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Lighting the Cylcone
Get PDFThis thesis will give an account of the lighting design process for Ride the Cyclone presented at West Virginia University. Not only will it focus on the role of a lighting designer in a theatrical production but also the production process from the first design meeting to striking the show. I will describe my process, what worked, what new approaches I tried, and evaluate the evolution of the lighting design. In addition, I will include the details of working alongside the other designers in this collaborative process. Research images, paperwork, and production photos will be used to detail the process
Stormwater Responses to Climatic and Land Cover Changes in Lowly Urbanized Subcoastal Environments
No full textStormwater runoff is widely considered a significant factor in coastal inundation and water quality degradation. The main objective of this thesis is to determine the potential impacts on stormwater runoff in lowly urbanized coastal/subcoastal environments under a changing climate and land use/cover. The East Fork San Jacinto River Basin (Area = 2577 of southern Texas, USA was considered a pilot area for this study. Given the sparse availability of high-resolution precipitation data in space and time, this research first evaluated four remotely sensed and/or reconstructed precipitation products (CMORPH-CDR, MERRA, PERSIANN-CDR, and PRISM) by comparing the data with the historical gauge observations during 2004-2013. A mechanistic hydrologic model was then developed with the appropriate input data to predict stormwater runoff in the lowly urbanized subcoastal basin. A full factorial design of 27 climate and land cover change scenarios was constructed by incorporating the projections from 18 General Circulation Models and ICLUS percent imperviousness to quantify the potential range of storm runoff changes by 2050s (2043-2052) and 2080s (2073-2082). The results suggested a complete lack of skill with the precipitation products to reproduce the historical hourly observations at the gauge locations. Only MERRA and CMORPH exhibited some (albeit low) skill in reproducing the daily precipitation with a coefficient of determination ( ) of 0.34 to 0.39 and a root-mean-squared error (RMSE) of 6 to 6.5 mm. Based on the findings, the stormwater model was run with the available observations of gauge precipitation during 2013-2022 (termed 2020s) and was calibrated/validated with the daily streamflow records for the same period. The outcomes emphasizes that precipitation serves as the primary driver, while land use remains a significant contributing factor in the generation of runoff within sparsely urbanized subcoastal environments, with actual evapotranspiration contributing the least. The climate and land cover change scenarios indicated a potential increase of 19 to 46% (on average 32.5%) in annual runoff in the lowly urbanized subcoastal basin by 2050s-80s, compared to that of 2020s. Notably, the monthly runoff increases were in a comparable range, suggesting that variations in future changes would be minimal across the year in these environments. Furthermore, scenarios closely aligned with the Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 (moderate emissions) suggested annual runoff increases of 27 to 40% by 2050s-80s. In contrast, scenarios comparable to RCP 8.5 (high emissions) suggested annual runoff increases of 25% by 2050s and 34% by 2080s. The research would aid water resources engineers, managers, and policymakers in effective stormwater management and ecosystem conservation in lowly urbanized subcoastal/coastal environment
Finding “A Good Thing”: Embodying the Traumatic Sustainably
Get PDFContemporary dramatic work such as the play Anatomy of a Suicide by Alice Birch demands a significant toll on the actors embodying the characters. Western pedagogies that emphasize a need for the utmost authenticity must be merged with the modern practice of self-care and trauma informed boundaries. This document outlines the merging of traditional acting techniques of characterization with solutions for self preservation such as preparation, mental and physical upkeep, a personalized set of character de-rolement practices, and social rituals. Through an analysis of the text itself, its context, author, and the lens of one actor’s experience portraying the character Anna, I offer processes and methodologies toward a sustainable acting process
JOINT LEARNING OF UNKNOWN SAFETY CONSTRAINTS AND CONTROL POLICIES IN REINFORCEMENT LEARNING
