Digital Commons Network^™

Processes Of Change In Online Acceptance And Commitment Therapy For Hoarding, Jennifer Krafft, Julie M. Petersen, Clarissa W. Ong, Michael P. Twohig, Michael E. Levin

Psychology Faculty Publications

Initial research suggests that acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) is efficacious in treating hoarding problems, but processes of change in ACT for hoarding are unclear. Thus, we investigated potential mediators and moderators in a randomized waitlist-controlled trial (n = 73) of web-based ACT for U.S. adults with clinically significant hoarding problems. Hoarding severity was significantly correlated with hoarding-related psychological inflexibility (r = 0.52, p < .01), mindful awareness (r = −0.40, p < .01), and beliefs that people with hoarding disorder are different from others (r = 0.31, p < .01). Effects of ACT were not significantly moderated by age, gender, or baseline hoarding-related psychological inflexibility. Longitudinal mediation analyses did not support mediation by hypothesized processes. However, the effect of condition on hoarding severity at follow-up was significantly mediated by hoarding-related psychological inflexibility at follow-up (ab = −0.41 [95% CI: 0.85, −0.01]), and change in hoarding-related psychological inflexibility (r = 0.73, p < .01) and mindful awareness (r = −0.69, p < .01) was correlated with change in hoarding symptoms over time. Overall, our results suggest that psychological inflexibility, self-stigma, and mindful awareness are indeed related to hoarding symptoms, but we cannot conclude that they underly the effects of ACT for hoarding. Limitations include a predominantly White and female sample.

Effects Of Pornography On Relationships, Naomi Brower

All Current Publications

Pornography is not a new issue in relationships; however, the expansion of the Internet appears to have increased pornography viewing and exacerbated pre-existing tendencies. This fact sheet reviews some of the impacts of pornography on partner relationships and provide steps toward healing a relationship hurt by pornography.

Progress Report On The Effect Of Introducing Biological And Environmental Discipline-Themed Problems In Engineering Mechanics Statics On Students’ Self-Efficacy And Perceived Value Of The Course, Yemisi Oyewola

Student Research Symposium

This study extends the previous research which examined the effect of introducing biological and environmental discipline-themed problems in Engineering Mechanics Statics on students’ Self-Efficacy (SE) and perceived value (PV) of the course. The previous research was carried out using pooled data from 133 participants over 3 semesters. Additional data from 126 participants were collected over the next two semesters making it a total of 262 participants. The result from the previous study showed a statistically significant increase in the perceived value of the students even though their self-efficacy did not significantly change. However, despite an increased sample size, the result …

Bullying In Sport Harms Athletes Mentally And Physically And Impairs Their Performance, Jessica Hamilton

Student Research Symposium

While bullying in sporting contexts is thought to be highly prevalent (Parent & Fortier, 2018), it is understudied and not well-defined within the sport psychology literature. Bullying is defined in the general peer aggression literature as repeated, intentional harm of a person across an interpersonal relationship with an asymmetric power balance (Olweus, 1994) and often occurs across peers. Furthermore, the literature highlights how bullying in academic settings is associated with detrimental outcomes, such as depression, anxiety, suicidality, and substance abuse (Armitage, 2021), so the effects that bullying in sport might have on victims and perpetrators are of particular interest. The …

Discovery And Characterization Of A Prophage Encoded Anti-Crispr Against The Type Iv-A Crispr System, Andrew Williams

Student Research Symposium

CRISPR Systems are adaptive immune systems in bacteria used to defend against mobile genetic elements such as bacteriophages, or bacterial viruses, and plasmids. They use a protein complexed with a guide RNA to target the protein to a foreign invader and neutralize it by cleaving its genetic information. In order to survive and keep infecting bacteria, bacteriophages likewise have developed machinery used to inhibit CRISPR immunity in the form of anti-CRISPR (Acr) proteins. The type IV-A system is a recently discovered and characterized system by the Jackson lab. It has been shown to defend against plasmids, but further data on …

