Digital Commons Network^™

Understanding Dementia Friendly Features Of Public Bathrooms: Dementia-Friendly Bathroom Design Explored + Checklist, Sarah Stegge, Elsie Aslesen, Gowri Betrabet Gulwadi, Denell Henninger, Janice Blevins

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

Our Study Objectives:

• Identifying Dementia-Friendly Public Restrooms Elements
• Creating a Checklist of Features

Beyond The Sitcom: An Examination Of Grief In Wandavision, Victoria Sweeney

Research Days

Television shows are often a medium people turn to for relaxation. However, on rare occasions, certain shows can take on deeper meaning and symbolism. WandaVision, though rooted in superhero media, is one such show that transcends its genre. While television often serves as an escape from reality, the context of the COVID-19 pandemic heightened the show's nostalgic presentation, resonating with viewers on a more profound level. Throughout the series, viewers witness Wanda Maximoff's journey through the stages of grief. As a result, many viewers can relate to her experience, finding their own sense of healing as they progress through these …

Undergraduate Research Institute Discovery 2025: Research Abstracts Booklet, Undergraduate Research Institute

Discovery Day - Prescott

No abstract provided.

Identifying Compensatory Mutations In The Envelope Protein Of Japanese Encephalitis Virus That Restore Neurovirulence, Nathan Taylor, Jiyoun Kim

Student Research Symposium

• Japanese Encephalitis Virus (JEV) is a positive sense, single stranded Enveloped virus

The High Cost Of Substance Use Disorder And Recidivism, Paula Hogg

Student Research Symposium

What policy changes can the Idaho State Criminal Justice System implement to address problems of high incarceration and recidivism rates for individuals with substance use disorder?

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?

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).

Immigration, Almendra Ramirez, Leslie Villagomez

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

Immigration issues are a prominent topic in the United States. The United States is known for freedom and better living conditions. In the United States there are about 50.6 million immigrants, making up about 15% of the total population. However, an estimated 10.5 million individuals are paying the most in taxes and they help with agriculture, the immigration policy which brings fear and high risk of families being separated. The path to residency is long and difficult, especially for those seeking immediate improvements in their lives. Therefore this research seeks to bring awareness and educate the American public on this …

Prison Environment And Conditions Affect Recidivism Rates — Norway And South Africa, Hayes Breitbach, Abby Horstmann, Gus Beirman

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

Harsh prison conditions and lack of rehabilitation and reintegration programs in South African prisons reflect the high recidivism rates in the country. South African prisoners are subject to inhumane conditions such as overcrowding and health concerns, violations of human rights, and are stripped of their dignity. Paired with social stigma against those who have been incarcerated, these inhumane conditions lead to poor reintegration and higher recidivism rates. This research project advocates for prison reform focusing on rehabilitation, reintegration, and improved facility conditions. There are multiple examples of competent and humane prisons in the world, such as Norway’s correctional institutions, which …

The Impact Of Human Trafficking, Jenna Diprima, Eboni Patterson, Gabriela Meza

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

Human trafficking is a crime that has been documented since the 1500s and continues to be a significant issue, reaching unprecedented levels today. Human trafficking is an act in which an individual coerces/compels another and forces them to provide services for financial gain. Victims often come from connections with people they trust. In 2023, it was monitored that 348 people in the US were victims of human trafficking, 316 of 348 victims were children. Worldwide, however, this number is much higher standing at 49.6 million with Guatemala taking up a significant chunk as it has been estimated that 24.9 million …

Food Insecurity In The Philippines, Hannah Dennis, Kassidy Lake, Esther Van Horn

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

Overconsumption and food waste in the United States have a major impact on food insecurity globally, including in the Philippines, due to the dependency of food production from these countries. The Philippines is a country currently devastated by food insecurity, leading to malnutrition and poverty because individuals are unable to meet their basic nutritional and economic needs. Currently, 44.7% of the population in the Philippines faces moderate to severe food insecurity, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, while the U.S. Department of Agriculture states that food waste is estimated at between 30-40 percent of the …

Bending But Not Breaking: An Investigation Of The Relationship Between Psychological Flexibility And Suicidality In Individuals With Chronic Pain, Adalyn Mcmurray, Dr. Michael Bordieri, Phd

Scholars Week

Chronic pain is a burdensome condition that has been found to be associated with increased suicide risk, yet the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain unclear (Domenichiello & Ramsden, 2019). The present study aimed to examine the role of pain interference and psychological inflexibility in predicting past two-week suicidal thoughts among individuals with chronic pain, with psychological inflexibility explored as a potential moderator. This study also sought to replicate and extend McCracken et al. (2018) and enhance the understanding of suicidality in chronic pain populations by using the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory (Rolffs et al., 2018b), a more psychometrically sound measure …

Publicly Available Online Data From National Adverse Event Reporting Schemes: Observations On Cases Involving ‘Ashwagandha’, Jo Barnes

Oxford ICSB

No abstract provided.

