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Evaluating The Efficacy Of The Archaeal Proteasome To Alleviate Protein-Misfolding Retinopathy, Celine Brooks

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Nearly all neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) and some eye diseases are characterized by the presence of misfolded and aggregated proteins. The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is responsible for degrading the majority of proteins including misfolded and aggregated proteins. However, in NDs the performance of the UPS is impaired, and this impairment partially comes from these protein aggregates inhibiting the proteasome. This inhibition leads to an accumulation of protein aggregates, more proteasomal inhibition, and fewer chaperones for newly synthesized proteins, triggering a collapse in proteostasis, which is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of NDs. Consequently, stimulating proteasome function is being investigated …

An Appalachian Perspective On Suicide: A Focus On West Virginia’S Unique Context, Erin Delaney Caswell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

INTRODUCTION: The Appalachian region, spanning 13 states from New York to northern Mississippi, experiences the suicide rates in the United States (U.S.), underscoring a public health crisis exacerbated by persistent socioeconomic challenges. West Virginia (WV), the only state entirely within Appalachia, serves as a focal point for understanding the broader suicide crisis in the region, as WV has the highest suicide rates in the region. Moreover, the state has several unique socioeconomic factors, like increased poverty, lower educational attainment, limited access to healthcare, and a high prevalence of chronic pain and substance that may contribute to elevated rates of suicide. …

Using Touchmath® As An Intervention For Students With Disabilities At A Public Montessori School, Anne M. Cox

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Students with high-incidence disabilities enrolled in public Montessori elementary schools do not always make adequate growth in mathematics using traditional Montessori materials and instruction. While direct instruction methods are not typically used in a Montessori setting, such teaching practices have been proven to be successful when teaching students with disabilities.

This study analyzed the effects of an evidence-based math intervention, TouchMath^®, on the addition fact fluency and acquisition of double-digit addition skills of elementary students with disabilities who receive small-group special education instruction in a public Montessori school. The students’ confidence levels before and after receiving the intervention …

Triggered Online System Re-Identification Applied To Model Predictive Control Using Gaussian Processes, Daniel Augusto Kestering

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Safety, product quality, enhanced performance, and increased profit all depend on the control of chemical and energy processes. However, operational issues can lead to control challenges, especially when processes are subject to disturbances during their operation. Process control methods work best when processes operate close to their designed operat- ing conditions, but lack of performance or other issues may occur when the process is far from such conditions. To overcome these challenges, in this dissertation, online model re- identification is proposed for Model Predictive Control (MPC). This involves reassessing the predictive model of an advanced controller, namely MPC, when re-identification …

The Role Of Uric Acid In Metabolic Abnormalities Of Obesity, Andrew P. Giromini

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Uric acid (UA) is the single most tightly associated metabolite for obesity and type 2 diabetes. While the field varies on whether UA is causative or correlative of the metabolic dysfunction allied to obesity, these studies use different diets and animal models to make these claims. It is the goal of this dissertation to compare different diets commonly used in this research to delve deeper into the data and determine which diets induce elevated circulating UA levels as well as which diets also induce metabolic dysfunction. Early chapters of this dissertation examine the comparison of high fructose consumption, both in …

Measures Of Feed Efficiency In Beef Cattle: Biological Basis And Effect On Response To Dietary Supplementation, Modoluwamu Idowu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

During the feedlot receiving period, newly weaned beef cattle face various stressors, including weaning, transportation, vaccination, and exposure to pathogens. Additionally, changes in diet and low dry matter intake contribute to nutrient deficiencies, heightening susceptibility to disease and performance declines. Therefore, we examined the effects of dietary supplementation with a multicomponent blend of prebiotics and probiotics on the health, immune status, metabolism, and performance of newly weaned beef steers during a 35-day receiving period. Our results showed that compared to the control group, the supplemental additive (SYNB) increased average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake, and meal events during the …

Aberrant Lipid Accumulation And Retinal Pigment Epithelium Dysfunction In Prcd-Deficient Mice, Sree Indrani Motipally

