Through Their Eyes: Black Girls Reimagining the Future of School Mental Health Post-COVID-19 through Youth Participatory Action Research

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences and perspectives of Black high school girls regarding school-based mental health (SBMH) services in a post-COVID-19 context. Grounded in Black Feminist Thought (BFT) and utilizing a Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR) framework with Photovoice methodology, this study engaged seven student-researchers as co-investigators in examining how they perceive, experience, and reimagine mental health support in their schools. Before this study, limited research had centered on Black girls’ voices or positioned them as co-researchers in evaluating and shaping SBMH services. Through data analysis, six significant themes and subsequent subthemes emerged: 1) knowledge (self-knowledge and awareness, importantce of mental health); 2) protective factors (safe spaces, relationships and community); 3) challenges and barriers (stigma, accessibility, quality); 4) reimagining school-based mental health (school integration, enhancing services); 5) school belonging and connectedness (trusted adults, group-based supports); and 6) advocacy and change (student advocacy, mental health awareness, school leadership engagement). Findings from this study suggest that Black girls offer critical insights into both the systemic barriers and the transformative possibilities of school-based mental health. Their experiences emphasize the need for culturally responsive, student-centered approaches affirming identity, fostering belonging, and promoting wellness. As schools increasingly focus on mental health, Black girls must be regarded as essential stakeholders in the design, implementation, and evaluation of SBMH services. Results from this study provide a foundation for future research and practice related to school counselors, equity-driven mental health supports, and participatory research with Black youth

Growth to beginning of gill formation.

\u27Growth to beginning of gill formation.\u27 explores constructions of knowledges by tracing Western music theory\u27s dissonant wolf interval through non/chronological time. Sound waves are used to demonstrate an abiding material underlying collective value, and language, constructions. The thesis installation this text accompanies is addressed in four categories: translations of Hz to silent video; the language development stage of babble and image; tension and mediated patterns of the unheard, unseen, or unknown; and air pressure. Brief asides from Gigi, the narrator of a video within the installation, interject. Here, she touches on enforced secrets, blacksmithing as a tool to question the fictive and non-fictive binary, extinction and cyclical time, and maintenance

WIAN

“Am I named after someone? A relative? A friend of my father? A friend of yours? Or did you just pick it out of a hat?” Names, like everything else, are made of stories. A boy, on the cusp of adulthood, asks his mother what his is

Medals

A young field medic in Vietnam tries his hardest save his men among the chaos of war. 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

ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF INCREASING VITAMIN C CONCENTRATIONS ON HIERARCHICAL COLLAGEN FIBER FORMATION BY MENISCAL FIBROCHONDROCYTES

Menisci are semi-lunar wedge-shaped discs that aid in load distribution and transfer in the knee. Menisci are capable of distributing loads due to a complex collagen organization dominated by circumferentially-aligned collagen fibers. With age, menisci have increased susceptibility to injury and degeneration, where collagen fibers become torn and no longer functional. Additionally, there is reduced healing with age, ultimately reducing the ability of the meniscus to distribute load in the knee, leading to the progression of osteoarthritis (OA) and an increased need for total knee replacements. OA is the most common joint condition, affecting over 32.5 million US adults and is characterized by inflammation and the progressive deterioration of articular cartilage. There is a growing need for a treatment that will drive collagen fiber regeneration to heal the meniscus and prevent the formation of OA. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is a natural antioxidant that has been shown to stimulate collagen synthesis in dermal fibroblasts and thus could be a tool to help the meniscus heal better, in turn reducing OA progression. The objective of this thesis is to investigate whether vitamin C can accelerate and improve collagen fiber maturation by meniscal fibrochondrocytes isolated from neonatal bovine and aged humans. We hypothesize that increased concentrations of vitamin C will accelerate and improve collagen accumulation and fiber formation, regardless of cellular age or species, resulting in significantly stronger tissues. To do this, we first cultured neonatal bovine meniscal fibrochondrocytes in a previously developed culture device that guides cells to develop hierarchical fibers and dosed them with 200 µM, 400 µM, and 800 µM vitamin C over 6 weeks. We found that 400 µM and 800 µM vitamin C produced a significant increase in collagen accumulation early in culture compared to 200 µM control cultures, resulting in an accelerated increase in tissue tensile properties. However, we found no significant differences in fiber organization, composition, or mechanics between 400 µM and 800 µM, suggesting a threshold in vitamin C effect on neonatal bovine cells (Chapter 2). We then performed preliminary studies evaluating the effect of vitamin C on aged human meniscal fibrochondrocytes to see whether vitamin C had similar effects on aged human cells as it does on neonatal bovine. Interestingly, 400 and 800 µM vitamin C enhanced hierarchical fiber formation, increased collagen accumulation by 4 weeks, and accelerated improvements in tensile properties, in a dose-dependent fashion; however, by 6 weeks 200 µM cultures had similar improvements (Chapter 3). These findings suggest that vitamin C does increase the production of collagen in both neonatal bovine and aged human meniscal fibrochondrocytes, which shows promise as a therapeutic method for driving healing in aging menisci, however further optimization of dose concentration and duration is needed

