bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patientinvolvering og patientaktivisme i medicinsk forskning
Authors: Holen Mari , Strand Dixi Louise 
Published: May 2022

This article explores co-production in relation to the development of biomedical knowledge and with primary focus on how patients and publics can play an influential role in producing biomedical knowledge. This is illustrated by three examples of patient activ- ism, or what we call “un-invited” patient involvement, taken from the literature on medical sociology and science studies. Drawing on these examples, we outline different ways in which patients and publics can act not merely as participants who have been invited into research processes by credentialed experts, but as actors, activ- ists and experts in their own right. They can initiate or transform research agendas, build research networks or, even take the lead in knowledge production. In particular, we focus on the strategies through which credibility and authority can be achieved within this medical context and traditional medical ideals of objectivity, neutrality and hard evidence. In closing, we pose new questions and encourage further debate on the role of “uninvited” participation and activism in the co-production of biomedical knowledge.
Preparation of functionalized polystyrene foams for arsenic removal
Authors: Murray Megan , Mader Jordan 
Published: May 2022

Clean water is a luxury that is not readily available everywhere, like it is here in the United States. Arsenic contamination in water is a problem for many across the world. Long-term exposure of arsenic can lead to serious health issues, including cancer and even death. High Internal Phase Emulsion (HIPE) functionalized polystyrene foam is a possible solution to this problem. This research focused on optimizing the synthetic processes to form a foam for effectively and efficiently removing arsenic from water.
Slope stability and landform design in a coarse coal refuse reclamation.
Authors: Lira Santos Iuri , Minnins Matthew , Quaranta John , Hopkinson Leslie 
Published: May 2022

Restoration of abandoned mine lands is on-going in Appalachia and across the United States. One potential technique to reclaim these areas is through the use of geomorphic landforming combined with paper mill residuals used as a soil amendment. The geomorphic approach attempts to approximate the long-term, steady state landform condition, leading to reduced erosional adjustment as compared to standard engineered fill designs. This study analyzed regraded mine refuse slopes for safety and erosion sustainability under a 100-year storm event for the Royal Scot refuse pile located near Anjean, WV. The project involved the design and evaluation of a cap and cover system composed of two layers. The first layer is a 60 cm. compacted barrier layer (hydraulic barrier) and second is a 30cm vegetative growth layer. The focus of the analysis was the effectiveness of the hydraulic barrier layer and the final slope stability of the system. A reclamation design was prepared and 3D finite element modeling was performed to assess ground surface terrain profiles considering weather and material strength. Results from the modeling indicate that for a 100-year storm event, the slope remains stable with a factor of safety ranging from 1.3 to 1.9 for different slope profiles. After the 100-year storm event, the hydraulic barrier reached a 20% degree of saturation proving its effectiveness with minimizing infiltration into the reclamation fill.
Immunostimulatory property of Goldenrod extracts to control intracelluar growth of Francisella tularensis during in vitro infection
Authors: Nagy Thomas , Bert Adam , Jacobs Mackenzie , Myers Jennifer , Van Aardt Theunis , Seeber Roger , Horzempa Joseph 
Published: May 2022

Francisella tularensis causes a disease called tularemia. Moreover, due to the highly infectious nature of F. tularensis, this organism can be used in bioterrorism. Therefore, to combat this threat, the necessity for novel treatments is highly desired. F. tularensis replicates in macrophages (phagocytic cells of the immune system derived from monocytes) during infection. We identified that Nevada Goldenrod extract (Salidago spectabilis) inhibited the intracellular replication of F. tularensis, but did not alter bacterial growth in culture, suggesting that this plant had immuno-stimulatory properties. To see if a Goldenrod species indigenous to West Virginia (S. canadensis) recapitulated the previous results, extracts of various plant parts of S. Canadensis were obtained. Current investigations involve utilizing these extracts were subsequently to treat THP-1 cells (a human monocyte line) infected with F. tularensis.
Determining Water Use among Oak Species through Sap Flow Measurements
Authors: Pracht Michael Irvin , Gazal Rico M 
Published: May 2022

