Digital Commons Network^™

Dual Time Cosmology, Mauro Montenegro

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Windshield Not The Rearview Mirror, Dan Fabricant

Oxford ICSB

We talk a great deal about the past at ICSB and while the history is important, we still need to skate to where the puck is going. We’ll tee up where we are and where we are going when it comes to: drug preclusion; federal preemption; state regulatory efforts; hemp/cannabis; electronic commerce platforms; claims; essentiality; and much more, like what you can do to affect real change for the future of the industry.

Assessment Of Total Cellular Protein Following Fatty Acid Treatment Using The Bca Assay, Carli B. Maguire

Create@State

Fatty acids can influence cellular metabolism and protein homeostasis, potentially altering total protein content within cell samples. Accurate quantification of total protein concentration is essential for standardization for further biochemical assays and ensuring reproducibility. In this study, adherent mammalian cells were treated with a defined fatty acid preparation under controlled culture conditions. Following treatment, whole-cell lysates were collected and total protein concentration was determined using the bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay. The BCA assay is a colorimetric method based on the reduction of Cu²⁺ to Cu¹⁺ by peptide bonds under basic conditions, followed by formation of a purple-colored complex between bicinchoninic …

Robust Thermodynamic Analysis Of Flexible Protein-Ligand Binding Using Statistical Mechanics, Mitchell Dulaney

Create@State

Understanding how proteins bind small molecules is essential for accurate computational modeling of biological systems. However, calculating binding free energy (delta G), enthalpy (delta H), and entropy (delta S) becomes unreliable when proteins are flexible, and ligands are between multiple binding positions. This motion causes traditional computational methods to produce inconsistent thermodynamic values.

A computational workflow was implemented that included docking to predict likely binding positions, molecular dynamics simulations to sample how the protein and ligand move over time, and statistical mechanics analysis to calculate thermodynamic quantities. A new theoretical framework was developed and implemented in a custom program to …

Ma(1) Or White Noise?, Orithea Regn, Ferebee Tunno

Create@State

This project provides an over of testing an MA(1) process confidence interval while keeping the margin of error to a minimum, even for small sample sizes.

Comparison Of Levels Of Bmi, Stress, And Depression Of Women During The Prenatal Period Relative To Their Activity Levels, Kalayna King

Create@State

This study aimed to analyze the relationships between activity levels, Body Mass Index (BMI), stress levels, and depression symptoms in obese pregnant women in Arkansas. Two separate exercise intervention studies were combined in this analysis to ultimately give a sample size of 293 pregnant women who were randomized into standard of care group (control) and an exercise group (experimental) (n = 115 and n = 178, respectively). Women in the control groups were instructed to independently continue to follow the physical activity guidelines recommended by their gynecologist, whereas the experimental groups participated in a combination of aerobic and resistance exercise …

An Exploratory Analysis Of Household Liquidity, Austin D. Murray

Create@State

We use data from the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) to examine whether cross-sectional variation in household liquidity is explained by the precautionary motive. Household liquidity is measured using days’ liquidity held (DLH), defined as the ratio of liquid assets to daily expenditures. Descriptive evidence reveals substantial cross-sectional and time-series variation in household liquidity over the 2004-2022 sample period. Our multivariate results provide mixed support for the precautionary motive for household liquidity. Consistent with the investment dimension of the precautionary motive, household liquidity increases with expected future investment opportunities. However, contrary to the precautionary motive, household liquidity varies inversely with …

The Digital Museum: Classical Reception In Animal Crossing New Horizons, Anna G. Kendall

Create@State

My project examines how Animal Crossing: New Horizons brings the ancient body into a modern, digital world through its recreations of classical Greek sculptures. In the game, players can collect, study, and display famous works such as the Venus de Milo, Discobolus, and Nike of Samothrace in a virtual museum. These sculptures reveal how the Greeks represented beauty, strength, and divine movement through the human form. By interacting with them in-game, players connect with these ancient ideas of the body in a new way. The game’s system of real and fake artworks also teaches players to look closely and …

Prioritizing Health Over Aesthetics: Reforming Brachycephalic Breed Standards, Olivia Edwards

