Martin Luther: Perceptions of the Reformer in Popular Culture and Historical Scholarship

Martin Luther\u27s remarkable life, his impressive body of written work, his dynamic and charismatic personality, and his impact on the world have long been a source of interest in the world of academia and of popular culture. This thesis examines the affect of the scholarly historical research of the nineteenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries regarding Luther and its affect on perception of the reformer in popular culture as presented by the media. The opening section of the thesis presents an examination and evaluation of Lutheran scholarship and how historical trends have affected the reformer\u27s image in the academic world. Documents from the American version of Luther \u27s Works are used to compare the reformer\u27s own words with the opinions of scholars. The following section addresses the psychological perceptions of Luther using scholarship from the second half of the twentieth century to present day as well as many of the reformer\u27s letters, sermons, and published tracts. Lastly the perceptions cultivated by the media industry are explored using three historical dramas and one documentary based on Luther\u27s life and many websites that feature the reformer in some fashion. The evidence produces the conclusion that though historical trends have produced an increasingly complex Luther, the outdated and weak great man theory continues to dominate the media\u27s portrayal of him because it resonates with the general public and, in turn, generates interest and income

Archaeological Survey of the Proposed EMLI at Pecan Creek Housing Development Denton County, Tx

Liberty Multifamily, LLC is proposing to develop approximately 12 acres of a 22-acre tract east of FM2931, approximately 0.4 miles north of its intersection with Ike Byrom Road in Denton County, Texas. Liberty Multifamily, LLC contracted with AR Consultants, Inc. to conduct an intensive cultural resources survey of the 12 acres slated for development. Archaeological survey of the tract was conducted on July 17-18, 2019. Based on the research conducted prior to the survey, two hypotheses were developed. AR Consultants, Inc. hypothesized that there is moderate potential for encountering prehistoric and low potential for encountering historic archaeological sites within the survey area. As expected, a single prehistoric site (41DN619) was encountered during survey. Site 41DN619 is an approximately 0.4-acre lithic scatter, similar to nearby sites along Pecan Creek and its tributaries. Based on the results of this survey, AR Consultants, Inc. is unable to make a recommendation for the site regarding its significance and eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places. AR Consultants, Inc. requests guidance from the Texas Historical Commission on this matter

Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Crawford Memorial Park Improvements Dallas County, Texas

The City of Dallas is proposing to improve the existing Crawford Memorial Park in central-southeastern Dallas County, Texas. DIPS Environmental, Inc., contracted with AR Consultants, Inc. to conduct an intensive archaeological survey of Crawford Memorial Park under the authority of Texas Antiquities Permit number 8747. Crawford Memorial Park totals approximately 265 acres. However, modern landscape modifications including a number of sports fields, the Crawford Aquatic Center, parking lots, cement walking paths, a playground, pavilion, bathrooms, and a City of Dallas Park and Recreation Maintenance Facility exist within the park boundary and project area. As Crawford Memorial Park has never been surveyed for archaeological resources, the area of the park where these modern landscape modifications have occurred, approximately 105 acres, was subject to a reconnaissance pedestrian survey without shovel testing. Approximately 160 acres of Crawford Memorial Park was subject to an intensive pedestrian survey with shovel testing. In total, 57 shovel tests were excavated during the systematic field inspection on March 5-6, 11, 14, and 19-20, 2019. The archaeological potential for prehistoric and historic cultural resources had been considered low except for a known earthen berm and floodwater overflow feature that was constructed to dam the old Prairie Creek channel in 1961. This historic site, 41DL549, was the only site recorded during survey. Apart from 41DL549 no cultural resources were identified in the shovel tests or on the surface. Given the results of this survey, AR Consultants, Inc. recommends that further cultural resource investigations are unnecessary for this project, and requests that the Texas Historical Commission and the Fort Worth District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers concur with this recommendation. The field notes, photographs, and photo logs are curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas

Archaeological Survey of the Proposed Crawford Memorial Park Improvements Dallas County, Texas

