Digital Commons Network^™

Implementation Of A Neural Network Execution Framework For Generalized And Cross-Platform Deep Learning Deployment And Inference On Spacecraft Systems, Rafael Polanco Segovia

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Recent advances in hardware and software technology have made it possible to implement more resource-demanding deep learning algorithms in constrained hardware environments. This creates opportunities to use deep learning for aerospace applications on increasingly smaller aerospace vehicles. This work presents the implementation of a Neural Network Execution Framework (NNEF), which aims to provide a cross-platform and reusable framework to deploy and execute trained neural networks for deep learning aerospace applications. The NNEF executes any neural network inference process regardless of the original deep learning framework in which it was created, for supported flight software platforms, and space-like computer boards. Users …

Green Bank Chime/Frb Outriggers Commissioning And Analog System Development, Kholoud Sharif Tag Alkhatem Khairy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The main objective of this thesis is to document the development and commissioning of the Canadian Hydrogen Intensity Mapping Experiment. (CHIME) outrigger at the Green Bank Observatory. (GBO) in Green Bank, WV. This novel cylindrical wide-field radio transient telescope is currently operating in conjunction with CHIME. The CHIME outrigger at GBO aims to contribute significantly to the field of radio astronomy, with implications for both Fast Radio Burst. (FRB) science and broader astronomical research. The construction and commissioning of the CHIME outrigger at the GBO mark a pivotal step forward in pursuing high-precision wide-field detection and localization of radio transients, …

Modeling Relativistic Fluids In Dynamical Spacetimes, Terrence Alphonse Pierre Jacques

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Multi-messenger astrophysics opens a new era in our understanding of the most dynamic and energetic systems in the Universe. Correlating gravitational-wave and electromagnetic signals in space and time enables stringent tests of models for core-collapse supernovae, merging supermassive black-hole binaries with accretion disks and jets, and mergers of compact object binaries such as binary neutron stars (BNS) and white dwarfs. Comparisons between models and multi-messenger observations may be used to constrain the neutron-star equation of state (EOS), formation channels for compact-object binaries, and emission mechanisms behind short gamma-ray bursts.

In modeling such astrophysical systems, great success has been achieved by …

Motivation And Well-Being: A Study Of Wvu Extension Volunteers, Amber Renae Goff

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Volunteers are the heart of the land-grant outreach model. They bring education and resources to communities across West Virginia. Volunteers have been relied upon in many aspects of Extension programming and current budget conditions have reduced the level of staffing within WVU Extension. There may be an increased demand for volunteers to help with programming. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between motivation and the perceived level of well-being within the WVU Extension volunteer programs. The study yielded 464 responses from a descriptive survey. Based on the results, WVU Extension volunteers are motivated based on their …

Novel Phenomena In Chiral And Disordered Crystals, Zachary Louis Romestan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The concept of symmetry is central to our understanding of the physical world. Core symmetries—comprising time reversal, charge conjugation, spatial inversion, and rotation—are integral in maintaining essential conservation laws. They also play a critical role in the manifestation of new quantum phases that arise when these symmetries are disrupted. At the heart of contemporary research in condensed matter physics is the exploration of how basic symmetries interact with material imperfections. This examination delves deeply into the ways that inherent symmetrical properties and structural anomalies within materials influence each other, providing crucial insights into the field. This dissertation presents an investigation …

Multifaceted Life Skills Training And Job-Orientation Supports For Individuals In Vocational Rehabilitation Programming, Laura R. Mccray

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

There is growing support for those with an intellectual or developmental disability (IDD) in the transition process and within the workplace, however, there are areas that need to be addressed to facilitate further inclusion and success in this domain. There are structured institutions within the community that extend support for those transitioning out of high school, focusing on aligning with life training and professional skills while promoting societal integration by delivering services directly and avoiding isolation within traditional service environments (Accardo & Whitman, 2011). Growing research highlights the necessity of providing resources that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities …

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 …

Predictors Of Success In Whole-Classroom Narrative Interventions For Elementary School Children, Malia Sayavong

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Predictors of Success in Whole-Classroom Narrative Interventions for Elementary School Children

Malia Sayavong

Purpose:

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is a neurodevelopmental communication disorder that significantly affects a child’s ability to acquire and use language for speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Children with DLD often experience persistent difficulties with vocabulary, grammar, comprehension, and narrative construction, which can interfere with academic achievement and social interaction. Classroom-based narrative interventions have shown promise in supporting language growth in this population, yet not all students benefit equally. Multiple individual characteristics—including language profiles, cognitive abilities, and environmental factors—may influence intervention outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of …

Providing Health Providers Best Practice Strategies When Working With The Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Population: A Continuing Education, Noah L. Epperson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Healthcare training has improved over the years. However, many healthcare providers are having a difficult time understanding the culture and the needs of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HOH) community. Continuing Education (CE) programs can be designed to improve cultural awareness to help close the gap by educating healthcare providers on the community’s culture, effective communication strategies, use of assistive technology, American Sign Language (ASL), and accommodations such as interpreters.

