Digital Commons Network^™

Cd4+ T Helper 2 Cells Suppress Breast Cancer By Inducing Terminal Differentiation, Arjun Jagdeesh

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

In this 2022 publication, Boieri et al. investigated how thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) can activate CD4+ and CD8+ T cell helper 2 (Th2) for breast cancer suppression. T cell helper 1 (Th1) cells are involved in the targeted immune response by attracting cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. However, Th2 cells are known to inhibit the T cell helper 1 immune response by causing allergic inflammation. Th2 activation in patients with allergic diseases conferred decreased risk of breast cancer. PyMt-tg mice were retroorbitally injected with TSLP and tumor growth and survival rate were compared between wild type mice and …

Adult Day Services: A Model That Works, Heather Turbyne-Pollard

Case Studies from Age in Action

Learning Objectives

1. Demonstrate the need for adult day services.

2. Illustrate the benefits beyond those to the older adults served.

3. Demystify common misconceptions about adult day services.

Care At The Intersections: A Case Study, Alyssa Camp

Case Studies from Age in Action

Learning Objectives

1. Increase understanding of trans elder care.

2. Recognize the ethical considerations of caring for a trans elder with dementia.

3. Understand the value of LGBTQ+ training and programing in assisted living.

2023 Create, Grow, Scale Entrepreneurship Convening: Summary Report, Research Institute For Social Equity At Virginia Commonwealth University

Research Institute for Social Equity

In partnership with Capital One Insights Center, the Research Institute for Social Equity (the Institute) hosted a convening to discuss the ecosystem around Black and Hispanic businesses in Richmond, Virginia. This full-day experience brought together thought leaders, policymakers, practitioners, community influencers, and entrepreneurs from the greater Richmond community to strategize how to translate research into action toward economic outcomes that benefit Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs. This summary paper offers an overview of the sessions and outcomes of this convening.

Inhibition Of Type 1 Immunity With Tofacitinib Is Associated With Marked Improvement In Longstanding Sarcoidosis, Devam Purohit

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

This presentation focused on the inhibition of type 1 immunity with tofacitinib and its effect on patients with sarcoidosis. The drug tofacitinib is mainly a rheumatoid arthritis drug, and the main objective of the study was to see if the drug could be used for sarcoidosis. After the completion of the experiment, it was found that the drug dramatically reduced the CSAMI activity score (a score used to indicate the activity of sarcoidosis) by 82.7% on average after six months of use.

Neural Coding Of Vibration Intensity, Brendon Murphy

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

The article I presented on details effects of the vibrations all of us are surrounded by every day, whether it be cars driving outside, the multitudes of machines running around us, or those we succumb ourselves with the music we listen to and electronics we carry with us everyday may have on our brain. They used EEG to examine correlation of the brain with different intensities of vibration (no vibration, low vibration, and high vibration) applied to the phalanx of the left index finger using a vibrotactile actuator. Their results primarily consisted of analyzing the location of the brain in …

Virginia Commonwealth University Undergraduate Bulletin [2023], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Undergraduate bulletin for Virginia Commonwealth University for the academic year 2023-2024. It includes information on academic regulations, degree requirements, course offerings, faculty, academic calendar, and tuition and expenses for undergraduate programs.

Virginia Commonwealth University Graduate Bulletin [2023], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Graduate bulletin for Virginia Commonwealth University for the academic year 2023-2024. It includes information on academic regulations, degree requirements, course offerings, faculty, academic calendar, and tuition and expenses for graduate programs.

Virginia Commonwealth University Professional Bulletin [2023], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Professional programs bulletin for Virginia Commonwealth University for the academic year 2023-2024. It includes information on academic regulations, degree requirements, course offerings, faculty, academic calendar, and tuition and expenses.

Virginia Commonwealth University Courses [2023], Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU Bulletins

Listing of courses for the 2023-2024 year.

Research Protocol: Focus Group/Needs Assessment (Afam Community), Karen A. Rader, Cynthia Gibbs

STS in Science Cafes

No abstract provided.

