Digital Commons Network^™

An Unfaltering Step To The End: An Analysis Of Virginia Governor James L. Kemper's Veto Of The 1874 Petersburg Charter, Chandler Lilley

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Association Of Self-Efficacy, Preceptor Teaching, And Role Modeling With Practice Preparedness In Student Nurse Practitioners, Quinton Carroll, Pi-Ming Yeh, Jean Croce Hemphill, Melessia Webb, Alex Sargsyan

Epsilon Sigma at-Large Research Conference

Purpose: Final-semester student nurse practitioners (SNPs) often report unpreparedness for practice. Little is known about which preceptor characteristics prepare students for practice. The purpose of this study was to examine whether final-semester SNPs' practice preparedness is associated with their self-efficacy and most significant preceptor’s clinical teaching effectiveness and role modeling.

Aim: To identify which student and preceptor factors are associated with and predict SNP preparedness.

Methods: Cross-sectional correlational study of final-semester SNPs (N = 83). Participants completed the New Nurse Practitioners’ Practice Preparedness Survey, New General Self-Efficacy Scale, Cleveland Clinic Teaching Effectiveness Instrument, and Role Model Apperception Tool. Analysis …

“Slaves To Sin:” Harnessing Neuroplasticity To Defeat Habitual Behaviors, Charity Parrott

Liberty University Research Week

How does neuroplasticity affect the life of a Christian? This thesis will seek to address the concepts of habit formation, neuroplasticity, and top-down control through a neurobiological perspective, and how they relate to the Biblical concept of habitual sin. Discoveries in neuroplasticity have revealed the brain to be a malleable organ, capable of rewiring neural connections and, in the hippocampus region, neurogenesis, or the creation of new neurons (Fuchs & Flügge, 2014). This thesis will compile research in neuroplasticity, explore the biological reasons behind the difficulty in escaping patterns of sin, and connect Biblical-based strategies for sin prevention with neurobiology. …

Formation Of Rosette-Like Hierarchical Structures On Cylindrical Titanium Surfaces., Cole Urquhart, Ally Doud, Michael Korn, Hector Medina

Liberty University Research Week

The purpose of this experiment was to characterize titanium-based rosettes and other micro-sized crystal formations on multiple different non-planar titanium surfaces. Rosettes are crystal structures in the titanium sulfate family. They are 20-150µm in diameter and vastly increase the surface area of the places where they are grown, which can lead to various possible applications in future research. The titanium type that was being experimented on was titanium gauze (50µm diameter). To grow titanium-based structures, two steps are involved: etching and crystal formation. Firstly, the titanium material was placed in a centrifuge tube filled with 1mL of 18M (96%) conc. …

Sem-Edx Analysis Of Animal Hairs For The Presence Of Metals, Sydney Stevens, David Green, George Monroe

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Comparison Of Hypothalamic And Hippocampal Neurogenesis Across Sexes And Ages Of Mice, Chloe Jensen, Madison Reynolds, Rebecca Kinyon

Liberty University Research Week

Background: The hippocampus is primarily known for its function in learning and memory; thus, it makes sense that this is a well-established highly neurogenic zone. Recent studies have demonstrated that the hypothalamus also has neurogenic properties where there were once believed to be none. Because of these recent findings, our study aims to provide baseline data pertaining to rates of neurogenesis in the hypothalamus in comparison to the hippocampus along with distinguishing differences in these rates between males and females. Methods: Using four mice, three young and one aged female, we cryosectioned the brain to image the hippocampal and hypothalamic …

Pilot Study: Black Tea Extract And Theaflavin Polyphenols Effects On L6 Myotubes, Elizabeth Allen

Liberty University Research Week

This research investigates bioactive polyphenol group theaflavins found in black tea and how they affect Akt signaling in skeletal muscle. The black tea polyphenols are a collection of innate compounds in Camillia sinensis, among them being the theaflavin group which is comprised of four compounds: theaflavin (TF1), theaflavin 3-gallate (TF2A), theaflavin 3’-gallate (TF2B), and theaflavin 3,3’ digallate (TF3) (He, 2017). The theaflavins group has been described as bioactive in a variety of different cellular pathways such as apoptosis, cellular division, gene expression and nutrient regulation (Li et al., 2021)(He, 2017)(Lin et al., 2007).

