Digital Commons Network^™

Assessing Communication Within Education For Students Who Are Deaf With Additional Disabilities (Dwd), Lisa Grane

Liberty University Research Week

There is a growing number of Deaf students diagnosed with additional disabilities (DWD) who have a diverse range of needs. Yet there is also a prevalence of misdiagnosis that leads to educational and developmental challenges. Due to this fact, there is a shortage of evidence-based research regarding beneficial support for DWD students. Parents and educators often report a lack of sufficient information about services and resources that could be implemented to further communication support for DWD individuals. This research will investigate how schools in Illinois assess and meet both the educational and developmental needs of DWD students. This will be …

Genotype-Dependent Cardiac Responses To Caffeine: Acute Electrocardiographic Effects Across Cyp1a2 Gene Variants, Ethan Pedersen

Liberty University Research Week

It is estimated that approximately 70% of individuals worldwide consume caffeine daily. A plethora of genes contribute to caffeine metabolism, out of which CYP1A2 is responsible for 90%. Two prominent CYP1A2 alleles are *1A and *1F which metabolize caffeine at fast and slow rates respectively. Retrospective research has demonstrated *1F possessing individuals are at an increased risk for nonfatal myocardial infarction. However, the acute electrocardiographic and physiological cardiac responses to caffeine across a range of doses remain poorly characterized. The goal of the proposed study is to evaluate the physiological changes of the heart, using an ECG, in individuals who …

Vitamin D Relation To Bone Mineral Density In Female Athletes: Critically Appraised Topic, Baylee Klindworth

Liberty University Research Week

Background: Vitamin D is important for overall bone health, muscle function, and injury prevention, especially in female athletes who may be at risk for vitamin D deficiency that are limited to sunlight exposure, high training demands, and dietary intake. In young female athletes and adults, the relationship between vitamin D and bone mineral density (BMD) is not clear. The purpose of this critically appraised topic is to review current evidence on the relationship between vitamin D levels and bone health in female athletes and adults. Methods: Four cross-sectional studies were included: Fields et al., Brännström et al., Lim et al., …

Injury Risk On Nfl Playing Surfaces: A Comparison Of Natural Grass And Artificial Turf, Caden Woosley, Jonathan Taylor, Joseph Layne, Luke Whelan, Ryan Delaney

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

The Impact Of Minimum Age Policies On Concussion Incidences In Youth Tackle Football, Andrew Garrett, Colby Douglas Green, Colin Ropella, Josiah Schrock

Liberty University Research Week

This study examines whether raising the minimum age for participation in youth tackle football reduces the incidence of concussions and other brain injuries among young athletes. Concussions and long-term neurological conditions like CTE have become a growing concern in youth football, particularly given the sport’s widespread popularity across the United States. While various leagues have experimented with different minimum age requirements, it remains unclear whether delaying full-contact play meaningfully reduces brain injury risk or produces no significant difference in outcomes. Grounded in developmental exposure framework, which suggests that limiting contact during early developmental stages reduces cumulative head impacts over time, …

Exploring Nurse Preceptors' Perception Of Effectiveness In Student-Preceptee Experiences: Implications For Faculty And Hospital Administration, Kelly Arraf

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

A Numerical Analysis For Emerging Behaviors In Ferromagnetic Colloids, Cyrus Harris

Liberty University Research Week

The purpose of this project is to synthesize a CFD model which can explore the nature of vortices induced by alternating magnetic currents within colloid rollers. This type of research has been a point of interest in previous years especially for the application of targeted drug delivery. This research hopes to further establish and quantify the dynamics of these fluids in order to provide more numerical data for BioMed applications. In order to accomplish this, a simplified model of a Ginzburg Landau model (A coupled PDE solver) was created within the program Python in order to test the parameters of …

Molecular Basis Of 24-Methyl Cholesterol As An Anti-Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma Agent In The Context Of Altered Cellular Glucose Metabolism, Josiah Chung, Merritt Smith, Zachary Wang

Liberty University Research Week

Cancer remains a major global cause of mortality, with kidney cancer representing a significant portion of newly diagnosed cases each year worldwide and in the United States. In Virginia alone, more than one thousand new kidney cancer cases are reported annually. The majority of these cancers are classified as renal cell carcinoma (RCC), with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) accounting for roughly 70% of diagnoses. ccRCC tumors exhibit substantial metabolic reprogramming that supports rapid proliferation and survival under fluctuating nutrient conditions. Because of this metabolic dependence, targeting pathways involved in glucose uptake and cellular energy production has emerged as …

