Digital Commons Network^™

How Rational Is Ai Investment Advice? Risk-Return Relevance In Artificial Intelligence (Ai) Investments, Oscar O. Gilbert, Tianxiang Chu

Create@State

Textbook finance theories indicate that investors demand risk premia from risky assets as compensation for risk and for hedging against future unfavorable economic states. We design a comprehensive study to examine whether investment advice generated by artificial intelligence (AI) reflects a coherent risk–return pattern in investment decision-making. We find that AI advises investors to increase stock investments when return increases and reduce stock allocations when stock volatility increases. However, AI ignores the hedging role of the stock market with consumption growth. A low risk aversion cannot explain this failure to respond to consumption-related risk. We further find that AI provides …

Reinforcement Learning Approaches For Intelligent Budget Management: A Comparison Of Traditional Budget Model With Q-Learning, And Deep Q-Network Models, Danish Yaqub

Create@State

This study explores the application of Reinforcement Learning (RL) techniques to improve personal budget management and financial decision-making. A traditional rule-based budgeting model is first developed as a baseline approach, where income is allocated to expenses, savings, and debt payments using fixed financial ratios and predefined rules. Although this approach provides a structured framework for financial planning, it lacks adaptability and cannot dynamically optimize decisions when financial conditions change.To address these limitations, two reinforcement learning models—Q-Learning and Deep Q-Network (DQN) are implemented and compared with the traditional budgeting model. In the Q-Learning model, an agent interacts with simulated financial states …

Student Perspectives On The Selection And Suitability Of Emotional Support Animals, Ella G. Speer

Create@State

Emotional support animals (ESA) are classified as any species of animal that provides cognitive and emotional benefits for individuals struggling with mental health impairments (Ferrell, Crowley 2021, p. 561). Emotional support animals differ from service and therapy animals because there are no restrictions regarding the specie selection if the owner perceives their benefits (Ferrell, Crowley 2021, p. 561). Relaxed regulations on the specie of emotional support animals allow individuals the opportunity to choose any animal based on their perceived benefits (Pettable Staff, Fleming 2024). Recently, universities have implemented an emotional support animal policy to protect students who live on campus …

Investigating Various Methods Of Order Picking On Efficiency And Quality Of Distribution Center Picking Operations, Mien Thi Thao Tran, Samita Rana Magar

Create@State

ABSTRACT:

Order picking is the most labor-intensive activity in warehousing, accounting for approximately 55% of total operating expenses. This study evaluates the efficiency and quality trade-offs among three primary picking methods: Single, Batch, and Zone. Conducted via an educational simulation, the study utilized a 60-SKU alphanumeric Lego inventory system where four participants executed picking cycles to measure operational lead time and quality variance.

The results demonstrated a significant correlation between picking methodology and output quality. Single Picking achieved the highest quality standards, yielding only three errors alongside the fastest completion time (4:21). Conversely, Batch Picking resulted in the lowest quality, …

Who Will Grow Our Food In The Future? Factors Influencing A-State Agricultural Student’S Intentions To Enter Production Agriculture, Kamana Kafle

Create@State

The future of agriculture depends on what motivates today’s student to pursue careers in production agriculture. This study identifies key drivers of career intention among College of Agricultural students at A-State using an extended Theory of Planned Behavior framework. Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey and analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM). The model explained a substantial 74.2% of the variance in agricultural career intention. Results revealed that Career Planning was the strongest positive predictor, followed by Attitude Towards Agriculture and Perceived Value. Interestingly, factors such as Perceived Behavioral Control, Subjective Norms, and access to Facilities …

Can Eye-Tracking Predict Survey Choices? The Case Of Financial Risk Tolerance, Sravya Kasireddy

Create@State

Financial risk tolerance is traditionally measured using self-report questionnaires which provide incomplete information.

Impact Of Green Supply Chain Management On Business Growth A Literature Review, Mani Megla

Create@State

Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) has emerged as a strategic approach for integrating environmental considerations into supply chain operations. Existing studies indicate that supply chain practices such as green purchasing, reverse logistics, and supplier environmental collaboration positively influence operational and financial performance. Furthermore, green innovations such as eco-design and internal environmental management often act as mediating factors that strengthen competitive advantage. This study synthesizes global research published between 2000 and 2024 to evaluate the impact of GSCM on sustainable business growth. The findings reinforce the strategic role of GSCM in enhancing competitiveness and identifying key research gaps for future investigation.