The objective of this study is to quantify how much water is utilized by oak trees in an oak-hickory forest in Glenville, WV from the onset of leaf budding to peak growing season. Water use directly correlates with transpiration among plants, which is the water lost through stomata as a consequence of photosynthesis. Stomatal activity is also affected by environmental and atmospheric variables. A CR-1000 data logger equipped with Thermal Dissipation Probes (TDP) will be used to collect sap flow data every 30 minutes. The TDP will be placed in holes drilled through the cambium and into the xylem layer of each tree. An electrical charge of 3.02 volts is sent from the data logger to the topmost probe causing it to heat up, and the second probe measures the temperature difference every 30 minutes. The site selected for this project is a relatively dry site with west facing slope, 30-37% average slope and approximately 300 m in elevation. Three species of oaks that differ in their level of tolerance to water conditions will be used in the study, namely black oak, chestnut oak, and white oak. An Onset HOBO Weather Station will also be used to record local atmospheric variables such as precipitation, barometric pressure, wind speed/direction, temperature, humidity, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and soil moisture. The relationship of tree water use and atmospheric variables will be determined using correlation analysis.
Molecular dynamics simulations of detergent micelles
Authors: Rutherford Rebecca , Van Osdol Rachel , Harvey Erica , Mertz Blake , Faramarzi Sadegh 
Published: May 2022

Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations are being used to model the aggregation of detergents into spherical assemblies called micelles. Detergent micelles can be used experimentally to study membrane proteins. In the present study, we are investigating micelle formation in dodecyl β-D-maltoside (DDM) detergents with a longer-term goal of understanding how the nature of the detergent micelle influences the properties of the membrane protein proteorhodopsin. Proteorhodopsin captures sunlight and stores it in a proton gradient that the cell can use to directly drive ATP synthesis; in marine environments, this protein may be responsible for 10-15% of what was once thought to be photosynthesis. Nanoscale Molecular Dynamics (NAMD) and Visual Molecular Dynamics (VMD) software programs are being run on a high-speed Linux workstation at Fairmont State University and the High Performance Computing systems at West Virginia University. Simulation results are analyzed to generate quantitative data about the system, including aggregation number and radius of gyration. Current simulations to be reported on include random assemblies of 20, 60, 110 and 200 DDM molecules, pre-formed micelles of 150 and 220 DDM molecules, and a pre-formed inverted micelle of 110 DDM molecules. Funding for the project was provided by the College of Science and Technology at Fairmont State University and the NASA WV Space Grant Consortium.
The Conhaway Crayfish (Cambarus (C.) appalachiensis), a new species of crayfish (Decapoda: Cambaridae) from the New River Basin of Virginia and West Virginia, USA.
Authors: Loughman Zachary J. , Welsh Stuart A. , Thoma Roger F. 
Published: May 2022

The Conhaway Crayfish is a stream-dwelling species endemic to the greater New River basins of Virginia and West Virginia. The new species is morphologically most similar to the Teays River Crayfish (Cambarus sciotensis). Conhaway Crayfish can be differentiated from Teays River Crayfish by its more elongated chelae which possess a single mesial row of tubercles, reduced to no tuberculation on the dorsal-longitudinal ridge of the dactyl, and reduced lateral impression. Teays River Crayfish have a more subrectangular chelae with two rows of mesial margin tubercles on the chelae, as well as both a pronounced dorsal-longitudinal ridge and pronounced lateral impression. Several chelae meristic ratios also differentiate Conhaway Crayfish from Teays River Crayfish. Within the New, Gauley, and lower portions of the Greenbrier basins Conhaway Crayfish are the dominant tertiary burrowing Cambarus species, and as such, the species is considered stable across its range.
Screening for Community-Acquired Strains of MRSA Susceptible to Extracts of Tyrol Knapweed, Centaurea nigrescens.
Authors: Robinson Kathryn , Huggins Luke , Anthony Bruce 
Published: May 2022

