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It Starts at Home: An Exploration of Family Ethnic-Racial Socialization and Depressive Symptoms among Biracial Black-White Young People
Full text linkAbstract
A growing body of literature has suggested that ethnic-racial socialization (ERS) is a protective factor for Biracial youth as it can provide youth with skills to face different adversities like racial discrimination, ultimately improving their psychological well-being. Various types of ERS exist (e.g., verbal, non-verbal, etc) across different levels (e.g., parent-child, household/family) but some have been overlooked and understudied in research. This study sought to bridge this gap by exploring ERS at the family/household level and determining whether it relates to depressive symptoms among Biracial Black-White adolescents and emerging adults (N = 723). Specifically, the study examined if (a) family ERS around Multiracial and Monoracial Black topics related to depressive symptoms differently and (b) if any developmental differences were present in the association between both forms of ERS and depressive symptoms. The methods included a secondary analysis with three multiple linear regression models conducted in SPSS Version 28. Findings indicated significant negative associations between both forms of ERS and depressive symptoms in Biracial Black-White young people. Opposing patterns emerged among age groups regarding the types of Family ERS in predicting depressive symptoms. The results underscore the potential role that Family ERS may have regarding depressive symptoms in Biracial Black-White young people. Implications for research and practice are discussed
Profiles of First-Year First-Generation Students’ Library Perceptions and Use: An Intersectional, Mixed Methods Study
No full textTo effectively support first-generation students, academic libraries must understand their needs. However, limited library research has been conducted into how these students, who often embody multiple structurally disadvantaged identities, perceive and use academic libraries or how their intersecting identities manifest in differing library needs. This study aimed to build understanding of first-year first-generation students’ perceptions and use of academic libraries. To do so, the researcher used an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. First-year first-generation students at Virginia Commonwealth University were surveyed using Winkler and Sriram’s (2015) Academic Capital Scale and Anwar et al’s (2012) AQAK: Library Anxiety Scale for Undergraduate Students. Cluster analysis was used to identify subgroups of students and explanatory interviews followed with demographically representative informants drawn from each cluster. Two clusters emerged exhibiting distinct means on each subscale variable. Interview data generally supported and explained the quantitative differences between the clusters. University Navigators tended to have less anxiety related to navigating college and using the library. This was borne out by the interview data, where cluster members tended to trust campus employees for college-related information, had confidence in their ability to succeed in college, and had had greater exposure to library instruction during their first year. Alternative Wayfinders tended to have more anxiety related to navigating college and using the library. Cluster members who participated in interviews were less aware of college support services and had had less exposure to library instruction. They also tended to turn first to family and peers for help with college tasks. They held mostly positive perceptions of library staff and were frequently able to coach themselves through feelings of being overwhelmed by information. Additionally, Alternative Wayfinders often had more financial worries. Key recommendations stemming from these findings include creating wayfinding and instructional signage, celebrating minoritized racial identities in library collections and displays, making library staff more findable, empowering students to serve as experts for their peers, and emphasizing student perspectives when promoting the library
Twenty Years Later
Full text linkTwenty years after the death of his son, a grieving father has a chance to meet the soldiers his son had lead in combat. This story serves as a recollection of those few days, and what it means to be loved into the future.
Articles, stories, and other compositions in this archive were written by participants in the Mighty Pen Project. The program, developed by author David L. Robbins, and in partnership with Virginia Commonwealth University and the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, Virginia, offers veterans and their family members a customized twelve-week writing class, free of charge. The program encourages, supports, and assists participants in sharing their stories and experiences of military experience so both writer and audience may benefit
INTUITIVE MIXED REALITY INTERFACES FOR CREATIVE AND INTERACTIVE ROBOTICS: ROBOART, MAGNAFORMA, AND PLAYMEOW
Full text linkThis thesis details the development and application of intuitive Mixed Reality (MR) interfaces designed to broaden access to robotic control for creative and interactive uses. The central contribution is the RoboART system, a novel MR interface built with the Microsoft HoloLens 2 to program an ABB GoFa collaborative robot for non-expert users, such as artists. The work describes RoboART\u27s application in the Magnaforma project, where it enabled complex artistic expression.
Additionally, the thesis introduces the PlayMeow project, which explores adaptive pet interaction through a laser-guided turret. This system\u27s control strategies were deeply informed by the intuitive paradigms developed for RoboART, showcasing the transferability of MR-based interaction models.
