Digital Commons Network^™

Cni Combined Variables Dataset, Kahlib Fischer

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Overview:

This data represents county-wide data for every state in the United States in an attempt to measure the presence and impact of social capital and local community health (as defined by covenantal noncentralization) on community challenges.

Predictor Variables (Covenantal Noncentralization):

• 2 Parent Percentage
• Religious Adherence
• Social Associations
• Charitable Deduction
• Institutional Governance

Outcome Variables (Community Challenges):

• Tragic Deaths
• STD Rates
• Unemployment
• Child Poverty
• Dropout Rate

The spreadsheet consists of the following tabs:

• Raw Data: all data, predictor and outcome, for every county in the United States
• CNI-Z: Z score conversions for all Predictor Variables as discussed above
• Comm …

How Dna Reveals God’S Design, Alan L. Gillen

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Codes are big in today’s world: QR codes, barcodes, computer codes, cell phone codes, and more. Specific information is needed to identify, diagnose, and inform. DNA is the code for life: microbes, plants, parasites, animals, and man. DNA Day is April 25 because it was this day in history (April 25, 1953) when James Watson and Francis Crick described DNA as the double helix and the code for life. Although we consider DNA the genetic blueprint for life, it has only been known for 80 years. On February 1, 1944, Oswald Avery, Colin MacLeod, and Maclyn McCarty wrote a revolutionary …

Open Educational Resources: A Guide For Faculty, Mark Hamilton

Faculty Publications and Presentations

In this session, we will discuss the following topics: What are Open Educational Resources (OER)? What can I do with OER? Where can I find OER? How can I create OER? How can I share my OER?

Death Notification For The Law Enforcement Chaplain; Considering Models That Emphasize The Ministry Of Presence, Steven W. Brooks

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Against a backdrop of protocols developed in the medical community for delivering bad news (news of a distressing nature) to patients and survivors (e.g., friends and family of a patient or victim), a straightforward procedure is described for law enforcement chaplains who must deliver death notifications to civilians. A description of and appreciation for the ministry of presence is explored. Specifically, the ministry of presence, modeled after Jesus’ example in the Incarnation and His development of disciples, is described as the cornerstone of chaplaincy.

Celebrating Leeuwenhoek’S Life 300 Years Later, Alan L. Gillen

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Antony van Leeuwenhoek entered eternity 300 years ago (August 26, 1723). He made hundreds of discoveries with his simple microscope. Perhaps his most notable discovery was of bacteria and its many shapes. He found great joy in God [http://answersingenesis.org/god/] ’s smallest creatures. I believe that his curiosity about the world, fueled by his belief in biblical creation [http://answersingenesis.org/creation/] , led to his discovery of bacteria. In a similar manner, his curiosity of blood led to his discovery of red corpuscles and capillaries. He remained a curious man until the last days of his life 300 years …

The Return Of Malaria To The Usa: Did God Create Parasites To Make Us Sick?, Alan L. Gillen

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Summer 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported several cases of locally acquired malaria in Florida, Texas, and Maryland, meaning that patients were infected within the US—the first such cases in over two decades (CDC 2023). The significance of the cases and how individuals and public health officials should respond to the situation is still unknown. The CDC is collaborating with state health departments on an investigation of seven locally acquired cases of Plasmodium vivax malaria in Sarasota County, Florida, and one case in Cameron County, Texas, and Maryland near Washington DC. There is no evidence to suggest …

The Biblical Worldview And Libraries, Gregory A. Smith

Faculty Publications and Presentations

This essay documents the process and outcomes of a structured, group-based effort used to explore the connections between the biblical worldview and librarianship. Participants in the inquiry process included the author (as moderator) and seven of his colleagues. The process entailed examining four “frames” of the biblical narrative (Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Consummation) and eliciting implications for the realm of libraries. The biblical worldview was found to provide remarkably practical theory concerning libraries, accounting for their existence across diverse cultures worldwide; plausibly explaining virtues, flaws, opportunities, and challenges; and prescribing principles through which Christians can advance God’s kingdom through library …

New Analyses Suggest That All Horses (Perissodactyla: Equidae) Belong To A Single Holobaramin, Timothy R. Brophy, Jack R. Gregory

