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Mechanization of Tradition: The History of Mechanized Cavalry at Norwich University
No full textThe cavalry has a deep-rooted tradition at Norwich University, with nonofficial instruction stretching back into the 1800s and official instruction sponsored by the United States Government in 1909. As the Cadet Handbook states, 1909 First Mounts Horse Cavalry Instruction to a class of 60 cadets.1 The world moved on, and after World War Two, a horse-mounted cavalry unit no longer made sense. This is when the transition to Mechanized Cavalry, or what would officially become known as Armor, occurred.Winner of the 2025 Friends of the Kreitzberg Library Award for Outstanding Research in the Archival Undergraduate Researchers category
Service Animals as a Transformative Intervention: Managing PTSD in Post-GWOT Veterans Aged 18 to 40
No full textPurpose: This integrative review investigates the use of service animals as a therapeutic intervention for managing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among veterans aged 18 to 40 who served after the Great War on Terror (GWOT). As PTSD remains a significant challenge for this target population, managing symptoms is critical to retaining their sense of normalcy. Traditional treatments such as medication have limitations, prompting interest in service animals as complementary therapy.
Methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO identified peer-reviewed studies from 2018-2024. Keywords such as “service dogs,” “PTSD,” and “veterans” targeted studies focusing on PTSD symptom reduction among veterans using service dogs. A total of 43 selected studies between all sources were evaluated for quality, emphasizing longitudinal data, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews for reliable evidence.
Results: Studies consistently show that service dogs help reduce PTSD symptoms, including anxiety, hypervigilance, and social isolation. Veterans with service dogs reported significantly reduced PTSD symptom through grounding and emotional support techniques. Additionally, improvements in emotional well-being, self-compassion, and social engagement were observed in individuals, as service dogs encouraged veterans to participate in social settings.
Conclusions: Service animals represent a valuable addition to PTSD care for veterans, supporting symptom management. While findings are promising, further research is recommended to explore long-term effects and address ethical concerns.First place in the 2025 Friends of the Kreitzberg Library Award for Outstanding Student Research in the Emerging Undergraduate Researchers: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) category
PCM Thermal Battery for Heating System in Berlin Armory
No full textOlder buildings constructed to support conventional energy sources contribute significantly to pollution from the thermal sector and require more maintenance for smooth operations, specifically during colder months. Yet, transitioning to efficient and renewable technology is slow, despite the urgency to fulfill the Vermont Climate Action Plan of achieving net zero by 2050.
The objective of this project is to electrify the heating system in Berlin Armory by replacing its current propane boilers with an electric air-to-water heat pump, integrated with a Phase Change Material (PCM) thermal energy storage (TES) battery. Such alterations are projected to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 80% and energy costs by 40%. The PCM will have a lifespan of approximately 20 years to sustain the heating system until the air-to-water heat pump needs a replacement.
The scope of this design project includes designing and building a scalable PCM TES battery prototype to match the heating needs of the Berlin Armory. This PCM TES battery will improve the performance of the heating system by offloading the energy demands during peak times and reducing the amount of daily cycling of the heating system.2025 Friends of the Kreitzberg Library Award candidat
Paleoproductivity and erosional indicators of two Vermont lake pairs
No full textThe sediment cores and water quality of two lake pairs in Vermont were sampled and analyzed to assess paleoproductivity changes over time since the settlement of Europeans, focusing on the rate of increase in productivity between mesotrophic and oligotrophic lakes. Top-down core analyses of paleolimnological and lithological data show increases in erosion over time in all four cores but are not indicative of increased productivity in deep oligotrophic lakes compared to their shallower counterparts of similar latitude. Paleoproductivity was measured by percentage of organics lost on ignition, macrofossil concentrations, and biogenic silica. Lithological data was measured with density, magnetic susceptibility, and geochemical analysis. The proposed explanation for decreased productivity in deep lakes is increased thermal stratification periods that reduce internal nutrient loading and decrease photic zone depth, leading to decreased photosynthesis, with future implications of decreasing dissolved oxygen (DO) content in the hypolimnion. Increases in concentration and high relative abundance of a generalist species of zooplankton, Bosmina, in shallow ponds indicate poorer water quality and less favorable conditions for sensitive species. The results show opposite yet detrimental effects on meso- and oligotrophic lakes in Vermont.Second place in the 2025 Friends of the Kreitzberg Library Award for Outstanding Student Research in the Advanced Undergraduate Researchers: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) category
A Comparative Economic Analysis of Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems and Traditional HVAC Systems
No full textIn a world becoming increasingly focused on energy efficiency and cost savings,
traditional HVAC systems are sorely outdated. To improve how spaces are heated and cooled,
the Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) system was developed. As with all emerging technology,
VRF was initially clunky and expensive. This excess cost ruled out VRF systems in many
instances. The objective of this paper was to determine if current VRF systems are economically
viable as an alternative to traditional HVAC systems. The research proved that VRF systems can
be economically advantageous in some cases. VRF systems were most economically viable in
warmer, less humid climates and spaces with minimal short-term variation in thermal load. For
future research, it is recommended to examine the impact of required peripheral systems on the
economic viability of VRF systems. If VRF systems require more outside support than
traditional systems, the economic impact of those systems should be explored
Joint Warfare in 1900: An Analysis of How America Conducted Joint Operations Throughout the Boxer Rebellion
No full textGreat Power Competition. That is the Department of Defense’s mantra as the United States military pivots to the Pacific to deter what defense and political officials consider America’s most significant military competitor for the near future: China. As a result of the geopolitical tensions between the two countries, academics used the Boxer Rebellion as a case study to understand the military history of China and America. Consequently, over the past two decades, historians published multiple articles about the Boxer Rebellion from a military perspective. However, the historical conversation of the Boxer Rebellion went much further back to the early twentieth century. Since the end of the conflict in 1900, publishers printed dozens of personal accounts from those who lived through the revolt and academic reviews of the armed conflict. Though the Boxer Rebellion has a rich historiography, the history focuses on the same topic, coalition warfar
Smoke Evacuation as an Intraoperative Intervention for Reducing Smoke Plume
No full textObjective: To assess current feelings and methods around smoke plumes in the operating room,
to educate people on the negative impacts of smoke inhalation and to give testimony to the
success of smoke evacuators at reducing smoke inhalation.
