Analysis of Deforestation in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
This research will focus on Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, a mountainous region located in the Western Ghats of southern India that encompasses several major national parks. Recent developments have caused mass deforestation in the region for lumber and area for plantations. In addition, more roads are being developed connecting urban centers to Nilgiri, which is only worsening the deforestation issue. In this research, Landsat satellite images will be used to track change over time with regards to deforestation and the development of road networks to see how that impacts wildlife. Geospatial data geoprocessing tools will be used to categorize change in land use over time (the change in some land areas from forest/untouched reserve to agricultural or road). False and true color composites in addition to Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) assessments will be undertaken to track the deforestation and differentiate between land types, since vegetation will be in a bright red, soil will be brown, and urban areas will be cyan blue to determine how much live green vegetation there is in the reserve as well.

Assessing Land Use Impact on Urban Heat Island Formation in Fort Worth

This research project will focus on assessing the impacts of human activity on the environment in Fort Worth as urbanization has increasingly taken hold over the years. Specifically, the project focuses on analyzing the change in land use in the city over a span of roughly three decades and its contributions to urban heat island formation. Landsat band data products will be used to estimate variations in land surface temperature (LST). LST calculations will highlight the factors contributing to urban heat island formation in Fort Worth.

Plant biomass represents an important component within the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients and contaminants. Transformation of this plant biomass in the environment to organic residuals is dictated primarily by interactions with micro-organisms specifically fungi. My research investigates the effects of fungal colonization of spent coffee grounds as a model for plant biomass to organic matter transformation and how this transformation impacts environmental stability and its ability to bind to contaminants. This presentation will cover; 1) physical and chemical changes in the spent coffee grounds after molding for 0,3,4,5 and 7 months, 2) how these physical changes impact the environmental degradability, and 3) how these physical and chemical changes impact the capacity to bind Gentian violet dye (as a model for organic cations).

The process of successful skin healing from a wound involves different combinations of interactions. Moreover, by clearly understanding this process, we can provide and determine the appropriate amount of medicine to give to patients with varying types of wounds. Thus, this can improve the healing process of patients. In this research, we use the ADI method to solve a partial differential equation that models wound healing and also determine the necessary parameters to achieve the stability of the ADI method. The data, which we are using, are pictures of the wounds, and the task is finding the initial conditions, that is exact boundary data from photos. We believe that Deep Learning is an excellent method to deal with this segmentation problem.

Background: A relationship exists between perception of one’s health based on weight, and how they manage their health. Normal-weight college students who physically appear healthy may unknowingly develop a chronic disease because they view good physical appearance as verification of good health.
Objective: The purpose of this study was twofold: 1) compare the perceived health status of TCU students to their actual health status; and 2) assess the health status of TCU students of normal BMI.
Design: This study was a cross-sectional, descriptive design.
Methods: Twenty-five normal-weight college students between ages 18-24 of any sex and race were recruited to complete a health perception assessment survey 24 hours prior to their lab visit. Participant’s anthropometric measurements (height, weight, body fat percentage, waist/hip circumference, and waist-hip ratio), blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (via finger prick) and a 10mL blood sample were collected. Blood was analyzed for hemoglobin A1c and a lipid panel. Self-reported survey results were compared with results obtained during the study visit to identify any discrepancies between actual and perceived health status and evaluate the overall health status of participants.
Results: Average BMI and waist-hip ratio of participants were 22.39±1.94 and 0.76±0.04, respectively. The most commonly elevated measured values were fasting blood glucose (29% prevalence), and body fat percentage, blood pressure, and LDL cholesterol (21% prevalence each). Fifty-two percent of participants presented with at least one measured value outside normal limits and 29% presented with two or more values outside normal limits. However, 92% described themselves as “very healthy”, “healthy”, or “somewhat healthy”.
Conclusion: Despite the appearance and perception of health, a significant proportion of TCU students ages 18-24 may risk developing a chronic disease. Our results suggest that regardless of self-perceived health status, TCU students should receive regular check-ups to identify and manage physiological markers of health.

