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Project Publius
No full textThis issue inaugurates Project Publius: Papers in Defense of the American Constitution, introducing the project's purpose and parameters alongside its first essay. Drawing on the tradition of Publius and Lincoln's charge that a "government of the People, by the People, and for the People shall not perish from the earth," the series invites thoughtful, creative constitutional defense for a broad civic readership
What is the Effectiveness of Sensory-based Interventions on Physiological Improvements for Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)?
No full textWhat is the effectiveness of sensory-based interventions on physiological improvements for infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)?
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is intended to support infants who were born prematurely, have critical health conditions, and experience cognitive and physiological delays. Worldwide there are 1 in 10 babies born prematurely each year with premature births indicating an increased risk of mortality and morbidity. Preterm infants in the NICU may have difficulty with feeding, low birth weight, and a high risk of developmental delays in addition to behavioral and learning problems. Sensory-based interventions have been indicated to have long-term and short-term implications on physiological and cognitive development among premature infants in the NICU.
AIM: This critically appraised topic (CAT) is aimed at determining the effectiveness of sensory-based interventions on physiological improvement for infants in the NICU.
METHODS: Literature search analysis led to the inclusion of Level 1A systematic and metanalysis studies regarding sensory-based intervention on physiological improvements for infants in the NICU. Studies were further analyzed to include literature that was published within the last five years which met the following outlined criteria: infants in the NICU receiving sensory-based interventions provided by a healthcare worker or parent to improve physiological outcomes. Five total studies were included which met the established standards.
RESULTS: Five Level 1A research articles provided strong evidence supporting the effectiveness of sensory-based interventions in promoting physiological improvements in infants in the NICU. Kangaroo care was associated with significant clinical benefits, including enhanced vital signs, reduced stress, improved heart rate, better oxygen saturation, stabilized body temperature, and improved sleep organization. Swaddle baths were shown to reduce stress and support positive physiological outcomes, while sponge baths offered comparable benefits. Massage therapy using appropriate pressure contributed to weight gain, improved vital signs, and better sleep patterns. Interventions such as skin-to-skin contact, kangaroo care, and massage therapy have minimal to no adverse effects on physiological outcomes
AI Assisted Cellular and 3D Spheroid Analyses for Combined Therapies Against Glioblastoma
No full text2025AbstractGlioblastoma remains the most aggressive brain cancer, with a median survival of only 15 months despite maximal therapy. While combination therapies involving radiation with immunotherapies, epigenetic therapies, molecularly targeted therapies, etc., show promise, current methods for evaluating whether combination therapies work are slow, need extensive manual analysis, and require researchers to decide what to measure beforehand, often missing unexpected effects and potentially missing important treatment effects. This thesis investigated whether unsupervised machine learning can extract therapeutically relevant signatures from glioblastoma cells treated with combination therapies without prior training or assumptions. Three combination strategies were tested: radiation with vorinostat (RT+Vor, epigenetic therapy) in 2D cultures using U87 and T98G cell lines, radiation with lenalidomide (RT+Len, immunotherapy) in 3D spheroids, and temozolomide with graphene quantum dots (TMZ+GQD). Microscopy images at 24 and 48 hours were analyzed using k-means and hierarchical clustering with no labels or predetermined features. For RT+Vor, machine learning identified time-dependent signatures differing between sensitive and resistant cells. At 24 hours, 97% of vorinostat-treated U87 cells clustered together regardless of radiation. By 48 hours, combination therapy separated from radiation alone (10% versus 50% showing damage). T98G cells responded more slowly but revealed dose-dependent effects. The unsupervised machine learning results were validated by Electric Cell-Substrate Impedance Sensing at 48 hours: combination therapies showed the lowest cell migration (normalized resistance 0.7-0.8) compared to radiation alone (1.6), confirming that morphological clustering patterns correspond to real functional differences For RT+Len in 3D spheroids, brightfield imaging achieved 95% separation of combination therapy from lenalidomide-only spheroids at 24 hours despite subtle visual differences. At 48 hours, calcein viability imaging revealed exceptional clustering quality (silhouette 0.65, cophenetic 0.866), showing lenalidomide provides radioprotection: radiation alone caused 80% cell death versus 40% for the combination, with 60% in an intermediate damaged state. This demonstrated that multi-modal imaging at multiple timepoints is essential for 3D models. For TMZ+GQD, machine learning detected no treatment-specific signatures with the highest cophenetic correlations (0.933-0.961), objectively indicating this combination lacks morphologically distinct phenotypes. This work establishes unsupervised machine learning as an unbiased screening tool for combination therapy assessment. The methodology sets the stage for patient-derived sample screening and digital twin development for personalized therapy prediction
The Effectiveness of Mirror Therapy to Improve Functional Mobility in Stroke Survivors
No full textBACKGROUND: Strokes are a common cardiovascular disorder present in the United States. Strokes can impact overall function, impeding a person’s ability to function independently in their day-to-day activities. These observed deficits are seen with the symptom of hemiplegia, which is the loss of function in the patient’s upper or lower extremities. The amount of function left over after the stroke can be measured using the FIMs. This critically appraised topic (CAT) is aimed at determining the effectiveness of mirror therapy in increasing the function of an upper limb experiencing hemiparesis after a stroke. METHODS: Level IA, 2A, and 2B randomized control studies. These studies were from the last 10 years (since 2014) and included meta-analysis articles. The studies were focused on finding if mirror therapy has evidence of increasing upper extremity function for patients who have experienced a stroke. RESULTS: Level IA, 2A, and 2B research articles and meta-analyses proved that there is evidence that mirror therapy can increase the upper extremity function of patients with hemiparesis after experiencing a stroke
What is the effectiveness of sensory-based feeding interventions and its potential for improvement in meal preparation and food intake regulation in individuals living with eating disorders (ED)
No full textABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Eating disorders (ED) are estimated to affect 9% or 28.8 million individuals of the US population in their life. Individuals experiencing ED may have decreased quality of life. EDs frequently lead to inadequate nutrient intake. A lack of proper nutrients negatively impacts energy, nutrition, and metabolism. An individual’s cognitive, psychological, psychosocial, medical, and physical health and well-being may also be affected, both in the short-term and the long-term. These implications can affect this population and their functional participation in activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) such as mealtime, social participation, and meal preparation.
