Digital Commons Network^™

Engineering Nanomaterials From Phase-Change Biological Materials Reacting With Carbon Dioxide, Qingyang Li

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The current global situation concerning CO2 emissions is increasingly alarming, with rising concentrations of CO2 significantly worsening climate change and global warming. Atmospheric CO2 levels are now at their highest in millions of years, driving a host of catastrophic effects, including but not limited to extreme weather events, rising sea levels, ocean acidification, disrupted ecosystems, deteriorating air quality, respiratory health issues, heat-related illnesses, threats to food and water security, and escalating social and geopolitical tensions. To keep global warming to no more than 1.5°C higher than that of pre-industry – as called for in the Paris Agreement – emissions need …

A Limb-Speed-Driven Locomotor Control System And Its Ability To Adapt, Emily Marie Herrick

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Despite how simple walking may seem, the locomotor control system is structurally and functionally complex. Its hierarchical organization of supraspinal and spinal networks with forward and feedback pathways has many interactions at multiple levels that are dependent on the dynamics of a high-dimensional musculoskeletal system. Having a comprehensive understanding of sensorimotor integration within a healthy locomotor control system is crucial for understanding changes to the system due to age or neurologic disease and developing effective technologies to recover mobility in those populations. In this dissertation, we address persistent gaps in knowledge pertaining to how the nervous system controls locomotion.

In …

Expanding The Vibrating Sharp-Edge Spray Ionization Toolkit For Oligonucleotide Characterization, Sultan Mahmud

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

A gentle or soft Ionization process is a critical component in native mass spectrometry (MS) to lift the biomolecules from the bulk solution into the gas phase environment of the mass spectrometer preserving their shape, topology and non-covalent interactions. Electrospray ionization (ESI) facilitates structural preservation of proteins, nucleic acids and their complexes and as a result it has been extensively used in native MS. However, in negative ion mode, ESI is somewhat limited in sensitivity due to corona discharge effect resulting from the requirement of a high amount of voltage. This often disrupts the ESI process and may not preserve …

Forensic Characterization And Comparison Of Modern Nail Polish Products By Their Physical Features And Chemical Composition, Madison Meredith Lindung

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Nail polish can serve as valuable evidence in forensic investigations as it is often found on the hands and feet of individuals. Nail polish can break off and transfer easily during self-defense actions or forceful contact, such as in cases of kidnapping, sexual assault, or homicide. These residues can provide clues about who was at the scene, as well as where, when, and how the event evolved. However, compared to other types of paints commonly analyzed in forensic laboratories, limited forensic research has been conducted on the chemical composition and discrimination capabilities of popular nail products. The lack of information …

Efficacy Of Salmonella Surrogate Enterococcus Faecium In Poultry And Mash Broiler Feed, Corey Waitman Coe

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation investigates the efficacy of Enterococcus faecium as a surrogate for Salmonella in validating thermal inactivation processes during poultry feed manufacturing and meat processing. The research encompassed three studies evaluating microbial kinetics in mash broiler feed, reconstructed ground chicken, and predictive modeling approaches to improve food safety interventions. In the first study, the thermal resistance of nalidixic acid-resistant Salmonella Typhimurium and E. faecium was compared in mash broiler feed heated at 75–95°C. Results demonstrated that E. faecium exhibited significantly greater heat resistance than Salmonella, with longer shoulder times, greater tailing effects, and higher D-values, supporting its use as …

Neuroendocrine Regulation Of The Luteinizing Hormone Surge And Puberty Onset In Sheep, Max J. Griesgraber

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) are essential for the reproduction of all mammalian species, including both sheep and humans. GnRH is secreted by hypothalamic neurons into the hypophyseal portal vasculature in a pulsatile manner, which then acts within the anterior pituitary to elicit the release of LH and FSH into wider systemic circulation. In females LH and FSH act on the ovaries to promote estradiol (E2) production, follicular development, and under certain conditions in regard to LH, ovulation. Furthermore, while E2 inhibits GnRH and subsequent LH secretion under most conditions, at high concentrations E2 …

Parental Behavioral Control Across Domains In Indian And Indian American Families, Avneet Batra

