Digital Commons Network^™

Not Allowed To Say Goodbye: The German Civilian's Perception Of Aktion T4, 1939 - 1941, Dylan Cumbo

Liberty University Research Week

Despite the public pushback during the sterilization program, little stopped it from continuing. Nazi officials had desired for the program to expand during the early stages of sterilization, their chance coming with the death of a child and the outbreak of World War II. Six centers were designated as the main euthanasia centers along with several other locations used to support it. Gas, lethal injections, and starvations were used to kill the disabled on mass. Despite attempts to keep the program secret, they failed as clues became increasingly apparent. Documented civilian responses were largely antagonistic and actions committed were passive …

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 …

The Impact Of Maternal Western-Style Diet On Ovarian Anti-Müllerian Hormone Expression And Localization In Mouse Offspring, Kati Platt, Chase Shinabery, Jackson Mellish, Madison Howard, Soriya Scott

Liberty University Research Week

The Western diet, characterized by high saturated fat and sucrose intake, has become increasingly prevalent in the United States and globally, yet its effects on female reproductive health across life stages remain insufficiently understood. In adult human females, consumption of a Western-style diet has been linked to an increase in premenstrual symptoms, higher rates of depression, and elevated free estradiol levels, contributing to an increased risk of breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women. In human female children, Western diet consumption has been linked to an early onset of secondary sexual characteristics and premature menarche. Maternal consumption of this diet during …

Spectroscopic Characterization Of Pfas Ligands Binding To Novel Plant Peroxidases, Vladimir Bogatov

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Elephant's Toothpaste: A Statistical Investigation Of The Yeast-Catalyzed Decomposition Of Hydrogen Peroxide, Annaliese Defelice

Liberty University Research Week

Catalase is the main enzyme in yeast that catalyzes the popular “elephant’s toothpaste” reaction. Elephant’s toothpaste reactions often proceed using an iodide or yeast catalyst, but iodine is favored for ease of quantitative analysis. There remains little statistical data on the yeast-catalyzed hydrogen decomposition reaction. The relationship between reagent amounts and reaction rate was measured by manipulating reagent quantity while maintaining other variables. The results were graphed and fitted for linearity, indicating the relative relationship between each reagent and the overall reaction rate. There were strong positive correlations between yeast and hydrogen peroxide concentrations and reaction rate. Augmenting the volume …

Investigating Nutritionally Derived Treatments For Metabolic Disease: Enterolactone And Its Effect On Glp-1 And Pyy Secretion, Aidan Clancy

Liberty University Research Week

Gut-derived hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and peptide YY (PYY) play essential roles in maintaining glucose homeostasis and appetite regulation. These hormones are primarily secreted by enteroendocrine L cells in response to nutrient signaling in the gut. Emerging evidence suggests that polyphenolic compounds and their metabolites may influence gut hormone secretion. Enterolactone (ENL), a microbial metabolite of the dietary lignan, matairesinol, is of particular interest due to its reported anti-diabetic properties. In this study, we propose to test whether ENL can modulate the secretion of GLP-1 and PYY in L cells in vitro, thereby identifying a potential mechanism by …

Offspring Cognitive And Neurobiological Outcomes Influenced By Maternal Dietary Patterns, Emma Whatley, Abigail Frommack, Karina Long, Sarah Nelson

Liberty University Research Week

The impact of maternal diet on offspring neurodevelopment is a relatively new field, and its areas of focus are vast. The field is predominantly studied and understood through the impacts of an unhealthy diet, the maternal Western diet (WD), but there is very little research on healthy diets like the maternal Mediterranean diet (MD). The general healthiness of the diet and some limited research support that this diet could have beneficial impacts on offspring. This research aims to explore the impacts of a maternal MD on adult offspring. We hypothesize that the maternal MD will enhancing cognitive performance in learning, …

Bacterial Purification Of Hat Enzymes From Cryptococcus Neoformans: Esa1 And Gcn5 Purification, Manasi Joshi, Andrew Wisley

