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Modeling And Simulation Of A Process That Converts Ethane To Ethylene And Ethylene To Low Density Polyethylene, Ernest Bosire Mokaya

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Ethylene is a critical feedstock and a major building block in the petrochemical industry that is used in synthesizing important products like polyethylene, ethanol, ethylene oxide, ethylene dichloride and ethylbenzene. With increasing demand of plastics, production of ethylene and subsequently polyethylene has increased globally. This thesis conducts the modeling and simulation of an integrated process that utilizes ethane as the primary feedstock to produce ethylene and the subsequent polymerization of ethylene to low-density polyethylene (LDPE). The process combines two different processes into one integrated process: (1) conversion of ethane to ethylene and (2) conversion of ethylene to LDPE. First, a …

Fife And Drum As A Secondary Ensemble Within The Public Schools, Travis Lee Nestor

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Acknowledging the framework of music education within the American public school system, this research will develop a process for creating and integrating the traditional fife and drum ensemble into the public school schedule as a secondary performance ensemble, specifically as applied to the public school system within the state of West Virginia. The research will provide a template that educators can follow that will aid them in designing the course; building student interest and participation; then finally to creating an official course that students can register to take within the school schedule.

Ultimately, this research looks to provide a process …

A Comparison Of Fish Health Indices Applied To Freshwater Species Of The Chesapeake Bay Watershed, Josiah B. Jensen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Fish kills, increased disease prevalence, and endocrine disruption have been observed in multiple freshwater fish populations of the Chesapeake Bay watershed (CBW). Some of these health issues occur in conjunction with declining abundance. A combination of multiple stressors is believed to be weakening sensitive fish species in non-tidal regions of the CBW. Fish health indices such as Deformity, Erosion, Lesion, and Tumor counts (DELTs), and the Health Assessment Index (HAI) are simple tools designed to evaluate the general health of fish populations. Both indices could be widely applied in the watershed because they require limited training and equipment. However, their …

A Comparative Analysis Of Coastdown Testing Methods From An Electric Drive Unit Engagement Perspective Using A Student-Designed Parallel Hybrid Electric Vehicle, Dawson Everett Dunnuck

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Coastdown testing and road load determination are pivotal parts of the automotive design process. Vehicle manufacturers and independent companies perform and analyze road loads determined through a coastdown or similar method to determine a vehicle’s road load for modeling and EPA certification. For a traditional coastdown, the vehicle’s drivetrain must be disconnected through a clutch between the engine and the transmission while traveling at a high rate of speed to place the vehicle in neutral. This changes for hybrid and electric vehicles. Some hybrid, and most electric, vehicles delivered to customers do not have this clutch action to grant the …

Analysis Of The Effect Of Rate Of Fire On The Reproducibility Of Breech Face Impressions, Kayla Ann Trimble

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A major activity in firearms examination is the comparison of cartridge cases. In a crime scene where a firearm was discharged, it is very common to find cartridge cases littering the scene. Firearms examiners examine these cartridge cases along with test fired cartridge cases from the suspected firearm. They inspect the firearm to ensure that it is safe and in working condition before conducting test fires. These test fires are then compared to the submitted evidence. Comparison microscopes are used to visualize the impressions left on the cartridge case from the firing process. When comparing evidence to a known test …

Outdoor Recreation Benefits In Urban Areas: An Importance-Performance Analysis Of Residents' Perception In Morgantown, West Virginia, Zachary D. Cox

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

Outdoor Recreation Benefits in Urban Areas: An Importance-Performance Analysis of Residents’ Perception in Morgantown, West Virginia

Zachary Cox

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, participation in outdoor recreation has surged in primitive, rural, and even urban settings. Similarly, outdoor recreation studies that focus on residents have continually grown post-COVID-19. Through shared activities and a sense of community, residents have a strong voice in the decisions and improvements of their local environmental spaces. The purpose of this study is to assess the benefits of outdoor recreation among residents in the city of Morgantown, West Virginia. To identify these benefits and perceptions, researchers …

