Digital Commons Network^™

The Effect Of Occlusal Pressure On Vertical Force Generation On Dentate And Edentulous Subjects, Matthew Thomas Harper

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Objectives: To determine 1) the difference in lower extremity power obtained from a vertical jump in individuals who are dentate or edentulous (implants or dentures) and 2) the difference occlusal pressure makes on lower body force output. Variables included jump height, maximum kicking force, maximum push off force, take off velocity, flight time, jump impulse, and maximum velocity. Groups included dentate, implant overdenture, and conventional denture.

Methods: Counter movement jumping with force plate collection was utilized to test the three populations in this study. The three populations were dentate, mandibular implant overdenture opposing maxillary complete denture, and conventional maxillary and …

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

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

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

The Economic Contribution Of West Virginia's Forest Products Industry, Charles Clinton Gabbert

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The hardwood forests that cover West Virginia have historically been an important resource to the state. The turbulent economic conditions resulting from the U.S. housing market collapse of the mid-2000s and subsequent economic recession have cause immense disruptions in the country’s forest products industry (FPI). An assessment of the economic contribution of the state’s FPI and the 7 major forest product sectors which comprise it was completed using the input-output economic modeling software IMPLAN with 2017 data. The historical contribution of the state industry was then assessed and compared for the years 2006, 2010, 2015, and 2017 to examine the …

Determinants Of Control-Key Responding In An Operant Resurgence Procedure, Anthony C. Oliver

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Control response in a resurgence procedure has been described as the “gold standard” in isolating resurgence from other extinction-induced phenomena. Although Control responding is not generally observed during the resurgence test phase of animal-resurgence procedures, it is common to see such responding in human-operant resurgence procedures. Thus, it is necessary to identify the conditions under which Control responding may be observed. Using pigeons and rats as subjects, the current series of experiments examined the determinants of Control-operandum responding in a resurgence procedure. Experiment 1 assessed whether behavior with a pre-experimental reinforcement history would resurge if the Target response was …

Organizational Models In Athletic Training And The Effect On The Quality Of Care Delivered, Matthew Ferreira

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Context: Quality of care is an ethical priority to all healthcare professionals. Healthcare fields such as nursing and physical therapy have made changes in staff size and focus that have increased the quality of care provided to patients. The athletic training field has not made changes to the organizational structure. Thus, the quality of care delivered by athletic trainers is an understudied topic. Likewise, the organizational models have just recently been explored in the literature. Objective: Identify differences in the three models of organization (academic, athletic, and medical) related to quality of care delivered and coverage versus care. Design: This …

Learn First, Practice Second Approach To Increase Health Professionals’ Nutrition-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, And Self-Efficacy., Madison E. Santella

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a “learn first, practice second” intervention on the nutrition-related knowledge, attitudes, and self-efficacy of multidisciplinary health professionals in West Virginia, specifically highlighting the Mediterranean Diet. Data was captured via online surveys at four time points (Baseline, Post-education, Post-immersion, Follow Up). All information was self-reported. This approach consisted of 16 weeks of online education, 2 weeks of cultural immersion in Tuscany, Italy, and a 7 month return to practice period. Data were analyzed using JMP Version Pro 12.2 and SAS Version 9.3 for Windows. Repeated measures ANOVA with irregular spacing …

Service Dogs For Veterans With Ptsd: Taxonomy, Work Stress Reduction, And Matching, Lindsay Parenti

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Research suggests that many veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) struggle with reintegration (Sayer et al., 2010), but are unlikely to seek help or complete treatment (Schottenbauer et al., 2008). To make matters worse, available treatment options are often time consuming, challenging, and/or associated with negative side effects (Carafano & Hutchinson, 2017). Using animals as a treatment modality for veterans with PTSD is an emerging topic of interest and has shown promise (Owen, et al., 2016; Richie et al., 2016). However, several factors have hindered the advancement of this field. Obstacles include a lack of standard terminology and classification system, …

