Digital Commons Network^™

Analyzing The Association Of Coated Gold Nanoparticles Utilizing Yeast Cells, Olivia A. Greiner

Linfield University Student Symposium: A Celebration of Scholarship and Creative Achievement

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) have proven to be versatile technological tools, especially in the field of biomedicine. GNPs can be functionalized through different coatings for tasks like drug delivery, diagnostics, and biosensing. To further understand how GNPs can be altered for use as a biomedical tool, the cellular association of GNPs coated in different combinations of polyethylene glycol (PEG), sodium citrate, bovine serum albumin (BSA), and rabbit anti Saccharomyces Cerevisiae (antibody) with yeast cells was evaluated. This was tested through two main sample groups coated in either a base layer of sodium citrate or PEG. Each group had three samples that …

Advancements In Extraction And Co-Extraction Of Botanicals For Standardization And Efficacy, Rory Coleman

Oxford ICSB

Historically, botanicals have served human health in traditional medicine and supplementation due to their bioactive components. Efficient, clean extractions and clinical validation have become fundamental technologies, rendering access to libraries of efficacious products. However, cost, regulatory status, and speed to market have kept many botanicals in single or simple form. Mixtures of such single botanical extracts often require large quantities for effect, influenced by chemical composition, concentration, and delivery format. During the extraction and concentration process, exogenous "bioenhancers," e.g. piperine or oil blends for hydrophilic molecules, often become a necessity, exasperating the problem.   Here, we will delve into the development …

Botanical Hepatotoxicity: Are We Accurately Characterizing Risk Vs. Hazard, Rick Kingston

Oxford ICSB

No abstract provided.

Sanctions-Resilient Reserve Architecture: The Convex Monetary Anchor Framework (Cmaf), Kutelleugo Yatsliach

Liberty University Research Week

This study develops a political economy framework for reserve asset composition under conditions of geopolitical fragmentation. Following the 2022 Russian reserve freeze, traditional reserve adequacy models centered on safety, liquidity, and return fail to account for jurisdictional risk and the potential immobilization of sovereign assets. This research argues that sanctions resilience must be incorporated as a core objective of reserve management. It examines whether non-sovereign monetary assets, particularly gold and secondarily silver, can enhance reserve accessibility in emerging markets. The study hypothesizes that gold functions as a primary sanctions-resilient monetary anchor due to its non-counterparty structure and global liquidity, while …

Developing A Polymerization Reactor Punctuated Equilibrium Model, Ryan Learn

Liberty University Research Week

Chemical reactors are vital in industrial operations; yet, experimental investigations of these processes are resource intensive. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are beneficial over chemical simulation packages, because they capture spatiotemporal gradients of velocity, temperature, and species concentrations. However, due to the additional computational load of kinetics implementation into rigorous meshes, CFD simulations of chemical reactions can be prohibitively time consuming. Flow fields may reach quasi-steady state quickly, but convergence of kinetic solutions may take longer. This work aims to develop a punctuated equilibrium model (PEM) of a verified/validated free radical polymerization reaction in CFD to decrease solver runtime without …

Securing America’S Critical Mineral Future, Benjamin Ellis

Liberty University Research Week

Securing critical minerals will prove essential to protecting America’s energy security and national defense. China currently dominates the mining and production of critical minerals. Given the unpredictability of U.S.-China relations, it is necessary to develop alternative supply chains. The U.S. should prioritize domestic production of critical minerals and supplement demand with imports from countries more friendly than China.

Ai-Augmented Leadership: Examining The Influence Of Generative And Agentic Ai Decision-Support Tools On Leadership Decision Quality And Psychological Safety In Organizational Teams, Michael Areola

Liberty University Research Week

In today’s ever-evolving digital transformation business environment, market leaders are expected to make decisions at the speed of light, and those who have mastered the science of market disruption remain competitive. The quest to be a market leader and the ability to respond to market changes have become driving factors for decision makers who are increasingly integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into business processes and workflows, transforming how leaders analyze information, evaluate alternatives, guide teams, and remain responsive to digital evolution. Organizational decision-making processes, too, are not lagging in this ever-evolving digital transformation market. While AI-enabled decision-support tools eliminate or reduce …

Miracles Or Mirages? A Study Of The Rhetorical Use Of Miracle Language Within Medical Communication, Thomas Yu

