Liberty University

This chapter argues that using Artificial Intelligence (AI) constitutes a solution to address health inequities globally. AI’s transformative impact extends to healthcare access and delivery, especially in regions with limited infrastructure. Their financial and technological resources give MNEs a fundamental role in equitably developing and introducing these services. The advancement of CSR and the largely untapped personal health market creates a strong business narrative, whether through direct business-to-customer sales or partnerships with health authorities and clinics.

Academic misconduct is a prevalent issue in higher education with detrimental effects on the individual students, rigor of the program, and strength of the workplace. Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have reinvigorated concern over academic integrity and the potential use and misuse of AI. However, there is a lack of research on academic integrity in doctoral dissertations. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to explore academic misconduct in dissertations, specifically investigating the prevalence of AI use and plagiarism. Considering debate over the accuracy of technology in detecting AI-generated text, dissertations were also analyzed from before widespread AI availability, as a point of comparison. A sample of 200 dissertations from 2013 and 2023 were analyzed through Turnitin to flag plagiarism and AI-generated text. Results did not support any significant differences in plagiarism. However, 6% of analyzed dissertations from 2023 were positive for AI-generated text (AI scores over 20%). This is significantly different from 2013 dissertations, which only had 0% or < 20% AI scores. The findings of this study suggest that some students may be relying on generative text or editing from AI in their dissertations. Dissertation committees and awarding institutions have an obligation to ensure the students’ educational and ethical development and promote academic integrity at every level of education.

The chapter “Cultural Responsiveness in Community Counselling” explores the significance of culturally responsive practices in community counseling amid evolving global, socio-cultural, and environmental stressors, including the ongoing impact of COVID-19. It emphasizes the need for counselors to practice cultural humility, intersectionality, anti-oppressive practices, and advocacy to effectively address mental health disparities. Using the RESPECTFUL Model, the chapter examines multicultural and social justice principles such as decolonization, self-awareness, engagement, and activism. It provides a historical overview of community mental health practices in the U.S., E.U., and Australia, highlighting challenges such as accessibility, funding limitations, and cultural stigma. The chapter also presents the Six Key Principles for Multicultural Perspectives and Responsiveness, offering practical applications for serving diverse and marginalized clients. A case study illustrates the integration of these principles, emphasizing holistic, equitable, and culturally grounded therapeutic approaches. This framework advocates for systemic change and enhanced access to mental health services, promoting social justice and well-being in community counseling settings.

Wearable biosensors have been of interest for their wide range of uses, varying from recording biological signals to measuring strain of bending joints. Carbon nanoparticles have been utilized in biocompatible polymers to create nanocomposites with highly tunable mechanical and electrical properties. These nanocomposites have been demonstrated to be highly effective as wearable sensors for recording physiological signals such as electroencephalography (EEG), offering advantages in mechanical and electrical properties and signal quality over commercially available sensors while maintaining feasibility and scalability in manufacturing. This review aims to provide a critical summary of the recent literature on the properties, design, fabrication, and performance of carbon-based nanocomposites for EEG electrodes. The goal of this review is to highlight the various design configurations and properties thereof, manufacturing methods, performance measurements, and related challenges associated with these promising noninvasive dry soft electrodes. While this technology offers many advantages over either other noninvasive or their invasive counterparts, there are still various challenges and opportunities for improvements and innovation. For example, the investigation of gradient composite structures, hybrid nanocomposite/composite materials, hierarchical contact surfaces, and the influence of loading and alignment of the dispersal phase in the performance of these electrodes could lead to novel and better designs. Finally, current practices for evaluating the performance of novel EEG electrodes are discussed and challenged, emphasizing the critical need for the development of standardized assessment protocols, which could provide reliability in the field, enable benchmarking, and hence promote innovation.

Abstract: Brazilian jiu-jitsu engagement has been found to positively impact psychological variables in children, adolescents, and adult athletes. Psychological variabilities have previously been shown among belt ranks in Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes. Back-ground/Objectives: This study aimed to explore the differences in mental strength, resilience, grit, self-efficacy, self-control, aggression, life satisfaction, and mental health disorders among the Brazilian jiu-jitsu belt ranks. Methods: A sample of 420 Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes (78.8% male), including 121 white belts, 118 blue belts, 78 purple belts, 46 brown belts, and 57 black belts, between 18 and 60 years of age, completed the Mental Strength Scale, Brief Resilience Scale, Grit Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Brief Self-Control Scale, Brief Aggression Questionnaire, Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Mental Health Disorders Screening Instrument for Athletes. Results: Results showed that Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts presented significantly higher mental strength, resilience, self-efficacy, self-control, life satisfaction, and lower mental health disorders than white belts. No significant differences were found between white and black belts in aggression (total, physical aggression, anger, verbal aggression, and hostility). Brazilian jiu-jitsu training experience positively correlated (small effect) with mental strength, resilience, grit, self-efficacy, self-control, physical and verbal aggression, and life satisfaction. Conclusions: In conclusion, the results are suggestive that Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belts are generally more likely to present higher mental strength, resilience, grit, self-efficacy, self-control, life satisfaction, and better mental health than white belts, with no differences in aggression. More experienced Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes were more likely to present higher mental strength, resilience, grit, self-efficacy, self-control, physical and verbal aggression, and life satisfaction than less experienced athletes. Future studies are encouraged to investigate whether the effects found in the current study would remain after controlling for the athlete’s age.

