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The Economy Of Indifference, Nicholas Irzyk Apr 2013

The Economy Of Indifference, Nicholas Irzyk

Theses and Dissertations

The following monologue examines the personal, cultural and ethical viability of abstraction in a contemporary painting practice, conducted on the eve of my thesis exhibition.


Uncertainty And Primary Appraisal As Predictors Of Acute Stress Disorder In Parents Of Critically Ill Children: A Mediational Model, Monica Durrette Apr 2013

Uncertainty And Primary Appraisal As Predictors Of Acute Stress Disorder In Parents Of Critically Ill Children: A Mediational Model, Monica Durrette

Theses and Dissertations

This study examined illness-related uncertainty and primary appraisals of threat, centrality, and challenge as predictors of acute stress disorder (ASD) symptoms in parents of children hospitalized in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). Ultimately, a mediational pathway was tested to determine if primary appraisal was a mechanism that accounted for the impact of uncertainty on ASD symptoms. Ancillary study aims were to assess the degree to which parents perceived uncertainty in the PICU environment, and to determine the prevalence of ASD among parents in this setting. Self-report data was collected from 77 parents (57 mothers, 19 fathers) of children hospitalized …


2314 West Main Street: A Place For Engagement, Annie Thompson Apr 2013

2314 West Main Street: A Place For Engagement, Annie Thompson

Theses and Dissertations

The design intent of this thesis is to deconstruct the elements of the beer brewing process to allow the public to engage, enjoy, and appreciate the process while dining. It is to create a site for a craft brewery that is local to the neighborhood of The Fan. Allowing the public to engage, cultivate and create enthusiasm for the brewing process. To deconstruct the industrial process of brewing beer to allow accessibility for the public to enjoy the process while eating, drinking, and learning.


Commonwealth Times 2013-04-25 Apr 2013

Commonwealth Times 2013-04-25

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.


Birds Of Prey, Shauna Kirkland Apr 2013

Birds Of Prey, Shauna Kirkland

Theses and Dissertations

As a child growing up, I was always in love with the ritual of “dress up”. Whether it was my dolls, various reluctant pets, or myself, it was always an activity I loved. It is not surprising then that adornment has become the medium through which I express myself and bring my fantasy world to life. Jewelry and accessory have the potential to lead many lives. One particular piece can change entirely by putting it on one body as opposed to another, or by removing it to see it as an object. In fashion, the body is the canvas and …


Anish Kapoor: The Formation Of A Global Art, Owen Duffy Apr 2013

Anish Kapoor: The Formation Of A Global Art, Owen Duffy

Theses and Dissertations

This study intends to investigate British artist Anish Kapoor’s stylistic formation in relationship to globalization, positing its history as a multiplicity, comprised of several competing localisms, including: minimalism; the traditions of modern painting; and the artist’s own personal diasporic narrative. It will demonstrate how Kapoor is a transgressive global artist, concerned not only with rethinking the longstanding question of artistic form, but also with the enduring process central to the cultural formation of subjects. Overall, this thesis will propose that Kapoor’s art in particular can be comprehended by the special liminal position it occupies between such polarities as modern and …


Four Virtues: Interventions For Goodness' Sake, Caroline Lavelock Apr 2013

Four Virtues: Interventions For Goodness' Sake, Caroline Lavelock

Theses and Dissertations

Empirical interest in promoting virtues has dramatically increased over the last decade. The present study will focus primarily on the warmth-based virtues of forgiveness and humility, and the conscientiousness-based virtues of patience and self-control. I introduced participants (N = 135) to a workbook intended to promote one of these four virtues, or to promote general positivity for participants in a workbook control condition. I hypothesized that virtue workbooks would produce higher levels of the target virtue, more so than in both a non-action control condition (n = 33) and in a control condition that completes a workbook that promotes general …


Notions Of Spirits As Agents Of Mental Illness Among The Akan Of Ghana: A Cultural-Psychological Exploration, Annabella Opare-Henaku Apr 2013

Notions Of Spirits As Agents Of Mental Illness Among The Akan Of Ghana: A Cultural-Psychological Exploration, Annabella Opare-Henaku