Create@State

Selective breeding has led to extreme physical traits in companion animals such as dogs and cats. They are characterized by their shortened skulls, creating their flattened faces. These breeds remain fairly popular due to their appearance, even though these animals present various health concerns.  I conducted this research at A-state to create awareness and educate those who are not aware of this issue, and for future pet owners. It argues that the continued promotion and recognition of these animals contributes to preventable health conditions and long-term suffering in affected animals. I analyzed reports on animal welfare, reviewed policy discussions and …

Synthesizing Fluorescent 3,4-Dihydropyrimidin-2(1h)-Ones Using A One-Pot Synthesis Reaction, John R. Griggs

Create@State

In medical and pharmaceutical practices, Biginelli (3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2(1H)-ones) products have a number of potential uses due to their anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties.  In addition, they are a possible treatment for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). These compounds can be further modified to exhibit fluorescent properties. However, before using them in medicinal studies, it is useful to establish a procedure that can easily be modified and is synthetically accessible to allow for further optimization. The experiment was performed using the Biginelli compounds as a substrate, along with a variety of aromatic aldehydes and acids. After obtaining the products and purifying them with vacuum …

Laser Ablation-Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy Of Yttrium Plasma, Dawn Gipson

Create@State

Laser ablation is a widely used sampling method for elemental chemical analysis. Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser ablation inductively-coupled mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) are the two most common implementations. Application of these techniques is found throughout the sciences, including analysis in archaeological settings, geology, and medical analysis of hard tissue such as teeth or bone. Many applications benefit from the microdestructive nature of the technique. However, the relationship between the laser-ablation crater and the analytical signal is poorly understood. Laser ablation-atomic absorption spectroscopy (LA-AAS) is used in our laboratory to determine the mass of material incorporated into the plasmas in …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Thiazole Derivatives As Potential Antitumor Agents, Kaylee Leddy

Create@State

Melanoma is the 5th most common cancer in both men and women in the USA. It originates in melanocytes, which make the melanin pigment that gives skin its color. While treatable in early stages, melanoma becomes nearly incurable once metastasized. Thiazole derivatives have been recognized in many pharmaceutical classes including anticancer, antimicrobial, antimalarial, anti-tuberculosis, and diuretics. They have long been researched for their natural pharmacological properties and have shown potential to inhibit melanoma cell growth. In this study, catechol-substituted thiazole derivatives were synthesized using the Hantzsch-Thiazole synthesis. A total of 13 novel compounds were made using 2-chlorodihydroxyacetophenone with various catechol-substituted …

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, …

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.

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 …

The Algorithmic Battlefield - How Ai Is Redefining Modern Warfare, Pranav Bhatnagar Mr

Defensive Publications Series

Modern warfare has entered a phase where conflict is no longer initiated or decided solely through visible force, territorial aggression, or human-led strategy, but through the continuous operation of Artificial Intelligence systems that process intelligence, predict behavior, and influence decisions at a scale and speed beyond human comprehension, transforming the battlefield into a persistent, invisible domain where actions are shaped long before they are executed, as seen in real-world geopolitical tensions such as those between Russia and Ukraine, where cyber operations, satellite interference, and AI-assisted intelligence systems have become as critical as physical military deployments, and in the strategic competition …

Contactless Orbital Debris Shepherd (Cods), Michael Victor Caldwell Mr.

Defensive Publications Series

This disclosure, Contactless Orbital Debris Shepherd (CODS) presents a scalable, contactless orbital debris removal system using coordinated ion beam momentum transfer, photon-assisted impulse control, and deployable drag augmentation devices. The system eliminates the need for mechanical capture and enables multi-target debris mitigation through autonomous formation flight and distributed operations.

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 …

Spatial Computing With The Apple Vision Pro In Minimally Invasive Procedure Simulation: A Randomized Crossover Feasibility Study, Sydney Cooper, Aaron Kyle Jones, Rahul Anil Sheth, Koustav Pal, Bruno Odisio, Mark Blaylock, Shelita Kimble, Justin Bird, David Rice, Daniel Shoenthal, Emil Patel, Vipin Kamath, Sanjay Gupta, Jeffrey Siewerdsen, Joshua Kuban

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of wearing the Apple Vision Pro (AVP), a mixed-reality headset that integrates augmented and virtual reality, while performing minimally invasive procedures. While studies have demonstrated that spatial computing technology can improve surgical precision and reduce the risks of surgical complications, to our knowledge, no studies have specifically addressed the impact of the AVP on task performance during simulated image-guided procedures.

