K-12 curricula worldwide typically lack a strong emphasis on alternative energies, particularly solar and wind power. To counter this, the University of Cambridge has developed the “Power your School” initiative, a program where students learn to map their school and local area, predict where the best sites for solar panels may be on their campus, use scientific equipment accurately, record results, and make ideal recommendations based on their data. TCU Chemistry Club and the Coffer Research Lab have partnered with this initiative to help local elementary schools investigate the benefits of renewable energy, assist in calculating the financial benefits of solar panels over a span of multiple years, and most importantly - to help young students learn the basics of proper recording of scientific data. Through poster creation and its subsequent presentation, students also use design and oral communication skills to educate local officials (and beyond) into the benefits of investing in renewable energy. Methods and results of this project will be presented.

The transition from high school to college marks a significant life change and, as a result, could lead to changes in health behaviors, exercise, and stress levels. Physical activity can enhance self-confidence and collectivism, improve emotional states, decrease stress, aid in building relationships, and contributes to feelings of elation and satisfaction (Qu, 2020). Studies show lower levels of activity among college women, with Black women having greater risk of obesity than white women. (Ajibade, 2011). The effects of a lack of physical activity for college minority women pose more significant threats as they increase in age; this is especially notable with Black women, who present low activity levels compared to white and other minority women (Greaney et al., 2017).

4HerHealth aims to combat the prevalence of potential health-related risks by fostering a community that supports physical activity and wellness in minority college students’ lives. The program consists of biweekly activities that highlight various health-related activities such as TCU-instructed fitness classes, step challenges, cooking and nutrition classes, and study and stress-relieving sessions. Participants who expressed low activity levels before the program reported an increased drive to go to the gym and eat healthier. Overall, participants said the program was informative, well-rounded, and provided a safe space and community for minority women on campus.

References
Ajibade, P. B. (2011). Physical activity patterns by campus housing status among African American female college students. Journal of Black Studies, 42(4), 548–560. https://doi.org/10.1177/0021934710385116
Greaney, M. L., Askew, S., Wallington, S. F., Foley, P. B., Quintiliani, L. M., & Bennett, G. G. (2017). The effect of a weight gain prevention intervention on moderate-vigorous physical activity among black women: The shape program. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 14(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-017-0596-6
Qu, X. (2020). Empirical analysis of the influence of physical exercise on psychological stress of college students. Revista Argentina de Clinica Psicologica. https://doi.org/10.24205/03276716.2020.386

Mathematical modeling of viral kinetics can be used to gain further insight into the viral replication cycle and virus-host interactions. However, many of the virus dynamics models do not incorporate the cell-to-cell heterogeneity of virus yield or the time-dependent factor of virus replication. A recent study of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) kinetics in single BHK cells determined that both virus production rate and yield of virus particles varies widely between individual cells of the same cell population. Here we use the results of the previously mentioned study to determine the distribution that best describes the time course of viral production within the single cells. We determined a list of eight potential distributions that are commonly used in viral kinetics models to fit to each data set by minimizing the sum of squared residuals. The model of best fit for each individual cell was determined using Akaike’s Information Criterion (AICC ). Results of this study show that the distribution that best describes viral production varies from cell to cell. This finding could have further reaching implications for incorporating time-dependent viral production into a standard model of virus kinetics in order to better reproduce the diversity of viral replication that occurs over time within a population of cells.

