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S20, E01: Federalist 51 (Aired 9/5/2025)
Full text linkAughie and Nia discuss Federalist Paper 51, which lays out checks and balances in the proposed federal government. James Madison is the author of Federalist 51. Centinel 1, by Samuel Bryan, responds.https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/civil_discourse/1281/thumbnail.jp
Optimal Data Splitting Methods
Full text linkIn predictive modeling, effective data splitting is crucial for creating statistically representative training and validation sets. The state-of-the-art data splitting methods are based on minimizing the energy distance between the split subsets. However, there are a number of limitations in the existing methods, which this dissertation aims to address. First, the existing methods were computationally inefficient. Thus, Chapter 2 proposes a method to scale up these approaches for big data. Here, we introduce scalable Twinning (s-Twinning), which significantly improves the execution speed of data splitting without sacrificing accuracy. Second, the existing methods did not consider the predictive relationship in the data. Hence, Chapter 3 develops an approach to incorporate this relationship. In chapter 3, we propose Alyke, a novel supervised data splitting method that heuristically minimizes energy distance while considering these relationships. Alyke not only enhances predictive power by providing better accuracy but also offers better scalability, making it suitable for big data applications and supervised data compression tasks. Third, the existing approaches were not designed to handle image data. Therefore, Chapter 4 addressed this drawback via incorporating deep neural networks and transfer learning. We propose the advancement of Alyke in chapter 4, Imalyke, to handle a difficult problem of identifying a representative subset for image dataset. Image data often exhibits complex spatial patterns, complicating the process of creating representative subsets for predictive modeling. Imalyke leverages the principles of Alyke combined with transfer learning techniques of deep neural networks to optimize the performance for image data. This method enables accurate predictions of image dataset and aligns with the critical need for reliability, in any image data applications. Through simulations and real-world examples, we demonstrate how all the three methods s-Twinning, Alyke, and Imalyke improve the efficiency and accuracy of data splitting across various domains, offering scalable and specialized solutions for modern predictive modeling challenges
The Delario House: A Novel
No full textIt is 1924 and Annette Rivers, a young, black jazz singer, has been offered the deal of a lifetime. In return for an unimaginable amount of money, she will aid a reclusive, white author named Arthur Vontegrey in penning a musical—all she must do is travel to Richmond, Virginia, and live at his estate, the Delario House. Nettie’s career is finally beginning to take off, but Arthur’s deal offers her exactly what she has always yearned for—a freedom that she believes only financial security can provide.
But the longer Nettie stays, the more she realizes that they are not alone in the house. The dead are everywhere here—the ghost of her enslaved ancestor plagues her at night, a white woman’s spirit insists upon passing a strange grimoire off to her, a kind young man whom she befriends turns out to be the long-dead brother of the very author with whom she works. And Arthur himself is no less strange. He disappears for days at a time, is cold and aloof, and offers little guidance on the musical he had seemed so desperate to write. And at night, doors open to rooms that do not exist in the day, hallways stretch to nowhere, and the very walls seems to breathe and shift all around her. But the more they work together, the deeper Nettie falls in love with Arthur. And despite the house’s strangeness, she begins to feel bizarrely attached to it, as well. As the months pass, so too does her desire to leave. And as Nettie begins to unravel the secrets of the Delario House, she discovers the real reason.
A curse keeps the dead living in this place, and it ensures that the living cannot die. And this curse is weaving its way into Nettie too, ensuring that soon, she, like Arthur and the other tenants of the estate, will never be able to leave—not permanently. The very freedom that Nettie came to the house hoping to attain may be taken from her forever. And worse, she discovers that Arthur, the man for whom she has fallen, has lied to her. He brought her to the house not to write a musical, but in the hopes that she could take someone else’s place in the curse, her freedom to be traded for theirs. Nettie must find the courage to break this curse—one that was put into place by her ghostly ancestor who haunts the halls, and sometimes, Nettie’s dreams.
