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Hope as a Vital Sign in Behavioral Healthcare
Hope is an imperative factor in all areas of life and can act as a vital sign for retention and continuity in many different areas, including academics, the workplace, substance use recovery, and counseling. Current research on the nature of hope has centered around goal orientation and pathway engagement (Snyder et al., 1991). While vital to hope, these two facets of hope\u27s nature do not completely capture or measure the wide scope of the multifaceted concept of hope. Through crowdsourcing and preliminary instrument development, our study defines different levels of hope through six powers: will power, why power, we power, way power, when power, and where power. As participants in our study, students will complete a demographics questionnaire, the Adult Hope Scale, and the Power of Hope Scale, which involves the six proposed powers. The goal of our study is to understand hope practically and to create an instrument that is more effective in defining and measuring the multifaceted concept of hope than the instruments of the past
Vaccine-Based Immunotherapy Delays Murine Tumor Growth and Prevents Metastasis
Cancer persists as a leading cause of death globally, and metastatic disease contributes to a large proportion of cancer deaths. Tumor-specific vaccines may be viable immunotherapeutic options for eliminating malignant cells. Since endogenous retrovirus reactivation has been demonstrably linked to tumor metastasis, we propose a novel method to exploit these viral particles in murine tumor models. Methods: Two experiments were conducted. The first experiment included thirty C57BL/6 mice inoculated with MC38 tumor cells. When tumors were palpable, five mice were vaccinated with MC38 infected cells (infect-10), 4T1 cells, BT-20 cells, or 4T1 supernatant (MMTV), while ten mice served as unvaccinated controls. The second experiment included thirty-two BALB/c mice inoculated with 4T1 tumor cells. When tumors were palpable, nine mice were vaccinated with infect-10 cells, seven mice received BT-20 cells, nine mice received MMTV, and seven mice served as unvaccinated controls. Results: In C57BL/6 mice, tumors were significantly smaller (p = 0.019) in the infect-10 treatment group and notably smaller in the BT-20 and MMTV treatment groups compared to controls. In BALB/c mice, the MMTV treatment group had the smallest tumors, although this did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.1). However, lung metastasis was significantly reduced (p = 0.01) in the MMTV treatment group compared to controls. Conclusion: We demonstrate that infect-10 vaccination significantly reduces tumor mass in C57BL/6 mice. Most notably, MMTV vaccination significantly reduces lung metastasis in BALB/c mice. Taken together, we show promising data for future exploration into vaccines that mitigate tumor metastasis
The Lynchburg Musketeers in World War I: From Guardsmen to Doughboys
My research paper entitled “The Lynchburg Musketeers in World War I: From Guardsmen to Doughboys” is a textual and investigative study that traces the development of a local company of men from Lynchburg, Virginia that went from the National Guard to the U.S. Army before and during World War I. The Lynchburg Musketeers was a small militia organized in the fall of 1915 that became Company L of the National Guard’s 1st Virginia Infantry Regiment in the summer of 1916. My paper centers around the firsthand account of Edley Craighill, a member of the Lynchburg Musketeers, in his 1931 work, The Musketeers. After training in Lynchburg and service on the Mexican border in 1916, Company L of the 1st Virginia Infantry Regiment became Company L of the 116th Infantry Regiment of the 29th Division of the U.S. Army in 1917. The 29th trained at Camp McClellan near Anniston, Alabama before being sent to France in the summer of 1918. Company L fought in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive later that year under the command of Captain Alfred D. Barksdale, one of the original officers of the Lynchburg Musketeers. My paper argues that the Lynchburg Musketeers were better off than many of their countrymen in World War I because they had the advantages of early training, experience in the National Guard in 1916, and being able to face the hell of war alongside comrades from their hometown. My research could be of particular interest to a local history journal or museum in Lynchburg and the state of Virginia at large. In the future, my paper could be expanded into a study of the 29th Division in World War I
Howard Be Thy Name
A Biblical worldview recognizes the beauty in aging, viewing it not as a decline but as a testament to wisdom, resilience, and God’s faithfulness. Scripture affirms this perspective, as seen in Proverbs 16:31, “Gray hair is a crown of glory,†and Job 12:12, “Wisdom is with the aged.†Ecclesiastes 3:11 reminds us that “He has made everything beautiful in its time,†affirming that aging is part of God’s design. While physical beauty fades, the Lord confirms that time can emphasize the inner self\u27s renewal. By honoring the marks of age, we embrace a perspective that values the depth, grace, and dignity found in growing older
A Novel Type and Classification System for Sciatic Nerve High Division
