Digital Commons Network^™

Seasonal Shifts And Insights: Updating The Great Salt Lake Halogen Study (2022/24), Himalaya Sapkota

Student Research Symposium

Halogens compounds, particularly chlorine- and bromine-related species, may alter the photochemical reactions influencing local and regional air quality – including particulate formation (PM_2.5) and ozone (O₃) cycling.

High-Throughput: An Approach For Simultaneous Creep Testing Of Nuclear Structural Alloys, Raushan Singh

Student Research Symposium

Creep is a time-dependent deformation at constant load and elevated temperature.

It is widely used in an application that involves high temperature under load for e.g., Nuclear reactors.

Creep tests are notoriously slow, taking weeks/months to complete one experiment.

• This makes High-Throughput techniques more desirable

Our Goals:

(1) Demonstrate novel High-Throughput methods to perform more creep tests more quickly

(2) Apply those methods to more quickly characterize 3D printed 316L (future work)

Temporal Dynamics In Forage Value: Assessing The Seasonal Shift In Legumes And Non-Legume Forb Quality During The Growing Period, Fnu Surbhi

Student Research Symposium

Project Goal: The establishment of resource islands containing high-protein species to replace costly late-season nutritional supplements for beef cattle, promoting productivity and biodiversity while reducing environmental impact.

Do “In The Family” Coaching Hires Outperform External Hires In Ncaa Division I Men’S Basketball, Maxfield Lane, Nels Popp, Jonathan A. Jensen

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

When conducting searches to fill head coaching positions, many college athletics directors frequently look to candidates who have a connection to the university; former players, assistant coaches, or students. Hiring someone from a university’s “family” is often a popular decision among stakeholders, but utilizing such parameters in a search severely restricts candidate pools. More importantly, little empirical evidence suggesting such hires perform better. The purpose of the current study was to examine whether NCAA Division I men’s basketball coaches who are “In the Family” hires perform better than “External” hires in measures of (a) team success and (b) recruiting. The …

Global Overconsumption And Its Effects On Climate Change, Alex Friedley, Caitlyn Conlee, Jason Rhinehart

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

Global overconsumption is an issue that is affecting the masses and without change, there will be dire consequences for the environment and for future generations to come. This problem stems from the production of daily consumed resources such as food, clothing, and e-waste that are pumped out at drastic rates from different companies worldwide causing the increase in CO2 emission which results in global warming. These sources of waste end up in areas where it can be detrimental to human health. Countries like Denmark have a system in place to address this problem (The Climate Act). The Climate Act was …

Lost Voices: Examining Child Trafficking Across The United States And Haiti, Christi Boswood, Allison Arjes, Joryn Hanson, Kayla Mol, Josie Moreland, Allison Stewart

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

It is estimated that 1.2 million children are trafficked each year, and two children are sold every minute. These children are exposed to some of the world’s most adverse experiences. Reports show that trafficking is the second most lucrative crime in the world. This study will examine the connection between trafficking across the United States and Haiti by exploring the types of child trafficking, why it occurs, and how traffickers can control and move children across borders. It is imperative that more people understand its global and local implications on children and find ways to mitigate the practice.

Child Marriage And Child Solider Policies In Democratic Republic Of Congo And Niger, Mawlia Meh, Lexie Hauber, Morgan Kline, Ramiyah Boyed

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

• Every year 650 millions women are being forced into marriage before the age of 18.
• In countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Niger young girls around the age of 15 and younger are forced into marriage and young boys at the age of 5 are often forced and kidnapped to become soldiers.
• In 2005 and 2022, more than 105,000 children were recruited and used by parties to conflict.
• These problems are happening due to the lack of resources faced in these countries.
• Can lead to many health effects including depression, sexually transmitted infections, cervical cancer, malaria, obstetric fistulas, …

The Importance Of Mental Health In Sudan, Tatum Gehrke, Ella Reimers, Alayna Asby, Aminah Igram, Klarence Baker

