Digital Commons Network^™

Spiritual Disciplines And Christian Formative Education: Tools To Jump-Start Spiritual Formation And Eliminate Stagnation, Darrick J. Willis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The researcher aims to uncover the fundamental causes of spiritual stagnation, particularly the tendency to over-rely on established traditions, and to assess the detrimental effects of this phenomenon on the life and activities of the church. Spiritual formation is the process through which Christians are transformed into the likeness of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Intentionality and growth are paramount for believers, as neglecting these elements can lead to spiritual stagnation. Contemporary literature emphasizes that spiritual formative education is central to fostering intentionality. The correlation between increased knowledge and a heightened desire to learn is crucial; both …

Probiotic Promise Verses Reality: A Quantitative Analysis, Gabby Ramos Yarala, Cassandra S. Korte

Student Publications and Presentations

Understanding gut health isn't just about digestion, it's the key to unlocking mental clarity, immune efficiency, and long-term wellness. The gut microbiome consists of bacteria located in the gut. These bacteria assist with digestion, destroying harmful bacteria, and managing the immune system. Probiotics are live microorganisms found in food and drinks. Mainstream highly promoted probiotic products such as kombucha, drinkable probiotic yogurt, and apple cider vinegar were tested to determine which popular products would have the highest bacteria count. To measure these counts, a serial dilution method was used. The results suggest that drinkable probiotic yogurt had the highest probiotic …

Big Five Personality Traits And Emotional Eating In Young Adults, Madisyn Mae Andrade, Patrick J. Cooper

Student Publications and Presentations

Emotional eating (EE) refers to consuming food in response to emotionally provoking triggers rather than physical hunger (Tinmazoglu & Guvender-Doksat, 2020). Often acting as a learned coping mechanism, EE is associated with emotions like anxiety, depression, anger, or stress. This behavior can lead to overeating or undereating depending on the individual's emotional response and coping style, posing risks for obesity, eating disorders, and nutritional imbalances (Tinmazoglu & Guvender-Doksat, 2020). Psychological factors affect susceptibility to EE, with research indicating that personality traits interact with biological, environmental, and social influences to heighten vulnerability to disordered eating behaviors (Brown et al., 2020). This …

How Does Caffeine Affect Your Learning?, Kiana Rhee-Osorio, Carlton Parke, Khalique Ahmed, Alexis Galindez

Student Publications and Presentations

In the Organic Chemistry I laboratory, caffeine was extracted from tea using dichloromethane. This experiment sparked an interest in exploring the effects of caffeine consumption on the learning process. Caffeine, a widely consumed psychoactive substance found in various consumer products and medications, exerts significant physiological effects on the central nervous system (Khalique Ahmed & Ahmad, 2023). While it is often perceived to enhance cognitive performance, its primary action is the temporary alleviation of caffeine withdrawal symptoms (Kalumuck, 2019; Thau and Sharma, 2020),creating a misleading sense of improved function. Due to its structural similarity to adenosine and its high hydrophobicity and …

Adverse Childhood Experiences And Adult Nutrition; A Correlational Study, Tabitha Ostrout

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is a wealth of knowledge surrounding adverse childhood experiences and their immediate consequences. In recent years, researchers have expanded the scope of studies to explore the long-term impact of these negative early childhood events. One focus of interest is examining the connection between adverse childhood experiences and adult nutrition. To further contribute to the body of knowledge, a quantitative research study was conducted to determine if there is a correlation between the two variables. Data was collected from 106 participants to analyze the impact that adverse childhood experiences may have on later adult nutrition, as well as to investigate …

A Phenomenological Qualitative Study Of Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder In Rural West Virginia, Kristen Shaylee Copenhaver

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe young adults’ experiences with high-functioning ASD and ACE in underserved regions of West Virginia. As ACEs are more prevalent in low-income and underserved communities, it can be essential to focus attention on the autism population and their recollection of the events that occurred, as well as the challenges they have experienced receiving treatment to adequately address their needs in West Virginia. The theory guiding this study was the theory of mind, coined by Premack and Woodruff; This theory focuses on the deficits in a person's mental state (Beaudoin et al., 2020), …