Elucidating Disease Dynamics In The Biocontrol Of Ailanthus Altissima While Confirming The Host Specificity Of The Vascular Wilt Pathogen Verticillium Nonalfalfae, Kristen L. Wickert

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Ailanthus altissima is a highly invasive exotic tree species entrenched throughout the United States. Since the discovery of a vascular wilt disease of Ailanthus in 2002, caused by the fungus Verticillium nonalfalfae, many studies are investigating its potential as a biocontrol focusing on efficacy, host specificity and disease transmission. This study addresses: the reproductive potential of Ailanthus; if V. dahliae alters Verticillium wilt progression; if hardiness zones influence the individual contributions of two Verticillium spp.; can a unique habitat affect biocontrol efficacy; and can the fungal proteome of V. nonalfalfae allow us to explain differences in host …

Predictors And Health Outcomes Of Treatment-Resistant Depression Among Adults With Chronic Non-Cancer Pain Conditions And Major Depressive Disorder, Drishti Shah

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Understanding major depressive disorder (MDD) as a comorbidity in patients with chronic non-cancer pain conditions (CNPC) is of importance because of the high prevalence and well documented bi-directional relationship between MDD and pain. Furthermore, presence of CNPC among adults with MDD often reduces benefits of antidepressant therapy, thereby increasing the possibility of treatment resistance. Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) commonly defined as insufficient response to multiple antidepressant trials, often worsens depression and pain symptoms and can amplify the clinical and economic burden among adults with CNPC and MDD. Additionally, long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) may be prescribed at a higher rate to adults …

Improving Solder Joints Formed In Microgravity By Use Of Magnetic Soldering Paste Additives, Aaron Dunkle

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

With the expansion of the space industry, the need for the capability to repair electronics in space grows. Previous researchers have found that soldering in microgravity has yielded joints of poorer quality than those made on Earth, with increased interior porosity. WVU’s microgravity research team (MRT) constructed an experiment to solder onboard a microgravity aircraft to explore this problem and to test a possible solution. MRT’s experiment collected solder samples both in microgravity and a ground test, which were then cross-sectioned to allow the interior porosity of the joints to be studied. This determined that there was an increase in …

Adaptation Of The Streptococcal Collagen-Like Protein 1, Scl1, Of Group A Streptococcus To Recognize Fibronectin Type Iii Repeats, Dudley H. Mcnitt

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is responsible more than 700 million infections worldwide each year. Most of these infections start with initial colonization of the throat and skin, which is augmented by surface adhesins. The streptococcal collagen-like protein 1 (Scl1) is a major adhesin expressed by GAS that contains an N-terminal sequence-variable (V) domain, protruded away from the cell surface by the collagen domain. The Scl-V domain is comprised of three pairs of anti-parallel α-helices interconnected by surface-exposed loops. For attachment, GAS adhesins require a portal of entry, such as a wound or breach in the epithelium, to enter …

Boundaries And Policing: Space, Jurisdictions, And Roles In The Collection Of Official Crime Data, Cynthia Suzanne Barnett-Ryan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program is a law enforcement statistical system open to unreported information due to its voluntary nature. As such, there need to be a valid and accepted means to estimate official reports of crime for those different levels of geography where reporting may be incomplete. Current methods of imputing and modeling UCR data, which have not been updated since the 1960s, are based upon conceptualizations of law enforcement agencies that may no longer be valid. These older models do not appropriately represent the law enforcement assessment of space and place and its effects on discretionary recording …

The Effect Of Sodium Selenate Biofortification On Plant Yield, Mineral Content, And Antioxidant Capacity Of Culinary Herb Microgreens, Rachel G. Newman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Selenium (Se) biofortification of plants has been suggested as a method for enhancing dietary Se intake. Popular herbs such as basil (Ocimum basilicum), cilantro (Coriandrum sativum), and scallions (Allium fistulosum) are used for enhancing flavors. Microgreens are young seedlings harvested with one to two true leaves and are increasingly popular in the consumer marketplace. In this study, basil, cilantro, and scallion microgreens were treated with various concentrations of Se as sodium selenate in hydroponic conditions to investigate the effect on plant yield, mineral content (selenium, sulfur, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, copper, iron, manganese, zinc, and boron), total phenolic compounds, …