Faculty Publications and Presentations

The horse family (Perissodactyla: Equidae) is composed of approximately 35 genera, primarily extinct forms from Cenozoic sediments, that include the modern genus Equus. The equids, along with some other extinct perissodactyls (e.g., palaeotheriids) form the superfamily (or clade) Equoidea. Our previous research confirmed the conclusions of several other baraminological analyses that all members of the horse family belong to the same monobaramin. No baraminological studies, however, have detected consistent discontinuity between the horses and any outgroup taxa. The goal of this study is to investigate potential discontinuity and holobaraminic status of horses and other similar taxa using new datasets and …

Molecular And Morphological Analyses Confirm That All Loons (Aves: Gaviiformes) Form A Single Holobaramin, Timothy R. Brophy, Mary-Clark A. Matthews, Mckayla M. Guillory, Alexis M. Ramerth

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Loons or divers (Aves: Gaviiformes), a group of waterbirds found primarily in the Northern Hemisphere, are comprised of several extinct taxa as well as an extant family (Gaviidae) with one genus (Gavia) and five species. Recent phylogenetic studies suggest that the Sphenisciformes (penguins) and Procellariiformes (petrels, albatrosses, and shearwaters) form a sister group to the loons. Our previous research, based on hybridization, morphological, and vocalization data, found that all extant loons form a single holobaramin (i.e., created kind). This previous study, however, was inconclusive as to the membership of fossil taxa within the kind. The goal of the present study …

Hybridization And Genetic Distances Suggest One Large Monobaramin In The Gourd Family (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae), Timothy R. Brophy, Jack R. Gregory, Brigitte Townsend

Faculty Publications and Presentations

The gourds form a primarily tropical and subtropical family (Cucurbitales: Cucurbitaceae) of herbaceous climbers and woody lianas composed of approximately 960 species in 95 genera and 15 tribes. Many of these are globally important food crops and ornamentals including cucumbers, gourds, squashes, melons, pumpkins, and luffas. Utilizing published literature, there is evidence of interspecific hybridization (natural, experimental cross-pollination, and embryo/ovule culture) in five of the 15 tribes. These consist of successful crosses between 131 unique species pairs, including two intergeneric and one intertribal cross, forming eight monobaramins. In addition, species that do not hybridize directly, but hybridize with the same …

Louis Pasteur Signature Saying: Science Brings Men Closer To God Bicentenary Year: 200 Years After His Birth, Alan L. Gillen, Justin A. Ambrose

Faculty Publications and Presentations

This year (2022) marks the bicentenary birth (December 27, 1822) of Louis Pasteur. He has a global reputation. His contributions can be seen in our homes, in the "pasteurized" products derived from one of his discoveries and in disease prevention. It was in his discovery of gently heating beverages and food for what we today call pasteurization that he first said: “Man's first look at the universe discovers only variety, diversity, multiplicity of phenomena. Let this gaze be enlightened by science — by science which brings man closer to God — and simplicity and unity shine everywhere.” Louis Pasteur (Vallery-Radot, …

Finding Our Focus: Encouraging Deep Work Within An Academic Library, Roriebeth Fredrich, Amanda Hahn

Faculty Publications and Presentations

This presentation will discuss the application of principles from Cal Newport’s Deep Work within an academic library. An internal book club was the catalyst for individuals to experiment with different time management strategies and led to the implementation of a “Meeting-free Morning” for library faculty to cultivate deeper work.

Is It Useful? Orthophosphate Mapping Of An Excavated Cellar Of A Mid 1700’S Tavern In New London Va, Thomas M. Bender, Randy Lichtenberger

Faculty Publications and Presentations

The partially backfilled cellar of Mead’s Tavern (VDHR # 015-0120) a circa 1760’s building in New London Virginia, was studied by orthophosphate (PO₄³) mapping of the recently exposed, culturally sterile, subsoil floor. Prior studies of the cellar had exposed a hearth along with features that were speculated to be wall partitions for subdivision of the cellar. The full intended purpose for those exposed features is unknown. To further probe that exposed subsoil prior to a major engineering stabilization of the tavern’s foundation, a chemical mapping of surface PO₄^3- levels in the cellar was done. The …

A New Spin On The Bacterial Flagellum: Its Normal Niche And Displacement, Alan L. Gillen

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Antoni van Leeuwenhoek observed individual living cells for the first time in history in 1674. Two years later, he noted microbes with long, thin appendages protruding from globular cells that seemed to provide locomotion, like “little feet” as they moved in drops of water. He gave credit to God in his writings over these new moving wonders. These appendages are now known as flagella (fig. 1), meaning “little whips” (from Latin).

