Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

Range-Wide Analysis Of The Genetic Diversity And Genetic Structure Of The Spotted Turtle (Clemmys Guttata), Madison S. Whitehurst

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding the spatial distribution of genetic diversity and structure in endangered species is vital for effective conservation management. This research discusses the results of an initial analysis of the genetic structure and variation of the spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata), a species of conservation interest. The study sampled 913 individuals from 78 unique locales across 16 states in the eastern portion of the species' range. Utilizing ddRADSeq, a de novo genome assembly was developed to identify nearly 20,000 potential loci. A total of 926 were selected for this analysis. Results revealed no spatial clustering of genetic diversity or structure, …

Cfd Modeling Of Plasma Plume Expansion In Ambient Air Using Twophaseeulerfoam Solver, Edmund Tsiri Semaha, Edmund Tsiri Semaha

Graduate Research Posters

The dynamics of laser-produced plasma plume expansion involves complex interactions between the ablated material and ambient air. This study investigates and compares the performance of three OpenFOAM solvers, namely twoPhaseEulerFoam (tPEF), rhoCentralFoam (rCF), and sonicFoam (sF) using an identical initial setup of geometry and parameters. The primary objective of this study is to affirm the applicability and reliability of the tPEF solver in modeling the laser-produced plasmas for multispecies cases. The focus is on the evaluating the tPEF solver’s ability to simulate plasma plume dynamics under atmospheric air pressure. Propagation of plasma shockwave, mesh generation, initial and boundary conditions, and …

Exploring Factors That Influence Prosthetic Attention In Upper And Lower Limb Prosthesis Users, Tanu Bhargava, Cody L. Mcdonald, Elizabeth G. Halsne, Brian J. Hafner, Benjamin J. Darter

Graduate Research Posters

Background: Prosthetic limbs often lack the innate control and sensory feedback capabilities of natural limbs, requiring more cognitive effort or attention during motor tasks. While a conceptual model of prosthetic attention exists for lower limb (LL) users, its applicability to upper limb (UL) remains unclear. This study aimed to explore how LL and UL users experience prosthetic attention, and explore factors that influence the existing model.

Methods: Twenty five UL users and thirty LL users with at or above wrist or ankle-level limb loss participated. Focus groups (FG), guided by open-ended questions, delved into user’s lived experiences with prosthetic attention. …

An Application Of Cfd To Support The Development Of Treatment Strategies And Technology For The Management Of Cystic Fibrosis In Pediatric Patients, Morgan L. Thomas

Theses and Dissertations

Inhaled medications are a key treatment modality in multiple lung-related diseases and disorders. Considering children with cystic fibrosis (CF), improvements in the delivery of aerosol antibiotics have the potential to better eradicate bacterial lung infections, preserve lung function and thereby further extend lifespans and quality of life. The overall objective of this dissertation was to expand and validate CFD models for predicting the deposition of pharmaceutical aerosols throughout the airways and apply these models to understand the targeted delivery of inhaled antibiotics to children with CF. To accomplish this goal, three contributions were made. First, CFD methodologies for modeling aerosol …

Amendment: Literary And Art Journal (2024 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.

The Compass, Summer 2024

The Compass, 2018-

The Compass is an annual orientation guide for VCU students produced by the Student Media Collective in the VCU Student Media Centered. The guide is distributed physically during summer orientation sessions for new and transfer students. The publication includes short articles, illustrations, letters of welcome from students and administrators, comics, and advertisements from VCU and Richmond organizations.

Effects Of Mindfulness Training On Prosocial Responses In Intergroup Relations: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial, Denise Yiran Zheng

Theses and Dissertations

Based on social identity theory and intergroup emotions theory, individuals feel for and act toward others based on their group-based social identities. Recent research shows that mindfulness can enhance prosocial responses toward others across group divides. The current research examined the effects of mindfulness training on prosocial behavior in intergroup relations where such behavior is difficult (e.g., with marginalized or devalued social groups). The study also examined potential mechanisms, namely state empathic concern and appraisal, that may explain how mindfulness increases prosocial behavior toward outgroups. This study compared the effects of a 2-week mindfulness training to a matched coping training …

Symmetry Analysis Of The Canonical Connection On Lie Groups:Co-Dimension Two Abelian Nilradical With Abelian And Non Abelian Complement, Nouf Alrubea Almutiben

Theses and Dissertations

We consider the symmetry algebra of the geodesic equations of the canonical
connection on a Lie groups. We mainly consider the solvable indecomposable four,
five and six-dimensional Lie algebras with co-dimension two abelian nilradical, that
have an abelian and not abelian complement. In this particular case, we have only
one algebra in dimension four namely; A4,12 , and three algebras in dimension five
namely; A5,33, A5,34, and A5,35 In dimension six, based on the list of Lie algebras in
Turkowski’s list, there are nineteen such algebras namely; A6,1- A6,19 that have an
abelian complement, and there are eight algebras that …

