Digital Commons Network^™

The Abuse Liability Of Oral Nicotine Pouches In Electronic Cigarette Users, Jakob D. Bohland

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Oral nicotine pouches (ONPs) are products containing synthetic or tobacco derived nicotine in a cellulose pouch. While relatively novel in their current state, ONPs are increasing in popularity, with little known about their national level prevalence. Extant work has suggested that electronic cigarette (e-cig) users may be interested in ONPs; however, no abuse liability studies have been conducted comparing ONPs directly to e-cigs. In the few abuse liability studies that have been conducted, ONPs have been evaluated in comparison to combustible cigarettes or smokeless tobacco (SLT). These studies suggest ONPs may be less reinforcing than combustible cigarettes or SLT. Therefore, …

Development Of Fast And Comprehensive Approaches For Gunshot Residue Interpretation Using Ambient Ionization, Mass Spectrometry, And Microparticle Sampling Studies, Thomas Dimmey Ledergerber

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The information derived from the forensic examination of gunshot residue (GSR) can be critical during the investigative and trial stages in the criminal justice system. However, the complexity of the GSR deposition, transfer, and persistence mechanisms calls for meticulous handling and identification processes. Novel advances in evidence interpretation and analysis via instrumental methods are current areas of growing interest that must be pushed along the chain from research to practice in a timely manner. Therefore, this research focuses on developing both rapid and comprehensive methods for detecting gunshot residue evidence and effectively communicating its significance to the investigators or trier …

Three Chapters In International Macroeconomics: Navigating Risk, Development, And Policy With Emphasis On Low-Income Economies, Samantha Alexandre Borkhoche

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation explores how structural vulnerabilities and external shocks interact with economic policy tools in shaping development outcome. Each chapter addresses a distinct dimension of risk—environmental, macroeconomic, and political—and evaluates mechanisms through which these challenges can be mitigated or amplified. The focus on low-income economies ensures their unique vulnerabilities are integrated into the research question, addressing critical gaps in economic literature.

Chapter 1 addresses how the Sub-Saharan African regions can balance sustainability and development. It uses a time-series methodology to estimate the impact of trade in “green goods” on environmental outcomes. It finds that increases in the trade of environmentally-friendly …

La2nio4+Δ-Based Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (Soecs) Electrodes Enhanced With Complex Perovskite Nanocatalyst Processed By Surfactant-Enabled Infiltration, Cole Samuel Klemstine

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

As the world seeks to reduce its reliance on hydrocarbons, the demand for sustainable hydrogen production methods has become increasingly critical. Hydrogen is a versatile energy carrier that can be produced from various sources, including water, natural gas, and biomass. Replacing the burning of hydrocarbons with hydrogen could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global climate goals like those set by the US H2NEW program. The joint technologies of solid oxide fuel and electrolysis cells present the ability to both produce and process clean hydrogen to meet these goals. Development into solid oxide fuel cells has been met with …

Closing Racial And Ethnic Disparity Gaps In Pediatric Asthma Follow Up Care - A Quality Improvement Initiative, Ayodele Ayeko

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Closing racial and ethnic disparity gaps in pediatric asthma follow up care - A quality improvement initiative

Ayodele Ayeko

Introduction/Background: Inadequate management of asthma significantly contributes to poor asthma control, poor quality of life (QOL), and high hospitalization rates among pediatric patients. The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) guidelines offer recommendations designed to enhance asthma control and improve the quality of life for those affected (2015), including recommendations for close follow up care. At WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital (WVUMCH), insufficient asthma control has been associated with lower clinic follow-up rates and an increase in hospitalization. Although educational initiatives …

Reuse Of Calcium Carbonate (Caco3) Recovered From Discarded Carpets As Filler In Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (Frp) Composites, Roshan Devkota

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Over four billion pounds of carpet are discarded annually in the United States, making carpet waste a significant environmental concern. Calcium carbonate (CaCo₃) constitutes up to 45% of the mass of most synthetic carpets. Reusing this CaCo₃ as a filler in the rapidly growing fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) industry, which is projected to reach USD 10.38 billion, presents a low-cost, practical approach to developing a market-based solution to post-consumer carpet waste.