Recent developments in surgical pediatrics have created alternative methods for feeding tubes. Percutaneous ultrasound gastrostomy (PUG) tube is a safe and cost-effective alternative to traditional percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tubes. Placing a PUG tube can reduce complications and length of stay, thereby reducing costs. While this is often done in adults, examining its feasibility in children is important. Before the use of PUG tubes, the placement of PEG tubes was considered a much more invasive procedure involving anesthesia, a procedural room, and consults to a variety of medical specialties. PUG tube placement has decreased the length of hospital stays, shortened medical complications, and lessened the cost associated with hospitalization. The use of PUG tubes also significantly impacts the patient and family, which will also be discussed in the article.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of once-weekly sprint training on running economy (RE) and leg stiffness (LS) in highly trained athletes (12 M, 13 F, mean age 24.8  7.1). Participants were recruited based on weekly exercise volume (minimum 4 hours) and athletic ability calculated by World Athletics score (minimum 500). RE and LS were evaluated at three velocities before and after 12 weeks of once-weekly sprint training. On average, participants experienced a non-statistically significant improvement in RE (average percent change -2.0  5.6%, -1.2  5.2%, -1.0  4.6%, p = 0.389, 0.269, 0.272, Cohen’s d = 0.21, 0.18, 0.17), and a statistically significant improvement in LS (12.59  9.2%, 11.49  10.9%, 15.67  11.2%, p = 0.019, 0.027, 0.011, Cohen’s d = 0.61, 0.56, 0.68) at the three running velocities. Interestingly, the improvement in LS was significantly influenced by a reduction in vertical displacement during the gait cycle (-17.7  11.7%, -15.7  12.2, -17.3  13.4%, p < 0.001, = 0.001, = 0.001, Cohen’s d = 1.10, 0.93, 0.91). Changes in RE and LS were significantly different when data were analyzed by exercise volume during the intervention period (p < 0.05). The present study demonstrates that LS, independently shown to improve performance and RE, can be improved by sprint training in highly trained athletes. Additionally, the average participant improvement in RE suggests that sprint training may lead to statistically significant improvement with an increase in participants and tighter participant training control.

This article highlights strategies for implementing successful rural public health campaigns by sharing insights from the Spit It Out – West Virginia Project. Active since 2007, the project expanded to Mingo County in 2023 to address high smokeless tobacco use through culturally relevant education and cessation workshops. Key components included leveraging local partnerships, tailoring campaigns to community norms, and integrating accessible support services like the West Virginia Tobacco Quitline. Outcomes demonstrated increased awareness, behavioral change, and community engagement. Our perspective offers practical lessons for designing effective, community-based interventions in rural settings to address pressing public health challenges.

Humans are holistic beings. Moral Injury (MI) creates holistic distress. There is limited standardization in MI constructs, assessments, and treatments. Current care for MI often limits spiritual integration. The purpose of this qualitative exploratory multiple case study was to explore how military behavioral health providers’ worldview influenced their description of the construct of MI, the morbidity of MI, and how these providers chose to treat clients they perceived to be suffering through the effects of MI. A total of eight U.S. Department of Defense or Veterans Affairs affiliated behavioral health providers completed a worldview assessment, prompted journal responses, and semi-structured interviews to understand how their worldview impacts their descriptions of MI constructs, morbidity, and treatment decisions. I analyzed the data through postpositivist beliefs utilizing Codebook Template Analysis. Participants’ worldviews influenced how they described MI as a construct, what they assessed as MI morbidity, and how they chose to treat it. More studies are needed to explore MI’s spiritual dimensions and effects. Assessment and treatment should include all stakeholders’ methodologies. Treatment for MI should include care from providers for the body (medical doctors), soul (chaplains), and mind (behavioral health providers).

