Free Energy Approaches To Understanding The Mechanism Of Membrane-Active Peptides, Hannah R. Scott

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Cancer is a leading cause of death in the world today. Current methods of treatment fail to distinguish the difference between cancer cells and cells of healthy tissue, leading to off-target effects, often with terminal outcomes. A potential solution to this challenge is to target the cancer cells’ microenvironment. One universal characteristic across all cancer cells is the acidic extracellular environment. The pH-Low Insertion Peptide (pHLIP) is a membrane-active peptide with acid-sensitive function, undergoing folding and insertion into a transmembrane alpha-helix. pHLIP is a promising candidate to be used to deliver anti-cancer agents exclusively to cancer cells. Although the mechanism …

Neural And Computational Approach To Understanding Environmental Modulation Of Behavioral Identity In Zebrafish, John W. Hageter

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Organisms rely on behavior for survival. Animals engage in behaviors that allow for feeding, mating, exploring and navigating their environment among others. Necessary for these behaviors to develop are the environmental factors and underlying circuitry which make behavior possible. Specifically, how the environment guides underlying neural circuitry to develop unique facets or phenotypes of a larger behavior are key to understanding why unique behaviors exist. In this thesis, I build foundational evidence for determining these mechanisms through the use of the zebrafish local search behavior. This is a behavior that zebrafish employ following the loss of environmental illumination where they …

An Intersectional Approach To Examining The Impact Of Cigarette Taxes On Tobacco Use By Urbanization Level, Andrea R. Milstred

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Rates of traditional tobacco use have reached a century-level low though not universally with some vulnerable populations continuing high rates of tobacco use, such as those located in geographically isolated areas of the United States (US). Rural populations experience a unique set of challenges (i.e., decreased access to health promoting resources, high density of tobacco retailers, increased pro-tobacco advertising) that compound to produce a “cumulative disadvantage” ultimately increasing their risk of tobacco use. To curb and prevent tobacco use, tobacco control policies, such as excise taxes, can be implemented. At least one study suggests tobacco control policies are less effective …

A Paleobiological And Paleoecological Analysis Of Mississippian Trilobites With Segmentation Abnormalities, April Catherine Cerami

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Trilobites are a well-preserved group of arthropods, with a fossil record extending from the Cambrian to the end of the Permian. Abnormalities, such as injuries or teratological defects, have been observed and described in multiple individuals, although investigating how these abnormalities occur in populations has been largely overlooked.

One possible cause of abnormalities in marine arthropods is heavy metal pollution. Such metals can leave individuals more susceptible to teratological deformities and injuries, interfering with the molting and healing process. Here, methods for analyzing elemental composition and preservation of the trilobite cuticle were refined, finding that 30 μm thin sections are …

The Effects Of Strip Clearcutting On Natural And Artificial Northern Red Oak Regeneration In A Central Appalachian Hardwood Stand, Patrick Aaron Plaugher

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

There are well-known difficulties associated with regenerating oak stands throughout the Central Hardwoods region. To successfully regenerate oak, competitive sources of advance reproduction are required ahead of harvesting—a condition that is rarely present, especially on productive sites. While treatments that enhance seedling competitiveness (e.g., midstory removals, burning, vegetation control) are available, in practice, these are rarely implemented and/or effective because of large treatment costs and/or because they require delaying harvest.

As a potential alternative practice, we report the 10-yr results of a strip clearcut regeneration method. This method removes alternating 45-m wide strips across a mixed Appalachian hardwood …

F/Utility: A Sculptural Exploration Of Futility, Utility, And The Absurd, Asha Cabaca

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This thesis provides context for my MFA thesis exhibition, F/UTILITY, displayed in the Laura Mesaros Gallery at West Virginia University. My sculpture visually references various aspects of human culture, drawing from the natural environment, urban architecture, and ideas of work and play. These elements, often contradictory and incongruous, are, in fact, humorously subverted, transformed, and combined so that the resulting artwork is serious, playful, and arbitrary all at once. At the same time, the uncertain and sometimes involuntary interactivity of my work prompts a phenomenological viewer experience. My practice is informed by the philosophical and literary absurd, focusing on not-knowing …