Background: Intermittent fasting has become a dietary trend, as it is reportedly attributed to weight loss, maintenance of body composition, appetite control, improved sleep patterns, and disease prevention. However, current evidence-based research may not fully support these claims. There are discrepancies regarding the definition of intermittent fasting. Additionally, it is commonly confused with traditional fasting.
Objective: The objective of the study was to determine perceptions of intermittent fasting on health in college-aged students and compare to evidence-based findings. It was hypothesized that college students would have an overall positive perception of intermittent fasting based on current popularity of the diet.
Design: Cross-sectional
Methods: An online survey was developed which assessed participants’ knowledge and practice of intermittent fasting.  Participants were recruited via email and social media. Data was analyzed using SPSS. 
Results: Among study participants (N=99), 24.2% (n=22) reported currently or previously following an intermittent fasting diet. There was a positive correlation between reported intermittent fasting and weight loss (p<0.01), as well as increased energy levels (p<0.01).  The majority of participants (63.6%, n=63) defined intermittent fasting as “controlling the times throughout the day in which food/drink can be consumed.” Participants reported obtaining knowledge of intermittent fasting from internet research (50.5%, n=50), social media (46.5%, n= 46), and friends and family (42.4%, n=42).
Conclusions: Overall, participants commonly defined intermittent fasting, with knowledge coming from friends and family, social media, and the internet.  If participants had practiced intermittent fasting, the most significantly reported benefits were weight loss and increased energy levels, which may be attributed to the current study populations’ motives for diet adherence. Further research should be conducted with a more diverse subject population and include data regarding participants’ reported desired outcomes prior to starting the diet in order to determine if additional benefits can be attributed to intermittent fasting.

HOW SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCES DIETING AND EATING BEHAVIOR

D. Farmer,1 J. Goodrich, Rylee Lin, A. Vanbeber, PhD, RDN, LD, FAND, L. Dart,
1Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Christian University

Learning Outcome: To determine the influence of social media on dieting and eating behaviors among adults living in the United States.

Learning Needs Codes:
Primary:
Secondary:

Background: Social media plays a major role in influencing use of popular fad diets, and searching for diet-related information on social media is becoming more common. Research indicates that 45 million Americans go on a diet each year, and approximately half of all dieters report that their primary information source regarding special diets is the internet.

Design: Un-blinded, randomized trial approved by TCU IRB.

Methods: Participants completed an online SurveyMonkey® research questionnaire after providing informed consent. Population included 333 male (22%) and female (78%) individuals 18->45 years of age. Analyses assessed participants' history of fad dieting and outcomes, likelihood of being influenced by social media recommendations for food product brands, and/or following social media influencers promoting different diets. Data was analyzed using SPSS (P<0.05). Frequency distributions and correlations were analyzed for trends in dieting and eating behaviors and how these are influenced by social media.

Results: Age was the overriding factor in determining influence by social media among participants, with 18-22 year/olds more likely to follow a diet and/or try food product brands recommended by social media influencers (P=.01). Married and older participants vs. single younger participants were more likely to have attempted a weight loss diet but less likely to try a diet promoted by a social media influencer (P=.01). Additionally, regardless of age or marital status, there was a positive correlation between participants who dieted more frequently throughout the year and the likelihood of trying a diet promoted by social media influencers (P=.01).

Discussion/Conclusion: Social media provides registered dietitians/nutritionists with the unique opportunity to market their skills and to educate the public about evidence-based nutrition science.