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Prior research literature has often found parental behavioral control to have mixed associations with varied adolescent outcomes (Bean et al., 2006; Finkenauer et al., 2005). However, a relatively lesser explored topic of research focusses on the domain specificity of this kind of control and its association with internalizing and externalizing behaviors in sample of Indian and Indian American parents (Arim et al., 2010). The current study adds to the limited literature by emphasizing the five domains of control (e.g., moral, conventional, prudential, personal and overlapping) based on the social cognitive domain theory and explores their association with adolescent adjustment outcomes …

Capillary Electrophoresis Analyses Using Ultraviolet Detection And Novel Mass Spectrometry Interfaces For The Characterization Of Small Molecules And Nanoparticles Of Pharmaceutical Interest, Yousef Shaaban Hassan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) coupled to mass spectrometry (MS) offers a powerful analytical platform that unites high-efficiency separation with molecular-level identification. Despite its potential, limitations in interfacing and usability have constrained the widespread application of CE-MS. This thesis presents methodological advancements to enhance CE-based analysis through innovative interfacing, automation, and application to both small molecules and nanoparticle vaccine formulations. First, a nanoflow sheath CE-VSSI-MS interface is developed to overcome the limitations associated with flow-dependent ionization, enabling the use of narrow-bore capillaries, high separation voltages, and flexible pH conditions. This configuration effectively separated and detected diverse analytes, including β-blockers, amino acids, and …

Police Abuse In America And The Search For Remedy, Howard Ryan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The dissertation contends that, despite many diligent efforts—from mass protests to a presidential task force—America is not yet on path to remedying its outsized patterns of police abuse. The abuse problem is broadly characterized herein through a “triad” of over-enforcement, excessive force, and racial discrimination. The Washington Post’s “Fatal Force” database, covering the years 2015 through 2024, is offered as a bellwether of American progress in addressing its police abuse; and, it is observed, the nation’s yearly count of fatal police shootings of civilians has been increasing, rather than decreasing.

To help make sense of our lack of national progress, …

From Sequencing To Conservation: Genomic Analysis Of Three Sportfish Species In West Virginia, Andrew Johnson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Situated in the Appalachian Mountains, one of the oldest mountain ranges on Earth, West Virginia waters boast rich ichthyofauna including native sportfish species walleye (Sander vitreus), largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans), and muskellunge (Esox masquinongy). These three species are all native to the contemporary Ohio River watershed and play a major recreational and ecological role in local fisheries. Ecologically, all three species are apex predators and play a key role in ecosystems by directly influencing local fish assemblages. As dominant apex predators all three species are highly sought after in recreational fisheries with largemouth bass …

White Paper And Black Water: Environmental Control Of Labor In Appalachian Paper Mill Communities, Matthew C. Powell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In several small Appalachian communities, the West Virginia Pulp & Paper Company dominated the local landscape. The company stripped the mountainsides of spruce trees for pulpwood and used rivers for industrial processes and waste disposal. The small towns along these rivers and between these mountains relied on paper mills for employment. Corporate control over the natural environment, and water more specifically, was a necessary requirement for paper production, but also acted as a source of power over employees and their communities. When paper workers sought to organize, the company responded by leveraging their control over the environment against them to …

Monitoring West Virginia Wastewater For Norovirus: A Test Case For Tracking Foodborne Illness Outbreaks In Rural Communities Using Wastewater, Haley M. Phillippi

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Foodborne illnesses are a global public health challenge. Foodborne illnesses, like norovirus, often have a large disease and societal burden. Norovirus is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus, with 10 identified genogroups (GI-GX). Genogroups GI and GII are responsible for nearly all human cases of acute gastroenteritis worldwide. In the United States, HuNoV is not notifiable case-by-case. Instead, outbreaks are reported to national surveillance systems when two or more cases are epidemiologically linked. Most norovirus outbreaks occur during Winter to early Spring, however, certain individuals may still shed and transmit the virus without being detected or reported. Wastewater monitoring is a …

Impacts Of Trout Stocking And Non-Native Trout Populations On Wild Brook Trout Salvelinus Fontinalis In West Virginia Streams, Xander A. Lamping

