The Empathetic-Perverse: A Contemporary Exploration Of The Grotesque In Southern Gothic Literature, Halle Elizabeth Griggs

Electronic Theses and Dissertations Archive

Contemporary scholars and critics alike can agree that much of our understanding of Southern Gothic literature and its relation to the grotesque comes from Flannery O’Connor. O’Connor often portrays a transformation within that of grotesque characters (characters with moral flaws and/or physical disabilities). These transformations, depicted through use of pain, violence, and outlandish behavior, help to bring these grotesque characters closer to God, experiencing a sort of divine grace or redemption. Yet, often these grotesque characters are depicted in a way void of compassion. Despite describing fiction from the middle of the last century, most critics still rely on the …

Magnetic Cellulose Nanocrystal Composites: Synthesis, Properties, Applications, And Opportunities, Mohammad Jahid Hasan, Kishore Chand, Esteban E. Ureña-Benavides, Erick S. Vasquez-Guardado

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Publications

first_page settings Order Article Reprints Open AccessReview

Magnetic Cellulose Nanocrystal Composites: Synthesis, Properties, Applications, and Opportunities

Canada’S Contributions To International Legal Discourse: Gender, Genocide, And Neocolonial Investments (2015–2025), Heidi Matthews

Articles & Book Chapters

This chapter critically evaluates Canada’s major points of engagement with international law in the period between 2015 and 2025. In partnership with European and Commonwealth allies, Canada has been an active participant in several contentious cases at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), including against Myanmar, Syria, and Afghanistan. Canada has taken progressive legal positions in this litigation with respect to the interpretation and application of international law as it relates to sexual and gender-based crimes, as well as abuses committed against children. However, the past decade also reveals that Canada’s policy responses to its genocide and other crimes against …

Rural Youth In Time Of Climate Change: A Case Of Kajang, Indonesia, Fatwa Faturachmat, Andi Vika Faradiba Muin, Nurhady Sirimorok, Ishak Salim, Karno B. Batiran, Andi Mujetahid

Forest and Society

Global agriculture is deeply affected by climate change, and more so in rural areas of developing countries, where the local smallholder farmers are already facing pressures from market-induced problems. Although capable of absorbing a large number of youths, small-scale farming is shrinking mainly due to enclosures and price squeezes. Drawing on a case study of five villages in Indonesia that are part of the Kajang Indigenous Communities, we apply an extended sustainable livelihood approach (SLA) to examine the strategies adopted by rural youth in the face of deteriorating small-scale farming. We examine how local institutions and organizations, as well as …

A Novel Cryptographic Technique Using Amino Acid Compositions Enhanced By Artificial Intelligence Models, Omar Fitian Rashid, Mohammed Ahmed Subhi, Humam Al-Shahwani, Mohammed Khaleel Hussein

Mesopotamian Journal of Computer Science

Encryption plays a vital role in securing sensitive digital data, and traditional cryptographic systems are usually not immune to high-level attackers. The current approaches often base on the use of traditional mathematical models that become more vulnerable to contemporary cyberattacks. The purpose of the current paper is to suggest a new cryptography method that would combine the properties of amino-acid based encoding with artificial intelligence to improve data security. The technique builds amino acid and binary encoding tables, and performs structured mappings along with using a secure key that is produced by permuting a cryptographically secure pseudorandom number generator. Randomized …

Five Scriptural Reflections On Grief, Patrick Russell

Obsculta

This is a piece that looks at grief through a close reading of different texts of the Old Testament. While each reflection is its own, they are one paper that gives the reader a chance to see and reflect on grief by sitting with Genesis 11:1-9, Exodus 8:20-32, Ruth 1:1-22, Job 2:11-13, and Psalm 13.

Promiscuous Mutualisms: John Dupré And The Centrality Of Symbiosis In The Living World, Thomas Pradeu

Presidential Fellows Articles and Research

My goal in this chapter is to show that symbiosis, especially symbiotic interactions between ‘macrobes’ (non-microbial organisms) and microbes, is a central topic in John Dupré’s work. This topic is undeniably one of the topics by which Dupré has gained wide recognition among practicing scientists, in addition to his recognition within the philosophical community. I spell out why symbiosis has turned out to be a sort of ideal trope for Dupré, as it encapsulates many of his main personal themes—from promiscuous realism to process ontology. I then show that immunology offers one interesting and complementary entry point into microbial symbiosis …

