ChatGPT and Biblical Studies

The use of computers in the study of theology has a long and positive history, yet the level of concern in response to the latest AI chatbots is understandable. This article explores how education and preaching need to adapt to this new technology and what its limitations are, as well as how it may make a positive contribution. The study concludes with a brief exploration of the kinds of sermon materials GPTs produced for the author when given prompts about the story of the Samaritan woman in John 4

Impacts of a Yoga and Mindfulness Course on High School Students

This research investigates the impact of a yoga and mindfulness (YM) course taught by a high school counselor in the United States to address student anxiety, stress, and coping skills. Pre- and post-tests administered to participants and a control group indicated significant reductions in anxiety and stress among class participants, suggesting YM interventions can effectively enhance student wellbeing in school settings. Implications for educators include integrating YM practices into a comprehensive program to support holistic student wellbeing

GUBIC: The global urban biological invasions compendium for plants

Abstract Urban areas are foci for the introduction of non-native plant species, and they often act as launching sites for invasions into the wider environment. Although interest in biological invasions in urban areas is growing rapidly, and the extent and complexity of problems associated with invasions in these systems have increased, data on the composition and numbers of non-native plants in urbanized areas remain scattered and idiosyncratic. We assembled data from multiple sources to create the Global Urban Biological Invasions Compendium (GUBIC) for vascular plants representing 553 urban centres from 61 countries across every continent except Antarctica. The GUBIC repository includes 8140 non-native plant species from 253 families. The number of urban centres in which these non-native species occurred had a log-normal distribution, with 65.2% of non-native species occurring in fewer than 10 urban centres. Practical implications: The dataset has wider applications for urban ecology, invasion biology, macroecology, conservation, urban planning and sustainability. We hope this dataset will stimulate future research in invasion ecology related to the diversity and distributional patterns of non-native flora across urban centres worldwide. Further, this information should aid the early detection and risk assessment of potential invasive species, inform policy development and assist in setting management priorities

Healing Harmonies: Music Therapy and Dementia

Dementia continues to plague the elderly population. It is a leading cause of death for this age group, and yet we still can only provide treatments to maintain and prolong the disease’s symptoms. Music therapy has become an increasingly popular treatment option for dementia patients as it is almost universally accessible, and a popular pastime for a large part of society. Integrating music into treatment regimens over traditional conversational therapies, reduces agitation and anxiety, improves cognitive functioning and language skills, and improves overall quality of life for both patients and caregivers. Thus, providers should encourage, and patients should participate in musical therapy to combat dementia as it progresses

A Statistical Look into how Common Soccer Metrics Influence Expected Goal Measures in the Professional Game

The advent of sports analytics has ignited a fervor across all sporting disciplines, particularly soccer, where clubs are sprinting to harness vast data reserves to elevate team performance, spearhead effective marketing endeavors, and bolster financial gains crucial for club expansion. Much like Billy Beane\u27s transformative Moneyball approach, soccer clubs are in pursuit of innovative strategies to transcend financial limitations and achieve triumph. In soccer, where goals are scarce commodities, heightened offensive efficacy becomes imperative. Presently, one metric stands out as pivotal in gauging a team\u27s goal-scoring success: expected goals (xG). This metric quantifies the likelihood of a given shot or opportunity culminating in a goal, making it a linchpin in a team\u27s offensive strategy. Maximizing expected goals becomes paramount for teams aiming to capitalize on limited scoring opportunities during matches. Crucially, the first step in reshaping tactical approaches hinges on identifying the most influential variables in predicting expected goals. To this end, this study employs an array of machine learning methodologies, including Ridge, Lasso, Elastic Net, and Group Lasso models. The objective is to unveil the key predictor variables that significantly impact team (offensive) performance, often delineating the thin line between championship glory and defeat. With the aim of predicting xG, this research also incorporates modified bootstrap techniques to compute prediction intervals for the regularized machine learning models. By delving into the intricate fabric of soccer analytics, this study seeks to empower clubs with actionable insights, fostering a new era of strategy and competitive edge on the field

Repatriation in the Modern Museum World: Practical Problems Surrounding Decolonization of Collections

Museums are home to many artifacts that allow us to learn about and understand people from around the world. However, many artifacts kept in Western (primarily North American and European) museums have origins steeped in colonial ideas of cultural superiority and collections acquired through ethically questionable means. Many institutions have been working to decolonize their collections by evaluating their objects\u27 cultural origins and repatriating some pieces when possible. By repatriating (returning) objects of cultural patrimony as specified by laws such as the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA), museums uphold their ethical duties and improve the quality of their collection. However, many museums have struggled to repatriate due to practical, ideological, and bureaucratic barriers. As part of my ethnographic research, including participant observation and interviews at two Indianapolis museums, I have engaged in the repatriation process and analyzed the challenges that modern museums face as they work to decolonize their collections and exhibit spaces. Through ethnographic and historical research, I have been able to highlight some of the major challenges that museums face during the repatriation process and many of the ways that they have been able to strive for successful repatriation

Undergraduates\u27 Perceptions of Campus Response to Sexual Assault: A Butler University Case Study

Sexual assault and misconduct on college campuses is a pervasive and long-standing problem. As such, students’ views of campus climate, safety, and their universities’ response and prevention policies and practices remain paramount. Using an anonymous survey, the current research examines how undergraduate students at Butler University perceive the campus climate regarding sexual assault and misconduct and how they interpret and assess the university’s response. The questionnaire posed a series of questions concerning students’ knowledge and access to resources, general feelings of safety, and interpretation of university responses. Findings suggest that most respondents believe their university handles sexual assault and misconduct moderately well, but most respondents do not feel comfortable navigating campus resources. Qualitative findings reveal an underlying belief that survivors are not always adequately supported at the university and that students do not trust university resources to meet the needs of someone who has experienced sexual assault or misconduct. Institutional policies and practices are discussed as a way to affect meaningful change on this college campus