Exploring The Administrator's Role In Regulating Personal Devices In The Classroom: A Qualitative Hermeneutic Phenomenology, Hope Faith Heard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of the phenomenological study is to explore the autonomy of developing school site personal device regulations for K-12 administrators in central Indiana. The study is guided by Ryan and Deci’s self-determination theory (SDT), which contributed positive results that support administrators’ autonomy and competence. The study’s findings have had a profound influence on K-12 education. The theory uncovered informative, reflective writing that administrators conducted, which involved introspective analysis of their decisions and actions, such as student confidence, satisfaction, and ability to learn using their devices. This study has the potential to improve the learning experience for students in the …

A Phenomenological Study Of Principals' Perceptions Of Principal Preparation Programs, Jennifer Gael Wiese

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand participants’ lived experiences in Principal Preparation Programs (PPPs) and their perceptions of how these programs prepared them for their roles as educational leaders in a public school district in the western United States. The lived experience is generally defined as the participants’ experiences, options, and choices and the influence these have on the participants’ perception of knowledge and education related to educational leadership. The historical, social, and theoretical context of principal preparation was highlighted in the introduction. A systematic literature review was conducted to explore issues in principal preparation. The focus …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Covid-19 Mental Health Influences On Post-High School Students And Educators, Melvin J. Thomas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of post-high school students and educators located in the Northeastern Florida region of the United States. The theory guiding this study was Piaget’s theory on cognitive learning and development, as it assisted with highlighting the lived human experiences relating to the stages of cognitive development and mental health influences because of decreased physical and social interactions and changed learning environments. The qualitative method and the phenomenological design were used, which consisted of collecting data relating to the first-hand experiences of …

Trend And Burden Of Adult Cancer-Related Hospitalizations In The United States, Muni Rubens, Anshul Saxena, Venkataraghavan Ramamoorthy, Atulya Khosla, Peter Mcgranaghan, Yanjia Zhang

All Publications

To calculate national trends and estimates of cancer-related hospitalizations, hospital outcomes, and hospitalization costs. The current study was a retrospective analysis of National Inpatient Sample data, collected during 2008 to 2019. Adult cancer hospitalizations were identified by Clinical Classifications Software codes. We estimated weighted frequencies, proportions, and trends in cancer-related hospitalizations, hospital outcomes, and hospitalization costs. The primary outcome of the study was cancer-related hospitalizations, and secondary outcomes were the reasons for hospitalization, disposition status, hospital length of stay, and hospitalization cost. There were 371 million weighted hospitalizations during 2008 to 2019, of which 15.1% (56 million) were cancer related. …

Enriched Pathways In Gut Microbiome Predict Response To Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor Treatment Across Demographic Regions And Various Cancer Types, Xunhui Cai, Jennifer Y Cho, Lijun Chen, Yufeng Liu, Fenghu Ji, Katia Salgado, Siyi Ge, Dehua Yang, Hui Yu, Jianbo Shao, P Andrew Futreal, Boris Sepesi, Don Gibbons, Yaobing Chen, Guoping Wang, Chao Cheng, Meng Wu, Jianjun Zhang, Ansel Hsiao, Tian Xia

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Understanding the effect of gut microbiota function on immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) responses is urgently needed. Here, we integrated 821 fecal metagenomes from 12 datasets to identify differentially abundant genes and construct random forest models to predict ICI response. Gene markers demonstrated excellent predictive performance, with an average area under the curve (AUC) of 0.810. Pathway analyses revealed that quorum sensing (QS), ABC transporters, flagellar assembly, and amino acid biosynthesis pathways were enriched between responders (R) and non-responders (NRs) across 12 datasets. Furthermore,

Characterizing The Pathway Utilized By Enterolactone And Its Metabolic Precursor Matairesinol To Promote Glut4-Dependent Glucose Uptake In 3t3-L1 Adipocytes, Rochelle Miller, Heidi Bosch, Merritt Smith

