Peri-Implantitis Incidence And Effect Of Supportive Periodontal Therapy On Outcomes: Retrospective Cohort Study, Michael Ha

Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Management of peri-implantitis is becoming an increasing component of dental practice. Dental implants can develop peri-implantitis lesions which occur in a non‐linear and accelerating pattern compared to a gradual periodontitis lesion. It is crucial to diagnose and treat this disease early, or ideally prevent it. Contemporary implants have a rough surface texture which is difficult to properly decontaminate as a crucial component for treatment prognosis. Evidence on the long-term effects of Periodontal implant maintenance therapy (PIMT) on implants is limited. This study aims to investigate the effect of periodontal maintenance on peri-implant tissue health.

Methods: A retrospective chart review …

Improving College Students’ Views And Beliefs Relative To Mathematics: A Systematic Literature Review Followed By A Multiple Case Mixed Methods Exploration Of The Experiences That Underpin Community College Students’ Attitudes, Self-Efficacy, And Values In Mathematics, Marquita H. Sea

Theses and Dissertations

Mathematics is particularly important due to its relevance in our daily lives. It is a general requirement throughout schooling. Unfortunately, many students openly declare negative views/beliefs regarding math in their personal and academic lives. These in turn, negatively influence students’ achievement related behaviors and outcomes. First, a systematic literature review was conducted to determine what types of studies/initiatives have aimed to enhance students’ views/beliefs relative to mathematics, including domain general and specific perceptions of math as well as their judgements of who is successful in mathematics and if they themselves can be successful. Specifically, the review centered on the components …

Puddlefist, Dylan Ahern

Theses and Dissertations

This written thesis focuses on my MFA thesis exhibition, Puddlefist. It begins with an introduction to both the artworks and my artistic approach, then discusses the text Transcendental Black Metal by Hunter Hunt-Hendrix, which serves as a larger reference point for the work. The latter part of this written thesis is a narrative influenced by the convergence of the sculptures that comprise the exhibition. I consider it a form of endurance writing that exercises motifs of noise, mantra, and monotony. In the section entitled Puc and Yellow, NPC (non-playable character) dialogue from the video game Fallout: New Vegas is transcribed …

Cadent Diffusion: Permeating The Membrane, Isabella M. Kubo

Theses and Dissertations

cadent diffusion: permeating the membrane explores and documents KUBO's journey of cultivating a sustainable and curious artistic practice during their Master’s program in Richmond, Virginia (Powhatan Land) from the Fall of 2020 to the Spring of 2022.

KUBO's practice is the affirmation between life and change in an attempt to work along the forces of singularity; to free lines, scores, concepts, and events from structures that otherwise bind them.The cadent diffusion is the rhythm in this force. Or perhaps, it is the force itself.

Wet, Flowering, Dry, Caroline A. Minchew

Theses and Dissertations

Wet, flowering, dry is a series of photographic works that explore how vernal pools are a macrocosm for holding memory and a site of omnipresent solitude and decay. This installation distills an embodied and ephemeral experience of how we are grounded in a network of invisible connections with our surroundings. This network becomes evident through biological, historical, and field research conducted at the vernal pools for over a year. Through slow observation and consideration of how multiple stories of place can weave together into a larger parable, Wet, flowering, dry reveals how the life cycle of a vernal pool is …

Until Its Calmness Can Claim You, Gabrielle Mchugh

Theses and Dissertations

This is an invitation to pause //

This is an externalization of my inner landscape, a highlight of what I value in my everyday and what comprises my lexicon of a sacred space. The following is a journey of nets, quiet, the sacred, space, and the in-between; where I share research and questions that are the foundation for my thesis work, Until Its calmness can claim you.