The metabolic effects of capsaicin on college-aged men: a randomized, double-blind, placebo- controlled, crossover pilot study
J.E. Mertes,1 A.A. Graves,1 I. Marzan, 1 N. Andonie, 1 A.J. Graybeal, MS2, J.L. Willis, PhD, RDN, LD1
1Department of Nutritional Sciences, Texas Christian University
2Department of Kinesiology, Texas Christian University
Background
Capsaicin is the biologically active, spicy flavor profile component of chili peppers that has been recently touted as an anti-obesity agent. However, studies examining the effects of capsaicin on these markers have mixed results.
Objective
The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effects of consuming a 14-d supply of 500mg/day or either capsaicin supplement versus placebo on: 1) basal metabolic rate (BMR); 2) blood glucose (BG); and 3) anthropometrics in college-aged men with BMI >25kg/m2.
Design
This study utilized a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design.
Methods
Six overweight/obese, sedentary men completed four visits (~45min/visit) over a 45-day intervention period. On visit 1, participants completed anthropometric and BMR measurements and were randomly assigned to either capsaicin or placebo. Participants were provided with a 14d supply of pills, a pill log, and dietary logs to take and complete daily for 14d. On day 15 (V#2), the same testing and measurements occurred. Participants then completed a 14-day washout period. Following the washout period, participants crossed-over and underwent the V#3 (days 30) and V#4 (days 45) where the same procedures as before were followed.
Results
From pre- to post-capsaicin supplementation, there were no significant changes in BMR (1.61±0.49 to 1.80±0.54 kcals/min, ns), BG (102.5±5.9 to 104.0±8.4mg/dL, ns), body weight (96.1±20.1 to 96.4±20.94kgs, ns), or BF% (22.2±9.2 to 22.7±8.6%, ns). Placebos showed no change in these markers (ns).
Conclusions
In overweight/obese college-aged men, supplementation with 500mg of capsaicin or placebo did not differentially affect BMR, BG or body composition. Overall, more research should ensue with a larger sample.
Funding Source: TCU SERC Grant # UG 190315

Background: Dairy-free diets have gained popularity within the United States based off of minimal scientific evidence to support the overall healthfulness of eliminating dairy. There is limited existing research as to factors that influence dairy consumption or how many people adhere to a dairy-restricted diet.
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine public perception of the healthfulness of dairy and consumption patterns. It was hypothesized that due to recent media coverage and dietary trends, dairy products have gained a negative connotation and consumption has decreased.
Methods: An online survey was created to assess participants’ perception of the healthfulness of dairy and consumption trends of dairy and dairy substitutes. Participants age 18-65 were recruited via email and social media. Data was analyzed using SPSS.
Results: Among survey participants (N=213), the majority consume dairy (91%, n=194), with 77% (n=164) stating they consume 1-2 cups daily. There was a significant correlation (p≤0.01) between whether participants consume dairy and how healthy they view dairy products. The majority of respondents believe that dairy is healthy in moderation (70.4%, n=150), though 34.3% (n=73) believe that cow’s milk is nutritionally inferior to milk alternatives. There was a significant correlation (p≤0.01) between current dairy consumption and consumption of dairy during childhood. However, 42.7% (n=91) of participants stated that their preference for dairy has decreased over the past 5 years. Of the participants who had a decreased preference for dairy, their primary reasons were due to personal research (26.3%, n=56) and media influence (15%, n=32).
Conclusions: The majority of respondents reported consumption of dairy products and perceived dairy to be healthy in moderation. However, a large number of participants’ preference for dairy has decreased in recent years due to personal research and media influence. Future research should also include comparison of consumption trends to evidence-based dietary recommendations.

Previous reports show that it is not uncommon for patients to have two viruses at the same time. At the current time, we do not know how to treat co-infections. In order to test the effects of having these concurrent infections, we simulate the two infections using a mathematical model. We use our model to simulate influenza A virus co-infected with respiratory syncytial virus and parainfluenza virus co-infected with human rhinovirus. Using the model, we can estimate the co-duration of the viruses, the individual duration, and the peak virus amount for both viruses, both with and without drug treatment of the infections to figure out the best treatment strategies for co-infections. We find that sometimes treating one infection can lead to the lengthening of the other infection.