Liberty University Research Week

The current study seeks to understand how miracle language exists as a persuasive tool by examining the usage of miracle language in the discourse surrounding the release of Xolair for individuals with food allergies. This was accomplished by conducting a qualitative analysis of the miracle language employed by those engaged in the Xolair discourse. An extensive literature review was conducted to gain a foundational understanding of medical persuasion and miracle language, as well as an understanding of the theoretical foundations of this study. Twenty-five pieces of literature from pharmaceutical companies, and food allergy community members were chronicled and studied utilizing …

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 …

Teaching Hope As A Measurable Skill: Building Resilience In Students And Educators, Cathleen Beachboard

Liberty University Research Week

Schools are experiencing rising levels of disengagement, stress, and declining connectedness, while simultaneously facing high rates of educator burnout and attrition. Psychological hope is strongly associated with engagement, well-being, and resilience. It is often treated as an emotional trait as opposed to a cognitive skill that can be intentionally developed through systems and environments. Grounded in Snyder’s hope theory, which proposes hope in quantifiable terms as a goal-directed thinking process composed of agency, pathways, and goals, this project proposes and examines measuring hope and utilizing a tier-based system of support designed to strengthen psychological hope among both students and educators …

Gospel Reception And Response In Children With Profound Cognitive Disabilities, Reagan Lewis

Liberty University Research Week

This study attempts to build a bridge over a gap in research regarding how to measure children with cognitive disabilities’ understanding of the gospel, also incorporating information about ministry structure, caregiver responsibility, and methods for presenting the gospel. While there is a plethora of research surrounding the design of disability ministries, very little research has been done in the area of gospel reception, particularly in children with cognitive disabilities. This study utilized a qualitative research design to collect data for analysis and discussion. Specifically, this study included individual interviews, one focus group discussion with all participants at the conclusion of …

Navigating Through Covid: How Has Covid Impacted College Student Adjustment?, E'Lena E.H Johnson

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

College adjustment is the way incoming and continuing college students cope with the demands of college life, including academic, mental, socioemotional, and developmental components. The purpose of this research project is to determine whether the COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on college students' ability to adjust to college living across three distinct phases: pre-pandemic, during the pandemic, and post-pandemic. A cross-sectional sample of 1,515 participants from Georgia Southern University completed the Wooster-Wickline College Adjustment Test (WOWCAT; Wickline et al., 2009) between 2019-2024, which was administered online via Qualtrics, a secure web-based survey platform. Although the WOWCAT has been successfully …

Voices From The Pacific: A Transcendental Phenomenological Study Of Paraprofessionals’ Experiences Using Aac Devices To Support Students With Autism In The Northern Mariana Islands, Edieson Louie Aguirre

Liberty University Research Week

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of paraprofessionals implementing augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices to support students with autism in K–12 schools within the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Public School System (CNMI PSS). The theory guiding this study was Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory, which framed AAC as a cultural tool that mediates social interaction and explained how paraprofessionals scaffold communication within students’ zones of proximal development. The central research question was: What are the lived experiences of paraprofessionals implementing AAC devices to support students with autism in the Northern Mariana Islands? …

Polite But Simple: Social Perception And Morphosyntactic Variation In Southern American English, Jamie Forgey

Liberty University Research Week

Southern American English (SAE) occupies a unique sociolinguistic paradox: it simultaneously evokes warmth and regional identity while serving as a target for stigma tied to perceived lack of education. This mixed-methods study examined whether morphosyntactic variation in SAE functions as a strategic response to that stigma. Combining diachronic and synchronic corpus analysis — drawing from COHA, LAMSAS, and CORAAL — with a between-subjects matched-guise perception survey of 36 participants, this study investigated both the structural integrity of SAE and listener attitudes toward its speakers. Corpus data revealed near-total erasure of high-frequency nonstandard features such as leveled was/were and completive done …

Paradise Reimagined: A Reception Theory Analysis Of Viewer Responses To Bachelor In Paradise’S New Era, Cathryn Thomas

Liberty University Research Week

Broadcast television ratings are declining due to the popularity of streaming platforms (Attest Media, 2024; Bauder, 2025). Shows must adapt to survive in this increasingly digital environment. In 2025, Bachelor in Paradise (Teti, 2025) hired a new showrunner, Scott Teti, who adjusted the show’s format, structure, location, cinematography, and editing with the hope of boosting viewer engagement (Franklin, 2025). This study applied Stuart Hall’s (1973, 1980, 2021) encoding/decoding model to analyze audience Instagram comments in response to Teti’s premiere episode of Bachelor in Paradise. This study explored how audiences decoded and responded to these changes, and whether social media commentary …

