Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect Of Cerebellar Feedback On The Spatial Processing Of Conspecific Signals In The Electrosensory System, Dakota Ray Miller

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Animals have evolved sensory systems to help decipher important environmental signals that are vital for their survival. Feedback pathways are necessary to allow these signals to stand out in a noisy background, enabling the animal to focus on them more effectively. The electrosensory system of Apteronotus leptorhynchus allows the fish to sense the modulations caused by other conspecifics to allow for proper responses during social interactions. Electroreceptors detect these EODs, and afferent nerves project these signals to the ELL, where electrosensory information is projected to other parts of the brain. Cerebellar feedback to the ELL allows the suppression of lower …

3d Printed Microfluidic Platforms For Elisa-Based Diagnostics: Advancing Toward Point Of Care, Brandi Marie Binkley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Protein biomarker detection is a critical analytical method for quantifying proteins in biological samples. It is relevant not only in medical diagnostics and research but also numerous other fields such as environmental monitoring, pharmacology, food safety, and biotechnology. Sensitive detection at picogram-per-milliliter (pg/mL) levels is essential for diagnosing diseases, monitoring progression, and tailoring treatments, especially for low-abundance biomarkers like troponin, interleukin 6, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), activin A, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Immunoassays, particularly enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), are the gold standard for protein biomarker detection due to their high specificity and sensitivity. The development of point-of-care (POC) diagnostic …

A Limb-Speed-Driven Locomotor Control System And Its Ability To Adapt, Emily Marie Herrick

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Despite how simple walking may seem, the locomotor control system is structurally and functionally complex. Its hierarchical organization of supraspinal and spinal networks with forward and feedback pathways has many interactions at multiple levels that are dependent on the dynamics of a high-dimensional musculoskeletal system. Having a comprehensive understanding of sensorimotor integration within a healthy locomotor control system is crucial for understanding changes to the system due to age or neurologic disease and developing effective technologies to recover mobility in those populations. In this dissertation, we address persistent gaps in knowledge pertaining to how the nervous system controls locomotion.

In …

Co-Transmission Is Co-Opted For The Coordination Of Auditory Sensory Integration, Marryn M. Bennett

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Corollary discharge circuits (CDCs) are conserved mechanisms for sensory modulation during species specific behavioral programs. Many behaviors require multiplexed differential sensory modulation for proper execution. Co-transmission of fast and slow neurotransmitters allows for distinct modulation of different downstream targets within one sensorimotor circuit. However, studying co-transmission within the context of modulatory circuits like CDCs requires complete knowledge of behavioral circuits and precise tools for individually determining the implications of each transmitter on its targets. In this dissertation, I used a conserved set of corollary discharge interneurons in Drosophila melanogaster as a model to study the intricacies of sensory modulation through …

Investigating The Biology, Hypovirulence, And Pathogenicity Of Three Canker-Causing Phytopathogenic Fungi In The Cryphonectriaceae And Cytosporaceae On American Chestnut (Castanea Dentata) And Oaks (Quercus Spp.) In The Eastern U.S., Danielle N. Mikolajewski

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

American chestnut (Castanea dentata) and various oak species (Quercus spp.) are impacted by several economically important canker pathogens in the fungal order Diaporthales, namely Cryphonectria parasitica and Endothia gyrosa (Cryphonectriaceae). Cytospora canker caused by several closely related fungi in the fungal genera Cytospora and Valsa (Cytosporaceae) have also been implicated in causing canker diseases of Quercus and Castanea in Asia, Europe and North America. The impacts of C. parasitica on American chestnut have been exhaustively studied and it’s impacts on various oak hosts have also been broadly investigated and reported. Endothia gyrosa has …

Rare Earth Element Recovery From Acid Mine Drainage Using Ion Exchange And Selective Precipitation Processes, Paubla Andrea Gallego Lopez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Rare earth elements (REEs) are used in high-tech applications due to their electromagnetic and optical properties. As global demand for REEs surges, the limitation of primary mineral deposits has increased interest in alternative sources. One such source is acid mine drainage (AMD), which, although typically low in REE concentration, offers a promising avenue for recovery. Among the emerging recovery methods, ion exchange has shown promise due to its effectiveness at low concentrations and lower operational cost than conventional techniques such as acid leaching and solvent extraction.