How Star Rating Influences Online Shopping Decisions, Shahjahan Jabbar Memon

Create@State

Electronic commerce (EC) represents a substantial and growing share of retail activity, where purchasing decisions are strongly influenced by electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM). Among these signals, average star ratings (1–5), review volume, and rating dispersion serve as prominent cues shaping consumer perceptions of product quality and trust.

Prior research has examined the relationship between ratings and sales using platform-specific data (e.g., Amazon, eBay, Yelp, Expedia). However, real-world observational data often confound rating effects with other influential factors such as brand strength, price differences, promotions, and platform-generated signals (e.g., “best seller” badges). When consumers evaluate multiple alternatives simultaneously, isolating the independent causal …

Amyloid Beta-42 Neurotoxicity In Drosophila Retinal Development, Shay O. Sims, Pierce Duncan, Malachi Abon, Jacob G. Smith

Create@State

Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders globally. Thus far, the underlying mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of AD are innately elusive. Two hallmarks associated with the progression of AD exist, including Amyloid-Beta 42 (Aβ42) protein plaque formation and hyperphosphorylation of tau proteins in neurons. Amyloid-beta is known to concentrate with other neuronal proteins as complexes form, including the cytoskeletal protein actin. However, whether actin contributes to neuronal decline in AD is unknown. To further understand the cellular cascades associated with AD, we investigated the role of cytoskeleton dynamics in modulating oxidative stress and neuroinflammation within …

Mental Health In Healthcare Workers: Is It Just A Myth Or A Fact, Considering The Abundant Access To Healthcare, Shiwani Ranjitkar

Create@State

Healthcare workers have direct access to healthcare resources, yet many continue to experience significant mental health challenges. This study investigates the factors contributing to this issue and its implications for healthcare systems. Using data analysis and a review of recent literature, national surveys, and public health reports, key factors identified include heavy workloads, emotional strain from patient care, staffing shortages, workplace harassment, and stigma associated with seeking mental health support. Research indicates that healthcare professionals frequently experience burnout, anxiety, depression, and compassion fatigue even when support resources are available. For instance, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention …

Transgenic Plant Cells For The Cost-Effective Production Of Pharmaceutical Proteins, Maria Gambaro

Create@State

Plant-based systems are becoming an important method for producing pharmaceutical proteins because they can be more cost-effective, and safer compared to traditional production methods which commonly use mammalian cells. This project aims to develop a transgenic plant cell system that can produce a pharmaceutical protein using molecular cloning techniques. A transgenic plant cell has the DNA of another plant integrated into its genome, altering its gene expression to produce different proteins. To begin, a plasmid carrying the gene of interest and the DNA components needed for expression will be designed. The plasmid will then be used to introduce the gene …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Ai In Minimizing ​The Bullwhip Effect In Supply Chains​, Ngan Vo, Khang Cao, Nikita Lama

Create@State

This study evaluates the effectiveness of artificial intelligence (AI) in reducing the bullwhip effect within a simulated supply chain using the Beer Game model. Three decision-making approaches were compared: traditional human-only ordering with limited information, AI-assisted ordering using ChatGPT, and collaborative decision-making with full information sharing across supply chain tiers. Supply chain performance was evaluated over four simulation rounds using key operational metrics, including order variability, inventory levels, backorders, and customer service performance. Results indicate that traditional human decision-making led to higher order variability and stronger fluctuations due to reactive decisions and limited information visibility. AI-assisted ordering improved decision consistency …

Variation In Infection Prevalence Of Splendidofilaria Pectoralis Across Alaskan Grouse Populations, Anahi Garcia Valdez, Diego Martinez

Create@State

In recent years, rapid climate change has altered species distributions worldwide and influenced parasite transmission dynamics in wildlife systems. Parasite infections play an important role in shaping patterns of disease distribution across species and populations. Understanding variation in infection prevalence across geographic regions and host demographic groups is essential for interpreting these patterns. Splendidofilaria pectoralis is a filarial nematode that infects the connective tissues of grouse (Aves: Tetraonini) in Alaska and has been moving northward as the climate warms. However, relatively little is known about the variation in prevalence of the nematode across geography and demography. This project examines variation …

Relish As A Temporal Switch In Neurodegeneration Using Drosophila Melanogaster, Kyle M. Johnson

