POROUS SILICON NANOTUBES AS POTENTIAL VECTORS FOR SMALL INTERFERING RNA DELIVERY

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Nguyen Le Chemistry & Biochemistry
Advisor(s): Jeffery Coffer Chemistry & Biochemistry Giridhar Akkaraju Biology

In cancer therapy, nucleic acid-based therapeutic strategies have been extensively investigated to suppress mutated gene expression, thereby inhibiting cancer cell growth. Among the approaches, small interfering (siRNA)-mediated gene silencing has been envisaged as a promising therapeutic approach to silence specific gene expression by targeting mRNA of the unwanted gene for degradation, thereby readily controlling cellular functions. However, delivery of small interfering RNA (siRNA) has been known to encounter multiple challenging barriers, such as blood circulation and cellular internalization, thus limiting the potential merits of this therapeutic strategy. While non-viral vectors have been preferred owing in part to better immune system compatibilities, porous silicon (pSi) with various geometric shapes (e.g. platelet and discoid) have recently been demonstrated as exceptional delivery carriers of siRNA in various disease models. Here our initial in vitro studies show that silicon in a unique one-dimensional porous nanotube structure (pSiNTs) can serve as a promising vector for delivery of siRNA to limit target gene expression, thereby expanding the library of possible nanostructures of Si in delivery of siRNA.
In this work, we demonstrate that pSiNTs after being functionalized with 3-(aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) can deliver enhanced green fluorescence protein (EGFP)-targeting-siRNA via electrostatic conjugation and suppress EGFP expression in HeLa cervical cancer cells by up to 50%. Cytocompatibility and biodegradation of the functionalized pSiNT matrix upon siRNA delivery are characterized by ATP quantification assays (CellTiter Glo) and Transmission Electron Microscopy imaging (TEM) respectively. These results encourage further development of pSiNTs in therapeutic applications.

Synthesizing a vaccine for the treatment of addiction to the fentanyl opioid

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Carolina Segura Biology
Advisor(s): Jean-Luc Montchamp Chemistry & Biochemistry

The objective of this project is to make a vaccine that will negate the effects of the powerful opioid fentanyl in the long term. Fentanyl is a strong synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. According to the CDC, there were over 70,000 deaths due to street drug overdoses, which has increased in the last ten years. 40 % of these deaths are related to fentanyl overdoses, therefore it is imperative that approaches are developed to combat this alarming increase in deaths. The vaccine against fentanyl will be synthesized out of molecules that will take advantage of fentanyl’s amide functional group to be hydrolyzed into safe byproducts. Any patient that is administered with the vaccine, will not feel the effects of the opioid because the immune system will hydrolyze the drug as soon as it enters. This project will exploit the properties of both catalytic antibodies (CAbs) and transition state analogs. The Cabs will trigger an immune response to attract phagocytic cells, such as macrophages to phagocytose pathogens and eliminate them from the system. However, if the molecule resembles the transition-state of fentanyl hydrolysis, then the antibodies can cleave the fentanyl in a fast and efficient manner due to their catalytic properties. Therefore, after immunization, a person who is addicted to fentanyl would no longer feel the effects of the opioid because it will be degraded as an immune response is triggered, creating a long-term possible solution to one factor of the “opioid crisis.”

Sir Stan's Well Rounded Adventure

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Brooke Smith Computer Science Nick Bonavia Computer Science Sellars Levy Computer Science Shane Mitchell Computer Science David Rasberry Computer Science Westen Riley Computer Science
Advisor(s): Michael Scherger Computer Science

Sir Stanley’s Well Rounded Adventure is a mobile game that is meant to help educate children ages 7-11 about living a healthy lifestyle. Childhood obesity is on the rise, and while we cannot control the lifestyle choices others make, we can help bring education to the younger masses through a medium that they can enjoy: video games. Sir Stanley’s Well Rounded Adventure will help children learn valuable lessons about nutrition and physical activity through a series of unique mini-games, in-game tutorials, and in-game achievements. Our goal is to make this information that has been provided to us by TCU’s nutrition department both accessible and easy to understand for the younger generation.

Improving habitats for bats: What makes a bat-friendly residential swimming pool?

