Digital Commons Network^™

Quantifying The Impacts Of Genetically Engineered Crops And Deep Soil C Cycling On The Sustainability Of Bioenergy Crop Production, Zoe Pagliaro

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Bioenergy can help mitigate climate change by providing a carbon-neutral fuel source. However, multiple challenges exist to achieving carbon neutrality including converting lignocellulosic materials to fuel and enhancing soil C sequestration during the growth of the feedstocks. To address these challenges, there have been recent efforts to genetically modify feedstocks to produce more energy dense oils that increase fuel conversion efficiency and to cultivate deep-rooted perennial feedstocks that can enhance soil C storage. However, the C consequences and efficacy of these solutions remain largely uncertain.

To examine the C consequences of enhancing oil content of bioenergy feedstocks, I examined the …

Cue Reactivity In Non-Smoking Electronic Cigarette Users, Ashley E. Douglas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) are among the most popular nicotine products in the United States, particularly among youth and young adults. Many individuals who use ECIGs report an interest in quitting or unsuccessful quit attempts. In addition to nicotine dependence, one factor that may contribute to continued ECIG use is an individual’s response to ECIG-related environmental stimuli, or cues. Existing research demonstrates that exposure to ECIG cues increases craving for ECIGs among cigarette smokers, including those without previous ECIG experience. The purpose of this study was to examine effects of ECIG cue exposure in experienced ECIG users with minimal smoking history, …

Relationships Among Racism, Dental Care-Related Fear/Anxiety And Dental Care Utilization Among Black And African American Women In Appalachia, Kalo Sokoto

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation is a study of the implications of racism in oral health care settings for dental care-related fear/anxiety, and dental care utilization. One in five adults in the US have experienced discrimination while receiving health care. Even though racism is the most reported type of discrimination in health care, little is known about its impact on dental outcomes. There is a paucity of prior studies measuring experiences of racism in dental settings. The current study proposed the application of Krieger’s Ecosocial Theory of Health Equity to explore relationships among racism in oral health care settings, dental care-related fear/anxiety, and …

Investigations Into Indole Formation: Base-Mediated Formation Of N-Hydroxy- And N-Alkoxyindoles, Ancillary Ligand Development For Watanabe-Cenini-Söderberg Cyclization, And Total Synthesis Of Racemosin B, Blaine Thomas Mcclay

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A novel, base-mediated cyclization was developed to form N-hydroxy- and N-alkoxyindoles from 2-(2-nitrophenyl)butenoates. Potassium tert-butoxide or sodium tert-pentoxide, with or without the in-situ addition of an electrophile, formed a multitude of N-hydroxy- and N-alkoxyindoles. The formation of these butanoate precursors was improved via a Barluenga coupling reaction. Novel 4,5,6,7-tetramethoxy-1,10-phenanthroline was utilized as an ancillary ligand within the Watanabe-Cenini-Söderberg reductive cyclization reaction conditions. These new reaction conditions produced high yields for sterically hindered 2-nitrostyrenes and the first synthesis of dilemmaone A using this reductive cyclization. Racemosin B was synthesized in a three-step process utilizing a …

Exploring The Biological Basis Of Residual Feed Intake In Beef Cattle Using Multi-Omics Analysis., Godstime Ayobami Taiwo

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Efficient feed utilization is critical for both economic sustainability and environmental responsibility in modern livestock production. While there has been extensive research, the multifaceted nature of feed efficiency remains complex, with many biological factors still unexplored. This dissertation examines the physiological foundations of feed efficiency by elucidating some of the complex biological mechanisms associated with residual feed intake (RFI) phenotype in beef cattle, using a range of Omics approaches. We hypothesized that metabolites related to amino acids, carbohydrates, and fatty acids could act as potential biomarkers for RFI. Through a chemical group-based metabolomics method, we identified enriched pathways in feed-efficient …

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 …

Characterizing & Mitigating Interstellar Scattering In Radio Observations Of Pulsars, Jacob E. Turner

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Pulsars are rapidly rotating neutron stars that emit concentrated beams of radiation from their magnetic poles. Measuring the arrival of these pulses via pulsar timing is a powerful tool in efforts to detect low frequency gravitational waves (GWs). However, the interstellar medium (ISM) presents a significant source of timing uncertainty that must be mitigated to improve the sensitivity of pulsar timing efforts to these GW signals. By examining the effects of pulsar emission interactions with this medium, we can properly correct for the resulting effects in pulsar timing efforts, as well as study the astronomical unit-to-parsec scale structure and behavior …

Glial Cell-Specific Contribution Of Pkr-Like Er Kinase (Perk) In Neuroinflammation And Behavior, Anirudhya Lahiri