Accelerating Manufacturing Decisions Using Bayesian Optimization: An Optimization And Prediction Perspective, Taofeeq Olajire

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Manufacturing is a promising technique for producing complex and custom-made parts with a high degree of precision. It can also provide us with desired materials and products with specified properties. To achieve that, it is crucial to find out the optimum point of process parameters that have a significant impact on the properties and quality of the final product. Unfortunately, optimizing these parameters can be challenging due to the complex and nonlinear nature of the underlying process, which becomes more complicated when there are conflicting objectives, sometimes with multiple goals. Furthermore, experiments are usually costly, time-consuming, and require expensive materials, …

Enabling Cybersecure And Resilient Smart Distribution Grid With Edge Devices, Partha Sarathi Sarker

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The smart distribution grid achieves enhanced efficiency and flexibility through the utilization of advanced communication infrastructure, digital devices, and robust computation and control capabilities. Grid-edge devices including distributed energy resources (DERs) like solar photovoltaics (PV), battery storage systems, and intelligent electric loads like electric vehicles and smart appliances, are contributing to the growth of the smart distribution grid. This evolution is transforming the grid into a multifaceted network of interconnected devices and systems, enabling bidirectional data communication and power flows. However, these new layers of data integration and control in the smart grid introduce vulnerabilities to cyberattacks and accidental failures, …

Essays On Public Policy, Justin Craig Heflin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The first chapter examines the impact of Red Flag Laws on homicide rates and suicide rates. Red Flag Laws seek to implement gun control measures by allowing the removal of firearms from individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others. Using a two-way fixed effects (TWFE) difference-in-differences (DiD) estimations, I demonstrate a negative and plausibly causal relationship between a state implementing a Red Flag Law and homicide rates. While there is also a reduction in suicide rates, I am unable to make causal claims. This study is the first to empirically examine Red Flag Laws, with an eye towards …

Rumen And Urine Amine/Phenol-Metabolome Of Beef Steers With Divergent Residual Feed Intake, Taylor S. Sidney

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cattle production is one of the most important agricultural industries in the United States. Despite its overall production efficiency, the industry is facing considerable adversities to its long-term sustainability due to population growth, decreased land availability, and the increase in global warming. Since feed efficiency imposes an immense influence on the cost of production for animals and is a major cost determinant for profitability, the improvement of feed utilization through the understanding of animal-to-animal variation in feed efficiency is pertinent to increase farm productivity and profitability. Residual feed intake (RFI) is a measure of feed efficiency and is defined as …

Framework For Data Acquisition And Fusion Of Camera And Radar For Autonomous Vehicle Systems, Clay Edward Vincent

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The primary contribution is the development of the data collection testing methodology for autonomous driving systems of a hybrid electric passenger vehicle. As automotive manufacturers begin to develop adaptive cruise control technology in vehicles, progress is being made toward the development of fully-autonomous vehicles. Adaptive cruise control capability is classified into five levels defined by the Society of Automotive Engineering. Some vehicles under development have attained higher levels of autonomy, but the focus of most commercial development is Level 2 autonomy. As the level of autonomy increases, the sensor technology becomes more advanced with a sensor suite which includes radar, …

The Influence Of Spirituality On Caregiver Burden And Quality Of Life In Older Adult Informal Caregivers, Stephanie Marie Young

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Caregiver burden reduces quality of life (QOL) and is associated with poorer health outcomes. Older adults may be more susceptible to caregiver burden due to advancing age and declining health. Spirituality has been shown to reduce caregiver burden and improve QOL.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the direct or indirect influence of spirituality on caregiver burden and caregiver QOL in older adult caregivers. The specific aims were 1) to determine the prevalence of caregiver burden in a nationally representative sample of older adult informal caregivers of other adults and 2) to investigate the relationships among …

