Background: Limited opportunities to gain knowledge regarding nutrition and food preparation techniques currently exist in the school system. Dietetic interns taught adolescents enrolled in a university-hosted summer cooking camp how to prepare foods from scratch, use basic knife skills, meal plan and combine common kitchen ingredients to make budget-friendly meals and healthy snacks. Dietetic students taught nutrition lessons about reading nutrition labels, protein, sodium, nutrient density, added sugars, whole grains, vitamin C and iron.

Objectives: 1) Describe cooking/nutrition knowledge and self-efficacy in adolescents; 2) describe the correlation between caregiver cooking/nutrition efficacy and adolescent cooking/nutrition knowledge prior to education.

Design: Following IRB approval, a convenience sample of 7th-9th grade adolescents enrolled in a five-day cooking camp and their caregivers were recruited to participate in the study.

Methods: Adolescent participants completed pre- and post-camp surveys to measure cooking/nutrition knowledge, experience and self-efficacy. One caregiver per adolescent completed a pre-camp survey to measure cooking experience and confidence. Frequency of family meals and home-meal preparation was measured for all participants.

Results: Adolescent participants (n=23) were 12.8+/-0.95 years. Participants were 74% (n=17) female and 26% (n=6) male. Caregiver confidence of cooking ability using basic ingredients and adolescent pre-camp cooking confidence (r=0.547, p=0.001) were positively correlated. Adolescent participants reported that they were able to perform the following tasks pre- and post-camp, respectively: Cook raw meat and poultry (52%, n=12; 96%, n=22); Cook dried beans (9%, n=2; 100%, n=23); Use food preparation methods to prevent food borne illness (52%, n=12; 96%, n=22); Shop for foods to stay on a budget (61%, n=14; 96%, n=22); Use the nutrition facts label (78%, n=18; 100%, n=23).

Conclusions: A cooking camp is an effective approach to provide adolescents with cooking/nutrition education and improve their self-efficacy related to meal preparation.

Gallium oxide is a wide-bandgap semiconductor gaining significance for its outstanding optoelectronic and gas-sensing properties. Although gallium oxide is known for its antibacterial efficacy, limited research is available on the antimicrobial properties of gallium oxyhydroxide (GaOOH). This study investigates GaOOH's antibacterial action by examining the effect of the growth solution's pH on its chemical and physical properties and their correlation with bacterial growth inhibition. The hydrothermal method was used to synthesize GaOOH microparticles (MPs). Deionized water, ammonium hydroxide, and gallium nitrate hydrate salt were mixed to create samples with pH levels ranging from 5 to 10 at 60°C. Subsequent analysis, including scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy, revealed that higher pH levels increased the average GaOOH MPs length and created more crystal lattice defect sites. The correlation between surface chemistry and pH was evident in the position of higher energy FTIR Ga-OH bending bands. Antibacterial studies demonstrated a greater inhibition of Escherichia coli, a Gram-negative bacterium, at higher pHs. This suggests a potential role of defect sites in GaOOH's antimicrobial activity. There was significant inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus growth. However, no conclusive correlation with pH was established, possibly due to the characteristics of the Gram-positive cell wall. Future studies should further explicate the relationship between GaOOH MPs morphologies and growth inhibition of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

Several viruses have the ability to cause cells to fuse together into large multinucleated cells called syncytia. It is known that syncytia help the virus propagate without leaving the cell, however it is unknown how the formation rate is affected by temperature. This project aims to use mathematical modeling to investigate the rate of syncytia formation in the HIV virus as temperature varies. A cell-cell fusion mathematical model was used to analyze data from cell-cell fusion assays at various temperatures. Parameters were estimated via minimization of squared residuals, with uncertainties assessed through bootstrapping. These findings could help develop strategies for controlling viral spread.

Cell imaging is an important tool in cancer diagnosis and therapy. Folic acid receptors are overexpressed on the surface of various cancer cells, making it an attractive target for cancer imaging. In our research, we aim to exploit this biological phenomenon by creating Folic Acid Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs) that can help us selectively target and visualize cancerous tissue. GQDs were used as a base due to their easy functionalization abilities, high cellular viability, and fluorescent properties that allow them to be tracked inside the cell. We functionalized GQDs with folic acid and assessed their structure and morphology as well as optical properties using FTIR, TEM, absorption, and fluorescence spectroscopies. The efficacy of the FA-GQDs is evaluated through their internalization study in cancerous (HeLa) cells at hours 1,6,12, 24, and 48 by utilizing the intrinsic fluorescence of FA-GQDs. In vitro toxicity tests have shown low toxicity (80% viability) of the synthesized FA-GQDs. The proposed FA-N-GQDs provide a novel platform for the detection of cancerous tissues and could be used as a cancer diagnosis biodevice.

The Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC), a small neighboring galaxy around one Milky Way diameter away, provides a unique opportunity to study outflowing gas clouds in great detail. Massive stars in the LMC undergo supernova explosions when they die, blasting gas in all directions. If the gas escapes from the galaxy, a galactic wind is formed. Using data from the Hubble Space Telescope, we can try to better understand how this wind moves and its physical properties. Because there can be numerous of these gas clouds in each direction, we often detect complex patterns that we are characterizing with a Gaussian fitting algorithm. Thoroughly studying the resolved galactic wind of the LMC will ultimately contribute to our understanding of the processes that drive galaxy evolution.

Currently our lab is designing a system that allows us to leverage cathodoluminescence spectroscopy to study the optoelectronic properties of gallium oxyhydroxide and gallium oxide. This system would allow us to place our samples within a vacuum chamber and irradiate it with a high-energy electron beam, causing light emissions that are then collected by a fiber optic cable. This optical system allows us to capture the emissions and investigate them as its characteristics are dependent on the material properties of the sample. Furthermore, since we are working in ultra-high vacuum conditions, the components of the system have to be designed with careful consideration, in addition to allowing several degrees of freedom in order to precisely position our sample within the vacuum chamber.

The herpes virus, like many other viruses, can be engineered to target and kill cancer cells. The herpes virus, when loaded with immune stimulating factors, like interleukin 12, can be even more effective at killing cancer cells. We use a mathematical model of oncolytic virus infection and apply it to experimental data from Fukuhara et al. (2023) to assess the effectiveness of different herpes virus strains in treating cancer. We are able to estimate virus characteristics such as viral production rate and infectious lifespan of the different strains, allowing for a quantitative comparison. This type of analysis can help identify which strains are most effective at killing tumors.

Researchers use mathematical models of cancer to study the effectiveness of different regimens of chemotherapy when treating tumors. These models help predict how different treatments affect cancer cell growth in hopes of determining which will effectively kill a tumor. Realistic pulsed drug treatments are computationally expensive and difficult to analyze mathematically. We examine when the effect of a pulsed drug treatment can be well-represented by a constant dose model. Our approach studies treatment applied in various cancer growth patterns, such as exponential, linear, logistic, Mendelsohn, surface, Gompertz, and Bertalanffy models. Mathematically modeling and analyzing the comparison between tumor growth under a pulsed drug treatment and under a constant dose helps us understand when the use of the simpler model can make accurate predictions.

Syncytia are the multinucleated cells that can occur due to virus infection of cells. Mathematical models in the form of ordinary differential equations can be used to simulate the growth of these infections. Several ODE models can explain syncytia growth. Before employing these models on actual data, it is essential to analyze their structural and practical identifiability. Structural identifiability is an inherent property of each model and its parameters, referring to our ability to determine parameter values for the model. Practical Identifiability analysis of a model is concerned with accurately determining parameter values given experimental error. Obtaining accurate parameter values allows us to make conclusions about our data within the context of our model that can provide insight into the nature of the spread of syncytia. These two techniques allow us to determine whether or not the parameters of a model are identifiable with the data we plan to collect. Consequentially, we can plan experiments adequately to truly parameterize the data in the contexts of our model and make accurate conclusions.

Currently, research of gallium oxide (GO) nano- and microcrystals is rapidly expanding with the demand for potential uses. GO has been shown to be a promising material for possible applications in many different fields including photocatalysis, biomedicine, and optoelectronic devices. In our lab (led by Dr. Strzhemechny) we examine both the fundamental (nature of crystal defects) and applied (antibacterial action) properties of GO. During the hydrothermal growth process of GO, we are producing different nano and microscopic morphologies of this material by controlling various growth parameters including varied pH and adding surfactants to the material. The synthesis procedure includes using the precursor material, gallium nitrate hydrate, ammonium hydroxide. We use a calcination furnace that can get to temperatures high enough to effectively synthesize GO. Now, with a thermocouple and pyrometer we can predict outcomes during the calcination step with high accuracy and precision.

