When The Right Man Rings Them?, Alan Wayne Cline

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research aims to outline the suitability of Vaughan Williams’s songs to a broader selection of performers, including singers in academic settings and professional musicians around the globe. The significance of Ralph Vaughan Williams's impact on the music world is difficult to question. Among his considerable accomplishments are the editing of the Anglican English hymnal, the advocation for traditional British folk songs as national works of art, the composition of the same number of symphonies as Beethoven and Dvořák, and, most notably for singers, the writing of song cycles and collections of songs. While these accomplishments are significant, his songs …

Life Cycle Cost Model For Transit Bus Fleets, Connor Andrew Jack

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

Life Cycle Cost Model for Transit Buses

Connor Jack

Transit agencies battle with reducing emissions while trying to be cost effective. In 2009, the Transit Cooperative Research Program Report (TCRP) 132 presented a life cycle cost model to aid in procurement evaluation [1]. The model is a life cycle cost analysis tool to estimate the overall costs of procurement and compare alternative technologies [2]. The model concentrates on pre-2007 conventional diesel, diesel hybrid with first generation diesel particulate filters, gasoline hybrid, and compressed natural gas transit buses.

The objectives of this work are to implement battery electric technology into …

S(+)-Propylnorapomorphine Hydrochloride Alters Mutant Huntingtin Aggregation And Membrane Interactions, Gabriella M. Pettipas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder resulting from an abnormally long CAG repeat in the huntingtin gene. This results in an expanded polyglutamine (polyQ) domain in the huntingtin protein (htt) that directly leads to self-assembly of huntingtin (htt) into a variety of aggregate species that underlie cellular toxicity. Interaction of protein aggregates with a variety of lipid membranes has been linked to disease pathology. Here, the ability of a small molecule S(+)-propylnorapomorphine (NM) hydrochloride to modulate htt-exon1(46Q) aggregation and interactions with lipid membranes was determined. ThT assays were performed to quantify fibril formation of htt in the …

C–H Alkylation Of Diol Substrates Using Bifunctional Boronic Acid Catalysts, Matthew Ryan Ross

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Boronic acid catalysts in combination with a Lewis base have been used in previous work to perform site-selective C–H alkylation reactions targeting the α-hydroxy C–H bond of diols through a photoredox activated hydrogen atom transfer. This is done by accessing a tetracoordinate boronic acid – Lewis base complex which then mediates the hydrogen atom transfer. The research hypothesizes that combining the boronic acid and Lewis base into one molecule not only simplifies the reaction but also has the potential to unlock C–H alkylation sites previously inaccessible. This is plausible because the Lewis base portion of the synthesized bifunctional boronic acid …

Formulation, Sensory Evaluation, And Physicochemical Assessment Of And Consumer Behavior Toward Novel Energy Bars, Ian Phillip Israelsen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The objectives of this study were to 1) formulate a novel energy bar containing significant macronutrients and calories per serving with favorable ratings from consumers; 2) analyze responses to a consumer preference survey and sensory evaluation of novel energy bars compared to a commercially available energy bar. For the first study, fourteen iterations of an energy bar were synthesized with differing protein sources (whey, soy, pea, hemp), and characteristic variations (nougat, chocolate truffle, peanut butter, double-date caramel). A shortbread base, date caramel, and chocolate coating were included in every bar. Sensory evaluations determined that the most liked variation overall was …

Kinetic Study Of Oh Radical Reactions With Cyclopentenone Derivatives, Patrick Kipkoech Rutto

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Conjugated a, b-unsaturated carbonyl compounds like cyclopentenone play a significant role in various environmental processes. These compounds are formed in combustion and Earth’s atmosphere from the oxidation of cyclic ketones such as cyclopentanone. Once formed under oxidative conditions, cyclopentenone may react with presence of free radicals like OH in the atmosphere molecules to form vinoxy type resonantly stabilized radicals. The presence of free radicals species like OH, O2 in the atmosphere can react with these molecules resulting into intermediate products that dissociate to give final products. Experimental and theoretical investigations in the reactions of cyclopentenone derivatives with these small free …

