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How does the World Bank build citizen engagement commitments into project design?: results from pilot assessments in Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, and Pakistan
No full textIDS Working Paper, Volume 2019, No. 525.How and to what degree is the World Bank putting its new institutional citizen engagement
(CE) commitments into practice? This question guides an independent assessment that the
Accountability Research Center (ARC) at American University has undertaken as part of the
Institute of Development Studies (IDS)-led Action for Empowerment and Accountability
(A4EA) research programme’s investigation into how external actors can best support local
processes of and conditions for empowerment and accountability. This report investigates
the World Bank’s incorporation of CE into project design, the critical early stage of donor
engagement. To accomplish this, ARC reviewed the World Bank’s fiscal year 2015–17
investment project portfolios for four A4EA priority countries, Mozambique, Myanmar,
Nigeria, and Pakistan, which covers 57 projects that range from US600
million. The analysis determines whether projects commit to seeking a strategic approach to
CE, which involves combining multiple tactics so that the whole could be greater than the
sum of the parts. This assessment of CE commitments is intended to help to inform possible
national, civil society organisation strategies to monitor whether and how these commitments
are actually implemented in practice
Rejoicing in Creation: Josef Pieper's Response to a World of Online Distractions
No full textAs the presence of devices that connect to the Internet becomes more and more ubiquitous, the world has adapted itself to accommodate the changes these devices bring. That world, however, is appearing more and more bleak for those who live there. Many people are trying to find ways of freeing themselves from their devices because of the constant need to be available to the workaday world. While other disciplines offer their contributions, it is necessary for the Church to speak of the liberating offer that comes from friendship with Christ. Josef Pieper devoted his life to handing down the Western Christian tradition to his contemporaries in a way that they could understand. Along with other insights, he exposed the vice of acedia that quietly removed God’s joy-giving presence from the world. In the wake of modernity’s sadness, he argued, people were desperately searching for entertaining distractions. Opposed to this, he suggested that the Church offers the festive celebration of God’s redeeming work in creation. In this study, I draw from Pieper’s thoughts to show the vice of acedia that lurks behind people’s digital devices, enslaving them within the workaday world, unless they consciously act against this vice. By encouraging people to live a life formed by the celebration of sacred feasts, Pieper’s Christian teachings continue to set people free from this imprisonment.TheologyAcedia, Feasts, Internet, Pieper, Sacred, TechnologyMoral Theology/EthicsDegree Awarded: S.T.D. Moral Theology/Ethics. The Catholic University of Americ
Religious Freedom: A Theological Study Based upon the Separation of Church and State in the United States
No full textReligious Freedom:A Theological Study Based upon the Separation of Church and State in the United StatesRobin M. Taylor, Ph.D.Director: Chad C. Pecknold, Ph.D. The First Amendment of the Constitution is a cornerstone of the tradition of religious liberty in the United States. This dissertation seeks to understand whether the current state of First Amendment jurisprudence is compatible with Christian political theology and to consider possible responses of Christians to current challenges to religious freedom. The question is primarily addressed by examining the political theology of four prominent theologians (Reinhold Niebuhr, John Courtney Murray, Stanley Hauerwas, and David L. Schindler) and their commentary on particular Supreme Court decisions on issues of church- state separation. The work of these theologians is considered through the lens of several typologies, four key concepts: limited freedom, pluralism and tolerance, evolving history, and a Christian Nation, and two key questions: To what extent are politics and theology autonomous? and To what extent is democracy built on or supported by Christianity? Historical context is provided by contrasting the standard historical story of religious freedom in the United States with a more accurate revised story in which differing religious viewpoints are encouraged to be reflected in public life. The political theology of Niebuhr, Murray, Hauerwas, and Schindler is discussed, providing paired Protestant and Catholic perspectives on illustrative Supreme Court decisions from the mid-twentieth century and from the