Tales From The Virtual Curation Lab, Issue 01, Maggie Colangelo, Bernard Means

Virtual Curation Lab's Comic Publications

"Tales from the Virtual Curation Lab brings you fascinating graphic narratives inspired by artifacts, fossils, historic objects—and even one person—3D scanned by VCU’s Virtual Curation Laboratory. Read about an Ice Age camel that had its face ripped of by a bear, the world’s oldest ham, a vampire’s skull, and more!”--back cover

Review Of Policies Addressing The Viewing Of Legal Pornography In Arl Libraries, M. Teresa Doherty, Jennifer Stout

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Publications

This article uses document analysis to review the content of the policies available on the library websites of 119 academic member institutions of the Association of Research Libraries (ARL) for policies that address viewing legal visual (video or images) pornography on computers within library spaces. The authors seek to answer the question: How do ARL member libraries address the viewing of legal online pornography by adults in their library spaces as noted in policies or guidelines on their website?

Away From Home: William Gifford Palgrave's Letters From India, 1847-1848, David E. Latane

English Publications

William Gifford Palgrave (1826-1888) became one of the great Victorian travelers, immortalized in a poem by Alfred Tennyson, “To Ulysses,” in 1888. The letters transcribed here are the record of his first voyage outward in 1847 as an Ensign in the 8th Bombay regiment of native infantry, just after his graduating with a First from Oxford. The letters are found in volume 5 of the Palgrave papers (British Library Add. MS 45738). The first letter is to his mother, dated 28 January 1847 from “Off Cape Mondego” in Portugal, and it describes life on board an outbound steamer. The last …

Public Transit Agency's Management Strategies During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Xueming Chen

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

Like the rest of the USA, the Greater Richmond, Virginia (RVA) region severely suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic impacts in multiple areas. The Greater Richmond Transit Company (GRTC) took big hits in its system transit ridership in fiscal years (FY) 2020 and 2021. In response to this emergency, GRTC immediately implemented bold management strategies to protect its operators and riders, serve essential trips, adjust operating schedules, offer free transit services, and broaden funding sources. As a result of implementing these emergency management strategies, GRTC successfully overcame the pandemic crises and embarked on the road to full recovery in its transit …

The U.S. And Chinese Transportation Policies And Practices For The Transportation-Disadvantaged Populations: A Literature Review-Based Comparative Study, Xueming Chen

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

Even though China has entered the aging society almost 20 years ago and passed elderly and disability-related laws, its transportation-related facilities and services for the elderly and disabled remain insufficient, which has seriously impacted its Transportation-Disadvantaged Populations’ travel and quality of life. Thus, it is necessary to examine other advanced countries’ best planning practices in specialized transportation services to assess their applicability to China. This paper first reviews the U.S. and Chinese laws, regulations, implementation measures and studies related to the elderly and disabled transportation. Afterwards, it conducts an analysis on the differences between the U.S. and China and assesses …

Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Planning: Findings And Recommendations, Xueming Chen, Kenneth Lantz Jr.

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Planning is legally mandated to address the mobility issues for the transportation disadvantaged population in America. In spite of the tremendous efforts made and significant accomplishments achieved in this country, the planning process still has a room for improvement. This paper summarizes our findings and proposes some preliminary recommendations to improve the planning process.

Going The Extra Mile To Increase The Wilder School’S Student Enrollment, Xueming (Jimmy) Chen

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute Publications

To align with the themes and goals of VCU Quest 2028: One VCU Together We Transform, the Wilder School has prepared and will implement a schoolwide strategic plan to guide its development to 2028. In this strategic plan, one of the metrics of student success is student enrollment, which is of paramount importance.

