Essays On Application Of Machine Learning To Financial Statement Fraud, Lin Xia

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation is composed of two studies, both of which revolve around the application of machine learning to financial statement fraud. The first study entitled, “Complementary Role of Algorithm and Theory for Financial Statement Fraud” investigates the nature of relationship of theory building research and machine learning algorithms. Recent research on financial statement fraud has seen an increase in the use of machine learning techniques. While some machine learning based studies build on variables from causal inference research, others claim that machine learning algorithms work better with raw accounting variables and thus cast doubt on the role of …

Tree Crown Economics Of Broadleaf Deciduous Forests, Yiting Fan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Tree crown architecture, a critical determinant of forest ecosystem processes such as photosynthesis, evapotranspiration, and spectral reflectance, is shaped by adaptive trade-offs in resource use and environmental responses. However, significant gaps remain in our understanding of how these traits vary across species, environmental gradients, and temporal scales. This dissertation addresses these gaps by employing remote sensing data across three interconnected studies. Together, these studies advance tree crown economic theory, highlighting how crown traits mediate trade-offs between light capture and water-use efficiency and how these traits influence forest responses to global change. Collectively, this dissertation offer insights for improving models that …

The Dark Tetrad And The Intention To Invest In Cryptocurrency, Amy Bauer-Sinicin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Dark Tetrad comprises four distinct negative personality traits with some overlapping qualities: narcissism, Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and sadism. Characterized as being risky and speculative, cryptocurrencies are not backed by government banks like fiat currencies, nor do they offer the same privacy when engaging in transactions.

Narcissists may view cryptocurrency investment as an opportunity to showcase their financial acumen, reinforcing their self-image. Machiavellians see the decentralized, loosely regulated market as ideal for exploiting opportunities through strategic manipulation. Psychopaths, drawn by the market’s volatility, may engage in exploitative schemes for personal gain. Sadists may find satisfaction in the power and control they …

Assessment Of Analytical Workflows Of Gunshot Residue Evidence And Strategies For Implementation Of Advanced Technology In Crime Laboratories., Leah D. Thomas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The rise in gun violence in the United States has increased the demand on forensic agencies to process evidence promptly and accurately. The exchange of imperceptible traces among objects, suspects, and victims can provide critical insights into the interactions and sequence of events during a crime. Gunshot residue (GSR) is a type of trace evidence that holds significant investigative value in shooting reconstructions. GSR can help identify potential shooters, intermediate targets, and bullet trajectories; however, its analysis is often expensive and time-consuming. Consequently, there is an urgent need for more effective solutions.

Methods for on-site screening can significantly streamline forensic …

Girl Gamers, Online Community, And Social Identity Theory: The Role Of Positive Distinction Strategies On Group Engagement On R/Girlgamers, Rachael Green

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Identity theorists have studied the complex relationship between gender and gaming for over two decades, but research on how women persist in gaming communities despite harassment remains underdeveloped. Grounded in Social Identity Theory, this dissertation examines the subreddit r/GirlGamers to evaluate the prevalence and impact of positive distinction strategies in countering identity threats. Based on a mixed-methods approach, the findings highlight three key strategies (group permeability, social creativity, and social competition) alongside themes of emotion, structural inequality, and interpersonal violence. Statistical tests indicate that posts employing at least one positive distinction strategy receive significantly more upvotes and comments than those …

Free Energy Approaches To Understanding The Mechanism Of Membrane-Active Peptides, Hannah R. Scott

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cancer is a leading cause of death in the world today. Current methods of treatment fail to distinguish the difference between cancer cells and cells of healthy tissue, leading to off-target effects, often with terminal outcomes. A potential solution to this challenge is to target the cancer cells’ microenvironment. One universal characteristic across all cancer cells is the acidic extracellular environment. The pH-Low Insertion Peptide (pHLIP) is a membrane-active peptide with acid-sensitive function, undergoing folding and insertion into a transmembrane alpha-helix. pHLIP is a promising candidate to be used to deliver anti-cancer agents exclusively to cancer cells. Although the mechanism …

