Digital Commons Network^™

"It's The People, Not The Place:" Queering Shared Space In Richmond, Virginia, Kathleen Brown

Theses and Dissertations

The intersection of queerness and planning is an understudied subject area that has implications for equity and access. Queer communities face real barriers to equitable access of resources that stem from a long history of legal, cultural, and economic marginalization. Experiences of shared spaces for queer groups and organizations is important to understand, as outward expressions of queerness are not always welcome in shared spaces, depending on sociopolitical context. Richmond, Virginia has a rich queer history both filled with challenges as well as examples of queer success and joy that makes it a prime case study selection.

This thesis utilizes …

Exploring, Understanding, And Supporting Academic Help-Seeking In Context, Molly L. Taylor

Theses and Dissertations

Conceptualized as a self-regulated learning (SRL) strategy, academic help-seeking is a fascinating behavior because it is self-directed while also reliant on social interactions with help-givers (Karabenick, 2004). What is known about help-seeking in academic settings largely revolves around individual traits, strategies, motivations, beliefs, and identities, and how each of these constructs influence help-seeking outcomes (Bornschlegl et al., 2020; Fong et al., 2023; Karabenick & Gonida, 2018). What is underexplored in these areas, however, is how features of the learning context interact with student-level factors to shape academic help-seeking behaviors and beliefs. This dissertation attempts to address some of these gaps …

Tuberculosis In Jim Crow Virginia, 1900-1972, Elizabeth Dooley

Theses and Dissertations

Tuberculosis (TB) was a major public health concern in the United States, especially in the first half of the twentieth century. Transmission and treatment of the disease, which is spread between humans through close contact, was complicated by racial segregation laws in the South known as Jim Crow laws. Virginia subscribed to these laws, which played a role in how and where Black Virginians with TB could be treated. Segregated treatment facilities with an inadequate number of beds for the number of infected people and deaths in the state added to these complications of disease control and plan for eradication. …

Early Math Readiness And Later Achievement: A Longitudinal Study, Bailey Bontrager

Theses and Dissertations

The current body of literature provides much evidence that mathematics skills at the start of kindergarten are predictive of later mathematics achievement, and that students enrolled in early childhood education (ECE) programs are better prepared for mathematics at the start of kindergarten. However, the potential for children to develop mathematical skills prior to entering kindergarten relies on access to ECE programs and resources in families’ surrounding communities. Recent use of geospatial data collection techniques and measures of community resource availability have enabled researchers to examine specific localities for the ways in which community organizations and institutions support residents in particular …

Endodontic Access Through Zirconia Crowns: A Comparative Evaluation Of 3d Guided Versus Free-Handed Techniques, Maryam Alrughaib

Theses and Dissertations

Objective:

Accessing canals through full-coverage zirconia crowns is challenging and may increase the risk of misdirection, excessive dentin removal, and prolonged chair time. Guided endodontic access has been proposed to improve efficiency and precision. This study compared the accuracy and time efficiency of guided versus free-hand endodontic access through zirconia restorations. The hypothesis was that guided access would enhance canal localization precision and significantly reduce access time.

Methods:

Thirty-two extracted maxillary premolars were restored with 1-mm–reduced monolithic zirconia crowns (3Y-TZP, Katana HTML, Kuraray, Japan) and mounted in Modupro models. Teeth were assigned to two groups (n = 16 each): guided …

Climate, Biogeography, And Dispersal: A Unifying Framework For Ameri-Caribbean Dry Forests, Pablo Lopez Bustamante

Theses and Dissertations

Seed dispersal is a crucial ecological function that enables plants to alter their distributional range, avoid intense competition and natural enemies near the parent plant, and recover from disturbances. These processes shape species and functional composition of forests. Wind has traditionally been considered the dominant dispersal mechanism in Ameri-Caribbean dry forests, yet growing evidence suggests that other dispersal mechanisms also play significant roles in this ecosystem, responding differently to biotic and abiotic conditions. Still, how dispersal syndrome composition influences plant communities, the ecological drivers underlying these patterns, and the effects of climate change on dispersal syndrome dominance remain poorly understood. …

Positive Body Image In Postpartum Women: A Psychometric Evaluation Of The Body Appreciation Scale-2 And A Phenomenological Exploration, Taylor Vashro