Three Essays On Local Labor Markets, David Henry Nason

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation consists of three essays that employ applied econometric analysis to examine issues related to local labor markets. These analyses explore three distinct sources of structural change or policy interventions and evaluate their implications for regional labor markets. I examine the impact of occupational skill endowments on regional resilience to a recessionary shock, how exposure to increases in employer skill demand affects local labor markets, and whether grants extended by an existing federally chartered regional commission have a positive impact on distressed local labor markets within its service area.

The first chapter of this dissertation studies the impact that …

Community Belonging: Experiences Of Outsiderness In Appalachia, Erin Hudnall

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study demonstrates the potential long standing social impacts of extractive industries in Appalachia, supported by historical data and literature that defines the region as a sacrifice zone or as resource cursed. As represented by key informants and the communities under observational study, West Virginia communities can exhibit dynamics indicative of collective trauma that is emplaced and complex in nature, given a historical high level of industrial intervention and social control that induced precarious economic, environmental, and social circumstances. Some of the main “symptoms” of this collective trauma are an aversion to outsider intervention and nostalgia about the past that …

Examining The Relationships Among Value Placed On Autonomy, Use Of Compensatory Control Strategies, And Suicidal Ideation In Older Adults, Catherine Huang Ju

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Rates of suicide in older adults are higher than those found in the general United States population. A variety of risk factors unique to older adulthood contribute to these numbers. Greater value placed on one’s own autonomy is related to suicidal ideation in older adults, but no research has yet been done to examine the mechanisms underlying this relationship. As individuals age and functional impairment increases, older adults generally engage in compensatory primary control strategies (e.g., seeking help) but those who prioritize independence and self-directedness – i.e., place a high value on autonomy – engage in fewer compensatory primary control …

Multi-Scale Dynamic Modeling, Validation, And Uncertainty Quantification Of Radial Flow Fixed Bed Contactors For Co2 Capture, Ana Flávia De Alencar Arraes Monteiro

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

One of the key sources of carbon dioxide emissions to the environment is fossil fuel combustion for power generation. Post-combustion CO2 capture using amine-based solvents is currently the most matured process. However, amines are corrosive and lead to degradation products at even moderate temperatures generating environmental pollutants, and require high energy for regeneration. Solid sorbents are a promising alternative. They possess lower regeneration energy, thermal stability, and have highly tunable porous structures with large surface area that can help in achieving high loading and high adsorption rates. This work focuses on mathematical modeling of CO2 adsorption/desorption processes using solid sorbents. …

Framework For Development Environment Selection In Digital Twin Applications, Carlos Dodero Fernandez

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Digital Twin (DT) technology, a cornerstone of Industry 4.0, facilitates real-time synchronization between virtual models and physical manufacturing systems, enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making. However, its widespread adoption is hindered by the absence of standardized methods for selecting Development Environments (DEs) for DTs, compounded by challenges in cost, interoperability, and connectivity with Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) protocols. This thesis proposes a Systematic Selection Framework to address this gap, offering a structured methodology to evaluate DEs based-on visualization quality, scalability, interoperability, and cost-effectiveness for manufacturing applications. The framework categorizes and compares sixteen DEs into Game Engines, Robotics Engines, and Simulation …

Skeletal And Dental Effects Of The Carriere Motion Appliance™ In Non-Growing Class Ii Patients: A Cephalometric Study, Anna Cathlyn Giles

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background and Objectives: Dental and skeletal Class II discrepancies are commonly associated with orofacial disharmony, and therefore appear in orthodontic clinics frequently. Class II correction for adults is generally limited to camouflage treatment with extractions, Class II elastics, Class II correctors, distalization, or orthognathic surgery in severe cases. The orthodontic field is constantly innovating to find efficient and effective means to correct class II malocclusions. The Carriere Motion Appliance TM was introduced in 2004 as an effective “distalizing” appliance to be used as a non-extraction approach to Class II correction for adolescent and adult patients. Recent clinical evidence suggests that …

East And West Meet: Developing Critical Thinking Skills In Piano Students Based On Chinese And Western Pedagogy, Xiaozhen Tong

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research demonstrates the importance of critical thinking in piano education. Grounded in the philosophical framework of Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed, it explains how “dialogue” can be used to establish a collaborative teacher-student relationship. Through “praxis,” which is the integration of reflection and action, students and teachers can break free from “limit situations,” the structural constraints of reality, leading to evolution and creation.

