Digital Commons Network^™

Neuroendocrine Regulation Of The Luteinizing Hormone Surge And Puberty Onset In Sheep, Max J. Griesgraber

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are essential for the reproduction of all mammalian species, including both sheep and humans. GnRH is secreted by hypothalamic neurons into the hypophyseal portal vasculature in a pulsatile manner, which then acts within the anterior pituitary to elicit the release of LH and FSH into wider systemic circulation. In females LH and FSH act on the ovaries to promote estradiol (E2) production, follicular development, and under certain conditions in regard to LH, ovulation. Furthermore, while E2 inhibits GnRH and subsequent LH secretion under most conditions, at high concentrations E2 …

Molecular Characterization Of Fungus-Arthropod Associations, Angie M. Martin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Arthropods, or phylum Arthropoda, are the largest group of animals, accounting for over three quarters of all animal records on NCBI Taxonomy. And yet, only 40% of all deposited sequences on NCBI Nucleotide come from arthropods. Clearly, arthropods are an understudied group of animals: they are small, often drab, and lead lives very alien to our own. Arthropods have chitinous exoskeletons, segmented bodies, and jointed appendages, and include crabs, barnacles, insects, spiders, and millipedes. Since the era of DNA based studies took off in the 1980s, DNA and other small molecules have been integral to our understanding of the Earth …

Comparative Analysis Of Electrode Encapsulation Reliability: Planar Vs. Thermoformed Interdigitated Neural Electrodes In Biomedical Engineering, Tatum Peyerl

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Durable dielectric encapsulation is crucial for the long-term function of implantable neural electrodes; however, the reliability of curved, thermoformed coatings remains underexplored. This study addresses that gap by comparing planar (non-thermoformed) and thermoformed interdigitated neural electrodes (IDEs) encapsulated in Polyimide-2611. Both device types underwent accelerated in vitro aging in phosphate‑buffered saline (PBS) at 67 °C for approximately 91 days, simulating two years of physiological exposure. Post-accelerated aging evaluation included electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) from 0.1 Hz to 100 kHz to monitor moisture‑induced leakage, and high‑voltage breakdown testing under saline immersion to assess dielectric strength. After aging, all electrodes maintained impedance …

Evaluating Osmia Cornifrons As An Effective Pollinator For Agricultural Crops: An Analysis Of Hair Morphology And Sex-Ratio Distorting Bacterium, Wolbachia, Nellie Heitzman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Effective pollination relies not only on the presence of pollinators but also on their morphological adaptations and reproductive biology. In this study, I investigated both the external hair morphology and the intracellular bacterial infection status of Osmia cornifrons, a solitary bee species increasingly used in orchard pollination due to its efficiency and early seasonal activity. Using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), I characterized the distribution and structure of two major hair types present on the bee's body: branched and unbranched. Branched hairs were found widely distributed across the head, thorax, dorsal abdomen, and legs, and appeared to function primarily in incidental …

P23h Rhodopsin Accumulation Disrupts Synaptic Protein Levels In Rod Photoreceptors, Samantha Thompson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Rod photoreceptors are specialized neurons located in the retina, the neural tissue that lines the back of the eye. Rod photoreceptors are necessary for dim light and peripheral vision through the photoactivation rhodopsin (Rho). Rho is synthesized in the inner segment of rods before being unidirectionally trafficked to the outer segment. In diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), Rho trafficking can be disrupted, leading to progressive rod cell death. In many cases of RP, Rho is mislocalized to the rod photoreceptor synapse (“spherule”). The impact of Rho mislocalization on spherule structure and protein organization is poorly understood. We hypothesize that …

Media Framing Of The Local And National News Coverage Of The East Palestine Train Derailment, Lauren Delo

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research examined digital news coverage of the East Palestine train derailment to determine the frames and dominant frames used in both local and national coverage of the disaster, and whether these frames differed over time. Specifically, this research used a content analysis of digital newspaper articles from five media outlets—three national level and two local level—and applied the frames identified from Colistra’s (2010) study of print news coverage of the 1972 Buffalo Creek mine disaster. Results revealed significant differences between the most frequently used frames between local and national coverage, shifts in frame usage over time within each media …

