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The Echo: March 23, 2026, Taylor University

2025-2026 (Volume 113)

No abstract provided.

Honor Everyone, Nicholas Wolterstorff

University Faculty Publications and Creative Works

The CPI is a joint project of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary. The project is a five-year program of courses offered in the prison by Calvin professors, culminating in a Bachelor’s or Associate degree from Calvin. Each year, a cohort of twenty new students is admitted from applicants around the state prison system.

Autistic Traits And Mind Wandering: A Correlational Study Of Themes, Intentionality, And Temporal Focus, Leilani Forby, Farid Pazhoohi, Alan Kingstone

School of Psychology

There is abundant research on the nature and content of mind wandering (MW) in neurotypical individuals, yet little research in these areas on individuals high in autistic traits. The current study explored the relationship between autistic traits and several aspects of MW: themes, intentionality, temporal dimensions, and attitudes towards MW. A total of 1,477 participants completed measures of autistic traits, MW, and stress. Autistic trait level was positively correlated with the MW theme of guilt and fear of failure (GFF), spontaneous MW (MW-S), poor attentional control (PAC), and stress, and negatively correlated with appreciation for MW’s benefits. Participants were then …

Asiman Sadigov V. Attorney General United States Of America

2026 Decisions

Agency

Improving Depression Screening For African American Adolescents Through Staff Education On The Phq-A, Yvonne Anutatu Nkeze

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Improving Depression Screening for African American Adolescents Through Staff Education on the PHQ-A

Circulating Levels Of Insulin-Like Growth Factor I (Igf-I) And Risk Of Multiple Myeloma: An Observational And Mendelian Randomisation Study, Yolanda Benavente, Sara Hermosa, Nikos Papadimitriou, Alyssa I. Clay-Gilmour Ph.D., Elizabeth E. Brown, Jonathan N. Hofmann, Nathaniel Rothman, Qin Lan, Sonja I. Berndt, Demetrius Albanes, Mark Purdue, Mitchell J. Machiela, Stephen J. Chanock, Parveen Bhatti, Wendy Cozen, Aaron Norman, Susan L. Slager, James R. Cerhan, Vincent Rajkumar, Et. Al.

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Bauer V. Beamon: Clothing Equitable Rescission’S Flexible Nature In A Rigid Straitjacket, Hunter Canfield

Arkansas Law Notes

Fraudulent deals, shady contracts, and questionable transactions occur daily. But when the truth is not disclosed and deceit seeps into the heart of a transaction, is there recourse for those affected? Historically, courts of equity have provided remedies where legal relief often fails. For instance, consider a home buyer who, after closing, discovers previously undisclosed toxic mold or structural defects that compromise the property’s habitability. Monetary damages alone may not truly restore the home buyer—especially if the property’s condition is so severe that the buyer would never have purchased the home had the truth been disclosed. In precisely these situations, …

Usa V. Nicole Schuster

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Assessment Of Early Breast Cancer Response To Chemotherapy With Ultrasound Radiomics, Swapnil Dolui, Basak Dogan, Corinne Wessner, Jessica Porembka, Priscilla Machado, Bersu Ozcan, Nisha Unni, Maysa Abu-Khalaf, Flemming Forsberg, Kibo Nam, Kenneth Hoyt

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

Objective: This prospective study investigated the use of H-scan ultrasound (US) imaging as a novel component of a multiparametric radiomic analysis framework for characterizing human breast cancer response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) before and early after treatment initiation. Methods: Thirty breast cancer patients scheduled for NAC were scanned using a clinical US system (Logiq E9, GE HealthCare) equipped with a 9L-D linear array transducer. Radiofrequency (RF) data was obtained at baseline (pre-NAC) and after 10% and 30% of the complete dose of chemotherapy. The RF data was analyzed by a bank of 256 frequency-shifted bandpass filters to form H-scan US …