Neural And Computational Approach To Understanding Environmental Modulation Of Behavioral Identity In Zebrafish, John W. Hageter

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Organisms rely on behavior for survival. Animals engage in behaviors that allow for feeding, mating, exploring and navigating their environment among others. Necessary for these behaviors to develop are the environmental factors and underlying circuitry which make behavior possible. Specifically, how the environment guides underlying neural circuitry to develop unique facets or phenotypes of a larger behavior are key to understanding why unique behaviors exist. In this thesis, I build foundational evidence for determining these mechanisms through the use of the zebrafish local search behavior. This is a behavior that zebrafish employ following the loss of environmental illumination where they …

Community Belonging: Experiences Of Outsiderness In Appalachia, Erin Hudnall

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study demonstrates the potential long standing social impacts of extractive industries in Appalachia, supported by historical data and literature that defines the region as a sacrifice zone or as resource cursed. As represented by key informants and the communities under observational study, West Virginia communities can exhibit dynamics indicative of collective trauma that is emplaced and complex in nature, given a historical high level of industrial intervention and social control that induced precarious economic, environmental, and social circumstances. Some of the main “symptoms” of this collective trauma are an aversion to outsider intervention and nostalgia about the past that …

Framework For Development Environment Selection In Digital Twin Applications, Carlos Dodero Fernandez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Digital Twin (DT) technology, a cornerstone of Industry 4.0, facilitates real-time synchronization between virtual models and physical manufacturing systems, enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making. However, its widespread adoption is hindered by the absence of standardized methods for selecting Development Environments (DEs) for DTs, compounded by challenges in cost, interoperability, and connectivity with Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) protocols. This thesis proposes a Systematic Selection Framework to address this gap, offering a structured methodology to evaluate DEs based-on visualization quality, scalability, interoperability, and cost-effectiveness for manufacturing applications. The framework categorizes and compares sixteen DEs into Game Engines, Robotics Engines, and Simulation …

East And West Meet: Developing Critical Thinking Skills In Piano Students Based On Chinese And Western Pedagogy, Xiaozhen Tong

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research demonstrates the importance of critical thinking in piano education. Grounded in the philosophical framework of Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed, it explains how “dialogue” can be used to establish a collaborative teacher-student relationship. Through “praxis,” which is the integration of reflection and action, students and teachers can break free from “limit situations,” the structural constraints of reality, leading to evolution and creation.

By conducting interviews with piano teachers and students from diverse backgrounds, this research examines the differences between Western and Chinese piano education and some universal phenomena within piano pedagogy. Based on the interview findings, …

Therapeutic Roles For Alkaline Phosphatases To Target Intestinal Dysfunction In Mouse Models Of Experimental Sepsis And Ischemic Stroke, Rhiannon V. Macom

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

Therapeutic Roles for Alkaline Phosphatases to Target Intestinal Dysfunction in Mouse Models of Experimental Sepsis and Ischemic Stroke

Rhiannon V. Macom

Stroke is a disease that primarily affects the brain; however, ongoing research continues to show that stroke has far reaching systemic effects that can affect both short- and long-term recovery. The gastrointestinal tract has been shown to be affected post-stroke, and these effects are likely due to the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain via the gut-brain-axis. Alkaline phosphatases (APs) are common membrane bound enzymes that are known to have a role in mitigating inflammation. The …

International Students’ Perceptions And Experiences Of Institutional Diversity Initiatives And Self-Authorship Attainment: A Mixed Methods Study, Sandra Ayivor

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Higher education institutions in the United States have responded to years of discrimination through several diversity initiatives. Although research has indicated the merits of such initiatives on student development, the outcomes are not uniform across all student populations. Moreover, student development discourses have often excluded the experiences of international students. Employing a convergent mixed methods approach, this study investigated the perceptions and experiences of international students at a flagship land-grant higher education institution in the Appalachian region of the United States regarding institutional diversity initiatives and their self-authorship based on some demographic characteristics (i.e., gender, age, marital status, religion, continent, …

