Digital Commons Network^™

Using An Old Assay In New Ways: Differential Scanning Calorimetry Characterization, Quantification, And Interaction Analysis Of Whey Proteins, Charity Conlin Jennings

Theses and Dissertations

Whey proteins including β-Lactoglobulin, α-Lactalbumin, Immunoglobulin-G, Serum Albumin, Lactoferrin, and Lactoperoxidase each have unique biological properties spanning anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral activities as well as deliver essential nutrients to the human body. In the past decade, there has been a large focus on extracting these individual proteins for their use in foods and supplements. In order to best extract these proteins and prepare them properly in foods and supplements, an understanding of how they behave and denature in different environments is necessary. However, there is insufficient knowledge of their thermodynamic properties and potential interactions in varying conditions. Additionally, there are …

Realidades De Las Organizaciones De La Sociedad Civil En México: Índice De Fomento A Las Actividades De Las Osc, Pablo Armando González Ulloa Aguirre

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Este artículo presenta los hallazgos derivados de la construcción de un Índice que evalúa el estado del fomento de las Organizaciones de la Sociedad Civil (OSC) en las 32 entidades federativas de México durante el año 2021. También describe los criterios considerados en la construcción del Índice y los resultados obtenidos en cada una de sus dimensiones. El Índice proporciona una perspectiva integral y multidimensional sobre el estudio del fomento a las OSC, analizando las dimensiones legal, institucional y programática con el objetivo de comparar los avances y los retrocesos en este ámbito. Al hacerlo, ofrece una oportunidad para mejorar …

Program Evaluation: Best Practices And Examples For Nonprofits, Erica Bassett, Faith M. Manchester

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Realities Of Mexican Civil Society Organizations: Index For The Promotion Of Activities Of Civil Society Organizations, Pablo Armando Gonzalez Ulloa Aguirre

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

This article presents the findings derived from the construction of an Index that evaluates the state of promotion of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) across Mexico’s 32 federal entities during the year 2021. It also outlines the criteria considered in building the Index and the results obtained in each of its dimensions. The Index provides a comprehensive and multidimensional perspective on the study of CSO promotion, analyzing legal, institutional, and programmatic dimensions with the aim of comparing progress and setbacks in this area. In doing so, it offers an opportunity to improve certain aspects as more data is generated and made …

Civilization: The Gaze Of Photography, William Alexander Ewing

Comparative Civilizations Review

If the lifetime of our species were imagined as a single 24-hour day, then civilization makes its appearance at the 23.02 mark. And photography? It comes on stage under a minute before midnight.

How marvelous it would have been to have had photography recording our lives throughout those millennia.

Towards The Systematic Cross-Civilizational Comparison: How Civilizations Work - Case 1: The Monotheistic Civilization, Liah Greenfeld

Comparative Civilizations Review

The purpose of this essay is to offer several hypotheses based on the concept of civilization and the conceptual scaffolding for the study of the cultural reality, proposed in the Spring 2024 CCR paper, regarding the three civilizations coexisting in the world today: the monotheistic, the Sinic, and the Indic. It introduces the modal dimensions along which civilizations may differ on the level of the individual mind — cognitive (pertaining both to the structure and contents of thought), moral, and emotional; and that of the society (separate institutions and institutional systems) and history.

The Fragrance Muse: Musk As A Symbolic Tapestry In Classical Persian Poetry, Akbar Shirini, Shen Xudong, Zhao Dan

Comparative Civilizations Review

This paper explores the symbolic representation of musk in classical Persian poetry, uncovering its role as a multifaceted emblem of Iranian cultural identity and human experience. Drawing on a qualitative analysis of primary texts from the Ganjoor archive and secondary sources, the study traces musk’s historical significance across China, Iran, and Islamic world. In China, musk is prized for its rarity, medicinal properties, and metaphysical roles; in Iran, it intertwines with mythology, Zoroastrian cosmology, and trade; in Islamic contexts, it holds commercial and therapeutic value, cherished by figures like Mohammad. Within Persian poetry, musk transcends its material origins, symbolizing blackness …