After the background introduction, this report gives an overview of the student enrollment data of the five academic programs within the Wilder School during the past 5 years and takes a snapshot of the 2022 MURP student demographic data. Afterward, it briefly introduces the enrollment management strategies …

Vcu Day Of Service Toolkit (Vcu-Dst), Christie Atkins, Jeff D'Ambrosio, Ann Deppmann, Keith C. Ellis, Alex Fisher, Javeria Kazi, Emilie Raymond, Lachelle Waller

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute Publications

This team designed and developed a digital Day of Service Toolkit (VCU-DST) to help facilitate the planning and execution of community service projects by VCU students, faculty and staff. The VCU-DST includes guidance and relevant procedures for all the aspects of planning needed to execute both large-scale and small-scale projects, including resources for strategic partnerships, financial planning and event logistics and evaluation. The VCU-DST is designed to be utilized for day-of-service projects planned and initiated by VCU students, student leaders, and organizations at all levels (undergraduate, graduate, and professional). The VCU-DST is designed to be flexible and adaptable, assisting in …

Investing In Virginia Through Energy Efficiency: An Analysis Of The Impacts Of Rggi And The Hiee Program, Damian Pitt, I-Shian Suen, Mike Mackenzie, Adelaide Alexander, Molly Lumsden

Institute for Sustainable Energy and Environment Publications and Presentations

This study examines the low-income energy efficiency programs funded by Virginia’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). Its goal is to understand the extent to which those programs can address the problem of high energy burdens among Virginia’s low-income residents, and to estimate the impacts that those energy efficiency investments could have on the broader Virginia economy.

Our report begins with a review of existing research on “energy burdens,” or the concept that some residents, particularly those in lower income brackets, spend a disproportionate percentage of their incomes on home energy costs (heating, cooling, etc.). We then discuss …

A Comparative Study On The U.S. And Chinese Transportation Policies And Practices For The Transportation-Disadvantaged Populations, Xueming Chen, Suwei Feng

L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs Publications

Even though China has entered the aging society almost 20 years ago and passed elderly and disability-related laws, its transportation-related facilities and services for the elderly and disabled remain insufficient, which has seriously impacted its Transportation-Disadvantaged Populations’ travel and quality of life. Thus, it is necessary to examine other advanced countries’ best planning practices in specialized transportation services to assess their applicability to China. This paper first reviews the U.S. and Chinese laws, regulations, implementation measures and studies related to the elderly and disabled transportation. Afterwards, it conducts an analysis on the differences between the U.S. and China and assesses …

Cancer Therapy And Oral Mucositis, Breanna E. Walker, Heidi Berczes

Dental Hygiene Student Scholarship

Cancer therapy can cause various adverse effects on the oral cavity. The development of oral mucositis is one of the most common oral condition associated with both chemotherapy and radiotherapy. As dental professionals it is our duty to prevent and treat this condition in our patients. OM is very painful and has been known to decrease the quality of life in those with the condition. We have looked at studies evaluating the effectiveness of various agents in the prevention and treatment of OM. Our hope is to bring awareness to OM while educating providers on treatment options.

Shape Conference Presentation, Misti Mueller

Division of Community Engagement Resources

This presentation, intended for K-12 educators, will showcase a community engaged initiative to support Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs. The development of outdoor play and learning spaces on blacktops/sidewalks that connect with science, social studies, language arts, math, music, and physical education will be highlighted. This presentation, intended for K-12 educators, will showcase a community engaged initiative to support Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs. The development of outdoor play and learning spaces on blacktops/sidewalks that connect with science, social studies, language arts, math, music, and physical education will be highlighted.

George Maclean, Letitia Landon, And The Rumour Of An Edinburgh Fiancée, David E. Latane

English Publications

Brief discussion of an unindexed note found in the microfilmed archives of the publisher Richard Bentley and Son that makes a claim regarding the puzzling marriage of the poet Letitia Elizabeth Landon ("L.E.L.) and the Scottish colonial administrator George Maclean. The note retails gossip about Landon's seduction by William Jerdan, and makes claims that her later marriage to George Maclean was marred by Maclean's having made a prior engagement with a Scottish woman, who later died when her dress caught fire.