Lost In The Weeds No More! Revision Of The Robust Herb Gall Wasps (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae, Aulacideini) In North America, Louis F. Nastasi, Charles K. Davis, José Luis Nieves-Aldrey, Cecil N. Smith, Simon Van Noort, Ebony G. Murrell, Timothy S. Frey, Chris Friesen, M. J. Hatfield, Heather M. Hines, John F. Tooker, Andrew R. Deans

Department of Entomology: Faculty Publications

We revise the North American fauna of Aulacideini (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) using morphological, ecological, and genetic (DNA barcode) data, incorporating observations from over 5,000 adult specimens and galls. Prior to revision, the fauna included 24 species in four genera. Six new genera and 25 new species are described, all authored by Nastasi: Argyrix gen. nov., Barathria gen. nov., Cosmita gen. nov., and Ketsia gen. nov., for species previously placed in Antistrophus Walsh; Prixima gen. nov., for a new species inducing galls on Pyrrhopappus DC.; and Tookeria gen. nov., for a new species inducing galls on Silphium L.; Antistrophus frieseni sp. nov., …

Meeting Report From The 2025 Cure Ocular Melanoma (Cure Om) Global Science Meeting, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, October 2025, Andrew E. Aplin, Katherina Alsina, Allison S. Betof, Joseph Birkett, Marcus O. Butler, George Cole, Rizwan Haq, Florian A. Karreth, Vinit B. Mahajan, Rahul Marpadga, Prithvi Mruthyunjaya, Paul Nathan, Jonas A. Nilsson, Gary Palmer, Joseph J. Sacco, Takami Sato, Sarah Stanhope, Pang-Ning Teng, Kyleigh Lipira

Department of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Cancer Biology Faculty Papers

The 2025 Cure Ocular Melanoma (CURE OM) Global Science Meeting took place in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on October 25th, 2025. Several promising drug candidates are in development; however, there is still an urgent need for better prevention, detection, and treatment of uveal melanoma. The purpose of this meeting was to promote international collaboration and idea exchange between scientists, industry, and patient advocates.

Qualitative Evaluation Of The Seated Physical Activity Intervention (Spin) Randomized Controlled Trial For Wheelchair Users With Multiple Sclerosis (Ms): Formative Feedback And Future Directions, Angela J Piasecki, Robert W Motl, Katherine Froehlich-Grobe, Stephanie L Silveira

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background/objectives: Wheelchair users with multiple sclerosis (MS) often face barriers that restrict participation in physical activity and exercise training. This manuscript reports on participant feedback to guide evaluating and refining a novel exercise training program, Seated Physical activity INtervention (SPIN). SPIN was adapted from the Guidelines for Exercise in MS (GEMS) approach using a three-step community-engaged research framework based on meeting the needs of wheelchair users with MS.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 participants who completed the 16-week SPIN intervention. The key SPIN intervention components were the exercise prescription, exercise equipment, and behavioral coaching grounded in Social Cognitive …

The Mascarene Archipelago, A Data-Poor Region For Mobulid Rays: First Records, Seasonal Patterns And Conservation Implications, Joanna Harris, Estelle Crochelet, Prashant Mohesh, Guy M.W. Stevens

School of Biological and Marine Sciences

The distribution and seasonal occurrence of manta and devil rays (mobulids) remain poorly understood across much of the Western Indian Ocean, particularly within remote island systems. Here, we present the first synthesis of species-level mobulid records for the Mascarene Archipelago (La Réunion, Mauritius and Rodrigues) using a combination of direct and passive citizen-science observations collected between 2014 and 2026. A total of 107 sightings were documented from 75 sighting events, comprising Mobula birostris (n = 29), M. thurstoni (n = 40), M. alfredi (n = 5), M. tarapacana (n = 2) and unidentified Mobula spp. (n = 31). One M. …

Movement Ecology And Population Dynamics Of Box-Nesting Black-Bellied Whistling-Ducks (Dendrocygna Autumnalis) In Louisiana, Katie E. Miranda

LSU Master's Theses

Understanding demographic and behavioral processes underlying population dynamics is essential for effective wildlife management, especially for species subject to harvest pressure or experiencing population shifts. Black-bellied Whistling-Ducks (Dendrocygna autumnalis) are currently undergoing a notable northward range expansion and are increasing in abundance across the southeastern United States, raising management concerns for both ecological and economic reasons. As a result, there is growing public support for a special Black-bellied Whistling-Duck-specific harvest season, yet little research has been conducted on this species, particularly within newly-established populations. To address this gap, I conducted this study with the goal of evaluating seasonal …