After-school programs can provide a variety of opportunities for elementary school students. With support from the Experiential Projects to Impact the Community (EPIC) committee, we partnered with a local elementary school in the Crowley Independent School District (CISD) to start a pickleball program. Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in America. The sport combines elements from tennis, badminton, and table tennis. The sport is appealing to all ages because it is easy to play. We gauged students' interest by teaching pickleball twice a week during P.E. classes. The Meadowcreek Pickleball Club launched shortly after in January of 2022. Students meet weekly to participate in drills, games, and clinics. Funding from the EPIC grant and a partnership with the Selkirk Growth Program allowed us to supply the school with nets, balls, and paddles. The purpose of the Meadowcreek Elementary Pickleball Club is to provide a safe environment where fourth and fifth graders can build relationships, gain confidence, and learn new skills.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, White, Latino/a, and Black youth enter into STEM programs at their universities in virtually identical numbers. Unfortunately following the early years of admittance, this is where the previous trend takes a dramatic decline as Black and Hispanic students are more likely to switch out of this field at rates of 40% and 37%, respectively (Riegle-Crumb et al., 2019). These disparities within Black and Hispanic communities regarding retention rate in STEM can oftentimes be attributed to factors such as imposter syndrome, lack of educational resources, and a lack of guidance/mentorship during their undergraduate career– the latter being the main focal point of this study. The purpose of this research is to analyze the impact that mentoring programs have on minority high school students that are interested in pursuing a degree in the field of STEM. Pre- and Post-surveys were utilized during the 2020/2021 academic school year in order to accurately gauge the students’ confidence in the following: applying to STEM programs at their universities of interest, excelling once admitted, and the amount of support they have in doing so. Community Partners include two local high schools in the surrounding DFW metroplex where students are paired with TCU Undergraduates currently pursuing a degree in STEM. Ultimately the following research seeks to examine the effectiveness of mentoring programs in the removal of generational barriers that have historically prevented populations of first-generation, minority students from not only succeeding in institutions of higher education, but ultimately receiving a bachelor's degree within fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Separated from their families, many older Americans in assisted living facilities struggle with loneliness and social isolation. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this issue, for most facilities have restricted outside visitors due to safety concerns. With the help of the Experiential Projects to Impact the Community (EPIC) Grant, which provides up to $1,500 for a Pre-Health student-led project at TCU that promotes a culture of giving and serves a demonstrated need in the Fort Worth community, a monthly meeting, centered on a craft activity, entitled “Crafts and Conversations” was established at Trinity Terrace to foster community between students at TCU and the residents of a local retirement facility. Through monthly Zoom meetings during the height of the pandemic to masked in-person gatherings at Trinity Terrace, TCU undergraduate students and residents at Trinity Terrace could talk amongst each other while constructing a craft whether that be painting Halloween pumpkins or crafting a winter holiday snow globe. By volunteering in leading these crafts, TCU students have had the chance to build meaningful relationships, improve upon their communication skills in a group dynamic, and been able to address preconceived stereotypes about the elderly. Prior to each craft, each meeting opens with a musical performance that has allowed TCU undergraduate musicians to cultivate and share their craft as well. This project has helped give residents at Trinity Terrace an outlet for social connections through crafts and conversations. Through a commitment to sustainability, “Crafts and Conversations” with Trinity Terrace will endure as a lasting legacy through a crew of committed volunteers who have grown as student leaders by strengthening the Fort Worth community and enriching the lives of the residents at Trinity Terrace.

The Pre-Health Peer Mentor EPIC grant program initiated our Once Upon a Room project to provide individual room decorations to patients at Cook Children. Due to ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we pivoted our goals by creating gift bags for patients and their families. These bags included gifts to make their stay better, from holiday bags including board games, toys, and other sensory items to welcome bags with hygiene supplies for parents. We have delivered approximately 45 bags in the Fall 2021 and Spring 2022 semesters and are set to deliver approximately 36 more in coming months. The gift bags have been a success with consistent and positive feedback from family and from Cook Children's Child Life department alike.

In this project we examine 2-dimensional cell-complexes and group actions on those cell complexes. We determine topological invariants of the group actions on these complexes using homology, cohomology, and the Euler characteristic.

In the field of Riemannian geometry, the condition on the Riemannian metric so that a manifold has positive scalar curvature (PSC) is important for a number of reasons. Many famous researchers have contributed gradually to this area of geometry, and in this project, we study more about PSC metrics on such manifolds. Specifically, we refine and provide some details to the proof of Gromov and Lawson that the connected sum of 2 n-dimensional manifolds will admit a PSC metric, provided each of the manifolds has a metric with the same condition. We then derive some useful formulas related to the Riemann curvature tensor, the Ricci tensor, and the scalar curvature in many different scenarios. We compute the quantities for a manifold equipped with an orthonormal frame and its dual coframe, namely the connection one-form and the curvature two-form. Then, we observe the change in the structure functions, defined as a function that determines the Lie derivative of the orthonormal frame, under a nearly conformal change of the said frame. The aim of these calculations is that, by expressing the scalar curvature of a manifold M entirely in terms of the structure functions, we can determine a condition on the conformal factor so that when dividing the tangent bundle of M into two sub-bundles, then the scalar curvature restricted to one sub-bundle will “dominate” that of the other one so that if we know the scalar curvature of the former sub-bundle is positive, we can be assured that the scalar curvature of M as a whole is also positive.

This research project focuses on the spreading of random curves in the differential geometry field which arises in statistical mechanics . It is known from the work of Einstein that random walks are connected to Brownian motion and diffusion. We will examine random curves that are not merely continuous but that are smooth and have prescribed bounds on curvature. We examine the distribution of a finite number of endpoints of such random curves. Using Python, we obtain 2-D histograms, graphs, and charts to research the spreading of random curves. A central goal in statistical mechanics is to describe the large-scale behavior of systems with the distribution of randomly generated data; we compare the distributions of curve endpoints to the Gaussian (normal) distribution.

