Young University Research Articles

Allen E. Bergin (1934-2024).

Memorializes Allen E. Bergin, a leading pioneer in psychotherapy outcome research and cofounder of the Society of Psychotherapy Research, who died at home in St. George, Utah, on February 15, 2024. Bergin began his university education at Massachusetts Institute of Technology but soon became disenchanted with "tech." He transferred to Reed College in Portland, Oregon, and later to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he received BA (1956) and MA (1957) degrees in psychology. For his PhD in clinical psychology, Allen studied at Stanford under his beloved mentor Albert Bandura. He took his first academic position at Columbia University at the age of 26. In 1955 at Brigham Young University, he became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon), which motivated and informed much of his research and advocacy for integrating spirituality into the mental health professions. Allen earned many awards, including the American Psychological Association's Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Knowledge. He published prolifically and is perhaps best known for Bergin and Garfield's Handbook of Psychotherapy and Behavior Change, now in its seventh edition. The 50-year history of the Handbook speaks to its impact on the field and to the original editor's vision of psychotherapy as a science-based endeavor. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Entrepreneurial Guidance and Educational Programs for Young University Students in the City of Riobamba

After the growing economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for entrepreneurial orientation arises in educational programs at universities. Concept that has been incorporated in universities, as a topic of importance in the different careers and training areas today, in the face of the problem of lack of employment and the crisis, it is therefore essential to work on these concepts. The results of the research in university students were: 56% women, 44% men; 58% at the age of 21-24 years; 98% single, 2% cohabiting; 67% students from (ESPOCH) and 33% from (UNACH). In the entrepreneurship orientation variable, three indicators were measured: (i) short-term goals: 75% of students spend on vacations, 93% spend on parties, 58% spend on clothing; 81% spend on food; 95% spend on their vocational training to obtain a university degree. (ii) medium-term economic goals: 62% would invest in financial entities; 63% would be part of the shares of a company. (iii) long-term goals: 48% would buy a vehicle, and 88% would buy a house or an apartment. In the educational programs variable, 74% have a business initiative; 79% have not yet started a business and have not carried out commercial activities; 70% do not have an account in a financial institution to invest in their own business; 56% would take out a loan to start a business, 67% expect employability to obtain their own business. It is concluded that there is a significant relationship between the entrepreneurial orientation variables and the educational programs. Keywords: educational programs, entrepreneurship, education, development, motivation. Resumen Tras la creciente crisis económica ocasionada por la pandemia COVID-19, surge la necesidad de la Orientación emprendedora en los programas educativos en los universitarios. Concepto que se ha incorporado en las Universidades, como tema de transcendencia en las distintas carreras y áreas de formación que hoy en día ante la problemática de falta de empleo y la crisis es imprescindible trabajar estos conceptos. Los resultados de la investigación en los estudiantes universitarios fueron: 56% mujeres, 44% hombres; 58% en la edad de 21-24 años; 98% solteros, 2% unión libre; 67% estudiantes de la (ESPOCH) y 33% de la (UNACH). En la variable orientación al emprendimiento se midió tres indicadores: (i)metas a corto plazo: 75 % de los estudiantes gastan en vacaciones, 93% gastan en fiestas, 58% gastan en prendas de vestir; 81% gastan en alimentos; 95% gastan en su formación profesional para obtener un título universitario. (ii)metas económicas a mediano plazo: 62% invertiría en entidades financieras; 63% formarían parte de las acciones de una empresa. (iii)metas a largo plazo: 48 % comprarían un vehículo, 88% comprarían una casa o departamento. En la variable programas educativos, 74% tiene iniciativa de un negocio; 79% aún no emprende y no han realizado actividades comerciales; 70% no tiene una cuenta en una entidad financiera para invertir en su propio negocio; 56% realizaría un crédito para emprender, 67% en su expectativa de empleabilidad es obtener su propio negocio. Se concluye que, sí existe una relación significativa entre las variables orientación emprendedora y los programas educativos. Palabras Clave: programas educativos,emprendimiento, educación, desarrollo, motivación.