This study addresses the escalating concern over the interaction of multiple respiratory viruses by introducing a mathematical model to analyze triple infection dynamics involving influenza (IAV), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and SARS-CoV-2. With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the resurgence of RSV, understanding the dynamics of triple infections is critical for public health preparedness. Comprehending the interactions among these viruses is crucial for improving our capacity to forecast and curb disease outbreaks. The central question addressed in this study is how variations in infection rates influence the duration and maximum population size of each virus in a triple infection scenario. Prior research has explored coinfections involving two respiratory viruses, yet triple infections, especially among adults, remain infrequent and poorly elucidated. The urgency to address these questions arises from the potential for overwhelming hospitals and exacerbating disease burden, especially in vulnerable populations. By developing a mathematical model to analyze triple infections, this research aims to provide insights that can inform public health strategies and mitigate the impact of respiratory virus outbreaks. Through extensive simulations, the study evaluates how variations in infection rates influence the duration and maximum population size of each virus. The findings unveil intriguing patterns: while SARS-CoV-2 demonstrates remarkable resilience across various infection rates, influenza and RSV display more nuanced responses, exhibiting sensitivity to changes in transmission rates.

Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs), with their outstanding optoelectronic, chemical, and bio-compatible properties serve as versatile materials for various imaging applications. Intriguing optical properties at ultralow cryogenic temperatures have been observed in other carbon-based nanomaterials suggesting a potential for similar behavior in GQDs. This study explores GQD fluorescence across the visible and near-infrared spectral regions at temperatures ranging from ambient (300 K) down to cryogenic (76K) via experimental measurements supported by complementary DFT calculations. Our findings demonstrate a decreasing linear relationship between integrated density and temperature making GQDs a viable candidate for applications in low-temperature imaging.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) represent the forefront of contemporary research within the domain of biophysics. Known for their innumerable applications, these nanoparticles have remarkable functionalities in cellular imaging and drug delivery applications. In our research, we combine NGQDs (Nitrogen-doped GQDs) with the ligand L2 to create a drug delivery system for L2, an anti-Alzheimer’s drug. L2 faces challenges in traversing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) due to its inherent properties. However, the BBB is permeable to NGQDs due to their small size. Hence, we are using NGQDs as a vehicle to facilitate the transport of L2 across the BBB. Furthermore, the intrinsic fluorescence of NGQDs within the body enables us to safely monitor and track the hybrid system, ensuring its successful delivery to the targeted organ – the brain.

Motor preparation deficits are a feature of many neurological disorders in humans. Developing animal models to study deficits in motor preparation is essential to explore the potential therapeutic treatment avenues. Preparation for motor actions involves neural pathways that facilitate neuromuscular planning. In male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), song production is controlled by a system of brain areas that are analogous to those areas in humans controlling human speech and language. Neural activity in many of these brain areas precedes the execution of song motor sequences. We aimed to differentiate preparatory motor periods from song execution by interrupting female-directed and song produced in isolation (undirected song) with white noise playback. The amplitude and duration of the white noise was systematically varied along with the timing of playback occurring during song. Song respiratory motor gestures were measured in six birds experiencing the noise disruption events. Transition entropy analyses revealed increased variability in syllable progression in the presence of playback compared to undirected song without playback (control condition). There were significant differences in the frequencies of interruption, continuation, and termination for each syllable of directed and undirected song with playback compared to baseline (Χ2, ps < .05). We observed higher rates of interruption and motif disruption during introductory notes and early syllables as well as later syllables within a song motif. Ascertaining patterns of stereotypy and variability in zebra finch vocalizations can elucidate deficits in motor planning that contribute to autism spectrum disorder, speech apraxia, and other clinical disorders.

Existing literature has highlighted the competing roles of each family dynamics, the patterns of interactions among relatives, and discrimination on the self-esteem and occupational performance of African American and Caucasian populations individually. However, no research to date has examined whether these factors are interconnected. In this study, we aimed to assess the competing roles of family dynamics and experiences of discrimination across a cross-sectional survey. In the study, we surveyed a sample of 178 White and Black participants from Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk). Simple mediation models indicated that higher levels of discrimination were associated with lower levels of self-esteem, self-efficacy, and resilience. Additionally, more positive familial relationships were associated with better outcomes on these measures for White participants alone. Furthermore, self-esteem was positively related to better self-reported occupational performance. That is, our results suggest that perceived discrimination is associated with lower self-esteem, which is then subsequently related to poorer occupational performance. Conversely, the results suggest the opposite pattern for family dynamics, with more positive familial relationships being associated with higher levels of self-esteem among White participants, which is, in turn, associated with better self-reported occupational performance. These findings emphasize the negative role of discrimination in fostering personal well-being and success in occupational settings.