A Learning History Of Online Portfolio Development In Kinesiology: Academic Innovation From Pilot To Powerhouse, Lyndsay M. Burneisen Phd

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examines the phased development of an online kinesiology education program, tracing its evolution from inception to institutionalization through Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory. Using a learning history methodology, this research synthesizes document analysis, stakeholder interviews, and focus groups, and historical program data to explore how strategic leadership, faculty engagement, student support, and technological advancements influenced the program’s growth and sustainability. The research is structured around three critical phases: inception, maturation, and institutionalization, highlighting key adaptations in curriculum design, administrative structures, and quality assurance. Findings reveal a transition from a decentralized, experimental model to a structured, integrated online …

Enhancing Vocational Services Through Support Of Direct Care Staff For Adults With Intellectual Disabilities, Katelyn D. Cardwell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This mixed-method cohort study focused on supporting direct support professionals through burnout education modules. Burnout is a psychological phenomenon characterized by mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion in response to chronic stress in the workplace. Direct support professionals (DSP) provide services that include independent living and vocational skill education to adults with intellectual disabilities. Burnout has negative impacts on work quality, efficiency, and can led to high turnover rates. This project aimed to provide DSP’s with resources to mitigate the risk of burnout. The study utilized semi-structured interviews to help guide the development of education modules for staff. Based on findings …

Design And Simulation Of An Ai-Powered Autonomous Quadrotor Framework For Search And Rescue Operations, James J. Shope

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), particularly quadrotor platforms, have proven to be indispensable tools for search and rescue (SAR) teams due to their maneuverability, rapid deployment, and affordable operation. The current SAR use cases of quadrotors span from aerial surveillance to mission planning and strategic deliveries. However, most SAR applications remain passive or semi-autonomous, such that they rely on human-operated control or data assessment. Advancements in autonomous control strategies bring about a future where a single SAR operator can program and deploy several UAVs. This thesis details the development and simulation of a fully autonomous, AI-powered quadrotor framework capable of detecting …

Adminstrative And Programmatic Supports To Enhance Veteran-Service Dog Programming, Madison Davisson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Service dogs have long served as a valuable resource to assist veterans in overcoming challenges such as transitioning to post-military life, re-engaging in life roles, and navigating the community. There is substantial research on the benefits and impacts that service dogs have on the lives of veterans. Because of this, the number of service dog-veteran partnerships is on the rise, and each service dog program has its individualized programmatic method to enhance its offerings. However, there is limited information on administrative and programmatic support for service dog training programs intended for veterans and staff members. The veteran perspective is …

Sensory Integration In The Intensive Care Unit Environment, Kara M. Lee

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Those admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) commonly experience deficits in areas linked with cognition, mental health, and physical functioning (Rapolthy-Beck et al., 2023). Delirium is the most common complication among individuals who are mechanically ventilated, which can be associated with adverse outcomes, including increased mortality, cognitive decline, and decreased functional outcomes (Martinez et al., 2017). The primary purpose of the capstone project was to create a sensory-based program for patients admitted into the ICU. The program aimed to enhance the quality and consistency of care, ultimately reducing the prevalence of delirium. By doing so, it seeks to improve …

Genomic Differences And Parentage In West Virginia's Reintroduced Elk (Cervus Canadensis), Adam A.V. Cook

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Elk (Cervus canadensis) reintroductions have been common in the 20th and 21st centuries, yet 40% have failed to establish self-sustaining elk populations due to a lack of post-reintroduction demographic monitoring. Elk were reintroduced to West Virginia in 2016 following more than a century of absence after the species was extirpated in 1875. Elk were translocated to West Virginia from Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL) in eastern Kentucky and from Arizona. The two groups of elk differ in their subspecies, physiology, reintroduction history, connectivity, and habitat. Reintroductions create genetic risks such as the founder effect and …