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS) are a major public health concern in the US, with no available therapeutic cure. Chronic neuroinflammation and aberrant proteostasis in the central nervous system (CNS) are the major hallmarks of neurological diseases. Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) is a major cellular organelle involved in protein synthesis, folding and maturation of various secretory and transmembrane proteins. Pathophysiological stressors such as trauma and infection result in misfolded protein accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) lumen, which results in ER stress. To regain proteostasis (protein homeostasis), cells activate the unfolded protein response (UPR). UPR is an evolutionarily conserved …

Xanthine Oxidase-Induced Vascular Dysfunction In Nano-Tio2 Inhalation, Xena Marie Williams

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Inhalation of nano-TiO₂ is linked to adverse clinical outcomes that affect people worldwide, particularly those who work in manufacturing. For example, cardiovascular consequences and changes in microvascular responses are, in part, associated with exposure to engineered nanomaterials such as nano-TiO₂; however, the mechanism(s) driving this process is unknown. Nano-TiO₂ is an engineered nanomaterial (ENM) that is reported to, upon inhalation, impair endothelium-dependent vasodilation in several vascular beds via enhanced local oxidant generation and diminished nitric oxide bioavailability. This dissertation aims to address the health concerns generated by occupational exposure to nano-TiO₂ and identify a link …

Morphological, Physiological, And Transcriptional Responses Of Populus Trichocarpa To Water Deficit Stress, Kristin Justine Ratliff

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Under the threat of climate change with continued fossil fuel use, investment in developing renewable energies is increasingly important. One category of renewable energy sources, biofuels, is well suited to industries that require a liquid fuel source. However, producing biofuel feedstocks is challenging from a sustainability perspective, as they require extensive land area and resource input to grow on marginal lands. The identification of strategies that feedstock species use to maintain productivity with limited to no resource inputs could aid in the selection of optimal genotypes or targets of breeding or engineering efforts to maximize productivity in feedstock plantations. Some …

Deep Face Morph Detection Based On Wavelet Decomposition, Poorya Aghdaie

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Morphed face images are maliciously used by criminals to circumvent the official process for receiving a passport where a look-alike accomplice embarks on requesting a passport. Morphed images are either synthesized by alpha-blending or generative networks such as Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN). Detecting morphed images is one of the fundamental problems associated with border control scenarios. Deep Neural Networks (DNN) have emerged as a promising solution for a myriad of applications such as face recognition, face verification, fake image detection, and so forth. The Biometrics communities have leveraged DNN to tackle fundamental problems such as morphed face detection. In this …

A Test Of The Control Value Theory Of Achievement Emotions In An Instructional Communication Context, Katherine E. Armstrong

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation tested the control-value theory of achievement emotions (CVTAE) in an instructional communication context. Based on the assumptions of CVTAE, the researcher predicted that when instructors were clearer, students would feel more confident in their abilities to perform well in their class and, in turn, experience positive achievement emotions (i.e., enjoyment and hope), ultimately becoming be more intrinsically motivated to learn. If instructors were less clear, however, students would experience decreased motivation to learn through negative appraisals of performance efficacy and negative achievement emotions (i.e., boredom, anxiety, and hopelessness). Additionally, the researcher hypothesized that when instructors made the course …

Examining The Relationship Of Race On Students’ Perceptions Of Safety And Concealed Campus Carry On A University Campus, Whitney H. Mascaro

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Previous literature suggests that students who feel unsafe in their academic settings experience harmful academic, social, and psychological ramifications. With an alarming increase in school shootings, violence, and media coverage, the political discourse surrounding gun violence and strategies to ensure safety on college campuses has become increasingly polarized. States like Texas, Georgia, and Colorado have passed bills allowing students to carry concealed handguns on university campuses. At the time of this study, the state legislature in West Virginia passed a similar bill known as the Campus Self-Defense Act (Senate Bill 246, 2021). College students who identify as Black, Indigenous, People …

Associations Among Executive Functioning, Family Functioning, Adolescent Responsibility, And Adherence In Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Cecily Newel Conour

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a common cause of chronic pain for adolescents in the United States. Adherence to the treatment regimen is a significant concern, particularly for adolescents. Barriers to adherence are varied, but include cognitive factors, such as forgetting. Parent involvement is associated with increased adherence in this population, though adolescent involvement is less studied. Family functioning is associated with adherence to medication regimen across pediatric chronic illnesses, including IBD treatment regimen. To better inform clinical care, this study aims to understand the relations among adolescent’s responsibility, executive functioning, family functioning, and adherence. Methods: The current study …

Sex Differences In Endothelial Function, Metabolism, And Sleep: Responses To Disrupted Circadian Rhythms, Olga Hecmarie Meléndez-Fernández