This study investigates the reuse of CaCo₃ recovered from discarded carpet backing as a filler in FRP composites, focusing on its mechanical viability in comparison to virgin CaCo₃. The methodology …

Beyond The Byproduct: Exploring Approaches For The Sustainable Valorization Of Underutilized Food Streams, Ian Phillip Israelsen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Commercial food processing creates side-streams that are often underutilized yet hold significant potential for valorization into value-added products for consumer use. This study investigated and compared potential protein recovery and lipid removal potential from buckwheat (BW; Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), brewer’s spent grain (BSG), and coffee silverskin (CSS) using a one-step solvent defatting and a pH-shift protein extraction method. The extraction efficiency yields of extracted protein from CSS were significantly lower than all other samples (p < 0.05). The defatted BW had the highest extracted protein content of all samples (p < 0.05). The sizes of the proteins in the starting materials were observed using LDS-PAGE. These sizes were consistent with published values and were mostly unchanged by defatting or the pH-shift process. The presence of 13S globulins and 2S albumins was confirmed under reducing conditions. Protein extracted from all native samples had lower total free essential amino acids than the starting materials. Native CSS and extracted protein followed this trend, but in defatted CSS and respective extracted protein samples, the extracted proteins had higher free essential amino acid content than the starting materials, sometimes of twofold or greater (p < 0.05). After defatting, the percentage of lipids recovered compared to the original lipid content of the samples was measured. The crude fat content of native and hexane-defatted BW flour was higher than BW flour defatted with ethanol (p < 0.05). The lipid extraction efficiency of all samples ranged from 4.6 ± 1.26%–43.20 ± 14.21%. The mass of the native and defatted starting materials were recorded at each step of processing, with reasonable losses assessed. The major non-polar lipid classes in each starting material were separated using thin-layer chromatography. All samples also displayed the presence of polar lipids. When comparing starting materials, BW and BSG was the most effective for protein extraction, and BSG has the most promise for lipid removal and potential for upcycling. All the examined starting materials show promise for use in food supplementation, especially as native flours. These products are plentiful and considered underutilized or side-stream products.

Nephrocheck Implementation And Its Impact On The Incidence Of Acute Kidney Injury After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery, Michael Maccourtney

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

NephroCheck Implementation and its Impact on the Incidence of Acute Kidney Injury After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

Michael C. MacCourtney

Problem Statement: Acute kidney injury occurs in up to 50% of patients after cardiac surgery (Meersche et al., 2017). This contributes to significant morbidity, mortality, and costs (Helgadottir et al., 2016). At the time of the project implementation, the standard of care involved measuring renal function utilizing serum creatinine (SCr) and urine output (UOP) without NephroCheck. These renal function labs do not represent a timely and accurate assessment of the patient’s current renal status because they do not …

No Man’S A Stone: A Qualitative Approach To Characterizing Masculinity In Older Adulthood, Montgomery T. Owsiany

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Suicide rates are exceedingly high in U.S. older men (aged 65 years and older). In 2020, older men were about 6.5 times more likely to die by suicide than older women and 1.14 times more likely than men aged 18 to 64 years. Masculine norms (e.g., emotional suppression, self-reliance, anger, physical toughness risk-taking behaviors, alcohol misuse) are believed to influence the presentation of mental disorders, such as depression, which has led to the conceptualization of masculine depression. Research on masculinity often focuses on the experiences of younger men, ignoring how gender identities may change as one progresses through adulthood. Meanwhile, …

Community-Wide Impacts Assessment Of Silver Carp (Hypophthalmichthys Molitrix) In The Ohio River, Luka Marques

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Invasive species can cause measurable impacts on the properties of recipient ecosystems, with effects that often vary spatially and temporally. One of the most complex and pressing invasion cases in the United States involves invasive carp. Invasive carp have quickly expanded throughout the Mississippi River Basin, with ecological impacts that may vary across space and time. Silver Carp has the potential to provoke community-wide impacts on native fish abundances and food webs of native fish communities. My study area ranged from the confluence of the Mississippi River and the Ohio River to R.C. Byrd Lock and Dam. The Ohio River …

Modeling Energetic Electron Precipitation: Radiation Belt Loss, Its Drivers, And Atmospheric Impacts, Zhi Gu Li

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Energetic electrons in the terrestrial outer radiation belt present significant hazards to spacecraft systems and human operations in space. The intensity of these electrons can vary rapidly and dramatically during geomagnetic storms, governed by a complex competition between acceleration and loss processes. Among these, precipitation into the atmosphere via resonant wave-particle interaction acts as a key loss mechanism. This dissertation focuses on improving the quantification of energetic electron precipitation using physics-based modeling constrained by low-altitude satellite observations.

