Digital Commons Network^™

The Effects Of Cognitive Stimulation Of Instagram On Anxiety, Fear Of Missing Out, Memory, And Self-Esteem, Anna Destino

Student Scholar Showcase

With the increasing use of social media in the daily lives of undergraduate college students, it is important to investigate the effects of social media on anxiety level and memory. The current research considered the effect of overstimulation of social media, specifically Instagram, on anxiety level, self-esteem, fear of missing out, and memory. Lillard and Peterson (2011) found that overstimulating children’s televisions shows, such as SpongeBob, negatively impacted children’s impulsive behaviors and attention. Participants were divided into the control (coloring on an Ipad) or experimental (Instagram stimulation) group and after a set of pre-test questions regarding self-esteem and anxiety, participant …

Augmenting Anaerobic Digestion Of Microalgal Biomass, Anna Doloman

Student Research Symposium

Anaerobic digestion of microalgal biomass cannot be achieved without specialized hydrolytic microorganisms. Potentially algalytic bacteria belonging to Citrobacter and Alcaligenes species were isolated from a wastewater lagoon system. A combination of two potentially algalytic bacteria was successfully incorporated into the granular anaerobic consortia. A series of anaerobic cultures were prepared with different microbial combinations to test the methane production from algal biomass collected from a local wastewater treating trickling filter. The anaerobic microbial community mixed with two algalytic bacteria produced 10% more methane when compared to the methane produced by a native granular consortium. The presence of the algalytic bacteria …

The Impact Of Demographic Transition (Elderly Dependency Ratio) On Fiscal Balance, Patrick Nartey

Student Research Symposium

The united states currently is the third populous nation in the world after china and India. This represents about 4.5% of the world's population. the U.S population was estimated at 308.7 million during the 2010 census. The share of the population that is 65 and over keeps rising over the years .Over the last ten years the 65 and over population has jumped from 12.55 to 15%.This paper seeks to find the relationship between the fiscal balance and the demographic variables. Proper understanding of this dynamics enables policy-makers to develop pragmatic projection with regards to government expenditure on some essential …

Robust Structured Group Local Sparse Tracker Using Convolutional Neural Network Features, Mohammadreza Javanmardi

Student Research Symposium

Sparse representation has recently been successfully applied in visual tracking. It utilizes a set of templates to represent target candidates and find the best one with the minimum reconstruction error as the tracking result. In this presentation, we propose a robust deep features-based structured group local sparse tracker, which exploits the convolutional neural network (CNN) features of local patches inside target candidates and represents them by a set of templates in the particle filter framework. To extract the local CNN features, we first set the size of each target candidate to 64 by 64 pixels to contain sufficient object-level information …

Quantifying And Visualizing Agricultural Land Use Rate Of Change Along The Wasatch Front, Utah, Anthony Whaley

Student Research Symposium

Utah is undergoing rapid urban development on land that has traditionally been managed for agriculture. Development is particularly intense along the Wasatch Front and Cache Valley, where 94% of Utah's high value irrigated land is located. According to the Your Utah, Your Future survey, 97% of Utahns envision an increase in agricultural self-sufficiency and support a local food economy. Currently, Utah produces 134% of its protein, 95% of its grain, 26% of its dairy, 3% of its fruit, and 2% of its vegetables. By 2050, it is estimated that those percentages will decrease to 70%, 51%, 14%, 1.5%, and 1.1%, …

3d Procedural Maze & Cave Generation, Jacob Sharp

Student Scholar Showcase

The goal of this project is to generate a maze or cave procedurally so that a player may be able to explore infinitely without a reoccurring pattern. The project also utilizes Virtual Reality (VR); the user will be able to put on a VR Headset and become more immersed in a procedural environment. One of the challenges that needed to be overcome was simple random number generators did not generate natural looking worlds. Introducing VR to the project created the additional challenge of preventing the user from becoming motion sick. These challenges were both addressed through many hours of research …

Autonomous Watercraft Simulation And Programming, Nicholas J. Savino

Student Scholar Showcase

Automation of various modes of transportation is thought to make travel more safe and efficient. Over the past several decades, advances to semi-autonomous and autonomous vehicles have led to advanced autopilot systems on planes and boats, and an increasing popularity of self-driving cars. We predicted the motion of an autonomous vehicle using simulations in Python. The simulation models the motion of a small scale watercraft, which can then be built and programmed using an Arduino Microcontroller. We examined different control methods for a simulated rescue craft to reach a target. We also examined the effects of different factors, such as …

