Digital Commons Network^™

The Functions Of Role- Playing Games: How Participants Create Community, Solve Problems And Explore Identity, De Sarah Lynne Bowman (2010) [Reseña De Libro], Cristo Leon

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

The Functions of Role-Playing Games: How Participants Create Community, Solve Problems and Explore Identity, by Sarah Lynne Bowman, is an ambitious, wide-ranging, and still necessary work for role-playing game studies. Published in 2010, the book proposes that role-playing and roleplaying games fulfill three main social and psychological functions: creating community, facilitating problem solving, and enabling the exploration of identity. Bowman develops this thesis through a combination of theoretical review, cultural reflection, and participant-observer ethnography, based on interviews with players of tabletop role-playing games, live-action roleplaying games, and virtual environments. Organized into seven chapters, the book moves clearly from the …

Practicing Conflict Transformation Skills Through Role-Playing Games For Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In Higher Education, Alexandra Schreiber, Kjell H. Hugaas, Sarah L. Bowman

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

No abstract provided.

Journal Of Roleplaying Studies And Steam (Jrpssteam) Vol. 5 [2026], Número 1 (Issue 1), Romano Ponce-Díaz Phd, Cristo Leon, Ivan Avila, Sarah Lynne Bowman, Kjell Hedgard Hugaas, Alexandra Schreiber Ma, Jaime Eduardo García Maya, Víctor Emmanuel Quintana Villarreal Vic Emma, Francisco Gonzalez Ing., Daniel Romero Benguigui, Antonio Roda-Martínez

Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM

El presente número del Journal of Roleplaying Studies and STEAM examina la convergencia entre las prácticas lúdicas, el diseño narrativo y los procesos de mediación sociocultural en la investigación contemporánea. Las contribuciones reunidas en este número abordan el juego de rol como un dispositivo de producción de conocimiento, intervención psicoeducativa y reelaboración de representaciones culturales. Nos podemos atrever a señalar que la educación es la convergencia entre la ludología, las ciencias sociales, los estudios visuales y el análisis cultural; entendiendo a la educación como la actividad consciente e intencionada de transmitir información y conocimientos a las siguientes generaciones.

Martin Heidegger …

Spatial And Seasonal Concentrations Of Atmospheric Halogens Around The Great Salt Lake (2023/2024), Himalaya Sapkota

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

The Great Salt Lake (GSL), located in northern Utah, is one of the world's saltiest lakes and an essential resource for industry. It is also a significant hotspot for halogen emissions, including chlorine (Cl) and bromine (Br) from both natural and human sources. Although their concentrations in the atmosphere are low, they influence tropospheric chemistry by forming criteria pollutants such as ozone and particulate matter. These pollutants are detrimental to air quality, impacting public health and property. This study investigates the spatial and seasonal variability of halogen species (gas- and particulate-phase of Cl and Br) in the Northern Wasatch Front …

Investigation Into The Effects Of Moderate-Dose Radiation On Ligament Biomechanics, Andrew Landefeld

All Theses

Recent advances in arthritis treatment pin ionizing X-ray radiation as a useful tool in reducing joint pain and immune response. However, due to a lack of fundamental research in the effects of low-dose ionizing radiation on tendon and ligament biomechanics, the safety of these studies is rather unknown. While most related studies investigated cellular response to low dose treatment, surrounding tissue physiology is left out of the picture. Additionally, moderate range doses of irradiation are rarely studied, as most uses of radiation on tendons and ligaments are for sterilization of cadaver tendons for allografts. This study provides a preliminary investigation …

Laser-Induced Acoustic Signal Generation, Resonance Characterization, And Optical Sensing In Metallic Plates, Xinghang Zhao

All Theses

This thesis investigates laser-induced acoustic signal generation, resonance characterization, and optical sensing in metallic plates as a foundational study for damage-sensitive inspection. Rather than presenting a complete defect-detection system, the work focuses on how measurable acoustic responses can be generated, amplified, and interpreted in a controlled laboratory setting. Experiments showed that pulsed-laser excitation can produce strong and repeatable acoustic responses in metallic structures. Repetition-rate sweeping identified narrow resonant responses, including a cantilever resonance at 57.862 kHz and a maximum circular-disk response at an FFT frequency of 48.8 kHz with a laser repetition rate of about 49.1 kHz. High-Q resonances exceeding …