Site, Seasonality, And Satisfaction: A Tourism Marketing Study In Pocahontas County, West Virginia, Lillian E. Oles

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Tourism in the United States has become a key player in the economy as supported by the National Travel and Tourism Office. Specifically, West Virginia has proven to play its part, with Pocahontas county sitting as one of the top contributors. This rural area, which provides tourism opportunities year-round could fall victim to seasonality, preventing development and growth for the region. The Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau works to stay on top of this, however, even creating the basis for this study by partnering with researchers at West Virginia University to perform a visitor profile and economic impact analysis. …

Investigating The Effect Of Using Humorous Threats In Recreation Area Rules Signage To Influence Behavioral Intentions, Jacob Timothy Vargas

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Communicating the importance of rules and warnings to visitors of recreational parks through signage can be difficult. However, it is one of the most important things to keep visitors safe. Oftentimes, these signs use fear of punishment or injury to discourage certain behaviors. According to studies following the Extended Parallel Processing Model (EPPM), using threats can backfire and cause visitors to use maladaptive fear responses to counteract a threat message if the content is too extreme or too psychologically close. Humor is a versatile tool that can be used to grab attention, temper perceptions, and influence decision-making. Comedians like Jon …

Development And Implementation Of Occupational Therapy Group Protocols For Individuals In Recovery For Substance Use Disorder: Considering Social Determinants Of Health And Occupational Areas Of Need, Samantha Jane Windisch

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Substance use disorders (SUDs) are becoming a more widespread issue globally. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 19.7 million adults in the U.S. suffered from an SUD in 2017. (SAMSHA, 2018). Recurrent alcohol and/or drug use that results in significant disability, including health issues, and/or a failure to prioritize obligations like employment, school, or family life are characteristics of SUD (SAMHSA, 2022). Research suggests that healthcare providers must integrate cutting-edge and successful treatments for this population to lower the risk of overdose and relapse rates, given the swift global spread of addictive disorders. In the past, …

Selected Chinese Art Songs From The 20th And 21st Centuries, Xinxin Zhang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This paper presents Chinese art songs from the early 20^th century to today and highlights selected composers from each of the five traditional eras of recent Chinese social history. It is intended as an introductory guide for singers and collaborative pianists who are interested in Chinese art songs and the development of the genre in China. Selected composers include Youmei Xiao (1884-1940), Yuanren Zhao (1892-1982), Er Nie (1912-1935), Hanhui Zhang (1902-1946), Xinghai Xian (1905-1945), Deyi Shang (1932-2020), Zhongrong Luo (1924-2021), Zaiyi Lu (b. 1943), Jianfen Gu (b.1935), and Cong Liu (b.1956). The paper provides brief biographical information for each …

The Impact Of Low-Skew On The Ultimate Capacity Of Press-Brake-Formed Tub Girders, Madison Lynn Morgan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The development of press-brake-formed tub girders (PBFTGs) has offered innovative solutions for short-span steel bridge applications and helps meet the demand for rapid infrastructure replacement solutions. The Short Span Steel Bridge Alliance (SSSBA) comprises bridge and buried soil structure industry leaders who aim to provide essential educational information to bridge and highway professionals on the design and construction of short-span steel bridge installations (SSSBA, 2020). The American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) provides design standards, specifications, and guidance for the analysis and construction of PBFTGs. Currently, the AASHTO Load Resistance and Factor Design Bridge Design Specifications (AASHTO …

Women In Extension Persevering In Leadership Roles, Lexis Danielle Trickett

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Over the last several decades, the rates at which women have been pursuing higher levels of education have steadily increased. However, there is a discrepancy between the number of women graduating, and the amount entering the workforce, specifically in leadership roles. The purpose of this study was to share a current profile of women in the West Virginia Cooperative Extension Service by allowing them to describe their career journeys, supports and barriers they may or may not have faced, and mentoring experiences. By using a non-experimental quantitative methodology, a population of male and female Extension Agents and Specialists were surveyed …

