Digital Commons Network^™

Specialized Metabolism In Retina, Retinal Pigmented Epithelium, And Testis, Siyan Zhu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The retina and its neighboring retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) are high energy-demanding and metabolically active tissues with specialized and complementary metabolism. They are metabolically interdependent and impact each other’s viability. Interestingly, many of the metabolic features in the retina and RPE are shared with the testis. For example, testis is also energy costly due to continuous sperm differentiation and it has similar metabolic inter-dependence between different testis cells. Both the retina and testis are vulnerable to mitochondrial metabolic impairments.

We conducted three research projects to understand 1) the nutrient utilization and communication in retina and RPE; 2) The profiling of …

Leveraging Data Science To Promote Sustainable Resource Recovery From Organic Waste Streams In Rural Regions, Mohammed Tamim Zaki

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Conventional organic waste management practices such as landfilling contribute to global warming and degrade environmental and human health. Alternatively, organic waste can be treated to recover energy, nutrients, and carbon through resource recovery technologies. Data science could benefit such technologies by improving their efficiency through data-driven process modeling along with reducing environmental and economic burdens via life cycle assessment (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA), respectively.

A critical review of 616 peer-reviewed articles published during 2002–2022 was conducted on the use of data science methods in resource recovery from organic waste. Although applications of machine learning (ML) methods have drastically increased …

Essays In Applied Microeconomics, Joshua C. Martin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The first chapter examines the role that same-sex marriage legalization had on the number of adoptions of children from foster care in the United States. We do so by employing a synthetic difference-in-differences estimator which leverages both the differential timing of these laws across states and the subsequent wave of state-level legal protections which give foster-care agencies the right to deny service to same-sex couples based on religiously-held beliefs. Using highly detailed, county-level data of nearly 20 million children in the foster care system from 1995-2020, our findings reveal that same-sex marriage legalization led to a 3.8%-5.9% increase in the …

Evaluation Of Changes In Cellular Behavior Upon Exposure To Selected Analytes Used In Synthetic Applications, Olivia L. Rose

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are organic crystalline hybrids that have been used for a variety of applications from catalysis to gas storage and drug delivery. Studies have shown that generally, while such frameworks are more biocompatible than similar aspect ratio nanostructures, they are also more prone to transformation and disintegration due to their flexible and fragile nature as resulted from the structure assembly and implemented structure-function relationships. With extensive previous literature showing that materials with nano dimensions such as carbon nanotubes, quantum dots and other nanomaterials have unique physicochemical properties that lead to increased biosystems’ reactivity. With increasing concerns regarding adverse …

Right Treatment Wrong Time: Immunotherapy Administration Post-Radiotherapy Decreases Tumor Burden In A Preclinical Model Of Brain Metastasis, Kathryn Elizabeth Blethen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation (a) provided an in-depth literature review of methods to modulate the blood-brain and blood-tumor barriers to increase drug delivery and efficacy in brain metastases, (b) evaluated the effects of whole-brain radiation therapy on the blood-brain barrier in immunocompetent and immunocompromised mouse models and proposed a mechanism by which the immune response to radiation disrupts the blood-brain barrier, and (c) developed a syngeneic lung cancer brain metastasis model to determine the impact of coordinated immunotherapy administration with radiotherapy. The blood-brain barrier is an impediment to drug delivery to the brain. The inherent leakiness of the blood-tumor barrier does not …

Long-Term Prescription Opioid Use, Cancer Stage, And Economic Burden Among Older Cancer Survivors With Non-Cancer Chronic Pain Conditions, Rudi Safarudin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Opioids are commonly prescribed to treat pain conditions, which are highly prevalent among older adults (≥65 years). Recent evidence shows that opioids may have carcinogenic effects through immunosuppression and free-radical pathways, which could promote cancer growth. Two population-based studies have reported an association of opioid use with incident cancer. Many individuals with non-cancer chronic pain conditions (NCPCs) may use opioids for a long term. However, the association of long-term prescription opioid (LPO) use with cancer stage at diagnosis is still unknown. Furthermore, evidence suggests that individuals with cancer and pre-existing NCPCs may persistently use opioids, even in the absence of …

