This study attempts to answer the following questions: Is civic engagement a social activity among 18-25-year-old college students? How are opinions regarding civic and political engagement impacted by social settings? How are civic and political engagement atmospheres impacted by social distancing and isolation protocol? In this study, the researcher hypothesized that civic and political engagement are social activities, so they are therefore susceptible to changing social context. Since the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted typical social interaction through social distancing and isolation protocol, the researcher hypothesized that it also altered mechanisms of civic and political engagement. Political engagement would be more prevalent among students who participate with others even in pandemic conditions that may otherwise decrease close contact and social interactions. These findings seem to disagree with the literature that suggests young people are supplanting voting with other forms of engagement (Zukin et al., 2006). Rather, the “complexity” denoted in interviews and in reports of engagements on the pre- and post-election surveys suggests that young people are voting as well as dedicating their time to other activities. Voting does seem to be a social activity according to the interviews, poll observations, and the surveys. This is consistent with the literature regarding social norms and group predictors. However, this social aspect of engagement seems to manifest in a wider variety of formats that originally thought. Finally, students continued to engage in the context of the pandemic that surrounded the election in question. It seems that the formats through which students engaged have expanded to maintain the connections that are crucial to civic participation.

Neurological manifestations may be more prominent and have a larger role in ankylosing spondylitis than previously thought. Ankylosing Spondylitis is a rheumatic disease primarily identified by its autoinflammatory characteristics and is highly associated with the HLA-B27 gene. While it’s cause is not yet fully understood and it’s symptoms widely vary, neurological impairment is not uncommon. The neurological manifestations of Ankylosing Spondylitis include but are not limited to pain sensitization, altered brain phenotype, and disrupted cardiac conduction. Central and peripheral nervous system involvement may be more significant than previously thought and have the potential to cause demyelinating diseases, spinal cord, and nerve root injuries. Altered connectivity throughout various regions within the brain further exemplify the need for a better understanding of the disease and better treatment development. Higher instances of depression and dementia were also reported and coincide with not only a less active lifestyle, but altered brain activity. Studies on cardiac conduction and arrhythmias in AS patients revealed parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system dysregulation. These studies have explored the possibility of new targets for treatment involving cardiac mechanisms. Treatments for diseases of a similar suspected pathology, new prospective targets for therapy, and a more thorough understanding of current treatments for the disease may be the key in providing more substantial relief. By further investigation in the role of the nervous system in Ankylosing Spondylitis, the disease may become more manageable for patients and greatly increase quality of life in the future.