1-km ROMS Model Output for Drake Passage and Scotia Sea (November–December 2017)

Model output with 1-km, 3-hr resolution, and 50 sigma layers was produced using the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS, https://www.myroms.org/), a free-surface, hydrostatic, primitive equation model (Shchepetkin and McWilliams, 2005). 10-day runs covering 12-November-2017 through 29-December-2017 were initialized using 1/12º resolution Operational Mercator. Flux forcing was computed with turbulent fluxes from bulk formulae (Fairall et al., 1996; Large and Pond, 1981) using the atmospheric state obtained from JRA-55 (Tsujino et al., 2018). The model is described in Ferris et al. (2024b) and is provided courtesy of Harper Simmons. Access data at: https://s3.amazonaws.com/swem-scholarly-storage/vims/ferris_simmons_2017/SO_1km_2017_IR/index.html Associated Publications: Ferris, L., Gong, D. (2024a). Damping effects of viscous dissipation on growth of symmetric instability. arXiv e-Print. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2406.16818 Ferris, L., Gong, D., Klinck, J. (2024b). Topographic forcing of submesoscale instability in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. arXiv e-Print. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2410.10721Computational resources were provided by Research Computing Systems at University of Alaska Fairbanks

Selected Teachers' Perspectives On Classroom Management Post-Emergency Remote Teaching: A Grounded Theory

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many aspects of education, including classroom management practices. Following the 2020-2021 school year, as students returned to in-classroom learning, their misbehavior increased (National Center for Education Statistics [NCES], 2022b), presenting novel challenges for teachers to address through their classroom management practices (Prothero, 2023). This study examined how selected elementary education teachers engaged in classroom management practices after emergency remote teaching (ERT) and how, if at all, they saw their students’ experiences during ERT affecting the teachers’ post-ERT classroom management practices. Using a Straussian grounded theory approach (Strauss & Corbin, 1998), I examined the perspectives of 11 elementary general education teachers from five school districts. Data were generated through individual interviews, document analysis, and focus group discussions. Results indicated that participants chose classwide and individual classroom management practices based on their students’ intensified self-regulation and social skills challenges. Each participant selected similar pre- and post-ERT classroom management practices but used them with increased focus and additional direct instruction for proportionately more students post-ERT. As the selected teachers spent more time managing students’ behavioral and emotional needs post-ERT, they experienced overwhelming levels of job-related stress. Implications of these results provide recommendations for school administrators, district leaders, and policymakers interested in supporting teachers navigating the tremendous challenges of classroom management post-ERT, and suggestions for future research to expand our understanding of teacher classroom management practices during a largely unexplored time in recent history.EducationDoctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.

GIS Data: 2025 Mathews County, Virginia. Shoreline Inventory, Coastal Natural Buffers, & Marsh Migration Corridors

Disclaimer: The Center for Coastal Resources Management (CCRM) provides these data with the understanding that they are not guaranteed to be correct or complete, and conclusions drawn from the data set are the sole responsibility of the user. Every attempt has been made to ensure that these data and the documentation are reliable and accurate. CCRM, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program assume no liability for any damages caused by inaccuracies in the data or documentation; and make no warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or utility of this information, nor does the fact of distribution constitute a warranty.The 2025 Shoreline Inventory, Coastal Natural Buffers, and Migration Corridors layers for the City of Mathews were generated using on-screen, digitizing techniques in ArcGIS® Pro v. 3.x while viewing conditions observed in Bing high-resolution oblique imagery, Google Earth, and 2021 imagery from the Virginia Base Mapping Program (VBMP). A geodatabase was developed named Mathews_ShlInventory_NatBuffers_MarshCorridors_2025 containing the following eight features classes displaying bank conditions, shoreline features, natural buffers, and marsh migration corridors: Mathews_BankHeightSlope_2025, Mathews_RecreationalStructures_2025, Mathews_ErosionControlStructures_2025_Line, Mathews_ErosionControlStructures_2025_Polygon, Mathews_BeachesAndDunes_2025, Mathews_TMI_2025, Mathews_MarshMigrationCorridors_2ft_2025 and Mathews_MarshMigrationCorridors_4ft_2025This project was funded in part by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program at the Department of Environmental Quality through Grant # NA24NOSX419C0026 of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administratio

Promoting Social Emotional Learning Through A Professional Development Series In A Virginia High School: An Action Research Study