More than 300 years later, Dr. Michael J. Behe used the flagellum and its nanomotor to introduce the concept of “irreducible complexity”—the idea that a structure is so complex …

The Relationship Between Sickle Cell Anemia And Falciparum Malaria: Is It Human Evolution In Action?, Alan L. Gillen, Jared G. Mast, Nathan Mast

Faculty Publications and Presentations

The sickle cell trait has been widely considered a classic example of human evolution in action because of the mutation’s ability to protect against malarial infections. Under normal physiological conditions, Plasmodium falciparum is capable of reproducing and spreading systemically, however individuals carrying the sickle cell trait possess sickled erythrocytes that excessively leak potassium, resulting in the inhibition of P. falciparum development. Recent studies have shown that the mutation responsible for the sickle cell trait – hemoglobin S (HbS) mutation – is higher in areas of the world where malaria is endemic. This indicates that the mutation is nonrandom in nature, …

Assessing The Effects Of Elevation On The Peaks Of Otter Salamander (Plethodon Hubrichti) Using Body Condition Index, Norman Reichenbach, Timothy R. Brophy, Hannah Suber, Elisabeth Russell, Hannah Kinsley, Liam Cusack, Cetia Dawson, Savannah Dunn, Olivia De Araujo

Faculty Publications and Presentations

The Peaks of Otter Salamander (Plethodon hubrichti; POS) is a montane species found at elevations above 442 m within a 117 km2 area of the Blue Ridge Mountains in central Virginia. In allopatric areas (areas without the Eastern Red-backed Salamander, P. cinereus, a known competitor), POS body condition was hypothesized to decline both above and below some optimal elevation. Decreased condition at lower elevations would most likely be due to increased temperatures and lower relative humidities, which may adversely affect the ability of salamanders to forage effectively on vegetation due to desiccation risk. Decreased condition at elevations above …

Why Are There So Many Mosquitoes?, Alan L. Gillen, Savannah Childs, Megan Goin, Karly Mckinney

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Mosquitoes have been challenging man and animals alike since the fall.Mosquitoes number in the trillions worldwide. Not only is the mosquito a nuisance with the constant buzz around your ear, they also are the primary vector of many dangerous diseases including the West Nile Virus (WNV). WNV has become a more prominent mosquito-transmitted disease in the United States and more specifically in Colorado, Texas, and other states in the Midwest. While commonly found in the genus Culex, WNV and other diseases can be found in differentgenera of mosquito, including Aedes and Anopheles. While these two are not themost common regarding …

Stumbling In The Dark? 4 Lenses To Illuminate Your Organization, Angela Rice, Roriebeth Fredrich

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Using the lenses of structural, systems, cultural, and political theory-based metaphors, a team of academic library leaders made informed and strategic decisions targeted at improving specific aspects of their organization. This resulted in improvements to the culture and structure of the organization as well as a better understanding of the political and systems influences at play. The lenses will be presented visually through illustrative metaphors such as through eyeglasses with a jungle in focus and described as applicable for most library organizations.

Middle East Lessons For America, Will Gunzelman

Faculty Publications and Presentations

This presentation provides the talking points from a discussion on the Middle East, Russian “Siege and Starve” tactics, and the need to recognize agriculture as a U.S. national security issue. Presented to the Cattleman’s Association on February 21, 2022; two days prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Author, Will Gunzelman, retired from U.S. Army Special Forces (“Green Berets”) after 27 years of service and numerous combat deployments.

Keywords: Middle East, Russia, Ukraine, Agriculture, National Security, National Defense, Foreign Policy, Political Science, Farming, Ranching, Great Power Competition (GPC), Warfare, Economics, Egypt, Iraq, Afghanistan , NATO, Food Shortage

Law And Ethics In Counseling With The Deaf Community, Jessica Ellen Kuehne, Joy Mwendwa, Mary Deacon, Brianna Higgins, Nathan Roberts

Faculty Publications and Presentations

This presentation will emphasize a better understanding of deaf culture and how to work with the deaf and hard of hearing population in counseling services. Dual relationships and the limitations of confidentiality in the small Deaf community will be highlighted in the presentation. Future implications for counselors working with the deaf and hard-of-hearing population will be discussed.