Does Fiber Reduce Weight Gain And Improve Metabolism?, Sky Jones

Student Research Symposium

Dietary fiber has a large impact on the microbiota composition and metabolic activity via the provision of fermentable substrates, yet, to date, there has been very little attention paid to modeling the fiber composition of rodent diets to that of humans. We propose to use nutrient density, a form of allometric scaling, to formulate metabolically stressful diets with fiber intake levels at the US average (50% AI), the IOM recommended level (100% AI), and a higher level (150% AI). The primary endpoint we focus on in this study is oral glucose tolerance, as high-fiber diets have been shown to prevent …

A Community In Context: Assessing The Needs Of Lgbtq+ Youth And Families In Box Elder County, Utah, Jaylee Cox, Kaitlin Welsh, Maureen Boyle

Student Research Symposium

LGBTQ+ youth experience significant health disparities as a marginalized population yet their service needs are understudied in rural Utah communities. This research project seeks to assess current health and social support services for LGBTQ+ youth and families living in Box Elder County, Utah. This project is coordinated by the Transforming Communities Institute and takes a community-based approach involving the collaborative efforts of community partners, graduate students and their faculty supervisors in the Department of Social Work, and TCI staff. Using the Theory of Change as a framework, the research process started with a community-identified issue followed by developing a context …

The Effectiveness Of Housing First In Improving Mental Health Outcomes Among Homeless Individuals: A Rapid Review, Nya Harper

Student Research Symposium

Objective: The purpose of this study was to review primary research regarding the efficacy of a Housing First (HF) intervention compared to existing treatments for improving mental health outcomes in homeless adults with mental illness.

Methods: A rapid review was conducted from the PubMed database using a predetermined search protocol and inclusion criteria to identify eligible articles.

Results: HF was significantly more effective at helping homeless adults with mental illness become stably housed. HF groups’ subjective measures of mental health were not consistently higher than usual treatment groups.

Conclusion: Evidence supports the efficacy of HF over existing treatments in a …

Chikungunya: The Evaluation Of Compound X In A Mouse Model Of Chikv Disease, Kaitlyn Blotter

Student Research Symposium

Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an infectious alphavirus spread by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Recently, there have been various outbreaks in the Americas, the Caribbean, and across Asia and Africa (Bettis et al., 2022). Although mortality rates of Chikungunya disease are relatively low, the disease has been shown to have high morbidity and chronic effects. Currently, there are no approved antivirals for treatment of CHIKV infection. The goal of this study was to identify whether Compound X is an effective treatment in a mouse model of CHIKV infection. Compound X was active in cell culture models of CHIKV infection, …

Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (Pgpr) From The Native Plant Ceanothus Velutinus Promote Growth In Tall Fescue, Ananta Devkota

Student Research Symposium

Increasing reliance on chemical fertilizers for farming is hazardous to soil health. It may alter the soil’s chemical composition with time and run, making it unfit for our crops. The rhizospheric bacteria associated with the hardy native plants could be important assets for sustainable farming and a substitute for chemical fertilizers. The Intermountain west region of the US possesses several native plant species adapted to its drier climatic condition. Among them is Ceanothus velutinus (Snowbrush), which is not only drought tolerant but also harbors nitrogen-fixing Frankia species. The study was conducted to evaluate the Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on the …

Electric School Buses: Optimal Routing & Partial Charging, Megh Kc

Student Research Symposium

The transportation industry is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The carbon footprint of diesel school buses in the United States is being overlooked despite their significant portion as public transportation. Sense of an urgent need for school bus electrification raises the importance of the effective and efficient operation of school electric buses. However, capital investment, battery range anxiety, charging strategy, and riding time remain significant obstacles to implementing this solution.To address these issues, we have developed a mathematical optimization model that considers the practical constraints of school bus operation and employs a weighted multi-objective function. The model is …

Reducing Impulsive Choice In Female Rats, Joshua Jones, Christine Layne, Sofia Sperber

