Digital Commons Network^™

Design And Soft-Switching Analysis Of Resonant Converters In Unfolding-Based Ac-Dc Topologies For Wide Operating Range Electric Vehicle Charging Applications, Shubhangi Gurudiwan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

As the global community becomes increasingly aware of the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels, transitioning to electric mobility emerges as a critical step towards a more sustainable and energy-efficient future. One of the major barriers to the mass adoption of battery electric vehicles is the lack of convenient, fast, and accessible charging stations. Long charging times and limited charger availability contribute to range anxiety. To address this challenge, improvements in public charging infrastructure and the development of reliable, high-efficiency, high-power converters are required.

Typically, a grid-tied ac-dc converter with a two-stage architecture, consisting of …

Quicklime-Based Self-Healing Concrete For Bridge Deck Applications, Mehrnoosh Nazari

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Concrete is one of the most widely used construction materials in the world. However, over time, it can crack and deteriorate, especially on roads and bridges exposed to harsh weather and deicing salts. Inspired by the long-lasting durability of ancient Roman concrete, this study explores the self-healing capabilities of concrete incorporating quicklime (calcium oxide) aggregates to extend the service life of bridge decks. For this purpose, three concrete mixtures were developed using local materials: one without quicklime (C-Q 0%) and two with 2% (C-Q 2%) and 4% quicklime (C-Q 4%). These mixtures were tested for fresh properties, strength, durability, and …

Dynamics, Predictability And Impacts Of Multi-Year La Niña Event, Nahid A. Hasan

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

This dissertation investigates the dynamics, predictability, and impacts of multi-year La Niña events. Multi-year La Niña events are referred to as extended periods of unusually cooler tropical Pacific that persist for two or more consecutive winters. These prolonged events can increase the risk of natural hazards such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves in the western US and around the world. Despite their worldwide significance, questions remain about the mechanisms driving their initiation, their predictability, and regional hydroclimate impacts.

The first chapter of the dissertation introduces what scientists currently believe causes them, and how well different types of climate models can …

Why The Triple Bottom Line Fails: Advancing The Jesuit Vision For Sustainability Education In Business, Trevor Zink, Melissa Fitzpatrick, Justin Nordin, Jeffrey S. Thies

Journal of Management for Global Sustainability

This paper critiques the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework as conceptually flawed and ethically insufficient for sustainability education in business. While the TBL aims to balance profit, people, and planet, its logic prioritizes profitability, rendering social and environmental goals conditional and marginal. We argue that this framing undermines critical thinking, moral imagination, and ecological literacy in business students—especially within Jesuit institutions, which are called to form conscientious leaders. Drawing on Jesuit educational tradition, we propose a reorientation of business purpose around economic sufficiency rather than profit maximization, guided by integral ecology and the common good. This shift invites a more …

Impacts Of Including Sprouted Barley In The Diet Of Beef Cattle On Production, Ruminal Health, And Meat Quality, Zachary C. Crump

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Beef producers in the United States are working to meet rising global demand for animal protein while facing major challenges such as drought, climate uncertainty, and rapid urbanization. These issues make it difficult to produce consistent and dependable feed, pushing producers to explore new ways to grow feed using fewer natural resources. Vertical farming systems are one option that can grow sprouted cereal grains indoors throughout the year while using decreased land and water than traditional agriculture. Sprouted barley grows within six to seven days and may serve as a nutrient dense alternative feed source for cattle at several stages …

The Power Of Partnership: A Systematic Review Of Interorganizational Collaboration Among Victim Service Organizations, Mackenzie E. Allred

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Victim service organizations inhabit an organizational niche composed of other, adjacent organizations such as hospitals, shelters, police, and prosecutors. Effectively serving victims entails building and maintaining relationships with these adjacent organizations. Limited research has sought to discuss the role of interorganizational collaboration in the context of victim service organizations. I investigate this topic by conducting a systematic literature review on the existing research focused on interorganizational collaboration among victim service organizations. With data gathered from this review, I explore the nature and extent of interorganizational collaboration and its potential impact on victim service organizations. I close with recommendations for future …

Analysis Of Progressive Failure From Hydrofracturing Tests In Boise Sandstone, Alejandra Sanchez Arizmendi

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Sealed borehole laboratory hydrofracturing tests with acoustic emission monitoring were used to investigate the acoustic emission activity, damage thresholds, progressive failure, and tensile strength as a function of injection rate for twenty Boise Sandstone specimens. Four injection rates 15.7, 31.4, 62.8, and 125.6 mL/minute were used in the testing.

