Digital Commons Network^™

Reproducible Infrastructure For Modeling Thermoplastic Polymer Fusion Welding, Chris D. Jones

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Aircraft materials must balance the demands of being light-weight and fuel efficient with being safe, durable, and strong. Carbon-fiber reinforced polymer composites are able to meet both of these requirements, and as a result, they are being utilized more and more in aircraft manufacturing. Thermoset polymers are typically used as the matrix material in these composites; however, thermoset polymers require long curing times in large autoclave ovens in order to form chemical cross-links, which once present, cannot be melted upon further heating. As a result, joining smaller thermoset composite parts together to build larger structures requires using mechanical fasteners, which …

Exploring Belonging In Early Childhood Care And Education: Perspectives Of Young Children, Melissa Telford Buck

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Belonging is a fundamental human need with significant developmental implications, influencing identity, self-concept, mental health, emotional-wellbeing, and behavior. While school belonging has been widely studied, research on belonging in early childhood care and education (ECCE) settings, particularly from young children’s perspectives, is limited. This multi-case study investigated young children’s perspectives in ECCE settings to determine how they explained the term belonging and to identify key factors contributing to their sense of belonging through photography, tours, discussions, and drawings. Prioritizing cross-case analysis, the findings revealed that young children could explain belonging and articulate specific factors, places, people, or activities as contributors. …

Towards Supporting Children's Metacomprehension During Web Search, Christine Dianne Pinney

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

As children interact online with search engine result pages (SERPs), children’s comprehension monitoring skills are put to work. Children are known to struggle with utilizing online information as the text content can be misaligned with their reading abilities. Comprehension monitoring skills allow people to assess the comprehensibility of text and is measured by how well comprehension predictions align with performance on comprehension tests. Previous research has shown that augmenting standard SERPs with readability visual cues can be helpful for children searching online. While comprehension predictions are traditionally collected after reading, SERP information provides the opportunity to measure children's perceived comprehensibility …

Leveraging Machine Learning And Deep Learning Techniques For Voter Registration Fraud Detection, Nahid Anwar

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The primary objective of this research is to develop an advanced framework for detecting voter registration anomalies, with a specific focus on fraud detection, using the Idaho Voter Registration Election Dataset. The data set contains both anonymized real voter data and synthetically generated fraudulent instances, allowing for a comprehensive examination of potential vulnerabilities in voter registration systems. The real data was obtained from the Idaho Secretary of State's office. The initial part of the research involved data analysis and identification of misinformation and potential disinformation using statistical analysis and approximate string matching algorithms. Subsequently, we have created the aforementioned anonymized …

"I Feel An 'I'M Not Sure' Feeling": Young Children's Perspectives During Outdoor Risky Play, Erin Tanzer

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Young children’s outdoor risky play is an intriguing and challenging phenomenon in early childhood care and education settings (ECCE). While recent research on risky play conveys the numerous developmental benefits, types of play children engage in, environmental affordances, and approaches to risk assessment, minimal research includes children’s perspectives about their risky play experiences. This phenomenological case study explores preschool children’s experience and what they feel and wonder about during risky play in a setting where risky play is effectively supported. Data were collected using interactive observation and interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Children described feeling “good” and “scared” during …

Advancing Snow Water Equivalent Monitoring With Machine Learning And L-Band Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (Insar) Data, Ibrahim Olalekan Alabi

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Seasonal snow is a critical freshwater resource for an estimated 2 billion people worldwide. Yet, accurately measuring the amount of water sitting in a snowpack, referred to as snow water equivalent (SWE), over large, often mountainous regions has posed a long-standing challenge. Ground-based measurements of SWE are precise but sparse, while remote sensing techniques like passive microwave sensors struggle with coarse resolution and signal saturation in deep snow. Due to the challenges of direct SWE measurement, snow depth has emerged as an alternative pathway to SWE estimation. SWE is strongly correlated with snow depth, and by leveraging this relationship, we …

Lowering Barriers To Voting For Individuals With Disabilities: Mail In Ballots And No Excuse Absentee Ballots, Cynthia Weyerman