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers For Sensitive And Selective Binding Of Pfoa, Nadia Costescu

Liberty University Research Week

This study aims to progress the synthesis of novel fluorinated polymers to detect poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in the environment. PFAS are released into the atmosphere as a result of industrial processes and consumer production, and are persistent in the environment. Bioaccumulation in animals and humans occurs through exposure via air, water, and soil, and leads to toxic health effects. Due to their resistance to environmental degradation, alternate methods are needed to detect and remove PFAS from the environment. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetic polymers that are designed with regions that bind to specific molecules. They have shown …

Comparison Of Fea Model Connection Methods For A Structural Digital Twin, Luther Davis

Liberty University Research Week

A digital twin is a digital representation that is used to study a physical object or process. In civil engineering, digital twins are created to analyze the behavior of real structures using finite element analysis (FEA). A more accurate digital twin provides more accurate data; however, creating an accurate model introduces complex surfaces and connections that are difficult for FEA software to analyze. This research examines the optimal way to create a digital twin in the Abaqus software, to minimize computation time while preserving sufficient accuracy to generate realistic data. A section of a real truss bridge is modeled once …

Public Policy & Economic Diversification In The Uae: Beyond Oil Dependence, Khawatir Esam Alfalasi

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Diversification in the UAE reflects a state-led transformation aimed at moving the economy beyond oil through targeted public policies. Research shows that there is a limited knowledge of how public sector policies and national strategies contribute to promoting economic diversification requiring a more detailed analysis of the UAE’s diversification strategies. This thesis addresses three research questions which are: Tto what extent do the federal public policies promote economic diversification in the UAE? To what extent do federal policy documents acknowledge Resource Curse mitigation as a priority? To what extent do economic growth and governance indicators capture the UAE’s diversification efforts? …

Neuroplasticity On The Water: Transforming Mental Habits Into Elite Performance, John Paul Fryrear, Dayne Harter, Jada Ward

Liberty University Research Week

This proof-of-concept study examined whether a brief cognitive intervention could enhance key psychological skills in collegiate athletes. Twenty-four student-athletes from a university rowing team completed three workshops targeting neuroplasticity, attentional control, and emotional intelligence. Pre-, post-, and competition-based assessments, supplemented by qualitative feedback, indicated small but meaningful improvements in growth mindset, attentional control, and reductions in adverse competitive cognitions. Although most quantitative changes were not statistically significant, qualitative findings supported positive shifts in mindset, trust, and emotional regulation under pressure. Results suggest that targeted mental skills training may benefit athletes’ psychological adaptability despite methodological limitations.

Hedging Without Derivatives: A Regime-Aware Framework For Managing Downside Risk In Long-Only Portfolios, Whittman Brown, Birhanu Kramer, Carter Hall, Ryan Natelborg, Walker Lucas

Liberty University Research Week

This study evaluates regime-based allocation strategies for downside risk management in long-only portfolios. Traditional portfolio risk management relies heavily on derivative instruments like protective puts and futures to mitigate downside. However, student-managed portfolios operate under strict regulatory and educational constraints, and lack continuous oversight required for active derivative management. Academic literature on regime-switching models and tactical asset allocation demonstrates that economic regimes influence portfolio returns, yet practical implementation studies for long-only investors remain underdeveloped. Limited empirical work examines whether systematic allocation adjustments based on regime identification provide downside protection comparable to derivative-based hedging strategies. We seek to address the research …

Effects Of Morphosyntactic And Phonological Environments On Persian Ra-Marking, Alyssa Gilliland

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Hope: A Vital Sign In Behavioral Health, Isaac Uehling, Alexis Lykins, Jade Gordon, Kelsey Messer

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Geographic Variation In Cardiometabolic And Nutrition-Related Health Indicators Across Rural Communities In Guatemala And Honduras, Grace Sibert

Liberty University Research Week

Chronic diseases and nutritional deficiencies are increasing public health concerns in rural and underserved communities in Central America, where limited access to preventive care and routine health screening contributes to undiagnosed risk. This study examined the prevalence and geographic distribution of cardiometabolic and nutrition-related health indicators across rural communities in Guatemala and Honduras. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of community health screening data collected from 2021 and 2023–2025. Measurements included body mass index (BMI), blood glucose, hemoglobin, and blood pressure. Overweight was defined as BMI 25.0–29.9, obesity as BMI =30, elevated blood glucose as =140 mg/dL, hypertension as systolic =140 …

