Ever Ancient Ever New, Liturgical Development at Vatican II: October 1963 (Oh what a Council!)

The primary focus of this thesis will be liturgy, specifically how the liturgical movement of the twentieth century influenced the writings of the Council document Sacrosanctum concilium and how the document was implemented after the Second Vatican Council

Relating Quantitative Ultrasound Measurements of Two Cancer Cell Lines, HeLa and MDA-MB-231, to Biological Markers

Quantitative ultrasound is a promising alternative method for cancer diagnosis that is non-invasive and cost-effective. This experiment investigated the potential of quantitative ultrasound in diagnosing and differentiating breast and cervical cancer. Using HeLa cells and MDA cells, the speed of sound and attenuation was measured using 5, 10, and 15 MHz transducers. It was found that the speed of sound of the MDA and HeLa cells did not deviate much, with values of 1527.6±3.1 m/s and 1527.5±3.9 m/s, respectively, but the attenuation of the MDA and HeLa did vary, though error in the experiment leaves this conclusion up for debate. Lack of variation in the speed of sound could have been due to the similar densities of the cell pellets as well as similar cancerous morphologies of the cells. The difference in attenuation was likely due to increased interference from the MDA cells due to unique mutations. Overall, additional experiments need to be done to finalize the attenuation conclusions. In addition, it must be explored if other ultrasonic characteristics can be used to differentiate between the cells and other cell lines or cancer types must be used to further investigate the potential of quantitative ultrasound

Recovery Experiences During COVID-19

People with substance use disorder are a particularly at risk population who experienced greater hardships during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, as previous literature revealed. The present study aims to explore the experiences of individuals with substance use disorder accessing recovery support services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Self-report survey data was collected from 144 participants who self-identified as having substance use disorder and engaged in recovery support services since COVID-19 began. Thematic analysis was used to analyze survey data and 4 main themes were identified: (1) Shifting terrains in recovery, (2) Connecting through a screen, (3) Heightened hardships, and (4) Grow through what you go through. Participants experienced greater challenges during the pandemic related to accessing virtual substance use support services, exacerbated mental health symptoms, and loss of relationships, which often led to decreased motivation for recovery. In the face of adversity, however, a number of participants expressed cultivating resilience and healthy coping strategies, leading some to derive a newfound sense of purpose in recovery. Future research should explore the present role of virtual services in recovery treatment and mental health conditions following the pandemic

Womanhood in Light of the Theology of the Body

This thesis will focus specifically on the sacramental meaning of a woman’s body

Emerson Remained My Master : The Influence of Ralph Waldo Emerson on Louisa May Alcott\u27s Thought and Writing in \u3cem\u3eLittle Women\u3c/em\u3e

In this thesis, I will argue that Little Women was heavily influenced by Alcott’s mentor Ralph Waldo Emerson. Emerson’s influence impacted Alcott’s life and writing in two main ways. First, growing up in Concord, surrounded by the influence of well-known Transcendentalist writers and under the mentorship of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Alcott was heavily influenced by his work and the ideals of the transcendentalist movement. The ideas of Transcendentalism that Emerson made popular and wrote about in his pieces such as “Nature” and speeches like “Women” and “The American Scholar” appear in Little Women. Second, Alcott was also heavily influenced by Emerson’s writing style, predominantly from his poetry, which appears in her writing in the novel. Little Women was the best performing work of Alcott’s career after she had spent many years studying under Emerson. The novel was ahead of its time in its representation of women and feminism based on Emerson’s ideals that Alcott put into her own words, and these themes continue to stay relevant today. In what follows, I will explore both types of influence