Get PDFReinforcement learning (RL) has revolutionized decision-making across a wide range of domains over the past few decades. Yet, deploying RL policies in real-world scenarios presents the crucial challenge of ensuring safety. Traditional safe RL approaches have predominantly focused on incorporating predefined safety constraints into the policy learning process. However, this reliance on predefined safety constraints poses limitations in dynamic and unpredictable real-world settings where such constraints may not be available or sufficiently adaptable. Bridging this gap, we propose a novel approach that concurrently learns a safe RL control policy and identifies the unknown safety constraint parameters of a given environment. Initializing with a parametric signal temporal logic (pSTL) safety specification and a small initial labeled dataset, we frame the problem as a bilevel optimization task, integrating constrained policy optimization, using a Lagrangian-variant of the twin delayed deep deterministic policy gradient (TD3) algorithm, with Bayesian optimization (BO) for optimizing parameters for the given pSTL safety specification. Through experimentation in comprehensive case studies, we validate the efficacy of this approach across varying forms of environmental constraints, consistently yielding safe RL policies with high returns. Furthermore, our findings indicate successful learning of STL safety constraint parameters, exhibiting a high degree of conformity with true environmental safety constraints. The performance of our model closely mirrors that of an ideal scenario that possesses complete prior knowledge of safety constraints, demonstrating its proficiency in accurately identifying environmental safety constraints and learning safe policies that adhere to those constraints
Zoo Communication: A Study of Stewardship with Animal Conservation in Zoos Across the United States
Get PDFThis thesis investigates the communication strategies employed by zoo professionals to promote engagement and advanec animal conservation education. Through in-depth interviews with zoo experts, the stidy explores the intricate connections between communication practices and stewardship princliples within zoo facilities. Findings from this study contribute to the understanding of effective communication in the realm of animal conservation, with implications for both zoo practitioners and conservation educators. The study delves into the effective strategies for identifying and fostering relationships with environmental stewards, alongside encouraging their involvement in zoo-based animal conservation initiatives. The theoretical implications highlight gaps in existing models, emphasizing the need for nurturing stewardship relationships across the lifespan and addressing constraint recognition challenges. The study also underscores the importance of integrating reporting and responsibility in communication strategies, proposing the inclusion of financial prudence as a dimension of stewardship. Practical implications emphasize the significance of tailored messaging, cognitive and emotional connections, inclusivity, and community orientation in engaging audiences and nurturing stewardship behaviors. Additionally, the study emphasizes the importance of conservation efforts beyond the confines of zoo facilities, advocating for lifelong engagement and personal appreciation strategies. Despite variations in size and resources, zoos of all scales play a vital role in fostering stewardship and advancing conservation efforts
Implementing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles to Collect Human Gait Data at Distance and Altitude for Identification and Re-identification
Get PDFGait patterns are a class of biometric information pertaining to the way a person moves and poses. Gait information is unique to each person and can be used to identify and reidentify people. Historically, this task has been achieved through the use of multiple ground-based imaging sensors. However, as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) advance, they present the opportunity to evolve the process of persons identification and re-identification. Collecting human gait data using UAVs at distances ranging from 20m to 500m and altitudes ranging from 0m to 120m is a challenging task. The current biometric data collection methods, primarily designed for ground-level and close-range scenarios, need to be revised to address the complexities associated with UAV-based gait data collection. The challenges include the need for precision in capturing gait patterns from elevated angles, the impact of atmospheric conditions on data accuracy at altitude, and the limitations of traditional gait recognition technologies when applied in aerial settings. The absence of standardized protocols and optimized algorithms for UAV-based human gait data collection further increases the difficulty of achieving reliable human identification and re-identification outcomes. This problem report aims to highlight these challenges and guide future research efforts toward developing practical solutions for implementing UAVs in collecting human gait data at a distance and altitude
Immune outcomes affected by selection for parasite resistance in Katahdin sheep
Get PDFOur understanding of the complex connection between selection for parasite resistance and the overall health outcomes in livestock is unclear. This study investigates the impact of post-weaning fecal egg count (PFEC) estimated breeding values (EBV) on health outcomes and immune responses in Katahdin sheep. Selection for PFEC, favoring Low-PFEC lambs, not only affects survivability to weaning but also suggests broader implications for immunity beyond parasite resistance. The effect of PFEC EBV on antibody production in response to vaccination against Clostridium perfringens type C&D and tetanus toxoid (CD&T) revealed a stepwise decrease in immunoglobin (IgG) from Low-PFEC to High-PFEC groups upon booster vaccination (2246 µg/mL, 2103 µg/mL, 1431 µg/mL; P \u3c 0.0001). Additionally, ewes with Low-PFEC EBV were found to produce colostrum with significantly higher IgG concentrations across lactation stages (631 ng/mL vs 222 ng/mL; P \u3c 0.0001). This difference in IgG concentration was most notable in colostrum (937 ng/mL for Low-PFEC vs. 319 ng/mL for High-PFEC; P \u3c 0.0001). Comparisons with St. Croix (STC) and Suffolk (SUF) sheep reveal Katahdin sheep\u27s distinct physiological responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge, with HiKAT sheep exhibiting heightened eosinophil counts, elevated haptoglobin levels, and greater hemolysis compared to LoKAT sheep. The study provides valuable insights into the impact of PFEC EBV on health outcomes, colostrum components, and immune responses of Katahdin sheep, offering avenues for improving animal welfare and disease resistance strategies in small ruminants
