Digital Commons Network^™

Fastenal Internship And Kpi Tracker Project, Tyler T. Schaack

Research & Creative Achievement Day

From my internship at Fastenal, I have been able to learn and apply many skills from my classes into my day-to-day work. In the supply chain department of Fastenal there are many things' planners must keep an eye on to ensure proper and sufficient supply for our customers. Working for a big company means that there are lots of unique parts and plans that need to be constantly reviewed to keep everything accurate. Before starting my project there was no good way of organizing and tracking what improvements need to be made to our parts. Using Excel, Power Query, and …

Using Fluorimetry And Spectroscopy For Quantitative Analysis Of Biomaterial-Derived Carbon Dots, Kahun N. Vue

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Carbon Dots (CDs) are renowned for having great quantum yield, absorption, electron transfer, and stability. Biomaterial-derived carbon dots are eco-friendly nanomaterials synthesized through the carbonization and condensation of organic surface groups. This study investigates the synthesis, characterization, and application of CDs derived from various biomaterial precursors, including chitosan, cellulose, β-keratin, α-keratin, and amylose derived from chitosan, corn husk, chicken feathers, human hair, and potato skin respectively. Hydrothermal and purification methods were used to develop a green, cost-effective synthesis while evaluating the eco-friendliness and sustainability of the resulting nanomaterials. The physicochemical properties of each CD were evaluated based on fluorescence intensity, …

Parasite Prevalence In Local Grasshopper Populations, Lucia B. Freund, Ali Gronquist

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Spur-throated grasshoppers (genus Melanoplus) are a common agricultural pest in North America. Spur-throated grasshoppers are also a common host to several parasitic organisms. Horsehair worms (phylum Nematomorpha) are parasitic organisms known for their ability to manipulate the behavior of its insect host, particularly grasshoppers and crickets, by urging the host to enter water so it can complete its life cycle. Along with being a host to parasitic worms, they are a frequent target of grasshopper mites. Grasshopper mites (Eutrombidium locustarum) is a short-lived parasite that can negatively influence the reproductive ability of their host. Because grasshoppers are a major agricultural …

Prediction Of Soccer Match Result With Machine Learning, Pronob Kumar

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Predicting soccer match outcomes is difficult due to the low-scoring nature, frequent draw outcomes, and other factors. This project used a historical dataset from European leagues spanning 1960 to 2024 to develop supervised machine learning models for predicting match results. The dataset included various features related to match conditions, team information, and historical performance. The study compared multiple machine learning models, including logistic regression, decision trees, XGBoost, and random forest, with a regression-based baseline model. Model performance was evaluated using accuracy, confusion matrices, ROC curves, and AUC metrics. Preliminary results indicate that machine learning models outperform the baseline model in …

The Experiences Of Pediatric Nurses, Madeline J. Vitzthum, Julia R. Bangert

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Background and Purpose: Nursing is a specialty that requires deep clinical knowledge and skill but also high levels of emotional engagement. This is most apparent in pediatric nursing. Pediatric nurses are the nurses who care for societies' most precious and vulnerable population, and because of this, pediatric nurses' experiences may differ from those who care for adults. However, there is a noticeable gap in the existing literature that specifically describes the unique challenges and benefits of this nursing specialty. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of pediatric nurses and to identify the strategies they use to …

Predicting The Probability Of Having Diabetes Using Machine Learning, Logan C. Stewart

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Each year the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) distribute the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) telephone surveys to acquire nationwide data about US residents' health. This survey collects data on hundreds of health-related variables from hundreds of thousands of participants. It is a powerful tool for building health promotion and has even influenced and supported health-related state legislation. This study uses that data to predict an individual's probability of having diabetes based on dietary, demographic, health, and economic factors. Diabetes is a group of diseases that causes the body to use insulin ineffectively, and one in four …

Assessment Of Airborne Cultural Fungi Indoors And Outdoors In A Rural Veterinary Clinic, Elena Ortez, Oluwatosin Jegede, Dorothy Seybold, Daeshjea Mcgee, Atin Adhikari, Ally Holmes

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Background and Objectives: Veterinary clinics can inadvertently release and propagate bacteria through several mechanisms, primarily due to contaminated surfaces, insufficient cleaning protocols, and, in some instances, direct transmission from infected animals or staff. Given that these clinics are high-traffic environments, they can serve as hotspots for clinic-acquired infections if rigorous hygiene practices are not upheld. This study evaluated airborne bacterial concentrations in different areas of a veterinary clinic compared to outdoor ambient air by calculating the indoor-to-outdoor ratios.

