Liberty University

Abstract This chapter examines the shift from broad-based to targeted assessment strategies in academic libraries, using two case studies to illustrate the process. While traditional broad-based assessments have been valuable, they often produce repetitive and less actionable insights over time. The chapter argues that targeted assessments offer more meaningful data, leading to better-informed decisions for improving library services. It also addresses the challenges encountered during this transition, such as overcoming organizational inertia, navigating a multiyear discovery process, and recruiting and empowering the right personnel. The first case study details the library’s efforts to better serve doctoral students by implementing a comprehensive assessment approach that combines both qualitative and quantitative data. This assessment uncovered key gaps in understanding doctoral students’ needs and provided actionable insights for enhancing services. The second case study focuses on evaluating student perceptions of the library’s virtual reference service. The resulting survey data highlighted the service’s strengths and offered valuable feedback for further enhancement. The chapter concludes with reflections on the future of targeted assessments in academic libraries, stressing the importance of ongoing improvement and alignment with institutional goals.

Low-carbohydrate dietary approaches are increasingly explored as adjunctive strategies for Crohn’s disease (CD), particularly in patients who experience limitations or adverse effects with standard biologic therapies. Dietary intervention (DI) may offer a non-pharmacological option to support symptom control and remission. Evidence remains limited, particularly at the individual clinical level. This single-patient, retrospective case report describes an adult with established CD who initiated a therapeutic carbohydrate-restricted diet under clinical guidance. The intervention was implemented as part of ongoing disease management and followed longitudinally during routine care. Clinical outcomes were assessed through symptom patterns, medication use, and sustained follow-up over an extended observation period. Following initiation of the carbohydrate-restricted dietary approach, the patient achieved remission of gastrointestinal symptoms and progressively discontinued pharmacologic therapy. Symptom recurrence was temporally associated with lapses in dietary adherence and resolved promptly upon resumption of the intervention. Sustained adherence was related to continued symptom control and medication independence throughout follow-up. This case suggests that therapeutic carbohydrate reduction may support remission and medication discontinuation in select individuals with CD. The findings underscore the need for controlled clinical trials to evaluate the safety, durability and generalisability of DIs in inflammatory bowel disease. Dietary strategies may represent a complementary avenue for individualised disease management.

Abstract Osteopathic manipulative treatment is intended to optimize bodily function through the normalization of structure. Since producing sufficient milk supply to adequately nourish one's infant should be the biological norm, the investigators hypothesized that utilizing osteopathic manipulation to normalize structure and function could increase milk supply in lactating patients when inadequate. There is no prior research on the use of osteopathic manipulation for the purpose of increasing milk quantity in lactation. The Osteopathic Manipulation to Increase Lactation Quantity (OMILQ) study was designed as prospective, pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of osteopathic manipulation to enhance milk production in patients with hypogalactia. This article describes the study design and osteopathic manipulation used in the OMILQ study.

Childhood trauma occurs when an individual under the age of 18 survives or witnesses a life-threatening event that surpasses one's ability to cope. To circumvent future danger, numerous developmental changes occur in response to fear, manifesting in a multitude of symptoms that can culminate in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This debilitating condition arises from the brain and body's heightened sensitivity to environmental stimuli, including interpersonal interactions, which affect attachment styles with others and with God. Research has indicated that high levels of self-reported spiritual strength are associated with increased feelings of safety and resilience; however, spirituality is seldom included in the treatment of PTSD. Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) is a leading therapeutic treatment for PTSD, while Spiritually Integrated Cognitive Processing Therapy (SICPT) incorporates traditional CPT and components of faith. This quasi-experimental pilot study included a sample of six adult survivors of childhood trauma who completed the 12-session manualized SICPT program. Despite the small sample size, there were statistically significant pre- to post-intervention improvements in PTSD symptomology (Χ2 (1) = 6.0, p = .01) and attachment security to God (Χ2 (1) = 4.0, p = .046), with a trend for improvement in spirituality (Χ2 (1) = 2.667, p = .102). The results of this study indicate that SICPT is an effective treatment in addressing PTSD and attachment security to God in adult survivors of childhood trauma.

This chapter discusses the importance of identifying ethical options and alternatives when faced with a knowledge-related dilemma. Learning to see and imagine ethical options is critical for identifying the potential consequences of our actions. The consequences of unethical knowledge choices are short- and long-term. Given the peculiar properties and behaviors of knowledge, long-term consequences can be significant. The authors call out seven consequences that can result from ethical and unethical knowledge choices.

In this chapter, the authors identify common forms of unethical knowledge ownership, including non-compete agreements, knowledge theft, false claims of ownership, failure to inform, and knowledge absorption. Each form is supported by one or more ethical stories drawn from the authors’ experiences and the popular press.

The authors describe the research methodology followed to identify dilemmas. They also share what they learned about the current state of each component of the ethical system as it pertains to knowledge. This chapter also identifies the categories of ethical dilemmas found, including dilemmas that arise in the creation, ownership, use, access, preservation, sharing, and transacting of knowledge.

The authors make the case for a new and expanded system of ethics that will better serve the knowledge economy. The authors explain why and how the ethics systems of an industrial economy are insufficient to safeguard knowledge assets in the future. They describe the variant properties and behaviors of knowledge and explain the fundamental human rather than a tangible form of knowledge capital. A brief introduction to the ethical implications of each type of capital is provided.