Suicide Prevention In Secondary Schools, Justin Vance

Student Research Symposium

To aid teachers with intense time constraints, the following summary includes the bolded, most important points in the paper Thank you for caring about your students; by doing more than just teaching your content, you will change lives and may save some Teachers are not responsible for student suicide; we carry enough responsibility already Genuine, assertive communication of confidence and support fosters the safe environment needed Improvements to how we view and speak about suicide can help reshape how young people think about it As young men lose what they care about in pursuit of popular disinterest they lose what …

"The Grittiness Of Being Human": Individualizing Sexual Expectations In Adichie's Novels, Madison Vaughn

Student Research Symposium

Critics of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novels identify her as a nationalist author, as representing the voices on the periphery, and as advocating for multiple voices and perspectives. Critics have also largely dismissed sexuality as a factor in her representations and have regarded her graphic descriptions of intimacy as mere entertainment or as a means to provoke criticism. I will argue that Adichie does include many instances of sexual intimacy in her novels, not as an escape from the tough subjects that she details, but to express the effects of public problems on individuals. Ultimately, the complexity of sexuality in her …

Examining The Usability Impact Of Content In Canvas: Html Vs. Pdf, Danni Noyes

Student Research Symposium

The mission statement of Utah State University (USU) includes “serving the public through learning, discovery and engagement.” In order to engage the diverse 27,932 students (Fall 2018 headcount including regional campuses), USU produces accessible content. Although accessible content is available to USU’s students, it is presented as an alternative to the original product rather than as a product itself. Thus, students must seek out this alternative, accessible content in order to engage with it. This pilot study tests theories of universal design as they pertain to accessible content by researching if these theories are true in the context of inaccessible …

Exploiting Wall Street: An Algorithmic Approach To Investing, Sterling Lemon

Student Research Symposium

Technology has advanced dramatically over the years, yet the old investment strategy of "buy and hold" has remained prevalent. While this strategy performed well historically, it serves as a stark contrast to modern investing which, by utilizing machine learning and advanced data analytics, is generating unprecedented returns This research project will demonstrate the strength behind algorithmic investing and how the investment strategy of "buy and hold" will become a thing of the past.

Propulsion Unit Optimization For Small Uas, Cory Goates

Student Research Symposium

Selection of a propulsion system for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) is a complex and iterative process. Attempts have been made to provide effective modelling of propulsion systems. However, due to the discrete nature of the design space, effective optimization tools have yet to be developed. We present an optimizer which presents designers with feasible propulsion systems based on given parameters. This optimizer also allows designers to view trend in the design space and more quickly determine an optimum solution.

An Investigation Of Intraspecific Variation Of Bolboschoenus Maritimus (Alkali Bulrush), Audree Van Valkenburg

Student Research Symposium

Wetlands are unique because although they are highly productive, they are often species poor. Previous research suggests intraspecific genetic variation of traits within species may be driving high functioning. If genetic differences influence functional traits, then this relationship could explain the high functioning of wetland systems despite low species diversity. We examined trait variation among different genotypes of the wetland plant Bolboschoenus martimus (alkali bulrush). We collected rhizomes from wetlands in Montana, Arizona, and Utah and grew 5 genotypes from these various sites in a common garden experiment for 22 weeks. We measured above ground and belowground traits which include …

A Revised Method For Calculating Phytochrome Photo-Equilibrium, Paul Kusuma

Student Research Symposium

Phytochrome is a photoreceptor that provides information to a plant about its environment. Its two interconvertible forms are tuned on (Pfr) or off (Pr) depending on the quality of light. The ratio of active phytochrome to total phytochrome (also known as phytochrome photo-equilibrium or PPE) is predicted by measurements of spectral distribution and weighting factors published by Sager et al. (1988), Gardner and Graceffo (1982), Kelly and Lagarias (1985) or Lagarias et al. (1987). This estimation is often well correlated with plant morphology under a spectral distribution that only changes quantities of far-red. However, it is unreliable when changing ratios …

Addressing Perinatal Mortality, Jamal-Jared Alexander, Sara Margetts, Emily Lowe

Student Research Symposium

Our research presents a proposed public health program which will address and provide activities related to training mental health providers, establish a perinatal-specific mom-baby inpatient treatment unit, and incorporate FDA approved pharmacological treatments alongside standard evidence-based treatment modalities. This evidence-based treatment program will be available near but separate from all inpatient psychiatric treatment facilities (i.e. our target population) as a long-term goal, but our program aims to pilot a program in a single large metropolitan hospital psychiatric ward (i.e. our recipient audience). We will take an innovative approach that requires a local early-adopter to demonstrate its feasibility and value before …