Usa V. Anthony Corish

2026 Decisions

USDC for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Seasonal Variation And Spatial Distribution Of Heavy Metals In Groundwater: Implications For Water Quality And Health Risks, Muzhda Qasim Qader, Shevan Jamel Jirjees, Masoud H. Hameed, Chiyai Maroof Sharif

Baghdad Science Journal

Background: This study evaluated the seasonal and spatial distribution of twelve heavy metals in the groundwater samples collected in fifty wells with the aim of assessing the quality of water and health hazards associated with it. The data were analyzed to compare the wet and dry seasons were the analytical data using pollution indices, the Nemerow Pollution Index (NPI), and the Single-Factor Pollution Index (SFPI). The results revealed that the water quality was mainly excellent (NPI < 0.01) even though in some areas, lead, vanadium, and copper were contaminated. Arsenic (0.0008–0.0145 μg/L), chromium (0.0009–0.0096 μg/L), and nickel (

A Novel Graphene Nanoplatelets Electrochemical Aptamer Biosensor For Glycated Human Albumin Detections, Hadi Al-Sagur, Ali Al-Jawdah, Ali Al-Khazraji, Alexei Nabok

Baghdad Science Journal

This study presents the development of electrochemical biosensors for the glycated albumin (GA) sensitive detection as a crucial biomarker for monitoring glycaemic control in diabetes mellitus (DM). A ferrocene-labelled DNA aptamer specific to glycated albumin was developed as an electrochemical aptamer-based sensor to detect GA. The amine-functionalized graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs), with their enhanced surface area, provided an optimal substrate for aptamer immobilization through covalent interactions. The layer-by-layer full EDC/NHS-GNPs-Aptamer biosensor, tested by cyclic voltammetry (CV), exhibited strong redox peaks due to the good electron transfer activity between the biosensing structures. The GA-aptamer binding was studied using square wave voltammetry (SWV), …

But Their Emails! Investigating Ideological Language Signatures In Presidential Campaign Emails And Text Messages, Jordan L. Thompson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present

Although emails and text messages are important means of connecting voters with political candidates, the content of political campaign emails and text messages is understudied. The purpose of these studies is to identify linguistic patterns in candidate emails and texts from the 2024 US presidential election (Study 1) and to determine which linguistic styles are most convincing to readers (Study 2). I examined the linguistic trends in campaign emails and text messages using Linguistic Inquiry Word Count, random forests, and Structural Topic Modeling. Democratic messages had higher LIWC dictionary scores for cognitive processes and word count, providing potential evidence for …

Airway Challenges In Goldenhar Syndrome And Implications For Pediatric Care: A Systematic Review, Salma Alkhatib, Noor Chughtai, Maximus S. Reese, Carson Maris, Christopher M. Ahmad, Jared Nichols

Student Publications

Goldenhar syndrome, also known as the oculo-auriculo-vertebral (OAV) spectrum, is a rare congenital disorder characterized by craniofacial and vertebral anomalies due to abnormal development of the first and second branchial arches. These structural abnormalities often necessitate frequent surgical interventions in patients with Goldenhar syndrome and may also impair airway visualization, thereby complicating effective tracheal intubation. Despite recognition of the airway risks associated with Goldenhar syndrome, evidence guiding anesthetic and airway management remains limited and unexplored. Current literature consists predominantly of isolated case reports, with each portraying a unique and patient-specific airway scenario. A systematic review of the literature was conducted …

Chimes: March 23, 2026, Calvin University

Chimes

Calvin's 150th marked by historic royal visit by Ian Tjoelker

D3 Hockey makes nationals run in historic season before D2 move by Zack Kern & Hendrik Beelen

Celebrating 150 years: "Calvin on the Road" tour visits Grand Rapids by Alec DeYoung

Jordan archaeology May term cancelled by Sarah Sparling

Calvin's CubeSat program launches into action by Ellery Johnson

Role Congruence Meets Feminist Identity: Disaggregating Causes Of The Double Bind On Women Political Candidates, Sarah Shair-Rosenfield, Melody E. Valdini, Jeanette Morehouse Mendez, Tracy Osborn

