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Voices Unmasked: Comic Books in the 1970s and the Fight Against Censorship
No full textVoices Unmasked: Comic Books in the 1970s and the Fight Against Censorship
Anthony J. Aubrey
Murray State University History Department
November 3, 2025
Abstract:
Until recently, a form of media that has often been overlooked by scholarly historians is comic books. Comic books are often viewed as a form of trivial entertainment; however, their benefits to historical research can be rich and extremely rewarding when considering the unique window they offer into the social, political, and cultural attitudes of the time period in which they were produced. Comic books of the 1970s are no exception. Still reeling from the effects of a moral panic that occurred in the late 1940s and into the 1950s, during which the comic book industry was effectively pressured into self-censorship in a Senate hearing, comic books leading up to the 1970s were published under strict regulations. Under these guidelines, developed by the Comics Code Authority (CCA), comic book writers and artists were often not allowed to publish the stories that they wanted to convey. Negative portrayals of government and law enforcement officials were not allowed, black characters were often excluded, portraying women as independent protagonists was greatly discouraged, and any depiction of LGBTQ characters was strictly forbidden. It was in the 1970s, however, that comic book writers and artists began to boldly and directly challenge the regulations that were laid out by the CCA decades prior. The creation of characters like Black Panther and Storm, as well as stories dealing with topics such as racism, sexism, drug use, political corruption, and homosexuality, all began to take shape during the 1970s. As the research will show, 1970s comic books gradually dismantled the CCA’s regulations by producing characters and stories that not only defied the CCA but ultimately paved the way for more influential 1980s comic books such as Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, V for Vendetta, and others. Simply put, 1970s comic books laid the groundwork for comic book writers and artists in the 1980s to prominently feature themes like LGBTQ, feminism, racism, and even political commentary on rising political figures such as Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher
Analyzing the Impact of Sports Sponsorships from a Corporate Viewpoint
No full textThis research explores how branding partnerships between corporations and sports organizations influence consumer behavior, corporate outcomes, and long-term brand loyalty. By examining real-world case studies, such as Coca-Cola’s long-time partnership with the Olympic Games, this study highlights the strategic importance of aligning brand values and marketing objectives between both parties. The theoretical framework draws upon framing theory, cultivation theory, and social identity theory to analyze how sponsorships are perceived, maintained, and strengthened over time. These perspectives reveal that effective branding partnerships rely on logical framing, consistent media presence, and emotional consumer identification. Overall, this research emphasizes that successful sponsorships are those that not only enhance visibility but also create meaningful and lasting connections between brands and their audiences
Sports Graphics on Social Media and Team or Fandom Engagement
No full textThis paper looks closely into sports graphics circulated in social media to help both teams’ and schools’ fandom engagement. Three theories that guide the understanding of how graphic design has this positive effect are self-categorization theory, framing theory, and affective agenda-setting theory. The annotated bibliography dips into how news sharing, fan environments, and types of fans in sports. Media engagement connects people of the same schools and teams together with aesthetically actioned filled graphics to create traction and excitement within fans. Graphic design has a quite simple motive, specifically within sports, to have the visuals that are made to penetrate fan’s brains and pull them into engagement. There are multiple types of fans and by using graphics it can help facilitate excitement in fandoms. For the future, looking into what sports have the highest engagement on media can help understand what may appeal stronger to audiences. Overall, sports graphics published on social media have positive benefits for schools and team\u27s fandom engagement
Promoting Best Practices: Prevention of Hospital-Acquired Pressure Injuries
No full textThis evidence-based practice (EBP) project was aimed to promote best practices in the prevention of hospital-acquired pressure injuries (HAPIs) through proper use of external urinary catheters (EUC), specifically the PureWick device, on cardiac progressive care units. The primary research question examined how the utilization of an evidence-based policy and staff education could reduce the incidence of HAPIs associated with external catheter use. Participants included nursing staff and patients utilizing PureWick devices within these units. Guided by Dorothea Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Nursing Theory, the project integrated Level II research studies. Method included literature review, policy development, and structured staff training focused on care practices, skin assessments, and device management. Data analysis from reviewed studies demonstrated that consistent nursing education, scheduled skin checks, and timely device changes showed significant decreases in skin breakdown and infection rates. The policy established clear procedures for device use, perineal care, regular assessments and documentation. Overall, this project found that evidence-based policies combined with comprehensive staff education and appropriate documentation can effectively improve patient safety and reduce HAPIs in cardiac care settings