We begin by developing and validating the Drift-Diffusion model, which simulates low-altitude electron dynamics while accounting for azimuthal drift, pitch-angle diffusion, and atmospheric …

Apostrophes And Archimedes, Evan J. Clough

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis explores how digital collage and printmaking can be used to develop images through acts of subjective response, intentional and unintentional acts of appropriation, and parodic re-use and comparison pushed to absurd extremes. It looks at the history of creating art for parodic re-use and examines “Pataphysics”, developed by and for art appropriation of pattern, form, and process. These concepts are explained and related to visual artwork that was made for the thesis exhibition Apostrophes and Archimedes Cast Shadow Puppets. The exhibition invites viewers to experience the phenomenon of observation, automatic transformation, and creation using multiple modalities of exaggerated …

Functionalized Carbon Nanohoops: Synthesis, Structural Insights, And Pathways To Carbon Nanobelts, Liu Li

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The development of structurally defined carbon nanostructures has gained significant attention due to their unique electronic, optical, and mechanical properties. Cycloparaphenylenes (CPPs), also known as carbon nanohoops, and carbon nanobelts (CNBs) represent key molecular segments of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), offering a bottom-up approach to precise nanotube construction. This dissertation focuses on the synthesis, structural characterization, and functionalization of CPPs, as well as the development of novel synthetic pathways for CNBs. A series of functionalized CPPs, including [9]-, [12]-, [15]-, and [18]CPPs, were synthesized using a modular approach involving a Diels-Alder adduct formation followed by a Ni(cod)2/bpymediated macrocyclization reaction. The influence …

The Effects Of The Implementation Of State-Sponsored Free Community College Programs On Enrollment And Net Price, Kristafer Lee Adkins

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

State-sponsored, free community college programs have been implemented with the goal of increasing access to higher education, especially for financially disadvantaged students. This study seeks to determine the impact of the implementation of the Tennessee Promise and the Oregon Promise on enrollment and net price by student family income level using a difference-in-differences methodology comparing in-state, public, two-year institutional outcomes with: in-state, public four-year institutions; national, public, two-year institutions; and, public, two-year institutions in states that border Tennessee/Oregon. Enrollment was, on average, found to have increased between 44 and 167 students at Tennessee public, two-year institutions for all students with …

Co-Transmission Is Co-Opted For The Coordination Of Auditory Sensory Integration, Marryn M. Bennett

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Corollary discharge circuits (CDCs) are conserved mechanisms for sensory modulation during species specific behavioral programs. Many behaviors require multiplexed differential sensory modulation for proper execution. Co-transmission of fast and slow neurotransmitters allows for distinct modulation of different downstream targets within one sensorimotor circuit. However, studying co-transmission within the context of modulatory circuits like CDCs requires complete knowledge of behavioral circuits and precise tools for individually determining the implications of each transmitter on its targets. In this dissertation, I used a conserved set of corollary discharge interneurons in Drosophila melanogaster as a model to study the intricacies of sensory modulation through …

Artificial Intelligence Approaches For Membrane Fouling Prediction, Yazhou Jiang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

Membrane fouling is a persistent and critical challenge in membrane-based separation processes, resulting in reduced performance, higher energy consumption, and increased operational and maintenance costs. Addressing this issue is essential for improving the long-term sustainability and efficiency of membrane systems. This report provides a comprehensive overview of membrane fouling mechanisms—such as organic, inorganic, particulate, and biofouling—and explores the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in tackling this problem. Specifically, it reviews three widely adopted AI techniques: Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Fuzzy Logic (FL), and Support Vector Machines (SVM). Each method is examined through a series of literature-based case studies, …

Leveraging Physiological Signal Activity And Self-Report Data To Assess Students’ Trust In “My Friendly Mind” App And Its Impact On Their Mental Health Knowledge: A Mixed-Method Phase 1 Clinical Trial Focusing On Depression And Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder From Human Factors Standpoint., Yeganeh Shahsavar