Methods: Airborne culturable bacterial samples were collected using a Biostage Impactor across eight internal zones including waiting areas, treatment rooms, and wards …

Ai-Powered Quantum Sensing For Non-Invasive Diabetes Monitoring System, Anichur Rahman, Airin Afroj Aishi, Md Shohel Rana

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Diabetes is a common disease prevalent among a large population of the world, requiring continuous monitoring of blood glucose levels to prevent severe complications of the disease. Currently, continuous glucose monitoring technologies often use invasive and minimally invasive sensors that are not only uncomfortable for the patient but also limit the usability of the device. This project aims to explore cutting-edge technology for continuous glucose monitoring through the fusion of artificial intelligence techniques and novel quantum sensing technologies. A novel framework is proposed for the fusion of machine learning techniques with novel quantum-inspired sensing techniques to improve the accuracy of …

Social Justice Internship 2025-26: One Northside, Johanna Rodriguez Osegueda

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This presentation showcases my experiences and lessons-learned as an Environmental Justice Intern at ONE Northside. This opportunity was made possible through the Social Justice Internship Program at CELTS. This presentation includes reflections about my growth, participation in environmental campaigns, and organization-wide events.

An Analysis Of Soil Moisture Under Different Atmospheric Conditions, Justin Peabody

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This project presents analysis of data from a field research site at the Loyola University Retreat and Ecology Campus. Data was collected from soil moisture  sensors installed in onsite pots. This project provides preliminary assessment of quantitative relationships between soil moisture, atmospheric temperature, and precipitation, as well as preliminary indications of water absorption rates by uncovered soil. Funding was recently obtained from the Alvin J. Baum Foundation to install soil cover materials, temperature sensors and precipitation gauges onsite, allowing for more accurate assessment of relationships and comparison of rainwater absorption rates between various ground surfaces on the Lakeshore Campus.

Flex Lab Noise Minimization, Zyanne Fulcher, Nathan Carandang, Maddux Chan

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This presentation describes the process of minimizing noise in the Flex Lab. Built in 2018, the Flex Lab is a large open space divided into three classrooms with two study areas in between. Its open design allows noise to travel easily, often distracting students and educators. During the Fall 2026 semester, our group of five collected data on noise levels and developed and tested solutions. Based on our findings, we designed a two-way AV system to reduce noise disruption and support student learning. This project strengthened our teamwork and enhanced our problem-solving skills.

Β-Glucosidase B Mutant P41l Characterization And Analysis, Amal Naqvi, Caroline Machola

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

This study characterized the β-glucosidase B (BglB) mutant P41L within the Design2Data (D2D) framework. We hypothesized that substituting proline with leucine at position 41, a non-active-site residue, would maintain catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) but decrease thermal stability (T50) relative to wild-type (WT) BglB. Foldit modeling, plasmid sequencing, expression in E. Coli, and affinity purification were used to validate the construct. Kinetic parameters with p-nitrophenyl-β-D-glucopyranoside and T50 values across 30–50 °C were obtained via plate-reader assays and D2D fits. P41L displayed higher catalytic efficiency and a T50 comparable to WT, refuting our hypothesis and suggesting an efficiency-enhancing, stability-neutral mutation.