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Understanding the extent that anglers targeting stocked trout end up harvesting wild Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis addition to studying how non-native trout species affect native Brook Trout populations is important for effective management and conservation in the central Appalachian Mountains. This thesis addresses these concerns in two parts. The first chapter used a combination of creel surveys and non-lethal morphometric methods to estimate wild Brook Trout harvest rates on four stocked streams during the West Virginia spring stocking season. A generalized linear model was developed to determine the origin (wild vs. hatchery) of Brook Trout harvested by anglers. This differentiation …

Filling Research Gaps In Occupational Health In Thermal Spray Coatings: A Scoping Review, Lab Characterization, And Lung Deposition Of Cold Sprayed Emissions, Bailley N. Reggetz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Thermal Spray Coating (TSC) processes are industrial surface treatment methods used to create coatings for repair, protection, and performance enhancement of components exposed to wear, corrosion, heat, or other harsh conditions. The most commonly used TSC techniques (flame spraying, electric arc spraying, HVOF spraying, plasma spraying, and cold spraying) are used across numerous industries including aerospace, automotive, biomedicine, and energy due to their ability to enhance surface properties such as providing corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and thermal insulation. While TSC techniques have been commercially available for nearly a century, they have undergone continuous development to accommodate more specialized applications, unique …

Using Data Science And Sustainability Assessment Tools To Evaluate Wastewater Treatment Technologies, Haidar Shakuir Aldaach

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Wastewater management in small communities has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including population growth, limited budgets for operation and maintenance, and stringent effluent standards required by environmental regulations. These challenges motivate enhancing wastewater treatment processes to protect water quality. Wastewater treatment performance can be improved in small towns and rural regions by implementing data-driven strategies. Data science, life cycle assessment (LCA), and life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) are three data-driven decision-making tools that require data collection, modeling, computational models, and statistical analysis that could be utilized to improve wastewater treatment efficiencies. In this study, these three tools were adopted …

Evaluation And Identification Of Novel Viruses In Wild Fishes Using Varied Molecular Biology Techniques, Clayton Douglas Raines

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Viruses are among the most abundant biological entities on Earth, yet their diversity and ecological roles in aquatic vertebrates, particularly fishes, remain poorly characterized. This dissertation advances fish virology through integrative approaches that combine historical context, molecular diagnostics, and genomic discovery. A novel hepadnavirus (ApHBV) was identified in asymptomatic Alosa pseudoharengus, emphasizing the prevalence of subclinical infections in migratory forage species. In Catostomus commersonii, transcriptomic profiling revealed sexually dimorphic immune responses to hepatitis B and C-like viruses, highlighting complex host-pathogen dynamics. In Micropterus nigricans, next-generation sequencing uncovered a novel nackednavirus and multiple adomaviruses within hyperpigmented lesions, expanding …

Revitalizing The Urban Riverfront: Redesigning The West End Bridge In Pittsburgh,Pa For Sustainable Multi-Use Connectivity And Public Space Creation., Mina Kargari Rezapour

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Urban waterfronts are critical assets for cities, offering opportunities for ecological restoration, public engagement, and multi-modal transportation. However, many riverfronts remain underutilized due to infrastructure barriers and lack of accessibility.

Pittsburgh’s riverfront is dynamic asset that supports recreation, cultural expression, and community interaction. The Three River Heritage Trail Loop, a visionary project led by River Life over the past 20 years, seeks to connect diverse neighborhoods and natural assets along the city’s rivers. At the heart of this initiative is the West End Bridge, serving as the bookend and a pivotal gateway to complete the loop and critical link for …

State Determinants Of Medicaid Fraud Convictions: Insights From Panel Regression Analysis, Kevin Patrick Krantz

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Medicaid is the largest public health insurance program in the United States, providing critical coverage to over 78 million low-income individuals, children, and people with disabilities. While Medicaid fraud has received extensive public and political attention, empirical research examining enforcement outcomes across states remains limited. This study analyzes state-level Medicaid fraud metrics from 2010 to 2022 to evaluate how structural and policy changes, particularly rising managed care enrollment and the implementation of the 2010 Affordable Care Act and the 2016 Managed Care Final Rule, have shaped enforcement outcomes. Using random-effects generalized least squares (GLS) and fixed-effects panel regression on a …

