Digital Commons Network^™

Listening For The Cosmic Other: Postcolonial Approaches To Music In The Space Age, Paige Zalman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As government programs such as NASA and SETI seek signs of intelligent life in space and privately-funded programs such as SpaceX finalize plans to colonize Mars in the coming decades, representations of space and extraterrestrial life in American culture have become increasingly relevant. Focusing on Jóhann Jóhannsson’s musical score for Denis Villeneuve’s science-fiction film Arrival (2016), Terry Riley’s Sun Rings (2002) for string quartet, chorus, and recorded space sounds, and former International Space Station Commander Chris Hadfield’s “Songs about Space” Spotify playlist, my research problematizes the ways in which composers, musicians, and even astronauts depict alterity through music and reinforce …

Living Tangent, Cornelius Alexander Hugo

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A living tangent is how I am known by many and how I have lived my life for some time. I think in tangents and my life and art seem to evolve through them. Everything I make is connected by multiple thoughts or tangent lines that run from something as simple as the color red, to the idea that I believe communism has invaded my family’s homeland. This then leads to the recollection of childhood games, taught to me by my family in Venezuela and the importance these games played in my psychological development and in my presence as an …

Roses & Thorns, Stephanie Alaniz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This written thesis has been created alongside the thesis exhibition shown in the Laura Mesaros Gallery at West Virginia University (displayed March 18th to March 22nd). The work presented consisted of drawings, bookmaking, and various forms of printmaking and collage. This body of work is meant to create an analysis of insecurities and body positivity we associate with our physical selves. This work is a collective experience that has been a collaboration with over 80 participants. The number of participants help to create a larger overall collective voice. By creating this collective voice, we can experience these feelings together and …

2.8: Designing Visitor Experience For A Narrative-Oriented Exhibition, Kseniia Leshchenko

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis proposes interactive visitor experience with social media and fake news references at 2.8 thesis exhibition at West Virginia University. 2.8 refers to the distance between the United States and Russia borders in the Bering Strait and suggests that switching a point of view helps conflicting groups find common ground. By designing a space in such a way that a visitor constantly faces an alternative point of view, which in this case represents my own, I investigate whether this experience contributes to the viewers’ outlook change. Another aim is to see whether adding interactive elements to a show improves …

Provider-Patient Communication And Transition Readiness Among Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes, Corrine N. Ahrabi-Nejad

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The majority of adolescents with type 1 diabetes do not maintain a glycemic control within the recommended range. Poor diabetes control can yield both short term and long term acute health complications, making it critical for adolescents to achieve diabetes control. During this same time in development, adolescents are preparing for the transition from pediatric to adult diabetes care. Adolescents often transition to adult care based on their age rather than their transition readiness, which may result in a lack of support from their pediatric provider, potentially exacerbating their already poor glycemic control. Transitioning from pediatric care to adult care …

Behavioral And Anti-Inflammatory Effects Of Magl Inhibition In A Mouse Model Of Inflammatory Arthritis, Floyd Franklin Steele Iii

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cannabinoids have analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. For example, in preclinical models of acute inflammatory pain, cannabinoid receptor subtype 2 (i.e., CB_2, Table 1) agonists decrease paw inflammation and resulting pain. Yet, the anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoid receptor manipulation in chronic inflammatory pain states are unknown. Monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) is the primary catabolic enzyme of the endocannabinoid (i.e., endogenous cannabinoid ligand) 2-arachidonoyl glycerol (i.e., 2-AG). Compounds that inhibit MAGL indirectly increase tissue levels of 2-AG by preventing its catabolism. MAGL inhibitors demonstrate efficacy in acute models of inflammatory/rheumatic disease. Thus, in this study, the MAGL inhibitor JZL184 was tested …

Longitudinal Associations Between Functional Disability, Depression, And Suicide In Middle-Aged And Older Adults, Julie Ann Lutz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Suicide is a significant public health problem among older adults in the United States and around the world. There has been little research to date on longitudinal change in functional disability and depressive symptoms, both of which have been posited to be associated with suicide risk among middle-aged and older adults, and their association with death by suicide. The aims of this study were to 1) characterize longitudinal change in functional disability and depressive symptoms separately; 2) characterize the directional associations between functional disability and depressive symptoms in bivariate models; and 3) determine how different patterns of change among these …

Genetic And Pharmacologic Studies Towards Prevention Of Opioid Use Disorder, Shane W. Kaski

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Endogenous opioids mediate both analgesic and affective responses to stress. While the mu opioid receptor (MOR) produces the reinforcing euphoric effects responsible for the high abuse potential of traditional opioid analgesics, the kappa opioid receptor (KOR) is hypothesized to mediate the dysphoric component of stress. With increasing rates of opioid addiction, extensive research efforts are focused on better understanding each of these systems and how they interact, with the goal of developing less addictive pain management strategies and better approaches to addiction treatment. With this in mind, we conducted both clinical and pre-clinical studies aimed at developing better treatment strategies …