present. This dissertation seeks to establish a comity among these views by showing that they should be seen as a set of possible responses to the challenge of increasing secularization, the limits of liberalism, and the evolving nature of the law on church-state separation in America. The work of these theologians illustrates a tension among the following: striving for a clear and unambiguous church witness, determining appropriate interactions between the church and state, and adopting an idealistic church separatism. This dissertation then discusses two recent Supreme Court cases to show practical resources for churches that wish to engage with courts over issues of religious freedom, including opportunities for ecumenical and inter-religious cooperation.TheologyReligionLawchurch and state, First Amendment, John Courtney Murray, Reinhold Niebuhr, religious freedom, Stanley HauerwasSystematic TheologyDegree Awarded: Ph.D. Systematic Theology. The Catholic University of Americ
St. Ephrem the Syrian’s Spiritual Guidance: A Study of the Verse Homilies on Reproof
No full textStatement of the Problem and Background Ephrem the Syrian (c. 306-373) is one of the most well-known of Syriac writers. He is celebrated in the Eastern Churches not only for his theology and biblical commentary, but also for his achieved popularity as a proto-monastic figure. After Ephrem’s lifetime, his reputation as an esteemed theological teacher (mallpānā) continued to spread among the Syriac-speaking churches. As his reputation spread westward, he became known primarily as an anchorite living in the desert in the environs of Edessa, who would on occasion enter the city to give spiritual guidance. A large Greek corpus of texts began to be transmitted under Ephrem’s name. Two different images of Ephrem emerged, classed under the titles of Ephrem Syrus and Ephrem Byzantinus. The image of Ephrem Syrus depicts Ephrem as primarily a teacher in the Syriac tradition and a deacon in the service of the bishops in Nisibis and Edessa during his lifetime. The image of Ephrem Byzantinus shows him as a monastic writer. Ephrem’s works preserved in Greek are primarily ascetic in character with only a little relationship to works preserved in Syriac, which serve as evidence of his role as a teacher. Little attention has been paid to Ephrem’s role as spiritual guide in the Syriac tradition. It is striking that few of his ascetical texts have been studied other than those transmitted in Greek under his name. His Syriac ascetical works, namely the Verse Homilies on Reproof (mēmrē d-makksānūtā), have gone largely unstudied.In the eighteenth century Joseph Assemani published in six volumes both the Syriac and Greek texts attributed to Ephrem along with Latin translations. This monumental publication became the foundation for nearly all Ephrem scholarship until the middle of the twentieth century when Dom Edmund Beck began publishing editions and German translations of the Syriac corpus. Kees den Biesen’s Annotated Bibliography of Ephrem the Syrian indicates that only a handful of these Greek works published by Assemani correspond to an extant Syriac text and only two of these texts are considered to be authentic works of Ephrem the Syrian, namely the Sermo Asceticus and De Morbo Linguae et Pravis Affectibus. These two Greek texts discuss topics similar to the first two Verse Homilies on Reproof published by Beck in Des Heiligen Ephraem Des Syrers Sermones I. In addition to these two Verse Homilies on Reproof, Beck published two other memre bearing the same title, which are considered to be genuine works of Ephrem (Sermones I mēmrē 3 and Sermones II mēmrē 2). The relationship between content and form in Ephrem’s memre remains understudied. More work needs to be done to address the connection between the image of Ephrem Graecus and the historical Ephrem. In particular, a thorough study is required of the two authentic Syriac texts which became a part of the Greek corpus. Thus, a close reading with English translation of the four Verse Homilies on Reproof judged authentic by Beck remains a scholarly desideratum. Purpose The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the image of Ephrem as an ascetical spiritual guide within the context of the four reliably authentic Verse Homilies on Reproof. Special emphasis will be given to the formal structure of the mēmrā since this ubiquitous Syriac genre has so far only elicited cursory scholarly attention. This dissertation will provide the first annotated English translation and close study of the four mēmrē.Methodology This dissertation will situate the central themes within an analysis of the overall structure of each text. Special attention will be given to how Ephrem utilizes poetic techniques to persuade and guide his audience. The translation and analysis will be informed by previous non-English translations and relevant passages