Background: Electrocautery produces surgical smoke that contains blood, toxic chemicals,
vaporized tissue, volatile organic compounds, bacteria, viruses, and more. These substances are
inhaled by nurses and staff in the operating room. This can lead to health effects from respiratory
discomfort to long-term systemic effects.
Significance: Operating room nurses do not have enough knowledge regarding smoke plume,
nor do they properly protect themselves from it. Work needs to be done to provide a safe
environment for registered nurses in the operating room.
Theoretical Framework: The Knowledge to Action Framework describes an organized method
to creating change. Research is used to implement an action cycle toward a specified goal. This
is important to promote evidence-based practice, such as when new information about the
harmful effects of surgical smoke and solutions are provided.
Methods: PubMed utilized to locate peer reviewed articles within the last five years pertaining
to smoke plume and smoke evacuators. Eight of twenty-nine articles were selected for this paper.
Results: Smoke plume was found to have negative effects on operating room staff and current
intervention such as surgical masks and ventilation are not sufficient. Safe level violations were
prevalent in some scenarios and smoke composition was found to be made up of volatile and
toxic compounds.2025 Friends of the Kreitzberg Library Award candidat
Forensic Evaluation of Roku Streaming Stick 4K
No full textStreaming devices give an individual the ability to watch streaming channels, play games, and cast movies. This research focuses on forensically analyzing the Roku Streaming Stick 4K to extract artifacts deemed important to a forensic investigator. This paper presents the analysis of network activity produced by the device, extraction of information from debugging channels and BrightScript tools offered through development mode, and assessment of the free mobile remote application. This paper also talks about the challenges associated with these techniques such as issues with BrightScript language and navigating the file system
Effects of Hypoxic and Hypobaric Conditions During Aeromedical Transport
No full textObjective: To explore existing knowledge of hypobaria and hypoxia, relevance to aeromedical
transport, and the relation to nursing care.
Background: Hypoxia is a lack of adequate oxygen perfusion. Hypobaria is a result of
decreased barometric pressure. These two conditions can exist simultaneously during
aeromedical transport.
Significance: Hypoxia and hypobaria lead to decreased tissue perfusion resulting in various
symptoms and complications. These conditions pose additional threats to health, and nurses
should consider them while treating patients.
Theoretical Framework: Florence Nightingale’s theory states nurses should consider
environmental factors. Aeromedical transport adds environmental stressors that can impact
patient outcomes.
Methods: A literature review was done using CINAHL, PubMed, Academic Search Premier,
and Medline databases using the key words hypoxia, hypobaria, aeromedical transport,
evacuation, barotrauma, fixed and rotary wing, aviation, and flight medicine.
Results: Hypoxia symptoms include confusion, poor concentration, vision changes, poor motor
control, paresthesia, sympathetic nervous system responses, anxiety, fatigue, and dizziness.
Hypobaria presents with altered breathing patterns, increased sympathetic nervous system
reactions, and impaired vasodilation. Concerns for rotary wing transport include lack of
pressurization and limited space. Risks for fixed-wing transport include cabin depressurization,
oxygen system failures, and long flights.Second place in the 2023 Friends of the Kreitzberg Library Award for Outstanding Research in the Advanced Undergraduate Researchers: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) categor
Build It Championships Will Come: An Analysis of Norwich Hockey’s Rise to Prominence
No full textIn the United States, Vermont is one of the least desired places to live in the United States
geographically. With harsh dark winters, short summers, high cost of living, and limited weekend
entertainment options near Norwich University’s campus; it makes an individual question
attending college in Vermont. One would think it is extremely difficult for the Norwich hockey
program to recruit high-level players to come to a military school secluded from the outside
world deep in the mountains of Vermont but it all changed under head coach Mike McShane.
The former head coach of St. Lawrence University and Providence College Division I hockey
programs took the job at Norwich intending to make the Division III team a juggernaut. Former
Norwich player Charles Holden 67’ said in an interview with the Barre Montpelier Times Argus
in 2003, “I think it’s a combination of a coach, a facility, and then the right players. Norwich had
the coach, and it had the players all that remained was the facility.”1 The school administration
recognized hockey was their future as the team drastically improved under McShane and local
citizens began to fall in love with the cadet hockey. Norwich could have remained content with
their current on-campus rink and the performance of the team but President Schneider and the
Board of Trustees were not satisfied, both wanted to be a pillar of Division III hockey. As Taylor
Arena began to deteriorate at an alarming pace, the school started to develop tentative plans for a
new facility. Understanding this would be a major financial commitment but could lead to
extreme profit margins in the future and team success, Norwich began preparations to build a
new state-of-the-art multipurpose facility. At this time, sports economists just began to play with
the idea that a new arena will not only create revenue from increased attendance but can cause
the team's records to improve. This sports phenomenon has been coined the “honeymoon effect”;
the name was derived from the feeling between a married couple shortly after they have been
married. After the creation of Kreitzberg Arena in 1998, the Norwich Men’s Hockey program saw an increase in desirable recruits, avid supporters across Central Vermont, and attendance at games leading to their rise to prominence from 1995-2003.Winner of the 2023 Friends of the Kreitzberg Library Award for Outstanding Research in the Archival Undergraduate Researchers category