Synthesis Of Quasi-Freestanding Graphene Films Using Radical Species Formed In Cold Plasmas, Michael A. Mathews Jr.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

For over a decade, the Stinespring laboratory has investigated scalable, plasma assisted synthesis (PAS) methods for the growth of graphene films on silicon carbide (SiC). These typically utilized CF₄-based inductively coupled plasma (ICP) with reactive ion etching (RIE) to selectively etch silicon from the SiC lattice. This yielded a halogenated carbon-rich surface layer which was then annealed to produce the graphene layers. The thickness of the films was controlled by the plasma parameters, and overall, the process was readily scalable to the diameter of the SiC wafer.

The PAS process reproducibly yielded two- to three-layer thick graphene films …

Toward A Reconceptualization Of Gentrification: Assessing Neighborhood Variation By Socioeconomic And Economic Processes, Annette M. Mackay

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The core conceptualization of gentrification is social class ascension. Researchers and the public have often disagreed about how, when, where, and why gentrification occurs. When there is agreement, researchers often add specifications, such as displacement, that further confuse the concept. Reasons for the confusion include non-integrating theoretical dimensions, methods that assume independent effects, and the context of place. The objective of this study is to conceptualize gentrification in a case study city using two key dimensions, socioeconomic and economic processes, in a spatial context. Using principal component analysis to identify the latent constructs that account for change in Pittsburgh, PA, …

Drift Orbit Bifurcation Effects On Earth’S Radiation Belt Electrons, Jinbei Huang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Energetic charged particles trapped in the Earth’s radiation belt form a hazardous space environment for artificial electronic systems and astronauts. The study of Earth's radiation belt is becoming increasingly important with the development of communication technology, which plays a significant role in modern society. Earth’s radiation belt is highly dynamic, and the electron flux can drop by several orders of magnitude within a few hours which is called radiation belt dropout. The fast dropout of energetic electrons in the radiation belt, despite its significance, has not been thoroughly studied. One of the most compelling outstanding questions in Earth's radiation belt …

Sense And Sensitivity: Spatial Structure Of Conspecific Signals During Social Interaction, Keshav Ramachandra

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Organisms rely on sensory systems to gather information about their environment. Localizing the source of a signal is key in guiding the behavior of the animal successfully. Localization mechanisms must cope with the challenges of representing the spatial information of weak, noisy signals. In this dissertation, I investigate the spatial dynamics of natural stimuli and explore how the electrosensory system of weakly electric fish encodes these realistic spatial signals. To do so In Chapter 2, I develop a model that examines the strength of the signal as it reaches the sensory array and simulates the responses of the receptors. The …

Imitation Learning For Swarm Control Using Variational Inference, Hafeez Olafisayo Jimoh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Swarms are groups of robots that can coordinate, cooperate, and communicate to achieve tasks that may be impossible for a single robot. These systems exhibit complex dynamical behavior, similar to those observed in physics, neuroscience, finance, biology, social and communication networks, etc. For instance, in Biology, schools of fish, swarm of bacteria, colony of termites exhibit flocking behavior to achieve simple and complex tasks. Modeling the dynamics of flocking in animals is challenging as we usually do not have full knowledge of the dynamics of the system and how individual agent interact. The environment of swarms is also very noisy …

Machine Learning For Biosensors, Gayathri Anapanani

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Biosensors have become increasingly popular as diagnostic tools due to their ability to detect and quantify biological analytes in a wide range of applications. With the growing demand for faster and more reliable biosensing devices, machine learning has become a valuable tool in enhancing biosensor performance. In this report, we review recent progress in the application of machine learning to biosensors. We discuss the potential benefits of using machine learning in biosensors, including improved sensitivity, selectivity, and accuracy. We also discuss the various machine learning techniques that have been applied to biosensors, including data preprocessing, feature extraction, and classification and …

Spatial Variability In Above Ground Carbon Within An Appalachian Forest, Megan A. Ponczek