Towards The Systematic Cross-Civilizational Comparison: How Civilizations Work Case 2: The Indic Civilization, Monika Monika

Comparative Civilizations Review

Building on Liah Greenfeld’s (2024) framework of Systematic Cross-Civilizational Comparison, as outlined in her Spring 2024 CCR essay, this paper examines the cultural realities of the Indic civilization. Civilizations differ at both the individual level, including cognitive aspects (the structure and content of thought), moral dimensions (values and principles guiding behavior), and emotional patterns (typical emotional responses); and the societal level, i.e., distinct institutions, institutional systems, and historical trajectories (Greenfeld 2024).

In each civilization, these modal dimensions stem from and are shaped by the first civilizational principles — the foundational ideas framing the reality unique to that civilization. In Indic …

Modeling, Control, And Learning For Whole-Body Manipulation With Large-Scale Soft Robots, Curtis C. Johnson

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation addresses the challenge of enabling soft robots to perform contact-rich manipulation tasks by overcoming limitations in hardware, modeling, control, and learning. First, we present hardware advancements with PneuDrive, a pneumatic control system for actuating soft robots. We also introduce Baloo, a hybrid soft-rigid robotic torso which achieves a single-arm payload capacity of 19.3 kg and robust whole-body grasping capabilities. We also develop a full-body tactile sensing system enabling piezoresistive sensor arrays to cover large areas (1 square meter) with over 8000 distributed sensing points. Second, we focus on developing tractable dynamic models based on the Recursive Newton-Euler algorithm …

Data For Recreation Effects On Soil Carbon, Biocrust, Soil Stability, And Invasives In Indian Creek, Bears Ears National Monument, Elisabeth M. Currit, Tara B. Bishop, April Hulet, Nathan Allen Currit, Teresa Gomez, Nathan T. Thompson, Shannon Lambson, Heidi Jean Wilding Mann, Evan Miller, Erin Jones, Alexandra Olson, Katherine A. Anselmi, Meredith Murdock, Ella Reid, Kirsten Steele, Indy Lawrence, Neil Hansen

ScholarsArchive Data

This data is about how different types of recreation impact different soil and vegetation properties related to soil carbon in Indian Creek, Bears Ears National Monument. The data was collected from May 2023 to October 2023. It contains plant functional group cover, biocrust cover and type, soil stability, and compaction data for each individual site. There are 5-7 of each site type: camping, foot trails, and motorized offroading trails, and undisturbed sites, with a total of 30 sites. It also contains the code used to analyze the raw data and the figures created.

Engineering Protein Linkers For Optimized Telsam-Darpin Fusion And Crystallization With Electric Field-Based Polymer Orientation, Maria Jose Pedroza Romo

Theses and Dissertations

Fusing a variant of the sterile alpha motif domain of the human translocation ETS leukemia protein (TELSAM) to a protein of interest significantly enhances crystallization and diffraction quality. TELSAM is a pH-dependent, polymer-forming crystallization chaperone that, when covalently fused to a protein, forms a well-ordered crystal lattice. However, the success of this method depends on two factors: 1) the design of the linker connecting TELSAM to the target protein, which influences both crystal packing and target orientation, and 2) the prevention of TELSAM polymer flipping, a phenomenon that disrupts lattice periodicity and impairs structure determination. To address the first challenge, …

Evaluating Nfl Quarterback Decision Making Through Tracking Data, Jesse N. Melville

Theses and Dissertations

Quarterback decision-making is one of the most critical determinants of success in the National Football League (NFL), yet traditional statistics fail to account for the spatial, temporal, and contextual factors influencing each play. This thesis proposes a data-driven methodology for evaluating quarterback decisions using NFL player tracking data from the 2022 season. We replicate and extend the DeepQB framework by training deep learning models to estimate expected completion probabilities and expected yards gained for each receiver at the moment of the throw. Our extension applies the approach to a newer dataset with additional contextual features, enabling a more detailed evaluation …