Materials and Methods: Thirteen diagnostic and interventional radiology residents performed image-guided central venous catheter placement, thoracentesis, and paracentesis on simulation models. Each participant completed a non-timed practice followed by the procedures once …

Utilization Of Hybrid Angiography-Ct Suites In An Interventional Oncology Practice, David Irwin, Kiyoyuki Minamiguchi, Ryosuke Taiji, Aaron Kyle Jones, Gouthami Chintalapani, Roland Bassett, Steven Y. Huang, Sanjay Gupta

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Purpose: To evaluate operational trends in an interventional oncology practice at a tertiary academic center before and after the addition of hybrid angiography–computed tomography (Angio-CT) rooms.

Materials and Methods: The procedure volumes and types performed in the hybrid Angio-CT rooms were retrospectively collected from 2016 to 2020. Procedures were divided into categories, including arteriography, endovascular interventional oncology, ablation, venous intervention, non-vascular catheter placement (biliary, nephrostomy, gastrostomy, etc.), and osseous interventions. Procedural trends in the Angio-CT rooms and the frequencies of combination procedures that used both CT and angiography were assessed.

Results: A major shift of catheter-based tumor-directed cases to Angio-CT …

Tom: Treatment Outcome Monitor - A Web-Based Tool Designed Specifically For Clinics With Limited Resources, Saurabh Shashikumar Nair, Alba Kihn Alarcon, Maritza Elodia Cupil Barrios, Milton Estuardo Ixquiac Cabrera, Mynor Villeda, Joseph Steyn, Anneray Richards, Ricardo Ruggeri, Loida Orozco, Angel Velarde, Indranil Mallick, Graeme Lazarus, Christoph Trauernicht, Vicky De Falla, Tim Edwards, Johnny Inthaphone, Adenike Olanrewaju, Laurence E. Court, Joshua Niedzielski

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Background: Although three-fourths of cancer deaths are expected to occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) by 2030, most cancer research still comes from high-income countries. One barrier to cancer research in LMICs is lack of infrastructure for systematic data collection, including electronic medical record systems. We developed Treatment Outcome Monitor (TOM), a cloud-based tool for tracking cancer patient outcomes, designed specifically for resource-limited settings.

Methods: TOM was developed through iterative design cycles with continuous feedback from health care providers from across the world. We focused on creating a simple, web-based solution that addresses real-world challenges in resource-limited …

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 …

Crimmigration: How It Can Protect Immigrant Rights, Aspen Griffing

Criminal Law Society Blog

“Crimmigration: How it Can Protect Immigrant Rights,” addresses the expansion of Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the Trump II Administration and its impact on the immigrant community in the United States. This Article recognizes the punitive nature that civil immigration proceedings, oftentimes posing consequences as severe as those in criminal proceedings. As such, this Article proposes a procedural concept of “crimmigration” to protect immigrant rights. A “crimmigration” framework would offer immigrants the right to Miranda warnings, prompt judicial determinations of probable cause, the right to a speedy trial, and the right to appeal, among other protections. While the harms caused …

Inc3vits Model: A Hybrid Architecture To Accelerate And Reduce Complexity For The Deepvariant Model For Variant Calling, Mustafa Al-Saffar, Sura Z. Al Rashid

Karbala International Journal of Modern Science

Deep learning has revolutionized genomic variant calling, yet the computational cost of current systems continues to limit scalability. We present a controlled efficiency study of DeepVariant-style pileup architectures under identical training and inference conditions, comparing architectural downsizing with a hybrid CNN–local attention design. Inc3ViTs pairs a streamlined InceptionV3 stem with a lightweight local attention head based on patch tokenization and windowed self-attention, enabling a direct comparison with a CNN-only reduced Inception baseline. Across whole-genome and whole-exome short-read datasets, Inc3ViTs reduces training time by ~40–50% and reduces inference runtime relative to the original DeepVariant. The CNN-only baseline indicates that most speedups …

