Digital Commons Network^™

Sam's Club, Cam Torrens

Mighty Pen Project Anthology & Archive

A harrowing interview with The White House, a 45 pound briefcase called 'The Football" containing presidential launch codes, and an unpaid debt to a certain grocer.

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 …

Rabble: A Companion To Pwa-Tem (2024)

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."

Straight Right, Joe Maslanka

Mighty Pen Project Anthology & Archive

A marine's life risks a downwards spiral after getting pulled over and given a DUI. Hands can become fists or bonds, and your actions will always be your own.

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 …

Pwatem: An Anthology Of Literature And Art (2024)

Pwatem (Poictesme), 2006-

Pwatem is an anthology of literature and art from undergraduate students at Virginia Commonwealth University. Pwatem publishes poetry, prose and art of all kinds from talented undergraduate students of all majors.

Effects And Mechanisms Of Smartphone-Based Mindfulness Training On Emotional Experience, Polina Beloborodova

Theses and Dissertations

Emotional well-being is an important component of mental and physical health that includes both positive emotions and an absence of emotional symptoms (e.g., depressive- and anxiety-related). In this study, we examine psychological mechanisms that help to explain the effects of an digital mindfulness-based intervention (MBI) on emotional states. We conducted a randomized controlled trial wherein undergraduate student participants vulnerable to decreased positive and increased negative affect received a 2-week smartphone-based MBI or a structurally equivalent coping control intervention. Emotional experience, including depressive feelings, anxiety, and happiness, as well as subjective social well-being, including loneliness and felt connection to others, was …

Cardiometabolic Genomics And Pharmacogenomics In Filipino Americans: A Cross-Sectional Study, Khalifa Y. Alrajeh

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in the country, with significant ethnic disparities. Filipino Americans (FAs), the third-largest Asian subgroup in U.S., face an elevated burden of dyslipidemia, a primary modifiable risk factor for heart disease. Objectives: This community-based study addresses critical knowledge gaps by characterizing the cardiometabolic and genetic factors contributing to dyslipidemia among FAs and implications for personalized cardiovascular drug therapies, particularly statin pharmacogenomics (PGx). Methods: We characterized dyslipidemia prevalence in FAs and major ethnic subgroups using nationally representative NHANES data. We examined associations between uric acid (UA) levels and lipid profiles, …

Covid-19 Vaccine And Infection And The Relationship To Lichen Planus Flare-Ups: A Self-Reported Survey Study, Sara Kube

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine if there is an increased occurrence of oral lichen planus flare-ups after COVID-19 vaccination or infection.

Methods: An 11-item questionnaire was dispersed to patients with a diagnosis of oral lichen planus. The survey contained questions regarding the patient’s history of COVID-19 vaccination and infection as it relates subjective oral lichen planus flare-ups (i.e. oral redness, oral ulcerations, and/or oral pain/discomfort).

Results: Self-reported flares were significantly associated with whether or not vaccine side effects were also reported (p-value=0.0053). For those who reported experiencing side effects (tiredness, headache, muscle pain, chills, fever, nausea), …

Family Rejection And Affirmation Experiences Among Racially And Ethnically Marginalized Youth Who Identify As Transgender And/Or Gender Diverse, Angela Matijczak

Theses and Dissertations

Relationships with family members can be a vital source of support, and significant stressor, that contributes to mental health outcomes among transgender and gender diverse young adults who are racially and ethnically marginalized (TGD REMY). Guided by a life history narrative approach, this qualitative study explored family affirmation and rejection among TGD REMY across three aims: (a) how TGD REMY define their experiences of family rejection and/or affirmation, (b) whether and how experiences of rejection/affirmation change throughout the lifetime, and (c) whether and how experiences of rejection/affirmation differ by each family member. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 TGD REMY …

Identifying Mechanistic Pathways To Rigidity Associated With Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder Traits Using A Novel Decision-Making Paradigm, Hannah L. Heintz

Theses and Dissertations

Cognitive and behavioral rigidity is observed across several mental disorders and is a defining characteristic of Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD), a highly prevalent and debilitating, yet understudied, disorder. In particular, treatments for OCPD are underdeveloped due to our poor understanding of the mechanisms leading to the disorder’s key feature of rigidity. Two related disorders, anorexia nervosa (AN) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), have shown distinct mechanistic pathways leading to symptoms of rigidity, indicating that this trait can arise as a result of a number of differentially impaired cognitive processes, each requiring unique interventions. To examine the relationship between symptoms of OCPD …

Reconciling Calculus Students’ Understanding Of Average Across Multiple Contexts, Franklin Yu

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The idea of average is utilized in a variety of scenarios, yet the literature has indicated that students have multiple disconnected understandings for the concept of average. In this study, I provide an account of two students who reconciled their meanings for average by considering an average as a replacement with a constant value. This report discusses an intervention that teachers can leverage to help their students make their meanings for average coherent and conceptually based.