Bleeding Into Human Rights Law: The Need For A Special Procedure On The Right To Menstrual Health, Hunter Tarry

BYU Law Review

Menstruation, a fundamental biological process experienced by nearly half of the global population, remains shrouded in stigma and silence despite its critical role in sustaining human life. Many women and girls face inadequate menstrual health management and education, undermining their ability to experience a full range of human rights. While menstruation has gained increased public visibility in recent years, the United Nations (UN)—the cornerstone of the global human rights system—has been slow to meaningfully integrate this issue into its agenda. The time is now for the UN to formally recognize menstrual health as a human right by advancing global advocacy …

Humans Rule? Development Of Stewardship Mindsets Among Religious Undergraduates, Jamie Jensen, J Robert Nielson

ScholarsArchive Data

Two cohorts of students enrolled in a non-major introductory biology course were surveyed in 2020 and 2025 using the Revised New Ecological Paradigm (R-NEP) instrument. Open-ended student responses concerning their definition of ‘rule’ as a human prerogative were also analyzed using qualitative coding.

English Language Arts Teachers’ Perceptions Of Artificial Intelligence, Andrew J. Hookie, James P. Concannon

Mid-Western Educational Researcher

We explored secondary English Language Arts teachers’ perceptions of Artificial Intelligence in the classroom. Using a mixed methods research design process, one hundred and forty-one secondary teachers were surveyed from several urban and suburban school districts in the state of Missouri. Respondents were comprised of forty-three English Language Arts teachers and ninety-seven non-English Language Arts teachers. Data were collected using a Qualtrics survey, focusing on three variables: Experience, Knowledge, and Awareness of AI (EKA); Perceived Outcomes of Using AI (PO); and Perceived Ability and Self-Efficacy with AI (PA). Independent t-tests were conducted and revealed a statistically significant difference in AI …

The Matrix, Spring 2026, The Women's Resource Center

The Matrix

Matrix Editor: Trinity Sue

Women's Resource Center Advisor: Marisol Ruiz

Women's Resource Center Staff (listed alphabetically):

• Namixtu'lu' Esteva
• Pamela Hernandez
• Kaylee Luna
• Izzie Rodríguez-Torres
• Alexis Sarmiento
• Venus Shearer
• Trinity Sue

Authors/Illustrators in issue (listed alphabetically):

• Megan Atherton, p. 11
• Brenna, p. 24
• Jess Carey, p. 17
• Leyla Craven, p. 20
• Annabelle Davis, p. 37
• Erica Drew, p. 18
• Sage Fowler, p. 11
• Aven Gehlert, p. 30
• Emily Hartling, p. 24
• Riley Hemenover, p. 12
• Pamela Hernandez, p. 14
• Ella Humphrey, pp. 22-23, 31, 35, and throughout
• Iran@alittlepoke, p. 13
• Kaylee Luna, pp. 25, 29
• Randi Maveety, p. 34
• Xenia McLean, …

Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms (Habs) Public Health Message Efficacy Evaluation, Alexandra Benitez Gonzalez, Heather A. Triezenberg, Diane Doberneck, Abigail Bennett, Mark Rey

Journal of Contemporary Water Research and Education

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) can present health risks to humans, animals, or ecosystems. Communicating with the public about HABs risks can be challenging because symptoms vary in type and severity across different individuals. However, people with underlying health conditions are often particularly vulnerable to exposure, and they may experience negative health outcomes if they lack awareness of the risks that HABs pose. Literature on risk communication suggests that the way messages are framed influences the impact on risk perception and behavioral intentions. To provide insight into how agencies and practitioners can more effectively communicate health risks from HABs, we designed …

Oral Diagnostic Sciences At The Vcu School Of Dentistry, James C. Burns Dds, Laurie C. Carter Dds, John A. Svirsky Dds, Sonali Rathore Dds, Ms

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Ooottafagvah = ???, Matthew Storm Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Multiple Myeloma And Solitary Plasmacytoma Detected Through Intraoral Manifestations- A Case Series, Bhavik Desai Dmd, Phd, John A. Svirsky Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Advocating For A Care-Based Ethic: Stories Of Pregnancy And Birth From Caregivers Of Children With Down Syndrome, Lydia Ocasio-Stoutenburg, Nayma Sultana Mim