Orthotropic Modeling Of Nonlinear Interlayer Adhesion (Omnia), Joseph M. Perry

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Fusion Deposition Modeling (FDM) is a versatile additive manufacturing technique that enables rapid prototyping of complex geometries and supports a wide range of materials. However, FDM parts are inherently anisotropic due to their layered construction. When evaluating part feasibility, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) must accurately account for this anisotropy by creating an orthotropic material model. The mechanical properties of FDM parts are strongly influenced by slicer parameters such as extrusion temperature, layer height, and line width. Because these parameters vary across applications, it is nearly impossible to define a universal orthotropic model for any material. This project quantifies the effects …

Investigating The Effects Of Prandtl's Secondary Flows On Sco2 Heat Transfer Using Reynolds Stress Models, Christopher Bockenek

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Heat transfer of supercritical fluids is found in a wide range of applications, including novel power cycles, electronics cooling schemes, waste heat recovery, and green HVAC designs. Among these, supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) is especially promising due to its favorable but complex thermodynamic properties near the critical point. These properties strongly influence heat transfer but are highly sensitive and uncertain, requiring further experimental and numerical research to develop accurate predictive models for engineering use. Conventional turbulence models face challenges in predicting sCO2 heat transfer accurately. Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) provides detailed insight but is limited to low-to-moderate Reynolds numbers, requires …

Bounded Transient Time Leader Emissions Tracking & Strike Prediction (Bottle), Skylar Wardlaw, Ainsley Helgerson, Maria Kaminska, Jackson Stewart, Logan Velvet, Aaron Jung, Georgii Dubrov, Amelia Koth

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

The goal of project BoTTLE is to propose a new methodology to predict lightning strike locations by combining atmospheric particle(muon) detection, initiating mathematical simulations, and low-altitude tropospheric observations. This project builds on the cascading theory of galactic cosmic rays, where muons are produced; consequently, this approach explores how such particles provide the final ionization necessary to initiate lightning discharges. The team is currently assembling a muon detector at the Space and Atmospheric Instrumentation Lab. The detector will sense a muon by a scintillator, which is a material that produces light when exposed to radiation rays. The photoelectric signal observed will …

Quantifying The Effect Of Metallicity On Stellar Properties And Evolutionary Timescales, Jacob Becker

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

Stellar age estimations derived from asteroseismology depend on stellar models that are sensitive to metallicity (Z). Variations in this parameter could alter the agreement between gyrochronological and asteroseismic ages, as well as main sequence lifetimes and observational properties such as effective temperature and luminosity. We test how much typical metallicity differences (±0.2 dex) affect main-sequence models of solar-type stars. Using MESA, evolutionary tracks are created for 1 M☉ stars at three metallicities (Z = 0.009, 0.014, 0.022), and it is measured how these changes shift the positions of the zero-age main sequence and the corresponding main sequence lifetimes. This work …

Feasibility Of Mylar Sheeting As A Primary Mirror Replacement In Reflecting Telescopes, Mario Gutierrez, Robert Thibodeau, Emma Show, Desiree Robinson, Jeremy Rice, Lingyuan Meng, Alexandra Beianu, Sean Martin

Student Research Symposium (SRS)

High-quality parabolic mirrors, which are vital components in reflecting telescopes, are typically bulky, costly, and highly fragile. This experiment explores the feasibility of using specular Class B Mylar as an unconventional, lightweight, and cost-effective alternative. This approach could enable new telescope designs by greatly reducing weight and manufacturing expenses, while also opening options for potential adaptability. This approach involves using Mylar, a flexible, reflective style of plastic. The mylar is formed into a concave mirror by stretching a sheet over a chamber and pressurizing one side to force the sheet into the necessary curved shape. Multiple designs are being created …

Fatherhood Redefined: How Paternity Leave Shapes Relationships, Olivia Flores

Family Perspectives

Paternity leave remains limited in the United States, with relatively few fathers granted paid time off following the birth of a child. This literature review examines how paternity leave shapes marital relationships by influencing parental mental health and couple communication during the transition to parenthood. Drawing on interdisciplinary research, the paper synthesizes evidence indicating that fathers’ use of paternity leave is associated with higher marital satisfaction and greater relationship stability. These benefits are largely mediated by improvements in both maternal and paternal mental health, as paternity leave reduces role overload, stress, and symptoms of anxiety and depression for both partners. …