Photoinduced alpha-Hydroxy C–H Alkylation of Mono-alcohols via Hydrogen Atom Transfer (HAT) of an Activated Boron-Containing Complex
Get PDFHydroxy (-OH) groups are one of the most abundant functional groups found in natural products and pharmaceuticals with many of these compounds containing multiple alcohol classes. The ability to selectively functionalize a specific α-OH C–H bond in the presence of other competitive sites would provide straightforward access to new, potentially bioactive compounds. In recent literature, photoredox catalysis has been implemented to perform site and stereoselective α-OH C–H functionalization of cis-diol containing substrates. Incorporating an organoboron cocatalyst into these systems have proven to be crucial in decreasing the bond dissociation energy (BDE) and increasing hydricity of the α-OH C–H bond for abstraction by an HAT catalyst. Although a mechanistic investigation has been performed on the alkylation of cis-diols, the relative behavior of other alcohol classes under these conditions has yet to be observed.
The successful α-OH C–H alkylation of primary alcohol, 3-phenyl-1-propanol, led to the optimization and working scope for mono-alcohols. Preliminary results observed a greater dependence on the presence of the boronic acid cocatalyst for the primary alcohol compared to the cis-diol. Similarly, an increase in reaction efficiency is observed in the presence of an electron-poor aryl boronic acid cocatalyst. When investigating initial reaction rates between these two substrates, initial alkylation rates of the primary alcohol are slower. Competition experiments demonstrated that there is preferential reactivity towards the cis-diol, while there was no detection of alkylated primary alcohol. Stoichiometric NMR experiments with the primary alcohol did provide insight into the formation of various boron-containing species under a dynamic equilibrium. The boron complex that undergoes HAT is still unknown, thus future work will focus on characterizing the most reasonable activated boron species undergoing HAT and designing a chiral-boron catalyst for site and stereoselective α-OH C–H alkylation
Intervention to reduce tobacco use among prostate cancer patient and informal caregiver dyads
Get PDFProstate cancer is the leading cancer in men. Continued tobacco use after prostate cancer diagnosis may affect a patient’s treatment outcomes, quality of life, and mortality. Despite the potential negative outcomes, 10-20% of prostate cancer patients continue to use tobacco after their cancer diagnosis. Considering risks associated with continued tobacco use, there is a lack of evidence-based tobacco cessation strategies to address tobacco cessation specifically in prostate cancer. Given the increasing prevalence of prostate cancer, the ongoing difficulty in tobacco cessation, and the limited evidence-based tobacco cessation interventions in the literature, it is important to prioritize reducing tobacco use in prostate cancer patients.
This dissertation had three specific aims. The first aim was to conduct a systematic review with a meta-analysis to evaluate tobacco use and tobacco cessation interventions among patients and informal caregivers (ICs) for prostate and other cancers (breast, prostate, colorectal, bladder, cervical cancer, and leukemia). The study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Five electronic databases, namely PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science, were searched through July 2023, and randomized controlled trials assessing tobacco cessation interventions were identified. A total number of 17 studies were included in the review. Intervention studies included behavioral (n=14), pharmacotherapy (n=2), and a combination (n=1) treatment. Eight studies included a health behavior model, and the mean number of behavior change techniques utilized per study was 5.5. Pooled magnitude of the odds of cessation was positive and significant [OR= 1.2, 95% CI (LL 1.0, UL 1.5)]. Cumulative meta-analysis examined the accumulation of results over time and demonstrated that studies have shown significant improvement in tobacco cessation since 2020. Only two studies included a dyadic approach that involved a caregiver. The results showed that reviewed interventions have the potential of reducing tobacco use and may be beneficial in tobacco cessation in other cancers. Despite the potential of dyadic approaches in cancer, there is a lack of interventions targeting these approaches for tobacco cessation in cancer and thus, a need to further to explore the utility of dyadic interventions.
