Digital Commons Network^™

The Microvascular And Systemic Effects Of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle Exposure: A Physiological Perspective, Alaeddin Bashir Abukabda

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO₂) are one of the most widely used engineered nanomaterials (ENM). Their ubiquitous inclusion warrants a more thorough understanding of their toxicity, particularly in sensitive populations such as pregnant women and the developing fetus.

The aim of the first study was to determine the most sensitive segments of the vasculature to pulmonary ENM exposure. Macrovascular function was investigated in the thoracic aorta, common femoral artery and 3^rd order mesenteric arterioles using wire myography. Microvascular function was assessed in 4^th and 5^th order mesenteric arterioles via pressure myography. Nano-TiO₂ exposure induced impairments …

Application Of Molecular Pathology Techniques To Understand Mechanisms Of Disease In Smallmouth Bass, Heather Leigh Walsh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In the Chesapeake Bay drainage, smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu are used as an indicator species of estrogenic contaminant exposure and have been implicated in fish kills and disease since 2005. In the Potomac River drainage, adult smallmouth bass have experienced mortality and disease and males have a high prevalence of intersex (testicular oocytes). Conversely, in the Susquehanna River drainage mortalities and disease of young-of-the-year smallmouth bass (YOY SMB) have occurred and resulted in a population shift to older and larger fish. The exact cause of these events remains unknown; however, factors such as poor water quality, contaminants, pathogens and parasites, …

Impact Of A Fruit And Vegetable Diet Intervention In Young Adults With Metabolic Syndrome On Behavior And Gut Microbiome, Rashel L. Clark

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a clustering of factors that increases the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. The rates of MetS are on the rise, even among young adults. The primary objective of the Fruvedomics phase 2 study was to determine changes in behavior, cardiovascular, and gut microbiome health in a group of young adults with MetS following an 8-week, free-living, dietary intervention.;Methods: The dietary intervention followed the USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans and focused on increasing fruit and vegetable intake to equal half their diet. University students (18--30 years old) with MetS were recruited on the West …

Needle Exchange Programs To Prevent Hepatitis C Virus Infection In People Who Inject Drugs In Rural Appalachia, Stephen M. Davis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The recent opioid epidemic in the rural Appalachian region of the United States has fueled an exponential increase in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among People Who Inject Drugs (PWID). Needle exchange programs (NEP), which provide clean needles in exchange for used needles, can reduce the incidence of HCV among PWIDs. However, the empirical evidence examining NEP effectiveness in the prevention of HCV in this population is mixed, only describes studies conducted in urban areas, and does not address the unique challenges associated with implementing NEPs in rural areas. Furthermore, no studies have examined barriers to using clean needles obtained …

Structural Origins Of The Doonerak Anticline, Central Brooks Range, Alaska, Gregory James Hammond

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Doonerak anticline in the central Brooks Range, Alaska, exposes a package of Early Paleozoic metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks overlain by Carboniferous to Triassic sedimentary rocks which have been correlated to the North Slope subsurface. The flanks of the anticline have been interpreted as portions of a single north-vergent nappe system emplaced during the Brookian orogeny. The Doonerak anticline is a key location for understanding the structure of the Brooks Range fold and thrust belt. Field mapping, microstructural analysis, Raman-spectroscopy of carbonaceous material (RSCM) paleothermometry, and detrital zircon geochronology data suggest the structure is not a tectonic window resulting from …

How Connectedness To Nature Relates To Well-Being Over Time, Amy Knepple Carney

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Correlational and experimental studies have found evidence that connectedness to nature (CN) leads to increases in well-being. Higher CN relates to higher positive affect, lower negative affect, and better health (Herzog & Strevey, 2008; Korpela & Ylen, 2007; Mayer, Frantz, Bruehlman-Senecal, & Dolliver, 2009). Little research, though, has examined the relation of CN and well-being over time. With the lack of longitudinal data, it is impossible to assess how CN might be associated with well-being and health over a person's lifetime. This study is among the first to evaluate CN and well-being with three-time points. Final analyses were conducted on …

