Digital Commons Network^™

Lessons Learned For Improving Trainee Engagement And Utilization Of Education And Training Materials For Cancer Research, Katerina M. Santiago, Tania Galindo, Michaela A. Dinan

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Background: A core component of the National Cancer Institute Cancer (NCI) Cancer Center Support Grant requires cancer centers to coordinate research career enhancement and related activities. The Yale Cancer Center, an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center, established the Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) component in 2016. In response to the needs of trainees, CRTEC has developed several initiatives that we have identified and described here as best practices to engage and support trainees.

Methods: We had 2 aims to improve engagement: 1) increasing our visibility and trainee awareness of CRTEC and nurturing bidirectional communication and 2) offering …

Botanical Safety Consortium: Overview And Progress, Connie Mitchell

Oxford ICSB

No abstract provided.

How To Best Utilize Outcomesmtm In Patient Care Settings, Anna Spalvieri

ONU Student Research Colloquium

Pharmacies are essential for the reception and filling of prescriptions, but they can also be vital for the monitoring and managing of different patient conditions and medication regimens. Patients, especially those who are older or live with chronic conditions, can be prescribed many different medications and therapies. Inversely, they might not have the medications and therapies needed to address their conditions. ONU Healthwise Pharmacy and the pharmacy call center utilize a platform called OutcomesMTM as a way of providing Medication Therapy Management (MTM) services to help patients control their chronic conditions and manage their health. These services, delivered through phone …

Metabolomic Characterizations Of Hericium Erinaceus (Bull.) Pers. And Laricifomes Officinalis (Vill.) Kotl. & Pouzar Fungal Cultures, Kyle Meyer

Oxford ICSB

We present metabolomic characterizations of Hericium erinaceus (Bull.) Pers. (lion’s mane, yamabushitake, etc.), and Laricifomes officinalis (Vill.) Kotl. & Pouzar (syn. Fomitopsis officinalis; agarikon, eburiko, etc.) fungal cultures by high resolution orbitrap mass spectrometry and HPLC-DAD. Primary focus has been applied to the cultivation of these species on brown rice, Oryza sativa L., as a solid substrate.   In the case of H. erinaceus, we have observed key differences in lipid metabolite profiles over a 28-day fermentation time series suggesting possible grain lipid feedstocks for fungal-derived lipid production, providing clear evidence of substrate biotransformation.   For L. officinalis cultures, we observe distinct …

Centralizing Communication Intake To Improve Workflow Visibility And Engagement: A Quality Improvement Project In A Cancer Center's Education Division, Menatalla El-Sharkawi, Mohamed Ait Aiss

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Background: In large or complex organizations, multiple teams may be charged with managing different components of a project, initiative, or administrative assignment. When these teams have overlapping needs for information, the absence of a structured intake and tracking process can limit transparency, reduce efficiency, and hinder coordination across communication channels.

Methods: Drawing on principles of strategic communications and project management, we created a structured and centralized information sharing process for teams within the education division of a comprehensive cancer center. The intervention included workflow redesign, development of a standardized intake system, and use of real-time dashboard analytics to support operation …

Graph Theoretical Modeling Of Self-Assembling Dna Of The Double Cone Graph, Philiffe Tebalan, Evan Burns

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

The unique properties of double-stranded DNA molecules make DNA a valuable structural material with which to form nanostructures, and the field of DNA nanotechnology is largely based on this premise. By modeling nanostructures with discrete graphs, efficient DNA self-assembly becomes a mathematical puzzle. These nanostructures have wide-ranging applications, such as containers for the transport and release of nano-cargos, templates for the controlled growth of nano-objects, and in drug-delivery methods. This research centers around exploring graph theoretical and combinatorial properties of DNA self-assembly to optimize the nanostructure construction for the Double Cone Graph.

