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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 …

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 …

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 …

Effects Of Combined Ethanol And Nicotine Administration On Delay Discounting In Male And Female Sprague-Dawley Rats, Rebecca Lillian Chalme

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Ethanol (EtOH) and nicotine (NIC) are among the most commonly used and co-used drugs in the world. Co-use occurs in people who use one or both drugs chronically, but also in people who only consume one or both drugs acutely, often in a “bingeing and chipping” pattern. Given that each drug on its own has previously been shown to affect impulsive choice in delay-discounting procedures, with some indication that drug effects could vary by sex, the purpose of the present experiments was to investigate effects of combined EtOH and NIC at a range of dose combinations on delay discounting in …

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 …

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 …

Social Comparison Theory: The Effects Athletic Influencers Have On An Appalachian Generation Z Men Audience, Aaron David Dickens

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Many studies have highlighted how social comparison can influence self-efficacy for exercise, body dissatisfaction, and motivation to exercise, especially on social media; in addition, several studies have supported how attitude toward exercise and confidence toward exercise correlate with one another. However, these dependent variables have not been examined in the context of Generation Z men in Appalachia. Despite the lack of literature on this demographic, it is important to study Generation Z Appalachian men because of the frequent health problems this demographic faces, such as obesity. Therefore, this pretest-posttest between-subjects lab experiment investigated how an athletic influencer on social media …

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 …

Correlates Of Mental Health Clinician Self-Awareness And Insight Of Attitudes Toward Older Adults, Susan L. Mcinvale

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractOlder adults (ages 65 and older) are expected to increase in the United States by over 70 million by the year 2030. The older adult population requires specialized medical and mental health services to address the needs related to aging. Mental health clinicians trained to address these needs may help older adults to utilize mental health counseling. Self-awareness of attitudes, insight, and knowledge may be skills that affect the attitudes of mental health clinicians toward older adults. Previous research has found that mental health clinicians who engage in self-awareness during a counseling session may improve counseling competency; however, little research …

Effects Of Supermax On Inmate Mental Health: Phenomenological Experiences Of Knowledgeable Professionals, Lea Michelle Miller

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

It may or may not be true that the conditions and practices associated with supermax sentencing are both creating and exacerbating psychological harm for the inmates who are exposed to them. To date, there is evidence that both supports and refutes the contention that supermax sentencing is psychologically harmful; thus, the literature necessitates additional research into this phenomenon. This qualitative study was conducted to add to the extant body of knowledge relevant to supermax prisons and populations by exploring the lived experiences of professionals who have worked with them. This research was conceptually based in the current understanding of social …

Male Sexual Offender Recidivism Impact On Sex Crime Investigations, Jessica Ann Muccione

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The purpose of this research was to explore how male sexual offender recidivism impacted sex crime investigations. Recidivism is a widely recognized social problem that affects all of society. Understanding the influence that male sex offender recidivism may have on a sex crime investigation is key to recognizing its relationship to recidivism. The methodology used in this study was a basic qualitative inquiry to explore how male sex offender recidivism impacts sex crime investigations. Based on Hirschi’s social bond theory, the study addressed ways a sexual offender may conform to societal requirements through attachments and personal values. The application of …

Staff Education For Nurses And Providers On Rapid Mood Screener, Lolade Adekemi Ogunleye

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Advances in the psychiatric field have led to the development of valuable tools that can be used in screening patients to understand their condition better. Indeed, instruments such as the Rapid Mood Screener (RMS) have been significantly used to help diagnose conditions such as bipolar disorder. The implication is that such tools need to be appropriately used by health care practitioners such as nurses for better and more accurate diagnostic results. A more accurate diagnosis is a foundation for better patient management and outcomes. Therefore, as part of a bigger plan, mental health facilities should make deliberate efforts to ensure …

Love, Life, And Controversial Topics: A Content Analysis Of The Top Liked Abortion Tiktok Videos Before And After The Overturning Of Roe V. Wade, Jill E. Sturges