The Effect Of Feed Manufacture Techniques On Pathogen Reduction And Feed Nutrient Value, Timothy Paul Boltz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Experiments were conducted to evaluate how differing feed manufacture techniques, such as varying conditioning times and new equipment, can affect pathogen mitigation, feed manufacture metrics, amino acid digestibility, and enzyme recovery in feed. Feed hygienics are of increasing importance in providing safe feed to animals, and ultimately safe food for consumers. Salmonella has been identified as a major microbial hazard in animal feed that has been linked to animal and human illness. In chapter 2, the effects of standard pelleting and more thermally aggressive techniques were utilized to determine pathogen mitigation potential. Use of antibiotics has decreased in recent years …

Three Essays On Applied Semiparametric Methods, Qinling Lu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The first chapter studies a varying coefficient panel data model with different smoothing variables and fixed effects using a two-step estimation approach. The first-step pilot estimator is constructed by ap- approximating the varying coefficients with B-spline functions. The pilot estimator is then used to perform a one-step backfitting to obtain the second-step efficient estimator with kernel local linear estimation. The second-step estimator is efficient in the sense of being equivalent to a procedure knowing the other components of the varying coefficient. The asymptotic properties of both the pilot and efficient estimators are obtained. A Monte Carlo simulation indicates that the …

Adoption And Impact Of Telemental Health On Healthcare Outcomes In The United States, Xiaohui Zhao

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Mental health conditions (MHCs) are the most expensive conditions in the United States (US). The high MHC prevalence coupled with continued undertreatment of MHC has contributed significantly to this high economic burden. Despite policy changes to increase mental health parity and integrate mental and physical healthcare, the shortage of mental health providers remains a significant barrier to mental health (MH) treatment. Telemental health (TMH) has emerged as an alternative care delivery approach to meet the growing demand of MH care and shortages of MH providers. Understanding the adoption of TMH among mental health facilities is critical for informing the broad …

Three Essays On Urban Consumer Service Firms: Evidence From Yelp, Josh Matti

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation explores questions related to consumer services using Yelp data from the Phoenix area. Chapter 1 explores competition. Competition is a key feature of the market process assumed to improve market outcomes. But how strong is the relationship between competition and positive consumer experiences, and how does the relationship vary across space? This chapter explores these questions by exploiting Yelp data from thousands of restaurants in the Phoenix area. After controlling for restaurant characteristics, census tract level demographics, census tract fixed effects, and sub-industry fixed effects, the results are consistent with spatial competition positively affecting consumer experiences. Chapter 2 …

Predictors Of Perceived Multicultural Competence Among Neuropsychological Trainees, Hannah K. Greenbaum

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Multicultural competence is necessary to provide psychological services to an increasingly diverse population (Sue, 2001). It is established that multicultural competence is important for training in psychology (Bodin et al., 2014; Diaz-Santos & Hill, 2016). Despite increased interest in recent years, multicultural competence in neuropsychology has not progressed in parallel with the focus of multiculturalism in psychology broadly (Rivera Mindt, Byrd, Saez, & Manly, 2010). Little is known about multicultural assessment, and it is not yet known what factors in training contribute to perceived multicultural competence in neuropsychological trainees (Elbulok-Charape, Rabin, Spadaccini, & Barr, 2014). The primary purpose of this …

Wish4campus: Evaluating College Food Insecurity And Promoting Solutions For Student Wellbeing, Rebecca L. Hagedorn

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: Interest in college food insecurity has increased in previous years, however, little research focuses on the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States resulting in limited understanding of food insecurity’s impact on college students in these regions. Additionally, resources to help food insecure students are often sparse with universities lacking evidence-based programming to implement for student benefit.