Liberty University Research Week

Type-2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by chronic insulin resistance and resultant fasting hyperglycemia. This is largely attributable to lifestyle factors like chronic over-nutrition, obesity, and excess abdominal adiposity. Research has shown an inverse association between habitual coffee consumption (both regular and decaffeinated) and T2D risk, suggesting that there may be protective effects elicited from certain chemical components of the beverage 1. Matairesinol (ML) is chemically classified as a lignan and is naturally occurring in coffee. It has been shown to inhibit the body weight gain and increase in fat mass commonly associated with high-fat diet-induced T2D2,3. ML and one of …

Community Health Assessments And Community Health Worker Training In Rural Guatemala, Grace Sibert

Liberty University Research Week

Public health plays a vital role in the health and well-being of communities, both within the United States and globally. In rural regions, particularly in Central America, addressing prevalent health issues such as hypertension, elevated blood glucose, anemia, and the promotion of sustainable care practices is of integral importance. Community Health Assessments (CHAs) serve as a critical tool for identifying and understanding local health needs, and Community Health Worker (CHW) training offers a sustainable solution to address these challenges. This research builds upon previous CHAs and CHW training initiatives in Guatemala and Honduras. Data collection involved structured questionnaires and biometric …

A Comparative Analysis Of Memory Loss And Cognitive Decline In The Workplace: U.S. And The Role Of Hr, Chidubem Xerona Nnajiofor

Liberty University Research Week

As the U.S. workforce continues to age, HR professionals face the growing challenge of addressing cognitive health in the workplace. Cognitive decline, including conditions such as dementia and memory loss, can impact employee productivity, engagement, and overall well-being. HR departments play a critical role in fostering a work environment that supports cognitive health through strategic initiatives. Workplace wellness programs, cognitive enrichment activities, and nutrition-focused policies have shown potential in maintaining cognitive function and prolonging employees' ability to contribute effectively to their organizations. This study explores how HR strategies can incorporate cognitive health initiatives to create supportive and sustainable work environments. …

Global Trends In Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Consumption And Its Impact On Chronic Diseases: A Retrospective Longitudinal Analysis In North America (1990-2021), Ginika Muomah

Liberty University Research Week

Hypothesis: Higher consumption of high sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is associated with a significant increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases across World Bank regions. Introduction: Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a primary source of added sugar in the global diet and have been strongly linked to adverse health outcomes. Despite decades of research, excessive sugar intake remains a critical public health concern, contributing to the risking burden of chronic diseases. This study aims to evaluate the association between SSB intake and the prevalence of various chronic diseases across World Bank regions. Methods: We conducted a retrospective longitudinal analysis using the Global …

Meditation Or Medication: Comparing Meditation To Phosphatidylserine In The Reduction Of Salivary Cortisol In Collegiate Tennis Players Post Exercise, Elizabeth Hughes

Liberty University Research Week

Background: Cortisol is increased in the body in response to the reception of stress input, such as exercise or an emotional event. When this occurs, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis directs the adrenal cortex to release cortisol, thus raising cortisol levels.1 Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a glycerophospholipid made in the body that is a part of the cell membrane.2,3 PS reduces cortisol levels in the body.3 Meditation is a “consistent self-care practice…that allows for developing loving awareness of current thoughts and feelings.”4(p.37) Sadimi et al 4 used mindfulness meditation and found cortisol reductions were high. Meditation (MED) has not been compared to …

Global Trends In Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Consumption And Impact To Chronic Diseases In North America: A Retrospective Longitudinal Analysis (1990 – 2021), Ginika Muomah

Liberty University Research Week

Introduction: Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) are a primary source of added sugars in global diets, strongly linked to adverse health outcomes, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Despite extensive research, excessive sugar intake remains a significant public health issue. This study aims to evaluate the association between SSB intake and the prevalence of chronic diseases across World Bank regions. Methods: A retrospective longitudinal analysis was conducted using Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) from 1990 to 2021. This dataset includes information from 204 countries, categorized into seven World Bank regions. …

Investigating The Spatial Distribution Of Food Insecurity And Its Associated Factors Across Mississippi Counties, Elizabeth C. Swindell, Riley Morgan, Dylan Barker, Ruaa Al Juboori

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Background: Mississippi has one of the highest rates of food insecurity in the United States, with many counties experiencing significant disparities in access to healthy food. Therefore, understanding the spatial distribution of these disparities is essential for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the spatial distribution of food insecurity and its associated social and health factors across Mississippi counties to identify areas in need of intervention.

