bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
System Administration and Database Administration in Cloud Computing Era
Authors: Liao Weidong , Ashiq Annus , Guzide Osman 
Published: May 2022

The ever-changing nature of IT demands a changing role for both system administrators and database administrators. Being system admin personnel will require more knowledge, broader skillset, and more tools on hand to be able to adapt to the cloud computing culture. The cloud computing has changed the way for IT Operations. The future system administrator will thus have to help configure, implement and manage the applications that run on cloud platforms. The same thing happens to database administrators as well. The role of DBAs will shift to cloud DBAs, and adding to their responsibilities will manage the cloud based database and NoSQL databases in serverless settings. Cloud DBAs will have to deal with data protection and play a key role in providing data compatibility across the cloud platforms and maybe migrating data storage from one cloud service provider to another. In short DBAs role moved from tactical infrastructure caretakers towards a more strategic role of being an advisor for other developers. In this poster, we describe changes of roles of system administrators and database administrators in the era of cloud computing.
Implementation of "E-Learning modules-entrepreneurial mindset in engineering" to Foster Teaching and Learning Environment at WVU Tech
Authors: Panta Yogendra M , Hatipoglu Kenan 
Published: May 2022

We implemented “E-Learning Modules” developed by Tagliatela College of Engineering, University of New Haven and The Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN) to foster an entrepreneurial mindset in engineering students. Out of the twelve currently available E-Learning modules, we deployed one specific module, “Building, sustaining and leading effective teams and establishing performance goals” in a mechanical engineering course to develop effective team work skills in their semester projects. In the last two Annual Meetings of the WV Academy of Science, we presented about “demonstration based learning environment” and “active learning pedagogies.” Demonstration based activities create curiosity and motivation “by seeing,” whereas active learning environment foster the teaching and learning process “by doing.” Similar to these experiences, the implementation of “Building, sustaining and leading effective teams and establishing performance goals” help to better engagement of students in teamwork with an entrepreneurial mindset. Last year, the E-learning module was integrated into semester project of a regular course “MAE 331 Fluid Mechanics.” The semester projects were made highly interactive requiring to have a weekly progress report followed by a systematic class room discussion. The modules’ supplementary resources were guided by the instructor in the class and then made accessible to the students through blackboard. Overall, student teams effectively utilized the module materials for team formation, work division, conflict resolution, team performance plan, and evaluation. In the future, the module is planned to be customized and deployed as it fits in other courses.
The Role of FTL_1229 during Erythrocyte Invasion by Francisella tularensis
Authors: Myers Jennifer Rose , Horzempa Joseph 
Published: May 2022

Francisella tularensis is a gram-negative bacterium that causes the disease, tularemia. Due to the highly infectious nature of F. tularensis, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention classified this bacterium as a category A bioterrorism agent. To combat this threat, understanding the pathogenesis of F. tularensis is necessary. The gene FTL_1229 encodes a protein homologous to the ATP binding protein portion of an ABC transporter. This gene is of interest because its expression is induced in the presence of human red blood cells. Furthermore, its homolog in F. novicida has found to be essential for invasion. Therefore, we hypothesized that FTL_1229 may be involved during invasion of these host cells. To determine the significance of this gene, a mutation of FTL_1229 is being constructed. The mutant will then be tested via the Tet-on/off system and by erythrocyte invasion assays. Results from these studies will indicate if FTL_1229 is essential for the pathogenesis of F. tularensis.
Faculty Cohort on Teaching and Learning at WVU Tech.
Authors: McCaskill Angela , Panta Yogen , Hatipoglu Kenan , Rai Sanish 
Published: May 2022

