimulating hormone. This research will provide more insight regarding the relationship of POMC to estrogen levels and estrous cycling. In addition, we hope to learn more about the inter-connectedness of obesity and infertility, both of which are major health concerns as they increase in humans.

Amphibians play an essential role in freshwater ecosystems and are known to be extremely vulnerable to environmental contaminants like mercury. Because amphibians occupy both aquatic and terrestrial habitats, possess semi-permeable skin, and undergo dramatic physiological changes during metamorphosis, they may experience variable mercury exposure and accumulation across life stages. Frogs, in particular, can serve as important vectors of mercury within food webs, as their complex life cycles serve as a link between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Understanding patterns of mercury accumulation across amphibian life stages is critical for evaluating contaminant transfer in freshwater ecosystems. The American Bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeiana), an invasive species throughout much of the United States including Utah, provides a useful model for studying these dynamics. Bullfrogs are highly opportunistic predators, consuming a wide variety of organisms and likely accumulate dietary mercury. Because they are also consumed by larger predators—including humans—and there are no harvesting or consumption restrictions due to their invasive status, assessing mercury levels in bullfrogs can provide insight into ecosystem risk and human exposure. This study aimed to quantify mercury concentrations across multiple bullfrog life stages and compare these concentrations with previously collected data on fish from the same sites. Collections were conducted during the bullfrog active season (June-early October 2025) at 21st Street Pond and Glassmans Pond near Ogden, UT. Immature individuals were sampled at two developmental categories corresponding to Gosner Stages 25-41 (tadpoles) and Stages 42-46 (metamorphs. Adult bullfrogs were collected, and their liver and hind-leg muscle tissues were used for mercury analysis. Total mercury evaluation in all tissues is ongoing, using a direct mercury analyzer Nippon MA-3000. Mercury concentrations will be compared among life stages at each pond as well as between ponds. By characterizing mercury concentrations across bullfrog life stages, this study will improve understanding life stage dependent mercury accumulation and the potential for each life stage to transfer mercury to higher trophic predators.

Fibrosis is an inflammatory condition that results from an overactive wound-healing response, leading to increased collagen deposition and excessive connective tissue. This scarring alters normal tissue structure and function, resulting in diseases like pulmonary fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and scleroderma. Despite their prevalence, there is a lack of therapeutic options for patients suffering from these fibrotic disorders. Pirfenidone, an FDA-approved therapeutic agent for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, has shown potential in treating these conditions due to its ability to reduce fibroblast differentiation, inflammation, and collagen deposition. These fibrotic conditions are exacerbated by the presence of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), a cytokine that is largely involved in differentiating fibroblasts into myofibroblasts, increasing collagen expression, and producing other extracellular matrix components. The increased expression of collagen leads to excess collagen deposition within tissues, causing stiffening and decreased functionality of the tissues. Heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) is also believed to play a role in the observed increase in collagen production due to aiding in the proper folding and resultant functionality of collagen. We hypothesize that pirfenidone treatment will reduce the expression and subsequent deposition of collagen, specifically as a result of decreasing HSP47 expression. Within this study, dermal and lung fibroblast cells were treated with pirfenidone and TGF-β to further investigate the effect they have on these key proteins involved in fibrosis. Pirfenidone was administered to downregulate expression of these proteins, improving fibrosis treatment, while TGF-β was used to stimulate the cells and induce fibroblast differentiation, promoting fibrotic conditions. Following treatment, RNA was extracted from the cells and reversed transcribed into cDNA to allow for quantitative PCR (qPCR). The resulting products were separated via gel electrophoresis, followed by a densitometric analysis to allow for band quantification. The protein targets included GAPDH (positive control), COL1A1, HSP47, and TGF-β1, each of which are integral proteins in the perseverance of fibrotic conditions as they have key roles in collagen synthesis, protein folding, and fibrotic signaling. The findings from this study will offer a better understanding of therapeutic options that can aid in the treatment of fibrosis in dermal tissues.

Copper is a well-known antimicrobial material effective against pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA-related prosthetic joint infections are difficult to treat due to biofilm formation, which protects bacteria from antibiotics and immune responses. Biofilms grow easily on the flat surface of titanium medical hardware implants. To address this challenge, the Berges Lab developed a copper-coated carbon-infiltrated carbon nanotube (Cu-CICNT) surface that mimics the nanopillar texture of cicada wings. This material combines the mechanical disruption of a textured surface with the copper's chemical toxicity to achieve strong antibacterial activity. While Cu-CICNT's antimicrobial efficacy is well-established, this project will investigate its long-term stability and functionality under realistic biological conditions. Biofilm formation by S. aureus will be analyzed across varying culture media volumes to imitate different fluid environments. Biofilm biomass will be quantified through colony-forming unit analysis, and results compared with titanium and uncoated CICNT controls. In parallel, we will test if prolonged exposure to Cu-CICNT leads to adaptive resistance by monitoring for spontaneous mutation events over multiple bacterial generations. These experiments will assess Cu-CICNT's durability and the likelihood of bacterial resistance, providing key insights for its development as a reliable antimicrobial surface for prosthetic implants and other biomedical applications.

Ketamine began as a medical anesthetic used during surgeries and medical procedures because of its safety and fast acting effects. More recently, it has gained attention for its ability to relieve symptoms of major depressive disorder (MDD) within hours, unlike traditional antidepressants that often take weeks. The biological mechanisms behind this rapid response are still not fully understood. This project aims to understand how Ketamine affects gene expression in Parvalbumin (PV) interneurons, which are selectively activated by Ketamine, and associated with its antidepressant effect. Using single-nucleus RNA sequencing data from cell sorted brain tissue in mice, we perform a temporal time-course analysis of the impact of Ketamine on RNA expression. Analyzing control samples, compared with samples taken 2hr and 24hr post Ketamine administration, we identify alterations in gene expression at the 2-hour time point. However, by 24 hours, few significant differences are found when comparing with either control or Ketamine at the 2-hour time point, with patterns indicating a trend toward restoration of gene expression to the original state, providing insight into the effectiveness window for impacting PV interneurons. In this study, we identify potential functional alterations induced in PV interneurons via pathway analysis, identifying effected functions including synaptic translation, and ATP synthesis.

Efficient water management is crucial for viticulture, especially in regions facing limited water supplies. Weeds are often assumed to compete with grapevines for soil moisture and potentially reduce vine water availability. Although weed competition is well documented in newly established vineyards, there is limited evidence that mature vines experience the same degree of water competition. To determine if weeds negatively affect vines in an established vineyard, weeds were removed around mature grapevines in a southern Utah vineyard. Vine water stress was determined by comparing midday xylem pressure potential in paired vines across weeded and non-weeded conditions. Measurements were taken at solar noon in the summer, when vines typically experience their highest levels of water stress. Results showed no significant differences in midday stem water potential between weeded and control vines (p > 0.05). Under the conditions of this study, weed presence did not measurably influence grapevine water availability. The lack of a significant treatment effect indicates that mature vines were likely buffered against surface-level competition, possibly due to well-established root systems and sufficient subsoil moisture. While not definitive, these results point to a limited role of weed presence in influencing vine water status in well established systems. These findings align with the idea that older vines can maintain hydraulic stability under moderate competitive pressure. These results underscore the importance of site-specific factors in weed-vine interactions and point to the need for further research incorporating soil moisture profiling and weed community characterization to better understand the conditions under which competition may occur.

Rubber rabbitbrush (Ericamera nauseosa) is a widespread and abundant flowering plant found throughout western North America, where it often makes up a significant portion of the plant community. Despite its broad distribution and abundance, little is known about its pollination ecology. In northern Utah, E. nauseosa is notable for its late blooming season, with many individuals still flowering well into October. This late blooming window may provide a valuable resource to fall-active pollinators, when many other plants are no longer flowering. We investigated the pollinator communities visiting E. nauseosa in Weber County, Utah across four different locations, each visited between two to four times in the fall season of 2025. During 30-minute observation periods at each site, we recorded all orders of insects visiting flowers and attempted to collect a specimen of each unique taxon encountered. Honey bees (Apis mellifera) were excluded from the analysis. A total of 282 flower visitations were recorded, including 129 by non-Apis hymenopterans, accounting for 46% of total flower visitations. Other flower visitors included flies (43%), butterflies (9%), and beetles (2%). Families represented included: Apidae, Ichneoumonidae, Syrphidae, Bombyliidae, Hesperiidae, Lycaenidae, Cerembycidae, and Burpestidae. Sixty-four insects were collected by net in the field for identification. Based on the initial analysis of collected specimens, at least twenty unique species were regular visitors to rabbitbrush. Flowers of E. nauseosa were collected for future analysis of nectar sugar composition. Based on these preliminary findings, hymenopterans and dipterans represent the majority of possible pollinators. Due to its widespread nature and prevalence in its environment, Rubber rabbitbrush may then act as a previously underappreciated important late-season source of pollen and nectar to many of Utah's native insects, especially for many of our at-risk native bee species.

Melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer that is frequently driven by activating mutations in the gene BRAF, most commonly the V600E substitution. This mutation hyperactivates the biochemical MAPK signaling cascade. Dabrafenib is a common BRAF inhibitor that has become a cornerstone of targeted therapy, but clinical resistance often develops within months due to pathway reactivation and compensatory signaling. Proposed study builds on preliminary findings suggest that combining dabrafenib with pterostilbene, a naturally derived stilbenoid with antioxidant pro-apoptotic properties commonly found in nuts and blueberries, enhances therapeutic efficacy in BRAF V600E-mutant melanoma. A375 melanoma cells containing the BRAF V600E mutation, will be cultured to 75-80% confluency, plated in 96-well plates, and treated for 72 hours with a concentration matrix determined by IC50 values of dabrafenib and pterostilbene. Cell viability will be assessed using the PrestoBlue assay, and drug interaction will be quantified through isobologram analysis to determine synergistic, additive, or antagonistic effects. Western blotting will evaluate phospho-ERK, STAT3, and apoptosis-related protein expression to confirm molecular mechanisms underlying synergy. From previous evidence, that combined treatment significantly reduces p-ERK levels and enhances apoptosis, this project aims to establish a mechanistic framework for dual targeting of MAPK signaling and redox-regulating transcriptional control. Through the study, findings are expected to help build the rationale for using bioactive natural compounds as adjuvants to overcome resistance to BRAF-mutant melanoma and may inform future studies to explore dosing strategies and/or pterostilbene analogs for improved clinical outcomes.

Reverse micelles show a promising approach to advancing nanoparticle technologies. Reverse micelles are formed in nonpolar solvents by surfactant creating cell-like environments. In a reverse micelle, hydrophilic heads of a surfactant face inward creating a core that consists of polar substances. The hydrophobic tails extend outward into the nonpolar solvent. The confined space created within a reverse micelle is ideal for manipulating the creation of specific nanoparticle size and morphology. The versatility of the shape of reverse micelles creates potential in fields such as drug delivery, imaging, antiseptics, and catalysis. This study examined the size, an amount of nanoparticles formed through a reverse micelle with varying surfactant and cosurfactant. By controlling concentrations between silver nitrate (AgNO3) and sodium borohydride (NaBH4) this experiment demonstrated the ability to manipulate the size and distribution of nanoparticle created in a solution. Techniques such as using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and UV-Vis spectrometer helped analyze to reveal the amount of formed nanoparticles and size of respective particles. Three different reactions analyzed varying concentrations of surfactants; one contained only a surfactant of AOT, one contained only a cosurfactant or CTAB, and the last contained a mixed solution of both surfactant and cosurfactant. We hypothesized that nanoparticles would be best formed in the environment of a mixed solution containing both AOT and CTAB. results will be illustrated via SEM imaging and histogram plots to show the difference in nanoparticle size and frequency across the 3 samples. the sample will the smallest size of nanoparticles and greatest amount at a ratio will be most effective in application post analysis.

4H leukodystrophy is a rare pediatric neurodegenerative disorder characterized by hypomyelination, hypodontia, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, caused by mutations in POLR3A, POLR3B, POLR1C, or the less-studied POLR3K genes encoding subunits of RNA polymerase III. The mechanisms linking POLR3 dysfunction to disease pathology remain poorly understood, and current mouse models are limited by embryonic lethality or lack of relevant neurological features. To address this, we developed a zebrafish (Danio rerio) model targeting polr3k using a morpholino knockdown approach. Zebrafish offer advantages such as optical transparency, conserved myelination and neuroendocrine pathways, and suitability for high-throughput screening. Our previous models show reduced swimming ability and developmental delays in knockdown larvae, reflecting motor and neuroendocrine dysfunction seen in patients. This model provides a practical in vivo platform for studying early POLR3-related disease mechanisms and supports future efforts to generate stable mutants using the TALEN strategy, enabling drug discovery and the development of targeted therapies for 4H leukodystrophy.

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is often associated with structural degradation of lumbar vertebral bodies (VB) and intervertebral discs (IVD); however, few quantitative imaging markers relate spine morphology to pain. Vertebral body ratio, the mean intervertebral disc height divided by the mean vertebral body height (VBratio), may provide a quantitative indicator of lumbar spine integrity and potential a link to pain. Establishing normative values and identifying differences in CLBP could improve screening for spinal degradation. This pilot study tested whether the Vbratio differs between individuals with and without CLBP, hypothesizing that CLBP would be associated with both lower overall Vbratio values and more ‘poor classifications (VBratio<0.25). Methods: Ten adults participated, four with CLBP and six controls, selected from a larger study. Researchers used OsiriX to manually trace VB and IVD height on sagittal MRI scans. Vbratio was calculated at lumbar levels L1-S1 and categorized as poor (<0.25), normal (0.25 - 0.45), or very good (>0.45). Given the small sample, one-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum tests compared continuous Vbratio values, while Fisher's exact tests compared proportions of poor classifications. Results: The CLBP group had a mean age of 45.3 ± 5.6 years, weight of 198.8 ± 47.0 lbs, and height of 71.3 ± 4.0 in; controls were 49.5 ± 6.4 years, 195.3 ± 31.8 lbs, and 70.4 ± 1.9 in. Across all levels, CLBP participants showed consistently lower Vbratio values than controls, though none were statistically significant (lowest at L1-L2, p = 0.086; L5-S1, p = 0.305). Poor classifications were more common in CLBP at multiple levels, most notably at L1-L2 (75% vs. 0%) and L5-S1 (25% vs. 17%). Fisher's test detected a significant difference of poor classifications in CLBP at L1-L2 (p = 0.033), while differences at other levels were not significant (p = 0.400-0.667). Conclusions: CLBP participants demonstrated lower Vbratio values and more poor classifications, particularly at L1-L2, consistent with possible disc degeneration. The high number of poor classifications in the CLBP group highlights the potential clinical implications of categorical Vbratio values. Future work should expand sample size, include pain and functional measures, and evaluate whether Vbratio predicts disease progression or treatment response. These findings support Vbratio as a simple, quantitative marker that could help link structural degeneration to pain in CLBP.