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Elizabeth Agpalo Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Victoria Bennett Environmental Sciences

For urban environments to support bat communities, resources need to be readily available, such as water. For example, bats typically use urban water sources, such as drainage ditches, lakes, and ponds. However, in areas where temperatures are consistently high and rainfall limited, these sources tend to be ephemeral. During these periods, bats utilized residential swimming pools. If pools were more attractive to bats, we may be able to improve urban habitats for bats both in terms of abundance and species diversity. We, therefore, set out to determine whether size, shape (round of square), lighting, and treatment type (chlorine, salt, or mineral) encouraged bats to drink at pools. Thus, we conducted behavioral surveys at 14 pools using thermal cameras and acoustic detectors to record bat foraging and drinking activity. Our results demonstrated that while shape did not influence pool use, treatment type, lighting, and size did. With this information, we can better advise interested residents in urban neighborhoods how better to make their backyards more bat-friendly.

The potential of cost-effective UAV technology to replace costly technologies in Precision Agriculture

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Benite Ishimwe Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

The potential of cost-effective UAV technology to replace costly technologies in Precision Agriculture

Abstract

The use of satellite and aerial remote sensing for agricultural applications has exponentially expanded since the past decades. One such agricultural application that is highly dependent on the use of advanced hyperspectral and multispectral remote sensing and GPS technology to boost crop harvests and viability, while reducing the number and amount of inputs, like water, fertilizer, land, and others required to grow crops, is Precision Agriculture (PA). Although PA has been credited for the increased crop yield and productivity in the United States and worldwide, its dependence on costly technologies has been a major hurdle for it to be used by small-scale farmers locally and globally. This project aims to reduce the dependence of PA on costly and complex remote sensing technologies through the use of alternate and cheaper options such as low/medium-priced Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAV), popularly known as drones, equipped with only high-resolution cameras capable of, to a certain extent, mimicking the functionalities that are offered by costly technologies. Such low-cost technology is anticipated to enhance the efficiency and profitability of the agriculture sector through the provision of easier technologies to small-scale farmers. The research project is currently being implemented on a wheat farm owned by Davis farms (Grandview, Texas). Multi-temporal (at different growing stages) UAV imageries using DJI Mavic air 3D are being acquired with the purpose of producing 3D maps for qualitative and quantitative analysis. This includes crop-health assessment through the generation of crop-health indicator indices such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI). A similar analysis from high-resolution multispectral imagery of the area, acquired from commercial satellite operators, will be undertaken and the accuracy, validity, and reliability of the UAV-based PA application will be assessed.

The effects of increased population growth on Rwanda’s forest ecosystem

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Benite Ishimwe Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

The effects of increased population growth on Rwanda’s forest ecosystem.
Rwanda is a country in Central-East Africa and one of the smallest countries on the African continental, being only 10,169 mi²/ 26340 sq. Km. Rwanda is a landlocked country bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The current population of Rwanda is 12,830,205 as of 2020, based on the latest United Nations data with a population density of 525 per Km2 which equates to about 1,360 people per mi2 with 17.6 % of the population living in urban centers.
Rwanda forests have historically played a very significant role in the economy and livelihoods of its population through tourism, energy, and other industrial purposes. They provide around 86% of the primary energy source mainly as domestic cooking energy. Rwanda experienced 50.9% total forest loss since 1990, in order to address this deforestation and imbalance in wood supply/demand, Rwanda has over the years taken a consistent stance on increasing the forest cover by 30% by 2020. With growing population, this case study is going to analyze how population growth in Rwanda has affected forest cover and biodiversity. The study will integrate available geospatial datasets such as census, infrastructure, and satellite imagery to assess the impact of population growth on deforestation.

Evaluating the Properties of Coffee Derived Carbon-Based Materials for the Removal of Lead from Contaminated Water

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Amy Lam Environmental Sciences
Advisor(s): Omar Harvey Geological Sciences

Americans generate about 12.6 million kilograms of spent coffee grounds every day. 90% of that will end up in a landfill. However, this waste stream is a potential starting material that can be used for engineering purposes and to address issues like climate change and water pollution. For example, initial research has shown that charring (burning) the grounds at 350℃ improved its lead removal abilities. My research will convert spent coffee grounds to carbon-based materials by charring (burning) them at 350oC, 450oC, and 650oC to investigate how fast they can remove the lead. My research will also explore how activating the charred coffee grounds with nitric acid (HNO3) will enhance its capacity for lead removal and how the rate at which the materials can remove it.

Illinois agriculture: An examination of the relationship between annual corn crop yield and the application of Atrazine.