Student Research Symposium

Early and prolonged exposure to reward delays has been found to be effective in reducing impulsive choice in male Long-Evans rats. Replication in female subjects ensures that this effect is generalizable across the sexes. Such studies also expand our knowledge of factors associated with impulsive control. The present study randomly assigned 12 female Long Evans rats into a delayed exposure group (DE) or an immediate exposure group (IE). Groups completed 120 sessions (80 trials each) of training. In each of these training trials, rats pressed a lever to earn a food reward. For DE rats, food was delayed by 17.5 …

Protein Nutrition And Immunity In Male Bumblebees Of Bombus Impatiens, Carson Stoker

Student Research Symposium

Male bumblebees play a vital but undervalued role in their colonies. They are important to colony reproduction and success despite not emerging until the end of the colony's life cycle. Little research has been conducted on the biology and the role of male bumblebees. Further understanding could lead to heightened colony success in agricultural and environmental conditions. The objectives of this study are to 1) understand the effect of protein nutrition on the melanization responses of male bumblebees, 2) measure gene expression of various immune genes after an immune challenge with different diet conditions, and 3) further scientific knowledge about …

Characteristics Of Future Mobility Devices For Individuals With Paraplegia, Dan O'Crowley

Student Research Symposium

This presentation outlines wheeled exoskeleton development for individuals with paraplegia and my research to develop criteria for designs focused more on independence and social interactions. A summary of past attempts and comparable mobility devices will be outlined with their strengths and weaknesses. Another section will explain the different activities users should be able to complete independently and what features/functions need to be included for the device to have a positive impact on their social interactions. The presentation will cover the journey of a prototype attempting to meet the criteria developed and lessons learned from that experience. A financial summary will …

Ethical Issues With Schizophrenia Research And Treatment, Chloé Brogdon

Student Research Symposium

Schizophrenia is a complex and debilitating mental disorder that affects millions of individuals worldwide. As researchers and practitioners seek to better understand and treat this condition, it is crucial to consider the ethical implications of research and treatment approaches. This project investigated the nature and scope of schizophrenia as an illness in order to delve into ethical issues with current research and treatment approaches. Ethical issues identified and analyzed include issues with informed consent, stigmatization, and access to treatment.

Compound Drug Treatment Of Yellow Fever Virus: Evaluation Of Compound X In The Enhancement Of Favipiravir Potency In A Hamster Model Of Yellow Fever Virus Infection, Hunter Stanger

Student Research Symposium

Yellow fever virus (YFV) has long been a worldwide health concern, and recent outbreaks in South America have resulted in significant mortality. Though there is an effective preventative vaccine, currently there are no antiviral compounds approved to treat those already infected. The nucleoside analog drug favipiravir is shown to significantly improve disease signs but is toxic in effective doses. Compound X has been shown to have synergistic effects with favipiravir by increasing the amounts of active favipiravir (ribosylated favipiravir triphosphate) in cell culture. In this study, we administered suboptimal doses of favipiravir with fixed doses of compound X to determine …

Delayed Autism Diagnosis In Girls Due To Social Masking, Madeline Abram-Moyle

Student Research Symposium

Objective: To determine if camouflaging social and linguistic skills delays autism diagnosis in girls ages 6-18 years old compared to boys of the same age.

Methods: A rapid review from PubMed database to review relevant evidence.

Results: Evidence that social and linguistic camouflaging lead to delayed diagnosis in autistic girls compared to autistic boys is strong, but evidence is lacking that these forms of camouflaging lead to poor mental health in autistic girls ages 6-18.

Conclusion: Diagnostic criteria for autism should be updated to include female behavior and language patterns.