Full Issue

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

No abstract provided.

Two Decades Of Supporting Excellence In Stem Through Programs That Work: A History Of High-Quality Stem Programming In The Commonwealth Of Virginia, Bill Haver, Deborah Neely-Fisher

Journal of Mathematics and Science: Collaborative Explorations

The Virginia Mathematics and Science Coalition annually recognizes effective science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs. The leaders of these Programs That Work receive recognition and others gain ideas to incorporate into their STEM programs. Programs That Work was initiated in March 2000 as a part of a statewide conference designed to better understand effective strategies to increase the success of women, minorities and members of other groups who had been underrepresented in STEM. Programs That Work has since expanded to include effective STEM programming for all students and teachers at all levels by recognizing school systems, colleges and universities …

Net Zero And Settler Futurity, Jesse Goldstein

Sociology Publications

Net Zero ideology promises that current and ongoing emissions can be partially offset by ‘negative emissions’ strategies such as carbon capture and sequestration, allowing carbon intensive firms to narrate themselves as agents that are solving – not causing – the climate crisis. This represents a shift in liberal and corporate environmentalism away from both denial and delay, towards a new strategy acknowledging the need to end fossil fuel use while urgently deferring transformations to a future made possible by not-yet developed technological innovations. This paper argues that a through-line of settler futurity provides affective infrastructure potent enough to transect opposing …

The Effects Of Various Nanoplastics On The Inflammatory Response In Primary Alveolar Epithelial Cells, Eunice J. Pak

Theses and Dissertations

As plastic pollution begins to multiply in the environment and the workplace, gradual degradation of these plastics creates an unseen threat to biological health: nanoplastics. These nanoplastics are common in day-to-day life, and have been found in various internal organs of the human body. The biological and health effects of these nanoplastics are still widely unknown, and only recently has research focused on the impacts of these particles on human health at the cellular level.

In this thesis, poly(methyl methacrylate) and three forms of polystyrene (carboxyl-modified, amine-modified, and neutral surface charge) have been tested on submerged primary C57BL/6 mouse alveolar …

Re-Programming Transcription Factor Function For Neuroscience Research Of Addiction: Investigating The Role Of Zinc Finger Proteins In Driving Cocaine Reinforcement In Mice, Joseph A. Picone

Theses and Dissertations

Administration of addictive drugs like cocaine or morphine initiates aberrant gene transcription within brain reward circuitry neurons, which contributes to the lasting behavioral maladaptations that define addiction. The drug-induced expression and function of key brain transcription factors (TFs) is one major mechanism through which these drugs are able to regulate transcription, and as a consequence, lasting damaging drug-related behaviors including compulsive drug use. The goal of this dissertation is to more fully understand the molecular mechanistic drug-specific actions of TFs within the rodent nucleus accumbens (NAc). The findings from these studies could serve as the basis to identify novel candidate …

Analyzing The Role Of Slc25a32 In Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Mimansha Shah

Theses and Dissertations

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary liver cancer and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite advances in understanding its molecular pathogenesis, treatment options for HCC remain limited, highlighting the need for identifying novel therapeutic targets. This study investigates the role of SLC25A32, a mitochondrial transporter gene located on chromosome 8q22.3, in HCC progression. SLC25A32 is involved in the transport of tetrahydrofolate (THF) and flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) into mitochondria, playing a crucial role in one-carbon metabolism and redox balance. Using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we generated potential SLC25A32 knockout clones in the HCC cell line Huh-7. Quantitative PCR …

Shape Inverse Prediction Of Magnetic Field-Actuated Soft Robots By Neural Network Machine Learning, Lineth J. Perez Monsalve