Ai-Enabled Innovations In Automated Essay Scoring And Feedback Systems, Michael J. Murff

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation examines the evolution and educational implementation of Automated Essay Scoring (AES) systems, with particular focus on generative artificial intelligence integration in educational assessment. Through a two-article format, this research addresses the persistent gap between technical capability and educational adoption that has characterized AES development over seven decades. The first article presents a comprehensive methodological review analyzing 122 studies spanning AES evolution from foundational computational linguistics through contemporary hybrid systems. Despite achieving strong correlations with human scoring, modern AES systems face resistance due to validity concerns and misalignment with pedagogical values, revealing an "adoption paradox" where technical sophistication often …

Under The Sea And Into The Future With Darwin, Verne, & Wells: Evolutionary Ideas In Early Science Fiction Literature And Atomic Age Adaptations, Suzette K. Forston

Theses and Dissertations

In the latter half of the nineteenth century, Charles Darwin's theories challenged traditional ways of thinking about the world so dramatically that his writings inspired the formation of a new genre: science fiction. Two pioneering authors, Jules Verne and H. G. Wells drew from Darwin's writings in their classic novels, 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas (1870) and The Time Machine (1895). Though the two authors are often compared because they were both early science fiction authors, they approached Darwinian theory in different ways. Verne uses a more extrapolative approach and focusing on specific details of Darwin's texts to tell a …

Exploring Soil-Derived Antimicrobials For Inhibiting Dairy-Associated Pathogens And Spoilage Bacteria, Michael Joseph Moran

Theses and Dissertations

Spore-forming bacteria are among the most problematic contaminants in fluid milk. They can survive pasteurization, grow at refrigeration temperatures, and secrete heat-stable enzymes, making them a major cause of spoilage in both pasteurized and reconstituted milk products. Current nonthermal strategies for reducing spore counts, including microfiltration and bactofugation, are often costly and inconsistent. The increasing consumer demand for natural additives in food products has sparked interest in the use of bacterially-derived antimicrobial compounds, particularly those from generally recognized as safe (GRAS) organisms, as an alternative method of dairy preservation. This study explores the antimicrobial potential of ten soil-derived Bacillus and …

Mystical Epistemologies: Understanding Divine Love Through Ibn 'Arabi And Thomas Aquinas, Janai Wright

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This paper explores the epistemological role of love in the mystical frameworks of Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi and Thomas Aquinas, two significant figures of medieval philosophy and theology. Though rooted in distinct monotheistic traditions—Islamic mysticism and Christian scholasticism—both thinkers share a foundation in Aristotelian thought, from which they derive skepticism regarding the intellect's capacity to fully comprehend or relate to the divine. Instead, they elevate love as the essential means to attaining knowledge of God. By comparing Ibn ‘Arabi’s concept of the heart with Aquinas’ notion of the will, the paper elucidates how each philosopher positions love as transcending the limitations …

Opposing Roles For Iron Transport Systems In Gallium Tolerance In Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia Coli, Nagama Parveen

Theses and Dissertations

Iron is required for bacterial growth because it serves as a co-factor for enzymes involved in DNA synthesis, cellular respiration, and other processes. Disrupting bacterial iron homeostasis is an effective strategy to prevent the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and gallium (Ga³⁺) has emerged as a promising candidate due to its ability to displace iron (Fe³⁺) and prevent essential iron-dependent pathways. However, Escherichia coli are naturally less sensitive to gallium than many other bacteria, and the mechanisms that control gallium tolerance are not completely understood. To address this, we performed a genome-wide transposon sequencing (TnSeq) screen to identify genes important for …

Characterizing Host And Viral Factors Relevant To Turkey Hemorrhagic Enteritis Virus-Induced Immunosuppression, Abraham Quaye