A Comparison Of The Strategies And Methods Influencing Success Among Formally Trained Artists V. Outsider, Naive, Or Self-Taught Artists, Anna Stolina

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis examines the contrasting strategies and methods formally trained artists, self- taught artists, naive artists, and outsider artists used to influence their success in their chosen field. The study explored each of their educational backgrounds, available resources, and unique expertises that allowed them to achieve a successful art career. Every pathway has unique advantages and challenges (Langley, 2024). Formally trained artists and exhibiting artists typically have degrees in art from a university or post-secondary art school. My research highlighted the benefits of having a formal art education, a structured learning environment, access to resources, networking opportunities, and professional mentorship. …

Mathematical Contributions To The Study Of Chemotaxis And Cell Signaling, Hajr Zam

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation presents results from two mathematical projects concerned with the biology of cells. Chapter 1 provides biological background and places the two mathematical problems in the context of cell signaling. The larger project, with Prof. H. Hattori on a chemotaxis model is presented in Chapters 3 and 4. Work with Prof. \'{A}. Hal\'{a}sz on a chemical reaction network system with linear multimers and two types of labels is presented in Chapter 2. The chemotaxis system describes the one-dimensional dynamics of a species of cells with two chemical species, a chemo-attractant and chemo-repellent. The goal is to analyze the behavior …

Facilitating Independence: Developing A Hands-On Life Skills Program For Youth In Residential Treatment, Shayna Rexrode

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Life skills competency in adolescence can be an important predictor of success in adulthood. Educational and training programs focused on life skills can help youth develop the skills that they need to live independently. Though occupational therapy literature surrounding these types of programs is limited, occupational therapy practitioners are qualified to provide intervention in life skills based on the profession’s scope of practice.

This capstone project focused on the development and evaluation of a new life skills program, the Life Skills Practice Program, at a residential treatment facility for youth with substance use and behavioral diagnoses. Stakeholders at the facility …

Manualized Interventions For Individuals Experiencing Or At-Risk For Adverse Life Experiences, Sierra P. Mcnicol

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Occupational practitioners have a role in providing holistic and client-centered care to promote occupational performance, engagement, and satisfaction through occupations. Many individuals are impacted in the engagement of occupations secondary to adverse life experiences that have caused mental distress, difficulties in cognitive processing, limited social support, and disruptions in social determinants that have made accessing services complicated. Purpose: Due to the increased likelihood of individuals who have experienced adverse life experiences experiencing occupational distress and performance limitations, the capstone student aimed to develop an understanding of adverse life experiences, provide insight into the needs of the population, and develop …

Effectiveness Of A Cumulative Pediatric-Based Practical Examination At Increasing Student Perceived Competence And Confidence In Working With Pediatric Populations, Nicholas J. Passarelli

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Current literature highlights the importance of utilizing practical examinations and actual patients and covering vast pediatric content within occupational therapy curricula. The needs assessment conducted within The West Virginia University Division of Occupational Therapy revealed that the division currently employs all three of these factors within their curriculum, however a gap presented in the combination of these three factors together. This project aimed to diminish this gap through the development, implementation, and execution of a pediatric practical examination, utilizing actual pediatric patients, to determine whether the examination is effective in increasing student perceived competence and confidence in working with pediatric …

The Personal, The Political, And The Hope For A Better Future: Disrupting The Traditional Rape Narrative In Young Adult Fiction, Melissa Roberson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation critically examines the current state of young adult rape fiction to explore the ways in which contemporary young adult rape novels engage with different aspects of rape culture and the systems in place that sustain it. Prioritizing issues related to disclosure, hope, healing, and justice, my investigation into these novels demonstrates the importance of attending to both the framing of rape and the challenges associated with narrativizing sexual violence in the context of adolescent literature. Ultimately, I argue that in order to challenge and disrupt the further entrenchment of societal attitudes and (mis)perceptions of rape that perpetuate the …

Exploring Teacher Perception And Implementation Of Sae Programming In West Virginia, Joseph Laflamme

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this study was to describe the phenomenon of SAE implementation in West Virginia. This study utilized qualitative research methodology to describe teacher perceptions of how student, guardian, school and community factors affect SAE program implementation. Additionally, teacher backgrounds, including formative experiences, training and education, guiding philosophies, skills, and motivation were explored. This study describes contextual aspects of population, economics, state guidelines and local agriculture industries. This is done through a document review of student reported records as well as surveys and teacher interviews.