Natural Product Sciences Pharmaceuticals Inc. (NPSP) was a drug development company located in the University of Utah Research Park from 1986 to 2015. Among its research programs, NPSP launched a spider venom discovery project aimed at identifying novel bioactive compounds with therapeutic potential. When the program was discontinued in 1990, it left behind one of the largest and most taxonomically diverse venom collections known. The collection remained unused for more than thirty years until its rediscovery in 2023. By that time, sample organization and species-origin records had been lost, preventing meaningful pharmacological or molecular investigation. Our project aimed to restore the scientific utility of the NPSP venom collection and enable future pharmaceutical research by taxonomically identifying each sample. Over two years, we catalogued all available historical data and developed a cost-effective, in-house RNA-to-DNA nanopore sequencing pipeline for species identification. In this pipeline, mRNA was extracted from venom samples using spin-column isolation and then reverse-transcribed into complementary DNA. Due to the age and degradation of the samples, a 313 bp fragment of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) region was selected for amplification using PCR with minibarcode primers. Amplicons were pooled, size-selected, prepared for sequencing, and sequenced using the Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION (Mk1C). Resulting reads were demultiplexed and aligned against publicly available sequences using NCBI BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) to assign species-level identities. Of the 90 venom samples processed, 63 produced recoverable minibarcode sequences, and 57 of these yielded species-level matches above a 97% identity threshold. The identified venoms represented at least five genera, including Geolycosa (burrowing wolf spiders), Heteropoda (huntsman spiders), Dolomedes (fishing spiders), Araneus (orb-weaving spiders), and Aphonopelma (tarantulas). These identifications provide critical taxonomic context to the collection and re-establish its potential for targeted peptide discovery and future pharmacological investigation. While this pipeline was developed specifically for the NPSP spider venom collection, its underlying framework may have broader applications. Because it is optimized to recover short mitochondrial gene regions from degraded and protein-rich liquid samples, the approach could potentially be adapted to support taxonomic identification in other undocumented venom samples or biological materials that pose similar limitations. More broadly, the ability to sequence targeted genetic regions from low-input samples may also make this approach relevant to other fields that work with fragmented nucleic acids, including medical applications such as liquid biopsy.

Spreading depolarization (SD) has been identified as the underlying mechanism of migraine auras and is associated with a wave of transient neuronal depolarization followed by a period of suppressed neuronal activity propagating across cortical tissue. SD is understood to affect the central nervous system in multiple ways including alteration of neurotransmitter concentrations, destruction of ion gradients, and alteration of blood flow. However, its widespread effects are not completely understood. In this study, we investigated the impact of spreading depolarization on DNA methylation patterns in mouse cortical tissue. An ex vivo model was employed, wherein SD was induced in three brain slices using a 26 mM potassium solution. Three additional slices incubated in artificial cerebrospinal fluid containing 3.5 mM potassium served as controls. After 2 hours, allowing time for potential changes to methylation patterns, the slices were flash frozen. Genomic DNA was then extracted and prepared for sequencing using standard Oxford Nanopore protocol. Sequence reads were aligned to the reference mouse genome, and differential methylation analysis was performed. We identified 11,965 differentially methylated regions (DMR) at a significance threshold of α = 0.05, after controlling for multiple comparisons using the Benjamini-Hochberg procedure. The most significant DMR was located on chromosome 2, spanning bases 174,136,851 to 174,148,890, with a Benjamini-Hochberg-adjusted p-value of 1.42 × 10⁻¹¹¹.

Phytoplankton are microscopic, photosynthetic organisms that form the foundation of aquatic food webs. In lake ecosystems, they play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance and supporting life. Changes in phytoplankton abundance serve as sensitive indicators of environmental shifts altering populations to. Conditions such as water temperature, nutrient levels, predators, and the structure of the habitat can greatly affect how well phytoplankton survive and reproduce. Under environmental stress, these factors may drive shifts in community composition, favoring species that are more tolerant, opportunistic, or better adapted to changing conditions. At Utah's high elevation level, ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a particularly relevant factor, as exposure can result in damage to cellular components and reducing photosynthetic efficiency. There is a gap in knowledge in how UV radiation may shift the community structure and competitive outcomes of different phytoplankton species that exist within lake systems. To explore this gap, I conducted an experiment exposing a mixed culture of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a lab cultured unicellular algal species native to many freshwater ecosystems, and Pandorina morum, a multicellular algal species used to imitate the multicellular algal species that exists within these systems. The mixed culture was inoculated in SVM medium and incubated at 32 degrees C on a day/ night cycle. The culture grew for 4 days then subsequently exposed to total UV for 1 hour over the course of 4 days, and then monitored the growth for another 24 days. Here I present proportional data on the competitive dynamic between C. reinhardtii and P. morum under total UV exposure. The proportion of unicellular cells, at the time of inoculation, started higher than the proportion of multicellular cells. During UV treatment, the concentration of unicellular cells began to decline as the concentration of multicellular cells increased. After UV treatment the mixed culture was monitored, and at the end of the experiment the proportion of multicellular cells was higher than that of unicellular cells. The results show that certain environmental stressors, like UV radiation, shift the competitive dynamics between varying phytoplankton species. Specific morphologies may have more protective advantages, which leads to long-term changes where a more multicellular species dominates an ecosystem.

Utah, Idaho, and Montana house substantial fungal diversity. Included in this species diversity is the ascomycete macrofungus genus Gyromitra, or false morels. Some Gyromitra species produce gyromitrin, a carcinogenic toxin that can cause illness and even death if eaten without proper treatment. This is a growing concern due to the rise in fungus foragers and the possible confusion between toxic species like G. infula, the hooded false morel, and nontoxic species like G. gigas, or the snow false morel. Because of the uncertainty within these species, accurate identification and safe consumption can be difficult. This study aims to determine which Gyromitra species are present in Utah, Idaho, and Montana and which of those species produce gyromitrin. By performing DNA extractions to isolate DNA, PCR with ascomycete primers to amplify the DNA we extract, and single-gene sequencing, we will create a multilocus phylogeny and contribute to the characterization of biodiversity in the Western United States. We will also use HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) to determine the presence or absence of gyromitrin from our dried specimens. The dried specimens we are using are provided by the Natural History Museum of Utah and the Intermountain Herbarium. Museums and collections like these are vital for cataloging biodiversity and supplying biological material for characterizing biodiversity. The characterization of biodiversity is imperative to help people safely forage and consume mushrooms. Without this characterization, inexperienced people would have to rely on uncertain and doubtful identifications which could result in severe health consequences.

Nonstoichiometric nickel oxide shows significant durability and water resistance while also maintaining conductive capabilities making it a valuable material for hole transporting layers (HTL) in solar cells. Recent research has found that nickel oxide HTLs outperform the commonly used, hygroscopic poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) HTL in both power conversion efficiency (PCE) and durability to weathering conditions. Unfortunately previous studies use annealing temperatures 275 degrees C and above. [1] Here, lower annealing temperatures of 260 degrees C, 250 degrees C and 225 degrees C were investigated for the preparation of nickel oxide HTLs. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) confirmed comparable elemental composition, while thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) verified similar phase transitions to those observed in higher-temperature treatments.

Mutations in the Superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene, a key antioxidant metalloenzyme can cause protein misfolding and aggregation that contribute to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurogenerative disease affecting motor neurons in the central nervous system. In-silico analysis is performed to create an optimized drug binding ligand (SBL-1) at the exposed Trp32 pocket, an aromatic residual located near the β-barrel dimer interface of the D90A mutation representing about 4.1% of familial ALS cases. Molecular docking/dynamics and pharmacophore simulations helped predict the conformational flexibility and intermolecular interactions, as well as, ADMET screening for drug-likeness. Comparative assessment of novel inhibitors and mouse model studies were also used to narrow trends for complex stability and propagation behavior. Results revealed SBL-1 analogs with strong binding energy, favorable pharmacokinetic behavior, and high bioavailability support the effectiveness of structure-based design targeting the Trp32 site. These findings highlight a promising therapeutic strategy for precision medicine, developing small-molecule stabilizers to improve life quality, especially of inherited patients.

Salt Lake City's airshed frequently experiences exceedances of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone. As with other urban areas with significant photochemical ozone production, the quantities of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) emitted into the airshed determine the efficiency and rate with which ozone is produced. Preliminary data acquired during the 2024 Utah Summer Ozone Study (USOS) indicates that Salt Lake City's urban photochemistry is largely consistent with other major cities in the United States, and is increasingly being influenced by emissions from volatile chemical products, rather than on-road emissions from vehicles. The photochemical oxidation of VCPs, which are generally oxygenated, is markedly different from that of VOCs emitted by gasoline and diesel vehicles, which is predominantly unfunctionalized hydrocarbons. These differences in chemistry can impact both the ozone-VOC-NOx sensitivity and temperature dependence of photochemistry in the region, and therefore studying these differences in chemistry will lead to better-informed policy and rule-making. This study aims to quantify the differential impact of reductions to VOC emissions in these two sectors on ozone production in Salt Lake City. This will be accomplished through explicit zero-dimensional box modeling of the region's photochemistry using the Master Chemical Mechanism (MCM), constrained by the DAQ's VOC and NOx emission inventories, as well as the 2024 USOS measurements. The deliverable of this project is the predicted impacts of various emission scenarios on summertime ozone production in the Salt Lake City airshed. These scenarios will include targeted reductions in VCP emissions, targeted reductions in on- and off-road petroleum emissions, and the expected ozone-VOC-NOx sensitivity under future scenarios of hotter summers and shifts in regional VOC and ozone backgrounds.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of parenting experience on the romantic relationship satisfaction of the parents following the birth of a child. Many studies have looked into the effects of childbirth on first-time and multiparous (with multiple children) parents with children aged 0-12 months and have discovered that relationship satisfaction between partners often decreases at the birth of their first child. Common themes of research include demographic differences involved in this relationship and a variety of factors that affect coping. This study extends the field of knowledge by describing how this adjustment in relationship satisfaction differs according to experience. This is a quantitative study using a cross-sectional survey. Data was collected by individuals completing an online survey measuring relationship satisfaction and demographic information, such as the number of children, age, and relationship length. Relationship satisfaction was measured using the Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS). Data analysis compared the relationship satisfaction between first-time and experienced parents. Additional analyses were made to explore associations between demographic variables and satisfaction scores. The analyses helped to determine whether prior parenting experience contributes to a more stable or positive gain in romantic relationship satisfaction during parenthood. It is hypothesized that relationship satisfaction will be more stable and more positive for experienced parents than for first-time parents of children aged 0-24 months and that experience with ones own children will have a greater impact on relationship satisfaction stability than experience with nannying or working in childcare with others' children. Discovering how relationship satisfaction differs between first-time and experienced parents may help to strengthen and educate families during childbearing times. The intention behind this study is to add knowledge that researchers, family educators, and parents can use to create healthier couple relationships, stronger families, and more positive child outcomes.

Nanoparticles can be used in binder jet 3D printing to combine multiple materials, increase the integrity and durability of green parts, and increase the densification and mechanical properties of the final sintered products. One method of adding reinforcement particles is nanoparticle suspension, in which the particles are mixed with the binder solution and deposited during the printing process. This method of delivery can deposit the reinforcement nanoparticles exactly where they are desired and leaves the surrounding powder unmixed and able to be reused. However, the nanoparticles can agglomerate and migrate after deposition, and it is often hard to predict and control where the nanoparticles will settle in the substrate during printing. In this study, we examined the distribution of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) suspended in a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) binder solution and deposited on stainless steel powdered substrates (SS 316L) using this method. We measured the effect nanoparticle inclusions have on density and roughness. Twelve samples were prepared, varying in stainless steel particle size (d = 15-45 μm and d ≤ 10 μm), AgNP concentration (none, 5 mM, 10 mM), and sintering condition (green and sintered). These samples were then studied with scanning electron microscopy, backscattered electron imaging, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to characterize the position of the AgNP reinforcements and tested using various methods to determine density and roughness. There was a noticeable increase in density and roughness in samples that received AgNPs. The silver distribution was greatest in the samples where the high AgNP solution was used. The AgNPs tended to agglomerate at large interstitial gaps between stainless steel powder particles, though the substrate powder size affected where and how the particles arranged in the final piece.

Origami patterns are applied to engineering because they enable large surface structures to be stowed in compact volumes. Promising patterns such as the Miura-ori, Kresling tube, and flasher pattern can be unfolded flat, folded flat, rotationally symmetric, or possess two of these features. This research presents bloom patterns, a new family of origami patterns that can possess all three features. To create a bloom pattern, a central polygon and one or more origami tessellations are selected, where each folded tessellation traces the edge of the polygon. Wedge-shaped sections are cut from the tessellations, and these wedges are pieced around the central polygon without gaps. When all wedges are folded up, they stack above each other in a helical order, such that the entire assembly can be folded flat. Various options exist for each step, and their combination determines the resulting bloom pattern. Options for tessellations include the Yoshimura pattern, chicken-wire tessellation, and Miura-ori. A bloom pattern is named by its constituent tessellations, the shape of its central polygon, and the geometry of its wedges. Through combining the three abovementioned features, bloom patterns could enable greater performance for deployable optical, solar, and membrane structures in space and on earth. Bloom patterns are also diverse, visually appealing, and suitable for origami arts and crafts. This research is published in Proceedings of the Royal Society A, and multimedia content of bloom patterns have been downloaded more than 4,000 times at BYU Scholars Archive.

Introduction: Wearable robotic devices, such as powered prostheses and exoskeletons, aim to assist individuals with ambulatory challenges in performing daily activities by providing positive power. However, existing devices cannot deliver the high power necessary to replicate the biomechanical functions of the missing biological joints during demanding activities, such as stair ascent. Peak motor power can be increased with a larger, higher-voltage battery; however, this increases size and weight, negating the benefits of a powered device. Boost converters have the potential to change this paradigm by generating a higher voltage from the same, small, lower-voltage battery. Our central research question is whether a boost converter module can be designed to enable higher motor power while meeting the unique demands of wearable robotic devices without substantially increasing device mass. Methods: We developed a dual-phase bidirectional boost converter module that is installed between a wearable robot's battery and servo drive. The module comprises power conversion and control circuitry on a printed circuit board. The converter circuitry operates bidirectionally to enable regenerative braking during negative power activities, such as stair descent. To maximize efficiency, the controller enables the converter only when needed; otherwise, passthrough circuitry bypasses the converter to minimize losses. We optimized the component selection and circuit board layout to deliver high peak electrical power within minimal volume. We tested the module with one able-bodied subject using a bypass orthosis and powered knee prosthesis ascending stairs with and without the boost function enabled. Results: The boost converter module is 78x43x12mm and weighs 55g. It boosts the voltage from a 5-8 cell (18-30V) Li-ion battery up to 60V, with a peak output power of 2.0kW (34.4A) and peak efficiency of 94%. The module consumes less than 5mA with the boost converter disabled and bypassed, transitioning to boost operation within 3ms. Installing the module in a powered knee prosthesis increased the peak electrical power delivered to the motor during stair ascent by 45%, resulting in 14% faster ascent, while only increasing prosthesis mass by 3%. Discussion: This work proposes, develops, and tests an adaptive, bidirectional boost converter module to increase the assistance provided by wearable robotic devices. Our module increases maximum motor power without a large increase in device volume or weight. The module can be installed in existing devices to increase performance with minimal modifications. Furthermore, this technology can be integrated into new designs to enable novel, higher-power activities, such as running and jumping.