Omega-3 supplementation in Division I track & field and cross-country athletes: Physiological markers of Omega-3 status, compliance, and likeability

Katie Couris1, Daphne Thomas1, Tatum Johnston1, Austin J Graybeal, PhD, CSCS2, Brooke Helms, MA, RDN, CSSD, LD3, and Jada L. Willis, PhD, RDN, LD, FAND1

1Department of Nutritional Sciences, College of Science & Engineering, Texas Christian University; Fort Worth, TX
2School of Kinesiology and Nutrition, University of Southern Mississippi; Hattiesburg, MS
3TCU Sports Nutrition, Department of Athletics, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX

ABSTRACT
Omega-3 fatty acid (FA) intake is suboptimal in student-athletes. Given this, and the newfound access to supplementation in collegiate athletes, the purpose of this study was to determine if Enhanced Recovery™ (ER) would improve FA profiles, compliance, and likeability versus a control in Division I track & field and cross-country athletes. In this randomized crossover study, 17 athletes were randomly assigned to either ER or a matched, standard control (fish-oil pills) for ~42d each with a 33-35d washout period. FA profiles were measured at baseline and every two-weeks. For omega-3 index (N3I), there were significant effects of time (p<0.001) and interaction (p=0.004). Significant increases were observed up to four-weeks and were higher for the control versus ER at weeks four (ER=7.25%±1.02; CON=7.76%±1.16) and six (ER=7.33%±1.14; CON=8.03%±1.33). There were also significant effects of time for omega-3:6 and arachidonic:eicosapentaenoic acid (p<0.001). However, after adjusting for compliance and consumption of omega-3 food sources, there were no longer significant effects of time, but an interaction effect remained for N3I and was observed for omega-3:6 (p=0.022; p=0.024, respectively) where both measures were better from four-to-six weeks during the control. Consumption of omega-3 food sources was a significant covariate for N3I and omega-3:6 (p=0.037; p=0.017, respectively). Lastly, 57.9% reported liking/being more likely to take ER and felt it was easier to consume (68.4%). As expected, both the ER and control led to improved FA levels. However, supplementation with ER led to improved likability among division I athletes which may enhance long-term omega-3 status.

Dark Matter (DM) is hypothesized to be an exotic particle that is invisible to human observation. But thankfully, its existence is proven through its gravitational interaction with luminous matter (such as stars and galaxies), and it is responsible for the formation of the humongous structures across our universe. The leading interpretation of DM is what we call Cold Dark Matter (CDM), where the DM particles have relatively low velocities and low energies. This causes structures to form quite quickly and easily in the early universe. While CDM can explain many observed properties of the universe, it is not without its flaws (specifically on the scale of low-mass dwarf galaxies). The hypothesis of Warm Dark Matter (WDM) poses a viable solution to the shortcomings of CDM. In WDM, the DM particles are of higher energy and have higher velocities. This would cause the formation of the first gravitationally bound structures in the Universe to be delayed when compared to CDM. Using a model to approximate varying temperatures of DM, we compare the rates and characteristics of early structure formation for the current CDM hypothesis, and that of many other types/temperatures of WDM. We expect that the differences between CDM and WDM will be most apparent during the first billion years after the Big Bang, just as the first stars in the Universe ignite. These results may be indicative of the true nature of dark matter, and finally bring our understanding into the light.

This report presents a novel approach to increase the detection sensitivity of trace amounts of DNA in a sample by employing Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) between intercalating dyes. Two intercalators that present efficient FRET were used to enhance sensitivity and improve specificity in detecting minute amounts of DNA. Comparison of steady-state acceptor emission spectra with and without the donor allows for simple and specific detection of DNA (acceptor bound to DNA) down to 100 pg/ul. When utilizing as an acceptor a dye with a significantly longer lifetime (e.g., Ethidium Bromide bound to DNA), multi-pulse pumping and time-gated detection enable imaging/visualization of picograms of DNA present in a microliter of an unprocessed sample or DNA collected on a swab or other substrate materials.

We studied room temperature phosphorescence of tryptophan (TRP) embedded in poly (vinyl alcohol) [PVA] films. With UV (285 nm) excitation, the phosphorescence spectrum of TRP appears at about 460 nm. We also observed the TRP phosphorescence with blue light excitation at 410 nm, well outside of the S0→S1 absorption. This excitation reaches the triplet state of TRP directly without the involvement of the singlet excited state. The phosphorescence lifetime of TRP is in the sub-millisecond range. The long-wavelength direct excitation to the triplet state results in high phosphorescence anisotropy which can be useful in macromolecule dynamics study via time-resolved phosphorescence.