Temperature Simulation And Heat Exchange In A Batch Reactor Using Ansys Fluent, Rahul Kooragayala

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Internal combustion (IC) engines are the main power source for on-road and off-road vehicles. Natural gas (NG) is a cleaner alternative for conventional petroleum-based fuels. A solution to avoid some of the issues associated with a gaseous fuel is to convert the methane in NG to a liquid fuel such as methanol. This thesis is part of a larger experimental and simulation effort at West Virginia University dedicated to the development of a direct methane-to-methanol conversion technology based on an innovative homogeneous catalysis and a novel reactor design. The goal was to support the experimental effort by using the simulation …

Emotion Regulation And Attrition In Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, Corey C. Lieneman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As evidence of the importance of emotion regulation (ER) continues to mount, little is known about how families dealing with child behavior problems can better develop this important ability. This study explored the relations among a caregiver training program for children with severe problem behaviors (i.e., Parent-Child Interaction Therapy; PCIT), child ER, caregiver ER, parent-ing stress, and attrition. This study was part of a larger investigation evaluating the impact of in-centives on treatment outcomes. Measures of caregiver and child ER, child behavior problems, and parenting stress were completed by caregivers referred for PCIT from a predominantly low-income community sample of …

Examining The Association Amongst Expected Costs And Benefits, Peer Use, And Self-Reported Use Of Electronic Cigarettes In Adolescents, Kristine Durkin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Understanding why e-cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular with adolescents, despite the potential negative health consequences of these products, is critical to informing prevention and intervention efforts. Prior research has identified peer use as a salient risk factor of adolescent e-cigarette use, but has not expanded on the mechanism of this association. For this study, 569 adolescents were recruited from an adolescent medicine clinic and public schools in rural and suburban areas of the mid-Atlantic United States. Participants completed a study-specific demographic questionnaire, the Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) to assess substance use, and the Smoking Expectancy Scale for Adolescents (SESA) …

Welding Fume Exposure And Lung Cancer: Evidence Of Lung Toxicity And Tumor Promotion From In Vivo Studies In Aj Mice, Lauryn Falcone

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Welding fumes were recently reclassified as carcinogenic to humans (Group 1) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) based on sufficient epidemiological evidence and limited evidence in animals. It is estimated that 11 million workers worldwide weld full-time, and an additional 110 million have had some type of welding-related exposure. Welding exposures are complex because of the diversity of welding modalities used in the workplace; these modalities include exposures to non-carcinogenic and/or carcinogenic metal containing fumes.;The objective of this dissertation was to determine which welding fumes and their component metals are the most toxic and have the greatest …

Three Essays About Energy Prices And Energy Markets, Mousa Tafweeq

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of High Intensity Interval Training On Arterial Health, James Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of A Re-Established Walleye Population Within A Hydropower Reservoir Recovering From Acidification, Dustin M Smith

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Feasibility Analysis Of Establishing Charging Stations For Electrical Vehicles In Public Facilities, Vivek Komarina

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

To overcome the transportation sector's dependency on fossil fuels, electric vehicles appears to be a better alternative with a number of impressive benefits. Enhancing the utilization of electric vehicles not only reduces global gasoline and diesel consumption but also helps in running an environmentally cleaner road transport system with zero tailpipe emissions. As road transport involves substantial gasoline and diesel consumption, Plug-in Electric Vehicles (EVs) being more energy efficient and environment friendly can have direct impact on reduction of fuel reliance. One of the important limitations influencing the penetration of electrical vehicles in the global market is the lack of …

Investigating The Relationships Between Family Communication Patterns, Academic Resilience, And Students’ Classroom Communication Behaviors, Jordan Atkinson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation served two purposes. The first purpose was to examine the relationships between the two dimensions of family communication patterns (i.e., conversation orientation and conformity orientation) and four student classroom communication behaviors (i.e., out-of-class communication, in-class oral participation, instructional dissent, and students’ motives to communicate with their instructors). The second purpose of this dissertation was to investigate academic resilience as a mediator in the relationship between family communication patterns and student classroom communication behaviors. It was discovered that students’ family conversation orientation was associated positively with their oral participation and the relational, functional, participatory, and excuse-making motives to communicate …