AIM: This critically appraised topic (CAT) is aimed at determining the effectiveness of sensory based feeding interventions and its potential to improve meal preparation, food intake, and feeding behaviors within the ED population.
METHODS: Literature search analysis led to the inclusion of Level 1A, 2B and 4 studies regarding the prioritized aim. Studies were further analyzed to include literature within the last ten years which met the following outlined criteria: individuals with diagnosed with EDs or characteristics associated with disordered eating ( e.g., autism with feeding challenges, anorexia nervosas, ARFID), participating occupational therapy interventions that utilize sensory processing, sensory-based strategies, or behavioral strategies paired with a sensory interventions to improve food intake, food tolerance, and eating behaviors.
RESULTS: Level 1A, 2B, and 4 research revealed moderate, positive evidence supporting the use of sensory-based approaches in increasing food engagement, improving food acceptance, and reducing food refusal in children with feeding challenges and adults with EDs. Sensory interventions, such as short-term improvements in mealtime behaviors and food ranges. The long-term effectiveness of these interventions remains unclear, and further research including randomized control trials is needed to strengthen the evidence base
What is the Effectiveness of Early Active Mobilization Intervention, Specifically Relative Motion Orthosis on Adults 1-4 Weeks Post Extensor Tendon Repair to Improve Fine Motor Control of the Hand and Digits?
No full textABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND: The primary purpose of the relative motion orthosis is to provide protection for an acute, healing or fragile injury or repair. RME orthosis programs position the affected MCPs in exaggerated extension when compared to non-affected MCPs and also allow free motion of the IP joint. Flexor and extensor tendon lacerations are relatively rare affecting about 5 per 100,000 persons for flexor tendons and 14 per 100,000 persons for extensor injuries. While these injuries may be less common than other hand injuries, they present unique challenges When not treated appropriately extensor tendon lacerations can lead to permanent impairment and lack of hand function. Extensor tendon lacerations commonly affect working aged men in their 30’s who are working in manual labor and production-based careers. Extensor tendon injuries are most commonly occurring on the dominant hand in the middle finger. Complete tendon lacerations require surgical intervention while partial lacerations may heal over the course of 3-4 weeks with splinting intervention. When patients do not receive optimal pre and post-operative care they are more likely to develop sub-optimal tendon gliding, which leads to tendon ruptures and loss of function. Early return to work is the goal of treatment, patients receiving orthosis intervention before 5 days post operation display 97.8% of prior level of function range of motion
The Lived Experiences of Undergraduate Students at Catholic Universities with Catholic Mission and Identity
No full text2026This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Catholic and non-Catholic undergraduate students at Catholic universities in the northeast United States, focusing on how Catholic mission and identity are expressed through student life and campus ministry programming. The study aimed to describe the lived experiences of Catholic and non-Catholic undergraduate students at three Catholic universities in the northeastern United States. The literature review offered a theoretical framework and a review of relevant literature. The theoretical framework followed the Catholic Dialogue School model to show how Catholic Universities might strengthen Catholic identity and mission. The literature review presented relevant literature on CU's identity and mission in programming. The study employed a qualitative, phenomenological research design, utilizing semi-structured interviews to gather data from 10 undergraduate students across three Catholic universities in the Northeastern United States. The coding process produced and refined 15 codes, which were ultimately organized into five overarching themes: worship and tradition, mission in action, interior spirituality, belonging and leadership, and understanding the Catholic Faith. Participants affirmed the importance of community, service, leadership, and inclusive spaces in their experience of Catholic identity. Catholic mission and identity, as expressed through student life and campus ministry programming, continue to foster dialogue and create spaces where students can engage with one another across lines of difference. Keywords: Catholic universities, religious identity, Interfaith, Faculty and staff identity, Catholic missio
Creighton Legal Insights
No full textThis article examines the Yellowstone Zone of Death. The zone of death was coined by law professor Brian Kalt in his 2005 article, "The Perfect Crime."The zone is an area in Yellowstone National Park where park boundaries and court districts do not align. This misalignment in conjunction with the wording of the sixth amendment to the U.S. Constitution allow for the possibility that a jury could not be formed for crimes committed in the zone. This could result in a perpetrator escaping conviction for a crime.
Journal of Religion and Society
No full textAsatru Folk Assembly (AFA) kindred banners, hof district banners, and crests/coats of arms strategically combine Germanic symbolism with medieval heraldic tradition and motifs to assert an ideological narrative that presents and claims: (1) cultural legitimacy; (2) historical continuity to European history and mythology; and (3) a distinct ethnic identity. This effort at visual piety is not mindless but deliberate collective memory construction imbued with political identity meaning(s). Heraldic symbolism in this case: (1) attempts to legitimize AFA mythic conceptualizations of ancestral bloodline and claims to an Aryan identity; (2) represents a form of banal nationalism; (3) signals white European identity to others; and (4) functions as a tool for collective organization and community building and formation.2