Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Powerplex® Fusion 6c System Versus Powerplex® Fusion 5c: A Comparison Of Performance Metrics, Caitlin M. Mccaughan

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

Following the FBI mandated expansion of the CODIS core loci from 13 to 20, several manufacturers developed short tandem repeat (STR) typing kits in response to the new criteria. One such manufacturer was the Promega Corporation, which released the PowerPlex® Fusion 5C megaplex STR typing kit (Fusion 5C) in 2012. Currently, the Virginia Department of Forensic Science (VDFS) utilizes this amplification kit for both casework and database applications. In 2015, Promega released the PowerPlex® Fusion 6C STR typing kit (Fusion 6C), which contains three additional loci beyond those included in PowerPlex® Fusion 5C, and a sixth color channel. The power …

The Efficacy Of Recovering Latent Fingerprints From Fired Cartridge Cases By Way Of Cyanoacrylate Fuming Combined With Basic Yellow Dye Staining, Lily Mantz

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

This experiment attempted to tackle the long-standing struggle to consistently recover latent fingerprints from fired cartridges. With an emphasis on realistic handling of high volume of samples combined with Cyanoacrylate fuming followed by Basic Yellow dye staining, a total of 740 cartridges were examined. These included fired and unfired brass and nickel case 9mm Luger and 40 S&W cartridges. The cartridges were divided into five different groups; each were treated differently prior to cyanoacrylate fuming and dye staining, which was conducted in the same manner for the groups. The groups included the positive and negative controls, loaded, cycled, and fired. …

Differentiation Between Peripheral Blood And Menstrual Blood Using Mirna Markers, Anaya Valentine

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

Abstract

In forensic investigations, body fluids can provide crucial information and is helpful for corroborating the circumstance of the case. For cases of sexual assaults or homicides, being able to differentiate if the blood is peripheral blood or menstrual blood is important. Peripheral blood can be indicative of a traumatic event, while menstrual blood is of a natural cause. Currently, serology based methods are used for body fluid identification, however, their lack of sensitivity and specificity remains an issue. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-protein coding nucleic acids that are able to be co-extracted with DNA, and their small …

Evaluation Of Dna Extraction Efficiencies Of Promega’S Dna Iq™ Methods And Casework Extraction Kit For Low Template Samples, Emily M. Anderson

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

Biological evidence from crime scene samples frequently contain low levels of DNA, such as the most predominant form of evidence, which is DNA deposited by handling objects or “touch evidence”. To maximize the DNA yield recovered from theses challenging samples, forensic laboratories must optimize the extraction methods utilized to isolate and purify DNA for downstream short tandem repeat (STR) amplifications. Currently, the Virginia Department of Forensic Science (VADFS) uses a DNA IQ™ System (DNA IQ) extraction method for isolation of DNA from most forensic samples. This extraction procedure, which combines DNA IQ™ lysis buffer and Dithiothreitol (DTT), has been validated …

Testing The Efficacy Of Surface Swab Sampling To Determine Post-Mortem Submersion Interval (Pmsi), Using The Microbiome Colonization Of Skeletal Remains Submerged In A Lotic Environment, Sarah Rose

Master of Science in Forensic Science Directed Research Projects

Estimating the post-mortem submersion interval (PMSI) can provide a valuable forensic tool for medicolegal death investigations involving victims discovered in aquatic environments. Previous studies conducted by Cartozzo et al. (2021) successfully demonstrated the use of microbial succession to create predictive models for the estimation of PMSI from submerged bone. Though effective, bone sampling requires time consuming processing techniques that result in destruction of decedent tissue. This study investigates the use of bone surface swabbing as an effective alternative method to bone sampling, with the goal of predicting PMSI using a simpler, non-invasive sampling technique. Porcine (Sus scrofa) skeletal remains (rib …

Considering The Ethics Of Political Communication And Doing The Right Thing, Kati Tusinski Berg

College of Communication Faculty Research and Publications

No abstract provided.

Piercing The Veil: Examining Demographic And Political Variables In State Foi Law Administration, A.Jay Wagner

College of Communication Faculty Research and Publications

State and local governments play an important, and growing, role in everyday lives. The exploratory study positions FOI laws as a central mechanism in providing transparency to these more proximate governments. It is premised on a FOI audit, or field experiment, of 1002 requests across 9 U.S. state laws and 334 jurisdictions. The sample represents a broad cross-section of geographic, demographic and political variables, and the study analyzes these variables predictive and correlative value in determining outcomes, timeliness and communication in FOI requests. The results suggest significance in race and political variables in FOI outcomes and processes. The study's strongest …

Vcu Monroe Park Campus 'Iconic Green' Pre-Planning And Design Study, Nicholas A. Jancaitis