Soft robotic actuators are designed with flexible and deformable materials for environments where safety and compliance are essential, allowing them to interact with humans and delicate objects without causing harm. Bending is a key functionality of these actuators, facilitating reaching, gripping, and other complex motions. However, the same softness (that is, low stiffness) that gives key advantages of compliance and conformability also limits their load-bearing capacity, makes them vulnerable to pressure loss or fluctuations, and increases the difficulty of maintaining a stable, predetermined position. One potential approach to improve the stability, accuracy, and pressure-insensitivity of soft robots is by strategically integrating multistable metamaterials into soft actuators without compromising their functionality or soft design. Metamaterials are engineered materials that gain their unique properties from their geometric design and material properties. Previous works have demonstrated mechanical metamaterials with energy absorption, snapping behaviors, bistability, and diverse motion capabilities. Recent research has built on these advances by developing fully soft bistable metamaterials with material properties comparable to those of soft robotic actuators. However, this prior design employed a symmetric unit cell that is inherently incompatible with the asymmetric deformation required for bending motion. Here we introduce a framework for designing entirely soft, multistable metamaterials with programmable bending motions using elastomeric materials. First, we introduce the design of a bistable triangular unit cell whose geometric multistability comes from internal compliant structures. When transforming between stable positions, the internal structures of the unit cell deform, resulting in a local change of angle. We then show that combining these triangular unit cells in arrays can produce programmable bending behaviors and adaptable geometries. Next, we describe the geometric constraints and tunable parameters of the unit cell design that can be used to achieve targeted and programmable motions. We also use physical prototypes to establish that the material is capable of sustaining loads even after the initial actuation force is removed, demonstrating the advantages of bistability in soft actuation. In summary, this work illustrates how the strategic integration of geometric multistability into soft metamaterial architectures enables complex, controllable mechanical behavior. This approach offers new opportunities for soft robotics, such as actuators capable of maintaining stable poses or grippers that sustain their hold even under fluctuating or lost actuation pressure.

Current total ankle replacement (TAR) solutions on the market today have several limitations that have contributed to their lower adoption rates compared to other major joint replacements such as the knee and hip. Significant limitations of current designs include the generation of wear particles, which can activate the immune system, and the difficulty of achieving proper alignment. These challenges stem from the fact that most existing designs rely on sliding or rubbing contacts to produce motion and typically provide only a single degree of freedom. To address these issues, we have developed a novel design that incorporates rolling motion in place of sliding motion and integrates a self-aligning compliant mechanism. The use of rolling motion is anticipated to substantially reduce device wear and minimize the production of wear particles and their associated immunological responses. Furthermore, the inclusion of a self-aligning compliant mechanism is expected to enable users to maintain a greater range of motion and experience enhanced cushioning or shock absorption within the ankle joint. It is anticipated that the findings of this study will contribute to the ongoing advancement of total ankle replacement designs and help mitigate the current limitations in the field, thereby improving the quality of life for individuals who receive these implants.

Voice radiation from human speech is essential for applications such as telecommunications, room acoustic modeling, and virtual reality. However, the precise directional characteristics of speech can be complex due to phoneme-dependent variations and movements of the head and torso. In order to better model these features, this work proposes a feed-forward neural network to predict radiation patterns based on the mouth size and gaze angle. A spherical-cap approximation of the mouth opening provides a theoretical framework for initial modeling of human voice radiation. The model analytically relates mouth geometry, specifically the surface area and cap aperture angle, to the directional distribution of acoustic energy in order to predict how geometric changes of the mouth influence sound radiation. This approach establishes a physical proof-of-concept to apply neural-network modeling to learn the nonlinear mapping between geometric parameters of the face and previously measured speech radiation using multi-channel microphone arrays. The consistency between theoretical predictions and network estimations demonstrates that the trained model successfully captures the essential physics underlying human voice directivity and provides a foundation for further data-driven generalization.

Introduction: It is estimated that between 65-80% of adults in the U.S. experience back pain at some point in their lifetime [1]. A common solution to serious cases of spinal disc degeneration is surgical intervention. In these surgeries, spinal fusion is often performed, or a ball-and-socket device is used to replace the affected spinal disc. Both methods fail to maintain the biomechanical properties of a healthy spinal disc. Our lab has developed a compliant mechanism based, total spinal disc replacement (TDR) designed to be laterally inserted [Figure 1]. The lateral device has been designed to maintain the quality of motion that exists in a healthy spinal segment. It is hypothesized that the lateral device will be successful in mimicking a healthy spinal disc, thus in-vitro testing was performed to validate the hypothesis. Methods: Three cadaveric spinal segments, known as functional spinal units (FSUs), were prepared consisting of the L1-L2, L3-L4, and L5-S1 spinal segments. They were dissected in a way that kept all major passive tissue components of the spinal segment intact including vertebrae, discs, ligaments, and joints. The vertebrae for each FSU were potted in Bondo thermosetting polymer to prepare for testing. Each FSU was tested for quality of motion in all three primary axes of spinal motion: lateral bending, flexion-extension, and axial rotation. Data was first collected from tests done with the original, healthy spinal disc intact, then the lateral device was instrumented, and tests were repeated. During testing, a compressive follower load of 445 Newtons was placed on the FSU to simulate the effects of upper body weight and muscular compression on each spinal segment. Following pre-conditioning cycles, a custom testing apparatus cycled each FSU ten times in each of the three types of motion (lateral bending, flexion-extension, and axial rotation), rotating the FSU at 1 degree per second until it reached +/- 7.5 N of applied torque [Figure 2]. Results/Discussion: The data collected included rotational displacement on each axis, and pure moment loads. To validate that the lateral device mimics healthy spinal movement, data was compared between instrumented and intact FSUs. Citations: [1] Urits, I., Burshtein, A., Sharma, M. et al. Low Back Pain, a Comprehensive Review: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. Curr Pain Headache Rep 23, 23 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11916-019-0757-1

Real-time physiological monitoring plays an essential role in improving training efficiency, fatigue awareness, and recovery tracking in athletes. However, most commercial fitness apps rely on limited metrics and lack meaningful feedback that adapts to each user's physiology. This project develops a mobile application prototype that provides AI-inspired coaching based on live physiological and respiratory data collected from multiple wearable sensors. The system connects to respiration, heart-rate, and motion sensors through Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) and processes the data locally on a smartphone. The current implementation focuses on feature extraction and rule-based feedback logic, designed to emulate intelligent decision-making prior to a full machine-learning deployment. Key parameters include heart rate (HR), respiration rate (RR), heart-rate variability (HRV), step cadence, and a derived recovery index representing cardiovascular adaptation after exercise. When paired with the SmartFlow mask, the app can also receive real-time Respiratory Exchange Ratio (RER = VCO₂ / VO₂) values, providing insight into substrate utilization—whether an athlete is primarily burning fat (RER ≈ 0.7) or carbohydrates (RER ≈ 1.0). Integrating this metric allows the app to correlate breathing efficiency and metabolic state with performance intensity. The app's decision engine translates these metrics into actionable cues such as "reduce pace for recovery" or "maintain steady effort." A modular software architecture separates data acquisition, processing, and visualization, enabling live charts and color-coded effort zones for intuitive user feedback. Testing will begin with simulated data streams and progress to treadmill and cycling trials using Polar H10 heart-rate straps, motion sensors, and SmartFlow respiratory data. Results will be compared against commercial fitness platforms (e.g., VO2 Master) to evaluate responsiveness and accuracy. Future work includes collecting labeled sessions to train a lightweight TensorFlow Lite classifier for intensity prediction and fatigue detection, as well as cloud-based trend analytics linking VO₂ max and RER patterns over time. Ultimately, this project establishes a foundation for an adaptive, data-driven mobile coaching system that empowers athletes to train smarter, recover faster, and optimize metabolic efficiency.

Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is a common sleep-related breathing disorder marked by repeated airway obstruction events, often treated with Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy. Continuous monitoring of respiratory activity provides essential insights into breathing patterns, sleep quality, and overall cardiorespiratory health. However, current CPAP systems mainly regulate airway pressure and record limited compliance data. They do not output high-resolution pressure or flow waveforms for external monitoring or sensor fusion, cannot directly measure respiration rate, tidal volume, or respiratory exchange ratio (RER) without additional sensors, and lack integration with external sensing modules—leaving a critical gap for advanced respiratory analysis. This project aims to design a modular, 3D-printed add-on chamber that interfaces directly with commercial CPAP masks and tubing to enable embedded low-pressure MEMS sensor integration. The chamber geometry is optimized to maintain airflow stability and comfort while capturing accurate inhalation-exhalation waveforms. Extracted signals provide real-time respiration-rate and amplitude data for improved OSA monitoring. The proposed design offers a low-cost, customizable solution that bridges therapeutic CPAP hardware with research-grade sensing—advancing toward portable, data-driven respiratory-health assessment.

Real-time physiological monitoring plays a crucial role in understanding athletic performance, fatigue, and recovery. Continuous feedback on metrics such as respiration rate, heart rate, step count, and motion dynamics enables athletes and coaches to make data-driven decisions that optimize training intensity, improve technique, and prevent overexertion-related injuries. However, many existing monitoring systems remain device-specific, closed-source, or lack a unified interface capable of integrating multiple wearable or embedded sensors into one cohesive platform. These limitations make it difficult for users to combine diverse data streams into a meaningful and actionable overview of performance. This project addresses these challenges through the design and development of a mobile application that supports real-time acquisition, visualization, and storage of multimodal physiological data. The app communicates with wearable sensors via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), enabling seamless integration of respiration, cardiac activity, and motion data collected from custom-built or commercial devices. By supporting an extensible BLE communication layer, the system is intentionally designed to accommodate additional sensors and new data types in future iterations. The development process followed an iterative, user-centered methodology. Initial stages focused on system architecture planning, BLE connection stability testing, and establishing a robust data-streaming pipeline. Subsequent stages involved interface prototyping, where real-time charts, numeric displays, and customizable dashboards were implemented to present high-frequency sensor data in an intuitive and interpretable format. A modular software structure separates data acquisition, signal processing, and visualization layers, improving maintainability, scalability, and compatibility with research workflows. Beyond live monitoring, the app provides features for session recording, time-series data export, and basic statistical summaries such as averages, peaks, and variability measures. These capabilities support both athletic training and exploratory research applications. Ultimately, the platform lays the groundwork for future integration of AI-driven feedback, automated event detection, and cloud-based analytics. The final design establishes a flexible, extensible, and research-friendly mobile system for comprehensive real-time physiological monitoring and performance optimization in athletes.

The Rooted Renewal Project will compile research insights from studies on historic adaptive reuse, housing adaptability, and creative placemaking to provide a framework for the interior redesign of the Forest Service Building, located in Ogden, UT. Savoie, Sapinski, and Laroche (2025) emphasize that adaptive reuse of historic buildings requires preserving cultural significance while incorporating modern amenities through sustainable, budget-conscious design. Pelsmakers and Warwick (2022) discuss adaptable housing as a strategy that considers environmental, spatial, social, and multi-use needs to promote resident longevity and spatial ownership. Borrup (2016) highlights creative placemaking as essential for artists and communities, where arts and culture are centerpoints for community engagement and revitalization. Building on these perspectives, the design for Rooted Renewal integrates historic preservation with creative function and modern flexibility. Original architectural features of the main lobby will be restored as a focal point of the design. New architectural elements will pay homage to the building's original Art Deco characteristics. Residential units will be introduced with intentional private security access and shared common areas, along with artist studios, to institute creativity, community, and residential refuge. A main level cafe will act as a communal gathering point to foster inclusivity amongst residents and the public. Wayfinding will be integrated through unique floor markers and designations between private and public zones. Through merging historical authenticity with adaptable residential planning and community centered creative spaces, the redesigned Forest Service Building will serve as a lasting hub that preserves cultural memory, nurtures artistic innovation, and supports long-term community engagement. Resources: Savoie, É., Sapinski, J. P., & Laroche, A.-M. (2025). Key factors for revitalising heritage buildings through adaptive reuse. Buildings and Cities, 6(1), pp. 103-120. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/bc.495 Pelsmakers, S., & Warwick, E. (2022). Housing adaptability: new research, emerging practices and challenges. Buildings and Cities, 3(1), pp. 605-618. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/bc.266 Borrup, T. (2016). Creative placemaking: Arts and culture as a partner in community revitalization. In P. Clouser (Ed.), Fundamentals of arts management (6th ed., pp. 453-468). University of Massachusetts, Arts Extension Service.

Abstract: The identity of a local community is often tied to historical buildings such as the U.S. Forest Service Building. Historic preservation is crucial for retaining not only the architecture and design of the past, but also the memories held within historic buildings. The National Park Service defines preservation as "the act or process of applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity, and materials of an historic property." (Weeks and Grimmer, 1995). Historic buildings serve as a connection to the past and an educational tool for future generations. While historic preservation can be a challenging process, the effect that it can have on a community is invaluable. Historic preservation can impact the overall character and appeal of a city, making it a high priority for cities such as Ogden looking to experience growth. Giv Utah has recently purchased the US Forest Service Building in hopes of transforming it into a mixed-use space to include affordable housing and workspaces suited for Weber State University students and other artists and creatives in the Ogden area. Restoring these buildings can be challenging, as it requires a balance between historical purity and functional adaptation, preserving the building's past while ensuring that modern needs are satisfied (Swai, 2025). The re-design of the US Forest Service Building interior will create a balance between its historical Art Deco elements and modern design characteristics. Key art deco characteristics, including jewel tones, geometric shapes such as zigzags and chevrons, and glossy materials, will be incorporated to achieve a design that aligns with the existing art deco characteristics within the original interior (Robern, 2023). Merging its modern design layout with its existing materiality and art deco features will create a unique space that respects its history and celebrates art and culture. Works Cited: 1. Swai, O. Adaptive reuse strategies for interior design: promoting living heritage in Bagamoyo, Tanzania. Int. j. anthropol. ethnol. 9,10 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41257-025-00133-x 2.Weeks, Kay D. and Grimmer, Anne E. THE SECRETARY of the INTERIOR'S STANDARDS for the TREATMENT of HISTORIC PROPERTIES with GUIDELINES for PRESERVING, REHABILITATING, RESTORING&RECONSTRUCTINGHISTORIC BUILDINGS.1995. 3. Robern Design Solutions. "Art Deco Interior Design: A Timeless Aesthetic."Robern.com, Robern, 20Nov. 2023,www.robern.com/article/what-is-art-deco-interior-design.

A uniform magnetic field cannot be realized in practice, but the use of approximately uniform fields is ubiquitous in science and engineering. A device that has become almost synonymous with the generation of (approximately) uniform fields is the Helmholtz coil, which is really two identical coils separated by a distance equal to 50% of their diameter. Additionally, a tri-axial Helmholtz coil, comprising three mutually orthogonal Helmholtz coils, enables the field direction in a central workspace to be controlled without moving the coils. In this paper, we show that it is possible to use a pair of uniformly magnetized cubic permanent magnets to generate a magnetic field that is optimally uniform using the exact same definition that defines a Helmholtz coil. This occurs when two cubic magnets are separated by an air gap equal to 5% of their side length. In addition, by rotating the cubic magnets into different orientations without changing their locations, it is possible to control the nominal field direction without substantially affecting the field uniformity, mimicking the capability enabled by a tri-axial Helmholtz coil. As a result, we should be thinking more broadly about how to generate (approximately) uniform fields, paying attention to the trade-off between workspace size, field uniformity, and field strength. We provide plots that will enable such a quantitative critical comparison for any particular application of interest. However, a simple rule-of-thumb is that permanent magnets are a good choice when strong fields are relatively more important that workspace size for some specified level of field uniformity.

