Digital Commons Network^™

Creating A Stat2 Knock-Out Rat With Crispr/Cas9 Using I-Gonad, Isabella Dejesus

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Through the use of genetically modified animals, a more holistic understanding of physiologic responses to various diseases and pathologies can be obtained^7,19. The STAT2 gene encodes a protein called Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 2 and is an excellent target for genetic manipulation due to its essential role in type I and III interferon signaling pathways¹¹. A member of the STAT family of transcription factors, this protein is directly involved in mediating cellular responses to various cytokines and growth factors, particularly those related to the innate immune response¹¹. While the STAT2 signaling pathway …

Climate Prediction As An Adaptive Force-Multiplier: Reasons For Hope In A Rapidly Changing World, Matthew D. Laplante

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

It's not unreasonable to feel pessimistic about our future under climate change. But "believing the science" doesn't require you to accept that we are headed toward apocalypse. It is true that human-caused climate change is real, it is underway, and our societies face many increased risks because of it. But that's just part of what climate science tells us about our future world. This same field is responsible for the recent and rapid development of tools and techniques that permit the identification of patterns in our oceans and atmosphere that will aid us in making increasingly accurate predictions about climate—the …

Component Analysis Of Interactive Computer Training To Teach Paraprofessionals To Deliver Behavioral Skills Training, Scott V. Page

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

In education and Applied Behavior Analysis, there is growing demand for well-trained entry-level individuals to deliver behavior interventions. Interactive Computer Training allows trainees to access online instruction with video demonstrations, interactive tasks, and feedback, without a live instructor. This training approach could save valuable training time and money. Prior researchers demonstrated these types of training can teach trainees to correctly use behavior interventions. There are gaps in our understanding of Interactive Computer Trainings that limit its successful use. Few studies measured cost-effectiveness, identified the effective features of Interactive Computer Training (e.g., videos, quizzes, feedback), or trained users to deliver effective …

The Impact Of Lactoferrin And Iron-Enriched Whey On Iron Absorption, Gastrointestinal Symptoms, And Menstrual Health In Women, Mia Dustin

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Iron is an essential trace mineral involved in oxygen transport, energy metabolism, and cellular function, yet deficiency remains prevalent among women of reproductive age. In the U.S., approximately 20% of women aged 18-45 years fail to meet daily iron requirements due to lack of iron consumption in the diet, menstrual blood loss, or intense exercise, often leading to anemia, fatigue, and cognitive impairment. While ferrous sulfate is a common form of iron supplementation, it frequently causes gastrointestinal discomfort. Researchers have explored lactoferrin, a glycoprotein with immune and iron-binding properties, as an adjunct to traditional supplementation. This study examines the effects …

Weaving Freedom: A Sustainable And Autonomous Approach To Community Development In Rural Argentina, Caroline Johnson

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

This paper examines how culturally sensitive, inclusive, and climate-responsive design can empower weavers in Blanca Pozo, Argentina by addressing the unique social, economic, and environmental challenges of the region, fostering autonomy and community resilience through innovative housing and communal spaces. AWANAY is a boutique rug design studio that makes custom artisanal pieces in remote Northern Argentina. Home to AWANAY’s skilled artisans, Blanca Pozo faces environmental pressures, including extreme heat, flooding, and limited access to electricity and fresh water. Drawing on the history of Argentine architecture and global sustainable design principles, this project proposes solutions tailored to the local climate and …

Impacts Of Reef Fish Length On Foraging Radius: Exploring Behavioral Patterns Within A Patch Reef Ecosystem, Kilia Brawand

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Reef fish exhibit various behaviors upon the Great Barrier Reef. One of these behaviors includes that of limiting their grazing distances from a patch reef refuge to a certain maximum distance in order to avoid predators. This is defined as a ‘foraging radius’ or ‘margin of safety’. This ‘foraging radius’ varies among fish due to many factors- including species, morphology, ontogenesis, habitat complexity, and importantly: speed. Quicker fish can outswim predators to safety more efficiently than slower fish, and can therefore afford to travel farther distances to forage. Speed varies among fish for a number of reasons, including fish size …

Phylogeny And Historical Biogeography Of Uroleucon Aphids, Audrey Michelle Mullen