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The right to vote is an important part of the democratic process in America, but for individuals with disabilities it may not be as simple as simply showing up on election day and voting. Individuals with disabilities may face multiple barriers when it comes to voting. This paper looks at some of the common barriers to voting for individuals with disabilities, and focuses on ways that could improve turnout for individuals with disabilities. I look specifically at the data on mail in ballots and absentee ballots as a way to improve turnout for voters with disabilities. We do know from …

Adolescent Developmental Domains: Examining Risk And Protective Factors In Loneliness, Archer Ward

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Adolescent mental health is on the decline and questions have been raised as to what might be contributing. The experience of chronic loneliness has been linked to increased risk of developing anxiety, depression, and suicidal behaviors in both adulthood and adolescence. However, little research has been conducted on the relationship between known risk and protective factors and loneliness in adolescence. The objective of this secondary data analysis is to examine the patterns of association between risk and protective factors in key developmental domains on loneliness. A total of 7,696 adolescent (M age = 14.6, 51% male) responses were collected during …

From Molecular Crystals To Catalytic Surfaces: Computational Approaches To Complex Systems, Thiago Henrique Da Silva

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Understanding and modeling complex systems is one of the core challenges in modern science. Whether it be the intricate interactions within molecular crystals, the evolving mechanisms of bacterial resistance, or the dynamics of catalytic surfaces, accurately representing these systems is essential for scientific progress. This dissertation addresses these challenges by focusing on advances in computational modeling, demonstrating how various methods such as Density Functional Theory (DFT), machine learning, and custom-developed methods can simplify and help predict complex behaviors across multiple domains. By applying and understanding the scope of these methods to each field, this work underscores how computational modeling bridges …

Culturing And Characterization Of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi Native To The Sagebrush Steppe, Jacob Venable

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are obligate biotrophs that form symbiotic associations with the roots of over 70% of terrestrial plants. These symbioses are crucial in plant nutrient acquisition, stress tolerance, and soil health. AMF inoculum could be valuable for ecological restoration, but challenges in culturing and multiplying AMF limit their use in natural habitats. In this project, I investigated methods to characterize and culture AMF native to the sagebrush steppe. For comparison, I also grew a non-native strain of the AMF fungus Rhizophagus clarus. First, I used trap cultures to multiply AMF present in roots and field soil collected …

Examining Stable Isotope Variation Of Herbivores In South Luangwa Valley In The Context Of Anthropogenic Influences, Taylor Hubbard

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Stable isotopes are an effective tool for inferring mammalian behavior. Though there are multiple factors that can influence mammalian diets, anthropogenic influence is one that is often overlooked. For example, it is important to consider how wildlife living in areas where there are frequent, documented human-wildlife interactions will modify behavior. National Parks (NPs) are a great example of this because of the common misconception that since there are protections in place, that means it is devoid of anthropogenic influence. South Luangwa National Park contradicts this misconception. Though there are protections for wildlife in place within the park, it is unfenced …

A Comprehensive Review Of Carbon Sequestration And Its Assessment Techniques Using Remote Sensing And Geospatial Methods, Imen Ben Salem

All Works

Global warming has elevated carbon sequestration as a critical strategy for mitigating climate change, while enhancing sustainability in productivity. Agricultural land use systems contribute substantially to CO2 emissions due to crop residues, shifting cultivation practices, low-biomass crops, land degradation, and deforestation. The significant rise in CO2 emissions over the past thirty years is associated with burning fossil fuels, leading to substantial environmental changes, including global warming. Remote sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are advanced geospatial technologies that facilitate the rapid evaluation of terrestrial carbon stock over extensive regions. An integrated RS-GIS approach for carbon stock estimation and precision …

Circularity Within Service-Dominant Logic: The Role Of Perceived Ethics On Co-Creation In Sharing Economy Platforms, Saifeddin Alimamy, Waqar Nadeem

