Digital Commons Network^™

Application Of Aqbd Principles To Build A Robust Compendial Analytical Method For The Quantification Of Phytochemicals In Mate And Guayusa Leaf Dietary Ingredients, Maria Monagas, Salika Jeelani, Greg Winter, Natalia Kouznetsova

Oxford ICSB

Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) and Guayusa (Ilex guayusa), both members of the Aquifoliaceae family, have traditionally been consumed as herbal teas in South America. Their leaves are rich in methylxanthines and hydroxycinnamoylquinic acids—quinic acid derivatives of caffeic and gregrferulic acids—which provide stimulant and antioxidant properties. These compounds make them valuable for use in health and energy beverages as well as dietary supplements. We applied the Analytical Quality-by-Design (AQbD) approach to develop a robust UHPLC method for simultaneous quantification of methylxanthines and hydroxycinnamoylquinic acids. The method and sample preparation were designed in alignment with USP General Chapter < 1220> Analytical Procedure Life Cycle and …

Examining Racial And Ethnic Differences In Quality Of Care Between Home And In-Center Hemodialysis, Sukhman Bains

2026 Symposium

Home hemodialysis (HHD) offers improved flexibility and clinical outcomes compared to in-center hemodialysis. However, its use remains limited, particularly among racial and ethnic minority populations disproportionately affected by end-stage renal disease (ESRD). This systematic review analyzed seven retrospective cohort studies (2004–2025) to assess disparities in HHD utilization and outcomes. Minority patients were significantly less likely to initiate HHD, with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 0.45 to 0.70, while no disparities were observed within Canada’s universal healthcare system. Although HHD was associated with lower mortality, this finding is likely influenced by selection bias, as HHD patients tended to be younger and …

Optimizing Itpa R178c Assays Via Hplc, Jared J. Reisnouer, Wally D. Pines

2026 Symposium

Two of the major nucleotide bases in DNA and RNA (Adenine and Guanine) are derived from the purine Inosine Monophosphate (IMP). IMP may occasionally form the noncanonical nucleotide Inosine Triphosphate (ITP) within the cell and become incorporated into DNA during replication, leading to potentially lethal errors. To combat this, human cells produce the “housekeeping” enzyme Inosine Triphosphatase (ITPA) to revert ITP to IMP. A mutation of this protein that replaces the 178th amino acid Arginine with Cysteine (R178C) is associated with a fatal infantile encephalopathy. Previous assessments of enzyme-substrate binding and catalysis for ITPA variants have been run at a …

A Lack Of Cultural Diversity In Leadership In Multinational Corporations, Amelia Smalls

Liberty University Research Week

Organizations increasingly rely on culturally diverse teams to support global collaboration and innovation. However, many organizations continue to struggle to translate workforce diversity into improved communication, team cohesion, and performance outcomes. This study examines how leadership behaviors influence communication dynamics and relational processes within culturally diverse teams in multinational organizational environments. Guided by transformational leadership theory, servant leadership theory, and leader–member exchange (LMX) theory, the research explores how leadership practices shape communication clarity, team cohesion, and organizational effectiveness. A qualitative research design supported by descriptive survey data was employed. Data was collected from 33 professionals working in multinational organizational contexts …

Exploring The Antimicrobial Properties Of Spotted Lanternfly Contaminated Honey, Davanna Mcclellan

Liberty University Research Week

This study aims to investigate how the antimicrobial properties of pure honey and spotted lanternfly contaminated honey differ. The spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) is an invasive species that has been in the U.S. since 2014. This species has wreaked havoc on many different industries, such as the agricultural and tobacco industries. However, the relationship between the lanternfly and the European honey bee (Apis mellifera) has not been researched. One facet of their relationship shows that honey bees will use lanternfly secretions called honeydew to make honey. Honey possesses antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory qualities due to the antimicrobial peptides present within honey …