// This is an invitation to find moments of quiet in the noise

Traumatic Brain Injury-Induced Changes Of Immune/Inflammatory Response In The Context Of Predisposition Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Alexandra Pedin

Theses and Dissertations

Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) is a progressive neurogenerative disease that affects millions globally. At this time there are no effective treatment options as the primary cause for AD is not fully understood. In addition to old age, genetic predisposition, and certain health conditions, traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been identified as a risk factor for AD. While the pathway that links TBI to AD is still largely unknown, the neuroinflammatory response to both conditions has been connected to the NLRP3 inflammasome. Due to its role in the innate immune system and proinflammatory cytokine mediation, the NLRP3 inflammasome could be a potential …

Dregs / Lessons From The Things Around Us, Juan-Manuel Pinzon

Theses and Dissertations

The writing in Lessons From the Things Around Us is in support of the work in my MFA thesis show, dregs. I detail the progression of my making and thinking over the last two years. I expand on the material and personal relationships that have manifested themselves in the work and influenced my approach to the things that surround me. Finally, I point to a more expansive definition of Craft, rooted in its material sensibilities, and the possibilities already present in the field that this definition creates.

Defiantly Childlike: Using Aesthetic Resistance To Heal, Sarah K. Reagan

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis examines an alternative processing mechanism surrounding the act of healing after traumatic experiences in life. Using a methodology of iterative patterning and tool-pathing, a collection of inflatable garments and wooden mannequins analyzes defense mechanisms learned in early childhood development. This work highlights an essential body of recent scholarship that takes cuteification seriously to restore a childlike approach to mastering fear. This paper will review the definitions of cuteness and childlike humor and then describe how visual culture has implemented these components to subvert established power.

Characterization Of Piezo2 Involvement In Stress-Induced Alterations To Gi Function And Nociception, Cristina Smith

Theses and Dissertations

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal (GI) disorder marked by visceral hypersensitivity and changes in bowel function.Visceral sensation is initiated in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) by primary afferent nerves that detect and transduce chemical and mechanical stimuli into electrical signals which relay to the central nervous system (CNS). The aim of this investigation was to characterize the role of Piezo2, a mechanically sensitive ion channel, located in nociceptive sensory afferents in the regulation of GI function in mice subjected to Water Avoidance Stress (WAS). Initially, body weight growth, colonic transit time, and somatic von Frey filament testing …

An Exploration Of A Researcher-Instructor Partnership In Implicit Racial Bias Awareness And Mitigation In College Stem Classrooms, Jacqueline Johnson Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

Seventy-six percent of all minority students who enter college with declared majors in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) do not graduate with STEM degrees. Black students represent 40% of minority attrition from STEM. Implicit racial bias was indicated as a contributor to the challenges faced by Black students. The purpose of this study was to explore whether a researcher-instructor partnership brought awareness to and the potential for mitigation of implicit racial bias in course delivery and instructor interactions with Black students in STEM classes. A case study design was used over three phases to gather survey, observational, and interview …

Dungeons And Devised Theatre: A Study Of Tabletop Gaming And Its Application In Playwriting And Character Development, Sabrina E. Becker

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is an exploration of the connections and application of tabletop gaming in theatre. It looks at the initial process that was used in devising a play from tabletop gaming and also the applications of using tabletop gaming to further character development. This paper serves as a journal of first-hand accounts and interviews during this process so you may be inspired to build your own process either based in what you read here or discovering your own. There is a sample excerpt of the play to show what can be accomplished as well as other artistic works that came …

Considering Queerness - Actor Training's Issues And Alternatives, Jacob Leblanc

Theses and Dissertations

Educators in academic theatre programs, whether queer or non-queer, trans or cisgender, may not intentionally consider queerness in their pedagogical practices. What follows is an examination of current issues in academia that can affect queer students negatively and disproportionately. Anecdotal evidence is provided to demonstrate different issues that may be present in the classroom experiences of queer students. The Stanislavski system is critiqued through a contemporary, queer lens to locate possible shortcomings in the acting technique when it is applied by queer performers. Queer alternatives to the Stanislavski system are vetted and offered to queer students who might seek something …

Chronic Adolescent Stress As A Predictive Factor For The Risk Of Developing Ptsd-Like Symptoms In Adulthood, Grace K. Young