Aims: This dissertation aims to (1) investigate the correlates and behavioral consequences of food insecurity on college students at an Appalachian university, (2) expand college food insecurity research to a regional investigation in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions, and (3) develop …

Characteristics And Patterns Of Opioid-Related Overdoses Among Veterans, Sara Catherine Warfield

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The United States is in the midst of an opioid overdose crisis and is now considered a public health emergency. Given the alarming rise in opioid overdose deaths, there is an urgent need to understand the characteristics and risks associated with opioid overdoses. The objectives of this study were 1) to compare factors associated with different type of opioid overdose, 2) to determine the conditional probability of repeat overdose among veterans with a prior overdose event and corresponding probability of mortality for each overdose event and, 3) to identify cause-specific mortality rate of those who experienced a …

Impact On The Pharyngeal Airway Space After Maxillomandibular Advancement Procedure For Obstructive Sleep Apnea Patients, Ghaddy Alsaty

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background and Objectives: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep-related breathing disorder, characterized by disrupted snoring and repetitive upper airway obstructions. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is considered the therapeutic mainstay for OSA patients. However, CPAP therapy has compliance limitations. An alternative treatment options is maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) surgical procedure. Genial tubercle advancement (GTA) is often performed concomitant with MMA for esthetic purposes. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) provides the ability to visualize the upper airway and perform three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of MMA procedure with or without GTA on oropharyngeal …

Effect Of Shear Bond Strength With Novel Apc™ Flash-Free Brackets And Different Bonding Protocol: An In Vitro Study, Carl Bernstein

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background and Objectives: In today’s time, there is an increasingly crowded field of competition vying over a small subset of the population. Now, more than ever it is imperative to compete with efficiency and esthetics. Each step for orthodontic bonding procedures increases the chance for error to occur. However, orthodontic bracket, etchant, sealant, and adhesive material has the ability to improve bond strength and final outcome for the patient and provider. The aim of this study was to determine effective bonding protocols for Advanced Clarity APC™ Flash-Free Brackets and to determine if adhesive remains on enamel or orthodontic bracket after …

Apple Pomace As A Novel Aid For Western Diet-Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease In Young Female Sprague Dawley Rats, R. Chris Skinner

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Apple pomace is a “waste” byproduct of apple processing that causes environmental pollution and is costly to dispose of. Yet, apple pomace is rich in dietary fibers and antioxidants. Analysis of apple pomace’s nutritional profile indicates suitability as a potential dietary treatment for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and the more severe non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NAFLD is the most prevalent liver disease in the world with prevalence and severity expected to increase in both adults and children. Currently, there is no approved drug treatment for NAFLD and therefore, dietary intervention is the primary treatment. The study objectives were to determine …

Soil Microbial Succession Following Surface Mining Is Governed Primarily By Deterministic Factors, Jennifer Lynne Kane

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Understanding the successional dynamics governing soil microbial community assembly is a promising way to advance development of remediation strategies for lands disturbed by anthropogenic activities. The environmental and ecological influences shaping these communities following soil disturbance remain only partially understood. One example of a physical anthropogenic disturbance is extraction of minerals such as coal by surface mining. Surface mining removes natural soils and these soils may be replaced immediately on adjacent reclaimed areas or they may be stored in piles for later use. During reclamation, the soil is replaced on the landscape and the site is re-vegetated with grasses and …

Demographic, Spatial, And Epigenetic Response Of The Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia Motacilla) To Shale Gas Development, Mack W. Frantz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

My study centered on a bioindicator songbird, the Louisiana Waterthrush (Parkesia motacilla), hereafter waterthrush, an organism that co-occurs in both forested and aquatic habitat across the aquatic-terrestrial interface. This enabled the opportunity to quantify demographic, spatial, and epigenetic (i.e., DNA methylation) responses in a highly forested watershed of the Central Appalachians, the areas that have undergone the most rapid transformations over the last decade from unconventional shale gas development and activities. I organized my dissertation into 4 parts (Part 1: Introduction, Part 2: Louisiana Waterthrush Demography, Part 3: Spatial Assessment of Louisiana Waterthrush Foraging, Part 4: Louisiana Waterthrush …

