Digital Commons Network^™

Alcohol Use And Alcohol Use Disorder Differ In Their Genetic Relationships With Ptsd: A Genomic Structural Equation Modelling Approach, Tulsi Patel

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with an increased alcohol use and increased risk of developing alcohol use disorder (AUD). Previous literature suggests that the genetic association between PTSD and alcohol use differs from that between PTSD and AUD. Researchers in this study used a genomic Structural Equation Modeling, genomicSEM, to analyze data from a larger genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Participants in the study were of European descent.

Researchers investigated the genetic association between PTSD, alcohol use, and AUD through these large scale statistical analyses. Researchers observed a significant improvement in model fit (p < .001). Genetic correlations (rG) between PTSD and AUD were positive (rG: .36, p < .001), while those between PTSD and alcohol use were negative (rG: -0.17, p < .001). Researchers observed that when specific variables for alcohol use and AUD were isolated, key differences resulted in genetic association with PTSD, which indicated that the genetic makeup of alcohol-related behaviors is different in individuals with PTSD.

Effects Of Dextromethorphan On Mdma-Induced Serotonergic Aberration In The Brains Of Non-Human Primates Using [123i]-Adam/Spect, Sky Evans

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

MDMA, a widely used recreational drug belonging to the entactogen class, acts strongly on serotonin and dopamine receptors, potentially inducing neurotoxicity. In a study on primates, MDMA treatment resulted in reduced serotonin transporter levels, persisting for years. However, co-administration with dextromethorphan (DXM), an antitussive with anti-inflammatory properties, appeared to prevent this decrease, suggesting a protective effect against MDMA-induced serotonergic toxicity. The study employed SPECT scans with [123I]-ADAM radioligand to assess serotonin transporter levels in various brain regions, revealing significant differences between treatment groups.

Virginia Commonwealth University Professional Program Bulletin (2024), Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Professional programs bulletin for Virginia Commonwealth University for the academic year 2024-2025. It includes information on academic regulations, degree requirements, course offerings, faculty, academic calendar, and tuition and expenses.

Virginia Commonwealth University Graduate Bulletin (2024), Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Listing of courses for the 2024-2025 year.

Check Welfare, Erich Hutton

Frontline Writers Archive

A Richmond-area cop is called to check on an elderly man's condition, then makes a shocking discovery inside the old man's house.

Articles, stories, and other compositions in this archive were written by participants in Frontline Writers. The program offers current and former members of the public safety community a customized writing class, free of charge. The program encourages and assists participants in sharing their stories and experiences of service in a supportive setting with fellow public safety members.

To Open Or Not To Open: An Exploration Of Faculty Decisions To Publish Open-Access Articles, Jessica Kirschner, Hillary Miller, Preeti Kamat, Jose Alcaine, Sergio Chaparro, Nina Exner

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

Introduction: Faculty face numerous pressures as they decide whether to publish articles open access (OA). This pilot study investigated the extent to which School of Education faculty members’ engagement with OA was influenced by promotion and tenure (P&T) and how this influence related to other intrinsic, extrinsic, and contextual factors. Methods: This exploratory, sequential, mixed-method study adapted Social Exchange Theory to understand faculty engagement with OA article publication. The study used a quantitative survey followed by qualitative interviews and focus groups.

Results: Participants reported that P&T had substantive influence over faculty practices regarding OA. Con- nected factors included beliefs about …

Document Research With My Bibliography From My Ncbi, Alanna Natanson

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

My Bibliography from My NCBI is a free research profile tool for health science researchers. It connects with the scholarly database PubMed, the researcher ID system ORCID, and the curriculum vitae builder SciENcv. It can therefore serve as a useful repository for a list of all your publications when preparing grant application biosketches or promotion/tenure packages.This guide provides step-by-step instructions for incorporating My Bibliography into your scholarly communications processes.

