Digital Commons Network^™

Characterizing Prescribed Fire With Terrestrial Lidar In The New Jersey Pine Barrens, Samuel Rhule Stockton

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Prescribed burning has become a commonly used tool in the mitigation of wildfire, though monitoring the way it changes ecosystems has historically been a time-intensive process. Rapid change across ecosystems has necessitated advancements in remote sensing technologies to quantify the changes taking place. Single-scan terrestrial LiDAR scanning is one such method of monitoring these changes through the quantification of ecosystem structural characteristics. Acute disturbance events such as fire can transform the structure of an ecosystem, and by extension, change the way that ecosystem functions. The purpose of this study is to analyze the changes in vegetation density and distribution following …

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

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

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

Experimental Verification And Time-Resolved Bispectral Analysis Of Nonlinear Coupling In The Toroidicity-Induced Alfv´En Eigenmode Spectrum, Gregory Allen Riggs

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In magnetically-confined fusion devices, the toroidicity-induced Alfv´en eigenmode (TAE) is a well-studied, weakly stable solution of the linearized ideal magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) equations. Due to intrinsic coupling of poloidal harmonics of the shear Alfv´en wave (SAW) in toroidal geometry, the rotational transform of magnetic field lines modulates the effective index of refraction, ensuring gaps in the so-called “Alfv´en continuum.” Experimental verification of theoretical predictions for various parameters of interest (i.e., frequency, mode structure, instability threshold, etc.) is established in the literature.

We present the first systematic study of TAE-TAE phase coherence in an experimental device, using the DIII-D tokamak. Crucially, nonlinear …

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

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

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

Exploring Long-Term Patterns: Black Bass Tournament Fishery And Population Trends In West Virginia's Navigable Rivers, Alex J. Benecke

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Black bass Micropterus spp. are popular sport fish in West Virginia’s navigable rivers. In recent years, anglers have expressed concerns about a potential decline in fishery quality. To investigate these claims, we evaluated whether fishery quality has declined compared to earlier periods and whether population trends correspond to angler catch rates. Specifically, we aimed to (1) examine changes in species catch over time and during key periods, such as tournament and spawning seasons; (2) describe the distribution of black bass species across pools and habitat types; and (3) assess the outcomes of previous stocking efforts. To address these objectives, we …

Three Essays On Externalities Of Energy And Agricultural Production, Taiwo Foluso Akinyemi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation consists of three essays exploring the externalities that arise from energy production and development in a developing country, Nigeria, and agricultural production in a developed nation, the United States (US). The research examines the benefits of energy development in terms of its impact on local wealth and the associated costs, including the health effects on communities living near energy production sites. Additionally, the dissertation analyzes the opportunity costs of policies aimed at preventing the relocation of nutrients, particularly nitrogen fertilizers, within the agricultural sector and their impact on the producer and consumer surplus.

The first essay examines the …

Polylactic Acid (Pla) Containing Talc Microparticles And Amorphous Polyhydroxyalkanoates (Aphas) For Improved Barrier And Mechanical Properties In Food Packaging, Mohammed Alfaifi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Polylactic acid (PLA) is a biobased and compostable polymer that is increasingly being used as an alternative to petroleum-based, non-biodegradable polymers for single-use food packaging due to its environmental benefits. It is also commercially available in large quantities, and it can be processed like polyethylene. However, it has a higher water-vapor permeability (WVP) as compared to polyolefins and polyethylene terephthalate that are the incumbent materials. This results in a competitive disadvantage in employing PLA for packaging baked goods since the shelf life of the food is likely to be reduced. In the past, barrier properties of PLA were improved by …

Improving Awareness And Identifying Risks For Emergence Delirium In Military Veterans, Hannah E. Pino

