Digital Commons Network^™

Characterising Acute And Chronic Care Needs: Insights From The Global Burden Of Disease Study 2019, Yves Miel H. Zuniga, Alimuddin Zumla, Liesl J. Zuhlke, Mohammad Zoladl, Boback Ziaeian, Chenwen Zhong, Xiu Ju George Zhao, Zhi Jiang Zhang, Jianrong Zhang, Nejimu Biza Zepro, Getachew Assefa Zenebe, Jean David Zeitoun, Zelalem Banjaw Zegeye, Mikhail Sergeevich Zastrozhin, Zahra Zareshahrabadi, Kourosh Zarea, Ali Zare Dehnavi, Iman Zare, Moein Zangiabadian, Alireza Zangeneh, Nelson Zamora, Sojib Bin Zaman, Nazar Zaki, Farima Zakaryaei, Mazyar Zahir, Farbod Zahedi Tajrishi, Vesna Zadnik, Ali Artaman

All Works

Chronic care manages long-term, progressive conditions, while acute care addresses short-term conditions. Chronic conditions increasingly strain health systems, which are often unprepared for these demands. This study examines the burden of conditions requiring acute versus chronic care, including sequelae. Conditions and sequelae from the Global Burden of Diseases Study 2019 were classified into acute or chronic care categories. Data were analysed by age, sex, and socio-demographic index, presenting total numbers and contributions to burden metrics such as Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), Years Lived with Disability (YLD), and Years of Life Lost (YLL). Approximately 68% of DALYs were attributed to chronic …

A Hybrid Fog-Edge Computing Architecture For Real-Time Health Monitoring In Iomt Systems With Optimized Latency And Threat Resilience, Umar Islam, Mohammed Naif Alatawi, Ali Alqazzaz, Sulaiman Alamro, Babar Shah, Fernando Moreira

All Works

The advancement of the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) has transformed healthcare delivery by enabling real-time health monitoring. However, it introduces critical challenges related to latency and, more importantly, the secure handling of sensitive patient data. Traditional cloud-based architectures often struggle with latency and data protection, making them inefficient for real-time healthcare scenarios. To address these challenges, we propose a Hybrid Fog-Edge Computing Architecture tailored for effective real-time health monitoring in IoMT systems. Fog computing enables processing of time-critical data closer to the data source, reducing response time and relieving cloud system overload. Simultaneously, edge computing nodes handle data preprocessing …

Recognition Through The Algorithm: How Emotional Identification Shapes The Circulation Of Classics On Booktok, Olivia Carolyn Cowles

University Honors Theses

This thesis explores how classic literature circulates within the virtual community known as BookTok. Rather than making any definitive claims, this study offers a preliminary look at how and why certain classics surface within a digital space. Using a mixed-methods approach that includes three Zeeschuimer data pulls paired with qualitative analysis of thirty-four unique top-performing videos. This thesis examines the recurring patterns regarding top performing content of classics. Early findings suggest that these posts tend to gain traction on BookTok due to recognition and relatability. The top texts retain their prominence not necessarily because of their canonical status, but because …

The Role Of Social Media In Beauty Marketing: Insights From Kidfluencers, Brand Withdrawal, And Consumers’ Attitudes, Avery Giddings

Business/Business Administration

This thesis examines the evolving role of social media in beauty marketing by analyzing industry trends, ethical considerations, and consumer perceptions. The paper first outlines how social media has transformed digital marketing, enabling brands to merge advertising, community-building, and e-commerce. Two case studies highlight contrasting dynamics within this landscape: the rise of “kidfluencers,” which raises concerns about privacy and potential financial exploitation; and Lush Cosmetics’ decision to withdraw from major social media platforms, a move rooted in ethical branding but accompanied by economic challenges. To further investigate consumer attitudes, a survey of 150 U.S. participants assessed social media usage patterns, …

A Replication Study- Frequent Social Media Use And Experiences With Bullying Victimization, Persistent Feelings Of Sadness Or Hopelessness, And Suicide Risk Among High School Students- Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States (2023), Diana C. Andrade

