Salt Lake City Research Articles

186 Evaluation of the effects of a Lactobacillus postbiotic product (LumensaM) in medicated and non-medicated nursery pig diets

Abstract Two studies in weanling pigs were conducted to evaluate the effects of a Lactobacillus postbiotic product (LFP; Lumensa, Verdesian Life Sciences, Salt Lake City, UT) in medicated and non-medicated nursery pig diets on performance, daily fecal scores and some fecal microbiome measures. A 2 X 3 factorial factorial design with main effects of in-feed medication (0 vs 55 ppm of Carbadox) and LFP inclusion rate (0, 0.075, or 0.15%) was used in each study. In study 1, LFP in liquid form was added to the treatment diets, and in study 2 LFP in dry form was used in the treatment diets. Each study used 36 pens containing 10 weanling pigs (PIC 800 x 1050; 21 d of age) per pen, and there were 6 pens for each treatment group. A pelleted three-phase commercial nursery feeding program was used. Dry LFP product increased final body weight (BW) linearly (P < 0.05) and tended to improve gain to feed ratio (G:F; P = 0.07) in study 2. Final BW was increased (P = 0.006) in nursery pigs fed medicated diets in study 2 but not in study 1. Feeding the dry LFP in study 2 improved growth performance (P < 0.05) in nursery pigs when they were fed non-medicated diets. In study 1, it was found that feeding LFP tended (P = 0.10) to decrease final BW variability (pen BW CV) on d 42. Daily fecal scores were recorded during both studies, and no treatment effects were observed. During study 2, fresh fecal samples were collected from each pen on d 21 and d 42 for microbial analysis. The Shannon Index was found to be moderately correlated (P < 0.05) to BW results on d 21 and 42 (Study 1, r = -0.31 and 0.19; Study 2, r= -0.49 and 0.27, d 21 and d 42, respectively). It was found that feeding LFP decreased the proportion of Gammaproteobacteria, which includes several Gram-negative pathogens, on d 21 (P < 0.05). In conclusion, feeding LFP to nursery pigs as dry product may increase average daily gain in pigs fed non-medicated diets and decrease BW variability (pen BW CV) when pigs are fed nursery diets containing carbadox. Also, feeding LFP may lead to changes in the fecal microbiome.

Analysis and Prediction of Summer Rainfall over Southwestern Utah

Abstract While many studies have examined intense rainfall and flash flooding during the North American Monsoon (NAM) in Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico, less attention has focused on the NAMS’s extension into southwestern Utah. This study relates flash flood reports and Multi-Radar Multi-Sensor (MRMS) precipitation across southwestern Utah to atmospheric moisture content and instability analyses and forecasts from the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model during the 2021–23 monsoon seasons. MRMS quantitative precipitation estimates over southwestern Utah during summer depend largely on the areal coverage from the KICX WSR-88D radar near Cedar City, UT. Those estimates are generally consistent with the limited number of precipitation gauge reports in the region except at extended distances from the radar. A strong relationship is evident between days with widespread precipitation and afternoons with above average precipitable water (PWAT) and convective available potential energy (CAPE) estimated from HRRR analyses across the region. Time-lagged ensembles of HRRR forecasts (initialization times from 03–06 UTC) that are 13–18 h prior to the afternoon period when convection is initiating (18–21 UTC) are useful for situational awareness of widespread precipitation events after adjusting for underprediction of afternoon CAPE. Improved skill is possible using random forest classification relying only on PWAT and CAPE to predict days experiencing excessive (upper quartile) precipitation. Such HRRR predictions may be useful for forecasters at the Salt Lake City National Weather Service Forecast Office to assist issuing flash flood potential statements for visitors to national parks and other recreational areas in the region.

Postsurgical opioid prescribing among veterans using community care for orthopedic surgery at non-VA hospitals compared to a VA hospital with a transitional pain service: a retrospective cohort study

BackgroundThe USA provides medical services to its military veterans through Veterans Health Administration (VHA) medical centers. Passage of recent legislation has increased the number of veterans having VHA-paid orthopedic surgery...

A CASE REPORT ON PRODUCT ROTATION TO MANAGE SEVERE LYSINIBACILLUS SPHAERICUS RESISTANCE IN CULEX PIPIENS FROM SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH.

The Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District (SLCMAD) detected a 20,000-fold resistance to Lysinibacillus sphaericus (Lsph) in Culex pipiens occurring in catch basins of Salt Lake City during 2016. In response, SLCMAD suspended use of Lsph and rotated use of spinosyn and s-methoprene products for the next three years. At the end of the third year, Lsph was evaluated again and efficacy similar to susceptible colony strains. During the second year of Lsph use, technicians observed lack of control of larvae at some urban sites. Bioassays performed during 2021 showed recurrence of some resistance to Lsph to varying degrees across SLCMAD urban areas. The rapidity with which resistant phenotypes reemerged clarifies that SLCMAD cannot in the near future rely on repeated use of Lsph, even after suspending use for three years and using within-season product rotations. Prior reports in other research groups have found long-term selection to Lsph, as is the case at SLCMAD, to not regress in spite of halting use of the products. However, our findings offer some optimism that regression may be relatively quick. More operational review is needed, and future work should characterize resistance alleles in field populations. Collectively, there is a lack of concrete data supporting the prevailing assumptions from adjacent industries that were adopted into mosquito abatement. We provide this short note as additional guidance for mosquito and vector control districts weighing options to remediate Lsph resistance.

“Don’t Touch Race”: Nice White Leadership and Calls for Racial Equity in Salt Lake City Schools, 1969–Present

“Don’t Touch Race”: Nice White Leadership and Calls for Racial Equity in Salt Lake City Schools, 1969–Present

Dental implant failures in Utah and US veteran cohorts.

Approximately, 5.5 million dental implants are estimated to be surgically placed in the United States yearly, with an anticipated long-term failure rate ranging from 3% to 10%. At the Salt Lake City Dental Clinic within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VHA), specific protocols have been established to mandate that clinicians present every dental implant case for review by a committee. To understand the effectiveness of this approach, a comparative data analysis was undertaken to compare local dental implant failure data against national VHA data. Leveraging electronic health records of veterans spanning from 2000 to 2021, we gathered procedural records related to dental implant placement or failure, demographic information, and medical history for individuals who received dental care at various dental clinics within the nationwide VHA network. Subsequently, statistical analyses were conducted using mixed-effects Poisson regression models with cluster-robust standard errors. Incident rate ratios (IRRs) for Utah-specific and nationwide cohorts were ascertained. The Utah VHA dental clinical data showed that there was a slightly lower prevalence of implant failure at 6.7% compared to the national cohort, which had a rate of 6.9%. The implant level failure rates were also low, with 4.20 (confidence interval [CI]: 3.68, 4.81) per 1000 implant placements per year for Utah cohorts. The adjusted IRR indicated a relative 16% reduction in risk among Utah Veterans (IRR 0.84, 95% CI [0.76-0.92]; p < 0.001). The stringent protocols in place at Salt Lake City, which integrate evidence-based practices and expert opinion for evaluating patient suitability for dental implant placement and subsequent care, contributed to the reduced risk among Utah Dental Clinic veterans pool compared to veterans of other states.

Inclusion, Access, and Intersectionality in the Outdoors: A Rock Climbing Case Study of the Salt Lake Area Queer Climbers (SLAQC) Organization

Summary In this case study, we explore our experiences as three of the co-organizers of the Salt Lake Area Queer Climbers (SLAQC) organization, a rock climbing queer advocacy organization based in Salt Lake City. Matty is a queer, cisgender white man, Lea is a queer/pansexual Latina, and Rue is a queer Chinese-American. All of us have been climbing for several years, and Lea and Matty were both active in the Salt Lake Climbers Alliance organization, as well. Utah is a predominantly white, conservative, and religious state, and in spite of obstacles, we have created a homeplace for queer climbers. Our organization breaks down access barriers, gear barriers, and more through partnerships with local gyms, local climbing affinity groups such as Color the Wasatch, gear organizations, and queer climbing guides. In this case study, we explore best practices that we utilize to frame our events and our community outreach, rooted within principles of intersectionality, and reflect upon the 1-year anniversary of SLAQC. Information © CAB International 2024

Abstract 2156: Exploring barriers to colorectal cancer screening among adult male immigrants in Salt Lake City