Purpose: The project aimed to develop a CE program that helped healthcare providers learn effective communication strategies, assistive devices, and accommodations for the Deaf and HOH community. Additionally, …

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 …

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 …

Using Visual Prompts To Analyze Ejection Fraction In Echocardiograms, Kevin Reisch

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is a critical biomarker for heart failure, but manual estimation from echocardiograms is time-consuming. Artificial intelligence can be used to accelerate this process, allowing clinicians to focus on other critical tasks. Current methods typically train models from scratch on echocardiogram datasets; however, this approach is limited by the scarcity of large medical imaging datasets, which are expensive and difficult to acquire. We present a transfer learning approach that leverages pretrained models from massive datasets, enabling continuous improvement as foundation models advance. Our method employs visual prompting to generate trainable masks for echocardiogram videos, transforming the …

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 …

Consumer Experiences In The Secondhand Market: Finances, Frugality, Fashion, & Fun, Melissa Chasko Turner

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Secondhand apparel refers to clothing and accessories that have been previously owned, handed down, donated, or resold to others. They are a sustainable product because they are reused instead of being discarded into landfills. Consumer experience refers to the emotional and psychological responses individuals have during their interactions with products and services across all touchpoints. In the secondhand apparel market, consumer experience plays a significant role in product purchasing, and the unique aspects of retail entertainment serve as key motivators. Consumer-perceived risk refers to the uncertainty of adverse outcomes associated with purchasing a product. Purchasing secondhand apparel poses similar yet …

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.

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 …

The Barbosa Model: Supporting Faculty In Online Course Development Through A Structured Instructional Design Approach, Gabriela Martin Barbosa

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The expansion of online education has amplified the need for structured, pedagogically informed faculty development. This study explored the implementation of the Barbosa Model—an instructional design framework developed to support faculty in creating effective, engaging, and well-aligned online courses. Grounded in established instructional theories and tailored to institutional needs, the model guides faculty through five phases: Existing Course, Mapping Structure, Review, Design, and Evaluation.

The study conducted at West Liberty University used pre- and post-interviews, faculty reflections, and thematic analysis to evaluate the model’s influence on faculty perceptions, instructional strategies, and professional growth. Findings revealed that while faculty perceptions of …

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 …

Extending Effects Of The Good Behavior Game With Mixed Schedules, Amina Boukhris

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Student disruptive behavior in the classroom can adversely affect both students and teachers. The Good Behavior Game (GBG) is a well-established classroom management strategy used to reduce disruption. However, its use remains limited due to implementation barriers reported by teachers, such as effort associated with delivering feedback, and the limited generalization of the GBG effects to times when the game is not in place. The current study had two main objectives: (a) to evaluate whether a modified version of the GBG implemented on a mixed-schedule-like arrangement (MIX GBG) could reduce student disruption as effectively as the standard version (MULT GBG), …

An Investigation Into Energy Consumption And V2g Potential Of An Electric School Bus Fleet, Rupesh Dahal

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The transition towards sustainable public transportation demands detailed evaluation of alternative fuel technologies. This thesis presents a comprehensive energy assessment and comparative analysis of diesel and electric school buses (ESBs) operating within the Monongalia County school district, its Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) potential, and efficiency analysis of charging system. Utilizing real-world operational data collected from buses running identical routes, the study quantifies and compares their mileage specific energy consumption. The analysis reveals an average fuel economy of approximately 6.17 miles per gallon (MPG) for the conventional diesel school bus, contrasted with an average energy consumption rate of 0.46 miles per kilowatt-hour (miles/kWh) …

Adolescent Attachment And Anxiety: Examining Implicit Emotion Beliefs And Emotion Regulation As Mediators, Jeanette Pool

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Anxiety is a growing issue in adolescents, with teens reporting worse and more severe symptoms in recent years (Kajastus et al., 2023; Solmi et al., 2022). There are several risk factors for developing anxiety symptoms, including cognitive, behavioral, and social factors. Effective emotion regulation (ER) has been shown to be helpful in decreasing anxiety symptom levels (Arbulu et al., 2023; Cho et al., 2019). A better understanding of precursors of ER could aid in prevention of anxiety. ER may stem from our personal beliefs about emotions (Ford et al., 2018; Schroder et al., 2015; Tamir et al., 2007) and to …