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Dalton Allen Biology
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

Herbicides are chemicals frequently used in agriculture to manage or remove unwanted vegetation (i.e., weeds) that may negatively impact crops through resource competition. Through the elimination of these competitors, losses in crop yield may be reduced thus increasing cropland productivity. Atrazine is an herbicide that is widely used in the United States for the control of weeds that is predominately applied in the agriculture of corn, sorghum, and sugarcane. This is of interest to Illinois agriculture, as according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Illinois is a major agricultural producer of corn and soybeans with corn accounting for 11 million of Illinois’ 27 million acres of cropland. Further, Illinois possesses an agricultural industry that produces more than $19 billion annually of which corn accounts for more than 50 percent. It is due to the economic importance of corn crops to the state of Illinois and the widespread use of Atrazine in the agriculture of corn, that this project seeks to examine the relationship between Illinois annual corn crop yields and Atrazine application. This relationship will be assessed through analysis of spatial data acquired from the USDA for Illinois Atrazine application and corn crop yield.

Analysis of Deforestation in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Navya Kolli Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

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

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Navya Kolli Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences

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.

Fungal alterations of Plant Biomass and Impacts on Sorption organic cations: Model study of Coffee grounds and Gentian violet.

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Jesse Mugisha Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Harvey Omar Geological Sciences

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).

U-PB DETRITAL ZIRCONS OF SYNOROGENIC CARBONIFEROUS DEEP-WATER CLASTIC DEPOSITS IN THE OUACHITA MOUNTAINS, ARKANSAS, UNITED STATES

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Shaun Prines Geological Sciences Walter Manger Geological Sciences Xiangyang Xie Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Xiangyang Xie Geological Sciences

The southern margin of the North American continent transformed from a passive margin to an
active margin during the Ouachita orogeny. Thick and near–continuous Paleozoic successions in
the Ouachita Mountains provide a unique opportunity to document changes in both
sedimentation and tectonics. In contrast to well-documented Taconic, Acadian, and Alleghenian
orogenic events, limited detrital zircon studies of the Ouachita orogeny and associated
successions have been published, and sediment sources of these deep-water, synorogenic clastics
remain less constrained.
In this study, a total of six outcrop samples (n=617) from the Mississippian Stanley Group and
Lower-Middle Pennsylvanian Jackfork and Johns Valley Groups were collected and processed
for U-Pb detrital zircon geochronologic analyses to depict sediment sources and dispersal
patterns during the Ouachita orogeny. Results show that the age distributions of the
Carboniferous deep-water clastic deposits in the Ouachita Mountains are characterized by major
peaks of the Paleozoic (~350-500 Ma), Grenville (~900-1350 Ma), and Midcontinental GraniteRhyolite (~1350-1500 Ma), minor peaks of Yavapai-Mazatzal (~1600-1800 Ma) and Superior (>
~2500 Ma) provinces. These deep water clastics share great similarities with the Appalachian
sources and are likely derived from similar sources. From the Mississippian Stanley Group to the
Pennsylvanian Jackfork and Johns Valley Groups, the Yavapai-Mazatzal population shows
marked enrichment (up to ~12%), suggesting Precambrian basement uplifts, possibly related to
the Ancestral Rockies to the northwest, might be another potential source. Compilation and
comparison show the Neoproterozoic age population (~550-800 Ma), most likely associated with
the peri-Gondwana terrane to the south, ranges from 3% to 35% within the Mississippian Stanley
Group. The variation indicates that the Stanley Group may have strong but short-lived local
contribution from the Gondwana terrane in addition to the regional Appalachian sources.
Overall, despite its proximal location, these Carboniferous deep-water clastic deposits in the
Ouachita Mountains received limited contribution from the Ouachita orogenic belt itself.

Trail Network Analysis of the TCU Tropical Biology Station

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Mary Tucker Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Esayas Gebremichael Geological Sciences Dean Williams Biology

The new world tropics represent an area of unparalleled biodiversity. Unfortunately, it also represents an area of increasing habitat loss and consequently is in dire need of protection and conservation. The TCU San Ramon Tropical Biology Station located on the Caribbean slope of Costa Rica protects 100 hectares of primary and secondary forest and is a unique and ideal location for studying tropical biology. In the summer of 2018, we mapped an updated trail network at the station using a Bad elf sub-meter GNSS receiver in conjunction with Arc Collector. For this project we analyzed the distance each trail traveled through the 3 habitat types found at the station (primary forest, secondary forest, and pasture land), which will be used to aid the sampling efforts of my Master’s thesis project examining how mixed-species foraging flocks utilize the habitat protected by the station.

