Digital Commons Network^™

“Welcome To The Next Level:” How Optical Media Revolutionized The Video Game Industry, Schuyler Ogden

Liberty University Research Week

The world of entertainment took the world by storm in the twentieth century, like a hurricane ravaging the gulf coast. The twentieth century brought many forms of entertainment that defined American culture. From sports like football and baseball, to radio shows, to television. Each one of these contributed their fair share of economic progress, but one that proved to have a great impact was the video game industry. Video games have changed drastically in its history, but not as big as the introduction of optical media in the early to mid 1990s, specifically CD-ROMs. CD-ROM stands for Compact Disc Read …

Effect Of Static Stretching On Power Output During A Wingate Test, Anna Ruegsegger, Maddie Kliment

Liberty University Research Week

Background: This study examined the effect of short duration static stretching on power output from a maximal cycling test called a Wingate test. There are debates in the current literature on whether static stretching or a different method is best to include in the warmup to enhance subsequent performance. Static stretching has been shown to have a negative effect on muscle strength and power due to changes in musculotendinous stiffness, neuromuscular factors, and reflex sensitivities. It has been suggested that short duration static stretching does not have a negative impact on performance, but longer duration does. Methods: 17 females volunteered …

Beyond Nonspecific Low Back Pain - Identifying Mild Scoliosis In A Collegiate Diver: A Type 3 Case Study, Zoey Nelson, Ashley Sennett, John Coots

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Early Sport Specialization On Psychological Burnout In Youth Athletes: A Critically Appraised Topic, Caitlynn Ybarra, Brylee Starling

Liberty University Research Week

Context: The prevalence of youth athletes specializing in a single sport prior to puberty has steadily increased, often driven by aspirations to achieve elite performance status and secure scholarships. Clinicians, however, have observed significant negative consequences associated with early specialization, including psychological burnout, premature retirement, amotivation, and exhaustion. Within youth athletics, how does single-sport specialization early on compare with multi-sport participation when looking at the impact it has on psychological burnout throughout growth and maturation?

Methods: Across the included studies, early single-sport specialization was consistent in having higher levels of psychological stress and burnout symptoms when compared to multi-sport youth …

Relationships Among Emotional Intelligence, Emotional Reactivity, And Heart Rate Variability, Miriam Bowser

Liberty University Research Week

Ability emotional intelligence (EI) and trait EI have been correlated with heart rate variability (HRV), suggesting adaptive regulation facilitated by the autonomic nervous system. Emotional reactivity (ER) is also positively correlated with EI, possibly because individuals with higher EI are more sensitive to emotional information. The current study utilizes a cross-sectional design (N = 71) to measure trait and ability EI, self-reported emotional reactivity, and HRV. The current study found no relationships among trait and ability EI, suggesting that they encompass distinct underlying constructs. EI did not have a relationship with HRV, which could be due to the study’s small …

Diagnostic Ultrasound Used For Post-Traumatic Scar Tissue: A Type 4 (Rare) Case Study, Savanna Martin

Liberty University Research Week

Background: Patient is an 18-year-old male who presented with a palpable, mobile mass on the anterior portion of the lower left leg. The patient reported that the mass had been present for approximately three years, following a run-in with the edge of metal bleachers while playing football. A small mass was noted the following day, but the patient was able to continue normal activity. His primary care physician recommended observation only, as the mass did not impact activities of daily living. Differential Diagnosis: Differential considerations included lipoma, synovial cyst, or non-calcified soft tissue mass.

Treatment: Diagnostic ultrasound confirmed the presence …

Co2 Washout Performance Of Single-Prong And Dual-Prong High-Velocity Therapy, Robert Kacinski

Liberty University Research Week

Computational models were used to investigate the flow in the upper airway during high-velocity therapy delivered via a single-prong or a dual-prong cannula geometry. A temporally varying boundary condition was used to apply a realistic breathing cycle to the base of the trachea. The patient mouth was “closed” to specific percentages by modifying the cross sectional area of a plane in the patient mouth. The total amount of CO2 inhaled, which should be minimized, was collected as a measure of therapy effectiveness. The mass CO2 inhaled was calculated by subtracting the mass of CO2 present in the airway at the …

Comparative Analysis Of Lower-Extremity Musculoskeletal Injuries In Ice Hockey Players And Figure Skaters – A Level 4 Case Study, Emma Rivas

Liberty University Research Week

Background – (Patient Populations): Although ice hockey players and figure skaters often share the same training environment, the biomechanical demands of their sports differ substantially. These sports-specific movement patterns may contribute to distinct lower-extremity musculoskeletal asymmetries and injury risk.