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration (PRCD) is a peripheral membrane protein predominantly expressed in photoreceptor outer segment (OS) disc membranes with an unknown function. Several mutations in Prcd are implicated in Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in humans. The most common “cysteine to tyrosine” (C2Y) mutation in Prcd leads to progressive retinal atrophy in multiple dog breeds and RP in humans. Canine models harboring the C2Y mutation in Prcd show disorganized OS structure with greatly attenuated photoreceptor OS renewal rates. Recent studies show defects in the photoreceptor nascent disc flattening in the absence of Prcd. However, it is unclear how OS discs eventually …

An Investigation Of Relations Between Developmental Stage, Impulsivity, And False Confessions, Madison G. Gallimore

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The current study examined relations between developmental stage, impulsivity, and false confessions. Based on the findings from Tervo-Clemmens et al. (2023), participants were divided into two groups based on age; ages included those who had not yet reached executive functioning maturation (12-to-20-years-old) and those who had reached executive functioning maturation (21-to-37-years-old). Impulsiveness was determined by performance on a delay-discounting task based on Mok et al. (2020) and the Barratt Impulsivity Scale-11 (BIS-11) Self-control subscale. False confessions were measured based on whether participants orally admitted to a minor wrongdoing. All participants experienced the same study procedure. The false confession paradigm utilized …

Synaptic Zinc Transporters Support Normal Synapse Structure And Function In Mouse Auditory Cortex, Abbey Manning

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Many regions of the brain are highly enriched with free zinc inside glutamatergic vesicles at presynaptic terminals. At these synapses, zinc transporter 3 (ZnT3) moves zinc into vesicles where it is co-released with glutamate. Alterations in ZnT3 are implicated in multiple neurodevelopmental disorders, and ZnT3 knock-out (KO) mice – which lack synaptic zinc – show behavioral deficits associated with autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia. Shank3 is a synaptic scaffolding protein that assists in tethering and organizing structural proteins and glutamatergic receptors in the postsynaptic density of excitatory synapses. The localization of Shank3 at excitatory synapses and the formation of stable …

Novel Membrane Materials For Nutrient Recovery From Nutrient-Rich Resources, Km Prottoy Shariar Piash

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Global demand for fertilizer production is expanding substantially to meet the food demand of an increasing world population. Anaerobic digestate (AD) of various centralized wastewater facilities contains substantial amounts of ammonium (NH₄⁺) (300-800 mg/L), potassium (K⁺) (13-120 mg/L), and phosphorus (P) (30-100 mg/L)- based nutrients. In addition to reducing energy costs and CO₂ emissions compared to conventional fertilizing raw material manufacturing, recovering nutrients from these waste streams could help mitigate problems such as eutrophication, which otherwise incurs billions of dollars losses to US economy annually. Apart from nutrients, wastewater streams also contain organic pollutants …

Machine Learning-Assisted Multiscale Simulation And Design Optimization Of Composite Jackets Under Low-Velocity Impacts, Masoud Mohammadi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research presents the development of a data-driven machine learning-assisted approach to simulate and optimize the design of composite materials subjected to low-velocity impacts. It focuses on a specific type of hybrid composite comprised of fiberglass and Kevlar fabrics stitched with Kevlar threads. The study begins by creating a multiscale finite element simulation for the composite under a low-velocity impact, which operates across three scales: microscale, mesoscale, and macroscale. This simulation accepts various inputs, such as different layer configurations and orientations, and provides impact outputs including maximum load and energy absorption capacity and displacement at failure.