The Impact Of Dipeptides On Product Quality In Chinese Hamster Ovary Cells, Louise C. Herman

All Theses

Biopharmaceuticals are medicines produced in cells which are used to treat diseases such as cancer. Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) represent the majority of approved biotherapeutics. MAbs are mostly produce using Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. CHO cells are favored for resiliency, scalability, and established safety, and are considered the “workhorse” organism for biopharmaceuticals.  Amino acids are a key component of cell culture media, however several amino acids have solubility limits, such as cysteine, cystine, and tyrosine.  At neutral pH, these amino acids are poorly soluble.  However, dipeptides, such as N,N'-di-L-Alanyl-L-Cystine (ACCA) have been reported to increase cysteine and cystine availability. Further, …

Fluorescence-Based Quantification Of Hepatic Ldl Uptake And Donor Hepatocyte Engraftment Using Atto 700–Labeled Ldl, Victor Agustin Cortes Flores

All Theses

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an inherited disorder characterized by elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) that increases the risk of premature atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. In severe FH, including low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR), hepatic LDL clearance is profoundly impaired and many lipid lowering treatment strategies have limited effectiveness. Current advances in ex vivo CRISPR–Cas9 hepatocyte gene editing in vivo and ex vivo approaches for treatment of FH are under development.

However, a central barrier to translation is the ability to quantitatively measure the percentage of healthy gen edited hepatocytes in the liver while simultaneously assessing functional hepatic LDL handling. This thesis establishes …

Increasing The Number Of Injections Per Cycle In A Gasoline Compression Ignition Strategy: An Experimental Study, Joshua Murray

All Theses

Gasoline Compression Ignition (GCI) is an advanced compression ignition strategy which utilizes the high octane number of gasoline to improve diesel soot and NOx emissions by enabling partially premixed injections of fuel. GCI work in the literature typically uses single, double, or triple injection strategies, with higher numbers of injections noted for their ability to achieve low MPRRs, improved soot and NOx emissions, and higher efficiency. Thus, this study extends the literature by evaluating quadruple and quintuple injection strategies for continued improvement in engine efficiency and emissions.

The experiments in this work are conducted on a heavy-duty Detroit Diesel DD13 …

Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage As A Model For Exploring The Effects Of Pain On Gait, Sydney Savage

All Theses

Persistent gait asymmetry following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is a recognized contributor to post-traumatic knee osteoarthritis, yet the independent role of pain in driving altered movement patterns remains poorly understood due to confounding factors inherent to clinical populations. This study used exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) as a controlled experimental model to isolate the effects of musculoskeletal pain on gait, independent of kinesiophobia, structural damage, and proprioceptive disruption. Eighteen healthy adults underwent unilateral eccentric calf-raise protocols to induce delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), with gait assessed at baseline, 48 hours, and 168 hours post-exercise using bilateral inertial measurement units. Outcomes …

Undergraduate Design Spine For Biological Systems Engineering And Agricultural Engineering, David Mabie, Derek M. Heeren, Deepak R. Keshwani, Heidi A. Diefes-Dux, Nicole M. Iverson, Rachel Padrnos, Greg Bashford, Taryn King, Jenna Hefley, Curtis L. Tomasevicz

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Engineering education is undergoing a shift toward preparing graduates with demonstrated capabilities that integrate technical knowledge, durable skills, and the ability to adapt in a rapidly evolving professional landscape. This paper describes a comprehensive redesign of the undergraduate curriculum in Biological Systems Engineering (BSEN) and Agricultural Engineering (AGEN) at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. The redesign is grounded in a “Design Spine” framework, which distributes and scaffolds design experiences across all four years of the program to support progressive development of problem solving, systems thinking, communication, and professional skills. The curriculum is organized around clearly defined capabilities and threads that connect …

Assessment Of Super Absorbent Polymer In Soybean Cultivation Under Variable Irrigation Conditions In Nebraska, Ankit Chandra, Abia Katimbo, Ronaldo Marchezan, Martha Nabaggala

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Presentations and White Papers