Teacher Effectiveness is an elusive concept to define when we consider the complex task of teaching and the multitude of contexts in which teachers work. When discussing the qualities of effective teachers and the effective teaching practices to employ, there is little consensus on what they are or how we can measure them. Teacher effectiveness has been defined as behavior that results in increased student learning (Seidel & Shavelson, 2007). In fact, there is considerable debate as to whether we should judge teacher effectiveness based on teacher inputs (e.g., qualifications), the teaching process (e.g., instructional practices), the product of teaching (e.g., effects on student learning), or a composite of these elements (Strong, Ward, & Grant, 2011). We are working on various teaching practices employed through our faculty cohort at WVU Tech across several disciplines. Two years ago, WVU Tech faculty cohort was formed that comprised of ten faculty who felt a need of effective teaching techniques for better learning environment in their classrooms. With a continuous support from WVU-TLC, Tech faculty cohort is a very dynamic and collaborative forum that implements various ACUE modules in the classroom. We share our personal experiences discuss and learn from each other that brings faculty together to explore innovative approaches to boost teaching and learning process. We have monthly cohort meetings during the academic year that are specifically focused on some specific teaching modules implemented by cohort participants. Through this paper, we will summarize our cohort experiences to the academic community.
Evolutionary Analysis of Monopyle (Gesneriaceae) from Panama
Authors: Davis Chere Yasmin , Keene Jeremy 
Published: May 2022

Monopyle Moritz ex Benth. (Gloxiniinae: Gesneriaceae) is a group of terrestrial understory or facultative epiphytic herbs distributed from Guatemala southward through northern South America. Monopyle is traditionally characterized by differentially swollen internodes, anisophyllous opposite leaves, campanulate flowers, osmophore and the presence of uncinate trichomes (Keene, 2013; Roalson et al. 2005; Weber, 2004). Monopyle is currently represented by six species and one variety in Central America. The largest percentage of taxa have been confirmed to reside from the premontane to montane forest in Panama and Costa Rica from 300–1300 m. Monopyle puberula C.V. Morton and Monopyle maxonii C.V.Morton have the broadest distribution in the region with other species being narrow endemics. Revisionary work on the genus has led to the identification of several newly discovered species in the region previously lumped within Monopyle macrocarpa Benth. A morphological and molecular assessment of species from this region have shown that Monopyle macrocarpa does not occur in Central America and is actually restricted to an area of Northern Peru. The newly discovered species can be determined by a suite of characters which include density of pubescence, petiole length, calyx shape, and corolla shape coupled with color. My research focuses on separating both Monopyle dichotoma Keene ined.and Monopyle sessilis Keene ined. as new species from previously known taxa.
Progress on C-1 Diversification of Natural Product Synthesis from Commercially Available Amino Acids
Authors: Nelson Ryan , Hunt Alyssa , Kim Young 
Published: May 2022

Discovery of a new bioactive agent from idea to FDA approved drug candidate can take decades and cost upwards of 1 million dollars. Utilizing a tool like Structure Activity Relationship (SAR) profile in the process can potentially save time and money. Furthermore, many of FDA approved drugs are often started from natural products (NPs) due to its unique chemical makeup. Having them in synthetic approach can be more cost effective than the isolation from the specific organism. In our research lab, we are working on the bio-active NP known as Penazetidine A from commercially available amino acid. With satisfactory progress in its NP synthesis, our main objective in this project is exploring C-1 position of NP using the R group of Leu, Phe, Gly, and Ala. Amino acid to diversify C-1 side to see their SAR profile. This approach is mediated by CDI coupling reagent to extend C-terminus of amino acid into ketoester amino acid. Currently, we finished with the coupling reactions and will present analytical data to support outcome of this reaction with their final yield calculation. Supported by NIH Grant P20GM103434 to the West Virginia IDeA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence
Towards a Revision of Diastema within Central America
Authors: Wentz Scott 
Published: May 2022