Objections To The Use Of The Axiom Of Choice To Model The Physical World, Kensey Doughtie

Rose-Hulman Undergraduate Mathematics Journal

We look at platonistic mathematics and the application of this perspective in the physical world. We recognize paradoxes within Zermelo–Fraenkel set theory with the axiom of choice (ZFC) that conflict with physical reality, giving us reason to question if the axiom of choice should be so freely applied in theories of the physical world especially since it appears to enable a deterministic perspective. In theories of quantum physics, the axiom of choice is used to assume noncomputable numbers as initial conditions. This is equivalent to assuming a finite system contains an infinite amount of information at an instant in time; …

The Importance Of Cultural Competence: Integrating Culturally Conscious And Experiential Strategies For Transformative Learning, Janita Daggy, Kisha Burke

Liberty University Research Week

Cultural competence is a foundational ethical and professional responsibility in counselor education, emphasized by CACREP (2024) and the American Counseling Association (ACA). Despite these standards, educators often face challenges in effectively integrating multiculturalism into classroom instruction. This presentation examines evidence-based strategies for teaching cultural competence through relational, experiential, and reflective pedagogies that foster growth for both students and educators. Drawing on relational-cultural theory and relational pedagogy, participants will explore approaches for addressing sensitive topics such as race, identity, and privilege in ways that promote empathy, safety, and authentic engagement. The session highlights the role of intentional curricular design, experiential learning, …

Lessons From The Least: Healing-Centered Discipline Reform For Neurodivergent Youth In U.S. Public Schools, Deborah Brooks

Liberty University Research Week

Disproportionate disciplinary outcomes for neurodivergent students—particularly those with autism, ADHD, and learning disabilities—represent a systemic failure of American education policy. Although students with disabilities constitute 17% of the K–12 population, they account for 29% of out-of-school suspensions and 21% of expulsions, disparities compounded by race, gender, and socioeconomic disadvantage. These patterns feed directly into the school-to-prison pipeline, a documented trajectory linking exclusionary discipline to elevated risk of juvenile justice involvement. Existing legal protections under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as trauma-informed care frameworks, …

Bioactive Metabolite Markers For Functional Mushrooms: Comprehensive Metabolomic Mapping Of Full-Spectrum Cultivated Mushrooms, Standard Production And Method Development., Julie Daoust, Ivana Blaženović

Oxford ICSB

Functional mushrooms are increasingly used in dietary supplements and functional foods, yet current scientific characterization of their chemistry remains limited by narrow extraction paradigms, limited standards availability and incomplete databases. In 2025, M2 Ingredients, in collaboration with Adikai Insights, completed a metabolomics atlas, a comprehensive untargeted metabolomics investigation of ten cultivated mushroom species grown under controlled indoor conditions in and effort to identify known bioactive molecules in whole mushroom samples to guide standard and quantitative method development targeting bioactive compounds present in the materials.   Using high-resolution mass spectrometry and advanced cheminformatics, a total of 5,139 unique functional mushroom metabolites were …

An Interview With Keynote Speaker V Spehar, Hailey Bernet, Nia Jones

Proceedings of GREAT Day

V Spehar (they/them) is a Rochester-based LGBTQIA+ podcaster, online personality and citizen journalist. Spehar launched Under the Desk News on TikTok in April 2020 with the aim to make news media less intimidating and easier to understand and rapidly amassed 2.9 million followers. Their one-minute segments (literally delivered from under a desk) have attracted a bipartisan audience. In 2022, Spehar launched V Interesting, a GLAAD-nominated longform podcast with original reporting that tackles various topics from Gen Z voter engagement to gender-affirming surgery. Their reporting has taken them to the press room of the 2023 State of the Union to hosting …

Authenticated Hericium Erinaceus Mushroom And Selected Mycelia Reference Materials For General Industry Use, Steven Dentali

Oxford ICSB

The establishment of authenticated reference materials is critical for method validation, standards development, and adulteration detection in the medicinal mushroom market. Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s Mane) is widely commercialized, yet historically has lacked species-specific analytical standards. This presentation describes the species identification protocol used by Nammex to develop and maintain authenticated H. erinaceus mushroom reference materials that support ongoing standards work, including advisory contributions to AOAC INTERNATIONAL initiatives. Production partner voucher specimens are authenticated using macroscopic, organoleptic, and morphological examination by qualified personnel, and retained as internal reference materials. Genetic verification using DNA sequencing confirms H. erinaceus identity in voucher specimens …

When The Algorithm Disciples: Recentering Discipleship In An Ai Saturated Age, Laronda Perrien-Massey

Liberty University Research Week

As Artificial Intelligence becomes an increasingly prevalent voice in everyday life, recent research from Barna Group and Gloo reveals that nearly one in three U.S. adults considers spiritual advice from AI as trustworthy as counsel from a pastor, with even higher rates among Gen Z and Millennials. This study hypothesizes that most congregants lack a theological framework for evaluating AI-generated spiritual content, and that a structured, church-based discipleship intervention will produce measurable improvements in digital discernment, perceived spiritual growth, and relational connectedness.

