Digital Commons Network^™

Detrimental Role Of Irf1 In Myeloid Cells During Influenza Infection, Bianca L. Baum

Theses and Dissertations

The influenza virus is constantly evolving new ways to overcome both innate and vaccine-induced host defenses, making the innate immune response a critical therapeutic target for minimizing morbidity and mortality caused by infection. Here we examined the role that interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1) plays in regulating host innate immune responses in myeloid cells. We found that knocking out IRF1 from myeloid cells in mice (IRF1^DMy) led to a partial protection during IAV infection. Interestingly, recruitment of bone marrow derived myeloid cells as well as NLRP3 inflammasome expression were decreased in the lungs of IRF1^DMy mice, whereas …

Il-36g Cytokine Induction In Oral Epithelial Cells Triggered By Treponema Denticola And Their Role In Chronic Periodontitis, Christopher Blake

Theses and Dissertations

Periodontal disease is a polymicrobial disease affecting 10-15% of the population. Periodontal disease affects the quality of life by reducing mastication and potentially causing tooth loss. Periodontal disease is also linked to more severe, systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and rheumatoid arthritis. Development of the diseased state occurs when the plaque biofilm shifts from healthy to dysbiotic. The shift to a dysbiotic biome brings with it a shift in bacterial presence, specifically an increase in gram-negative bacteria, such as T. denticola. T. denticola is a gram-negative, anaerobic spirochete whose relationship with oral epithelial cells is poorly understood. Preliminary data …

Canalpro Eal Accuracy Compared To The Root Zx Eal, Benjamin T. Brown

Theses and Dissertations

CanalPro Electronic Apex Locator Accuracy Compared to the Root ZX Electronic Apex locator

Benjamin Brown, Garry Myers, Caroline Carrico, Duane Schaefer

Department of Endodontics, Virginia Commonwealth University

Objectives: Electronic apex locators (EAL) are an effective instrument in measuring the working length of a canal. The Root ZX is considered the gold standard by many. The aim of this research is to compare the accuracy of the CanalPro EAL to the Root ZX.

Methods: The actual length of 43 single rooted extracted teeth were measured with a #10 hand file when the tip was visualized at the foramen under a microscope. …

Difficult Paintings, Hao (Damien) Ding

Theses and Dissertations

The sublime as a concept has a fraught and racist history. However, it remains the single most helpful idea in describing the deeply felt state of being when one comes across something ineffably powerful. From an art-making perspective, this thesis, and the accompanying exhibition of installations and paintings, proposes an alternative construction of the concept of the sublime. Using Lacanian psychoanalysis as a conceptual point of departure, a painter can manipulate the relationship of the viewer and paintings to create paradoxical moments of simultaneous intimacy and distance, which interact to create an alternative path towards the sublime. Through descriptions of …

Validation Of A Screening Tool For Pediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A Pilot Study, Julia A. Giardina

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Pediatric-Modified-STOP-Bang (PM-STOP-Bang) as a screening tool to assess sleep related breathing disorders (SRBD) within a pediatric population. The specific aims of this study were: 1) compare the PM-STOP-Bang scores with those from the validated Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ), 2) determine the ability of the PM-STOP-Bang and the PSQ screening tools to accurately detect children of high risk for SRBD from a one-night home sleep apnea test (HSAT).

Methods: Orthodontic patients were screened using the PM-STOP-Bang at VCU Graduate Clinic. Patients (n=10) who were recruited and enrolled. Five were determined to …

Hamburger Helper Recipes, John Alex Goss

Theses and Dissertations

Hamburger Helper Recipes is a collection of essays and public addresses that aim to recuperate castoff and misfit material surrounding industries and tools which produce science-fiction fantasies, specifically videogames and television shows. The following essays confront the normative violence of capitalism, whiteness, and hetero-patriarchy that socially and technologically haunt these imaginary worlds and build hegemonic idealogy into their audiences. This collection takes industrial materials and software from their intended commercial purposes of production and “success” into places of abjection and quiet breakdown. The author’s own proximity to masculine and often toxic "work cultures'' within industrial spaces of coding and manufacturing …

Radiographic Comparison Using Cbct-Pai And Volumetric Analysis Of Endodontically Treated Teeth: A Retrospective Cohort Study, Jeremy Hargrove

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To assess the changes in CBCT-PAI score as well as 3-D volume of periapical findings associated with endodontically treated roots and to see how these findings change over time.