Water limitation is a primary constraint to soybean productivity in both irrigated and rainfed systems. Soil-applied superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) have been proposed as a strategy to buffer crops against episodic drought stress; however, their physiological and agronomic performance under varying irrigation regimes remains insufficiently quantified. Here, we evaluate three biodegradable polymer formulations: broader granules (BB), original granules (OG), and powder (PWR) applied at low (17.7 lb/ac) and high (120 lb/ac) rates under full (100% ET), reduced (50% ET), and no irrigation conditions in western Nebraska. Polymer application had negligible effects under full irrigation, with yields comparable to untreated controls. Under …

Engineered Uio-66-Nh2 Hybrid Nanocomposites For Antifouling Ultrafiltration Membranes With Dual Resistance To Microplastics And Protein Fouling, Mitra Golgoli, Mohadeseh Najafi, Javad Farahbakhsh, Masoumeh Zargar

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

The growing presence of microplastics (MPs) in water and their impact on ultrafiltration (UF) membranes during the early stages of wastewater treatment highlight the need for effective mitigation strategies. This study explores the innovative modification of UF membranes by incorporating various hybrid metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) nanoparticles, including UiO-66-NH2 hybrids with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (UiOM), chitosan (UiOC), and sulfobetaine zwitterions (UiOZ). These nanoparticles were synthesized and integrated into innovative UF membranes to compare their performance on MPs fouling effect in particular. The integration enhanced membrane hydrophilicity and altered surface roughness, creating a hydrophilic functional network that improved water permeability. Water …

Aircraft Fault Detection Via Weight And Bias Analysis Of A Custom First Neural Network Layer, George Harrison Chen

Theses and Dissertations

Fault detection in aircraft is traditionally handled through redundant hardware and comparison algorithms to detect failures. Alternatives like model-based residual generation and data-driven approaches such as supervised fault classification and unsupervised anomaly detection have been explored, but they suffer from practical limitations; model-based methods require accurate system models, and data-driven methods have large constraints on the data limiting scalability and adaptability. This work presents a purely data-driven neural network architecture featuring a custom first layer designed for real-time fault detection where the weights and biases of this layer are used to detect faults. The network requires zero supervision and complements …

Manned Exploration Of Satellites Of The Outer Planets: An Analysis Of Current Technologies And A Discussion Of Advancements Required, Joshua Carson Meador

Theses and Dissertations

The Solar System’s outer planets have many satellites, some of which are known to be the most likely places to find extraterrestrial life in our celestial backyard. Multiple scientific missions have been sent to glean information from these satellites, yet the possibility of a manned expedition has long been exclusive to science fiction stories. This paper intends to collect and analyze the current state of space travel technology to explore the feasibility of such a mission with modern technology and to discuss which future advancements should be the focal point for making such missions a reality. To begin, data on …

Moon Adaptive Technology For Extraterrestrial Architectural Robotics (Matear), Candela Noemi Solis Zampini

Theses and Dissertations

The Moon Adaptive Technology for Extraterrestrial Architectural Robotics (MATEAR) focuses on the development of an autonomous robotic system capable of providing structural building blocks directly from lunar regolith. As a sustained human presence on the Moon becomes a necessity, the costly and limited payload capacity associated with transporting construction goods from Earth creates a critical challenge. MATEAR addresses this problem through in-situ resource utilization (ISRU), integrating a regolith processing system onto a remote operated vehicle. The proposed system is designed to collect lunar dust, mechanically compact the material, and apply thermal treatment to enhance cohesion through sintering. These regolith-made bricks …

Dor-E: Final Design Report, Arav Singh, August Hogen-Esch, Bruce Le, Patrick Mcgee, Spencer Major

Mechanical Engineering

I. PROBLEM STATEMENT

The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary contains a diverse array of benthic habitats that remain largely undocumented due to the financial and logistical barriers of deep-sea exploration. Traditional high-end autonomous underwater vehicles and remotely operated vehicles capable of reaching 1000-meter depths require significant surface support infrastructure and hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding. Furthermore, navigating protected ecological zones demands strict adherence to "Leave No Trace" principles. Conventional benthic landers and submersibles routinely leave metallic debris behind; many submersibles use galvanic timed releases that corrode in seawater over a set period of time or heat-activated bolts to …

Ihelp Foundation 2025 Uganda Medical Mission, Kade Spencer Robison

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Uganda faces significant barriers to health care access, particularly in rural communities, due to physician shortages and limited resources. As a result, care is concentrated in urban areas, leaving rural populations disproportionately affected by both communicable and noncommunicable diseases.