Before The Flood: A Theoretical Research Proposal On Prediluvian Traditions And Göbekli Tepe, Donald Thomas

Liberty University Research Week

This theoretical research explores whether the prediluvian “Pillars of Knowledge” described in ancient Jewish traditions may correspond to the archaeological site of Göbekli Tepe. By comparing early textual sources referencing preserved antediluvian knowledge with current archaeological findings and interpretations of Göbekli Tepe, this study evaluates whether meaningful parallels exist or whether similarities are coincidental. Using interdisciplinary historical and textual analysis, the project seeks to contribute to ongoing discussions about the relationship between mythological memory, flood traditions, and prehistoric monumental architecture.

Differential Effects Of Curcumin And C646 On Mitogenic And Metabolic Signaling In Insulin-Stimulated Hepg2 Cells, Davis Raz, Rachael De Klerk

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Sub-Lethal Exposure Of Culcicidine Mosquitoes To Pyriproxyfen: A Gateway To Pyrethroid Resistance, Ava Luckey, Andrew Duncan

Liberty University Research Week

Mosquito borne diseases are a global health concern, requiring effective methods of vector control. Pyriproxyfen (PPF) is an insect growth regulator that prevents larvae from becoming adult mosquitoes. The adults exposed to PPF often have difficulties in reproduction. Pyrethroids, however, are an insecticide meant to kill mosquitoes. Oftentimes PPF and pyrethroids are used together and resistance has become an increasing concern. This study would investigate if a sublethal larval exposure to PPF will cause increased resistance to pyrethroids in adult Culcidine mosquitoes. Two separate mosquito groups would be reared with or without larval PPF exposure. The adults from both groups …

The Effects Of Ultra- Processed Foods On Metabolic Health Among Young Adults, Cynthia Ilechukwu, Atika Ali, Fadzai Nyarugwe, Ifeoluwanimi Shobayo, Krista Coipel, Naa Komley Commey, Tahirou Diallo

Liberty University Research Week

Introduction/Background

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs), as defined by the NOVA classification system, are industrially produced foods that are high in added sugar, sodium, unhealthy fats, and additives while being low in fiber and essential nutrients. Young adulthood is a crucial period for developing long-term dietary habits, yet many young adults consume a disproportionately high amount of UPFs. Evidence suggests that diets high in UPFs can negatively affect metabolic health, increasing the risk of obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at relatively early ages. Understanding the impact of UPFs in this age group is important for developing preventive strategies …

Barefoot Shoes: The Effect On Health And Wellness, Rebecca Hofheinz

Liberty University Research Week

The development of footwear from the outset of civilizations and the rise in popularity associated with their use in the Roman Empire has led to the diversification of styles and uses for shoes that we see today. While the first shoes were rudimentary, they fulfilled the basic need of protecting the wearer’s feet from the various abrasive textures and temperatures of the landscapes they lived in. Those initial shoes were consistently represented by layered fabrics or leather wrapped around the feet before they then progressed further into the leather sandals that were displayed by the gladiators of the Roman age. …

Mental Health Consequences Of Climate-Related Hazards: A Us Case Study., Perseverance Nothando, Fadzai Nyarugwe, Wuraola Awosan

Liberty University Research Week

Background: The planet has warmed considerably over the past four decades, leading to more extreme weather events like floods, fires, and hurricanes. In the U.S., the number of climate-related disasters has surged, affecting approximately 1.7 billion people between 2010 and 2020. Projections suggest that by 2050, the U.S. population impacted by climate-related disasters could double, with a quarter of the population affected annually. Research indicates that 25% to 50% of people exposed to extreme weather events are susceptible to negative mental health consequences, such as anxiety and PTSD. This underscores the urgent need to address the psychological impact of climate …

Distribution Of Virginia Pollinator Insect Specimens From The Liberty University Natural History Collection, Sarah Gerringer