in Ephrem’s Syriac corpus. This structural analysis will, in turn, become the foundation for a study of Ephrem the Syrian’s spiritual guidance. This will be situated into a discussion of the reception of that guidance in the Ephrem Graecus corpus and later Syriac tradition.Contribution and Originality This dissertation will provide the first summary and analysis of the content and form of these homilies. It will provide an analysis of Ephrem as spiritual guide using a set of evidence, which has yet to be considered by modern scholars.Ancient languagesReligious historyReligionEphrem, Madrashe, Memre, Nisibis, Poetry, SyriacSemitic and Egyptian Languages and LiteraturesDegree Awarded: Ph.D. Semitic and Egyptian Languages and Literatures. The Catholic University of Americ
Implementation of an Evidence-Based Educational Intervention for Nursing Management of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) Tubes
No full textImplementation of an Evidence-Based Educational Intervention for Nursing Management of Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) TubesAnne Teresa Hesson Reeser, DNP.Director: Marye Kellermann, PhD, CRNP, FAANPBackground: Approximately 250,000 percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes are placed in the United States each year. PEG tubes are beneficial for nutrition and hydration but are associated with complications. Nurses’ knowledge and skill in the management of PEG tubes are critical for preventing complications.Purpose: The purpose of this educational intervention was to implement an educational intervention for nurses by teaching appropriate management of PEG tubes and identification of complications. The PICOT question was as follows: In an acute physical rehabilitation hospital, will nurses responsible for managing PEG tubes demonstrate increased knowledge and skills in managing PEG tubes after completing a nurse-practitioner-led PEG tube educational intervention as compared to their pre-educational session knowledge and skill baseline scores, thereby leading to decreased PEG tube complications? Design: The EBP project included a descriptive pre-test–post-test design to measure a change in nursing knowledge and in complication rates by comparing pre-educational PEG tube baseline knowledge and complications to post-educational PEG tube knowledge and complications and assessing if an improvement in knowledge and a reduction in complications occurred. Methods: Four weeks prior to the educational intervention, the nurse educator from the facility under study assessed patients for PEG tube complications of infection, leakage, malpositioning, and dislodgement. Next, 15 nurses who did not attend an educational session were assessed performing PEG tube care on a mannequin. The following day, 38 nurses completed a pre-test, attended an educational session, and completed a post-test. Over the next four weeks, the nurse educator again assessed all patients within the facility for complications. Then 15 of the 38 nurses were assessed performing PEG tube care on a mannequin and were again given the post-test to compare baseline knowledge with post-educational knowledge. Results: A significant improvement in exam scores following an educational session was shown by an average of 14.37 points from the pre- to post-education, t(37) = 43.58, p < .001. Four-week post-education scores were compared and showed a decrease in knowledge, U = 162.5, Z = 2.58, p = .10. However, four-week post-education scores were still significantly higher than pre-education scores, U = 0, Z = -5.66, p < .001. PEG tube care on a mannequin scores showed a significant improvement in the number of missed steps when performing compared to those who did not attend an educational session. Conclusion: The findings of PEG tube complications at the facility showed an overall improvement in actual patient outcomes post-education. Knowledge scores significantly improved after an educational session. Overall improvements were seen in both post-educational groups.NursingEducational, Endoscopic, Gastrostomy, Nurse, PEG tube, PercutaneousNursingDegree Awarded: D.N.P. Nursing. The Catholic University of Americ
DESIGNING BACTERIOPHAGE T4 NANOPARTICLES FOR HIV CURE