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Mental health issues have become a significant global public health concern, especially among younger generations. The growing number of mental health challenges, combined with limited access to quality care, makes the problem even worse. Studies reveal that over 70% of individuals worldwide in need of mental health services do not receive appropriate care. Digital health technologies have the potential to enhance mental health services by making them more accessible and affordable. Despite the increasing popularity of mental health mobile applications (mHealth), there remains a lack of robust evidence of their effectiveness and the level of user trust, particularly in areas …

Media Framing Of The Local And National News Coverage Of The East Palestine Train Derailment, Lauren Delo

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research examined digital news coverage of the East Palestine train derailment to determine the frames and dominant frames used in both local and national coverage of the disaster, and whether these frames differed over time. Specifically, this research used a content analysis of digital newspaper articles from five media outlets—three national level and two local level—and applied the frames identified from Colistra’s (2010) study of print news coverage of the 1972 Buffalo Creek mine disaster. Results revealed significant differences between the most frequently used frames between local and national coverage, shifts in frame usage over time within each media …

Distress Tolerance And Sleep Quality: Potential Moderating And Mediating Factors, Alivia Kay Murdock-Frazier

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Research has shown that insomnia and poor sleep quality are related to a variety of negative physical and mental health outcomes. There is emerging evidence that the psychological construct of distress tolerance is related to the quality of one’s sleep, including the presence of insomnia. However, few studies have explored how additional factors may be related to this association. This study aimed to replicate previous research supporting the association between distress tolerance and sleep and exploring this relation by examining three different hypotheses (e.g., health behaviors, perceived stress, and emotion regulation) that could potentially explain how these two variables are …

The Effect Of Carrier Type And Material Used On Results Of 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane Application To Teeth, Jonathon Logan Williams Dds

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Introduction: The formulation of a pulpal diagnosis is crucial to prescribe appropriate treatment recommendations for endodontics. The application of a cold stimulus to the tooth’s surface utilizing the refrigerant 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane (R-134a) is a common way to obtain a pulpal diagnosis. Cotton as a form of applicator is used to absorb the R-134a and create a temperature change in the pulp. There is limited research if there is a better material than cotton to generate this cold response. No studies to date have been found to determine if a sponge as an applicator would generate a more significant cold response than …

Determination Of Spatial Origin Of Striations On Fired Projectiles, Kaitlin A. Dolan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Firearms examination has been a mainstay of Forensic Science for over a century. One of the principal assessments performed by firearm examiners is the comparison of fired projectiles to a suspect firearm. The AFTE theory of identification, as it pertains to firearms and toolmarks, supports the basis that the barrel of a firearm will impart class and individualizing characteristics onto the fired projectile. The characteristics are developed by the interaction of the projectile surface with the lands of the barrel. Features on the lands, which are incidental to the process of manufacturing, dictate the characteristics observed on the fired projectile. …

Evidence-Based Lighting Design For Healthcare: Health Effects Of Timed Blue-Light At Night (Blan) On Night-Shift Staff, Seyedeh Nazli Hosseini

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The effects of light at night on night-shift clinical staff in healthcare settings is a topic of growing significance, considering the widespread adoption of artificial lighting and the increasing prevalence of night-shift work in the healthcare industry. The intersection of neuroscience and architecture provides a unique lens to explore the intricate relationship between lighting conditions and the circadian hygiene of night-shift medical staff. This project investigates the strategies associated with light exposure schedules for staff during night-shift work in healthcare settings.

Exposure to artificial light at night may contribute to mood disturbances and sleep disorders and consequently affect alertness and …

A Critical Narrative Inquiry Into The Experiences Of Latino Male Graduate International Students Attending A Pwi, Cesar Miguel Castellon Gort

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This qualitative study examines how Latino male international graduate students navigate identity, belonging, and exclusion within U.S. higher education. Although international enrollment has increased, the experiences of this student population remain largely invisible in research and institutional practice. Guided by Intersectionality and Latino Critical Race Theory (LatCrit), this study investigates how intersecting dimensions of race, language, age, gender, and immigration status shape these students’ academic and social experiences. Using a critical narrative methodology, data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and identity web exercises with four participants. Employing story chaining to link individual narratives, four central themes emerged: 1) Racialized and …

Asset Mapping: A Tool Used To Identify Community Resources, Gentry Shrewsbury

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Physical activity is vital for health and quality of life; however, for individuals with disabilities, there are numerous barriers to participation. In rural and low-socioeconomic regions, barriers such as lack of awareness, limited restrooms, and lack of public transportation create challenges when attempting to be physically active. Using the Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) framework, this study examined physical activity resources within Mercer County, West Virginia, and evaluated their accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

