Digital Commons Network^™

A Randomized Need-Supportive Intervention With U.S. Youth Hockey Coaches, Diane Benish

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Coach behaviors impact several essential athlete factors such as the quality of athlete motivation and psychological functioning and yet, many youth coaches remain untrained in motivation and athlete-centered principles. This study’s aim was to explore the efficacy of a need-supportive intervention on youth hockey coaches’ attitudes toward, and reported use of, need-supportive and/or need-thwarting approaches. Participants included 25 youth hockey coaches randomly assigned to an intervention or delayed control condition. Grounded in Self-Determination Theory, the intervention included four sessions within which coaches learned how to adopt need-supportive coaching strategies and reduce need-thwarting tactics. A mixed-methods approach guided the evaluation of …

Anamnesis, Kristian Thacker

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

My work examines the duality of living in Appalachia and cherishing its picturesque environment; while being complicit in its ongoing destruction via industry and resource extraction. Composed of my own photographs and selections from the Farm Security Administration archives, this body of work presents a vision of the region that’s purpose extends beyond value judgments. Rather, it considers the manmade and natural environments of Appalachia holistically, each one integral to the experience and understanding of the other. Following the same aesthetic choices I make in my professional practice as a photojournalist, I blur the boundary between art and documentation. In …

A Structured Diabetes Continuous Glucose Monitor Education Program To Improve Patient Knowledge And Self-Efficacy, Krystal Abucevicz-Swick

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction/background: Continuous glucose monitor (CGM) is a recommended method of glucose monitoring for patients living with diabetes who are on insulin or experience documented hypoglycemia. CGM is a tool that can improve patient management of diabetes but works best when paired with education to achieve the maximum therapeutic benefits.

Purpose: The purpose of this project was (1) to develop an evidence-based structured CGM education program toolkit for people with diabetes who are ordered CGM, (2) to implement the CGM education toolkit into the Diabetes Self-Management and Education Services (DSMES) program at the project site, (3) to improve patient knowledge about …

Embedded State Estimation For Optimization Of Cislunar Space Domain Awareness Constellation Design, Thomas Henry Clareson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The traffic in cislunar space is expected to increase over the coming years, leading to a higher likelihood of conjunction events among active satellites, orbital debris, and non-cooperative satellites. This increase necessitates enhanced space domain awareness (SDA) capabilities that include state estimation for targets of interest. Both Earth surface-based and space-based observation platforms in geosynchronous orbit or below face challenges such as range, exclusion, and occlusion that hinder observation. Motivated by the need to place space-based observers in the cislunar space regime to overcome these challenges, this paper proposes a cislunar SDA constellation design and analysis framework that integrates state …

Risk Of Parasiticides To Dung-Associated Beetles In West Virginia, Haylie J. Brown

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Ecosystem services provided by dung-associated beetles, such as reducing pasture fouling, parasite suppression, supporting nutrient recycling, and increasing water infiltration, contribute to animal and pasture health. However, parasiticides used to manage cattle parasites, particularly flies and helminths, in West Virginia, can adversely affect these non-target beetles. We assessed the exposure and impact of some parasiticides used in WV including Clarifly^® (active ingredient [a.i.] diflubenzuron), Cydectin^® (a.i. moxidectin), LongRange^® (a.i. eprinomectin), and Safe-guard^® (a.i. fenbendazole). In Chapter 1, we review the use of parasiticides in the US and their non-target effects on beneficial dung-associated beetles. In Chapter …

Additive-Dependent Regioselective Boracarboxylation Of Alkenes Using Low Valent Copper And Co2, Carly H. Gordon Ph.D.

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As a major greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO₂) is an abundant and renewable C₁ feedstock, and developing methods for fixing CO₂ into high-value products is a major interest for the movement of greener chemistry. The boracarboxylation of alkenes provides access to difunctionalized products containing pharmaceutically relevant motifs, including carboxylic acids and boron-containing moieties. Significant work has been done to improve the versatility and efficiency of this methodology, with the recent expansion into a wide variety of terminal alkenes. The use of different phosphine and alkene additives have demonstrated positive effects on reaction rates and productivity, indicating …

Spatial Degradation And Livelihood Diversification In The Ever-Changing Landscape Of Pastoralist Kajiado, Kenya, John A. Paine

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The study centers on both internal and external pressures on Maasai communities, such as environmental changes and socio-economic shifts, all of which are rapidly changing. It further examines the historical colonial context in Kajiado that has led to spatial degradations - a decline in an objective geographic area's function, usage, or ecological health. Such degradation has taken on different forms based on varying cultural, environmental, and livelihood-centered understandings and motivations. Understanding this is particularly important to investigation of how the cultural identity of the Maasai shapes realities and informs decisions about livelihoods. This idea is especially relevant when, out of …