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

TikTok is a trendy social media platform that has attracted billions of monthly users. Anyone can post a short video about their interests, beauty, relationships, travel, and controversial topics if they are 13 or older. Many young adults turn to social media platforms, such as TikTok, to help them make decisions regarding their everyday lives and to discuss controversial topics, such as abortion. The concern with social media content is the misinformation and disinformation that can spread rapidly across the globe with a click of a button. Numerous studies have begun to examine social media platforms for the accuracy of …

Augmented Reality And Mobile Systems For Heavy Equipment Operators In Surface Mining, Juan David Valencia Quiceno

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

U.S. federal laws mandate that mining companies ensure a safe workplace, implement approved training programs, and promptly report work-related injuries. The mining industry's commitment to innovation reflects a history of adopting advancements to enhance environmental sustainability, workplace safety, and overall productivity, while simultaneously reducing operational costs. This thesis proposes the integration of Augmented Reality (AR) technology and digital applications to enhance the surface mining industry, presenting two innovative solutions: an AR Training System and an Operational Digital System. These business solutions have been developed and applied at a surface mine in the southwest of the US, having the potential to …

Longitudinal Oxygen Imaging In 3d (Bio)Printed Models, Ryan Curtis O'Connell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and its molecular imaging modality, is a powerful tool to noninvasively map various biological and chemical markers within objects of interest. Reliable data acquisition is a major impeding factor for longitudinal hands-off measurements. Measurements are especially challenging in biomedical applications, as live objects are not static. Frequent changes occur that require constant fine recalibration of the EPR detection system, called the resonator. To enable longitudinal imaging, a technology permitting automatic digital control of resonator coupling, tuning, and EPR data acquisition was developed. Automation was achieved through the utilization of a microcontroller and digital peripheral components such …

Nursing Guideline For Specimen Handoff, Kathleen Marie Pearce

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractThe absence of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and collaboration with significant stakeholders may lead to gaps in the delivery of patient care. Specimen handoff in the endoscopy unit plays a critical role in patient diagnosis and treatment plans; errors can compromise patient safety. The purpose of this project was to provide endoscopy nursing staff with a CPG to improve the accuracy of the specimen handoff process during the endoscopy procedure. The practice-focused question addressed the feasibility of developing a quality and usable CPG to improve the accuracy and efficacy of handling the specimen handoff process during endoscopy procedures. Walden University …

Advancing Prosthetic Design Using Neural And Mechanical Dynamics, Kacie E. Hanna

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Limb loss poses a significant challenge to mobility and the performance of daily activities. Currently, nearly half of the amputees using powered prosthetics abandon their device due to inadequate limb coordination and movement control abilities. In the healthy system, passive and neural dynamics facilitate the synchronized activation of muscles necessary for coordinated movement. However, in the amputee, the system is disrupted. The goal of this research is to use neural and mechanical dynamics to inform the design of prosthetic devices in order to restore intuitive control and coordinated limb movement.

The first aim of this research is to investigate neural …

Ai-Based Smart Proxy Modelling Of Ibdp Field Reservoir Pressure Of Carbon Sequestration, Idongesit Bassey Ansa

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in engineering holds great promise for addressing the challenge of climate change. One key focus in the fight against climate change is the geological storage of CO2, which has gained significant attention as a crucial strategy for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. The primary objective is to ensure the safe and controlled containment of injected CO2 over an extended period, which has proven to be a major challenge in the journey toward carbon capture, and geologic storage (CCS). To achieve this goal, several critical tasks must be accomplished. These include ensuring …

Object Detection And Classification In The Visible And Infrared Spectrums, Domenick D. Poster

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The over-arching theme of this dissertation is the development of automated detection and/or classification systems for challenging infrared scenarios. The six works presented herein can be categorized into four problem scenarios. In the first scenario, long-distance detection and classification of vehicles in thermal imagery, a custom convolutional network architecture is proposed for small thermal target detection. For the second scenario, thermal face landmark detection and thermal cross-spectral face verification, a publicly-available visible and thermal face dataset is introduced, along with benchmark results for several landmark detection and face verification algorithms. Furthermore, a novel visible-to-thermal transfer learning algorithm for face landmark …