Comparison Of Skeletal Class Iii Malocclusion Facial-Shape Subtypes Between Caucasian, African American, And Hispanic Populations, Rachel Katherine Huffman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

Comparison of Skeletal Class III Malocclusion Facial-Shape Subtypes Between

Caucasian, African American, and Hispanic Populations

Rachel K. Huffman, DMD

Introduction: The development of a skeletal Class III malocclusion (Cl III) is complex as it can arise from the overgrowth of the mandible, undergrowth of the maxilla, or a combination of the two. To understand the heterogeneity of this trait clinically, studies have been conducted using facial shape analysis (e.g., Geometric morphometrics (GeoMorph)) of Caucasian and Asian populations to learn more about the principal shapes. Little is known, however, about the predominant principal shape components of Cl III within African …

Living Your Best Life: The Mindful Pursuit Of Student-Athlete Thriving, Andrew Augustus

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Thriving, or the concurrent experience of healthy well-being and high-level performance, may serve as a valuable construct when studying the optimal student-athlete experience and mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been shown to positively impact well-being and performance. The purpose of the present study began to examine the impact of an MBI for improving student-athlete experiences of thriving via a quasi-experimental longitudinal design. NCAA Division II student-athletes (n = 55) from three sports were randomly assigned to either a control or a 7-session MBI. While comprehensive measures of thriving did not yield significant change for those in the MBI relative to …

Elucidation Of The Role Of Agouti-Signaling Protein Throughout Folliculogenesis And Early Embryonic Development In Cattle, Heather L. Chaney

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The oocyte expresses certain genes during folliculogenesis to regulate the acquisition of oocyte competence. Oocyte competence, which refers to the presence of imperative molecular factors in the oocyte that are critical for high oocyte quality, is directly related to the ability of the oocyte to result in a successful pregnancy following fertilization. Over the past few decades, the development and optimization of assisted reproductive technologies, particularly in vitrofertilization, have enabled the beef and dairy industries to advance cattle genetics and productivity. However, only approximately 40% of bovine embryos will develop to the blastocyst stage in vitro. In addition, bovine embryos …

Exploring The Usage Of Acid Mine Drainage Sludge As A Soil Amendment For Reclaimed Mine Lands, Brady Watters

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a form of water pollution generated when water and oxygen come into contact with sulfide minerals, forming metal ions, sulfuric acid, and sulphates in solution. AMD is characterized by its toxic metals content and low pH, both of which are an environmental concern. The treatment of AMD separates the contaminants into a high-water content sludge. This sludge is a pure waste product under current evaluation for alternative uses as well as improvements to storage and treatment processes. This thesis focused on analyzing the potential for AMD sludge to be used in recently reclaimed lands as …

Understanding Mentorship In Undergraduate Research: Three Perspectives On Experiencing, Conceptualizing, And Contextualizing Mentorship, Carinna F. Ferguson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation aimed to explore mentorship in undergraduate research (UR) contexts. Specifically, the work aimed to provide three perspectives of mentorship from the perspectives of both mentors and mentees in undergraduate research. These three studies contributed to a greater understanding of the experiences, conceptualizations, and contextual factors that impact mentorship in the UR setting.