Mumbai Express: the taste of dilemma

Research methodology This paper aims to draw its foundation from primary and secondary data sources. The primary data were derived through extensive interviews with the case protagonists and close observations of the settings and situations described in the case. These were further supplemented by secondary data, collated to enhance the depth and context of the case, aiding in a more comprehensive understanding for the reader. ChatGPT was used in rewriting some sections of the case and in developing the instructor manual, particularly with ideation and ideal student answers. The research team very carefully scrutinized and heavily edited all sections to ensure correctness. Case overview/synopsis This case chronicles the journey of two close friends, Sean and Connor, from their time as finance students at Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah to budding entrepreneurs within the community. Anchored in their passion for Indian cuisine, they envisioned Mumbai Express as an innovative culinary enterprise seeking to offer authentic Indian food through an affordable quick-service model. They aimed to address common pain points often associated with restaurant dining, particularly in the local community. Internal factors such as developing their signature dish, Chicken-Tikka-Masala (CTM) and external factors such as COVID-19 created barriers for Mumbai Express along the way, including opening the restaurant and keeping it afloat. Reflecting on why the restaurant closed, students will be challenged to step into the shoes of aspiring entrepreneurs to understand the dynamics of Mumbai Express’ ultimate failure. Complexity academic level This case is well-suited for use in sophomore or junior undergraduate courses in entrepreneurship, especially those emphasizing concepts like the minimum viable product (MVP) and differing emotional equity within partnerships.

Mediating role of psychological capital between academic stress and health behaviors in university students during covid-19

The present study aims to establish the mediating role of psychological capital in the relationship between academic stress and the health behaviors of Peruvian university students during the covid-19 pandemic. A non-probability sample of 708 students (548 females and 160 males), aged 18 to 61 years (M= 22.1, SD= 6.0), responded online to the Systemic Cognitivist Inventory for the Study of Academic Stress - Second Version of 21 Items, the Psychological Capital Questionnaire and the Lifestyle Questionnaire for Young University Students. The results of the study confirm that the model fits the data adequately, highlighting both the direct effect of academic stress on health behaviors and psychological capital, as well as the effect of psychological capital on health behaviors. It is evident that psychological capital acts as a partially mediating variable in the relationship between academic stress and health behaviors. These findings highlight the role of psychological capital as a mitigating factor for stress and an enhancer of healthy behaviors in university students.

Development and Evaluation of a Strengths-Focused Peer-Led Support Program for Young University Mothers

The increasing enrollment of student parents, particularly mothers, in higher education highlights the crucial need for timely support. Compared to their non-parent peers, student mothers are more likely to encounter financial, logistical, and social barriers. In this study, we evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of a strengths-focused, peer-led support program for young university mothers (YUM). YUM adapted an evidence-based life skills program previously designed for adolescent mothers. Seventeen mothers ( Mage = 24.59; SDage = 4.65) participated in the 7-week YUM program, and 17 mothers ( Mage = 24.12; SDage = 3.10) were in the control group. Following the intervention, YUM participants demonstrated significant decreases in stress and depression, significant increases in career and academic exploration, and satisfaction with social support compared to the control group. YUM participants also reported an increased sense of campus connectedness over time, although the change was not significantly different between the two groups. In their parenting self-efficacy, the two groups demonstrated no significant differences in the change over time. The qualitative findings from exit interviews indicated high levels of satisfaction and engagement among all YUM participants, suggesting that the program was well received and feasible. YUM participants saw the group as an emotional safe haven and appreciated the peer-led structure. Despite facing multiple challenges as college-going mothers, they expressed a desire for continued skill application and ongoing support on college campuses. The study’s strengths, limitations, and implications for pedagogical and counseling practices as well as for future research are further discussed.

Digital pioneers: Mormon mommy bloggers and building the “Bloggernacle”

This article examines the influence of Mormon mommy bloggers (MMBs), as key web architects and content creators starting in the early 2010s. MMBs, referring here to Mormon content creators whose blogs focused on topics such as childrearing, domesticity, and lifestyle themes, were significant players during Web 2.0 through their usage of the longform blog. MMBs transformed the invisibilized domestic labor of mothering and housekeeping into monetizable content within the Mormon blogosphere or “Bloggernacle.” The aspirational monetization and professionalization of the blog offered a tangible occupation for Mormon stay-at-home mothers in a religious culture where working outside the home was discouraged. MMBs, through blogging, attempted to situate themselves not simply as caretakers but enterprising, digital cultural creators aligning themselves with a (neo)liberal feminist ethos of entrepreneurialism and individualistic influencing. Using a corpus of web archives from Brigham Young University’s digital collections, this article enlists the Archives Research Compute Hub (ARCH) to process archival data into derivatives to illuminate this underexplored period of web history, employing the methods of feminist thematic and social network analysis. By combining cultural and quantitative analysis of MMBs, this article highlights how MMBs were crucial creators who paved the way for contemporary trends of feminized influencing and the uneasy blending of feminist and commercial content which has increasingly defined contemporary mother-influencers.