Diastema is a genus of flowering plants within the subtribe Gloxiniinae (Gesneriaceae). Some key characteristics of Diastemainclude a racemose flowering axis consisting of solitary flowers in the axils of bracts on the stems with condensed internodes, nectary consisting of 5 finger-like glands, and a distinctive bi-lobed stigma. Interestingly, there are currently only twenty described species and Diastemahas not been the focus of adequate research until now. I have collected a sufficient sample size of morphological and molecular data from both known and unknown species. Any new potential new species are compared to the appropriate type specimens to determine circumscription. Moreover, morphological studies focus on taxonomically useful vegetative and reproductive characters with special emphasis given to trichome structure and fruit shape. Molecular studies are focused on nuclear and chloroplast genes to ascertain if any hybridization has occured. Several samples of DNA are now ready to be sequenced for a more comprehensive understanding of the genus. The outcomes of this research will provide a baseline for conservation and governmental agencies to work from to protect the habitat where these species exist and to better understand the biodiversity in their area. My research is used toward a more comprehensive study of the subtribe and genus.
Progressive and Severe Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Nguyen Thu 
Published: May 2022

Introduction Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is a progressive condition leading to blindness. PDR develops in twenty percent of patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) with equal occurrence in type I and type II DM. This case study describes a relatively young patient who presented with deteriorating, severe PDR in both eyes.Case Description A 44-year-old male presented with a two-week history of blurred vision in the right eye. The history is significant for insulin dependent diabetes mellitus. Examination revealed retinal hemorrhages, exudates and microaneurysms in both eyes. Fluorescein angiography and Ocular Coherence Tomograph (OCT) were performed. There were macular edema, fibrous and vitreo-retinal traction for each eye. Color photographs demonstrated proliferative diabetic retinopathy with associated clinically significant macular edema, schemia and neovascularizations for both eyes. There was vitreo-retinal traction for each eye. Treatment included scatter photocoagulation, focal laser therapy and Avastin injections. DiscussionThe patient was diagnosed with PDR and leakage apparent in the mid to late stages of the angiogram consistent with the degree of macular edema noted clinically in both eyes. Furthermore, ischemia and neovascularizations were apparent in both eyes. Severe PDR increases the risk for blindness for which early diagnosis is crucial. The patient had significant macular edema and neovascularizations. He is at an increased risk for a retinal detachment due to vitreo-retinal traction. Focal laser treatment, scatter photocoagulation and a series of Avastin injections reduces macular edema, decreases neovascularization, and reduces the vascular component of fibrosis. The patient blurred vision improved after course of treatment. ConclusionEarly diagnosis of PDR is vital to reducing blindness. Focal laser treatment, scatter photocoagulation and Avastin injections reduce macular edema and neovascularizations resulting in improved prognosis. Patients with DM are encouraged to have annual eye examinations.
Defining the Characteristics of a West Virginia First Generation and Rural STEM Student
Authors: Humbert Roxann 
Published: May 2022

More than half of all college students who declare a major in STEM fields drop out or change their majors in the first two years of their post-secondary education. This problem is particularly acute for rural first-generation college students. First2 STEM Success Network, an NSF INCLUDES Alliance, purpose is to improve retention and success for rural, first generation STEM students in the first 2 years of the undergraduate curriculum. As researchers on the project, we look to paint an accurate picture of what it means to be rural and first generation in West Virginia and to use this information to determine what factors help students persist and succeed in STEM majors. If a student’s parent(s) or guardian did not attend college and if they are from a rural area, what then might attribute to their decision to attend college and major in a STEM field and what factors lead them to persist and succeed in their major? This presentation will outline the steps the researchers in the INCLUDES project are using to try to answer these questions.
Defining the Characteristics of a West Virginia First Generation and Rural STEM Student
Authors: Darrah Marjorie , Humbert Roxann 
Published: May 2022