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

This replication study examines the association between frequent social media (SM) use and bullying victimization, persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness, and suicide risk among U.S. young adults using data from the 2023 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The study replicates the findings of Young et al. (2024), the first CDC report to incorporate SM into national adolescent behavioral surveillance. Using a weighted, cross-sectional sample of 15,203 students, the replication analysis estimated unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios for outcomes, controlling for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and sexual identity. 77% of students reported frequent SM use. It was significantly associated with higher odds …

The Road To Regulation: A Literature Review Of The Influences On The Updated Silica Standards, Skye M. Medcraft

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Silica is a hazardous compound that poses a risk to human health resulting from dust creating activities across various industries. Several agencies, including OSHA (Occupational Health and Safety Administration) and MSHA (Mine Safety and Health Administration) have adopted regulatory oversight of silica exposure in the workplace. As more research has been conducted on silica exposure, the health effects are becoming better described, which has led to the creation and updating of exposure regulations to protect worker health. The objective of this literature study is to review the data presented to the Department of Labor and discuss how the factors that …

Infectious Disease Crisis Communication After The Covid-19 Pandemic, Macy Lloyd

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States has experienced a proliferation of mis- and disinformation, an increasing politicization of health and science, and growing distrust in government, science, and institutions. While these trends present challenges for normal public health communications, during a public health emergency, such as an infectious disease outbreak, these challenges are even more acute. To address challenges at the local level, health departments need plans, products, and tools that adapt health crisis communications to the current media environment and meet community members where they are across the trust continuum. To develop an infectious disease incident communication plan, …

Local Government Standing As State Standing, Katharine Cooney, Katherine Mims Crocker

Faculty Scholarship

It is increasingly common, and controversial, for local governments to bring lawsuits as plaintiffs in federal court. Many questions about this practice raise matters that sound in policy. But some, including the issue of standing to sue, also raise issues of constitutional law. How local governments fit into standing rules should reflect how they fit into the U.S. constitutional system more broadly. As the Supreme Court put it in the famous (and infamous) 1907 case Hunter v. City of Pittsburgh, "[m]unicipal corporations are political subdivisions of the State, created as convenient agencies for exercising such of the governmental powers of …

A Narrative Case Study Exploration Of The Impact Of A Youth Development Program On Black Male High School Graduates, Christopher J. Means

Education Doctoral

The purpose of this qualitative narrative case study was to explore how eight recent Black male high school graduates perceived the impact of their participation in a 6-week youth development organization based in a Midwestern U.S. city between 2019 and 2024. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and the review of program documents, including handbooks, logic models, and annual reports. The data were analyzed thematically using both inductive and deductive coding methods guided by the positive youth development framework.

Five key themes emerged: mentorship and professionalism, confidence and public voice, time management and discipline, navigating societal barriers, and visions …

Running The Race Twice As Hard: A Phenomenological Study On The Academic And Athletic Experiences Of Black Female College Student-Athletes At Predominantly White Institutions (Pwi), Jazmin Dunham

Education Doctoral

This qualitative transcendental phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Black female college student-athletes at Division III predominantly White institutions (PWIs). Although Title IX and NCAA reforms expanded access to athletics, Black female student athletes continued to face unique challenges related to race, gender, and representation. These athletes often struggled with social isolation, microaggressions, and a lack of institutional and cultural support, which affected both academic performance and athletic participation. The study applied the theoretical framework of intersectionality to analyze how overlapping identities shaped these women’s experiences and contributed to broader patterns of marginalization in higher education and intercollegiate athletics. …

Understanding Mental Health Crisis Response Through The Lens Of First Responders, Ella Gibson

Student Theses

Responses to mental health crises are becoming an increasingly contentious topic as cases of extreme police violence or fatality during a crisis are publicized in the media. Although first responders’ experiences with mental health crisis response have been explored in prior literature, there remains a lack of research that gathers data from multiple first responder roles and compares their experiences across groups. There is also a significant gap in research examining the perspectives of co-response teams. This study sought to gather qualitative data on the experiences of police officers, EMTs/paramedics, and co-response team members, and to explore their perceptions of …

Ink (2025)

Rabble, 2014-

The student-run features magazine covering the fashion, art, music and culture worlds at VCU and in Richmond. Published annually in print and updated regularly online.