Methods: Retrospective chart review with the following inclusion criteria: 1. At least one tooth was endodontically treated at the endodontic private practice; 2. Patient had a recall examination and the treated tooth was asymptomatic, functional and a CBCT was exposed; 3. CBCT interpretation found a periapical finding associated with the treated tooth; 4. A follow-up recall examination was completed and CBCT exposed. Cases that fulfilled the inclusion criteria had the …

Reproducibility And Accuracy Of The Virtual Occlusal Record, Anne M. Harper

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: To evaluate the reproducibility and accuracy of the virtual occlusal record compared to the gold standard physical bite record

Methods: Two physical bite records of PVS and two virtual bites using an iTero Element scanner were obtained from 22 participants. Intraoral scans were exported as STL files, and virtual occlusal records were created. CBCT images were taken of physical occlusal records and converted to STL files. STL files were superimposed using Geomagic Control X™ Software. Root mean square (RMS) and percent similarity within 0.25 mm tolerance were compared at a significance level of 0.05.

Results: Average …

Virtual Reality Tool For Visualizing The Oral Microbiome, Alexus M. Harris

Theses and Dissertations

There are limited teaching tools for helping both students and patients understand the oral microbiome. It is important to understand the oral microbiome as it heavily influences the health of your oral cavity and the dysbiosis of disease. The oral microbiome influences other aspects of health and serves as an indicator for health. With a greater understanding of the oral microbiome, patients can make healthier lifestyle changes and dentists can better educate their patients. For that reason, the goal of this project was to create a virtual reality tool for visualizing the oral microbiome. The assets for the VR tool …

"Unite The Left": Contextualizing Bukharin's Abc Of Communism And Berkman's Abc Of Anarchism, David Hayter

Theses and Dissertations

In 1919, Nikolai Bukharin, the leading theoretician of the Bolshevik Party, published a manual entitled The ABC of Communism meant to put the governing ideology of the newly formed Soviet State into eminently readable terms. Alexander Berkman, a Russian Anarchist who strongly supported the October Revolution, became disillusioned with the new regime in 1921 and left the country. He later published his own tract entitled The ABC of Anarchism. This thesis pits these two theoretical works against each other as historical documents embodying the nature of leftist polemics that has characterized the movement since the dissolution of the First …

Molecular Basis Of Cross-Sensitization In Colonic Inflammation-Induced Somatic Hypersensitivity, Parshva K. Mehta

Theses and Dissertations

A major portion of pain experienced by patients with an Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD) or Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) can be attributed to visceral hypersensitivity. Visceral stimuli transmitted through primary afferent neurons in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) induce a nociceptive response. Notably, a subset of patients has also experienced the development of somatic pain, such as leg pain, after diagnosis of a bowel disorder. The aim of this investigation is to ascertain which biochemical mediators are involved in the development of such viscerosomatic cross-sensitization. Initially, the Von Frey Test was used to find behavioral evidence of somatic referred pain; …

Modulation In Nmda Receptor Function Alleviates Safety Learning Deficit In Females Who Experienced Chronic Stress During Adolescence, Zuby C. Okafor

Theses and Dissertations

Anxiety disorders disproportionately impact women and are more prevalent in people with a history of chronic stress. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a type of stress and trauma-related disorder that is largely characterized by hyperarousal to fear-based cues. The inability to dissociate the fear-response from a non-threatening cue is known as impaired safety learning. Given that N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are key mediators of learning behaviors, we examined the role of NMDAr function in deficient safety learning. Previous studies have shown that female rats with a history of stress have altered NMDAr gene expression and altered glutamatergic signaling; therefore, we hypothesized …

