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Modeling The Deleterious Effects Of An Endogenously Generated Apolipoprotein-E4 Fragment In Transgenic Zebrafish, Emily Egan

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Harboring the apolipoprotein E4 allele (APOE4) is the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s disease, yet the mechanisms by which the expressed protein contributes to neurodegeneration remain unknown. Previous studies suggest that proteolytic cleavage of ApoE4 generates amino-terminal fragments that are neurotoxic and may drive cellular dysfunction. To investigate the deleterious effects of one such fragment, nApo_E1-151, in a living vertebrate model, we developed a transgenic zebrafish line using Tol2-mediated transgenesis to endogenously express nApo_E1-151 under the neuron-specific HuC/D promoter. This model utilizes the zebrafish’s genetic accessibility, embryo and larva transparency, and rapid development ex utero to study the …

Sustainability Assessment Of Ground Improvement Techniques: A Life Cycle Analysis Of Lime, Cement, Geopolymers And Biopolymers For Roadway Application, Jillian R. Frost

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Ground improvement design (GID) is a vital part of constructing safe, long-lasting infrastructure. Traditionally, this is done with a chemical additive such as lime or cement that is mixed with in-situ soil to improve soil parameters such as compressibility, and strength. These stabilizers produce high amounts of carbon emissions. As a response, engineers and researchers are beginning to develop new stabilization methods using biopolymers and geopolymers in hopes of achieving comparable soil stability results as well as reduced environmental impacts.

This thesis work integrates a life-cycle analysis (LCA) and life-cycle-cost-analysis (LCCA) framework to evaluate and compare four soil stabilizer types: …

Shifting Grounds: Knowledge, Power, And Place In Changing Western Rangelands, Molly C. Levy

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Public rangelands in the American West are sites of enduring contestation, where ecological change, competing values, and institutional complexity converge. Long-standing debates over livestock grazing, wildlife conservation, and land stewardship highlight fundamental questions of whose knowledge counts, whose authority is legitimate, and how resource use should adapt under shifting social and ecological conditions. This dissertation examines the intersections of knowledge, power, and land use in collaborative governance of contested landscapes. Using the Thunder Basin ecoregion (TBER) in northeastern Wyoming as a case study, I adopt a mixed-methods approach that integrates qualitative interviews, participant observation, archival research, and quantitative analysis of …

Stimulation And Recording Interfaces For Data Transmission To And From A Micro Neural Stimulation Device, Morgan Riley

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Advancements in neuromodulation for treating neurological disorders increasingly rely on selective peripheral nerve stimulation rather than whole-nerve activation. Traditional approaches engage all fascicles, causing off-target effects such as involuntary muscle contractions and pain. To address these challenges, this research proposes a minimally invasive microdevice that integrates wireless galvanic impulse communication with an epineural multi-contact nerve cuff. This design facilitates high-throughput, low-power stimulation, recording, and data transfer. Development efforts include optimizing neural stimulation protocols, validating deep tissue galvanic transmission, and fabricating a multi-channel nerve cuff for stable electrode–tissue interfacing. In parallel, custom depth-controlled intramuscular arrays enable high-density electromyography (EMG) recording during …

Recognition Through The Algorithm: How Emotional Identification Shapes The Circulation Of Classics On Booktok, Olivia Carolyn Cowles

University Honors Theses

This thesis explores how classic literature circulates within the virtual community known as BookTok. Rather than making any definitive claims, this study offers a preliminary look at how and why certain classics surface within a digital space. Using a mixed-methods approach that includes three Zeeschuimer data pulls paired with qualitative analysis of thirty-four unique top-performing videos. This thesis examines the recurring patterns regarding top performing content of classics. Early findings suggest that these posts tend to gain traction on BookTok due to recognition and relatability. The top texts retain their prominence not necessarily because of their canonical status, but because …

The Image Of Camels In The Arabic Novel: The Novel Of A Good Camel By Saud Alsanousi As A Model - A Descriptive And Analytical Study, Yasser Ahmed Hamed Marzouq