Metabolite Profiling Of Chamaelirium Luteum (False Unicorn) Roots And Related Commercial Products By Hptlc And Lc-Msms, Wendy Strangman, Wilmer Perera, Wilmer Perera

Oxford ICSB

Throughout history, medicinal plants have been used as herbal treatments in women’s health.  However, they remain poorly characterized at the chemical level, limiting standardization and safety assessment. Chamaelirium luteum (false unicorn), traditionally used for reproductive health in the Eastern United States, has previously been shown to possess both conventional steroidal saponins as well as more rare open-chain saponins whose bioactivities are largely unexplored. Incorporation of C. luteum into commercial products, and subsequent overharvesting of wild populations has increased the urgency for robust methods to verify authenticity and detect adulteration. In this study, we coupled HPTLC-based profiling with detailed LC-MSMS analyses …

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

No abstract provided.

Short Time, Lasting Impact: Teaching Pediatric End-Of-Life Care In One Day, Mckenzie Taliaferro

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Background: Pediatric nurses working in specialities that experience end-of-life, death, and post-mortem care, often feel unprepared for the emotional toll and lack adequate support systems (Camera et al., 2024). Nurses report feeling under prepared due to a lack of hands-on opportunities before graduation (Richoux, et al., 2022).  Pediatric death is a traumatic experience for families and nurses. Previous studies have shown that hands-on education increases nurses' confidence in caring for patients at the end of their lives (Cole & Foito, 2019; Noyes et al., 2023).

Method: A one-day, hands-on workshop on pediatric end-of-life was created and offered to nursing students …

The Texture Of A Threat:: Convolutional Neural Networks & Obfuscated Malware Detection, Kaelyn Haynie

Liberty University Research Week

Accurately detecting malicious programs is an expanding field of research for machine learning (ML), with a novel approach incorporating a bytecode-to-image pipeline that produces images representative of software. These images are provided to convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to be examined for malicious pattern indicators. However, CNNs struggle to generalize these patterns effectively while still being robust against adversarial data, an issue which this research addresses with adversarial training. In this paper, three unique CNN architectures (a DBFS-MC-inspired baseline, MIRACLE, and PSP-CNN) are trained for binary classification with 15,000 benign and malicious software samples encoded into images for Android, Windows, and …

Notification Efficiency, Lashundra Rucker

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Understanding International Student Retention With Hope And Social Connectedness: A Mixed Methods Study, Elizabeth Mathews, Isabel Deitch, Nathaniel Hastings, Stephen Ellison

Liberty University Research Week

With the rise of internationalization in higher education, universities often face the issue of international student attrition due to adjustment-related issues. Previous research has identified a variety of potential contributors to international student retention, mostly relating to integration into the university’s social and academic systems. Additionally, intentional social interactions in the host culture have been found to catalyze international student adjustment and are associated with long-term outcomes such as higher life satisfaction. Research on hope in college students supports the idea that higher levels of hope are associated with better academic outcomes (e.g., higher grade point averages; GPA). The international …

Dynamic Structural Load Identification, Sam Kim

Liberty University Research Week

Structural Health Monitoring is a critical tool for analyzing infrastructure resilience. However, measuring dynamic external loads, such as wind, traffic, or seismic activity, remains a major engineering challenge. In order to address this “Inverse Problem” in structural dynamics, this study proposes a deep learning-based approach for structural load identification. To precisely reconstruct unknown force histories from vibration responses, a hybrid Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) architecture is created. Convolutional layers can filter raw data, and LSTM takes the refined features from the CNN and reconstructs the time-history force distributions. Combined, these two methods create an effective …

Hptlc: The New Front Line Of Global Botanical Surveillance, Tiên Do, Ilona Trettin, Ehab Mahran, Sonja Drobnjak

Oxford ICSB

Quality control of botanicals is approaching a breaking point. Regulators, industry, and pharmacists are now forced to answer questions faster and at larger scale than ever before: What plant is actually in the product? Is it the right species—or a look-alike? Is it pure or adulterated? Is it safe? Is the chemistry consistent? And how can labs make confident decisions when analytical capacity and staffing are finite? This presentation demonstrates how modern HPTLC— far beyond its historical role as a simple identity test— now provides clear, interpretable chemical evidence that supports analyst with a practical tool for risk-based surveillance of …