Investigating The Physiological, Metabolomic, And Transcriptomic Changes In Response To Telomerase Deletion In Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, Taizina Momtareen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Telomerase is an enzyme found in rapidly dividing cells that maintains chromosome ends and prevents the loss of genetic information during cell division. When telomerase is inactive, cells gradually lose their telomeres and eventually stop dividing. In yeast, a rare subset of cells can bypass this growth arrest by switching to a recombination-based mechanism to maintain telomeres. Therefore, yeast provides a powerful system to study this adaptation, as telomerase-deficient strains can generate 'survivors' that mimic the Alternative Lengthening of Telomeres (ALT) pathway observed in some human tumors. In this work, my goal was to examine how a telomerase-null (TLC1 …

Exploration Of Coping And Mental Health In West Virginia Farmers, Jodi Meadows Richmond

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Compared nationally, West Virginia currently ranks lowest for life expectancy, highest for drug related deaths and 35^th for access to adequate health (WV DHHR Organization Assessment & Strategic Plan, 2022). The state also ranks first in the nation for depression with one in four adults experiencing some form of depressive condition each year (CDC, 2020). The rurality of the state may limit social interaction and availability of medical treatment facilities (Brew et al., 2016).

The situation is even more dire for those in farming-related occupations. Farmers often struggle with management stress, utilizing appropriate coping strategies, and accessing mental health …

White Paper And Black Water: Environmental Control Of Labor In Appalachian Paper Mill Communities, Matthew C. Powell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In several small Appalachian communities, the West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company dominated the local landscape. The company stripped the mountainsides of spruce trees for pulpwood and used rivers for industrial processes and waste disposal. The small towns along these rivers and between these mountains relied on paper mills for employment. Corporate control over the natural environment, and water more specifically, was a necessary requirement for paper production, but also acted as a source of power over employees and their communities. When paper workers sought to organize, the company responded by leveraging their control over the environment against them to …

From Sequencing To Conservation: Genomic Analysis Of Three Sportfish Species In West Virginia, Andrew Johnson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Situated in the Appalachian Mountains, one of the oldest mountain ranges on Earth, West Virginia waters boast rich ichthyofauna including native sportfish species walleye (Sander vitreus), largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans), and muskellunge (Esox masquinongy). These three species are all native to the contemporary Ohio River watershed and play a major recreational and ecological role in local fisheries. Ecologically, all three species are apex predators and play a key role in ecosystems by directly influencing local fish assemblages. As dominant apex predators all three species are highly sought after in recreational fisheries with largemouth bass …

Evidence-Based Lighting Design For Healthcare: Health Effects Of Timed Blue-Light At Night (Blan) On Night-Shift Staff, Seyedeh Nazli Hosseini

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The effects of light at night on night-shift clinical staff in healthcare settings is a topic of growing significance, considering the widespread adoption of artificial lighting and the increasing prevalence of night-shift work in the healthcare industry. The intersection of neuroscience and architecture provides a unique lens to explore the intricate relationship between lighting conditions and the circadian hygiene of night-shift medical staff. This project investigates the strategies associated with light exposure schedules for staff during night-shift work in healthcare settings.

Exposure to artificial light at night may contribute to mood disturbances and sleep disorders and consequently affect alertness and …

Simulation Of Annpet For Neural Network Training And System Performance Benchmarking, Pete Martone

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Monte Carlo (MC) simulations are often used to provide insight into complex physical phenomenon. They can generate realistic results without the necessity to construct costly and complex apparatus. The ultimate value of these simulations depend on how accurately the physics can be modeled and if a sufficient volume can be produced to account for statistical variance. In medical imaging device development, MC simulations of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanners have typically been used to model the performance of new systems. The imaging group in the Department of Radiology have developed a unique detector design for a pre- clinical PET scanner …