The Role Of Emotional Intelligence And Defense Mechanisms In Processing Childhood Experiences And Their Impact On Adulthood, Lauren Williams

Liberty University Research Week

Early childhood relationships significantly influence developmental and relational functioning across the lifespan. Emotional intelligence has been associated with healthier relational outcomes through increased awareness of self and others. Variability in childhood experiences may contribute to the development of defense mechanisms that shape how individuals process relational memories and regulate emotional distress in adulthood. Limited research has examined how emotional intelligence and defense mechanisms interact to influence adults’ retrospective processing of childhood experiences, including attachment, rumination, and motivation. The present quantitative correlation study examined the relationships among emotional intelligence, defense mechanisms, childhood attachment experience, rumination, and motivation in a sample of …

Prevention Vs. Treatment On The Global Stage: How National Priorities In Public Health And Healthcare Shape International Power And Health Outcomes, Sophie I. Antell

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

National approaches to health are shaped by political priorities, institutional structures, and global positioning. This project examines how countries balance investments in public health (population-level prevention) versus healthcare (individual-level treatment), and how these choices influence both domestic health outcomes and international power. Using Taiwan and the United States as comparative case studies, the research explores how differing health system models reflect broader political identities, shape global health credibility, and affect participation in international health governance.

Taiwan's strong public health infrastructure, effective disease surveillance, and active medical diplomacy have contributed to its reputation as a capable global health actor, despite its …

Neurosplit: Differentiating Adhd And Early Alzheimer’S Using Eeg Biomarkers, Nithish Kumar Navaneethakrishnan

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a powerful and noninvasive technique of neurophysiological recording and biomarkers of cognitive impairment. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) are two extreme poles of the neurological impairment: one developmental and one degenerative, but they have similar behavioral and cognitive traits that make it more difficult to distinguish them. The paper provides a comparative model of distinguishing the EEG patterns of ADHD and Early Alzheimer's Disease based on spectral analysis and feature learning using deep learning. The methodology includes strict preprocessing, such as band-pass filtering, segmentation, and normalization, estimation of power spectral density, and calculation …

Preserving The Pump: Extensive History Of Cardiothoracic Surgery In A Cadaver, Joshua Lindsey, Lillian Hequembourg, Anna Brown, Thien Duy Chen

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

During the dissection of the 85-year-old female cadaver by the medical students at the Medical College of Georgia, Savannah at Georgia Southern University, evidence of significant cardiovascular health conditions, prior surgeries, and a left-sided inferior vena cava (IVC) were discovered; providing a unique educational reservoir of anatomical and clinical knowledge. Routine dissection of the heart revealed cardiomegaly and findings consistent with a history of numerous surgical interventions. A triple coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) was indicated through surgical staples along the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, left circumflex artery, and right coronary artery with graft vessels in place to maintain …

Determination Of Kratom Alkaloids In Botanical Products Using Multi-Criteria Lc–Ms Analysis, Mengliang Zhang

Oxford ICSB

Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) is a botanical product widely sold in the United States as powders, capsules, tablets, gummies, and beverages. Natural kratom leaves primarily contain mitragynine (MG) as the dominant alkaloid. However, an increasing number of commercial products contain elevated levels of the more potent opioid alkaloid 7-hydroxymitragynine (7-OH) and the semi-synthetic compound mitragynine pseudoindoxyl (MGP). Reliable analytical identification of these compounds is critical for dietary supplement testing, regulatory monitoring, and public health protection. However, kratom matrices contain numerous structurally related alkaloids and isomeric compounds that complicate mass spectrometric identification and may lead to false positive assignments. The objective of …