Increasing the injection rate initially increased and then decreased acoustic emission activity. The highest injection rate resulted in the lowest number of AE hits. The acoustic emission data was collected via two ultrasonic sensors. The highest average AE hits at the 31.4 mL/min injection rate was 613 and the lowest average …

An Examination Of The Relationship Between Unilateral Triaxial Jump Test And Power Skating Profile In Female Recreational Ice Hockey Athletes, Abigail Christie Aultz

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Skating is a fundamental skill in ice hockey that relies on effective directional force and power generation. Due to biomechanical similarities, off-ice jump tests (e.g., vertical and broad jumps) are often used to assess and predict skating abilities and performance. However, most traditional jump tests are unilateral and do not reflect the multidirectional nature of skating propulsion. The relationship between off-ice force production and in-game skating performance remains unclear, particularly in recreational female hockey players, who are biomechanically distinct and underrepresented in research. Although a 45° push-off angle has been shown to optimize force production in elite male athletes, …

Assessing The Effects Of Leaderboards On Motivation And Math Achievement Of 5th And 6th Grade Students, Michele Alfieri

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Traditional teacher-led instructional methods are increasingly disconnected with the learning preferences of students raised in digital environments. These learners often require information to be delivered more rapidly and engagingly, prompting educators to incorporate strategies such as gamification to maintain student motivation and interest. Gamification, which involves integrating game design elements into non-game settings, has been shown to enhance engagement. A common feature of gamification is the use of leaderboards, which are visual displays that show individual and peer performance rankings. While leaderboards can foster motivation through competition, their effect on student morale and achievement outcomes is mixed. The purpose of …

Live And Let Fly: Assessing Threats To California Condors, Molly Astell

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

California condors (Gymnogyps californianus) are a critically endangered species that face threats, both anthropogenic and natural, that slow recovery of their population. The leading causes of death of condors are lead toxicosis, predation, trauma, fire, and collision and electrocution at power lines. As a long-lived and slow-maturing species, each death is consequential and understanding when and where threats occur can greatly benefit management and mitigation. Although the focus of extensive mitigation efforts, lead toxicosis remains the leading cause of death for condors. There has been less effort dedicated to addressing the second-leading anthropogenic threat, interactions with power lines. Such efforts …

Integrating Neural Control And Finite Element Muscle Modeling: A Predictive Neuromusculoskeletal Framework For Investigating Neurodegenerative Disease, Colton Babcock

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disrupt the interplay between neural control and musculoskeletal function, leading to progressive motor decline and loss of force control and production. Traditional experimental and clinical approaches are limited in their ability to capture the multiscale, nonlinear mechanisms driving these impairments. This dissertation presents a novel predictive neuromusculoskeletal (NMS) modeling framework that integrates physiologically accurate motor neuron dynamics with three-dimensional finite element (FE) muscle models. Using subject-specific muscle geometry and fiber architecture of the tibialis anterior, the model simulates realistic force generation under both healthy and ALS-affected conditions. The neural component incorporates a …

Harnessing The Mechanical And Gelation Behavior Of Tyramine-Substituted Silk Fibroin Bioinks Through Integration Into A Modular And Low-Cost 3d Bioprinting Platform, Sourjjadeepta Biswas

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

3D printing has become an indispensable tool in research labs across the globe. Yet, when it comes to bioprinting with custom or sensitive bioinks, accessible options remain limited. Commercial systems are often prohibitively expensive and restricted to proprietary materials, while DIY setups frequently lack the precision and compatibility needed for biologically relevant printing. Moreover, tunable bioinks that align with real-world biological constraints are still hard to come by. To address these gaps, we developed a modular, low-cost bioprinting platform tailored for tyramine-substituted silk fibroin (TA-SF) hydrogels-biocompatible materials known for their rapid gelation, tunable stiffness, and potential to support cell differentiation …

An Investigation Of High School Students' Perceived Well-Being In A Flexible Blended-Learning Program Through The Lens Of Self-Determination Theory, April Burton

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation explored how participation in a flexible blended learning (FBL) program relates to high school students’ sense of well-being, as defined by self-determination theory (SDT). SDT suggests that fulfilling three basic psychological needs is considered essential for well-being and optimal functioning. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study investigates how an FBL program affects high school students’ perceptions of the fulfillment of psychological needs — autonomy, competence, and relatedness. The study involved high school students enrolled in FBL courses in a midwestern school district in the USA. Data were collected through surveys adapted from the Students’ Basic Psychological Needs Survey …

Leveraging Disparate Wildland Fire Datasets To Address Longstanding Fire Management Questions, Kendra Fallon