Abstract Background: The United States (U.S) foreign-born population aged 65+ increased substantially between 1990 and 2010 with migrants from Africa and the Middle East being a part of these new refugee admissions. According to 2010 data, socioeconomic disparities and reduced access to health care is common in this population with 16 percent of foreign-born elderly living below the poverty threshold in comparison with 8 percent of U.S.-born elderly. Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the U.S despite being easily preventable and treatable. Studies among male African Americans reveal a CRC incidence &amp;gt;20% higher than what obtains among whites. Since, genetic factors are believed to contribute as much as 35% to the overall risk of CRC, male adult immigrants aged 45 years and above from Africa and the Middle East may be at increased risk of developing the disease. Determining CRC screening uptake in this population will be critical in planning interventions which may ultimately reduce disparities in CRC-related morbidity and mortality in the future. Methods: We conducted a mixed methods study comprising administration of questionnaires and organizing four Focus Group Discussion (FGD) sessions among adult males in Salt Lake City who identified as refugees from Africa or the Middle East. The sessions were audio-taped, transcribed and coded using the Dedoose software. Results: We had thirty-one participants who were between 45 and 64 years of age. Twenty-five of them (83%) reported awareness of the existence of CRC screening tests. Ten participants (33%) had undergone a CRC test in the past. However, only nine participants (30%) indicated that they will be willing to participate (WTP) in CRC screening if offered for free. Increased WTP was associated with younger age (OR=1.45, 95% CI: 1.23-1.81), length of stay in the United States (OR=1.41, 95% CI: 1.13-1.78) and higher education (OR= 1.26, 95% CI 1.13-1.37). Three major themes identified in the FGDs include: (1) Mistrust - distrust of the US health system (2) Fear - fear of cancer and nature of test and (3) Fatalism - the belief that screening cannot lead to cancer cure. Conclusion: The low level of WTP in CRC screening tests among the respondents may be associated with past experiences. There may be a need to consider the correlates of increased WTP and explore culture-specific CRC prevention measures in planning interventions designed to improve screening uptake in this population. Citation Format: Olanrewaju Olusola Onigbogi, Kebba Kah, Kolawole Okuyemi. Exploring barriers to colorectal cancer screening among adult male immigrants in Salt Lake City [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 2156.

The Evaluation of the BioFire FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel for the Detection of Bacteria and Yeast in Cerebrospinal Fluid Specimens.

Background and objective Infectious meningitis and encephalitis are serious diseases that can have fatal consequences, especially in the case of bacterial meningitis. Molecular biology has made it possible to quickly introduce appropriate treatment. Our study aims to evaluate the FilmArrayMeningitis/Encephalitis Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Panel (BioFire Diagnostics, Salt Lake City, Utah) implemented in our department compared to traditional methods. Material and methods This was a retrospective single-center study conducted in the Department of Bacteriology ofMohammed V Military Training Hospital, Rabat, for a period of four years. All cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from patients with symptoms of meningitis or meningoencephalitis submitted to the laboratory for cytobacteriological analysis were included in the study. Conventional analysis has been compared with molecular biology. Results The overall agreement rate with FilmArray in our study was 86%. The sensitivity to Escherichia coli K1, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae was 100%. And for Cryptococcus neoformans it was 83% in our study. Conclusion In summary, this technique can be used to diagnose bacterial meningitis more sensitively than with conventional techniques, while at the same time allowing a rapid and efficacious patient's treatment.

Using the ISO Detection response task to measure the cognitive load of driving four separate vehicles on two distinct highways

The ISO Detection Response Task (DRT) is a standard tool for assessing drivers’ cognitive load and it has primarily been used to measure the cognitive load of completing non-driving tasks and interacting with vehicle systems. In this study we use the DRT to measure the workload of driving four separate vehicles (a 2019 Tesla Model 3, a 2018 Cadillac CT6, a 2018 Volvo XC90, a 2019 Nissan Rogue) in manual mode and on two distinct roadways (US Interstate Highway 15 and 80) in and around Salt Lake City, UT. Results showed that the unique road characteristics of I-80 resulted in higher levels of cognitive load as demonstrated by the slower DRT response times. Likewise, different levels of workload were found across the four vehicles, with higher workload levels found for one of the four vehicles. This study expands the use of the DRT outside its original area of application, and advances it as a tool to assess the cognitive demand induced by varying road and vehicle characteristics.

Blinded by the light: does heat or light enhance wild mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) attraction to CO2-baited traps in the Great Salt Lake area?