Natural Sugar Substitutes In Sugar Free Ice Cream, Avery Lawes, Cheyenne Davies, Catherine Breitweiser

Student Research Symposium

Artificial sweeteners have become increasingly more popular over the years as good sucrose substitutes but how do these sweeteners affect ice cream? As most of the population is struggling with obesity and diabetes, is there a way to make an ice cream that is both high in nutritional content and tastes good? The purpose of this experiment is to determine the effect on volume, texture, flavor, aftertaste, and meltability when substituting naturally occurring sugar substitutes for liquid Stevia in vanilla ice cream. This was done by mixing 4 different batches of ice cream using different naturally occurring sweeteners (honey, agave, …

Effect Of Ph On Yeast Activation In Leavened Bread, Halle Larson, Gracee Allen, Allison Jones, Hanna Jensen

Student Research Symposium

Bread is a staple in the diet of many different populations around the world, and yeast is an important component of bread making. The amount of yeast fermentation that is achieved has a large impact on the outcome of the bread, most particularly on the final volume and density. The purpose of our research was to determine if pH had an effect on the fermentation process of bakers yeast in bread. We decided to test this by altering the pH of the activation solution used in a basic bread recipe to various pH levels, including basic (9), neutral (7), acidic …

Active Energy Management Of Hybrid Lithium-Ion Batteries For Electric Vehicle Applications, Marium Rasheed

Student Research Symposium

Energy storage systems that incorporate hybrid Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery packs leveraging the energy density and power density characteristics of different Li-ion chemistries have shown promise in reducing weight and volume while improving overall lifetime. A capacitively-coupled architecture, composite hybrid energy storage system (CHESS), has been proposed and demonstrated as a viable design for hybrid energy storage systems that combine energy-dense and power-dense battery packs. However, this architecture requires effective energy balancing among the battery packs to ensure optimal utilization.This work proposes an energy transfer unit (ETU) that consists of modular low-power dc-dc converters configured in a series-input, parallel-output arrangement. This …

Climate Change In South Asia: A Review Of Perceptions, Coping, And Adaptation Strategies, Mufti Nadimul Quamar Ahmed

Student Research Symposium

Climate change is one of the most pressing issues facing the entire planet. It has been found that South Asia is highly susceptible to the negative consequences of climate change, making it one of the most vulnerable regions in the world. In addition, agriculture makes up the majority of this region's economy, which accounts for the vast majority of GDP. A handful of individuals also occupy an area of arable land that is smaller than 0.1 hectares in size. As a result, local people in the South Asian region, particularly farmers, have utilized a variety of coping and adaptation tactics …

Observing The Variations In Peanut Butter Cookies - Replacing All-Purpose Flour To Maximize Protein Intake, Mia Knight, Joy Bruneel, Jessica Mills, Ashley Sorensen

Student Research Symposium

Protein plays a vital role in every human’s life. This macronutrient is essential in the diet for cell formation and repair. Protein powder, a nutritional supplement, is used to help build muscle, repair tissue, and make enzymes and hormones. Protein powder has also been found to help people lose weight and tone their muscles. Since some people have trouble getting enough daily protein, specifically athletes and elderly individuals, this study aims to research and learn the effects of substituting almond flour, whey protein powder, and soy protein powder in place of all-purpose flour to achieve a quality-tasting, protein-packed peanut butter …

The Effect Of Whey Protein On Gluten-Free Rolls, Maeci Armstrong, Lindsay Jarman, Sara Marshall

Student Research Symposium

Growing numbers of people developing celiac disease and gluten intolerances have increased the demand for gluten-free products in the United States. 1 Many gluten-free breads are low in protein and lack the desired texture, volume, and flavor that can be found in most standard wheat bread products. Whey protein has been shown to increase the protein content in bread and mimic gluten in creating a protein network within the dough to produce the desired texture. 1 This experiment aims to determine the effect on texture, moisture, flavor, volume, cell structure, and acceptability when whey protein isolate is added in 4 …

Differences In Pathogenesis-Related Protein Expression And Polyphenolic Compound Accumulation Reveal Insights Into Tomato-Pythium Aphanidermatum Interaction, Seham A. Soliman, Abdulaziz A. Al-Askar, Sherien Sobhy, Marwa A. Samy, Esraa Hamdy, Omaima A. Sharaf, Yiming Su, Said I. Behiry, Ahmed Abdelkhalek

