Digital Commons Network^™

Histological Quality Of Immersion Vs Intravascular Fixation Of Fresh Tissue, Andrew Hodges, Bright Danso, Gretchka Mair, Kingsley Ampong, Rebekah Satalino

Liberty University Research Week

Tissue fixation is a fundamental determinant of histological quality, preserving cellular architecture through protein cross-linking and enzymatic inactivation [6]. Among fixation approaches, intravascular (perfusion) and immersion methods differ significantly in mechanism and outcomes. Perfusion fixation rapidly distributes fixative via the vascular system, often producing more uniform preservation, whereas immersion fixation relies on diffusion, which may result in delayed penetration and heterogeneous tissue quality [5]. Despite these limitations, immersion-based preservation remains widely used in anatomical education and commercial specimen preparation due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness [2]. Reports suggest that fixation quality can influence analyses, including morphology, antigenicity, and staining reliability, …

Connectedness And Mental Health, Annie Barnish, Brooke Akins, Hadley Harris, Katiann Kasell, Noah Mathis, Sophia Lashey

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Exploring The Changes In First-Year Students’ Self-Regulated Learning From High School To College, Nancy E. Rodriguez, Anna C. Brady

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

During the first semester of college, students experience drastic changes in their independence, and learning strategies. This transitional period from high school to the first semester of college requires researchers to understand students’ self-regulated learning (SRL) processes during their first year. It is important to understand the connection between students’ experiences, learning strategies, and persistence in college. Knowledge on this connection can support funding for institutional resources like first-year seminar classes. These classes can improve students’ commitment for graduating on time, and academic achievement. For this reason, the proposed project aims to investigate students’ engagement in SRL by answering the …

Exploration Of Preservative-Surfactant Aggregation Effects On Biologic Drug Formulations, Joseph Turmelle

Liberty University Research Week

A key challenge in the development of injectable drug formulations is the need for multi-dose administration, which increases the risk of bacterial contamination. To reduce this risk, preservatives such as phenol (PhOH) and benzyl alcohol (BzOH) are commonly added to formulations. However, preservatives can aggregate with other critical excipients, particularly surfactants such as polysorbate 20 (PS20). This aggregation leads to physical instability, often observed as turbidity or precipitation. Previous work has shown that preservatives induce the formation of large, unstable aggregates with surfactants at pharmaceutically relevant concentrations. The purpose of this study is to characterize and understand this phenomenon of …

Exploring The K-12 Educational Experiences Of First-Generation Hispanic Undergraduate Students, Stephanie Hernandez-Lopez

Liberty University Research Week

Research Question: This qualitative study examines how first-generation Hispanic undergraduate students perceive their K-12 educational experiences and how these shaped their transition into higher education. Method: Through semi-structured interviews with four participants, the research identifies recurring themes, including parental involvement, language barriers, access to resources, motivation, and preparedness for college. These insights contribute to understanding systemic factors behind the achievement gap and inform strategies for more equitable educational support. Conclusion: Overall, the findings show that first-generation Hispanic students’ college readiness is shaped by the combined effects of limited early academic rigor, inconsistent school–family communication, and assumptions about home academic support. …

Association Between Preexisting Chronic Conditions And Hospital Outcomes Among Pediatric Trauma Patients In The United States, 2000-2019, Grace Sibert

Liberty University Research Week

The prevalence of chronic disease among children in the United States has increased substantially over the past two decades. Children with chronic disease experience higher morbidity, mortality, and healthcare utilization, disparities that may be amplified following traumatic injury. However, nationally representative longitudinal data examining these associations remains limited. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids’ Inpatient Database (HCUP-KID) from 2000 to 2019. Pediatric patients (=18 years) hospitalized for traumatic injury were identified using ICD-9-CM and ICD-10-CM codes. Chronic conditions were classified using the HCUP Chronic Condition Indicator and grouped into major diagnostic categories. …

Synthesis Of Fluorinated Crosslinking Monomer For Molecular Imprinted Polymer Against Pfas, Harris Shook, Jeremiah Brown, Jeremiah Williams, Nadia Costescu, Nathaniel Moll

Liberty University Research Week

Poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are synthetic organic fluorinated compounds found in many goods used by the average consumer and the industry alike, namely water-repellent textiles, paints, waxes, and aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) (1). Their versatility and wide range of applications have led to their extensive use within different aspects of life. The specific structure of the carbon-fluoride bonds within these compounds is responsible for their invaluable use; this design makes them highly resistant to degradation and persistent within the environment. PFAS concentrations are particularly high in drinking water because of their high solubility and resistance to common purification methods …