Quantifying the Hydrological Setting of Upper Flow Regime Channels of the Triassic Dockum Group of West Texas

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Samuel Walker Geological Sciences John Holbrook Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): John Holbrook Geological Sciences

The Triassic Dockum Group of the western Texas High Plains is studied in depth paleontologically, but until recently lacked a detailed sedimentological evaluation. Recent research of the Dockum Group in Palo Duro Canyon, Texas, provides new interpretations of the complex fluvial lacustrine strata of the comprising formations based on analysis of individual lithofacies. Identified within the lithofacies assemblages are numerous channel belts composed of upper flow regime bedforms. Observed upper flow regime bedforms in outcrop range from upper plane bed, antidunes, breaking antidunes, chutes and pools, and cyclic steps with increasing flow velocity respectively. These channel belts record extreme flow events from repeating massive storms that perpetuated throughout the Texas region of Triassic Pangea. These unique reservoir-quality channels are interpreted to be resultant of a megamonsoonal climate producing massive pulses of rapid flow allowing for the preservation of upper flow regime bedforms. While these channels are identified in outcrop they have not been quantified in distribution, variability in fill, connectivity and formative discharge.
This study aims to test the megamonsoonal hypothesis by quantifying the discharge of these channels and testing if the distribution density and paleodischarge of these channels is consistent with local dominance of megamonsoonal conditions. Upper flow regime structures are rarely preserved in the rock record and extremely difficult to observe directly during natural formation in modern rivers. Most of the equations used to quantify flow conditions for these structures are derived from flume tank experiments. These are applied to the upper flow regime bedforms found in outcrops of the Dockum Group to reconstruct paleohydrology. Current flume tank research reinforces Kennedy’s equations defining relationships between the wavelengths of stable antidune apexes (λ), mean flow depth (hm) and mean flow velocity (U). These equations are modified to account for different upper flow regime structures formed under increasing velocity and discharge identified in outcrop. Bedform distribution, size, and type are variables determined from outcrop measurement. Paleoflow velocities, Froude numbers and relative water depths are determined with an observed margin of error. Scaling relationships and field measurements provide constraints on channel cross sectional area and channel-belt density. This data along with grain size distribution provides tangible numbers for calculating formative discharge. Preliminary results align with data from flume tank experiments and are consistent with major floods produced by substantial storm events verifying the megamonsoonal hypothesis.

Campanian-Maastrichtian Ankylosaurs of West Texas

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Bryanna West Geological Sciences
Advisor(s): Arthur Busbey Geological Sciences

Modeling Wound Healing Using Deep Learning

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Hy Dang Mathematics
Advisor(s): Ken Richardson Mathematics

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.

Deeper Exploration of the C*-Algebras Arising from Uniformly Recurrent Subgroups and their Relationship with Crossed Products

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Douglas Wagner Mathematics
Advisor(s): José Carrión Mathematics

A group is a mathematical construct that represents the symmetries of an object. These symmetries transform the object through what is called a group action. Graphs—Cayley graphs, in particular—provide a rich source of symmetries for forming groups. A graph and its group action can be modeled by a collection of infinite matrices known as a C*-algebra. In a paper in the Journal of Functional Analysis, Gábor Elek used dynamical systems called Uniformly Recurrent Subgroups (URS) to construct a new type of C*-algebra. We further develop understanding of these C*-algebras using tools from other areas of operator theory. In particular, comparisons with the well-known crossed-product construction have proven useful.

A pilot study: Actual versus perceived health status of college students

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Carter Clatterbuck Nutritional Sciences Austin Graybeal Nutritional Sciences Jena Littlefield Nutritional Sciences
Advisor(s): Jada Willis Nutritional Sciences

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.