The second aim was to evaluate intervention preferences among prostate cancer patients and ICs and to guide the development of a tobacco cessation intervention. For this study, we surveyed prostate cancer patients and ICs who were active or former tobacco users, ascertained through oncology and urology practices in Appalachia, a medically-underserved region with access barriers, higher rates of poverty, and lower educational attainment than the US population. This cross-sectional study was guided by the Transtheoretical Model (TTM) and collected information on demographics, cancer distress, tobacco use status, stages of change, and processes of change. A newly developed 9-item scale measured intervention preferences for tobacco cessation. Three open-ended questions explored the reasons for quitting and preferences for intervention components. Multivariate analysis of covariance assessed the association of processes of change and intervention preferences with demographics, stages of change, and role type (patient and IC). A qualitative thematic approach was used to analyze open-ended questions. A total of 141 individuals (129 patients; 12 ICs) participated in the study. Study participants had a mean age of 68.8 (SD=7.7) years. Patients were White (100.0%) and married (62.1%). ICs were female (91.6%), White (100.0%), and married (83.3%). Females, ICs, and former tobacco users showed higher utilization of processes of change. Regarding intervention preferences, participants endorsed education and dyadic support strategies and had a low endorsement of Internet-based and writing interventions. Themes included the importance of education, need for intervention strategies (gradual reduction in tobacco use, reviewing personal motivators, need for cues to quit), need for positive IC support, and interest in open discussions with IC. The results provided a robust understanding of tobacco cessation in prostate cancer patients and ICs and identified strategies employed by former tobacco users for tobacco cessation.
The third aim had two goals: 1. utilize qualitative interviews to expand on the survey results and to develop a pharmacist-delivered tobacco cessation intervention and 2. to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of the developed intervention. Eligible participants were prostate cancer patients with active tobacco use status and their ICs. Each patient was paired with their IC. Qualitative semi-structured interviews built on the results from the second aim and explored participants’ impressions of the proposed intervention for tobacco cessation. Content analysis results were used to further develop and modify the proposed intervention. The modified intervention was assessed for feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact. A total of 20 individuals (10 patients, 10 ICs) participated in the qualitative interview. Patients were White (100.0%), married (60.0%), and active tobacco users (100.0%). ICs were female (80%), White (100.0%), married (80%), and non-tobacco users (70.0%). All participants (both patients and ICs) lived in the Appalachian region, and 40.0% were from non-metro (rural) areas. Content analysis identified major codes (continued tobacco use in cancer, difficulty with quitting tobacco, access related issues, intervention strategies,pharmacists’ expertise) that informed intervention development. Five dyads (n=10, 5 patients and 5 ICs) further participated in the intervention’s feasibility. Based on TTM, the 6-week hybrid intervention successfully advanced active tobacco users (n=5) from the contemplation to the action stage. The intervention was rated high for attention (M=5.4, SD=1.1), liking (M=5.5, SD=1.1), comprehension (M=5.1, SD=0.9), and yielding (M=5.8, SD=0.7). Participants were satisfied with the intervention (M=7.1, SD=1.6). The intervention was rated acceptable (M=4.3, SD=0.5) and appropriate (M=4.1, SD=0.5). The intervention successfully moved active tobacco users from the contemplation to action stage. By documenting feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness, we identified facilitators for tobacco cessation in an underserved community, offering insights for future cessation strategies.
To summarize, the first aim provided insights on the current interventions employed for tobacco cessation in moderate risk cancers. The results showed that dyadic interventions are underutilized for tobacco cessation in cancer and need more recognition. The second aim assessed the intervention preferences and identified patient-centered strategies employed by former and active tobacco users. The identified strategies and processes of change served as the foundation for the development of our pharmacist-delivered tobacco cessation intervention. Information from the first and second aims served as the foundation for the third aim. This aim identified information on continued tobacco use and intervention strategies among prostate cancer patient and IC dyads. The intervention showed the advancement of active tobacco users from the contemplation to the action stage. By demonstrating feasibility, we were able to show that the intervention was well received and has a potential for tobacco cessation among prostate cancer patients and ICs in an underserved community. Despite the extensive use of dyadic interventions in cancer, the utilization of dyadic interventions in the context of tobacco cessation in cancer is still limited. ICs are a largely untapped resource, and future interventions are likely to benefit by expanding their utilization of dyadic interventions. Further, other strategies identified in our results may be utilized and adapted by clinicians in oncology centers to reduce tobacco use in cancer