Floral Alchemy: Decorative Porcelain Tableware, Stacy Lynn Larson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This written thesis accompanies and addresses work shown in my Master of Fine Arts thesis exhibition, Floral Alchemy: Decorative Porcelain Tableware, at West Virginia University. Within this document, I address my research, inspiration, and process as I created the body of work shown in my thesis exhibition. My personal fascination with plants and flowers stimulates my research in the relationship between flora and humankind. Throughout history, plants have consistently had a deep impact on human culture as seen in mythology, language, ritual, art, and medicine. With an understanding of this historical context, I analyze my personal connection with flowers in …

Isometric Force-Time Characteristics Of Different Positions In The Clean In Weightlifters, Kyle G. Rochau

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In the sport of weightlifting, the ability to produce force known as strength is of great importance. Coaches can implement strategies to help their weightlifters increase their maximal strength levels such as performing full lifts like the snatch and clean & jerk or performing derivatives of those movements such as a clean pull from the knee or a mid-thigh pull. Performing weightlifting derivatives helps strengthen key technical positions in the full lifts, aiding their success. Having muscular weakness in these positions may be detrimental to the success of a lift. Therefore, it is in the best interest of the weightlifting …

The Names Of All Wild Things: Field Guides And Environmental Thinking, Frank Izaguirre Phd

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The project first traces the earliest origins of natural history writing, surveying how natural history writing from antiquity presented and categorized the living world, and then how the rise of print culture and growing popularity of natural history writing would facilitate the rise of European empires. Values and conventions emerged that would later feed into the field guide, like the pairing of text and illustration to aid identification and the decontextualizing of plants and animals from their environments.

Near the end of the nineteenth century, the field guide genre emerged. Some wildly popular books, mostly written by women, emphasized the …

Characterization And Evaluation Of Various Biochar Types As Green Adsorbents For Rare Earth Element Recovery From Aqueous Solutions, Oluwaseun Victor Famobuwa

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Rare earth elements (REEs) are members of the lanthanide family (atomic number 57 – 71). They are significantly important to the global economy due to their applications in renewable energy, defense, and medical industries. REEs are primarily derived from bastnaesite and monazite but may also be present in xenotime, cerite, alanite, and many other types of mineralization in lesser amounts. Due to the increasing demand for REEs and their criticality in the supply chain, the need to explore secondary sources of REEs has gained tremendous importance.

Secondary sources of REEs include but are not limited to acid mine drainage (AMD), …

Burnout Among West Virginia Art Teachers In A Post-Pandemic World, Kevin Richard Trautwein

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Addressing the issue of teacher burnout is crucial for maintaining a healthy and effective educational environment for both teachers and students. Millions of teachers in the United States feel the negative effects of burnout, especially art educators. Teacher burnout is a significant issue because it can have serious negative impacts on both teachers and students. The art education field is unique in that their style of teaching looks different compared to other subject areas. The art classroom is commonly viewed as a place to decompress, play with art materials, and bring out one's own creativity. It is also viewed as …

Milk Collection Problem: Integrating The Traveling Salesman And Set Covering Problem - A Case Study In West Virginia, Usa, Md Rabiul Hasan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Route determination for perishable products is complex due to its unique characteristics, such as limited shelf-life regulatory requirements, or possibility of getting damaged. This research investigates a novel problem of collecting raw milk from a rural network of dairy farms. The research problem is grounded in a real scenario of milk collection in West Virginia, USA. The milk in this scenario is produced by small farms incapable of realizing transportation economies of density out in mostly rural areas throughout the state. Maximum coverage area and milk processing overhead costs are used to identify suitable locations for intermediate milk collection centers …

Effects Of Commission Errors On Behavior Intervention Plan Outcomes, Olivia Brianne Harvey