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Circadian rhythms are endogenous cycles that recur approximately every 24 h, and manifest in virtually every physiological and behavioral process among the vast majority of organisms. These rhythms, sustained by the central circadian clock, the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the hypothalamus, allow for optimal timing of biological processes that ensure organisms’ homeostasis, and are entrained to precisely 24 h by daily exposure to light. Disruption of the molecular mechanisms that drive these rhythms have negative consequences on physiology and behavior that may impair survival. The molecular mechanisms that underlie these effects are widely studied and linked to multiple diseases and …

Sexism In The Digital World: A Thematic Content Analysis Of The Cyberbullying Of Lil Miquela, Shyanne Elizabeth Schmithorst

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As artificial intelligence (AI) evolves, social issues associated with this technology are also perpetuated. This is especially pertinent to online violence against women. In April 2016, fictional character “Lil Miquela,” an AI robot who would quickly rise to fame as a social media influencer, was created using Computer-Generated Imagery (CGI). Significant backlash has persisted against Lil Miquela throughout its existence, which has typically taken the form of demeaning comments made by other users on Lil Miquela’s social media pages. As the robot looks deceptively like a human female, the robot receives online treatment that mimics that of human women. Utilizing …

Response Maintenance By Mediated Reinforcement With Forced Alternation Of Reinforcement Opportunities, Kento Yasukawa

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Three experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of mediated reinforcement –reinforcers delivered to either of two co-actors by the responses of the other co-actor, but independently of the responses of the co-actor receiving the reinforcer– on the maintenance of responding of the co-actors. In each experiment, using a discrete-trials procedure, responding and receiving reinforcers alternated between co-actors. In Experiment 1, the alternation followed each reinforcer. Also investigated in this experiment were the effects of the presence and absence of social stimuli and of the role of reinforcement delays on individual responding. The number of consecutive reinforcer deliveries to either …

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 …

Internalized Heterosexism, Shame Proneness, And Disclosure In Clinical Supervision Among Sexual Minority Supervisees, Christian Joseph Carey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Sexual minority supervisees face unique struggles including prejudice, discrimination, and heterosexism, which may impact their psychological well-being and development within the supervisory experience through shame proneness and reduced disclosure. This study aims to explore the challenges facing sexual minority trainees and contribute to the empirical knowledge of multicultural supervision. Thus, this study proposes two mediation models for the hypothesized relationships among internalized heterosexism, shame-related withdrawal, shame-related negative self-evaluation, and disclosure in supervision. A total of 170 supervisees identifying as sexual minorities completed an online survey. The primary analysis included a three-step linear regression and confirmatory analysis for mediation. The results …

Evaluation Of Commission And Omission Errors During Differential Reinforcement Of Other Behavior, Lindsey M. Hronek

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) is a reinforcement schedule that commonly includes the delivery of a reinforcer following an interval during which a target behavior did not occur and extinction (i.e., the reinforcer is withheld following any instances of the target behavior). Although interventions using DRO schedules can decrease target behavior when implemented as designed, little is known about the efficacy of DRO interventions when they include fidelity errors. A growing field of literature has demonstrated different ways fidelity errors can affect the outcomes of other interventions (e.g., DRA, response cost, and skill acquisition). One study by Foreman et …

Levantine Immigration And Community Building In Charleston, West Virginia, 1900-1930, George P. Jacobs Ii

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Immigrants from the Levant, a region of the middle east made up of Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine, settled in the United States in large numbers between 1890 and 1920. Many eventually decided to make Charleston, West Virginia their permanent home. When they arrived in Charleston, most Levantine immigrants worked as peddlers, selling modern wares and household goods to families that needed them. This research explains the context for this immigration wave, the important economic niche Levantine immigrants satisfied in the developing economy of southern West Virginia, and how over time Charleston’s Levantine community contributed significantly to the city’s culture.

Mitigation And Preparedness In Disaster Communication: Examining The Need For Closing The Loop In The Discourse Of Renewal Theory, Abigail Renee Riggs

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Flooding across rural Appalachia has historically negatively impacted communities, and flood frequency is only expected to increase in the region as global temperatures rise. This indicates a need for effective disaster and crisis communication in flood-prone communities within the region. The discourse of renewal and readiness for renewal theories provide potential avenues for improving crisis and disaster communication. Readiness for renewal in particular focuses on closing the gap between the pre and post-crisis phases. However, readiness for renewal has yet to be applied to disaster communication and has not been studied qualitatively. Additionally, ethical guidelines for communication within renewal have …

The Mental Health Outcomes Of First-Generation Collegiate Clients Compared To Their Non-First-Generation Peers, Cassandra Rose Homick

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Numerous research studies have investigated the mental health concerns and needs of college students. However, there is a need for additional research to understand the unique presenting mental health concerns of first-generation college students at university counseling centers in the US. The current study was a non-experimental exploratory research study that utilized secondary data analysis to examine and compare the sociodemographic profiles, mental health needs, and presenting problems of first-generation students compared to their non-first-generation peers at university counseling centers (UCCs) in the US. In Part One of the study, comparisons were drawn between first-generation and non-first-generation collegiate clients on …