The implementation of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) allows educational personnel to collaboratively assume responsibility for each student’s development. Unsatisfactory with increased absenteeism, tardiness, and behavioral issues, as well as the lack of surrounding knowledge and skill for SEL implementation, warranted the implementation of this pilot professional development program. The intervention used resources from the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction’s online SEL modules and CASEL’s 3 Signature Practices Playbook. Mixed methods were used to identify participants' perceptions of SEL, changes in students’ attitudes and behaviors post-intervention, factors contributing to or inhibiting effective implementation, and the modality of the intervention as an effective form of professional development. Data analysis, which included descriptive statistics and manual coding, revealed participants were more knowledgeable and confident when implementing SEL strategies, observed increased student engagement and participation in both the strategies and during lesson activities and noted an increase in positive relationships and a decrease in behavioral issues. Participants also reported that the resources' availability and age-appropriateness contributed to implementation. Participants noted that allotting class time and perceptions of their colleagues were inhibiting factors to implementation. Based on the findings, recommendations include a district-wide approach for best practices, including sustained duration of professional development for all employees, use of the professional development bichronous modality, also known as hybrid virtual learning, and core components of effective professional development.EducationDoctor of Education (Ed.D.

Transcriptomic Analysis of Xenopus laevis embryo response to Anterior-Posterior Axis Rotation

This study investigates the molecular basis of developmental plasticity in Xenopus laevis embryos during a critical window between mid-gastrula (stage 11.5) and late-gastrula (stage 12.5) stages. Using comprehensive RNA-seq analysis following 180° rotation of the presumptive neural tissue, we examined transcriptional changes in embryos with differential recovery capacity. Mid-gastrula rotated embryos (70% recovery rate) exhibited more extensive transcriptional responses (923 differentially expressed genes) compared to late-gastrula rotated embryos (30% recovery rate, 559 DEGs), indicating a more robust compensatory capacity at the earlier stage. Key pathways affected included Wnt signaling, FGF signaling, and chromatin remodeling regulators, with mid-gastrula embryos showing significant upregulation of epigenetic modifiers (hdac9.L, kat2a.S) and redox-related genes (nmral1.S, gstp1.L). By developmental stage 30, mid-gastrula rotated embryos uniquely upregulated genes involved in synaptic function (syp.L, cplx1.L) and neuronal connectivity, suggesting successful reestablishment of neural circuitry. Our findings reveal that coordinated regulation of chromatin remodeling, morphogen signaling, and neuronal differentiation pathways underlies successful developmental compensation following axial perturbations, with implications for understanding neural regeneration and plasticity mechanisms in vertebrates.Computational & Applied Mathematics & StatisticsBachelors of Science (BS

Dataset: Shorelines of Wallops and Assawoman Islands, Virginia, 2016-2025

This dataset contains shoreline polylines of Wallops and Assawoman islands, Virginia, delineated from Planet Labs satellite imagery. The dataset spans August 2016 to 2025, with monthly observations increasing to biweekly from August 2020 to September 2021 during NASA's 2020-2021 beach renourishment project on Wallops Island. The imagery resolution is 3 meters, enabling detailed and accurate shoreline delineation. The wet-dry line was traced in ArcGIS Pro to capture temporal changes in the island's coastal boundary. Shorelines were created and are stored in the WGS 1984 UTM Zone 18N coordinate system. Data is saved in an ArcGIS Pro 3.4.0 geodatabase, stored in a .zip file. Time Period Beginning: 2016-08-22 Time Period End: 2025-08-29 Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommerical 4.0 InternationalAccess to Planet data was provided through Planet's Education and Research Program. Funding for researchers provided by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and is supported by the U.S. Geological Survey Coastal and Marine Hazards Resources Program under the Integrated Geomorphic Assessment of Virginia Eastern Shore Barrier Islands project.Virginia Institute of Marine Scienc

Trial and Mostly Error: Public-Private Partnerships in Chicago

This piece examined the use of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the City of Chicago. Financial data was collected to analyze the long-term use of proceeds from the long-term lease of the Chicago Skyway Toll Bridge, downtown public parking system, and parking meter network; further data was collected to contextualize private operator performance and the attempted lease of Midway International Airport. Using four case studies, the leases were compared to determine some of the successes and failures encountered by city officials. While the toll bridge and parking meter leases had long drawn public attention, less had been said about the other two privatization efforts. Analysis revealed that management of the reserves associated with each of these four transactions was varied, with some adhering to responsible management more than others. Each also had a unique history that proved these leases continue to have serious consequences for present policymakers. Further, recommendations on improving the PPP lifecycle are offered, from increasing transaction visibility to reduce public concerns to implementing stronger oversight practices in city budgeting to avoid contractual breaches.GovernmentBachelors of Arts (BA