Theses and Dissertations

Post-traumatic stress disorder is a stress and trauma based psychological disorder that is defined by the DSM-IV as an anxiety disorder that affects approximately 7.8% of people in the United States. PTSD is when those who suffer a traumatic event have intense and distressing feelings, emotions, and memories for a prolonged period of time after the event. A prominent feature of PTSD is the impaired ability to properly extinguish a fear response after a dangerous trigger or stressor is no longer present, also known as safety learning. Stressors are threats perceived within the environment that activate a response within the …

It Takes A Muscle: Wholes, Holes, And Other Voids, Saar Shemesh

Theses and Dissertations

IT TAKES A MUSCLE¹

In the BELLY of the BEAST, the HUMAN

in the deep end of a SWIMMING POOL

in a GRAVE, looking up/out from within

at the base of a CRATER, ABYSS, PIT

the room as a CRADLE, INCUBATOR

architecture as MOTHER MOULD.²

____________________________

¹ Title is borrowed and abbreviated: Spectral Display, “It Takes A Muscle To Fall In Love,” 1982.

² For what American-English delineates as ‘mold,’ British-English uses ‘mould’ and is more specific in its technicality. The former doesn’t distinguish in spelling between mold (fungus) and mold (mould). I’m not particularly a fan of …

Shackled: To A Front-Row Seat Of My Own Horror Film, Dellil L. Mohammed

Theses and Dissertations

This document serves as internal view point, stemming from my experiences as a black muslim, first generation Ethiopian American, overall identity, and it’s disorienting implication on my interpretation of my view-self and the world. This is also informed by my struggling with the realities of type-1 diabetes and the sporadic and often inadequate support of the American health system. All of these intersecting experiences have led to me making work as an agent for advocacy, empathy and social justice. This work is also informed and dressed with the elements of horror, sci-fi, & fantasy. See and hear the voice in …

Characterizing Senescence Induction And Senolytic Sensitivity In Murine Lung Cancer Cell Lines, Rana A. Estaleen

Theses and Dissertations

While cancer patients often experience tumor reduction after receiving chemotherapy, tumors can eventually emerge from a state of dormancy. Cancer cells treated with the topoisomerase II poison, etoposide (ETO), enter senescence, which is a durable and prolonged cell cycle growth arrest. Different murine lung cell lines were screened for their levels of senescence induction by ETO, and those showed promising senescence induction were then treated with the senolytic, ABT263, to promote apoptosis. The hypothesis of this work was that non-small cell lung cancer cell lines will have different degrees of senescence and that the magnitude of the response to senolytics …

Therapeutic Injectable Iron-Chelating Hydrogels, Debbie Campbell-Rance

Theses and Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Therapeutic Injectable Iron-Chelating Hydrogels for Improved Central Nervous System Regeneration

By

Debbie S. Campbell-Rance

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University 2021.

Director: Xuejun Wen, M.D., Ph.D., AIMBE Fellow, Alice T. and William H. Goodwin Jr. Endowed Chair Professor in Regenerative Medicine, Institute for Engineering and Medicine, Department of Chemical and Life Science Engineering

Severe traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries are major global public health and socioeconomic problems in terms of mortality and morbidity. Currently there are two main lines of treatment under development for …

Modeling Of Patient-Specific Periaortic Mechanics And Pulmonary Artery Hemodynamics Based On Phase-Contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging Sequences., Johane H. Bracamonte

Theses and Dissertations

Inverse modeling in cardiovascular medicine is a collection of methodologies that can provide non-invasive patient-specific estimations of clinical risk factors using medical imaging as inputs. Its incorporation into clinical practice has the potential to improve diagnosis and treatment planning with low associated risks and costs.

Herein, three different phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) modalities were implemented as input data, displacement encoding with stimulated echoes (DENSE MRI) applied, and time-resolved velocity encoding phase-contrast MRI, in 1D and 3D, applied to pulmonary artery (PA) hemodynamics.

