Digital Commons Network^™

Pelagic Fish Diversity And Density On And Off Restored Oyster Reef Habitat, Danielle Mcculloch

Theses and Dissertations

The heterogeneity provided by structured habitats is important in supporting diverse and dense fish communities. The biogenic reefs created by the native Eastern Oyster, Crassostrea virginica, were once the dominant structural habitat in Chesapeake Bay, and have since declined to less than 1% of historic estimates. Conflicting results on the effects of oyster reef restoration on pelagic fish assemblages make further investigation necessary. Incorporating multiple sampling strategies may help elucidate oyster reef habitat influence on fish assemblages. This study used multi-panel gillnets, hydroacoustic technology, and day-night sampling to describe pelagic fish assemblages on and off oyster reef habitat in the …

Laban For The Actor: The Mind/Body Connection, Margaret C. Buckner

Theses and Dissertations

When it comes to actor training in higher education, an extremely strong emphasis is placed on understanding the voice and interpreting the text. While some institutions do incorporate movement courses into the curriculum of the students, many do not serve the learning actor in the most effective way. The work of Rudolf Laban is a way to strengthen the curriculum taught to actors, specifically in regards connecting actors to their bodies. This thesis discusses and analyses the use of Laban’s movement theory in the movement classroom, and focuses on the most effective way of presenting the material to the student. …

Abuse-Related Behavioral Effects Of Oxycodone In The Mouse And Their Modulation By Hiv-1 Tat Expression, Rachel M. Enga

Theses and Dissertations

Abuse of prescription opioids has become epidemic and oxycodone is among the most frequently abused of these drugs. Opioid misuse is a risk factor for HIV infection and its chronic use by HIV-infected individuals can be accompanied by worsened progression to AIDS, cellular damage, and behavioral deficits collectively termed “neuroAIDS”. This toxicity is likely attributable, in part, to the interaction of opioids with the neurotoxic HIV-1 Tat protein. The ultimate objective of this dissertation was to characterize the interaction of HIV-1 Tat expression with the abuse-related effects of oxycodone. Physical dependence, drug self-administration, and sensitization are three classes of phenomena …

Thyroid Hormone As A Method Of Reducing Damage To Donor Hearts After Circulatory Arrest, William P. Adams

Theses and Dissertations

There is a chronic lack of donor hearts to meet the need for heart transplant both in the US and worldwide. Further, the use of available hearts is limited by the short period between collection and implantation during which the heart can be safely preserved ex vivo. Using mid-thermic Langendorff machine perfusion, we have been able to preserve the metabolic function of a healthy heart for up to 8 hours, twice the limit for current static cold storage. We have also been able to preserve the metabolic function of a damaged DCD Heart collected 30 minutes after cardiac arrest …

Uncovering The Progress Of Planning For Vulnerability To Sea-Level Rise & Coastal Storms: A Plan Evaluation Of Norfolk, Va & New York City, Eric K. Borchers

Theses and Dissertations

In response to recent storms like Superstorm Sandy and sea-level rise influenced by climate change, cities, particularly those located at the coast, have taken initiative to combat these growing threats with adaptive urban planning. Although civilians residing in susceptible neighborhoods are often the most vulnerable socioeconomically, there has been minimal evidence that planning has accounted for the characteristics of vulnerability. This thesis evaluates the recent planning efforts and vulnerability of Norfolk, VA and New York City to gauge the progress being made toward reducing citizen vulnerability and raising adaptability and preparedness. The most recent peer-reviewed research is consulted to forge …

Misencounters, Francisco J. Besa

Theses and Dissertations

We are immersed in an era of supermodernity, an age defined by excesses: of information—the acceleration of historical time—spatial overabundance—the nullification of distance by electronic media and transportation—and an excess of self-reflexive individuality. In this context, the idea of place is giving way to non-places: designed spaces in which social relations are tangential and the boundary between the individual and the group is increasingly mediated. Media plays an important role in the creation of non-places, by favoring a removed form of communication made pervasive and extensive through mobile devices. The blurring of the line between media and actuality …

Role Of Epigenetic Modification And Immunomodulation In A Murine Prostate Cancer Model, Jay E. Sulek, Samuel P. Robinson, Albert A. Petrossian, Shaoqing Zhou, Ekaterine Goliadze, Masoud H. Manjili, Amir Toor, Georgi Guruli

Surgery Publications

INTRODUCTION. Decreased expression of highly immunogenic cancer-testis antigens (CTA) might help tumor to achieve low immunogenicity, escape immune surveillance and grow unimpeded. Our aim was to evaluate CTA expression in tumor and normal tissues and to investigate possible means of improving the immune response in a murine prostate cancer (CaP) model by using the combination of epigenetic modifier 5-azacitidine (5-AzaC) and immunomodulator lenalidomide. No study to date has examined the effect of this combination on the prostate cancer or its impact on antigen-presenting cells (APC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS. Gene microarrays were performed to compare expression of several CTA in murine …

Operative And Nonoperative Management Of Blunt Liver Injuries, Jill Peysha, Paula Ferrada

Surgery Publications

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review is to discuss the indications for operative and nonoperative management in patients with blunt liver injuries.