Crystal Science Is Not Fast Science, Seiya Katada, Campbell Casper, Lane J. Waller

Research & Creative Achievement Day

The science of crystal growth is a slow process by which material is dissolved in a medium and particles slowly deposit on the surface of a seed crystal in an ordered arrangement to form a larger crystal. Three different solutions were attempted to create the best Alum seed crystal. After seed crystals were tied or glued to a string, it was hung in a solution with dissolved Alum. Three different concentrations of growth media were used to determine the effect and how to grow the best crystal. Observations were periodically made, crystals were weighed, and additional powder was added to …

Morphological Identification Of Echinostomas Found Within Dabbler And Diving Ducks, Sammy Schneider, Emma Harms, Miana Risser, Madison Becker

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Most ducks can be separated into two categories, dabblers or divers, depending on their feeding guild. Dabbler ducks are surface feeders and consume vegetation while diver ducks feed below the surface and consume aquatic animals. The Echinostoma species present in ducks may vary depending on their feeding guild. Three species of ducks from various regions of Wisconsin were donated by hunters for examination of endoparasites, particularly those from the genus Echinostoma. The sites of collection included Trempealeau, Marionette, and Onalaska. One species of dabbler duck, Gadwall (Mareca strepera), and two species of diver ducks, Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) and Canvasback …

Synthesis Of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles For The Degradation Of Rhodamine B Dye, Kezia J. Lemke, Leighton D. Stouffer, Elijah J. Murray, Catherine S. Braaten

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Rhodamine B dye is a harmful contaminant in wastewater, so methods were developed to synthesize iron oxide nanoparticles that could catalyze the photodegradation of rhodamine B in water. Iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized through the co-precipitation method and using FeCl2 as a source of Fe2+ ions. The nanoparticles were then characterized through IR spectroscopy and adsorption testing. Finally, a control solution of rhodamine B and an experimental rhodamine B solution with nanoparticles were exposed to UV light in a photo cabinet to analyze the degradation of rhodamine B over time using UV-Vis spectroscopy. IR spectroscopy showed that an iron oxide …

Analyzing Accessibility Issue Detection Differences Between Wave And Google Lighthouse Using A Controlled Wcag Violation Webpage, Saabiriin M. Abdi

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Automated accessibility evaluation tools, such as WAVE and Google Lighthouse are widely used to assess compliance with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). However, prior studies indicate that these tools often disagree, vary in the success criteria they support, and differ in the type of issues they detect. Because most evaluations were conducted on real websites, where the precise number of accessibility violations is unknown. Without a ground-truth baseline, it is impossible to measure false negatives, false positives, or the accuracy of detection.

This project addresses that gap by creating a controlled HTML webpage containing 40 intentional WCAG 2.1 Level …

N-Bromosuccinimide Bromination Of 2-Heptene: Determination Of All Allylic Bromide Products, Natalie L. Olsen

Research & Creative Achievement Day

The main goal of this research was to demonstrate the occurrence of allylic rearrangement in the reaction of N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) with 2-heptene. Thus, we aimed to demonstrate using 1H NMR and HPLC that (E)-2-bromo-3-heptene (E-2-3) and (E)-4-bromo-2-heptene (E-4-2) are formed in roughly equal amounts. This is important because several references claim that allylic rearrangement does not occur to a significant extent in this reaction. The reaction was run using 2.1mL (15 mmol) of 2-heptene, 1.84 g of NBS (10 mmol), and 0.008g of benzoyl peroxide (0.03 mmol), in cyclohexane (9.4 mL) under reflux. 1H NMR of the product mixture clearly …

Comparing Dissection Vs Literature Data Of Cestodes In Ducks, Sophia B. Cross

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Cestodes are a class of parasites that are often found in vertebrate animals, specifically ducks. Research conducted by Winona State University students showed that cestodes were the most prevalent type of parasites found within ducks. However, outside research provides controversy as to whether this is actually true. Ducks were dissected by Winona State students over the past seven years, and their internal organs were carefully inspected under a light microscope. Ducks were donated by hunters, mostly harvested along the Mississippi River, from Buffalo City, WI to Winona, MN. Parasites were obtained, stored, and labelled from each duck. A dichotomous key …

Impact Of News Sentiment Analysis On The Performance Of Stock Trading Models, Nindl