Decistifying Trans And Gender Diverse Inclusion In Library Work: A Literature Review, Keahi K. Adolpho, Stephen Krueger

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

This comprehensive review illuminates the current state of scholarly literature on trans and gender diverse inclusion in libraries, with the intention to provide a foundation and identify gaps for further research. Covering 50 works published between 2002 and 2023 in the areas of general inclusion, public libraries, academic libraries, experiences of library workers, archives, information behavior, and cataloging, we found that, with the exception of works on archives and cataloging, little scholarly literature goes beyond introductory talking points on basic information about trans and gender diverse people. We conclude with a call for much more in-depth research on this essential …

Supercharge Your Research Impact For The Health Sciences, Alanna Natanson

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

Health science researchers at all stages of their career can use the strategies and tools in this guide to promote their scholarly research and document its impact on the field and wider world. Promoting and documenting research is important for crafting biosketches for grant applications and applying for promotion/tenure. Topics in the guide include selecting a journal for manuscript submission, open access publishing models, submitting supplementary materials to repositories, building a record of your scholarship, and exploring article-level and author-level metrics in Web of Science and Google Scholar. Explore the links to further background information and follow the step-by-step instructions.

Not All Staying Is The Same: Unpacking Retention And Turnover In Academic Libraries, Samantha Guss, Jennifer Stout, Sojourna Cunningham

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

Although the academic libraries profession recognizes that retention is a complex and important issue, especially for advancing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and supporting BIPOC librarians, the library literature largely avoids defining or providing a measurement for retention at all. In this paper we propose an original nuanced definition of retention. We draw from existing research on workplace dynamics and library culture and our qualitative exploration of academic librarians who have left jobs before they intended. Our research investigated what it was like for them to stay at those jobs after they realized they didn’t want to stay long-term. …

Assessing The Benefits Of Distributed Solar In Virginia: 2024 Update And Status Report, Damian Pitt, Dagny Oakley

Institute for Sustainable Energy and Environment Publications and Presentations

Distributed solar energy is growing rapidly in Virginia, and prices are dropping. If these trends continue, the state has the potential to meet a significant percentage of its electricity needs via distributed solar, supporting thousands of jobs and achieving substantial economic benefits in the process. However, reaching these targets will require the continuation of a positive policy and regulatory environment. This includes the removal of several remaining policy barriers, particularly related to shared / community solar, and avoiding some of the negative policy changes that have slowed distributed solar in other states.

This report is an update to a VCU …

Understanding The Impacts Of Unified Administrative Service Delivery, Keith Van Inwegen, Megan Wood, Nick Fetzer, Garret Knudson, David Hunter Patrick, Lanee Prentice

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute Publications

Team UNified is exploring how the current Finance, HR, and IT reporting structures function across the university. Currently, each unit independently manages how these services are delivered. Team UNified posits the current model may lead to issues such as inconsistent customer service, noncompliance with university policies and procedures, and fewer promotional opportunities within those job families. We plan to interview key stakeholders, review the current organizational structure, analyze internal turnover data, and benchmark against other institutions. Based on the results of our research, we will document the potential risks related to the current model and offer recommendations for where it …

Wayfinding For All, Yosssera Bouchtia, Serra De Arment, Mahesh Jonnalagadda, Jada Wright, Julie Arendt, Cynthia Myron

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute Publications

Quest 2028 challenges us to nurture an institutional culture of care. Team Affirmation supports robust digital wayfinding to ensure accurate information for all members of the VCU community, including those with disabilities. This project collects data about accessible facilities on campus and includes a survey on wayfinding needs, such as accessibility beyond wheelchair accessibility, gender-inclusive facilities, wellness resources, and map iconography to ensure comprehensive data collection and meaningful engagement that informs wayfinding at VCU.