Fostering Sustainability through Educational and Research Initiatives at ETUT

This paper conducts a comparative analysis of sustainability-focused educational initiatives at Oguz Han Engineering and Technology University of Turkmenistan (ETUT) alongside other young universities, including Duke Kunshan University (China), Ashoka University (India), Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST, Saudi Arabia). The study examines how these institutions integrate sustainability into their curricula, student engagement, and community outreach efforts, emphasizing the role of emerging universities in advancing sustainability education. Through an in-depth case study of ETUT and a comparative review of global trends, the research highlights innovative approaches aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This paper illustrates how young universities leverage their agility to embed sustainability into their operations, curricula, and community interactions, preparing students to address pressing environmental and social challenges in the 21st century.

The association between chronotype and social anxiety among Chinese university students: a moderated mediation analysis of loneliness and perceived social support

BackgroundSocial anxiety has been a burning problem among contemporary college students in China. Increasing evidence suggests that individual circadian typology–chronotype may play an important role in the development of social anxiety. However, little research has focused directly on examining the association between chronotype and social anxiety, and less is known about the mediating and moderating mechanisms underlying this relationship. The aim of the present study was to investigate the link between chronotype and social anxiety among Chinese college students, and to explore the mediating effect of loneliness and the moderating effect of perceived social support in the association between chronotype and social anxiety.MethodsA cross-sectional design was conducted among 1616 college students (16–29 years old) from several public universities in Northern China, including 1172 females (72.52%) and 444 males (27.48%), with an average age of 19.68 years old (SD = 1.49). All participants completed the standardized self-report questionnaires including the Social Avoidance and Distress Scale, Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire, UCLA Loneliness Scale, and the Perceived Social Support Scale. Common method bias was performed using Harman’s single-factor test. The mediation and moderation effects were analyzed using SPSS software and PROCESS macros.ResultsChronotype had a negative predictive effect on social anxiety in college students. Specifically, the greater the inclination of individuals' chronotypes toward evening preference, the more pronounced their symptoms of social anxiety would be. Loneliness served as a partial mediator in the relationship between chronotype and social anxiety, accounting for 30.0% of the total effect. In addition, perceived social support, particularly from friends and significant others, was found to play a moderating role in the process of loneliness affecting social anxiety among college students, while support from family did not. Interestingly, the perceived social support displayed a limited protective effect when college students suffered from higher levels of loneliness.ConclusionThese findings deepened our understanding of how and when (or for “whom”) chronotype is related to social anxiety, offering a theoretical foundation and practical insights for preventing and addressing social anxiety risk in young adult university students, particularly those with evening chronotypes.

Young university students’ cultural values, filial obligation norms, and ageism toward older people

AbstractThe present study examined Turkish young university students’ cultural values and filial obligation norms in association with their ageism toward older people. Participants (N = 369) completed scales measuring relatedness and autonomy values, filial obligation norms, prescriptive intergenerational‐tension ageism, ambivalent ageism, warmth and competence stereotypes toward older people, and frequency of intergenerational contact. Multiple hierarchical regression analyses showed that relatedness values were negatively associated with succession prejudice; and positively associated with benevolent ageism and competence and warmth stereotypes. Relatively authoritarian filial obligation norms were further negatively associated with consumption prejudice, and positively associated with benevolent ageism and competence and warmth stereotypes. Finally, mediation analyses showed that relatively authoritarian and emotional filial obligation norms explained the indirect association between the variables, the former for benevolent ageism and competence and warmth stereotypes; the latter for warmth stereotypes and frequency of intergenerational contact. The present study suggests that young people's relatively traditional cultural values and hierarchical familial norms play a role in their positive prejudice and stereotypes whereas relationship‐oriented cultural values and emotional familial norms play a role in their warmth stereotypes and frequency of intergenerational contact. The findings help us understand how different contents and components of ageism toward older people are linked with young people's cultural values and familial norms.