Judged Facial Attractiveness Of Extraction And Non-Extraction Orthodontic Treatment In Repose And Smiling, Nicolette R. Chahin

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background and Objectives: More so than ever, the public is becoming exceedingly aware of esthetics, and will evaluate their treatment outcome based upon the improvement to their smile and overall enhancement of their facial appearance. There exists a debate in orthodontics, as to whether or not extractions harm the profile. The aim of this study was to determine if facial attractiveness is harmed in subjects having completed orthodontic treatment involving the extraction of four premolars both in repose and smiling when viewed in lateral profile. Another objective is to identify any impact upper incisor retraction has on facial attractiveness. …

Non-Target Analyses Of Novel Psychoactive Substances; Inherent Variation In Gcms Relative Abundances And Gas Phase Hydrogen Deuterium Exchange Isomer Discrimination, Kristin Michelle Kelly

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) are synthetically derived compounds designed to mimic the effects of other illicit drugs. An endless cycle of NPSs continually reach the drug market due to limitations in drug legislation creating two problems: (1) non-availability of standards and (2) multiple isobars indistinguishable even to high resolution mass spectrometry. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) is the most common instrument used for compound identification in non-targeted seized drug analysis. Compound identification using this technique relies on mass spectra where the percent relative abundances (%RAs) of all m/z values are compared manually or searched against a library database. Lacking standards, laboratories …

Three Essays On The Economics Of Public Libraries, Amir Borges Ferreira Neto

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation explores empirical issues concerning public libraries in the United States. In particular, it analyzes the direct and indirect effects to and from public libraries, on different issues such as charitable donations, labor market outcomes, institutions and technical efficiency. Chapter 1 discusses the economics of public libraries and its relevance. In addition, it provides an outline of the dissertation and its main contribution to the literature. Chapter 2, analyzes the determinants of donations to public libraries testing the crowding effect from government funding of public libraries. I find suggestive results of a crowd in effect with an inverted U …

Aptamer Functionalized Zinc Oxide Field Effect Transistors For Odor Detection, Michael D. Aldridge

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Odor detection and identification are complex processes, and tasks that currently only animals do well. There is a pressing need for an electronic nose, or eNose, with good sensitivity, selectivity, and speed that mimics that ability. Food quality control operations, environmental sensing, occupational safety, and the defense sectors all require systems that can rapidly and reliably detect trace levels of volatile organic compounds. The goal of this work is to create a biologically inspired device which can accurately detect and identify odors at concentrations consistent with the most sensitive biological systems.

In order to mimic a natural olfactory system, we …

In Vitro Metabolism Of The Synthetic Cannabinoids Px-1, Px-2, Px-3 And A Comparison Of Their Clearance Rates In Human Liver Microsomes, Travon Cooman

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Detection of SCs in body fluids continue to be a challenge because of limited metabolism data, lack of standards and reference mass spectrometry data. In vivo and in vitro experiments help elucidate metabolite markers for novel psychoactive substances and can prompt synthesis of standards to verify proposed metabolites. In this study, metabolism of three SCs N-(1-amino-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl)-1-(5-fluoropentyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxamine (PX-1), N-(1-amino-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl)-1-(5-fluropentyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (PX-2), and N-(1-amino-1-oxo-3-phenylpropan-2-yl)-1-(cyclohexylmethyl)-1H-indazole-3-carboxamide (PX-3) were investigated using human liver microsomes. Previous studies showed PX-3 as the most potent CB1 and CB2 receptor agonist.

Half-life and clearance data were acquired using liquid chromatography- tandem mass spectrometry. Metabolite elucidation was performed using liquid chromatography …