Digital Commons Network^™

Patterns Of Lung Cancer Care And Associated Health Outcomes Among Elderly Medicare Fee For Service Beneficiaries In West Virginia And In The United States, Pramit Amrutlal Nadpara

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The elderly carry a disproportionate burden of lung cancer in the US. Although significant improvements have been made during the past decade in cancer treatment, substantial disparities still exist in guideline-based lung cancer care and outcomes. Such variation in lung cancer care is a cause for major concern in rural areas like West Virginia (WV). The purpose of this study was to do a comprehensive evaluation of variations in lung cancer care and associated health outcomes in the elderly. This retrospective study was conducted using SEER-Medicare and WVCR--Medicare linked data files for the years 2002-2007. As part of the project, …

Selling 'Fracking': Legitimation Of High Speed Oil And Gas Extraction In The Marcellus Shale Region, Jacob R. Matz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The advent of horizontal hydraulic fracture drilling, or 'fracking,' a technology used to access oil and natural gas deposits, has allowed for the extraction of deep, unconventional shale gas and oil deposits in various shale seams throughout the United States and world. One such shale seam, the Marcellus shale, extends from New York State, across Pennsylvania, and throughout West Virginia, where shale gas development has significantly increased within the last decade. This boom has created a massive amount of economic activity surrounding the energy industry, creating jobs for workers, income from leases and royalties for landowners, and profits for energy …

The Diabetic Heart: Examination Of The Inner Mitochondrial Membrane, Tara Lyne Slider Croston

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cardiovascular complications, such as diabetic cardiomyopathy, are the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with diabetes mellitus. The hyperglycemic environment associated with diabetes mellitus has been shown to induce the mitochondrial dysfunction contributing to diabetic cardiomyopathy. The examination of mitochondrial function is further complicated by the existence of two spatially and functionally distinct cardiac mitochondrial subpopulations, the subsarcolemmal (SSM) interfibrillar (IFM) mitochondria. These two pools of mitochondria respond differently to pathologic stimuli, such as diabetes mellitus. Targeted by the deleterious effects of diabetes mellitus, the inner mitochondrial membrane (IMM) is composed of a specific lipid environment that houses …

Phase Transformations Of Microcrystalline Cellulose Under Ball-Milling And Hydrothermal Treatment, Sai Kishore Pyapalli

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In this thesis, experimental results and their analysis are presented on the phase transformations of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) under two different treatments. First, MCC was subjected to ball milling in air for different times tBMi = 5, 10, 15, 30, 45, 60 and 120 minutes. Second, phase transformation of MCC under hydrothermal treatment (HTT) in distilled water using an autoclave was investigated by varying the pressure P, temperature T for different time tau. Both of the post treated samples were analyzed by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, surface area measurements, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Thermo-gravimetric Analysis …

Temporal Expression Of Key Angioregulatory Proteins In Response To Exercise And Detraining, Sara A. Olenich

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Angiogenesis is an important adaptation to exercise, occurring in response to a multitude of different stimuli including: shear stress, mechanical stretch, ischemia, electrical stimulation, and exercise. Current thinking suggests skeletal muscle angiogenesis is a temporal process controlled by a balance between positive and negative angiogenic proteins. But there is limited information on what molecular mediators control skeletal muscle angiogenesis in this time line, creating a critical need to clarify how individual protein responses regulate physiologic skeletal muscle angiogenesis in response to exercise training and/or physical deconditioning. Our objective is to characterize the temporal expression of several key positive (VEGF, MMP-2, …

Adaptation Of Temporal Control To Unpredictable Mid-Session Changes In A Rapid-Acquisition Multiple Peak-Interval Procedure, Nathaniel Rice

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The temporal arrangement of events is important in laboratory and real-world settings. Many real-world scenarios are highly dynamic and not reflected by the steady-state nature of experiments often conducted in laboratory settings. To address the dynamic nature of the environment, four pigeons responded on a rapid-acquisition multiple peak-interval schedule. Peak-interval trials, extinction trials that are extended and deliver no reinforcement, were interspersed with fixed-interval trials in a two-component multiple schedule. The interval for each component changed mid-session every session. There were two conditions: an Unsignaled condition where the intervals were changed mid-session without any accompanying stimulus change and a Signaled …

Predicting Deer Hunting Participation Using Theory Of Planned Behavior And Constraint Integrated Theory Of Planned Behavior Models: A Study Of Oregon Big Game Hunters, Suresh Kumar Shrestha

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Studies have established that the theory of planned behavior (TPB) is a simple but effective model for providing theoretical explanation as to why people participate in a given recreation activity, including general hunting activity. Understanding leisure constraints is another popular approach in leisure research, which is considered more useful from the practitioners' point of view. Literature suggested that significant relationships exist between constraint dimensions and constructs of theory of planned behavior. It was assumed that integrating constraints to TPB might not only enhance the predicting power of the TPB but might also provide a practical dimension to it. The aims …

