Digital Commons Network^™

Connections Around The Globe: Duolingo's Unique Approach To Expanding Its Target Audience Through K-Pop, Savanna Seal

Student Research Symposium

In the contemporary marketing landscape, brands must forge genuine connections with their target audiences to cultivate engagement and loyalty.

Ion-Induced Electron Yield Database Development Through Data Mining For Exploratory Data Analysis And Predictive Analytics, Trace Taylor

Student Research Symposium

• What is ion yield and what affects it?

• Why create a database?

• Status of the database

• Ion yield data comparisons

• Conclusions

• Future work

How Has Lgbtq+ Representation In Media Influenced The Perceptions And Identities Among Both Lgbtq+ And Non-Lgbtq+ Individuals Ages 18-24?, Miki Beckstrom

Student Research Symposium

The modern era has allowed for a new age of storytelling. As our society continues to diversify, the question we must ask ourselves, how is the media we consume reflective of our society? Internet discourse surrounding representation of race, sexuality, and gender have continued to infiltrate our community and be a topic of contention. This study hopes to explore both the positive and adverse effects that LGBTQ+ representation in media can have.

Slam Dunks And Social Media: The Rise Of Usu Men's Basketball On The Court And Online, Isabel Howell

Student Research Symposium

Branding is everything in the world of sports. A large part of a team’s success comes from their branding, and an essential part of that is social media. The USU men’s basketball team has had an eventful and memorable season, but that’s not just due to their success on the court. The Aggies have been very active on social media, engaging students, fans and viewers across the country. Since January, the team’s Instagram handle has shared hundreds of different posts, from post-game highlights, event and game promotion, and behind-the-scenes of the beloved players. This research dives into some of the …

2017 Seasonal Variation Of Atmospheric Gravity Waves Above Rothera Station, Antarctica, Elijah Kroeber, Zhao Yucheng, Pautet Dominique, Taylor Michael

Student Research Symposium

As a part of the international Antarctic Gravity Wave Instrument Network (ANGWIN), Utah State University operates an infrared (IR) all-sky imager at the British Rothera Station in Antarctica (67°34’S, 68°07’W) which observes several hydroxyl (OH) emission bands.

Impact Of Social Media On Interpersonal Communication Skills, Kenadie Jackson

Student Research Symposium

There is fear of social media enhancing a communications crutch which allows space to withdraw from important social cues and interactions.

Effects Of Self-Control Variables On Nicotine Vaping In A Pre-Clinical Model, Lucy Scribner

Student Research Symposium

Tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and nicotine compounds in tobacco products perpetuate this issue (Reitsma et al., 2021; United States Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 2014). Although nicotine use began to decline along with the use of cigarettes, nicotine consumption has started to increase dramatically since the introduction of electronic cigarettes and vaping.

Seed Dormancy In Blue Elderberry (Sambucus Cerulea), Stephanie Spencer

Student Research Symposium

• Health benefits: cold remedy, antioxidants, anti- inflammatory (Ulbricht et al., 2014)

• Food uses: wines, syrups, jams, drinks, and vitamin supplements (Cai et al., 2024)

• Increasing interest: from 6.9% to 41.2% of survey respondents between 2011 and 2022 (Cai et al., 2024)

Reliability Of Novel Morphological Features Of The Auditory Brainstem Response, Marlana Petersen

Student Research Symposium

Pure-tone audiometry can detect hearing loss but does not determine specific site-of-lesion. It is not sensitive to many disorders, especially neural disorders that impact hearing

Using Graphic Novels To Teach Multilingual Learner (Ml) Students, Henry Baker

Student Research Symposium

Why Graphic Novels?

Graphic novels offer an appealing way for ML students to analyze

- literary conventions

- character development

- dialogue

- Satire

- language structures as well as developing the students’ writing and research skills

Flow Characterization Past ​ Large Arrays Of Oscillating 2d Airfoils, Yi-Cheng Chen

Student Research Symposium

Oscillating or rotating array structures at distinct frequencies are prevalent in natural systems and engineering applications.

• Flow Control in Engineering Systems:

Arrays of vibrating plates can be used to manipulate free-shear and boundary layer flows, reduce drag, or delay flow separation in aerodynamics and hydrodynamics.