Theses and Dissertations

Turkey hemorrhagic enteritis virus (THEV) is an adenovirus (AdV) that causes hemorrhagic enteritis (HE) in turkeys, a debilitating disease affecting predominantly 6-12-week-old turkey poults characterized by immunosuppression (IMS) and intestinal lesions leading to bloody diarrhea. Although a naturally-occurring avirulent THEV strain has been adopted as live vaccine and has proven effective at preventing HE in turkeys, it still retains its immunosuppressive ability. Thus, vaccinated birds are rendered more susceptible to opportunistic infections and death than unvaccinated cohorts, leading to substantial economic losses. This dissertation focuses on elucidating both host and viral factors mediating THEV-induced IMS in turkeys. As THEV gene …

Characterizing Gastric Cancer Tumor Immune Microenvironment Through Extracellular Vesicles, Claire Elizabeth Bruno

Theses and Dissertations

The tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) critically influences cancer progression and determining therapeutic response. As immunotherapies continue to improve and reshape cancer treatments, there is a need for tools that can more efficiently and accurately assess and monitor the TIME. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), especially small EVs (sEVs), are lipid-bound nanoparticles that carry proteins, DNA, and RNA reflective of their cell of origin, offering a novel, non-invasive biomarker of the TIME. This makes them a promising candidate for immune profiling and treatment monitoring in cancer. This thesis investigates the potential of EVs as biomarkers for TIME composition and immune activity. An analysis …

What's The Joke Princess?: A Qualitative Analysis On The Comic Representation Of Women In Disney Sitcoms, Julia J. Lee

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the comedic representation of women in recent Disney sitcoms (2019"“2025), focusing on the framing devices, stereotypes, and situational contexts through which gendered humor is constructed and reinforced. Drawing from existing literature on comedic archetypes, the study identifies six historically dominant comedic frames and reveals eleven emergent subframes that complicate, reinforce, or expand these traditional portrayals. Through qualitative content analysis and systematic coding of selected Disney sitcoms, this study identifies consistent character traits and comedic techniques that span multiple frames and contexts, revealing how these patterns influence audience perceptions of femininity. The study situates these frames within three …

Humans Rule? Implications Of Religious Undergraduates’ Changing Environmental Perceptions, J. Robert Nielson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Addressing climate change requires correctly appraising one’s ethic toward the Earth. Historically, people have navigated their relationship to the natural world via environmental ethics of both religious and secular origin. Aldo Leopold described developing this relationship via the land ethic, a culturally informed process, as “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological necessity.” A land ethic provides a reference point from which individuals and societies make decisions about the Earth and its resources. This thesis considers the evolving land ethic of a young population of conservative Christian students at Brigham Young University with two separate cohorts of non-biology major undergraduates enrolled …

Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor Effects On The Mesolimbic Dopamine Circuitry And Adaptations With Chronic Ethanol Exposure, Rachel Ji-Hyae Campbell

Theses and Dissertations

The mesolimbic dopamine (DA) system contributes to reward and reinforcement learning for ethanol (EtOH). The nucleus accumbens (NAc) receives DA input from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) encoding rewarding information. Acute EtOH increases NAc DA levels, and this DA response is attenuated with chronic EtOH exposure. Furthermore, chronic EtOH results in reduced DA release, increased DA clearance and presynaptic D2-type auto-receptor sensitization. Further research into EtOH-induced neural adaptations that modulate NAc DA release is explored herein, including changes in cholinergic interneurons (CIN), which are known regulators of DA transmission. One potential class of regulators are immune related cytokines, that can …

The Onus Of Belonging: A Woman’S Perspective, Emily Richael

AWE (A Woman’s Experience)

In the fall of 2022, the BYU philosophy department offered a new feminist theories course. After a YouTube video attacking the course received nearly eight thousand views, a professor from the Global Women’s Studies program offered to stand guard outside the door on the first day of class.