Theses and Dissertations

Soft robotics has drawn tremendous interest in recent years because the compliance and motion of soft robotics enable biocompatibility and versatility for many applications, such as human-machine interaction, wearable and assistive devices, and health monitoring. This study introduces a novel predictive modeling approach using neural networks for shape control of magnetic soft robots. The robots are made of silicone materials embedded with hard magnetic particles, which respond to the external magnetic field provided by a ring-type of permanent magnet. These robots, free from physical connections to external devices, i.e., non-tethered actuation, hold significant potential for applications in healthcare, such as …

Role Of Human Intermediate Form Prl Receptor I-Tail In The Pathogenesis Of Breast Cancer, Shanwei Shen

Theses and Dissertations

Breast cancer continues to be the second most common cancer in women in the United States. The neuroendocrine hormone human prolactin (hPRL) plays an important role in normal mammary gland development and growth, stimulating normal breast tissue proliferation and differentiation. Considerable evidence has shown that hPRL is involved in the malignant transformation of human breast tissue. hPRL enhances viability, invasiveness, and proliferation of breast cancer cells in vitro. Evidence from epidemiologic and genetic studies also implicates role of hPRL in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Its cognate receptor the human prolactin receptor (hPRLr) is required for the action of hPRL. …

Fat And Water Content Effects Of Three Food Substrates (Ground Veal, Ground Beef, And Beef Liver) On Lucilia Sericata (Diptera: Calliphoridae) Development And Mortality, Nicole Dailey

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

Although temperature has been identified as the most important catalyst affecting blow fly larval development, other variables encountered by these species, such as the fat and moisture content of the food source, may have an impact on accurate estimations of the PMImin in forensic investigations. Thus, body composition differences between human carrion, such as variations in body fat and water percentages between younger and older individuals, or heavier persons, could affect blow fly developmental rates, and in turn cause over or under estimations of the PMImin. In this study, the weight, length, and development times of Lucilia sericata third instar …

A Comparative Analysis Of Swabbing Solutions For Sexual Assault Evidence: Direct Impact On Spermatozoa And Dna Recovery, Olivia Q. Kassie

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

Forensic laboratories struggle with a backlog of sexual assault cases, prompting the need for effective techniques to develop consistent protocols and address scientific gaps. Challenges in recovering optimal DNA from assault evidence stem from factors like collection timing and sampling variables. Variations in lab protocols can lead to differences in DNA yields and profile success. This was observed in a state lab when protocols were developed allowing the use of acetone to swab sexual assault evidence. The use of acetone originated due to their case-routing protocols in multi-section cases involving latent fingerprints. While not necessary for sexual assault and porous …

Cellular Autofluorescence Signatures For Determining Time Since Deposition Of Whole Blood, Hannah Lamer

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

Knowledge of the relative window of time that evidentiary biological material was deposited at a crime scene, referred to as the time since deposition (TSD), would help investigators determine which evidentiary items are most probative and assist with scene reconstruction. One commonly encountered body fluid at a crime scene is blood. Various methods for estimating TSD of bloodstains have been developed, but none to date have been validated for use in the forensic laboratory. Recently, flow cytometry measurements of cellular autofluorescence and size/structure have been investigated as a signature for TSD of saliva and touch epidermal cells. This study assessed …

Using The Microbiome To Assess The Health Status Of The Individuals Recovered From The East Marshall Street Well, Arian Karim

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

In 1994, during the construction of the Kontos Building on the Medical College of Virginia Campus, a well on East Marshall Street was discovered to contain artifacts and human remains of African descent. Upon archaeological analysis by the Smithsonian, the ancestral remains can be dated back to the mid-19th century, when grave robbing and the use of cadavers for anatomical purposes [BS1] in medical schools were common. The human oral microbiome is the second largest human microbiota, containing over 600 species of organisms. Dysbiosis of the oral microbiome can lead to the overgrowth of pathogenic species, resulting in illness and …

Assessing The Effectiveness Of Alternative Light Sources In The Search For Skeletal Remains, Oiivia L. Thompson

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

Many search and recovery operations for human skeletal remains are unsuccessful due to difficulties recognizing bones in outdoor environments even when evidence indicates the last known whereabouts of a missing individual. Though the collagen component of bone is known to emit fluorescent, this property has not been leveraged consistently during skeletal remains searches. Thirty-six mock searches were completed in 5000 ft² zones of eastern deciduous forest by volunteers associated with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Pig and deer bones were scattered and partially concealed under brush and leaf cover. Pairs of volunteers were allowed up to one hour …

Opioid System's Potential Involvement In Ketamine's Cognitive And Antidepressant-Like Effects In Rats, Fan Zhang

