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Pepperoni Roll Studios: A Handbook & Policy Guide For A Podcast And Audio Production Student Organization, Nicholas Kirk Kratsas

Faculty & Staff Scholarship

For Students

Welcome to Pepperoni Roll Studios, WVU’s new and exciting experiential podcast and audio production organization! You’ve made a great decision to join one of the best communities on campus.

This handbook will guide and facilitate our new student-run organization. Within its pages, you’ll find out who we are, what we do and how we do it to fill you in on everything you need to know. Let’s roll!

For Advisors and Staff

WVU Student Media is excited to launch our new podcast and audio production organization, Pepperoni Roll Studio! This venture grew out of a demand for more …

Robotic Arms For Microgravity Manufacturing, Connor Talley, Joshua Diamond, Mickael Bah

Senior Design Project For Engineers

There is a need to reduce manufacturing cost in space to avoid sending earth manufactured parts that could suffer damage during launch. The proposed idea consists of a dual robotic arm system attached on a precision gantry setup. The team developed an innovative design that is flexible and efficient for different assemblies, improving space manufacturing. With its two specialized robotic arms, our system maximizes versatility by catering to a wide variety of applications from manufacturing to assembly. The dual arms made of Al 7075 coupled with the gantry provides stability and performance in microgravity environments.

Finding Words For God: Poetic Foraging In Louise Glück's The Wild Iris, Rachel Cardall

Theses and Dissertations

The primary speaker of Louise Glück's The Wild Iris is a wanderer in her own garden. She relentlessly searches for God among her foxgloves and daisies, straining to hear God's voice. Two other speakers, God and the collective plants of the garden, offer their perspectives without acknowledgement by the human speaker. Many critics read these two other speakers as, in fact, narcissistic projections of the human speaker, a God and a world made in her own image. In this thesis, I clarify that the kind of narcissistic projection that occurs in The Wild Iris is actually productive for genuine spiritual …

Development Of Battery-Grade Silicon Through Magnesiothermic Reduction Of Halloysite-Derived Silica, Nathan Clarke

Theses and Dissertations

The production of halloysite-derived silicon (HDS) is investigated as a potential anode material in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). Other researchers have found HDS to be electrochemically active in small test cells. To test larger electrochemical cells, the production process needs to be scaled up and optimized. HDS is produced through magnesiothermic reduction of acid-etched halloysite. The reduction process is very exothermic and requires special consideration while being scaled up. A reactor and pressure release system were designed and fabricated to perform the reduction process in a safe manner. Various steps of the process were tested to determine their influence on the …

How Are Oregon's Rural Indigenous Communities Overcoming Water Access Issues?, Tyren John Thompson

Dissertations and Theses

This study investigates how water insecurity affects Indigenous communities in Grand Ronde, Warm Springs, and Umatilla, Oregon, through loss of clean drinking water, access to culturally significant foods, and exposure to pollution. Each community offers innovative solutions drawing on their Indigenous knowledge to overcome water supply challenges. Communities with more resources are better equipped to cope with water insecurity and environmental degradation.

In The Hot Seat: Acquiring Kernel Density Heat Map Design Guidance Through Delphi And Survey Methods, Lauren Eileen Mckinney-Wise

Dissertations and Theses

Kernel density heat maps have emerged as a new, popular thematic map type. Yet, unlike other thematic map types, little if any published guidance exists for effective heat map design. This is significant because maps are highly persuasive objects that are often utilized to communicate important information, but maps can also be misleading and misunderstood. Therefore, proper guidance for heat map creation is critical for cartographers to create maps that convey geographic information successfully.