GIS Data – 2025 Shoreline Management Model - Lancaster County

Geodatabase: Lancaster_SMMv6_2025_FileGDB Feature classes. • Lancaster_SMMv6_ShorelineBMPs _2025 - a polyline feature class containing best management practices recommendations. • Lancaster_SMMv6_OysterSuitabilityModule_2025 - a polygon feature class containing suitable areas for oyster structure placement. The metadata file is embedded in the geodatabase feature classes and defines attribute accuracy, data development, and any use restrictions that pertain to data. Disclaimer: The Center for Coastal Resources Management (CCRM) provides these data with the understanding that they are not guaranteed to be correct or complete, and conclusions drawn from the data set are the sole responsibility of the user. Every attempt has been made to ensure that these data and the documentation are reliable and accurate. CCRM, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program (VA-DEQ -VCZMP) assume no liability for any damages caused by inaccuracies in the data or documentation; and make no warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or utility of this information, nor does the fact of distribution constitute a warranty. CCRM, VIMS, and VA-DEQ -VCZMP endorse trade names or recommend the use of commercial products mentioned in this dataset.In 2011, the Virginia General Assembly adopted a policy into law that specifies living shorelines as the preferred management practice for erosion control in Virginia waters. The Center for Coastal Resources Management (CCRM) at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS) has been developing tools for many years to guide local governments in shoreline management. In particular, they have focused on the use of ecologically preferred alternatives for erosion control and have conducted research into refining the appropriate uses for a large suite of possible treatments based on existing shoreline conditions. A series of Decision Trees were developed to determine shoreline best management practices (BMPs) when conducting onsite inspections. These were developed to support integrated guidance at the management and regulatory level. This body of work has been expanded and re-developed as a GIS spatial model known as the Shoreline Management Model (SMM) to determine appropriate shoreline BMPs from the desktop using available spatial data and the decision tree logic. The assessment is conducted at a parcel level scale, but the output represents a reach-based or cumulative approach to shoreline management. In 2023, CCRM began an update of the SMM. Version 6.0 continues to use fetch, nearshore bathymetry, bank height, marsh presence, beach presence, presence of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), roads and permanent structures within the riparian zone, and existing shoreline erosion control structures. To enhance the model’s capabilities for evaluating best management practices and determining where erosion control practices may impact ecologically sensitive areas, version 6.0 adds wave energy, federal Form 06/27/2023 navigation channels, presence of RTE species via predicted suitable habitat, bank slope, and narrow creeks. Most appropriate for desktop reviews, regulatory compliance, and comprehensive planning, the recommendations derived from the SMM may be altered due to lot size, shoreline length along a single parcel, proximity of primary buildings to the shoreline, type of existing erosion control structures, land use practices, and local biota. The SMM v.6.0 also includes a module that identifies suitable areas for oyster structure placement, which can provide erosion control and habitat enhancement benefits.This project was funded in part by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program at the Department of Environmental Quality through Grant #NA24NOSX419C0026 of the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Surveying Approaches to Black Hole Theory and Quantum Gravity

This thesis provides a discussion of preliminary theories of gravitation and quantum field theory as they relate to theories of quantum gravity. Mathematical methods are developed for studying the theory of stochastic quantum gravity. The theory is developed in the cases of Minkowski space, cosmological inflation space, and Rindler space. These methods are expanded and stochastic processes found for background metrics of a particular class that do not exhibit mixed space-time derivatives, including the black hole metric. Various questions related to black hole information theory, including the effects of Hawking radiation, the firewall puzzle, and the fate of information entering a black hole are discussed. The derivations of black hole entropy calculations and their interpretations from different perspectives on quantum gravity are also included.PhysicsBachelors of Science (BS

Expanding the Scope of Bioconjugations Using Non-Canonical Amino Acids

Protein bioconjugates, or proteins that are covalently bound to other molecules, have applications in a wide variety of fields including drug delivery, diagnostic imaging, and materials. For many of these applications, bioconjugation techniques that afford site-specific, homogenous conjugates are desirable. The incorporation of non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs) into proteins can provide bioorthogonal reaction handles that can be exploited in the synthesis of such conjugates. To this end, this thesis seeks to exploit ncAAs in the development of novel reactions and/or reaction sequences to couple proteins to one or more reaction partners in a site-specific manner. The development of a novel reaction cascade that employs a single bromoalkyne ncAA in the synthesis of a site-specific multivalent conjugate is explored. Novel hydroamination and hydrochalcogenation bioconjugation reactions that exploit a variety of alkynyl functionalities to generate divalent and multivalent conjugates are also investigated.ChemistryBachelors of Science (BS