Theses and Dissertations

Depression stands as one of the most pervasive mental health challenges worldwide, including the United States. Conventional antidepressants typically display a delayed onset of therapeutic action (4-8 weeks) and lack efficacy in a substantial portion of patients (over 40% of depressed patients are treatment-resistant). The dissociative anesthetic ketamine, which is a glutamatergic N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist, has emerged as a promising novel treatment due to its rapid and prolonged antidepressant effects, and it is especially beneficial for treatment-resistant depression. Nevertheless, the precise neurochemical mechanisms underlying ketamine’s antidepressant properties remain elusive, hampering the development of safer and more efficacious treatments. The present …

Development Of Novel Hydrogel Materials For Viscoelastically Accurate Brain Phantoms, Lila G. Schandler

Theses and Dissertations

Current methods such as concussion tests and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans only reveal structural damage post-injury. Creating an anatomically accurate model of the brain that mimics brain structure and viscoelastic properties will further allow medical professionals to analyze concussion events and create curated and personalized plans of recovery for a patient’s unique brain injury.

Values have been established for the necessary viscoelastic properties (time constants and elasticity) to mimic the native human brain tissue such as grey matter and white matter. The mechanical properties of the hydrogel are tunable by varying the concentration of Phytagel (PHY), a protein binding …

The Impact Of School Nurses: A Program Evaluation Of K-12 School Nursing In The Commonwealth Of Virginia, Clarence D. Collins, Edwina Mcneill-Simaan, Lyons Hardy, Amber M. Butler

Doctor of Education Capstones

Since the early 1900s, the provision of school nursing and school health services in the K-12 educational setting has been an important component of supporting student academic success, reducing student absenteeism, and promoting positive health outcomes in the United States. The Commonwealth of Virginia was historically one of the first states in the U.S. to employ school nurses. K-12 schools in Virginia have continued to support the practice of school nursing for over 100 years; however, the Virginia state legislature has not formalized a requirement for school nurses in the state code. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) is responsible …

Tension Between Construction And Conservation : Dutch Gap Conservation Area Park Access Design, Colleen Campbell

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

The goal of this plan is to create a site-specific design as well as investigate the best practices to use to aid in mending the tension between conservation and construction especially in conservation areas. This comes in response to legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2019. Using literature, expert surveys, and public input a design will be created to aid the public in accessing the Dutch Gap Conservation Area. Many challenges are present in conservation areas and this plan will help to address which challenges are most important as well as the best way to mitigate these challenges. …

I Am Who I Am, Yifei Kong

Theses and Dissertations

I am Who I am

By Yifei Kong, MFA

My thesis research focuses on my cultural background and history as a Chinese woman. I explore the control and restraint of women from ancient times and highlight feminism. Traditional Chinese hair accessories reflect a type of control over women. Unlike traditional Chinese hair accessories, which use a lot of precious metals and precious stones, my work uses recycled aluminum cans. That is an exploration of contemporary jewelry materials and a reflection of women's independent right to choose. With my pieces, women can use their preferred colors without considering their class and …

Frozen By Worry And Fatigue? A Mixed Methods Approach To Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Freezing Of Gait, Sarah M. Ghose

Theses and Dissertations

This study utilized a mixed methods emergent, phenomenological approach to (1) understanding the lived experience of freezing of gait for individuals diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and (2) determining the role of anxiety and sleep in freezing of gait outcomes. Participants included 13 adults diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease (N=14 for qualitative data, N=13 for quantitative data; 23.1% female-identifying, 76.9% male-identifying) who were predominantly white (92.3%) with an average age of 69 years (SD = 6.73 years). Data collection consisted of semi-structured interviews, self-report measures, actigraphic sleep data, and salivary alpha amylase biomarker collection. Results are organized into …

“I Know What Nothing Means”: Nostalgia, Hope, And The Postmodern Search For The Sublime, Kathryn L. Donati

Theses and Dissertations

Amid simultaneous crises of self, nation, digital citizenship, global health, climate change, and socio-political polarization, to name but a few of the catastrophes that seem to define life in the global West in the twenty-first century, where do we find hope? Do we find it at all? Is there any hope to be found? These are the questions that serve as the genesis for this undertaking in which I locate the origin of these crises far before the events of the 2016 and 2020 elections, far before even the panic of Y2K. I begin my examination of hope in contemporary …