Throughout our evolutionary history, people have used social connections to enhance survival and reproduction, and consequently, the loss of these connections is very detrimental. Existing evidence has found that we have evolved sensitive neural and perceptual systems that detect and respond to threats of ostracism. This experience of distress when viewing another person being ostracized is referred to as vicarious ostracism. Recent work leans on the evolutionary perspective that being excluded by an ingroup member is costlier than being ostracized by an outgroup member. However, this research has produced somewhat conflicting findings, one that observing ostracism of ingroup members by outgroup members is more painful, while others have found the reverse. Further, little research has examined how experiences of vicarious ostracism influence the perceptions of and interactions with targets of ostracism. Thus, the present study aims to analyze the roles of group membership on an individual’s perceptions and observations of vicarious ostracism experiences, and also their thoughts of the person being ostracized. We hypothesized that observing an ingroup member being ostracized by an outgroup member would be seen as more prejudicial than an outgroup member being ostracized by ingroup members, which would, in turn, be related to a more positive view of the ingroup target that was ostracized.
Across two studies sampling Caucasian undergraduates (Study 1) and both Caucasian and African American adults via Amazon Mechanical Turk (MTurk; Study 2), participants were presented with group-based ostracism vignettes, in which they read about a racial ingroup or outgroup member being ostracized by members of the ingroup or outgroup.
Then, participants completed self-report questionnaires assessing the degree to which they viewed the depicted ostracism as being attributable to prejudice by the sources, as well as their impression of the ostracism target. In both studies, regardless of race, we found that participants in the intergroup black condition viewed ostracism as more prejudicial and liked the target more than people who saw the ostracism in the intergroup white condition.
Further, we found that prejudicial attributions mediated the relationship between the depicted ostracism and participants’ impression of the target, such that when people viewed a black target being excluded by white sources, they rated the ostracism as more prejudicial, which in turn is associated with liking the target more.
Overall, these findings were opposite of our hypotheses and instead suggest that our evolved cognitions for processing experiences of group-based vicarious ostracism may be influenced by contemporary social norms and group dynamics. The implications of this research for understanding the ecological factors that influence behavioral and perceptual outcomes associated with vicarious ostracism, particularly within the context of intergroup conflict, will be discussed.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) research and clinical use demonstrate its efficacy in treating epilepsy, depression, migraines, and its potential to one day mitigate inflammation and improve working memory. However, variations in treatment outcomes indicate a need for further exploration into the individual factors that influence VNS sensitivity and responsiveness. The study aims to investigate how various individual factors like sex, body awareness, preterm birth, childhood socioeconomic status, childhood unpredictability, and adverse childhood experiences relate to sensitivity to VNS. A survey will administered to measure person-based variables of interest. Participants will undergo a VNS procedure involving a heart rate variability (HRV) recording during a baseline, stimulation, and recovery period. Some of our expected result are, individuals who were born prematurely will have higher sensitivity to VNS, and individuals who experienced more childhood stress will have lower sensitivity to VNS. The results of this study will improve future VNS clinical treatment and inform future VNS research pursuits.

It is commonly assumed that achieving financial success will remove many of the burdens associated with low socioeconomic status (SES). However, recent research suggests that individuals who transition from low to high SES environments are at even greater risk for poor health outcomes compared to those who remain in stably high SES environments and compared to those who remain in stably low SES environments. Although the underlying cause of these health outcomes are currently unknown, evidence from qualitative interviews of individuals experiencing upward mobility finds unique psychological stressors associated with transitioning from low to high SES. The current research was designed to experimentally examine the effect of upward mobility and childhood SES on psychological stress. Participants were randomly assigned to write about their life at a significantly higher SES than their childhood SES (upward mobility condition), or at the same SES as their childhood (no mobility condition) before reporting their psychological stress. Two studies were conducted in order to examine the effect of upward mobility in 1) a sample of undergraduate students and 2) to compare the effects of upward mobility in a sample of adults currently enrolled in college and never enrolled in college. Results revealed elevated psychological stress among participants in the upward mobility condition (vs. no mobility), but only among those who had low childhood SES. These findings suggest that upward mobility carries a psychological stress burden that uniquely impacts individuals from low SES environments.