Exploratory Analysis of Prerequisites to Teaching Early Perspective-Taking in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
No full textResearch has demonstrated that children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) exhibit deficits in perspective taking skills (Baron-Cohen et al., 1985). Behavior analysts have conceptualized perspective taking as the ability to observe the behavior of others and then make inferences about future behavior and respond relationally to private events likely to occur in others (LeBlanc et al., 2003). Behavioral research on this topic has focused on skill acquisition in children with ASD, in one way being able to identify what another person sees (Gould et al., 2010). The purpose of the current study is to determine the effectiveness of a behavioral intervention package for improving perspective taking skills in children with ASD and specifically to extend previous research focused on teaching the ability to identify what others experience through all five senses (Welsh et al., 2019). Less complex verbal behaviors hypothesized to be prerequisites to this skill were first assessed systematically in three male children with ASD receiving ABA services in a community-based clinic, and then participants were taught to predict behavior according to the sensory experiences of others (e.g. after observing that a man sees a fly in his drink, responding the man will likely shoo the fly away). Results of the prerequisite skill assessment will be shared. The effectiveness of the teaching intervention to establish this perspective taking skill in learners with ASD was demonstrated using a multiple baseline design across participants
Wellbeing While in College
No full textThere are numerous stressors that college students face throughout their undergraduate years, each contributing to the growing prevalence of mental health concerns. Stress-related and environmental factors among college students often arise from pressures such as academic demands, social isolation, and financial uncertainty. Research shows that loneliness and depression predict each other over time and are both highly correlated with anxiety, forming a continuous pattern of declining mental health. Similar literature primarily addresses environmental factors without considering whether students’ disciplines affect their understanding or experience of mental health challenges. This study seeks to bridge the gap between how academic majors, external factors, and addictive behaviors intersect with psychological well-being. This study will also assess the mental health of college students and the impacts of external factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, and major of study, as well as participation in addictive behaviors over time, based on their levels of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Multiple hypothesis are examined in this study (1) students with higher levels of self-reported loneliness will also report higher engagement in addictive behaviors; (2) psychology majors will experience less anxiety symptoms when compared to college students with other majors; (3) depression levels in college students will significantly increase during each year of college due to stress, employment, and substance usage; (4) depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and engagement in addictive behaviors will increase with each academic year in college. Depression and anxiety will be assessed using portions of the DASS-21, Loneliness will be evaluated using the UCLA Loneliness Scale, and the YRBS will be utilized to assess addictive behaviors in college students throughout their undergraduate years. This study has been approved by the Murray State IRB, using SONA to collect data from participants, which is ongoing at this current time and will be presented at Scholars Week.
Keywords: Depression, anxiety, loneliness, addictive behaviors, mental health in college, alcohol use
UAS vs. In-situ Measurement Techniques for Stream Substrates
No full textUAS vs. In-situ Measurement Techniques for Stream Substrates
Key words: Geomorphic, Fluvial, ArcGIS Pro, UAS
Traditionally, geomorphic assessments of streams and fluvial structures have been conducted using in-situ field techniques. These techniques include taking Wolman (D50) pebble counts to characterize substrate, measurements of stream dimensions with tape, meter sticks, and Jacob staff. We studied the efficacy of using an uncrewed aerial system (UAS) to measure the substrate composition of a section of stream along the east fork of the Clarks River in Calloway County, Kentucky. The section consists of a 30-meter riffle-pool-run sequence, with variation in substrate size to test particle size detection with UAS imagery.
Stream substrate in this project was first assessed in-situ with traditional field methods. Wolman(D50) pebble counts measure the median particle size of the substrate in a stream section. Wolman pebble counts are accomplished by randomly taking 100 pebble samples using a gravelometer measuring grain sizes from sand up to cobble (diameter measured in millimeters). Substrate composition of a stream can also be assessed using aerial imagery and utilizing Object-based image analysis (OBIA) tools in ArcGIS Pro. The same stream section was then imaged using a DJI drone flown 5 meters above the stream bed. These images were combined through a mosaic process and rendered into a 3D model in Pix4D and then uploaded to ArcGIS Pro. The Deep Learning Image Analyst extension in ArcGIS Pro was used to measure particle size distribution. The median pebble count from the hand-measured assessment was compared to the median particle size detected through ArcGIS Pro OBIA. The total counts and cumulative frequency distributions for both data sets were statistically compared with one another via regression analysis to establish the degree of precision of data collection between the two methods.