To address this literature gap, I used a modified Delphi method and an online survey to investigate several questions, including understanding what cartographic experts think are …

Evaluating The Efficacy Of A Thermoresponsive Hydrogel For Delivering Anti-Collagen Antibodies To Reduce Posttraumatic Scarring In Orthopedic Tissues., Andrzej Steplewski, Jolanta Fertala, Lan Cheng, Mark Wang, Michael Rivlin, Pedro K Beredjiklian, Andrzej Fertala

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Faculty Papers

Excessive posttraumatic scarring in orthopedic tissues, such as joint capsules, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and peripheral nerves, presents a significant medical problem, resulting in pain, restricted joint mobility, and impaired musculoskeletal function. Current treatments for excessive scarring are often ineffective and require the surgical removal of fibrotic tissue, which can aggravate the problem. The primary component of orthopedic scars is collagen I-rich fibrils. Our research team has developed a monoclonal anti-collagen antibody (ACA) that alleviates posttraumatic scarring by inhibiting collagen fibril formation. We previously established the safety and efficacy of ACA in a rabbit-based arthrofibrosis model. In this study, we evaluate …

The Aesthetics Of Social Innovation: The Body As The Site Of Change, Amy Phillips

Masters Projects

Social innovation scholarship often prioritizes tangible, product-based answers to questions of societal justice without examining the catalyst for change. Exploring the potential of the body to serve as a site of social innovation may complement the goals of emerging paradigms of social innovation that embrace new forms of knowing. The sensory knowledge developed through methods such as Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed is systematized in the multidisciplinary field of somaesthetics, which looks closely at the disciplined cultivation of the body. This research project tracked the perceived body awareness and self-growth of formerly incarcerated individuals following four applied theatre workshops. …

Clarence Butler (December 12, 2023), Wilmer Amina Carter Foundation

Bridges Digital Archive: Audio and Video Recordings

In this interview, Clarence Butler is the guest. Butler starts the interview by talking about his neighborhood and how his home was a place where his friends could hang out and be fed. He remembers playing with his friends, especially sports, in areas like the street or empty lots. After speaking about the alcoholics he sold bottles from and the garden he and his mother made, Butler focuses on faithful figures in the community. Some were John Scotlsn, Brother Buron, Mr. Hannah, and Nettie Wallace among others who made impacts through faith, the arts, business, and more. When asked by …

Long Noncoding Rnas In Pancreas Cancer: From Biomarkers To Therapeutic Targets, Esra Güzel Tanoğlu, Seyfure Adigüzel, Alpaslan Tanoğlu, Zehra Betül Aydin, Güli̇zar Hocaoğlu, Samet Ebi̇nç

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are noncoding RNA molecules with a heterogeneous structure consisting of 200 or more nucleotides. Because these noncoding RNAs are transcribed by RNA polymerase II, they have properties similar to messenger RNA (mRNA). Contrary to popular belief, the term "ncRNA" originated before the discovery of microRNAs. LncRNA genes are more numerous than protein-coding genes. They are the focus of current molecular research because of their pivotal roles in cancer-related processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. The incidence of pancreatic cancer (PC) is increasing around the world and research on the molecular aspects of PC are …

Effect Of Humanine On The Notch Signaling Pathway In Myocardial Infarction, Eli̇f Onat, Ebru Önalan, Berna Özdem, Merve Kavak Balgeti̇r, Tuncay Kuloğlu

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: By applying humanin (HN) before myocardial infarction (MI), its protection in myocardial injury and the possible roles of its cellular mechanism in the Notch pathway were investigated. Materials and methods: The study was carried out at Fırat University Experimental Research Center (12/24/2018-12/23/2019). Spraque-Dawley rats were divided into 10 groups: I (control) (n = 6), II (HN 6 h) (n = 6), III (HN 24 h) (n = 6), IV (HN day 7) (n = 6), V (MI 6 h) (n = 7), VI (MI 24 h) (n = 7), VII (MI day 7) (n = 7), VIII (MI+HN 6 …

Is Electrophysiological Study A Novel Predictor For Permanent Pacemaker Implantation After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation?, Zeki̇ Çeti̇nkaya, Deni̇z Elçi̇k, Şaban Keleşoğlu, Burak Cesur, Mustafa Yaşan, Uğur Karabiyik, Bi̇lge Bi̇ngöl, Ni̇hat Kalay, Ramazan Topsakal, Aydin Tunçay, Ali̇ Doğan, Mehmet Tuğrul İnanç