The Delario House is a 100,000 word adult gothic novel. For fans of Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Mexican Gothic, this book explores themes of blackness, freedom, ownership, found family, and ill-fated love. In The Delario House, Shirley Jackson’s ghost stories meet Nella Larsen’s Harlem Renaissance narratives
ENHANCING IRS LOCALIZATION VIA ML-DRIVEN AOA AND DISTANCE ESTIMATION
Full text linkIntelligent Reflecting Surfaces (IRSs) are transforming next-generation wireless networks by enabling dynamic control of the propagation environment for improved localization and security. This thesis advances Angle-of-Arrival (AoA) and distance estimation in IRS-assisted systems using a hybrid architecture with active sensing and passive reflecting elements. A modified MUSIC algorithm, optimized for near-field localization, decouples 2‑D AoA and 1‑D range estimation using a grid-and-peak pseudo-spectrum scan, achieving sub-degree AoA (0.003 rad) and sub-meter range (0.05 m) accuracy with over 100× lower complexity than classical 3D MUSIC.
The study further applies the algorithm to the DeepMIMO dataset (O1_28 scenario, 3.5 GHz) using hybrid IRSs with varying active elements (M = 10×10, 15×15, 18×18), achieving improved accuracy (0.06 rad AoA, ≃0.03 m range) and 90% signal classification. Phase shifts of the 25×25 passive arrays are optimized to maximize SINR (20 dB), enhancing secure communication.
To refine estimates, two Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) are developed: RefineNet, which improves MUSIC-based AoA and range estimation to achieve centimeter-level accuracy, and ElementNet, which optimizes the number and placement of active IRS elements (M = 4), reducing hardware costs while maintaining high accuracy. These methods enable 100% classification of legitimate versus malicious signals using the Hungarian algorithm.
In summary, this work validates the modified MUSIC algorithm, extends its application to realistic channels, and integrates deep learning to achieve high-precision localization, secure communication, and cost-efficient IRS configurations
Intersecting Identities, Complex Healthcare: Military Affiliation and Transgender Health Outcomes
No full textTransgender adults face well-documented healthcare disparities, but little is known about how military service influences these experiences. This study examined healthcare access and health outcomes among military-affiliated transgender adults using minority stress theory with an intersectional perspective. Secondary data analysis of the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey examined healthcare experiences among 27,715 transgender adults, including 2,403 with military service history. Bivariate analyses explored the association of military affiliation with indicators of healthcare access. Research Question 2 employed regression analyses to examine relationships among discrimination, identity disclosure, and health outcomes within the military subsample. Military-affiliated transgender adults demonstrated a complex healthcare access profile characterized by simultaneous advantages and barriers. They had significantly higher rates of designated healthcare providers for both transgender-related care (χ² = 274.10, p \u3c .001) and routine care (χ² = 274.09, p \u3c .001), yet faced greater geographic barriers to access trans-related and routine health care. Among military-affiliated participants, both general discrimination (β = .194, p \u3c .001) and medical discrimination (β = .11, p \u3c .05) predicted increased psychological distress. Counterintuitively, complete identity disclosure ( out to everyone ) was associated with significantly poorer general health across all categories compared to excellent health (OR = 3.14 for poor health, p = .029). Findings confirm military minority stress processes and suggest benefits of using and expanding an intersectional perspective to military health research with marginalized communities. Military-affiliated transgender adults experience unique experiences within the military institution that require further exploration in future research
REPEAT EXPANSION IN MYOTONIC DYSTROPHY: Exploration of Genetic Modifiers of Repeat Instability