Faith-Based Practices And Health: The Role Of Faith-Based Guided Meditation In Managing Type 2 Diabetes, Willie Velasquez

Liberty University Research Week

The purpose of my study was to investigate how faith-based guided meditation influences health management behaviors and individuals with Type 2 diabetes. Specifically, I examined its effects on glycemic control, stress levels, and emotional well-being. Current diabetes management approaches, such as medication, diet, and exercise, often fail to address psychological and spiritual aspects critical for effective self-management. Grounded in the Biopsychosocial Model of Health, this mixed-method study explored the potential of faith-centered meditation to promote improved self-care behaviors and enhance emotional resilience. The research included a sample size of 40 participants, male and female, ages 18-60, of diverse backgrounds, divided …

The Beauty Of Uniquity: A Biomechanical And Statistical Analysis Of Pitchers With Anomalous Arm Angles, Benjamin Marshall

Liberty University Research Week

In today’s modern age of analytics, fans have more information than ever before about anything in the world of sport. Starting with the introduction of Statcast to Major League Baseball, the push toward analytics has reached new heights in the last decade. One such analytical addition is new metrics for pitching mechanics, specifically a comprehensive understanding of things like release point, spin, rotational axis, and arm angle. This initial study examined the factors that contributed to the success of qualified pitchers from the 2025 MLB season with unique arm angles, specifically below 30°, compared to their counterparts with a more …

Faith-Informed Practice And The Challenge Of Religious Trauma: Insights From Christian Residents In Counseling, Nicole Taylor, Breanna Mcneal

Liberty University Research Week

This study explored the perceptions and emotional experiences of Christian counseling residents working with clients affected by religious trauma. Residents brought personal faith perspectives into their clinical roles, shaping how they understood and engaged with clients’ harmful or distressing religious experiences. Participants described empathy alongside moments of cognitive and emotional dissonance when clients’ narratives conflicted with their own beliefs. They highlighted challenges related to value conflicts, countertransference, bracketing personal convictions, and discerning appropriate spiritual integration. Findings underscore the need for targeted supervision and training to strengthen clinical preparedness for navigating faith-informed tensions in work with religious trauma.

Shame, Blaming Others, Forgiveness, And Depression, Louis Alvey, Bonnie Mckinney, Caroline Vaile, Hannah Murch, Jichan Kim

Liberty University Research Week

Depression is a pervasive mental health disorder often worsened by the damaging effects of shame. This creates a critical need for applied research to identify protecting coping mechanisms for use in clinical settings. To address this problem, this study employed a rigorous cross-sectional quantitative methodology, surveying adults to test whether forgiveness and blaming others moderate the well-established relationship between shame and depression. The study's robust statistical analysis revealed that while the maladaptive tendency to blame others worsens depressive symptoms, self-forgiveness acted as a significant moderator that effectively deactivated the harmful impact of shame. Ultimately, this research provides actionable, real-world solutions …

National Trends And State-Level Correlates Of Medications For Opioid Use Disorder Utilization Among Treatment Admissions In The United States, 2014-2023, Prince Osei Sarpong, Emmanuel Owusu, Manasvi Shiyani, Michael Ago Tetteh, Naa Komley Commey

Liberty University Research Week

Background: Medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) reduce overdose risk and improve retention in care, yet implementation at treatment entry remains uneven across the United States. Study objectives and hypotheses: To examine national and state-level patterns in MOUD use at treatment admission from 2014 through 2023 and to identify state-year characteristics associated with higher utilization. We hypothesized that MOUD use would vary substantially across states and would be lower in state years with greater structural disadvantage.

Methods: A repeated cross-sectional ecological study was conducted using the Treatment Episode Data Set-Admissions public use file. The analytic sample included adult admissions from …

3d Printed Square Packing: Making Math Accessible For Everyone, Joseph Holt, Jacob Drambi

Liberty University Research Week

Making math tangible and accessible to everyone has always been an ongoing process, and as a part of that process this study aims to take steps forward in the area of square packing. Mathematics can often seem theoretical and aloof, something only for those in their “ivory tower.” Making mathematics into something tangible, something that anyone can see and, more importantly, play with, brings the extensive and invaluable field of mathematics down to an accessible level for everyone to use and enjoy. This study investigates square packing, the problem of deducing the smallest square that can contain a given number …