The Flow Regimes Associated With Hydraulic Fractured Horizontal Wells In Shale Formations, Saba J. Raeisi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Shale gas in the United States went from a practically invisible resource to massive reserves that challenge the largest conventional gas accumulations in the world. Shale gas success is directly the result of economically managed deployment of petroleum technology, namely horizontal wells .Horizontal drilling and multi-stage stimulation technologies are driving the successful development of shale plays.;The production performance of hydraulically fractured horizontal wells in naturally fractured ultra-low permeability shale formations is not well established since the interaction among the hydraulic fractures, natural fracture system, and the shale matrix leads to a complex production mechanism that has not been fully investigated. …

Effectiveness Of Multi-View Face Images And Anthropometric Data In Real-Time Networked Biometrics, Sriram Sankar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Over the years, biometric systems have evolved into a reliable mechanism for establishing identity of individuals in the context of applications such as access control, personnel screening and criminal identification. However, recent terror attacks, security threats and intrusion attempts have necessitated a transition to modern biometric systems that can identify humans under unconstrained environments, in real-time. Specifically, the following are three critical transitions that are needed and which form the focus of this thesis: (1) In contrast to operation in an offline mode using previously acquired photographs and videos obtained under controlled environments, it is required that identification be performed …

The Influence Of Memory Enhancement Techniques On Source Monitoring, Ria M. Travers

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

An important aspect of accurate eyewitness testimony is not only being able to recall the details of an event, but being able to trace that memory back to its source or origin (Johnson, Hashtroudi, & Lindsay, 1993). The current study examined the use of two memory enhancement interventions to improve the accuracy of source memory, or the correct attribution of a memory to its origin, and free recall. The first intervention, motivational instructions, informed participants that they are capable of recalling an event if they try their best. The second intervention, focused meditation, used a breathing exercise to focus individuals' …

Novel 3d Ultrasound Elastography Techniques For In Vivo Breast Tumor Imaging And Nonlinear Characterization, Ahmed A. Hameed Sayed

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Breast cancer comprises about 29% of all types of cancer in women worldwide. This type of cancer caused what is equivalent to 14% of all female deaths due to cancer. Nowadays, tissue biopsy is routinely performed, although about 80% of the performed biopsies yield a benign result. Biopsy is considered the most costly part of breast cancer examination and invasive in nature. To reduce unnecessary biopsy procedures and achieve early diagnosis, ultrasound elastography was proposed.;In this research, tissue displacement fields were estimated using ultrasound waves, and used to infer the elastic properties of tissues. Ultrasound radiofrequency data acquired at consecutive …

Parental Monitoring And Adolescent Information Management: Associations With Cyber Risks, Elizabeth A. Yale

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The present study examined associations among internet and cellular phone specific parental monitoring strategies (rules, solicitation and indirect strategies), adolescent internet/phone information management strategies (disclosure and secrecy), and youth experience with internet risks (cyberbullying/victimization and risky internet behaviors). The sample included 155 adolescents (12-18 years, Mage = 14.38) and their parents (141 mothers, 51 fathers). Youth reported how often they disclosed or kept secret their internet and phone activities and their experience with internet risks. Parents reported how often they engaged in internet/phone specific monitoring strategies. Adolescents' time spent utilizing cell phones, but not time spent on general internet use …

Design Software Methods For Strengthening Of Reinforced Concrete Beams And Columns, Trevor D. Saas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Using fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) to strengthen dilapidated and failing reinforced concrete structures is becoming more frequent and often a cheaper alternative to traditional strengthening methods. Computer Aided Design Environment for Composites (CADEC) assists in the design and analysis of composite materials but lacks a user-friendly environment for the design and verification of strengthened reinforced concrete beams and columns. Therefore, design software methods are needed to develop an add-on application.;The development of the design software methods was done using C# (pronounced "C Sharp"), an object-orientated language, because of the object classes. The object classes were used to allow other design …

Luckey Roberts, Willie "The Lion" Smith, "Fats" Waller, And James P. Johnson: An Analysis Of Historical, Cultural, And Performance Aspects Of Stride Piano From 1910 To 1940, Jacob Womack

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Stride (Harlem piano) is a jazz piano style that flourished from c. 1910 to c. 1940, primarily in New York. Revolving around the four most significant Harlem stride pianist-composers, Luckey Roberts, James P. Johnson, Willie "the Lion" Smith, and Fats Waller, this research document focuses on the history, performance practices, and stylistic characteristics of the genre. Through an extensive study of relevant literature and analysis of select stride compositions and transcriptions including Luckey Roberts' Pork and Beans, James P. Johnson's The Mule Walk, Willie "the Lion" Smith's Cuttin' Out, and Fats Waller's Handful of Keys, this research document investigates the …