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

When implemented well (with fidelity), behavior intervention plans (BIP) improve student outcomes. Teachers tend to implement BIPs with poor overall fidelity, but little is known about the specific errors occurring during BIP implementation or the subsequent impacts these errors have on student outcomes. One possibility is that teachers learn what strategies suppress challenging behavior and implement those strategies regardless of what is written in the formal BIP. These added intervention components, termed commission errors, have not yet been evaluated in the context of BIP implementation. The proposed studies will begin to address these gaps. During Study 1, we …

Scenic Design For Molière’S The Misanthrope, Alina Michelle Cannon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This document is an account of the design process from the initial reading of the script, design, and production meetings with the director and the production team, through to the execution of the design for The Misanthrope by Molière. This production was produced by West Virginia University’s School of Theatre & Dance during the Fall 2023 semester, presented in the Gladys G. Davis Theater at the Canady Creative Arts Center in Morgantown, WV.

The Phylogeny Of Chasmataspidida, B.D. Voss

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Chasmataspidids are a group of Early Paleozoic (Middle Ordovician-Middle Devonian) chelicerates with an unclear phylogenetic placement. Though recent phylogenetic tests that include chasmataspidids support a monophyletic Chasmataspidida as sister to a Sclerophorata (Eurypterida+Arachnida) clade, very few previous phylogenetic analyses have sampled more than three of the fourteen currently recognized species. Without a robustly tested phylogenetic hypothesis, understanding macroevolutionary and biogeographic trends within chasmataspidids is difficult. Chasmataspidids also represent the earliest preserved euchelicerate in the fossil record, with Chasmataspis laurencii Caster and Brooks, 1956, dated to approximately 478 million years ago, and the group’s relationship to other euchelicerates has implications on …

Its Just A Ride, Pat Loricco

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis presents a detailed exploration of the Technical Director's role in a theatrical production through the experience of the production of Ride the Cyclone at West Virginia University. The author covers every stage of the process from budgeting, drafting, and the build, to load-in, technical rehearsals, and strike. Each chapter offers valuable insights into the challenges faced by Technical Directors, from coordinating personnel to managing resources effectively. The narrative is enriched by personal reflections, highlighting the author's growth and lessons learned throughout the production journey. Additionally, this document serves as a comprehensive resource for aspiring Technical Directors, providing guidance …

Interactions Between Myeloid Cells And Neutrophil Extracellular Traps In Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma, Hillary Gabrielle Pratt

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The 5-year-survival rate for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is only 12% due in part to a lack of therapeutic strategies that target the pathophysiology of the disease. The only known curative therapy is surgical resection of the PDAC tumor, but only 20% of patients are eligible at the time of presentation. To improve outcomes for patients, new therapeutic options are needed. The PDAC tumor microenvironment (TME) is uniquely fibrotic and hypoxic, which is in part driven by the immune cell composition in the TME. Myeloid cells are a prominent immune infiltrate within the PDAC TME, so these cells have been …

A Mixed Methods Approach To Evaluation And Modeling Of Ergonomic Stressors Due To Mass Decedent Handling, Vaishakhi Suresh

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Work-related injuries, illnesses, and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) significantly impact the U.S. healthcare industry, leading to lost working days, high medical costs, and increased turnover rates among healthcare workers (HCWs). Increased physical and mental health risks due to the handling of deceased during COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these issues. While the ergonomic risks of patient handling are well-studied, limited research exists on the ergonomic risks of manual handling of the deceased. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to explore the challenges associated with decedent handling so that effective safety interventions to reduce the risk of injury and mental distress …

Implementing Best Practice Methods Of Endotracheal Tube Cuff Inflation In The Operating Room, Katherine Zeiger Brown