Theses and Dissertations

Postpartum women appear particularly vulnerable to body dissatisfaction due to the rapid physiological, emotional, and environmental changes that occur across the perinatal experience (Baskin et al., 2021; Nippert et al., 2021). Recent studies have demonstrated the experience of both negative and positive body image during postpartum (Rodgers et al., 2024; Watson et al., 2016). However, there is limited research regarding the measurement and exploration of positive body image in postpartum women. The current study aimed to: 1) evaluate the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2), a widely used measure of positive body image in postpartum …

Land, Genocide, And Kintsugi In Namibia, Mark A. Drumbl, Shannon Fyfe

Scholarly Articles

The first German missionaries arrived in Namibia in the 1820s. German rule over Namibia officially began under Otto von Bismarck in 1884. Following a January 1904 uprising led by Herero chief Samuel Maharero against colonial rule, German officials ordered the extirpation of the Herero and Nama peoples. On 4 October 1904, German military commander General Lothar von Trotha issued a chilling extermination order (Vernichtungsbefehl) to his troops: "Every Herero, with or without a gun, with or without cattle, will be shot. I will no longer accept women and children, I will drive them back to their people or …

Cryogenic Sloshing In Aircraft Fuel Tanks, Stuart Colville

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

Liquid sloshing in next-generation sub-cooled liquid hydrogen aircraft fuel tanks can induce rapid ullage pressure and temperature drops, potentially causing cavitation in cryogenic pumping systems and compromising fuel delivery systems. Sloshing events may be initiated during taxiing, take-off, landing, and turbulence, with large accelerations producing highly non-linear liquid motion and wave-breaking conditions. Understanding such phenomena is essential for cryogenic hydrogen fuel tank design and certification for next generation aircraft.A systematic experimental methodology was employed to investigate both the wave kinematic and thermodynamic aspects of sloshing. Initial water–air experiments in a simplified horizontal circular tank were conducted to validate measurement techniques, …

Towards An Evaluation Of The Business Value Of Ai: A System Dynamics Approach, Ganesh Sankaran

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

In the early 2010s, when Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerged from the latest "winter" of disillusionment, discussions about its use in decision-making tended to be dichotomous: humans or AI. More recently, consensus has shifted toward a complementary humans-and-AI perspective, recognising that augmentation, not substitution, is the more appropriate frame for AI's role in the foreseeable future. This shift foregrounds the challenge of evaluating outcomes in collaborative decision-making contexts.The thesis proposes a simulation-based framework, drawing on system dynamics, to evaluate whether complex, time-varying interactions between humans and AI agents result in collectively rational behaviour. The framework extends the observation of dynamic complexity …

Applications Of Evolutionary Algorithms In Wind Farm Layout Optimisation, Pawel Manikowski

School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics Theses

The transformation from fossil fuels to renewable energy is gaining momentum. Countries worldwide are investing significant funds and resources in this shift. The motivations for this change include political, environmental, and social factors, among others. In the UK, which is surrounded by the ocean and experiences strong winds, offshore wind farms are seen as the most viable source of renewable energy. It is anticipated that by 2030, all electricity in the UK will be generated by wind turbines. Hence, the optimisation of the wind farm layouts is the desired direction of research in the UK.In Chapter 3, we discussed the …

Understanding The Support And Information Needs Of Family Members After Acquired Brain Injury: A Systematic Review, Craig Andrews, Alyson Norman, Sue Jackson, Mark Holloway

School of Psychology

The aim of this systematic review was to (a) identify the specific information and support needs of family members caring for ABI survivors and (b) assess the effectiveness of current support systems and resources available. A comprehensive search of the literature was carried out, focusing on studies that were published between the years 2000 and 2025. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. The review employed a narrative synthesis approach to collate findings across papers. The analysis identified five key themes: ABI Knowledge, The Strain of Unsupported Transitions, Emotional and Financial Cost, ABI Support Groups, and Supporting Social Connectedness. The findings …

Self-Guided Functional Imagery Training To Reduce Anxiety, Jackie Andrade, Stephanie Hartgen-Walker, Caroline Morgan, Ayan, Idil Aytekin, Khadijah Sekoni, Kardelen Sengul, Jonathan Rhodes

School of Psychology

Objectives: Many university students experience high anxiety but have limited access to effective interventions. We evaluated a novel digital intervention for anxiety based on functional imagery training (FIT), designed to help individuals identify the impacts of anxiety, set engagement goals, and strengthen motivation for change. Functional Imagery for Keeping Anxiety low (FIKA) uses speak-aloud tasks, journalling, empathic questions, and personalised guided imagery for a person-centred approach. It builds motivation for engagement goals over safety goals through development and practice of vivid and emotionally laden multisensory imagery. Design: Study 1 used semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis to explore user experiences of …