Stigma, Attitudes, And Intentions To Seek Mental Health Services In College Student-Athletes, Robert C. Hilliard M.S.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Previous researchers have found several factors that act as barriers to college student-athletes seeking mental health services (López & Levy, 2013; Moore, 2017). One common factor throughout these studies is stigma, which is known to be associated with less favorable attitudes toward seeking help (Moreland et al., 2018). However, researchers have not explored how stigma and attitudes might influence intentions to seek counseling and actual help-seeking behaviors in student-athletes. Additionally, there is a dearth of research identifying the topics for which student-athletes are most willing to seek help. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to investigate predictors of mental …

The Impact Of Using Selected Art Therapy Approaches On Students Diagnosed On The Autism Spectrum (As) Or With Behavioral Disabilities (Bd) In An Elementary School Art Classroom., Amie Dawn Perriello

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Students with autism and behavior disorders frequently have a difficult time communicating with their teachers and peers. Art can serve as a vehicle for communication while supporting strengths and encouraging self-esteem. Yet few art teachers have the specialized training needed to work with students on the spectrum, and we are often times left to our own intuition and devices on how to deal with these students. These students deserve greater individualized education, yet this can present a unique challenge to any classroom art teacher who does not have the training to deal with students who come from these special populations. …

Explanatory And Causality Analysis In Software Engineering, Yasser Ali Alshehri

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Software fault proneness and software development efforts are two key areas of software engineering. Improving them will significantly reduce the cost and promote good planning and practice in developing and managing software projects. Traditionally, studies of software fault proneness and software development efforts were focused on analysis and prediction, which can help to answer questions like `when’ and `where’. The focus of this dissertation is on explanatory and causality studies that address questions like `why’ and `how’.

First, we applied a case-control study to explain software fault proneness. We found that Bugfixes (Prerelease bugs), Developers, Code Churn, and Age of …

Prenatal Lactation-Focused Motivational Interviewing For Enhancing Breastfeeding Initiation, Exclusivity, And Duration: Feasibility And Preliminary Outcomes, Sarah H. Addicks

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Breastfeeding promotes health and well-being for both mother and infant. A variety of environmental and individual factors, including psychological ones, affect infant feeding practices. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a single-session Motivational Interviewing (MI) intervention delivered during the third trimester of pregnancy for enhancing breastfeeding outcomes. The Theory of Planned Behavior provided a theoretical framework for the intervention and outcome measures. The sample consisted of predominantly rural participants living in the North Central Appalachian region. Women were recruited through social media, local clinics, and word of mouth. Participants (N = 81) completed …

Perceived Clinician Competence To Work With Spiritual Issues In Supervision, Brittany J Shannon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Measurement Methods Of Dual Tobacco Use Behaviors: Cigarettes And Smokeless Tobacco, Colleen N Warren

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Examining The Co-Occurrence Of Engagement And Self-Referencing In The Context Of Narrative Persuasion, Julia K Weiss

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Exploration Of A Smart Glasses Teleconference System For Virtual Instructional Coaching, Kristina Zaccaria

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Modeling The Relationship Between Identity And Self-Efficacy In Intercollegiate Studentathletes: An Exploratory Study, Aaron Goodson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Psychosocial Development Of Junior Hockey Players, Alexander John Sturges

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Adherence To Masculine Norms And Perceived Paternal Nurturance As Predictors Of Selfcompassion, Steven J. Craig

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Instructional Package To Promote Early Educators’ Use Of Behavior-Specific Praise, David L Loomis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Emotion Socialization During Emerging Adulthood, Karena M. Moran

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

No abstract provided.

Can Parents' Value Of Children's Happiness Predict Their Emotion Socialization And Parenting?, Tyia Wilson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Happiness is considered a priority for most people and understandably so due to its benefits. Happiness not only makes people feel good but leads to better health outcomes. However, emerging research found that valuing happiness at extreme levels can be detrimental to a person’s well-being (Mauss, Tamir, Anderson, & Savino, 2011). Yet, no research has directly examined if the concept of excessively valuing happiness can be applied to another person’s happiness and in particular, one’s children. Additionally, no research has examined how parents’ beliefs about their children’s happiness is linked to parenting behaviors and emotion socialization. Two present studies investigate …