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The aphid genus Uroleucon (Aphididae: Aphidinae: Macrosiphini) is a diverse group of about 230 species found globally in most temperate regions, principally in the northern hemisphere. Only 23 species are described from the southern hemisphere, in South American temperate regions such as Chile, Argentina, and Peru. However, the origins of the South American species are unknown, as are the relationships of these taxa to northern hemisphere Uroleucon species. This study seeks to establish the relationships between Uroleucon aphids native to South America and their North American and Eurasian counterparts using genetic data. We use phylogenetic analysis of cytochrome c oxidase …

On The Challenges Posed By Non-Machian Solutions To Relationalism In General Relativity, Zachary Matthew Zito

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

The relationship between Mach’s Principle and solutions to Einstein’s field equations is examined, with special attention to Friedmann-Lematre-Robertson-Walker (FLRW) cosmology. Mach’s Principle is outlined, and the extent to which general relativity fulfills Machs vision is assessed. It is argued that several important solutions to Einsteins equations, particularly the FLRW cosmological models, embody key Machian features. In order to elucidate the FLRW cosmological model, the associated energy-momentum tensor for a perfect fluid under the assumptions of large-scale homogeneity and isotropy is derived and used to obtain the Friedmann equations that govern cosmic expansion. It is shown that FLRW cosmology can be …

Establishing Methods For In Vitro Static Culture Of Gut Microbiomes For Nutritional Intervention Studies, Jeremy Mathew Case

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Lipid oxidation products (LOPs), which form during high-heat processing of oils common in Western diets, are known to cause inflammation and cellular damage. While LOPs have been implicated in exacerbating colitis and promoting colon tumorigenesis in mouse models, their direct impact on the gut microbiome remains poorly understood. This capstone project aimed to develop a low-cost in vitro protocol to culture the mouse gut microbiome under anaerobic conditions, enabling future investigations into the direct effects of bioactive dietary compounds such as LOPs. The study also assessed whether viable microbial communities could be recovered from fecal samples stored at -80°C. Fecal …

To Bee Or Not To Bee: Investigating Pesticide Behavior Inside And Outside Of Semi-Field Cages, Mallory Bingham

Undergraduate Honors Capstone Projects

Bees play an important role in ecosystems and food production through pollination. One such bee, the alfalfa leaf cutting bee (ALCB) is a very efficient pollinator and is essential in alfalfa seed production. However, bees face increasing harm, most notably due to the deleterious effect of pesticides used in agriculture, and much research is dedicated to investigating the extent of effects that pesticides have on different bee populations. One common tool used to study the effects of pesticide exposure on bees is semi-field cages. These cages have some key advantages, such as restricting bee foraging to plots sprayed with pesticides …

Seasonal And Temporal Influences On Successful Crossing Rates By Ungulates Of A North Utah Wildlife Overpass, Blake Ledbetter

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Encroachment of human infrastructure fragments wild landscapes and introduces a suite of negative impacts for humans and wildlife. In Utah, roadways threaten migratory ungulates by creating a barrier to movements and preventing access to seasonal migration routes. To mitigate these conflicts, state transportation agencies often install wildlife crossing structures to allow animals to safely cross over or under roadways. Selecting the proper crossing structure requires consideration of the species of interest, landscape, location, and structural dimensions. Often there is balance between the optimal location, the dimensions of the crossing structures, and what is feasible given the landscape. In 2018, the …

Utah State University Commencement, 2025 – Southwest Campus, Utah State University

Commencement Programs

2025 Commencement Ceremony for the Southwest Campus of Utah State University.

Utah State University Commencement, 2025 – Main Campus, Utah State University

Commencement Programs

2025 Commencement Ceremony for the Main Campus of Utah State University.

A Bivalent Self-Amplifying Rna Vaccine Against Yellow Fever And Zika Viruses, Peter Battisti, Matthew R. Ykema, Darshan N. Kasal, Madeleine F. Jennewein, Samuel Beaver, Abbie E. Weight, Derek Hanson, Jasneet Singh, Julie Bakken, Noah Cross, Pauline Fusco, Jacob Archer, Sierra Reed, Alana Gerhardt, Justin G. Julander, Corey Casper, Emily A. Voigt

Animal, Dairy, and Veterinary Science Student Research

Introduction: Yellow fever (YFV) and Zika (ZIKV) viruses cause significant morbidity and mortality, despite the existence of an approved YFV vaccine and the development of multiple ZIKV vaccine candidates to date. New technologies may improve access to vaccines against these pathogens. We previously described a nanostructured lipid carrier (NLC)-delivered self-amplifying RNA (saRNA) vaccine platform with excellent thermostability and immunogenicity, appropriate for prevention of tropical infectious diseases.