Optimization Of A Group-Based Intervention For People Living With Severe Obesity (Progroup): Understanding Fidelity To Delivery And The Patient Experience, Lily Hawkins, Mark Tarrant, Shokraneh Moghadam, Dawn Swancutt, Rod Sheaff, Laura Hollands, Jonathan Pinkney, Jenny Lloyd

School of Psychology

Objectives: Understanding the fidelity of delivery of complex health behaviour interventions is crucial in determining their effectiveness and identifying aspects needing refinement. PROGROUP is a group-based intervention for people with severe obesity. It aims to promote a shared social identity to support behaviour change. Data from a feasibility randomized controlled trial (fRCT) were used to assess fidelity of intervention delivery and the impact on patient experiences, to optimize the intervention for a main trial. Methods: Data from 18 patient and five facilitator interviews, audio and video data of group sessions, two fidelity checklists, support calls and a group processes questionnaire …

“The True Me”: Unravelling The Dual Narrative Of Borderline Personality Disorder And Autistic Spectrum Disorder, Robin Iliffe-Lewis, Alison Bacon

School of Psychology

Objectives: There is growing recognition that some individuals who receive a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are later diagnosed with autism. However, existing literature on this topic remains limited. This study aimed to explore the experiences of individuals diagnosed with BPD prior to autism, how they made sense of these diagnoses, navigated clinical systems, and learnt to manage the complex challenges associated with this diagnostic sequence.Methods: Thirteen (6 male, 6 female, 1 non-binary) adult participants took part in semi-structured interviews exploring their diagnostic journeys. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to develop a nuanced understanding of their experiences.Results: Three themes …

Integrating Neuroscience And Social Psychology In Researching Interprofessional Education: The Inspire Framework, Kimberley Schenke, Pamela Rae, Jaysan Charlesford, Phil Gee

School of Psychology

There is an increasing focus on the importance of interprofessional education as an integral part of health and social care training. However, the fundamental psychological processes underlying successful interprofessional education are not well understood. Here we propose a single framework, Integrating Neuroscience and Social Psychology In Researching Interprofessional Education (INSPIRE), grounded in evidence from social psychology and neuroscience that could be used to generate testable hypotheses to inform the design, development and evaluation of interprofessional education. The application of this framework offers a novel, scientifically grounded approach to improving the learning outcomes of interprofessional education and provides a foundation for …

Navigating Knowledge: Effects Of State Curiosity On Children's Word Learning And Information Seeking [Registered Report]: Effects Of State Curiosity On Children's Word Learning And Information Seeking, Anna Caunt, Shaun Dordoy, Rana Abu-Zhaya, Alastair Smith

School of Psychology

Early learning takes place within complex, multimodal environments where curiosity plays a critical role in guiding exploratory behaviors and supporting cognitive development. While trait curiosity shapes children’s early learning experiences, state curiosity is context-dependent fostering early learning, in-part, through information seeking behaviors. Here, we explore whether state-induced curiosity can influence exploratory behaviors and facilitate word learningwithin a multimodal search task that mirrors real-world learning environments.Children (2.5- to 4-year-olds) will be introduced to novel objects and labels via a storybook. After exposure to each novel object, participants will locate the target object (i.e., a sticker depicting the novel object), hidden within …

Post-Divorce Lgbtq-Parent Families: Navigating Loyalty Conflicts And Stepfamily Closeting, Caroline Sanner, Abbie E. Goldberg, Katherine R. Allen

Psychology

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate underexplored dynamics of post-divorce LGBTQ-parent families.

Background: In LGBTQ-parent families in which children were conceived in the context of a prior different-gender partnership, children experience the coinciding events of parental separation and a parent's coming out as LGBTQ. In recent decades, research on LGBTQ-parent families formed following different-gender divorce has stalled, perhaps due to the increasing emphasis on planned LGBTQ-parent families, or families formed after parents have come out.

