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Mount St. Helens in the Rearview Mirror: Developing A Philosophy of Science for Applying Analogues in Flood Geology
Full text link“The present is the key to the past.” Such is the dictum of uniformitarianism, the paradigm that developed a stranglehold over geology through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. However, evidence has mounted over the past century that demonstrates that the present is only an imperfect key into the past, which was at times dominated by geologic processes and events we do not currently see (Gould, 1987; Baker, 2014). Consequently, the use of the present as a lens to understand the past has shifted in both secular and Flood geology alike. One such example where this was illustrated was through buildup to, eruption of, and recovery from the 18 May 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. On the scale of minutes to mere years, a myriad of geologic processes, each in their turn, radically altered the landscape (Austin, 2009). Through this event, geologic features previously thought to require up to millennia to form were instead rapidly produced. Consequently, many creation apologists have hailed Mount St. Helens as a monument to the death of uniformitarianism if not naturalistic geology. However, more work is necessary to develop a philosophy of science for incorporating these geologic case studies into our process of scientific inquiry. In many ways, secular and Flood geology have adopted a new philosophy that “the present is an analogue for the past.” This is illustrated by the secular acceptance of volcanic events as a catastrophic yet regular agent in the unfolding of Earth’s alleged 4.4-billion-year history (e.g., Karowe and Jefferson, 1987). In Flood geology, it is key we recognize the shortcomings of our analogues in order to better understand how well they scale to past events like the Genesis Flood. Rather than effectively modeling geologic history as might be expected in the naturalistic framework, events like Mount St. Helens should provide a coarse resolution view of processes unfolding in the Genesis Flood. Conversely, what we observe in the geologic record should instead far out scale what we observe at Mount St. Helens. Emphasis should be made in examining the difference between modern catastrophic events and the Genesis Flood so as to better inform our modeling.
Austin, S. 2009. The dynamic landscape on the north flank of Mount St. Helens. In J. O\u27Connor, R. Dorsey, & I. Madin, Volcanoes to Vineyards: Geologic Field Trips through the Dynamic Landscape of the Pacific Northwest (Vol. Geological Society of America Field Guide 15, pp. 337–344). Boulder, CO: Geological Society of America
Baker, V.R. 2014. Uniformitarianism, earth system science, and geology. Anthropocene v. 5, pp. 76-79.
Gould, Stephen J. 1987. Time\u27s Arrow, Time\u27s Cycle: Myth and Metaphor in the Discovery of Geological Time. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Karowe, A.L. and Jefferson, T.H. 1987. Burial of Trees by Eruptions of Mount St. Helens, Washington: Implications for the Interpretation of Fossil Forests. Geological Magazine, vol 124, no. 3, pp. 191-302
Ethical Ramifications of Using Psychoactive Drugs as Mental Health Treatment Options in Light of Inconclusive Research
Full text linkThere are current trends in politics and the legal system that are supporting the use of marijuana, psilocybin (mushrooms), and ketamine as mental health treatment options. However, all of the research that has been done on the efficacy of these drugs is conflicting. Some research supports the idea that they alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and substance abuse disorders in treatment-resistant cases. Some others state that it is inconclusive on a case-by-case basis where others deny any benefit provided by these drugs at all. The question becomes whether or not mental healthcare providers should continue to prescribe psychoactive drugs in light of this inconclusive and confusing evidence. The hippocratic oath states that healthcare providers can do no harm which implies a certain quality of the care patients will receive. Is it a violation of the oath all healthcare providers make to use a drug that yields inconclusive results as a treatment option?