The City of Dallas is proposing to improve the existing Crawford Memorial Park in central-southeastern Dallas County, Texas. DIPS Environmental, Inc., contracted with AR Consultants, Inc. to conduct an intensive archaeological survey of Crawford Memorial Park under the authority of Texas Antiquities Permit number 8747. Crawford Memorial Park totals approximately 265 acres. However, modern landscape modifications including a number of sports fields, the Crawford Aquatic Center, parking lots, cement walking paths, a playground, pavilion, bathrooms, and a City of Dallas Park and Recreation Maintenance Facility exist within the park boundary and project area. As Crawford Memorial Park has never been surveyed for archaeological resources, the area of the park where these modern landscape modifications have occurred, approximately 105 acres, was subject to a reconnaissance pedestrian survey without shovel testing. Approximately 160 acres of Crawford Memorial Park was subject to an intensive pedestrian survey with shovel testing. In total, 57 shovel tests were excavated during the systematic field inspection on March 5-6, 11, 14, and 19-20, 2019. The archaeological potential for prehistoric and historic cultural resources had been considered low except for a known earthen berm and floodwater overflow feature that was constructed to dam the old Prairie Creek channel in 1961. This historic site, 41DL549, was the only site recorded during survey. Apart from 41DL549 no cultural resources were identified in the shovel tests or on the surface. Given the results of this survey, AR Consultants, Inc. recommends that further cultural resource investigations are unnecessary for this project, and requests that the Texas Historical Commission and the Fort Worth District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers concur with this recommendation. The field notes, photographs, and photo logs are curated at the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas

The Challenge of Adolescent Crowd Research: Defining the Crowd

As research on adolescent crowds has increased over the past several decades, researchers appear to be confident in their claims of the consequences of crowd membership, even suggesting targeted interventions. This review of the various methods used to identify adolescents’ crowd membership suggests that this confidence may be misplaced. There are diverse methodologies used in this research area that examine different samples of adolescents belonging to each crowd. Social-type rating methods, self-identification methods, grouping by adolescent behaviors or characteristics, and ethnographic or other qualitative methods should be accompanied by greater specificity in terminology to alert researchers to the various phenomena being studied (i.e., “reputational crowd,” “interactional crowd,” “behavioral crowd,” “affiliation crowd”). Additionally, studies comparing the various self-identification approaches and peer ratings are needed, along with reliability studies of peer ratings. More attention to specific methodology to determine crowd membership and its stability will aid the design of theoretical models of adolescent crowds and contribute to developmental outcome research

Associations of Parental and Peer Characteristics with Adolescents’ Social Dominance Orientation

Studies with adults of social dominance orientation (SDO), a preference for inequality among social groups, have found correlations with various prejudices and support for discriminatory practices. This study explores the construct among adolescents at an age when they are beginning to recognize the social groups in their environment, particularly adolescent crowds. The relationship of SDO and perceptions of parents’ responsiveness and demandingness were also investigated. Subjects were in grades 9–12 (N = 516, 53% female, 96% White). Mother’s and father’s responsiveness significantly predicted adolescent’s SDO scores, with greater perceived responsiveness associated with lower SDO. To analyze the multiple crowd memberships of the 76% belonging to more than one crowd, two-step cluster analysis was used to identify patterns, resulting in 8 clusters of distinct, heterogeneous composition. SDO differed significantly among males in different clusters, but not females. The importance of membership was positively associated with SDO among high-status crowds and negatively associated with SDO among the academic and normal crowds. The findings have implications for prejudices that may be developing in adolescence and indicate a need for further research into the social context of SDO and its development

Archaeological Survey Of The Sister Grove RWRRF Collin County, Texas

The North Texas Municipal Water District is planning to build the Sister Grove Regional Water Resource Recovery Facility on a 932-acre property in New Hope, Collin County, Texas. In total, 372 acres of this property will be impacted. In a cultural resource evaluation dated September 5, 2019, AR Consultants, Inc. recommended the survey of four areas with high potential for encountering prehistoric and historic archaeology, totaling 105 acres. CDM Smith, Inc. contracted with AR Consultants, Inc. to perform the survey under the authority of Texas Antiquities Permit 9182. Fieldwork occurred on December 4-5, 2019 and January 7, 2020. An addendum to Permit 9182 for the survey of a 4.2-mile-long, 96-inch-diameter pipeline that will connect the water facility to an 18.2-acre outfall property on Stiff Creek, surveyed by AR Consultants, Inc. in 2018, was approved in August 2020. On behalf of AR Consultants, Inc., SWCA Environmental Consultants surveyed 3.8 miles of the 120-foot-wide pipeline corridor between September 9-12, 2020. Based on background research, AR Consultants, Inc. predicted that there was potential for encountering prehistoric and historic cultural resources across the survey area. Seven historic archaeological sites (41COL328-330 and 41COL336-339) and four historic isolated objects were recorded during the survey. The sites include large, repeatedly plowed surficial scatters, many of which correspond with mapped structures, and a trash dump. Only five of the 191 shovel tests yielded artifacts. These sites retain little integrity and are not associated with significant persons, events, or architectural styles. The sites do not have the potential to yield new information about past lifeways or environments. Therefore, these sites are recommended as ineligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places or designation as State Antiquities Landmarks. Given the results of this survey, AR Consultants, Inc. recommends that further cultural resource investigations are unnecessary for this survey area and request that the Texas Historical Commission and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers concur with these recommendations. Records associated with this project will be curated with the Center for Archaeological Studies at Texas State University, San Marcos