Highlighted in the first study were the storied experiences of eight faculty members who had served as a mentor to undergraduate students at a mid-Atlantic, research-intensive university from a range of research disciplines. Results of the first study highlighted the impact of faculty members’ initial and …

Emission Spectroscopy Of Ingaas Quantum Dots Via High-Resolution Fabry-Perot Interferometer, Raju Bhai Kc

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Single photons emitted from self-assembled quantum dots have been widely studied to use as a promising qubit for quantum information processing. Therefore, it is critical to fully understand the emission spectra from the quantum dot's excitation if we want to use a single photon as a quantum bit. It is almost impossible to produce rotationally symmetric quantum dots due to various growth conditions and restrictions. So the real quantum dots do not have a perfectly symmetric structure. A broken rotational symmetry causes an asymmetric exchange interaction between electron and hole, leading to a fine structure splitting between two excited states. …

Effects Of Invasive Species On Ohio River Zooplankton, Samuel John Johnston

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Invasive species have the potential to dramatically change both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems with rates of introduction only expected to increase across the Globe. In the Mississippi River basin filter feeding silver (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) and bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) collectively known as invasive carp were introduced into aquaculture ponds where they subsequently escaped and spread to interconnected basins. Invasive carp have not yet completely established throughout the entire Ohio River. Managers recognize three distinct phases of carp invasion: establishment front, invasion front and presence front. In the Illinois River invasive carp are very well established and …

Selective Recovery Of Rare Earth Elements From Acid Mine Drainage Treatment Byproduct, Zeynep Cicek

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Rare earth elements (REEs) are critical in emerging clean energy, advanced technologies, and military defense applications due to their unique physical, chemical, optical, and luminescent properties. Given the potential supply chain restrictions imposed by one country's dominance in the global REE market and the consistently growing demand for REEs, developing the US domestic REE supply chain is imperative. Thus, alternative sources are crucial to supply the demand and prevent interruption in manufacturing products that consume REEs. Concurrently, acid mine drainage (AMD) is a long-standing and widespread global challenge the mining industry encounters. AMD is generated in large volumes and continuously …

Social Comparison Theory: The Effects Athletic Influencers Have On An Appalachian Generation Z Men Audience, Aaron David Dickens

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Many studies have highlighted how social comparison can influence self-efficacy for exercise, body dissatisfaction, and motivation to exercise, especially on social media; in addition, several studies have supported how attitude toward exercise and confidence toward exercise correlate with one another. However, these dependent variables have not been examined in the context of Generation Z men in Appalachia. Despite the lack of literature on this demographic, it is important to study Generation Z Appalachian men because of the frequent health problems this demographic faces, such as obesity. Therefore, this pretest-posttest between-subjects lab experiment investigated how an athletic influencer on social media …

Wvu Core Arboretum User Motivations, Demographics, And Satisfaction: A Snapshot From Summer Of 2022 To Spring Of 2023, Bennett F. Phillips

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This paper presents a comprehensive examination of user motivations, demographics, and satisfaction levels at the West Virginia University (WVU) Core Arboretum during the period spanning from the summer of 2022 to the spring of 2023. Green spaces across the United States have seen an increase in public attention in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and are actively seeking to capitalize on the renewed interest. Seeking to aid the WVU Core Arboretum in garnering renewed public interest, this study utilized a survey comprising sections on user perceptions, demographics, satisfaction, and usage that garnered 182 responses.

Demographic analysis of the survey …

Augmented Reality And Mobile Systems For Heavy Equipment Operators In Surface Mining, Juan David Valencia Quiceno

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

U.S. federal laws mandate that mining companies ensure a safe workplace, implement approved training programs, and promptly report work-related injuries. The mining industry's commitment to innovation reflects a history of adopting advancements to enhance environmental sustainability, workplace safety, and overall productivity, while simultaneously reducing operational costs. This thesis proposes the integration of Augmented Reality (AR) technology and digital applications to enhance the surface mining industry, presenting two innovative solutions: an AR Training System and an Operational Digital System. These business solutions have been developed and applied at a surface mine in the southwest of the US, having the potential to …

The Effect Of Silver Carp On Large River Community Size Spectra, Bradley R. Novak

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The introduction of silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) has had dramatic effects on native fish communities. Silver carp are large bodied planktivores and compete with native planktivores which can cause cascading effects throughout the food web. Our study strives to determine the threshold of abundance beyond which silver carp alter fish community structure. We used a community size spectra approach to evaluate fish community structure and compare size spectra across spatial and temporal gradients of silver carp abundances. Community size spectra (CSS) is an ataxic approach quantifying the predictable decrease in fish abundance with increasing body size that reacts …