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Despite advancements in valve technology and increased clinical experience, complications related to conduction defects after transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVR) have not improved as rapidly as expected. In this study, we aimed to predict the development of complete atrioventricular (AV) block and bundle branch block during and after the TAVR procedure and to investigate any changes in the cardiac conduction system before and after the procedure using electrophysiological study. Materials and methods: A total of 30 patients who were scheduled for TAVR at our cardiovascular council were planned to be included in the study. TAVR was performed on patients …

Assessment Of Changes In Macular Structural Retinal Layers In Patients With Pathological Myopia, Mehmet Çitirik, Kami̇l Yavuzer, Fatma Bağci

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: This study aimed to examine changes in the thickness of individual macular retinal layers in eyes with pathological myopia (PM) and to compare the thickness of each retinal layer between the PM and control groups to gain insights into retinal perfusion. Materials and methods: The study included 51 eyes in the PM group and 51 eyes in the control group. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to measure the thickness of each retinal layer in the central fovea, parafoveal, and perifoveal regions. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) was used to evaluate the retinal capillary density. Results: In the PM …

Comparison Of The Effectiveness Of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization And Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy In Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Şeyda Candeni̇z, Seyi̇t Çitaker, Gökhan Maraş, Hati̇ce Esra Yavuzer, Hasan Yildirim, Zafer Günendi̇

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: To compare the effectiveness of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) and extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) used in myofascial pain syndrome (MPS) and to determine whether they are superior to conservative treatment (CT). Materials and methods: A total of 42 female patients (aged 18-60 years) diagnosed with MPS were enrolled and randomly assigned to either the CT (n = 14), CT+IASTM (n = 14), or CT+ESWT group (n = 14). All of the groups received treatment for 3 weeks (CT: 5 sessions per week, 15 sessions in total, ESWT and IASTM: 2 sessions per week, 6 sessions in total). …

Association Of Chlamydia Trachomatis Burden With The Vaginal Microbiota, Bacterial Vaginosis, And Metronidazole Treatment, Caleb M. Ardizzone, Christopher M. Taylor, Evelyn Toh, Rebecca A. Lillis, Jacob H. Elnaggar, John W. Lammons, Patricia Dehon Mott, Emily L. Duffy, Li Shen, Alison J. Quayle

School of Graduate Studies Faculty Publications

Bacterial vaginosis (BV), a dysbiosis of the vaginal microbiota, is a common coinfection with Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct), and BV-associated bacteria (BVAB) and their products have been implicated in aiding Ct evade natural immunity. Here, we determined if a non-optimal vaginal microbiota was associated with a higher genital Ct burden and if metronidazole, a standard treatment for BV, would reduce Ct burden or aid in natural clearance of Ct infection. Cervicovaginal samples were collected from women at enrollment and, if testing positive for Ct infection, at a follow-up visit approximately one week later. Cervical Ct burden was assessed by inclusion forming …

Study Protocol For A Randomized Controlled Trial Of Realconsent2.0: A Web‑Based Intervention To Promote Prosocial Alcohol‑Involved Bystander Behavior In Young Men, Laura F. Salazar, Dominic J. Parrott, David Dilillo, Sarah J. Gervais, Anne Marie Schipani‑Mclaughlin, Ruschelle Leone, Kevin Swartout, Lauren Simpson, Renita Moore, Tiffany Wilson, Nyla Flowers, Haley Church, Amanda Baildon

Department of Psychology: Faculty Publications

Background Sexual violence (SV) is a significant, global public health problem, particularly among young adults. Promising interventions exist, including prosocial bystander intervention programs that train bystanders to intervene in situations at-risk for SV. However, these programs suffer from critical weaknesses: (1) they do not address the proximal effect of alcohol use on bystander decision-making and (2) they rely on self-report measures to evaluate outcomes. To overcome these limitations, we integrate new content specific to alcohol use within the context of prosocial bystander intervention into an existing, evidence-based program, RealConsent1.0. The resulting program, RealConsent2.0, aims to facilitate bystander behavior …

The High Energy X-Ray Probe (Hex-P): A New Window Into Neutron Star Accretion, R.M. Ludlam, C. Malacaria, E. Sokolova-Lapa, F. Fuerst, P. Pradhan, A.W. Shaw, K. Pottschmidt, S. Pike, G. Vasilopoulos, J. Wilms, J.A. Garcia, K. Madsen, D. Stern, C. Maitra, M. Del Santo, D.J. Walton, M.C. Brumback, J. Van Den Eijnden