Communicated Narrative Sensemaking In The Grandparent-Grandchild Relationship, Madison Clara Martin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Storytelling is a primary form of communication between grandparents and grandchildren that has been shown to strengthen relational bonds and enhance grandchildren’s well-being. However, the specific narrative features and interactional processes involved in grandparent-grandchild storytelling remain underexplored, particularly regarding how they influence well-being and perceptions of generational differences. Guided by Communicated Narrative Sensemaking (CNSM) theory, this study examined the content (story framing) and process (interactional sensemaking behaviors) of grandparent-grandchild storytelling episodes as reported by young adult grandchildren (N = 110). Participants completed an online survey in which they recounted a storytelling episode with a grandparent and reported on individual well-being …

Filling Research Gaps In Occupational Health In Thermal Spray Coatings: A Scoping Review, Lab Characterization, And Lung Deposition Of Cold Sprayed Emissions, Bailley N. Reggetz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Thermal Spray Coating (TSC) processes are industrial surface treatment methods used to create coatings for repair, protection, and performance enhancement of components exposed to wear, corrosion, heat, or other harsh conditions. The most commonly used TSC techniques (flame spraying, electric arc spraying, HVOF spraying, plasma spraying, and cold spraying) are used across numerous industries including aerospace, automotive, biomedicine, and energy due to their ability to enhance surface properties such as providing corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and thermal insulation. While TSC techniques have been commercially available for nearly a century, they have undergone continuous development to accommodate more specialized applications, unique …

Revitalizing The Urban Riverfront: Redesigning The West End Bridge In Pittsburgh,Pa For Sustainable Multi-Use Connectivity And Public Space Creation., Mina Kargari Rezapour

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Urban waterfronts are critical assets for cities, offering opportunities for ecological restoration, public engagement, and multi-modal transportation. However, many riverfronts remain underutilized due to infrastructure barriers and lack of accessibility.

Pittsburgh’s riverfront is dynamic asset that supports recreation, cultural expression, and community interaction. The Three River Heritage Trail Loop, a visionary project led by River Life over the past 20 years, seeks to connect diverse neighborhoods and natural assets along the city’s rivers. At the heart of this initiative is the West End Bridge, serving as the bookend and a pivotal gateway to complete the loop and critical link for …

Evaluation And Identification Of Novel Viruses In Wild Fishes Using Varied Molecular Biology Techniques, Clayton Douglas Raines

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Viruses are among the most abundant biological entities on Earth, yet their diversity and ecological roles in aquatic vertebrates, particularly fishes, remain poorly characterized. This dissertation advances fish virology through integrative approaches that combine historical context, molecular diagnostics, and genomic discovery. A novel hepadnavirus (ApHBV) was identified in asymptomatic Alosa pseudoharengus, emphasizing the prevalence of subclinical infections in migratory forage species. In Catostomus commersonii, transcriptomic profiling revealed sexually dimorphic immune responses to hepatitis B and C-like viruses, highlighting complex host-pathogen dynamics. In Micropterus nigricans, next-generation sequencing uncovered a novel nackednavirus and multiple adomaviruses within hyperpigmented lesions, expanding …

Neurobiological Variables Mediating The Relationship Between Breast Cancer And Sleep Disruption, Brittany Domenique Elliott

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Neurobiological Variables Mediating the Relationship between

Breast Cancer and Sleep Disruption

Brittany D. Elliott, MS

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in women, with more than two million new cases diagnosed world-wide each year. Improvements in screening technology and diagnostics have increased survival rates, but cancer-associated sleep disruptions persist for the majority of breast cancer survivors well beyond the treatment period. In addition to reducing quality of life, reduced sleep quality is associated with greater incidences of affective dysfunction, reduced treatment efficiency, aggressive cancer progression, increased symptom severity, and increased mortality by all causes. Thus, identifying the variables …

Non-Lethal Sampling Methods For Fish Health Assessments Using Smallmouth Bass Micropterus Dolomieu, Lindsey Nicole Hartzell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In the early 2000s, fish kills of different species, including smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu, were reported in areas of the Potomac River drainage, including the Shenandoah River in Virginia. Since the first reports of fish kills and lesions affecting smallmouth bass, they have continued to show signs of adverse health effects. Additionally, in some areas of the Potomac River drainage, population declines have occurred, and lethal sampling is discouraged. To develop a holistic, integrative approach to assess fish health, Smallmouth Bass were collected and sampled using non-lethal techniques at three sites within the Shenandoah River drainage, VA and one …

