Digital Commons Network^™

Skinrisk Ai, Spencer Simms

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

SkinRisk AI is an exploration of the opportunities for implementing machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) in the medical technology field, specifically in the early detection of skin cancer. This project presents the design, development, and evaluation of a mobile application that allows users to capture images of skin lesions and receive a machine learning assisted risk assessment. The system combines a convolutional neural network (CNN) for image analysis with an intuitive mobile app built using Flutter, FastAPI, and Supabase to deliver real time screening.

Motivated by the rising skin cancer rates and importance of early detection, SkinRisk AI …

Social Media Through A Binary Lens: The Impact On College Students & Their Mental Health, Piper Mallchok

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

It is important to first understand how individuals use social media so that we can then understand how and why their use will change the individual impact social media will have. Some students experience a decline in their mental health when their social media use changes. There is an abundance of research on college students and social media, respectively, that also addresses gender as a variable. In this review, the research will be studied to further understand the voices of those who are not commonly included in research that operates under a gendered framework. Additionally, these ideas will be compared …

The Compass, Summer 2025

The Compass, 2018-

The Compass is an annual orientation guide for VCU students produced by the Student Media Collective in the VCU Student Media Centered. The guide is distributed physically during summer orientation sessions for new and transfer students. The publication includes short articles, illustrations, letters of welcome from students and administrators, comics, and advertisements from VCU and Richmond organizations.

Pumpkin, What Do You Need?, Christine Kim

Kindergarten

No abstract provided.

Jase 5.1 Front Matter

Journal of the Arts and Special Education

No abstract provided.

Thanksgiving Prayer Walk, Calvin University

Campus Ministries Resources

No abstract provided.

Hca Healthcare Gme Orthopaedic Surgery, Hca Healthcare

All Program Promotional Materials and Information

No abstract provided.

Hca Healthcare Gme Fellowships, Hca Healthcare

All Program Promotional Materials and Information

No abstract provided.

Indiana Stem Teachers’ Perceptions Of The Shift From In-Person To Virtual Training During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Steve Heinold

Indiana STEM Education Conference

The COVID-19 pandemic brought uncertainty to Indiana teachers in 2020. School closings caused disruptions to teachers’ classroom settings, ongoing training, and social and mental well-being (Pozo-Rico et al., 2020). Indiana GEAR UP’s commitment to teacher professional development for STEM educators led to a shift from their in-person summer teacher training sessions to virtual, just months after the school shutdowns in spring 2020. Participant evaluations showed that teachers appreciated the virtual training options and were able to learn new strategies to apply to their new virtual learning spaces. The online training sessions also had drawbacks. This research brief describes recommendations to …

Studying Repeat Victimization: A Consideration Of Measurement Issues, Christi Metcalfe, Robert Brame, Tara E. Martin, Angela R. Gover

Faculty Publications

Decades of research have recognized the phenomenon of repeat victimization and its policy relevance. Although there are continuing efforts to explain the theoretical underpinnings of repeat victimization, there are still measurement-related issues that limit our understanding of the topic and ability to inform interventions, including varying operational definitions, data constraints, and sampling and nonsampling error. In this article, we review theoretical advances in the literature over the past decade, propose operationalizations that can foster greater consistency across studies, comprehensively assess the data constraints around commonly used public data sources to study repeat victimization, and empirically demonstrate how one of these …

A Form-Fitting Model For The Simulation Of Traumatic Brain Injury In Zebrafish, Abigail Armstrong

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Developing a model to study traumatic brain injury (TBI) is important as it allows for the better understanding of mechanisms underlying the disease to develop effective treatments and other strategies. Creating a realistic simulation of TBI, permits the research of different types of impacts and severities that can be seen in brain function and structure. The simulation is also valuable for monitoring progression of injuries over time and developing personalized treatment plans. Zebrafish, in particular, are prime candidates given their status as model organisms, affordability, and ease of direct observation in the research setting. Overall, efficient and accurate TBI models …

Exploring Familial Lymphoma And Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, Rhea Mahajan

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project aims to investigate the familial incidence of lymphoma and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) within the patient population at Gabrail Cancer Center (GCC). Using the Electronic Medical Record from the past ten years, patients with current or historical diagnoses of lymphoma or CLL will be identified and surveyed (along with using patient records, including consult notes, hospital notes, MD notes, etc.) to extract any family history of these cancers. The project will analyze clinical outcomes in these cases, and analyze whether there were multiple family members to have been affected by lymphoma or CLL (or other cancers), and see …

Automatic Cat Caretaker, Connor Mcclenathan, Ryan Anderson, Andrew Tate

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project will involve developing and constructing a self-cleaning litter box with feeding and watering functions attached. The machine will have a user interface for setting both the feeding and watering times, as well as how much to fill the food and water bowls at the same time. The project will involve the use of motors for the cleaning, feeding, and watering functions, sensors to detect when to perform those functions, and a microcontroller to process all the data and to tell the motors when to perform their respective functions. This project's goal is to make the task of caring …