Direct Numerical Simulation Of Turbulent Flow In A Wavy Channel: A Validation Study, Kent Gingerich, Ryan Learn

Liberty University Research Week

Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) is an important tool in fluid mechanics as it directly solves the governing equations and resolves the turbulent structures in a flow. Surprisingly, this foundational method has not yet been validated in ANSYS Fluent, especially for separated boundary layers. This study investigated the capability of Fluent to resolve turbulent flow in a wavy channel using DNS. The results were compared with data from previous numerical studies on this canonical flow. The simulation was performed at a fixed bulk Reynolds Number of 6760 over a wavy wall with an amplitude-to-wavelength ratio of 0.05. Under these conditions, the …

2026 Conference Program, Georgia Southern University

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Conference Program

Yeast As A "Microbial Factory", Kaila Fuller, Betsy Jean Yakes

Oxford ICSB

Yeast are eukaryotic, single-celled microorganisms that are members of Kingdom Fungi, and in the world of dietary supplements, yeast qualify as a dietary ingredient as a botanical. During fermentation, yeast naturally produce byproducts that can be harvested, purified, and sold in a dietary supplement. Advances in biotechnology have allowed for genetic modification of yeast so that yeast can produce large quantities of native or non-native constituents during fermentation, effectively making yeast a “microbial factory” for various chemicals. Chemicals produced this way can qualify as a dietary ingredient as a constituent of a botanical. Relevant examples of past submitted notifications (public …

Using Natural Products In Patients With Cancer: More Than Chemotherapy, Gailen D. Marshall

Oxford ICSB

The fundamental goal of cancer therapy is to cure the cancer. However, the approach to that goal is complicated and varies depending upon the type and stage of the tumor as well as the clinical characteristics of the patient. Cancer treatment focused on killing the tumor has considerable comorbidities associated with each therapy. Common side effects such as systemic immunosuppression, bleeding, anemia and specific organ-based pathologies each have their own significant morbidity/mortality risk. The use of natural products, both as direct antitumor agents and as moderators/mitigators of side effects of antitumor agents has a long history. Recent studies seek to …

Exploring Arab English Teachers’ Use Of Reading Strategies With Cycle Two Students In The Uae: A Mixed-Method Study, Tasnim Salahaldeen Mohammad Salah

Thesis/ Dissertation Defenses

Teaching reading strategies is essential for developing comprehension in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms. While previous studies have largely focused on how learners use reading strategies, there has been limited exploration of how teachers report, perceive, and implement reading strategy instruction in these educational settings. This research gap is particularly relevant in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during Cycle Two, a crucial phase in students' reading development. This study has explored how Arab English teachers use reading strategies with Cycle Two students in EFL classrooms in the UAE. A convergent mixed-methods design was used. Data were obtained quantitatively …

A Comparative Analysis Of Cognitive And Social Outcomes In Toddlers With Speech Delay (Sd) Versus Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Francisca Atem

Liberty University Research Week

The dissertation is a comparative analysis of cognitive and social performance between toddlers aged 18 to 36 months with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Speech Delay (SD). Although both groups show early communication difficulties, their developmental patterns are vastly different, and they should be adequately separated to inform intervention planning and future developmental prognoses. Firmly rooted in the context of Developmental Psychopathology, Social Pragmatic Theory, and the Ecological Systems Theory by Bronfenbrenner, this qualitative study aims to investigate ways in which toddlers with SD and ASD are different in their cognitive functioning, including executive functioning, nonverbal IQ, and problem solving, …

A Phenomenological Study On The Connection Between Perceived Funding And Hbcu Athletic Staff Self-Efficacy, Ashley Keys

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Redefining The Synoptic Gospels Problem, John Fischer

Liberty University Research Week

Once the parameters of the Synoptic Gospels are corrected, from three witnesses to three detectives, one of whom was a witness, the Synoptic Gospels problem becomes manageable. Those who support the current Synoptic Gospels Problem believe there are three witnesses, and the way Matthew, Mark, and Luke were written indicates collusion was present. The first goal would be to remind the readers that there were three researchers or detectives and not three witnesses. The only witness was Matthew. The three detectives each had their own audience, allowing them to gather information without causing collusion or at least plagiarism.