Analysis Of The Brittle Failure Mechanism Of Underground Stone Mine Pillars By Implementing Numerical Modeling In Flac3d, Rosbel Jimenez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The room and pillar mining method is the most commonly utilized method for extracting minerals found in flat-lying stratiform, and it has been used in the majority of underground stone mines in the United States (Esterhuizen et al., 2011), as a consequence, it is a primary topic of study in the mining field. If a set or layout of pillars is unstable, it can cause a major collapse, resulting in not only the destruction of the underground mine, but also air blast, subsidence, and convergence of the mine opening, especially if they occur in a short period of time (Esterhuizen …

Detection And Observed Correlations Of Statin And Beta-Blocking Pharmaceuticals In West Virginia Surface Waters And Ichthyofauna, Joseph W. Kingsbury

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Within this thesis the source, presence, and the estimated ecotoxicological effects of cardiovascular medicines, specifically statins and beta-blockers are described within the Buckhannon, Tygart Valley, and West Fork Rivers of West Virginia. Included within this thesis is a general introduction providing key background information and relevant research related to the source, presence, and known toxicity of statins and beta-blockers. Following the general introduction there are 3 distinct chapters. Chapter 1 focuses on the estimated demographic based source loadings and the surface water concentration characteristics of statins and beta-blockers within the three rivers. Chapter 2 investigates the effects of statins and …

Evaluating Innovative Methods Of Quantitatively Linking Microbial Community Structure To Ecosystem Function, Jeth Gv Walkup

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Microbial functional diversity is the product of community structure and intraspecific trait variation. Due to microbial diversity and limited availability of microbial trait measurements, it has been challenging to quantitatively link community structure to microbial function. Although community-level activity rates vary with community composition, issues in the scale of their measurement inhibit our understanding of their relationship. Quantitative stable isotope probing (qSIP) is a method for quantitatively measuring taxon-specific microbial traits, providing new opportunities to apply trait-based approaches for studying microbial ecology. Quantitative microbial trait data from these experiments enables the functional characterization of microbial communities, potentially enabling the extrapolation …

Design And Manufacture Of An Aerodynamic Body That Meets Scaling Law Requirements And Survives Severe G-Load Environment For Free-Flight Testing, Anthony R. Gonzalez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Design and Manufacture of an Aerodynamic Body that Meets Scaling Law Requirements and Survives Severe G-load Environment for Free-Flight Testing

Anthony Gonzalez

Developing scale models to test functionality and ascertain aerodynamic properties is critical before manufacturing full-size products. Through dimensional analysis and similitude, engineers create scale models to test any parameter of interest. This research aims to design a scale model of an aerodynamic body for repeated free-flight testing. The Froude number is the dominant scale model law used to determine the geometric, mass, and inertia scaling laws. A critical requirement for this research is that the model should be …

Enhancing Vehicular Perception: A Comprehensive Analysis Of Sensor Fusion Performance Through Weighted Averages And Fuzzy C-Means For Optimal Data Association, Zachary Brian Flanigan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This work explores the implementation of sensor fusion and data association for autonomous vehicle design. Advancements in Adaptive Driver Assistance System (ADAS) technology have driven the development of perception algorithms required for higher levels of autonomy in vehicles. Perception algorithms process data collected from radar, camera, and LiDAR sensors to generate a complete model of the ego vehicle’s surrounding environment. Fusion of data from these sensors is important for accurate measurement of longitudinal and lateral distances to surrounding objects. Sensor fusion associates sensor detections to each other through different data association techniques. Data association techniques can consist of independent assignment …

Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection Prevention Education, Mary Jo Roskos

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

AbstractCatheter associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are infections that happen in the urinary tract in men and women when foley catheterization is not done using strict aseptic techniques. Bacteria can then travel up the urinary catheter into the bladder; therefore, contaminating urine in the bladder. This project site’s nursing staff was experiencing a lack of knowledge regarding CAUTI prevention. This lack of knowledge on the importance of sterile technique when inserting urinary catheters can lead to CAUTIs. The project question for this project addressed whether the educational program on the importance of a strict sterile technique on urinary catheter insertion …