Methods: YFV and ZIKV prM-E antigen-expressing saRNA constructs were created using a TC-83 strain Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus-based replicon and complexed with NLC by simple mixing. Monovalent and bivalent vaccine formulations were injected intramuscularly …

One Size Doesn’T Fit All: Towards Design And Evaluation Of Developmentally Appropriate Parental Control Tool, Prakriti Dumaru, Mahdi Nasrullah Al-Ameen

Computer Science Student Research

As children progress through developmental stages, they undergo substantial biological, cognitive, and social changes, creating unique needs for online safety across different age groups (e.g., young children, tweens, teens). The existing parental control tools fail to account for these differences, leaving a notable gap in the literature on parental mediation. To this end, we conducted 10 focus group sessions with a total of 20 parents to understand their preferences for age-appropriate design components that promote self-regulation and open communication, followed by an ideation workshop with four UX design experts to translate these preferences into customized features. We then evaluated these …

The Utah Statesman, April 28, 2025, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Who Carries Bear Spray? Reducing Risk In The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem Through Leave No Trace Communication, Anna B. Miller, Clara-Jane Blye, Jennifer Newton, Lauren Miller, Jacob Richards

Environment and Society Faculty Publications

As bear populations increase in areas like the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE), human-bear interactions are rising, with grizzly bear encounters more than doubling in the past decade. To reduce conflicts, land management agencies promote Leave No Trace (LNT) behaviors, emphasizing bear awareness, proper food storage, maintaining distance from wildlife, and carrying bear spray. However, a survey of 566 visitors across the GYE found that 27% of respondents report never carrying bear spray. Non-carriers were often first-time visitors, traveling in larger groups, or day-use visitors to front-country areas. They also viewed the message to carry bear spray as less important than …

Data From: The Dynamic Responses Of The Mouse Gut Microbiome To Dietary Supplementation With Various Anthocyanin-Rich Foods In The Context Of A Western Diet, Abby D. Benninghoff

Browse all Datasets

Background/Objectives: Anthocyanin (ACN)-rich foods may support gut health by modulating the microbiome and reducing inflammation, potentially lowering the risk of colitis-associated colorectal cancer. However, the dynamic response of the gut microbiome to ACN-rich diets is not well characterized, including in the context of structural and compositional differences among ACN-containing foods. This study examined the temporal response of the mouse gut microbiome to dietary ACNs, focusing on the impact of structural variation. We hypothesized that microbiome shifts would occur rapidly but require sustained dietary ACN intake to persist. Methods: C57BL/6J mice were fed the total Western diet (TWD) supplemented with freeze-dried …

Floating And Submerged Plants Of Utah: Pocket Field Guide, Kate Sinnott, Karin M. Kettenring

All Current Publications

This is a field guide to identifying floating and submerged plants of Utah. We include a page for each species and also a dichotomous key at the end for the pondweeds. Submerged and floating plant species play critical roles in aquatic ecosystems. They provide habitat to aquatic organisms, improve water clarity by trapping sediment, and absorb excess nutrients from the water column, among other vital services. However, they have been threatened and degraded by pollution, land conversion, and introductions of harmful species. Identifying native and non-native plants is an important component of tackling this degradation and promoting the conservation and …

The Utah Statesman, April 21, 2025, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Avian Detection Data And Environmental Covariates For Utah, Usa Over The Years 2017-2021, Amanda L. Hayes-Puttfarcken

Browse all Datasets

Integrated Monitoring in Bird Conservation Regions (IMBCR) detection data for the state of Utah, USA, and LANDFIRE uncharacteristic exotic Departure Score data over Utah during our study period, as well as additional environmental covariates used to make the model more ecologically accurate. Environmental covariates include average May precipitation, average June temperature, distance to the nearest road, percent canopy cover, and the percent of three habitat types as defined by LANDFIRE; open tree canopy, herbaceous, and shrubland.

The Utah Statesman, April 14, 2025, Utah State University

The Utah Statesman

Weekly student newspaper of Utah State University in Logan.

