Digital Commons Network^™

Amendment (2016 Spring)

Amendment, 2004-

Amendment is a VCU student-produced progressive literature and art journal that provides a platform for students to promote equality, tolerance, and social progression through artistic expression.

Commonwealth Times 2016-02-29

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Précis Of Downes, P. (2014) Access To Education In Europe: A Framework And Agenda For System Change., Paul Downes

Journal of Prison Education and Reentry (2014-2023)

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2016-02-22

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Full Issue

Journal of Prison Education and Reentry (2014-2023)

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2016-02-15

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2016-02-08

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2016-02-01

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Commonwealth Times 2016-01-25

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.

Family Dynamics And Personal Strengths Among Dementia Caregivers In Argentina, Aaliah G. Elnasseh, Michael A. Trujillo, Silvina Victoria Peralta, Miriam E. Stolfi, Eliana Morelli, Paul B. Perrin, Juan Carlos Arango-Lasprilla

Psychology Publications

This study examined whether healthier family dynamics were associated with higher personal strengths of resilience, sense of coherence, and optimism among dementia caregivers in Argentina. Caregivers are usually required to assist individuals with dementia, and family members have typically fulfilled that role. Personal strengths such as resilience, sense of coherence, and optimism have been shown to protect caregivers from some of the negative experiences of providing care, though the family-related variables associated with these personal strengths are largely unknown. Hierarchical multiple regressions investigated the extent to which family dynamics variables are associated with each of the caregiver personal strengths after …

The Association Between Sleep Problems, Sleep Medication Use, And Falls In Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Results From The Health And Retirement Study 2010, Yaena Min, Pramit A. Nadpara, Patricia W. Slattum

Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science Publications

Background. Very few studies have assessed the impact of poor sleep and sleep medication use on the risk of falls among community-dwelling older adults. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between sleep problems, sleep medication use, and falls in community-dwelling older adults. Methods. The study population comprised a nationally representative sample of noninstitutionalized older adults participating in the 2010 Health and Retirement Study. Proportion of adults reporting sleep problems, sleep medication use, and fall was calculated. Multiple logistic regression models were constructed to examine the impact of sleep problems and sleep medication use on …

Promoting Cognitive Support Technology Use And Employment Success Among Postsecondary Students With Traumatic Brain Injuries, Phillip Rumrill, Eileen Elias, Deborah J. Hendricks, Karen Jacobs, Anne Leopold, Amanda Nardone, Elaine Sampson, Marcia Scherer, Callista Stauffer, Brian T. Mcmahon

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Publications

OBJECTIVE: This article applies positive psychology principles to the purpose and objectives of a five-year, federally-funded initiative to provide cognitive support technology (CST) training and career preparatory services for undergraduate college students with mild and moderate traumatic brain injuries (TBI).

METHODS: A total of 48 students with TBI have participated in the project during its first 18 months of operation - 14 of whom are military veterans with disabilities who were in the Iraq and/or Afghanistan theaters.

CONCLUSION: Positive psychology interventions such as Best Possible Self, Intensely Positive Experiences, and Asset-based Assessments provide a framework for examining the activities of …

Major Depression As A Complex Dynamic System, Angélique O. J. Cramer, Claudia D. Van Borkulo, Erik J. Giltay, Han L. J. Van Der Maas, Kenneth S. Kendler, Marten Scheffer, Denny Borsboom

Psychiatry Publications

In this paper, we characterize major depression (MD) as a complex dynamic system in which symptoms (e.g., insomnia and fatigue) are directly connected to one another in a network structure. We hypothesize that individuals can be characterized by their own network with unique architecture and resulting dynamics. With respect to architecture, we show that individuals vulnerable to developing MD are those with strong connections between symptoms: e.g., only one night of poor sleep suffices to make a particular person feel tired. Such vulnerable networks, when pushed by forces external to the system such as stress, are more likely to end …

Sex Differences In Hiv Effects On Visual Memory Among Substance-Dependent Individuals, Michael K. Keutmann, Raul Gonzalez, Pauline M. Maki, Leah H. Rubin, Jasmin Vassileva, Eileen M. Martin

Psychiatry Publications

HIV’s effects on episodic memory have not been compared systematically between male and female substance-dependent individuals. We administered the Brief Visuospatial Memory Test–Revised (BVMT–R) to 280 substance-dependent HIV+ and HIV– men and women. Groups were comparable on demographic, substance use, and comorbid characteristics. There were no significant main effects of sex or HIV serostatus on BVMT–R performance, but HIV+ women performed significantly more poorly on delayed recall. This effect was most prominent among cocaine-dependent HIV+ women. Our findings are consistent with recent speculation that memory impairment may be more common among HIV+ women, particularly those with a history of cocaine …

Metabolism And Metabolic Inhibition Of Xanthotoxol In Human Liver Microsomes, Zhongnv Ma, Xianbao Shi, Gang Zhang, Feng Guo, Lina Shan, Jiqun Cai