This Honors Capstone project focused on preparing for and supporting the iHelp Foundation’s 2025 Uganda Medical Mission. The iHelp Foundation works to reduce barriers to care in Uganda by partnering with local hospitals to provide short-term rural clinics and specialized surgical care for advanced otolaryngological conditions.

In this project, I contributed to mission preparation by training volunteers and coordinating physician licensing. …

Enhancing Reliable Performance Of Microgrids With Autonomous Control Of Distributed Energy Resources, Sahand Liasi

All Dissertations

This dissertation presents a comprehensive investigation into enhancing the reliability, efficiency, and autonomous operation of modern power networks through advanced microgrid integration and control strategies. The research addresses critical challenges across three interconnected domains: microgrid control, thermodynamic modeling of heat recovery system (HRS), and optimal distribution network reliability.

In the realm of microgrid control, this work introduces novel methodologies for grid forming inverter-based resources (IBRs). A significant contribution is the development and validation of an "Auto Frequency Change" controller, which drastically reduces microgrid synchronization time with the main grid from several minutes to approximately four seconds, with theoretical potential for …

Development And Validation Of The Ampere Scale: Measuring Adaptive And Maladaptive Perfectionism In Engineering Students, Haleh B. Brotherton

All Dissertations

Perfectionism refers to the inclination to set very high expectations for oneself, which can at times encourage personal development and at other times lead to stress and a sense of pressure. Perfectionism is widely observed among engineering students; however, instruments that distinguish adaptive striving from concern-driven tendencies in the engineering context remain limited. My study is based on the development and validation of the AMPERE (Adaptive and Maladaptive Perfectionism in Engineering) scale through a three-phase process: (I) expert review with two domain experts to establish content validity; (II) cognitive interviews with seven undergraduates to refine wording and interpretability; and (III) …

Generative Ai Of Breast Cancer Progression In Gene Expression Space, Xusheng Ai

All Dissertations

Breast cancer is one of the most common and deadly cancers in the world. Although doctors can use gene activity data to better understand different types of breast cancer, it is still difficult to identify the most important genes and to track how the disease changes over time. This is partly because gene data are very large and complex.

This dissertation develops a computer-based framework to study breast cancer using gene expression data. The work focuses on three goals: creating realistic synthetic gene data, identifying important genes linked to cancer, and modeling how breast cancer changes from normal tissue to …

Baseline Cervical Intervertebral Disc Biomechanics And Implications For Allograft Preservation, Nathan F. Buchweitz

All Dissertations

Neck pain has become an increasingly common orthopaedic healthcare issue. Evidence shows that degeneration of cervical intervertebral discs (the cartilage between the spinal vertebrae in the neck) may be associated. While disc degeneration in the lumbar spine has been extensively studied in relation to low back pain, it has received less attention in the cervical spine. Biomechanically, the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) regions of the spine differ in function. Lumbar discs resist a greater burden of body weight, whereas cervical discs are adapted for mobility to aid flexible head orientation. Despite these key differences, disc injury and degeneration …

Ngc - Torch Test Ablation Stand Improvements And Upgrades, Sarah Nelson

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

This capstone project is sponsored by Northrop Grumman (NGC). The goal of the project is to redesign an ablation torch testing system to improve usability, safety, and versatility. Northrop Grumman relies on their ablation torch testing system to conduct quantitative evaluations of materials and high stress and high temperature conditions. The system provides essential data that supports product development, safety validation, and compliance with performance standards. By improving usability, safety, and versatility, NGC will be able to streamline testing operations, increase accuracy of results, and reduce operator risk. The system must allow testing using both a bent and straight torch …

Examining The Effects Of Lateral Loading On Railroad Tapered Roller Bearings, Abel David Sanchez Trinidad

Theses and Dissertations

The loading conditions experienced by freight railcar bearings vary as a function of vehicle operating conditions. Under static conditions, bearings are primarily subjected to radial loads transmitted through the wheelset. During operation, however, track irregularities, braking events, railcar load imbalances, and curving introduce complex impact, longitudinal, and lateral forces in addition to the normal radial loading. These lateral forces increase friction within the bearing raceways, which could accelerate wear and potentially lead to premature spall initiation and propagation. While prior research at the University Transportation Center for Railway Safety (UTCRS) has demonstrated that vibration signatures can be used to detect …