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Emergence delirium (ED) is an acute state of confusion during the recovery phase from anesthesia that may be life-threatening, especially in the veteran population. Military veteran status may be explored by the Have You Ever Served questionnaire that was developed by the American Academy of Nursing to identify veterans upon admission to the hospital and thus be able to better care for them during their stay. This campaign has been in effect at the hospital site of this project for nearly 10 years. The questionnaire identifies military history risk factors such as combat history or a diagnosis of post-traumatic …

Development Of An Order Set To Improve Consistency Of Blood Glucose Monitoring For Hospitalized Patients On Enteral Feeding, Kristen Calebaugh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

Development of an Order set to Improve Consistency of Blood Glucose Monitoring for Adult Hospitalized Patients on Enteral Feeding

Kristen Calebaugh, BSN, RN

Background

Hospitalized patients often require artificial nutrition through either enteral feeding, placing the patient at risk for glucose alterations related to physiological responses of nutritional metabolism. Historically, there has been no standard of care or consistency aligning tube feedings times with point of care blood glucose testing. Without a standardized order set to guide blood glucose monitoring orders, patients on artificial nutrition may experience undetected hypo or hyperglycemia or inadequate glycemic control, which can cause adverse …

Symptoms Of Anxiety, Trauma, Depression, And Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders In A Subsequent Pregnancy Following A Previous Pregnancy Loss, Juliana Lynn Restivo Haney

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Pregnancy loss is a common and intense personal event that has been found to be a risk factor for increased symptoms of mood, trauma, obsessive-compulsive and anxiety disorders in subsequent pregnancies. Using a self-report online survey, the current study hypothesizes that levels of anxiety, trauma, and obsessive-compulsive symptoms will be higher in pregnant individuals who had a pregnancy loss in their most recent previous pregnancy (n= 61) when compared to pregnant individuals whose most recent previous pregnancy resulted in a live birth (n= 62). Participants responded to an online questionnaire asking about reproductive and mental health history, symptoms of perinatal …

Depicting The Donald: How Framing Of Donald Trump In Media Changed Throughout The Course Of His 2015-2016 United States Presidential Campaign, Jakob O. Janoski

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examined how framing of Donald Trump in online news images may have changed throughout the course of his 2015-2016 United States presidential campaign. Previous research suggests that Republican presidential candidates may get more coverage but not necessarily be framed as more favorable (Moriarty and Popovich, 1988). The content analysis comprised of 18 constructed weeks in which images from various outlets were analyzed in nine categories (e.g., “facial expression” and “posture”) and coded as either “more favorable,” “N/A” or “less favorable.” It was found that image favorability of Trump dipped from the Pre-Primary period to the Primary period then …

Anti-Listeria Of H2o2-Peroxyacetic Acid Anti-Listeria Efficacy Of A Hydrogen Peroxide-Peroxyacetic Acid Mixer In Bacterial Buffered Solution And On Bell Peppers, Peighton Denae Foster

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study aims to 1) evaluate the efficacy of H₂O₂-peroxyacetic acid (PAA) mixer to inactivate Listeria monocytogenes in 0.1% buffered-peptone-water; 2) evaluate the reduction and mitigation of cross-contamination on peppers. For the study-1, aliquots of 1.0-ml mixer solutions (0.25, 0.50 and 0.84%) were added to the first 3-well of 8-strip-deep-well microplates. Then, the 0.1 ml of 10-fold dilution the Nalidixic-acid-resistant (NaL) L. monocytogenes was added and mixed immediately with a multichannel pipette. After exposure for 0, 5, 15, 30, and up to 120-s, 1 ml of 2×D/E neutralized solution was added to terminate the reaction followed …

Immunomodulation In Osteosarcoma: From Therapy To Diagnostics, Ryan Austin Lacinski