Evaluation Of Computed Tomography Radiation Dose Metrics In Saudi Arabia: Comparison To National And International Diagnostic Reference Levels, Mohammad Esmael Alsulimane

Saudi Medical Journal

ABSTRACT This review evaluates CT radiation dose levels in Saudi Arabia relative to national Diagnostic Reference Levels (DRLs) established by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the United Kingdom (UK). A total of 31 studies published between 2015 and 2025 were reviewed, covering adult and pediatric CT protocols for head, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and multiphase scans. The review highlights variations in the volumetric computed tomographic dose index (CTDIvol), and the dose-length product (DLP) values among different institutions in KSA. For adult protocols, fifteen studies reported dose metric values below the KSA NDRLs, while 8 studies reported values below the …

Green-Curious Retail Investors And Unmediated Interactions With Genai, Leslie Boni

College of Business Faculty Publications and Presentations

This paper examines how generative AI (GenAI) tools such as ChatGPT respond when green-curious retail investors seek investment advice through unmediated, prompt-based interactions. Motivated by climate concern, these investors may lack financial or climate literacy and may prefer GenAI tools to human advisors, robo-advisors, or platform-integrated systems. Drawing from prior research on investor interactions with GenAI and on information critical for making green investment decisions, we conducted a prompt-based experiment using ChatGPT-4o and ChatGPT 5. Results show that ChatGPT encouraged green investing across all queries, but the inclusion or omission of decision-critical information varied widely. Key considerations, such as lower …

Weaponized Deepfakes: A Low-Resourced Attacker Threat Assessment, Joshua David Labelle

Master's Theses and Capstones

The democratization of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) tools, combined with the short-form nature of modern media consumption, has created a ripe landscape for generating and weaponizing synthetic media. The availability of pre-trained, open-source generative models enables would-be attackers, who lack funding and enterprise-grade hardware, to conduct convincing information-based attacks that harm, manipulate, and deceive. This thesis aims to model this threat actor using an open-source deepfake generation pipeline that requires minimal computational resources and is capable of producing deepfakes in the audio, image, and video domains. This model is then used to identify, measure, and evaluate the capabilities …

Design And Testing Of A Vr Escape Room Game For Philippine Martial Law History, Eric Cesar Vidal, Jr., Jesus Alvaro Pato, Johanna Marion R. Torres, Kenneth King L. Ko

Institute of Philippine Culture (IPC)

This paper presents a Virtual Reality Educational Escape Room game where players learn about the highly divisive Martial Law period in Philippine history. We describe the game’s general design and the results of a user test to evaluate the game in terms of VR presence, immersion, and overall usability.

Design And Testing Of A Vr Escape Room Game For Philippine Martial Law History, Eric Cesar Vidal, Jr., Johanna Marion R. Torres, Jesus Alvaro Pato, Kenneth King L. Ko

Department of Information Systems & Computer Science Faculty Publications

This paper presents a Virtual Reality Educational Escape Room game where players learn about the highly divisive Martial Law period in Philippine history. We describe the game’s general design and the results of a user test to evaluate the game in terms of VR presence, immersion, and overall usability.

Investigating The Performance Of Fibre Reinforced Plastic Repairs To Timber Marine Civil Structures At His Majesty’S Naval Base Devonport, Anna G. Walther

The Plymouth Student Scientist

This paper explores Fibre Reinforced Plastics (FRPs) as a composite repair method to restore and enhance mechanical properties of timber marine civil structures within the context of His Majesty’s Naval Base (HMNB) Devonport. To support this, timber composite specimens were manufactured and subjected to flexural and compressive strength tests. Comparisons are made to literature sources for initial predictions, in addition to hand calculations and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) models on SolidWorks. Data demonstrates that FRPs can be used as a cost-effective and beneficial method of repairing timber marine structures. Experimental data demonstrates an ability to restore compressive strength parallel to …

Evaluation Of Graphite And Activated Carbon As Suitable Water Purification Media For In-Situ Resource Utilisation (Isru) On Mars, Ciaran Archenoul

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Eventual human missions to the red planet will require large-scale in-situ resource utilisation to meet their objectives. Perhaps the most critical element for developing a sustainable architecture is propellant production from the products of water electrolysis and atmospheric carbon dioxide. The purpose of this study was to assess how graphitic materials may be used as porous filters to remove solvated ions from Martian water prior to electrolysis, reducing the overall complexity of ISRU systems. The two materials under study were PG25 graphite and activated carbon powder.