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

The 'Iconic Green' pre-planning study for the Monroe Park Campus of VCU provides the framework and data necessary to support the intended 'nexus' on the proposed site. A review of the existing literature on various subjects included will highlight models and successful measures that have ensured success for previous similar built works. Having an understanding of the underlying factors and implications for the site, a needs assessment using existing literature and design precedents and in comparison with VCU's own desired end state and needs. Focusing on these comparisons within a theoretical framework called the Just Beautiful City, established in this …

Disability Inclusive Transportation: Assessing First Mile Last Mile Conditions In The Richmond Region, Rebekah A. Cazares

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

Accessible public transportation services are vital to promoting a healthy, livable, and thriving region. For people with physical disabilities, the inability to access services and activities can have a harmful impact. A lack of personal mobility may lead to a decreased quality of life and the inability to advocate for one’s rights. Given the region's growing population, as well as increased disability rates, providing accessible public transportation services is crucial.

While public transportation services are required to be accessible under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, supporting infrastructure oftentimes creates additional barriers. For example, poorly maintained …

Tredegar Street Corridor Plan: A Step To Unifying The Richmond Riverfront, Chesley A. Deleon

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

In order to understand the performance of a transportation network, the three concepts of mobility, connectivity, and accessibility must be evaluated. Each concept must be assessed separately and collectively to comprehend how people move about the network. The purpose of this professional plan is to evaluate and enhance these three concepts of Tredegar Street by the James River in Richmond, Virginia. The street is part of an extensive transportation network that consists of roads, trails, and bridges that connect to parks, workplaces, residential neighborhoods, and Downtown. Tredegar Street plays a vital role as a conveyer of multiple users utilizing various …

Green Alley Network Plan, Dan Motta

Master of Urban and Regional Planning Capstone Projects

The Green Alley Network Plan seeks to realize the potential of Richmond’s public alleyways as opportunities for biodiverse shared streets acting as active transportation corridors, stormwater management systems, and public spaces that support high quality of life and community health. This project aims to be an expansion on Richmond’s Green Alley program, detailing tools, examples, recommendations, and steps to implementation. It is guided by the city’s visions of High-Quality Places, Equitable Transportation, a Diverse Economy, Inclusive Housing, and a Thriving Environment as expressed in the Richmond 300: A Guide for Growth Master Plan. Additionally, the region’s long-range transportation plan being …

Hmong In The Twin Cities: Diaspora Experiences And Personal Identities, Anisha Rajbhandary

Geography Honors Projects

Asian Americans as a whole have been portrayed as “model minorities” due to their higher degree of socioeconomic success compared to the average population. However, this “model minority” stereotype primarily based upon the voluntary immigration experiences of East and South Asians with greater socio-economic resources, hardly accounts for the immigration experiences of other Asian groups such as Hmong Americans. Utilizing extensive literature review, first person interviews and collected survey data, this paper explores Hmong diaspora and identity in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, analyzing how Hmong Americans reconcile with the stereotypes set for Asian “model minorities” and construct their own …

Confidence In Organizational Science Procedures: Development And Measurement Of A Novel Construct, Alice Pyclik

Browse all Theses and Dissertations

Adopting organizational science recommendations can lead to beneficial outcomes, but there is a gap between what scientists recommend and what managers do. This research introduced the construct of confidence in organizational science procedures (COSP), which refers to an individual’s belief that organizational science findings a) are accurate, b) are important, and c) should be applied in organizations. In addition to introducing COSP, the purposes of this research were to develop a measure of COSP and test hypotheses related to the nomological network of this construct. First, 29 participants completed an item sorting task, providing content validity information for the COSP …

Lockdown Lemonade: Successful Remote Projects, Donica Swann

Library Scholarship

When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of libraries and archives, many archives professionals assumed that working remotely afforded them limited opportunities to effectively do their jobs. These intrepid archivists pivoted, and used the lockdown as an opportunity to pursue projects they always wanted to undertake but never had time to pursue. Donica Swann will discuss managing a remote project conducted by non-Archives staff members that included transcription of 50 oral histories and the digitization of 100 more, while simultaneously supervising Archives staff’s efforts to create more digital content for users.