Attitudes & Beliefs About Homelessness In Cache County, Rachel Didericksen, Brynlee Wright, Bailee Allred, Natalie Rust

Student Research Symposium

The rise in homelessness at the local level calls for community member engagement in solution-building. In order to inform policy and funding decisions, it is important that we understand what perceptions community members have regarding persons experiencing homelessness (PEH), perceptions of gaps in resources, and the degree of support for expanding resources.

Does Peer Influence Impact Substance Use Intentions In Pre-Adolescence? A Longitudinal Examination, Aubrey Low

Student Research Symposium

• Substance use in adolescent populations remains a significant public health concern. Although many studies have explored the association between peer influence and adolescents' substance use intentions, little has focused on how pre-adolescent populations are impacted by peer influence and their susceptibility to substance use. This gap in knowledge presents to be concerning given the increased vulnerability to social pressures during this developmental stage. This study aims to close this gap by investigating the association of the role of peer influence in shaping pre-adolescents' intent to use substances.

Designing For Everyone: The Impact Of Ada In Interior Design, Mimi Miyazawa

Student Research Symposium

In interior design, everyone is considered in the design process to ensure each place is safe, functional, and comfortable. ADA (American Disability Act) is always used in public buildings and is considered for individuals and families in residential buildings. Interior designers ensure places can be usable. This also helps companies prevent lawsuits and become more friendly, allowing people to trust and feel welcome.

Effects Of The Built Environment On Intergenerational Interaction, Hyrum Worth

Student Research Symposium

What are the effects of intergenerational interaction? Who do they impact, and how?

Motivations For Engaging In Act Guide: An Online Digital Mental Health Intervention, Willa Freeman, Danny Cottle

Student Research Symposium

Mental Health in the United States

• 24% of Americans, 60 million, experienced a mental health concern in the past year (Reinert et al., 2024).
• In 2024, 1 in 4 adults with continuous mental distress could not see a doctor due to cost (Reinert et al., 2024).
• Online programs can help provide resources to improve quality of life that are cost-effective and easily accessible

How Does Social Media Influence The Self-Perceived Well-Being Of Rural Residents?, Danalee Welch-O'Donnal

Student Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Barriers To Seeking Help, Randall Haws

Student Research Symposium

• One of the major barriers to completion of an academic degree is completing the mathematics or statistics requirement
• Studies indicate that college mathematics course have the highest rates of withdrawal and failure of any category of college courses
• Research indicates failure or withdrawal from a college course has a significant impact on the resilience and persistence in college

Examining Cultural Competency In Audiologists Across The United States: A Pilot Survey, Olivia Montoya

Student Research Symposium

• Cultural competency refers to the ability of systems to provide care to patients with diverse values, beliefs, and behaviors, including tailoring delivery to meet patients' social, cultural, and linguistic needs (Betancourt, 2002).

• Limited studies to date have explored the implementation of cultural competence in audiology, which begs the question of how audiologists are fighting against—instead of contributing to—healthcare disparities among ethnic minorities.

Ashwagandha – Is It Safe? A Toxicologist’S Perspective, Mukesh Summan

Oxford ICSB

Withania somnifera (WS) also known as ashwagandha is a herb commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine with recorded use dating back centuries. Different plant parts including roots, leaves, fruits, seeds and stems are purported to have various biological actions such as anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-stress, anti-anxiety when used alone or in combination with other plants. Despite this long history of use as a traditional herb in Indian medicine and world-wide as a food supplement, regulatory health authorities have begun to question the safety of WS due clinical cases of herb-induced liver injury from products labelled as containing ashwagandha and concerns for WS …

Utah's Farm To Fork Landscape: Stakeholders' Perspectives On Root Causes And Potential Solutions, Utsav Bhandari

Student Research Symposium

• Farm to Fork encourages direct connection between producers and consumers reducing the intermediaries (i.e., schools, pre-schools, daycare centers, etc.)
• Empowers local producers, boosts the local economy, enhances physical and mental well-being, and promotes self-sufficiency
• Utah's Farm to Fork Task Force was formed in 2015

Housing Attainability In The Bear River Area, Peyton Reynolds

Student Research Symposium

Utahns are experiencing numerous challenges related to affording, securing, and maintaining housing.