Create@State

Neurodegenerative diseases are often linked to chronic inflammation in the nervous system, but it is still unclear what triggers this process during the early stages of disease. This project examines whether activation of the NF-κB transcription factor Relish may act as a temporal switch that contributes to early neurodegenerative stress in Drosophila melanogaster. As a result of many innate immune pathways are consistent between flies and humans, Drosophila serves as a useful model for studying how immune signaling affects neuronal health. In this study, neural driver lines were crossed with control strains to evaluate how changes in Relish signaling …

An Investigation Into Relish Activation As A Temporal Switch In Neurodegeneration, Kyle M. Johnson

Create@State

Neurodegenerative diseases are often linked to chronic inflammation in the nervous system, but it is still unclear what triggers this process during the early stages of disease. This project examines whether activation of the NF-κB transcription factor Relish may act as a temporal switch that contributes to early neurodegenerative stress in Drosophila melanogaster. As a result of many innate immune pathways are consistent between flies and humans, Drosophila serves as a useful model for studying how immune signaling affects neuronal health. In this study, neural driver lines were crossed with control strains to evaluate how changes in Relish signaling …

Teacher Based Evaluation Of Bridge Partnership Program, Maranda Lea Jones, Sarah Bess, Autumn Goforth

Create@State

Basic 21st-century skills such as communication, creativity, and critical thinking are a necessary foundation in today’s world. This research is based on evaluating and observing a campus partnership between Arkansas State University and Nettleton Middle School called BRIDGE (Building Real-world Innovation and Development through Guidance and Education). The purpose of this research is to examine teacher's perceptions of the BRIDGE program and its impact on students. Data is currently being collected through interviews with teachers from Nettleton Middle School who work directly with students participating in the BRIDGE program. Teachers are prompted with open-ended interview questions to share their experiences …

Development Of A Liquid Propellant Rocket Engine With Integrated Water-Based Cooling Jacket, Mauricio Bautista, Jesus Cortes, Christian Lopez, Hugo Robles, Will Owens, Josh Sutton, Jayden Pace, Shelby Enlow

Create@State

This projects describes the development of a liquid rocket engine with a metal casted cooling jacket. We test the system and provide simulation data for the project.

Which Ai For What? An Ai Value Index For Small Business Adoption, Ahesanul Karim Abid

Create@State

Every day, millions of small business owners hear the same advice: use AI to grow your business. But when they look at the options — ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek – they face an overwhelming question with no clear answer: which one should I actually use for my specific business need?

This question needs a fact-backed answer. Small businesses make up nearly all U.S. companies, about 99.9%, and employ close to half the country's workforce. Yet they adopt AI at rates 38 percentage points lower than large corporations. The issue is not cost. The issue is that no one has …

Understanding The Relationship Between Morphometric Indices Of The Eleven Point River And Sediment And Nutrient Transport, Karimot Shobowale, Jennifer Bouldin

Create@State

Objective: To evaluate how watershed characteristics impact sediment transport and water quality parameters.

The Convergence Of Big Data And Ai, Prasanna Rajbhandari

Create@State

Big data and artificial intelligence are transforming how organizations analyze information and make decisions. Traditional analytics struggle with large, distributed, and unlabeled datasets. Modern AI systems must adapt quickly, preserve privacy, and extract meaningful insights from complex data environments.

"Intergenerational Apologetics: A Strategy For Careful Confidence." A Dmin Thesis Project., Tom Farley

Liberty University Research Week

There is a subtle confusion between the objectives of evangelism and apologetics, leaving some senior adult church members unknowingly ill-equipped and intimidated to defend their Christian values. The purpose of this Doctor of Ministry action research was to address that intimidation by training seniors in a dedicated faith-values curriculum to become confident apologetic communicators. The intervention leveraged the process of intergenerational values-sharing while training stakeholders to develop their own faith narratives by seamlessly integrating biblical values with relevant apologetic particulars into personal stories to be shared with their grandchildren. In this environment, participants could develop a personal faith narrative that …

The Silent Trigger Theory: A Predictive Behavioral Safety Framework, Yazeed Almutairi

Liberty University Research Week

This theoretical study introduces The Silent Trigger Theory, a predictive behavioral safety framework designed to identify early, often overlooked human signals that precede safety incidents. Despite advances in established safety approaches such as Behavior-Based Safety (BBS), Human and Organizational Performance (HOP), and ISO 45001 management systems, incidents continue to occur in environments where procedures, audits, and controls are fully implemented. This gap suggests a limitation in current models’ ability to capture subtle behavioral warning signs, particularly silence, emotional withdrawal, and ambiguous communication.