The Influence of Emotional Competencies on the Entrepreneurship Intentions of University Students in Colombia

The main objective of this article is to analyze the effect of a group of predictors on entrepreneurial intention from the perspective of emotional competencies. To achieve this aim, a sample of 996 students belonging to ten public and seven private universities was selected, with each university having been granted high-quality accreditation by the Colombian Ministry of Education. The theoretical approach was based on Ajzen’s Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and the empirical analysis was based on structural equation models. Eight hypotheses were tested, with entrepreneurial intention as the dependent variable and emotional competencies, subjective norms, entrepreneurial self-efficacy, and entrepreneurial attitude as independent variables. The information was obtained by applying a questionnaire with a Likert scale to students of subjects related to entrepreneurship. From the findings of the study, it is concluded that in the two ecosystems analyzed (public and private), emotional competencies (EC) have neither a direct influence on entrepreneurial intention (EI) nor an indirect one since no significant influence is observed between emotional competencies and entrepreneurial attitude; however, a direct and positive effect was recorded between the self-efficacy and entrepreneurial attitude constructs on entrepreneurial intention. In addition, it is observed that subjective norms (SN) do not directly affect EI, but they do influence it indirectly, being mediated by entrepreneurial attitude and self-efficacy. The contribution of this study is focused on obtaining a better understanding of the entrepreneurial intentions of university students in Colombia, which will make it possible to foster strategies for the generation of youth employment and public policies to promote various entrepreneurial initiatives. This could be based on government regulations adopted in the last decade, which are still under development, and the broad participation of university students and research groups of higher education institutions. Furthermore, given the dearth of research examining the impact of emotional competencies on the entrepreneurial intentions of young Colombian university students, this study aims to bridge the existing knowledge gap, thereby contributing to the development of a more robust body of literature that can inform the design and implementation of educational strategies and public policies aimed at fostering entrepreneurship within the university ecosystems of this country.

Media Conglomeration, Local News, and Capital Market Consequences

We examine the effect of news media consolidation on local business coverage and its consequences for firms, investors, and capital markets. Using television transcripts, we find a substantial drop in coverage of local firms following the consolidation of local television stations associated with Sinclair acquisitions. Local information search, institutional portfolio local bias, and overall retail trading decrease for firms in treated geographic areas. Results are most pronounced for small firms, for stations with higher ex ante viewership, and for stations with greater reductions in local coverage. Our results provide insight into the consequences of media consolidation for local business coverage, firms, investors, and capital markets. This paper was accepted by Eric So, accounting. Funding: Financial support from the Brigham Young University Marriott School of Business, Purdue University Mitch Daniels School of Business, and Kenan-Flagler Business School is gratefully acknowledged. Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.02247 .

Unhealthy Lifestyle Contributes to Negative Mental Health and Poor Quality of Life in Young University Students.

Background: A negative lifestyle is reported to be related to poor mental health and quality of life (QOL). However, there is little information on this in university students. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between mental health (i.e., anxiety, depression symptoms and stress), QOL, SWLS and lifestyle parameters (i.e., PA, sleep duration, ST and food habits) among Chilean university students and then to determine the differences in mental health, QOL, SWLS and lifestyle parameters according to gender. Methods: This cross-sectional study included a total of 211 university students (128 females and 83 males) aged 18-28 years. Mental health, QOL and lifestyle were measured through validated questionnaires. Results: Bad food habits (lowest score in the food survey) were linked to anxiety (2.3 [0.22-4.36], p = 0.03), depressive symptoms (3.75 [1.54-5.9], p = 0.001) and stress (2.24 [0.31-4.17], p = 0.023). Furthermore, <6 h of sleep was related to poorer mental health (13.5 [7.6-19.5], p = 0.001), anxiety (4.2 [2.0-6.4], p < 0.001), depressive symptoms (5.5 [3.2-7.9], p < 0.001) and stress (3.8 [1.8-5.9], p < 0.001). In addition, ≥4 h of ST was linked positively to negative mental health (8.3 [2.86-13.7], p = 0.003), depressive symptoms (3.45 [1.47-5.4], p = 0.001) and anxiety (3.2 [1.05-5.4], p = 0.004). Non-physical activity was related to the scores for anxiety (2.6 [0.20-5.0], p = 0.030), depression (2.7 [0.009-5.3], p = 0.049) and stress (2.4 [0.12-4.7], p = 0.039). Conclusions: this study showed that unhealthy lifestyle factors (i.e., insufficient sleep, lack of PA and prolonged ST) were strongly associated with poorer mental health and QOL in university students. These findings highlight the importance of addressing these aspects of lifestyle in intervention and health promotion programs aimed at young university students in order to improve their mental health and overall QOL.