Nil And Gender Equality In Division 1 Athletics: Integrating Institutional Support, Marketplace Dynamics, And Athlete Earnings¿, Sawyer Magnett, Ashlie Miles, Elizabeth Ringley, Isobel Janet Caprielle Pettem Shand

Liberty University Research Week

The implementation of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies in collegiate athletics has fundamentally transformed how student-athletes can earn income from their sport and build their own brands in ways that were never before available. This shift has created new opportunities for both male and female athletes, but it has also introduced significant disparities between how this money is allocated between males and females. This is largely due to this unprecedented landscape within collegiate athletics in combination with minimal regulations and procedures as outlined by the NCAA. Due to this, universities have begun to navigate how to disperse both direct …

The Effect Of Repetitive Head Impact Exposure On The Risk Of Developing Mental Health Conditions In Contact Sport Athletes: A Critically Appraised Topic, Jamie Lawrence

Liberty University Research Week

Context: Repetitive Head Impact (RHI) exposure is a frequent consequence of participating in contact sports. Often associated with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) and other neurocognitive diseases, it has been suggested that RHI can lead to a prevalence of mental health symptoms. The aim of this paper is to determine if RHI exposure increases the risk of developing mental health conditions in contact sport athletes.

Methods: CINAHL Ultimate, MEDLINE Ultimate, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus were searched for relevant literature pertaining to the focused clinical question. The search was conducted from January 1st to February 18th, 2026. Keywords used to guide the search …

Efficacy And Safety Of Red Ginseng Extract Powder (Kgc05pg) In Achieving Glycemic Control In Prediabetes Korean Subjects: A 12-Week, Single-Center, Randomized, Double-Blind, Parallel-Group, Placebo-Controlled Study, Namhan Cho

Oxford ICSB

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Red Ginseng Extract Powder (RGEP) in achieving glycemic control in prediabetic Korean subjects. Methods: The study consisted of 49 subjects in the RGEP group and 49 in the placebo group.  The participants were orally given 2 tablets of RGEP and placebo (500 mg/day twice daily in the morning and the evening within 30 min after meal), respectively.  The subjects were followed duration of 12-week.  The participants glycemic control parameters, such as fasting blood glucose levels, 30-, 60-, 90-, and 120-min blood glucose levels at 75gm oral glucose tolerance …

Ginsenoside-Based Theranostic Agents For Alzheimer's Disease: Implications For Brain Penetration, Cellular Uptake, And Anti-Aging Effects, Hak Soo Choi

Oxford ICSB

Red ginseng and its bioactive constituents, ginsenosides, have long been associated with neuroprotection and anti-aging effects, yet their limited ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and poorly characterized biodistribution have hindered therapeutic translation. To address this, we developed a library of “ginsenoprobes” by conjugating major red ginseng components (Rg1, Rg3, Rb1, Rh2, Rk1, Rg5) and red ginseng extract (RGE) to a zwitterionic near-infrared (NIR) fluorophore (ZW800-1C), enabling real-time tracking of their fate in vitro and in vivo. All ginsenoprobes were purified to >95% homogeneity via preparative HPLC and rigorously characterized for optical properties, including molar extinction coefficients and dye-to-ginsenoside …

Assessing The Relationship Between 60-Second Push-Up Performance And 1-Rep-Max Bench Press, Brennen Bargesser

Liberty University Research Week

INTRODUCTION: The push-up test has been widely used in populations with low-training age and military performance for muscular endurance testing. Comparatively, 1-rep-max (1RM) bench press testing has been used to determine maximal strength in resistance training settings across ages and disciplines. However, there is no current literature assessing the relationship between the 60-second AMRAP (as many reps as possible) push-up test and the 1RM bench press, or the practical application of utilizing the push-up test as a maximum strength testing method. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between a 60-second AMRAP push-up test and a …

Evaluation Of Convective Heat Transfer Of An Enclosed Lithium-Ion Cylindrical Cell In Turbulent Channel Flow, Benjamin Truxel

Liberty University Research Week

No abstract provided.