We hope to assess precision between the two data collection methods. This study opens the door to future research using UAS to assess fluvial features and to complete geomorphic assessments. UAS and other remote sensors can be advantageous because they allow the researcher to assess areas that may be difficult to access and the larger areas can be accessed in less time, without compromising accuracy of data collection
Effect of Freezing and Freeze-thaw Cycles on Equine Serum Insulin Concentration: A Pilot Study
No full textInsulin dysregulation is a key component of Equine Metabolic Syndrome (EMS), and is a precursor to other maladies like laminitis and liver failure. Diagnosis of EMS is conducted through blood sampling measuring the concentration of insulin and glucose in the blood. Achieving an accurate result of insulin concentration is vital for diagnosis, making proper sample handling essential. The aim of this project was to evaluate the effect of repetitive freeze-thaw cycles on equine serum insulin concentrations. Serum was collected from 10 university-owned horses and split into four treatment groups: Unfrozen, Once Frozen, Twice Frozen, and Three Times Frozen. Unfrozen serum was sent immediately for analysis and the other samples were maintained in a regular freezer (0 ℉, -18 ℃) for the freeze-thaw process. Once the freeze-thaw process was complete, all frozen samples were sent to the laboratory for radioimmunoassay analysis. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. The concentration data were analyzed for main effects of sex, age, and freeze-thaw cycle. There was an effect of age on serum insulin concentration (P \u3c 0.0001). Older horses had higher concentrations than younger (28.7458 ± 1.7998 uIU/mL and 51.6967 ± 2.3236 uIU/mL, respectively), which was in agreement with other published results. There was no effect of freeze-thaw cycles, which was similar to previously reported studies in other species. There was also no effect of sex, which was not in agreement with previous reports where mares were reported to have higher serum insulin concentrations than geldings. The results of this study will equip veterinarians and laboratories to freeze equine insulin serum samples up to three times and still be confident of an accurate result
Exploring communication strategies with esports fans: signaling physical location and popularity
No full textPurpose
Using signaling theory as a theoretical foundation, this study aims to investigate how consumers respond to message framing emphasizing physical location and popularity of an esports team. Additionally, this research looks at how power distance belief, need for uniqueness, sense of power and pride in community are associated with consumer intentions (e.g. support likelihood, watch likelihood, follow on social media likelihood) as a function of physical location versus popularity-signaling in team communication with prospective fans. Design/methodology/approach
This research uses an experiment to test the effects of physical location and popularity-signaling on consumer intentions toward an esports team, as well as a correlational study examining the relationship between power distance belief, need for uniqueness, sense of power and pride in community on consumer intentions toward an esports team. The hypotheses of the experiment were tested using two-way ANOVAs, and the hypotheses of the correlational study were tested using a multiple regression with four predictor variables (pride in community, need for uniqueness, sense of power and power distance belief) and consumer intentions as the outcome measures. Findings
Consumers’ responses to team messaging are influenced by physical location and popularity signals. Consumers respond more favorably in terms of support intentions toward a team signaling physical location and popularity, and each is uniquely important to emphasize in message framing. Additionally, physical location signaling is more positively associated among consumers who have a low-power distance belief, low need for uniqueness, high sense of power and high pride in community. Popularity-signaling is associated with stronger support from consumers who have a high-power distance belief and need for uniqueness and low sense of power and pride in community. Originality/value
Research has yet to apply signaling theory in the context of esports. The authors examine whether team communication with prospective fans is more effective using physical location or popularity-signaling as a message frame. The results offer practical insights for team managers in the booming esports industry, where message framing strategies are essential for fan development. Specifically, physical location and popularity-signaling are uniquely important to highlight to consumers in team communication. While pride in community and sense of power are more positively associated with location signaling, power distance belief and need for uniqueness are more positively associated with popularity-signaling