Potential Interactions Between Pharmaceuticals And Microbial Biofilms On Microplastic Surfaces, Brooklyn Sims

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Microplastics (MPs) and pharmaceuticals are common contaminants in urban streams, where MPs are colonized by microbial biofilms. This study tested whether pharmaceuticals adsorb onto MPs and alter microbial biofilm communities. Polyester fibers were added to twelve laboratory stream mesocosms, and a subset received seven pharmaceuticals at environmentally relevant concentrations. After 15 days, MP and water samples were collected. HPLC confirmed the adsorption of all pharmaceuticals onto MPs. Amplicon sequencing revealed that pharmaceutical exposure did not significantly change bacterial or algal diversity or community composition on MPs or in stream water. The lack of effect may reflect the low pharmaceutical concentrations …

Exploring Kimchi And Polysaccharide Characteristics Via Fermentation Of Napa Cabbage, Patrick Mallari, Christopher Tran

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Kimchi is a fermented food popularized in Korea, which originated in an era where it was necessary to preserve vegetables throughout fall and winter seasons. Due to the fermentation, the bacteria found in kimchi assist with several mechanisms in digestion, specifically in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. A particular bacteria of interest was Lactobacillus plantarum, or now known as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum. The goal of this research project is to examine the efficiency of fermentation from L. plantarum as a probiotic compared to bacterial cultures found in kimchi.

Effects Of Exercise And Chemotherapy Treatments On Survival And Climbing Activity In Drosophila Melanogaster With Different Mitochondrial Genotypes., Amber A. Haines

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Mitochondrial variation plays a role in energy production, physical performance and responses to physiological stress. This study investigated how Drosophila melanogaster, fruit flies, mitochondrial differences and exercise affected survival under the cisplatin and climbing abilities. Fruit flies with different mitochondrial genotypes were assigned to exercise and non-exercise groups. These groups were then split and assigned to either sugar or cisplatin, a chemotherapy drug. Survival rates and climbing ability, a measure of neurodegeneration, were monitored after the treatment. This study will provide information about how mitochondrial variation and exercise can influence responses to environmental and chemical stress.

Deep Tissue Massage-Induced Muscle Damage Associated With Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (Doms), Stress, And Rhabdomyolysis, Lily M. Ekert, Ella R. Halopka, Micah Maddio, Marisa Wood, Bailey Kerkow, Logan Murphy, Ashley Wise

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Deep tissue massage is a common treatment method used to aid in muscle recovery, reduce pain, and promote overall physical well-being. However, there is limited research explaining its biochemical effects at a cellular level, particularly in relation to muscle damage and systemic inflammation. Severe cases of muscle tissue breakdown are Rhabdomyolysis, which is discussed with an emphasis on clinical evidence rather than biochemical aspects. The goal of this study is to determine whether deep tissue massages cause cellular damage and tissue inflammation. This testing will be done through quantitative measurements of biomarkers within the bloodstream. In previous studies, four specific …

Evaluating Movement-Based Detection Of Moose Calving Using Gps Collar Data, Lauren A. Beck

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Moose (Alces alces) give birth during a short seasonal window and exhibit distinct changes in movement behavior, including long-distance travel followed by a period of localized movement while caring for newborn calves. Previous research has shown that these patterns can be identified using GPS collar data; however, it remains unclear whether movement data alone can reliably predict calving events. This study evaluated whether movement-based metrics derived from processed GPS collar data from the 2013 calving season could be used to develop a predictive model for calving. Movement data were compiled into a dataset of daily movement features and event-level summaries, …

Purification And Investigation Of Bromelain Enzyme From Pineapple, Elsie J. Dahnert, Leah O. Hanson, Regan E. Stafanoni, Reyna Olson, Eion D. Hinkle, Muaj-Infinite S. Yang

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Bromelain proteins are a group of digestive protease enzymes that act as a chemical defense to prevent grazing. Bromelain is often taken as a dietary supplement in an attempt to support digestion, and it is used as a meat tenderizer in the restaurant industry. Extracting Bromelain from pineapple, especially the skin, leaves, and stem of the plant, can create a value-added product from what is widely considered to be agricultural waste. In this research, we examined the difference in Bromelain concentrations between the flesh of the pineapple and the skin, leaves, and stem of the pineapple, and the efficacy of …

2026 Conference Program, Georgia Southern University

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Conference Program

Natural Products As Multi Drug-Multi Target Therapeutics - From The Pharmacological Proof To New Approaches For Quantitative Quality Control, Olaf Kelber