Reverberations Of Medical Racism: Exploring The Legacy Of Vcu School Of Medicine Through The Emsw Project, Arya Hanjagi, Cynthia Lin, Olivia Washington

East Marshall Street Well Project Symposium Posters

Our work is centered on approaching research related to the East Marshall Street Well Project from a community-engaged perspective that integrates local actors throughout all levels of examination as a form of rectifying the harm that this historic exclusion has created. Given the nature of oral history as preservation of knowledge, we cannot draw conclusions about the significance of research unless we include the public. Our works seek to share our research through equitable and easily accessible means. Using oral histories as our main methodology, we can establish that recognizing this harm, and healing from it, requires fostering conversation among …

Enhancing Public Safety At Virginia Commonwealth University, Rigby Bendele, Les Harrison, Oswaldo Moreno, Chernoh Wurie, Carolina Yaber

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute Publications

The authors of this report will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of safety and security measures on both Virginia Commonwealth University campuses (VCU) in comparison to those of similar urban research institutions (N=10). This evaluation will provide campus leaders with recommendations for proactive strategies, community partnerships, and ongoing evaluation through which VCU can increase both actual and perceived safety for members of VCU and neighboring communities.

Community Ramgagement: Vcu Festival Of The Arts, Stephen Bar, Paula Coates, Laxmikant Deshpande, Faika Zanjani

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute Publications

The proposed project aims to align with VCU's Quest 2028 vision to seek community partnerships and opportunities to elevate awareness and collaborative action between VCU and communities. The VCU Festival of the Arts (VFOTA) is envisioned to embody community engagement and collaborative excellence. Drawing inspiration from established and successful art fairs, VFOTA fosters direct artist-audience interaction, promotes enrichment, and can highlight student accomplishments and education. Celebrating diverse artistic expression, the VFOTA can support regional talent and the local arts ecosystem that can enhance community well-being. Through initiatives like the VFOTA, VCU can demonstrate its UNwavering dedication to fostering thriving communities.

Effects Of (2r,6r)-Hydroxynorketamine In Assays Of Acute Pain-Stimulated And Pain-Depressed Behaviors In Mice, Todd M. Hillhouse, Kaitlyn J. Partridge, Patrick I. Garrett, Sarah C. Honeycutt, Joseph H. Porter

Psychology Publications

Ketamine has been shown to produce analgesia in various acute and chronic pain states; however, abuse liability concerns have limited its utility. The ketamine metabolite (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine (HNK) has been shown to produce antidepressant-like effects similar to ketamine without abuse liability concerns. (2R,6R)-HNK produces sustained analgesia in models of chronic pain, but has yet to be evaluated in models of acute pain. The present study evaluated the efficacy of acute (2R,6R)-HNK administration (one injection) in assays of pain-stimulated (52- and 56-degree hot plate test and acetic acid writhing) and …

Connect: Community-Engaged, Community-Based Data Dissemination Framework, Maghboeba Mosavel

Division of Community Engagement Resources

This resource discusses community-engaged data dissemination processes. It provides information on being able to produce many scholarly outputs in addition to co-creating accessible outputs for the community. The framework describes how to continue partnerships that are mutually beneficial to both the institution and the community. The CONNECT framework addresses community frustrations by transforming data dissemination into a systematic, partnership-driven process that goes beyond data extraction. It enables researchers to align their work more closely with community needs, guiding the next steps in research design, focus, and methodology.

Small Airway-On-A-Chip Enables Analysis Of Human Lung Inflammation And Drug Responses In Vitro, Christina A. Fernandez

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

This presentation focuses on the development of the Small Airway-on-a-Chip, a microfluidic device meant to serve as a more accurate, human-relevant research model for lung inflammation-focused pharmaceutical testing, as described in Small Airway-on-a-Chip Enables Analysis of Human Lung Inflammation and Drug Responses in Vitro by Benam et al. Currently, there is no way to study organ-level complexities of human lung inflammation outside of the clinical setting. However, the human lung Small Airway-on-a-Chip demonstrated the ability to reconstitute a functional unit of the lung as well as model asthma, lung inflammation, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), suggesting that the device …