Background: High division of the sciatic nerve (SN) occurs in approximately 16.9% of individuals and often has significant clinical implications, such as failed SN blocks for anesthesia or nerve injuries during deep intramuscular procedures.1,2 Existing literature classifies SN high division and provides large-scale prevalence data; however, this case study reports a unique type of SN high division discovered in a sample of 28 cadavers with an unusually high prevalence of SN high division.1,3,4 Methods: This study examines the SNs in 56 limbs from 28 cadavers dissected in cadaver labs at Liberty University. Among these, 17 cases of SN high division were identified, nearly doubling the prevalence reported in existing literature.1 Notably, three cases involved unique types of high division (Figures 1 & 2) where the common fibular nerve (CFN) forms from two branches distal to the piriformis muscle (PM), a variation not described in the conventional Beaton and Anson classification system.2,3 This study documents these findings and proposes a new classification for the observed variation. Results: The prevalence of SN high division in this sample was 30.4%, significantly higher than the literature-reported 16.9%.1 Of the 17 cases, 13 were type B high division (Figures 5), 1 was type C, and 3 were unclassifiable according to existing systems.3 Comparative analysis of the 3 unique cases led to the discovery of a common pattern, and the development of a new type for addition to traditional classification systems. Discussion: The heightened prevalence observed in this sample may be linked to embryological factors, though the exact cause remains unknown. The unclassifiable cases may result in clinical symptoms distinct from traditional piriformis syndrome, as the tibial nerve remains unaffected.4,5 This study proposes a new classification type which accounts for these variations and discusses areas for future studies on SN high division prevalence and its clinical implications. Conclusion: While SN abnormalities are not life-threatening, they carry significant clinical risks.1,2 This study highlights the need for awareness and further research into the prevalence and impact of SN high division
The Necessity of Better Rape-Related Protections for Victims of Rape-Related Pregnancy
A pregnancy that results from a rape is referred to as a rape-related pregnancy (RRP). One of the primary issues surrounding RRP is that, unless terminated by a state family court, the rapist maintains the same parental rights over the child conceived through the rape as any parent would have over their child. Allowing a rapist to keep any level of parental rights is extremely problematic. It forces the rape victim to interact regularly with the rapist, exposes the conceived child to the dangers of a rapist parent, and creates an opportunity for the rapist to weaponize those rights in criminal and civil proceedings. To curtail these issues, states must enact statutes explicitly aimed at protecting victims of RRP. In 2015, Congress enacted the Rape Survivor Child Custody Act (RSCCA) to encourage states to adopt such a statute and give an example of sufficient RRP protections.
Forty-nine out of fifty states have enacted some form of RRP statute. Some states enacted RRP statutes which embrace the protections outlined in the RSCCA, but many have opted to provide weaker protections instead. Those weaker protections are insufficient because they are drafted too narrowly and exclude certain protections for certain RRP victims. For instance, some RRP statutes exclude specific subsets of RRP victims—like male rape victims, victims raped by their intimate partners, and victims raped under circumstances that make it more difficult to convict (e.g., when drugs are involved). Other statutes only terminate a rapist’s physical custody rights, requiring the rape victim to continue to see the rapist parent when making legal custody decisions for the child’s health, education, and general welfare.
This Comment draws from the RSCCA and various state statutes to propose example RRP statute provisions that remedy these insufficiencies and provide effective protections. The protections proposed in this Comment include: (1) gender-neutral language, (2) a clear and convincing evidence burden of proof, (3) terminating all of the rapist’s parental rights, and (4) terminating the rapist’s rights regarding the adoption of the child. States can easily adopt the provisions in their entirety or amend their existing statutes to remedy their specific deficiencies. RRP victims must endure the lifelong trauma that follows from a sexual assault and an insufficient RRP statute should not be a catalyst in expounding on that trauma—a problem this Comment’s proposal will curtail
The Development of Cosmological Theories and Their Correlation with Biblical Scripture in Ancient Times
Agnostics and astronomical researchers like Harlow Shapley\u27s contributions to cosmology, specifically his recalibration of the Milky Way and the discovery of its true structure and size, marked an important moment in individuals’ understanding of the universe.”1 These theorists have redefined humanity\u27s place in the cosmos by accentuating empirical observations over religious theories, laying the groundwork for modern cosmology while simultaneously reigniting the age-old debate about the universe\u27s origin. “Theories may crumble, but good observations never fade,”2 accentuate the lifelong importance of scientific research.