BACKGROUND Humans are holistic beings. Moral Injury (MI) creates holistic distress. There is limited standardization in MI constructs, assessments, and treatments. Current care for MI often limits spiritual integration. AIMS- The purpose of this qualitative exploratory multiple case study was to explore how military behavioral health providers’ worldview influenced their description of the construct of MI, the morbidity of MI, and how these providers chose to treat clients they perceived to be suffering through the effects of MI. METHODS Eight Department of Defense or Veterans Affairs affiliated behavioral health providers completed a worldview assessment, prompted journal responses, and semi-structured interviews to understand how their worldview impacts their descriptions of MI constructs, morbidity, and treatment decisions. I analyzed the data through postpositivist beliefs utilizing Codebook Template Analysis. RESULTS Participants’ worldviews influenced how they described MI as a construct, what they assessed as MI morbidity, and how they chose to treat it. CONCLUSIONS More studies are needed to explore MI’s spiritual dimensions and effects. Assessment and treatment should include all stakeholders’ methodologies. Treatment for MI should include care from providers for the body (medical doctors), soul (chaplains), and mind (behavioral health providers).

Practice and Research Optimization Environment in Python (PyPROE) is a GUI-based, integrated framework designed to improve the user experience in both learning and research on engineering design optimization. Traditional optimization programs require either coding or creating complex input files, and often involve a variety of applications in sequence to arrive at the solution, which presents a steep learning curve. PyPROE addresses these challenges by providing an intuitive, user-friendly Graphical User Interface (GUI) that integrates key steps in design optimization into a seamless workflow through a single application. This integration reduces the potential for user error, lowers the barriers to entry for learners, and allows students and researchers to focus on core concepts rather than software intricacies. PyPROE’s human-centered design simplifies the learning experience and enhances productivity by automating data transfers between function modules. This automation allows users to dedicate more time to solving engineering problems rather than dealing with disjointed tools. Benchmarking and user surveys demonstrate that PyPROE offers significant usability improvements, making complex engineering optimization accessible to a broader audience.

Over the last decade, there has been an influx of CEs joining the ranks of higher education. Becoming a new faculty member can be both rewarding and stressful, as it offers the opportunity of maturing from a doctoral learner, to learning the roles and responsibilities that come with being a counselor educator. This chapter discusses the critical first year of employment as a new CES faculty member, navigating the expectations around service commitments, teaching and research, challenges that may arise, and the importance of boundaries and self-care.

This chapter introduces some of the fundamental challenges and obstacles international counseling learners and CES face as they navigate the field of counselor education and academia in the United States. The authors share their personal experiences, lessons learned, and recommendations for other learners, faculty, and administrators, supported by current literature in this area. The authors suggest the use of two diversity models to increase self-awareness of multicultural sensitivities in working with international individuals by understanding their unique needs and barriers and by acknowledging their own and systemic stereotypes, assumptions, and biases.

This chapter seeks to illuminate the experiences of CITs and counselor educators with disabilities, both having very specific nuances from admission to the educative process, interviewing and hiring practices, and the impact of world views on teaching philosophy.

This chapter provides counselor educators with the guidance needed to create a marriage, couple, and family counseling (MCF) specialized practice within their counselor training program. Included in this chapter is an overview of the CACREP MCF counseling specialized practice standards, recommendations for developing a specialized practice area using a social justice and advocacy framework within the program.

Career counseling formed the foundation of the counseling profession in the early twentieth century and is currently a core course for all CACREP, as well as a specialized practice track. This chapter will guide you through the development of a career counseling program track and a training model for counselor educators. It will also incorporate best teaching practices for CES faculty, highlighting equity and diversity issues in career counseling. This chapter will discuss an approach to teaching career counseling in four key content areas: (1) career theories and application to practice, (2) career assessment, (3) career counseling process, and (4) career information and resources.

This chapter will address best practices in clinical supervision for CITs enrolled in practicum and internship. It will focus on monitoring efforts, supervision planning, engagement with CITs, and setting up the CIT to have a successful and meaningful clinical experience that best prepares them for clinical practice or teaching. It will also address the use of technology in teaching and supervision, the use of software such as TEVERA and Supervision Assist designed to assist the counselor educator and supervisor during the supervision process.

The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experiences of middle managers in the banking industry practicing self-directed, lifelong learning. The theory guiding this study is Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory and its relationship with lifelong learning. This study aimed to answer the following question: What are the lived experiences of middle managers in the banking industry practicing heutagogy to develop lifelong learning skills? Data collected from individual interviews, focus groups, and journal prompts were synthesized using inductive coding to identify patterns and connections in the resulting data. Following an in-depth analysis of the collected data, five major themes emerged. Learning and employment growth, lifelong learning and adaptation, organizational implementation of learning, referrals and career advancement, and personal growth through experience and accomplishment offer a valuable perspective into middle managers’ experiences in the banking industry practicing self-directed learning. These themes provide insight into the various aspects of their personal and professional growth journey. The study concludes by discussing the implications and findings for future research.

Black male students are suspended and expelled from school at three times the number of White students, even though they are a smaller population. This conceptual article reviews how school counselors can support Black male students through an anti-racist lens, using culturally responsive multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) interventions in relation to behavioral issues to reverse punishment trends. We report on several appropriate, evidence-based Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 interventions that school counselors have been successful using with Black males. This article stresses the importance of using culturally responsive interventions with Black male students.