State Estimation And Economic Analysis For Electrochemical Sensor-Based Corrosion Monitoring, Chandra Sekhar Somayajula

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Coal is currently the third-largest source of electricity production in the U.S. However, renewables are projected to be the primary source of electricity production in the future. Though coal-fired power plants (CFPPs) are rapidly retiring in the U.S., many CFPPs worldwide are expected to stay operational for a while due to factors like easy and cheap access to comparatively inexpensive coal. Therefore, non-renewable sources like coal are still expected to be prevalent and be used to ensure the stability of the electric grid in the foreseeable future. The existing coal-fired power plants generally designed to operate at base-loaded conditions are …

Reimagining The Refugee Figure: Survival Migration And Its After-Affects, Gabriella Pishotti

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As the refugee crisis continues to worsen, so too will the field of refugee literature continue to expand into new directions to account for shifts in the refugee figure and developing concerns of survival migrant writers. Drawing from the foundational work of scholars such as Sianne Ngai and Sara Ahmed, I use affect theory as an intervention into these contemporary refugee texts to posit a rethinking of how we analyze refugee stories as narratives of crisis. I employ an affective approach to demonstrate how the emergency of forced migration can be narratively depicted in an embodied way that fosters connection …

The Picture Of (Mental) Health: A Photovoice, Narrative Inquiry, And Critical Participatory Action Approach To Music Major Mental Wellness, Paige Zalman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Higher education is experiencing a mental health epidemic (Venit, 2022). There is unprecedented student demand for psychological services that colleges are unable to meet (Lipson et al., 2019a), leading to high rates of mental illness-related attrition (Koch et al., 2018). Two groups of students at particularly high risk of mental illness-related attrition are students with historically marginalized identities, whether by race, gender, income, or another factor (Eisenberg et al., 2013), and music majors, a group that has been shown to have greater rates of mental illness than students in other majors (Lipson et al., 2016; Spahn et al., 2004). While …

Investigating Changing Macronutrient Dynamics At A Plant, Microbe And Plant-Microbe Interactions Scale, Emel Kangi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Nutrient limitation drives forest ecosystem processes by altering net primary production, belowground (C) investments, and microbial activity. As such, the availability of essential macronutrients, such as nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), can severely impact plant growth, microbial decomposition, and the strength of plant-microbial interactions. However, our understanding of plant and microbe responses to changing nutrient availability, and the extent to which nutrient availability affects plant-microbe interactions, remains somewhat limited. Therefore, in this dissertation, I aimed to investigate nutrient limitation on a plant, microbe, and plant-microbe interaction level. First, to connect the phenotypic responses of nutrient-limited plants to key molecular mechanisms, …

Evaluating The Role Of Glucocorticoids On The Host Response To Helicobacter Pylori Infection, Sara Druffner

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Gastric cancer is the fifth most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Helicobacter pylori infection is the number one risk factor for gastric cancer development. Roughly 50% of the world’s population is infected with H. pylori, though only 1-3% of those infected will develop cancer. H. pylori drives chronic inflammation that creates the requisite environment for carcinogenesis, yet it remains unclear why some individuals develop cancer and others do not. Most mechanistic studies are done in mice, however H. pylori is not a natural mouse pathogen. Research is typically done either with mouse-adapted strains of …

Mechanisms Of Pulmonary Inflammation And Lung Function Decline After Ultrafine Carbon Black And Ozone Inhalation Co-Exposure, Nairrita Majumder

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Air pollution is a mixture of particulate matter, gaseous substances, and other contaminant, yet most of the studies have addressed single exposure outcomes. The effect of environmental toxicants in lung adverse outcomes can be evaluated by studying the co-exposure scenario. The impact of co-exposures is not well addressed in susceptible populations like patients suffering from acute lung injury, asthma, and fibrosis. Without such knowledge it would be difficult to establish a safe exposure limit for mitigating environmental burden in patients and public. The main goal of this study was to understand the effect of ultrafine particle and ozone co-exposure in …

Rad Rivers In Rad Places: Characterizing The Historical And Future Whitewater Resources In Select Regions Of The United States, Melissa D. Shafer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Outdoor recreation is a highly profitable industry in the United States. In 2021, outdoor recreation accounted for $454.0 billion, or 1.9% of the current-dollar gross domestic product for the nation. Many states have benefited financially from focusing on promoting their outdoor recreation and natural resources. Whitewater (WW) paddling has been a recreational activity since the 1950s. In 2007 there were an estimated 1.2 million participants in whitewater kayaking. As of 2020, that number increased to 2.6 million, doubling the number of participants. WW resources can be leveraged to reshape local and regional economies. The framework developed in this study provides …