An Introductory Guide To Trauma Informed Care, Isabella Fallon

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project will consist of researching and analyzing at least 30 scholarly and government publications about trauma-informed care (TIC), resulting in a literature review at between 20-25 pages in length. TIC encompasses direct practice with clients, assessment tools, organizational structure and policy, as well as governing documents that impact service delivery. This literature review will build on the work of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach, focusing on providing practical examples of the physical and mental impacts of trauma, trauma-informed frameworks, trauma-informed tools/assessments, and trauma-informed policy, while analyzing and …

Indirect Calorimetry: The Effects Of Overfeeding And Underfeeding Mechanically Ventilated Patients, Hailee Schirm

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This research focuses on the effects of overfeeding and underfeeding mechanically ventilated patients in the ICU and how indirect calorimetry plays a role in improving patient outcomes. Research was pulled from eight peer reviewed sources written within the last ten years to support this statement. It includes multiple types of studies including but not limited to a retrospective cohort study, meta-analysis, review, and deterministic cost-sequences analysis. Indirect calorimetry measures carbon dioxide production and oxygen consumption to calculate energy expenditure and determine the number of calories needed to sustain one’s body. This allows us to determine the number of calories a …

Booked Up Behind Bars: The Impact Of Fiction On Incarcerated Individuals, Sydney N. Peters

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

While prison education programs primarily emphasize vocational skills and functional literacy, the role of fiction in fostering personal growth remains very under-researched. This research paper explores the impact of reading fiction on incarcerated individuals, focusing on its potential to impact emotional intelligence, empathy, and behavior. Research in psychology and correctional education suggests that fiction improves cognitive empathy, emotional regulation, and social skills (Mar & Oatley, 2008; Green & Brock, 2000). I argue that it would be useful to utilize these findings for rehabilitative programming in corrections.

This study critically evaluates findings from psychological and correctional literacy research. Evidence from studies …

Monitoring A Small Network With Snmp, Dillon Taynor

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project takes a look at the implementation of three distinct free Network Monitoring Systems (NMSs) and their usage of monitoring a small, virtualized network using the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). The 3 free NMSs are PRTG, LibreNMS, and Zabbix. The network is virtualized within Cisco Modeling Labs. A literature review on relevant media is conducted alongside a review of the three NMSs based on installation difficulty, user friendliness, reporting ability, and their ability to respond to changes in the network. A brief discussion on the difference between an SNMPv2 and SNMPv3 packet is included as well.

Introduction To Systematic Review For The Health Sciences (Spring 2025), Bethany S. Mcgowan

Libraries Faculty and Staff Creative Materials

The course syllabus for the Spring 2025 iteration of the graduate course ILS 595: Introduction to Systematic Review for the Health Sciences.

Safehaven Security System, Natalie Gardner, Megan Valloric, Anya Vankirk, Lance Woods, Jack Kelley

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

For the Honors Research Project, we were told to take a concept of a business and product and transform it into a successful business with 100 employees within five years.

Our product is called SafeHaven and is an alarm for houses that requires no monthly subscription. This product will be perfect for people who are renting and cannot make permanent changes to their home.

SafeHaven will come in two parts. The customer will put one on the door and one on the door frame. When these two are connected, it automatically sets the alarm unless told otherwise by a smartphone …

Explorations Of Social-Emotional Learning In The Arts, Lydia Boyer

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this Honors Research Project was to explore social-emotional learning as a practice, to find effective applications for schools, to highlight the connections between the arts and social-emotional learning, and to provide useful methods for the actual implementation. There is a focus on the five main competencies of social-emotional learning which are self- awareness, social-awareness, self-management, relationship-building, and responsible decision- making skills which are translated into various class practices and art projects. Social-emotional learning is a mindset rather than merely a practice and has been practiced latently in education. Art education and social-emotional learning share congruencies in standards, …

Harvest Gold Distillery, Alexis Mackey, Alexander Grecco, Cole Smith, Maggie Patterson, Blake Benko

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The goal of our research project is to establish and grow Harvest Gold Distillery: a corn-based liquor distillery in Ohio that aims to produce and sell high-quality spirits while offering unique services that enhance outreach in the community. The motivation behind this business venture is rooted in one of our team member’s family traditions; Alex’s family makes homemade liquors, which has fostered an in-depth understanding of the distillation process. Alex’s firsthand experience with the craft provides a solid foundation, yet we recognize that starting a distillery involves significant challenges and requires thorough research in several functions of business. This project …

Effects Of Soil Properties On Cp Performance, Cecilia Segretario

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This research aims to evaluate the affect of various soil properties on the effectiveness of cathodic protection (CP) in preventing underground pipeline corrosion. Metal coupons of common pipeline materials with applied CP will be mounted in several separate controlled soil environments to manipulate real world underground corrosion scenarios. Each soil environment will have different physical properties by mixing the soil with a prepared chemical solution. The physical properties to be evaluated include pH, resistivity, and moisture content. At the end of a corrosion duration, weight loss method will be used to evaluate the corrosion rate over that period. Additionally, the …

