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Special Recital, Sine Anderson, flute and clarinet, video
Full text linkSpecial Recital, videoSine Anderson, flute and clarinetTuesday, February 25, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.Recital HallJames W. Black Music Center1015 Grove Avenue | Richmond, Virgini
Faculty Recital, George Stoffan, clarinet, video
Full text linkFaculty Recital, videoGeorge Stoffan, clarinetDaniel Stipe, pianoWednesday, March 19, 2025 at 7:30 p.m.Sonia Vlahcevic Concert HallW.E. Singleton Center for the Performing Arts922 Park Avenue | Richmond, Virgini
Impact of substrates and deposition time on bacteria associated with saliva samples and its implication on a bacterial signature-based body fluid identification method
No full textTraditional serological methods for body fluid detection are limited by poor specificity and sensitivity, lacking confirmatory capability and thereby increasing the risk of false positives that may compromise the integrity of forensic investigations. While molecular methods such as mRNA, miRNA, and DNA methylation offer improved specificity, they are often hindered by marker instability and operational complexity in routine forensic workflows. Bacterial signature profiling has emerged as a promising alternative, offering enhanced stability, abundance, and compatibility with existing DNA workflows. However, its forensic implementation requires further validation. This study evaluated the effects of substrate type and storage time on the salivary microbiome to assess the reliability of its key bacterial signatures under conditions relevant to forensic casework. Saliva from ten donors was deposited onto six untreated substrates—including both fabric and non-fabric surfaces—and analyzed at four time points (Weeks 0, 1, 4, and 8) using 16S rDNA sequencing targeting the V4 region. Sequencing was performed on Illumina MiSeq FGx and NextSeq 2000 platforms, with downstream processing in Mothur v1.48.2 and data visualization in R and Excel. Results demonstrated that while bacterial community composition shifted significantly over time (e.g., succession from Firmicutes to increased Fusobacteria and Actinobacteria), substrate material had no significant impact on community structure. Core oral genera—including Veillonella, Streptococcus, and Prevotella—were consistently detected across all conditions, aligning with findings by Wohlfahrt et al. (2023). Post-hoc Tukey HSD analysis confirmed significant differences in alpha diversity between select time points, and NMDS analysis revealed sample clustering primarily by storage time rather than substrate type. Indicator species analysis showed no statistically significant genus-substrate associations, while several genera—including Veillonella and Leptotrichia—were significantly associated with specific time points, supporting the interpretation that salivary bacterial signatures are temporally dynamic yet remain stable across different surfaces. These findings underscore the forensic potential of bacterial profiling by demonstrating the temporal persistence and substrate-independent stability of key salivary taxa
Advancing Forensic Firearm Analysis: Quantitative Measurement of Pellet Patterns Using Open Source Software
No full textShotgun pellet pattern analysis plays a critical role in forensic firearm investigations, particularly for estimating muzzle-to-target distances. However, conventional methods based on pattern diameter become unreliable when only partial patterns are recovered, as is often the case in forensic scenarios involving soft tissue or incomplete impact surfaces. This study aimed to validate ImageJ, an open-source image analysis software, as a standardized, accurate, and reproducible tool for measuring pellet-to-pellet distances in partial shotgun patterns. The methodology included calibration of ImageJ using a perforated poly board, comparison of manual versus digital measurements on 17 pre-made pellet patterns, and development of a calibration curve for distance estimation using 340 measurements from 17 test patterns at known distances. Two ImageJ measurement methods, the line tool and multipoint coordinate analysis were tested. Statistical comparison via paired t-tests showed no significant difference between manual and ImageJ measurements at identical points (p = 0.59), with a high Pearson correlation (r = 0.997) and a mean absolute error of 0.0605 inches. Intra-observer reliability testing revealed a small but statistically significant difference between repeated measurements from different points within the same pattern (p = 0.041), though results remained highly correlated (r = 0.979). A linear regression model generated from known patterns produced a calibration equation (y = 0.16x + 0.1398; R² = 0.9581), which was then successfully applied to estimate distances in three unknown test patterns. These findings support the use of ImageJ as a valid tool for the quantitative analysis of shotgun pellet patterns, particularly when complete dispersion data is unavailable. This methodology provides a scientifically rigorous and reproducible alternative for estimating firing distances in cases involving partial pattern recovery, thereby enhancing the objectivity and evidentiary strength of forensic firearm analysis
Dosimetric Validation of an Electron Monte Carlo (eMC) Algorithm for Small Cutouts and Extended SSD’s: Assessing eMC in Small Field Dosimetry
Full text linkThis thesis validates the accuracy and limitations of Electron Monte Carlo (eMC) simulations in Eclipse treatment planning systems for small-field electron dosimetry and extended source-to-surface distances (SSDs). Systematic measurements were performed using a microDiamond detector across various electron energies and field sizes. The study examines the discrepancies between measured and calculated (eMC) dose distributions, validating challenges due to lateral scatter disequilibrium and extended air gaps. Our findings provide systematic data for eMC dose calculations and demonstrate that eMC performs within clinical tolerances, with the ultimate goal of enhancing the precision and safety of radiation treatments
The Criminal Record as a Death Sentence: Unmasking the Ignored Realities of Formerly Incarcerated University Graduates on Professional Licencing Challenges