Longitudinal Oxygen Imaging In 3d (Bio)Printed Models, Ryan Curtis O'Connell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and its molecular imaging modality, is a powerful tool to noninvasively map various biological and chemical markers within objects of interest. Reliable data acquisition is a major impeding factor for longitudinal hands-off measurements. Measurements are especially challenging in biomedical applications, as live objects are not static. Frequent changes occur that require constant fine recalibration of the EPR detection system, called the resonator. To enable longitudinal imaging, a technology permitting automatic digital control of resonator coupling, tuning, and EPR data acquisition was developed. Automation was achieved through the utilization of a microcontroller and digital peripheral components such …

Outdoor Recreation Participation: Negotiation Strategies For Overcoming Constraints Related To Race, Ethnicity And Gender In Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Larissa Martins

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

By understanding the demographics of those participating in outdoor recreation, and identifying who is using these resources, managers can effectively create opportunities for underrepresented communities. Previous research had underscored the innumerous benefits related to coastal outdoor recreation activities, from human well-being to local socio-economic benefits. This study is divided into two papers that both took place in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. The purpose of the first paper was to investigate the constraints that minority groups related to gender, race and ethnicity groups face prior participation in coastal activities, along with negotiation strategies that are employed in order to overcome …

Relationships Between Geochemistry, Carbon Content, And Grain Size In Clastic Cave Sediments, Rebekah Rose Nicholas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Understanding geochemical and physical properties of cave sediment gives insight to sediment characterization and carbon storage in the cave system. Previous work on clastic sediments largely encompasses physical properties, neglecting the importance of geochemical parameters on sediment deposition.

This study reports physical and chemical properties of sediment cores from three caves: two caves in Puerto Rico and one cave in Virginia. A total of 25 cores were used in this study; 6 of these cores were new and collected in 2022 from Butler Cave (BTC) in Virginia to focus on the effects of water level. Core samples were analyzed for …

Improving The Health And Safety Of Manufacturing Workers By Detecting And Addressing Personal Protective Equipment (Ppe) Violations In Real-Time With The Use Of Automated Ppe Detection Technology, Joseph Olufemi Fasinu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasized that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) can significantly reduce the risk of occupational injuries and illnesses. However, improper use, failure to use, and other PPE-related violations can still result in injuries and fatalities. Eye and face protection violation has been one of the top 10 most frequently violated OSHA standards in fiscal years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022 consecutively. A common practice among safety professionals to ensure PPE compliance has been to physically inspect or monitor PPE usage among workers, which has been found to be unsustainable on a continuous real-time …

Physical Activity Promotion, Assessment, And Engagement In Clinical Settings In The United States, Kristin A. Grogg

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Physical inactivity is an important contributor to morbidity and all-cause mortality and the 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee recommended that physicians increase their role in physical activity assessment and promotion to combat physical inactivity and related comorbidities. Healthcare providers are increasingly called upon to initiate physical activity promotion with their patients to manage conditions like obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. Still, recent reports indicate that less than half of primary care visits include some type of physical activity promotion. Although the National Physical Activity Plan includes some recommendations for clinicians and the healthcare sector on physical activity promotion, it …

Spatiotemporal Trends In Particle-Associated Microbial Communities In A Chlorinated Drinking Water Distribution System, Madison Haddix

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Bacteria can survive treatment and enter drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs), or enter DWDSs through intrusion or maintenance work on the system. DWDSs can also be suitable environments for bacterial regrowth. Many factors can affect the microbial community composition of DWDSs, including various spatiotemporal, hydraulic, and water quality parameters. Although most bacteria within DWDSs are harmless, opportunistic pathogens, such as Legionella pneumophila, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Mycobacterium avium, can inhabit DWDSs and premise plumbing and are the leading cause of waterborne disease outbreaks in developed countries. Previous studies have attempted to establish relationships between various parameters and microbial …