Research & Creative Achievement Day

This study investigated how news sentiment analysis improves stock price prediction accuracy. Two Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural networks were created using PyTorch, a baseline model without sentiment analysis trained using 22 technical features, and another model with sentiment analysis scores from Alpha Vantage’s sentiment analysis API. The historical data gathered spans from 2018-2025 and it covers a total of seven securities at 20-minute intervals. There are three volatile stocks (Tesla, NVIDIA, AMC), three stable stocks (Johnson & Johnson, Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble), and a single S&P 500 index (SPY). The models were run in the same testing environment that …

Exploring Boolean Dependency Mapping For Rust Crates Aimed At Embedded Systems, Hamilton A. Ferris

Research & Creative Achievement Day

Rust Crates are concise, safe ways to abstract compilation units in the Rust programming language. Each crate can be compiled individually, or some may depend on others (i.e. function `bar` may depend on crate `foo`). However, there is no standard way to compile Rust crates in a `no_std` configuration, which targets the compilation at embedded systems. Existing research into this topic mostly focuses on developer opinion. Sharma et al. (2025) discovered that only 68% of developers thought that Rust crate support was sufficient. In addition, 92% of developers surveyed also used C for embedded systems, and 64% of them claimed …

Progress Towards The Synthesis Of Trans-4-Bromo-2-Heptene, Ava L. Dillon

Research & Creative Achievement Day

trans-4-Bromo-2-heptene (1) is a simple compound that, despite two reports to the contrary, has never been synthesized in pure form. Nevertheless, it could be a useful starting material for organic synthesis. The compound presents a significant synthetic challenge due to a propensity to undergo allylic rearrangement to form a mixture of allylic bromides. Therefore, the goal of this research was to synthesize 1 with a multistep synthesis. Step 1 was to produce hept-2-yn-4-ol (2) via a Grignard synthesis by combining butanal and propynyl magnesium bromide with the triple bond acting as a masking group for the alkene. The alcohol was …

Hybrid Rans-Les Modeling Of Airflow In A Bronchial Flow Simulation Of A Human Lung, Sunday Joseph

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Manual Tissue Slicer Designed For Ovarian Tissue Cryopreservation, Levon Shukrian, Caleb Anene, Daniel Archer, Derek Works, Jack Durham, Joby Anthony, Jumana Rizk, Maria Mendoza Lopez, Shanice Rerrie

Liberty University Research Week

Fertility preservation techniques such as ovarian tissue cryopreservation and autotransplantation provide important options for patients at risk of primary ovarian insufficiency due to medical treatments or disease. A critical step in this process is the preparation of uniform ovarian cortical slices (0.5–1.5 mm thick) that preserve follicular architecture prior to cryopreservation. However, the discontinuation of the Stadie-Riggs tissue slicer, previously used for fresh tissue slicing, has created a significant gap in both translational research and clinical practice. To address this need, a compact manual ovarian tissue slicer was designed and constructed using biocompatible 316L stainless steel and borosilicate glass. The …

The Relation Of Museum Visitors' Idea Framing Approaches And Engineering Engagement During A Community Design Puppet-Making Activity​, Adeline Sauer

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Engaging in early informal learning opportunities for children provides a unique setting for fostering their engineering learning. Specifically, collaboration (e.g., sharing ideas and helping one another) can support children's learning during tinkering activities. We explore how 39 4- to 10-year-old children (Mean age = 6.63; 19 girls) and their caregivers define and engage in the engineering design process (EDP) during a hands-on puppet making activity at a children’s museum. It is hypothesized that children and caregivers who frame, or communicate, their ideas as group-centered will have the highest engagement in the EDP process over framing ideas as individual-centered and other-centered.

Area Approximation Of Jordan Curves Via The Isoperimetric Inequality And Cauchy-Crofton Formula, Nikita Veselkin, Rashad Kaiyal

Mathematics Colloquium Series

We combine the Isoperimetric Inequality (Dido's Problem) and the Cauchy-Crofton formula to approximate the area enclosed by Jordan curves in the 2D plane. The Cauchy-Crofton formula provides a consistent estimate of a curve's length, which the Isoperimetric Inequality then uses to approximate the enclosed area. We additionally present software that automates the Cauchy-Crofton length computation, making the method practical for real-world use. Empirical testing validates the accuracy of this combined approach, with potential applications in tumor segmentation from MRI scans.