Recent Findings

Over the past several years, research has begun to show that nonoperative management in blunt liver injuries is feasible and has favorable outcomes over immediate operations in patients who are hemodynamically stable. This includes high-grade injuries who were previously taken to the operating room, in the absence of peritoneal signs or instability, for washout and packing. This trend in management is likely multifactorial and includes improved quality of critical care medicine, advances in imaging …

Thunder Iii, David M. Aldridge

Mighty Pen Project Anthology & Archive

The awesome power of a military convoy in Vietnam can also be a danger.

Articles, stories, and other compositions in this archive were written by participants in the Mighty Pen Project. The program, developed by author David L. Robbins, and in partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University and the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia, offers veterans and their family members a customized twelve-week writing class, free of charge. The program encourages, supports, and assists participants in sharing their stories and experiences of military experience so both writer and audience may benefit.

Against Critical Race Theory, Paul C. Mocombe

Ethnic Studies Review

Critical Race Theory (CRT) seeks to apply the negative dialectics of critical theory to the intersection of race, law, and power in the pursuit of racial and ethnic equality in Western society. That is to say, critical race theorists seek to convict Western society for not identifying with their values due to the prevalence of racial and ethnic oppression and subordination in the society. I argue here that this pursuit of racial emancipation and anti-subordination through the negative dialectics of critical theory by critical race theorists offers a false sense of racial difference which is convicting the values of the …

Hyphy Sparked A Social Movement, Andrea L.S. Moore

Ethnic Studies Review

“Hyphy,” a genre of rap and lifestyle associated with Bay Area hip hop evolved into a counter-cultural social movement for marginalized youth in early 2000. Hyphy originated from Black youth as a musical protest in response to their historical lack of social power, economic resources and systematic institutional oppression. Hyphy provided a space to release tension, celebrate life and freedom of expression, primarily as a means of resisting hegemonic perceptions of Black youth and their cultural productions. Applying a cultural studies theoretical approach, this ethnographic research examines literature and media coverage pre and post Hyphy highlighting the ways in which …

Ethnic Studies Review

Ethnic Studies Review

No abstract provided.

The Birth Of A Cinematic Storyline Normalizing Violence Against Black Lives, James Curiel

Ethnic Studies Review

The first Hollywood blockbuster, The Birth of a Nation, did more than establish cinematic conventions of camera techniques and movie distribution, for it also established a conventional storyline whereby white, patriarchal power is re-established through violence led by a white savior. This storyline can be traced throughout the history of major blockbusters such as Gone with the Wind of 1939, the cavalry trilogy by John Ford in the 1940s, The Omega Man from 1971, and The Outlaw Josie Wales from 1976. A quandary thus arises as to why The Birth of a Nation is held in such infamy and disdain …

The Black Lives Matter Movement And Why The Response Of All Lives Matter Is Misleading, Scott Loken

Ethnic Studies Review

This paper discusses the Black Lives Matter movement, it’s brief history and relevance, and the problem with the response of All Lives Matter and how it is misleading. It discusses incidents leading up to the initial Social Media hashtag and how the statement took off as a rallying cry in response to any incident which seemed to be racially motivated, especially in situations where police officers were involved resulting in the death of African American citizens. This article examines how the organization was first developed in response to the killing of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman and his acquittal of …

Salvianolic Acid B For Pulmonary Delivery Towards Reversal Of Emphysema, Sneha Dhapare

Theses and Dissertations

A new pathobiologic hypothesis has recently emerged that the alveolar structural destruction and loss in emphysema are caused by the deficiency of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Therefore, this project hypothesized that such pathobiologic VEGF deficiency of emphysematous lungs can be recovered with a natural caffeic acid tetramer, salvianolic acid B (SalB), through activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), so that emphysema can be reversed as a result of inhibition of induced cell death, stimulation of cell proliferation and migration, and promotion of stem cell recruitment to the lungs.