School Division Policies Related To Suicide Prevention And Response, David Naff, Fatemah A. Khawaji, Morgan Meadowes, Jill Flynn, Meg Sheriff, Lauren Powell, Lisa Gwyn, Tameka Burroughs, Jean Samuel

MERC Publications

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death among youth age 10-19, and is an increasing concern in the wake of COVID-19. K-12 schools are crucial spaces for offering mental health support to students, and can implement policies to help prevent suicidal thoughts and behaviors. This MERC research and policy brief focuses on education policy related to suicide prevention and response. It is structured to answer five questions: 1) What are recent trends in youth suicide? 2) What does research show about school division policies that are effective in suicide prevention and response? 3) What policies in Virginia and …

Perceptions About Human Papillomavirus Vaccine And Oropharyngeal Cancers, And The Role Of Dental Care Providers In Human Papillomavirus Prevention Among Us Adults, Shillpa Naavaal, Christina A. Demopoulos, Abigail Kelly, Eric Tranby, Julie Frantsve-Hawley

Dental Public Health and Policy Publications

Background: The authors examined adults' perceptions about the importance of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in preventing oropharyngeal cancers and dental care providers' role in HPV prevention and identified associated factors.

Methods: Adults (≥ 18 years) completed a national survey of consumer and patient attitudes, experiences, and behaviors on oral health. Descriptive and multivariable logistic regression models determined associations between perceptions regarding HPV and attitudes toward dental care providers' role and HPV knowledge, HPV vaccine recommendation, and sociodemographic characteristics.

Results: One in 3 adults (32.8%; n = 5,320) said the HPV vaccine was very important, 1 in 2 said it …

A Multifaceted Approach Using Implementation Science Methods To Increase Chg Bathing Compliance And Reduce Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections On A Non-Icu Unit, Emily E. Warwick

VCU Health Nursing

BACKGROUND or RATIONALE:

The Acute Care Surgery unit (ACS) is a General and Progressive level of care post-operative unit at VCU Health system. Between quarter four 2021 and quarter one of 2023, five Central line associated blood stream infections (CLABSIs) occurred. NDNQI data revealed ACS had a higher CLABSI rate per 1,000 patient days than the national average of other similar type units in other magnet hospitals.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

A GAP analysis revealed ACS did not achieve the 80% CHG compliance goal set by VCU Health’s Infection Prevention Department in all six quarters that these five CLABSIs occurred. …

Dermatologic Manifestations Of Rheumatic Disease: Cutaneous Manifestations Of Vasculitides, Julianna S. Kang, Julia Nunley, Tiffany Ho, Mavra Masood, Fnu Nutan, Beth Rubinstein

Open and Affordable Course Content at VCU

No abstract provided.

Unveiling Undergraduate Research Opportunities For All, Justin Fedoryk, Laniece Jones, Timothy Luckritz, Tracy Mcmullin, Teresa Salgado, Meredith Sisson

The Grace E. Harris Leadership Institute Publications

VCU is experiencing unprecedented levels of growth in its research operations, having secured more than $460 million in sponsored research funding in fiscal year 2023 and becoming one of the top 50 public universities in the country for sponsored research. Between FY18 and FY22, sponsored research funding at VCU increased by 49% (Crawford et al., 2022). Nonetheless, many faculty members are leaving a key resource untapped: VCU’s undergraduate students. According to Dr. Srirama Rao, Vice President of Research and Innovation, in a recent State of the Research address, only about 600 undergraduate students participate in sponsored research annually. Even faculty …

To Open Or Not To Open: Exploring Factors Influencing Faculty Engagement, Jessica Kirschner, Jose Alcaine, Sergio Chaparro, Nina Exner, Hillary Miller, Preeti Kamat

VCU Libraries Faculty and Staff Presentations

Open practices enable increased access to scholarly outputs by removing financial, legal, and technological barriers. However, widespread faculty engagement is still low. Our interdisciplinary team undertook a pilot study to identify those barriers and evaluate their relative influence on faculty decisions to either publish in an open access journal or customize or create an open educational resource (OER). This study employed an explanatory sequential mixed method research design, featuring a web-based survey and follow-up interviews and focus groups to elaborate on responses. The team hopes to use the analyzed data to identify and recommend potential pathways to increase faculty engagement …