Exploring The Bidirectional Effects Of Personality And Negative Social Interactions Across Adulthood, Nicole M. S. Belanger

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Personality and negative social interactions (NSIs; interactions with social network members that are perceived to be a violation of relationship norms; Brooks & Dunkel Schetter, 2011) are associated with detrimental health outcomes (Hampson & Friedman, 2008; Hill, Weston, & Jackson, 2014). Personality is also associated with the occurrence of NSIs (Allemand, Schaffhuser, & Martin, 2015; Bono, Boles, Judge, & Lauver, 2002; Silva, Henrie, & Patrick, 2016). However, both of these constructs change across adulthood (Carstensen, Isaacowitz, & Charles, 1999; Roberts, Wood, & Smith, 2005) so it is important to understand how the associations between these two variables may change over …

An Exploration Of Paul Bowles' Piano-Solo Pieces, Juan Carlos Rios Betancur

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research paper provides a general overview of the piano-solo literature by the American composer Paul Frederic Bowles (1910-1999). Thanks to recent contributions, this repertoire is now available in recordings and musical scores as it has never been before.;This paper is divided into two sections. The first covers the biography of Paul Bowles and his musical achievements as a composer, along with his research into the folk music of Morocco and his literary writings as a music critic for the journal Modern Music and for The New Herald Tribune. The second part is about Bowles' piano-solo output, divided thematically into …

The Role Of Interleukin-12 And Exosomes In The Dynamic Interplay Of Cancer And The Immune System, Christina Nicole Nikki Byrne-Hoffman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Melanoma and breast cancers account for a large number of cancer diagnoses and deaths, with 1 in 28 and 1 in 8 developing melanoma or breast cancer, respectively, in their lifetime. T Lymphocytes play a pivotal role in the immune system response to cancers and are known to evade the immune system by a variety of mechanisms, including modulation of cytokine function. A cytokine important for the function of T lymphocytes, Interleukin-12, and modulation of its Janus Kinase and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling pathway, plays a role in the immune response to tumors, especially melanoma. We examined the role …

Comparison Of Emissions Measurement Between A Sensor-Based Compact Emissions Meter And A Standard Pems, Jordan Matthew Leatherman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The emissions produced by diesel engines are detrimental to human health, and the environment. To reduce these harmful emissions, engine manufacturers have used exhaust after treatment systems. The main objective of these after-treatment systems is to reduce exhaust emissions with minimal impact on an engines performance. The increase in emission regulations resulted in the need for a portable device to measure emissions. Portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS) are used to ensure engines comply with regulations in the real world. Although these systems are portable and can be installed on a vehicle they are bulky, expensive and time consuming to install. …

Arl2bp, A Novel Ciliopathy Protein, Is Required For Cilia Microtubule Formation, Abigail Ruth Moye

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cilia are specialized organelles essential for cellular function. Not surprisingly, mutations in cilia- related genes are linked to multi-syndromic diseases termed ciliopathies. These include blinding diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP). One such novel gene is ARL2BP (ARL2-binding protein) and is linked to RP and situs inversus (organ reversal) in humans, a phenotype produced by defects in the nodal cilia of developing embryos. Defects in photoreceptor cilia, as well as situs inversus in human patients, suggest that ARL2BP plays an invaluable role in the structure and function of cilia. However little is known about the role for this protein in …

Characteristics Of Activated Carbons Produced From Herbaceous Biomass Feedstock, Oluwatosin Jerry Oginni

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Energy security and environmental protection are at the forefront of research due to the forecasted depletion of fossil fuel reserves and the growing concern of its adverse environmental impacts. The use of renewable sources for energy applications has centered on the use of biomass feedstocks and this include from herbaceous, woody, agricultural waste, forest residues and municipal wastes. The thermochemical conversion (pyrolysis) of these biomass feedstocks has potential to produce liquid fuel, a solid residue (biochar) and non-condensable gas. The biochar is primarily composed of renewable porous carbon and other inorganic compounds. The biochar is used for soil amendment, adsorption …