A model to account for the effect of periaortic interactions due to static and dynamic structures …

Using Molecularly Imprinted Polymers For The Selective Extraction Of Analytes, Haley A. Mulder

Theses and Dissertations

Sample preparation is a critical steps in bioanalysis. Traditional methods such as solid-phase extraction and liquid-liquid extraction are laborious and ultimately incapable of properly separating target analytes from matrix and interferents. The co-extraction of these components interferes with the analytical instrument’s ability to properly detect and quantitate analytes. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are synthetic polymers that have been “imprinted” with a template analyte in a co-polymer system. MIPs are capable of selectively extracting analytes from complex biological matrices and can be employed in off-line, benchtop extractions or for on/in-line instrument extractions. MIPs offer faster and more selective sample preparation, leading …

Modulating Ketamine’S Locomotor Activating And Reinforcing Effects Through Drug Combinations, Tegshjargal Baasansukh

Theses and Dissertations

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) affects approximately 280 million people worldwide. The standard of care for pharmacological treatment of MDD has been monoaminergic antidepressants (MAA). However, MAAs have serious clinical limitations including a relatively slow onset of action and up to 40% of patients failing to respond and being diagnosed as “treatment resistant”. Ketamine, an N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist, was originally approved for use as an injectable anesthetic. In addition, ketamine has been shown to rapidly improve depressive symptoms in patients with treatment resistant depression. In 2019, (S)-ketamine was approved as a nasal spray (Spravato®) for patients with MDD and treatment-resistant depression in …

The Injury-Induced Neurogenic Response And The Role Of Notch1 In Regulating This Process, Nicole M. Weston

Theses and Dissertations

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a prevalent problem with an estimated 5 million people suffering from chronic cognitive impairments long after the injury. Following TBI there is a series of pathophysiological changes in the brain including neurogenesis, an important response linking endogenous repair and regeneration. The dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus is a primary neurogenic region within the adult brain where neural stem and progenitor cells (NS/NPCs) reside. Studies using rodent models have shown that cognitive recovery after TBI is associated with new neurons generated from the DG. Thus far, in studies examining post-injury neurogenesis, the regulatory mechanisms, functional …

Examining The Behavioral And Phyisiolgical Effects Of D-Methamphetamine Administered Via E-Cigarette Aerosolization, Srikethan Mahavadi

Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

EXAMINING THE BEHAVIORAL AND PHYISIOLGICAL EFFECTS OF D-METHAMPHETAMINE ADMINISTERED VIA E-CIGARETTE AEROSOLIZATION

By Srikethan Mahavadi, B.S.

A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University

Virginia Commonwealth University, 2021

Principal Investigator: Dr. Keith Shelton, PhD., Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology

E-cigarettes have become increasing popular worldwide. They are primarily used as a means to deliver nicotine to users, but these devices may also be used to administer a wide range of other substances including psychomotor stimulants such as d-methamphetamine. Methamphetamine has been widely abused throughout the United States …

Alcohol And Other Addictive Behaviors Among Bariatric Surgery Patients, Rachel M. Arnold

Theses and Dissertations

Research has repeatedly highlighted a high rate of comorbidity of addictive behaviors in both clinical and non-clinical samples. While polydrug use has received significant attention in recent years, less is known about rates of comorbidity with behavioral addictions such as eating, work, exercise, or sex. Individuals with a history of bariatric surgery may provide a unique opportunity to examine the potential co-occurrence of addictive behaviors. High rates of food addiction symptoms and changes in alcohol use patterns post-surgically have highlighted a potential gap in our understanding of bariatric patients and their needs post-surgically. Using a composite measure of addictive behaviors, …

Modification Of Culture Medium And Identification Of Microbial Contaminants For Improved In Vitro Propagation Of Freshwater Mussels, Raquel M. Wetzell

Theses and Dissertations

In vitro propagation efforts play an essential role in conserving and restoring threatened freshwater mussel populations by circumventing the need for a fish host. Across a broad range of taxa, transformation is induced with an artificial M199 medium and rabbit serum. However, such formulation may not be sufficient in culturing critical species with more specific physiological requirements. In this study, multiple serum mixtures were tested to improve in vitro transformation of two freshwater mussel species: yellow lampmussel (Lampsilis cariosa) and tidewater mucket (Atlantaconcha ochracea). These species were selected because they parasitize similar fish host species but …