The rates of infection by community-acquired multi-drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) have risen dramatically over the past decade and a half in the United States. CA-MRSA is responsible for rapidly progressive diseases, including necrotizing pneumonia, severe sepsis, and necrotizing fasciitis. Consequently, novel antibacterial strategies are needed to combat the rising antibiotic resistance seen in CA-MRSA strains. The USA300 CA-MRSA strain has been mutagenized using the Bursa aurealis transposon to create the Nebraska Transposon Mutant Library (NTML). We have screened the 1920 non-essential, defined transposon insertions in the NTML for strains that are either susceptible or resistant to methanol extracts of Centaurea nigrescens leaves and flowers. Of the insertion strains screened, ~2% show marked increased susceptibility to methanol extracts of C. nigrescens. Insertions in two different drug efflux transporters, EmrB/QacA and epi-G ABC-like transporter, have been identified. The EmrB/QacA drug resistance transporter subfamily is a multi-drug efflux pump responsible for the export of toxic molecules from bacteria and yeast. The epi-G ABC transporters are involved in lantibiotic (peptide antibiotics containing thioether bridges) export. These results confirm the effectiveness of the screen as a means for identifying drug-resistance genes affected by the C. nigrescens methanolic extract and suggest a role for drug efflux proteins in the resistance of S. aureus CA-MRSA to antibacterial plant metabolytes.
Effects of alcohol on Chk2 expression and cellular localization in a model of FASD and adult alcoholism.
Authors: Godfrey Logan , Anthony Bruce 
Published: May 2022

Fetal alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are associated with reduced proliferation and loss of large numbers of neural crest stem cells. Previous studies suggest that alcohol increases oxidative stress inducing DNA damage and increasing apoptosis in a p53 independent manor. p53 independent cell losses are often associated with ATM and Chk-2 activation and points to a possible mechanism of cell loss in FASD. In addition, increased phosphorylation activity of Chk-2 effects cell cycle progression, in part, through phosphorylation of the Fox-1 transcription factor. This suggests a possible mechanism effecting proliferation and apoptosis in FASD. Both Chk-1 and Chk2 proteins may play a critical role in the cellular response following DNA damage, altering cell proliferation and increasing cell loss. This study examined the possible effect of alcohol exposure of neuronal stem cells and the effect on expression and localization of Chk-2. Immuno-cytochemistry and Western blot analysis were conducted in order to determine cellular localization and expressional changes of Chk-2 associated with alcohol exposure. We demonstrate a significant different in expression levels and nuclear localization between alcohol-treated and control cells. We suggest strong support for the role of the Chk-2 and Fox-1 in cell loss and proliferative changes in FASD phenotypes.
Changes to Histone H3 and DNA synthesis from alcohol exposure of neuronal stem cells
Authors: Milam MacKenzie , Anthony Bruce 
Published: May 2022

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) show characteristic facial dysmorphology and often, substantial neurological defects, from alterations in stem cell proliferation and cell losses during development. Alcohol exposure to neuronal stem cell populations reduces proliferation by changing the progression of both G1 and S-phases of the cell cycle. These changes are a substantial contributing factor to phenotypes seen in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and in the central nervous system from adult alcoholism. Although a mechanism for proliferative changes is becoming apparent, the consequence to DNA integrity is ill defined. Our previous studies show a slowed G1 and S phase of the cell cycle and alterations to the transient increase in expression of Histone H1. Although this suggests a misguided nucleosome formation, little is known about expression of core components of the nucleosomes. This study examined the changes in expression and localization of H3 expression using Western blot and immunohistochemistry analysis. Results suggest a substantial change in nucleosome formation and structures.
NSF-STEP to Success Grant - Successes, trials and tribulations of administering a teaching grant
Authors: Zhang Xiaohong , Karunathilake Upali 
Published: May 2022