University of Tabuk Journal for Humanities and Social Sciences

This paper deals with the image of camels in the Arabic novel, focusing on the novel A Good Camel by Saud Alsanousi as an analytical model. It explores the use of camels and their artistic connotations in the novel, and how they interact with the narrative structure, relying on a descriptive and analytical approach to uncover the dimensions of this use and connotation. One of the most notable findings was that camels in the novel transcend being merely animals or means of transportation, becoming a central character with profound dimensions, symbolizing patience, endurance, and resistance-values inherent in the desert environment …

Motor And Phonic Tic Severity And Its Relationship To Social, Emotional, And School Functioning In Children With Tourette Syndrome From The Caregivers’ Perspective, Courtney C. Thompson

Dissertations

Abstract

Tourette Syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor and phonic tics that is frequently associated with functional impairments. The present study examined the relationship between motor and phonic tic severity, comorbid conditions, academic accommodations, and the social, emotional, and school functioning of children with TS. Caregiver data were collected on tic severity, comorbid conditions, social, emotional, and school functioning, academic accommodations, and grades. Overall, social, emotional, and school functioning fell within the moderate range, with school functioning positively associated with social and emotional functioning. Phonic tics were linked to social functioning, whereas both motor and overall tic …

Pathways To Leadership: How Meaningful Experiences Shape Motivation In 4-H Teen Leaders, Trang Ta, Steven Krauss

Journal of Youth Development

Youth leadership development is crucial for empowering young people to thrive and contribute to society. Research on 4-H has demonstrated significant leadership growth among program participants, with effects persisting into emerging adulthood. However, little is known about what specific experiences shape 4-H youth’s motivation to lead. This qualitative study explores meaningful experiences—vividly remembered moments with positive and enduring effects—that nurture leadership motivation among 4-H teen leaders. Seven emerging adults aged 18-21 with extensive leadership experience in Missouri 4-H programs participated in semi-structured, in-depth interviews. Using a thematic analysis approach, we identified two categories of meaningful experiences, namely transformative moments and …

Salinity Adaption And Toxicity Of Harmful Algal Blooms In Three Bays Of Great Salt Lake (Usa), W. A. Wurtsbaugh, Malin Olofsson, Gregory L. Boyer, Amy Marcarelli

Michigan Tech Publications

Cyanobacterial blooms can be harmful to animals and humans exposed to their toxins; however, their environmental drivers and boundaries still need to be elucidated. Salinity has been demonstrated to be an important driver of community composition that sets boundaries of species migration and survival. The filamentous cyanobacteria Nodularia spumigena forms dense blooms in estuaries around the world, produces the hepatotoxin nodularin, and has been thought to not survive or fix nitrogen (N) in high salinities. From 2005–2009 we studied three bays of Great Salt Lake (USA), two of which are estuaries with salinities ranging from 0 to >90 g L …

Weaponized Deepfakes: A Low-Resourced Attacker Threat Assessment, Joshua David Labelle

Master's Theses and Capstones

The democratization of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) tools, combined with the short-form nature of modern media consumption, has created a ripe landscape for generating and weaponizing synthetic media. The availability of pre-trained, open-source generative models enables would-be attackers, who lack funding and enterprise-grade hardware, to conduct convincing information-based attacks that harm, manipulate, and deceive. This thesis aims to model this threat actor using an open-source deepfake generation pipeline that requires minimal computational resources and is capable of producing deepfakes in the audio, image, and video domains. This model is then used to identify, measure, and evaluate the capabilities …

Characterizing Sei Whale (Balaenoptera Borealis) Movement Patterns In The Gulf Of Maine, Emma Vergow

Master's Theses and Capstones

Sei whales are difficult to visually monitor due to their cryptic presence and lack of breaching. Passive acoustic monitoring has the potential to expand knowledge of sei whale movement ecology. The present study characterizes sei whale movement patterns related to migration dynamics in the Gulf of Maine. Five bottom-mounted Acoustic Long-Term Observatory landers, each equipped with a tetrahedral array of omni-directional hydrophones, were deployed throughout the Gulf of Maine as part of the Acoustic and Environmental Observation Network (AEON) in the Northwest Atlantic project. A combination of manual and automated detections was used to assess sei whale daily and seasonal …