Cephalosporinases associated with outer membrane vesicles released by Bacteroides spp. protect gut pathogens and commensals against beta-lactam antibiotics

Objectives: To identify β-lactamase genes in gut commensal Bacteroides species and to assess the impact of these enzymes, when carried by outer membrane vesicles (OMVs), in protecting enteric pathogens and commensals. Methods: A deletion mutant of the putative class A β-lactamase gene (locus tag BT_4507) found in the genome of the human commensal Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron was constructed and a phenotypic analysis performed. A phylogenetic tree was built from an alignment of nine Bacteroides cephalosporinase protein sequences, using the maximum likelihood method. The rate of cefotaxime degradation after incubation with OMVs produced by different Bacteroides species was quantified using a disc susceptibility test. The resistance of Salmonella Typhimurium and Bifidobacterium breve to cefotaxime in liquid culture in the presence of B. thetaiotaomicron OMVs was evaluated by measuring bacterial growth. Results: The B. thetaiotaomicron BT_4507 gene encodes a β-lactamase related to the CepA cephalosporinase of Bacteroides fragilis. OMVs produced by B. thetaiotaomicron and several other Bacteroides species, except Bacteroides ovatus, carried surface-associated β-lactamases that could degrade cefotaxime. β-Lactamase-harbouring OMVs from B. thetaiotaomicron protected Salmonella Typhimurium and B. breve from an otherwise lethal dose of cefotaxime. Conclusions: The production of membrane vesicles carrying surface-associated β-lactamases by Bacteroides species, which constitute a major part of the human colonic microbiota, may protect commensal bacteria and enteric pathogens, such as Salmonella Typhimurium, against β-lactam antibiotics

Is emotional maltreatment in childhood a predictor of risk-taking behaviours in adults?

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between emotional maltreatment (neglect and abuse) and risk-taking (risk-taking and risk assessment) behaviours. The study analysed subsequent links between emotional maltreatment, risk-taking behaviours and personality. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (Short form) measured participants childhood abuse, the HEXACO-60 was used to measure participants personality, and the RT-18 risk-taking questionnaire was used to measure participants risk taking and risk assessment. The questionnaires were administered online, with the target demographic being any gender, over the age of 18. Results showed that women experienced or recalled more emotional maltreatment than men, but inconsistent with previous research was that there were no gender differences in risk taking behaviours. There was a small positive correlation between emotional neglect and risk taking. Both positive and negative correlations between emotional maltreatment and personality were found, particularly a negative correlation between extraversion and emotional maltreatment. Consistent with previous research were associations between personality and risk-taking behaviours, especially risk assessment and conscientiousness. Overall, results from this study add to current literature on personality, emotional maltreatment and risk-taking behaviours, and can be developed for future research

Social and emotional components of book reading between caregivers and their toddlers in a high-risk sample

In this collective case study of caregiver behaviors with their toddlers, two-minute videotaped reading interactions were analyzed using a constant comparative method. Twenty-four caregiver—toddler dyads from a high-risk sample of children prenatally exposed to cocaine were selected from a larger sample because they represented the extremes of expressive language scores on the Reynell Expressive Language Quotient at 36 months, one year after the reading interactions. Caregivers in the high-scoring group shared control of the book and discourse, were ‘in tune’ with the child’s needs and abilities, and answered their own questions to the children. This was in contrast to the behaviors of caregivers of the low-scoring children, who appeared unaware of the child’s developmental needs in the interaction, particularly in their ability to respond to the questions posed. Implications of the results for future research on caregiver reading with young children are discussed