Publications

Accreting neutron stars (NSs) represent a unique laboratory for probing the physics of accretion in the presence of strong magnetic fields (B ≳ 10⁸ G). Additionally, the matter inside the NS itself exists in an ultra-dense, cold state that cannot be reproduced in Earth-based laboratories. Hence, observational studies of these objects are a way to probe the most extreme physical regimes. Here we present an overview of the field and discuss the most important outstanding problems related to NS accretion. We show how these open questions regarding accreting NSs in both low-mass and high-mass X-ray binary systems can …

Void Formation And Mortality During Liquid Composite Molding, Jared Michael Turner

Theses and Dissertations

Within the high-performance composite manufacturing industry, there exists a need to improve the reliability of LCM (Liquid Composite Molding) manufacturing processes in producing composite parts that better approach the quality and consistency of pre-impregnated composite tapes that are cured in autoclaves with cost being a driving factor of this need. One obstacle to that end is the phenomenon of void formation during the LCM infusion processes. The formation of these voids through different mechanisms leads to composite parts with lower mechanical properties and consistency than their pre-impregnated autoclave cure counterparts. The objective of this research is to investigate the different …

Characterizing Quirky Signals, Joshua D. Forsyth

Theses and Dissertations

Large collider facilities such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) employ a variety of search methods in hopes of finding new particles. It may be that new physics beyond the SM is waiting to be discovered at energies accessible to the LHC. Quirks are particles charged under a new confining gauge group with masses much larger than their confinement scale. This project details the dynamics of quirks, as well as the production and decay of electrically charged bound states of scalar quirks. The cross section for these states is compared to existing Wγ resonance searches at the LHC. Such a …

Department Of Correction, December 2023, Tennessee. Comptroller Of The Treasury.

Performance Audit Reports

No abstract provided.

Commercial Adsorbents For Co2 Removal For Biogas Upgradation: An Experimental Study, Aakriti Bagla

McKelvey School of Engineering Graduate Student Theses & Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Robotic Arm Controlling Strategy For Fiber-Optic Assessment Of Myofascial Pain, Yuyao Li

Electrical and Systems Engineering Undergraduate Student Research

Myofascial pain is a prevalent condition characterized by chronic musculoskeletal discomfort, often requiring precise diagnostic tools for effective assessment. This project focuses on developing an advanced robotic arm control system to facilitate fiber-optic evaluation of myofascial pain. By leveraging Python-based programming, the robotic arm’s functionality was significantly enhanced, transitioning from single-joint control via a proprietary app to parallel joint control through keyboard commands. This advancement streamlines operation, reducing assessment time and improving workflow efficiency.

Key contributions include establishing a robust communication protocol between the robotic arm and external hardware, optimizing system performance through collaboration with Dobot Factory technical support, and …

The Experience Of Teaching Disengaged Students In Stem: Examined Through The Lens Of The Abc Engagement Framework, William Randall Hjorth

Theses and Dissertations

Young people today are increasingly disengaged from their education. Studies indicate that of all school subjects, American students struggle to engage in STEM subjects more than others. For decades, we have known that student engagement/disengagement impacts teachers. Researchers have also claimed that engagement/disengagement can be described as a construct made up of affective, behavioral, and cognitive dimensions (ABC). However, we do not understand how teachers experience student disengagement in these three areas. At a crucial time in education, investigation into the experiences of teachers with disengaged students is needed to uncover insights which may help us understand how teachers interpret …

Motherland Drip: Examining Performativity In Southern Black Motherhood, Daisha Huiel

Master's Projects

This capstone project explores the possibilities of the societal standards of southern Black motherhood creating oppositional experiences for Black women and their claims to freedom and bodily autonomy. I am writing about the lived experiences of southern Black women, including myself, within their communities to explore anti-respectability themes in the lives and performances of southern women and female hip hop performers through the lens of intersectionality. This creative nonfiction1 and scholarship reflect my academic exploration into the ways foundational Black feminist theory and relevant texts connect to my individual lived experiences of motherhood and identity within the post-hip-hop generations. I …