All Works

This study investigates circularity in service-dominant (SD) logic within sharing economy platforms (SEPs), focusing on how perceived ethics influence customer co-creation and commitment. It further explores the mediating roles of trust and reciprocity and the moderating effect of brand identification. Data from 365 SEP users were analyzed via partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). Results demonstrate that perceived ethics positively affect trust and reciprocity, which subsequently strengthen customers' willingness to co-create. Trust and reciprocity emerged as pivotal mediators, while brand identification significantly moderated their effects on co-creation. By emphasizing the role of ethical perceptions in fostering trust-based collaboration and …

Bridging The Education-Employment Gap: Barriers To Employment And Well-Being Among Unemployed Individuals In Abu Dhabi, Masood Badri, Mugheer Alkhaili, Hamad Aldhaheri, Guang Yang, Muna Albahar, Asma Alrashdi, Saad Yaaqeib, Alanoud Alsawai

All Works

Unemployment remains a critical socio-economic challenge with profound implications for individual wellbeing. This study examines the self-perceived barriers to employment and their impact on key well-being determinants, including life satisfaction, happiness, mental health (where higher scores indicate worse outcomes), subjective health, family relations, friend relations, and the ability to make ends meet (ATMEM), among unemployed individuals in Abu Dhabi. Using data from a comprehensive survey (QoL-5), the analysis reveals significant differences in well-being outcomes across demographic factors such as gender, age, education level, and head of household status. Notably, barriers such as lack of social networks, job competition, and education-related …

Teaching Gender Equality: Shifting The Focus From Aspiration To Practice, Rawia Ahmed, M. Fernanda Garcia, Imran Taj, Laila Al Reqabi

All Works

Purpose: This study aims to inform management educators and students about how to identify, analyze, and sustain gender equality as a business practice in organizational settings. Design, Methodology, and Approach: Guided by practice theory and social learning theory we: a) offer a theoretical framework to help students recognize gender equality practices in real-world contexts, and b) provide educators with an applied example and pedagogical tool for teaching students how to identify and analyze gender equality practices in written and audio texts. We draw from two theoretical templates to analyze excerpts related to gender equality practices taken from an interview with …

Quality Of Life Of Emirati Women With Cervical Cancer Using Eortc Qlq-30 And Cx24: A First Look In The Uae, Linda Smail

All Works

Background: Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women globally and remains a prevalent malignancy among Emirati women. This study assessed the quality of life of Emirati women with cervical cancer and identified key factors influencing their well-being to inform targeted interventions. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 72 Emirati women diagnosed with cervical cancer utilizing the Arabic-translated European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CX24). Sociodemographic and clinical data were collected. Statistical analyses included ANOVA, independent-sample t-tests, and, where assumptions were violated, Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests. …

Development And Characterization Of Aso-Based Ribonuclease Targeting Chimera For The Degradation Of Cug Rna Repeat Expansion In Myotonic Dystrophy Type, Audrey Coons

Chemistry

Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 is a multisystemic genetic disorder that primarily affects the muscles in the body leading to such pathologies as myotonia, muscle atrophy, insulin resistance and even neurological deficits. This disorder is caused by a series of CUG repeats in the 3’ untranslated region of the DMPK gene; symptoms appear after around 34 repeats. These repeats form foci when MBNL1 protein that deals with alternative splicing of many events in the body, forms aggregations around these repeats. These foci render the MBNL 1 proteins useless. There is no FDA approved therapeutic, but many RNA targeting therapeutics have been …

Fabrication And In Vitro Biocompatibility Assessment Of Composite-Coated Magnesium Materials, Bryce Williams

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study provides a comparative assessment of the corrosion, morphology, and biological properties of four of the most promising coating methods for magnesium in biomedical applications, namely micro-arc oxidation (MAO), graphene oxide (GO)-containing MAO coating, MAO/sol-gel composite coating, and MAO/polycaprolactone (PCL) polymer dip coating approaches. Despite the abundance of research focused on these promising approaches, there is a notable lack of comparative studies evaluating their properties. To this end, the investigated composite coatings are ZK60+MAO, ZK60+MAO/GO, ZK60+MAO/Sol-gel, and ZK60+MAO/PCL composite coating. Several tests were used to assess various properties of the prepared groups such as in vitro corrosion characteristics, surface …