How To Forget, Jesse D. Hoyle

Theses and Dissertations

How To Forget was born from a need to give tangible form to the psychic residue left behind by a life lived. Through the use of silk-screening of red clay mud onto ink-jet photographs, archival textiles, and site-specific installations, I attempt to tie and/or divorce myself from my own and my family's extended history and examine the function of memory within the dynamics of the archive. How To Forget takes a non-linear, non-chronological approach to this examination, compressing decades of time and space through the manipulation of the archive and my own self-portraiture, designed specifically to deny myself from its …

Obstacles To And Facilitators Of Services In Child Welfare In The Context Of The Family First Prevention Services Act, Juliet Wu

Theses and Dissertations

The child welfare system has generally focused on child wellbeing and protection in the context of abuse or neglect allegation, supporting caregivers with child rearing, and finding a stable, permanent home for children. Because children and caregivers involved with the child welfare system typically have complex needs, public departments of social services often collaborate with other entities to provide services to families. However, connecting families to services has often been difficult, with many barriers along the way that prevent families from receiving the services they need. The enactment of the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) in 2018 aimed to …

The Cultural Adaptation Of An Eating Disorders Assessment Tool For South Asian American Women, Neha J. Goel

Theses and Dissertations

South Asians (SAs) are less likely to be screened, referred, and treated for eating disorders (EDs), although they experience these serious health conditions at rates similar to those of their White counterparts. Available ED assessment tools do not adequately capture cultural nuances in the presentation of eating psychopathology in SAs. Thus, the current study culturally adapted the Eating Disorder Examination-Questionnaire (EDE-Q) to enhance its validity, applicability, and cultural relevance for SA women living in the US. During the cultural adaptation phase, the principal investigator consulted with participant experts (N=24) and research experts (n=4) to create the …

Efficient Connectivity Management And Path Planning For Iot And Uav Networks, Amirahmad Chapnevis

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explores how to better manage resources in mobile networks, especially for enhancing the performance of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV)-supported IoT networks. We explored ways to set up a flexible communication architecture that can handle large IoT deployments by making good use of mobile core network resources like bearers and data paths. We developed strategies that meet the needs of IoT networks and enhance network performance. We also developed and tested a system that combines traffic from several mobile devices that use the same user identity and network resources within the core mobile network. We used everyday smartphones, SIM …

Photoluminescence Of Beryllium-Related Defects In Gallium Nitride, Mykhailo Vorobiov, Mykhailo Vorobiov

Theses and Dissertations

This study explores the potential of beryllium (Be) as an alternative dopant to magnesium (Mg) for achieving higher hole concentrations in gallium nitride (GaN). Despite Mg prominence as an acceptor in optoelectronic and high-power devices, its deep acceptor level at 0.22 eV above the valence band limits its effectiveness. By examining Be, this research aims to pave the way to overcoming these limitations and extend the findings to aluminum nitride and aluminum gallium nitride (AlGaN) alloy. Key contributions of this work include. i)Identification of three Be-related luminescence bands in GaN through photoluminescence spectroscopy, improving the understanding needed for further material …

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 …

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 …

Discrimination Of Blue Denim Fibers Utilizing Physical Characteristics, Optical Properties, Fluorescence Microscopy, Ultraviolet-Visible Microspectrophotometry, And Microchemical Testing, Elkin Howard

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

Cotton, the most common natural fiber, has numerous uses in the textile industry. This fiber type is ubiquitous in forensic casework due to its prevalence, particularly in blue jeans. The abundance of blue cotton in society and its limited variations in features can diminish the probative value of its presence on items of evidence. While a pair of blue jeans may be constructed with a combination of natural and manufactured fibers, the most likely fiber type to be transferred between sources is cotton. In this study, a comprehensive analytical approach to blue jean fiber analysis was explored to determine if …

Belonging At A Historically White Institution: Understanding The Men Of Color Experience, Riley Cain Sisk, Tara J. Hefner, Kelsie N. Potter, Nicholas A. Williams

Doctor of Education Capstones

Sense of belonging is a vital need that supports an individual’s journey of becoming. Studies have shown the positive impact sense of belonging can have on education outcomes, especially for underrepresented communities. Consulting with the Assessment Office in the Division of Student Affairs (The DSA Assessment Office) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), the research team sought to understand how men of color make sense of belonging at historically white institutions (HWIs) such as VCU. This qualitative, instrumental case study utilized a subjectivist approach grounded in Strayhorn’s (2019) definition of ‘sense of belonging’ paired with Baxter Magolda’s (2014) theories of self-authorship. …

Examining The Efficacy Of Unitive Justice Education In The Secondary School Setting, Chris C. Booz, La Toya K. Draper, Lottie M. Spurlock

