Digital Commons Network^™

Are Certain Mobile Phones Overpriced?, Camron Pickard, Jennifer Schon

Celebration of Research

In this project, I investigated the possibility of projecting phone prices based on people’s opinions of their performance. I predicted that the more expensive phones would have higher rating predictions but have lower predicted prices.

Annotation Of Bacteriophages Redraider89, Superherocarly, Cherrycola, And Kouch, Brianne Brandt, Mya Cole, Matthew Dawkins, Julia De Vos, Isaac De Young, Hannah Gordon, Landon Greve, Brody Hoverstein, Mia Kellenberger, Genesis Maldonado, Charlotte Pritchard, Noah Robinson, Leonardo Romo, Mackenzie Schram, Grace Timm, Arianna Van Donkelaar, Kamea Van Kalsbeek, Byron Noordewier, Sara S. Tolsma

Celebration of Research

Phages are important research tools and can be used as an alternative to antibiotics. They are abundant and diverse. Genome annotation is used to better understand phage diversity as well as individual phages for use in the lab and clinic. We annotated the genomes of four novel phages: RedRaider89, SuperHeroCarly, Kouch, and CherryCola. All four phages were discovered by Northwestern College students. CherryCola is a Cluster DC1 phage that infects Gordonia terrae. It has 92 predicted protein-coding genes. RedRaider89 (Cluster B1) and SuperHeroCarly (Cluster D1) infect Mycobacterium smegmatis mc²155. RedRaider89 has 99 predicted protein-coding genes and SuperHeroCarly has 87 …

Role Of Dental Screening In Preventing Hip Prosthetic Joint Infections, Aidan Anderson, Cailee Dix, Emma Franken, Erin Keizer, Zavyr Metzger, Tyra Snyder, Pam Hulstein

Celebration of Research

Hip arthroplasty is a common procedure, but Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) remains a serious postoperative complication associated with increased hospital stays, readmissions, and costs. Evidence suggests that poor oral health may contribute to PJIs through the spread of bacteria from the mouth to the surgical site. This project examined the relationship between preoperative dental health and postoperative outcomes in adults aged 50–90 undergoing hip replacement. A literature review using the Johns Hopkins Research Evidence Appraisal Tool evaluated 19 studies from databases such as PubMed and ScienceDirect. While no clear association was found between specific dental risk factors and PJIs, untreated …

Understanding The Role Of Lipid Metabolism On Pancreatic Cancer Metastasis, Luke Fischer, Kylie Foss, Jacob Lewis, Joshua Lewis, Emma Steinhardt, Megan Vangarven, Cody Rozeveld

Celebration of Research

Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest types of cancer due to late-stage detection and early metastasis. Other than smoking, one of the few known risk factors for pancreatic cancer is obesity (1). On the cellular level, excess fat can promote cell migration and invasion (2). However, the exact fat utilization pathway remains unknown. We propose that lysosomes may be exploited in pancreatic cancer to break down fat and provide energy for metastasis and invasion.

Perfectionism And Excellencism: A Study On Parental Impact, Devon Miller, Megan Heitritter, Jennifer S. Feenstra Ph.D.

Celebration of Research

This study examined how parenting behaviors and neuroticism relate to perfectionism and excellencism—two distinct achievement orientations. Seventy-five undergraduates completed measures of parental warmth, control, contingency of worth, neuroticism, and achievement tendencies. Results showed that parental contingency of worth was positively associated with perfectionism but not excellencism. Parenting warmth and control were largely unrelated, except for a negative relationship between paternal control and excellencism. Neuroticism and contingency of worth explained a small portion of variance in perfectionism. Overall, findings suggest that parental expectations may contribute to perfectionism, while excellencism is influenced by other factors.

Does Reappraisal Of Test Anxiety Improve Performance?, Lydia Baker, Jay Medenwaldt

Celebration of Research

Test anxiety, anxious thoughts and worries surrounding testing, is a relevant issue for around 20-30% of students today. Different methods have been researched to treat test anxiety, including emotion regulation strategies, one of which is cognitive reappraisal. Personality traits such as neuroticism may make it hard for a person to emotionally regulate, which is why cognitive reappraisal is helpful. A Qualtrics survey was distributed that placed people into 3 experimental groups: positive reappraisal, negative reappraisal, and a control group, and participants were asked to complete a memory test after reappraisal. A One-way ANOVA revealed no significant effect of reappraisal on …