Liberty University Research Week

The Liberty University natural history collection contains a substantial number of preserved insect specimens taken from all over the state of Virginia, and which includes many families of pollinator insects. Pollinator insects play an important part in life on this planet, so the purpose of this study was to visually represent and evaluate historical pollinator habitat data. Information such as this can be used to both spread awareness of pollinator conservation and to provide a better understanding of where pollinators may be located. In this study, we compiled and examined location data from ten families of Virginia native pollinator insects …

Vaccine Or No Vaccine? A Sudden Rise In Ancient Diseases, Krista Coipel, Atika Ali, Ifeoluwanimi Shobayo, Naa Komley Commey

Liberty University Research Week

Introduction/Background: In recent years, numerous vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles, tuberculosis, and polio, that were previously deemed controlled or eradicated have reappeared in different communities. The decline in vaccination rates, fueled by misinformation, obstacles to access, and vaccine hesitancy, presents an escalating threat to public health. This study investigates the connection between vaccination behaviors and the resurgence of these "ancient" diseases, within the framework of the Healthy People 2030 objectives.

Methods: Peer-reviewed journal articles, public health surveillance reports, and policy documents were systematically gathered through academic databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, EBSCO and CDC/WHO repositories. Search terms employed included …

Barriers To Breastfeeding In Marginalized Communities In The U.S, Naa Komley Commey, Wuraola Awosan

Liberty University Research Week

Background: Breastfeeding is widely recognized as the optimal method of infant nutrition, offering numerous health benefits for both mothers and infants. Breastfeeding initiation and continuation rates in the U.S. vary significantly based on factors such as age, income, education, and race, because marginalized communities encounter various barriers that hinder breastfeeding success. Addressing these barriers is crucial for promoting breastfeeding as a public health imperative. This study aims to investigate the primary barriers to breastfeeding in marginalized populations in the U.S.

Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases were searched using predetermined search terms for literature published between 2020 and 2025. The …

Rising Waters And Resilient Hollers, Judah Wilson

Liberty University Research Week

Storytelling has served as a primary method for preserving cultural identity and sharing historical experiences within Appalachian communities. This research investigates the relationship between narrative traditions and natural disasters in the region, concentrating on how stories document and depict experiences with storms, floods, and landslides. Using a combination of archival sources and textual analysis, the study identifies recurring themes of communal resilience and solidarity despite environmental erosion, industrial expansion, and systemic neglect. Appalachian literary works serve as both historical records and insights into response mechanisms, revealing frameworks for analyzing and addressing environmental crises. The findings suggest that Appalachian storytelling is …

The Mentality Of Women: The Accuracy Of Mental Illness Treatment In Dreaming In Cuban, Jadyn Brueske

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Evolving Marxist Criticism Of Steinbeck's "The Grapes Of Wrath": Theological Tensions, Class Consciousness, And Cultural Relevance, Kimberly Fore

Liberty University Research Week

This study examines the evolution of Marxist literary criticism applied to John Steinbeck’s 1939 novel "The Grapes of Wrath" across the decades following its publication.Textual analyses conducted by successive generations of scholars demonstrate that critical interpretations have shifted from the early objections to its perceived religious sentimentality that were common in initial Marxist reviews, through a Cold War-era reframing that sought to align or distance the novel from prevailing political ideologies of the time, to 1980s scholarship focused on collective identity and the potential for group solidarity in proletarian narratives. Subsequent perspectives, including examinations of racial dynamics in the depicted …

Limited Access To Reproductive Health Care And Maternal Health Outcomes In Lynchburg, Virginia, Akuchinyere Titus-Okpanachi, Oyebolu Aderinola Akinkugbe, Wuraola Awosan

Liberty University Research Week

Maternal mortality remains a vital public health concern, with a global rate of about 197 deaths per 100,000 live births and a rate of | 8.6 in the United States. Black women face a much higher rate of 50.3. Virginia reports 57 pregnancy-related deaths, which equal 70.1 per 100,000 live births, highlighting significant racial disparities. In the Central Virginia Health District, access to prenatal care varies, with 17.9% of Hispanic women receiving inadequate care, compared to 11% of Black women and 6.3% of White women, exposing inequities in maternal health services. This study conducted a descriptive research design, involving secondary …