Week Of December 1, 2025, Student Life

College, School and Department Newsletters, Magazines, and Journals

Your weekly hub for events, resources and updates

Design And Testing Of A Vr Escape Room Game For Philippine Martial Law History, Eric Cesar Vidal, Jr., Jesus Alvaro Pato, Johanna Marion R. Torres, Kenneth King L. Ko

Institute of Philippine Culture (IPC)

This paper presents a Virtual Reality Educational Escape Room game where players learn about the highly divisive Martial Law period in Philippine history. We describe the game’s general design and the results of a user test to evaluate the game in terms of VR presence, immersion, and overall usability.

Design And Testing Of A Vr Escape Room Game For Philippine Martial Law History, Eric Cesar Vidal, Jr., Johanna Marion R. Torres, Jesus Alvaro Pato, Kenneth King L. Ko

Department of Information Systems & Computer Science Faculty Publications

This paper presents a Virtual Reality Educational Escape Room game where players learn about the highly divisive Martial Law period in Philippine history. We describe the game’s general design and the results of a user test to evaluate the game in terms of VR presence, immersion, and overall usability.

User Evaluation Of A Virtual Patient For Philippine Medical Education, Ma. Mercedes T. Rodrigo, Samantha Castaneda, James Alvir Maclin V. Alaan, Paolo Santino P. Caoile

Department of Information Systems & Computer Science Faculty Publications

Caladrius is a virtual patient system designed for use in Philippine medical schools. It responds to the need for medical interview training, for greater variety in teaching-learning strategies, and for culturally appropriate technologies. It has two versions: a text-only version whose interface is similar to a chat interface, and an audio version that accepts speech input and responds with speech output. In a prior test of Caladrius, users requested improved audio response time and the inclusion of different patient personalities. A subsequent version of Caladrius was created to comply with these requests. As much of the lag was attributable to …

Analysis Of Organic Compounds Extracted From Recycled Polypropylene Via Gc-Fid/Ms And Pyr-Gc-Ms For Future Pharmaceutical Applications, India E. Hateley

The Plymouth Student Scientist

A mandatory target for 30% of plastic packaging to be recycled has been proposed by 2030, in order to mitigate the problem of plastic waste being incinerated or deposited in landfills. However, during the recycling process additives are added and with polypropylene being used for plastic packaging and surgical masks, these additives need to be analysed for the presence of contaminants. Examples include VOCs, PAHs, phthalates, and brominated diphenyl’s, all of which have health issues. Two samples of recycled polypropylene pellets were obtained from a national recycling company, along with a reference pellet purchased through Sigma-Aldrich. All pellets underwent ultrasound-assisted …

Effects Of Maternal Hypoxia On Developmental Plasticity, Matilda Powell

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Developmental plasticity enables organisms to adjust phenotypes to environmental cues, yet the transgenerational consequences of maternal effects remain unclear. Hypoxia, intensified by climate change and eutrophication, triggers taxon-specific plastic responses. Daphnia magna exhibits plasticity dependence, making it a critical model species for studying environmental responses. While maternal hypoxia (MH) influences generational plasticity, its long-term impacts on reproductive and physiological traits across generations remain insufficiently explored, limiting predictions of species resilience to environmental change. This study employed a controlled two-generation design: gravid F0 adults were exposed to moderate hypoxia (40% air saturation) or normoxia (100% AS) for 8 days, with reproductive …

Quantification Of Trace Metal(Loids) In The River Seaton, Cornwall, Uk And The Influence Of The South Caradon Mine On Ecological Risk, Bjorn Piñol

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Freshwater quality is critical to the health of aquatic ecosystems and human water security, yet anthropogenic activities, such as historic mining, continue to degrade aquatic systems. While extensive research has examined metal contamination in major rivers like the River Tamar, smaller tributaries affected by legacy mining remain understudied. This study investigates trace metal contamination and its controlling factors in the River Seaton, Cornwall, a small river influenced by historic mining from the South Caradon Mine. Water samples collected from four study sites along the river gradient and a reference site at Siblyback Lake were subjected to ICP-MS analysis and physico-chemical …