In Vitro Evaluation Of The Solubility Of Endosequence Bc Sealer In Acidic Solutions, Inderpal S. Sappal

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: In recent years, bioceramic sealers (BCS), such as EndoSequence BC Sealer, have gained popularity in endodontic practices. Previous research has found BCS difficult to remove from canals during retreatments when compared with other endodontic sealers. Acidic solutions have been found to inhibit the set of BCS and increase their solubility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of acidic solutions in the removal of BCS as compared with a traditional retreatment solvent.

Methods: Roots of extracted human single rooted teeth (N=15) were prepared into 17 mm sections, then instrumented with ProTaper Gold (PTG) rotary files up …

The Effect Of Local Anesthesia When Used In Dental Restorative Cases Under General Anesthesia On Control Of Intraoperative Physiologic Parameters And Post-Operative Comfort, Kathryn S. Skarda

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose:

To determine the effect of local anesthesia on post-operative pain and physiologic parameters intraoperatively in patients undergoing dental care under general anesthesia.

Methods:

This study was modeled as a double-blinded randomized control trial. Patients included healthy children under the age of six scheduled for restorative dental treatment under general anesthesia. Patient behavior was evaluated pre and post-operatively using the FLACC score and post-operatively using the Parental Pain Score Measure. Intraoperatively, all participants followed a standardized general anesthesia protocol and were given either local anesthetic infiltration by the dental surgeon performing the surgery or no anesthesia was utilized. Intraoperatively physiologic …

Pushing The Limits: Increasing The Speed And Specificity Of Sars-Cov-2 Testing, Grayson Way

Theses and Dissertations

The prevalence and spread of the current COVID-19 pandemic have highlighted the importance of continual improvements upon current microbiological testing methods. Rapid and accurate testing can help mitigate spread by improving on the time to quarantine and quarantine duration required. As of the writing of this thesis, COVID-19 has been responsible for more than 500,000 deaths in the United States of America, and greater than 2 million deaths globally. The work done in this thesis has shown improvements in the current SARS-CoV-2 testing methodology by reducing the time it takes for patient testing while maintaining accuracy and the sensitivity required …

The Role Of Glt-1 Signaling In Oligodendrocytes During Development And Myelin Repair, Elizabeth Thomason

Theses and Dissertations

The differentiation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) into myelinating oligodendrocytes (OLGs) requires an increase in the complexity of process morphology, alterations in membrane trafficking, and the production of myelin proteins. Branching and process extension have already been shown to follow glutamate signaling through OLG-expressed excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs), mostly via GLT-1. It is of note that glutamate homeostasis often goes awry in multiple sclerosis (MS), the main demyelinating disease in humans. Thus, we have sought to gain an understanding of the role that GLT-1 plays under the myelination and remyelination conditions that arise during natural development of OLGs and …

Reliability And Validity Of Three Clinical Methods To Measure Lower Extremity Muscle Power, Mattie E. Pontiff, Li Li, Noelle G. Moreau

Health Sciences & Kinesiology: Faculty Publications

Background: Lower extremity muscle power is critical for daily activities and athletic performance in clinical populations. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability and validity of 3 clinically feasible methods to measure lower extremity muscle power during a leg press. Methods: Ten of 26 subjects performed 2 sessions of 5 submaximal leg presses separated by 3-7 days in this repeated-measures cross-sectional design; the remaining performed 1 test session. Power was calculated independently for each method [simple video, linear position transducer, and accelerometer] and compared to the reference force plate. Test-retest reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation …

Ankle-Knee Initial Contact Angle And Latency To Maximum Angle Are Affected By Prolonged Run, Sydni Wilhoite, Jessica Mutchler, Barry Munkasy, Li Li