Gradient-based optimization is a vital tool for aerodynamic design, enabling efficient exploration of high-dimensional design spaces. However, to fully utilize this powerful technique, aerodynamic models must provide accurate results with smooth, continuous derivatives. In airfoil design, existing solvers such as Xfoil offer fast and reliable performance but can often lack smoothness and continuity in their derivative outputs, limiting their use for gradient-based optimization methods. This work aims to develop an airfoil analysis tool that can match the physical fidelity of existing tools while achieving smooth, reliable outputs and continuing derivatives. The model couples inviscid and viscous flow solvers, similar to established methods, but introduces two new approaches to improve derivate continuity: reformulating the boundary-layer transition solving approach and incorporating a deep-learning-based surrogate for selected model components. These methods are assessed for their consistency, smoothness, and physical accuracy. Preliminary findings indicate that these strategies show promise in improving derivative continuity, making this model a reliable airfoil analysis framework for future optimization.

Virtual reality creates immersive experiences that blur the line between reality and the virtual, offering interdisciplinary opportunities for both users and developers. Social Virtual Reality (SVR) platforms like VRChat enable users to embody custom avatars and communicate with global communities. One key feature enabling richer communication is Full Body Tracking (FBT) technology, which uses additional sensors to capture subtle body language and non-verbal cues, creating more organic immersion for non-verbal communicators (NVC). However, significant barriers limit NVC users' accessibility and comfort in these spaces. FBT technology remains expensive and can cause physical discomfort for users with sensory or mobility issues. Additionally, cyberbullying and harassment create psychological obstacles that prevent full participation. While NVC users have developed workarounds, such as creating custom worlds with accommodations or using built-in emoji systems, these are not systemic solutions. A platform's commitment to care is reflected in how it responds to these issues: acknowledging problems transparently, implementing effective moderation practices, and executing intervention plans. Currently, VRChat relies heavily on community guidelines and user self-moderation, leaving many structural obstacles unaddressed. These "pain points" create friction that makes VRChat less accessible for NVC users compared to verbal communicators. To address these gaps, this research proposes to design a systematic literature review of state-of-the-art SVR platforms to identify affordances, barriers, and standards of care supporting non-verbal users. This study seeks to answer: How do social virtual reality platforms create accessible virtual experiences for non-verbal users to communicate non-verbally and with body language cues using full body tracking technology?

The early Mormon Pioneer migration between 1847 and 1868 brought with them more than just a cultural legacy but many of these migrants brought with them plants from back east. These horticultural plants represented a unique introduction into what would become Utah, with many varieties now rare or thought to be extinct in the modern garden trade. One group, these roses, were uniquely represented in Mormon Pioneer gardens during this period. We investigated the potential legacy of non-native Rose cultivars from the early Mormon Pioneers and the potential of many of these still persisting in natural areas as well as forgotten cultivated areas (such as cemeteries). We made over 30 collections of native and non-native roses throughout Utah. We identify these roses to cultivars in order to match them with records of specific cultivars growing in pioneer era gardens. We hope that through this project we can better understand these early Utah gardens as well as potentially recover lost cultivars.

The Virgin River, located in southwestern Utah, serves as an essential water source for both human and ecological communities. In recent years, the proliferation of toxigenic benthic cyanobacteria has emerged as a growing concern due to their ability to produce cyanotoxins that pose serious health risks to humans and wildlife. In collaboration with the Utah Division of Environmental Quality (UDEQ), this study aims to evaluate the occurrence and distribution of benthic cyanobacteria along key sites of the lower Virgin River and to examine potential relationships between cyanobacterial presence and environmental conditions. Field monitoring was conducted regularly at five critical locations, with measurements of water quality parameters such as temperature, pH, nutrient concentrations, dissolved oxygen, salinity, turbidity, etc. Stream characteristics, including substrate composition and canopy cover, were also recorded. Preliminary findings from Confluence Park, one of the critical sites, reveal distinct seasonal patterns in cyanobacteria coverage. Growth initiated in late July and peaked in mid-August when water temperatures reached approximately 27 degrees C. A secondary increase in coverage was observed in October despite cooler temperatures (~21 degrees C), suggesting that other factors such as nutrient inputs from monsoonal precipitation or altered flow dynamics may also influence cyanobacterial proliferation. These results provide important insights into the environmental drivers of benthic cyanobacteria in arid river systems and support the development of monitoring and management strategies aimed at protecting public health and ecosystem integrity in southwestern Utah.

Microplastics are a contaminant of emerging concern and new research shows that they can be found almost everywhere from oceans to the human brain. It is becoming increasingly important to learn as much as we can about these pollutants to help protect human health and prevent increasing their distribution even more. This research seeks to connect the abundance of microplastic pollution in soils from remote regions of southern Utah to increasing levels of human impact. We hypothesize that microplastic pollution will be lowest in areas that see fewer people and highest in regions with high human visitation. To test this hypothesis, we collected soils from four different zones of management in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument in south central Utah. GSENM management zones, as defined by the BLM staff, include high traffic front zones, passage zones for vehicle traffic, outback zones with less human visitation, and primitive zones that are only accessible to backpackers. After samples were collected, they were dried and separated into three grain sizes (>500m, >300m, and < 300m) and organic matter was removed with hydrogen peroxide. Plastics were removed from soils through a density separation using a saturated NaCl solution before being stained with Nile Red and quantified with a stereomicroscope. Preliminary results suggest that microplastic concentrations are highest in soils collected from along road sides, but there are also a surprising number of microplastics found in a few of the primitive soils as well. This presentation will explore relationships between grain size, organic matter and microplastics to better understand the factors that influence the quantity and distribution of microplastics throughout the GSENM. Results from this research will help inform managers about sustainability strategies practices throughout the park and will help to inform visitors about best practices to help ensure everyone can enjoy their time in the remote deserts of southern Utah.

The Great Salt Lake (GSL) in Utah serves as a sensitive indicator of regional climate variability due to its dependence on precipitation, snowmelt, and evaporation rates. This research investigates the impacts of climate change on the lake's size over a 35-year period (1985-2020) using satellite imagery, ground-based meteorological data, and GIS-based geospatial analysis. Landsat images from the summers of 1985, 1990, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 were digitized and analyzed in GIS to quantify temporal changes in lake extent, with a statistical analysis applied to measure the reduction in lake size over each 5-year interval. Data from three different weather stations were analyzed, including precipitation, snow accumulation, and temperature, were incorporated to explore correlations between climatic variables and lake surface area. The study identifies trends in spatial and temporal variability of the GSL and evaluates the influence of changing temperatures and precipitation patterns affecting the lake. The hypothesis follows the center thought that continued increases in regional temperature and decreases in precipitation will correspond to a measurable reduction in the Great Salt Lake's surface area over time. Statistical analyses will be applied to evaluate the strength and direction of relationships between climatic variables and changes in lake extent. It is anticipated that higher temperatures and lower snowpack will intensify evaporation rates, leading to further declines in lake size. These projected patterns may indicate long-term ecosystem stress and changes in other environmental variables, such as salinity, encouraging the need for sustainable water management strategies to mitigate future impacts.

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) play a crucial role in enhancing plant growth and development, while also mitigating environmental stress. Environmental stresses negatively impact crop production, and the increasing demand for food has led to the overuse of chemical fertilizers, which in turn harm soil health. Our lab's goal is to develop sustainable agricultural methods that increase crop production under varying environmental conditions. We aim to alleviate environmental stress in plants, improve soil health, and reduce dependency on chemical fertilizers. To achieve this, we are exploring the microbiome of native plants, such as Ceanothus velutinus (snowbrush ceanothus), to harness PGPR for the development of biofertilizers. In this study, we screened previously isolated plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) from C. velutinus plants to evaluate their ability to enhance growth and improve drought tolerance in the model plant, Arabidopsis thaliana (thale cress). Each PGPR was cultured to an optical density of 1 at 600 nm. Five milliliters of this culture were applied to the roots of 10-day-old Arabidopsis seedlings grown in growth chambers in Sunshine 1 soil mix (SunGro). The second and third inoculations were administered at one-week intervals. A total of six replicates (one plant per pot) were used for each treatment. The plants were grown for two weeks following the third treatment. After approximately six weeks of germination, the plants were harvested for both fresh and dry biomass measurements. The rosette diameter, number of leaves, and leaf surface area were also recorded. For the drought assay, the six-week-old plants were subjected to drought stress by withholding water for five days or until the control (non-treated) plants either died or wilted permanently. The plants were then rewatered for nine days, and the survival rates were subsequently assessed. We screened 13 notable PGPR strains for their effects on growth promotion in Arabidopsis. Five isolates—GKGR42, GKGR55, GKGR90, GKGR94, and GKGR73—demonstrated a significant increase in plant shoot biomass. Additionally, eight isolates screened for drought tolerance, three of them —CK06, CK22, and CK44—successfully induced drought tolerance in Arabidopsis. Once screened in Arabidopsis, the positive isolates will be tested on various crops, including watermelon, tomatoes, maize, and wheat, in both greenhouses and fields.

The farms of Washington county contribute significantly to the county's economy. In 2017 a profile conducted by the USDA's "Census of Agriculture" concluded a total of 537 farms operating in Washington County, Utah. With an average size of 289 acres. Delivering in total an estimated 16.5 million USD in sold goods. However, over the last ten years there has been a significant increase in land development and urbanization. With an article on the county's population growth showing people moving in from both in and out of the state as high as 54%. With estimates of the county growing from 140,000 to over 450,000 by the year 2060. This study seeks to address the question: How has recent development impacted Washington County's agricultural landscape over the past two decades? Utilizing aerial imagery obtained from the National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP) for the years 2004, 2014, and 2024, we have initiated an effort to digitize and compare the extent of farmland across these time periods. Through this spatial analysis, we aim to quantify changes in agricultural land use and evaluate trends in farmland reduction. Our working hypothesis proposes that the total area of farmland in Washington County has decreased over the past twenty years as a result of ongoing development pressures.

The Deer Springs area in Grand Staircase National Monument provides a unique opportunity to assess a Pinyon Juniper Woodland ecosystem with both pre-fire and post-fire conditions. This comparison is valuable as there is no need for making assumptions about the state of the ecosystem before the fire, as we have a portion of the area readily available and accessible to us. Restoration efforts have also taken place in this area. After the fire, seeding took place to enhance vegetation growth opportunities. There has been debate on whether seeding is an effective act of restoration after fire (Davies et al., 2019). The purpose of this research is to quantify and compare post-fire vegetation composition and structure between burned and unburned areas. Multispectal satellite imagery obtained from Landsat and Sentinel will be used to measure and visualize differences in vegetation health and ground cover between burned and unburned areas. On ground vegetation surveys will be used to identify the species present in both burned and unburned sites. The research questions that aimed to be answered are: (1) How does vegetation structure and composition change during post-fire regeneration over time? (2) Which plant species dominate in burned areas—native, non-native, or invasive—and how does species composition shift across successional stages? (3) How do species richness, spatial distribution, and percent ground cover in burned areas compare to those in adjacent unburned areas of the same ecosystem? (4) To what extent do differences in vegetation recovery between burned and unburned sites reflect ecological resilience versus colonization by non-native species? This research is crucial in improving our knowledge and understanding of how fires influence changes in vegetation with a slight focus on the dominance of non native species in post-fire areas. This research is crucial in improving our knowledge and understanding of how fire influences changes in vegetation, which will be needed knowledge moving forward into times with unprecedented fire regimes due to climate change References Davies, K. W., Bates, J. D., & Boyd, C. S. (2019). Postwildfire seeding to restore native vegetation and limit exotic annuals: An evaluation in juniper-dominated sagebrush steppe. Restoration Ecology, 27(1), 120-127. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.12848

In 1776, a Spanish expedition to Utah valley purported there to be an abundance of native fish, beavers, and amphibians located within Utah Lake (Dominguez as in Chavez, 1977). Sediment coring analysis of sediments dating to before ~1869 suggest a primarily macrophyte dominated ecosystem, with associated plant pigments and gastropod shell remnants (King, 2019). Historically, it is noted that Utah Lake had clear-water conditions (King, 2022). Today, a cursory look over any satellite imagery of Utah Lake will reveal an extensive regime shift, with the lake splotched with mats of cyanobacteria. Of the thirteen fish species that originally inhabited the lake, only three remain (King, 2019). Contemporarily, Utah Lake is a highly eutrophic, turbid, and nutrient rich lake. Its ecosystem is characterized by photic cyanobacterial dominance, with macrophytes contributing only a small amount to Utah Lake's gross primary production. This radical shift is largely attributed to two factors, increased nutrient loadings from sources such as waste water and the introduction of the common carp. These changes increased the turbidity of the lake, while the common carp also predated on the benthic periphyton that stabilized sediments (King, 2022). Our understanding of shallow, eutrophic lakes states that the regimes are self-stabilizing . This means that up to a certain ecological tipping point, any work toward restoration of Utah Lake's natural clear-water state will be reversed. In my research, I am replicating these regime shifts in a lab setting and determining criteria that will shift ecological tipping points. More specifically, I am isolating the different cyanobacteria and eukaryotic algae species found in the lake, and modeling their interactions in a state as close to natural as feasible within a lab environment. With this, I hope to see how the microscopic interactions between these two organisms shift regimes in the lake. I am introducing certain variations with nutrients, turbidity and temperature to understand how the microscopic interactions between the two translate to effects on the macroscopic level. In particular, I want to explore the different factors that lead to cyanobacterial dominance, and track how they affect cytotoxin concentrations, turbidity, and nutrient concentrations. With this data, I hope to break the factors that lead to Utah Lake's eutrophic regime into smaller, more comprehensible pieces, and use my data to support a list of achievable policies to return Utah Lake to an antecedent regime. Works Cited: Chavez, F.A (1977). The Domínguez-Escalante Journal. Brigham Young University Press, Second Print pp. 60-61. https://archive.org/details/domniguezescalan0000domn/page/60/mode/2up. Accessed 09/22/25. King, L.R, "The Response of Utah Lake's Plant and Algal Community Structure to Cultural Eutrophication" (2019). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023. 7631. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/7631 King, L.R, Primary production modeling identifies restoration targets for shifting shallow, eutrophic lakes to clear-water regimes (2022). Freshwater Science 42(1) pp. 45-57. https://doi.org/10.1086/723892.

Archives and special collections inherently present barriers to access. Unlike libraries, archives do not allow users to browse among the shelves. Patrons are subject to a number of rules and regulations that can make their visit feel impersonal and restrained. With this in mind, SUU Special Collections took advantage of the Utah Archives' Month theme for 2025, Archives Outside, to break barriers by bringing artifacts and stories outside the physical building to SUU students and the community through five outreach events. By aligning with the celebration of Utah Archives Month, the interests of the community, and the values of SUU, these outreach events provided unique opportunities to experiment with unprecedented outreach strategies, including pop-up displays, interactive activities, and promotional flyers. The lessons learned from these strategies demonstrate how important engagement can be to special collections for cultivating an accessible approach to a wider audience. Because of our outreach efforts, we were able to raise awareness of services offered, advertise collections and classes associated with the archive, and build community trust. Furthermore, through the process of creating and producing these events, we learned that successful pop-ups require at least three supporting pillars: a central theme or story, a take-away element, and an element that visitors can explore independently. In addition, we initially experienced challenges with social engagement and fostering community which were remedied in order to conduct effective outreach. This research invites further development and exploration of pop-up creation by special collections and archives staff and students. We believe that this process can enrich the outreach endeavors of other university libraries, and lead to a more impactful connection to the community.