Medicinal Chemistry Publications

Cytochrome p450 (CYP450) enzymes are predominantly involved in Phase I metabolism of xenobiotics. In this study, the CYP450 isoforms involved in xanthotoxol metabolism were identified using recombinant CYP450s. In addition, the inhibitory effects of xanthotoxol on eight CYP450 isoforms and its pharmacokinetic parameters were determined using human liver microsomes. CYP1A2, one of CYP450s, played a key role in the metabolism of xanthotoxol compared to other CYP450s. Xanthotoxol showed stronger inhibition on CYP3A4 and CYP1A2 compared to other isoenzymes with the IC50 of 7.43 μM for CYP3A4 and 27.82 μM for CYP1A2. The values of inhibition kinetic parameters (Ki) were 21.15 …

The Intersectionality Of Religion And Socialwelfare: Historical Development Of Richmond's Nonprofit Health And Human Services, F. Ellen Netting, Mary Katherine O'Connor

Social Work Publications

Studying the intersectionality of religion and social welfare in Richmond, Virginia requires going back to the beginning of the Virginia colony. In the crucible of the colony, the religious and social welfare functions of a parish community were one and the same. However, after the Revolutionary War it was just a matter of time before the entire system was disassembled. The process of disentanglement of church and state created an identity crisis in Virginia. In the late 1700s, the emergence of charitable efforts began with leading men of Richmond who tried to address the temporary needs of travelers, followed by …

Repeated Low-Dose Organophosphate Dfp Exposure Leads To The Development Of Depression And Cognitive Impairment In A Rat Model Of Gulf War Illness, Laxmikant Deshpande, Kristin Phillips

Neurology Publications

Approximately 175,000 to 250,000 of the returning veterans from the 1991 Persian Gulf War exhibit chronic multi-symptom illnesses that includes neurologic co-morbidities such as depression, anxiety and cognitive impairments. Amongst a host of causative factors, exposure to low levels of the nerve agent Sarin has been strongly implicated for expression of Gulf War Illness (GWI). Nerve agents similar to pesticides are organophosphate (OP) compounds. There is evidence from civilian population that exposure to OPs such as in agricultural workers and nerve agents such as the survivors and first-responders of the Tokyo subway Sarin gas attack suffer from chronic neurological problems …

Answering The Question, "To What End?": Building A System Of Enterprise Data Measurement To Track And Assess Our Engagement With And Impact On Our Communities, Valerie Holton

Division of Community Engagement Resources

This was presented at the Florida Campus Compact held February 8-10, 2016.

Smarter, Better, Stronger Together: Working In Community-University Partnerships, Valerie Holton

Division of Community Engagement Resources

This presentation was facilitated by Valerie Holton at Florida Atlantic University on April 15, 2016.

The Role Of Partnerships In Achieving The Vision: Tracking And Assessing Community Engagement, Valerie Holton, Kathleen Shaw

Division of Community Engagement Resources

This presentation was given at the Association for Institutional Research Forum in New Orleans, Louisiana on June 2, 2016.

Enhancing Impact: Aligning University Engagement Efforts With Community Needs, Jennifer Early, Valerie Holton, Kevin Allison, Catherine Howard

Division of Community Engagement Resources

This presentation was delivered at the Coalition of Urban Metropolitan Universities Conference in Washington, D.C., in October 2016.

Evaluation Of Two Commercially Available Cannabidiol Formulations For Use In Electronic Cigarettes, Michelle R. Peace, Karen E. Butler, Carl E. Wolf, Justin L. Poklis, Alphonse Poklis

Forensic Science Publications

Since 24 states and the District of Columbia have legalized marijuana in some form, suppliers of legal marijuana have developed Cannabis sativa products for use in electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). Personal battery powered vaporizers, or e-cigarettes, were developed to deliver a nicotine vapor such that smokers could simulate smoking tobacco without the inherent pathology of inhaled tobacco smoke. The liquid formulations used in these devices are comprised of an active ingredient such as nicotine mixed with vegetable glycerin (VG) and/or propylene glycol (PG) and flavorings. A significant active ingredient of C. sativa, cannabidiol (CBD), has been purported to have anti-convulsant, …

Cryptosporidium Priming Is More Effective Than Vaccine For Protection Against Cryptosporidiosis In A Murine Protein Malnutrition Model, Luther A. Bartelt, David T. Bolick, Glynis L. Kolling, James K. Roche, Edna I. Zaenker, Ana M. Lara, Francisco Jose Noronha, Carrie A. Cowardin, John H. Moore, Jerrold R. Turner, Cirle A. Warren, Gregory A. Buck, Richard L. Guerrant