Methods: Cross sectional study was conducted using publicly available datasets to examine food insecurity and its associated factors at the county level. Pearson correlations and bivariate Moran’s I were used to …

Book Of Abstracts: 2025 Honors College Research Symposium, Honors College, North Carolina Agricultural And Technical State University

2025 Honors College Research Symposium

This booklet contains the collection of research abstracts presented at the 2025 Honors College Research Symposium, held on April 17, 2025, at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. The symposium highlights original undergraduate research across disciplines including science, engineering, humanities, health, education, business, and agriculture. The publication documents the scholarly contributions of Honors students through both oral and poster presentations.

Apoe Genotype Distribution In A Mexican Population: A Comparative Study And Its Implications For Alzheimer’S And Cardiovascular Disease, Carlos Perezcano, Andrea Sánchez, Josué Nava, Christian Rosete

Human Biology Open Access Pre-Prints

The apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele is a major genetic risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cardiovascular risk (CVD). This study analyzes the distribution of APOE alleles in 143 patients from a Mexican population based in Mexico City. The ε3 allele was the most prevalent (82.9%) followed by ε4 (12.5%) and ε2 (4.5%). Notably, the APOE 3/4 genotype, associated with increased risk for AD and CVD, was observed in 21% of the cohort, while the APOE 4/4 genotype, representing the highest genetic risk for both conditions, was rare (2.1%). The APOE 2/2 genotype, linked to type III …

Gc Minutes Apr 17, 2025, Graduate Council

Graduate Council Minutes

No abstract provided.

The Role Of Almonds In Exercise Recovery And Athletic Performance, Kathryn M. Trochman

Theses and Dissertations

Objectives: During exercise, many trained athletes and physically active adults experience symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). The effects of EIMD can cause limitations in athletic performance and increased duration of exercise recovery. Nutritional interventions have shown results in improving the duration of recovery. However, there are few studies completed on common food items. This review aims to examine the role of almonds in exercise recovery and athletic performance. Methods: A literature search was conducted utilizing Google Scholar, PubMed, CINAHL Ultimate, and reference hand searching. The search parameters included the dietary intervention of almonds for trained athletes and physically active …

Evaluation Of Clinical Features And Treatment Modality Of Pediatric Patients With Steven Johnson Syndrome/Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis: A Single-Center Experience, Funda Ayteki̇n Güveni̇r, Vi̇ldan Seli̇n Çayhan, Selman Kürşat Balci, Ragip Dere, Hati̇ce Irmak Çeli̇k, Serhat Emeksi̇z, Ahmet Selmanoğlu, Zeynep Şengül Emeksi̇z, Emrah Şenel, Emi̇ne Di̇bek Misirlioğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Steven Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) are rare but life-threatening severe cutaneous drug hypersensitivity reactions. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical features of pediatric patients diagnosed with SJS, TEN or SJS/TEN overlap and to examine treatment modalities.

Materials and methods: Patients aged 0–18 years who were followed up with SJS, TEN or SJS/TEN overlap at Ankara Bilkent City Hospital between August 2019 and January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: Twelve patients who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Five of the patients had SJS, four had SJS/TEN overlap, and …

The Effects Of Liraglutide On Expressions Of Insulin Secretion And Beta Cell Survive Associated Gpcr Genes In Pancreatic Beta Cells, Meli̇kenur Türkol, Türker Bi̇lgen

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Liraglutide as a long-acting glucagon-like peptide drug has anti-hyperglycemic and antiobesity effects. G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are well- known drug target molecules that conduct critical signaling pathways related with diseases. Research has confirmed the role of many GPCRs genes in the regulation of pancreatic beta cell functions and insulin secretion. Liraglutide dependent expressional changes in GPCR genes may let us determine new drug targets.