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Osteosarcoma (OS) is a rare pediatric bone malignancy. Those who develop advanced disease, often in the form of metastasis to the lung, experience poor five-year survival rates near approximately 25%. Considering minimal-to-no therapeutic breakthroughs have occurred for treatment of this disease since the 1980s, efforts to develop new therapeutics are underway. The goal of this dissertation was to initiate the preclinical efforts necessary to reinvigorate the use of immunostimulatory cytokine therapy for the treatment of OS and other solid tumors. This effort would not only include the development of the immunotherapeutic known as IL12ns, but also the clinical diagnostic tools …

Passive Wireless Corrosion And Temperature Detection In High-Temperature Environments, Noah Lane Strader

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This work focuses on the theory and development of LC sensors for high temperature and corrosion measurement for stainless steel and copper surfaces with power industry and general corrosion detection applications. The LC resonators were fabricated via screen printing an Ag inductor on an alumina substrate. The LC design was modeled using the ANSYS HFSS modeling package. The LC passive wireless sensors operate with resonant frequencies centered at 85-110 MHz. The wireless response of the LC sensor was interrogated and received by a radio frequency signal generator and spectrum analyzer at temperatures from 50-800 °C for copper ground planes and …

Encouraging Equity Through Rural Elementary Professional Learning, Jana K. Stone

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study employed design-based research to explore the efficacy of professional learning materials and approaches in developing social justice advocacy with rural elementary teachers in Appalachia. Bronfenbrenner’s (2005) bioecological theory and Boler’s (1999) pedagogy of discomfort formed the theoretical framework for the design, implementation, and analysis. Mid-way through the study, Allport’s (1954) contact hypothesis was included to inform the revision of intervention approaches. Four elementary teachers attended seven in-person informational discussion meetings over five months. During this time, these teachers also read two books and completed journal responses and surveys. The qualitative data was analyzed using Braun and Clark’s (2006) …

Structural And Functional Consequences Of Pde6 Prenylation In Rod And Cone Photoreceptors, Faezeh Moakedi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Phosphodiesterase-6 (PDE6) serves as a pivotal component in the phototransduction pathways of both cone and rod photoreceptors. In cones, PDE6 consists of tetrameric subunits: inhibitory (γ') and catalytic (α'). The catalytic subunit, PDE6α', contains a C-terminal prenylation motif. Deletion of this motif is associated with achromatopsia (ACHM), a form of color blindness. The mechanisms underlying the disease and the roles of PDE6 lipidation in vision remain elusive. Meanwhile, rod PDE6 is composed of α and β catalytic subunits and γ inhibitory subunits, with alterations in the C-terminal "prenylation motif" of PDE6β linked to retinitis pigmentosa (RP) pathology. In this comprehensive …

Intervention To Reduce Tobacco Use Among Prostate Cancer Patient And Informal Caregiver Dyads, Trupti Dhumal

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Prostate cancer is the leading cancer in men. Continued tobacco use after prostate cancer diagnosis may affect a patient’s treatment outcomes, quality of life, and mortality. Despite the potential negative outcomes, 10-20% of prostate cancer patients continue to use tobacco after their cancer diagnosis. Considering risks associated with continued tobacco use, there is a lack of evidence-based tobacco cessation strategies to address tobacco cessation specifically in prostate cancer. Given the increasing prevalence of prostate cancer, the ongoing difficulty in tobacco cessation, and the limited evidence-based tobacco cessation interventions in the literature, it is important to prioritize reducing tobacco use in …

Treatment Patterns And Clinical And Economic Burden In Patients With Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Statistical And Machine Learning Approaches, Yves Mbous

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Although considered a rare form of nonmelanoma skin cancer, Merkel Cell Carcinoma incidence rate has increased to 0.74 per 100,000 and projections expect this number to steadily rise over the next decades and to reach an average of 3,285 cases per year in 2025. MCC incidence increases significantly with age. Among those aged 40-44, it is 0.44, it rises to 1.0/100,000 in the 60-64 age group and soars to 9.8/100,000 among those ≥85 years and above. Due to the small number of cases, MCC is often managed using institutional practices or provider preferences. Formal clinical trials that enroll early stage …

Seeing Red: Hostile Attribution Bias, Aggression, And Antisocial Personality Disorder Traits, Kaley Potter

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is a destructive and severe mental illness that costs the U.S. trillions of dollars annually. Although ASPD is significantly correlated with acts of aggression, violence, and imprisonment, not all individuals with ASPD are aggressive. In samples without ASPD, increased aggression has been linked to an error in social information processing, which is referred to as hostile attribution bias (HAB).