Previous work by Nagano et al., demonstrated …

Music Enhances Theta Brainwave Activity Regardless Of Tuning Frequency, Robert Somerville, Davis Raz, Ersilia Mirabelli, Jettson Yarborough, Luc-Shalom Kouame

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Increasing Fatigue Life: Position And Energy Controlled Surface Mechanical Attrition Treatment, Joseph Holt

Liberty University Research Week

Metal structures in engineering are limited by mechanical fatigue. When a material is repeatedly stressed, even beneath its ultimate strength, it slowly develops nano-fractures that propagate and eventually cause the material to suddenly fracture or fail. When this occurs in high-precision, cyclically stressed applications, such as commercial airliners, unchecked material fatigue is catastrophic. This study has shown promising increases in weld-site material fatigue life through a newly developed processing method. Researchers at Liberty University’s Center for Engineering Research and Education (CERE) custom-built a machine to perform position and energy controlled surface mechanical attrition treatment (PECSMAT), which harnesses the advantages of …

Authentic Vs. Artificial Intelligence: The Effect Of Generative Ai On Users’ Brains, Ivy Rath

Liberty University Research Week

Currently, research on generative AI's effect on the brains of those who use it is sparse. However, cognitive offloading, or the outsourcing of intellectual processes to technology or other people, is a well-known neurological phenomenon, and it is through cognitive offloading that we may begin to understand how generative AI affects mental processes. Cognitive offloading occurs frequently, and common examples include using a calculator, GPS, or driver-assist functions. Now, generative AI offers users a far more pervasive kind of cognitive offloading, in that entire mental processes once unique to human minds (such as problem-solving) may now be replicated and supplanted …

Effect Of In-Utero Exposure To A Western-Style Diet On Testis Development, Alexa Ashby, Colton Fitzgerald, Kaylee Vis, Madison Ashby, Marisa Halsey, Nathan Malina, Ryan Anderson

Liberty University Research Week

The increase in western-style dietary patterns has led to an increase in obesity prevalence and its associated comorbidities. Specifically, researchers have found that obesity due to western-style diet (WSD) is negatively correlated with reproductive health in men. This study investigated the effects of inutero exposure to a WSD on testis development, specifically of 12- week-old mice (young adult C57Bl/6J). We hypothesized that in-utero exposure to a WSD would negatively impact testis development and function in male offspring. Using histological hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemistry method, we examined spermatogenesis in seminiferous tubules, anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) production by Sertoli cells, and …

Quantifying Neuropathy With Von Frey Filaments In Mice: Novel Neuropathic Pain Animal Model, Maggie Milhorne

Liberty University Research Week

Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain condition resulting from damage to the nervous system which does not respond to current pharmacological treatments. Previous research in rats has demonstrated that formalin injections can induce chronic pain states and molecular changes within the spinal cord comparable to those of the spinal nerve ligation (SNL), an established surgical model of neuropathic pain. This study aimed to determine whether a subcutaneous injection of 5% formalin is sufficient to induce chronic pain in mice, providing a simple and less invasive model to study chronic pain mechanisms. Mechanical pain sensitivity is assessed using the von Frey …

Single Step Cyanoacrylate Fumigation With Common Dyes, Abigail Proffitt, Jared Filegar

Liberty University Research Week

Cyanoacrylate fumigation is a widely used fingerprint development method to visualize latent fingerprints left on nonporous surfaces. This methodology relies on heating cyanoacrylate, otherwise known as superglue, to create vapors that polymerize onto fingerprints. These vapors react via biological components such as amino acids and other residues left from finger oils. This technique is very effective; however, once the polymer has completed its reaction the fingerprint is colorless resulting in the need for a secondary staining technique. The additional procedure increases processing time and introduces potentials for smearing or human error. This research aims to investigate a way to consolidate …