This research focused on developing a recovery process by combining ion exchange with selective …

Characterization Of A Descending Neuron That Modulates Flight Performance And Provides Input Onto A Flight-Related Predictive Motor Circuit, Andisheh Balouchi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Descending neurons (DNs) play a critical role in sensorimotor integration by relaying motor information to the ventral nerve cord (VNC). Within the VNC, local interneurons, other DNs, and ascending neurons (ANs) make circuits with sensory and motor neurons to modify flies’ behavior. One important AN pair in Drosophila Melanogaster is mesothoracic ascending histaminergic neurons (MsAHNs), which are known to convey predictive wing motor signals to the brain. DNg32 is the primary upstream synaptic partner of MsAHNs, integrating DNg32 input with other inputs to generate predictive motor signals. The goals of this study were to 1) map the synaptic connectivity of …

Simulated Slot Machine Gambling In Relation To Sign-Tracking, Polina Krom

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The propensity to attribute incentive salience to reward-related cues, or sign-tracking (ST) has been linked to addiction in animal models and some initial human data. The current study explores the role of sign-tracking (ST), as a potential risk factor for problematic slot machine gambling, which abundantly features audiovisual reward-related cues, henceforth sensory features. A sample of healthy participants without gambling problems (n = 30) completed a Pavlovian-to-Instrumental Transfer (PIT) paradigm to assess ST propensity and played on a realistic slot machine simulator consisting of two versions: with sensory features (SF+) and without (SF-). Each game version had fixed bet sizes, …

Using Data Science And Sustainability Assessment Tools To Evaluate Wastewater Treatment Technologies, Haidar Shakuir Aldaach

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Wastewater management in small communities has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including population growth, limited budgets for operation and maintenance, and stringent effluent standards required by environmental regulations. These challenges motivate enhancing wastewater treatment processes to protect water quality. Wastewater treatment performance can be improved in small towns and rural regions by implementing data-driven strategies. Data science, life cycle assessment (LCA), and life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) are three data-driven decision-making tools that require data collection, modeling, computational models, and statistical analysis that could be utilized to improve wastewater treatment efficiencies. In this study, these three tools were adopted …

Tobacco And Trouble: Exploring The Health Consequences Of Electronic Cigarette Use In Adolescents, Noor Ibrahim Abdulhay

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable disease and death in the United States (U.S.). Although conventional cigarette use among youth has declined, the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has become highly prevalent and poses emerging public health concerns. Adolescence represents a critical developmental period for both oral and mental health, making it essential to understand the consequences of tobacco and nicotine exposure during this stage. The goal of this dissertation is to examine the health impacts of tobacco use in adolescents across multiple domains. Specifically, this research (1) synthesizes existing evidence on the relationship between …

The Dna Methylation Capacity Of The Tsetse Fly: Glossina Morsitans, And Its Integration With Symbiont Nutrient Provisioning, Dylan Forrest Richmond

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) are the vector of trypanosomes (Trypanosoma spp.), which are responsible for African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness. African trypanosomiasis is a significant health and economic burden yet remains a neglected tropical disease. As an obligate blood feeder, tsetse flies are reliant on B vitamin supplementation from intracellular Gammaproteobacteria, Wigglesworthia glossinidia. Folate (B9) is essential for tsetse development and reproduction, as well as DNA methylation in animals. As a reversible modification, DNA methylation typically occurs in a CpG dinucleotide context and can alter gene expression via the restriction of transcription. Across insects, the …

Power, Economy, And Food Systems In The Confederacy: A Material History Of The Confederate Subsistence Department, John Martin Mcmillan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation questions how human and non-human actors share power. By exploring Confederate logistics within the Subsistence Department, the collaboration between bureaucrats and the material world is revealed. Contributing to scholarship aimed at expanding the field of Civil War studies, this dissertation not only provides a more complex and interesting view of the conflict, but also an understanding that human beings are not solely responsible for the war’s results. By applying a materialist approach, the causes and outcomes of an event as complicated as a civil war can be better explained and understood. The choice to stockpile food for distribution …