PERCEPTIONS OF INTERMITTENT FASTING AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS AGE 18-24

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Katy Clemens Nutritional Sciences Callie Juetten Nutritional Sciences Brooke Respondek Nutritional Sciences
Advisor(s): Rebecca Dority Nutritional Sciences

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

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Rylee Lin Nutritional Sciences Danielle Farmer Nutritional Sciences Julia Goodrich Nutritional Sciences
Advisor(s): Anne VanBeber Nutritional Sciences

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

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Jessica Mertes Nutritional Sciences Natalia Andonie Nutritional Sciences Anna Graves Nutritional Sciences Austin Graybeal Nutritional Sciences Isabella Marzan Nutritional Sciences
Advisor(s): Jada Willis Nutritional Sciences

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

Influence of public knowledge on consumption of dairy and dairy substitutes

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Katie Pitchford Nutritional Sciences Anna Brown Nutritional Sciences Eliana Buss Nutritional Sciences
Advisor(s): Rebecca Dority Nutritional Sciences

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.

Treatment of viral coinfections

Type: Undergraduate
Author(s): Paul Alexander Physics & Astronomy
Advisor(s): Hana Dobrovolny Physics & Astronomy

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.

Graphene Quantum Dot Formulation for Cancer Imaging and Redox-Based Drug Delivery

Type: Graduate
Author(s): ELIZABETH CAMPBELL Physics & Astronomy Giridhar Akkaraju Biology Roberto Gonzalez-Rodriguez Chemistry & Biochemistry Kayla Green Chemistry & Biochemistry Tanvir Hasan Physics & Astronomy Bong Lee Physics & Astronomy Anton Naumov Physics & Astronomy Tate Truly Biology
Advisor(s): Anton Naumov Physics & Astronomy

Treatment of complex conditions, such as cancer, has been substantially advanced by a field of molecular therapeutics. However, many of these therapies are limited by the dose toxicity and lack the predictive power of tomography-guided approaches. Nanomaterial platforms can address these drawbacks, safely delivering therapeutics, concomitantly imaging their delivery pathways, and presenting sites for targeting agent attachment. Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) possess physical properties that are critical for biomedical applications, including small size (3-5 nm), high quantum yield, low cytotoxicity, and pH-dependent fluorescence emission. Nitrogen doped graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs) are now utilized as a platform for a targeted treatment formulation geared toward cancer therapeutic. Our work utilizes nitrogen-doped GQDs as an emissive platform for covalent attachment of a targeting agent (hyaluronic acid (HA) targeted to the CD44 receptors on several cancer cell types) and oxidative stress-based cancer therapeutic (ferrocene (Fc)). The synthesized multifunctional formulation is characterized and its efficacy evaluated in vitro. Elemental mapping indicates that the purified from reactants synthetic product has an average iron content of 0.64 atomic percent, suggesting the successful attachment of the therapeutic, while FFT analysis of TEM images confirms the crystalline structure of the GQDs. Although GQDs alone yield no cytotoxicity as quantified via the MTT assay up to the maximum imaging concentrations of 1 mg/mL, the Fc-HA-GQD formulation exhibits a higher cytotoxic response in the cancer cells (HeLa) targeted by the HA as opposed to healthy ones (HEK-293) that do not overexpress CD44, suggesting cancer-selective targeted efficacy. As Fc induces oxidative stress that is less mitigated in cancer cells, we expect it to also contribute to the observed cancer-selective treatment response. As a result, we propose Fc-HA-GQD formulation as a multifunctional targeted delivery, imaging, and cancer-specific treatment agent further to be studied in vivo.

Surface Plasmon Coupled Emission: a new super sensitive technique

Type: Graduate
Author(s): Luca Ceresa Physics & Astronomy
Advisor(s): Zygmunt Gryczynski Physics & Astronomy

Fluorescence has proved itself to be a useful tool in a wide variety of fields, ranging from environmental sensing to biomedical diagnostics. In this study, we propose to utilize a novel fluorescence-based technique called Surface Plasmon Coupled Emission (SPCE) to monitor molecular binding and to detect low concentrations of physiological markers (e.g. biomarkers present in the human body as a result of a disease). SPCE is characterized by directional emission that allows for a superior sensitivity and selectivity for detection. The development of an SPCE-based detection platform will allow for simple, fast and sensitive detection in a compact configuration that can be relatively easily implemented in the field or in primary care offices. Surface plasmon induced fluorescence at the interface of a thin metal layer (e.g. 50 nm of silver or gold) and a dielectric (e.g. glass) allows for highly enhanced excitation of fluorophores deposited on top of the metal film and very efficient detection due to the directional nature of this emission. As a result, we expect highly improved detection sensitivity compared to other fluorescence detection methods or other surface detection methods such as surface plasmon attenuated reflection (SPR).