Theses and Dissertations

The study explores lay conceptualizations of mental illness among the Akans of Ghana as influenced by their cultural worldview. Akan, the largest ethnic group in Ghana, is noted for the use of supernatural attributions for various health-related issues. The supernatural attributions are based on Akan ontological belief that the universe is unitary such that there is no clear distinction between physical and spiritual occurrences. This worldview guides Akans in how they deal with a wide range of issues including their mental health. Clinicians and other mental health professionals who rely solely on biomedical approaches to mental health fail to meet …


Constant Motion, Daniel Rowe Apr 2013

Constant Motion, Daniel Rowe

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis contains my writings and concept development, as it relates to personal history, time and animated art. This is explored through various methodologies, including short story and Zen meditative writing. As a companion to my recent thesis exhibition, this paper looks to make logical, emotional and spiritual connections between my art practice, ritualized cultural tropes and contemporary views of mortality.


My Mechanics Of Justification, Veronika Pausova Apr 2013

My Mechanics Of Justification, Veronika Pausova

Theses and Dissertations

This document examines the theory behind the process leading to my paintings, as well as the content of the images I use. The former will invoke romanticism, infinite possibilities, and the need for having certain parameters and flexible rules. The latter will talk about sentimentality and contemporary culture. I will explain the mechanics of justifying the choice of a particular way of painting: the push and pull between the loaded content of an image versus the language of painting itself.


My World Of Motherhood, Aimee Rop Apr 2013

My World Of Motherhood, Aimee Rop

Theses and Dissertations

Artist Statement In my artwork, I want to relay the emotional ups and downs of being a single mother. Motherhood, its challenges and rewards, is a recurring theme in my mixed media and photographic work. In family life we all experience the cycles of pain, sorrow, happiness, and tranquility. These are the moments that I want to explore and share. In my pieces, I incorporate simple, black outlined figures that contain little to no facial features, text that is hidden and broken up, and repeated drawings of entangled spirals. These outlined figures symbolize me as a woman that is facing …


Role Clarity And Instructional Technology Support: A Naturalistic Examination Of Various Perceptions Of The Role Of The Itrt Within And Across Three High Schools, Ann Nash Apr 2013

Role Clarity And Instructional Technology Support: A Naturalistic Examination Of Various Perceptions Of The Role Of The Itrt Within And Across Three High Schools, Ann Nash

Theses and Dissertations

Role clarity for any individual leads to more successful implementation of his or her job expectations. In a school, there are many individuals with various roles to fill. The Instructional Technology Resource Teacher (ITRT) has multiple roles within a school including: training teachers, designing integrated curriculum, managing learning resources, modeling instructional strategies, acting as a technology resource, assisting content specialists, and preview and recommending software. This study found that stakeholders in schools consistently recognize the ITRT as both a trainer and designer of integrated lessons. Other instructional support roles are recognized only by some stakeholders in schools. When a greater …


Exhibiting Berthe Morisot After The Advent Of Feminist Art History, Kristie Couser Apr 2013

Exhibiting Berthe Morisot After The Advent Of Feminist Art History, Kristie Couser

Theses and Dissertations

Feminist art historians reassessed French Impressionist Berthe Morisot (1841-1895) throughout the late twentieth and early twenty-first century, a period in which her work coincidentally received steady exposure in major museum exhibitions. This thesis examines how the feminist art historical project intersects with exhibitions that give prominence to Morisot’s work. Critical reviews by Morisot scholars argue that more frequent display of the artist’s work has not correlated to nuanced interpretation. Moreover, prominent feminist scholars and museum theorists maintain that curators virtually exclude their contributions. Attending to these recurrent concerns, this thesis charts shifts in emphases and inquiry in writing centered on …


Commonwealth Times 2013-04-22 Apr 2013

Commonwealth Times 2013-04-22

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.