Ciliary Arl14b In Vision, Alexis Breann Crockett

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Primary cilia are highly specialized organelles that regulate signaling, trafficking, and sensory perception across multiple tissues, including the retina. The small GTPase ADP Ribosylation Factor-Like Protein 13B (ARL13B) is an atypical ARF-family protein enriched in cilia. ARL13B acts as a guanine exchange factor (GEF) for another small GTPase ARF-like Protein 3 (ARL3). Mutations in ARL13B cause Joubert syndrome, a ciliopathy characterized by brain malformation, developmental delays, and retinal degeneration. Despite ARL13B’s known ciliary localization and clinical relevance, ARL13B’s precise functions in cilia remain poorly defined. This dissertation investigates the cilia-specific roles and GEF-specific roles of ARL13B in photoreceptors using two …

Evaluation Of Small Unmanned Tailsitter Hybrid Air Vehicles Via Full Flight Simulation, Andrew Spencer Winters

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles have exploded in popularity in the past 15 years among researchers and for industrial uses such as agriculture, search and rescue, and infrastructure inspection. Fixed wing and multirotor designs present two major paths that can be taken with these technologies. Fixed wing platforms have superior aerodynamic efficiency but require large areas for takeoff/landing and cannot hold a constant position in space, limiting their use. Multirotor configurations offer a more versatile platform that can maneuver in 3 dimensions independently but lack the endurance of fixed wing vehicles. This thesis analyses a quadrotor biplane and a variable wingspan …

Raman Spectroscopy For Rapid Quantification Of Macronutrients In Heirloom Beans, K. Chandler Williams

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Quantification of macronutrients in food requires a large investment in facilities and instrumentation as well as ongoing expenses of labor, reagents, and hazardous waste disposal. These costs pose a significant barrier to determining macronutrient quantities in the thousands of uncharacterized landrace and heirloom crops and discourage traditional crop breeding projects from ensuring that their selected crops maintain desirable macronutrient profiles in addition to target agronomic traits. Our objective was to test whether a hand-held Raman spectrometer—a technology which has found use in plant disease diagnostics but remains largely overlooked in nutrient quantification-- could provide a feasible means for quantifying the …

A Post Apocalyptic Romp: Designing Costumes For Phoebe In Winter, Emmalee Berger

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis will document the process of costume designing for Phoebe in Winter by Jen Silverman. It will examine the process from first read of the script through initial and final design meetings and to execution and production of the design. This will report on challenges specific to this production, such as nudity and violence on an academic stage, and the subsequent solutions. Phoebe in Winter was produced by West Virginia University School of Theatre and Dance in October of 2024. The design process began in February of the same year.

A Comparison Of Endodontic Root-End Filling Techniques: A Micro-Computed Tomography (Micro-Ct) Analysis Part Ii, Andrew M. Marra

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

A COMPARISON OF ENDODONTIC ROOT-END FILLING TECHNIQUES: A MICRO-COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY ANALYSIS

Andrew Marra, D.D.S.

Introduction: Researchers have compared many endodontic root-end filling techniques for porosity, though few have used a micro-computed tomography analysis for comparisons. The purpose of this study was to evaluate total porosity volume of three different bio-ceramics filling materials with two techniques--hand compaction versus hand/ultrasonic compaction at an ultrasonic setting of 5% using Micro-CT Analysis.