Liberty University Research Week

Gene expression in eukaryotes is tightly regulated by post-translational modifications. Histone acetylation is an epigenetic modification associated with increased transcription. The putative histone acetyltransferase (HAT) in the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, Something About Silencing 3 (SAS3), has been a novel research target due to its potential role in virulence that causes nearly 112,000 to 625,000 annual deaths worldwide through cryptococcal meningitis. Although SAS3 homologs acetylate core histone 3 in mammalian organisms, recombinant SAS3 has not yet demonstrated HAT activity. Previously, an established human HAT p300 was used as a positive control to validate enzymatic conditions for HAT assays. However, using known …

Effects Of Environmental Xenoestrogens On Immune System Development In Mus Musculus, Broderick Adams, Annaliese Defelice

Liberty University Research Week

Prenatal exposure to environmental xenoestrogens may influence immune system development and contribute to autoimmune disease risk. This study investigates whether Bisphenol-C (BPC), a common substitute for Bisphenol-A (BPA), exhibits similar estrogenic and immunomodulatory effects, and whether it can cross the placental barrier. Using a controlled murine model, dams are assigned to multiple treatment groups receiving estradiol, BPA, or BPC via defined administration methods. Offspring are analyzed at gestational day 17, with collection of amniotic fluid, fetal tissues, and serum. Immune markers, including IL-6 and anti-dsDNA antibodies, are quantified ELISA and flow cytometry, while mass spectrometry is used to confirm BPC …

Impacts Of Maternal Diet On Offspring Affective Behavior And Brain Morphology, Abigail Frommack, Emma Whatley, Karina Long, Sarah Nelson

Liberty University Research Week

The field of maternal dietary impacts on offspring neurodevelopment has been established over the past 30 years, and since its establishment it has grown rapidly. The research shows that maternal diet significantly impacts offspring neurodevelopment, with those effects lasting until adulthood. Most research in this field focuses on the detrimental impacts of a Western Diet (WD), but little research exists on the beneficial impacts of a healthy diet. This research aims to close that gap by assessing a healthy diet and its impact on adult offspring. We hypothesize that a maternal Mediterranean diet (MD) will have positive impacts on the …

Enzyme Kinetics Of Faah, Susanna Stell, Emma Hooks

Liberty University Research Week

Anandamide (AEA) is an endogenous ethanolamide that functions as a signaling molecule within the endocannabinoid system, a regulatory network processes including pain perception, mood regulation, appetite, and neural signaling. AEA belongs to a broader class of fatty acid ethanolamides naturally present in the body, which also includes palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and oleoylethanolamide (OEA). The activity of AEA is tightly regulated through enzymatic degradation by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), which hydrolyzes AEA into arachidonic acid and ethanolamine, thereby terminating its signaling activity. The purpose of this study is to investigate the rate at which AEA is hydrolyzed by the FAAH enzyme …

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 …

Forensic Differentiation Of Feline Hair, Gabriel Dunn

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

Cyclical Relationships & Attachment Theory, Nicole Schutz, Alyssa Shuttlesworth, Faith Roberts, Faith Tucker, Jiyeon Shon, Nicole Horstemeyer

Liberty University Research Week

Previous research suggests that attachment style plays an important role in relational patterns (e.g., cyclical relationships and relationship renewals). Attachment theory explores how individuals approach relational trust, dependence, and intimacy. Avoidant and anxious attachment are commonly attributed to instability in romantic relationships. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between cyclical relationships and insecure attachment styles. Cyclical relationships are characterized by repeatedly breaking up and renewing the relationship between the same partners. Anxious attachment is defined by fear of abandonment, clinginess, emotional instability, and a constant need for reassurance. Avoidant attachment is characterized by emotional unavailability, avoidance …

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.