By conducting interviews with piano teachers and students from diverse backgrounds, this research examines the differences between Western and Chinese piano education and some universal phenomena within piano pedagogy. Based on the interview findings, …

Characterization Of Lipids In Tenebrio Molitor Larvae And Pupae Under Various Extraction Methods, Nariman A. Ktil

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Tenebrio molitor, or the yellow mealworm is an edible insect widely recognized and consumed for its rich nutritional value. Mealworms are known for their flexible nature of adapting to various environmental conditions and being able to thrive under harsh conditions and low-value wastes. In this paper, our main goal was to investigate the mealworm’s ability to grow and develop while being reared on apple pomace, the biowaste from apple production, and the effect it would have on its nutritional value specifically its lipid profile. Then these reared insects were used for oil extraction and analyzing their fatty acid profiles. …

Therapeutic Roles For Alkaline Phosphatases To Target Intestinal Dysfunction In Mouse Models Of Experimental Sepsis And Ischemic Stroke, Rhiannon V. Macom

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Abstract

Therapeutic Roles for Alkaline Phosphatases to Target Intestinal Dysfunction in Mouse Models of Experimental Sepsis and Ischemic Stroke

Rhiannon V. Macom

Stroke is a disease that primarily affects the brain; however, ongoing research continues to show that stroke has far reaching systemic effects that can affect both short- and long-term recovery. The gastrointestinal tract has been shown to be affected post-stroke, and these effects are likely due to the bidirectional communication between the gut and the brain via the gut-brain-axis. Alkaline phosphatases (APs) are common membrane bound enzymes that are known to have a role in mitigating inflammation. The …

The Impact Of Political Party Control On Health Outcomes In U.S. States, Trevor G. Samaha

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This dissertation examines the impact of political party control on health outcomes in U.S. states, focusing on three key indicators: infant mortality, Type II Diabetes deaths, and COVID-19 deaths. Using quantitative methods and data primarily from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this study investigates whether the party affiliation of governors and state legislatures significantly influences these health outcomes. While existing literature suggests that Democratic-led states may achieve better health outcomes due to greater public investment in healthcare, the findings of this dissertation challenge these assumptions. Across all three cases, the analysis reveals predominantly null results, suggesting that …

Overhead And Nonprofit Impact; Empirical Evidence From The United Way, Joshua Vanlaecken

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This research examines the relationship between nonprofit overhead ratios and performance, specifically focusing on United Way affiliates. The study analyzes Form 990 data from 2010 to 2022, employing fixed effect regression models to examine the potential circular relationship between overhead spending and total revenue. The findings suggest that while current overhead rates are positively correlated with revenue, they may yield diminishing returns. Furthermore, population subgroups are examined by assets, overhead rate, and revenues spectrums to provide more nuanced insight. Interestingly, while not statistically significant within the overall population, increases in overhead rates may positively or negatively impact subsequent year revenue …

Investigation Of Protein-Ligand Binding Interactions Through The Computational Methods Of Molecular Dynamics And Graph Neural Networks, Alexander Benjamin Wroe

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Studies in protein ligand binding are a significant focus in the field of medicinal chemistry

and biochemistry, facilitating a greater understanding of the structure-function relationship

of the protein and controlling function via drug development. In this research, we identify

new binding sites for lipids on the microbial membrane protein, proteorhodopsin, and apply

machine learning approaches to accelerate the generation of binding affinity-like data for the

use in the identification of potential small molecule drugs. The platelet activating factor

receptor. Cardiolipin, a lipid in membranes, and proteorhodopsin, a microbial proton pump,

are both commonly found in microbial membranes, but little is …

International Students’ Perceptions And Experiences Of Institutional Diversity Initiatives And Self-Authorship Attainment: A Mixed Methods Study, Sandra Ayivor