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Publications

Cryptosporidium is a major cause of severe diarrhea, especially in malnourished children. Using a murine model of C. parvum oocyst challenge that recapitulates clinical features of severe cryptosporidiosis during malnutrition, we interrogated the effect of protein malnutrition (PM) on primary and secondary responses to C. parvum challenge, and tested the differential ability of mucosal priming strategies to overcome the PM-induced susceptibility. We determined that while PM fundamentally alters systemic and mucosal primary immune responses to Cryptosporidium, priming with C. parvum (106 oocysts) provides robust protective immunity against re-challenge despite ongoing PM. C. parvum priming restores mucosal Th1-type effectors (CD3+CD8+CD103+ T-cells) …

Constitutive Association Of Tie1 And Tie2 With Endothelial Integrins Is Functionally Modulated By Angiopoietin-1 And Fibronectin, Annamarie C. Dalton, Tomer Shlamkovitch, Niv Papo, William A. Barton

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Publications

Functional cross-talk between Tie2 and Integrin signaling pathways is essential to coordinate endothelial cell adhesion and migration in response to the extracellular matrix, yet the mechanisms behind this phenomenon are unclear. Here, we examine the possibility that receptor cross-talk is driven through uncharacterized Tie-integrin interactions on the endothelial surface. Using a live cell FRET-based proximity assay, we monitor Tie-integrin receptor recognition and demonstrate that both Tie1 and Tie2 readily associate with integrins α5ß1 and αVß3 through their respective ectodomains. Although not required, Tie2-integrin association is significantly enhanced in the presence of the extracellular component and integrin ligand fibronectin. In vitro …

Underhull Material Transport Rig: Aircraft Carrier Maintenance Processes, Hunter Alford, Christopher Brady, Michelle Runion, Spencer Trevisan

Capstone Design Expo Posters

The clearance under a ship in the Newport News Shipbuilding dry dock is approximately 62 inches. As a result, workers are either crouched or hunched over as they carry materials and equipment underneath the ship to their work zone. This can cause physical strain on workers’ bodies, leading to safety and health problems. This design project solves the problem by creating a transport system that uses a cart suspended from two trolleys that ride on a track attached to the bottom of the hull.

A working prototype was built, demonstrated, and tested. This prototype cart maneuvered through a straight and …

Tree Canopy Analysis: Improving Forest And Tree Health Through Aerial Spectral Measurement, Yaw Amoatin, Adam Hrycyk, Alex Yoon

Capstone Design Expo Posters

Richmond has a large quantity of trees which currently cannot be efficiently monitored for individual tree health. This lack of monitoring results in high mortality rates. It is to the benefit of the city financially that these trees are saved instead of having to be replaced. The solution includes the delivery of an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) with modified camera technology for image processing and log identification utilizing Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) values as numerical indicators of health. A low-cost, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) compliant system was required for solution implementation and budget appropriations. It was decided aerial imagery …

Midterm Follow Up For Knee Replacement: How Well Do We Follow Our Patients?, Micah Mabe, William Jiranek Md, Gregory Golladay Md

MD Student Summer Research Fellowship Program Posters

The lost to follow up rate specifically for five year post surgical UKAs is significantly higher for this population subset than the most recent published average as seen in a meta analysis review (Callahan et al. 1995). Follow up visits allow for proper assessment of complications such as wear and osteolysis which need early intervention to improve long-term outcomes and reduce the overall cost of care (Bhandari et al. 2012). Eleven patients, 27.5% of those that were lost to follow up, were without a correct or working phone number, which presents a significant barrier to care. Maintaining updated patient contact …

Impact Of Morbid Obesity On Left Ventricular Assist Device Support And Heart Transplantation, Sophia Cohen, Daniel Tang Md

MD Student Summer Research Fellowship Program Posters

Morbidly obese patients requiring LVAD support encounter higher postoperative complications and wait longer for heart transplantation, however heart transplant and graft survival is comparable. Our study suggests that carefully selected morbidly obese patients should undergo LVAD placement and heart transplantation. However, our study was limited by a very small sample size and by the biases inherent to a retrospective data analysis.

Barriers, Perceptions And Compliance: Hand Hygiene In The Operating Room & Endoscopy Suite, Laura Pederson Bs, Gonzalo Bearman Md Mph Facp, Michael Stevens Md Mph

MD Student Summer Research Fellowship Program Posters

Despite poor observed HH compliance, the majority of OR and EPR respondents are aware of HH policies and the benefits in reducing HAIs There is adequate access to foam in the OR/EPR and it is physically tolerated Although HH practices are encouraged in both areas, OR/EPR managers poorly role model HH OR nurses are empowered HH advocates, knowledgeable of the benefits of HH and may serve as change agents to improve HH compliance Hospitals promoting HH in the OR/EPR should: Be knowledgeable of perceptions and barriers across services Increase the awareness/education of HH to all providers Empower employees to address …

Hypertension Comorbidity Exacerbates Cardiotoxicity Of Anti-Cancer Drugs: Evidences And Promising Novel Therapeutic Strategies, Robin K. Kuriakose, Rakesh Kukreja, Lei Xi

MD Student Summer Research Fellowship Program Posters

No abstract provided.