The New Jersey Light Trap has been among the earliest trap models used for mosquito surveillance in the United States. This trap was modernized in the 1950s to the miniature CDC light trap, with the addition of CO2 following soon after. The incandescent light has the tendency to attract nontarget insects, as well as losing a substantial portion of their energy as heat. Few studies have delineated whether heat or light in isolation make a difference in field collections using the former traps within the United States. Our study focused on isolating heat and light variables by using incandescent bulbs, light emitting diode (LED) bulbs, and electric heating patches affixed to a base model CO2 trap as designed at the Salt Lake City Mosquito Abatement District. Sites were selected in the urban and suburban foothills and canyons of the Wasatch Mountain front, industrial areas near the Salt Lake City International Airport, and rural wetlands in the marshes outlying the Great Salt Lake. Five traps were replicated within each sector during the summer and fall summer seasons. Collections were composed of Aedes dorsalis (Meigen), Culex pipiens L., Culex tarsalis Coquillett, and Culiseta inornata (Williston). Composition changes were a result of seasonal, rather than spatial, shifts. The results showed that LED light traps depressed collections of key species. Otherwise, there were negligible differences in collections among incandescent, heat film, and base model traps. In the Intermountain West, the miniature CDC trap is reliable enough to make programmatic decisions even if light usage varies by district.

Rotational stability of a new hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lens platform.

To evaluate rotational stability for ease of rotation of a new intraocular lens (IOL) platform with 4 haptics in an ex vivo model and compare it with a control single-piece lens with 2 open loops. Intermountain Ocular Research Center, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah. Experimental study. 10 human cadaver eyes were prepared as per the Miyake-Apple technique. After injection of the test or control lens, clockwise and counterclockwise rotations were attempted with a hook, with and without an ophthalmic viscosurgical device in place. Ease of rotation was scored as (1) very easy, (2) easy, (3) difficult, and (4) very difficult. Rotation of the entire eye containing test or control IOL was also performed with a multipurpose rotator (2 minutes; 220 revolutions per minute) to evaluate its effect on IOL alignment. There were statistically significant differences regarding ease of rotation between test and control lenses in all 4 scenarios, with rotation being more difficult with the test lens ( P < .05, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). No change in the alignment of test or control lenses was observed after eye rotation with the multipurpose rotator. The new IOL platform showed greater rotational stability than the control lens in this model, owing to design features such as 4 small arcs of contact between the haptics and the bag equator, a bulge at the distal end of each haptic, and arcuate haptics with curvatures oriented toward each other.

Feasibility Study of Fixed Olympic Cities Based on TOPSIS Evaluation Model

Olympic Games have been facing a steady decline in the number of bids, with countries experiencing varying degrees of negative impact, making the cost of hosting the Games unaffordble for most countries. Therefore, the paper tends to find a strategy for hosting the Olympic Games that suits the current state of the world and address the issue of choosing a host country for the Games. This paper developed an Olympic Games host city assessment model to identify two permanent hosts for the Games and make recommendations to the International Olympic Committee. Then the paper analyzed the feasibility of the two countries chosen as hosts for the Olympic Games and carried out a predictive analysis of Beijing, China and Salt Lake City, USA for putting each sub-indicator in the predictive analysis. Sensitivity analysis is used to verify the impact of potential strategies on our metrics. The paper discusses the implications of the policy and the pros and cons of it.

The Value of Reentry Housing, Zoning, and “Not in My Back Yard” (NIMBY) Obstacles, and How to Overcome Them

Given the housing issues that people who have been in prison face, this article examines the permitting process to operate a vocational and life skills training program for the formerly incarcerated in Salt Lake City, UT, called The Other Side Academy (TOSA). This article employs participant observation, personal and public meeting conversations, planning division staff reports, public comments, and newspaper articles to answer the following question: How was TOSA described in the public input process for a conditional use permit? The author examines how TOSA neighbors first opposed the project and then came to support it. But even with community support, planning staff struggled to find a zoning code that would allow TOSA operations. In the end, the final decision to approve the conditional use permit came to the hearing officer, who sided in favor of TOSA. In this case, planners can learn about the zoning obstacles that reentry housing faces and how those obstacles can be overcome. Finally, academia and planning divisions need to better educate planners involved in administrative process into understanding the intent of the code to achieve just outcomes.