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Higher education institutions in the United States have responded to years of discrimination through several diversity initiatives. Although research has indicated the merits of such initiatives on student development, the outcomes are not uniform across all student populations. Moreover, student development discourses have often excluded the experiences of international students. Employing a convergent mixed methods approach, this study investigated the perceptions and experiences of international students at a flagship land-grant higher education institution in the Appalachian region of the United States regarding institutional diversity initiatives and their self-authorship based on some demographic characteristics (i.e., gender, age, marital status, religion, continent, …

Assessing The Feasibility Of The Virtual Reality Training Protocol For Sport, Jarad A. Lewellen

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Research has supported the use of virtual reality (VR) in sport to train skills such as decision-making and anticipation, as well as aid in injury rehabilitation. Despite this, VR is not commonly used as a training tool in sport. Barriers to its adoption include a lack of understanding, low awareness, and risk of cybersickness. As such, there is a critical need to address these barriers and promote acceptance of VR in sport. The purpose of this single-arm, non-randomized, mixed-methods feasibility trial was to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the Virtual Reality Training Protocol for Sport (VRTPS), which was designed …

A Generalized Coherence Framework For Quantifying Input Contributions In Multi-Input Systems With Correlated Or Uncorrelated Inputs, Nolan H. Howes, Matthew S. Allen, Dario Farina, Steven Knight Charles

Faculty Publications

In multi-input systems, it is often necessary to quantify the contribution of each input to an output. Such contribution analysis is frequently performed using coherence. However, when correlation is present between inputs, existing coherence measures do not accurately quantify the contribution of individual inputs, except in special cases. Here we propose an expanded coherence framework that enables contribution analysis in any multi-input system, regardless of input correlation. We bridged the gap by defining three new coherence measures: component, excluded, and isolated coherence. Component coherence is an intermediate measure that decomposes measured output power into components attributable to inputs directly vs …

A Learning History Of Online Portfolio Development In Kinesiology: Academic Innovation From Pilot To Powerhouse, Lyndsay M. Burneisen Phd

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study examines the phased development of an online kinesiology education program, tracing its evolution from inception to institutionalization through Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations (DOI) theory. Using a learning history methodology, this research synthesizes document analysis, stakeholder interviews, and focus groups, and historical program data to explore how strategic leadership, faculty engagement, student support, and technological advancements influenced the program’s growth and sustainability. The research is structured around three critical phases: inception, maturation, and institutionalization, highlighting key adaptations in curriculum design, administrative structures, and quality assurance. Findings reveal a transition from a decentralized, experimental model to a structured, integrated online …

Sensory Evaluation And Consumer Acceptance Of A Protein Enriched Energy Bar, Brennah T. Groves

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

ABSTRACT

Sensory Evaluation and Consumer Acceptance of a Protein Enriched Energy Bar

Brennah Groves

This study evaluated the sensory properties and consumer acceptance of a protein enriched energy bar. The objectives of this study were to 1) formulate a high-protein energy bar containing at least 20 g of protein per 100 g serving, and 2) determine whether increasing the protein content in an energy bar would enhance the sensory evaluation and improve consumer acceptance among collegiate athletes. The control energy bar featured a shortbread base, date caramel with whey protein, a nougat layer, and a chocolate coating. Additional collagen protein …

Enhancing Vocational Services Through Support Of Direct Care Staff For Adults With Intellectual Disabilities, Katelyn D. Cardwell

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This mixed-method cohort study focused on supporting direct support professionals through burnout education modules. Burnout is a psychological phenomenon characterized by mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion in response to chronic stress in the workplace. Direct support professionals (DSP) provide services that include independent living and vocational skill education to adults with intellectual disabilities. Burnout has negative impacts on work quality, efficiency, and can led to high turnover rates. This project aimed to provide DSP’s with resources to mitigate the risk of burnout. The study utilized semi-structured interviews to help guide the development of education modules for staff. Based on findings …