Parenting Classes For Aces Prevention, Melissa Wells

Student Research Symposium

This presentation will be an in progress report of my Spring 2019 URCO grant project Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can impact a person's life dramatically. However, the number one protective factor for preventing negative outcomes of trauma is by having a stable trustworthy adult in a child's life. The purpose of this study is to help local parents in Richmond, UT learn additional effective parenting strategies that support bonding ties and parent success in interacting with their children as well as prevent unnecessary stress in the family. In addition, we are looking for recurring patterns that indicate which parenting strategies …

The Effects Of Framing On Perceptions Of Others, Emily Brown, Ashley Kohinke

Student Scholar Showcase

The purpose of this study was to further research the effects of framing social issues (privilege or discrimination) on racial attitudes and willingness to confront prejudice. In our study, we used two dependent measures, the Race Implicit Attitudes Test (IAT) and the White Privilege Attitudes Scale (WPAS). Participants were separated s into three conditions: framing discrimination (group 1), framing white privilege (group 2) and a control group (group 3). A pretest-posttest design was used to examine if scores on the WPAS and Race IAT would change when participants were given statements framed towards white privilege and discrimination. A control group …

Mathematical Modeling: Lanchester Equations And The Zombie Apocalypse, Hailey Bauer

Student Scholar Showcase

Mathematical models are systems using mathematical concepts to explain various problems. Mathematical models examine realistic issues such as the different outcomes of wars and fictional problems such as the upcoming zombie apocalypse. The original predictor models of warfare were the Lanchester models, while the zombie apocalypse is a fictional expansion upon mathematical models for infectious diseases. In this paper, we examined and compared the basic versions of these dynamic models by analyzing each model’s set of variables, assumptions, and objectives. The basic versions of the Lanchester equations are the area aimed model and the aimed fire model. While the zombie …

The Song That Lives On, Katlyn Miller

KUCC -- Kutztown University Composition Conference

This personal essay dives into the relationship between Evanescence's song "My Immortal" and two specific events of loss Miller has experienced in her life. The paper explores how different forms of loss intertwine and how music is the bridge between those varying types of loss.

The Effect Of Previous Medical History On Student-Athlete Quality Of Life, Rachael Watkins

Student Scholar Showcase

Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) assessments can provide Athletic Trainers with information about student-athletes’ overall well-being and health. The objective of this study was to examine the association between personal and family reports of medical history and HRQL in collegiate student-athletes. We recruited 271 student-athletes (age=19.00±1.15 years, height=175.18±4.29 cm, mass=72.29±12.03 kg). The independent variables included the presence of any family (parents, siblings, grandparents) or any personal history of balance disorders, psychological disorders, memory disorders or history of headaches. The dependent variables included the 9 subsets of HRQL (anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain interference, pain intensity, physical function, sleep disturbance, social roles) …

The Perception Of Head Impacts Sustained By Collegiate Baseball Catchers: A Pilot Study, Caleb Johnston

Student Scholar Showcase

Repetitive subconcussive head impacts have been studied in a variety of contact sports and have been found to impair performance in football, soccer, hockey, and lacrosse athletes. To our knowledge no one has investigated the frequency of head impacts in the sport of collegiate baseball. To date, athlete perceived number of head impacts and actual head impacts recorded during participation have not been compared. A sample of 3 baseball catchers from one National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III baseball team were studied.Our results indicated perceived game impacts did not differ from actual game impacts (t₂=1.76, P=.23; …

The Role Of Income Inequality As A Predictor Of Per Capita Gross Domestic Product, Daniel Friedberg

Student Scholar Showcase

The role of income inequality in relation to gross domestic product is of great importance in modern time. Income inequality is a pressing phenomenon in the fields of economics, politics, and sociology, while Gross Domestic Product is the benchmark statistic in measuring the health of any economy. But how well does income inequality serve as a predictor for the level of Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) GDP per capita within a nation? This cross-sectional study determines that the GINI Index has no significant statistical relationship with PPP GDP per capita level. While income inequality is a major economic variable that contributes …

Women In Sport Broadcasting, Charlie Kruger

Student Scholar Showcase

This research project was studied over the course of the fall semester of the 2018-2019 school year. The information was collected through twitter to find what people thought about the woman commentators on Fox Sports, one is including Aly Wagner. Aly Wagner was the first woman to commentate on the men’s world cup game this past summer of 2018, something that had never even been thought of before this summer. Instead of being a sideline reporter that was used just for her appearance, Wagner was given the opportunity to do perform a job that is mainly dominated by men. Past …