The Effect Of Sports On Personality: An Examination Of Athletes Vs. Non-Athletes, Noah C. Parmelee, Dr. Jay Medenwaldt

Celebration of Research

This study aims to further investigate these relationships by comparing personality traits between athletes and non-athletes, as well as differences between participants in team and individual sports. It is hypothesized that athletes will score higher in conscientiousness, extraversion, and emotional stability, while showing no significant differences in agreeableness or openness. Additionally, individuals in individual sports are expected to exhibit higher levels of neuroticism than those in team sports. By clarifying how sports participation relates to personality development, this research contributes to a better understanding of how athletic experiences shape psychological outcomes and can inform coaching, education, and athlete support strategies.

Quantifying And Validating The Decrease Of Ciliogenesis Genes In Mouse Models With Pcd, Mia X. Kellenberger, Casey Mckenzie, Lance Lee

Celebration of Research

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a rare genetic disease affecting one in 16,000 children and results from structural or functional defects of motile cilia1. Lack of functioning cilia may result in reduced respiratory function, subfertility or infertility, and hydrocephalus due to a reduced ability to clear fluids and particles. A cilium consists of nine microtubules centered around a central pair complex1. Mutations in genes Spef2 (bgh), Cfap221 (nm1054), or Cfap54(Cfap54gt/gt), which encode proteins located in the central pair complex, result in PCD2,3,4. We previously utilized single-cell RNA sequencing to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in early and late deuterosomal cells, …

Inpatient Treatment Compared To Outpatient Treatment For Borderline Personality Disorder, Paige Auch, Jaylin Gaston, Jori Harskamp, Ella Peterson, Kenzie Vonrentzell, Pam Hulstein

Celebration of Research

Borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a complex mental illness characterized by emotional instability, impulsivity, and unstable relationships. Individuals with BPD often require frequent hospitalizations and experience significant functional impairment. With increasing BPD admissions, Spencer Hospital seeks evidence-based strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce readmissions. A literature review of ten studies (2016-2025) was conducted using PubMed, CINAHL, and Science Direct, appraised with the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Model to compare inpatient and outpatient treatments for adults with BPD, focusing on symptom manage and quality of life. Findings indicate inpatient care with specific programs such as dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), …

The Intentional Soundtrack: Using Specific Music To Proactively Manage The Elementary Classroom, Meredith Sundberg, Angela Carlson, Carrie Thonstad

Celebration of Research

This research investigates how educators can intentionally use specific musical genres and tempos as reliable environmental cues to enhance student attention, engagement, and classroom management. While the general benefits of music in education are well-documented, this study seeks to identify which genres are most effective for specific instructional outcomes. While conducting a four-week comparative study across four second-grade classrooms, I evaluated the impact of upbeat and slow music during transitions, classical and pop music during independent spelling work, and classical, pop, and curriculum related music math brain breaks. Data was collected through observational rubrics, student surveys, and academic test scores. …

Ritual, Economy, And Social-Relational Impacts In The Church, Alexia M. Hanson, Dr. Jeremy Williams

Celebration of Research

Using ritual theory, understanding of economics in the Bible, and social-relational frameworks, this research explores the connections between ritual and economy in the Church. We ask: how does economy affect ritual and how does ritual affect economy? Biblical exegesis and an original survey are incorporated to get a real-world, practical sense of the impact of these questions, and their answers, have for the Church as a whole. The ritual focus of the research is on the practices of baptism and communion in the Church today. The social and relational aspects of these practices are also explored. How does the method, …

Water Feature Design For An Enemy Of The People, Rae Outland

Celebration of Research

The hot springs in the show An Enemy of the People is a crucial piece that is the main focus of the issue for the duration of the show. As the hot springs are never actually seen in the play, it was brought up in a design meeting that a water feature of sorts be made to show what the springs would look like, incorporate the audience, and invite them into the space we are creating.

This project took my blood, sweat, and tears--- all literally speaking. I had the privilege of unexpectedly getting to design in my freshmen year, …

Bacterial 2-Hybrid Assay: Interactions Of Phage Island3'S Gene 36 And Mycobacterium Smegmatis Gene Products, Elsie L. Larson, Sara Tolsma

Celebration of Research

Island3 is a Cluster I1 bacteriophage that infects Mycobacterium smegmatis. Northwestern College students are performing systematic genetic screens to identify Island3 genes that are cytotoxic or protect host cells from infection by other phages (defense). We identified Island3’s gp36 as a cytotoxic gene. Now we are using a bacterial two-hybrid assay to identify a host protein(s) interaction partner. We hypothesize that host proteins that bind gp36 will reveal the mechanism by which gp36 confers cytotoxicity.