Flower Cluster Matching Utilizing The Unscented Transform For Robotic Pollination, Andy Chu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The use of automated systems for agriculture is integral to keeping the food supply secure. Both industry and academia are exploring and applying methods to increase the yield of plants in environments ranging from outdoor fields to greenhouses. Specifically, many automated systems use continuous monitoring of plants to track plant health and yield. The use of computer vision is necessary when it comes to precision operations that use robotics. Today, robots are trained to weed, harvest, and pollinate. To accomplish these tasks autonomously, a lot of data is needed, which is where spatial-temporal observations of the plants are being recorded …

Design And Simulation Of An Ai-Powered Autonomous Quadrotor Framework For Search And Rescue Operations, James J. Shope

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), particularly quadrotor platforms, have proven to be indispensable tools for search and rescue (SAR) teams due to their maneuverability, rapid deployment, and affordable operation. The current SAR use cases of quadrotors span from aerial surveillance to mission planning and strategic deliveries. However, most SAR applications remain passive or semi-autonomous, such that they rely on human-operated control or data assessment. Advancements in autonomous control strategies bring about a future where a single SAR operator can program and deploy several UAVs. This thesis details the development and simulation of a fully autonomous, AI-powered quadrotor framework capable of detecting …

Development And Application Of Computational Tools For Data-Driven Materials Science., Logan L. Lang

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Modern materials science generates vast amounts of data from computational simulations and experiments, creating significant challenges for data processing and analysis. This thesis addresses these challenges through the development and application of computational tools within the framework of Material Data Science (MDS). Contributions span the four pillars of MDS: Material/Molecular Data, Algorithms, Databases, and High-Throughput Processes—with a primary focus on the Algorithm, Data, Database pillars.

For the Algorithm pillar, two Python libraries were developed to streamline common analysis tasks. PyProcar simplifies the post-processing and visualization of electronic structure data (band structures, density of states, Fermi surfaces) obtained from various Density …

Adminstrative And Programmatic Supports To Enhance Veteran-Service Dog Programming, Madison Davisson

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Background: Service dogs have long served as a valuable resource to assist veterans in overcoming challenges such as transitioning to post-military life, re-engaging in life roles, and navigating the community. There is substantial research on the benefits and impacts that service dogs have on the lives of veterans. Because of this, the number of service dog-veteran partnerships is on the rise, and each service dog program has its individualized programmatic method to enhance its offerings. However, there is limited information on administrative and programmatic support for service dog training programs intended for veterans and staff members. The veteran perspective is …

Sensory Integration In The Intensive Care Unit Environment, Kara M. Lee

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Those admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) commonly experience deficits in areas linked with cognition, mental health, and physical functioning (Rapolthy-Beck et al., 2023). Delirium is the most common complication among individuals who are mechanically ventilated, which can be associated with adverse outcomes, including increased mortality, cognitive decline, and decreased functional outcomes (Martinez et al., 2017). The primary purpose of the capstone project was to create a sensory-based program for patients admitted into the ICU. The program aimed to enhance the quality and consistency of care, ultimately reducing the prevalence of delirium. By doing so, it seeks to improve …

Genomic Differences And Parentage In West Virginia's Reintroduced Elk (Cervus Canadensis), Adam A.V. Cook

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Elk (Cervus canadensis) reintroductions have been common in the 20th and 21st centuries, yet 40% have failed to establish self-sustaining elk populations due to a lack of post-reintroduction demographic monitoring. Elk were reintroduced to West Virginia in 2016 following more than a century of absence after the species was extirpated in 1875. Elk were translocated to West Virginia from Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area (LBL) in eastern Kentucky and from Arizona. The two groups of elk differ in their subspecies, physiology, reintroduction history, connectivity, and habitat. Reintroductions create genetic risks such as the founder effect and …