Differential Diagnosis – (Purpose – Objective): To examine the kinematic differences between ice hockey skating stride mechanics and figure skating jumping mechanics, and to identify how these sport-specific demands influence susceptibility to lower-extremity overuse injuries.

Treatment – (Data sources): A comprehensive literature review was conducted to evaluate existing research on biomechanical loading patterns, muscle activation profiles, and injury prevalence among ice …

Histological Assessment Of Neuropathic Pain In Murine Nervous Tissue, Katelynn Castagnola

Liberty University Research Week

Neuropathic pain is a symptom of diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and HIV/AIDS that is difficult to treat since the pain originates in the central nervous system. Current models of neuropathic pain involve mice and are difficult to use, since the methods are invasive and require extensive training; ligation of the sciatic nerve or the T4 and T5 spinal nerves are the most common procedures today. However, it has recently been suggested that formalin can potentially induce chronic pain in mice, as it has been successfully induced in rats. Therefore, our experimental goal was to establish a formalin-induced model of neuropathic pain …

Fish Species And Diversity Database To Monitor Environmental Impacts Of Lake Hydaway Expansion, Lance Jones, Ella Mason, Sean Genota

Liberty University Research Week

Lake Hydaway’s recent expansion from 6 to 31 acres altered the habitat available for fish in the Opossum Creek watershed. This presents the opportunity to study the current fish populations and monitor changes in species composition and health over time. This long-term project seeks to create a standardized species database which will be used for various research purposes due to no such database or monitoring programs currently existing. Four representative sites of Opossum Creek were selected, two upstream and two downstream of Lake Hydaway. Each site was geolocated for reliable repeatability. Each site was sampled using backpack electrofishing following the …

Sensing Polar Vapors Associated With Food Spoilage Via The Photonic Crystals Of The Morpho Zephyritis Butterfly, Grace Bradley

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Environmental Limitations Of A Low-Cost, Cots Lora Meshcore Node Network, Robert Thompson, Alexander Weir, David Zelinsky, Hannah Murai, Judah Sotomayor

Liberty University Research Week

During catastrophic emergencies, when the existing cellular infrastructure is rendered unusable, reliable off-grid communication equipment can save lives. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of low-cost consumer radio hardware utilizing LoRa wireless technology in an emergency communications scenario. During catastrophic emergencies, when the existing cellular infrastructure is rendered unusable, reliable off-grid communication equipment can save lives. LoRa is a wireless communication technology that can be easily deployed with low-cost radio hardware. Due to its low power consumption, flexible deployment, and wide range, LoRa modules are well-suited for setting up a network in an emergency response scenario when traditional communication …

Where You Live Determines How You Heal: Transportation Barriers And Healthcare Access Across Lynchburg Census Tracts, Shaira Neupane, Alexandra Mixan, Claire Rau

Liberty University Research Week

Background: As a local priority in Centra Health’s Community Health Needs Assessment, transportation in Lynchburg revealed limitations disproportionately affecting low-income, uninsured, and low-vehicle-availability households, contributing to widening health disparities. To understand how these vulnerabilities compound spatially, we examined how income, insurance status, and vehicle availability intersect at the census-tract level to identify where transportation-related barriers to healthcare access are most concentrated.

Methods: We measured socioeconomic indicators, health outcomes, and transportation barriers of 23 census tracts in Lynchburg, Virginia, using ACS 2019-2023 (2024) and CDC PLACES 2019-2023 (2025) data. Composite tract-level vulnerability scores were generated using SAS and classified into high, …

Beyond Labeling: Examining Mpox As A Sexually Transmitted Infection- ¿A Literature Review¿, Rachel Williams, Ashlan Killeen, Eunice Onwuka

Liberty University Research Week

Introduction

Since 2022, Mpox outbreak trends have marked a shift in the epidemiology of the disease which has long been treated as a zoonotic infection. This is due to emerging patterns of cases of Mpox linked with sexual transmission, particularly in non-endemic regions reporting over 100,000 cases across 122 countries. This pattern has raised growing concerns regarding sexual transmission of Mpox necessitating further investigation.

Aim/Objective

This literature review examines current epidemiological, clinical/virological evidence to evaluate Mpox as an STI beyond labelling. and provides foundational context for a forthcoming systematic review examining priority populations affected during the 2022–2025 global outbreak.