Women's Suffrage In The Cedar Valley: Professionalism And Women's Activism At The Iowa State Teachers College, 1860-1920, Amber Hoodjer

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

This presentation is titled “Women’s Suffrage in the Cedar Valley: Professionalism and Women’s Activism at the Iowa State Teachers College, 1876-1920” because in it, I will discuss the culture on the ISTC campus, attitudes towards suffrage, and how ISTC’s activism was connected to the larger community.

Ectoparasite Fauna Of Imported Ornamental Fishes In Oman, Gilha Yoon

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences

The movement of live aquatic animals crossing international borders is a regular activity for economic, social, and public resource development. A survey was carried out to investigate the prevalence of parasites translocated with imported ornamental fishes. Exotic diseases from imported fish have a potential hazard of biosecurity. A sample of 138 imported ornamental fish originating from Thailand and Sri Lanka were collected from pet shops around Muscat governorate and examined for ectoparasites. Parasitological examination was based on a visual macro and microscopic examination of fish’s exterior. The findings of the current survey of imported ornamental fish revealed that 50.72% of …

Sustainable Development In Oman Fisheries Industry: Status And Potential Of Fishing Companies, Ashraf Mishrif

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences

Our study examines the condition of sustainable development in Omani fisheries industry, with specific focus on the extent to which the fishing companies practice sustainable fishing that meets the objective of food security. We also detect, characterize, and analyze the compliance of the fishing companies with the principles of social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Using 55 completed questionnaires of 70 surveyed operating fishing companies, a multivariate general linear model was used to determine the impact of economic and environmental factors on achieving sustainability, and domestic demand of fisheries sector in Oman. Our results revealed that more than 63% of companies …

Assessing Food Safety Practices In The Era Of Covid-19: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Of Restaurant, Retail, And Hotel Sectors In Muscat Governorate, Oman, Mohammed Al-Khusaibi

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences

This study evaluated the adherence of food retailers, restaurants and hotels in Muscat Governorate to the precautionary measures to control the spread of COVID-19. This study found that only 18% of hotels implemented a Food System Management System (FSMS) while no restaurant or retailer implemented any FSMS. The majority of food retailers (89%) and restaurants (96%) did not conduct COVID-19 measures assessment while the assessment was conducted by 53% of caterers. All caterers assessed visitors/suppliers on COVID-19 symptoms and 94% of them kept details in a record book, followed by 96 and 76 %, respectively in retailers and restaurants. Safety …

Screening Of Probiotics From Indigenous Omani Natural Products For Potential Use In The Aquaculture Industry, Gilha Yoon

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences

Probiotics can enhance the growth performance and disease resistance of aquatic animals. Probiotics can influence digestive physiology through the secretion of exogenous digestive enzymes, facilitating the utilization of nutrients, and resulting in improvements in growth performance. The objectives of the present study were to reduce fish diseases, minimize the usage of antibiotics, and promote national policy on aquatic health management in Oman through enhancing immune stimulation mechanisms with probiotics from indigenous Omani products and finally to promote Oman’s aquaculture industry. Thirty-five kinds of edible products were screened. After the primary screening process, only 3 products contained appropriate amounts of probiotics, …

Wild Olive In Oman And Its Conservation A Review, Thuraiya Al-Jabri, Alastair Culham, Richard Ellis

Journal of Agricultural and Marine Sciences

The wild olive, Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata (Wall. & G.Don) Cif is one of the three dominant species of the common tree exits in the ecosystem of the mountains of northern and southern Oman. There are insufficient studies about the use, ecology and preservation of this species in Oman. The mountain ecosystem habitation is highly sensitive to disturbances and not easy to rehabilitate. These disturbances are caused by range of anthropogenic effects, such as urbanisation, climate change, overgrazing, introducing non-native species, as well as naturally occurring insects pests and diseases. Introduction of cultivated olive orchards (Olea europaea L. subsp. europaea) …