The current study tested the extent to which HABs, or the tendency to attribute hostility to neutral or ambiguous stimuli, predicted aggression above and beyond ASPD traits in participants with a history of incarceration. Participants (N = …

A Legacy Of Labor: Maternity Narratives In 1960s And 1970s North American Life Writing, Katelynn Ann Vogelpohl

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

A Legacy of Labor: Maternity Narratives in 1960s and 1970s North American Life Writing

Katelynn Ann Vogelpohl

The phenomenon of maternity has been repeatedly described as an event that shakes the very foundations of social and physical identity. As the flesh of the pregnant person literally divides to produce new life, one subject becomes enclosed within another, dramatically affecting the pregnant person’s sense of self and causing a confluence of intense, and often conflicting, feelings. In North America, there are two dominant, and seemingly opposing, discourses on pregnancy and childbirth: the institutional medical discourse and the natural childbirth discourse. …

Essays On Consumption Dynamics, Shaun M. Gilyard

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation, titled "Essays on Consumption Dynamics," comprises three chapters delving into consumer behavior within the context of household financial management. It sheds light on how consumers navigate their budgets concerning daily expenses, particularly around bill payments, and examines the potential influence of household financial holdings on the redistribution effects of monetary policy.

The first chapter delves into how consumers strategically handle their budgets in proximity to bill payments. Analyzing daily transaction-level data containing detailed expenditure information, it reveals a trend of consumers deferring non-bill expenditures until after bill payments. Spending spikes by 41% - 51% above average on the …

Comparative Cephalometric Study Between Class Ii Patients Treated With Herbst Appliance And Patients Treated With Mara, Mona Meky

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Comparative cephalometric study between Class II patients treated with Herbst appliance and patients treated with MARA

Mona Meky, D.D.S.

Background and Objectives: Functional appliances have been used for over 100 years in orthodontics to correct Class II malocclusions. The Herbst and the MARA appliances have different designs that may enhance mandibular growth. Recent clinical evidence has questioned whether they really have a lasting influence on facial growth and that the effects of these appliances were mostly dentoalveolar rather than skeletal. The objective of this retrospective comparative study was to compare the dental and skeletal changes between Class II division …

Prediction Of Anomalous Events With Data Augmentation And Hybrid Deep Learning Approach, Ahmed Shoyeb Raihan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this study, we propose a novel anomaly detection framework designed specifically for Multivariate Time Series (MTS) data, addressing the prevalent challenges in analyzing such complex datasets. The detection of anomalies within MTS data is notably difficult due to the complex interplay of numerous variables, temporal dependencies, and the common issue of class imbalance, where one category significantly outnumbers another. Traditional deep learning (DL) approaches often fall short in simultaneously tackling these issues. Our framework is designed to address these challenges through a two-phased approach. Phase I employs Conditional Tabular Generative Adversarial Networks (CTGAN) to create strategic synthetic data, setting …

Limb Speed Perception Accuracy In Neurodegenerative Disease, Brandmeir Lynn Cheryl

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Movement is a fundamental human activity, enabling us to engage with our surroundings. Consequently, a well-operating neuromuscular system is essential for maintaining quality of life. Motion is not only integral for the basic function of daily living, but also plays a significant role in enhancing our physical, mental, and emotional health. The importance of this system becomes abundantly clear when it is compromised, such as with neurodegenerative disease.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), followed by Parkinson’s disease (PD) are the two most common neurodegenerative diseases that profoundly affect millions of individuals worldwide (Lamptey et al., 2022). Characterized by distinct but sometimes overlapping …

An Investigation Into Secondary Transfer Of Trace Dna To Evidentiary Items Via Nitrile Gloves During Crime Scene Examination, Molly G. Younker

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

An investigation into secondary transfer of trace DNA to evidentiary items via nitrile gloves during crime scene examination

Molly G. Younker, B.S.