Proposed …

Sensing Volatile Organic Compounds Via Photonic Crystals Of The Morpho Zephyritis Butterfly, Parker Abila

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Digital Restriction On Psychological And Physiological Well-Being, Rachel Anderson, Andrew Gatto, Caroline Berghuis, Kaden Randlett, Lilianna Franke

Liberty University Research Week

Past research on digital restriction has shown that limiting smartphone usage could have a significant effect on psychological well-being. We also propose that smartphone restriction could have an effect on physiological well-being. To understand these effects, we completed a mixed-methods randomized delayed intervention factorial experiment. Participants were randomly assigned to smartphone restriction immediately (1A) or delayed (1B), or social media restriction immediately (2A) or delayed (2B). During each lab visit (baseline, two weeks, and four weeks), data on perceived well-being and smartphone screentime logs were collected. To assess physiological well-being, heart rate variability (HRV) was collected using Polar-brand H10 chest …

Active Barrier Cream Against Poison Ivy (Urushiol), Amanda Witherell, Annalee Gardner, Luthien Jones

Liberty University Research Week

Urushiol is an immunotoxic compound composed of a 3-substituted catechol and an alkyl side chain that contains 0-3 degrees of unsaturation. It is the substance in poison ivy that causes a negative response when it contacts skin. Commercial barrier creams currently exist that claim to protect the skin against urushiol but only serve to form a barrier between the oil and skin. This project aims to create a barrier cream that both forms a physical layer to protect the skin and neutralizes the urushiol as it sits on the cream. To neutralize the urushiol, it is proposed that either the …

Biostatistical Approaches For Early Identification Of Influenza Trends In The United States Using Cdc Surveillance Data, Marcos Oliva Rodriguez

Liberty University Research Week

The aim of this research is to utilize a biostatistical methodology for the purposes of identifying influenza trends during an early stage in the U.S. utilizing national surveillance data collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Influenza-Like Illness Surveillance Network (ILINet) for the years 2010-2024. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze weekly influenza-like illness (ILI) activity, along with other methodologies including: moving averages to smooth out fluctuations in ILI activity; autoregression models to evaluate temporal dependence in ILI activity; and threshold detection methods to determine when ILI activity reached epidemic levels. The results show that there are strong …

Computer Vision For Ovarian Follicle Analysis, My Nhien Tang, Cameron Kauffman, Ian Davidson, Jumana Rizk, Maria Mendoza Lopez, Noam Kimbro, Tan Loc Nguyen, Will Starling

Liberty University Research Week

The present study investigates the ability of computer vision technology to count primordial follicles in the primate ovary. The number of primordial follicles, i.e., ovarian reserve, reflects the ovary’s potential of supporting endocrine and reproductive function in females. Follicle counting has been used in translational and clinical studies to assess ovarian health and response to regulatory factors or toxic substances. This critical process is currently performed manually by experienced laboratory personnel. Existing research on computer vision software’s ability to count follicles has yielded limited results. Therefore, in reaction to the labor-intensive, time-consuming nature of manual follicle counting and technological growth …

From Exposure To Detection: Health System Barriers To Diagnosing Asbestos-Related Diseases In Developing Countries, Matthew-Riece Castanares, Luke Montgomery

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Extended Post-Discharge Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis After Colorectal Resection: A Marketscan Analysis Of 2017–2021 Surgical Outcomes, Bright Agbotui, Chelsea Mazonde, Grace Sibert, Great Onyedika Okereke, Ifeoluwanimi Shobayo, Maame Yaa Okrah, Michael Ago Tetteh, Miebaka Favour Roberts, Nfn Dangpa Wandji Nana, Prince Osei Sarpong, Rebecca Martha Nantale, Raymond Suonyir

Liberty University Research Week

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a major cause of preventable postoperative morbidity following colorectal surgery, with a substantial proportion of events occurring after discharge. Although professional guidelines recommend considering extended post-discharge prophylaxis (EPPx) for high-risk patients particularly those with malignancy, substantial comorbidity, or prolonged hospitalization national adoption remains inconsistent. Emerging real-world studies suggest that EPPx utilization is low; however, these investigations have largely focused on cancer-only cohorts or earlier time periods and may not reflect contemporary surgical practice, including increasing use of minimally invasive approaches and wider availability of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). As a result, there is limited understanding …

Loneliness And Health Behaviors, Haylee Goral, Jianna Bigio, Ashley Bustamante, Ruby Maton, Sullivan Morefield, Avery Owen

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Machine-Learning Based Airbrakes Control For Rocket Apogee Targeting, Sara Schweitzer, Christopher Brown, Daniel Isenhour

Liberty University Research Week

In rocketry, small variations in weather and launch conditions can cause large differences in the highest altitude (“apogee”) a rocket can reach during flight, which makes targeting a precise altitude difficult. Airbrakes—small and deployable surfaces that increase drag—can actively adjust a rocket’s climb to achieve the intended apogee. Our goal is to develop an airbrake deployment approach that can translate to real rocket applications for teams lacking resources such as high-fidelity computational fluid dynamics, wind tunnel testing, or multiple test launches. Therefore, rather than using a control method that continuously adjusts the amount the airbrakes are deployed into the airstream, …

Comparative Analysis Of Medicare Reimbursement For Carotid Endarterectomy, Transfemoral Carotid Artery Stenting, And Transcarotid Artery Revascularization Among Asymptomatic Patients., Raymond Suonyir, Bright Agbotui, Grace Sibert, Prince Osei Sarpong

Liberty University Research Week

Background: Contemporary carotid revascularization includes carotid endarterectomy (CEA), transfemoral carotid artery stenting (TF-CAS), and transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), but current patient distribution across these procedures is not well described in the VQI carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedural datasets.