Full text linkRecently it is increasingly common practice for universities and professional registration councils to probe into applicants’ criminal records as a precondition for admission. Using social constructionism, this qualitative study explored the experiences of six formerly incarcerated individuals previously sentenced to life imprisonment, who hold professional university degrees in Law, Education, Psychology and Social Work and investigated whether having a criminal record had any bearing when applying for professional registration. The results indicate that due to the perceived stigma of, and discrimination against a criminal record, there exist varying degrees of criminal record disclosure ranging from partial, to full and non-disclosure. Furthermore, the results show that, on the one hand, concealment of a criminal record has adverse implications; while disclosure demonstrates the “double-edge sword” nature inherent in disclosing a criminal record and serves to further re-stigmatise and ultimately exclude people with criminal records from gaining admission. The study recommends that professional licensing councils, in collaboration with institutions of higher learning, ought to formulate unambiguous policy guidelines that explicitly outline the conditions that qualify or disqualify the registration of applicants with a criminal record
Transforming from Outsider to Insider: A Study on New Employee Acculturation to Boost Retention
Full text linkThis dissertation in practice addresses the problem of practice at the National Defense University (NDU) concerning workplace morale, with a focus on new employees (defined as those employed for two years or less). NDU, a unique professional military education institution with a diverse mix of military, civilian, and contractor personnel, sought strategies to improve employee acculturation and foster a more positive command climate. This study explores the impact of current orientation practices on new employees\u27 sense of belonging and morale. Through qualitative research methods, including 17 interviews, a survey sent to all new employees, orientation observations, and artifact analysis, the study investigates perceptions of both new employees and NDU leadership regarding new employee acculturation practices. The research identified promising practices for new employee induction and acculturation, such as long onboarding, intentional pre-onboarding strategies, mentorship, and community-building opportunities. For organizations like NDU, employee turnover happens more often than in non-military organizations; therefore, it is essential to encourage and enhance new employee acculturation to contribute to a supportive workplace culture that promotes employee belonging
Ashwagandha and Sexual Health in Women with Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: Exploring Extent of Adaptogenic Properties
Full text linkHypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder (HSDD) affects 40% of women and potentially decreases their quality of life. Currently, the primary treatment for HSDD is Flibanserin, which is a serotonergic agonist and an antidepressant. However, the limited efficacy of Flibanserin encourages the exploration of the utilization of traditional drugs such as Withania somnifera, otherwise known as Ashwagandha, as an alternative treatment for HSDD. Minimal studies examine ayurvedic medications or the symptoms of illnesses that traditional Western medicines are unable to treat. This comprehensive literature review investigated the efficacy of Ashwagandha in improving sexual function in women with HSDD. The paper evaluated how Ashwagandha may positively influence mental health, sexual desire, and overall physical health, potentially resulting in improved sexual health. The evaluation was conducted by analyzing a combination of human and clinical studies. This paper aimed to observe how Ashwagandha\u27s adaptogen properties may positively improve sexual health by improving sleep quality and mental function, as well as increasing sexual desire. In addition to its improvements to sexual health, Ashwagandha has minimal adverse effects, which may allow it to be a better treatment in comparison to Flibanserin overall. This review proposes that Ashwagandha may improve sexual health for women struggling with HSDD. However, further research needs to be conducted on the long-term effects of the administration of Ashwagandha, as many of the trials completed thus far have only included short term trials
Mechanisms of Ethanol Anxiolysis: Role of Ninein Deletion and Splicing on Ethanol and Anxiety-related Behaviors
No full textAlcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a complex neuropsychiatric chronic-relapsing condition characterized by excessive alcohol intake over time. Its etiology is multifactorial, with genetic, environmental, and psychological factors all contributing to its complex presentation. Anxiety disorders often serve as a predictor of developing AUD with human subjects reporting stress and anxiety as drivers of ethanol consumption. Individual responses to anxiolytic properties of alcohol are though to contribute to the overall development of AUD. The Miles laboratory previously identified Ninein (Nin) as a candidate gene underlying ethanol’s acute anxiolytic-like properties in BXD recombinant inbred mice, using the light-dark box (LDB) transition model of anxiety. Here we present the first comprehensive analysis of Ninein expression and function in the context of ethanol and anxiety-related phenotypes. Here, we utilized both global and region-specific Nin knockout models to dissect the contribution of Nin to ethanol-induced anxiolysis and other ethanol-related behaviors. In particular, our investigation focused on Nin expression in the central amygdala (CeA), which has been characterized as the “hub” region for the overlapping neurobiology of AUD and anxiety disorders. Our results indicate that deletion of Nin, globally or within the CeA, significantly alters the anxiolytic response to ethanol. Intriguingly, selective deletion of Nin in the CeA led to a marked reduction in ethanol consumption in female mice, suggesting a potential sex-specific role for Nin in regulating ethanol intake. Further behavioral assessments revealed that in all Nin knockout models, the deletion of Nin did not affect basal anxiety levels or alter sensitivity to ethanol’s sedative-hypnotic effects. This specificity implies that Nin’s role is predominantly tied to the modulation of ethanol-induced anxiolysis rather than to the generalized regulation of anxiety. To gain insights into the underlying molecular mechanisms, we examined the expression and localization of putative downstream targets of Nin in the CeA. Additionally, we investigated alternative splicing as a post-transcriptional mechanism for strain-specific regulation of overall Nin expression. Across all of our models, validation of our Nin knockout indicated that we did not completely knockout Nin expression, but rather, disrupted Nin expression potentially by disrupting translation initiation. Together, the results presented in this dissertations highlight Nin’s role as a novel contributor mediating the relationship between anxiety and ethanol
Virginia Commonwealth University Graduate Bulletin (2025)
Full text linkListing of courses for the 2025-2026 year