Method: Twenty-four adults who were born to different-gender married parents (i.e., mother/father families) who divorced when one parent came out as LGBTQ …

The Leeuwenhoek Paradox In Dental Artificial Intelligence: A Narrative Review Of Artificial Intelligence-Detected Subclinical Periapical Changes And Human-Labeled False Positives, Etyene Schnurr, Mario Parra, David M. Kim

Journal of Dental Sciences

This narrative review explores the “Leeuwenhoek Paradox,” a metaphorical and conceptual challenge that arises when artificial intelligence (AI) detects subtle periapical radiological changes that are not visible to human observers. Drawing on evidence from studies using two-dimensional and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging, this review critically examined the limitations of human-centered reference standards and recurrent discrepancies in AI-based periapical detection. The literature shows that AI systems frequently detect more periapical alterations than human experts. These findings may reflect early bone changes, as indicated by CBCT-based analyses of bone density and longitudinal observations. The paradox arises because AI identifies subclinical radiographic …

Impact Of Immediate Restoration On Bone Remodeling In The Esthetic Zone: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Hao-Dong Wang, Xin-Hai Lin, Yi-Wen Wu, Hong-Run Zhou, Tai Zhao Wei, Xi Chen, Yi-Qun Tang, Ya-Qin Zhu, Long Jiang

Journal of Dental Sciences

Background/purpose: Traumatic loss of anterior teeth creates esthetic challenges and often requires immediate rehabilitation. Although immediate implant placement and restoration (IIPR) shortens treatment time, strict primary stability limits its use. A native-crown restoration supported by fiber-reinforced composite (FRC) splints may broaden the indications of immediate restoration, but its effectiveness remains unclear. This randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the effects of the novel immediate restoration following IIP on peri-implant bone remodeling in anterior esthetic zone trauma during osseointegration.

Materials and methods: Twenty participants undergoing IIP in the anterior maxilla were randomized into two groups. In the experimental group, immediate restorations …

Daisaikoto Restores Mitochondrial Function And Suppresses Inflammation Induced By Periodontal Bacteria-Derived Lipopolysaccharides, Suzuka Tozawa, Kazuo Tomita

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Dual Effects Of 1Α,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 On Inflammation And Osteogenic Differentiation In Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated Dental Pulp Stem Cells, Seong Eun Song, Giyoung Yun

Journal of Dental Sciences

No abstract provided.

Nasal Polyp With Ossification In The Right Maxillary Sinus: Differential Diagnosis Of Radiopaque Lesions In Maxillary Sinus Region, Ssu-Li Li, Shan-Ju Chou, Yang-Che Wu, Chun-Yu Ho

Journal of Dental Sciences

Nasal polyps are soft, droplet-like lumps that develop on the inner lining of the nose or sinuses due to long-term inflammation in those areas. Nasal polyps are common lesions, however, the occurrence of osseous metaplasia within them is relatively rare. Besides, without a CT scan, relying solely on plain X-ray films to assist clinical diagnosis can easily be misleading due to the uncertainty of the lesion’s location. In this report, our treatment steps were described as medical image analysis, removing the lesion, confirming the pathological result, and regularly follow-up. The Caldwell-Luc approach rather than endoscopic surgery was performed due to …

Living With Generative Ai: Considering Constructionist Approaches To Learning And Methodological Implications Of Process Ontologies, Jimin Lee, Nancy Budwig

Psychology

The growing presence of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in educational practice raises questions about how learners and educators live with AI and reshapes questions about how learning unfolds across contemporary learning environments. Although research on AI in education has expanded quickly, much of this work continues to frame GenAI in technocentric and static terms, as a tool to be evaluated, rather than as a relational and developmental presence within learners' trajectories. Drawing on constructionist learning theory and post-Cartesian metatheoretical perspectives, this mini review suggests that such framings are insufficient for understanding how learning is enacted in AI-mediated contexts. We propose …

What Kind Of Democracy Is Energy Democracy? Reconsidering Energy Democracy Through Green Democratic Theory, Eric S. Godoy

Faculty Publications - Philosophy

This study examines an energy democracy framework for guiding a just transition to renewable energy, which incorporates democratic methods and values into energy policy decision-making. But as there are a variety of models of democracy (e.g. liberal, ecological, green republican, and socialist), energy democracy is a complex normative concept, which gives rise to ambiguities and confusions. Drawing from political theory, I argue that identifying with a particular kind of democracy provides the framework with a clearer definition, richer normative grounding, and resources for addressing some limitations its critics have identified, such as the reduction of democracy to participation.