To Examine The Effects Of Exercise & Instructional Based Interventions On Executive Functioning, Motor Learning & Emotional Intelligence Abilities Among Older Adults, Lavanya Rajesh Kumar

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Motor skills are a vital part of our life, and there might be situations where we will be required to either learn a new skill or relearn a known one. We examined the effectiveness of two different interventions - eccentric exercise and motivation-based instructions on enhancing the ability of older adults to learn a novel motor skill. Exercise intervention studies have shown that as little as 12 weeks of exercise can lead to improvements in both physical fitness and cognitive function in older adults, particularly executive control. But it is still unclear whether those improvements translate to improvements in other …

‘Owing To The Backwardness Of The Season’: Assessing The Exploratory Mining Process On Isle Royale Redacted Version, Andrew Anklam

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports

Isle Royale, located in Lake Superior, was one center of the nation’s first copper rush. High quality copper veins drew mid-19th century miners looking to stake a claim. By the mid-1850s these initial attempts at lode mining failed as the remote location and logistical hurdles made extracting copper from Isle Royale a costly business. Despite the short-lived nature of these exploratory mines, they played a vital role in defining the nature and profitability of copper lodes in the Lake Superior Basin and serve as an example for how mineral rushes on the western frontier of North America play out. The …

Harassment And Mental Health In Surgical Training: A Pilot Survey Of Surgical Trainees In Pakistan, Russell S. Martins, Syeda Amrah Hashmi, Hina Inam, Mahin Janjua, Mahim Malik

Medical College Documents

Objective: To assess harassment among surgical trainees and its effects on mental health, and to explore its association with gender.
Methods: The nationwide cross-sectional pilot study was conducted by the Association of Women Surgeons of Pakistan from July to September 2019, and included surgical trainees of either gender working in both public and private hospitals. Data was collected using an anonymous online survey form to assess harassment and self-perceived burnout and depression. Data was analysed using SPSS 22.
Results: Of the 147 respondents, 49(33.3%) were males; 98(66.6%) were females; and 118(80.3%) were residents. Workplace harassment was reported by 80(54.4%) trainees. …

Effect Of Stress On Health Of African American Women In Low Income Neighborhoods, Jada C. Childs

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

Health problems, like obesity, are more prevalent in populations of African American women than any other population in the United States. Furthermore, stress has been found to disproportionately affect the health of African American women when compared to European American women. Factors such as neighborhood environment, socioeconomic status, and familial relationships play a significant role in the stress experienced by these women. This project aims to review the current literature on the relationship between neighborhood environment, socioeconomic disparity, stress, and the effects of stressors on health, among African American women. The purpose of this research is to increase understanding of …

Determining The Prevalence Of Children With Autism Who Experience Delays To Behavioral Therapy In Michigan And Understanding The Needs Of Their Family During This Time: Preliminary Survey Results And Feedback, Jamie Barr

Senior Honors Theses and Projects

No abstract provided.

Distress And Resilience In Resettled Refugees Of War: Implications For Screening, Michael Hollifield, Eric C. Toolson, Sasha Verbillis-Kolp, Beth Farmer, Junko Yamazaki, Tsegaba Woldehaimanot, Annette Holland

School of Social Work Faculty Publications and Presentations

There is little work published about predictors of specific trajectory types of distress in refugees of war during early resettlement in a host country. Data about distress (Refugee Health Screener—15 (RHS-15)) and possible predictors of distress were collected at the domestic medical examination (T1) within 90 days of arrival and the civil surgeon examination (T2) 11–16 months after T1 for refugee groups from three countries (COU). Descriptive, correlative, analyses of variance, and regression techniques were used to determine trajectory type and their predictors. A higher percentage (7.3%) were distressed at T2 than at T1. By group, the Bhutanese became more …

Optical Hygiene And Modernity: A Site Analysis Of Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant Using Lefebvre’S Triad, William R. Stone

Pomona Senior Theses

Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant sits at the edge of Los Angeles County as an almost unknowable infrastructure. Unlike the city block, the grocery store, or one’s own home, this integral part of the urban landscape asks not to be experienced by its users, only the employees who work there every day. This place, which I’d hesitate to call a place, amalgamates preconceptions about infrastructure, sewage, purity, danger, modern architecture, and the role of the state.

In this thesis I conduct a site analysis of Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant in three parts, or moments based loosely on Henri Lefebvre’s conceptual triad: …

Mitigating The Impact Of The Pandemic On Student Success With Free E-Text Access At Illinois State University, Julie A. Murphy, Mallory Jallas, Rachel Park, Rachel E. Scott, Anne Shelley

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

This presentation describes the initial phases of a project in which librarians at Illinois State University licensed e-books as course textbooks in order to explore potential effects on student success.