Materials and methods: Therefore, we investigated the changes in expression of GPR75, GPR56, GLP1R, M3R, and CB1R genes, which are the GPCR family members, in response to liraglutide treatment in the NIT-1 mouse pancreatic beta …

The Impact Of Diet On Preeclampsia: An Observational Study Of Nutritional Influence, Trinity G. Moye, Alyssa Cunningham

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific condition typically diagnosed after 20 weeks of gestation in women with no prior history of hypertension. Characterized by high blood pressure, proteinuria, thrombocytopenia, increased liver enzymes, and affecting the arteries carrying blood to the placenta, preeclampsia affects the health of both the mother and the fetus. Preeclampsia is disproportionately prevalent in certain populations, specifically among Black women, with various factors contributing to the higher susceptibility including socioeconomic status, education, and health distrust. These factors have been historically structured against Black women in American society. This study aims to reveal how dietary habits can play a role …

The Impact Of The Mediterranean Diet And Low-Glycemic Diet On Fertility In Women Of Childbearing Age With Pcos, Samantha Cicardo, Kayla Le, Carly Traynor

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Endocrine disorder Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is an imbalance of reproductive hormones in women, primarily treated with medications such as hormonal birth control and metformin. However, long-term use of medications can have adverse effects as it masks the symptoms of PCOS rather than treat it. Women of childbearing age who are diagnosed with PCOS often are diagnosed with infertility. This proposed research study aims to look at the holistic approach to evaluate how the Low-Glycemic Index (GI) diet and the Mediterranean diet (MD) can impact individuals with PCOS. The primary objective of this study is to assess the impact of …

The Impact Of An Iron-Rich Diet On Fatigue In Menstruating Women With Non-Anemic Iron Deficiency, Meagan Seraydar, Lauren Latimer, Sam Miragliatto

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Fatigue without diagnosed anemia is prevalent in menstruating women, with iron deficiency being a potential contributor. While iron supplementation is a standard intervention, dietary sources of iron may offer a sustainable alternative. This study aims to assess the impact of an iron-rich diet on fatigue levels in menstruating women. A 12-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted, assigning participants to either an iron-rich diet group or a control group following their usual diet without specific iron recommendations. Fatigue will be measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) at baseline, six weeks, and twelve weeks, alongside iron status biomarkers, including …

The Impact Of Aspartame On Mood Regulation: Examining Neurophysiological Effects In Individuals With Anxiety, Kyra Triepke, Valentina Guzman Cortes, Mateus Ismael Ribeiro

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Despite being widely used as sugar alternatives, artificial sweeteners (AS), especially aspartame, remains debated regarding their potential effects on mental health. While some studies suggest aspartame has no discernible impact on stress, anxiety, or cognitive performance, others indicate that it may affect serotonin pathways and contribute to mood disorders. Given these contradictory findings, further research is needed to clarify aspartame’s effect on mood regulation. This study aims to evaluate the impact of aspartame on stress-related biomarkers and mood modulation, focusing on individuals with anxiety. A controlled experimental design will be used, in which participants with anxiety will be randomly assigned …

2025 April 17 - From My Notepads Newsletter, Office Of The President, East Tennessee State University, Brian Noland

From My Notepads: A Newsletter from President Brian Noland

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Total Oxidative State, Total Antioxidative State , Serum Paraoxonase Activity, And Thiol Levels Before And After 6 Months Of Treatment In Patients With Multiple Sclerosis Who Have Been Recently Started On New Therapy Agents, Emel Başar, Hasan Bayindir, Hati̇ce Ferhan Kömürcü, Ebru Bi̇lge Di̇ri̇k, Ömer Anlar, Özcan Erel

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The objective of this study was to establish the oxidative stress determiners as a total oxidative state (TOS), total antioxidative state (TAS), paraoxonase (PON) activity, oxidative stress index (OSI), and thiol/disulfide levels before and after 6 months of immunomodulator therapy in patients who were diagnosed according to the revised McDonald Criteria.

Materials and methods: Thirty-nine patients were included in our study who were diagnosed according to the revised McDonald Criteria, approved to participate in the study, and had been treated in the neurology inpatient clinic or presented in the neurology outpatient clinic of Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University Atatürk Training …