SalB was first shown to be potently …

Quantitative Analysis Of Tobacco-Specific Nitrosamines And Their Precursor Alkaloids In Tobacco Extracts, Celeste T. Wilkinson

Theses and Dissertations

Tobacco-specific nitrosamines (TSNA) are carcinogenic constituents derived from alkaloids in tobacco. Researchers are actively exploring several avenues to reduce TSNA levels in tobacco products like moist snuff tobacco. The focus of the research presented within is the quantitative analysis of TSNA in tobacco, specifically N’-nitrosonornicotine (NNN), 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), N’-nitrosoanatabine (NAT), and N’-nitrosoanabasine (NAB).

Tobacco alkaloids and nitrosamines in tobacco are currently analyzed by different instrumentation due to orders of magnitude difference in their concentrations, chromatographic separation challenges due to structural similarities, and similar mass fragmentation patterns. An analytical column using silica and 1,2-bis(siloxy)ethane hybrid particles of 1.7 µm size is …

Pebbles Is A Girl That Doesn't Know Anything, Grace A. Kubilius

Theses and Dissertations

I am not quite sure how to be a woman. It’s complicated, contradictory and highly surveilled. I make videos, sculptures and wearable objects that attempt to rationalize my female identity. The body is a sustained fixture in my work: as an armature, as an absent actor for constructed environments, as fragment and as the literal inclusion of my image. It is through these various modes of dis/embodiment that I negotiate the complexities of gendered existence. Crumbling ceramic and paper objects, pieced fabric forms, videos, beauty products, and delicate flowers reference splintered narratives and unwieldy terrains. I consider the idea of …

Wake The Devil, Ricardo Ruiz

Theses and Dissertations

You could only bury a body so deep before the seasons decided you would join it . Topsoil so desperate for affection it shakes to remind me that I was once and am loved .

I linger in the southwestern sky , burgundy to violet , with Neil Young playing faintly in the distance as my father calls me home .

Making Movie Money: A 25-Year Analysis Of Rappers' Acting Roles In Hollywood Movies, Tia Tyree

Journal of Hip Hop Studies

No abstract provided.

Journal Of Hip Hop Studies

Journal of Hip Hop Studies

No abstract provided.

Rabble: A Chapbook Companion To Pwa-Tem (2017)

Rabble, 2014-

Rabble is a companion chapbook publication to the magazine Pwatem. From the preface of most issues: "'Tell the rabble my name is Cabell."- James Branch Cabell to his editor, to help people learn how to pronounce his name. Cabell used the word derogatively but we are taking it back. These pages will showcase the writing and illustrations of our rabble-the ordinary students of VCU."

Hydrogen Sulfide Regulation Of Kir Channels, Junghoon Ha

Theses and Dissertations

Inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels establish and regulate the resting membrane potential of excitable cells in the heart, brain and other peripheral tissues. Phosphatidylinositol- 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) is a key direct activator of ion channels, including Kir channels. Gasotransmitters, such as carbon monoxide (CO), have been reported to regulate the activity of Kir channels by altering channel-PIP2 interactions. We tested, in a model system, the effects and mechanism of action of another important gasotransmitter, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) thought to play a key role in cellular responses under ischemic conditions. Direct administration of sodium hydrogen sulfide (NaHS), as an exogenous H2S source, …

Type 2 Immune Responses In The Context Of Helminth Infection, Asthma, Dendritic Cells, And Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cell Function, Sheela Ruby Damle

Theses and Dissertations

Type 2 (T_H2) immune responses evolved to respond to helminth parasite infections by the production of T_H2 cytokines, which stimulate anti-helminth immunity. Macrophage migration inhibitor factor (MIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine, which is produced by many cell types. We demonstrate that mice deficient in MIF have enhanced clearance of a helminth parasite. MIF deficiency in CD4⁺ T cells was found to be the most important for mediating parasite clearance. We mimicked MIF deficiency by administering an inhibitor of the MIF tautomerase activity, sulforaphane, and this also increased parasite clearance (Section I).

