Digital Commons Network^™

Dispersion Of Cytotoxic Properties Of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Suspended In Biological Solutions With Tween 80: Their Role In Enhancing Killing Effects Of Nanosecond Pulse Electric Fields On Tumor Cell Lines, Bhargava S. Kalluri

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

The objective of this study was to determine whether multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) suspended in the surfactant Tween 80 give an additive killing effect on tumor cells when exposed to nsPEFs. In this study, MWCNTs were suspended in DMEM and RPMI with or without T80 (surfactant). The size distribution of MWCNTs suspended in these solutions was evaluated with a Delsa™ Nano Zeta potential and sub micro particle Size Analyzer and confirmed with microscopy. The cytotoxicity of MWCNTs dispersed in different concentrations of T80 was evaluated in PANC1 (Human pancreatic cancer cell line) and Jurkat cell lines (Human T-cell lymphoblast cell …

Development Of Sustainability Indicators For Products And Processes, Sundeep Bodapati

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Significant increase in industrialization is a leading cause for the depletion of global resources and changes in the earth's atmosphere due to global warming. There has been a major concern for the manufacturing industry to deal with the above problems and this had led the researchers to focus on the area of sustainability. Sustainable development aims for the future, which is characterized by the interaction of the economic, environment and society. To enable the manufacturing companies to measure sustainability performance, developing the metrics for sustainability is critical. The purpose of this thesis is to review the indicators published in the …

Akers' Social Learning Theory: Childhood Victimization, Witnessing Violence, Peer Violence And Later Violent Offending, Pamela Annette Styles

Sociology & Criminal Justice Theses & Dissertations

The literature linking abuse and later violent offending is extensive. More importantly, the effects of witnessing violence and peer violence on later violent offending have been well established. Drawing upon Akers' social learning theory, the current study explored the effects of victimization, witnessing violence, deviant peer association on later violent offending comparing Blacks and Whites. Using data from the National Survey of Adolescents (NSA), the sample was comprised of 2746 Whites and 572 Blacks. Bivariate and multivariate analyses revealed similar effects for Blacks and Whites. Examining social learning theory variables, the effects of witnessing violence, associating with violent peers and …

Negative Dielectrophoretic Capture Of Bacterial Spores In Food Matrices, Mehti Koklu, Seungkyung Park, Suresh D. Pillai, Ali Beskok

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

A microfluidic device with planar square electrodes is developed for capturing particles from high conductivity media using negative dielectrophoresis (n-DEP). Specifically, Bacillus subtilis and Clostridium sporogenes spores, and polystyrene particles are tested in NaCl solution (0.05 and 0.225 S/m), apple juice (0.225 S/m), and milk (0.525 S/m). Depending on the conductivity of the medium, the Joule heating produces electrothermal flow (ETF), which continuously circulates and transports the particles to the DEP capture sites. Combination of the ETF and n-DEP results in different particle capture efficiencies as a function of the conductivity. Utilizing 20 μm height DEP chambers, “almost complete” and …

Distinct Macrophage Subpopulations Regulate Viral Encephalitis But Not Viral Clearance In The Cns, Christina D. Steel, Woong-Ki Kim, Larry Sanford, Laurie Wellman, Sandra Burnett, Nico Van Rooijen, Rochard P. Ciavarra

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Intranasal application of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) induces acute encephalitis characterized by a pronounced myeloid and T cell infiltrate. The role of distinct phagocytic populations on VSV encephalitis was therefore examined in this study. Ablation of peripheral macrophages did not impair VSV encephalitis or viral clearance from the brain, whereas, depletion of splenic marginal dendritic cells impaired this response and enhanced morbidity/mortality. Selective depletion of brain perivascular macrophages also suppressed this response without altering viral clearance. Thus, two anatomically distinct phagocytic populations regulate VSV encephalitis in a non-redundant fashion although neither population is essential for viral clearance in the CNS. …