This poster presents the research process, methodology, and early development of the international public humanities project Sappho on Tour. The project investigates the history, poetry, and cultural afterlives of the ancient Greek poet Sappho by connecting her work to contemporary landmarks, artistic interpretations, and global scholarly debates. Long before modern associations reshaped her legacy, Sappho was recognized in antiquity for her groundbreaking lyric voice; Plato famously referred to her as the "tenth muse." As the most extensively preserved woman poet from archaic Greece, her writing marks a turning point in Western literary history, representing some of the earliest explorations of personal emotion, desire, and individual experience rather than mythic or civic narratives. Through a UASAL Undergraduate Research Fellowship, student researcher Dhanai Anthimidou-Friel collaborated with Assistant Professor C. R. Grimmer to build a foundational research infrastructure for the project's next stages. Utilizing cultural and linguistic expertise from a native Greek, Anthimidou-Friel created a comprehensive international database of scholars, artists, museums, archives, and cultural organizations whose work engages with Sappho or her reception. This database informs the design of an interactive digital map intended for public audiences, educators, and researchers. It also consolidates over a century of Sappho scholarship, making the larger project eligible for complex arts and humanities grants that require evidence-based planning, interdisciplinary partnerships, and long-term feasibility. The poster highlights the skills and processes involved in developing this scholarly foundation, including archival research, metadata organization, digital mapping preparation, and evaluation of sources. By emphasizing the labor behind research scaffolding—work that is often invisible in final digital products or grant narratives—this presentation demonstrates how undergraduate researchers contribute meaningfully to large-scale public scholarship. Ultimately, this project shows how humanities research can connect ancient literature to contemporary global communities while providing emerging scholars with training in academic and public-facing research practices.

College students' use of generative AI (GenAI) is growing, particularly in assisting writing. Responding to these unauthorized use of GenAI in writing is an emotionally demanding task for college writing teachers, who are often left alone to sort out such emotional processes (Micciche). While in personal blogs and newsletter, writing teachers and scholars have expressed their intense feelings, from frustration and distress to desperation and even disgust (Lieberman; McMurtrie), little research has systematically analyzed the complex emotions that writing teachers experience as a result of GenAI development. This study, funded by the Conference on College Composition and Communication Emergent Scholar award and the Utah Academy of Sciences, Arts, and Letters RA stipend, seeks to investigate how college writing teachers respond to the growing use of GenAI by students, and what emotional labor they face. Through the theoretical lens of emotional labor (Hochschild), our goals are to figure out what triggers strong emotions for writing teachers and what factors play into positive and negative experiences. Nine college writing instructors with diverse teaching experiences, academic ranks, and institutional positions were recruited as participants for Fall 2025. Each participant kept a monthly narrative journal on their emotional experiences in teaching and took a monthly semi-structured interview throughout the semester. Interview transcripts and narratives were coded inductively to understand participants' emotions in dealing with AI-related challenges. Analysis shows three major patterns in terms of emotions. The types of emotions that were most distinct in our study were 1) doubt and anxiety, 2) frustration and anger, and 3) empowerment and motivation. Many of the emotions felt by participants were related to teacher-student relationships, their ability to meet pedagogical goals, and their personal opinions on GenAI. The study also shows that participants often feel emotionally isolated and pressured to obscure their true feelings to align with the mainstream discourses of GenAI. For example, participants who embrace the power of GenAI in writing pedagogy feel pressured to remain silent amid the field's cautious sentiment, whereas those who are wary of its ramifications are pushed to adopt it under university- or state-level initiatives. Our study brings forward the hidden labor of being a writing teacher in the age of GenAI, which will be a valuable addition to recent studies on GenAI's impact on higher education.

Healthcare students rely on their anatomy textbooks to delineate what makes a heathy, typical body versus an unhealthy, atypical body. When it comes to reproductive systems, anatomy textbooks further describe the nature and importance of these structures in ways that are both overt and implicit. Advancements in AI have made it possible to collect data from large textual datasets like textbooks. This study uses AI to assess anatomy and physiology textbooks commonly used in medical and undergraduate curricula. The goal of this research is to investigate representational gaps in these textbooks, especially in their coverage the reproductive system. I used an AI resource, Google Notebook LM, and traditional methods of text analysis to investigate several popular Human Anatomy textbooks. I quantified the overall coverage of male and female anatomy and physiology, assessed gendered versus gender-neutral terminology, and analyzed gendered language patterns. My current findings indicate bias towards male topics and male-centric language. Passive terminology is used to describe female anatomy and physiology, while more active terminology is used to describe male anatomy and physiology. On topics such as external genitalia and sexual function, coverage between the male and female system can be remarkably lopsided indicating that there is less known or less worthy of coverage in the female system. This research highlights how textbooks can promote and perpetuate gendered perceptions regarding agency and importance of the male and female system. This in turn can influence the understanding and perceptions of future healthcare workers. By conducting this study, I can advocate for more accurate and equitable coverage of the human reproductive system.

My research seeks to identify how the representation of the human body in the healthcare curriculum may impact students' understanding and perceptions of what constitutes a healthy, typical body. With many different textbook sources and AI resources available, undergraduates can study through a variety of methods with varying quality of representation. Focusing on the reproductive system, my study analyzes popular anatomy textbooks to assess the visual coverage of normal anatomical variation by gender, race, age, and other physical characteristics. The research quantifies the number and types of images representing diverse demographics and compares coverage of male versus female reproductive anatomy and physiology. Findings reveal a pronounced bias toward images of young, white, western-stylized individuals, often male, and frequently reflecting trends such as depilation and circumcision. Such representational gaps and biases risk narrowing undergraduates' understanding of human diversity and may affect the quality of care they provide as future healthcare professionals and the quality of care they provide to a broad patient population. By identifying problematic coverage, we can advocate for improvements with both educators and publishers. Our goal is to help broaden the understanding of our undergraduates and enable them to become more informed and inclusive healthcare professionals who can provide high-quality care to all individuals.

This study seeks to identify representation in anatomy and physiology education, which is essential because limited depictions may restrict healthcare students’ ability to recognize normal variation and later diagnose conditions accurately. Focusing specifically on the integumentary system, this research examines whether students are introduced to a realistic range of diversity in skin, hair, and physical characteristics. The findings indicate that many widely used anatomy and physiology textbooks contain significant gaps in their coverage of normal, healthy human variation. The study analyzed both visual and textual content of popular anatomy and physiology textbooks. Images, diagrams, and charts for diversity across skin tones, hair textures, body fat distribution, scarring, tattoos, and aging were assessed. Written descriptions were evaluated based on how these textbooks framed topics such as body hair, tattoos, piercings, and scarring (e.g. in negative, positive, or neutral language). After conducting a human-coded review, an AI-assisted tool (Google Notebook LM) was used to verify and support the language analysis. Current results show limited representation of darker skin tones, textured hair, and age-related variation. Images of light-skinned individuals outnumber those of dark-skinned individuals by roughly 9:1, meaning that fewer than 10% of visual examples depict darker skin tones. Topics such as tattoos, piercings, and scarring were either minimally covered or presented in a negative light. Body fat distribution and natural variation in body hair were also rarely depicted. Across anatomy and physiology textbooks, the integumentary system chapters tended to present idealized, youthful, hairless, and light-skinned bodies. These conclusions identify problematic patterns of coverage that may limit students’ understanding of normal human variation and could contribute to future diagnostic challenges in clinical practice. This study therefore advocates for more comprehensive and inclusive textbook coverage to strengthen students’ preparation for working with diverse patient populations. My research assessed patterns in both visual and textual content of popular anatomy and physiology textbooks. I assessed images, diagrams, and charts for diversity across skin tones, hair textures, body fat distribution, scarring, tattoos, and aging. I evaluated written descriptions on how they framed topics such as body hair, tattoos, piercings, and scarring (e.g. in negative, positive, or neutral language). After conducting a human-coded review, I employed an AI-assisted tool (Google NotebookLM) to verify and support the language analysis. Current results show limited representation of darker skin tones, textured hair, and age-related variation. Topics such as tattoos, piercings, and scarring were either minimally covered or presented in a negative light. Body fat distribution and natural variation in body hair were also rarely depicted. Across textbooks, the integumentary system chapters tended to present idealized, youthful, hairless, and light-skinned bodies. These representational gaps may limit students' understanding of normal human variation and could contribute to future diagnostic challenges in clinical practice. More comprehensive and inclusive textbook coverage can strengthen students' preparation for working with diverse patient populations

Background: Polyphenols and dietary nitrates may influence anaerobic performance by supporting oxidative processes and slowing fatigue. Acute changes in peak power are usually small, and fatigue-related metrics may be more sensitive to early ergogenic effects. Lactate responses provide an additional way to evaluate metabolic demand and recovery during repeated sprints. Purpose: To examine whether acute polyphenol-nitrate supplementation modifies fatigue patterns or lactate accumulation during repeated Wingate sprints compared with placebo. Methods: Four recreationally active adults completed three laboratory visits in a double-blind, counterbalanced crossover design: placebo (PLA), polyphenol-nitrate formula (CS7), and hydrogen-enriched polyphenol-nitrate formula (CS7H2). After ingestion, participants performed three 30-s Wingate sprints (7.5% body-mass resistance) separated by 4 minutes of recovery. Peak power (PP), average power (AP), mean power (MP), percent power decline (PD%), power decay (Pdec), and rate of power decline (PD W/s) were extracted. Lactate was measured at rest, after each sprint, and 4 minutes post-exercise. Due to the small sample, interpretation emphasized effect sizes. Results: PP, AP, and MP declined across bouts in all participants, showing normal Wingate fatigue curves. Supplement condition did not meaningfully influence PP, AP, or MP. Fatigue metrics showed small-to-moderate effects favoring CS7H2 over PLA, with PD% presenting the largest effect (d ≈ 0.55). Pdec and PD W/s showed similar patterns (d ≈ 0.38). Lactate responses followed normal accumulation across sprints (mean Pre 1.63 mmol/L; PS3 14.38 mmol/L) with large inter-individual variability, and no consistent differences between PLA, CS7, or CS7H2. Elevated values in some individuals (e.g., 19.6 mmol/L) reflected personal glycolytic capacity rather than supplement effects. Conclusion: Acute polyphenol-nitrate supplementation did not enhance peak anaerobic power or alter lactate accumulation during repeated Wingate sprints. The hydrogen-enriched formulation (CS7H2) produced modest reductions in fatigue, most clearly shown in PD%. Fatigue metrics appear more responsive than power or lactate measures for detecting early ergogenic signals in small-sample studies. Larger trials are needed to confirm these trends.

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been evolving and becoming a significant tool in many different industries such as education, technology, robotics, and healthcare. Automation has enabled faster patient sample analysis in the lab; however, interpretation of results often still relies on human expertise. This study aims to evaluate AI's potential in interpreting patient results by comparing AI and human performance across three diagnostic fields: radiology, microbiology, and hematology. Five AI models - ChatGPT, Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Claude.AI, and Aicado.AI - were tested. For radiology, x-ray images of a phantom dummy were shown to AI and recorded their interpretations. For microbiology, a nose swab sample was collected from three students and cultured specifically for Staphylococcus aureus and had AI identify it. In hematology, a manual white blood cell (WBC) and platelet estimate were performed by microscopy and compared results with AI by imaging of blood smears to assess their ability to perform certain parts of a complete blood count (CBC). The findings were graphed to compare how accurate AI and humans were at interpreting data. Overall, AI gave clear and descriptive results, particularly in microbiology, with varying levels of accuracy in radiology and hematology. They show potential as a useful tool for interpreting patient results.

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) plays a critical role in the development of cardiometabolic diseases, including insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Unlike subcutaneous fat, VAT is metabolically active and strongly associated with systemic inflammation and metabolic dysfunction. Despite its importance, direct assessment of VAT typically requires imaging techniques such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which are costly, time-consuming, and not widely available in most clinical or field settings. Consequently, there is a growing need for practical, noninvasive methods to estimate VAT accurately using simple anthropometric measures. Anthropometric indices such as body mass index (BMI) and the Body Roundness Index (BRI) have emerged as promising tools for this purpose. Both indices are derived from easily obtainable measures of height, weight, and waist circumference, making them accessible for large-scale screening and population-based studies. The present investigation builds upon our previous findings demonstrating strong correlations between VAT and both BRI (r = 0.73) and BMI (r = 0.73), as measured using the InBody 770 in 115 adults (70 males; mean age 22.8 ± 6.2 years). These results suggest that both indices can serve as useful proxies for VAT in young adults. However, sex-based differences in body fat distribution and hormonal regulation may influence the strength of these associations. Therefore, the current study aims to examine whether the predictive relationships between VAT and BRI or BMI differ between men and women. Identifying sex-specific patterns may enhance the clinical applicability of these indices, improve VAT estimation accuracy, and help identify individuals at elevated risk for obesity-related metabolic disease using simple, noninvasive, and cost-effective approaches.

Background Blood pressure (BP) and fasting triglyceride (TG) levels are parameters of metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors associated with chronic disease. Essential fatty acids (EFAs), linoleic acid (LA), and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) play roles in inflammation and cardiovascular health. Higher LA/ALA ratios are associated with negative health outcomes. This study aimed to identify associations between EFA intake ratio and BP and TG levels in college students. We hypothesized that higher LA/ALA ratios would be associated with higher BP and TG levels. Methods Participants completed a two-day diet record. EFA intake ratios were calculated by dividing the percentage of total calories from LA by the percentage of total calories from ALA. Fasting TG levels were analyzed using Cholestech LDX, and BP was measured with an automated sphygmomanometer. Pearson correlations were conducted with SPSS version 29.0. Results Significant positive associations were found between the ratio of LA/ALA EFA intake and diastolic BP (r = .138, p = .033) and TG levels (r = .226, p < .001), in females (n = 240). No significant association was observed between the ratio of EFA intake and BP (n = 113) or TG (n = 110) levels in males. Conclusion Higher ratios of LA/ALA EFA intake among female college students are associated with elevated BP and TG levels. It is uncertain whether these results are due to the fatty acids themselves or the foods that contain them. Future research investigating specific sources of EFAs could offer a clearer understanding of this relationship.

Despite the growing participation of women in sports, research shows that female athletes are at a significantly higher risk of injuries, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, compared to their male counterparts. However, studies addressing the origins of these complications remain limited, leaving female athletes at a disadvantage in how to prevent and treat injuries effectively. Relaxin-2 impacts cartilage and tendon function by enhancing collagenase activity directed at Type I and Type III collagen through Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) involved in extracellular matrix degradation. It is presumed that Relaxin-2 similarly modulates Lysyl Oxidase (LOX) enzymes through similar receptor-mediated pathways.The purpose of this research is to see how Relaxin-2 and estrogen influence Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) and Lysyl Oxidase (LOX) enzyme production throughout the menstrual cycle, contributing to our understanding of tissue remodeling in women's reproductive health. Using repeated plasma and serum sampling from sixteen female athletes, Relaxin-2 and estrogen levels were correlated with MMP1, MMP2, and LOX1 enzyme concentrations. Prior to analysis, all samples were maintained at -20 degrees C. It is anticipated that Relaxin-2 acts synergistically with estrogen to elevate MMP expression and suppress LOX activity during the luteal phase. Data collection is currently underway in the form of various ELISA tests to determine enzyme concentrations. Statistical analysis of the data obtained from the Relaxin-2 ELISA, Human MMP Panel 2 ELISA, Human MMP3 ELISA, and Human LOX-1 ELISA will be performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). It is expected, based on prior research on hormone expression in female athletes and joint laxity, that Relaxin-2 will act synergistically with estrogen to elevate MMP expression and suppress LOX activity during the luteal phase.