Health Sciences & Kinesiology: Faculty Publications

The initial contact and midstance angles may influence injury risk. Previous literature has not assessed these angles under the influence of new footwear for a non-exhaustive prolonged run or the relationship between the angles. To assess lower extremity kinematic changes and the relationship between kinematic parameters at initial contact and midstance with prolonged running under the influence of different types of footwear. Twelve experienced, recreational runners (6 male; 6 female; 24.8 ± 8.4 years; 70.5 ± 9.3 kg; 174.1 ± 9.7 cm) ran for 31 minutes at a self-selected pace for three testing sessions wearing maximalist, habitual, and minimalist shoes. …

Campus Recreation And Fitness Center Utilization During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Keagan Kiely, William Mase, Bridget F. Melton, Haresh Rochani Dr.

Health Sciences & Kinesiology: Faculty Publications

Background

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has far reaching effects for college students' health and physical activity behaviors. This analysis focuses on university student fitness center usage pre and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers hypothesized a reduction in fitness center utilization when comparing Fall 2019 to Fall 2020 utilization rates.

Methods

Patterns of the recreation center and fitness center utilization during the COVID-19 pandemic are compared to pre-pandemic patterns of a matched time period in the previous academic year in an observational study. Overall utilization was evaluated using secondary data from the university’s recreation center data system. Six weeks …

The Impact Of Postmodernism On 21st Century Higher Education, Lia B. Wheatley

Liberal Studies (MA) Final Essays

The American undergraduate higher educational institution was organized and developed well over 100 years ago, and for the most part, it was designed around Eurocentric ideals, experiences, and values—ones that hardly reflect the population and principles of a 21^st century America. The higher education system is undoubtedly a product of modernism; however, as postmodernism has become more widespread through mainstream society, universities must reevaluate their means and their ends in order to meet transitioning standards and expectations especially if academe hopes to remain a pillar of our ever-progressing society.

The three majorly impacted areas of higher education include enrollment …

The Effects Of Racial Capitalism On Poor White Laborers, Amy Whittaker

Liberal Studies (MA) Final Essays

While always remembering that racial capitalism’s very nature ensures that non-white Americans suffer incomparable racial oppression, this paper will endeavor to expose the devastation caused to American society as a whole by explaining the ways in which racial capitalism destroyed poor white labors ability to participate fully in the economic system and strangled its chances of living the American dream. It is my hope that by discussing the missing piece of the poor white laborers’ experience under racial capitalism will unite poor white laborers and poor black laborers to work together to end racial capitalism, policing, and the carceral system. …

Nursing, Physical Therapy, And Cytotechnology Graduate And Undergraduate Students' Attitudes Toward Teamwork Before And After Participation In An Interprofessional Education Experience, Shelley C. Mishoe, Muge Akpinar Elci, Rebecca Poston, Kimberly Adams Tufts, Beth Thompson

Community & Environmental Health Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND Educating health professional (HP) students in environments wherein they can learn about, from, and with each other can prepare them for interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP), which may positively impact patient safety and satisfaction (Brashers et al., 2015; Health Professions Accreditors Collaborative [HPAC], 2019). IPCP is characterized by effective communication, shared values, respect for diverse disciplines and teamwork among health professionals (IOM, 2015). However, professional silos in practice can foster competition rather than collaboration. Knowledge of HP roles and responsibilities is a primary tenet of IPCP (Interprofessional Educational Collaborative [IPEC], 2011).