Circulation, Vol. 16, No. 2, Center For Coastal Physical Oceanography, Old Dominion University, Eileen E. Hofmann, John M. Klinck, Mike S. Dinniman

CCPO Circulation

Summer 2010 issue of CCPO Circulation featuring article "CCPO Researchers Focus on the Ross Sea" by Eileen E. Hofmann, John M. Klinck, and Mike Dinniman

Evaluating The Effects Of A Safe Space Training On Professional School Counselors And School Counseling Trainees, Rebekah Byrd

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

While professional and social advocacy is an important component of school counselor training, there is little information about the awareness, skills, or knowledge needed to effectively meet the academic, career, and social needs of LGBTQ students (Smith & Chen-Hayes, 2004). The purpose of this study was to evaluate and examine the impact of Safe Space training on Professional School Counselors (PSCs) and School Counseling Trainees (SCTs). In this experimental design, a sample of 74 PSCs and SCTs from three universities and one school district participated in 1 of 7 Safe Space trainings. The Safe Space training, developed by The Gay, …

Simulation Studies Of Pulsed Voltage Effects On Cells, Jiahui Song

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation research focuses on the new field of pulsed electric field interactions with biological cells. In particular, "Intracellular Electromanipulation" which has important biomedical applications, is probed. Among the various aspects studied, nanosecond, high-intensity pulse induced electroporation is one phenomena. It is simulated based on a coupled scheme involving the current continuity and Smoluchowski equations. A dynamic pore model can be achieved by including a dependence on the pore population density and a variable membrane tension. These changes make the pore formation energy E(r) self-adjusting and dynamic in response to pore formation. Additionally, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are also discussed …

Effect Of High School Completion Of The Agricultural Education Program On The Rate Of Return On Investment For The Commonwealth Of Virginia, Phillip Scott Bevins

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

This research study sought to determine the effect high school completion of the agricultural career and technical education program has on the rate of return on investment by public schools in Virginia. The research questions guiding this study included: (1) Were students able to find employment related to the agricultural career and technical education program they completed, (2) What federal and state funding was allocated for students participating in the agricultural career and technical education programs in the state of Virginia, (3) Was there a significant level of tax revenues generated by incomes from those who participated in the agricultural …

The Effects Of Two Anxiety Reducing Interventions On Algebra I Test Scores For A Sample Of Rural High School Students, Sharon Wisinger

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

As the nation strives to reach the goal of 100% proficiency in reading and math in under the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) requirements, students may experience increased pressure to perform better on examinations. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a short term expressive writing intervention and a psychoeducational intervention on general, test, and math anxieties, physical and attendance, and test scores of ninth through eleventh grade adolescents attending two rural public high schools. Participants (N=58) consisted of adolescents in three intact Algebra I classes which were assigned to write …

The Relationship Among Counselor Demographic, Training, And Employment Variables And Self-Reported Multicultural And Gerontological Counseling Competence, Rebecca G. Mcbride

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

As the "Baby Boom" population ages, the geriatric population will grow to be the largest cohort in history. Elders are considered to be members of a diverse population and, therefore, topics related to older adulthood should be addressed within multicultural training. The purpose of this study was to understand the relationship among counselor demographic variables, training variables, employment variables, attitudes toward the geriatric population, and self-reported multicultural counseling competence. Participants consisted of graduate students in both CACREP and non-CACREP accredited counseling programs, master's and doctoral level practitioners, and counselor educators. No statistically significant relationship was found between demographic, training, or …

Counselor Attitudes Toward The Harm Reduction Approach In Substance Abuse Treatment, Nicole Marie Kyser

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

In the United States, the preferred method for treating alcohol and drug addictions is the abstinence based approach. While most American mental health professionals use this approach, studies over time have demonstrated that relapse rates remain high. In Europe, the harm reduction approach, in which the primary goal is to decrease the harms associated with substance use, is beginning to be implemented as an additional approach to abstinence. Although the outcomes of the harm reduction approach are not yet clear, countries that utilize harm reduction have seen a decrease in crime, wages lost, and hospitalizations due to alcohol and drug …