• Wave Mitigation Structures:

Arrays of oscillating structures may dissipate energy in coastal areas, reducing the impact of waves on structures or preventing erosion

• Biological Studies:

Simulations of synchronized oscillating arrays can provide insights into fish schooling behavior and hydrodynamic benefits in nature.

• Advanced Cooling Systems:

Oscillating plates in fluid environments …

Atomic-Scale Mechanisms Of The Insulator-To-Conductor Transition In Al-Substituted Llzo Solid Electrolytes For All-Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries, Takmil Sakir

Student Research Symposium

Why to use Lithium Metal Anode and Solid Electrolyte:

We can have a lighter and safer battery, and we may go 10 times longer with a single charge!

Gravity Wave Activity During The 2024 Sudden Stratospheric Warmings Observed By Atmospheric Waves Experiment (Awe), Jiarong Zhang, Yucheng Zhao, Pierre‐Dominique Pautet, Ludger Scherliess, Michael J. Taylor, Hanli Liu

All Physics Faculty Publications

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Atmospheric Waves Experiment (AWE) instrument, launched in November 2023, provides direct observation of small‐scale (30–300 km) gravity waves (GWs) in the mesosphere on a global scale. This work examined changes in GW activity observed by AWE during two major Sudden Stratospheric Warmings (SSWs) in the 2023 and 2024 winter season. Northern Hemisphere (NH) midlatitude GW activity during these events shared similarities. Variations in mesospheric GW activity showed an evident correlation with the magnitude of zonal wind in the upper stratosphere. NH midlatitude GW activity at ∼87 km was reduced following the onset of …

From Precedent To Progress: Lgbtq+ Discrimination In The Legal Field, Creed Jones

Student Research Symposium

Does sexual orientation influence the probability of attaining partnership in law firms, as measured through quantitative and qualitative survey data on experiences of discrimination and professional advancement?

"Everyone Watches Womens Sports", Promoting Inclusion And Raising Awareness Through Social Media, Katelyn Bytheway

Student Research Symposium

The "Everyone Watches Women's Sports" campaign is an initiative by TOGETHXER, a media and commerce company founded by athletes Alex Morgan, Chloe Kim, Simone Manuel, and Sue Bird. Launched in December 2023, the campaign aims to elevate the visibility and support of women's sports.

Opposition And Expression, Isabelle Johansen

Student Research Symposium

In a culture driven by speed, efficiency, and disposability, tradition has become a quiet act of rebellion. Designers are returning to handmade techniques, ancestral knowledge, and slow processes as a way to reclaim meaning, identity, and sustainability. What was once dismissed as old-fashioned is now powerful again–rooted, radical, and deeply human.

Evaluating Embodied Carbon Emissions Of Post-Seismic Steel Framed Buildings, Nicholas Leavitt

Student Research Symposium

The carbon emissions of earthquake damage repairs is on average 40% of a building's total carbon emissions in 50 years.

The Influence Of Social Media On Journalism: Challenges To Accuracy, Credibility, And News Consumption, Natalee Parry

Student Research Symposium

Social media has reshaped journalism, challenging accuracy, credibility, and public trust in news. This study examines the impact of social media on news consumers and how it affects their trust in news.

Active Wear Meets Industry Leading Hydration Co In Social Media Connection, Lainey Boulton

Student Research Symposium

ACTA Wear has recently teamed up with HydroJug, creating a powerful partnership that brings together two brands dedicated to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. Known for its high-quality, performance-driven activewear, ACTA Wear has found an ideal ally in HydroJug, a brand that focuses on hydration and wellness. This collaboration aims to inspire individuals to take better care of their bodies by integrating fitness, hydration, and the right gear into their daily routines. By joining forces, both brands have united their missions of encouraging healthier habits and offering products that help individuals live their best, most active lives.

Is Modern Day Dating Damaging Our Mental Health?, Kamilla Rayann Stone

Student Research Symposium

In contemporary society, dating has undergone significant transformations, with modern dating practices increasingly influenced by technology, shifting social norms, and evolving expectations. This study seeks to answer the question: Is modern-day dating damaging our mental health? Given the rising concerns about relationship satisfaction, anxiety, and self-esteem in the digital dating era, this research aims to explore the potential psychological implications of modern dating trends.