T_H2 immune …

Contribution Of A Class Ii Ribonucleotide Reductase To The Manganese Dependence Of Streptococcus Sanguinis, John L. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Manganese-deficient Streptococcus sanguinis mutants exhibit a dramatic decrease in virulence for infective endocarditis and in aerobic growth in manganese-limited media. Loss of activity of a manganese-dependent, oxygen-dependent ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) could explain the decrease in virulence. When the genes encoding this RNR are deleted, there is no growth of the mutant in aerobic broth culture or in an animal model. Testing the contribution of the aerobic RNR to the phenotype of a manganese transporter mutant, a heterologous class II RNR from Lactobacillus leichmannii called NrdJ that requires B₁₂ rather than manganese as a cofactor was previously introduced into an …

Development Of High Efficiency Dry Powder Inhalers For Use With Spray Dried Formulations, Dale Farkas

Theses and Dissertations

Dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are advantageous for delivering medication to the lungs for the treatment of respiratory diseases because of the stability of the powders, relative low cost, synchronization of inhalation and dose delivery, and many design options that can be used for optimization. However, currently marketed DPIs are very inefficient in delivering medications to the lungs. This study has developed multiple new high efficiency DPIs for use with spray dried excipient enhanced growth (EEG) powder formulations based on the following platforms: capsule-based for oral inhalation, high-dose for oral inhalation, inline with 3D rod array dispersion, and inline with capillary …

Characterization Of Staphylococcal Nuclease And Tudor Domain Containing Protein 1 (Snd1) As A Molecular Target In Hepatocellular Carcinoma And Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis, Nidhi H. Jariwala

Theses and Dissertations

CHARACTERIZATION OF STAPHYLOCOCCAL NUCLEASE AND TUDOR DOMAIN CONTAINING PROTEIN 1 (SND1) AS A MOLECULAR TARGET IN HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA AND NON-ALCOHOLIC STEATOHEPATITIS

Nidhi Jariwala, PhD

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Integrative Life Sciences

Virginia Commonwealth University, 2017

Devanand Sarkar, M.B.B.S., PhD.

Associate Professor, Department of Human and Molecular Genetics

Virginia Commonwealth University

Richmond, Virginia

SND1, a subunit of the miRNA regulatory complex RISC, has been implicated as an oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Oncoprotein SND1 regulates gene expression at a post-transcriptional level in multiple cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). …

Development Of An Electrospun And 3d Printed Cellular Delivery Device For Dermal Wound Healing, Ryan M. Clohessy

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research was to develop a system of individualized medicine that could be applied to dermal wounds serving as a wound dressing and synthetic extracellular matrix while delivering stem cells to the wound bed. First, fabrication parameters for electrospinning polymer fibers were determined. This involved evaluating fiber morphology with respect to polymer selection and solution concentration. Next, construct fabrication was examined to produce an integrated void space, or cargo area, suitable to maintain stem cells. In vitro studies to ensure stem cell viability and phenotype were conducted, and results supported the notion that cells could be administered …

Study Of Molecular Interactions Of Glycosaminoglycans And Glycosaminoglycan Mimetics With Their Protein Targets, Daniel K. Afosah

Theses and Dissertations

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are complex linear chain carbohydrate molecules found on virtually all animal cell surfaces. Owing to their negatively charged nature, GAGs interact with a number of different proteins. Thus, although they have great potential as therapeutic agents, their apparent promiscuous interactions increase their side effect risk. GAG mimetics, including GAG oligosaccharides and non-saccharide GAG mimetics (NSGMs) are viable approaches to address this. This work discusses sulfated benzofuran thrombin inhibitors with submaximal protease inhibition, sulfated diflavonoid inhibitors of plasmin and GAG oligosaccharides with selectivity for human neutrophil elastase (HNE).

Anticoagulants are very important for the treatment of thrombotic diseases. The …

Investigating The Modulation And Mechanisms Of Α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors In Nicotine Dependence, Asti Jackson

Theses and Dissertations

Tobacco dependence dramatically increases health burdens and financial costs. Limitations of current smoking cessation therapies indicate the need for improved molecular targets. Nicotine, the main addictive component of tobacco, exerts its dependency effects via nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The homomeric α7 nAChR is one of the most abundant receptors found in the brain and has unique features in comparison to other nAChR subtypes such as high calcium permeability, low probability of channel opening, and a rapid desensitization rate. α7 nAChR agonists reduce nicotine's rewarding properties in the conditioned place preference (CPP) test and i.v. self-administration. Recently, the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor …

Amixicile Inhibits Anaerobic Bacteria Within An Oral Microbiome Derived From Patients With Chronic Periodontitis, Kane Ramsey

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by pathogenic bacteria residing in a complex biofilm within a susceptible host. Amixicile is a non-toxic, readily bioavailable novel antimicrobial that targets strict anaerobes through inhibition of the activity of Pyruvate Ferredoxin Oxidoreductase (PFOR), a major enzyme mediating oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate. Our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of amixicile, when compared to metronidazole, in inhibiting the growth of bacteria present in a microbiome harvested from patients with chronic periodontitis.

Plaque samples were harvested from patients with severe chronic periodontitis and cultured under anaerobic conditions. The microbiomes were grown in the presence …