Politics and Global Affairs Faculty Publications and Presentations

Studies in social psychology and political science have noted the negative impact of the “double bind” facing women leaders and candidates, which suggests that women must demonstrate both masculine and feminine attributes in order to achieve the same success as men can achieve by demonstrating only masculine attributes. Less attention has focused on how feminist identity conditions these evaluations. We focus on whether individuals’ evaluations of men and women are affected by (1) the gendered attributes associated with a candidate and (2) feminist identity. Using data from an original survey experiment in the US, we investigate the relationship between respondents’ …

Making Sense Of The Body: Cognitive Science, Disability, And Embodiment, Cheyne L. Joslin

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this project is to analyze different methodological approaches in the philosophy of cognitive science, with the goal of determining their usefulness for explaining and understanding bodily awareness and skill-acquisition over time. The examples of skill-acquisition are limited to motor control, impaired by various kinds of disability—but then acquired over time, via technological or rehabilitative means. These phenomena of motor learning are then viewed through the lens of two competing theoretical approaches in cognitive science: neuromechanical cognitive science, and radical enactivist cognitive science.

The strengths of the neuromechanical framework are found in its historical pedigree, and in the …

Navigating Reintegration: A Qualitative Exploration Of The Challenges And Success Factors For Women Offenders In Society, Arabella Grace A. Velasquez, Beatrice Gabrielle Z. Dyquiangco, Vylet Xummer E. Pimpinio, Tamachi Agnesia Varent, Lander James Luke T. Villanueva, Alfonso B. Astudillo Iii

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

This study explores the different challenges and success factors women ex-offenders face during their reintegration into society after being incarcerated. With the help of 11 women on parole and probation in Baguio City from interviews, the researchers were able to examine their experiences and perspectives. A qualitative research design with descriptive phenomenology was used to gather in-depth insights through face-to-face interviews. Participants were selected through purposive sampling with the assistance of the local Chief Probation and Parole Officer. Data were collected through voice recordings and observations, then transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis. Superordinate themes emerged, namely Reintegration Struggles and …

Navigating Ambiguity: An In-Depth Exploration Of Situationships In Contemporary Romantic Relationships, Shiywonee Khanalee D.J. Delizo, Yonah Adamae R. Dapliyan, Hildebrand Tridant A. Ban-Eg, Calvine Audric F. Canlas, Eliecea Red Yusingco, Neil Ivan D. Tong, Alfonso B. Astudillo Iii

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

This qualitative study examined the phenomenon of situationships, which is defined as a romantic involvement that lacks clear commitment, boundaries, and labels. Situationships have surfaced in the context of modern dating culture with the rise of dating apps, in which people may display behaviors typical of couples but are contradictory to their traditional definitions of romantic relationships. This study explored the characteristics that define situationships, how people manage their inherent ambiguity, and why individuals prefer situationships over traditional established relationships. The data was gathered through in-depth interviews with 12 participants and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis of their experiences. The …

Beyond Sunday: The Lived Experience Of Gen Z Practicing Christians In The 21st Century, John Ramzel Dylan C. Galido, Isabel Anne M. Alano

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

This study investigates the lived experiences of Generation Z practicing Christians in the 21st century, examining how they sustain their faith amid secularization, technological advancements, and shifting societal norms. Employing a phenomenological approach, in-depth semi-structured interviews with 5 Gen Z Practicing Christians revealed key themes: (1) their faith is characterized by a dynamic, personal relationship with God, nurtured through daily practices rather than rigid rituals; (2) they actively negotiate tensions between biblical values and secular culture, often prioritizing divine principles over societal expectations; (3) familial teachings and faith-based communities play foundational roles in shaping their spiritual identity; (4) personal struggles, …

Protocol For Spatial Profiling Of Immune Cells In The Mouse Cornea And Conjunctiva Using Nanostring Geomx Dsp And Ncounterpro Platforms, Lois Kim, Karthikeyan Ramasamy, Ajay Sharma