Investigation Of Fungal Pathogens And Woodboring Beetles Of Sugarbush Stands In The Central Appalachian Region, Molly A. Sherlock

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The production of maple syrup is a valuable source of income and cultural identity for many rural communities throughout the central Appalachian region. Regardless, maple syrup producers face difficulties maintaining the health and productivity
of their stands due to various impacts of climate change, which have given rise to extreme weather events that exacerbate damage caused by pests and diseases. To ensure the long-term sustainability of the maple syrup industry, it is crucial to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the current biotic threats within the region, particularly woodboring insects and fungal pathogens. However, insufficient information exists regarding the community assemblages …

Shear Bond Strength Comparison Of Bioceramics To Root Dentin., Yasmin Alma Hoffman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: The purpose of this study is to compare the push-out bond strength of four bioceramic materials to root dentin that are used during regenerative endodontics. The bioceramics being tested are: 1. Biodentine®(Septodont); 2. EndoSequence BC Putty Fast Set® (Brasseler); 3. NeoPutty® (Avalon Biomed); and 4. ProRoot MTA White® (Dentsply). A high bond strength of a bioceramic material to root dentin will provide excellent seal. An improved seal may correlate with less potential for contamination of the pulp space that is undergoing regenerative activity. This in turn will lead to long-term clinical success. The null hypothesis is that there is …

The Creation Of An Adolescent Prediabetes Screening Protocol To Help With Early Prediabetes Identification, Brittany Parker

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

The Creation of an Adolescent Prediabetes Screening Protocol to Help with Early Prediabetes Identification

Brittany Parker, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

Problem: The American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) recommend screening for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in high-risk asymptomatic children and adolescents after puberty or at ten years of age, whichever occurs first. However, this recommendation has not been formally recognized by the state of West Virginia for integration into wellness child exam requirements, nor has it been made common practice in many primary care clinics to be flagged as …

Understanding Emerging Travel Behavior In New York City, Md Amdad Hossen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Many large cities face significant challenges in providing safe, economical, equitable, reliable, and efficient mobility services. Moreover, mobility service options have been changing unprecedentedly due to the advent of emerging mobility services. Understanding the impacts of emerging mobility services (e.g., for-hire vehicles, bike sharing) on other travel modes (e.g., transit, non-motorized modes, personal car) and evolving travel behavior is critical to promote sustainable modes for urban residents and reduce auto-dependency. New York City (NYC) has been conducting annual mobility survey since 2017 to understand the emerging travel behavior and mode choice characteristics. This dataset presents a unique opportunity for conducting …

Exploring Opportunities And Challenges Of Adopting Exoskeletons And Exosuits In Construction: Identifying Facilitators, Barriers, And Potential Solutions To Those Barriers, Dilruba Mahmud

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Exoskeletons and exosuits (collectively termed as EXOs) have the potential to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) by protecting workers from exertion and muscle fatigue due to physically demanding, repetitive, and prolonged work in construction workplaces. However, the use of EXOs in construction is in its infancy, and much knowledge for driving acceptance, adoption, and application of this technology is still lacking. This paper aims to identify the potential facilitators and barriers to adopting EXOs in the construction industry, along with potential solutions to those identified barriers to fostering the adoption of EXOs in construction workplaces through a …

Conservative Anabaptists Descriptions Of Delay, Comfort In Connectedness, And Ease In Cultural Tension When Seeking And Responding To Healthcare, Matthew Donald Hottle

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

Conservative Anabaptists description of delay in health seeking behaviors, comfort in connectedness, and ease in cultural tension when seeking and responding to healthcare

Background: Conservative Anabaptists are a large ethnic religious population that continues to grow in the United States. This includes groups of Amish, Mennonites, Hutterites, and Brethren populations residing in rural areas. These groups are known to experience adverse health related outcomes such as community acquired infections, advanced cancer diagnosis, and undiagnosed chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. Therefore, the concept transcending health values has been developed to better understand how conservative anabaptists describe …

Three Essays On Health And Environmental Economics: Applications Of Spatial Econometrics And Spatial Analysis, Mohammed Syedul Islam

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Spatial interaction and the locational structure between observations play key roles in the field of econometrics for both cross-sectional and panel data analysis. Compared to a non-spatial econometric model, a spatial model relaxes the assumption of independency in observations. This research applies spatial and non-spatial econometrics in three different fields of applied economics: (1) drinking water and air quality violations impacts on lung and bronchus cancer incidence in the contiguous United States (U.S.); (2) spillover effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) on COVID-19 cases across the contiguous U.S. counties; and (3) urbanization impacts on carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in …

Comparative Analysis Of Artificial Intelligence And Numerical Reservoir Simulation In Marcellus Shale Wells, Arya Maher Sattari

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation addresses the limitations of conventional numerical reservoir simulation techniques in the context of unconventional shale plays and proposes the use of data-driven artificial intelligence (AI) models as a promising alternative. Traditional methods, while providing valuable insights, often rely on simplifying assumptions and are constrained by time, resources, and data quality. The research leverages AI models to handle the complexities of shale behavior more effectively, facilitating accurate predictions and optimizations with less resource expenditure.