The introduction of highly sensitive DNA profiling kits has led to an increase in success with samples containing sub-nanogram amounts of DNA such as touched or handled objects including doorknobs, tools, steering wheels, etc. Such trace DNA is easily transferred between individuals and objects. Studies have shown that in addition to primary transfer due to direct contact, trace DNA can also be indirectly transferred in secondary and tertiary transfer steps which do not require direct contact. Nitrile gloves …

Three Essays In Urban, Health And Public Economics, Dinushka Paranavitana

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation “Three Essays in Urban, Health and Public Economics” contains three chapters which explore urban, health and public economics. The first two chapters focus on examining the unexpected consequences of urban and health related policies, while the third chapter explores the nuanced relationships between health policies and religion. The first chapter examines the impact of NFL and NBA games, beyond the reach of stadium walls and arenas, extending to how it affects driver behavior after games. In this paper I analyze how game outcomes for professional level football and basketball games have an impact on affecting the rate of …

High-Pressure Ignition And Flame Propagation – An Experimental And Numerical Study, James Shaffer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The next generation of advanced combustion devices is being developed to operate under ultra-high-pressure conditions, to improve combustion efficiency and reduce pollutant emissions. However, at such extreme conditions, flame tends to become unstable, and measurement of fundamental properties becomes challenging. The laminar burning speed ( ) is among those properties, as it is required for the validation of kinetic models and the modeling of turbulent combustion. One potential method to resolve this issue and achieve measurement at very high pressures (i.e., 20-50 atm), is focusing on ignition affected region. The flame kernel in this region is more resistant to perturbations …

Advancing Opportunities For The Autistic Community At West Virginia University, Drew D. Altizer

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Students with Autism Spectrum Disorder often have difficulties with social integration and sensory challenges on collegiate campuses. These difficulties are sometimes tied together as social integration spaces are not always sensory-friendly and can be overwhelming for the individual. Creating a sensory-friendly space within the potentially overstimulating environment can provide the student with a place to recharge and recover and still access the desired social events. This capstone project focused on the design and development of a sensory room in the West Virginia University Mountain Lair Student Union, working directly with the students in the West Virginia University Autism Support Program …

Ask The Duke, Why: How Fabrications Can Undermine Impact In Shakespeare’S Measure For Measure, Spencer D. Hansen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The following document recounts the observations and consequences that result from my attempts at justifying the actions of Duke Vincentio in Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure. By following my experience through the duration of West Virginia University’s 2023 production of Measure for Measure, I examine the ramifications of justifying the Duke’s actions and the potentially harmful consequences such justifications could create with regard to the play’s reception. Additionally, this text outlines performance techniques, audience responses, rehearsal strategies, and progressive interpretations for one of Shakespeare’s most challenging characters in one of his most divisive plays.

Joint Learning Of Unknown Safety Constraints And Control Policies In Reinforcement Learning, Lunet Abiye Yifru

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Reinforcement learning (RL) has revolutionized decision-making across a wide range of domains over the past few decades. Yet, deploying RL policies in real-world scenarios presents the crucial challenge of ensuring safety. Traditional safe RL approaches have predominantly focused on incorporating predefined safety constraints into the policy learning process. However, this reliance on predefined safety constraints poses limitations in dynamic and unpredictable real-world settings where such constraints may not be available or sufficiently adaptable. Bridging this gap, we propose a novel approach that concurrently learns a safe RL control policy and identifies the unknown safety constraint parameters of a given environment. …