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

The main focus point of this study is to examine the mental health of young adults in Sudan, taking into account the effects of conflict, displacement, and varying cultural beliefs on mental health. Untreated mental health affects not only the individual's quality of life but also the future generations, leading to generational trauma. The study aims to enhance awareness about the significance of mental health in a country experiencing conflict and facilitate access to support resources for those seeking help. This study will influence policy and practice by striving to advocate for culturally sensitive approaches to mental health support and …

Global Poverty: Comparing The United States And Haiti, Jesika Basurto, Josephine Bergmeier, Destinee Mincks, Kari Wilson, Tanner Korynta

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

About 700 million people live on less than $2.15 a day worldwide. Looking at how poverty affects many people will help shed light on how to lessen that number. This project is used to review the effects of poverty by looking at the differences between third and first-world countries. This project will be using Haiti and the United States as a general baseline for these comparisons. This project will observe the effects global poverty has on education, political, and healthcare systems while analyzing the different methods that are being taken to combat poverty on a global scale. Poverty is a …

Breaking The Patterns Of Homelessness, Jaylynn Easterly, Yaqueline Trinidad, Mya Snitker, Araely Hanson

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

Homelessness is a global issue that affects people living in all kinds of different environments. The impacts of homelessness are relatively similar when it comes to developed and undeveloped countries. The uncertainty and stress of homelessness can lead to mental health problems including depression, anxiety and many others. When it comes to physical health, not having a stable living environment can make it more difficult to have access to basic needs such as clean water, safe shelter and nutritious foods. The lack of basic necessities often leads to malnutrition, exposure to harmful weather conditions and a higher sensitivity to diseases …

A Comparative Analysis Of Drug Use Policies: A Global Guide To Prevention And Treatment, Elliot Throndson, Lauren Hawker, Patience Kies, Logan Green

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

In recent years, drug usage has increased on a global scale, and with this has come an array of responses from various countries suffering the effects. This study will compare and contrast the approaches of Norway, The Philippines, and the United States. The Norwegian approach focuses on harm reduction, preventative measures, and accessible treatment. The Philippines declared an all-out war on drugs, creating human rights violations and a lethal environment for those suffering from addiction. The United States varies by state in their responses, with many aiming to dismantle harmful federal policy from the 1970s “War On Drugs.” Through these …

A Comprehensive Study: Comparing Machine Learning Techniques For Breast Cancer Prediction, Tonmoy Roy

Student Research Symposium

This study conducts a comparative analysis of feature selection techniques and machine learning models to improve breast cancer risk prediction using the Wisconsin Breast Cancer Dataset. Through evaluating univariate feature selection, recursive feature elimination, and principal component analysis, alongside ten machine learning models, the research aims to identify the most effective combination for accurate diagnosis.

Performance metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1 score guide the analysis.

The findings suggest that integrating specific feature selection methods with particular machine learning algorithms significantly enhances predictive accuracy, offering insights for developing more effective breast cancer detection tools and improving patient outcomes.

Impact Of Reduced Irrigation Frequency On Landscape Plants, Zirui Wang

Student Research Symposium

Utah is currently facing a historic drought. Last year, 99.3% of the land in Utah was experiencing varying levels of drought (U.S. Drought Monitor, 2024).

Landscape irrigation accounts for 70% of per capita residential water use in the western United States (Hayden et al. 2015).

Evapotranspiration (ET) refers to the water loss resulting from the processes of evaporation and transpiration. Reference ET (ET_o) is calculated using data from local weather stations and is employed to schedule irrigation frequency (Evans et al. 2022).

Seasonal Effects On Bovine Oocyte Quality, Harper Sjostrom

Student Research Symposium

• Bovine oocytes are impacted by the environments they grow in and the climates of those environments.
• Supplementation of melatonin or cytokine (FLI) could aid in oocyte quality and mitochondrial membrane distribution/potential.
• The aim of this study was to evaluate 1) if supplementation of melatonin/cytokine (FLI) during in vitro maturation has an impact on maturation rates in oocytes and 2) if supplementation/temperature affect mitochondrial membrane distribution/potential in bovine oocytes.