More than half of all college students who declare a major in STEM fields drop out or change their majors in the first two years of their post-secondary education. This problem is particularly acute for rural first-generation college students. First2 STEM Success Network, an NSF INCLUDES Alliance, purpose is to improve retention and success for rural, first generation STEM students in the first 2 years of the undergraduate curriculum. As researchers on the project, we look to paint an accurate picture of what it means to be rural and first generation in West Virginia and to use this information to determine what factors help students persist and succeed in STEM majors. If a student’s parent(s) or guardian did not attend college and if they are from a rural area, what then might attribute to their decision to attend college and major in a STEM field and what factors lead them to persist and succeed in their major? This presentation will outline the steps the researchers in the INCLUDES project are using to try to answer these questions.
Numerical simulations towards optimizing the burner design for efficient staged pressurized oxy-coal combustion.
Authors: Udochukwu Gideon Ozioma , V’yacheslav Akkerman 
Published: May 2022

Staged pressurized oxy-coal combustion (SPOC) – a technology developed at Washington University at St. Louis (WUSTL) – is nowadays a promising tool for low-cost/emissions, high-efficiency power generation. The present computational simulations, performed at West Virginia University (WVU) by means of the ANSYS Fluent package, compliment the experimental research for better understanding of the impacts of turbulence, fluid flow, flame/particle dynamics, and heat transfer on oxy-coal combustion. Here, CO2 is injected alongside the coal, for its carriage, while a small amount of CH4 is also injected alongside the coal to maintain a steady flame. Out of 100 kW in a lab-scale reactor, 10 kW originates from CH4-air burning and 90 kW comes from coal combustion. Steady and unsteady RANS simulations are performed resulting in an asymmetric flame shape. Three causes of the flame asymmetry are hypothesized: (i) coal injection, (ii) onset of the shear-layer instability due to various stream velocities and densities in a shear layer, where mixing occurs, and (iii) presence of the vortex shedding due to the flow past a bluff body, which is used to stabilize the flame. As a result, an impact of the presence of coal on the flame symmetry is demonstrated, and a benchmark at which further increase of coal would result in flame asymmetry is found. The present simulations also shows occurrence of the vortex shedding when the flow passes over a disk in the reactor used to stabilize the flame, constituting a potential reason for the periodic flame oscillations experienced in the result.This work is performed in cooperation with the Washington University at St. Louis (WUSTL). It is sponsored by the US Department of Energy (DoE) through the US-China Clean Energy Research Center – Advanced Coal Technology Consortium (CERC-ACTC).
Ecology of Nerodia sipeodon (Common Watersnake) in North Fork Creek, Ohio County, West Virginia. Elijah Henderson, Dan Meyer and Zachary Loughman, West Liberty University, Dept. of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, West Liberty, WV
Authors: Henderson Eli JAcob 
Published: May 2022

The ecology of Nerodia sipeodon (Common Water Snake) was studied concurrently with ecology of Regina septemvittata(Queen Snake) in North Fork of Short Creek, Ohio County, West Virginia. Snakes were captured via hand collection or aquatic funnel traps. All captured animals were measured, weighed, pit-tagged, and underwent gastric lavage when food boluses were present. Snake activity peaked in the spring, followed by a mid-summer brumation period. Activity reoccurred in mid-August through the fall. Trap captures outnumbered hand captures, though most juvenile animals were collected by hand. Frequently encountered food species included Black Nose Dace, Creek Chubs, and Long Nose Dace. Daily activity peaked in the morning hours, was reduced during the heat of the day, and began again in earnest during the late afternoon and early evening hours. Though concerted effort was undertaken to collect them, zero gravid females were collected with this study. Neonates appeared in the population beginning in late August. The most frequently encountered behavior was basking, followed by various defensive behaviors allied with capture. To date, close to 50 individual snakes have been PIT tagged and released at the study stream. Future efforts will focus on the use of radio telemetry, as well as the capture of gravid females.
Apoptosis through MMR repair in response to alcohol induced DNA damage.
Authors: Anthony Bruce , Manly Madison 
Published: May 2022