A Bloody Window To The Past: Str Analysis Of Dna From A Bloodstained Civil War Surgical Table, Nadia Walter

Liberty University Research Week

This study aimed to generate DNA profiles from the bloody Hillsman House surgical table via STR analysis while also determining the best method of sample collection and analysis from a wooden substrate. During the Battle at Sailor’s Creek in 1865, the historical Hillsman House served as a field hospital where hundreds of Civil War soldiers were treated. In 2016, Jones and McClintock collected and analyzed samples from bloodstains on the floorboards of the house, showing that historical DNA is still viable for profiling. During this process, marks on the floorboard were presumed to be from the surgical table, which was …

Regulation Of Glut5 Expression And Fructose Uptake By Heat Stress And Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines In Enterocytes, Landri Shope, Gretchka Mair

Liberty University Research Week

Diabetes is an escalating global health concern, affecting 11.1% of the adult population worldwide, with over 90% of cases classified as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) (Facts & Figures., n.d.). T2DM is characterized by chronic fasting hyperglycemia and is increasingly associated with alterations in the gut microbiome. This study tests the hypothesis that heat stress, a gut dysbiosis-associated stressor, will upregulate the fructose transporter GLUT5 in enterocytes. Increased GLUT5 expression may enhance intestinal fructose uptake, thereby contributing to worsened glycemic control in T2DM. While the mechanism linking inflammation and impaired glucose homeostasis remains elusive, emerging evidence supports strong associations among …

Forensic Differentiation Of Canine Hair, Allison Kelley

Liberty University Research Week

The goal of this research is to determine whether the characteristics of dog hair can effectively differentiate between canine breeds, which is important for forensic applications. While there is extensive literature on human hair analysis, there is not much to be found on canine hair, although dogs are present at many crime scenes. This research ultimately aims to gather sufficient data on a wide range of dog breeds to compile a comprehensive database to identify differences in dog hair, contributing to the discipline of trace evidence hair analysis within forensic science. The central hypothesis in this study is that specific …

The 3-D Apparatus Of Local Ticks: A New Insight Into The Mechanism Of Sensing Hosts And Their Storage Of Pathogens, Sara Grant, Tristan Davis, Maggie Milhorne, Zipporah Nedlock, Jonathan Marks, Alan L. Gillen

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Disability Studies In Historical Context: The Research Behind The Creative Writing Process, Annabelle Welch

Liberty University Research Week

This study examines the process of  writing a short story “The Shoes,” set in New Orleans during World War II, and creating a main character through the lens of research within the field of disability studies. This research is closely intertwined with my creative process of writing “The Shoes.” The first portion of the poster focuses on the city of New Orleans, Louisiana, during America’s involvement in World War II. My aim is to build a foundational understanding of the microculture in that region, especially as it was shaped and molded by the strong presence of soldiers, the heavy hand …

Kinetic Analysis Of Degradation And Maximum Catalytic Capacity For Plant Peroxidase Enzymes, Hayden Stollings

Liberty University Research Week

In 2006, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) began investigation into the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS. PFAS, which stand for “per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances,” are a highly stable and toxic compound that were mass produced throughout the 1900’s and was commonly found in common kitchenware, carpets, furniture and even produced in industrial processes.

The function behind PFAS’ stability lies in the abnormally strong Carbon-Fluoride bond, which explains for its initial functionality. Moreso, PFAS can withstand natural degradation in the environment, leading to buildup. Exposure to certain PFAS have been linked to health problems such as increased cholesterol, thyroid issues, reproductive …

Forensic Differentiation Of Feline Hair, Gabriel Dunn

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Histological Quality Of Fresh And Pre-Fixed Tissue, Rebekah Satalino, Andrew Hodges, Bright Danso, Gretchka Mair, Kingsley Ampong