Fast Prediction Of The Trajectory And Coverage Of Aerially Delivered Fire-Retardants, Aditya Parik

Student Research Symposium

Motivation & Objectives

• The utilization of aircrafts in fighting wildfires has substantially increased over the last century, as incidences of forest fires increase all over the world.
• A constant effort of various fire control agencies throughout North America (such as USDA Forest Service) has been to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and overall effectiveness of aerial retardant delivery.
• In service of this goal, we develop a model for predicting the general trajectory a retardant plume takes when it is aerially delivered to a target.

Size Variation In Bumble Bees, Mj Cantwell

Student Research Symposium

Typically, a size distinction exists between queens and workers in eusocial bee species¹ (Fig. 1).

Body size of workers varies throughout the season depending on time of emergence and resource availability² (Fig. 2).

Information regarding how time of emergence impacts Bombus fervidus body size is lacking.

Cyp2d6, Autism, And Oxytocin Receptors, Ethan Dayley

Student Research Symposium

Who cares? Differences in oxytocin receptor density have been observed in two brain regions in autism. CNVs of the CYP2D6 gene appear associated with these differences. The CYP2D6 gene has been previously associated with

Repeatability Of Fecal Egg Counts In Wild Horses, Jaron Dixon

Student Research Symposium

- Fecal floats are one of the most commonly used methods of quantifying parasite infections.

- Despite being used for over a century, each variation of the method differs in accuracy and precision.

- In this study, we quantified parasite egg counts in wild horses using a centrifugal technique and Sheather’s sucrose solution.

- Our aim was to confirm the repeatability of the technique so it may be used in additional studies.

Effects Of Nitrogen On The Nodulation Of Ceanothus Velutinus, Prakriti Nepal

Student Research Symposium

• Ceanothus velutinus (snowbrush ceanothus) is a nitrogen-fixing species native to North America.
• It helps improve soil fertility through nodulation, a symbiotic process with bacteria that fix atmospheric nitrogen.
• It is valued for its drought tolerance, ability to enrich soil with nitrogen, and vibrant flowers (Fig. 1).
• However, limited research has been conducted to develop C. velutinus as a specialty crop for sustainable green industry production and understand its nodulation with native Frankia bacteria.

Intentional Rest In A Musician’S Routine: A Key To Preventing Burnout And Promoting Healthy Performance, Emma Thackeray

Student Research Symposium

The Project

• Identify the trends of burnout in musicians
• Understand the role of rest in a musician’s routine
• Determine helpful habits and activities that contribute to improved performance and prevent burnout

A Model Of Changeover Behavior In Two-Alternative Choice, Matias A. Avellaneda

Student Research Symposium

No abstract provided.

Developmental Characteristics And Renovating Pattern Of Reed Canarygrass Shoots In A Sward, M Ito, S Mizuno, T Otani, S Kobayashi

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Developmental and renovating traits of shoots were investigated ecomorphologically in a reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L., cv. Palaton) sward harvested 3 times per year. Reed canarygrass shoots exhibited notably high growth rates both in the 1st and 2nd crops together with rapid leaf formation (around 7 days/leaf) and active internode elongation. Vigorously growing shoots, which regenerated soon after the 1st cutting and dominated in the 2nd crop canopy, mainly originated from the stubble formed with 3 to 4 phytomers that developed after the beginning of spring growth, thus resulting in higher shoot density than that of the 1st crop. …

Canopy Changes In Healthlands (Erica-Ulex) Grazed By Sheep Or Goats, R Celaya, K Osoro

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The grazing effects of sheep and goats on vegetation dominated by heaths (Erica spp) and gorse (Ulex gallii) were studied for two years. Two plots were grazed from May to October 1992 by 7 ewes or 7 does and in the following year each plot was subdivided into two subplots subsequently grazed either by sheep or by goats in a factorial design. During the first grazing season both sheep and goats reduced similarly the cover percentage of shrubs since the herbaceous content was scarce, although goats reduced more the height of the shrubs than sheep. The cover …

Effect Of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium And Cutting On The Regrowth And Insect Infestation Of A Sorghum And Berseem Clover In Egypt, M B. Attia

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study was to determine the minimum quantities of phosphorus and potassium which must be applied with varying amounts of nitrogen in order to maintain maximum hay production and minimum level of insect infestation. This was more pronounced at the higher N rates and caused a significant N x K interaction during each of these years. There was no yield response to applied phosphorus at any N rate. Relation between levels of nitrogen and infestation percentage was positive but infestation rate decreased with the increase of potassium levels while there was no relation between levels of phosphorus …