A comprehensive three-technique characterisation of both materials was performed, using helium pycnometry, N_{2 …}

Application And Suitability Of Using Paraffin Wax In A Thermal Store For Residential Buildings In The Uk, Cameron Edwards

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Heating costs and pressure to reduce carbon emissions are rapidly increasing. A possible solution is the implementation of efficient energy storage systems for UK residential buildings. Paraffin wax-based thermal energy storage offers a promising solution due to its low-cost, high-energy density, and long-term stability. However, its low thermal conductivity significantly reduces its practicality. Multiple upgrades, such as implementing highly conductive particles and nanotubes, have been previously studied but lack the inclusion of cost-effectiveness and real-world feasibility. This paper reviews current research and develops a numerical model using the Enthalpy method and a 2D finite difference approach, utilised in Python. It …

Microplastic Accumulation In A Mixed Species Seagrass Bed In The Tamar Estuary, Torpoint, Cornwall, Uk, Hannah G. Phillips

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Microplastic pollution is a major threat to UK seagrass habitats, which provide essential ecosystem services by supporting biodiversity and economically valuable fish species. Seagrass beds, acting as long-term ‘sinks’ for microplastics due to their dense canopies face a high risk of degradation. This study investigated microplastic accumulation in the sediment of a mixed species (Zostera marina and Nanozostera noltei) seagrass bed in the Tamar Estuary, Southwest England, considering the effect of sediment particle size. Microplastics were extracted by density separation using Sodium Bromide (NaBr) and sediment particle size analysis was used to investigate the seagrass bed sediment. FT-IR …

Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Moulding (Vartm): Can Ultrasonic Vibration Decrease Fill Time, Increase Composite Properties, And Reduce Void Formation, Iulia D. Precup

The Plymouth Student Scientist

This study investigated the potential of ultrasonic vibration (28 kHz) to optimize the Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Moulding (VARTM) process. The aim was to assess whether introducing ultrasonic vibration during the resin infusion phase could reduce fill time, improve mechanical properties, and minimize void formation in glass fibre-reinforced polyester composites. Two flexible tooling systems were compared: a reusable silicone membrane and a traditional vacuum bag. Composite plates were manufactured with and without ultrasonic vibration for both systems. Fill time was observed, and post-cured samples were subjected to mechanical testing for flexural modulus, flexural strength, and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS). Void content …

A Generational Analysis Of Psychological Motivators Influencing Seafarer Retention, Perisah Tahanci

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Seafarer retention is a growing concern amid increasing global demand for skilled maritime officers. This study investigates the generational differences in psychological motivators influencing seafarer retention, where ‘psychological motivators’ encompass the cognitive factors, including mental and physical wellbeing, work-life balance, compensation, working conditions, and external factors, that shape retention intentions. A cross-sectional survey (n=214) combined quantitative and qualitative analyses to systematically assess how the perceived importance and experience of these factors vary across Generation Z, Millennials, Generation X, and Baby Boomers.

The findings reveal that significant generational differences exist across most factors, particularly in work-life balance and mental wellbeing, in …

All Rivers Reach The Sea: Can We Improve Ocean Conservation Through Improving Public Understanding Of The Connections Between Marine And Terrestrial Systems?, Lauren Hind

The Plymouth Student Scientist

With marine environments facing growing threats and their connections to terrestrial environments often disregarded, understanding public perceptions of these connections is crucial for effective ocean conservation. This study aimed to assess public understanding of the interconnectedness of marine and terrestrial environments and its influence on ocean conservation efforts. To achieve this, two questionnaires (N=560) were distributed among over 18’s (N=301) and under 18’s (N=259) evaluating their knowledge on the connections between marine and terrestrial environments, engagement with conservation and views on education and responsibility. The results indicated a limited understanding and awareness of marine-terrestrial connections, particularly among under 18’s. Current …