Pharmacy Faculty Articles and Research

Quantification of immune cells and their activation status in a spatially specific manner in a healthy or diseased tissue is a valuable tool in immunology. Here, we present a protocol for the spatial profiling of immune cells in the mouse cornea and conjunctiva. We describe steps for immunostaining with photocleavable oligonucleotide-conjugated antibodies, selecting regions of interest (ROIs), and collecting UV-cleaved oligonucleotides using GeoMx DSP. We then detail procedures for hybridizing collected oligonucleotides, cartridge blotting using nCounter Pro Prep, data acquisition, and data analysis.

Therapeutic Plasma Exchange For Uncontrollable Bleeding After Platelet Inhibition With Ticagrelor: A Report Of 2 Cases, Amanda Herrmann, Brenda Mai, Yu Bai, Brian Castillo, Biswajit Kar, Kimberly Klein, Ismael A Salas De Armas, Eric Salazar, Hlaing Tint, Igor D Gregoric

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Case series

Patients: Male, 52-year-old Male, 66-year-old

Final Diagnosis: Uncontrolled bleeding following ticagrelor associated with cardiac surgery

Symptoms: Bleeding

Clinical Procedure: —

Specialty: Cardiology Critical Care Medicine Pathology

Objective: Unusual clinical course

Background

Acute coronary syndrome is the most common cause of death in the United States. Successful intervention often requires a multi-therapeutic approach, including percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and antiplatelet agents such as ticagrelor. However, the use of antiplatelet agents can cause life-threatening bleeding, particularly during emergency procedures. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is a procedure that selectively removes the patient’s plasma to eliminate harmful substances. Here, we present 2 …

Adapting A Behavioral Intervention For Caregivers Of Children With Down Syndrome Or Fragile X Syndrome: A Pilot Study Of Rubi-Dd., Allison D. Blackburn, Walker S. Mckinney Ph.D., Allison M. Birnschein, Anna J. Esbensen, Shelley Mckinley, Hilary Rosselot, Emily K. Hoffman, Craig Erickson, Rebecca Shaffer

Manuscripts, Articles, Book Chapters and Other Papers

Challenging behaviors, including noncompliance, aggression, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, are common among individuals with Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) and Down Syndrome (DS). To identify treatment needs specific to these populations, we conducted focus groups with caregivers and educators and used their input to adapt an evidence-based caregiver training program originally designed for caregivers of autistic children (i.e., The Research Units in Behavioral Intervention; RUBI). We then completed a feasibility trial in which five families of children with FXS and four families of children with DS completed a nine-session caregiver training program targeting behavioral principles, syndrome-specific information, and visual supports tailored to …

Influence Of Ceramic Thickness And Cad/Cam Ceramic Materials On The Fracture Resistance Of Indirect Restorations: An In Vitro Study, Lara El Hanach, Karim Corbani, Nabil Ghosn, Ryan Harouny, Cynthia Kassis

International Arab Journal of Dentistry

Objectives: This in-vitro study aimed to evaluate the impact of different CAD/CAM materials (IPS e.max® CAD and Cerasmart®) and thicknesses (0.7 mm, 1 mm, and 1.5 mm) on the fracture resistance of indirect overlay restorations.

Methods: Sixty-three human third molars were divided into 7 groups (n=9) based on material and thickness, including a control group of 9 sound teeth. Only 54 specimens were prepared using a thin-section cutting machine, scanned, and their scans were used to fabricate overlays from different materials and thicknesses. After adhesive cementation, the overlays underwent thermal cyclic loading (5,000 cycles between 5°C and 55°C). A universal …

Advancing Environmental Justice Through Chemical Education: Perspective From New Orleans’ Water And Air Quality Challenges, Ja’Lynn Keller, Sita Aggarwal, Rami A. Al-Horani, Morewell Gasseller, Navneet Goyal