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Use of manometers, inflating the endotracheal tube (ETT) cuff with a 5-mL syringe, displaying the pressure-volume loop (PV-L) on anesthesia machines, and auscultating with a stethoscope over the trachea have been shown effective in preventing ETT cuff overinflation in the operating room (OR). Purpose: The aims of this project were to implement and evaluate a best practice guideline for ETT cuff inflation in the OR. Methods: This project was conducted in several ORs at J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital, in Morgantown, West Virginia. Participants included anesthesiologists, certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), student registered nurse anesthetists, residents, and medics. The ETT …

On Confidence And Sense Of Belonging In Cybersecurity Students: Analysis & Prediction, Sadaf Amna Sarwari

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In recent years, there has been a rapid expansion of cybersecurity programs across higher education institutions in response to the widening skills gap in the cybersecurity job market. This study adopts quantitative and qualitative approaches to identify factors influencing West Virginia University (WVU)’s LANE Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering (LCSEE) students’ confidence and sense of belonging in the cybersecurity field. The results are based on data collected from surveys administered to LCSEE students in April 2022 and April 2023. The responses were analyzed using descriptive & inferential statistics and logistic regression techniques. Additionally, the 2023 data was utilized …

Evaluating Outcomes Post-Adoption Of Reck Solution For Total Shoulder Arthroplasties: A Retrospective Quality Analysis, Benjamin Levi Tillis

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

Evaluating Outcomes Post-adoption of RECK Solution for Total Shoulder Arthroplasties: A Retrospective Quality Analysis

Benjamin Tillis

Introduction: Local infiltration analgesia (LIA) has become an integral part of postoperative pain relief for West Virginia University (WVU) Medicine’s total joint arthroplasty procedures. However, not all LIAs are the same. Liposomal bupivacaine has a unique mechanism of delivery which could potentially lead to longer lasting effects. Ropivacaine, epinephrine, clonidine, and ketorolac (RECK) solution offers a multimodal approach to enhancing the duration of effect for the LIA. In 2022, WVU Medicine switched from liposomal bupivacaine to the RECK solution for total joint …

Ecological Planning And Design For Creating A Thriving Suburban Community In Lumberton, Nc, Maram Moushmoush

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The purpose of the project is to propose ecological planning and design techniques to create a thriving and robust suburban community in Lumberton, North Carolina. The project becomes an educational hub on agroforestry, ecological design and stewardship, and flood mitigation through stormwater strategies for Linkhaw’s Mixed Use Community Development plan. Linkhaw Farms is a 540 acre site, in a predominantly Native American community, situated on the north-east boundary of Lumberton in the Coastal Plains region of NC. It was formerly owned by the Linkhaw family for over 70 years, producing tobacco, and later rotation of annual crop production between corn …

Childhood Adversity And Sexual Risk Taking In College: Pathways Through Alcohol Use, Sarah Josephine Miller

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Exposure to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is associated with a host of negative outcomes throughout the lifespan including engagement in health-risk behaviors such as sexual risk taking and alcohol consumption (Dube et al., 2006; Negriff et al., 2015; Zaso et al., 2021). Additionally, sexual risk-taking and alcohol use commonly co-occur (Certain et al., 2009; Downing-Matibag & Geisinger, 2009). This may be especially true during the transition to college, in which many young adults have increased access to substances, increased autonomy, and an expanded network of peers. Thus, the present study examined the relationship between ACEs, alcohol use, and sexual risk …

Executive Compensation And Competitive Behavior Of The Firm: A Behavioral Agency Perspective, Oleksandr Tsaruk

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation attempts to address the research question: how does the CEO’s compensation structure affect the firm’s competitive actions in the context of rivalry with competitors? Prior research has systematically examined antecedents of firms’ competitive actions, such as TMT characteristics, industry structure, exogenous shocks, competitive attacks and counterattacks. However, there is a lack of systemic research on how CEO compensation structure serves as a motivational factor of the firm’s competitive actions. The influence of the CEO on a firm’s competitive behavior has long interested scholars in strategy research. Thus, filling this gap in the literature is of significant importance.

This …