Wintering American Black Duck Ecology Of Central Appalachia, Sara E. Yannuzzi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The American black duck (Anas rubripes) is a species of dabbling duck found only in the northeastern part of North America, and widely hunted until its decline. Since the 1950s, the total population has decreased by 53%. Habitat degradation and decline of wintering and breeding wetlands, historic overharvest, and interactions with the mallard (A. platyrhynchos) are attributed as some of the main causes of the black duck population’s decrease. Many policies and taxa- and habitat-specific joint ventures have since been created to aid in studying and improving North American wetlands and black duck populations throughout both their breeding and wintering …

The Life And Work Of Barbara Nissman, Giuliana Paola Contreras Ampuero

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research paper focuses on the life and work of American concert pianist Barbara Nissman (b. 1944). Her extensive work as a performer, writer, lecturer and guest clinician makes Nissman one of the most accomplished artists of our time. This paper is the first comprehensive look at Nissman’s career and her diverse contributions to piano study and performance as a leading expert on the piano music of Alberto Ginastera (1916-1983), Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953), Béla Bartók (1881-1945), and Franz Liszt (1811-1886). As an overview of Nissman’s life and career, this paper provides both a thorough presentation of Nissman’s contributions and serves …

The Policy Dynamics Of The Trafficking Victims Protection Act (2000), Samantha E. Godbey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examines the creation and implementation of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act 2000 (TVPA). This research builds on the literature in the area of the policy-making process, specifically focusing on the issue attention cycle, agenda setting, and implementation. This study begins with a focus on the role the media plays in framing the issue, turns to a consideration of Congress and the passage of the TVPA, and concludes with an examination of the implementation of the act through executive branch use of sanctions. I suggest that human trafficking was framed as a criminal justice issue by both the media …

Psychometric Properties Of The Wake Forest Physician Trust Scale With Young And Older Adults, Emma Katz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Trust is an essential component of any interpersonal relationship, but it is particularly integral to the patient-physician relationship. Patient-physician trust increases willingness to seek treatment, disclose sensitive information, adhere to medical recommendations, and share decision-making authority. While there have been developments in current research on the psychosocial variables associated with patient-physician trust, there continues to be the need for a psychometrically sound measure of trust, as well as a further need for psychometric evaluation of already developed measures. The purpose of the study was to reexamine a measure of patient-physician trust, the Wake Forest Physician Trust Scale (WFPTS), using more …

Laser And 3-Dimensional Printers: Characterizing Emissions And Occupational Exposures, Alyson R. Johnson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: Toxicology and epidemiology studies have observed an association between ultrafine particles (UFPs) and respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological health effects. While there is a paucity of data in the literature on the potential toxicity and health effects from indoor UFP exposure, more exposure assessment studies and research evaluating the efficacy of controls is merited. An increased demand for efficiency, productivity, and manufacturing has led to conception of laser and 3- dimmensional (3-D) printers in various indoor workplaces. The indoor environment is one of the most important determinants of personal exposure. Introducing laser and 3-D printers to indoor workplaces, introduces a …

Dietary Intake And Body Composition Changes During A 12-Week Weight Loss Trial In Middle-Aged And Older Men, Allison Marie Morris

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Middle-aged adults suffer from the highest rates of obesity in the nation. Obesity is not only a risk factor for cardiovascular-related chronic disease, it is also associated with decreased functional status in aging populations. Depletion of lean mass is a concerning consequence of intentional weight loss. However, efforts to attenuate loss of lean mass with weight loss are often limited to older adults. Understanding body composition changes that occur during intentional weight loss and factors to limit the loss of lean mass during weight loss in middle aged adults are needed reduce and prevent adverse outcomes in old age. The …

Determining Leak Percentage At Known Leak Locations For Full-Mask Respirators Using Tsi Portacounttm And Ohd Quantifittm, Russell R Willis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

An Evaluation Of Preliminary Outcomes And Characteristics Of Peer Support Within A Community Based Weight Management Program, John Spencer Ingels

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Respiratory Flow Characterization Of Workers In Healthcare Environment, Jintuo Zhu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.