Disparities In Us Ultra-Processed Food Consumption, Great Onyedika Okereke, Eliana Arthurs

Liberty University Research Week

Background: Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) now contribute more than half of total caloric intake in the United States and are associated with obesity, cardiometabolic disease, and poor diet quality. Geographic disparities in UPF consumption may contribute to unequal dietary risk across populations, particularly among rural, lower-income, and minority communities.

Methods: A literature review of peer-reviewed studies published from 2016-2026 was conducted using national datasets, including NHANES, prospective cohort studies, cross-sectional analyses, and policy evaluations, to examine geographic patterns of UPF consumption and associated dietary risks in the United States.

Results: Evidence shows higher UPF consumption among rural populations, younger individuals, lower-income …

Mapping The Barriers: A Socioecological Scoping Review Of Healthcare Access Among International Students In The United States, Oyebolu Aderinola Akinkugbe, Akuchinyere Titus-Okpanachi, Oluwatosin Marylyn Oduneye

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Everything You Know About The Piano Is Wrong, Khuong Vo

Liberty University Research Week

The idea of treating the piano as an instrument capable of evoking the timbres of other instruments through variations in touch, articulation, and key velocity is a common practice in the collaborative pianist realm. However, solo pianists can learn from this approach to take their musical expression further. The focus of this study is Études-Tableaux, Op. 39 No. 9 in D major by Sergei Rachmaninoff, examined alongside its orchestral arrangement by Ottorino Respighi. As the final piece of Op. 39, the étude is a virtuosic showpiece characterized by dense textures, vivid imagery, and a largely unified rhythmic character. Its rich …

Metamodernism In Music, Kara Lewis

Liberty University Research Week

The progression of history, along with its technological, philosophical, and cultural shifts, is reflected in the music humans create and relate to. The shift towards a metamodern philosophical framework within the last two decades of Western culture has influenced the of music today. Our concept and description of metamodernism is taken from Timotheus Vermeulen’s and Robin van den Akker’s 2010 article, “Notes on Metamodernism.” They posit that metamodernism is defined by oscillation between “modern enthusiasm” and “postmodern irony” (pg. 1) and between “modern commitment” and “postmodern detachment” (pg. 2). It is of crucial note that this oscillation is not balance, …

Joy Under The Sun: Ecclesiastes And Existential Positive-Psychology, Alexander Lee, Clayton Hess

Liberty University Research Week

Christian counselors can benefit from theological research into effective counseling theory and practice. Biblical wisdom literature has been long overlooked as an effective tool in biblically-informed counseling. Biblical wisdom parallels recent trends in positive-psychology toward emphasizing holistic human flourishing (Hawkins, 2026). Further, interpretations of Ecclesiastes can parallel existentialism, with similar emphases on coherence and meaning-making (Keefer, 2019). In Lee’s (2012) discussion of Ecclesiastes, flourishing is pinpointed in qohelet’s treatment of joy. Lee develops a theology of enjoyment based on qohelet’s diagnosis of the human condition, his description of humanity’s position in relationship with God, and his meditation on injustice. In …

Is Everything Awesome? Cultural Apologetics In A Metamodern Age, Alexander Lee, Dara Huamanchumo Ascanio, Isaiah Johnson

Liberty University Research Week

Contemporary apologists have emphasized that engaging with culture in an insightful and respectful way is a powerful tool for evangelism (Chatraw & Allen, 2018). In this vein, children’s media, born in a specific cultural setting, has a formative impact on upcoming generations, an avenue of influence that should be explored for its implications in apologetics. To do this, the research explores themes highlighting the transition between postmodernism and metamodernism by comparing the films Toy Story (1995) and The Lego Movie (2014). The project figures characters in Toy Story as representing the shift from modernism to postmodernism, while characters in The …