Leveraging Agentic And Generative Ai For Intelligent Global Market Analysis, Anichur Rahman, Airin Afroj Aishi, Md Shohel Rana

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Global financial markets produce enormous amounts of structured and unstructured data on a per-second basis. The data is comprised of economic data, news feeds, social media data, and geopolitical data. Traditional approaches to financial market analysis have difficulties integrating these data sources and adapting to the changing global environment. This project aims to create a novel framework for autonomous financial market intelligence using Agentic AI and Generative AI technologies. Agentic AI is an emerging technology that allows for the creation of autonomous decision-making agents. The agents can be programmed to continuously monitor and analyze data sources, detect emerging trends, and …

How Is The Use Of Ai Impacting Nursing Students Education?, Lorna H. Strain

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education is rapidly increasing and reshaping how nursing students learn and engage with content. This thesis proposal takes a look at the impact of AI on the education of nursing students and explores students' perceptions of its use in their learning and education. As AI becomes more prevalent, many students are using it for study aids and content personalization, while schools are using it in simulations and textbook platforms. Many recognize its benefits, such as enhanced critical thinking, improved accessibility of materials, and more immersive learning. Concerns persist around ethical use, academic integrity, …

Alkaloid Profiling Of Narcissus Poeticus L. Bulbs And Their Inhibitory Activity Of Cholinesterases, Maël Gainche, Isabelle Ripoche, Elodie Jagu

Oxford ICSB

The Amaryllidaceae family is well known for its rich diversity of alkaloids, including lycorine- and galantamine-type structures with potent cholinesterase inhibitory properties. In this study, we investigated the phytochemical composition and cholinesterase inhibitory activity of alkaloids isolated from Narcissus poeticus L., a species native to the botanically rich Auvergne region of France. Phytochemical analysis and bioguided fractionation of bulb extracts led to the identification of three known alkaloids, pseudolycorine, norgalantamine, and 2-O-(3’-hydroxybutanoyl)-lycorine, as well as a newly characterized tetrahydroquinoline derivative, poeticine A. The inhibitory activities of these compounds against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) were assessed using both a standard …

The Soldier’S Stigmata, Part Ii: Figura, The Four Senses Of Interpretation, And Other Matters In Lois Mcmaster Bujold’S “The Borders Of Infinity”, Andrew Hallam

Mythlore: A Journal of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Charles Williams, and Mythopoeic Literature

THIS IS A TWO-PART ARTICLE. IN ORDER TO READ OR DOWNLOAD THE OTHER PART, FOLLOW THE LINK AT THE END OF THIS ABSTRACT.

This article will explore the connection between Lois McMaster Bujold’s novella “The Borders of Infinity,” the Aristotelian theory of habitus as developed further in the letters of the Apostle Paul and by the sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, and the four senses of interpretation of scripture first conceived in antiquity and later refined by medieval philosophers. Habitus as a durable disposition, state, or condition (Aristotle) is a structured and structuring social practice or set of social practices (Bourdieu) that …

Evaluation Of Fasted And Fed Gastrointestinal Transformation Of Withania Somnifera Plant Extracts And Bioactive Compounds Via Uplc-Ms/Ms And Untargeted Metabolomics, Sarah Barr, Wendy Strangman, R. Thomas Williamson, Amala Soumyanath, Melissa Bollen

Oxford ICSB

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a widely consumed botanical supplement recognized for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aging properties. Despite its extensive use, limited information exists on how its complex chemical composition changes during gastrointestinal digestion. An untargeted UPLC-MS/MS-based metabolomics approach enables analysis of discrete changes in complex mixtures. Previous in vitro studies of W. somnifera relied on simulated gastric and intestinal models composed primarily of buffers and digestive enzymes. This study advances those methods by incorporating bile salts and phospholipids under fasted and fed conditions to better simulate physiological digestion of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of W. somnifera root and leaf. …