No full textNearly 38 million people across the globe are currently living with HIV-1 infection, but there is yet no cure. During HIV-1 infection, HIV enters the body and targets CD4+ T cells, and once inside the cell, the virus makes its way to the nucleus and inserts its genome into the host cell's genome. Most of the infected CD4+ T-cells actively produce new viruses, but in a fraction of cells, the virus enters into a latent phase where the integrated viral genome remains transcriptionally silent and does not produce progeny viruses. A collection of such cells carrying the HIV-1 “provirus” constitutes the latent “reservoir.” Although combinational antiretroviral therapy (cART) is effective in controlling the infection, it is not curative as it does not target the integrated proviruses that remain in the latent reservoir. Hence, viral rebound occurs by activation of a small pool of these proviruses when treatment is discontinued. Reducing or eliminating the latent reservoir, therefore, is essential to achieve “remission” or “cure.” An effective curative approach would be to activate the latent reservoir and selectively disrupt the proviral genome as well as elicit immune responses to neutralize any remaining viruses.The main goal of the present thesis is to elucidate the ability of 120 x 86 nm bacteriophage T4 capsid (head) nanoparticle to deliver a combination of HIV cure molecules; proteins, DNAs, and RNAs to target to CD4 + T cells and achieve curative outcomes. About 170 kb DNA can be packaged inside the T4 capsid and ~1,025 proteins fused to the outer capsid proteins Soc (small outer capsid protein, 870 copies) and Hoc (highly antigenic outer capsid protein, 155 copies) can be displayed on the capsid of this large capacity platform. In vitro assembled CD4 receptor targeting T4 nanoparticles with CD4 DARPin-Hoc and/or HIV-1Env-Soc allowed targeted gene delivery into CD4+ T cells. Customization of CD4 receptor-targeting T4 nanoparticles by incorporating genome editing molecules resulted in disruption of the HIV-1 provirus genome in CD4+ HEK293T cells. Unexpectedly, T4 nanoparticles also activated the provirus of latent CD4+ T cells in an in vitro Jurkat cell model for latent HIV-1 infection. Furthermore, the latency reversal was also indicated in CD4+ resting T cells of HIV-infected ART suppressed patients. A series of experiments suggest that T4 nanoparticles appear to activate a novel pathway that is distinct from the classical signaling pathways reported thus far. Our studies demonstrate that T4 bacteriophage nanoparticles can be programmed to target CD4+ T cells, mediate provirus disruption, and cause latency reversal.BiologyBiologyDegree Awarded: Ph.D. Biology. The Catholic University of Americ
DESIGN OF HIV-1 VACCINE GUIDED BY MECHANISMS OF IMMUNE-ESCAPE BY ACUTE VIRUSES
No full textHIV-1 continues to be a public health concern, causing 1.8 million new infections per year globally. Despite four decades of research around the globe, an effective HIV-1 vaccine is still elusive. The only HIV-1 vaccine trial that showed promise after dozens of failures is the RV144 study conducted in Thailand which showed a modest efficacy of 31.2%. Subsequent analyses revealed a positive correlation between the V2-directed antibodies (Abs) and protection from HIV-1 acquisition. The V2 region is part of the variable V1V2 domain located at the apex of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein trimer (Env), the key target of HIV vaccine design. While several studies explored the positive correlates for the success of this vaccine, studies investigating the limited protection and occurrence of breakthrough infections are largely missing. Here, we aim to address this gap in knowledge through deeper understanding of the structure and function of Env of transmitted/founder (T/F) viruses that cause infection by escaping host immune pressure. This might reveal mechanisms that provide insights into the design of an effective HIV vaccine.We have examined the env genes of evolving T/F viruses longitudinally at an acute stage of infection for V1V2-specific immune escape mutations. For this, we evaluated the. Phylogenetic analyses of env sequences from four participants of an acute HIV infection cohort (RV217) identified a key viral escape mutation, H173Y, in one of the participants (40007). This mutation is located in the conserved V2 epitope (C-β strand) of Env that is also a target of RV144 vaccine pressure. The H173Y mutant not only evaded binding to the V2-directed antibodies (Abs) elicited by this patient but also poorly reactive to V2 Abs isolated from the RV144 vaccinees. To explore the mechanism of escape, mice were immunized with the recombinant V1V2 of the T/F virus of 40007 (T/F07) and its escape V1V2-variants, scaffolded to the dodecameric phage T4 terminase, gp16. Ab responses generated by these immunogens were distinct and mimicked the escape phenomenon observed in this patient. Furthermore, surprisingly, the H173Y escape mutant induced broadly reactive Abs. Characterization of these Abs, structural modeling, and molecular dynamics simulations indicate a significant conformational change in the V2 region of the H173Y mutant, which might be responsible for the observed Ab evasion. Based on these data, we hypothesized that the conformational dynamism in the V2 region might be one of the mechanisms of immune escape and breakthrough infections in vaccinees. To test the above hypothesis, we constructed a combinatorial mutant library of V2 conformational variants mimicking the naturally existing HIV population and evaluated their immunogenicity and breadth in the context of H173 residue in a mouse model. Remarkably, the gp16-scaffolded V2 domains generated Abs that reacted strongly with the Env trimer, and consistent with our hypothesis, certain groups with the H173Y mutation further increased the breadth of the V2 Abs. This approach, thus, has potential to design a more effective vaccine to prevent transmission of diverse HIV-1 strains.BiologyBroadly reactive antibody responses, HIV vaccine, Phylogenetic analysis, Transmitted/Founder virus, V1V2 region, Virus escapeBiologyDegree Awarded: Ph.D. Biology. The Catholic University of Americ