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Forests have long been recognized for their provision of air and water quality ecosystem services to society; but more recently, they have become valuable to the carbon credit markets used as a tool for mitigating climate change. Quantifying above ground carbon storage in forest ecosystems is essential for these carbon credit markets and can also provide insight into factors that control the spatial distribution of carbon in forests. The goal of this study is to assess the degree to which three factors: topography, tree species, and legacies of logging, impact the spatial variability in above ground carbon within a 400x500m …

Spatial Processing Of Conspecific Signals In Weakly Electric Fish: From Sensory Image To Neural Population Coding, Oak Everette Milam

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this dissertation, I examine how an animal’s nervous system encodes spatially realistic conspecific signals in their environment and how the encoding mechanisms support behavioral sensitivity. I begin by modeling changes in the electrosensory signals exchanged by weakly electric fish in a social context. During this behavior, I estimate how the spatial structure of conspecific stimuli influences sensory responses at the electroreceptive periphery. I then quantify how space is represented in the hindbrain, specifically in the primary sensory area called the electrosensory lateral line lobe. I show that behavioral sensitivity is influenced by the heterogeneous properties of the pyramidal cell …

Missile Modeling And Simulation Of Nominal And Abnormal Scenarios Resulting From External Damage, James Manuel Floyd Iii

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis presents the development of a six-degree-of-freedom flight simulation environment for missiles and the application thereof to investigate the flight performance of missiles when exposed to external damage. The simulation environment was designed to provide a realistic representation of missile flight dynamics including aerodynamic effects, flight control systems, and self-guidance. The simulation environment was designed to be modular, expandable, and include realistic models of external damage to the missile body obtained by adversarial counteraction.

The primary objective of this research was to examine missile flight performance when subjected to unspecified external damage, including changes in trajectory, stability, and controllability, …

Testing The Theory Of Resilience And Relational Load In The Context Of Empty Nesters, Lauren E. Fellers

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In examining the marital communication of recent empty nesters, the aim of this study was to test the theory of resilience and relational load (TRRL) (Afifi et al., 2016). The postparental period that follows directly after children leave their parents’ places of residence may present unique challenges for married individuals to navigate together. The TRRL offers a potential explanation as to why some married couples demonstrate resilience and flourish through a stressful season while others do not. To test the TRRL in this context, 113 married persons who became empty nesters within the previous 18 months filled out an online …

Chemotherapy-Induced Pdl-1 Expression In Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Promotes Chemoresistance In Nsclc, Gayathri Heenatigala Palliyage

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A cure for cancer is out of reach for most patients due to chemoresistance. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), one of the most abundant types of stromal cells in the tumor microenvironment, are known to provide functional and structural support for tumor progression. These cells also play a role in cancer chemoresistance, but a detailed understanding of the process, particularly in chemoresistant lung cancer, is lacking. In this study, we investigated programmed death-ligand 1 (PDL-1) as a potential biomarker for CAF-induced chemoresistance and evaluated its role and underlying mechanisms of chemoresistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We demonstrated that chemotherapy-stimulated CAFs …

A Test Of The Control Value Theory Of Achievement Emotions In An Instructional Communication Context, Katherine E. Armstrong

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation tested the control-value theory of achievement emotions (CVTAE) in an instructional communication context. Based on the assumptions of CVTAE, the researcher predicted that when instructors were clearer, students would feel more confident in their abilities to perform well in their class and, in turn, experience positive achievement emotions (i.e., enjoyment and hope), ultimately becoming be more intrinsically motivated to learn. If instructors were less clear, however, students would experience decreased motivation to learn through negative appraisals of performance efficacy and negative achievement emotions (i.e., boredom, anxiety, and hopelessness). Additionally, the researcher hypothesized that when instructors made the course …

Multimaterial, Core-Shell Direct Ink Writing Of Flexible Strain Sensors For Pneumatically-Actuated Soft Robotic Hinge Joints, John Michael Burke