Publications

Plant diseases significantly reduce crop yields, threatening food security and agricultural sustainability. Fungi are the most destructive type of phytopathogen, and they are responsible for major yield losses in some of the most crucial crops grown across the world. In this study, a fungus isolate was detected from infected tomato plants and molecularly identified as Pythium aphanidermatum (GenBank accession number MW725032). This fungus caused damping-off disease and was shown to be pathogenic. Moreover, the expression of five pathogenesis-related genes, namely PR-1, PR-2, PR-3, PR-4, and PR-5, was quantitatively evaluated under the inoculation of tomato with …

Perceptions Of Disabilities Among Native Americans Within The State Of Utah, Erica Ficklin, Melissa Tehee, Sherry Marx, Eduardo Ortiz, Megan E. Golson, Tyus Roanhorse

Psychology Student Research

Currently, little research exists on disabilities among Native American communities and no research exists on how Native Americans perceive disabilities, services currently available, and unmet needs. Understanding these key areas is essential to providing efficacious and culturally relevant care. To address this gap in the literature, we used Indigenous research methodology through sharing circles throughout the state of Utah to listen and amplify the voices of the Native communities. Participants shared how they conceptualize "disability," what they thought of current services, and how they thought the needs of Native persons with disabilities should be addressed. Four major themes emerged in …

Speech Intelligibility Assessment: Predicting "Noncompliant" Listener Behavior, Briggs Kroff

Student Research Symposium

Purpose: When researching speech intelligibility among people with dysarthria, convenience sampling has typically been used to recruit listeners. A new alternative online crowdsourcing method, Mechanical Turk (MTurk), results in ecologically valid results, but outlier results are often removed from the analysis and considered 'noncompliant'. This study aims to examine whether or not there is a relationship between age, gender, speech/language/hearing impairment, and whether someone is 'noncompliant'.Methods: Sixteen speakers, both with and without dysarthria, were recorded while they read prewritten sentences. Research participants found through MTurk then listened to the sentences and transcribed them. They also were asked questions including their …

Social Isolation And Third Place, Katelyn Bauer

Student Research Symposium

Social isolation and human connection are key to human quality of life. This research was undertaken to understand what spaces could help to foster social interaction and connection. Third places, the place between home and work, were found to have significant positive impact on both individuals and communities. The presentation discusses the criteria of third place, examples, benefits, and some causes of loss of third place in modern society.

Quantifying And Managing Anthropogenic And Drought Influences On Instream Temperatures, Abbygael Johnson

Student Research Symposium

The western US is currently experiencing effects of one of the worst droughts in 1200 years. These effects are evident in our rivers, as shown by broad scale reductions in baseflow. This lack of runoff combined with growing demands has resulted in the overallocation of the water contained within our rivers and reservoirs. Water temperature is the key factor in many biological, chemical, and physical processes, making it critical to the health of ecosystems . River temperatures are a function of many factors including weather and tree canopy, but also instream flow volumes and water residence time. When instream flows …

Maximal Isometric And Eccentric Strength Are Associated With Depth And Countermovement Jump Performance, Joonsun Park

Student Research Symposium

PURPOSE: To evaluate for statistical association between lower extremity, multi-joint maximal isometric and eccentric strength and vertical ground reaction force (GRF) measures derived from the performance of the depth jump (DJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ).

METHOD: Twenty-five college aged students performed three effort DJs from a height of 0.3 meters and three maximal effort CMJs. For both the DJ and CMJ trials, 15 measures of jump performance were estimated from time-series GRF data acquired using a tri-axial force platform. Participants then completed assessments of maximal isometric strength (MIS; dominant leg) and maximal eccentric strength (MES). MIS and MES were assessed …

Ketamine Clinics: Designing For Better Patient Outcomes, Erica Evans

Student Research Symposium

Bright Mind Wellness is a state-of-the-art ketamine clinic that offers a spa-like experience for patients seeking treatment for mental health disorders. The clinic's main patient demographic includes individuals suffering from major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety, PTSD, and/or chronic pain. Ketamine has been shown to be an effective treatment for these conditions, and the clinic's design is centered around creating a safe and calming environment for patients to receive their treatments.This presentation aims to explore the therapeutic benefits of ketamine and how it can be used to aid in the treatment of mental health disorders. We will delve into the science …