Methods: Seventy-two human single canaled extracted teeth were selected for the study. All were subjected to orthograde endodontic treatment followed by root tip resection at 3-mm from the apex …

Thermal Inactivation Of E. Faecium On Ground Poultry, Joseph Katz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Chicken products in grocery stores are contaminated with Salmonella that is ranked number one as a foodborne pathogen, and causes about 1.35 million cases of foodborne illness, 26,500 hospitalizations, and 420 deaths annually. The objective of this study is to determine thermal kinetic parameters of Salmonella surrogate bacteria E. faecium in ground poultry as affected by different temperatures and salt concentrations. The raw chicken was sliced up into a 500 g batch with a total of 6 batches per replicate, ground up in the meat grinder followed by inoculation with E. faecium resistant to 200 ppm Nalidixic Acid. NaCl …

An Edna Assessment Of The Diamond Darter (Crystallaria Cincotta) In Its Current And Historic Distribution Range, Cameron Moore Layne

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Environmental DNA (eDNA) can serve as a useful monitoring tool for cryptic and imperiled freshwater stream fishes. eDNA can fill knowledge gaps regarding species’ distribution, site abundance, and habitat usage. The last known stronghold of the Diamond Darter (Crystallaria cincotta) in the Elk River of West Virginia provides an excellent test case to examine the utility of this non-invasive method of surveying rare species. Diamond Darters are one of the most newly recognized freshwater fishes in North America and are among the most imperiled U.S. fishes, having been federally listed as endangered in 2013. The cryptic behavior and limitations of …

The Effect Of Sars-Cov-2 On Bacterial Diversity And Abundance In Community Wastewater, Joshua Lambert

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) enters human respiratory cells through binding of its spike (S) protein to the ACE-2 receptor, which is highly expressed in lung cells, but is also found in over 150 other cell types encompassing major organs including GI enterocytes. SARS-CoV-2 causes gut dysbiosis in infected individuals and patients with COVID-19 and also coincides with lower alpha diversity of the individual’s gut microbiome. Certain gut microbiome-associated genera are lower in abundance in COVID-19 patients including Lachnospira, Prevetolla, Roseburia, Bifidobacterium, and Faecalibacterium while genera such as Bacteroides, Enterococcus and Proteobacteria are increased during a SARS-CoV-2 …

Sleep, Endocannabinoid Signaling, And Cortical Processing In Mouse Models Of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Bryan Rodriguez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Sleep plays a crucial role in memory consolidation, neuronal plasticity, and cognitive function. Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience sleep disturbances, which are positively correlated with symptom severity. However, on the surface, sleep architecture is remarkably normal under baseline conditions in many rodent models of ASD. The goals if this dissertation were to investigate whether regulation of sleep, biochemical signaling during sleep, and downstream consequences of sleep on behavior are altered in two mouse models of ASD. In Aim 1, we tested the hypothesis that sleep phenotypes emerge in ASD models under conditions of high sleep pressure. We …

Scenic Design For Jen Silverman’S Phoebe In Winter, Jess A. Ford

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This document is a narrative of the Scenic Design process for Jen Silverman’s Phoebe in Winter, designed by Jess Ford. The process includes a detailed summary and analysis of the script, the stages in the creation of the design, the final design, build, technical rehearsals, and the final product. This production was produced by West Virginia University’s School of Theatre & Dance during the Fall 2024 semester, presented in the Gladys G. Davis Theater at the Canady Creative Arts Center in Morgantown, WV.

Molecular Insights Into The Impact Of Bone Marrow Stroma, Cb-6644 Inhibition Of The Ruvbl1/2 Complex, And Cebpβ On Regulating Drug Sensitivity In Multiple Myeloma, Sebastian Adam Dziadowicz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Multiple myeloma (MM), is a hematological cancer originating in plasma cells. Currently multiple myeloma represents a significant clinical challenge due its incurable nature mainly due to inevitable drug resistance. MM is characterized by abnormal plasma cell proliferation within the bone marrow and production of abnormal immunoglobulin resulting in a plethora of physiological abnormalities. Although a rare malignancy, MM accounts for 1% of all cancers and currently has five-year survival rate of around 50%. Utilizing a combination of laboratory experiments and bioinformatics techniques, this dissertation examines multiple layers of MM physiology in the context of regulating drug resistance or sensitivity. First, …

Effects Of Pubertal Stress On Later Pup-Directed Behavior In Pregnant And Non-Pregnant Adult Female Mice, Marissa Marylin Nicodemus