Closing Racial And Ethnic Disparity Gaps In Pediatric Asthma Follow Up Care - A Quality Improvement Initiative, Ayodele Ayeko

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Closing racial and ethnic disparity gaps in pediatric asthma follow up care - A quality improvement initiative

Ayodele Ayeko

Introduction/Background: Inadequate management of asthma significantly contributes to poor asthma control, poor quality of life (QOL), and high hospitalization rates among pediatric patients. The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines offer recommendations designed to enhance asthma control and improve the quality of life for those affected (2015), including recommendations for close follow up care. At WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital (WVUMCH), insufficient asthma control has been associated with lower clinic follow-up rates and an increase in hospitalization. Although educational initiatives …

An Initiative To Improve Sevoflurane Gas Flows Among Anesthesia Providers In An Academic Medical Center, Amy Dinicola

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

An Initiative to Improve Sevoflurane Gas Flows Among Anesthesia Providers in an

Academic Medical Center

Amy DiNicola

Background: While global warming has been introduced as the most significant public health threat of the 21st century, 10% of carbon emissions in the United States come from healthcare (Shoham et al., 2022). Sevoflurane is a volatile anesthetic gas that requires a carrier gas mixture of oxygen with air or nitrous oxide to reach a patient during anesthesia. The extra gas flow often exceeds physiologic needs, and the excess gets wasted into the atmosphere. Reducing the additional flow of carrier gas can …

All-Terrain Vehicle Injuries Among Youth: A Multidimensional Analysis Of Injury Patterns In West Virginia And Safety Laws Across High-Fatality States, Sabrina Chyann Beal

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) pose significant injury risks, particularly among youth. These powerful machines are widely used across recreational and rural settings. West Virginia consistently ranks among the top five states for ATV-related deaths and injuries. Safety equipment and requirements are often not followed nor enforced, causing children and adolescents to be the most vulnerable group because they tend to not wear safety equipment such as helmets, ride on roadways, carry passengers, and operate oversized ATVS. This study examined ATV injury patterns from the WVU Medicine Trauma Registry and ATV laws across the five states with the highest reported fatalities. This …

Cerebellar Feedback Effects On Responses To Conspecific Signals Of Different Frequencies In The Electrosensory System, Elora K. Shinn

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Sensory systems in animals have evolved to translate physical stimuli into neural representations that, in turn, guide behavior. Feedback is critical in these processes, allowing organisms to filter redundant information and respond effectively to relevant stimuli. In humans, for example, the cerebellar flocculus provides feedback to the vestibulo-ocular reflex to stabilize eye movements during body rotation. In bats, the feedback during echolocation helps prioritize essential signals from the environment. In weakly electric fish, cerebellar feedback helps filter out redundant low-frequency modulations caused by conspecifics, enabling them to detect prey and other relevant signals. However, the influence of cerebellar feedback on …

A Kind Of Burr: The Fantastic Lucio In Measure For Measure, Matt Frye

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this document is to detail the process of developing the role of Lucio in West Virginia University’s spring 2023 production of William Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. This document looks at the process and methods with which I crafted my role, as well as the research I used to build a well-defined world of the play. It will explain the rehearsal process, including text analysis and design aspects which affected the creation of the role, focusing on clarity through the use of scansion and interpretations of the references in the text. To conclude, I discuss my personal experience …

From Trails To Triumph: Documenting Two Decades Of Impact With Adventure Wv, Sean Lowdermilk

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research paper and accompanying short film (https://youtu.be/gTnXbvkX0MA) examines the impact of experiential learning through the lens of Adventure WV, an outdoor orientation program at West Virginia University. Using Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory as a foundation for the research, this study explores how outdoor and expeditionary learning fosters personal and professional growth, builds a community, and deepens students' connection to the state and the institution. Through interviews with the program's founder, as well as current students and administration paired with archival footage and modern video, the research highlights Adventure WV's role in student retention, professional development, and student …

Exploring Long-Term Patterns: Black Bass Tournament Fishery And Population Trends In West Virginia's Navigable Rivers, Alex J. Benecke

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Black bass Micropterus spp. are popular sport fish in West Virginia’s navigable rivers. In recent years, anglers have expressed concerns about a potential decline in fishery quality. To investigate these claims, we evaluated whether fishery quality has declined compared to earlier periods and whether population trends correspond to angler catch rates. Specifically, we aimed to (1) examine changes in species catch over time and during key periods, such as tournament and spawning seasons; (2) describe the distribution of black bass species across pools and habitat types; and (3) assess the outcomes of previous stocking efforts. To address these objectives, we …