Magnesium is an essential mineral. It helps with muscle contraction, energy production, and cell recovery. High-endurance athletes have been shown to be prone to magnesium deficiency due to greater metabolic demands and loss through sweat. This may lead to muscle damage and poor recovery. This study will examine whether daily magnesium supplements affect muscle breakdown and kidney function in long-distance runners over six weeks. The expectation is that steady magnesium intake will lower serum biomarkers of muscle damage and keep kidney function normal. A pre-intervention design will be used with trained endurance runners. Participants will take a standardized magnesium supplement daily for six weeks. Blood samples will be taken before and after supplementation. Serum will be kept at 80 degrees C until analysis. Myoglobin, creatine kinase, and interleukin-6 will be measured with ELISAs to assess muscle breakdown. Kidney function will be tested using a renal function panel. Paired t-tests and an ANOVA will compare mean pre- and post-supplementation results for all analytes to find significant changes. It is expected that magnesium supplementation will result in decreased serum concentrations of muscle damage biomarkers without adversely affecting kidney function. The findings of this study aim to clarify magnesium's influence on muscle integrity and renal regulation during prolonged endurance activity and may support the development of nutritional strategies to enhance athletic performance and recovery.

Magnesium is an essential mineral. It helps with muscle contraction, energy production, and cell recovery. High-endurance athletes have been shown to be prone to magnesium deficiency due to greater metabolic demands and loss through sweat. This may lead to muscle damage and poor recovery. This study will examine whether daily magnesium supplements affect muscle breakdown and kidney function in long-distance runners over six weeks. The expectation is that steady magnesium intake will lower serum biomarkers of muscle damage and keep kidney function normal. A pre-post intervention design will be used with trained endurance runners. Participants will take a standardized magnesium supplement daily for six weeks. Blood samples will be taken before and after supplementation. Serum will be kept at 80 degrees C until analysis. Myoglobin, creatine kinase, and interleukin-6 will be measured with ELISAs to assess muscle breakdown. Kidney function will be tested using a renal function panel. Paired t-tests and an ANOVA will compare mean pre- and post-supplementation results for all analytes to find significant changes. It is expected that magnesium supplementation will result in decreased serum concentrations of muscle damage biomarkers without adversely affecting kidney function. The findings of this study aim to clarify magnesium's influence on muscle integrity and renal regulation during prolonged endurance activity and may support the development of nutritional strategies to enhance athletic performance and recovery.

The countermovement jump (CMJ) is an essential ability in basketball, and increased jump height provides players with a competitive advantage. Previous research has shown that the Soleus, Quadriceps, and Gluteus Maximus contribute substantially to CMJ performance, and recent work suggests that lower-limb muscle volume may be linked to vertical-jump ability. However, sport-specific data connecting MRI-derived muscle volumes to CMJ mechanics and height remains limited. PURPOSE: To examine correlations between CMJ height and the muscle volume of the Soleus, Quadriceps, and Gluteus Maximus in collegiate basketball players. METHODS: Fourteen athletes (8 men, 6 women) participated. Muscle volumes were obtained from MRI using MuscleMap and 3D Slicer. CMJ height was measured using ForceDecks after a standardized warm-up, with peak height from maximal trials used for analysis. Correlation statistics and multiple linear regression were used to evaluate associations between muscle volume and jump height. RESULTS: The regression model significantly predicted CMJ height (p = 0.0015), explaining 77.3% of performance variance (R² = 0.773, adjusted R² = 0.705). Quadriceps volume was a significant positive predictor (β = 0.0077, p = 0.0047). Gluteus Maximus volume showed a positive but nonsignificant trend (β = 0.0067, p = 0.078), and Soleus volume did not independently predict jump height (β = -0.0112, p = 0.204). Model diagnostics indicated an acceptable fit. CONCLUSION: The combination of the three muscle volumes can be used to predict jump height. Quadriceps muscle volume was the strongest anatomical predictor of CMJ height in this cohort. Gluteus Maximus and Soleus volumes were not independent predictors but added to the overall model. These findings highlight the importance of thigh extensor development in generating vertical displacement during the CMJ.

Correct information units in conversation (%CIUconv), Complete Utterances (CU), and Communicative Success (CS) have been used to measure language informativeness, the SVO structure of utterances, and the effective information communicated during unstructured conversational discourse produced by participants with aphasia. However, these three analyses have not yet been used to understand the effect of attentional demands on conversation. The purpose of this study is to determine how driving while conversing on the phone impacts %CIUconvo, CU, and CS for young and older adults. During this study, 40 healthy individuals participated in conversations with an interviewer who asked questions while participants talked using a handheld phone. Participants were divided into a young adult group with participants ranging from 20-30 years and an older adult group ranging from 60-71 years. Each group consisted of 20 participants with 10 being male and 10 being female. The recorded conversations were held under two conditions: 1) conversation using a handheld phone and 2) conversation using a handheld phone while simultaneously performing a simulated driving task. Samples were then transcribed, coded, and analyzed for three dependent variables: (1) Percent Correct Information Units for conversation (%CIUconv), which measures the percentage of words that are accurate, intelligible, and relevant to the context; (2) Complete Utterances (CU), which measures the proportion of utterances that included both a subject and verb and relevant words; (3) Communicative Success (CS), which measures the quantity of effective information successfully communicated. Samples have been collected and are currently being coded in preparation for analysis. Two-way mixed ANOVAs will be used to identify group (young vs. older adult) and condition (handheld phone only vs. handheld phone while driving) effects along with interaction effects. We anticipate a decrease in %CIUconv and CUs during the driving compared with the not driving condition. We also expect that older adults will experience greater interference than young adults during the driving condition. We do not expect to see a significant decline in CS between the test conditions, or between the age groups. These findings will be helpful to communication partners looking to have meaningful conversations—especially while driving. When attention is divided between multiple tasks (specifically driving and talking), conversations with informative and meaningful language may be more difficult. Additionally, in the future, comparing these results to the conversations of people with aphasia while driving will help us understand how to best help this population re-engage in meaningful life activities.

Chiral organic-inorganic metal halide two-dimensional (2D) perovskites are an emerging class of materials with unique chiroptical properties enabled by their tunable molecular structures. Because traditional perovskites are centrosymmetric and inherently achiral, inducing chirality requires the incorporation of chiral organic cations or chiral additives. Recent advances in chirality transfer, using chiral additives to induce chiral behavior in achiral perovskites indirectly, offer a more versatile approach for developing optoelectronic devices such as spintronic components, circularly polarized light (CPL) detectors, and biosensors. In this study, we explore how the chemical structure of the chiral additive changes the induced chirality of the perovskite crystal lattice. Using circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, we find that adding (R/S)-[1,1-binaphthalene]-2,2-diyl bis(trifluoromethanesulfonate) to butylammonium lead bromide (BA2PbBr4) induces chirality into the perovskite structure, while other chiral additives, such as (R/S)-binol and (R/S)-[1,1'-binaphthalene]-2,2'-diamine do not induce chirality. Using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), we investigate how the chiral additive changes the perovskite microstructure. Our results provide insights into the chirality transfer process, providing new design principles for inducing chirality in hybrid semiconductors.

In cosmology, the Hubble constant (H0) quantifies the relationship between distance and recessional velocity (redshift) of galaxies as described by Hubble's law: v = H0d. Being able to accurately and precisely determine the Hubble constant is necessary to understand the foundational parameters of the universe, such as the age and composition of the universe. Currently, a prevailing method for measuring H0 is observation of distant objects with known intrinsic luminosities like Cepheid variable stars and type Ia supernovae. These methods give a value of H0 that is at odds with theoretical predictions based on the cosmic microwave background (CMB) radiation from the early universe. This discrepancy is known as the "Hubble tension" and points to either misunderstandings on the part of early or late universe measurements or new physics not yet considered. Our group is attempting to resolve this issue using independent techniques. The Coma Cluster is the most well-studied nearby rich galaxy cluster, and is a critical link in the cosmological distance ladder between nearby calibrator galaxies and the distant universe. Our team is using surface brightness fluctuations (SBF) to link measurements of the tip of the red giant branch in nearby elliptical galaxies to Coma to measure H0. The SBF measurements to Coma will provide a pathway to H0 that is completely independent of other methods for measuring cosmological distances. This is a critical test of whether systematic errors in the distance scale could explain the Hubble tension discrepancy between model-based CMB estimates of H0 and the local distance network.

As part of BYU's variable star program, we have surveyed a star known as ATLAS 368, originally taken from the ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey. The ATLAS survey is a NASA-funded project that was designed to give us an early warning system for potentially dangerous asteroids in the night sky. The telescopes survey the whole sky several times per night, looking for objects that change in either brightness, position, or both. Because it is designed to continuously monitor the night sky, it works extremely well at finding variable stars. In this research, we analyzed ATLAS 368, a pulsating variable star that has been observed at the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory's 1.8 meter Plaskett telescope in Victoria, British Columbia. We are measuring the pulsation periods in the data using a Fourier decomposition. Our measurements are much more precise than the ATLAS data due to the DAO's more comprehensive surveying of ATLAS 368. With this information, we will be finding times of maximum light to predict future times of maximum light. If the observations and the predictions don't match, we will use what we have learned to set a baseline for future research on this star.

The process of accretion in astrophysics, where material accumulates onto a massive body, is fundamental and occurs across sizes and timescales - from the formation of asteroids and planets around stars to the growth of supermassive black holes. Accretion also provides one of the best ways to study and investigate astrophysical black holes, either in the case of supermassive black holes or on a much smaller scale with stellar-mass black holes in X-ray binary systems. An X-ray binary consists of a compact object (either a neutron star or a black hole) swallowing up material from its companion (or donor) star. Due to their proximity (there are ~100 black hole X-ray binary candidates in our Milky Way Galaxy) and their smaller scale, these X-ray binaries have been particularly enlightening when it comes to the physics of astrophysical black holes. These systems are naturally variable and undergo episodic increases in luminosity known as outbursts, during which enhanced accretion activity produces strong X-ray emissions. This research project focuses on the black hole X-ray binary AT 2019wey, which experienced its most recent outburst in late 2022. The system was observed twice during this period by the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR), a NASA space telescope used for high-energy X-ray spectroscopy. Most prior studies of AT 2019wey were based on its discovery and initial outburst in 2019-2020, leaving its subsequent behavior largely unexplored. Using the most recent 2022 NuSTAR data, we present the data reduction and spectral modeling that characterizes the X-ray spectrum and look forward to the next steps of fitting physical models to the observed spectrum and its reflection features. By doing so, we will measure properties of the accretion environment — such as disk temperature, ionization, and geometry — and estimate the black hole's spin. These results will help clarify how accretion processes evolve between outbursts and contribute to a broader understanding of variability in transient black hole systems.

The process of accretion in astrophysics, where material accumulates onto a massive body, is fundamental and occurs across sizes and timescales - from the formation of asteroids and planets around stars to the growth of supermassive black holes. Accretion also provides one of the best ways to study and investigate astrophysical black holes, either in the case of supermassive black holes or on a much smaller scale with stellar-mass black holes in X-ray binary systems. An X-ray binary consists of a compact object (either a neutron star or a black hole) swallowing up material from its companion (or donor) star. Due to their proximity (there are ~100 black hole X-ray binary candidates in our Milky Way Galaxy) and their smaller scale, these X-ray binaries have been particularly enlightening when it comes to the physics of astrophysical black holes. These systems are naturally variable and undergo episodic increases in luminosity known as outbursts, during which enhanced accretion activity produces strong X-ray emissions. This research project focuses on the black hole X-ray binary AT 2019wey, which experienced its most recent outburst in late 2022. The system was observed twice during this period by the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR), a NASA space telescope used for high-energy X-ray spectroscopy. Most prior studies of AT 2019wey were based on its discovery and initial outburst in 2019-2020, leaving its subsequent behavior largely unexplored. Using the most recent 2022 NuSTAR data, we present the data reduction and spectral modeling that characterizes the X-ray spectrum and look forward to the next steps of fitting physical models to the observed spectrum and its reflection features. By doing so, we will measure properties of the accretion environment, such as disk temperature, ionization, and geometry — and estimate the black hole's spin. These results will help clarify how accretion processes evolve between outbursts and contribute to a broader understanding of variability in transient black hole systems.

Exposure to air pollutants, Particulate Matter (PM) and Ozone (O₃), is associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality, deaths from any natural cause. These pollutants arise from anthropogenic and natural sources such as windblown dust from the Great Salt Lake (GSL). Meta-analyses show that for every 10 µg/m³ increase in daily PM₁₀, mortality rises by about 0.41%, while a 1-hour spike of 100 µg/m³ increases by 0.17%, which similarly aligns with the Wasatch Front. During 2023-2024, air monitoring data from Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recorded a mean of 0.074 ppm Ozone (O₃), 19.8 µg/m³ PM10 and 7.46 µg/m³ PM2.5 across the counties, resulting an approximate 21 +/- 7 attributable deaths per year, including exceedances above regulatory limits. Modeling also indicated that roughly 166 GSL dust events per year would be needed to produce a similar health impact. Due to its also high oxidative potential and elevated arsenic and lithium levels, GSL dust is more chemically reactive and toxic than other regional pollutants.

In this study, a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA)-based thin film composite incorporating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was developed for the fabrication of a dopamine biosensor. Various PEGDA molecular weights (PEGDA 500 and PEGDA 700) and PEGDA/CNT ratios were explored to optimize film conductivity and surface morphology. The optimized formulation consisted of 500 mg PEGDA 500, 10 mg CNT, and a small amount of photoinitiator (HCPK) dissolved in 1.0 mL water. The mixture was sonicated to ensure uniform CNT dispersion and applied to both sides of a carbon paper substrate using a glass plate sandwich technique to achieve smooth, defect-free coatings. Polymerization was carried out under UV light (254 nm) for 120 seconds, followed by trimming and edge sealing. Among the tested formulations, films fabricated with PEGDA 500 and higher CNT content (10-15 mg) demonstrated the lowest resistance and superior smoothness, resulting in enhanced electrochemical performance for dopamine detection. The prepared biosensor exhibited improved conductivity upon hydration, making it suitable for sensitive dopamine measurements. This straightforward fabrication method provides a cost-effective and scalable approach for producing conductive hydrogel-based biosensors for neurochemical sensing applications. Keywords: PEGDA, CNT, Biosensor, Dopamine

Solar energy is an important renewable energy source, but current solar cell technologies need improvements in efficiency and affordability. In our research, we are synthesizing subnaphthalocyanine-porphyrin based compounds with adjustable light absorption properties to capture a broader range of wavelengths for better solar energy conversion. By changing the peripheral substituents attached to the subnaphthalocyanine core, we can tune the properties of these molecules so that when the porphyrin is connected through covalent bonding, the compound absorbs light more effectively across the visible spectrum. We use flash chromatography to purify our products at each step and employ NMR spectroscopy to confirm the molecular structures, along with UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy to measure their light absorption characteristics. Through these experiments, we hope to understand how different substituent groups influence the absorption properties and overall performance of these compounds. Our work could help develop more efficient and environmentally sustainable organic solar cells that serve as alternatives to traditional silicon-based solar panels.