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Beginning in adolescence and throughout adulthood, women are at an increased risk for anxiety and mood disorders compared to men. Several risk factors for these disorders have been identified, but it is not clear how they interact. One such factor is pregnancy. The normative changes to the brain and behavior that occur during and after pregnancy are associated with an increased risk for anxiety and mood disorders. Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) has also been associated with an increased risk of mood disorders, and compared to men, women appear to be particularly vulnerable to the lasting effects of stress …

Exploration Of Occupational Therapy's Consultative Role For Social Emotional Development In The Rural Childcare Setting, Katherine M. Conley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Little research has been conducted investigating the consultative role of occupational therapy (OT) in childcare, especially their role in supporting the social and emotional development of children aged 1 – 5 years. This project takes place in a rural childcare setting where a needs assessment found gaps in classroom routines' functionality, the accessibility of center-wide age-appropriate resources, and the use of social and emotional supports in the classroom. The occupational therapy doctoral student utilized the coaching model, evidence-based research, and the foundations of occupational therapy with the intention to improve teachers’ confidence in implementing social and emotional content in the …

Abundance Estimates And Habitat Use Of The Candy Darter In The Critical Habitat Designation Of The Gauley River National Recreation Area, David Cole Hoffman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis includes (1) a literature review chapter and (2) a research chapter that examines the abundance and habitat use of Candy Darters (Etheostoma osburni) in the Gauley River National Recreation Area (GARI). The Candy Darter, a small-bodied fish in the family Percidae, is an endemic and a federally endangered species in the New River drainage of West Virginia and Virginia. One of the critical habitat designations for this species is located within GARI, a reach of the river impacted by didymo (Didymosphenia geminata), where snorkeling and underwater observations were conducted to assess species abundance and …

The Professional Backgrounds And Experiences Of Higher Education Trustees And Its Influence On Decision Making, Jade J. Irving

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

There are many complex decisions that must be made among the board of governors within institutions of higher education. Recent headlines on the decisions of trustees regarding campus closures and consolidations, program cuts, and presidential appointments have put a spotlight on the individuals responsible for making such decisions. This study examined how trustees of public 4-year institutions in the state of West Virginia perceive the value of their professional backgrounds and experiences in fulfilling their governance responsibilities. Using an explanatory sequential design, this study investigated how trustees’ professional experiences shape their decision-making processes through the theoretical lenses of sensemaking theory …

Supporting The Social Emotional Needs Of Preschoolers, Giorgi Morrone

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Social-emotional competence is a prerequisite to school performance and participation in daily tasks. Children in West Virginia face social and emotional barriers including the effects of the opioid epidemic leading to children placed in foster care, born with neonatal abstinence syndrome, and being exposed to toxic stress in the home environment. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted children's social-emotional functioning due to isolation periods. Social-emotional programming can improve children's well-being, school performance, relationships, and outcomes later in life. Occupational therapy practitioners can use data-driven decision-making and relationship-centered practice to develop group-based, health-promotion social-emotional programming in the preschool setting. The purpose …

Romantic Materialities And The Politics Of Care: Negotiating Movement In A More-Than-Human World, April J. Mcginnis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation explores the ecological politics of movement in Romantic literature. It contributes to a growing body of scholarship that investigates the important role that walking played in nineteenth-century literary culture. Many authors from this period cast walking as a practice that frees up not only the body but the mind as well, as the steady rhythm of the feet lulls the walker into a state of self-absorbed introspection and heightened creativity. Because of this, walking was a celebrated part of the creative process for many writers. The freedom they celebrate is possible, however, only in spaces that are level, …

Inactivation Kinetics Of Escherichia Coli And Listeria Monocytogenes In Edible Insects, Precious Aduloju

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Edible insects are emerging as sustainable and nutritious alternatives to conventional protein sources. However, concerns about food safety, particularly the presence of pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes, remain a barrier to consumer acceptance and industrial use. This study evaluated the effectiveness of thermal processing in inactivating E. coli, L. monocytogenes, and their non-pathogenic surrogates (E. coli JM109 and Listeria innocua) in both fresh and dehydrated forms of Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) and Acheta domesticus (cricket). It also evaluated the influence of insect species, moisture content, and temperature on microbial inactivation. A microbial challenge …