Oxford ICSB

In the two decades since the mode of action of herbal medicinal products has been characterized as the Multi Target action of Multi Drug combinations [1,2, 3], the body of evidence supporting the general applicability of this principle to herbal health products has been exponentially increasing.  Key studies describing this principle, based on a wide range of pharmacological models, have been conducted in STW 5 and STW 5-II, herbal combinations used in the treatment of disturbances of the gut-brain interaction (DGBIs) as e.g. upset stomach and irritable bowel syndrome [2, 4]. They allow to characterize the contribution of each combination …

Medicinal Plants And One Health Drug Discovery: Plectranthus Abietanes As P-Glycoprotein Modulators, Patricia Rijo

Oxford ICSB

Cancer remains a major global health challenge, with multidrug resistance (MDR)—frequently driven by P-glycoprotein (P-gp) overexpression—significantly limiting the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Within a One Health perspective, Africa, home to five major medicinal biodiversity hotspots, represents an underexplored reservoir for natural products–based drug discovery. Among this rich flora, the genus Plectranthus (Lamiaceae) emerges as a particularly promising source of bioactive abietane diterpenes. In this work, the abietane diterpene 7α-acetoxy-6β-hydroxyroyleanone (Roy), isolated from Plectranthus grandidentatus Gürke, exhibited pronounced cytotoxic activity against several cancer cell lines. To enhance its pharmacological profile, a series of Roy ester derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for their …

Expanding Natural Product Diversity Through Biotransformation, Emerson Queiroz

Oxford ICSB

Over the past decade, natural product research has undergone a methodological revolution [1]. Modern approaches now integrate advanced metabolite profiling techniques for compound annotation and prioritization, together with high-resolution chromatographic methods that enable seamless transition from analytical to preparative scales [2]. These tools have facilitated the detection and identification of minor bioactive constituents. Nevertheless, plant extracts typically contain abundant common scaffolds with limited relevance for drug discovery. In this context, enzymatic biotransformation emerges as a promising strategy to enhance chemical diversity and unlock new structural space. Two complementary biotechnological approaches have been developed: enzymatic transformation using fungal secretomes (crude extracellular …

Establishment Of A Hek293t Cell Model System To Investigate Direct Intracellular Interactions Between Amyloid-Β (Aβ) And The Nlrp3 Inflammasome, Cristina Sinobas Pereira

Dissertations

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of dementia worldwide. While Amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregation is a defining pathological feature, increasing evidence highlights chronic neuroinflammation as a critical contributor to disease progression. Soluble Aβ assemblies can act as damage associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) including activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome, which links amyloid pathology to sustained inflammatory responses in the brain (Heneka et al., 2015; Nakanishi et al., 2018). However, the molecular mechanisms by which specific Aβ conformations influence inflammasome assembly remain incompletely understood.This study aimed to investigate whether distinct aggregation states of amyloid β42 (Aβ42) are …

Beyond The Numbers: Supporting Young Adults With Diabetes In The Transition To Adulthood, Alexis Salkovick

Honors Projects

This project focuses on the transition to adulthood for young people with diabetes, a chronic medical condition. Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are included. The main research focus is two-part: first examining this transition including barriers to health care, changes in lifestyle, and mental health, and then creating a new, innovative tool to support young adults with diabetes. An independent literature review was conducted to investigate diabetes management, barriers to health care, how transitioning to adulthood impacts diabetes care, and the importance of patient support systems. Then, a board game was developed with the dual purpose of educating …

Advanced Studies In Characterization Of Pyrolysis Products From Live Vegetation, Mahsa Alizadeh

Theses and Dissertations

Fire is a naturally occurring element in many ecosystems which can have both positive and negative effects. However, in recent years the frequency of the fires and the area they affect has increased. The rapid spread of wildland fires coupled with the limited resources available to forest services to manage wildland fires highlights the urgency for accurate prediction of fire spread. Fire prediction models enable the fire management services to predict the spread of fire and prioritize firefighting efforts more effectively. Understanding reactions and mechanisms occurring during wildland fires improves the fire prediction models. During wildland fires, the biomass covering …

The San José De Laguna Mission: Christian Iconography Through The Lens Of Pueblo Oral Traditions, Natalie Sims Rasmussen

Theses and Dissertations

The San José de Laguna Mission was constructed in 1699 in modern New Mexico. Following on the heels of the second Pueblo revolt, it stands as a testament to the Pueblo adoption of Christian symbols in the portrayal of their own oral traditions. A central theme in the Laguna oral tradition is the complementary nature of masculine and feminine forces that make up the universe. The Christian figures of the altar screen, such as Saint Joseph, Saint John Nepomuck, Saint Barbara, and the Trinity, can be interpreted through the lens of the Pueblo oral tradition regarding a 19th century Laguna …

