Transformative Criminal Defense Practice: Truth, Love, and Individual Rights- The Innovative Approach of the Georgia Justice Project

Georgia Justice Project has a unique approach to criminal defense and rehabilitation which is based on a relationship and community-oriented ethic. Focused on only accepting clients who are willing to make a serious commitment to changing their lives, the GJP ensures that the client moves beyond social, emotional and personal challenges that contributed to their legal problems. This article describes the unique factors of the GJP that have contributed to its continued success

Creating an Inclusive School Climate for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Students

In a study completed in 2009, only 88 out of 400 school districts surveyed showed support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students (Rienzo, Button, Sheu, & Li, 2006). Some of this may be due to a lack of support by society, family, and friends, or a lack of advocacy in school for support services for the LGBT population. There are many ways in which a school can contribute to supporting LGBT youth. These ways include, but are not limited to, education about sexual orientation for students, faculty, parents, school board members, and the community, support groups for LGBT students, gay-straight student alliances, counseling services for LGBT youth, policies that enforce strict anti-LGBT language and behavior, and policies that prohibit discrimination against LGBT in hiring and promotion of faculty (Rienzo et al., 2006). Support in the schools for all students, especially sexual minority youth, is imperative. Without it, students’ personal, social, and academic lives may suffer

Immune function and infection status is related to migration distance and phases of the annual cycle in song sparrows (Melospiza melodia)

Life history theory predicts animals adjust immune investment based on their risk of encountering familiar and unfamiliar parasites. Although long-distance migrants may encounter a greater diversity of parasites than short-distance migrants, the energetic costs of migration may constrain immune investment. However, few studies have investigated the relationship between migration distance and immunity. I used stable isotope analysis to estimate the wintering latitude, and thus migration distance, of song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). I assessed whether migration distance was related to the incidence of infection with a blood-borne parasite, parasite load, and immune function. The incidence of infection increased with migration distance, but only for adults. Macrophage phagocytosis, associated with innate immunity, decreased with migration distance but only for males. As birds shifted from migratory to breeding condition, innate immunity decreased while acquired immunity tended to increase. These findings suggest that exposure to parasites varies with migration distance, the demands of migration may constrain immune investment, and innate immunity may be important during migration

Understanding Toxic Cycles and How to Defeat Them: How Poetry Can Heal

Cathartic writing dates back millennia. Poetry, as a form of therapy, has been used in history to nurture the soul. Its effects go deeper than spiritually, and has been shown to aid in dealing with depression, anxiety and negative behaviors

Hitchhiker\u27s guide to migration: effects of experimental parasitic infection and other immune challenges on migratory traits of sparrows

Seasonal migration exposes animals to a variety of habitats and parasites, and if infected migratory birds migrate successfully there is great potential for birds to transport infectious diseases long distances. Our current understanding of whether birds contribute to the spread of disease relies upon observational field studies that are limited in their ability to discern cause from effect. Using captive and field-based experiments for my doctoral research, I answered three research questions: (1) are nocturnal migratory restlessness (Zugunruhe) and body condition affected by mounting an acute phase immune response during migration; (2) what are the impacts of parasitic infection on Zugunruhe and body condition compared to those of upregulating immunity, and (3) are the observed consequences of successful parasite infection in captive conditions also realized in nature? Contrary to expectations, song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) and white-throated sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and/or keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) in captivity during autumn migration exhibited increases in body condition and did not reduce Zugunruhe. Finding no negative impacts of short-term immune challenges on migratory traits suggests that short-term activation of the acute immune response does not constrain migratory activity or preparation in these songbirds. Successful Plasmodium infection in captive white-throated sparrows did not reduce body condition but did reduce Zugunruhe once peak parasite loads were reached, two weeks after inoculation. In contrast, birds exposed to Plasmodium that did not become infected (resistant) exhibited reduced Zugunruhe immediately after exposure but did not differ from controls (not exposed) two-week after inoculation. Resistant song sparrows exposed to Plasmodium had reduced lean mass 12 days post-exposure in captivity. Once released, radio-telemetry tracking indicated no significant difference in the departure date between controls, infected, and resistant song sparrows. These results are the first to demonstrate that exposure to malaria can impact migratory traits, independent of infection. Contrasting captive and field-based results highlight the importance of using similar methodological timelines, hosts, and pathogens to draw concrete conclusions regarding the impact of disease on migration. These studies are the first to explore the impacts of upregulating immunity and parasitic infection in controlled captive conditions. In combination, these findings indicate that models predicting disease spread should consider resistant-induced effects on body condition and migration alongside infection-induced effects

Wellness Intervention as a Quality of Life Predictor in Mentally Ill Veterans

Veterans with serious mental illness (SMI) are at high risk of developing conditions such as insulin resistance, obesity, and smoking, which may lead to chronic medical problems. As a result, the morbidity and mortality of people with SMI are high compared to the general population. It appears that integrated care improves the wellbeing of veterans; however, there is a gap in the literature on wellness-based interventions for veterans with SMI. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the association between a wellness intervention for veterans and their perceived quality of life (QOL). Social cognitive theory was the theoretical lens through which this study was conducted. It was hypothesized that there is an association between veterans’ involvement in the wellness component of a program and their perceived QOL. The program is a specialty VA service known as Mental Health Intensive Case Management (MHICM). A total of 112 veterans served by a single MHICM program in the U.S. Southeast completed a validated VA survey that measures health related QOL. A chart audit was conducted to gather information such as years served by the program and type of wellness services received. Regression modeling was used to assess the relationship between a veteran’s involvement in the wellness interventions and his or her perceived QOL. The study results showed that the interventions were not significant predictors of veterans QOL. Two covariates, age and gender, were found to be significant predictors, but each accounted for less than 7% of the variance. The study findings show the need for further research to explore the role of wellness interventions in a veteran’s recovery. Social change may result from encouraging veterans with SMIs to participate in self-rated QOL measures