Enhancing Food Security In Stann Creek, Belize Using Meat Rabbits: Engineering Perspective, Lindsey Garretson

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the engineering perspective within the overall project of using meat rabbits to enhance food security and nutrition within Stann Creek, Belize. From the engineering perspective, the overarching goals were like the overarching project goals including the construction and materials required guide within the manual, designing potential upgrades to the design including a solar and battery system and an automatic watering system, and to design the system to be “practically sustainable” where possible. The constraints for this project included cost, the size of land dedicated for the rabbitry, and the operational and environmental …

A Baseline Study Of Artificial Intelligence Use Among Chemical Engineering Undergraduates At The University Of Arkansas, Natalie J. Erickson

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has shifted from a novel innovation to a tool used in daily life, particularly within higher education. While anecdotal evidence suggests high levels of student engagement with AI, empirical data regarding usage patterns remains limited. This baseline study investigates AI integration among undergraduate chemical engineering students at the University of Arkansas. Through an anonymous survey (N=68; comprising 20 freshmen, 14 sophomores, 16 juniors, and 18 seniors), researchers assessed usage frequency, student comfort levels, and their evolving relationship with AI tools. The findings reveal that 75% of respondents utilize AI for coursework at least once …

From Kernel To Carbon Footprint: Using Life Cycle Analysis To Teach Sustainability In Chemical Engineering, Neal Z. Kinney

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Many chemical engineering departments in the United States are currently lacking developed sustainability coursework, leaving many students without a developed understanding of topics such as life cycle analysis (LCA). [1] Therefore, there is a need for engaging and flexible educational tools that can be easily incorporated into course frameworks. This study develops an interactive learning module, expanding upon the work from Pollution Prevention Through Popcorn, a study developed by Rowan University. [2] The module combines experimental analysis of popcorn popping methods with life cycle assessment using OpenLCA to evaluate the environmental impacts of common types of popcorn packaging. Results of …

Cationic Polymer-Grafted Magnetic Nanoparticles For Enhanced Removal Of Anionic Dyes From Wastewater, Joia A. Traver

Chemical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Water scarcity and pollution are escalating global challenges, with textile industry wastewater often enriched with toxic dyes posing significant risks to environmental and human health. These contaminants increase turbidity, reduce dissolved oxygen levels, and ultimately impair aquatic ecosystems. This thesis focuses on the remediation of dye-contaminated water using nanoscale polymeric adsorbents. Methyl orange, a common anionic dye widely used in textile and leather industries, was selected as the model contaminant due to its terminal sulfonate group, which enables strong electrostatic and hydrogen-bonding interactions with cationic functional materials.

In this work, magnetic nanoparticles grafted with cationic polymers were synthesized and evaluated …

Electrical Resilience In Water Treatment Plants: An Extreme Weather And Lightning Protection Study, Genesis Martinez

Theses and Dissertations

Water treatment plants (WTPs) are vital infrastructure systems that depend on sensitive electrical, electronic, and control equipment to ensure the continuous supply of safe drinking water and effective wastewater treatment. As global temperatures rise and climate change accelerates, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events—such as hurricanes, flooding, and increased lightning activity—are becoming more pronounced. These events pose significant risks to the electrical resilience of water treatment facilities, often leading to power outages, equipment failures, grid instability, and prolonged service disruptions. This report explores the impacts of extreme weather, with a particular focus on lightning and electrical surges, on …

From Reactive To Predictive: A Hybrid Trust-Mediated Adoption Framework For Data-Driven Maintenance In Distributed-Authority Aviation Environments, Dustin J. Foote

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Modern aviation maintenance operates within increasingly data-intensive technological environments, yet the operational integration of predictive maintenance into routine decision-making remains inconsistent across sectors. Contemporary aircraft incorporate centralized maintenance computers and condition monitoring architectures capable of fault aggregation, exceedance capture, and trend-based data collection. Although prognostics and health management research continues to advance detection and prediction methods, implementation outcomes often depend on factors beyond analytical performance alone.

This paper examines predictive maintenance adoption in distributed-authority aviation environments and argues that constraints emerge less from sensing capability than from organizational structure, decision authority dispersion, and institutional trust dynamics. For purposes of analysis, …