Insert Creation To Mimic Blood Vessels In Gel Phantoms, Courtney Bloom

Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Gel phantoms are commonly used in research settings due to their ability to mimic soft tissue. Creating these phantoms usually involves 3D printing an insert, embedding it in gel, and then washing the insert out. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is typically used as the insert material, but it often swells and deforms the gel during the washout process. Aquapour, a water-soluble material, was investigated as a potential replacement for PVA. Unlike PVA, Aquapour comes in a powdered form that can be mixed with water to create a castable slurry. To create molds to cast Aquapour, SolidWorks was used to design two …

Dental Microwear Of Miocene Primates From The Carpathian Basin, Rudabánya, Hungary, Anna K. Wilcox

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study reconstructs and compares the dietary habits of the late Miocene primates Anapithecus hernyaki and Rudapithecus hungaricus by analyzing dental microwear patterns on fossilized teeth recovered from Rudabánya, Hungary. Previous research suggested that these sympatric species were both primarily frugivores but were unable to separate them by diet. However, earlier studies were limited by smaller sample sizes and less advanced methodologies. This study used an expanded sample and modern microwear texture analysis techniques to compare molar and incisor microwear patterns between the two species. Results revealed that Rudapithecus molars exhibited higher complexity compared to Anapithecus molar complexity, suggesting a …

The Effects Of Daily Beef Consumption On Sleep, Mood, And Wellbeing In Postmenopausal Women, Caroline M. Coughlin

Biological Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Menopause is often accompanied by changes in sleep, mood, and overall well-being, partly due to hormonal shifts and loss of muscle mass. Protein intake, especially from nutrient-rich sources like beef, may help address these changes, but research in postmenopausal women remains limited. This study explored how daily beef consumption, as part of a higher-protein diet, affected sleep quality, mood, and well-being over eight weeks. Ten active postmenopausal women were randomly assigned to either a control group (meeting standard protein recommendations) or a treatment group consuming twice that amount, including one serving of lean beef per day. Sleep was measured using …

The Impact Of Stigma On Individuals Affected By Leprosy: A Pilot Study, Mardo Tarr

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background: Leprosy, while a treatable condition, continues to be associated with significant stigma, which adversely influences the physical, psychological, social, and economic well-being of affected individuals throughout their lives. The stigma linked to leprosy leads to social exclusion, mental health difficulties, and obstacles to accessing healthcare and employment opportunities (Brakel et al., 2019; Sermrittirong & Van Brakel, 2014). This research employs Life Course Theory to describe the long-term experiences of stigma, coping strategies, and social support individuals living with leprosy. By synthesizing findings from existing literature and conducting a qualitative interview, the study offers an in-depth understanding of how various …

Restoring Trust In Public Health: An Analysis Of The Lasting Implications Of The Covid-19 Pandemic Response On Community Trust In Public Health In Nebraska, Kerri Dittrich

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background and Significance

Public trust is essential for effective public health efforts. In Nebraska, as in many regions, the pandemic response exposed strengths and vulnerabilities in the public health system. Misinformation, political discourse, inconsistent messaging, and poor communication contributed to growing mistrust, threatening the long-term success of public health programs and initiatives. While national trends have been studied, Nebraska-specific research remains limited.

Methods

An original descriptive survey was designed and administered to public health professionals in Nebraska to assess their perceptions of public trust in the local public health system before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey also explored …

Severe Acute Malnutrtion Among Children Under Five In South Sudan, Rhoda Elia Iburu Kenyi

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) is a life-threatening condition characterized by severe wasting. The World Health Organization defines SAM as a low weight-for-height Z-score (WHZ) less than -3 standard deviation (SD) from the median growth standard or the presence of edema of both feet and/or mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) less than 115mm. SAM is a significant public health concern affecting children under five in developing countries, with South Sudan being one of the most severely affected regions. Persistent food insecurity, weak healthcare systems, and ongoing conflict contribute to the high SAM prevalence in the region, where political, religious, and social divisions, …

An Exploration Of Substance Abuse By Healthcare Workers During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review, Andrew Hills

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Objective

This scoping review aims to identify available literature and research on substance abuse by healthcare workers (HCWs) during the COVID-19 pandemic to examine whether the stress of their duties during the pandemic exacerbated existing issues of substance abuse.