Fat Talk Between Friends: Co-Rumination About Physical Appearance, Jonathan A. Rudiger

Psychology Theses & Dissertations

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the study of social and interpersonal factors that influence emotional adjustment and body image. Co-rumination is a new construct in the friendship literature which refers to discussing problems excessively and sharing negative feelings within the context of a close relationship. However, there is a lack of research with regard to the specific content of co-ruminative dialogues. In the body image literature, the term "fat talk" was coined to describe a negative, appearance focused dialogue that takes place in the context of female social circles. There have been no studies examining …

The Initial Development And Validation Of The Teen Screen For Dating Violence, Kelly M. Emelianchik-Key

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

This study was related to the initial development and validation of the instrument, the Teen Screen for Dating Violence (TSDV). The TSDV is an assessment tool that screens for adolescent dating violence perpetration and victimization. It examines perceptions, experiences, perpetration, and exposure to dating violence as well as available support systems for adolescents. Literature shows that dating violence among the adolescent population is on the rise and adolescent dating violence mimics many of the patterns of adult intimate partner violence. Children who grow up in homes with violence are more likely to continue the cycle of violence in their future …

Organization Of Human Sperm Chromosomes During Pronuclei Formation, Estella Jones

Theses and Dissertations in Biomedical Sciences

Chromosome organization is regarded as an important factor in regulating gene expression. In addition to the histone code, it is a part of the epigenetic mechanisms participating in fertilization and early embryonic development. Recent studies have demonstrated that chromosomes of human spermatozoa have well-defined spatial organization that includes preferred intranuclear positioning. The hypothesis of this dissertation is that sperm chromosome architecture participates in controlled transformation and activation of the paternal genome following fertilization.

Adequate model systems are necessary to study early nuclear events characteristic of human fertilization. This research focused on introduction and application of heterologous intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) …

Experimental Investigation Of A Non-Thermal Atmospheric Pressure Plasma Jet, Asma Begum

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The main objective of this dissertation is to understand the formation of the plasma jet from the plasma pencil, and the propagation of the plasma jet in the ambient atmosphere where the effect of the external electric field is almost zero. Before investigating the formation and propagation phenomenon of the plasma jet, common physical properties of plasma jets are determined by using the imaging technique and optical emission spectroscopy. The first goal of this dissertation is to establish the laminar helium gas flow channel through a plasma pencil.

The formation position, formation time, and the criterion of the plasma jet …

Analysis And Optimization Of Dynamic Spectrum Sharing For Cognitive Radio Networks, Manish Wadhwa

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

The goal of this dissertation is to present the analysis and optimization of dynamic spectrum sharing for cognitive radio networks (CRNs). Spectrum scarcity is a well known problem at present. In order to deal with this problem, dynamic spectrum sharing (DSS) was proposed. DSS is a technique where cognitive radio networks dynamically and opportunistically share the channels with primary users. The major contribution of this dissertation is in analyzing the problem of dynamic spectrum sharing under different scenarios and developing optimal solutions for these scenarios. In the first scenario, a contention based dynamic spectrum sharing model is considered and its …

Factors That Influence Learning Satisfaction Delivered By Video Streaming Technology, Daniel Stephen Keenan

STEMPS Theses & Dissertations

In 2005, over 100,000 e-Learning courses were offered in over half of all U.S. postsecondary education institutions with nearly 90% of all community colleges and four year institutions offering online education. Streaming video is commonplace across the internet offering seamless video and sound anywhere connectivity is available effectively making any location a learning environment. The problem investigated in this study was to determine factors that affect the learning satisfaction of students that video streamed courses. This study is important to enable improvements in curriculum, delivery of content, designs of alternative study venues, and guide college administrators in making decisions on …

Carrion Beetles Of The Blackwater Ecologic Preserve: Community Structure Seasonal Patterns And Habitat Use, Amy L. Simons