The Influence Of Active Reminders On Oral Hygiene Compliance In Orthodontic Patients, Matthew Eppright Apr 2013

The Influence Of Active Reminders On Oral Hygiene Compliance In Orthodontic Patients, Matthew Eppright

Theses and Dissertations

Text message reminders have proven effective for positive behavioral changes in medicine, but their influence on oral hygiene compliance has never been tested. This study aimed to determine if text message reminders about oral hygiene have an influence on the level of compliance. In this prospective randomized controlled clinical trial, 42 orthodontic patients were assigned to a text message or control group. Parents of patients assigned to the text message group received a reminder text message one weekday each week. Oral hygiene compliance was measured using bleeding index, modified gingival index, plaque index, and visual examination of white spot lesion …


Understanding The Public's Attitudes Toward Tissue Donation: A Multi-Method Approach, Lindsey Kurland Apr 2013

Understanding The Public's Attitudes Toward Tissue Donation: A Multi-Method Approach, Lindsey Kurland

Theses and Dissertations

The impact of deceased tissue donation and transplantation is far-reaching; however, little is known about the public’s attitudes towards tissue donation. Siminoff, Traino, and Gordon (2010) found that families’ attitudes towards tissue donation were a significant predictor of consent; specifically, families that were initially favorable towards tissue donation were more likely to donate their loved ones tissues than families that were initially unfavorable towards tissue donation. Using a qualitative coding approach and the Tripartite Model of Attitude Structure (affective, behavioral, and cognitive attitude components) as a conceptual framework, families’ expressed attitudes toward tissue donation were extracted from N=240 audiorecordings of …


The Effects Of Relational Victimization On The Perceived Barriers, Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy, And Career Aspirations Of Female Offenders, Brooke Green Apr 2013

The Effects Of Relational Victimization On The Perceived Barriers, Career Decision-Making Self-Efficacy, And Career Aspirations Of Female Offenders, Brooke Green

Theses and Dissertations

We explored the relations among relational victimization and career-related variables in a sample of 174 non-violent female felony offenders residing in a community corrections residential facility. Archival data was used from a larger career-related reentry program that represented a joint effort between investigators at the VCU Department of Psychology and staff from the Virginia Department of Correctional Education. Data analyses focused on the association between (a) recent experiences of relational victimization and (b) career aspiration complexity code, (c) career aspirations towards or away from socially-oriented careers, (d) perceived occupational barriers, and (e) career decision-making self-efficacy. Hypothesized associations among this set …


Red Bones And Earth Mothers: A Contemporary Exploration Of Colorism And Its Perception Among African American Female Adolescents, Morgan Maxwell Apr 2013

Red Bones And Earth Mothers: A Contemporary Exploration Of Colorism And Its Perception Among African American Female Adolescents, Morgan Maxwell

Theses and Dissertations

Research on colorism continues to gain momentum across several disciplines. However, while varied studies have explored the social phenomenon among adult populations, especially those of African ancestry, few have systematically investigated the extent to which African American youth are exposed to or endorse hierarchical perceptions of skin color. The current study addresses this void in colorism literature. Employing a grounded theory approach, the present investigation examines African American female adolescents’ perceptions of skin color, aiming specifically to understand the sociocultural factors that underpin and contribute to colorist socializations as well as sources of skin color messages. Five focus groups and …


Commonwealth Times 2013-04-18 Apr 2013

Commonwealth Times 2013-04-18

Commonwealth Times, 1969-

No abstract provided.


The Impact Of Black Teacher Mentors On White Beginning Teachers, Wendi Moss Apr 2013

The Impact Of Black Teacher Mentors On White Beginning Teachers, Wendi Moss

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study used a phenomenological approach to determine the mentoring process Black mentors used when mentoring White beginning teachers. Five mentors and their six mentees were surveyed and interviewed to find how cross-race mentoring processes in an urban school district in the Commonwealth of Virginia work. Seven themes emerged from the study: (a) perceptions of the mentoring process; (b) perceptions of classroom management; (c) perceptions of school quality; (d) perceptions of urban teaching; (e) perceptions of White advantage; and (f) presence of White privilege.