Graphene Quantum Dots (GQDs) are highly perspective bioimaging agents due to a plethora of advantageous properties making them superior to conventional fluorophores. Those properties include stability to photobleaching, large Stokes shifts circumventing biological autofluorescence, and a capability of functionalization for drug delivery. In this work, a variety of GQD structures are imaged via visible fluorescence microscopy in order to evaluate the optimal GQD structures for bioimaging and bioengineering in vitro.

Infections deriving from the highly pathogenic avian H5N1 influenza virus often result in severe respiratory diseases with a high mortality rate. Although rarely transmissible to humans, recent events such as the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have shown that a proper understanding of the life cycles of deadly viruses like H5N1 and any variables that affect its terminality are vital. One such variable could be the method of entry, and its impact on the progression of H5N1 is the focus of the study. Utilizing previous data on cynomolgus macaques subject to samples of H5N1, we study how entry via a combined intrabronchial, oral, and nasal pathway affect disease progression. We fit the data using a viral kinetics model, which allows us to estimate parameters describing the H5N1 life cycle. This allows us to better understand the life cycle of H5N1 in vivo.

Everyone gets sick and illness negatively affects all aspects of life. One major cause of illness is viral infections. Some viral infections can last for weeks; others, like influenza (the flu), can resolve quickly. During infections, healthy cells can grow in order to replenish the cells that have died from the virus. Past viral models, especially those for short-lived infections like influenza, tend to ignore cellular regeneration – since many think that uncomplicated influenza resolves much faster than cells regenerate. This research accounts for cellular regeneration, using an agent-based framework, and varies the regeneration rate in order to understand how cell regeneration affects viral infections. The model used represents virus infections and spread in a two-dimensional layer of cells in order to generate graphs of virus over time for corresponding regeneration rates. We find that the effect of cell regeneration depends on the mode of transmission of the infection.

The first stars in the Universe, Pop III stars, formed out of the primordial hydrogen and helium sometime during the first billion years of cosmic time. Their formation ended the Cosmic Dark Ages. Despite their critical role in kick starting the formation of all “metals,” (ie. the carbon in our bodies and the oxygen we breathe), we do not know how massive these first stars were, and when and how the era of the first stars ended. While Pop III stars are too faint for a direct detection, their deaths are potentially visible by James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). A subset of Pop III stars end their lives as Pair Instability Supernova (PISN), explosions 100 times more powerful than a typical supernova. However, determining the astrophysics of the first stars will require combining the detection of PISN with theoretical work on the mass distribution of Pop III stars. In this theoretical work, we need to fully explore the range of mass distribution of Pop III stars to determine how dependent the PISN rate is on the masses of Pop III stars. In this work, we present results from a new model which explores the distribution of Population III masses with a set free parameters. We find an order magnitude difference in the PISN rates for various Pop III mass distribution. In addition, we find that PISN rates may provide one of the first independent probes of the maximum mass of Pop III stars.

It has been well established that ZnO is a versatile material with multiple existing and potential applications owing to its numerous and unique properties. ZnO in the nano- and microscale forms has been a focus of attention in recent years due to demonstrated utilities in pharmaceutics, bioengineering and medical diagnostics. Of particular interest is the utilization of ZnO as an antibacterial agent. With growth inhibition observed for both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria as well as antibiotic strains, the antibacterial action of ZnO is well documented. Yet, there exists much debate over the fundamental mechanisms underlying the antibacterial action of ZnO. Commonly proposed mechanisms include the generation of various reactive oxygen species, release of Zn ions, surface-to-surface interactions, etc. In this work, we investigate the surface and near-surface optoelectronic properties of ZnO microcrystals as they relate to the antibacterial figures of merit. As microscale ZnO particles exhibit comparable antibacterial action to those at the nanoscale, while minimizing effects related to internalization, they are well-suited to serve as a platform to investigate the role of the crystalline free surfaces in this behavior. A bottom-up hydrothermal growth method was employed to synthesize ZnO microcrystals with tunable morphology and a well-controlled relative abundance of polar and non-polar surfaces. The quality of the crystalline lattice and free surfaces as well as the predominant morphology of these samples were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and surface photovoltage spectroscopy. The antibacterial efficacy of these particles was characterized via minimum inhibitory concentration assays, performed using Staphylococcus Aureus in a Mueller Hinton broth media. We performed a series of optoelectronic experiments including temperature dependent photoluminescence spectroscopy as well as spectroscopic and transient surface photovoltage as a means to observe changes occurring at the ZnO surface during these assays. We detected significant spectral changes due to interactions with bacteria and growth media. In particular, we showed that interactions with s.aureus resulted in considerable modifications of the excitonic luminescence.