Comparing The Effect Of Marine Aquarium Salts And Sodium Chloride On Vicia Faba Stress Response, Bethany Smerdon

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Soil salinity is a major abiotic stressor limiting agricultural productivity. Many salt stress studies rely solely on sodium chloride (NaCl) solutions, despite not accurately representing natural saline conditions. This study investigated the stress response of Vicia faba to NaCl and marine aquarium salt (MAS) solutions to assess the impact of a more complex ionic composition on plant physiology. Plants were cultivated in a controlled greenhouse and treated with either NaCl, MAS, or rainwater (control) for up to 55 days. Growth parameters, water status, proline accumulation, chlorophyll content, and root nodule weight were measured to evaluate stress responses. The results indicate …

Assessing Jasmonic Acid Seed Priming In Brassica Napus: Impacts On Aphid Herbivory Resistance And Seedling Fitness Trade-Offs, Daisy Stradling

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Jasmonic acid (JA) is a key phytohormone involved in plant defence, offering a potential sustainable alternative to conventional chemical pesticides. While JA seed priming has been explored as a strategy to enhance herbivore resistance in certain plant families, its potential fitness trade-offs remain poorly understood. This study investigates the effects of JA seed priming on Brassica napus (oilseed rape), a key agricultural crop, focusing on seedling fitness and resistance to Brevicoryne brassicae (mealy cabbage aphid), a major agricultural pest. To assess potential fitness trade-offs, seeds were primed with 75 µM JA, and multiple seedling fitness parameters were measured. Germination monitoring …

Otherwise Than Human: Responsibility In The Wake Of Disaster, An Eco-Deconstructive Response To Climate Catastrophe, James W. Harris

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This thesis will, firstly, assume a line of eco-deconstructive reasoning, which takes as its point of departure from other approaches to the environment the basic premises of deconstruction, which aim to de-center the ontological and epistemological assumptions of Western thought about the subject and language, and apply it to the concept of the human as a distinct and, most importantly, privileged being as this privilege has operated within language and culture, thereby demonstrating how climate catastrophe constitutes a fundamental rupture in traditional ontology. Secondly, I will turn towards the ethics of Emmanuel Levinas, as in present in his God, Death, …

Optimizing Xylitol Production: A Molecular And Experimental Study Of Xylose Reductase In Candida Tropicalis, Zackery Neal

Masters Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

Xylitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol, is widely used in the food and pharmaceutical industries as both an artificial sweetener and an anticariogenic agent. Traditional xylitol production relies on harsh chemicals and energy-intensive processes, making microbial fermentation a more sustainable alternative. This study explores the ability of Candida tropicalis to convert D-xylose into xylitol through the enzyme xylose reductase, with a focus on optimizing pH conditions to enhance conversion efficiency. To achieve this, both experimental fermentation and computational molecular dynamics simulations using GROMACS and the pHbuilder tool are employed. By analyzing the enzyme’s stability and structural dynamics across different pH …

The Scoop, Vol. 12 Issue 9, December 2025, Health Sciences Library

Volume 12

Latest news and updates from the Health Sciences Library in our monthly newsletter for December 2025. Please see page 2 for a text-only version of this issue!

Characterizing The Germination Process And Establishing Best Practices For Seed Propagation Of Tamaulipan Thornscrub Species For Habitat Restoration, Saroj Dhakal

Theses and Dissertations

Tamaulipan thornscrub is an imperiled plant community of southern Texas and northeastern Mexico. Given its importance for biodiversity conservation, stakeholders have been involved in restoration programs using seedlings grown from wild seeds. However, stakeholders often report that insufficient seedling supply is a challenge. To address knowledge gaps in seed germination behavior limiting seedling production, this study was conducted on 18 Tamaulipan thornscrub species, identified by growers as difficult to germinate. Seeds of all studied species are orthodox except Amyris texana, which have recalcitrant properties. Nine species have physical dormancy that was successfully addressed with mechanical and/or chemical scarification. Other species …

Determination Of An Effective Natural Boxelder Bug (Boisea Trivittata) Repellent, Reyna Chavez