Using Specify 6, 7 and Web Portal Instruments for the North Siberian Biodiversity Data Platform

The digitization and mobilization of biodiversity data are actively ongoing in the northern part of Western Siberia (Tyumen Oblast, Russia), where the history of biodiversity research is relatively short. For small collections and young universities, it is essential to have a ready-made software product, like Specify*1, for managing the collection and publishing data openly. Our use of Specify tools began with a local installation on a single computer in 2015. Now we have a deployed system consisting of two disciplines and ten collections used by five organizations (Table 1), and we utilize Specify 6, Specify 7, the Attachment Server, and Web Portal tools. The checklist of the Western Siberian Specify installation activities includes: Personal collection of fungi since 2015 Using Specify 6 + Specify 7 + Web Portal since 2017 for university collections management Development of a Northwest Siberia bioportal*2 since 2018 Development of a Mycological Portal of West Siberia*3 since 2024 Organization of educational events Helping with localization in Russian language Developing instructions and help videos in Russian language*4 Developing DNA-derived data schema in Specify 6 since 2023 Personal collection of fungi since 2015 Using Specify 6 + Specify 7 + Web Portal since 2017 for university collections management Development of a Northwest Siberia bioportal*2 since 2018 Development of a Mycological Portal of West Siberia*3 since 2024 Organization of educational events Helping with localization in Russian language Developing instructions and help videos in Russian language*4 Developing DNA-derived data schema in Specify 6 since 2023 The main uses of the installation include storing specimen label information, the physical storage location of specimens, and associated digital information (e.g., scans, live images of objects, or microphotographs). We also utilize Specify's reports for generating customized labels and reports on loans or gifts. Taxonomical, geographical, and storage hierarchical trees are used to organize data. Recently, tables associated with molecular data have been more actively utilized to store DNA sequences, their metadata, and trace files. The Specify database is linked via Structured Query Language (SQL) to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility's (GBIF) Integrated Publishing Toolkit (IPT) for publishing collections data through GBIF. The automatic updates are regularly done once a week. Using separate queries, our collection data is regularly exported and published on the local portals, where data on labels, molecular data, distribution maps (Fig. 1) and photographs are presented (Fig. 2). Currently the Specify installation hosts 10 collections from two disciplines and has about 20 users. It contains about 22,000 specimens with 33,000 images attached, and about 1,500 DNA sequences (Table 1). Two platforms for external access to collections were created using the Specify Web Portal tool, and serve as a hub for region- and discipline-oriented collections: Northwestern Siberia Bioportal*2 for all regional collections (currently hosts 10 collections from 5 organizations); Siberian Mycological Portal*3 specifically for mycology collections in Siberia (5 collections from 3 organizations). Northwestern Siberia Bioportal*2 for all regional collections (currently hosts 10 collections from 5 organizations); Siberian Mycological Portal*3 specifically for mycology collections in Siberia (5 collections from 3 organizations). In recent years, we have been actively barcoding the specimens of the Fungarium of Yugra State University (YSU) collection. As a result, two related tables are exported to IPT: one for the collection specimens and another for DNA-derived data (the resulting dataset Filippova et al. 2024). Several ready-made queries were built to export DNA-derived data to other molecular data portals (GenBank, International Barcode of Life (iBOL), and PlutoF). A special protocol on DNA-derived data storage and export using Specify was published on Protocols.io to standardize the procedures and pass on the skills (Filippova and Zvyagina 2024).