Longitudinal And Ensemble Modeling Of Beef Cattle Feed And Water Intakes, Nathan El Blake

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Beef cattle production remains a cornerstone of global food systems, providing highly bioavailable protein and essential micronutrients that are difficult to secure from plant-based foods alone. Yet this production is also resource-intensive, requiring substantial land, feed, and water inputs while contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Efficiency of dry matter intake (DMI) and water intake (WI) is central to both productivity and sustainability, but accurate measurement of these traits—particularly in grazing systems—remains a major limitation. National WI standards continue to rely on pen-level data collected in the 1950s, while most existing DMI prediction equations perform poorly when applied beyond the …

Microbial And Plant Biodiversity In Appalachian Agroecosystems And Their Implications For Soil Health, Kinsey Reed Close

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The sustainability of agricultural landscapes depends on understanding the complex interactions between plants, soil, and microbes. In Appalachia, a region shaped by complex terrain and long histories of human and ecological interaction, small family farms produce hay, livestock, and row crops. These agroecosystems, though often treated as “artificial” by many ecologists, have the potential to support both food production and biodiversity conservation if managed with an understanding of ecological complexity. This dissertation examines how plant and microbial diversity interact with soil and management to influence nutrient cycling, soil health, and long-term resilience in Appalachian agricultural systems. A literature review revealed …

Dynamic Force Feedback Controller Improves Metrics Of Stepping In A Biomimetic Robot Leg, Isabella Mae Kudyba

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Force feedback is a type of robotic control where forces are measured, fed back into the control system, and actuation is adjusted to compensate for environmental forces, with the goal of quick and precise limb positioning in walking. Robots of today use single force sensors (e.g. pressure sensitive pads, load cells) per leg which are often bulky, expensive, and susceptible to crosstalk. Walking robots often employ model predictive controllers or policy controllers trained through reinforcement learning (RL) to actuate their limbs, but these methods are time and energy consuming. Biomimetic robots offer an alternative approach, investigating biological theories with the …

Replicating The Functionality Of Ghost Knifefish Cerebellar Feedback Using Synthetic Nervous Systems, Sheldon Paul Cj Johnson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Sensory inputs allow animals to perceive, react, and adapt to an environment. However, the sensory information received by the body, such as visual, auditory, and proprioceptive information, could become overwhelming, thus overloading the brain. Yet, animals can process all this information by canceling redundant signals from their surroundings, allowing them to be more sensitive to novel or unexpected signals in their environment. Each species (i.e., birds, fish, mammals) has its own way of using and filtering sensory information, from auditory to locomotion adaptivity. Cerebellar circuits contribute to sensory filtering in a variety of systems. In particular, research on Ghost knifefish …

Rational Design Of Small Molecules Targeting Mitochondrial Redox Proteins, Matheus Barbosa Belchior

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Reactive oxygen species play a crucial role in many cellular processes. Despite being a natural byproduct of cellular metabolism, overexpression of these species causes damage to the cell, leading to cell dysfunction. Central to the regulation of these highly reactive molecule is the mitochondria. Impairment in its function has been associated with oxidative stress within the cell. Herein, a ligand-based and structure-based approach to design new small molecules to inhibit mitochondrial redox proteins associated with oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species. In the first project two molecules were synthesized and characterized as potential monoamine oxidase B inhibitors. Results showed two …

Identifying The Role And Influence Of Interleukin-27 On The Neonatal Immune Response, Jordan Kane Vance

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The first month of life is a critical and vulnerable developmental stage, characterized by a heightened risk of life-threatening infections. Each year, 1.3 million newborns succumb to neonatal bacterial sepsis. The immune system during the neonatal period has unique features that lead to inefficiencies at clearing infection. Early life immunity is characterized by a Th2-biased profile with decreased IL‑12, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, along with increased IL‑6 and IL‑23. Additionally, IL‑27, an immunosuppressive cytokine, is also elevated during this period and further contributes to susceptibility to infection. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical in administering effective care in newborns and there …