Python and MATLAB scripts …

The Kaleidoscope Effect: A Solution Focused Approach To Hazing Prevention A Mixed Methods Study, Akeya Shonte Simeon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation examined the complexities surrounding hazing behaviors within the Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic Association (PHA) student populations, as well as the perspectives of college administrators. Harmful health behaviors, such as hazing, sexual violence, and substance misuse, continue to plague these organizations, impacting over 750,000 undergraduate students across more than 770 campuses in the United States. The research employed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, starting with an analysis of IFC and PHA responses from the What Works for Fraternity and Sorority Safety and Success survey, focusing on five institutions: Baylor, James Madison, Louisiana State, Penn State, and Washington State …

From Measurement To Performance: Psychometric Validity And Psychological Predictors Of Reserve Officer Training Corps Cadets’ Performance On The Army Combat Fitness Test, Ari Joseph Sapinsley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Understanding the psychological and physical readiness of future military leaders is crucial for improving recruitment and retention. The U.S. Army faces increasing obesity rates and declining physical fitness among recruits, reducing the pool of eligible candidates and raising costs. The Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), which commissions 59% of officers, has higher attrition rates than other sources, underscoring the need to identify psychological predictors of performance. This dissertation examines the psychometric properties of psychological instruments used to assess ROTC cadets and their relationship with Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) performance. Two research questions were explored: (1) What are the psychometric …

Development Of Dynamic Modeling And Estimation Techniques For Condition Monitoring Of Advanced Energy Systems, Vivek Saini

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The integration of renewable energy sources into the electric grid requires the current fleet of fossil-fired power plants to operate more flexibly, leading to frequent load changes that stress critical high temperature boiler components that were primarily designed for base load operations. The more complex operating scenarios can modify component damage, compromising reliability and increasing operational costs. To ensure efficient plant operations, adaptive condition monitoring tools generalizable for different plant configurations are essential for recognizing the impacts of load-following, improving safety, and preventing outages. This dissertation work is primarily focused on the development of advanced modeling and estimation techniques frameworks …

An Inhibitory Recurrent Network In The Olfactory System, Farzaan Salman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Neuromodulatory circuits are a necessary component of neural flexibility as they are able to act differentially depending on the receptors expressed by their downstream targets. Identifying the synaptic partners of modulatory neurons and determining the neurotransmitter and receptor content of these partners is necessary to identify the rules governing neuromodulatory circuits. In this study, I characterized the circuit of the contralaterally projecting, serotonin-immunoreactive deutocerebral neurons (CSDns), the sole synaptic source of the neuromodulator serotonin in the olfactory circuit of Drosophila melanogaster, by identifying the strongest synaptic partners of the CSDns, and the expression of genes encoding neurotransmitters and receptors of …

Relationships Among The Concepts Of Organizational Theory And Nurse Burnout Before And After Covid-19, Bridget M. Webb

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Nurse burnout is a global health priority that has been compounded by Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Organizational theory states that nurse burnout is directly impacted by operant mechanisms (nurse characteristics, nurse specialization) and hospital-wide models. The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship between hospital wide models (evidence-based care, team-based care, discharge planning, care coordination), operant mechanisms (nurse characteristics, nurse specialization), and outcomes (nurse burnout) before and after COVID-19.

Research Question: The specific aim of this study is to determine the relationship between hospital wide models (evidence-based care, team-based care, discharge planning, care coordination) and operant mechanisms (nurse …

Project Quiet: A Quality Improvement Initiative To Reduce Noise Pollution During Anesthesia Induction And Emergence, James Christopher Woods

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Problem: Excessive intraoperative noise puts anesthesia providers at risk for errors that could negatively impact patient morbidity and mortality. Distractions from excessive noise experienced during the “critical phases” of anesthesia present a risk to patient safety and need to be reduced or eliminated. Anecdotally, reports from anesthesia staff at a large academic medical center confirmed that noise pollution during induction and emergence significantly impacted the performance of critical anesthesia tasks. Objective: The goal of this quality improvement (QI) project was to implement a series of interventions designed to reduce noise pollution during induction and emergence, and to reduce …

A Rainy Day For Cancer: The Characterization And Utilization Of The Long Non-Coding Rna Lnc-Rainy In The Radiation Response Of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer, Emily S. Rice

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Lung Cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. While important improvements have been made to the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), treatment resistance is a critical issue facing the majority of patients. Previously, our lab identified a group of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) known as linc-SPRY3 RNAs, expressed on the Y-chromosome, that play a role in radiation sensitivity by decreasing tumor burden in vitro and in vivo after radiation. Through molecular cloning methods and further functional characterization, here we present evidence that the linc-SPRY3 RNAs were originally mischaracterized as individual linc-RNAs but are in fact parts …