Full Issue, Vol. 16

Monographs of the Western North American Naturalist

No abstract provided.

Mammals Of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge And Surrounding Harney County, Oregon, John E. Cornely, Leslie N. Carraway

Monographs of the Western North American Naturalist

Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), located in southeastern Oregon, is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) of the United States. Currently, NWRS includes more than 568 NWRs, 38 Wetland Management Districts, and 5 Marine National Monuments. Malheur NWR, like a majority of the refuges in the NWRS, was established for the conservation of migratory birds. Many of these NWRs also provide significant habitat for mammals. Malheur NWR, one of the oldest (established 1908) and largest refuges in the system, is one of those with significant habitat for mammals. In addition to the refuge, we have included Harney County, …

A Pedagogical Analysis Of How Unprefixed Verbs Of Motion Are Presented In Instructional Materials For Beginner Russian Language Learners, Elena Petrova, Kris Lewis

Russian Language Journal

It is well-known that verbs of motion (VoM) are quite challenging for Russian language learners. We analyze four VoM-specific pedagogical materials (three textbooks and one mobile application) for their usefulness in supporting second language acquisition and the development of new thinking-for-speaking (TFS) patterns in beginner-level Russian language learners. Focusing on directionality, scaffolding, comprehensible input, the use of visuals, and communicative activities, we highlight how these materials lay a foundation for understanding VoM but are not sufficient for helping learners fully develop new TFS patterns. We pose recommendations for future research, teaching, learning, and materials development in the area of Russian …

Women Empowerment, Food Sovereignty And Fate Of Rural Women In Lilongwe, Malawi, Tapiwa Singini, Wu Xu

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

No abstract provided.

Fantasy Novels, Romance, And Book Boyfriends: Romantic Views And Expectations Of Young Adult Women, Kennedy Dawn Morris

Theses and Dissertations

Despite its drop in popularity, reading is a pastime that is enjoyed by many. As with other forms of media, there is the question of how consuming literature impacts individuals. This research study examines how reading fantasy novels impacts the romantic views and expectations of women in emerging adulthood. Social comparison theory and parasocial relationships were utilized in order to examine how young adult women compare their relationships and relationship ideals to those of fictional characters, as well as how young adult women decide which fictional relationships and/or characters are worth their admiration. The findings of this study suggest that …

Applying Ceragenins In Translational Medicine: Activating Mesenchymal Stem Cells And Preventing Healthcare-Associated Infections, Aaron L. Zaugg

Theses and Dissertations

Healthcare-associated infections are a major global concern. Increased infections among vulnerable populations lead to millions of deaths, annually, complicated by the emergence of multi-drug resistant pathogens. These infections are often facilitated by medical devices serving as abiotic surfaces that facilitate the formation of biofilms. Notably, colonization of prostheses and other bone-associated medical devices can lead to corrective procedures, revisions and death. To address these issues, inspiration can be drawn from natural sources of bone health and defenses against infection. Cathelicidins are endogenous peptides involved in both bone maintenance and infection control. Ceragenins are small molecule mimics of cathelicidins with broad …

The Cellular Mechanisms Of Alzheimer's Disease Protection By The Pilra G78r Variant, Wenhan Cheng

Theses and Dissertations

Microglial dysfunction is increasingly linked to Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Immune receptors like TREM2 and CD33 play opposing roles in microglial activity. TREM2 activation triggers immunoreceptor tyrosine-based activation motif (ITAM) signaling to promote microglial activities, including amyloid-β clearance, but variants in TREM2 such as R47H that impair its function increase AD risk. In contrast, CD33 is an inhibitory receptor that contains an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) which transmits signals that suppress microglial function. An AD-protective variant in CD33 alters CD33 activity, potentially enhancing TREM2 function. PILRA is another inhibitory immune receptor expressed by microglia that contains an ITIM. A naturally …