Digitize Your Yearbooks: Creating Digital Access While Considering Student Privacy And Other Legal Issues, April K. Anderson-Zorn, Dallas Long

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

Student yearbooks are distinctive cultural records. For the schools and universities that produced them, yearbooks promoted a shared sense of identity and experience among students and helped create enduring loyalty to the institutions long after the students graduated. For scholars and other users, yearbooks are unique primary sources that provide insight into past eras of local student life and culture. In regards to user engagement and preserving local histories, student yearbooks should be ideal candidates for digitization by libraries and archives. However, yearbooks are challenging digitization projects because they are likely to contain privacy-sensitive photographs and other information as well …

Learning From Each Other: Reciprocity In Description Between Wikipedians And Librarians, Angela Yon, Eric Willey

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

Librarians, archivists, and museum professionals are increasingly realizing the value of using and contributing information to Wikipedia through projects such as edit-a-thons and the 1Lib1Ref project. As the amount of knowledge in Wikipedia and Wikidata grows, the benefits to libraries in partnering with Wikimedia projects to enhance their own bibliographic records and catalog search results also increase. Conversely, librarians have created an immense number of bibliographic and authority records that Wikipedia and Wikidata editors can use both as resources in and of themselves and as examples of various approaches to metadata and knowledge creation. Despite some challenges there are numerous …

Shelter In The Covid Storm: Building Relationships Through Mentoring, Grace Allbaugh, Susan Franzen, Sharon Van Der Laan, Angela Yon

Faculty and Staff Publications – Milner Library

Imagine moving across the country to start a job at a new library during a pandemic. Acclimating to a new job working from home in isolation can be unnerving. How does one connect with new colleagues? How does one learn about the institution’s culture?

An Illinois academic library hired an unprecedented influx of new staff in the summer of 2020 at the height of COVID-19. To build community for these new colleagues, librarians implemented a mentorship program. The working group created a foundation of supporting documents, called for volunteers to act as mentors, matched mentors to new employees based on …

Andrews University Communication Under The Covid-19 Pandemic: Feedback Analysis Of International Students, Brice B. Eboule

Master's Theses

This research is an informative analysis of international students’ feedback on the Andrews University (AU) crisis communication during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Participants were 21 years or older, on student visas, living on-campus or in student communities and had attended AU for at least 2 years. The theory informing this study is situational crisis communication theory (SCCT). The SCCT argues that the severity of the crisis defines which communicational crisis strategy will be more effective in minimizing attributions and adverse press while both maintaining and enhancing the organization's credibility. The findings of this study indicated that 84 percent of …

The Effect Of Virtual Learning On Parents During Covid-19, Sheila Reeves

Master's Theses

Parents were affected in numerous ways by the sudden shut down of schools and switch to virtual learning in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some of these ways included use of technology, income, race, time, mental health, family life and parent insecurities. This study investigates parents' perspectives of some ways they were affected in regards to the virtual learning of their child(ren). All parents with children enrolled at Madison Campus Elementary School were invited to participate in the study, as they had at least one year's experience with their child(ren) in virtual learning.

Data was collected using a …

Meeting Their Expectations: Student Expectations And Perceptions Of Instructor Clarity, Credibility, Rapport, And Climate In Online Courses, Nikki Kowalski

Theses and Dissertations--Communication

Continued advancements in technology have steadily increased accessibility to online learning and have provided more tools with which instructors can communicate with their students. As our technology evolves, so too does the students’ expectations for how course content will be communicated. It is important to understand students’ expectations for their online learning experiences so that those expectations can be met. The field of instructional communication has demonstrated the importance of behaviors that establish an instructor’s credibility, clarity, rapport, and climate in the classroom finding these constructs contribute to student cognitive and affective learning. The significance of these constructs has been …

Working Toward Human-Centered, Reparative Change Through Print Collection Development At The University Of Denver, Jennifer Bowers, Katherine Crowe, Peggy Keeran, Jack M. Maness, Denisse Solis, Shannon Tharp

University Libraries: Faculty Scholarship

In 2014, the DU Libraries began to address a lack of work by and about the Cheyenne and Arapaho people in its collections, and moved toward reparative change in response to historical traumas suffered by Indigenous Peoples. The history of this work and its origins—which led to the creation of the Libraries’ Collection Diversification Task Force (CDTF) and now informs the Libraries’ collection development philosophy and operational inclusivity—are discussed in the “Developments Leading to the Collection Diversification Task Force” section of this chapter. Further on, the “Collection Diversification Task Force” section clarifies methodology, recommendations, and self-discovery on the part of …

Reframing Hegemonic And Fragmented Identities Through Subjective In-Betweenness: A Postcolonial Political Theology Of Care And Praxis In Ethiopia’S Era Of Identity Politics, Rode Shewaye Molla

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Modern Ethiopian imperial religious and political evangelization generated and imposed externally-defined hegemonic fictive identities on all Ethiopians. This fictive identity (based on Amhara) contributes to current identity politics that cause ethnic violence, political instability, war, identity fragmentation, and, most of all, the elimination of in-between spaces where boundaries of identity can be crossed for peaceful co-existence. This dissertation integrates the study of Ethiopian religion and politics to advocate the restoration of in-between spaces and in-between subjectivities of Ethiopians. In-between spaces include political, social, religious, and geographical spaces that enable Ethiopians to live as a diversified community with solidarity, equity, care, …