Two specific methodologies are investigated for this purpose: traditional numerical reservoir simulations using Computer Modelling Group's GEM reservoir simulation software, and an AI-based Shale Analytics …

Development And Validation Of Improved Live Load Distribution Factors For Moment In Press-Brake-Formed Steel Tub Girder Bridges, Brook Teklu Woldegabriel

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Press-brake-formed tub girders (PBFTGs) offer innovative solutions for short-span steel bridge applications, possessing efficiency, versatility, and sustainability. These girders are galvanized shallow trapezoidal boxes fabricated from cold-bent structural steel plates. Depending on the design requirements, a concrete deck or other deck options, such as a steel sandwich plate system, can be placed on the girders. The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA) extensively researched the steel PBFTG bridge system. As a testament to its potential, the AASHTO Innovation Initiative (AII) recognized it as a 2021 Focus Technology. AII has shown commitment to promoting the adoption of PBFTG among its member …

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 …

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 …

Investigating The Effects Of Flotation Restricted Environment Stimulation Therapy On Neural Networks In Chronic Pain Patients Via Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging And Other Modalities, Tyler Austin Mcgaughey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Chronic lower back pain (CLBP) is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, with an estimated direct cost of over 600 billion dollars in the US alone. CLBP profoundly impacts the patient, their support team, and the healthcare system. Widespread changes to the patient's well-being, including mental health, are seen in CLBP and contribute to a downward spiral that often leads to disability. Chronic pain is poorly understood and is difficult to treat because of its subjective nature. Recent improvements in pain assessment in the clinic and in biomedical research have had a profoundly impacted the field. More than …

The Transmission Of Saga At West Virginia University, James Froemel

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Changes in the higher education landscape continue to bring new regulations which enforce standardization and similarities in organizational behavior. Because of these pressures, institutional identities and differentiations are more dependent on the unique way students experience an institution rather than the structure of the organization. Through focus groups and interviews, this phenomenological study seeks to understand the ways in which the traditional undergraduate experience impacts the transmission of organizational saga at West Virginia University. To do so, it examines stories told by students through thematic analysis to connect student experiences with symbols of the university. Focusing on these connections and …

A Case Study Of Makerere University In Uganda Through The Lens Of U.S. Land-Grant Higher Education, Christina L. Hand

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This case study examines Makerere University through the lens of U.S. land-grant ideal and normative domains in order to provide a deeper understanding of global higher education. A case study uses multiple types of data to create a holistic perspective. As well as interviewing Makerere stakeholders representing diverse sectors, numerous documents and different types of media were analyzed enabling a triangulation of data. Six major themes emerged focusing on Makerere’s aspiration to be a research-led institution, the impact of neoliberalism, challenges in undergraduate education, the importance of reputation and saga, the ever-present role of the Ugandan government, and the continuing …

Hydraulic Fracturing Treatment Optimization Using Machine Learning, Abdullah Johar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Friction reducers are chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing to reduce friction between fracturing fluid and the wellbore walls, helping to overcome tubular drag at high flow rates. High viscosity friction reducers are increasingly used due to operational and economic benefits, but their optimal concentration for each stage of fracturing is not well studied. As a result, oil and gas companies often use more friction reducers than necessary to ensure designed injection rates are achieved and to avoid screening out, resulting in excess use of FR and economic losses. The primary goal of this Thesis is to fully comprehend and quantify …

3d Printed Microfluidic Devices For Advanced Fluid Manipulation In Biomedical Applications, Kathrine Curtin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Microfluidics are valuable devices in the biomedical field because of their remarkable ability to manipulate small volumes of fluid and facilitate reactions. Microfluidics have several significant advantages, including their portability, low cost, fast reaction times, and high surface area-to-volume ratios. Microfluidics be used for a multitude of applications, including bioanalysis, cellular assays, organ-on-a-chip, and separations. Microfluidics have great potential to overcome many challenges in conventional chemical and biological applications. However, complex fabrication procedures in silicon, glass, thermoplastics, and (polydimethylsiloxane) PDMS devices make rapidly optimizing and prototyping devices challenging. Microfluidic fabrication techniques have been a long-standing challenge in successfully translating these …