The Directed Steps Of Hans Christian Gram: How Providence Played A Role In The Gram Stain, Which Illumines The Ordered Pattern Of Bacterial Cell Walls And Helps Identify Pathogens Of Infectious Diseases, Alan L. Gillen

Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper honors Hans Christian Joachim Gram. In published papers, he simply identified as Christian Gram. Gram devised a staining technique that is still used to identify and classify different types of bacteria. He was a Danish microbiologist, born in Copenhagen on September 13, 1853. In German microbiologist Karl Friedländer’s lab, Gram noticed that staining a smear of pneumonia bacteria with a crystal violet followed by iodine and organic solvent showed differences in various samples. “Gram-negative” bacteria have thin cell walls that allow the solvent to wash away part of the stain. “Gram-positive” bacteria appear purple in microscopy because their …

Critical Race Theory: A Definitional Perspective And A Christian Model Of Understanding Systemic Racism, Steven W. Brooks

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Creative And Expressive Arts Activities To Promote Mindfulness And Peace, Lisa S. Sosin

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Briefly define creative expressive arts and mindfulness practice and discuss their importance and empirical base.

Trinitarian Informed Creativity To Promote Peace And Learning In The Classroom, Lisa S. Sosin

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Strategies & Techniques To Treat Shame Handout - Aacc 2022, John C. Thomas

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Participants will learn how to recognize the faces of shame in counseling, how to explore shame and recognize themes, and learn practical strategies and techniques to help shame-ridden clients.

Cultivating Information Literacy Instruction Practices In A Virtual Environment, Kathryn Eckler, Amanda Hahn

Faculty Publications and Presentations

• Introduce the Information Ecology at Liberty University • Changes to Reference Desk • Implementation of Virtual Research Consultations • Hybrid Classroom Experiences • Teaching Inquiry 101 Virtually • Our Perspectives on Teaching Information Literacy

A Baraminological Analysis Of The Loons (Gaviiformes: Gaviidae) Reveals Their Holobaraminic Status, Timothy R. Brophy, Mary-Clark Matthews, Alexis Ramerth, Mckayla Guillory

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

New Baraminological Methods Confirm Monobaraminic Status Of The Horses (Perissodactyla: Equidae) And Preliminary Analyses Of New Datasets Suggest The Possibility Of Discontinuity Between Horses And Various Outgroup Taxa, Timothy R. Brophy, Jack Gregory, Mary-Elizabeth Tallman, Kara Ray

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Population Ecology Of The Queensnake (Regina Septemvittata) In An Urban Creek, 2008 To 2019, Rachel Beiler, R. Elliot Miller, Norman Reichenbach

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Habitat fragmentation is a common result of urbanization and species living in these fragments are at risk of extirpation. We conducted a 12-y (2008–2019) capture-mark-recapture study on snakes living in a 593-m section of Rock Castle Creek flowing through an urban area in central Virginia, USA. Our study site was occupied primarily by Queensnakes (Regina septemvittata). We used data from 168 individual Queensnakes to examine several aspects of their population ecology including survival rates (0.52), reproductive effort (21.3% juvenile to adult ratio), growth rates (68% and 30.6% increase for 1 to 2 y-old and 2 to 3+ y-old snakes, respectively), …

The Creative Arts Personal Growth Group (Capg): Transforming Fear And Shame, Lisa S. Sosin, Sandra Noble, John Jonathan Suroshan Harrichand, Lynn Bohecker

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Literature highlights the long-term effects of bullying and interpersonal cruelty, including symptoms of trauma and shame. Although scholars have encouraged the development of trauma-informed group interventions for adults with a history of bullying, they have yet to be developed. This article introduces The Creative Arts Personal Growth Group: Transforming Fear and Shame with Compassion, Courage, and Community (CAPG) and presents findings from a phenomenlogocial pilot study exploring participants’ experiences. Themes of containment, creativity, and community promoted regulation of symptoms and selfidentity within the context of a safe, inclusive, and affirming group experience. Implications and recommendations are provided.