Photothermal Therapy (PTT) provides a promising new method of radiative therapy cancer, using infrared wavelengths. In my project, the ability of these materials to heat up when shone with near infrared light, or the photothermal effect, of various nanomaterials—including reduced graphene oxide, reduced graphene quantum dots , and copper sulfide nanoparticles—is characterized by irradiation of the aqueous materials with near-infrared radiation.

CRISPR Cas9 is a programmable single guided RNA (sgRNA) ribonucleic protein (RNP) that has demonstrated their ease and practical use as a gene editing tool for in vitro and ex vivo applications. For in vivo applications of the Cas9 RNP, physiological barriers must be overcome and gene editing to occur transiently, demonstrating the need to develop biocompatible imaging agents to protect and locate Cas9 RNP in vivo. Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are biocompatible carbon-based nanomaterials that have served as delivery and imaging agents for drug and gene medicine due to their ease in synthesis and repertoire of complexation capabilities arising from the choice of precursor materials. In this work, we have synthesized visible and near infrared emitting GQDs with glucosamine HCl and polyethylenimine (PEI) using a bottom-up approach to use them as non-viral delivery vehicles for the Cas9 RNP. PEI increases the net positive charge of GQDs allowing their electrostatic complexation with the net negatively charged RNP. We further demonstrate their complexation with gel retardation assay and TEM. The GQDs+PEI+RNP in vitro editing capability is shown by targeting the TP53 414delC frameshift mutation locus present in PC3 cancer cell line for prostate cancer. This form of editing serves as a guide for future cancer therapy using GQDs as non-viral delivery of Cas9 RNP to mutant TP53 genes overexpressed in about 50% of cancers.

With the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the U.S. in early 2020, much of the early response in the U.S. was made on a state level with varying levels of effectiveness. To characterize the effects of early preventative measures by state legislatures we can use a SEIR model and data gathered to analyze the effectiveness of lockdown measures from state to state. Using the data collected we can model the effect of lockdown measures on the infection rate to characterize the effect preventative measures had on case numbers. We chiefly used 4 models to simulate the change in infection rate: instantaneous, linear, exponential, and logarithmic. Then using these models, we fit each model to the case data and compared the relative accuracy of each model to the data to determine which model most accurately represented the change in infection rate within the first months of the pandemic. Following this, we used the fits obtained to create a possible distribution for each parameter, which helps accurately predict the actual number of cases and how it was affected by preventative measures.

Several different vaccines have been introduced to combat the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infections. As the virus is capable of mutating to escape the protection given by the vaccine, using multiple vaccines is believed to help prevent the virus from mutating to escape all vaccines, helping to combat spread of the virus. We simulate the effect of using multiple vaccines on the virus using a mathematical model. With the model, we can better understand the effect of multiple types of vaccines in helping to control pandemics.

One of the large unanswered questions in astronomy is: How does the Milky Way galaxy evolve, chemically and dynamically? Of all the objects that we could use to probe this question, groups of stars which were all born from the same gas cloud, known as open clusters, are the most reliable. This makes open clusters ideal for exploring the evolution of our Galaxy because we can determine not only the distance, position, velocity, and chemistry of the cluster, but we can also pin a reliable age to the cluster as well. Historically, assembling a statistically significant dataset of open clusters has proved to be challenging without inducing large systematic uncertainties by collecting data from multiple sources. The Open Cluster Chemical Abundance and Mapping (OCCAM) survey is a uniform dataset of star clusters that uses dynamical data from the Gaia space telescope and 16 different chemical abundances from the APOGEE survey, which is a part of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. This new update to OCCAM includes uniformly measured data for 153 open clusters and a total of 2061 member stars, which we use to investigate the chemical evolution of the Milky Way.

Oxidative stress, an imbalance of reactive oxygen species, has been shown to participate in a multitude of diseases from Alzheimer to cancer. Thus, there is a search for radical scavenging agents capable of circumventing oxidative stress. Due to their remarkable properties, quantum dots are known to be utilized in a variety of applications including binding of reactive oxygen species (ROS). However, the translation of nanomaterials to clinic is often hampered by their off target toxicity. Thus, the aim of our work is to develop and test fully biocompatible graphene quantum dots (GQDs) with a variety of dopants that will the tune radical scavenging activity (RSA) of the GQD. We have synthesized and tested over ten types of doped GQDs and accessed their radical scavenging ability via DPPH, KMnO4, and RHB assays. Among those, thulium and aluminum doped GQDs show superior scavenging.