Comparative Methodology For Analyzing Nitric Oxide Production In Raw 264.7 Murine Macrophages In Response To Lipopolysaccharide Treatment, Cassandra Robertson

Student Scholar Showcase

The purpose of this experiment is to develop comparative methodology for analyzing RAW 264.7 murine macrophage responses to bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). These results will yield two endpoints relative to nitric oxide production: nitrites in solution from the Greiss assay, and protein expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The RAW 264.7 cell line is a standard culture model of macrophage activity and stimulation with LPS induces inflammatory reactions. This process has evolved to kill ingested pathogens and activate local immune responses, including the production of nitric oxide, synthesized by iNOS. RAW 264.7 cells are stimulated with LPS doses from 1 …

Emotional Labor, Gender, And Social Interaction In Animal Care, Michael Briscoe

Student Research Symposium

Animal caretakers fill an important role in society - performing both hard and dirty work as they look after animals, and the overwhelming majority of nonfarm animal caretakers are women. This ethnographic study was conducted over the course of 11 weeks at an animal boarding facility. It finds that caring for animals is emotionally taxing labor, and that employees feel this type of work is particularly suited for women - though the exact reasons why vary. The animals themselves often serve as social facilitators between both staff and customers as employees navigate the stressful environment.

To Frack Or Not To Frack: Hearing The Voice Of The People, Megan Aagard, Mo Uasike

Student Research Symposium

Over the course of the the last decade Hydraulic Fracturing or Fracking has become an increasingly popular practice throughout the United States, specifically in rural areas. This industry has been the cause of expanded debates in communities that are nearby fracking site locations. The citizens opinions on fracking can be affected by factors such as environmental consequences, personal and public health concerns, employment opportunities, tax increase and decrease, state and county income and population fluctuation. The focus of our study is to incorporate qualitative analysis data by collecting information found by using interviews conducted with employees of fracking sites and …

Nitrogen Fertilizer Needs Of Small Grains After Alfalfa, Collin Pound

Student Research Symposium

Small grains are commonly grown following alfalfa in Utah and the Intermountain West, especially during drought years as small grains require less irrigation than corn. Several studies across the country have shown that corn following alfalfa rarely needs N fertilizer, yet relatively few have evaluated the N needs of small grains. Furthermore, research on the N needs of small grains grown as forage vs. grain are even more sparse. The objectives of this research are to quantify the N contributions of alfalfa to small grains and develop N guidelines for the first and second year following alfalfa termination, to determine …

High Reliability In A Constrained Environment, Isaac Rhea

Student Research Symposium

This paper seeks to understand the effects of formal and informal constraints on the operations and success of Highly Reliable Teams. Constraints reduce the risks that are inherently present during missions, but formal constraints, such as policies and standard operating procedures, are limited by the ability of regulators and teams to anticipate problems. Culture, social norms, and other informal constraints are not subject to the same limitation, and develop over time to support the process of complex problem solving in emergency response situations.

"I Don't Want To Have A Weird Relationship With You, So I'M Trying": Relational Turning Points And Trajectories Of Ex-Lds Children And Their Active Lds Parents, Jared Worwood

Student Research Symposium

The doctrine and practices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (also known as the LDS or Mormon Church) require high levels of commitment and involvement. As a result, like many high-cost religions, not only does the LDS church influence the identities of its members, but it is also extensively integrated into the everyday life of LDS families (Scheitle & Adamczyk, 2010; Loser, Klein, Hill, & Dollahite, 2008; Airhart & Bendroth, 1996). Besides being instructed that it is their divine mandate to teach their children the gospel of the church (Nelson, 2001; Viñas, 2010), LDS parents are also …

The Effects Of A Non-Traditional Lacrosse Season On Functional Stability In Collegiate Lacrosse Athletes, Christopher Rosenborough

Student Scholar Showcase

Context: The primary objective of this study was to examine the effects of a non-traditional lacrosse fall season on functional movement and stability in both male and female collegiate lacrosse athletes.

Methods: We recruited 50 male (age=19.38+1.24 years, height=182.63+6.16 cm, mass=82.37+8.46 kg) and 22 female (age=19.68+1.17 years, height=165.10+6.88 cm, mass=64.09+8.72 kg) volunteers from National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III lacrosse teams for the study. Independent variable was time (pre, post). Main outcome measures included pre- and postseason extremity measurements for the Y-Balance Test (YBT, reliability=0.67-0.96) as well as dorsiflexion (right, left) range of motion (ROM) via goniometer. Data …