Effects of cranberry (poly)phenols on mental health in university students: the CRANMOOD randomized controlled trial

Increasing evidence indicates that (poly)phenol consumption can have beneficial effects in human brain function(1). The overall aim of this project is to investigate whether consumption of a (poly)phenol rich cranberry drink improve mental health and cognitive function in university students via the gut-brain axis.A parallel randomised controlled trial was conducted in 72 young healthy final year university students assigned to consume 236 mL cranberry drink (442 mg polyphenols) or nutrient matched placebo, daily for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was mood, measured as Total Mood Disturbance (TMD), using the Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included stress, anxiety and depression levels, measured using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire, salivary cortisol levels and cognitive function measured using the Online General Cognitive Assessment Battery (CogniFit). All of these questionnaires were measured every 4 weeks. Blood and urine samples were collected to measure inflammatory markers, gut-brain-axis metabolites, short chain fatty acids (SCFA), and cranberry polyphenols metabolites. Faecal samples were also collected for measuring gut microbiome diversity and composition and faecal metabolomics. Diet was assessed using food frequency questionnaires (FFQ), 7-day food diaries (EPIC) and 24 h online dietary recalls (intake 24) during the study. Linear mixed-effect model (LMM) and ANCOVA were used to investigate the relationship between the 2 trial arms.No significant differences were found between treatments for mood, stress levels, anxiety, depression, circulating short chain fatty acids or inflammatory markers, however a significantly lower diurnal area under the curve of salivary cortisol (p = 0.010) and significantly higher short-term memory (Z-score: p = 0.024; Raw-score: p = 0.034) was found at 12 weeks in the cranberry group compared with the placebo. Besides, significant differences between interventions were found in plasma gut-brain axis metabolites, including the kynurenine and bile acids pathway which were kynurenine (p = 0.023), kynurenic (p = 0.032), quinolinic (p = 0.018), and glycolithocholic acid (p = 0.04) as well as several plasma and urinary cranberry (poly)phenol metabolites were modulated by cranberry consumption.In conclusion, daily cranberry (poly)phenol supplementation for 12 week did not improve mood, stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms in healthy university students, however it may modulate cortisol levels and some aspects of cognitive function via the gut-brain axis.

Pandemic and Politicisation in Argentina: Nursing Professional Trajectories in the Conurbano Bonaerense Region

The article analyses the politicisation of nursing personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina, focusing on the trajectories of nurses trained in the public universities of the so-called ‘conurbano bonaerense’, especially in the young universities of the ‘Bicentenario’, rooted in a territory with strong traditions of popular political participation. The pandemic context accelerated the struggles for professional recognition among nurses. Analysing this process constitutes a significant contribution to the social studies of health and illness in Latin America, particularly regarding the role of gender. The pandemic has highlighted the necessity of making the history and demands of the nursing profession visible. Against this background, this article emphasises the challenging working conditions and lack of recognition faced by the nursing profession in Argentina, both materially and symbolically. Based on the analysis of narratives provided by nurses in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the article analyses three politicisation trajectories of nursing graduates of Universidad Nacional Arturo Jauretche, on the conurbano bonaerense, the metropolitan area of Buenos Aires. We demonstrate the importance of the institutional context of the universities in this territory and underline its significance for the politicisation process we have observed.

An overview of two vibration laboratories at Brigham Young University

A virtual tour will be given of two research laboratories at Brigham Young University. In the first laboratory, an experimental apparatus for measuring the internal damping of thin beams will be shown. Here, a beam specimen is placed in a vacuum chamber. After pulling a vacuum, the beam is excited with an automatic force hammer and the response is measured with a single-point laser vibrometer. The velocity data is recorded using a data acquisition system controlled with a custom python script. In the second laboratory, three types of tests will be highlighted. In the first, several small shakers are used to study methods for reproducing the vibration environments that components experience in launch vehicles, and this is compared with traditional, single-axis testing. The second type of experiment is used to characterize structures with weak nonlinearities. The structures are excited impulsively and accelerometers are used to measure the effective natural frequency and damping. This is used to characterize structures with bolted or riveted joints as well as additively manufactured beams with pockets of unfused powder. Finally, an apparatus for inferring the stress in the Achilles tendon is demonstrated. Waves are excited in the tendon and the wave speed is measured by calculating the time delay between two accelerometers that are pressed on the surface of the skin.