Developmental Disabilities Network Journal

Down syndrome (DS) impacts about 1 in every 640 childbirths in the United States. While quality of life has improved for people with DS, systemic inequities and deficit-based perceptions have persisted throughout history, with material impacts on people with DS and their caregivers. Researchers have documented how caregivers of children with DS have had negative experiences with healthcare providers and genetic counselors, whose biased views about DS translate into subtle and overt pressures. Few studies explicitly focus on the experiences of Caregivers of Color, multilingual families, as well as families with varying economic experiences who have children with DS. This …

Ion Channels As Targets For Parasiticides: A Brief Review Of Past, Present, And Future Directions, Josette V. Ricker, Mallory Mendenhall

Georgia Journal of Science

Scientists and healthcare providers have tried for decades to find parasite treatments that balance patient safety with efficacy in eliminating the pathogen. One approach is to target specifically the parasite’s important bodily functions while sparing the host. This brief review examines the historically significant antiparasitics - pyrethrins, picrotoxin, piperazine, and avermectins – all which specifically target parasite ion channels. We discuss the history of their discovery and use, which subsequently led to the development of new generations of parasiticides, and continues to inspire the search for safe and effective treatments.

Vision And Strategic Plan Lead The Way To The Future, David C. Sarrett Dmd, James Schroeder

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Managing Neurological Disorders In The Dental Practice- Schizophrenia, Elisabeth Busch Rdh, Bsdh, Laurie Callahan Bsdh, Rdh, Courtney Jones Rdh, Bsdh, Joan Pellegrini Rdh, Bsdh, Ms. Phd

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Letters To The Editor

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Va Dent J October, November And December 2013

Virginia Dental Journal

No abstract provided.

Toward A Metric For Disciplinary Learning In The Age Of Ai: The Unblooms™ Metacognitive Awareness Scale And Discernment Rate In Ai-Mediated Learning, Tina R. Austin

International Journal of Emerging and Disruptive Innovation in Education : VISIONARIUM

Telling students to “reflect on their own thinking” has become insufficient in AI-mediated learning environments. When students are rewarded for polished outputs, cognitive offloading to AI tools becomes rational, and traditional snapshot assessments (single-moment evaluations of task completion) produce false signals about whether durable learning has occurred. This problem is sharpened by the broader shift in AI learning tools toward Socratic tutors, study modes, Khan Academy's Khanmigo, and agentic systems that can shape the learner’s process over time. Lodge and Loble (2026) distinguish beneficial cognitive offloading, which frees working memory for intrinsic learning, from detrimental outsourcing, which bypasses the cognitive …

Faculty Engagement Practices With Building A Community Of Care, Cathryn Walker, Richard Penny, Lynne Orr, Kathleen Norris, Judith Blakely

Journal of Educational Research and Practice

Faculty in a virtual online university benefited from employing elements of the community of care, community of inquiry, and social determinants of health frameworks to strengthen a sense of connection and to develop a community of care in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This article presents an overview of practices at one university related to the design, implementation, and benefits accruing from employing strategies anchored in these frameworks. During 2022, two years after the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, university leaders approached a team of faculty members to facilitate a dialogue series to enhance relationships among faculty, given the …

The Relationship Between Female Pelvic Dimensions, Birth Weight, And Number Of Live Births, Allison P. Sears

McNair Scholars Research Journal

This study investigates the relationship between birth weight, female pelvic dimensions, and number of live births. Pelvic inlet and outlet dimensions were recorded using three dimensional models from a sample of 30 females from the New Mexico Decedent Image Database (NMDID). By taking an approach closely informed by pre-existing anthropological and obstetrical literature, this study examines the potential relationship between female individuals’ birth weight and reproductive characteristics in adulthood, as well as the influence of these variables on the number of live births these females delivered during the course of their lives. The results suggest that there is a weak …

Differential Effects Of Amiloride And Benzamil On Salt Taste Physiology And Behavior: The Case For Phasic Responses In The Generation Of Sodium Appetite, Amyra M. Issa

McNair Scholars Research Journal

The current experiment aims to investigate the relationship between the early phasic portion of salt taste transduction and sodium appetite. Prior research has identified two salt transduction pathways: a sodium-selective pathway, which is inhibited by amiloride or benzamil, and a non-selective pathway, which is insensitive to these blockers (Breslin & Spector, 2008). When presented with sodium solutions, sodium-depleted mice exhibit a behavior termed the “sodium appetite,” which results in voracious sodium consumption. The prevailing theory is that this behavior depends on neural activity of sodium-selective neurons (Breza & Contreras, 2012; Roitman & Bernstein, 1999). While previous studies have demonstrated that …