Naloxone: A Lifesaving Tool Against Opioid Overdose, Aaron Hunt, Gabriela Murza, Amy May, Jenna Hawks, Alyssa Ferrin

All Current Publications

Naloxone is a medicine that can temporarily stop an opioid overdose by blocking the effects of opioids on the brain, which can save a person's life. This fact sheet explains why naloxone is important and safe, how to recognize the signs of opioid overdose, and how to obtain, store, and administer naloxone. Naloxone training is also available through Utah State University Extension.

Using Trail Cameras To Detect Small Mammals, S. Nicole Frey

All Current Publications

Traditional methods to detect wildlife, including nuisance animals, are not often successful at detecting small mammals. By modifying the deployment of trail cameras, including using a portable tunnel, we have successfully developed a "small mammal method" that has been used to inventory animals at Zion National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument. We provide details on how to modify simple trail camera deployment. We also provide detailed instructions on how to create a portable small mammal tunnel to improve species detection and identification.

Crop Advisor Approaches To Soil Health Advising And Opportunities For Improvement, Peggy Petrzelka, Jessica D. Ulrich-Schad, Matt Yost, Jenae Dean, Earl Creech, Linda Schott, Tony Richards, Kristy Davis

All Current Publications

In this report, we use data from a 2023 online survey of crop advisors in Utah and Idaho to examine how they are working with their clients on soil health and where opportunities for improvement exist.

Adaptation Of Influenza A Virus Strains A/Anhui/1/2013 (H7n9) And A/Shanghai/1/2013 (H7n9) For Development Of Effective Mouse Models, Spencer Mullen

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

Animal models are key to the research and development of antiviral interventions. Two strains of low-pathogenic avian influenza virus, A/Anhui/1/2013 and A/Shanghai/1/2013 (H7N9), isolated from a 2013 outbreak in China and acquired by USU’s Institute for Antiviral Research from the CDC, are the subject of this project.

Developing antiviral interventions against Influenza A H7N9 is essential because:

• Global outbreaks have caused high mortality among bird and human populations since 2013.^[1]

• Low-pathogenic avian flu viruses can mutate to become highly pathogenic.^[2]

• No current prophylactic or therapeutic human interventions exist.^[3]

BALB/c mice, commonly used for …

Evaluating The Stress System Of The Grieving Brain: Corticotropin-Releasing Factors And Partner Loss In Coyotes, Rachel Tong

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

Social bonds are fundamental and essential

• Positive and negative effects

The stress system¹ :

• Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) system
• CRFR1 and CRFR2
• Acts on the HPA axis, amygdala, and hippocampus

Genetic monogamy is common among coyotes

Importance:

• Coyotes’ greatest threat are humans
• An abandoned partner can disrupt biology and behavior

Animals experience social loss too!

Biosecurity Strategies For Combating Iuu Fishing: Protecting Ecosystems And Economies, Spencer Anderson

Student Research Symposium

Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated (IUU) fishing threatens marine ecosystems and global economies by driving overfishing, spreading aquatic diseases, and introducing invasive species. It disrupts biodiversity, jeopardizes fisheries' sustainability, and undermines the livelihoods of millions, intensifying food insecurity and socio- economic vulnerabilities, particularly in fishing- dependent communities.

This research examines biosecurity strategies— including regulatory frameworks and collaborative efforts—to safeguard marine biodiversity and support sustainable fishing economies. Addressing the complex challenges of IUU fishing bridges gaps between conservation, public health, and economic resilience.

This study adopts an interdisciplinary approach to develop practical solutions to preserve biodiversity, enhance public health protections, and promote …

Environmental Racism: The Role Of Racism In The Unequal Distribution Of Environmental Hazards And Resources In Urban Areas, Acadia Petersen

Student Research Symposium

Introduction

There is a large difference in the number of environmental hazards and environmental resources that people live with depending on their race. This is very damaging as certain minorities are being provided with fewer resources and more polluted areas, leading to worse health outcomes.

There is “A strong association between non-white and poor communities and the location of hazardous waste sites…Studies on air quality have documented that minorities and the poor face higher levels of air pollution than other groups” (Pinderhughes 1996).

Martha Stewart's Enduring Legacy: A Social Media Case Study, Holly Asay

Student Research Symposium

Martha Stewart gained fame in the 1990s and, at 83 years old, remained culturally relevant on her personal Instagram account. Despite early criticism, she had 2.6M followers and high engagement in 2025.