Perceptions Of A State-Level Hpv Vaccine Mandate And Exemption Option In Rural Virginia: A Qualitative Study, E. Marshall Brooks, Kendall Fugate-Laus, Ben Webel, Shillpa Naavaal

Dental Public Health and Policy Publications

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the United States; yet, despite the availability of safe and effective HPV vaccines, only half of eligible adolescents have completed the vaccine series. School-entry requirements are one proven strategy to increase vaccination rates among children and youth and reduce the burden of HPV-related cancer. This study investigated community perceptions of an HPV vaccine school-entry mandate in Virginia and the consequences of a low threshold exemption option included in the legislation. We conducted 40 interviews with community members including 15 interviews with parents, 19 with healthcare providers, and 6 with …

Describing Trends In Virginia's Dentist And Dental Hygienist Workforce: Challenges And Opportunities, Shillpa Naavaal, Yetty Shobo, Barbara Hodgdon

Dental Public Health and Policy Publications

Purpose: Regular assessment of the dental workforce is essential to improve the population's oral health. This analysis aimed to understand the trends in the distribution of dentists and dental hygienists (DHs) in Virginia.

Methods: Annual survey data (2013-2022) of dentists and DHs from the Virginia Department of Health Professions Healthcare Workforce Data Center was used to examine the trends in provider distribution by age, gender, race/ethnicity, and geography across Virginia.

Results: In 2022, there were 5,720 dentists and 5,290 DH licensees in Virginia. In the dentist workforce, there was a high representation of those aged ≥60 years …

Health, Beliefs, And Faith: Hpv Vaccine Uptake Intent Among Catholic, Evangelical, And Mainline Protestant Parents, Jeanine P.D. Guidry, Shillpa Naavaal, Linnea I. Laestadius, Carrie A. Miller, Gina Zurlo, Candace W. Burton, Kellie E. Carlyle, Julie Russo, Paul B. Perrin

Dental Public Health and Policy Publications

The HPV vaccine has the potential to prevent nearly 92% of HPV-related cancer cases, yet its uptake remains suboptimal. While well-documented barriers to HPV vaccine uptake include inadequate knowledge and lack of provider recommendation, religious preferences have emerged as another crucial factor influencing vaccination decisions. This study examined the interrelatedness of religion, beliefs, and HPV vaccination uptake among children among Catholic, Evangelical, and Mainline Protestant parents. A nationally representative survey was conducted among 1,068 U.S. parents from one of three major Christian denominations: Catholic, Evangelical, or Mainline Protestant. We examined the extent to which demographic factors, constructs from the Health …

Factors That Inhibit And Support The Work Of School-Based Mental Health Providers, David B. Naff, Jennifer Murphy, Alexandra Javna, Wyatt Aldrich, Erin Standish, Jeen Joy, Ciana Cross, Sandra Saji

MERC Publications

This research brief comes from the MERC Supporting Mental Health in Schools study. Launched in 2021 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, this study explores research-based strategies for supporting mental health in PK-12 school settings, as well as the emotional and professional capacity of PK-12 faculty and staff in the MERC region to support the social and emotional wellness of their students. This brief shares takeaways from a systematic literature review that highlight the factors that inhibit and support the work of school-based mental health providers, including school counselors, school social workers, and school psychologists. It outlines the roles …

Understanding The Role Of Out Of School Time (Ost) Providers In Urban School Systems In A Post-Covid Context, David Naff, Rachel Hale, Jamelle Simmons, Alicia Gaston, Latonja Y. Wright, Kiana Bradford, Crystal R. Bell, Jill Flynn, Chuck Creasy, Yadira Guerrero, Rory Dunn, Pamela Weaver

MERC Publications

This research and policy brief by the Institute for Collaborative Research and Evaluation and the Metropolitan Educational Research Consortium in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Richmond focuses on the role of out-of-school time (OST) providers in urban school settings in a post COVID-19 context. It is structured to explore the following questions: 1) What are out-of-school time providers and what role do they play in urban school contexts? 2) What policies guide out-of-school time programming at the federal, state, and division level? 3) How have trends and outcomes related to out-of-school time programming changed relative to …

Virginia Commonwealth University Courses (2024), Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Listing of courses for the 2024-2025 year.