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Direct ink writing (DIW) provides for an expansive material library and the ability to print multiple materials with tailored functionalities in a controllable and single-step process. Particularly beneficial is the net shape printing under ambient conditions of a wide range of materials normally incompatible with one another. Coaxial DIW is a 3D printing technique that allows for two dissimilar inks to be extruded simultaneously in a co-flow manner. In this work, custom-designed coaxial nozzles were 3D-printed using a stereolithography printer. Composite inks comprised of thermoplastic polyurethane and silver were developed and studied. The coaxial nozzles were then used to co-extrude …

Associations Among Executive Functioning, Family Functioning, Adolescent Responsibility, And Adherence In Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Cecily Newel Conour

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a common cause of chronic pain for adolescents in the United States. Adherence to the treatment regimen is a significant concern, particularly for adolescents. Barriers to adherence are varied, but include cognitive factors, such as forgetting. Parent involvement is associated with increased adherence in this population, though adolescent involvement is less studied. Family functioning is associated with adherence to medication regimen across pediatric chronic illnesses, including IBD treatment regimen. To better inform clinical care, this study aims to understand the relations among adolescent’s responsibility, executive functioning, family functioning, and adherence. Methods: The current study …

Sex Differences In Endothelial Function, Metabolism, And Sleep: Responses To Disrupted Circadian Rhythms, Olga Hecmarie Meléndez-Fernández

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Circadian rhythms are endogenous cycles that recur approximately every 24 h, and manifest in virtually every physiological and behavioral process among the vast majority of organisms. These rhythms, sustained by the central circadian clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, allow for optimal timing of biological processes that ensure organisms’ homeostasis, and are entrained to precisely 24 h by daily exposure to light. Disruption of the molecular mechanisms that drive these rhythms have negative consequences on physiology and behavior that may impair survival. The molecular mechanisms that underlie these effects are widely studied and linked to multiple diseases and …

Sexism In The Digital World: A Thematic Content Analysis Of The Cyberbullying Of Lil Miquela, Shyanne Elizabeth Schmithorst

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As artificial intelligence (AI) evolves, social issues associated with this technology are also perpetuated. This is especially pertinent to online violence against women. In April 2016, fictional character “Lil Miquela,” an AI robot who would quickly rise to fame as a social media influencer, was created using Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). Significant backlash has persisted against Lil Miquela throughout its existence, which has typically taken the form of demeaning comments made by other users on Lil Miquela’s social media pages. As the robot looks deceptively like a human female, the robot receives online treatment that mimics that of human women. Utilizing …

Levantine Immigration And Community Building In Charleston, West Virginia, 1900-1930, George P. Jacobs Ii

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Immigrants from the Levant, a region of the middle east made up of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine, settled in the United States in large numbers between 1890 and 1920. Many eventually decided to make Charleston, West Virginia their permanent home. When they arrived in Charleston, most Levantine immigrants worked as peddlers, selling modern wares and household goods to families that needed them. This research explains the context for this immigration wave, the important economic niche Levantine immigrants satisfied in the developing economy of southern West Virginia, and how over time Charleston’s Levantine community contributed significantly to the city’s culture.

Mitigation And Preparedness In Disaster Communication: Examining The Need For Closing The Loop In The Discourse Of Renewal Theory, Abigail Renee Riggs

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Flooding across rural Appalachia has historically negatively impacted communities, and flood frequency is only expected to increase in the region as global temperatures rise. This indicates a need for effective disaster and crisis communication in flood-prone communities within the region. The discourse of renewal and readiness for renewal theories provide potential avenues for improving crisis and disaster communication. Readiness for renewal in particular focuses on closing the gap between the pre and post-crisis phases. However, readiness for renewal has yet to be applied to disaster communication and has not been studied qualitatively. Additionally, ethical guidelines for communication within renewal have …