I would like to present my findings from this literature review as a speech at the Scholar’s Symposium. I feel that in a speech I could not only adequately present my findings but also enforce certain ethical points in a more impactful manner. As a hotly debated topic in the mental health field, I feel that this speech would act as a call to action to encourage healthcare providers to do the hard work to ensure the quality of care remains high for all patients
eDNA and Southwestern Ohio Freshwater Fish
Full text linkThroughout the course of this project, we developed a protocol for environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling and analysis for further use studying fish species in Ohio freshwater streams. eDNA is composed of trace DNA samples left behind by organisms. By sampling, purifying, and analyzing this DNA, researchers can get a picture of the species diversity in an area. Sampling eDNA is significantly less invasive than traditional surveying methods, leading to better conservation of delicate habitats and also superior results when looking for elusive species, such as the Eastern Hellbender. In this project, water samples were collected and filtered in the field. The filters were then brought back from the lab, the DNA extracted and then amplified using a primer set for the 12s mitochondrial region of bony fish. From there, the samples are sequenced. To further develop the protocol, projected tests are using in-situ samples with known fish species as positive controls, as well as transitioning to using better sequencing and analysis techniques. We hope that our protocol will now be suitable for use on a wider and repeatable scale. Specifically, it can be used in undergraduate labs to teach this newly emerging technique to students, giving them a competitive advantage in the workforce. Further work includes using the protocol to effectively monitor and research southwest Ohio freshwater fish communities. Moreover, this protocol will be reevaluated and improved upon into the future
Peafowl Meadow
Full text linkPeafowl Meadow is a redesign and remake of Josiah Wedgewood\u27s Portland Vase. Created for ceramic foundations second course project, this piece shows a unique level of handicraft, precision and simplicity. While incorporating the shape and style of the Portland Vase, Peafowl Meadow recreates the sense of modernity
Wooden Toys
Full text link“Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that” (Galatians 6:4-5). To understand this verse and myself a little better, I reflected on my past to see what I have been good at and what I have loved to do.
One of the earliest memories I can trace of embracing creativity comes from a hot summer day with my brother. In our garage, my dad left dozens of wooden pegs from a construction site in a purple bucket. My brother and I took markers and doodled faces onto what we imagined as canvases for new toys. We did not have much growing up, but I learned to make the most of what we did have.
Wooden Toys is a series of handmade figures inspired by this childhood memory. The toys maintain a cylindrical shape approximately 3’ x 3’ x 4’ each. The wood is unfinished hand carved, adorned with button eyes, wire hair, and balloon shoes. These simple materials culminate to explore the creativity of my childhood that still inspires me today
Cost Efficiency of Pharmacy Students in a Penicillin Allergy Clinic
Full text linkBackground
Penicillin, a beta-lactam antibiotic, is widely used for its efficacy and safety. About 10% of the U.S. population report a penicillin-derived allergy, often leading to alternative antibiotic use. Pharmacists play a key role in patient education and penicillin allergy testing. However, the impact of these services may be limited by barriers such as time, personnel, and cost. Pharmacy students may support ambulatory care clinics by performing tasks typically handled by pharmacists, allowing pharmacists to focus on other care areas.
Objectives
The primary objective of this study was to determine if pharmacy students are a cost efficient alternative to pharmacists in a pharmacist-led penicillin allergy clinic. The secondary objective was to determine if pharmacy students are a time efficient alternative to pharmacists in a penicillin allergy clinic.
Methods
In this retrospective cohort study conducted at Miami Valley South Hospital Clinic in Dayton, Ohio, researchers reviewed data for patients who were referred to a penicillin allergy clinic from December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023. The pharmacist-led program practices under a collaborative practice agreement, with advanced pharmacy practice (APPE) and intermediate pharmacy practice (IPPE) students working together in the clinic to assist patients. Twenty student pharmacists and one pharmacist participated in this study. Data collection included the pharmacist or student performing the test, the type of allergy test, test duration in hours, number of skin test attempts, number of errors made during the appointment, interventions made, time spent counseling patients, cost of supplies for training students, time spent calling patients, call success rate, and percent of allergies delabled. An excel spreadsheet was used to track each collection point per appointment.
Data analysis included descriptive statistics to determine statistical differences. Cost was determined by the addition of cost per supply used, as well as the pharmacist’s hourly salary.
Criteria for inclusion included patients who were referred to the clinic during the study interval, seen by a student pharmacist or pharmacist. Exclusion criteria were patients who were seen by a pharmacy resident or if they fell outside of the study timeframe.
Results
A total of 15 intermediate pharmacy practice experience (IPPE) students, 5 advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) students, and 1 pharmacist were included in the study. Students saved the clinic a net 5,059. IPPE students spent 2,786 minutes on calls, while APPE students spent 2,273 minutes. Students spent more time making calls when compared to the pharmacist, as the pharmacist spent a total of 1,449 minutes.. For scratch tests, students saved 665. For discharge counseling, students saved 5,567 in total over 9 months. The study also found that students were more efficient at performing skills such as discharge counseling and phone calls, allowing pharmacists time for other tasks. This information can help guide pharmacy managers into involving students in clinics to give them more experience, while saving money