The Silent Trigger Theory addresses this gap through the STARC framework (Shift, Traceable, Ambiguity, Risk Link, Corrective Loop) …

A Scoping Review: The Relationship Between Mindfulness, Resilience, And Wellness For First Responders With Work Related Trauma, Gary Oliver

Liberty University Research Week

This study reviewed research that explores the relationship between mindfulness, resilience, and wellness for First Responders with work related trauma. Mindfulness has a basis firmly rooted in Buddhist psychology, and shares similar conceptual tenets with Greek philosophy, existentialism, transcendentalism, and humanism which all center around the consciousness of attention and awareness. Resilience has a variety of interpretations within the literature and is understood as a dynamic process accounting for environmental and psychosocial factors that help people survive, grow, and thrive despite adversity. Wellness, though not concretely defined, is similar to overall health which is defined by the World Health Organization …

Ai-Augmented Music And Emotion Processing: Exploring Whole-Brain Integration In Counseling Sessions, Janita Daggy, Patricia Mcglothlin

Liberty University Research Week

This study explores how AI-adaptive music applications might support emotional awareness and self-regulation when used during counseling sessions. While creative arts interventions have long been recognized for engaging emotion-related brain processes, and AI technologies show promise in providing adaptive, real-time feedback, little research has examined how these approaches work together in actual counseling practice. The study introduces the Neuro–AI–Creative Integration Framework (NACIF) to guide this exploration. Thirty participants will attend five counseling sessions that incorporate AI music applications responsive to their emotional and physiological states, along with therapist-facilitated reflection on their emotional and bodily experiences. The study will measure changes …

Reframing Alpha-Gal Syndrome As A One Health Oral Health Risk: A Theoretical Model For Dental Safety And Policy Reform, Oyebolu Aderinola Akinkugbe, Akuchinyere Titus-Okpanachi, Oluwatosin Marylyn Oduneye

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Increasing On-Task Behavior Using Reward Systems, Sarah Becker, Danielle M. Kovach

Psychology Research Conference

This study intended to examine the effectiveness of a reward system on on-task writing behavior. This single-subject study utilized momentary time sampling to gather data, and data was displayed using an ABAB design that alternated between baseline and intervention periods. The intervention used was the visitation the co-investigator's cat. Overall, there was an increase in on-task writing behavior during the intervention periods.

Evaluating A Virtual Reality-Based Physical Activity Intervention For Nicotine Vaping Cessation: Pilot Study Findings, Ryan X. Gallagher, Lucas S. Wittenburg, Sweta Banjara, Sampada Tuladhar, Matthew Mitnick, Bethany Raiff

Psychology Research Conference

Nicotine use remains a globally significant contributor to preventable illness and premature death. the prevalence of vaping has witnessed a significant increase in recent years, especially among youth in the United States, with a considerable rise from individuals who previously did not smoke. Although vaping is a relatively new method for tobacco use, research is starting to accumulate on its negative health effects, including obstructing airways, increasing heart rate, increasing systolic and diastolic blood pressure, exacerbating symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and decreasing lung function. Vaping cessation continues to be a primary public health initiative, and to date, little …

Research Week 2026 Program, Scholarly Communications

Liberty University Research Week

Program booklet for Research Week 2026.

A Joint Effort: Accomplishments Of The Resource Center For Cannabis And Cannabinoids Research, Patrick Still, Don Stanford, Mary Paine, Nandakumara Sarma

Oxford ICSB

No abstract provided.

Harnessing Hybrid-Ai For Real-Time Phishing Detection, Justin Villa

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Phishing attacks have evolved into a sophisticated cybersecurity threat, targeting individuals and organizations through emails, websites and social media platforms. Current detection methods rely on predefined rules and deep learning models, but they struggle to identify new and evolving phishing techniques. This research proposes an adaptive hybrid AI approach that integrates Random Forest (RF) and Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks. RF is effective for analyzing structured phishing data, while LSTM can detect patterns in sequential data, such as phishing messages. To improve accuracy and adaptability, we will incorporate adversarial training and explainable AI techniques. A key contribution of this …