Hockey Top Hand Trainer Effectiveness, Alice A. Boggs, Brooke Bartscher, Jay Medenwaldt

Celebration of Research

This study tested whether a top hand trainer improves hockey stickhandling performance. Twenty-eight college students were randomly assigned to train with or without the device by stickhandling in a figure-8 pattern. Participants were tested before and after training by timing how long it took them to complete five figure-8s. Results showed no significant differences between groups for trainer use or handedness. However, a small effect was observed, suggesting that the top hand trainer may be effective with long-term use. Future research should use longer training sessions and a larger sample size to better understand the effect of using a top …

Gut Health Interventions On Major Depressive Disorder, Hannah Beckloff, Ellie Erickson, Olga Furmanova, Hailey Van Dyken, Ashtyn Wobig

Celebration of Research

This evidence-based project aims to evaluate the potential benefits of probiotics, stress management, and a healthy diet for adults diagnosed with major depressive disorder at Promise Community Health Center. Through a comprehensive review of the literature, the project examines how interventions related to gut health can help alleviate depressive symptoms and implements the necessary tools to support this population at Promise. Our research findings suggest that combining probiotics, stress relief, and diet changes, along with adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder, may reduce depressive symptoms and encourage a more holistic lifestyle for these individuals.

Do Social Relationships Matter Equally? Predicting Academic Motivation Among Latine And Non-Latine Students, Pietra Ferreira, Aubrey Irene Britten, Emily Bennett, Hugo Garcia, Valerie Stokes, Seowon Song

Celebration of Research

Introduction: Academic motivation can be shaped by multiple social relationships within the school context. While previous research has examined which social relationships are associated with students' motivation to pursue their education among both Latine and non-Latine students(Alfaro et al., 2006; Wentzel et al., 1999), less is known about comparative approaches that examine social relationship pathways to academic motivation among both Latine and non-Latine students. Such understanding may provide valuable insights into how interventions targeting school-aged students can be informed by distinct social relationships among both Latine and non-Latine students. Guided by Self-Determination Theory(SDT; Ryan & Deci, 2002), which highlights the …

Investigation Of Northwest Iowa Pollinator Communities Using Two Survey Methods, Ellary Carson, Mya Cole, Isaac De Young, Sharon Huffman, Naomi Johnson, Genesis Maldonado, Maelee Rodenburg, Travis Sweeney, Tark Griebel, Laurie Furlong, Todd Tracy

Celebration of Research

The ecological services of insect pollinators are well established and the documented decline in pollinator biodiversity is of great concern. Baseline data and continued monitoring are essential as we ongoing trends in pollinator communities and evaluate efforts supporting their recovery. Using two survey methods, our study provides pollinator community data at two conservation sites in Northwest Iowa. In September of 2025, we used three colors of pan traps (blue, yellow, and white) to investigate pollinator communities at a small, reconstructed prairie (Buena Vista County Park) and a nearby partially restored native prairie (The Nature Conservancy Glacial Hills Preserve). We also …

Properties Design For The Little Prince, Ruthie Zimmerman

Celebration of Research

In designing properties for Antoine de Saint-Exupery's The Little Prince, I aligned with the director's vision of lush minimalism by using clear silhouettes with rich color and texture. Props design is the thread holding together the work of the scenic designer, costume designer, and for this show, the puppet designer, so I followed their aesthetic choices and repeated colors, textures, and materials in order to build a tactile, believable world.

Loan Risk Classification Model, Giulio Palombo

Celebration of Research

I created a model that classifies the customers as good or bad for possible loaners. The model is XGBoost Classification model. I used as target variable the variable “default”. The target variable indicates whether the customer has previously defaulted on a loan or not. The dataset provides a representation of customer behavior and financial status. On top of that, the dataset contains detailed information about banking transactions.

Projection Design For The Little Prince, Melissa Thompson

Celebration of Research

As the projections and scenic designer for Northwestern's February 2025 production of The Little Prince, I encountered many challenges and much unfamiliar territory. This project taught me complex projection mapping, digital media design principles, and communication in a team setting.