Advancing Forensic Firearm Analysis: Quantitative Measurement of Pellet Patterns Using Open Source Software

Shotgun 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

Transforming from Outsider to Insider: A Study on New Employee Acculturation to Boost Retention

This 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

Clinical Outcomes of Primary Anterior Esthetic Crowns in Pediatric Dentistry: Prospective Cohort Study

CLINICAL OUTCOMES OF PRIMARY ANTERIOR ESTHETIC CROWNS IN PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY: PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY By Hanan Naser, DDS A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Dentistry at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2025 Thesis advisor: Dr. Pallavi D Singh, DDS Department of Pediatric Dentistry Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the success and longevity of different types of full coverage restorations for maxillary anterior primary teeth. We compared the clinical performance, esthetic outcomes including parental satisfaction of resin strip crowns (RC), pre-veneered stainless steel crowns (PVSSC), and zirconia crowns (ZC).Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted involving children ages 36-72 months old with carious primary maxillary anterior teeth requiring full-coverage restorations. Treatment was completed under general anesthesia by the dental surgeon. Prior to the procedure, parents or guardians were asked to fill out a pre-assessment Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) questionnaire. The choice of material used for restoration was based on comfort, occlusion, age, technique sensitivity, or material availability. After completing restorations, patients were then asked to follow up for their periodic oral examinations where they were asked to complete ECOHIS questionnaires along with parental satisfaction scale as a post assessment. In order to assess the integrity of the restorations, the dental provider completed anterior crown assessments at these follow ups. Patients were followed every 6 months for up to 18 months. The data collected was entered into REDCap.Results: A total of 41 patients were enrolled in the study and attended at least 1 follow-up appointment. The average patient age was 4.3 and 51% were male (n=21). These 41 patients received a total of 115 crowns, ranging from 1 to 6 crowns per patient. The most frequently treated teeth were D and G both at 61% of patients followed by F which was treated for 56% of patients and E for 49%. Teeth C (21%) and H (17%) were treated with crowns for 27% of the patients. The most common crown type was the composite strip crown (RC) which was used for 61 of the 115 crowns (53%). Zirconia crowns were used for 24 teeth (21%) and pre-veneered stainless steel crowns (PVSSC) for 30 (26%).Conclusion: This study assessed the success and longevity of three types of full coverage restorations for maxillary anterior primary teeth: resin strip crowns (RC), pre-veneered stainless steel crowns (PVSSC), and zirconia crowns (ZC) over an 18-month follow-up. Results showed that nearly all crowns were intact at six months, with high parental satisfaction reported. Although minor issues like color change and fractures were noted, gingival inflammation, particularly with zirconia crowns, was the most significant concern. At the 12-month mark, PVSSCs had a higher incidence of gingival issues compared to RCs and ZCs, emphasizing the impact of crown material on soft tissue health. However, by the 18-month follow-up, clinical outcomes across all types became similar, suggesting that initial differences in gingival health may not be long-lasting. Parents completing the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale indicated significant improvements in the Child Impact Score and total score at the 6-month follow-up, while subsequent follow-ups at 12 and 18 months showed improvements that were not statistically significant. Overall, parental satisfaction remained high for all restoration types, indicating that esthetic and functional outcomes met expectations. These findings offer valuable guidance for clinicians in selecting restoration materials for young patients, balancing clinical effectiveness with parental preferences

Breaking Barriers Yolanda Hall\u27s Mission to Empower Youth

This video highlights the collaborative efforts of Yolanda Hall, a dedicated community partner working closely with the Greater Richmond Youth Development Network (RichmondYDN), housed at the Mary and Frances Youth Center within the Division of Community Engagement at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). Through Hall’s insights, the video explores the impact of community-based partnerships in advancing youth development. The discussion emphasizes the role of collaborative engagement, mentorship, and evidence-based practices in creating sustainable support systems for youth