Diverse C–C Bond Formation Reactions Catalyzed By Oxidized Palladium Nanoparticles Supported On Marine Shell Waste Powder Via Additive-Free Deposition–Precipitation, Jian Hou, Garrett M. Milligan, Zhicheng Cai, Jun-Hyun Kim

Faculty Publications – Chemistry

The formation of carbon-carbon (C–C) bonds is central to modern organic synthesis. Although the use of conventional Pd-ligand complexes as homogeneous catalysts results in highly effective yields, these systems often face some limitations including high cost, difficult recyclability, and thermal stability. Here, we demonstrate the utilization of palladium (Pd)-derived metals supported on finely ground marine shell waste as a reactive and recyclable catalyst for diverse C–C bond-forming reactions. Oyster shell powder (OSP) derived from problematic biowaste, primarily composed of calcium carbonate, provides abundant anchoring sites to immobilize Pd ions via an additive-free deposition–precipitation method, followed by thermally-induced conversion into oxidized …

Supporting Teachers’ Learning About Technology Accessibility: A Content Analysis Of Asynchronous Professional Development, Mutiara Syifa, Natalie L. Shaheen

Faculty Publications - College of Education

Accessibility is imperative to providing disabled students a free and appropriate technology-mediated public K-12 education. But according to the literature, teachers often lack the requisite knowledge to ensure the technologies they use are accessible. So, we conducted a study to understand what, if any, asynchronous professional development about technology accessibility was available to teachers and other K-12 professionals. The findings indicate that of the free technology accessibility professional development materials in the sample (a) fewer than 20% are designed for teachers, (b) most provide limited information, and (c) fewer than 9% specifically address science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) subjects. …

Structural Design Of Macroporous Layered Double Hydroxide Catalysts: Alleviating Mass Transport Constraints In Bulkier Triglycerides, Nazrizawati Ahmad Tajuddin, Mohamad Hidayat Haider, Nazarudin Nazarudin

Baghdad Science Journal

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) serve as potential catalysts for biodiesel production through triglyceride (TAG) transesterification; nevertheless, mass transport limitations hinder their effectiveness, especially with larger TAG molecules. This study addresses this limitation by synthesizing macroporous MgAlLDH and ZnAlLDH using a polystyrene templating method. Thorough characterization reveals the successful formation of macroporous structures with significantly increased physicochemical properties and their structural design compared to conventional LDHs. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) confirmed the successful restoration of the LDH structure following calcination and rehydration, with enhanced crystallinity seen in the macroporous materials. The BET surface area analysis revealed a substantial increase (∼10x for MgAlLDH) …

Influence Of Solvent Type On The Morphology And Mechanical Properties Of Electrospun Pmma Nanofibers, Mohd Khairulniza Mansor, Ahmad Faiza Mohd, Khairunnadim Ahmad Sekak, Norhanifah Mohd Yazid, Nurul Fatahah Asyqin Zainal, Yong Kok Chong

Baghdad Science Journal

Electrospinning is a versatile and widely used technique for producing nanofibers with controlled morphology and high surface area, essential for applications in filtration, biomedical engineering, and sensors. The choice of solvent plays a crucial role in determining the efficiency of the electrospinning process and the properties of the resulting fibers. In this study, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanofibers were fabricated via electrospinning using four different solvents: tetrahydrofuran (THF), dimethylformamide (DMF), chloroform (CHCl3), and acetone at a 20% (w/w) polymer concentration. Surface tension tests revealed that DMF exhibited the highest surface tension, at 40.11 mN/m, which influenced fiber formation. Electrospinning …

Porosity And Structural Integrity Of Tin-Polydimethylsiloxane (Pdms) Composites For Radiation Shielding Application, Hanisah Zainal Abidin, Nur Maizatul Azra Mukhtar, Ainorkhilah Mahmood, Nor Aimi Abdul Wahab, Rafidah Zainon, Nurul Syafiqah Roslan, Nur Iwani Nor Izaham, Aishah Zarzali Shah

Baghdad Science Journal

Ionizing radiation benefits medical treatments and diagnostics. However, it also poses significant health risks, such as from the scattering radiation and unintended exposure. Lead is a common shielding material used for its excellent gamma ray attenuation performance, but it presents ergonomic and environmental challenges. This study assesses the structural and potential radiation absorption properties of the tin-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composites. The composites were fabricated with different metal concentrations and tested for radiation protection efficiency (RPE), structural characteristics, chemical structure, and porosity. Gamma-ray spectroscopy was used to characterize radiation, with Cd-109 as a primary source. Pure tin/PDMS (PT) had the highest RPE …