Nanoparticles are very small materials that have properties dependent on their size and shape allowing for versatile and valuable uses in medicine, electronics, and energy research. Gold nanoparticles were synthesized using a reverse micelle method, where tiny water pools are surrounded by surfactant molecules in a nonpolar solvent. These micelles serve as confined reaction chambers that control particle growth. The molar ratio of water to surfactant (wâ‚€) was adjusted to study its effect on nanoparticle formation in a dual-reductant system. Gold(III) ions from tetrachloroauric acid were reduced to metallic gold using sodium borohydride and ascorbic acid in a 1:1:1 molar ratio. Sodium borohydride acted as the primary reductant, while ascorbic acid was added at timed intervals to examine its influence on reaction speed and growth behavior. UV-Vis spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to assess concentration, size, and uniformity. Results showed that both wâ‚€ and reductant timing significantly impacted particle distribution and morphology, improving control of gold nanoparticle synthesis for future materials science and nanotechnology applications.

Bryce Canyon National Park, located in Southern Utah, is renowned for its exposure of the Claron Formation, formed from lacustrine deposits during the Paleocene and Eocene. It's two members, the upper White Member and lower Pink Member, host an array of geologic features that attract thousands of visitors every day, including fins, windows, and hoodoos. There are several known factors that influence fin, hoodoo, and window formation, including mechanical and chemical weathering along planes of weakness such as vertical fractures and weaker lithologies. However, thrust fault-related conjugate shear fractures also exist in the park and likely play an additional role in its unique hoodoo landscape. This research aims to determine a spatial correlation between hoodoo formation and conjugate fracture densities relative to distance from Ruby's Inn thrust fault within the carbonate-rich Claron Formation. Data for this research were collected through fieldwork in which north-south striking fin sections were measured and conjugate fractures within the fin were counted. The data were collected from 40 fins throughout Bryce Canyon National Park to provide an average conjugate fracture density map. Digital elevation models (DEMs) were then used to determine spatial hoodoo density using GIS analysis. These two datasets were then compared to evaluate the spatial correlation between hoodoo densities and average conjugate fracture densities. Determining the spatial correlation of this relationship will provide insight into the structural controls that shape the hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park. This research has broader implications for economic geology concerning the relationship between thrust faults and conjugate fractures, particularly concerning the movement and precipitation of hydrothermal fluids within fractured lithologies due to thrust faulting.

Excess heat capacity (Cpᵉ) provides insight into intermolecular interactions by quantifying deviations between the measured heat capacity of a mixture and the theoretical sum of its pure components. Accurate evaluation of Cpᵉ provides insight into interactions within mixtures and composite materials. This study focuses on the use of bulk differential scanning calorimetry (DCS) for accurate assessment of Cpᵉ through the measurement of control systems. Control systems composed of inert (quartz and alumina) and moderately interacting (PS and PVME) solids were analyzed to evaluate the instrument's ability to distinguish true thermodynamic deviations from composition-related artifacts. Each mixture was prepared in defined ratios to isolate the effects of mass loading, particle distribution, and mixing uniformity on measured Cpᵉ values. The study emphasizes procedural consistency in sample packing, temperature scanning, and baseline subtraction, allowing reliable comparison between measured and theoretical heat capacities. This methodological framework demonstrates how bulk DSC-style calorimetry can be applied to heterogeneous systems to quantify mixture interactions with reduced subsampling bias. The approach establishes a foundation for future studies on more complex environmental and composite materials where accurate Cpᵉ determination can be used to interpret molecular-level interactions.

Students of all academic backgrounds often encounter various difficulties interpreting graphical representations, particularly when grappling with abstract concepts such as reaction rates and concentration dynamics in chemistry. These challenges typically arise from misunderstandings related to axis interpretation, recognizing variable relationships, and translating information into meaningful insights. While prior research has examined graphical reasoning in isolation, few studies have explored how students navigate analogous graphical problems across domains. This study, consequently, investigates how students enrolled in General Chemistry I at Duke University cognitively navigate graphical analysis in reaction coordinate diagrams of chemistry versus two-dimensional kinematics problems of physics, using eye-tracking, heart rate monitoring, verbal protocols, and written annotations. Eighteen participants completed a two-phase study involving gaze tracking and think-aloud reasoning during a timed graph interpretation task, compounded by reflective written and verbal responses. Participants were presented with analogous graph-based prompts from chemistry and physics. While students consistently analyzed axes and associated slopes with rate in both domains, they demonstrated greater confidence, clarity, and strategic consistency when responding to physics problems. Eye-tracking data indicated consistent, structured scan paths among higher-performing students, and spikes in heart rate often corresponded with prompt transitions. The integration of both eye-tracking and physiological data, therefore, offers an innovative approach to understanding the pitfalls of graphical literacy, yielding critical implications for improving pedagogy in undergraduate chemical education.

College students frequently encounter a wide range of stressors, including academic pressure, career uncertainty, evolving family dynamics, financial demands, and the challenges of forming new social relationships (Bhujade, 2017). Prior research suggests that students of color (SOC) who attend a predominantly White institution (PWI) may experience additional stress related to learning new social norms, cultural barriers, racism, discrimination, microaggressions, and navigating PWIs (Han & Pong, 2015; Sanchez & Awad, 2014). Additionally, SOC may have less access to social networks who have similar experiences. Thus, SOC may experience higher stress and show lower perceptions of social support. The present study examined whether SOC at our PWI would report higher perceived stress and lower perceived social support than White students. Undergraduate students (N = 242; 22.3% male, 69% female; SOC n = 146, 60.3%; White students n = 94, 38.8%) completed an online survey between February and October 2021. Measures included the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List to assess perceived social support and the Perceived Stress Scale to evaluate stress levels. Linear regression analyses indicated no significant difference in perceived stress between SOC and White students (B = −0.40, SE = 0.41, t = −0.97, p = .33). However, White students reported significantly higher perceived social support (B = 0.83, SE = 0.38, t = 2.19, p = .009). These findings suggest that while stress levels may be comparable across groups, SOC may experience reduced access to supportive social networks within PWI environments. This highlights the importance of institutional efforts to foster inclusive campus climates, improve peer support opportunities, and reduce cultural and structural barriers to belonging for SOC.

Novelty is the sense that one is experiencing something new, and different from usual daily life. The sense of novelty is a driving influence of why tourists choose to visit one location over another, thus raising questions about what affects novelty. If novelty is affected by underlying factors, it is valuable to understand them. In the present study, three attributes were hypothesized to influence novelty: crowding interference, social connection, and positive emotions. Crowding interference can be defined as an individual's perception of how the density of people in a place affects their overall experience. Concepts such as noise, feeling too crowded, and being prevented from going where one wants all contribute to crowding interference. Social connection is a recognition and feeling of being emotionally connected and close to those around you. Social connection grows as one meet and interacts with others. Positive emotions (like joy, content, happiness, and positively surprised) are feelings that expand our awareness, creativity, and openness to new ideas and actions. The purpose of this study was to determine how crowd interference, social connections, and emotions contribute to the feeling of novelty through the lens of cognitive appraisal theory. This theory states that emotion is not a direct reaction to external events, but instead how individuals appraise or perceive those events. The methods of this study included intercepting tourists visiting traditional tourist locations in the Netherlands. Tourists were asked to complete a 10-12 minute survey on an electronic tablet. Tourists responded to questions about crowding interference, social connection, and positive emotions using the Likert scale. An example of a social connection question that was used is "To what extent have you experienced connections with other people today." A linear regression analysis was conducted, and it was found that crowding interference (B = .085 ,t=1.971, p<.05), social connection (B=.228, t= 5.38, p<.05), and positive emotions (B=.252, t=5.794, p<.05) all had a significant effect on novelty. Therefore, the contribution of this study was to demonstrate that the feeling of novelty can be influenced by crowding interference, social connection, and positive emotion. This discovery can benefit the tourism realm through enhancing novelty by increasing contributing variables and decreasing detrimental ones. Because novelty can be manipulated, the tourism experience can be further manufactured to improve overall experience.

The literature shows that body image and relationship satisfaction are meaningfully related (Lee, 2016; van den Brink et al., 2018). Relationship satisfaction is generally defined as an overall contentment with one's intimate relationships. A contributing aspect to this contentment is the feeling that one's emotional needs are being met. We wanted to understand the correlation between body appreciation and feeling that one's emotional needs are being met. In our study, body appreciation was defined as a positive and accepting attitude toward one's body. Relationship satisfaction was operationalized as the extent to which individuals perceived their relational needs as being consistently fulfilled by their spouse. We hypothesized that individuals with a greater appreciation for their bodies would report that their emotional needs are met to a greater extent. A sample of 114 married university students participated in the study. Participants completed two self-report measures: the Relationships Needs (e.g., "When I am with my significant other, I feel loved and cared about," and the Body Appreciation Scale (e.g., "Despite my flaws, I accept my body for what it is."). The survey was administered via Qualtrics, and recruitment occurred through flyers distributed across two university campuses. Eligibility criteria required participants to be currently married, though spouses were not required to participate together. Data were analyzed using linear regression in SPSS. Results supported our hypothesis, revealing a significant positive association between body appreciation and perceived relationship needs met (B = 0.13, SE = 0.04, t = 3.26, p = .001). These findings suggest that body appreciation plays a meaningful role in shaping perceptions of needs being met within marital relationships. The results contribute to a growing body of research emphasizing the interconnectedness of self-perception and relational functioning, offering potential insight into gender differences and avenues for future intervention and research.

Over the past few decades, technological innovations have profoundly transformed the way we perceive and interact with the world. Within this context, virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool for educational transformation. Geography education, which depends on spatial awareness and real-world engagement, particularly benefits from the immersive experiences that VR uniquely provides. This study explored how effectively VR enhances students' understanding of geographical concepts and how students perceive its role in their learning. To investigate these questions, qualitative interviews were conducted with students who participated in VR field trips for an undergraduate class in World Regional Geography. The semi-structured interviews sought to capture students' reflections on whether VR made geography more engaging, helped them better grasp complex ideas, and what improvements could be made to enrich the learning experience. Qualitative analysis of the interview data revealed that students generally viewed VR as a valuable addition to their geography education. They reported higher levels of engagement and noted that the immersive nature of VR helped them connect abstract geographic concepts with tangible, real-world contexts. Students also appreciated how VR made learning more interactive and enjoyable, though some offered suggestions for enhancing its integration into the curriculum. Overall, the findings suggest that VR has strong potential to enhance geography education by deepening comprehension and making learning more experiential. By bridging the gap between theory and lived experience, VR can help students see geography not just as a set of ideas, but as a dynamic and interconnected view of the world.

Gender stereotypes, reinforced through early socialization, continue to undermine women's confidence and opportunity in leadership (Van Breen et al, 2018). Leadership self-efficacy, the confidence in one's ability to perform leadership tasks, can be especially targeted by gendered expectations developed early on. Little research has been done to examine how immediate gendered messaging interacts with long term socialization, and the effects on leadership. To address this gap, our study will employ a mixed-method design. Participants are randomly assigned to read a passage that will prime them towards either egalitarian, traditional or neutral gender ideologies. After this passage, they are asked to write a short reflection in order to ensure that they read the passage. The neutral passage will act as a control group. The participants will then complete a Leadership Self-Efficacy Scale (Bobbio and Manganelli, 2009). This will assess participants' confidence in themselves as leaders. This quantitative data will be analyzed using a one way ANOVA with three levels looking for differences between groups. Participants will then complete 3 qualitative questions addressing their early gendered socialization experience. This Qualitative data will be thematically coded if possible based on participants' responses. It is predicted we will be able to place participants into three categories based on their responses; either egalitarian, traditional, or transitional. It is predicted that egalitarian priming will produce higher leadership self-efficacy than traditional, and neutral will fall in between. These results are expected to show both the enduring and short term effects of stereotypes in regard to women's representation in leadership. This research is important because it explores how both early gender socialization and short-term exposure to gendered messages shape leadership self-efficacy, offering insights that can promote greater gender equity and confidence in future leaders.

Abstract When dining in a restaurant, there is a common unspoken contract that you tip your food and beverage workers for their service. On average, the tip amount ranges from 10% to 20% of the total bill before taxes (DeSilver, 2023). From the perspective of the customer, it is a way to express gratitude for the service received. From the perspective of the worker, however, it is a way to make a living. Food service workers are often paid $2.13/hr (Del Cueto, 2025), making them reliant on tips to have a liveable wage. Most research in the food service industry has been focused on customer-server relationships and sexual assault/harrassment (Szymanski & Mikorski, 2016). However, less research has focused on the role of tipping structures and how it influences workplace behavior and health. It is important to understand these relationships because compensation structures and subsequent perceptions of fairness may shape individuals' actions and decisions contributing to their health and wellbeing. For example, if a worker believes that their effort is not aligned with the amount of tips they receive in comparison to another worker, they may disengage from their work. In contrast, workers who believe they are being compensated fairly via tips in comparison to others may be more willing to go above and beyond for their team. For this reason, I employ qualitative methodology within a sample of food and beverage service workers (n = 50) who rely primarily on tips for income to conduct an exploratory investigation into (a) how tipping structures influence individual behavior, team dynamics, and health and wellbeing and (b) generate rich descriptions regarding why these relationships might occur. Expanding the research will drive novel and important research on the nuances of the hospitality industry and how we can better support those vulnerable to pay insecurity. In addition, this research provides an initial step towards cultivating evidence-based recommendations for tipping structures and related outcomes. Keywords: tipping, service workers, occupational health psychology, fairness, work behavior Citations Del Cueto, A. (2025, March 26). What is the average server salary? learn how much a waiter makes without tips. Taxfyle. https://www.taxfyle.com/blog/how-much-does-a-waitress-make-an-hour-without-tips DeSilver, D. (2023, November 9). 3. services Americans do and don't tip for - and how much. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/2023/11/09/services-americans-do-and-dont-tip-for-and-how-much/#:~:text=One%20guide%2C%20for%20example%2C%20says,”%20for%20quick%2Dservice%20restaurants. Szymanski, D. M., & Mikorski, R. (2016). Sexually objectifying restaurants and waitresses' burnout and intentions to leave: The roles of power and support. Sex Roles, 75(7-8), 328-338. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11199-016-0621-2

Central Purpose Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are a common occurrence in the general population, with a reported three in four high school students experiencing one or more ACEs, associated with long-term negative impacts on health, well-being, and potentially devastating relationships. In comparison, Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) have been associated with better social outcomes, improved health, and greater resilience to ACEs. While a good deal of research has been conducted to explore the impact of ACEs and PCEs, there is a gap in research surrounding the relationship between PCEs and ACEs on long-term familial relationships. The present study aims to examine the relationship between PCEs, ACEs, and long-term familial relationships with an emphasis on familial neglect, violence, and sense of belonging. Abstract Within this study, there would be a focus on data that has been collected for ACEs related to sense of belonging, mental health, violence, and divorced parents. Data would be compared for PCEs and its relation with feelings of belonging, community, support, and openness. Familial relationships would include the status of divorce or marriage of the parents of the participant as a child, and over 18. Additionally, it would look at the marital status of the participant, sense of belonging, and continued PCEs and ACEs within the participants current adult life. Methodology Following IRB approval, an email invitation to voluntarily take a survey was sent to approximately 10,000 individuals in a UVU database of current and past students. Of those invited, approximately 400 participants provided information about their past experiences with the aforementioned ACEs, PCEs, and Familial Relationships. A multiple regression analysis will examine how these ACEs and PCEs will predict levels of familial belonging while taking into account demographics such as age, gender, income, and relationship status. Compare data sets that have been collected by past UVU students and identify if a correlation is present. If a correlation is found, then to further study connecting variables. Results & Conclusion It is expected that PCEs will correlate with more positive familial relationships, while ACEs will correlate with more negative familial relationships, and there will be a stronger correlation between ACEs and negative familial relationships. With this study, we hope to provide insight and direction for preventative measures that can be made for ACES and implementation of PCEs to promote positive familial relationships and strengthen a sense of belonging if expected results are concluded.