Instructors’ Lived Experiences Of Using Authentic Assessments In College Calculus Courses Across The United States: A Phenomenological Study, Christy Kains

Liberty University Research Week

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of instructors with authentic assessments in college calculus courses across the United States. The theory guiding this study was Astin’s student involvement theory, which provided a framework to study the involvement of students in higher education. The central research question for this study was: What are the lived experiences of instructors who utilize authentic assessments in college calculus courses across the United States? This study used a qualitative design following the transcendental phenomenological approach of Moustakas. The sample included 12 instructors from two-year and four-year colleges in …

Shepherds In The Great War: The Evolution Of The U.S. Army Chaplaincy And The Service Of Malcolm Taylor In World War I, Sydney Gilbert

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Vicarious Trauma And Compassion Fatigue Among Counselors Serving Law Enforcement Populations, Makayla Thompson

Liberty University Research Week

Approximately 98% of clinical therapists report treating clients who have experienced at least one traumatic event (Bride, 2007). Research has established associations between clinical work with trauma-affected populations and increased vulnerability to vicarious trauma (VT) and compassion fatigue (CF) among counselors (Armes et al., 2020; Rayne et al., 2020). VT refers to cumulative and enduring changes in a clinician’s cognitive schemas resulting from sustained empathic engagement with clients’ traumatic experiences (McCann & Pearlman, 1990). CF describes emotional and physical exhaustion that diminishes a clinician’s capacity for empathy and compassion, often understood as the cost of caring for those suffering (Figley, …

The Effect Of Hormonal Contraceptives On Acl Tear Incidence: A Critically Appraised Topic, Ellen Jones, Bethany Lyons

Liberty University Research Week

Context: Female athletes are at an elevated risk for ACL injuries due to fluctuating hormones throughout the menstrual cycle, along with anatomical and neuromuscular factor such as an increased Q angle, intercondylar notch size, joint laxity, muscular size, and landing mechanics. Hormonal contraceptives are widely used in female athletes not only for contraception but also to regulate menstrual cycle and menstrual related symptoms by stabilizing hormonal fluctuation. Fluctuations in menstrual hormones have also been shown to influence knee laxity, which is considered one of the strongest risk factors for ACL injury. This leads to the clinical question, “Do hormonal contraceptives …

Exploring The Impact Of Emotion Focused Therapy As A Model For Meeting Men’S Emotional Needs, Emily Hendricks

Liberty University Research Week

In Western culture, masculinity standards have created an overall negative perception of help-seeking and mental healthcare treatment for many men. Although help-seeking is becoming a well-researched category of men's mental health treatment maintenance research is limited. Additionally, there are few models of care that have been developed specifically for male populations that honor their inherent values and perception of masculinity. This theoretical proposal will highlight Emotion Focused Therapy as a possible framework for men's care due to its' evidence-based use with couples and families and focus on emotional intelligence and regulation. Emotion Focused Therapy should be researched with men specifically, …

Clinical Implications And Future Directions Of Sepsis Treatment, Chelsey King

Liberty University Research Week

Sepsis is a leading cause of morbidity worldwide, driven by a dynamic response that evolves from early hyperinflammation to profound immunosuppression. This review explores the pathogenesis of the cytokine storm, detailing how dysregulated pattern recognition receptor (PRR) activation, NF-¿B signaling, and NETosis drive endothelial injury and organ dysfunction. Further, the transition into sepsis-induced immunoparalysis will be examined, characterized by lymphocyte apoptosis, “exhausted” cellular phenotypes, and persistent lymphopenia. This immune environment often results in Persistent Inflammation, Immunosuppression, and Catabolism Syndrome (PICS). Synthesis of clinical biomarkers and emerging therapies, such as immune checkpoint inhibition, will highlight the necessity of biomarker-guided, personalized strategies …