PURPOSE An interprofessional education (IPE) approach that combined book …

Unraveling A Trifecta Of Weak Non-Covalent Interactions: The Dissociation Energy Of The Anisole-Ammonia 1:1 Complex, John L. Loman, James T. Makuvaza, Damian L. Kokkin, Scott A. Reid

Chemistry Faculty Research and Publications

The anisole-ammonia 1:1 complex is a challenge for both experiment and theory. Early studies supported a non-planar structure, involving a trifecta of weak non-covalent interactions: N-H/O, N-H/π, and C-H/N. The calculated structure and binding energy of the complex proved remarkably sensitive to the level of theory employed. Here, we report the first experimental measurement of the ground state dissociation energy of the complex, and derive an excited (S₁) state dissociation energy that is in excellent agreement with the cutoff observed in the experimental excitation spectrum. Results are compared with previous predictions and new calculations based on benchmarked Density …

Industrie 4.0 Dans Le Secteur Manufacturier, Marie Comeau

États de la question, rapports d’expertise et revues de littérature

La 4^e révolution industrielle modifiera considérablement le monde du travail. Ces transformations ont déjà débuté et sont plus rapides que lors des dernières révolutions industrielles.

L’épidémie de la COVID-19 ravive les discussions autour de l’automatisation intelligente des industries. Pendant des mesures de distanciation physique, l’industrie 4.0 pourrait participer à la réduction des risques de contamination au travail par la réduction du nombre de salariés requis en présentiel et la possibilité de faire fonctionner les chaînes de production à distance.

Pour soutenir ces réflexions, ce rapport de veille produit en 2018 a été mis à jour. Il présente l’industrie 4.0, …

Is There Discrimination Against Women By The Orthodox Church In The Republic Of North Macedonia?, Aneta Jovkovska

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

The growing interest in the issue of gender equality in the past few decades ranks this topic among the main themes of various research and reflection.There does not seem to be much agreement between the numerous studies, which in itself makes it difficult to understand them and again raises questions about the interpretation of fundamental Christian doctrines. In light of the existing and offered considerations, we believe that biblical texts, such as Galatians 3:28 (“There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus”), have encouraged women to stand up …

Frontmatter (Volume 41, Issue 8), Paul B. Mojzes

Occasional Papers on Religion in Eastern Europe

No abstract provided.

With Great(Er) Power Comes Great(Er) Responsibility: Indigenous Rights And Municipal Autonomy, Alexandra Flynn

All Faculty Publications

This article asks how the dialogue surrounding greater municipal autonomy intersects with Aboriginal rights and title, recognized under section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 (Constitution), with a particular focus on Toronto. The first part of this article sets out the ways in which Toronto sought empowerment following the Better Local Government Act or Bill 5, including judicial consideration of the constitutional role of Canadian municipalities, the legislative advances made by provincial governments, and the yet-implemented possibilities of protection through a little-used mechanism within the Constitution. Part II analyzes the obligations of municipalities in respect of Indigenous Peoples …

Climate Disruption In Canadian Constitutional Law: References Re Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, Jocelyn Stacey

All Faculty Publications

This analysis considers the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in References re Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, 2021 SCC 11, in which a majority of the Court upheld as constitutional national carbon pricing legislation. The decision presents an excellent illustration of the legally disruptive nature of climate change. Illustrating that nothing is static in a climate disrupted world—including constitutional law—this article identifies three shifts the Court makes in relation to climate disruption. First, the decision represents a shift away from climate denialism toward a judicial willingness to confront the environmental, social and legal implications of climate change for Canada. Second, …

Financial Literacy, Experience, And Age Differences In Monetary Sequence Preferences, Jenna M. Wilson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The emerging research on age differences in monetary sequence preferences suggests that older adults make decisions that are normatively correct from the standpoint of economic theory when choosing to receive larger versus smaller amounts of money sooner than later, but make non-optimal decisions about paying money. In an adult life-span sample (N = 594, aged 20-88, M_age = 46.48, SD= 15.16) recruited through MTurk, the present study examined age differences in monetary sequence preferences. Participants received eight hypothetical scenarios that described monetary events, and completed measures of financial literacy and financial experience. Older age was associated with …

Discharge Instructions In The Emergency Department, Josh Jorgensen

Master of Science in Nursing Family Nurse Practitioner

No abstract provided.