The Effects Of The Action Rate And Binding Density On Sensitivity In Lateral Flow, Mona Soroush

Student Research Symposium

Lateral Flow Assays (LFAs) offer rapid diagnostics, yet sensitivity remains a critical limitation. This study used a mathematical framework—the Convection-Diffusion-Reaction (CDR) equation—to optimize sensitivity by adjusting parameters such as flow velocity (U), association and dissociation rates (k_on and k_off), and nanoparticle valency. Our simulation results closely matched literature data (Berli & Kler, 2016), demonstrating significant enhancements in sensitivity with optimized parameters.

Spatial Training For Children With Suspected Auditory Processing Disorder: A Random Control Trial, Taylor Delao

Student Research Symposium

Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), defined here as a deficit in the way sounds are analyzed by the brain, has remained a controversial topic within audiology for decades.

Student-Made Reels And Real-Time News Drive Engagement Up To 5x Higher Than The Norm, Sicily Clay, Shelby Black

Student Research Symposium

Social media plays a crucial role in connecting The Utah Statesman with the Utah State University community, making Instagram a key platform for news and engagement.

Fiber Bundles Of The Complex Projective Space And Their Relation To Quantum Physics, Emily Wessman

Student Research Symposium

The complex projective space CPⁿ is the space of lines through the origin in Cⁿ⁺¹ with an equivalence relation defined by Z ~ λZ' for λ ∈ C*. We define the points under the equivalence relation as homogeneous coordinates, represented by [Z₀ : Z₁ : ... Z_n]. Since all Z,sub>i cannot equal zero, we can find a unique set of n coordinates (z₁,...,z_n) such that [Z₀ : Z₁ : ... : Z_n] ~ [1 : z₁ : ... : z_n] where z …

The Effects Of Different Types Of Fertilizer On The Growth Of Pseudomonas Frederiksbergenis, Aspen Curtis, Nadia Greding, Kylie Fluckiger, Samantha Clements

Student Research Symposium

Which fertilizers will promote the growth of the isolate of Pseudomonas frederiksbergensis (P. frederiksbergensis)?

The Digital News Divide: How Social Media Consumption Affects Trust In Utah's Traditional News Outlets, Garrett Wolverton

Student Research Symposium

Social media has changed the way we access, consume, and perceive traditional news media. This research seeks to fill gaps in local research by examining the potential correlation between social media use and the trust and credibility afforded to Utah's mainstream news outlets.

Duolingo: Language Learning App Turns Viral Sensation, Emma Olsen

Student Research Symposium

The simple language learning app has found other means of success rather than adds on TV. They have turned to social media.

Duolingo has gained momentum on TikTok by curating creative content leading to over 15 million Followers.

User-Generated Content: The Secret Sauce Behind Apple's #Shotoniphone Campaign, Kaylee Moss

Student Research Symposium

Apple is generating successful user generated content on Instagram, decreasing social media marketing costs. This is a tactic used for many social media campaigns, why is Apple's Successful?

Gendered Rehabilitation: Male And Female Offenders' Experiences In Reintegration, Ellie Hansen

Student Research Symposium

• Gender: Socially constructed roles, behaviors, and expectations assigned to women, men, girls, and boys (World Health Organization).
• Gender specific (responsive) programing: Tailored interventions addressing distinct learning styles, relationship dynamics, and life circumstances of men and women (The Oregon Intermediate Sanctions for Female Offenders Policy Group 1995).
• Recidivism: Relapse into criminal behavior after sanctions or interventions (NIJ).
• Reentry: The inevitable consequence of incarceration (Visher 2015).
• Rehabilitation: Programs reducing crime by addressing root causes and improving reintegration outcomes (NIJ).
• Reintegration: Reconnecting individuals with societal institutions as both a process and goal (Visher 2015).

The Correlation Between Mental Health And Electronic Media Usage In Adults, Thea Lefave

Student Research Symposium

How does an adult's electronic media usage impact their levels of anxiety and depression and overall emotional well-being?