NSF-STEP to Success Grant - Successes, trials and tribulations of administering a teaching grant In 2013 we received an NSF-STEP Grant of $500,000 for the following five years to improve our STEM program admission and graduation rates. Two of the main purposes of this grant is to conduct a summer bridge math program for incoming STEM students who do not qualify for college level math classes and also to run a support program in STEM classes; the other one is the Supplemental Instruction (SI) program which is a series of weekly study sessions available to support students in specific courses during the semester.In this presentation we would like to share our experiences, successes and failures in implementing this grant, lessons learned and suggestions on how better to prepare for similar projects in future.
Evolutionary Analysis of Monopyle (Gesneriaceae) from Central America
Authors: Huffman Carrie , Keene Jeremy 
Published: May 2022

There are currently six species and one variety of Monopyle Benth. described for Central America. The largest percentage of taxa are reported from premontane to montane forests in Panama and Costa Rica from 300 – 1300 m. Monopyle puberula Morton and Monopyle maxonii Morton are the most widely distributed in this region with the other species being endemic to narrow geographic areas. Systematic studies towards a revision of Monopyle have revealed four distinct new species for the region that were commonly lumped within Monopyle macrocarpa Benth. Morphological assessment of Monopyle macrocarpa from the region show that this taxon, however, does not occur in Central America and is restricted to northern Peru. Recent studies I have completed show an additional three species exist in Central America. The newly discovered species can be distinguished by a suite of characters including petiole length, density of pubescence, corolla shape coupled with color, and calyx shape. Ongoing molecular and morphological studies in the genus will be used to confirm the relationships of the species to other taxa in the genus and tribe.
Fluid Power Activities in College-Level Fluid Mechanics Teaching
Authors: Panta Yogendra M , Hatipoglu Kenan 
Published: May 2022

At West Virginia University Institute of Technology (WVU Tech), we implemented “demonstration based learning environment” in “Fluid Mechanics” course to engage the students in hands-on learning activities. Over the past semester, we made students engaged in several classroom activities including classroom demonstration and semester projects.Demonstration activities can be accomplished in fluid mechanics class using simple syringes filled with a fluid such as air or water. This can simulate the cylinders filled with fluid as cylinders acting pneumatically or hydraulically. These activities not only create a fun learning environment but also foster more student engagements and curiosities.To introduce any new topic, we first orchestrated some demonstrations with the fluid power kits. Then we encouraged students’ participation for assembling, testing, and finally proving the concept. Fluid Power kits including excavator, lifter, cherry picker, robot arm, and clamp were assembled in the classroom. We noticed that students were understanding numerous fluid mechanics concepts including fluid flow, pressure, compressibility, force, energy, pipe losses. These fundamental concepts help to learn governing principles of fluid mechanics including Bernoulli’s principle, continuity, momentum, and energy equations. We had good class discussions and brainstorming in each demonstration. Students chose semester projects to expand their fluid concepts into greater details. Students assembled the supplied fluid power kits, test and record data, compare model-prototype to relate with real-world applications. Students’ assessments and classroom survey reveal the effectiveness of active learning in classroom and in projects.
Dynamic interactions between lipid droplets and mitochondria during lipid absorption In intestinal enterocytes of zebrafish.
Authors: Compton Gregory Tyler , Walters James W 
Published: May 2022

Western diets are abundant in fats and cholesterol that are absorbed during lipid absorption in intestinal enterocytes. However, much remains unknown about the energetic mechanisms regulating dietary lipid processing within intestinal enterocytes. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the dynamic interaction of lipid droplets and mitochondria during lipid absorption in these cells. Prior studies have shown that larvae fed a high fat diet undergo lipid droplet biogenesis. We hypothesized that the process of lipid droplet formation would increase mitochondrial appositions with lipid droplets in enterocytes. We fed larvae a 5% egg yolk diet and prepared them for transmission electron microscopy. Images were analyzed for mitochondria and lipid droplet size, number, and apposition events for 11 time points at one hour intervals. Our preliminary data show that the overall number of mitochondria in the cell during lipid absorption decreased during the first 4 hour points while the average size of the mitochondria increased. The data support the hypothesis that the decreasing number and increase in overall size of mitochondria is directly associated with fusion of smaller mitochondria. Also, the data collected support the hypothesis that lipid droplet formation increases mitochondrial apposition events. To measure the dynamic nature of the lipid droplet and mitochondria interactions the fed zebrafish larvae were fixed in an Epon mold and cut into sections using an ultra-microtome. Sections from the anterior intestine were imaged using transmission electron microscopy. Lipid droplet and mitochondrial dynamics were quantified using NIH ImageJ. Acknowledgements: Supported by NIH Grant 2P20GM1.343_14 P1500699 to the West Virginia IDEA Network for Biomedical Research Excellence.
Premixed Flame Pulsations in Obstructed Channels with both Ends Open
Authors: Cathreno Amanda Jane , Adebiyi Abdulafeez , Akkerman V'Yacheslav 
Published: May 2022