Exploring The Ruminal Microbiome And Its Impacts On Feed Efficiency In Beef Cattle, Taylor Simone Sidney

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The ability for beef cattle to utilize feed efficiently is a critical determinant for both economic and environmental sustainability in livestock production. However, despite extensive research, the complex microbial ecosystem within the rumen and its relationship to feed efficiency remain incompletely understood. This dissertation explores the physiological and microbial foundations of feed efficiency by characterizing how rumen microbial communities and their functions differ among beef cattle with divergent residual feed intake (RFI) phenotypes and how the RFI status of beef cattle influenced their response to dietary interventions such as supplementation with a Bacillus-based feed additive. In the first study, …

Survival And Spatial Ecology Of North American River Otters (Lontra Canadensis) In West Virginia, Laurel Marie Glover

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Wildlife reintroductions function to regain wildlife populations in areas where they have been extirpated or greatly diminished. One such species that has been reintroduced to several states is the North American river otter (Lontra canadensis). The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) conducted a river otter reintroduction effort between 1984-1997, releasing 245 individuals into the state. The reintroduction was deemed a success with the WVDNR opening a regulated trapping season for river otters in 2011, allowing trappers to take one river otter per season. As the population has reestablished in West Virginia, several management challenges have arisen …

Effects Of Environmental And Anthropogenic Gradients On Fish Beta Diversity In Central Appalachian Streams, Alanna Kaylee Lowther Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Understanding the environmental and spatial drivers of community composition is essential for conserving freshwater biodiversity. We examined how environmental gradients, land cover, and spatial structure influence fish beta diversity in wadeable streams across West Virginia, USA. We quantified total beta diversity and partitioned it into species replacement and richness difference components and used local contributions to beta diversity (LCBD) to identify compositionally unique sites. Community–environment relationships were evaluated with distance-based redundancy analysis (dbRDA), and a beta regression GLMM was used to test how elevation, slope, land cover, and stream order (factor) predicted LCBD while accounting for spatial structure (dbMEMs) and …

Watershed-Level Survey Of Antimicrobial Resistance From Onsite Wastewater Systems, Trey Franklin Clark

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has quickly become one of the largest global health and development threats. Research related to environmental modes of transmission of AMR has accelerated in recent years, and the US Environmental Protection Agency is particularly interested in this emerging contaminant. Knowledge of how onsite (decentralized) wastewater treatment systems contribute to this issue is lacking, so this research serves to analyze and quantify the environmental dissemination of AMR and fecal contamination from these sources at a watershed level while using statistical analysis to assess relationships between physiochemical, spatial, and sampling parameters. This research surveyed four watersheds …

Development Of Novel Carbohydrate-Based Nanoparticles For Precision Drug Delivery, Krystal Ann Hughes

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Nanoparticle-based drug delivery has made tremendous advancements in the last decade. However, several critical factors, including precision drug delivery at the site of interest, long-term storage stability, and controlling release profiles of drugs in the systemic circulation, need to be addressed for successful clinical translation of nanomedicine. This dissertation presents novel carbohydrate-based nanoparticles that achieve precise intracellular delivery and therapeutic release at the disease site. We present the formulation and optimization of polymeric and polymer-lipid hybrid nanoparticles that enable precision intracellular delivery and passive accumulation of therapeutics in the bone marrow. Intracellular delivery is highly impactful and sought after. One …

Extinction Bursts Reexamined: The Role Of Consummatory Time And Response Reallocation, Braden Toler

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Two experiments were conducted to examine how the removal of the opportunity to consume reinforcement and the reallocation of that time might account for extinction bursts during within-session transitions from FR 1 to extinction. In Experiment 1, rats and pigeons were trained under FR 1 schedules and subsequently exposed to within-session extinction. Total counts of responses suggested that extinction bursts occurred for each subject, but when adjusted to exclude responses that would have overlapped with food consumption, no bursts were observed. In Experiment 2, pigeons experienced four extinction arrangements: conventional extinction, response-independent reinforcement, conditioned reinforcement, and differential reinforcement of alternative …