Investigations In Molecular Recognition Element Selection And Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube Properties, Ryan Martin Williams

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The in vitro selection of Molecular Recognition Elements (MREs) is a powerful tool for identifying molecules useful in numerous applications. This is achieved using the iterative Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential Enrichment (SELEX) process. This technique utilizes a large library of 10 9-1015 different molecules which is enriched for those that bind to a target of interest. It also can be designed to enrich for molecules which do not bind to other, closely-related negative targets. We have developed a novel variation of this process called Decoy-SELEX. This enriches molecules that bind to the target of interest, but focuses on …

Characterization And Application Of Self-Assembled Nano-Materials For Fluid Steering And Separation In Microfluidics, Xingwei Wu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Aqueous phospholipid preparations comprised of 1,2-dimyristoyl- sn-glycero-3- phosphocholine (DMPC) and 1,2-dihexanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DHPC) are prevalent materials for biological characterization. The viscosity behavior of DMPC/DHPC was characterized as a function of q value (q= [DMPC]/[DHPC] ), hydration as well as temperature firstly on bench-top and then in microfluidic chip. The rheology of 20% phospholipid preparations of [DMPC]/[DHPC] = 2.5 reveals that, under conditions utilized for fluid steering, the materials are shear-thinning power-law fluids with a power-law index ranging from 0.30 through 0.90. Phospholipid preparations are utilized to steer fluids in microfluidic chips and support hydrodynamic delivery of sample across a double T …

Freeze-Thaw Durability And Digital Hardened Air Void Analysis Of Self Consolidating Concrete, Bryan M. Surface

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The use of Self Consolidated Concrete in West Virginia is very limited. The freeze-thaw durability of Self Consolidated Concrete must be validated to ensure longevity of Self Consolidated Concrete structures used for construction in West Virginia.;Researchers at West Virginia University worked with WVDOH in constructing a bridge using 3 SCC prestressed, precast box beams and 3 traditional concrete prestressed, precast box beams. Upon freeze-thaw testing of concrete prisms, the SCC concrete mix was found to have very low freeze-thaw durability. The mix design for the SCC was replicated twice in the laboratory. For both batches, the effects of steam curing …

Llm Class Of 2013, Pennsylvania State University, Dickinson School Of Law

Class Photos

No abstract provided.

Preemption As Inverse Negligence Per Se, Michael P. Moreland

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

The Quandary Of Assessing Faculty Performance, K. Fatehi, M. Sharifi, J. Herbert

Faculty Articles

Many educators assert that the continued use of student ratings of teaching effectiveness does not improve learning in the long run. However, administrators continue to use student opinions regarding teaching effectiveness because of its convenience and the quantitative nature of the measurement. Reducing a very complex phenomenon to a very simple numeral has its appeal. In this paper we discuss a related aspect of teaching assessment, namely the variations of skills among instructors and the students’ response to the same. In doing so, we suggest pragmatic guidelines to university administrators for evaluating various levels of skills and performance.

An Exploratory Study Of The State Of United States Women In Leadership, D. N. Smith, D. Roebuck, M. Maendler

Faculty Articles

The overarching goals of this study were to explore the views of women in leadership and their opinions as to who and what strategies have most helped them develop as leaders. To explore these topics, the authors admistered a survey and used NVivo 9 and axial and selective coding to analyze the results. Two themes emerged from the data; 1) United States women leaders value action over vision, and 2) they seek to be leaders in all areas of their lives, not just at work. Encouragingly, other women and workplaces are noted as contriubuting to the women’s leadership development. The …

Taxpayers As Victims: Taxpayer Harm & Criminalization, Brenner M. Fissell

Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Representing Intersubject Variability With A Statistical Shape And Alignment Model Of The Knee, Chandreshwar Rao

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Prior statistical shape models have not considered multiple structures in the knee joint to characterize anatomic variation which are required to investigate joint mechanics further for the successful knee replacement. Accordingly, the study's objective was to develop statistical shape and alignment model (SSAM) to capture intersubject variability and demonstrate the ability to generate realistic instances for use in finite element analysis (FEA). SSAM described the variability in the training set of 20 subjects with a series of modes of variation obtained by performing principal component analysis (PCA). PCA produced modes of variation with the first 3 modes representing 70% and …

Generalizable Methods For Modeling Lumbar Spine Kinematics, Craig Joseph Simons

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A more complete understanding of lumbar spine kinematics could improve diagnoses and treatment of low back pathologies and may advance the development of biomechanical models. Kinematics describes motion of the five lumbar vertebrae without consideration for the forces that cause the motion. Despite considerable attention from researchers and clinicians, lumbar spine kinematics are not fully understood because the anatomy is not accessible for direct observation and the complex governing biomechanics produce small magnitude, coupled intervertebral movements.