Characterization Of The Aspergillus Flavus Rdia Gene With A Rdi1∆ Mutant Of C. Neoformans, Sam Raub

Liberty University Research Week

The genus Aspergillus includes several species that are opportunistic pathogens, with members ranked in the World Health Organization’s fungal critical priority pathogen list. Aspergillus flavus, a member of the genus, synthesizes aflatoxin (AF), a polyketide mycotoxin and the most potent naturally occurring carcinogen known. aflR is a pathway-specific transcription factor that plays a central role in the regulatory network for AF biosynthesis. Transcriptomic analysis under AF-conducive and non-conducive conditions identified a cluster of genes with similar expression profiles to aflR. Among these is a putative Rho-GDP dissociation inhibitor that regulates AF production and virulence in A. flavus. Deletion of this …

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 …

Quantifying Biogenic Amines In Anaerobic Porcine Liver Decomposition For Improved Pmi Estimation Using Gc/Ms, Shanice Rerrie, Faith Ekoh

Liberty University Research Week

Postmortem interval (PMI) estimation remains a central challenge in forensic science, particularly during the early stages of decomposition. Quantifying biochemical changes during tissue breakdown has emerged as a promising approach to improve accuracy in PMI determination. This study expands on earlier research that quantified the biogenic amines cadaverine (CAD), putrescine (PUT), and methylamine (MEA), which result from bacterial amino acid decarboxylation during decomposition. It specifically examines how these compounds form under anaerobic conditions over a prolonged 30-day period. Porcine liver, serving as a human tissue analog, was decomposed in sealed anaerobic chambers. Tissue samples were collected at regular intervals, homogenized, …

Synthesis And Characterization Of Group 7 Tricarbonyl Fluoromethyl Substituted Aromatics, Christopher Roylance

Liberty University Research Week

Organometallic compounds are chemical species containing at least one direct bond between a carbon atom of an organic molecule and a metal atom. These compounds have a wide variety of uses, including OLEDs, semiconductors, reagents, catalysts, and pharmaceuticals. The compounds synthesized in this report are similar to the compounds used in the production of OLEDs and semiconductors.This research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of fluoromethyl-substituted aromatic tricarbonyl complexes employing Group 7 metal centers. Group 7 tricarbonyls have several applications that include hydrodesulfurization, medicine, and electronic materials. These complexes have been shown to be quite stable towards O2 and H2O …

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 …

Influential Factors And Prospective Causes To The Development Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Kayley Palmer

Liberty University Research Week

Alzheimer’s Disease is a neurodegenerative condition that presents with cognitive impairment and progressive functional decline. Alzheimer's Disease has affected every family to some extent, but do we truly understand the holistic picture of what exactly causes Alzheimer’s Disease? AD has boggled researchers for many years, and has often left the scientific community with more questions than answers. It is vital for the families of the individuals whose lives are forever altered by this progressive disease to understand what influences its production, and what prevention measures could be beneficial. It presents with even more importance for the mental health professionals to …

M.E. Bradford And American Conservatism, Avery White

Liberty University Research Week

M.E. Bradford is an often overlooked figure in American Conservatism and his unique brand of Southern traditionalist political thought should be analyzed and understood better.

The Mentality Of Women: The Accuracy Of Mental Illness Treatment In Dreaming In Cuban, Jadyn Brueske

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

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 …

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 …

Examining Carroll’S Alice In Wonderland And Through The Looking Glass, And What Alice Found There: A Christian Calling To Spiritual Childhood, Kristen Hess

Liberty University Research Week

"Examining Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass, and What Alice Found There: A Christian Calling to Spiritual Childhood" dives into the positive and negative childlike habits that Alice, a representative of children and childhood, embodies and how Christians should identify and emulate her positive childlike behaviors in order to best fulfill their roles as spiritual children of God. Because Christians are children of God according to Romans 8:16, it is vital for Christians, like children, to understand the world around them, learn about themselves and others, and enjoy physical and mental play and recreation. Lewis Carroll found …

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 …

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

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.