No full textCongenital myotonic dystrophy (CDM), the most severe form of myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), arises from rapid intergenerational expansions of CTG repeats in the DMPK gene. This study leverages the largest whole-exome sequencing (WES) cohort of CDM cases to date to elucidate genetic modifiers of repeat instability and contributors to clinical phenotype. Variant burden analysis, allele frequency comparisons, and permutation testing revealed the enrichment of rare variants in DNA repair and muscle integrity pathways, with MSH6, NEBL, and SGCG emerging as key candidates. Functional enrichment highlighted disruptions in mismatch repair (MMR), homologous recombination, and replication-associated processes, implicating these pathways in both germline and somatic instability. Two lines of evidence implicate MSH3 in CDM pathogenesis: a deleterious variant identified in a multigenerational pedigree cosegregating expanded DMPK alleles and demonstrating impaired DNA repair capacity in functional assays and a strong prevalence of an MSH3 haplotype (including the rs1650697 variant) previously linked to contrasting effects, delayed onset in Huntington’s Disease and earlier onset in DM1. Correlation analyses revealed a compelling dichotomy: rare MMR variants are associated with smaller expansions, predominantly in DM1 mothers, suggesting a germline influence; in contrast, replication stress-related genes correlated with larger expansions characteristic of CDM, reflecting somatic instability. These findings underscore two central themes: disruption of DNA repair machinery and compromised muscle integrity as potential modifiers of repeat instability and the CDM phenotype. Together, this integrative approach, which combines statistical enrichment, family-based variant sharing, and functional validation, advances the understanding of CDM pathogenesis and highlights MSH3, a known modifier of repeat instability, as a promising target for therapeutic modulation with distinct effects in CDM compared to other repeat expansion disorders
Narratives of Illness Identity Development in Adolescents with Cancer
Full text linkIntroduction: Adolescence is a pivotal developmental stage characterized by the development of independence, autonomy, and identity. A diagnosis of cancer can be disruptive to this process (Grinyer, 2009; Hazen et al., 2008; Neylon et al., 2023). How one incorporates cancer into their identity, or illness identity, has been associated with clinical outcomes, including adherence, life satisfaction, psychosocial functioning, and health-related quality of life and could be a target for supportive interventions aimed at adolescents with cancer (Commissariat et al., 2020; Luyckx et al., 2008, 2018; Meyer & Lamash, 2020; Oris et al., 2016; Raymaekers et al., 2020). Prior literature has utilized narrative and digital art techniques to explore difficult topics with children and adolescents (e.g.,Akard, Dietrich, Friedman, Gerhardt, et al., 2021; Akard, Dietrich, Friedman, Wray, et al., 2021; Akard et al., 2015). Thus, the present study explored illness identity development in adolescents diagnosed with cancer guided by the creation of digital avatars with two aims. 1) We aimed to qualitatively explore illness identity development over the course of cancer treatment. 2) We sought to understand how health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychological functioning would differ based on illness identity hypothesizing that participants who expressed a more adaptive illness identity would have higher scores on measurements of HRQoL and psychosocial functioning.
Methods: We analyzed data from a subset of 16 participants from a larger study who were diagnosed with cancer at age 12 or older (mean±SD age = 15.55±1.83, 50% Black, 62.5% male). Participants created digital avatars to represent themselves at 10 phases/contexts across treatment and completed accompanying interviews. Participants also completed the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL): Generic Core Scale and DSM-5 Cross Cutting Symptom Measure at baseline and 6-months to measure HRQoL and psychosocial functioning respectively. Interview data was analyzed using a longitudinal framework approach to assess development-related themes, and interviews were coded as one of four illness identity dimensions previously described by Oris et al. (2016) to compare health-related quality of life and psychosocial functioning across groups.
Results: For Aim I, three development-related themes emerged from the data: Moving Forward and Circling Back, Fluctuating Autonomy and Control, and Different Context, Different Self. For Aim II, we found that 37.2% of the avatars were coded as adaptive and 27% were coded as maladaptive; 29.1% of the interviews could not be coded into either category. The majority of the “Present Me” interviews could not be coded into one of the four illness identity dimensions, and as such, we were unable to compare differences in psychological functioning and HRQoL between adaptive vs. maladaptive groups.