Prior research indicated extremely fast acceleration, with potential detonation triggering, of premixed flames propagating in semi-open obstructed pipes (a pipe filled with a combustible premixture is open at one end; ignition occurs at the closed end such that a flame spreads towards the opening). However, industrial applications oftentimes have both ends open, with ignition occurring at one of them. The latter configuration constitutes the focus of our work. Specifically, flame propagation through a comb-shaped array of obstacles in a pipe with both ends open is studied by solving two-dimensional fully-compressible hydrodynamic and combustion equations with Arrhenius chemical kinetics. The blockage ratios BR=1/3, 1/2, 2/3 (with respect to the pipe radius) are considered, with oscillations of the burning rate observed in all cases. The oscillations are nonlinear but periodic; being steady for BR=2/3, 1/2, they slightly damp for BR=1/3. Increase in the BR facilitates nonlinearity and promotes the oscillation period but reduces the average burning rate. These oscillations can be treated as fluctuations around a quasi-steady solution, being thereby in agreement with recent experiments and modelling of flames in open obstructed pipes that yielded steady flame propagation prior to an onset of flame acceleration. Overall, a conceptual difference between open (oscillations) and semi-open (acceleration) obstructed pipes is identified. It is presumably attributed to the fact that, in a semi-open pipe, the entire fame-generated jet flow is pushed towards a single opening, whereas with both ends open this jet flow is distributed between two flows, towards both openings, thereby weakening flame spreading. Keywords: premixed flames, oscillating flames, equi-diffusive flames, obstructed channels, computational simulation, fire safety.Acknowledgements: This work is supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) through the CAREER Award #1554254 (V.A.)
Whitebark Pine Extract Augments Immune Responses that Diminish Bacterial Infection
Authors: Jacobs MacKenzie Lynn 
Published: May 2022

MACKENZIE JACOBS, ELLIOT COLLINS, ROGER SEEBER, AND JOSEPH HORZEMPA, Department of Natural Sciences & Mathematics, West Liberty, WV 26074. Whitebark Pine Extract Augments Immune Responses that Diminish Bacterial InfectionFrancisella tularensis is a highly infectious bacterium that causes tularemia. Currently, there are no legal treatments in the United States. Because of the highly infectious nature of F. tularensis, this organism can be used in bioterrorism. Therefore, to counteract this potential threat, development and discovery of novel treatments is highly desired. During human infection, F. tularensis replicates in phagocytic cells of the immune system such as monocytes and macrophages. Through a high throughput screen, we previously identified that Whitebark Pine extract (Pinus albicaulis) inhibited replication F. tularensis within monocytes. Bio-assay guided fractionation was used to isolate the compounds responsible for the aforementioned activity. Here, Galleria mellonella larvae were infected with F. tularensis LVS (an attenuated type B strain) and were treated with fractions of the Whitebark Pine extract. Infected larvae treated with one such fraction (referred to as Pa-9) exhibited significant survival compared to the mock-treated insects. Similar results were observed in chicken embryos infected with F. tularensis LVS that had been treated with Pa-9 suggesting that this fraction contained the active compound. To determine whether Whitebark Pine Extracts were directly antibacterial, an antibiotic disk-diffusion assay was used. None of the fractions tested inhibited the growth of bacteria outside the context of infection, indicating that this extract does not contain traditional antibiotic compounds. Further separation of Pa-9 produced four fractions, and testing of these fractions is ongoing.