This paper focuses on the relationship between the development of cosmological theories and biblical interpretations; these will be examined across distinct historical periods, bringing us up to modern times. By utilizing an exegetical analysis of biblical texts such as Genesis 1:1-2:3 or Psalm 19:1 (“The heavens declare the glory of God”), this thesis will critically examine the theological, historical, and apologetic aspects of biblical cosmology. Moreover, by using a Christian apologetic approach to explore the history of cosmology, including geocentric and heliocentric models, particularly modern cosmologies such as the Big Bang Theory. The thesis appreciates the intersection of science and religion that intentionally leans toward areas of harmony and collaboration while also acknowledging the areas of friction relevant to the scope of this thesis.
Within this scope, it examines the correlation between the target cosmological theories and biblical cosmology, particularly within Western Christianity. This thesis looks at ways Christian theologies have changed over time through the development of cosmological theories. It also explores how these changes have affected theological ideas and how these changes might lead to a better understanding of the relationship between religion and science. Therefore, the exegesis approach underscores the interpretive flexibility of Christian thought within the scientific space, noting that the science and theological approaches can be cohesive as characterized by the dynamic dialogue they have had across centuries. The exegesis draws attention to Christian theology\u27s adaptability and intellectual resilience, from the early allegorical interpretations of Genesis to medieval efforts harmonizing Aristotelian philosophy with faith, theologians exhibited a readiness to engage with prevailing scientific ideas. The Copernican Revolution\u27s heliocentric model challenged traditional biblical cosmology, requiring theologians to reexamine scriptural interpretations. Figures like Galileo advocated for metaphorical readings of Scripture, bridging faith and science. underscores the ongoing theological dialogue spurred by modern theories like the Big Bang, quantum mechanics, and multiverse theory. Christian theology is portrayed as evolving alongside scientific advancements, reflecting a steadfast commitment to exploring divine providence and the mysteries of existence. Pope St. John Paul II’s remarks on the interplay between science and religion encapsulate this harmony, advocating for the refinement of both fields through mutual engagement.
For this thesis I used a library-based research approach and qualitative content review methodology to perform a close reading of specific Bible passages as well as existing literature, focusing specifically on the theological, historical, and apologetic aspects of faith. The findings are relevant in the theological field because they provide a comprehensive contribution to attempts to unite faith and science and further detail how present-day Christianity may fit into the modern study of cosmology. Furthermore, the thesis intends not only to expand the comprehension of the history of the interconnection between science and theology but also to outline premises for future theological development in an age of unrestrained scientific advancement. In the end, this thesis argues that cosmology and theology are not separate realms of academic endeavor, but rather each one can interact harmoniously with one another, enriching scientists, and scholars, or theologians and clergy professionally and constructively.
1. Leila Belkora, Minding the Heavens: The Story of Our Discovery of the Milky Way (Bristo, UK: Institute of Physics Publishing, 2003), 246, 260, 263, 265-268.
2. Harlow Shapley, Top 6 Harlow Shapley Quotes, no. 4, accessed September 5, 2024. https://www.azquotes.com/author/21451-Harlow_Shapley
The Impact of California\u27s Nursing Licensure Policies on Patient Care During the Los Angeles Wildfires
Achieving Positive Outcomes Using Rapport-Based Police Interviewing in Sex Offense Investigations
Rapport is a critical component of interpersonal communication marked by verbal and non-verbal behaviors including attention, positivity, and coordination. The presence of these indicators during police interviews is positively correlated with information yield. This grounded theory study examined the relationship between rapport and information yield as measured by the quantity of details interviewees disclosed to investigators, particularly sensitive or incriminating details. The theory guiding this study was Cesare Beccaria’s classical criminology Rational Choice Theory, which suggests offenders are rational beings who conduct a cost-benefit analysis before engaging in crime. Investigators applying this theory and employing rapport-based interviewing skills will elicit more investigation-relevant information that those who do not establish rapport. This research is relevant to law enforcement practitioners, investigators, attorneys, judges, crime victims, suspects, and witnesses. This qualitative content analysis study assessed whether rapport-based interviewing was effective in sex-based offense investigations. The research sample of 14 recorded forensic interviews with sex offenders assessed outcomes in relation to rapport indicators as promulgated by the Tickle-Degnen and Rosenthal model. The results of this study suggest interviewers with higher rapport indicator scores also obtained higher yields of investigation-relevant information