Methods: A qualitative research design was implemented using three data collection strategies: (1) a google search to identify existing physical activity opportunities followed by a windshield …

An Edna Assessment Of The Diamond Darter (Crystallaria Cincotta) In Its Current And Historic Distribution Range, Cameron Moore Layne

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Environmental DNA (eDNA) can serve as a useful monitoring tool for cryptic and imperiled freshwater stream fishes. eDNA can fill knowledge gaps regarding species’ distribution, site abundance, and habitat usage. The last known stronghold of the Diamond Darter (Crystallaria cincotta) in the Elk River of West Virginia provides an excellent test case to examine the utility of this non-invasive method of surveying rare species. Diamond Darters are one of the most newly recognized freshwater fishes in North America and are among the most imperiled U.S. fishes, having been federally listed as endangered in 2013. The cryptic behavior and limitations of …

An Analysis Of Usopc National Governing Body Policies Related To Body Pressures, Body Image Concerns, And Eating Pathology, Sarah Margaret Sadler

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Athletes are often exposed to body pressures in sport environments (Voelker & Reel, 2020), which can contribute to body image concerns and eating pathology (Petrie & Greenleaf, 2007, 2012) with lasting consequences for performance and well-being. Although research has highlighted the harmful impacts of these concerns, and has called for a broader investigation into the sources of athletes’ experiences of these concerns (Voelker et al., 2022), little is known about the role of sport organizations in influencing athletes’ body pressures, body image concerns, and eating pathology. Using a descriptive qualitative research design within a post-positivist paradigmatic approach, the current study …

Longitudinal And Ensemble Modeling Of Beef Cattle Feed And Water Intakes, Nathan El Blake

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Beef cattle production remains a cornerstone of global food systems, providing highly bioavailable protein and essential micronutrients that are difficult to secure from plant-based foods alone. Yet this production is also resource-intensive, requiring substantial land, feed, and water inputs while contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Efficiency of dry matter intake (DMI) and water intake (WI) is central to both productivity and sustainability, but accurate measurement of these traits—particularly in grazing systems—remains a major limitation. National WI standards continue to rely on pen-level data collected in the 1950s, while most existing DMI prediction equations perform poorly when applied beyond the …

Non-Lethal Sampling Methods For Fish Health Assessments Using Smallmouth Bass Micropterus Dolomieu, Lindsey Nicole Hartzell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

In the early 2000s, fish kills of different species, including smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu, were reported in areas of the Potomac River drainage, including the Shenandoah River in Virginia. Since the first reports of fish kills and lesions affecting smallmouth bass, they have continued to show signs of adverse health effects. Additionally, in some areas of the Potomac River drainage, population declines have occurred, and lethal sampling is discouraged. To develop a holistic, integrative approach to assess fish health, Smallmouth Bass were collected and sampled using non-lethal techniques at three sites within the Shenandoah River drainage, VA and one …

Neural Network-Based Image Compression, Atefeh Khoshkhahtinat

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The rapid advancement of information technology and the exponential growth of digital communication have significantly increased the demand for efficient data compression techniques that reduce storage requirements, minimize bandwidth consumption, and accelerate data transmission—without substantially compromising data quality. This dissertation addresses these challenges by investigating and developing advanced learned image compression (LIC) methods, with a particular focus on lossy compression for both natural images and scientific imagery obtained from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO) mission. Traditional image compression standards—such as JPEG, JPEG2000, BPG, and HEVC—rely on manually engineered transforms and heuristic rules, which often lack the adaptability required to accommodate …

Dynamic Force Feedback Controller Improves Metrics Of Stepping In A Biomimetic Robot Leg, Isabella Mae Kudyba

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Force feedback is a type of robotic control where forces are measured, fed back into the control system, and actuation is adjusted to compensate for environmental forces, with the goal of quick and precise limb positioning in walking. Robots of today use single force sensors (e.g. pressure sensitive pads, load cells) per leg which are often bulky, expensive, and susceptible to crosstalk. Walking robots often employ model predictive controllers or policy controllers trained through reinforcement learning (RL) to actuate their limbs, but these methods are time and energy consuming. Biomimetic robots offer an alternative approach, investigating biological theories with the …