This work underscores the advantages of intuitive spatial interfaces in enhancing usability and reducing cognitive load. It explores the architectural considerations (using Unity), the role of sensing, and evaluation methodologies through the lens of these case studies (artistic expression and pet interaction). The collective contributions highlight a path toward more accessible and intelligent human-robot and animal-robot interaction
Visible Modulation of Epsilon Near Zero Materials
Full text linkWhile Epsilon-Near-Zero materials have offered many benefits from their introduction to the field of nonlinear optics, those materials have also narrowed the range of wavelengths often studied. With reliable and proven enhancements to light-matter interaction in the ENZ region, many researchers have had little reason to extend the spectrum measured in experiments. The purpose of this work is to measure the intensity dependent refractive index of Indium Tin Oxide across a broad spectral range, from ultraviolet to near infrared, to improve the understanding of semiconductor nonlinearities far from Lorentz and Drude resonances. Furthermore, the visible region is naturally low-loss in Transparent Conducting Oxides, improving the efficiency of nonlinear devices. This is accomplished through an extensive pump-probe experiment referenced to ellipsometer measurements. The resulting data is used to analytical model the resulting change in refractive index throughout the spectrum. A figure of merit is calculated to quantify the benefit of transparency in nonlinear interaction
Expanding the Performance and Functionality of Air-Jet Dry Powder Inhalers Across Multiple Applications
No full textThis dissertation aims to expand the performance and functionality of air-jet dry powder inhaler (DPI) applications through the development of a next-generation, mesh-nebulizer-based, and scalable spray dryer for the production of pharmaceutical aerosols, along with new spray-dried formulation production methods, novel formulations, and new air-jet DPI components for aerosol delivery to both infants and adults. The first aim focused on the development of a custom small-particle spray drying system capable of integrating vibrating mesh nebulizer technologies in various configurations for the production of excipient enhanced growth (EEG) formulations. This flexible system enabled efficient production of both small- and large-particle powders for pulmonary and nasal-targeted drug delivery. Additional advantages of the developed spray dryer included a significant increase in production rates using dual- and triple-mesh nebulizer configurations. Formulations produced in this work included a synthetic lung surfactant formulation (SLS-EEG), which demonstrated improved aerosol performance with a fine particle fraction (FPF \u3c 5 µm) of 89.9% and a reduction in pre-separator loss from 30% to 6% when tested using the Next Generation Impactor (NGI) and compared with powder previously produced using the commercial Buchi B-90 Nano Spray Dryer.
The second aim of this work focused on the development and evaluation of an infant manual cyclic (MC) air source for operating air-jet DPIs, delivering consistent and repeatable low air volumes (up to 17 mL) in compliance with Lung Ventilator Code ISO 10651-4 when the device is paired with an infant air-jet DPI. A compact version of the MC air source was also developed for various air-jet DPI applications, including nasal-targeted delivery.
Together, these aims advanced the performance of air-jet DPIs through the development of a scalable and mesh-nebulizer based spray dryer capable of producing efficient EEG formulations, and the development of new DPI components suitable for both pediatric and adult populations
Searching Effectively: Basic Principles and Practical Tips for Better Results
Full text linkThis handout updates Doing a Good Search: Basic Rules and Search Tips, originally published in 2024. It outlines the basic principles of doing a good search, from identifying a topic and formulating a clear question to selecting and searching at least two databases. It also includes information on Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT), subject headings, and Google Scholar. New to this iteration of the document are best practices for using artificial intelligence in literature and evidence searches.
Remember: Searching is an iterative process, which involves repeated cycles of refinement. Your approach will shift depending on the specific question you\u27re trying to answer.
Update of Doing a Good Search: Basic Rules and Search Tips (2024)
The original version appeared in the following article:
McGrath, J. M., Brown, R. E., & Samra, H. A. (2012). Before you search the literature: how to prepare and get the most out of citation databases. Newborn and Infant Nursing Reviews, 12(3), 162–170
Redefining Gender and Rural Life in the Pampas: Alessandra Sanguinetti’s The Adventures of Guille and Belinda Series
Full text linkAt the time of Argentina’s independence, the gauchos (nomadic horsemen) had become the symbol of the nation in its purest form. Celebrated as independent, heroic and strong, and usually portrayed as the sole inhabitants of the Pampa, the idealized image of the gaucho has flooded popular culture and art even today, to the detriment of flesh-and-bone wage laborers of all genders. As opposed to this static image, I propose to examine Alessandra Sanguinetti’s photographic series, The Adventures of Guille and Belinda (ongoing since 1999), which focuses on girls and women in the countryside, pointedly highlights their previous absence. By contrasting historical depictions of the gaucho with Sanguinetti’s work, I contend that her photography disrupts the century-long established notions of life in rural Argentina and that it creates an expansive space for those systematically excluded from the myth of the “rural hero”. Moreover, I claim that her precise and unembellished portrayal presents itself as an alternative to the hetero-normative, machista narrative centering solely around gauchos. I doing so, this research provides a critical understanding of what has been historically included and excluded in the visual narrative of rural Argentina
From Silos to Synergy: Advancing Health Research through Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Full text linkThis project will identify strategies to increase cross-disciplinary collaboration of doctoral trainees in the health sciences. The team will examine models of cross-disciplinary connection through interviews and surveys with program directors, trainees, and mentors in the graduate programs on the MCV campus of VCU. The deliverable will be recommendations for programming opportunities aimed at advancing health research through interprofessional collaboration, positioning the doctoral programs to empower their trainees to move from silos to synergy
Flute Studio Recital
Full text linkStudio RecitalFlute +1 Studio Recitalwith Hope Armstrong Erb & Brent te Velde, pianoThursday, October 9, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.W.E. Singleton Center for the Performing ArtsSonia Vlahcevic Concert Hall922 Park Avenue | Richmond, Virgini