The Implementation of Canon 766 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops: A Canonical Analysis
No full textThe 1983 Code of Canon Law provides for the establishment of conferences of bishops, groupings ordinarily comprised of bishops of the same nation, but which can be erected for a lesser or greater territory as determined by the Apostolic See (cc. 448, 450). While the primary purpose of the conference is to foster pastoral solicitude among the bishops of the territory (c. 447), in a limited number of instances the universal law grants to the conference legislative power to enact binding legislation within its territory (c. 455). One such canon is canon 766 permitting lay persons to preach in churches or oratories.The current study explores the structures and processes observed within the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) leading to the enactment of a 2001 general decree implementing canon 766 for the dioceses of the United States of America. Chapter one explores the prohibition against lay sermonizing in church buildings proscribed in canon 1342 of the 1917 Code of Canon Law. Chapter two presents the legislative history leading to the promulgation of canon 766 of the 1983 code with the identification of the episcopal conference as the proper entity possessing the legislative power to enact praescripta on the topic. The participation of U.S. bishops in the revision process is described. Drawing upon extensive use of unpublished sources from the USCCB archives, Chapters three and four summarize, in two distinct phases, the U.S. bishops’ development and approval of “Guidelines on the Authorization of Preaching by Lay Persons in Churches and Oratories” and its geneal decree complementing canon 766. Chapter five presents a canonical analysis of the legislative process observed within the USCCB in this singular instance according to four principal stages of the legislative cycle: (1) the development of praescripta; (2) the approval of praescripta; (3) the receipt of the recognitio of the Apostolic See; and (4) the promulgation of approved legislation. Recommendations offered to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the USCCB internal structures and processes are interspersed throughout the dissertation.Canon lawCanon 766, episcopal conferences, Preaching, USCCBCanon LawDegree Awarded: J.C.D. Canon Law. The Catholic University of Americ
Elsa Kerr Interview, April 19, 2020
No full textElsa Kerr shares how COVID has impacted her life. She explains how she has to do homeschooling now instead of going to school, and how it's difficult to learn things she hasn't learned yet. Elsa says she is washing her hands and practicing social distancing, but she misses seeing her friends. She shares how she is coping by doing Zoom calls with her friends, playing soccer, and building Legos. This video is part of the Humanities Truck's From Me To You: A Covid-19 Oral History Project. https://humanitiestruck.com/frommetoyou
Kai Walther Interview, May 21, 2020
No full textKai Walther recently graduated from American University. Covid-19 cut their senior rugby season short. They had to take classes online and celebrate their commencement virtually. Kai lives in an 800 square foot apartment in DC with three other roommates and feels restricted, unable to go on trips, freely travel outside, visit museums, cafes, or friends. They face major hurdles finding work in the field of public history now that all the museums are closed. They feel it is difficult to stay motivated. Kai’s three roommates have kept them going. They spend more time together, play board games, cook together, and have gone on bike rides. Zoom has also allowed Kai to attend virtual birthday parties, have movie nights with friends, and have family events. Zoom, however, is imperfect because it only allows one person to talk at a time. Kai hopes we learn the importance of government support in health care as the most vulnerable are currently receiving the least amount of support. Kai also asks that people wear masks to protect those who are more at risk. This video is part of the Humanities Truck's From Me To You: A Covid-19 Oral History Project. https://humanitiestruck.com/frommetoyou