Environmental Refuges during Summertime Heat and Elevated Ozone Levels: A Preliminary Case Study of an Urban “Cool Zone” Building

The combination of extreme heat waves and ozone pollution is a major health hazard for urban populations in the summertime, particularly for the most sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, the unsheltered, and those with pre-existing health conditions. The “Cool Zone Program”, operated by the Salt Lake County Aging and Adult Services, identifies areas in the county and Salt Lake City facilities where members of the public can escape the summer heat, hydrate, and learn about available programs. We measured indoor and outdoor temperature and ozone for a pilot study at a designated Cool Zone location during the 22 August–6 September 2019 period and found that the building provided substantial heat relief and protection from more than 75% of the outdoor ozone. We observed a nearly 35 min delay for the outdoor ozone to be reflected on the indoor readings, providing an action window for ventilation scheduling changes to protect against the highest ozone levels during the day. Our findings show that it is critical to re-think and formulate action plans to protect vulnerable populations from excessive heat and pollution events during the summer.

Hazard implications of synchronous fault rupture: Case study of the Wasatch and West Valley faults, Utah

Synchronous rupture involving two or more antithetic or synthetic faults results in higher levels of ground shaking hazard compared to that computed separately for each fault. We describe methodologies to estimate the ground motions both deterministically and probabilistically using a square-root-sum-of-the-squares approach and provide a case study for the Salt Lake City segment of the Wasatch fault zone and the antithetic West Valley fault zone in the Salt Lake Valley, Utah. The amount of increased hazard between the fault pairs will depend on their fault dips and horizontal separation which will dictate their potential rupture areas and hence their maximum magnitudes. For the case study, the increased hazard between the Salt Lake City segment and the West Valley fault zone can range up to 30% primarily at short to moderate periods (&lt;1 s).

Understanding the Housing Preferences of Older Adults: Insights from a Study on Micro-Housing in Salt Lake City, U.S.

The main objective of this research was to investigate what older adults think about the idea of living in micro-housing as an affordable housing option in Salt Lake City. By conducting interviews with 20 individuals over 65 years old, we discovered that they prefer Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and micro apartments. Participants expressed concerns about tiny homes. The participants highlighted the importance of having a sense of community and access to amenities when choosing their housing. Additionally, they still preferred single-family homes because of space and financial factors. These findings offer insights for housing developers, architects, and policymakers who aim to create cities that are both sustainable and livable for people of all age groups.

First person – Nichole Link

ABSTRACT First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Disease Models &amp; Mechanisms, helping researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Nichole Link is first author on ‘ A Zika virus protein expression screen in Drosophila to investigate targeted host pathways during development’, published in DMM. Nichole conducted the research described in this article while a postdoctoral researcher in Hugo Bellen's lab at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, USA. She is now an assistant professor and has her own laboratory at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, investigating genetic and developmental models of human disease.

A Long-Term Comparison between the AethLabs MA350 and Aerosol Magee Scientific AE33 Black Carbon Monitors in the Greater Salt Lake City Metropolitan Area.

Black carbon (BC) or soot contains ultrafine combustion particles that are associated with a wide range of health impacts, leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Both long-term and short-term health impacts of BC have been documented, with even low-level exposures to BC resulting in negative health outcomes for vulnerable groups. Two aethalometers-AethLabs MA350 and Aerosol Magee Scientific AE33-were co-located at a Utah Division of Air Quality site in Bountiful, Utah for just under a year. The aethalometer comparison showed a close relationship between instruments for IR BC, Blue BC, and fossil fuel source-specific BC estimates. The biomass source-specific BC estimates were markedly different between instruments at the minute and hour scale but became more similar and perhaps less-affected by high-leverage outliers at the daily time scale. The greater inter-device difference for biomass BC may have been confounded by very low biomass-specific BC concentrations during the study period. These findings at a mountainous, high-elevation, Greater Salt Lake City Area site support previous study results and broaden the body of evidence validating the performance of the MA350.

Bayesian inference-based spatiotemporal modeling with interim activities for EV charging etiquette

Poor charging etiquette of Plug-in Electric vehicle (PEV) drivers, such as unplugging other PEVs and overstaying after the PEV is fully charged, will create a service bottleneck to charging resources and even impede PEV penetration. To explore the underlying linkage between PEV drivers’ interim activities and the behavior of overstaying, this study introduces an innovative framework that implements Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression (GTWR) with a dedicated activity-based Bayesian inference module. Specifically, the stochasticity of PEV drivers’ travel behaviors is well addressed in the Bayesian inference module for travel choice modeling during charging sessions. Subsequently, the GTWR model is constructed based on predicted travel choices and expected durations of activities to capture the spatiotemporal interconnections between overstaying and activity characteristics. The entire modeling framework is further applied to a case study in Salt Lake City, Utah, and demonstrates superior adaptability in reasoning the impacts of spatiotemporal factors without survey data.