Faculty and Staff Publications

New Orleans, Louisiana, faces profound environmental vulnerabilities arising from the convergence of industrial pollution, urban runoff, and climate change–driven weather events. This paper examines systemic challenges affecting water and air quality in the region, with particular focus on low-income and marginalized communities disproportionately burdened by environmental degradation. Drawing on educational and community-based monitoring initiatives at Xavier University of Louisiana and Southeastern Louisiana University, we highlight the integration of student learning with real-time data collection of contaminants such as fecal coliforms, heavy metals, hydrocarbons, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina revealed significant fecal contamination in sediment layers, …

Key Elements Of Mission-Based Urban Agriculture In The United States Aimed At Addressing The Social Determinants Of Health, Jordan Losavio

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Urban agriculture (UA) in the United States (U.S.) is increasingly positioned as a multi-domain strategy for addressing social determinants of health (SDOH), yet evidence is fragmented and often focused on participant outcomes rather than the organizational and environmental conditions that determine whether those benefits can be sustained, expanded, or maintained over time. This dissertation uses an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design to clarify (1) what SDOH outcomes are associated with UA in the peer-reviewed literature, (2) which internal and external factors leaders perceive as driving UA organizational success or failure, and (3) which factors predict comparative organizational functioning across a national …

Ethics Of Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers: Standalone Resource: Model Policy And Training Program For Responsible Ai Use, Cliff Mckinney

Arkansas Law Notes

Every significant technological change in law, including computers, email, and online research, has required practical tools to implement ethically. Artificial intelligence is no different. This final installment of the artificial intelligence ethics series offers a “starter kit” for responsible adoption by law firms: a Model Law Firm Policy on the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence and a Model Training Program for Legal Professionals.

With this installment, the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence for Lawyers series comes full circle. We have moved from the first sanction cases, to the ABA’s initial guidance, to legislative and regulatory developments, and now to practical steps …

Pediatric Simulation And Emergency Nurse Confidence, Katherine E. Wright

Student Scholarly Projects

Practice Problem: Nurses working in a general emergency department (GED) with a low (3.3%) pediatric patient volume expressed a lack of confidence caring for complex pediatric patients.

PICOT: In general emergency department nurses (P), how does participating in a pediatric simulation event (I), compared to current practice (C), affect nurse confidence scores caring for pediatric patients (O) over 6 weeks (T)?

Evidence: A review of over 17 evidence-based resources found good quality evidence that suggested participating in a simulation event can improve nurse confidence.

Intervention: Over six weeks, GED staff members participated in a pediatric simulation event. The simulation utilized …

The Case For Recognizing Informally Adopted Children As Heirs In Arkansas, Joel Gaffney

Arkansas Law Notes

Americans are steadily moving away from the nuclear family towards an understanding of family less defined by shared DNA or last names. This is especially prominent in the way children are raised. More children are being born to single or unmarried parents, and a fair number of children are being raised by nonparents. Such nonparental caretaking can manifest as “informal adoption,” where there is no biological or legal parent-child relationship but there is a functional parent-child relationship. Certain areas of the law sometimes struggle to keep up with these changes in the meaning society assigns to “family.” Statutory probate law …

Kartera, Arwyn G. Alignay, Julianne Skye Alexandria A. Antonio, Jacob Mark R. Carlos, Lance P. Ercia, Ricardo P. Macatangay Iii, Christine A. Maranon

DLSU Senior High School Research Congress Conference Proceedings

Kartera was formed in July 2024, bridging the gap between physical and digital wallets while combining a convenient form and sustainability. These factors distinguish its product offerings from a recently stagnant set of commercial wallets. The venture is in an early growth stage in the wallet industry, having recently launched its flagship product. The product, a no-fold wallet constructed from Piñatex, a sustainable pineapple leather alternative, was launched in February 2025 during the ABM Bazaar and initiated the framework for design protection for future products. Kartera functions under the sole proprietorship of Lance Ercia, who is supported by four officers: …