Trophies, Plaques, And Rewards: An Application Of Cognitive Evaluation Theory To Volunteer Motivation., John Kim Apr 2013

Trophies, Plaques, And Rewards: An Application Of Cognitive Evaluation Theory To Volunteer Motivation., John Kim

Theses and Dissertations

Using Cognitive Evaluation Theory, this research evaluated the impact non-monetary extrinsic incentives in the form of department t-shirts had on the intrinsic motivation of Virginia career and volunteer firefighters. Intrinsic motivation was measured using the Work Extrinsic and Intrinsic Motivation Scale (WEIMS). The survey was administered to a randomly selected sample of firefighters. Data was analyzed using multiple regression analysis. Results suggested that the department t-shirt did not have a statistically significant impact on intrinsic motivation of both career and volunteer firefighters. Additionally, this study suggested that volunteer firefighters did not perceive salary as an inequitable reward. This was exhibited …


Guilt, Blame, And Responsibility: The Experiences Of Parents And Clinicians Providing Services To Adolescents With Co-Occurring Mental Health And Substance Abuse Challenges, Katherine Cohen-Filipic Apr 2013

Guilt, Blame, And Responsibility: The Experiences Of Parents And Clinicians Providing Services To Adolescents With Co-Occurring Mental Health And Substance Abuse Challenges, Katherine Cohen-Filipic

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to understand and describe the experiences of parents of, and clinicians who provide services to, adolescents with co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges, particularly as they relate to issues of guilt, blame, and responsibility. The study is based in a theoretical framework derived from Symbolic Interactionism (Blumer, 1969), Attribution Theory (Heider, 1958), and Barrett`s (1995) Theory of Guilt and Shame. The guiding question the study is: What are the experiences of parents of adolescents with co-occurring mental health and substance abuse challenges and clinicians who provide treatment services around issues of blame, guilt, …


Children Who Have Experienced Trauma: An Examination Of The Role Of Race, Ethnicity, And Cultural Factors In Presenting Symptoms And At Three Month (Or First Recorded) Follow Up, Stephanie Susanne Genser Wolf Apr 2013

Children Who Have Experienced Trauma: An Examination Of The Role Of Race, Ethnicity, And Cultural Factors In Presenting Symptoms And At Three Month (Or First Recorded) Follow Up, Stephanie Susanne Genser Wolf

Theses and Dissertations

Child traumatic stress is a pervasive problem that affects the well-being and healthy development of children from all races, ethnicities, and cultures. Major factors known to affect trauma symptoms include type of trauma, level or severity of trauma exposure, and age and gender of children. Utilizing Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model, this study measured the additional influence of children’s race, ethnicity, and cultural factors on symptoms after trauma. A dataset of children in treatment after experiencing trauma (0-21 years, N = 10,115) from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), a federally funded initiative that collected longitudinal data across 56 research and …


Art Education And The Encouragement Of Affective And Cognitive Empathy In Early Childhood, Luke Meeken Apr 2013

Art Education And The Encouragement Of Affective And Cognitive Empathy In Early Childhood, Luke Meeken

Theses and Dissertations

This study constructs a theoretical framework for exploring the relationship between art education practice and the development of empathy in early childhood. In this study, I construct a schema for the experience of empathy in kindergarten-aged students, derived from the work of Martin Hoffman, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, and Vittorio Gallese, which acknowledges both the affective and cognitive dimensions of the experience of empathy. This schema is examined within the context of aesthetic and artistic experience, as distinguished from each other by John Dewey. I articulate several ways that art education’s cultivation of subtle aesthetic perception may encourage affective empathy, and its …


Dimensions Of Informal Support Network Development In An Asian American Community In The New South: A Grounded Theory, Suzie Weng Apr 2013

Dimensions Of Informal Support Network Development In An Asian American Community In The New South: A Grounded Theory, Suzie Weng

Theses and Dissertations

The continuum of care framework posits that individuals move from one level to the next in seeking resources for help ranging from first using informal support to finally using formal services. Yet, the literature is mostly focused on formal services. It is well-known in the literature that existing formal services are underutilized by the Asian American population. If that is also the case in nontraditional settlement cities like Richmond, Virginia, the continuum of care framework and existing literature suggest that Asian Americans are turning to their informal support networks to meet their needs. Thus far, the literature on informal support …