Liberty University Research Week

The quality of a tissue sample used for histological analysis robustly influences the accuracy of scientific results and diagnostic interpretation. For fresh tissue samples, the duration between termination and fixation is a major determinant for tissue quality going forward as fixation halts tissue degradation. The condition of the fixed tissue before subsequent processing can have a pronounced effect on staining characteristics and cellular component integrity as examined under the microscope. However, while fresh tissue is frequently considered best, many institutions may only have access to pre-fixed tissue for training or research purposes. The aim of this research is to compare …

Impacts Of Interspecific Competition On Stress And Body Condition In A Montane Salamander (Plethodon Hubrichti), Jason Porter, Allison Carmen

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Euripides’ Medea As An Existential Protagonist: Comparing Conceptualizations Of Fate In The 400s Bc And The 1800s Ad, Johanna Bryant

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Beyond The Homefront: The Transformation Of Women’S Military And Support Roles, 1941–1953, Madison Kelly

Liberty University Research Week

This paper examines the evolving roles of women in American military conflicts from the Revolutionary War through the Vietnam War, highlighting both their contributions and the societal constraints they faced. It emphasizes the transformative impact of World War II, when women entered industrial jobs, military service branches, and nursing roles in unprecedented numbers, symbolized by figures like “Rosie the Riveter” and organizations such as the WAC, WAVES, WASP, and Army Nurse Corps. The study also explores the regression of women’s roles during the Korean War and the gradual reemergence of impactful contributions during the Vietnam War, including nursing, Red Cross …

Inclusion May Affect Marching Band Members Of Black Universities Differently Than Members Of White Universities: Narrative Inquiry, Derrick Yates

Liberty University Research Week

There is a lack of research on the emotional connection and support students of Historically Black Colleges and Universities may seek through their band experience versus students of Predominantly White Institutions. Some studies demonstrate that those who participate in music ensembles express heightened self-esteem, a sense of connectedness, and a positive impact on their mental and psychological well-being. This narrative inquiry research study focuses on the unexplored perspectives of three band members from historically black and three predominantly white university marching bands, regarding their emotional connections to their programs and the emotional connections and support they receive from them. The …

Paws And Predictions: Interpreting Intraspecific Cat Social Interactions Through Facial Signals, Levi Neal, Lauren Scott, Gosia Zobel, Brittany Florkiewicz

People and Animals: The International Journal of Research and Practice

There has been limited research on humans’ ability to perceive and predict social interactions among cats using facial signals. This area is crucial to explore since conflicts between cats often cause significant stress for their guardians. By evaluating individuals’ skills in understanding cat interactions, researchers can develop tools to help guardians predict affiliative and nonaffiliative behaviors, leading to effective intervention strategies for multicat households. We distributed a survey to individuals subscribed to the Companion Animals New Zealand newsletter to assess cat guardians’ effectiveness in perceiving and predicting various social interactions among cats. We hypothesized that guardians with one or more …

Mother-Daughter Ties Across Borders: Identity And Connection In Dreaming In Cuban, Alvaro Ricardo Larrea Salazar

Liberty University Research Week

This project examines how trauma, memory, and political displacement shape generational identity in Cristina García's Dreaming in Cuban. I argue that García presents memory as both a bridge and a barrier within the matrilineal line of Celia, Lourdes, and Pilar, ultimately suggesting that reconciliation across political and cultural divides is possible only through acknowledgment rather than suppression of inherited trauma. While Celia’s devotion to the Cuban Revolution and her nostalgic attachment to lost love root her identity firmly in the past, Lourdes responds to revolutionary violence and exile by rejecting her heritage and embracing American capitalism as a form of …

Purposes For Sacred Song In Eighteenth-Century British Colonial America, Merrily Kelsey

Liberty University Research Week

In eighteenth-century colonial America, the colonists sang sacred songs for several reasons which they identified in song text, song book introductions, journals, sermons, and several other places.

The Lakota Sioux And The U.S.: What Went Wrong?, Blake Rackley

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Transnational Beings: Corner Store Entrepreneurship Of Mena Immigrants Of The Third Wave, Gabriel Al-Shaer

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.