Students wonder how to prepare for an upcoming exam, while instructors wonder how to best introduce materials to students. Research has found that practice testing after material is studied leads to better memory compared to other strategies like restudying (Rowland, 2014). Practice testing tends to be more effective when students recall material verbally or write it down (overt learning) compared to when they only mentally recall the material (covert learning; Tauber et al., 2018). Other research evaluates the value of pretesting individuals before they learn subject matter. Studies show that answering pretest questions before studying, even if people provide wrong answers, leads to beneficial learning outcomes compared to just studying material (Richland et al., 2009). We aimed to combine both research areas and investigate how covert and overt learning applies to pretesting: When taking a pretest, is it better to just think about the answer, or is it better to write it down? Undergraduate students at TCU were instructed to learn passages about the planet Saturn or Yellowstone National Park. For one of the passages, students simply read the passage (read-only condition). For the other passage, they were asked short-answer pretest questions about the passage prior to reading (pre-test condition). A random half of the participants complete their pretests overtly (typing their responses to the questions), whereas the other half of participants completed their pretests covertly (answering the questions in their mind). All participants completed a final multiple-choice test on the material they learned. Performance on this final test was higher for the pretest condition compared to the read-only condition, and this was true for both overt and covert pretesting. In strategy ratings made after the experiment, participants seemed to recognize that pretesting was more effective than learning because it helped them absorb relevant information while reading the passage. Our results suggest that pretesting is an effective learning strategy, even when learners do not provide articulated responses.

Bird song has been extensively investigated as a model for understanding the physiological basis for animal vocalization. Juvenile songbirds acquire their songs and perfect them as they transition into adulthood, just as we acquire our native language by exposure and imitation of adult tutors. Scientific investigation of bird song requires the collection of hundreds of hours of audio data containing songs, calls, and cage noise. These data must be sorted into categories of interest for specific research questions, with singing behavior being the dominant behavior of interest. Data categorization is a tedious and time-consuming process, and while current software hastens this process, substantial human effort is still required. This project investigates whether or not machine learning algorithms can be used to more efficiently categorize audio data collected in songbird research. Specifically, we developed a convolutional neural network (CNN) in PyTorch to classify whether or not 0.5 second sections of audio contain bird song. Using a supervised learning paradigm, we trained the CNN using labeled spectrograms (visual representations of audio frequencies across time) acquired from recordings of the zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata). After training the CNN, we implemented it into an algorithm that identifies song within audio recordings. We then compared the CNN based software to a pre-existing, custom-written LabVIEW template-matching algorithm to determine the relative speed and accuracy of the software. Recordings were taken in both noisy and quiet recording environments to test the strengths and limitations of the two approaches. Our data indicate that the CNN based algorithm achieves comparable levels of accuracy to the pre-existing algorithm and accomplishes the categorization using a fraction of the time required by the template matching program. These results suggest that machine learning algorithms can effectively be used to automate and rapidly categorize stereotyped vocal patterns. Further development of this software may facilitate rapid analyses of data and be extended to categorization of a broader range of vocal patterns, including human speech.

Narcan is an over-the-counter nasal spray used to reverse the effect of opioid overdoses. In 2022, approximately 110,000 fatalities resulted from opioid overdoses in the United States. Considering the high rates of opioid overdose fatalities, it is important to employ a community-based approach to the distribution of Narcan. To address this, a survey was distributed to individuals in a local Fort Worth community center (N = 5) to evaluate the utilization of Narcan. Following the survey, each participant was given one box (2 doses) of Narcan to take home. One month after the initial survey, participants completed a follow-up survey , indicating if they had used or given away the Narcan. While we do not expect the majority of participants to have used the Narcan within this timeframe , we expect to find high willingness to use Narcan in the case of an emergency. The distribution of Narcan can provide a resource to families as a precaution to prevent potential opioid related deaths in this community. Study implications highlight a greater need for community education and increased distribution of Narcan to improve public perceptions and reduce instances of opioid overdose in the Fort Worth community.