The Relationship Between Metacognition, Study Strategies, And Students’ Performances In General Chemistry And Organic Chemistry Courses, Nghiem Uy Tieu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Many students find General Chemistry challenging, and studies have shown a link between students’ grades in chemistry and a decrease in interest in STEM fields. Similarly, Organic Chemistry has also been typically identified as a difficult course for many undergraduate students and has a notoriously high failure rate. Numerous studies have explored various methods to enhance students’ performance and experience in both General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, but there hasn’t been much focus on students’ study strategies. In addition, metacognition, the skill of thinking about one’s thinking, had been proven in studies as a vital role in enhancing students’ achievements. …

The Sociology Of Bail Reform: Crime, Social Interaction, And Offender Experiences In Rurality., Scott Kevin Turner

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The study sought to explore the impact of the New York State “Bail Reform Act of 2019,” in rurality. It examined some of the legislative goals of the law, the claim that it caused crime, and offender experiences in rurality. Secondary data was used to map the rural crime landscape and primary data was collected from offenders during face to face interviews. The study was framed using deterrence and opportunity approaches and situated within the broader field environments; legislative, courtroom, and community. The research failed to find support for the claim that bail reform caused crime. Instead, it revealed that …

Sars-Cov-2 Immunogenicity Models Inform Novel Strategies That Can Improve Mrna Vaccines, Katherine S. Lee

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The onset of the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, issued a call to action in the fields of biomedical science and public health to implement strategies to contain and protect against the viral threat. In record times, pharmaceutical companies produced antiviral therapies and novel mRNA vaccines that were approved by the FDA for human use. With time, these vaccines were able to assist in ending the pandemic. However, time also showed the limits of mRNA vaccine induced immunity. Despite antibody responses being initially robust, titers dramatically wane with time and are limited in cross-neutralizing ability. As …

Effects Of Probabilistic Win-Paired-Cue Delivery On Loss Trials On Risky Choice In Rats, Connor M. Lambert

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Problem gambling, or Gambling Disorder, is a behavioral disorder that affects 2.5% of the U.S. population and can result in detriments to physical, mental, and financial well-being. Electronic gambling machines (e.g., slot machines, video poker, pachinko) may be more addictive than other forms of gambling (e.g., table games, sports betting). Electronic gambling machines present a series of audiovisual stimuli concurrently with winning and some losing outcomes. Previous research in human and non-human animals has found increased levels of risky choice when audiovisual stimuli are presented with wins compared to their absence. The present study was arranged to evaluate how a …

Teaching Cultural Humility Practices In Appalachia: The Value Of Conducting Conversations Based In Education, Bailey A. Riggs

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Recent literature highlights the paradigm shift from utilizing cultural competence practices to cultural humility practices within the field of occupational therapy, and health sciences (Fisher- Borne, et al., 2015). The idea of cultural competency suggests that culture is unchanging, and individuals can master cultural knowledge. The perception of knowing culture can be perceived as an unwillingness to learn about culture. In contrast, cultural humility promotes the value of lifelong learning and introspection, encouraging greater self-awareness, reflection of personal biases, and recognition of power imbalances. This approach aims to better integrate educational approaches to serve diverse populations in a culturally affirming …

Developmentally Appropriate Care In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Nicu), Ashten Cenkus

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As specialized healthcare professionals educated in developmental care, occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) have a role in educating, coaching, and assessing the needs of infants, their families, and the staff in the NICU. These high-risk and medically fragile infants require specialized care that considers the incorporation of neurodevelopment, neurobehavioral regulation, sensory stimulation, and motor development through supportive and appropriate interventions. A project addressing these needs across 14 weeks was implemented as part of an Occupational Therapy Doctoral (OTD) capstone experience at WVU Medicine Children’s in Morgantown, West Virginia. This project examined the results of the NICU staff's confidence, knowledge, and awareness …