In-group processes have long been an important factor for studying social judgments, particularly among religious communities and settings. Previous research has linked the Black Sheep Effect in religious studies to circumstances in which group morality is challenged (Tand, Shepherd, & Kay, 2021). Research has also linked religiosity with in-group favoritism and outgroup derogation. Message source can also play a significant role in group attitudes. Message trustworthiness can be increased if the message source is an in-group member and the message is relevant to the group's specific morals and values. The existing body of research has yet to explore the in-group attitudes of individuals criticizing or challenging religion directly. What would happen if the message source was an in-group member deviating from the group norms? The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of in-group and out-group religious criticism (criticism from a religious individual vs an atheist) on social judgments and to also see what effect, if any, the criticism has on participants' feelings of religious struggle. Participants will take the Religious and Spiritual Struggles scale, read a piece of religious criticism, and take the Religious and Spiritual Struggles Scale again. Participants will also indicate their religious affiliation in order to analyze differences between religious groups. After reading the religious criticism, participants will also answer the question, "This attitude represents my group's morals, using a 5-point Likert scale." Finally, the participants will answer two open-ended questions: How did the prompt make you feel? and How important is it to you to openly discuss religion? I predict a non-directional difference in religious struggle and negative social judgments between the in-group criticism condition and out-group condition. This study is important because it can tell us whether or not internal or external criticism has a significant effect on religious struggle and whether the Black Sheep Effect occurs under in-group and out-group experimental conditions.

Introduction: Individuals identifying with non-heterosexual or cisgendered orientations face significantly elevated risks of substance abuse (SA), with bisexual individuals reporting up to five times the odds of SA than the cisgender/heterosexual controls (Roxburgh, 2016). Literature regarding experiences of anger or hostility is limited, but bisexual individuals have been found to tend to experience greater levels of anger than heterosexual individuals (Gisladottir et al., 2018). This study aims to investigate these trends in a college counseling population. Method: This study used archival data from a college counseling center between 2014 and 2024. Measures included a demographic intake questionnaire and the CCAPS-62 (Commission of Counseling and Psychological Services-62; Locke, et al, 2011). Participants were selected based on their responses to the hostility and SA subscales of the CCAPS-62. A total of 1675 and 1701 participants were selected as part of each respective sample. An ANOVA analyzed group differences, followed by Tukey HSD Post Hoc Analyses. An ANCOVA verified if findings hold when controlling for gender. An ordinal logistic regression evaluated ED categorically (mild, moderate, or elevated levels). Results: Post hoc test showed significant differences between groups, with moderate effect sizes for hostility and SA. Only bisexual orientations showed higher hostility than heterosexual groups. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and questioning individuals showed significantly higher SA than heterosexual controls. The initial findings remained stable when controlling for gender. When looking at SA and hostility categorically, a significant effect for sexual orientation was found, with bisexual and questioning students once again showing higher severity. When looking at gender, Men showed the highest levels of SA, with no significant differences between the other gender groups. Non-binary individuals demonstrated the highest levels of hostility, followed by transgender individuals when compared to cisgender males and females on both continuous and categorical analyses. Discussion: The findings from our study reveal compelling insights into the associations between sexual orientation, gender, and hostility/SA severity among college students, suggesting a potential vulnerability among bisexual and non-binary students to experience increased symptoms and corroborating existing literature on their unique challenges. Findings underscore the interplay between sexual orientation, gender, hostility, and SA among college students, highlighting the importance of tailored assessment, interventions and support services to address diverse needs. We uncovered notable differences according to sexual orientation, with bisexual and nonbinary individuals exhibiting significantly higher levels of hostility and SA compared to heterosexual counterparts. When evaluating gender, men demonstrated higher levels of substance abuse severity than other gender categories, and non-binary individuals demonstrated higher levels of hostility than controls.

This study examines how the combination of time in nature, life satisfaction, and total emotion influence spirituality, guided by Attention Restoration Theory. Spirituality is the connection within ourselves and beyond ourselves. Examining spirituality offers a deeper understanding of how meaning and connection influence emotion and life satisfaction. Time spent in nature is measured as length of contact with plants ranging from a well-kept garden to an unkempt forest. Total emotion refers to consciously accessible positive or negative feelings. Life satisfaction represents an evaluative judgment of individual quality of life, tested through empirically supported predictors from Diener's Satisfaction with Life Scale. These various constructs were examined through the lens of the Attention Restoration Theory, which states that time spent in nature will replenish cognitive and emotional systems leading to greater calmness, focus, and openness to reflection. A nature walk route was designed around the Brigham Young University campus for this study. A convenience sample (n=148) was drawn from college students, local residents, and campus visitors. Participants answered time-stamped pre- and post-nature walk surveys assessing life satisfaction, total emotion, and spirituality. Spirituality and life satisfaction were calculated using the difference between the pre- and post- survey results. Total emotion was reported using the pre-survey results of both positive and negative emotion. Based on survey results, higher levels of spirituality were reported by participants with higher baseline positive emotion (β= 0.49, t= 6.26, p< 0.05) and higher baseline negative emotion (β= 0.11, t= 1.18, p< 0.05). Participants with a higher life satisfaction score reported increased spirituality after the walk (β= 0.19, t= 2.25, p< 0.05). 40% of the variance within spirituality can be explained by higher life satisfaction and higher positive emotion (R2= 0.395). Time spent in nature did not have a significant effect on spirituality. These findings suggest that individuals with a higher life satisfaction score report higher levels of spirituality. Higher total emotion is linked to higher spirituality levels. Therefore, the contribution of this study demonstrated that spirituality was influenced by life satisfaction and emotion. Because the method used to measure time spent in nature did not produce significant results, future studies could explore the quality of time spent in nature (e.g. mindfulness, focus) and motivations for spending time outside.

Contemporary research in psychological science focuses on strengths and thriving relative to a history in the field of focusing on deficits and pathology. Recent research (Dahlsgaard et al, 2005; Ruch & Proyer, 2015) has explored assets in development, character in terms of core human virtues (i.e., courage, justice, humanity, temperance, wisdom, and transcendence), and the character role models (CRMs) that young people admire as models of how to be a good person. The little research specifically on CRMs (Johnson et al. 2016) reveals that early adolescents typically select a known person (parent, teacher) as someone they admire and seek to emulate, and they report high emotional closeness and socialization value for these familial models. Hammond et al. (2024) found that middle adolescents (Mage=14.09 years) identify a variety of famous CRMs and refer to character attributes as reasons for admiration. But amidst "cancel culture" and claims that "the age of heroes is over" (Livni, 2018) and that"celebrities are ruining our lives" (Casserly, 2011), who do emerging adults admire that they do not personally know? The current study addressed this question in a slightly older emerging adult sample, and explored the virtues of those models. A sample of 75 young adults (18-25-years-old) were asked to name a person "they do not know personally or have not met but still look up to as examples of how to be a good person" and to explain why they chose that person (i.e., "what makes them a good person?&"). While coding and analyses of the nominations and explanations are currently underway, preliminary data suggest that most participants (~86%) named a CRM they do not personally know, and these CRMs are typically entertainers (e.g., Taylor Swift), historical figures (e.g., Princess Diana), religious figures (e.g., Jesus Christ), and internet/reality celebrities (e.g., podcasters) as CRMs. Despite the fascinating variety of CRMs nominated as models of how to be a good person, the CRM explanations center on the core virtues, most commonly the virtues of humanity (e.g., kindness), courage (e.g., authenticity), and wisdom (e.g., creativity). Findings from this study will cast light on the virtues that young adults admire and seek to emulate in their character role models whom they do not personally know, and may inform future research on the relative influence of such models on adolescent and adult development.

Salt Lake County serves as a case study and microcosm of the systematic function of gentrification and geographic resource partitions. This is perpetual and co-occurring phenomenon where the character of a community network changes (e.g. demographic shifts, aesthetic shifts, and business shifts) due to a lack of development alongside superficial restructuring. Despite the appearances of development by the process of resource mirages, existing inequalities in the infrastructure of the Salt Lake Valley are significant. For instance, there is a 9-year difference in lifespan between people living on the east and west side of Salt Lake City due to a variety of factors including food deserts, air pollution, proximity to industrial manufacturing, business deficits, historic wealth gaps, toxic waste facilities, and healthcare inaccessibility. These factors have routinely been shown to contribute to higher rates of diabetes, asthma, obesity, and a myriad of other chronic health conditions that negatively impact life expectancy. The accumulation of discrimination, stigma, and prejudice contributes to existing health disparities, and is only exacerbated by an inaccurate representation of resources available, such as with physical and mental health resource mirages. Minority stress' function as both a result and reinforcement of resource mirages, highlighting the need to examine minority stress interventions and effectively inform the larger issue. The authors suggest, and discuss why/how in this presentation, that historically informed systems mapping, guided by minority-stress models on the subjective, inter-subjective, and societal levels are imperative in designing and proposing effective interventions. These interventions in turn are expected to help circumvent the mirages and illusions of prosperity that are imposed as a result of sociologically rooted structures that underlie capitalist, racialized, and religious paradigms.

As generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) continues to integrate into higher education, understanding student perceptions of its use and ethical implications has become increasingly important. This mixed-methods research project explored Weber State University students' perceptions and concerns about the use of generative AI (like ChatGPT) in academic environments. After obtaining Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, the study used network sampling to gather 217 participants (average age 23.81; 70.5% women, 24% male, 4.6% nonbinary), all of whom were 18 or older and currently enrolled at Weber State University. The quantitative survey primarily used Likert-type scale questions based on established measures, including those from Kanont, et al. (2024) and Chan & Hu (2023), to assess students' perceived ease of use, expected benefits, knowledge of limitations, personal use, and ethical views regarding generative AI tools. Our quantitative findings revealed notable demographic differences. We found that freshmen were significantly more familiar with GenAI tools than seniors, challenging the assumption that students with greater experience are more tech-savvy. We also discovered that a student's course load didn't affect their comfort with AI—students taking 12+ credits felt the same as those taking fewer. Most notably, male students were much more likely than female and nonbinary students to view AI as beneficial for their learning, highlighting a clear gender gap in perception. When we looked at the qualitative data (drawn from 78 open-ended responses to the question "What are the main concerns you have about generative AI tools/technologies and how might they be used in higher education?", a clearer picture of student worries emerged. Students weren't just focused on grades; they were deeply concerned about ethics and their own learning. Their main concerns centered on five themes: cheating and academic integrity, overreliance on AI, copyright and fairness issues, the spread of misinformation, and fears of being wrongly accused of using AI. Pulling both parts of the study together, it's clear that while students have different levels of familiarity and optimism about AI based on their year and gender, they share a common set of ethical and educational concerns. The main takeaway is that universities can't just provide the technology; they need to foster open dialogue, establish clear ethical guidelines, and ensure that AI is used as a tool to support—not replace—the hard work of learning.

The drug acetazolamide (ACZ) inhibits carbonic anhydrase II (CAII), a human enzyme drug binding site related to cerebrospinal and respiratory illnesses, and performs weak inhibition of A. fumigatus chitinase A1 (AfChiA1), an antifungal drug binding site for Aspergillus fumigatus or black mold. The purpose of this study is to find a safe analog drug of ACZ which exhibits increased binding strength to CAII and AfChiA1 binding sites. ACZ analogs will be designed using ChemSketch software, docked as CAII and AfChiA1 ligands using Schrödinger | Maestro software, and analyzed for binding and ADMET properties using various online drug data bank resources. Resulting analogs will be ranked by their theoretical half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values, docking scores, lipophilicity (L.L.E), ligand efficiency (L.E.) and ADMET features. The drug analog of best fit and binding strength should be investigated and developed as a treatment for CAII and AfChiA1 related illnesses.

Excessive neuroinflammation is present in most brain related diseases such as Alzheimer's and Dementia and is caused by the Cys-Lys1 and GPR17 proteins within the brain. Montelukast is an asthma medication that has shown to inhibit the Cys-Lys1 receptor and decrease neuroinflammation. This research examines the modification of Montelukast in order to better bind to the Cys-Lys1 receptor. This was done by modifying the structure of Montelukast to better increase the Brain Blood Barrier permeability and by examining the ADMET score of the modified Montelukast. Additionally, the glide scores were found and recorded to find the binding of the modified Montelukast compared to the original. The results will be discussed later on. By modifying Montelukast to better bind to the Cys-Lys1 receptor it will help inhibit the production of neuroinflammation.

Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries (MTBIs), with concussions being the most common form, constitute a growing public health concern due to the high incidence of prolonged post- concussion syndrome (PCS). PCS is characterized by persistent symptoms like headaches, dizziness, and mood changes. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), a non-invasive treatment utilizing red and near-infrared light, triggers photophysical and photochemical events known to yield beneficial biological effects. PBMT has demonstrated therapeutic potential in managing TBI and PCS symptoms. The Wellness Center in South Ogden has utilized a full-body PBMT protocol, yielding encouraging results in mitigating concussion symptoms based on participant survey data. This work aims to objectively validate these positive clinical outcomes by investigating the correlation between PBMT and changes in salivary biomarkers associated with concussions. Participants provide saliva samples post-PBMT sessions, which are subsequently analyzed for established concussion-related biomarkers. Successful identification of biomarker modulation will provide mechanistic and objective support to complement the participant- reported survey data, thereby establishing a stronger evidence base for PBMT as a non-invasive treatment for PCS.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) affect 50% of women in their lifetime, highlighting the need for non-antibiotic prevention strategies. This study investigates the potential of D-mannose to prevent UTIs caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus saprophyticus (S. saprophyticus). The primary proposed mechanism involves D-mannose binding to the FimH protein on E. coli to inhibit bacterial adhesion. In silico, molecular docking was used to evaluate the binding affinity of D-mannose and several modified analogs to the FimH active site. Molecular docking was also performed to identify and test potential binding targets on S. saprophyticus, for which the adhesion mechanism is unconfirmed. Furthermore, the ADMET properties were assessed for the D-mannose analogs to predict their suitability as effective therapeutics. This work underscores the critical need for a deeper understanding of the mechanisms and therapeutics required to prevent common infections.

The objective of this project was to determine the concentrations of heavy and "nutritional" metals in cacao-based beverages using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The heavy metals analyzed were lead and cadmium, while the "nutritional" metals copper, zinc, and magnesium were included because of their importance in metabolic processes. Previous studies showed elevated levels of heavy metals in the shell of cocoa beans. The heavy metal concentrations are also heavily influenced by location, as cocoa beans from Guatemala exhibited much higher levels of both cadmium and lead compared to beans from Ghana in all constituent parts of the bean. MiCacao and Crio-Bru are popular cocoa teas which are made from the shell and whole ground cocoa beans, respectively. All samples were prepared using microwave digestion and subsequently quantified with a standard addition calibration curve scheme. We predict MiCacao brewed tea will exhibit higher concentrations of lead and cadmium than Crio-Bru because their beans are sourced from Ecuador, while Crio-Bru sources from Ghana and various Latin American countries.