The Impact of Determined Behavior on Ratings of Determinism and Outlook
Cagney K., Nerz J., Jones S., & Leising K.J.
A deterministic position claims that all decisions are ultimately the result of external events (e.g., current conditions and past experiences). In contrast, indeterminism (free will) maintains that a decision can emanate solely from within (independent of external influences). Research has found that deterministic perspectives are rated as more negative than indeterminist perspectives, perhaps due to the loss of agency associated with determinism. This study examined whether manipulating the functional value of a behavior would alter ratings of a deterministic perspective, as well as, personal agency and optimism. Half of the participants were instructed to click a white box each time it appeared (i.e., determinism), and the other half were told to click the box whenever they wanted (i.e., indeterminism). Additionally, for half of the participants in each group, a response to the box changed its color (high behavioral utility), whereas, for the remaining participants, clicking the box did not change anything (low behavioral utility). Participants then assessed deterministic perspectives, and personal optimism and agency. It was hypothesized that high behavioral utility would attenuate the negative response to determinism. However, the results revealed that the determinism groups had a more negative view of determinism, regardless of the utility of their behavior. Those with less favorable views of determinism reported lower optimism, and those with lower optimism reported a lower sense of agency.

Felt-safety is the emotional and physical components of safety and fills the gap between knowing you are safe and feeling you are safe. Felt-safety is a critical aspect of development because it allows an individual to move from their lower functioning automatic brain to higher level centers capable of reasoning and learning. Youth who are in foster care, particularly youth in residential care settings, experience frequent change and many new environments. We investigated whether felt-safety levels could be increased in a local group home through “Life Skill” lessons. We used “Life Skill” lessons to help build the relational connections among residents and between residents and staff. Before undergoing “Life Skill” lessons participants took an online written assessment which measured: felt-safety using The Neuroception of Psychological Safety Scale (NPSS), attachment using The Experiences in Close Relationships Scale (ECR), and psychological wellbeing using the Psychological-Wellbeing Scale (PWB). Our hypothesis was to see increases in felt-safety and gain evidence for best practices in increasing safety levels among youth in highly volatile environments. A second hypothesis was to see an increase in psychological wellbeing in connection to felt-safety. A Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test was used to determine significance between Time 1 and Time 2. Interestingly, there was found to be a significant decrease in felt-safety levels and the difference in psychological wellbeing was insignificant. Overall, this research helped quantify levels of felt-safety and wellbeing amongst youth in residential care.

Narcan, also known by its generic name naloxone, is a life-saving medication used to reverse an overdose from opioids—including heroin, fentanyl, and prescription opioid medications—when given in time after an overdose event. It works by blocking the effects of opioids on the brain and can quickly restore normal breathing, working to prevent fatal outcomes. In our study, we administered a survey to participants at two sites in Tarrant County, one in the Las Vegas Trail community, and the other at the Fort Worth Central Bus Station. The survey consisted of questions measuring the attitudes, knowledge, and misconceptions of Narcan and substance use among people in Tarrant County. We expect to find high levels of stigma surrounding drug use and Narcan. Understanding attitudes about Narcan is crucial as it has a direct impact on public health by potentially saving lives through the reversal of opioid overdoses. Additionally, it plays a role in reducing the stigma associated with substance use disorders and addiction, as attitudes toward Narcan can reflect broader societal views on these issues. Finally, community attitudes toward Narcan can influence how communities respond to overdoses and support individuals in recovery, making it essential to engage communities in overdose prevention and response efforts.

Historically, women have been less willing to engage in short-term mating than men. However, hormonal birth control seems to change the reproductive costs associated with short-term sexual behaviors as women who use hormonal birth control exhibit short-term mating cognitions similar to men. Additionally, women who use hormonal birth control are much more sexually unrestricted than women who are naturally cycling. To date, there has been no research looking at how using hormonal birth control impacts women’s real-life sexual behaviors as all studies looking at the impacts of hormonal birth control on women’s mating behaviors have been surveys. Thus, the present research aims to examine the real-life impact of hormonal birth control on women’s sexual behaviors and more specifically, how using hormonal birth control impacts women’s short-term mating behaviors. We predict that women who use hormonal birth control will be more willing to say yes to engaging in uncommitted sexual behavior than women who are naturally cycling since women who use hormonal birth control are utilizing an environmental intervention that impacts the reproductive costs associated with short-term sexual mating. Data collection is ongoing.