Tobacco And Trouble: Exploring The Health Consequences Of Electronic Cigarette Use In Adolescents, Noor Ibrahim Abdulhay

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Tobacco use remains one of the leading causes of preventable disease and death in the United States (U.S.). Although conventional cigarette use among youth has declined, the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has become highly prevalent and poses emerging public health concerns. Adolescence represents a critical developmental period for both oral and mental health, making it essential to understand the consequences of tobacco and nicotine exposure during this stage. The goal of this dissertation is to examine the health impacts of tobacco use in adolescents across multiple domains. Specifically, this research (1) synthesizes existing evidence on the relationship between …

Neurobiological Variables Mediating The Relationship Between Breast Cancer And Sleep Disruption, Brittany Domenique Elliott

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Neurobiological Variables Mediating the Relationship between

Breast Cancer and Sleep Disruption

Brittany D. Elliott, MS

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in women, with more than two million new cases diagnosed world-wide each year. Improvements in screening technology and diagnostics have increased survival rates, but cancer-associated sleep disruptions persist for the majority of breast cancer survivors well beyond the treatment period. In addition to reducing quality of life, reduced sleep quality is associated with greater incidences of affective dysfunction, reduced treatment efficiency, aggressive cancer progression, increased symptom severity, and increased mortality by all causes. Thus, identifying the variables …

The Effect Of Sars-Cov-2 On Bacterial Diversity And Abundance In Community Wastewater, Joshua Lambert

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) enters human respiratory cells through binding of its spike (S) protein to the ACE-2 receptor, which is highly expressed in lung cells, but is also found in over 150 other cell types encompassing major organs including GI enterocytes. SARS-CoV-2 causes gut dysbiosis in infected individuals and patients with COVID-19 and also coincides with lower alpha diversity of the individual’s gut microbiome. Certain gut microbiome-associated genera are lower in abundance in COVID-19 patients including Lachnospira, Prevetolla, Roseburia, Bifidobacterium, and Faecalibacterium while genera such as Bacteroides, Enterococcus and Proteobacteria are increased during a SARS-CoV-2 …

Development And Applications Of Capillary Vibrating Sharp-Edge Spray Ionization Coupled With Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (Cvssi-Apci), Madison Elizabeth Pursell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Mass spectrometry (MS) is a technique that is used in fields in which both complex and non-complex mixtures are analyzed. The state-of-the-art ion sources that are utilized for MS are being demonstrated to be functional for direct infusion of samples as well as for use with online separations. However, ion sources, such as electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) can encounter problems such as ion suppression and an inability to ionize based on size and/or polarity, respectively. Further these sources are bulky and require gas flow, heat sources, and additional high voltage power supplies for optimal performance. …

Microbial And Plant Biodiversity In Appalachian Agroecosystems And Their Implications For Soil Health, Kinsey Reed Close

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The sustainability of agricultural landscapes depends on understanding the complex interactions between plants, soil, and microbes. In Appalachia, a region shaped by complex terrain and long histories of human and ecological interaction, small family farms produce hay, livestock, and row crops. These agroecosystems, though often treated as “artificial” by many ecologists, have the potential to support both food production and biodiversity conservation if managed with an understanding of ecological complexity. This dissertation examines how plant and microbial diversity interact with soil and management to influence nutrient cycling, soil health, and long-term resilience in Appalachian agricultural systems. A literature review revealed …

The Dna Methylation Capacity Of The Tsetse Fly: Glossina Morsitans, And Its Integration With Symbiont Nutrient Provisioning, Dylan Forrest Richmond

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) are the vector of trypanosomes (Trypanosoma spp.), which are responsible for African trypanosomiasis, also known as sleeping sickness. African trypanosomiasis is a significant health and economic burden yet remains a neglected tropical disease. As an obligate blood feeder, tsetse flies are reliant on B vitamin supplementation from intracellular Gammaproteobacteria, Wigglesworthia glossinidia. Folate (B9) is essential for tsetse development and reproduction, as well as DNA methylation in animals. As a reversible modification, DNA methylation typically occurs in a CpG dinucleotide context and can alter gene expression via the restriction of transcription. Across insects, the …