Ingestion Of Expanded Polystyrene By Procambarus Spp: A Toxicology Report, Garrik Neill Catania, Panagiotis Antonios Tsarouhas

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project aims to be a toxicology report into the ingestion of expanded polystyrene by Procambarus spp. The goal would be to prove that ingestion of this plastic could lead to harm of the crayfish and that its presence in the environment of the crayfish could be a serious ecological problem. This project will take three groups of ten crayfish each and over a period of approximately seven weeks the crayfish will be monitored for changes due to their respective treatments. One group will serve as the control and will have nothing unique happen to them, one will serve as …

Cochlear Electrode Insertion Training Model, Sarah Powell, Kaelyn E. Kraley, Nathan J. Smith

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Cochlear implant surgery is a delicate procedure performed by Otolaryngologists (ENTs) to implant an electronic device into the inner ear to provide a sense of sound for people who are profoundly deaf or hard of hearing. The current practices of training involve cadavers and 3D-printed models. Cadavers are commonly used but are expensive, single-use, and do not provide visual and haptic feedback, which are essential for medical students. 3D printed models are less commonly used and are hard to fabricate and not as realistic. If medical students are not properly trained for this delicate procedure, then risks are significantly increased …

Positive Coping Within The Nicu, Abrielle Kautza, Allison Garrett, Manaar Muhammad

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The focus of this paper is how nursing staff can cultivate positive coping strategies for both the parents and babies in the neonatal intensive care unit. This was done by analyzing four specific nursing interventions: music therapy, baby cuddling, spirituality, family centered care. The purpose of researching these interventions is because knowledge on their benefits allows for positive coping in both the parents and their baby. The articles chosen were retrieved from EbscoHost, Pubmed, and Wiley Online Library. The articles are primarily levels four and five on the hierarchy of evidence. Family centered care implementation showed a positive effect on …

Hip Strengthening In Female Collegiate Soccer Players: Effects Of Gluteus Medius Strengthening On Biodex Balance Scores, Caitlin Bruni, Morgan Shansky

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of gluteus medius (Gmed) strengthening program on single leg stability in collegiate female soccer players. Given the role of Gmed in stabilizing the hip, improving its strength may reduce lower extremity injury risk. Weakness in Gmed has been linked to conditions such as Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tears and Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). This study investigates whether an 8-week strength program improves single-leg stability, measured using the Biodex Balance System. Thirty-three female soccer players (18-23 years) from The University of Akron were recruited, with 22 completing the study. Participants underwent …

Critical Analysis Of Gestational Diabetes Risk Factors: A Systematic Review, Madison Keich, Madeleine Ray, Mia Ross

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) is a common complication of pregnancy that causes an increased blood sugar that can affect both the mother's and baby’s health. A variety of factors can increase the risk of developing the disease, including race, socioeconomic status, and prenatal education. Each of these factors contributes to the experience of one’s maternal care. Expecting mothers may not understand how significant GDM is, and its potential to result in negative outcomes. It is important to review these factors, acknowledge them, and help reduce health disparities caused by them. Nurses are vital to assessing and delivering patient education on …

Reproductive Rights: How Voting Behavior Illustrates Shifting Political Attitudes, Keavy Callwood

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This research project intends to explore a causal link between the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization (2022) and shifting political attitudes as modeled through voting behaviors. Research will be conducted by using data from government and reputable sources that are representative of the general public to show that political attitudes have shifted since the release of the Dobbs decision. Additionally, the question will be analyzed through discussing several political theories and applying them to the current issues being studied. This research could help show how the Supreme Court is an important actor in the political …

Psychological Interventions In The Work Environment And Reducing Burnout In Critical Care Nurses, Amelia Bloom, Isabella Tisevich

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Burnout is an increasing issue in the nursing field, particularly for critical care nurses. The purpose of this systematic review is to discover how the work environment impacts burnout of critical care nurses, and how different psychological interventions instituted by the workplace impact their burnout levels. The PICO question is: In critical care nurses, do work environments that provide psychological interventions compared to work environments that do not provide psychological interventions document outcomes of less burnout? The articles used within this systematic review were found using the databases Academic Search Complete and PubMed. Articles were selected based on the inclusion …

Passive Phosphorus Filtering System Design, Ryan T. Bailey

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

The objective of this project is to find an efficient way to remove phosphorus from surface water through passive filtration. Specifically, the project will focus on the upper Cuyahoga River. Ongoing research being conducted by Dr. Teresa Cutright from The University of Akron and Jessica Glowczewski from the City of Akron’s Watershed Division serves as a basis for this project.

Fertilizers used in agriculture are often washed off by rainfall and enter the groundwater and nearby streams. The phosphorus contained in the fertilizer can be harmful to the environment by increasing the frequency of large algal blooms. To reduce the …