Sleep Deprivation, Sleep Fragmentation, And Social Jet Lag Increase Temperature Preference In Drosophila, S Tanner Roach, Melanie C Ford, Vikram Simhambhatla, Vasilios Loutrianakis, Hamza Farah, Zhaoyi Li, Erica M Periandri, Dina Abdalla, Irene Huang, Arjan Kalra, Paul J Shaw

2020-Current year OA Pubs

Despite the fact that sleep deprivation substantially affects the way animals regulate their body temperature, the specific mechanisms behind this phenomenon are not well understood. In both mammals and flies, neural circuits regulating sleep and thermoregulation overlap, suggesting an interdependence that may be relevant for sleep function. To investigate this relationship further, we exposed flies to 12 h of sleep deprivation, or 48 h of sleep fragmentation and evaluated temperature preference in a thermal gradient. Flies exposed to 12 h of sleep deprivation chose warmer temperatures after sleep deprivation. Importantly, sleep fragmentation, which prevents flies from entering deeper stages of …

Decoding Brain Basis Of Laughter And Crying In Natural Scenes, Lauri Nummenmaa, Tuulia Malèn, Sanaz Nazari-Farsani, Kerttu Seppälä, Lihua Sun, Severi Santavirta, Henry K. Karlsson, Matthew Hudson, Jussi Hirvonen, Mikko Sams, Sophie Scott, Vesa Putkinen

School of Psychology

Laughter and crying are universal signals of prosociality and distress, respectively. Here we investigated the functional brain basis of perceiving laughter and crying using naturalistic functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) approach. We measured haemodynamic brain activity evoked by laughter and crying in three experiments with 100 subjects in each. The subjects i) viewed a 20-minute medley of short video clips, and ii) 30 min of a full-length feature film, and iii) listened to 13.5 min of a radio play that all contained bursts of laughter and crying. Intensity of laughing and crying in the videos and radio play was annotated …

Awareness Of Social Care Needs In People With Epilepsy And Intellectual Disability, A. Gabrielsson, S. Tromans, H. Newman, P. Triantafyllopoulou, A. Hassiotis, P. Bassett, L. Watkins, I. Sawhney, M. Cooper, L. Griffiths, A. Pullen, A. Roy, H. Angus-Leppan, Rh Thomas, M. Kinney, P. Tittensor, R. Shankar

Peninsula Medical School

Background: Nearly a quarter of people with intellectual disability (ID) have epilepsy with large numbers experiencing drug-resistant epilepsy, and premature mortality. To mitigate epilepsy risks the environment and social care needs, particularly in professional care settings, need to be met. Purpose: To compare professional care groups as regards their subjective confidence and perceived responsibility when managing the need of people with ID and epilepsy. Method: A multi-agency expert panel developed a questionnaire with embedded case vignettes with quantitative and qualitative elements to understand training and confidence in the health and social determinants of people with ID and epilepsy. The cross-sectional …

Goal-Directed Haemodynamic Therapy Improves Patient Outcomes In Kidney Transplantation, J Fabes, Midani A Al, As Sarna, Dh Hadi, Sa Naji, Nr Banga, Gl Jones, Pd Berry, Md Wittenberg

Peninsula Medical School

Introduction: Kidney transplant graft function depends on optimised haemodynamics. However, high fluid volumes risk hypervolaemic complications. The Edwards Lifesciences ClearSight™ device permits fluid titration through markers of preload and beat-to-beat blood pressure monitoring. We evaluated the implementation of a novel goal-directed haemodynamic therapy protocol to determine whether patient outcomes had improved. Design: A retrospective evaluation of standard care versus goal-directed haemodynamic therapy in adults undergoing kidney transplantation was performed in a single centre between April 2016 and October 2019. Twenty-eight standard-of-care patients received intraoperative fixed-rate infusion and 28 patients received goal-directed haemodynamic therapy. The primary outcome was volume of fluid …