A Comparison Of Muscle Activation Patterns Between Chronic Ankle Instability And Copers Among People With A History Of A Lateral Ankle Sprain: A Critically Appraised Topic, Holly Hudson, Mirannda Wotring

Liberty University Research Week

Context: Lateral ankle sprains (LAS) are a common injury among both the general and athletic populations. Often this injury leads to chronic ankle instability (CAI) or, in some cases, a copers ankle. Copers are defined as individuals with a history of at least 1 LAS that occurred greater than 12 months ago and do not report signs of disability and/or experience episodes of ankle instability since their last ankle injury. Limited research exists to explain the differences between CAI and copers. The focused clinical question is: Do muscle activation patterns differ between individuals with CAI and those classified as copers? …

Microhabitat Usage And Symbiotic Dynamics Of A Shell-Dwelling Cichlid (Neolamprologus Similis), Camden Haines, Hanley Rooker

Liberty University Research Week

Aquatic ecosystems promote variable microhabitats which in turn support dynamic biotic assemblages. One such microhabitat involves gastropod shells and the dependence on these microhabitats for breeding success in shell-dwelling cichlids native to Lake Tanganyika in East Africa. Once a microhabitat is selected by a male-female pair, both parents will care for the nest and eggs until the young are developed enough to leave the shell. This research aims to quantify how parental division of care influences offspring quality and developmental timing in the shell-dwelling cichlid Neolamprologus similis. Mating pairs of N. similis will be introduced to study tanks to assess …

High Intensity Laser Therapy For Shoulder Tendinopathies: A Critically Appraised Topic, Rhayl Danfer Gray

Liberty University Research Week

Context: Rotator cuff tendinopathy, characterized by tendon-related pain, weakness, and decreased range of motion (ROM), accounts for more than 50% of chronic shoulder disease cases. While traditional treatments include physical therapy and ultrasound, high-power laser therapy has emerged as a modality that utilizes heat to increase local vasodilation and microcirculation, potentially decreasing pain and inflammatory biomarkers. This Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) aims to determine if high-intensity laser therapy effectively reduces pain and improves ROM in adults with shoulder tendinopathies.

Methods: A computerized search of Google Scholar, MEDLINE Ultimate, and PubMed was conducted in January and February 2026. Search terms included …

Campus Green Space, Air Quality, And Mental Health Among College Students, Ifeoluwanimi Shobayo, Benson Varghese, Chelsea Mazonde, Fadzai Nyarugwe, Melissa Lartey, Tahirou Diallo

Liberty University Research Week

Introduction/Background: Mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, are increasingly prevalent among college students. While campus interventions often focus on individual-level services, environmental determinants of mental health receive less attention. Ambient air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), has been associated with adverse psychological outcomes. In contrast, exposure to green space has been linked to improved well-being and reduced stress. Emerging evidence suggests that greenness may buffer the adverse mental health effects of air pollution. This study aims to synthesize current evidence and propose a theoretical framework linking campus green space, air quality, and student mental …

C. Diff: The Failures Of Long-Term Care Facilities, Ethan Jerome, John Meade, Owen Newman

Liberty University Research Week

Background: Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is responsible for 500,000 infections each year, with many more asymptomatic carriers in health care settings.1 The impact of C. diff within long-term care facilities (LTCF) is crucial, as those above the age of 65 are considered at risk for acquiring a C. diff infection (CDI).2 Understanding why there is still a high prevalence of C. diff. infections within long-term care facilities is crucial to protect the lives of those who may be at risk of exposure or death from a CDI. Aim: The study aimed to determine what is responsible for the failure to …

An Experimental Investigation Of Guest Trust In Hospitality Contexts Comparing Personalized And Written Recommendations, Cortina Hendrickson, Emma Campbell, Lauren Riefenstahl, Sophia White

Liberty University Research Week

This study will investigate the relationship between personalized recommendations or a pre-made list of suggestions versus the guests' trust in the recommendation. The hypothesis is that visitors who get a personal, unscripted recommendation from a hotel employee will gain a higher trust score than visitors who only get the list of suggestions that are already made. Many studies have been conducted on the guests’ perception of scripted recommendations; however, there is very little data comparing the level of trust a guest has in a pre-made or a personalized recommendation. This research proposes the use of a 5-point Likert Scale survey …