Geographic Trends In North American Tornado Risk: A 75 Year Analysis, Thomas Tracy, Todd Tracy

Celebration of Research

In recent years, many meteorologists have claimed that ‘tornado alley’ has shifted over the last decades toward the east. We wanted to see if this claim holds true. We searched online for databases containing information on all US and all Canada tornadoes. By visualizing the data, we were able to find some trends in rating and the number of tornadoes over time. Using a program we wrote in R, we calculated the geographical average for tornadoes for each year. We also weighted this average by the rated magnitude of each tornado and by the number of deaths from each tornado. …

Emergent Dynamics In Multiplex Social Networks: Agent-Based Modeling Of Information Diffusion For Misinformation Control, Harshvardhan Prabhakar Ghongade, Anjali Ashokrao Bhadre, Shivani Agarwal, Harjitkumar Uttamrao Pawar, Harshal Subhash Rane

Northeast Journal of Complex Systems (NEJCS)

Information misrepresentation is widespread in multi-layered social networks which provide multiple avenues to communicate information. As such, it presents significant opportunities for both information integrity and public discourse to be undermined by disinformation. This paper outlines a new agent-based model, developed to capture emergent dynamics of multi-layered social networks and to help identify technical means to mitigate information misrepresentation in complex systems. A key component of this research includes a novel Multi-Layer Information Diffusion Model (MLIDM), integrating both cross-layer communication among agents, as well as heterogeneous agent behaviors and adaptive intervention strategies. Our methods employ a three-stage process to model …

Effects Of Social Media Comparisons On State Self-Esteem, Fomo, And Depression In Young Adult Women, Amanda J. Trapp

Student Scholar Showcase

Social media has quickly become a main source of entertainment that may have more damaging effects than one may expect. For specifically women, it is important to understand how the use and comparison of exposing oneself to the life of other influencers, family members, and friends affect self-esteem, depression, and FOMO. Previous research has shown the damaging effects of other social media sites such as Facebook, and the way comparing oneself to others has an impact on these variables. It is important to focus on women in this topic as they are more susceptible to damaging effects through comparison. Along …

Somatic Experiencing: Healing From The Body Up, Nathaniel Carnell Dent

KU Inspires! Undergraduate Research Day

No abstract provided.

Kafka's The Metamorphosis, Gabriel Sullivan

KU Inspires! Undergraduate Research Day

No abstract provided.

German Language And Dialects In The Bavarian-Swabian Region, Gabriel Sullivan

KU Inspires! Undergraduate Research Day

No abstract provided.

The Lives Of Others, An Art Installation, Gabriel Sullivan

KU Inspires! Undergraduate Research Day

No abstract provided.

Teaching With S2scc-Ai: A Practical Framework For Sport Management Classrooms, Kimberly D. Bynum, Wendy T. Gillis

The COSMA Journal

ABSTRACT

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity, are radically changing how higher ed students approach their college learning experience. These shifts are especially impactful in undergraduate sport management programs, where employers expect graduates to demonstrate teamwork, critical thinking and digital literacy skills. As AI becomes embedded across sport industry functions such as event operations, marketing, analytics, and fan engagement, higher ed pedagogy must evolve to reflect the professional contexts students are preparing to enter. In this paper, Student-to-Student Co-Creation enhanced by AI (S2SCC-AI) is advanced as a practical, COSMA-aligned pedagogical framework for leveraging …

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage In A 46-Year-Old Male Firefighter With Full Return To Duty: Level 4 Rare Events Clinical Case Report., Elizabeth A. Mohnkern, Thomas Bowman, John R. Wise, Wendy Wilcoxson

Student Scholar Showcase

A 46-year-old physically active male firefighter suffered a spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in February 2023. He had no pertinent predisposing past medical history; occupation was the only predisposing factor. The patient described having a splitting headache behind the right eye, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, paralysis of his left side, faded vision, and a lapse of memory during the incident. During his first screening, he had difficulty with concentration, immediate memory, delayed recall, reading aloud, following directions, and balance. Cranial nerve assessments were within normal limits. The upper quarter screen revealed deficits in motor function from C4 through T1 nerve roots, …

Annual Statement Of The Wellpoint Tennessee, Inc. To The Insurance Department Of The State Of Tennessee For The Year Ended December 31, 2024, Tennessee. Department Of Commerce And Insurance.

TennCare Oversight

No abstract provided.