A Path To Full Citizenship: The Impact Of The Civil Rights Movement On The Creation Of Title I Schools Through The Elementary And Secondary Education Act Of 1965, Edwin Ryan

Washington Semester Program

Studies of the Civil Rights Movement commonly include events like Brown v. Board of Education, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, sit-ins, bus boycotts, and the Freedom Riders. The creation of Title I schools through the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) in 1965 to serve "disadvantaged" students also was a major move in a broader attempt to undo systematic Black poverty. As part of his War on Poverty in the formation of a "Great Society," President Lyndon Johnson and his administration proposed drastic increases for federal involvement in the funding of public school …

Protective Effects Of Safranal On Kidney Tissue In A Rat Model Of Distant Ischemiareperfusion Injury With Infrarenal Aortic Occlusion, Mehmet Tort, Hülya Sevi̇l, Fehi̇m Can Sevi̇l, Neci̇p Beci̇t, Uğur Aksu, Zülfükar Kadi̇r Saritaş, Hasan Hüseyi̇n Demi̇rel, Azi̇z Bülbül, Zehra Yaşar, Merve Beci̇t Kizilkaya, Hazen Saritaş

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury to a part of the body can cause damage to distant organs such as the kidney and heart. This study investigated the protective effects of safranal against IR-induced renal injury. Materials and methods: Used in this study were 24 Wistar Albino male rats, which were divided into 3 equal and randomised groups. The sham group underwent laparotomy only. In the IR group, the infrarenal aorta was clamped for 1 h, and then reperfused for 2 h. In the IR-safranal group, safranal was administered 30 min before the procedure and IR injury was induced in the same …

Volume 122, Number 3 - Tuesday, December 12th, 2023, Saint Mary's College Of California

The Collegian

No abstract provided.

In-Depth Geochemical Analysis Of Turbidite-Associated Shales Of The Pindos Basin, Greece, Jonathon Michael Sevy

Theses and Dissertations

Detailed geochemical analysis of the turbidite-associated shales of the Cretaceous Katafito Formation, Greece, reveals important details regarding the paleoenvironment, paleoproductivity, and regional tectonics of the Pindos Basin. The Katafito Formation was deposited along an active margin at the early onset of closure of the Tethys Sea in the Pindos sub-basin. While careful studies of the coarse clastic component of turbidites are common, this study consisted of a detailed geochemical characterization of the fine-grained portions, which helped reveal paleoenvironmental information about the basin. This study combined organic and inorganic geochemistry utilizing elemental, mineralogical, and organic chemical signatures from fine-grained turbidite-associated sediments …

Development Of A Gestational Diabetes Risk Assessment Scale: A Validity And Reliability Study, Selma Dağci, Besey Ören

Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to develop a gestational diabetes risk assessment scale (GEDRISK). Materials and methods: This methodological study included 652 pregnant women who presented to six public health institutions in İstanbul between September 2021 and February 2022. Content validity was evaluated using the content validity index, while construct validity was assessed through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Item discrimination was examined using Cronbach's alpha coefficients, Spearman-Brown and Guttman coefficients, item-total correlation tests, and 27% lower and upper quartile t tests. Reliability was determined through test-retest analysis methods. Results: The scale-level content validity index demonstrated strong coherence …

Paleoclimate Of The Peruvian Andean Highlands During The Late Holocene, Jarunetr Sae-Lim

Arts & Sciences Graduate Student Theses and Dissertations

The tropical and central Andean highlands (>4,000 m above sea level) supply critical freshwater resources to the Amazon Basin, supporting large communities in mountain regions and lowlands. Due to the scarcity of historical weather data spatially and temporally, it is challenging to quantify hydroclimate and environmental responses to anthropogenic climate change. Paleoclimate reconstruction and modeling can provide critical insights into key hydroclimate processes and how hydroclimate in this region has responded to climate change and variability through time. However, biomarker-based paleoclimate proxy reconstructions are still very rare in this region. This dissertation quantifies local-scale and regional-scale hydroclimate and environmental …