Dispositional Optimism And Autonomic Reactivity During Difficult And Easy Stress Tasks, Daniel Stephenson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Studies examining the association between dispositional optimism and autonomic reactivity to stress have yielded mixed results, with some studies finding associations between optimism and less reactivity, some studies finding no association between optimism and reactivity, and some finding that optimism was associated with greater reactivity. One factor not considered previously in this literature is difficulty of the stressful task employed to elicit autonomic reactivity. The current study was based on Carver and Scheier's Behavioral Self-Regulation Model (Carver & Scheier, 2000), that states that optimists are more likely to persist in overcoming challenging obstacles than pessimists. The current study investigated whether …

Personality And Functional Limitations: Investigating The Mediating Effect Of Positive Social Exchanges, Priyanka S. Mehta

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Research suggests a link between personality traits and various health outcomes. There is now a need to understand why this association exists by investigating potential underlying mechanisms. The current study investigated a potential mechanism that has not received much attention, positive social exchanges (PSS). PSS have been linked to health in various studies, but more research is needed to understand its association with health. The current study utilized data from 6,095 community-dwelling adults from the National Study of Midlife in the United States (MIDUS Wave 1; ages 20--75; Mage = 46.83, SD = 12.90). Using the Hayes PROCESS macro, we …

East Or West? Understanding Strategic Alignment In The Post-Soviet Space, John A. Mowchan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This comparative foreign policy dissertation examines small state alignment in the post-Soviet space. Specifically, I ask what explains change and continuity in the strategic alignment patterns of former Soviet states with the United States and Russian Federation since the end of the Cold War? To answer this question, I analyze the alignment trajectories of ruling governments in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine from 1995 to 2015. While neorealists expect these materially weak states to bandwagon with Russia because of threat or power considerations, the empirical reality does not consistently support these theoretical expectations. What has occurred is that at different …

The Effect Of Superiors' Mentoring On Subordinates' Organizational Identification And Workplace Outcomes, Molly S. Eickholt

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation investigated the relationships between subordinates' perceptions of the mentoring they receive from their superiors and their reports of organizational identification and workplace experiences. Specifically, the relationships between (1) career development and psychosocial mentoring functions and organizational identification, (2) organizational identification and job satisfaction, communication satisfaction, and organizational commitment, (3) and career development and psychosocial mentoring functions and job satisfaction, communication satisfaction and organizational commitment were examined. Furthermore, the indirect effect of mentoring functions on job satisfaction, communication satisfaction, and organizational commitment through organizational identification was examined. Paid, fully-employed adults completed an online survey measuring their perceptions of mentoring …

An Analysis Of The Extinction-Induced Response Burst, Brian Katz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Although the extinction burst is a frequently reported generative effect of extinction, there are few experimental analyses of the phenomenon. The purpose of the present series of experiments was to examine the occurrence, time course, and repeatability of extinction bursts. Six experimentally naive pigeons were exposed to at least five cycles of 5-sessions block of baseline followed by 8-session blocks of extinction. Depending on the condition, baseline sessions were either a fixed-ratio (FR) or variable-ratio (VR) schedule, and transitions from the last baseline session in each cycle to the first extinction session were conducted either between or within sessions. Within …

Know What Is, And Know What Ain't An Actor's Exploration Into Developing The Topdogunderdog Character Lincoln, Lonnie Devaughan Simmons

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The playwright Suzan Lori-Parks is known for writing intense, psychological plays featuring mostly characters of color who have depth and emotional richness. Topdog/Underdog is a prime example of this. The play features two brothers who live in a cramped apartment and deal with issues of their past and their relationship with each other. I would like to argue that portraying Lincoln in the West Virginia University production of Topdog/Underdog was an intense and rewarding process where I had to consider race and what it means to be performing this play with the state of our country at the time, utilize …

A Comparison Of Child Abuse Potential Inventory And Parenting Stress Index With Families In The Parent-Child Interaction Therapy And Treatment As Usual Groups, Keri B. Whitacre

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study compared Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) in a group format to a Treatment as Usual (TAU) group format within a community setting. PCIT is typically conducted individually with caregiver and child in a clinical setting. Results showed decreases on the Parenting Stress Index (PSI-SF), for both treatment groups over time with the PCIT group reporting less parental stress than the TAU group. However, there was no difference between groups over time on the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAPI). This study provides preliminary evidence for the efficacy of delivering PCIT in a community setting. The implication for child welfare clinicians …

Exploring The Use Of Sport As A Platform For Health Promotion With Youth In Africa: A Scoping Review., Adam H. Hansell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

According to the World Health Organization, Africa has the highest rates of disease and child mortality in the world. Previous research suggests that sport may be an effective vehicle to enhance health knowledge and behaviors among at-risk youth. The primary purpose of this review was to analyze and synthesize published interventions exploring the use of sport or physical activity for health promotion with children and youth in Africa. A total of 916 articles were retrieved from ten electronic bibliographic databases with 28 meeting inclusion criteria. Targeted health outcomes in sport-based interventions included HIV-related knowledge and behaviors, essential health practices, physical …