Virginia Commonwealth University Undergraduate Bulletin (2024), Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Undergraduate bulletin for Virginia Commonwealth University for the academic year 2024-2025. It includes information on academic regulations, degree requirements, course offerings, faculty, academic calendar, and tuition and expenses for undergraduate programs.

Human Neural Stem Cell Transplantation Improves Cognition In A Murine Model Of Alzheimer's Disease, Loan Quynh Tran

VCU's Medical Journal Club: The Work of Future Health Professionals

This paper explores the potential of stem cell transplantation as a treatment for neurodegenerative diseases, specifically Alzheimer’s. While previous clinical trials, including those for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, have demonstrated the safety of cellular therapies, identifying effective stem cell lines is crucial for advancing similar trials in Alzheimer’s. Using the APP/PS1 mouse model the study presents a pre-clinical proof-of-concept where human neural stem cells were transplanted into the fimbria fornix. Results showed significant cognitive improvements in hippocampal-dependent memory tasks at both 4 & 6 weeks post-transplantation. Interestingly, while the levels of synapse-associated proteins and cholinergic neurons remained unchanged, there was a …

Black Women's Desire For Love And Connection: What Is Ref Debt?, Joyice Robinson Myers

Education Graduate Presentations

This developing study explores the dating experiences of millennial Black women with Black men, aiming to understand their perspectives and the challenges they face in forming romantic relationships. Drawing on data from eight unstructured interviews with cisgender, heterosexual Black women, this research identifies key themes related to intimacy, emotional well-being, and financial contributions within relationships. The concept of Relational, Emotional, & Financial (REF) Debt is examined, highlighting how historical and systemic factors continue to impact dating and forming Black relationships. Initial findings reveal that Black women navigate dating with concerns about relationship quality and emotional depth, influenced by systemic racism …

Development Of A Brief Assessment Battery To Inform Clinical Interventions During Multidisciplinary Visits For Patients With Neurofibromatosis Type 1, Conney W. Berger, Randall Smith, Clara Ko, Tamsin Smith, Kelly Tran, Jasmine Nguyen, Zhihong Wang, Jennifer M. Rohan

Epidemiology Publications and Presentations

Introduction. Risk reduction programs for patients with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) targeting early detection of neurocognitive impairments are in high demand. Neurocognitive deficits impact up to 80% of NF1 patients in ≥1 domains: attention, language skills, executive functioning, and intellectual functioning. The primary aim of this 6-month longitudinal study was to examine the relationship between a more comprehensive assessment tool (Wechsler Intelligence Scale For Children: 5th Ed; WISC-V) with a brief cognitive assessment tool (NIH Toolbox Cognition). Methods. Pediatric patients with NF1 were 6-16 years (M age : 11 ± 3.4; 65.5% female; 58.6% non-Latinx white, 34.5% non-Latinx minoritized, …

Implementation Of A Cancer Education Program In Rural Counties With The Lowest Hpv Vaccination Rates And Health Rankings, Sarah Arezo, Shillpa Naavaal, Charlotte Garrett, Marcie S. Wright, Vanessa B. Sheppard, Michael A. Preston

Dental Public Health and Policy Publications

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). To address STIs, one rural county public school district developed a series of Family Life Programs to educate pre-teens about pertinent health information. The Schooling Cancer Program (SCP) was developed in partnership with the local Cancer Research and Resource Center to raise awareness about cancer risk factors including HPV-related cancers and HPV prevention methods. Methods: We collected a post-evaluation survey from students who attended a SCP session at one of the targeted middle schools. The SCP educated students about topics focusing on healthy lifestyles. The survey asked students’ …