Neuronal stem cells that are exposed to moderate doses of alcohol sustain a large amount of oxidative stress and suffer significant DNA damage. Many of the symptoms associated with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are associated with this cell loss. The MMR system is responsible for eliminating cells that suffer severe DNA damage, and it has been associated with a p73 dependent apoptosis. The objective of this study was to determine if a p73, MMR mediated, apoptosis could be responsible for the death of alcohol-exposed neuronal stem cells. The experimental group of NSCs was exposed to 400 mg/dL of alcohol. Western blot analysis was used to determine the difference between hMSH2, Chk1, and p73 protein levels in experimental cells and control cells. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the prevalence of the purine derivative, 8-oxoguanine, and to determine if the MMR proteins, hMSH2, and PMS2, are recruited to this lesion site. Given that hMSH2’s expression is regulated by E2F1, and the overexpression of E2F1 is elevated from alcohol exposure, it is likely the alcohol-treated cells will exhibit higher levels of hMSH2. Since Chk1 is responsible for cell cycle arrest after DNA damage, its expression level should also be elevated.
Methamphetamine-induced Locomotor Activity and LD50 in Cockroaches
Authors: Findley David , Hambuchen Michael 
Published: May 2022

Invertebrate animal studies of methamphetamine (METH) could allow for inexpensive, high throughput exploration of many variables that could be used to direct the design of future vertebrate pharmacology and toxicology studies. We hypothesized that METH would both increase locomotion compared to saline and produce dose-dependent lethality in male Periplaneta americana cockroaches. LD50 was determined with 0-1780 mg/kg METH (n=15-16/group) using probit analysis. After the LD50 study, automated behavioral analysis software interfaced with overhead cameras was used to measure spontaneous locomotor activity in surviving cockroaches in an open field. In separate experiments, METH-induced locomotor activity was measured in an open field (0-560 mg/kg, n=8/group). A 1-way ANOVA with Holm-Sidak’s multiple comparisons test was used for statistical comparisons in both locomotor studies. The LD50 of METH was found to be 738 ± 151 mg/kg (almost 10-fold greater than the value in rats). There were significant decreases in spontaneous locomotor activity in surviving cockroaches after administration of 650 and 750 mg/kg METH (P < .05). While 100 mg/kg METH did not significantly increase METH locomotor activity relative to saline, the 300 mg/kg dose significantly increased this effect (P < .05), and the 560 mg/kg dose resulted in the cockroaches remaining in the supine position for the majority of the trial. In conclusion, METH has pharmacological and toxicological effects in cockroaches, but they are less potent than in rodent models. Funding: Marshall University School of Pharmacy Faculty Research Seed Grant.
The effect of high sugar diet on adipokine expression in 3T3-L1 cells and weight in mice
Authors: Tetteh-Quarshie Samuel , Jones Cynthia B. 
Published: May 2022

One of the major contributing factors to the prevalence of obesity in United States is the Western Diet, characterized by consumption of high fat and high simple sugars. Even though the issue of obesity has become a national interest, few studies have explored the relationship of high sugary diets (HSD) and obesity. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of HSD on weight gain and adipokine expression in adipose tissues. 3T3-L1 cells were cultured and differentiated in recommended differentiation medium supplemented with stock sugar solutions. Lipid accumulation was quantified with Oil Red O assay. Total RNA was isolated, first strand cDNA synthesized, and qRT-PCR performed. C57BL/6 male mice were fed normal rodent chow and water with the following sugar concentrations: fructose (10% solution), glucose (10% solution) and a combined fructose/glucose (55% fructose and 45% glucose for a 10% solution) for 16 weeks. Animal weights were recorded and water solutions were measured and replaced every two days. The in vitro data showed significant increase in lipogenesis for fructose/glucose as compared to the control. Pro-inflammatory adipokine expression of 3T3-L1 cells is significantly increased by two-fold when exposed to fructose/glucose solution. HSD-fed mice exhibited an addictive behavior with a significant increase in fructose/glucose water consumption, and weight gain. While all HSD-fed mice consumed more water and gained weight over time, the fructose/glucose group substantially consumed more water which resulted in major weight gain. Understanding the deleterious effects of over consumption of HSD is paramount to avoiding obesity-related diseases and disorders.