Theses and Dissertations

This study investigates the use of ecofriendly repellant alternatives to pest management to control boxelder bugs (Boisea trivittata). This bug gathers by the thousands on warm surfaces of exterior suburban homes during early fall and late spring. I determined bug repellency to turmeric oil (Curcuma longa), catnip (Nepeta cataria), citronella (Cymbopogon nardus), and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). The treatments consisted of essential oils containing 20% methanol. All treatments demonstrated repellency of Boxelder bugs. Citronella was the most effective and had the highest level of repellency range of 90-99%. Catnip was the least effective with a repellency range of 63-82%.

Seagrass Preference Among Pinfish In The Lower Laguna Madre, Nathaniel Garza

Theses and Dissertations

Pinfish (Lagodon rhomboides) is a common estuarine fish species found from Massachusetts to the Yucatan, Mexico. As juveniles, pinfish spend a significant portion of their life in coastal seagrasses which provide both shelter from predators and food. Along the Texas coast, there are three major species of seagrass- turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum), manatee grass (Syringodium filiforme) and shoal grass (Halodule wrightii) that differ in structural complexity. The goal of this study was to determine if pinfish associate more with one seagrass species than the others. A year-long field study was completed using twelve sample sites in the Lower Laguna Madre, …

Bacillus Subtilis: A Bacterium That Can Potentially Degrade Low-Density Polyethylene (Ldpe) And Polyethylene Terephthalate (Pet), Migdalia Flores

Theses and Dissertations

The widespread application and disposal of plastics, such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), have raised significant environmental health concerns. Because of each plastic’s stability and durability, these plastics exhibit limited natural degradation in the environment. Recently, the environmentally friendly biodegradation of plastics by living microorganisms has attracted more attention, as they can assist in the natural degradation process. In this study, the bacterial strain Bacillus subtilis ATCC6051 was used to degrade LDPE and PET for 60 days. To measure the degradation of low-density (LDPE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), the dry weight was taken, and physical characteristics were …

Population Structure Of Red Drum (Sciaenops Ocellatus (Linnaeus, 1766)) In Two Systems In The Northwestern Gulf Of Mexico, Sandra Antonia Leal

Theses and Dissertations

Red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) are an economically significant species of fish inhabiting the Gulf of Mexico. There are limited studies assessing S. ocellatus population structure focused on the southern coast of Texas. A total of 1,008 fish were collected over one year on a quarterly basis at South Bay (SB) and Holly Beach (HB) in the Lower Laguna Madre (LLM) of Texas to assess population structure. Juvenile S. ocellatus utilize the water systems of the LLM as a nursery ground and were more abundant at SB (n = 718) than HB (n = 290). The most abundant age classes were …

Applicability Of Cementochronology To Estimate Season-Of-Death In Humans: Insights From Modern Documented Collections, Olga Ibarra-Sanchez

Theses and Dissertations

Dental cementum is characterized by lifelong deposition of alternating opaque annuli in fall/winter and translucent bands in spring/summer. This study aims to test the applicability of cementochronology to estimate season-of-death, by observing the properties of the last layer, with direct implications for forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology. The sample includes canine teeth from 146 adults (84 males, 62 females), age-at-death ranging from 20-97 years (mean=61.7 years, SD=18.6 years), from two contemporary skeletal collections. Of these individuals, 78 (53.4%) died in spring/summer and 68 (46.6%) died in fall/winter. Overall accuracy was low at 64.4% (94/146). Accuracy was higher for spring/summer deaths 100.0% …

Echo’S Repertoire: Performing Science Fiction And Trans Care Models, Juniper Blue

Theses

Echo’s Repertoire is a mixture of a passion piece and a call for more work with performing science fiction. It focuses on interpersonal communication within trans studies and the experiences of transgender individuals and myself. Echo’s Repertoire is also an example of the Lyrical Model proposed by Awkward-Rich as a new model for trans affirming speech. The show is laid out non-linearly and follows along with Echo as he starts to build new relationships with the advice of his spaceship ai, Eep, who is a previous version of himself prior to transformation (transition).