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

Carrion beetles (Silphidae) are important in the decomposition of carcasses in ecosystems. Two subfamilies, Nicrophorinae and Silphinae, differ in reproductive behaviors. The Nicrophinae, burying beetles, bury small carcasses to serve as food for the adults and their offspring. The Silphinae oviposit near larger carcasses. There is intense competition among all carrion beetles and other carrion feeders for carcasses, and beetle species have evolved seasonal activity patterns that minimize competition, such as when they are active and when they reproduce. Northern Silphidae communities are more diverse than southern communities, probably due to increased competition for carrion in the south.

This research …

Parent Interventionists In Phonodialogic Emergent Reading With Preschool Children, Sabra B. Gear

Communication Disorders & Special Education Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine an activity-based intervention, dialogic reading with embedded explicit phonological awareness strategies, applied as a preventive approach by parents in their home settings located within a culturally and ethnically diverse urban region. This study investigated the effects of training parents to employ a phonodialogic activity-based emergent reading intervention protocol to increase the phonological awareness skills of their 4- and 5-year old children. Helping young children learn phonological awareness skills are vitally important to the development of early reading (Anthony & Lonigan, 2004; Ziolkowski & Goldstein, 2008). This investigation provided an empirical examination of …

The Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) Fauna Of The Blackwater Ecological Preserve: Effects Of Prescribed Burns And Habitat Type On Mosquito Abundance And Distribution, Norman A. Grefe Lll

Biological Sciences Theses & Dissertations

While mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are among the most studied of insect groups, much remains unknown about their distribution and response to environmental impacts such as prescribed burns. Blackwater Ecological Preserve, located near Zuni, Virginia, is a relict long leaf pine barren, parts of which undergo periodic prescribed burns to maintain and restore this fire-dependent ecosystem. To assess the impact of prescribed burns on mosquito activity and to determine associations between seasonal patterns of adult mosquito activity and habitat type, CDC light traps baited with dry ice were set (rom late April through October at Blackwater Ecological Preserve during the 2005 …

Oxygen Isotopes As A Tracer Of Dom Processes In River-Estuary Systems, Joy Ashley Matthews

OES Theses and Dissertations

In the biogeochemical study of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in natural waters, stable isotopes are used to provide insight into both the sources of DOM and the processes affecting its alteration. Through the research presented here, oxygen isotopes are incorporated into the study of DOM through the adaptation of a pyrolysis elemental analysis isotope ratio mass spectrometer method, and sample preparation using two-stage ultrafiltration.

The application of oxygen isotopes to the study of DOM is demonstrated in two studies. First, natural abundance of δ¹⁸O in DOM is explored in the Delaware estuary. Using a two end-member mixing model, …

Simulation Of Temperature Distributions In Tissue Upon Laser Pulse Irradiation Including Water Mass Transfer, Deepthi Nagulapally

Electrical & Computer Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Lasers, due to their unique characteristics, have tremendous applications in the medical field. Generally all laser applications in hie-medicine involve the propagation of laser energy through tissue. Energy is deposited giving rise to many physical, hie-chemical, and mechanical effects. Among these are dynamical changes in the local temperature distributions within the tissue. Analysis of the temperature changes requires the creation of an appropriate optical transmission and heat flow model that incorporates user specified laser parameters. Here, a numerical simulation model was developed to study both steady state and time dependent temperature distributions due to pulsed laser radiation within user specified …

Dielectrophoretic Separation Of Mouse Melanoma Clones, Ahmet C. Sabuncu, Jie A. Liu, Stephen J. Beebe, Ali Beskok

Bioelectrics Publications

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is employed to differentiate clones of mouse melanoma B16F10 cells. Five clones were tested on microelectrodes. At a specific excitation frequency, clone 1 showed a different DEP response than the other four. Growth rate, melanin content, recovery from cryopreservation, and in vitro invasive studies were performed. Clone 1 is shown to have significantly different melanin content and recovery rate from cryopreservation. This paper reports the ability of DEP to differentiate between two malignant cells of the same origin. Different DEP responses of the two clones could be linked to their melanin content.