Machine Learning Maintenance Costs Prediction Model For Heavy-Duty Alternative Fuel And Diesel Vehicles, Esteban Fernandez Villar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles (MHDVs) are essential to global logistics and transportation. Around 77% of these vehicles are diesel-powered due to its powertrain mechanical characteristics that make them reliable and energy efficient. However, the environmental implications of diesel combustion, particularly its direct contribution to air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, have increased the interest in alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs). These alternatives include Natural Gas (NG), Propane, Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs), and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), each presenting unique benefits and challenges in terms of required fueling infrastructure, energy efficiency, environmental impact, and total cost of operation (TCO). Maintenance costs …

Data-Driven Approaches For Achieving Carbon Neutrality: Predictive Models For Reducing Co2 Emissions And Enhancing Industrial Sustainability, Farzana Islam

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In response to the escalating challenges posed by climate change and industrial inefficiency, this thesis presents a comprehensive investigation aimed at advancing the predictive modeling of global CO2 emissions and enhancing operational efficiency in steel manufacturing through Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) temperature optimization. Leveraging a rich dataset sourced from the World Development Indicators database alongside a meticulously curated dataset specific to EAF operations, our study applies an innovative blend of econometric and machine learning techniques, including Pooled Ordinary Least Squares (Pooled OLS), Random Effects (RE), Fixed Effects (FE), and Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average with Exogenous Variables (SARIMAX) models. The …

Between Wages And Wellbeing: Examining The Role Of Employers In Increasing Covid-19 Vaccine Uptake In The State Of West Virginia, Nathaniel Udoh Godwin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) stretched public health systems globally, with millions of cases confirmed across all continents of the world. The United States health systems struggled as the country grappled with emerging variants of the virus, differing levels of vaccine acceptance, misinformation, and disparity in health outcomes. As COVID-19 vaccines emerged, the U.S. Government sought to bolster uptake through myriad measures, including announcing vaccine requirements for federal employees, which was met with mixed reactions. Accordingly, some employers and businesses adopted a “no jab, no job” policy, while others stopped short of mandates but encouraged and incentivized vaccine uptake …

Assessment Of Instrument Exploring Underwear Preferences Of Incontinent Geriatric Women In Assisted Living, Cassandra M. Stewart

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Urinary incontinence is a urologic condition commonly occurring in geriatric individuals and often results in disability. This affects not only physical functioning, but also psychological and emotional implications. Prior research focused on prevention and using smart technology to improve the current products available to help manage urinary incontinence. Little research has been completed to examine the preferences of geriatric individuals and assess what they are looking for in incontinence products. The purpose of the study was to create an instrument to assess the individual preferences of older adults for these products in a community living environment. Research questions included: (1) …

S(+)-Propylnorapomorphine Hydrochloride Alters Mutant Huntingtin Aggregation And Membrane Interactions, Gabriella M. Pettipas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder resulting from an abnormally long CAG repeat in the huntingtin gene. This results in an expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) domain in the huntingtin protein (htt) that directly leads to self-assembly of huntingtin (htt) into a variety of aggregate species that underlie cellular toxicity. Interaction of protein aggregates with a variety of lipid membranes has been linked to disease pathology. Here, the ability of a small molecule S(+)-propylnorapomorphine (NM) hydrochloride to modulate htt-exon1(46Q) aggregation and interactions with lipid membranes was determined. ThT assays were performed to quantify fibril formation of htt in the …

Estimating Home Range Size And Density Of White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus Virginianus) In West Virginia, Sarah M. Pesi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Big game hunting is an important source of revenue and recreation in the United States. Of big game species, white-tailed deer (Odocileus virginianus) are the most heavily pursued. White-tailed deer are a widespread generalist species, capable of existing at high densities. Hunting is often used as the primary method of managing deer populations, particularly in the eastern United States, where there is a lack of large predators. When populations reach high densities, there can be negative effects on the environment and conflicts with humans. Managers must consider both creating adequate hunting opportunities and reducing negative impacts when managing …