Bedrock Channel Geometry: Meter To Micron Scale Controls On Fluvial Incision, Nicholas J. Colaianne

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The relative resistance of various rock types to incisional processes vary widely and the properties governing bedrock erodibility are poorly understood. Lithologic properties influencing erodibility are the culmination of a rock’s depositional, diagenetic, and exhumation processes. Difficulty identifying a convenient physical proxy for erodibility suggests examining evidence of these processes holistically may offer insight into the role of each in setting a rock’s resistance to incisional forces. In this study we use measured channel geometries along a short stretch of the Dry Fork, WV hosting three distinct lithologic settings to infer relative erodibility against measured and observed fluvial, lithologic, and …

Evaluating Remote Economic Benefits Of Watershed-Scale Acid Mine Drainage Restoration, Rachel E. Pell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In 2011, the West Virginia Abandoned Mine Lands and Reclamation Program (WVAML) implemented a watershed-scale restoration project in Three Fork Creek, a 103 square-mile watershed in rural West Virginia impaired by acid mine drainage (AMD). This was accomplished through the installation of four in-stream lime dosers in 2011. Due to the great capital investment in the restoration of Three Fork Creek and an interest in applying this watershed-scale approach to other watersheds throughout West Virginia, it is of great interest to demonstrate the successes of this remediation. It has already been demonstrated that the watershed has visibly improved and is …

Development And Validation Of Individual-Tree Growth And Mortality Models For Mixed Species Forests Of The Allegheny Plateau Region, Matt C. Marsh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Forest management is a complex task that influences future site conditions for centuries. Therefore, forest managers utilize decision tools such as forest growth and yield models to aid in the decision-making process. These models allow managers to make reasonable assessments about future site conditions and to construct evidence-based management plans. SILVAH, which stands for SILViculture of Allegheny Hardwoods, is a decision tool for forest managers in Central Appalachia and was built by the U.S. Forest Service. It contains a growth and yield simulator that was developed in the late 20^th century. This research sought to understand …

Raising Awareness Of Second Victim Phenomenon And Supportingyou: A Quality And Safety Initiative, Megan Renee Bryant

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Current literature has established a need for practice change in management of healthcare-related critical incidents. Peer-support programs have been cited as the most impactful resource healthcare professionals request following a critical incident (Daniels & McCorkle, 2016). SupportingYOU, a peer-support program, is in the process of expansion at a large academic children’s hospital in northern West Virginia in anticipation for the opening of a new facility. The specific aim of this project was to raise awareness of second victim phenomenon (SVP), SupportingYOU, and perception of awareness of resiliency. Interventions included multi-formatted educational sessions on SVP and SupportingYOU via PowerPoints, brochures, flyers, …

Understanding Perceptions Of Vulnerable Roadway Users On Autonomous Vehicles, Md Tawhidur Rahman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Public perceptions have been playing an important role in the development of autonomous vehicle (AV) technology. Besides AV and non-AV users, the perceptions of vulnerable roadway users are critical, as AVs will become a part of multimodal transportation system. Pedestrians and bicyclists are among the vulnerable groups of roadway users, as they are relatively unprotected compared to the occupants of AVs or non-AVs. Although AV’s capability to monitor other vehicles has been documented in many studies, there are concerns about AV’s capability in monitoring pedestrians and bicyclists. The overarching goal of this dissertation is to investigate the perceptions of pedestrians …

How Do Higher Education Teaching And Learning Centers Contribute To An Institutional Culture Of Assessment?, Tracey Jean Beckley

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Teaching and learning centers in higher education are often charged with providing faculty development programming in support of overarching institutional goals related to effective teaching and assessment of student learning. Using the theoretical frameworks of Maki and Weiner as a launch pad, this exploratory case study examines how two teaching and learning centers have provided services, implemented programming, and strategically affected cultural change among faculty and other stakeholders in support of an institutional culture of assessment. The study revealed four thematic strands to consider when developing practical ways for teaching and learning centers to contribute to a culture-building endeavor in …

The Contribution Of Artists Sydney Laurence, Belmore Browne, And Olaus Murie To The Preservation Of Public Land In The Northwest United States, Madelyn Brodie

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis analyzes the impact of artists Sydney Laurence (1856- 1940), Belmore Browne (1880- 1954), and Olaus Murie (1889- 1963) and the contribution that their artwork had to the conservation of United States public lands. This thesis examines the conservation initiatives that were brought into effect during the early 1900s, the personal motivations of these artists to preserve the land, and the interactions between these artists and the United States government which demonstrates their involvement in land preservation. The impact that the artists had on tourism which extended the conservation movement is also addressed. Artworks created by Laurence, Browne, and …