Racial/Ethnic Differences In Fatality Rates From Motor Vehicle Crashes: An Analysis From A Behavioral And Cultural Perspective, Huda Hamdan Apr 2013

Racial/Ethnic Differences In Fatality Rates From Motor Vehicle Crashes: An Analysis From A Behavioral And Cultural Perspective, Huda Hamdan

Theses and Dissertations

Ethnic/racial minorities in the United States are overrepresented in fatalities from motor vehicle crashes (MVC). Growing evidence indicates that there are differences among racial/ethnic groups in risk of involvement in fatal crashes. Based on previous research, numerous factors may be involved in high racial/ethnic fatality rates from MVCs, including failure to use safety equipment, driving while under the influence of alcohol/drug, red light running, and speeding. Using data from the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) and the FR300P Police Crash Report, this project explores differences in variables associated with traffic safety behavior and traffic law obedience between non-White …


Sildenafil Attenuates Ethanol-Induced Cardiomyocyte Injury And Preserves Cardiac Function Through Protein Kinase G-Dependent Signaling, Gregory R. Sturz Apr 2013

Sildenafil Attenuates Ethanol-Induced Cardiomyocyte Injury And Preserves Cardiac Function Through Protein Kinase G-Dependent Signaling, Gregory R. Sturz

Theses and Dissertations

Background: Ethanol is a cardiotoxic substance that damages the heart by increasing apoptosis, free radical formation and calcium overloading. Consequently, there is an increase in cell death leaving fewer functioning myocytes leading to heart failure. Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor approved for treatment of erectile dysfunction. Studies from our lab have demonstrated that PDE-5 inhibition reduces myocardial infarct size and attenuates post-ischemic cardiac dysfunction in both ischemia-reperfusion and permanent coronary artery ligation models. Therefore, in the present study, we hypothesized that treatment with sildenafil will prevent cardiotoxicity associated with acute alcohol exposure by reducing myocyte apoptosis and preserving …


Finishing On-Time: A Qualitative Examination Of Contributors To Timely Undergraduate Degree Completion, Diane Vermaaten Apr 2013

Finishing On-Time: A Qualitative Examination Of Contributors To Timely Undergraduate Degree Completion, Diane Vermaaten

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to determine the most significant factors that contributed to on-time undergraduate degree completion. On-time degree completion requires that a student complete all the requirements of their degree within 4.5 years or less. A grounded theory methodology was used to conduct the study. Narrative data was collected through semi-structured interviews. Thirty former students who completed their undergraduate degree at Virginia Commonwealth University were recruited for this study. To be eligible for the study, participants had to have completed their undergraduate degree in 4.5 years or less and graduated between 2004 and 2011. The analysis of …


A Machine’S Idea Of Sight: The Technico-Sensory Divide In The Human Use Of Imaging Devices, Adam Dean Apr 2013

A Machine’S Idea Of Sight: The Technico-Sensory Divide In The Human Use Of Imaging Devices, Adam Dean

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the human and technical limitations of looking and seeing. It proposes a model for design that expands technical sight toward harmony with our human notion. It proposes a model for design that expands technical sight toward harmony with our human notion. This study is guided by the phenomenological experience of being expressed primarily by Heidegger as well as neuro-physiological research on the mind and body relationship by Ramachandran, Sacks Nicolelis and Damasio. It examines, in two paths, the technical developments that seek to alter or enhance our ways of looking and seeing. The first path is an …


The Role Of Doctor-Patient Race Concordance In U.S. Health Disparities, Sarah Simon Apr 2013

The Role Of Doctor-Patient Race Concordance In U.S. Health Disparities, Sarah Simon

Theses and Dissertations

It has been established that much of the disparity in health outcomes between blacks and whites can be explained by accounting for education and income. Once education and income have been taken into consideration, research has found racial disparities in health outcomes for low-income populations are small, and in some cases no longer significant. For middle and upper income populations, however, a significant racial disparity in health outcomes persists even after accounting for education and income. Seeking to explain this variation, I analyze the literature concerning health disparities, race and class, the prevalence and distribution of black physicians, and issues …