Doctor of Education Capstones

This research study examined the efficacy of the Unitive Justice Education (UJEd) program on school-wide practices in Hopewell City Public Schools (HCPS). The UJEd program developed by the Alliance for Unitive Justice (AUJ) serves as a unifying alternative to conventional disciplinary approaches. An abundance of research shows exclusionary punitive systems have created inequitable experiences for students, particularly children from historically marginalized groups (Alexander, 2020; Kendi, 2019; Morris, 2018). Through a critical theory lens (Freire, 2017) coupled with a mixed methods approach, the researchers analyzed the HCPS discipline data and staff perceptions. Implementing the UJEd program in HCPS secondary schools holds …

A Path Toward Healing: Parent And Caregiver Perspectives On The Work Of Restorative Practices Richmond At Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School, Jean Samuel, Silvanus Thrower, Jill Flynn, Brandi Daniels

Doctor of Education Capstones

To address how key stakeholders experience restorative practices (RP), Restorative Practices Richmond (RPR) submitted a request for assistance (RFA) to Virginia Commonwealth University. This single case study responds to the RFA by examining how parents, caregivers, and community partners perceive school discipline and restorative practices and how this understanding supports RPR’s work to support restorative practices at Martin Luther King Middle School (MLK MS). Through a social justice lens, this capstone explores the challenges and needs of parents, caregivers, and community partners engaging with restorative practices. The findings that emerged included the following: parents and caregivers lack sufficient knowledge about …

Leveraging Leadership To Retain Early Career Teachers In Stafford County Public Schools, Christopher Gannon, Caroline Canning, Andrew Hoyt, Lauren Johnson, Thomas Mcauley

Doctor of Education Capstones

Stafford County Public Schools requested an evaluation of their current support of Early Career Teachers (ECTs) with one to three years experience, and its potential impact on retention efforts. They stamped this request with urgency, noting the COVID-19 pandemic and teacher pay as two driving factors, specifically, impacting retention of teachers within their first three years. Our Capstone team sought a deeper understanding of the following issues in three research questions: 1) types of support across their division and within their school buildings, 2) the impact of current practices of support, and 3) division-wide considerations for enhancing current systems of …

Riverview Community Park Commoning Plan, Haley B. Keene

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

Riverview Community Park began as an illegal DIY skatepark in the Maymont neighborhood of Richmond, Virginia. Now, although it is a city park, it is still entirely managed by volunteer community groups (skateboarders, the neighborhood Civic League, and a community garden) who view the park as a creative, experimental community-led spatial project. Due to a dearth of communication between the three groups, the park has suffered political strife between the groups and a chaotic physical atmosphere. This plan utilizes a commons governance framework and participatory, asset-based community design to usher in a new era of enhanced collaboration, common narratives, and …

Richmond Watts For Families: An Action Plan To Bring Multifamily Community Solar To The City Of Richmond, Daniel P. Rafferty

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

Seeking to advance community solar energy for multifamily residents within the City of Richmond, Virginia, the Richmond Watts for Families (WFF) is a plan to guide the city in developing robust multifamily community solar program(s). Community (shared) solar has emerged as an alternative approach to traditional rooftop solar energy by allowing customers to subscribe to a portion of a solar array that is shared among other subscribers, which has the opportunity to increase participation by marginalized communities and those currently without the financial or physical means to install solar This plan aids the city in implementing its recently adopted climate …

Revitalize Wakefield: Charting A Course For Growth, Bannon T. Luckert

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

This plan focuses on discovering the objectives and aspirations of residents and merchants to formulate a revitalization strategy comprising actionable steps that will contribute to the flourishing of a rural downtown. By leveraging Wakefield's rich history and existing assets, this plan aims to help realize the vision of revitalizing Wakefield.

The Green Infrastructure Network: Mapping Hopewell's Social & Natural Assets, Derek J. Cathcart

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

This capstone plan provides a map of the network of physical green infrastructure (GI) and the actors involved in GI projects in Hopewell. Green Infrastructure is mapped spatially with GIS and distinguishes between the various forms of GI present in the city. A network map visualizes the relationships between actors and their relationships with GI in Hopewell. This plan analyzes Hopewell’s GI network of social-ecological assets and their relative interactions. While the capstone plan is not a resilience plan on its own, it fosters resilience in Hopewell by connecting actors like city departments, state agencies, residents, business owners, and local …

Bayesian Estimation Of Hierarchical Linear Models From Incomplete Data: Cluster-Level Non-Linear Effects And Small Sample Sizes, Dongho Shin

Theses and Dissertations

We consider Bayesian estimation of a hierarchical linear model (HLM) from small sample sizes. The continuous response Y and covariates C are partially observed and assumed missing at random. With C having linear effects, the HLM may be efficiently estimated by available methods. When C includes cluster-level covariates having interactive or other nonlinear effects given small sample sizes, however, maximum likelihood estimation is suboptimal, and existing Gibbs samplers are based on a Bayesian joint distribution compatible with the HLM, but impute missing values of C by a Metropolis algorithm via a proposal density having a constant variance while the target …

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 …