Art-Based Social And Emotional Learning Curriculum In The K-6 Classroom: A Mixed Methods Study, Michelle Fegeley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Preparing elementary school students to succeed in a learning environment that was significantly transformed by a global pandemic will require a major investment in new curricula that focuses more on social and emotional learning and less on standards that primarily emphasize just knowing and doing. This research investigates how the implementation of social emotional learning and SEL-based art activities in the art classroom can help to lower student stress levels in the elementary school art classroom. By providing learners with an opportunity to grow socially and emotionally, teachers may help students understand their feelings and use artmaking as a way …

Navigating Place And Gender: A Multicontextual Critical Narrative Inquiry Of Rural Trans* Student Experiences, Jessie Lynn O'Quinn

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of this critical narrative study was to understand how rural West Virginia trans* students navigate cultural norms of their rural home communities and higher education contexts. An essential part of this critical narrative was to provide rural trans* students with an avenue to share their unique experiences and give them a platform to share their voices. The resulting narratives suggested that the normative tensions rural trans* college students experience across contexts stemmed from negative regional experiences that reinforced traditional gender norms. Negative home contexts and experiences forced students to feel like they had to build walls and distance …

Using Aromatherapy For Comfort, Ease, And Stress For Adults Being Treated For Substance Use Disorder In North Central Appalachia: A Randomized Controlled Trial, Marian E. Reven

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background:Those in treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) face significant challenges and express the need for enhanced support for comfort to be successful. There is growing interest in integrative modalities such as aromatherapy using essential oils to support health.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was two-fold. First, to see if there was an increase in comfort and ease, and a decrease in stress in those who used an aroma inhaler with Citrus bergamia (Bergamot) essential oil. Second, to determine the feasibility of the intervention.

Method: This study was founded upon an integrated theoretical framework combining the theory of …

Feasibility Of Applying Motion Magnification In Subsurface Defect Detection For Concrete And Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Specimens, Nagavardhani Malineni

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Irrespective of size and complexity, every civil infrastructure needs certain scrutiny regarding its structural health to ensure its serviceability during its lifetime. In olden times such scrutiny was done with the aid of destructive testing methods using sensors that required cumbersome and expensive installations and led to the destruction of at least part of the tested specimen. However, in recent times, many non-destructive methods, such as acoustic emission testing, electromagnetic testing, and laser testing methods have emerged, leaving the specified tested specimen undisturbed. With the advancement in sensor technology like motion magnification and with the help of access to high-speed …

Erickson Alumni Center Weddings: Consulting Report, Andrew Sealy

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Erickson Alumni Center is an event center, conference space, and wedding venue in Morgantown, West Virginia, near West Virginia University’s Evansdale Campus. Home to the nonprofit WVU Alumni Association, the Erickson facility operates under the unit of WVU’s Strategic Initiatives as an accessible, upscale event venue and conference center. Facing the opportunity of an exceptionally profitable wedding season through early 2024, wedding venues like the Erickson must be prepared to activate intentional, research-driven strategies and implement a solicitous marketing and communication plan to attract, capture, and engage leads. Without any dedicated staff to create strategy, develop content, and maintain …

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Pcit-Toddler, Circle Of Security, And Waitlist Controls To Improve Child And Caregiver Emotion Regulation, Robin Choi Han

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Emotion regulation is an important developmental task during toddlerhood that is associated with positive psychosocial outcomes (Zeman et al., 2006). The development of adaptive emotion regulation during early childhood occurs largely within the context of a supportive caregiver-child relationship (Morris et al., 2007). Thus, parent-mediated interventions are a promising medium through which emotion regulation problems in toddlers can be treated. However, few interventions specifically designed to treat behavioral and emotion regulation difficulties are available for children in the toddler age range, and these interventions have yet to establish a solid evidence base supporting their efficacy. To fill this gap in …