Methods

A literature search using PubMed and Google Scholar using Harzing Publish or Perish identified 100 relevant professionally-authored, peer-reviewed, English-language academic articles published between 2015 and 2025 on substance abuse by HCWs. Exclusions were done via a review of the abstract and then from the full text, reducing the number of articles to three from those three articles which generated an …

The Association Between Economic Outcomes And Abortion: A Scoping Review, Larisa Nicole Stephenson

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background: Abortion access is not just an issue of autonomy, but an economic issue as well. Evidence of the intersectionality of abortion health care and economics has endured due to the financial cascading effects a denial of an abortion, or the inability to access an abortion, has on one’s personal, professional, and economic upward mobility. A change in recent policies impacting access to abortion warrants an updated synthesis examining the relationships between economic outcomes and abortion access for people of reproductive age in the United States (U.S.).

Aim: This scoping review summarizes evidence pertaining to the association …

Active Shooter And Radiological Contamination Full-Scale Exercise, Elise M. Lowe

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Planning and conducting exercises in rural settings highlights the unique features and challenges of emergency preparedness in rural America. Exercise designers must employ creative solutions to plan for player/controller contingencies, limited resources, and patient management across large geographical areas. This paper outlines the process by which a full-scale mass casualty exercise was conducted in a small Wyoming town. It analyzes some of the major problems encountered in rural exercise development and the solutions employed. The focus is on the success and failures of the exercise design based on direct observation/participation, hotwash forms, the after-action review, and direct feedback from participants. …

Improving Oral Hygiene Practices In A Long-Term Care Setting For Individuals With Advanced Dementia: A Quality Improvement Initiative, Rachel L. Mcinerney

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

This quality improvement project utilized the Plan-Do-Study-Act framework to enhance oral hygiene practices in a long-term care setting for individuals with advanced dementia. Advanced dementia often leads to significant oral health challenges due to the individuals’ inability to communicate needs or independently manage oral care. Poor oral hygiene results in pain, systemic infections, and reduced quality of life. The project aimed to identify and address barriers to effective oral care delivery by focusing on organizational factors such as leadership, training, and caregiver support. This capstone paper provides insights into the quality improvement initiative’s aims, background, and methodology, while emphasizing its …

Unbridled Healing: Identifying The Barriers Of Equine-Assisted Therapy, Sally A. Hamm

Human Development and Family Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

Despite the documented benefits of equine-assisted therapy (EAT) for mental health conditions, this complementary approach remains underutilized. This qualitative study investigated barriers preventing wider EAT implementation by examining challenges faced by clients, facilities, and volunteers. Data collected through open-ended surveys from 33 participants and the researcher's autoethnographic observations revealed eight common barriers: Accessibility (48 mentions), Money (43), Time (30), Awareness (23), Physical Factors (13), Relationships (13), Risk (13), and Weather (7). Clients identified financial constraints as their primary barrier, particularly insurance limitations. Facilitators struggled most with accessibility challenges, including lack of resources, trained staff, suitable horses, and appropriate facilities. Volunteers …

Redefining Children’S Experience In Social Services Offices, Julia K. Bryant

Human Development and Family Sciences Undergraduate Honors Theses

The effects of childhood trauma are far-reaching and diverse, influencing physical, emotional, and mental health across a child’s entire lifetime. Research indicates that children who experience adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as abuse or neglect are at an increased risk for various consequences and that the environments they encounter post-trauma play a significant role in shaping their experiences. Social services offices, where many traumatized children are taken for interviews or assessments after being removed from their homes, can often become places of additional distress. This project seeks to address this issue by proposing redesigns for social services offices to create …