The overall goal of this project was to develop a descriptive model of intervertebral lumbar spine kinematics that is applicable to a generalizable subject …

Exploring Mathematics Methods Courses And Impacts For Prospective Teachers, Signe Kastberg, Wendy B. Sanchez, Andrew Tyminski, Alyson Lischka, Woong Lim

Faculty Articles

This working group continues to develop a research program and scholarly inquiry focused on the study of mathematics teacher educators' (MTEs') practices and their impacts on preservice teachers (PSTs). The research agenda contains two strands of inquiry exploring (1) empirical links between PSTs’ development and MTEs’ practices and (2) variation in MTEs’ practices and the evolution of methods course activities over time. Participants will discuss and dissect (a) existing literature illuminating the impact of methods activities on PSTs’ development, (b) methods of documenting and exploring MTEs’ practices and (c) the next steps to be taken in the development of the …

The Undefeatable Opponent: How The Effective Administration Of Water Is An Exception To Predeprivation Hearings Ordinarily Required By Due Process In Keating V. Neb. Pub. Power District, 660 F.3d 1014 (8th Cir. 2011), Rachel M. Gerlach

Nebraska Law Review

“Whiskey is for drinking, water is for fighting over.”1 [1. Famously attributed to author Mark Twain, but never authenticated.] But what happens when the only opponent is the rightful owner? With closing notices in hand, Gerard Keating and his neighbors asked themselves that same question. The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources issued closing notices to Keating and many other appropriators in Holt County, Nebraska, when stream flow in the Niobrara Watershed had become insufficient to satisfy the water needs of all surrounding appropriators. Instead of taking advantage of the postdeprivation hearing offered by the Department of Natural Resources, Keating and …

Minnesota Citizens Concerned For Life, Inc. V. Swanson And Disclosure Burdens: Does Getting Corporations To Talk Suppress Their Speech?, Asher R. Ball

Nebraska Law Review

Minnesota’s laws are particularly interesting and potentially divisive because, following the seminal Citizens United v. FEC decision, they are perhaps the most extensive of any state disclosure laws in effect to be deemed unconstitutional. This Note considers the narrow question of whether, when viewed through the lens of political reality, Minnesota’s disclosure laws regulating independent expenditures, particularly one requiring ongoing periodic reporting, cross the line from a mere administrative cost to a burden chilling the free speech of associations. Part II of this Note first examines the principles of disclosure and the legislative regulation of elections through disclosure throughout United …

Exploring Travel And Activity Behavior In Transit-Oriented Developments: Insights Into Transportation Benefits And Travel Demand Modelling, Sanghoon Son

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

As a sustainable urban development and transportation planning strategy, researchers and planners are increasingly interested in transit-oriented development (TOD). By integrating transit system and neighborhood design, TOD aims to provide a livable environment that is alternative mode friendly, higher density, and mixed-use to residents and workers in the vicinity of transit stations. Despite the recent growing interest in TOE), however, transportation benefits of TOD are not well quantified and characteristics of TOD are not adequately reflected in travel demand models.

This dissertation contributes to understanding of the travel and activity behavior by comprehensively exploring them in the context of TOD. …

Efficacy Of A New Postpartum Transition Protocol For Avoiding Pregnancy, Thomas Bouchard, Richard J. Fehring, Mary Schneider

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction: The postpartum period is a challenging time for family planning, especially for women who breastfeed. Breastfeeding delays the return of menses (lactational amenorrhea), but ovulation often occurs before first menses. For this reason, a protocol was developed to assist women in identifying their return of fertility postpartum to avoid pregnancy.

Methods: In this prospective, 12-month, longitudinal cohort study, 198 postpartum women aged 20 to 45 years (mean age, 30.2 years) were taught a protocol for avoiding pregnancy with either online or in-person instruction. A hand-held fertility monitor was used to identify the fertile period by testing for urinary changes …

Organic Farming In Nazi Germany: The Politics Of Biodynamic Agriculture, 1933-1945, Peter Staudenmaier

History Faculty Research and Publications

The controversy over the nature and extent of official support for organic agriculture in Nazi Germany has generally focused on the minister of agriculture, R. W. Darré, and his putative endorsement of biodynamic farming. By shifting focus from the figure of Darré to other sectors of the Nazi hierarchy, this article reexamines a contested chapter in the environmental history of the Third Reich. Using previously neglected sources, I trace several important bases of institutional support for biodynamic agriculture spanning much of the Nazi period. Both the biodynamic movement and the Nazi Party were internally heterogeneous, with different factions pursuing different …