Intersectional Embodiment: An Exploration Of Women's Bodily Experiences In Contemporary American Literature, Olivia Marie Wertz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

My dissertation, “Intersectional Embodiment: An Exploration of Women’s Bodily Experiences in Contemporary American Literature,” examines contemporary American novels written by women of color in order to illuminate how women of color protagonists realize, protect, and embrace their bodies as a source of power in a deeply oppressive society. Specifically, I analyze Kindred (1979) and the Parable novels (1993, 1998) by Octavia Butler, Displacement (2019), a graphic novel by Kiku Hughes, and Severance (2018) by Ling Ma. In these novels, women protagonists must account for their bodies to understand their identity, combat oppressive bodily control, and, above all, survive. Both neo-historical …

Not Everyone Believes Sports Are A Safe Space: Development Of A Toxic Sports Fandom Scale, Thomas Dean Bobbitt

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Dysfunctional Fan Behavior is a concept developed by Wakefield & Wann (2006), that describes fan conduct, consisting of complaining and confrontation, that ruins the experience of sporting events for others. However, there is some evidence that although the items featured in the Dysfunctional Fan Behavior Scale are perceived as negative, they are also viewed as relatively normal and appropriate of sports fans. Bobbitt et al.’s (in press) qualitative analysis suggests that these behaviors are not always considered destructive or toxic in the context of sport, but the line between benignly rude and genuinely antisocial behavior is somewhat difficult to define. …

No Sweeter Sound: Musicking, Transformative Pedagogy, And Collaborative Social Justice In Choral Settings, Natalie N. Shaffer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Choral music and its conductors occupy a tenuous space in the 21st century. In a new cultural atmosphere influenced by Gen Z’s expectation of welcomed diversity and intolerance for injustice, TikTok’s rapid global dissemination of information and entertainment, and society’s desire for authentic connection following the Covid-19 pandemic, the dichotomies present in choral music are no longer being glossed over. Difficult conversations about race, gender, ableism, social location, and other intersectional identifiers are at the forefront of academic writing and conference presentations. Evidence of transformative pedagogy and culturally responsive practices are beginning to appear in classroom syllabi and rehearsal techniques …

Commissioning And Recording Project Of New Works For Saxophone Focused On Promoting Mexican Composers And Educating Future Commissioning Saxophonists, Andres Efrain Santana

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This document chronicles my process of commissioning and recording five new works by Mexican composers. To contextualize this experience, I provide a brief introduction of Mexican contemporary music history, an overview of second-hand accounts of the commissioning process, my personal experience of this process, and my assessment of the impact these works could have on the classical saxophone repertoire. As I have reflected on my own experience with historical and contemporary accounts of the commissioning process, it has become clear that personal connections between composers and performers and the patronage or funding linked to those relationships are just as important …

Development Of Fast And Comprehensive Approaches For Gunshot Residue Interpretation Using Ambient Ionization, Mass Spectrometry, And Microparticle Sampling Studies, Thomas Dimmey Ledergerber

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The information derived from the forensic examination of gunshot residue (GSR) can be critical during the investigative and trial stages in the criminal justice system. However, the complexity of the GSR deposition, transfer, and persistence mechanisms calls for meticulous handling and identification processes. Novel advances in evidence interpretation and analysis via instrumental methods are current areas of growing interest that must be pushed along the chain from research to practice in a timely manner. Therefore, this research focuses on developing both rapid and comprehensive methods for detecting gunshot residue evidence and effectively communicating its significance to the investigators or trier …