Conclusions: Adolescents in the present study described a process of illness identity development that focused on renegotiating old identities in the context of a cancer diagnosis, experiencing loss and gain of autonomy and control, and adjustment of identity in different contexts. We also found differences in patterns of the four previously described illness identity dimensions compared to other populations. Thus, illness identity may manifest differently in adolescents with cancer than other chronic illness groups. As such, clinicians working with adolescents with cancer should normalize exploration and change in adolescents’ understanding of how cancer fits into their identity. How to best support adolescents navigating illness identity development during cancer treatment should be explored through future research. One such strategy could be through the use of narrative techniques, which may be useful tools
Persistence of southwestern white pine (Pinus strobiformis) in an ever-changing environment
Full text linkAbstract
Local adaptation is known to occur in multiple tree species, with climate as a main force for it occurring, indicating adaptation and changes occurring in spatially and temporally changing climates. With increased climate change, the question now is what future persistence may appear as, and by what magnitude trait mismatch may occur. This is observed in southwestern white pine (Pinus strobiformis) for drought-response traits: resistance (RT), recovery (RC), and resilience (RS). Using previously collected data, the genetic and phenotypic diversity were analyzed. Using that information, the trait values for individuals where only genetic data was known was determined using genome-wide association studies, as well as determining the effect size necessary. Finally, the different levels of mismatch were calculated for three future climate year sets by finding the difference between current and predicted phenotype values. It was found that there was strong isolation-by-distance present genetically, with low inbreeding within populations. There was no strong IBD for phenotypes, as well as overall weak correlation between phenotype difference and genetic difference between populations, indicating no confounding variables to explain the phenotype patterns seen. The effect size necessary to accurately predict phenotype value was 364 SNPs, with very strong accuracy. Climate was found to be a strong predictor for the phenotypes, particularly variables associated with drought conditions. Overall, to maintain current conditions in future environments, there needs to be a decrease in RT, with an increase in both RC and RS. These lead towards an overall increase in post-drought growth, and a decrease in during-drought growth. With shifts in growth patterns, a new strategy may need to develop, with focus on post-drought growth and minimal during-drought growth. Additional research to better understand persistence would be to determine sites where future conditions are likely to cause less trait mismatch and maladaptation
IDENTIFICATION OF MECHANISMS ASSOCIATED WITH ELECTRONIC NICOTINE DELIVERY SYSTEM USE FOR WEIGHT CONTROL IN YOUNG ADULTS
Full text linkElectronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) use continues to rise among young adults in the United States, raising public health concerns as the harmful effects of ENDS continue to rise while tailored cessation programs lag. Weight control motives may drive ENDS initiation and frequent use, particularly among sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations, who report higher ENDS use, body dissatisfaction, and disordered eating behaviors than those who identify as heterosexual and cisgender. Understanding these behaviors, their mechanisms, and at-risk populations is critical for improving public health. Seven hundred and eight young adults (ages 18–30; M = 26, SD = 3.3) reporting past 30-day ENDS use were recruited via Qualtrics Panels (Feb–Mar 2025). Participants completed an online survey assessing ENDS use for weight control, perceptions of ENDS as a weight control tool, body appreciation, disordered eating behaviors, and relevant sociodemographics. Mediation and moderated mediation models tested whether ENDS expectancies to control weight mediated associations between body appreciation or disordered eating behaviors and ENDS use for weight control, and whether SGM identity or sex assigned at birth moderated these relationships. Models demonstrated that ENDS expectancies to control weight fully mediated the association between body appreciation and ENDS use for weight control, and partially mediated the association with disordered eating behaviors. No moderated mediation was found when SGM identity and sex assigned at birth were included as moderators. ENDS prevention and intervention programs should consider addressing weight-related motives, promote healthier weight management strategies, and clarify misperceptions around ENDS’ ability to control weight
A Formidable Female Network: The Role of Women in William Henry Fox Talbot’s Establishment of Early Photography
Full text linkThis paper explores how women assisted William Henry Fox Talbot (1800-1877) to establish his Photogenic Drawing and Calotype photographic processes in Great Britain and Europe. Utilising preserved contemporary correspondence as a primary source of unedited transcribed conversations, the genesis of photography can be revisited from an alternative viewpoint of extensive familial collaboration. Letters between Talbot and his female relatives exposed a sophisticated network of interconnected mid 19th century social elite, providing multiple opportunities for informal advocacy and timely dissemination of the new scientific art.
Epistolary exchanges from 1839 to 1858 provide new insights into women’s subtle, less visible influence on the progress of early photography, emerging through a complex framework of revelatory dialogues between Talbot and dedicated female photographic conduits. The study also acknowledges photographic advocacy continued by Talbot’s granddaughter in 1934 marking a century of women’s unique support in promoting the birth of photography. The paper concludes that women in Talbot’s extended family played a key role in the promotion of early photography in Britain and Europe