Hydrodynamic Fin Function Of Brief Squid, Lolliguncula Brevis, William J. Stewart, Ian K. Bartol, Paul S. Krueger

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Although the pulsed jet is often considered the foundation of a squid's locomotive system, the lateral fins also probably play an important role in swimming, potentially providing thrust, lift and dynamic stability as needed. Fin morphology and movement vary greatly among squid species, but the locomotive role of the fins is not well understood. To begin to elucidate the locomotive role of the fins in squids, fin hydrodynamics were studied in the brief squid Lolliguncula brevis, a species that exhibits a wide range of fin movements depending on swimming speed. Individual squid were trained to swim in both the …

A Proposed Bereavement Art Therapy Group For Children Who Experienced A Loss, Laurie Mcarthur

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

Bereavement, grief, and loss have been topics of interest to many individuals (Bowlby, 1969; Freud, 1917; Kubler-Ross, 1969) over the years, whereas child bereavement has become a more recent topic of interest. Recently, however, researchers (Lowenstein, 2006; Rogers, 2007; Trozzi, 1999) have gained an awareness of the importance of child bereavement as it pertains to developmental level, support systems, and circumstances surrounding the loss. Typically, both non-clinical and clinical interventions are used as forms of treatment for children who are experiencing grief and loss. Art therapy provides individuals with the opportunity to express themselves through their artwork. Individuals suffering from …

The Effect Of Art Therapy On The Working Memory Of Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Kelly N. Lee

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

This study explored the effect of a short-term art therapy intervention on the working memory and behavior of male children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The methodology was quasi-experimental, involving a two-group controlled design with three objective pretest and posttest measures and one observer behavior report. Four subjects ages 7 to 9 were recruited for this study, and they were randomly divided between the experimental (i.e. art making) and control (i.e. board game play) conditions. Each subject participated in four individual sessions with the investigator, and completed two working memory measures at pretest and posttest administration. One parent for each child …

A Proposal For An Art Therapy Intervention For The Reduction Of Dementia Caregiver Stress, Eileen Douglas

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to develop an art therapy intervention program to test the efficacy of art therapy in the mitigation of stress among informal caregivers who are caring for individuals suffering from dementia. The design of this program is a prospective, randomized, controlled study of informal caregivers. This program will run for a period of 2 months, with a 30 day follow-up session. The study is designed to recruit at least 20 participants. Participants will be randomized into two separate groups, an art therapy intervention group and a controlled art making group. The Zarit Burden Interview, Cohen …

A Study Of Artwork By Individuals With Eating Disorders, Michelle L. Mong

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

This study explored formal elements and content of 200 images created by eating disordered individuals to identify common themes or content. Images were found on 24 websites containing eating disordered artwork. Gathered artwork was viewed on a laptop and analyzed using methods of content analysis. After categories of formal elements and content were entered into a spreadsheet, percentages of categories and subcategories were calculated. The majority of images, 96.5%, were created with representational, rather than abstract, content. Other high percentages were in the subcategories of drawings (67.5%), vertical orientation (63%), color (61%), and partial figures (53%). Common themes noted in …

Art Therapy And Anorexia: A Heuristic Self-Study From Treatment To Career, Katie Kiskinis

EVMS School of Health Professions Theses & Dissertations

The purpose of this self-study was to explore the personal experience had during treatment for anorexia nervosa that included an art therapy component and what impact this has had on subsequent recovery, current healthy functioning, and the career decision to become an art therapist.

The total duration of the study was 13 weeks. Thirty-minute reflection sessions supplemented with writing were scheduled for the first four days of the study, during which there was a submersion in artwork made during treatment (Treatment Artwork) for anorexia nervosa and any related memories. On the fourth day, eight themes were identified to be the …