Methods: We performed a retrospective descriptive study using the VQI carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid artery stenting (CAS) procedural datasets from 2016 through 2023. Included patients were adults aged =18 years with Medicare coded as the primary insurer who underwent elective asymptomatic carotid revascularization and survived to discharge. TF-CAS was defined by transfemoral access with distal embolic protection, …

Qcm Characterization Of A Molecularly Imprinted Polymer For Pfoa Detection, Elizabeth Montgomery

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Bilateral Accessory Plantaris Muscles With Variant Origins And Insertions: A Case Report, Kingsley Ampong, Christian Furno, Faith Ekoh, Jack Kauffman

Liberty University Research Week

The plantaris muscle typically originates at the lower portion of the lateral supracondylar line of the femur and oblique popliteal ligament of the knee joint and inserts medial to the Achilles tendon at the calcaneal tuberosity. The function is unclear as it may be absent in some individuals. If present, the tendon is often mistaken for the tibial nerve, which is why it is known as the “fool’s nerve.” This case study involves the discovery of a bilateral plantaris muscle duplication in an 88-year-old Japanese woman during a routine cadaveric dissection. This deviates from the more common unilateral presence of …

The Effects Of Natural Products And Food Additives On Lysosome Function, Gianna Miller, Meghan Gardiner

Liberty University Research Week

Gastric disorders, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) affect at least 20% of the United States population. The most common pharmacological intervention is the use of Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs). These drugs are converted into their active forms upon entry into acidic environments, and while their intended function is to inhibit parietal proton pumps in the stomach and reduce gastric acid secretion, there may be off-target effects in other areas with low pH, such as lysosomes. These organelles mediate the recycling and degradation of cellular materials. The current research seeks to examine the effect of PPIs on lysosomal function. Previous …

Decades After Exposure: The Continuing Burden Of Asbestos-Related Diseases In The United States, Hannah Mnayarji, Luke Montgomery, Tunde Adebola

Liberty University Research Week

Many consider diseases caused by asbestos exposure to be antiquated conditions that are rarely observed today. However, asbestos-related diseases (ARDs) have long latency periods, meaning that the time between exposure to asbestos and the onset of disease typically ranges between 20-40 years. Since the last import of asbestos to the United States was in 2023, occupational exposure has continued into recent history. This study hypothesizes that there has not yet been a decline in asbestosis and mesothelioma incidence and mortality–two conditions primarily caused by asbestos exposure–indicating that the latency period between asbestos exposure and disease occurrence persists into the modern …

Establishing Local Protocols For Monoclonal Antibodies Production Using Hybridomas, Kingsley Ampong

Liberty University Research Week

Monoclonal antibodies are currently one of the most effective tools in biomedical research, diagnostics and therapeutic development. Hybridoma technique, which involves the fusion of immortal myeloma cells with stimulated B cells to produce an infinite supply of monoclonal antibodies. A stock of antibodies produced from offspring of a single hybridoma cells is the best way of producing monoclonal antibodies. These hybridoma cultures produce antibodies that are specific to a single target, or antigen. The targets for these monoclonal antibodies are almost limitless and can include enzymes, hormones, internal structures on bacteria, viruses and other eukaryotic cells as well as receptors. …

Histological Quality Of Immersion Vs Intravascular Fixation Of Fresh Tissue, Andrew Hodges, Bright Danso, Gretchka Mair, Kingsley Ampong, Rebekah Satalino

Liberty University Research Week

Tissue fixation is a fundamental determinant of histological quality, preserving cellular architecture through protein cross-linking and enzymatic inactivation [6]. Among fixation approaches, intravascular (perfusion) and immersion methods differ significantly in mechanism and outcomes. Perfusion fixation rapidly distributes fixative via the vascular system, often producing more uniform preservation, whereas immersion fixation relies on diffusion, which may result in delayed penetration and heterogeneous tissue quality [5]. Despite these limitations, immersion-based preservation remains widely used in anatomical education and commercial specimen preparation due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness [2]. Reports suggest that fixation quality can influence analyses, including morphology, antigenicity, and staining reliability, …