Equipping Future Physicians with Artificial Intelligence Competencies through Student Associations

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) in the medical sector necessitate the development of AI literacy among future physicians. This article explores the pioneering efforts of the AI in Medicine Association (AIM) at Brigham Young University, which offers a framework for undergraduate pre-medical students to gain hands-on experience, receive principled education, explore ethical considerations, and learn appraisal of AI models. By supplementing formal, university-organized pre-medical education with a student-led, faculty-supported introduction to AI through an extracurricular academic association, AIM alleviates apprehensions regarding AI in medicine early and empowers students preparing for medical school to navigate the evolving landscape of AI in healthcare responsibly.

An overview of the directivity measurement system at Brigham Young University with applications to struck percussion instruments

The directivity of musical instruments has long been a topic of interest for musicians and scientists alike. Over the past 15 years, researchers at Brigham Young University have engaged in high resolution directivity measurements of musical instruments using a variety of experimental setups. The current setup, a multiple capture system designed and built by now retired professor Timothy W. Leishman, features a 36 microphone arc which rotates on a turntable around the instrument of interest. This directivity measurement system (DMS) has been used most recently to measure the directivity of percussive instruments. The details of BYU’s DMS will be outlined in this talk using a video tour format. Specific emphasis will be placed on measuring the directivity of struck percussion instruments. The details of an automatic striking device, which was developed to fit within the framework of a multiple capture DMS, will also be presented. The striking device is capable of holding multiple sized percussion mallets/sticks, making it a versatile tool for the study of struck percussion instruments.

EXPERIENCE-ORIENTED TRAINING CONTENT FOR ADVANCING THE QUALIFICATIONS OF UNIVERSITY LECTURERS

The article touches upon the eliminating contradictions between the potential of professional knowledge of young people, practical experiences of production specialists working in higher educational institutions and the empirical idea of professional and pedagogical competencies that contribute to the development of cognitive and personal skills and competencies of students in the educational process. In order to form and develop the above-mentioned personal qualities the authors have developed a level based professional development program for young and experienced university lecturers, the content of educational courses and the methodology of modern training. The level based educational program has been developed for three years. The content of the educational material of the second training module is aimed at developing innovative teaching methods and the final module allows them to study the methodology and monitoring of conducting pedagogical research. The practice of using active exercises as methodological methods at the beginning of classes allowed increasing motivation for educational and cognitive activity and improving the psychological state of students. Upon completion of the level training courses, students will be given the opportunity to perform project work on training modules and test themselves in readiness for transformative activities. The results of the work on the development of the content of the course program and the methods of teaching students at the courses can be useful for teachers, managers of advanced training courses at the university

Dopamine and Serotonin Transporter Genes Regulation in Highly Sensitive Individuals during Stressful Conditions: A Focus on Genetics and Epigenetics.

Background: Coping with stress is essential for mental well-being and can be critical for highly sensitive individuals, characterized by a deeper perception and processing of stimuli. So far, the molecular bases characterizing high-sensitivity traits have not been completely investigated and gene × environment interactions might play a key role in making some people more susceptible than others. Methods: In this study, 104 young adult university students, subjects that might face overwhelming experiences more than others, were evaluated for the genetics and epigenetics of dopamine (DAT1) and serotonin (SERT) transporter genes, in addition to the expression of miR-132, miR-491, miR-16, and miR-135. Results: We found an increase in DNA methylation at one specific CpG site at DAT1 5'UTR in highly sensitive students reporting high levels of perceived stress when compared to those less sensitive and/or less stressed. Moreover, considering DAT1 VNTR at 3'UTR, we observed that this effect was even more pronounced in university students having the 9/9 genotype when compared to those with the 9/10 genotype. These data are corroborated by the higher levels of miR-491, targeting DAT1, in highly sensitive subjects with high levels of perceived stress. SERT gene DNA methylation at one specific CpG site was reported to instead be higher in subjects reporting lower perceived stress when compared to more stressed subjects. Consistently, miR-135 expression, regulating SERT, was lower in subjects with higher perceived stress. Conclusions: We here suggest that the correlation of DAT1 and SERT genetic and epigenetic data with the analysis of stress and sensitivity might be useful to suggest possible biomarkers to monitor mental health wellness in vulnerable subjects.