An Overview Of The Physiology And Biochemistry Of N Reserves Mobilization In Forage Species, F Le Dily, A Ourry, J Boucaud

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Recent works focusing on the physiological and biochemical events associated to perennial forages sustainability (re-growth after defoliation, winter survival), provided evidence that vegetative storage proteins (VSPs, ca proteins stored in remaining organs and specifically mobilized) were key organic compounds for shoot regrowth. Attempts to elucidate environmental conditions involved in VSPs deposit ability of different species are under progress today. In contrast, mechanisms of spring- or cut-induced proteolysis are investigated at a lesser extend. This contribution is an opportunity to summarize our knowledge of N-reserves mobilization and to set the question of VSPs breakdown regulation.

Intraspecific Competition In Lucerne And Relationships With Reserve Availability, Jean Christophe Avice, Alain Ourry, Gilles Lemaire, Jeffrey J. Volenec, Jean Boucaud

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Below-ground reserves are thought to provide an indication of a forage potential for shoot regrowth after defoliation. The aim of this work was to re-evaluate the causal relationships existing between organic reserves (non-structural carbohydrates and N reserves) and shoot regrowth of alfalfa. The variations brought about by cultivar differences (cv Lodi or Europe), length of the previous regrowth period (30 or 45 d), or by intraspecific competition for light within a dense canopy, were studied. Field grown plants were harvested at weekly intervals, and separated as dominant, intermediate and suppressed plants. Shoot regrowth yield was determined and taproot were analyzed …

Seasonal Fluctuations Of Vegetative Storage Proteins And Starch Concentrations In Stolons Of Trifolium Repens L., V Bouchart, A Ourry, J C. Simon, J Boucaud

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The seasonal pattern of nitrogen, starch and vegetative storage protein (VSP) concentrations was studied in the stolons of two Trifolium repens L. genotypes (cv Aran and Rivendel). Maximum concentrations of starch were found in summer months; its hydrolysis occurred in winter, at the time, where VSP and nitrogen were accumulated. The decrease of nitrogen and VSP concentrations occurred during spring, and an inverse relationship was found between VSP concentrations in stolons and mean temperatures. The causal implications of starch and VSP availability on spring regrowth potential are discussed in relation with regulatory mechanism inducing VSP synthesis.

Cynodon Dactylon Control In Conservation Tillage Systems, A Rios, J M. Sanz

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. PERS.) is the most important weed in Uruguay. With the development of conservation tillage systems, chemical control of bermudagrass becomes essential. The objective of this research was to evaluate, in a long term integrated program, bermudagrass chemical control during the first year of a pasture. Application of glyphosate and no-tillage seeding of the pasture took place during fall. A 70% reduction of underground part of the weed was detected. The chemical control, together with a conservation tillage system and an adequate pasture management allowed an important reduction in bermudagrass level for the first year pasture. …

Legume Seedling Development In No Till Pasture Establishment, J L. Rossi, V A. Deregibus

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

The objective of this study was to compare no-till and conventional seeding of pasture and their effects on legume establishment. The presence of residue cover reduced legume seedling establishment and weed population under no-till seeding. The reduction in establishment was associated with the physical impediment of the residue cover and the decay of seedling vigor when passing through that cover.

Water Relations In Berseem Cultivars Under Drought Stress, A Iannucci, A Rascio, M Russo, P Martiniello

IGC Proceedings (1977-2023)

Berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) is a crop of particular interest in semi-arid regions, used for herbage and hay productions. However, its seed yield is reduced by drought stress that occurs during seed filling. In this study five cultivars (Axi, Big Bee, Lilibeo, Sacromonte and Saniros) subjected to four irrigation frequencies in controlled environment, were compared for their physiological responses to subsequent water stress period (3 days). Some parameters (leaf water potential (), osmotic potential (þ), relative water content (RWC) and gravimetric soil water content (GSWC)) related to plant water status were recorded. Plants subjected to previous periods of …