The Lived Experience Of Uk Students Transitioning To University With Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus, Emelia C. Steel

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Transitioning from secondary school to university is a high-risk period for managing type 1 diabetes among UK students. Canadian research identified limited systemic support during this period. However, there is a lack of qualitative insight into how students navigate this transition in the UK, where healthcare and education systems differ. This study addressed that gap through semi-structured interviews to understand what makes this transition particularly challenging and what support students would find most helpful. A purposive sample comprised seven participants aged 19–29 from four UK universities. Thematic analysis, guided by Braun and Clarke’s (2022) six-phase framework, identified three superordinate themes: …

Design And Validation Of An Industrial Out-Of-Plane Permeability Test Rig Of Fibre Preforms For The Development Of Next Generation Aircraft Structures, Callum Park

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Despite composites comprising 50% of modern aircraft structures, the absence of a standardised method for measuring out-of-plane permeability frequently results in manufacturing defects in early-development aerospace components, directly impacting safety, manufacturing efficiency and costs. This study aimed to address this gap, by designing and commissioning a compact, vacuum-assisted, mass flow test rig, capable of evaluating the saturated out-of-plane permeability of a variety of materials. This design incorporated learnings from theory, previous studies and discussions with industry experts. E-glass, a Metyx unidirectional carbon and the Teijin ITS55 carbon were investigated, where E-glass exhibited the highest permeability of 1.88E-12m², while …

Optimizing Xylitol Production: A Molecular And Experimental Study Of Xylose Reductase In Candida Tropicalis, Zackery Neal

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Xylitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol, is widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries as both an artificial sweetener and an anticariogenic agent. Traditional xylitol production relies on harsh chemicals and energy-intensive processes, making microbial fermentation a more sustainable alternative. This study explores the ability of Candida tropicalis to convert D-xylose into xylitol through the enzyme xylose reductase, with a focus on optimizing pH conditions to enhance conversion efficiency. To achieve this, both experimental fermentation and computational molecular dynamics simulations using GROMACS and the pHbuilder tool are employed. By analyzing the enzyme’s stability and structural dynamics across different pH …

Voices Of Resistance: Multilingual Identity Formation Through Translanguaging In Dual Language Bilingual Education, Fernando W. Milmo

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative case study explored how students navigated their evolving multicultural and multilingual identities in a setting with varying emphases on English and Spanish in the context of a fourth-grade dual language classroom where the teacher employed translanguaging pedagogy. This study is grounded in a theoretical framework that integrates decolonial, raciolinguistic, and translanguaging perspectives. The study examined students' perceptions of linguistic hierarchies and the ways they utilized their full linguistic repertoires to negotiate meaning, identity, and a sense of belonging. This study included pláticas as a culturally grounded narrative method, classroom observations, and interviews, and used a qualitative case study …

Deep Community Engagement: Faculty Responsiveness Perspectives At A Hispanic Serving Institution, Joseph Coppola

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative, narrative inquiry investigates how experienced faculty members embody and enact responsive pedagogical practices at a community college Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Despite generational poverty and low degree attainment among Latine students, institutions face mounting pressure from deficit-mindedness and political mandates that threaten educational equity and resources for HSIs. This research sought to answer: How do community college faculty teaching at a Hispanic Serving Institution exhibit attributes of responsiveness?

The theoretical framework utilized the core tenets of Paulo Freire’s critical pedagogy and integrated models from Gloria Ladson-Billings (culturally relevant pedagogy), Geneva Gay (culturally responsive teaching), Django Paris (culturally sustaining pedagogy), …

Educators’ Perceptions Of Mental Health Services For Middle School Students In A South Texas District, Norma Araceli Cabrera

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study is to examine teachers' and administrators' perceptions of school-based mental health services in one school district in South Texas. Within-case sampling was utilized to select the participants. The study examines educators' perceptions of the availability and effectiveness of mental health services for middle school students. Middle school is a period of intense social development, during which students strive to navigate peer relationships. Middle school children, aged 12-14, also undergo emotional development as they manage intense emotions, develop self-awareness, and learn to cope with stressors related to school, friends, and self-identity. Studies found that …