The second …

The Impact Of Computer-Based Memory Screening Administration On Variables Associated With Cardiovascular Functioning In A Sample Of Young Adults: A Pilot Study, Kanaan Hurst, Haley Hughes

Liberty University Research Week

With the rising number of individuals diagnosed with dementia, Alzheimer's and related neurodegenerative disorders, research shows that there is a grand need to understand such impairments. Our team examined cognitive function using a previously developed memory screening computer-based test. In addition to screening for cognitive function, Blood Pressure was recorded 3 times (to ensure accuracy on average) preceding the computer-based assessment and immediately following completion. Blood pressure was monitored as having hightened pressure can indicate increased likelihood of developing cognitive impairment. Developed by clinical psychologist, Dr. Crews, CogniCheck is a computer-based screening tool that uses active recall tests to assess …

Create @ State 2026, Arkansas State University - Jonesboro

Create@State

Proceedings for 2026

The Putative Dash Complex Gene Dcm1 Influences Ph Adaptation And Virulence In Cryptococcus Neoformans, Cate Plaisance

Liberty University Research Week

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes lethal cryptococcal meningitis in immunocompromised individuals, such as the AIDS community or those who are undergoing cancer treatment. The yeast is responsible for around 19% of all AIDS related deaths annually and has been classified among the highest ranked fungal pathogens on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Fungal Priority Pathogens List (FPPL). Antifungal resistance has stimulated increasing concern with C. neoformans. The primary route of infection is the inhalation of basidiospores from environmental reservoirs such as bird droppings and tree detritus. Germination of the basidiospores and survival of yeasts within the …

Finding One’S Calling: Vocational Identity, Engagement, And Career Satisfaction Among Golf Industry Professionals, Aaron Katzenberger

Liberty University Research Week

The golf and hospitality industry operates in a high-stress, demanding environment that frequently leads to decreased employee engagement, poor work-life balance, and industry burnout. A significant gap exists in current literature regarding how these professionals can successfully identify and align their daily operations with their true vocational calling. To address this gap, this proposed applied research framework explores the intersection of vocational identity, engagement, and career satisfaction among golf industry professionals. Utilizing a qualitative single-case study methodology, this research proposes conducting semi-structured interviews with active PGA members. The study analyzes key constructs, including self-esteem, job satisfaction, quality of life, and …

Connect With Faculty Series Featuring Dr. Liz Goncy: Brains Under Pressure How To Survive (And Maybe Even Thrive), Liz Goncy

Friends of the Library Events

Connect with CSU Faculty

Featuring Dr. Liz Goncy, Psychology, CSU

Presenting: Brains Under Pressure: How to Survive (and Maybe Even Thrive)

Monday, April 20, 2026

2:00 pm - 2:30 pm

No registration required

Location: Michael Schwartz Library, 1st floor east

“Connect with CSU Faculty,” featuring Dr. Liz Goncy, Psychology, is presented as part of the National Library Week and Wellness event "Find Your Joy," hosted by The Michael Schwartz Library along with the Counseling Center.

Dr. Goncy will present "Brains Under Pressure: How to Survive (and Maybe Even Thrive)", offering practical, evidence-based strategies for managing stress and anxiety.

"Connect with …

Engaging The Non-Dominant Hand In Creative Tasks As A Pathway To Emotional Expression And Healing, Tiffany Spatz, Deepa Michelle Emmanuel, Janita Daggy

Liberty University Research Week

Traditional therapeutic approaches may not fully engage the brain's creative processing, limiting individuals' capacity to effectively manage stress and navigate emotional discomfort. Utilizing the non-dominant hand for creative tasks shows potential as a therapeutic approach to emotion regulation while helping individuals manage stress and improve self-control. The practice works to reduce stress by means of physiological and psychological processes while also establishing relaxation and emotional balance. These activities demand brain management of motor control tasks which form cognitive flexibility and mindfulness and create better self-control and impulse regulation. A case example is included for incorporating this intervention into counseling practice.

Music Enhances Theta Brainwave Activity Regardless Of Tuning Frequency, Robert Somerville, Davis Raz, Jettson Yarborough, Luc-Shalom Kouame

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.