Synergetic Effect Of Cellulose And Chitosan Polymers In Cancer Treatment, Grace Peterson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research explores the development of a biocompatible, natural drug delivery system designed for targeted cancer therapy. Lung cancer cells are used in these particular tests, but further research indicates treatment could be used for various cancer types. Traditional cancer treatments like chemotherapy are often limited by poor selectivity for tumor cells, causing significant damage to healthy tissues. The study proposes a dual-layered delivery system, utilizing Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) as the core material and a charge-reversible chitosan shell to encapsulate and target cancer drugs. CMC, with its water solubility and ability to form stable gels, serves as a stable drug …

Power, Economy, And Food Systems In The Confederacy: A Material History Of The Confederate Subsistence Department, John Martin Mcmillan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation questions how human and non-human actors share power. By exploring Confederate logistics within the Subsistence Department, the collaboration between bureaucrats and the material world is revealed. Contributing to scholarship aimed at expanding the field of Civil War studies, this dissertation not only provides a more complex and interesting view of the conflict, but also an understanding that human beings are not solely responsible for the war’s results. By applying a materialist approach, the causes and outcomes of an event as complicated as a civil war can be better explained and understood. The choice to stockpile food for distribution …

Identifying The Role And Influence Of Interleukin-27 On The Neonatal Immune Response, Jordan Kane Vance

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The first month of life is a critical and vulnerable developmental stage, characterized by a heightened risk of life-threatening infections. Each year, 1.3 million newborns succumb to neonatal bacterial sepsis. The immune system during the neonatal period has unique features that lead to inefficiencies at clearing infection. Early life immunity is characterized by a Th2-biased profile with decreased IL‑12, IFN-γ, and TNF-α, along with increased IL‑6 and IL‑23. Additionally, IL‑27, an immunosuppressive cytokine, is also elevated during this period and further contributes to susceptibility to infection. Early diagnosis and intervention are critical in administering effective care in newborns and there …

Rational Design Of Small Molecules Targeting Mitochondrial Redox Proteins, Matheus Barbosa Belchior

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Reactive oxygen species play a crucial role in many cellular processes. Despite being a natural byproduct of cellular metabolism, overexpression of these species causes damage to the cell, leading to cell dysfunction. Central to the regulation of these highly reactive molecule is the mitochondria. Impairment in its function has been associated with oxidative stress within the cell. Herein, a ligand-based and structure-based approach to design new small molecules to inhibit mitochondrial redox proteins associated with oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species. In the first project two molecules were synthesized and characterized as potential monoamine oxidase B inhibitors. Results showed two …

The Effects Of Operatic Voice Type On Singer Identity, Adelaide J. Mcdonald

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Within Western art music, voices are typically classified using the Fach system, which is based upon vocal characteristics and separates singers into the categories of soprano, mezzo soprano, contralto, counter tenor, tenor, bass, and baritone. Over time, these categories have become embedded with social and cultural meaning within the operatic world, leading to the development of stereotypes and expectations surrounding singers, as well as social categories and identities, referred to in this study as “sociocultural vocal categories” and “sociocultural vocal identity,” respectively. Currently, there are limited explorations of the sociocultural vocal categories and their associated stereotypes, with research on singer …

Weakly Reversible Deficiency Zero Realizations Of Polynomial Dynamical Systems, Neal Ryan Buxton

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Weakly reversible, deficiency zero (WR0) systems form a large class of polynomial ODEs modeling chemical reaction networks. Their behavior is exceptionally stable: they have unique positive steady states, which are locally asymptotically stable (they are also conjectured to be globally asymptotically stable). This powerful result (the Deficiency Zero Theorem) applies to a large class of high dimensional, nonlinear polynomial dynamics, and is independent of the choice of parameters in the model. In this dissertation we present two algorithms that expands the scope of the Deficiency Zero Theorem to:

1. Networks with WR0 realizations, i.e. networks that are not necessarily WR0 …