Defensio Reipublicae

In my thesis idea of Defensio Reipublicae I intend to analyze the founding of the American republic, while also briefly touching upon the history of republicanism in the Roman republic, in order to formulate a defense in support of republicanism. By looking at sources of the foundation of the United States, as well as political philosophy, I plan to lay out why republicanism—as a form of governance—is a prime choice for the self-governance of human societies. Sources such as the Federalist Papers, scholarly articles, political philosophers like Montesquieu, Locke, and Machiavelli, in addition to the expertise of my advisor, President Weiner, will be very useful in the application and presentation of my thesis. Defensio Reipublicae is intended to show that—although imperfect, as all manmade creations are—republicanism is a great form of government for humanity in the past as well as the modern world, allowing the body politic to effectively and peacefully govern itself without the overbearing control of an autocrat, despot, majoritarian faction, monarch, or an otherwise tyrannical regime

Justice in the American Legal System: Challenges to the Confrontation Clause in Criminal Child Sexual Abuse Cases

The following thesis will look at the original intent of the Founders when the Sixth Amendment was written. It will then examine the challenges presented to justice both substantively and procedurally in cases of criminal child sexual abuse specifically, including the challenges faced by victims forced to testify during trial long after the trial is over. After establishing these challenges, this thesis will then examine legal precedent set by the courts that illustrates how exceptions have been made to traditional courtroom procedures over time, such as exceptions to the hearsay rule and in-person testimony on the witness stand, to allow for the particularities of a given case while also still upholding defendants’ Sixth Amendment rights more broadly. Finally, bringing this research together, a Congressional bill will be drafted, providing a national standard for exceptions to the Confrontation Clause specifically, thereby providing a more streamlined and consistent way for courts to accommodate the special needs of child sexual abuse victims

Neurological Abnormalities Following a Metal-on-Metal Total Hip Arthroplasty: A Literature Review

Studies collectively reviewing hundreds of case studies have revealed that metal-on-metal hip implants have been failing in the body by degrading at the connection between the ball on the femur and the socket in the hip. In many older adults, these surgeries have been used to treat osteoarthritis, rheumatic disorders, trauma, bone tumors, etc., but there are various adverse side effects that come with a major surgery, as with any type of surgery. For a total hip arthroplasty, or THA, the risk of necrosis, pseudotumors and generalized pain in the surgical area are common side effects, but providers often do not note the risk of implant failure and how that impacts the body. An adverse side effect that is not as well known, but just as serious, is the physiological changes that occur in the brain to mimic dementia symptoms. Patients presenting with dementia symptoms have recently been misdiagnosed because providers would not think to run a heavy metal panel to investigate if the hip implants are the cause of the symptoms. This literature review will outline the long-term effects of metal hip implants, how patients should be aware of the possibilities presented by metal toxicity, less known adverse manifestations of metal accumulation in the bloodstream, and the subsequent neurological symptoms

Quality of School-Based Mental Health Services and Student Well-Being

Schools are essential in providing both students who struggle with mental health problems as well as the overall student population with services that improve well-being. Previous research has shown that, among other factors, the involvement of caregivers is important for the effectiveness of such programs, thus improving their quality. However, there is little evidence about the relationship between the quality of these mental health services and student well-being. This study aimed to fill this gap in literature. It was predicted that high quality mental health services and high caregiver involvement would be associated with increased student well-being, as indicated by low symptoms of psychopathology and negative emotions and high levels of life satisfaction, positive affect, and mindfulness. Participants included 19 caregivers, 5 middle school students, and 5 mental health professionals from two school districts in Massachusetts, who completed questionnaires that assessed the study variables. The correlations between quality of mental health services and student outcomes were not statistically significant, however, were all in the expected direction. The correlation between caregiver involvement and psychopathology was also in the right direction, but parental involvement seemed to increase negative affect and decrease life satisfaction. However, none were statistically significant. The trends in the current findings point to the need to evaluate the quality of school services, encourage caregiver involvement, educate caregivers and students about common problems and mental health illnesses, and provide ongoing training to school mental health professionals

The R.I.C.O. Act: America\u27s Approach Against the Mafia and Corporate Crime

A full explanation of how the federal government has made provisions to take down the Mafia that can and have been used against corporate crime through something known as the R.I.C.O. Act of 1970, and how the courts have failed to interpret the laws that were developed with the intent to neutralize both crime syndicates and corporate crimes