Towards The Systematic Evaluation Of Variable Modes Of Mechanical Conditioning On The Compositional, Microstructural And Mechanical Properties Of Engineered Tissue Vascular Grafts., Sarah Saunders

Theses and Dissertations

Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) remains one of the most common cardiac surgical procedures performed worldwide, frequently involving multiple bypasses, and commonly employing the patient’s internal mammary artery, radial artery, or saphenous vein. CABG is often not possible because native vessels were already employed in previous interventions or are diseased themselves. Synthetic vascular grafts are currently integral tools of vascular surgery and have had relative success in large-caliber applications providing substantial benefit to aortic or iliac grafting; however, small diameter (< 6 mm) arterial grafts have not yet translated into clinical effectiveness due to thrombosis and anastomotic intimal hyperplasia. ETVGs present an exciting potential alternative in vascular grafting by offering a blood vessel substitute that could exhibit all the functional characteristics of native vasculature. In addition to relieving supply limitations associated with coronary artery bypass surgery ETVGs are especially ideal for pediatric patients with congenital heart disease who require grafts that grow as they do, eliminating the need for reoccurring invasive surgeries.

Though the role of biomechanics in regulating cellular behavior promoting non-thrombogenicity, vasoactivity, and ECM synthesis and maintenance is well …

Investigating The Role Of Nlrp3 Inflammasome In Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy, Urszula O. Warncke

Theses and Dissertations

Paclitaxel and oxaliplatin are commonly used antineoplastic drugs that cause chemotherapy-induce peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) in up to 90% of patients. The sensory symptoms of CIPN include numbness, loss of proprioception, tingling, spontaneous burning, shooting or electric shock-like pain, mechanical and thermal allodynia, and cold hypersensitivity among others. Affected patients struggle with daily activities, have a low quality of life, and might stop cancer treatment. Unfortunately, there are no effective prophylactic or therapeutic treatments for these side effects. Many studies point to the involvement of inflammation as a major contributor of CIPN pathology. We investigated the effects of genetic (NLRP3 …

Crosstalk Between Hippo And Rb Tumour Suppressor Pathways In Ovarian Cancer, Fatmata Sesay

Theses and Dissertations

The cell cycle is a highly regulated process that ensures the timely and accurate division of cells. Events of the normal cell cycle fall under two categories - positive and negative regulatory mechanisms. The first category, positive regulatory machinery, includes active protein complexes of cyclins in association with their partnering cyclin-dependent kinases (cyclin/CDK), which mediate series of phosphorylation events that relay a cell cycle progression from one stage to the next. The second category, the negative regulatory mechanisms, include the checkpoint controls consisting of the retinoblastoma (RB) family of proteins, some of which can form a transcriptional repressor complex DREAM. …

Investigating The Potential Causal Relationship Between Free Will Belief And Well-Being, Courtney J. Alderson

Theses and Dissertations

This multi-study dissertation had four primary aims. My first was to add to the evidence base indicating a positive association between free will belief (FWB) and subjective well-being (SWB). My second aim was to develop a measure to assess the FWB theme referred to as the principle of alternate possibilities (PAP). To achieve the first two aims, I conducted two cross-sectional studies to further establish the FWB-SWB association and start the development and assessment of a new PAP FWB measure. In the first study (N=995), I hypothesized that an EFA of the new PAP items would produce at least a …

Development And Optimization Of A Low Volume Air-Jet Dry Powder Inhaler (Dpi) Platform For The Delivery Of High Dose Aerosolized Powder To Infants, Connor Howe

Theses and Dissertations

The goal of this research project was to develop an infant air-jet dry powder inhaler (DPI) platform for high-efficiency nose-to-lung (N2L) aerosol administration to infants through optimization of individual system components followed by expansion of the system to higher doses and different formulations using a new approach. Primary challenges associated with aerosol delivery to infants using the N2L route include the extremely narrow extrathoracic airways, short inspiratory times (~0.2 sec), low safe airway pressure (H₂O), and very low volumes of air (~10 mL) available to form the aerosol. The infant air-jet DPI system was comprised of three main …