“As Though You Could Never Sink”: Gender Euphoria Through Aquatic Embodiment In The Sun Also Rises, Devan Edwards

Honors Theses

Recent scholarship in disability studies and queer theory (2007-2024) reveals that Jake Barnes's war wound in Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises functions as something more complex than tragic loss. This paper argues that Jake's swimming and fishing scenes constitute moments of gender euphoria, a term borrowed from contemporary transgender studies, enabled specifically by aquatic embodiment. In these scenes, water functions as the physical and symbolic medium through which Jake's war-wounded body transcends the performative demands of 1920s heteronormative masculinity. Building on Michael Anesko's provocative reading of Jake as "accidentally transgendered" (Literature and Medicine, 2015) and Martina Kübler's argument that impotence …

The Boys From Syracuse, Richard Rodgers, Lorenz Hart, George Abbott

Taylor Theatre Playbills

The playbill for Taylor University's performance of The Boys from Syracuse with music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Lorenz Hart, and the book by George Abbott.

Performed April 23-26, 2026 in the Mitchell Theatre at Taylor University.

The Boys from Syracuse by Rodgers and Hart is based on the play The Comedy of Errors by William Shakespeare, likely written in the late 16th century. As is common for many Shakespearean plays, he adapted an older story, Plautus' Menaechmi, into his classic farce about two sets of twins, separated by a tragic sea accident, who find each other after many …

Spectator 2026-04-23, Editors Of The Spectator

The Spectator

No abstract provided.

April 23, 2026, Caa

Minutes

No abstract provided.

Modulating Acute Stress Reactivity: Behavioral Interventions And Caffeine-Linked Stress Physiology In College Students, Kaitlyn Smith

Honors Theses

College students frequently rely on caffeine to manage academic demands, yet its physiological and psychological effects on acute stress remain poorly understood. Although caffeine is known to increase cardiovascular arousal and self‑reported anxiety, little research has compared different caffeine sources within the same individuals or examined whether brief behavioral interventions can buffer these effects. Self‑affirmation, a short writing exercise centered on personal values, has been shown to reduce stress reactivity, but its interaction with caffeine‑induced arousal has not been tested. This within‑subjects study examines how coffee, energy drinks, and a no‑caffeine control influence acute cardiovascular and self‑reported stress responses, and …

Cognition In Pair-Living Owl Monkeys: The Role Of Partner Affiliation In The Willingness To Cooperate To Solve A Cognitive Task, Aaron J. Mencia

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cooperative problem-solving tasks, including the loose-string paradigm, require individuals to coordinate their actions simultaneously to obtain a shared reward. These paradigms have been used extensively to assess social cognition, behavioral coordination, and partner preferences across taxa. Although the loose-string paradigm has been widely tested, it has not been applied to pair-bonded, monogamous primates such as owl monkeys (Aotus nancymaae), which exhibit affiliative behaviors including food sharing and bi-parental care. Investigating cooperation in this species may offer some clarification on whether more stable social bonds are associated with cooperative and cognitive task success as compared to those observed in …

Three Bacterial Endophytes Enhanced Plant Growth And Yield And Reduced The Severity Of Phytophthora Capsici In Bell Pepper And Tomato Plants In The Field, Daniel Ambachew, Margaret T. Mmbaga Mmbaga, Richard Hall, Peter Eyegheleme, Mustapha Olawuni, Jamille Robinson, Emily Rotich

Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Faculty Research

Naturally abundant endophytes colonize plants internally without causing harm to their host plants. Endophytes are likely to occupy the same ecological niches as phytopathogens and thus have a high potential to be effective biological control agents. Their demonstrated ability to suppress more than one plant pathogen suggests that they can offer a viable alternative to chemical fungicides and a strategy for decreasing the inoculum potential of soil-borne pathogens. Some biocontrol endophytes are also known to improve soil health and the overall health of plants. However, the results in greenhouse studies do not always translate to consistent field efficacy. In this …

Montana Kaimin, April 23, 2026, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

Federalist Politics And The Elusive Original Meaning Of The Free Exercise Clause, Jack Thorlin

Catholic University Law Review

Originalism requires interpreting the Constitution by reference to a provision’s original public meaning. But there is very little evidence of original public meaning for some constitutional provisions, most notably the Free Exercise Clause. Originalists have splintered into several different methodological approaches toward the Clause. Justices Scalia and O’Connor staked out opposing originalist views on the Clause thirty years ago in Employment Division v. Smith and City of Boerne v. Flores. In the Roberts Court, some of the conservative justices have attempted to apply a simple textualist interpretation of the Clause, but those efforts have not attracted most of the …