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

While wildfire season is perceived as occurring in the warm months, and expanding, wildfire management is a year-long process. Juxtaposed to wildfire seasons are the reactive seasons of mitigating for post-fire effects, namely first-order effects of potential hydrological impacts in burn footprints, and the proactive implementation of fuels treatments to modify fire behavior to lessen the reactive workload. In this dissertation, I focus on answering lingering questions that are critical to the management of the shoulder seasons of wildfire season. To assist in resource allocation and identification of post-hydrological risks, I present a model identifying the major drivers of soil …

Interconnection Among Germanic Peoples In The Roman Late Republican And Early Imperial Eras: From Historical And Archaeological Sources, Krystian Fichat

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This thesis evaluates the cultural interactions between the Germanic peoples and neighboring societies during the Roman Late Republican and Early Imperial Eras. Roman authors traditionally portrayed the Germani as isolated barbarians and through ethnocentric and propagandistic writings, misrepresenting the Germanic people on a large scale. By combining an analysis of historical sources, such as Roman histories and ethnographies, the examination of connection through polytheistic religious practice in Western Europe and in Rome, archaeological evidence of Germanic trade and craft, and the study of settlements common to Celtic and Germanic peoples, this research demonstrates that the Germani were actively participating in …

Deep Reinforcement Learning For Adaptive Mesh Refinement: A Training Parameter Study, Antone Chacartegui

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) enables efficient solution of partial differential equations by dynamically allocating computational resources to regions requiring higher resolution. It has been demonstrated that deep reinforcement learning agents could learn effective mesh adaptation policies. However, practical deployment requires a systematic understanding of how training parameters affect performance across diverse computational scenarios.

This thesis presents a parameter optimization study analyzing the relationship between deep reinforcement learning for adaptive mesh refinement (DRL-AMR) training parameters and model performance. We implement an independent DRL-AMR system with a discontinuous Galerkin solver and actor-critic (A2C) algorithm for one-dimensional linear advection. The study explores four …

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 …

Combinatorics Of Trees Via Derivatives Of Polynomial Functors In Homotopy Type Theory, Warren David Hatton

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Polynomial functors are, essentially, polynomials whose variables take values in sets, groupoids, or some other suitable category, rather than in numbers. In this thesis, we will explore three related aspects of polynomial functors over $\infty$-groupoids in the framework of homotopy type theory: first, polynomial functors provide a foundation for inductively defined data types as wellfounded trees; second, polynomial functors have a notion of derivative which, viewed in light of the connection to data types, yields a computational interpretation of differentiation; and third, suitably finite polynomial functors over (higher) groupoids yield categorified generating functions, and thus subsume the theory of combinatorial …

A Machine Learning Approach To Estimating Agricultural Return Flows: A Case Study Of The Twin Falls Canal Company In Idaho, Kendra Alise Figgins

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Idaho is the third largest water user in the United States due to its extensive agriculture industry (Murray, 2018). Irrigation has allowed farmers to take advantage of the warm climate and rich soils of the Eastern Snake River Plain to develop one of the nation’s most productive agricultural regions. This area now contains one-third of Idaho’s irrigated acres (Idaho Department of Water Resources, 2024). It also contains critical hydrologic connections between the Snake River and the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer.

Farming practices in Idaho have gradually shifted over time. Warming temperatures and increased irrigation efficiency are allowing an expansion of …

Understanding Students’ Psychological Needs Satisfaction And Frustration In A Gamified Biology I Course: A Mixed Method Study, Shakiyla Huggins

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to examine how gamification impacts student motivation in higher education through the framework of Self-Determination Theory (SDT). While previous research has linked gamification to engagement, this study addressed a gap by directly measuring students' satisfaction and frustration with their basic psychological needs — autonomy, competence, and relatedness — in a gamified undergraduate Biology I course. A convergent parallel mixed methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected using the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNSFS) from 22 students who completed both pre- and post-course surveys. Qualitative data were drawn from student reflection …

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 …

A Comparative Study Of Novel Methods For Variances, Taoreed Muritala

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Understanding variability is fundamental to knowledge advancement across various disciplines, including manufacturing, clinical research, biology and genetics. Population variances play a crucial role in processes such as quality control, treatment evaluation and the interpretation of biological mechanisms. However, statistical procedures for comparing variances across multiple populations remain less developed than those for comparing means. Classical omnibus tests, such as Bartlett's and Levene's, can detect overall variance heterogeneity but fail to identify which populations differ, thereby limiting their usefulness in multi-population analyses and increasing the risk of inflated family-wise error rates through repeated testing.

This thesis develops and evaluates three multiple …

Abelian Sandpile Models On Edge Periodic Graphs, Payton Lyons

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The abelian sandpile model is a Markov chain that is able to decompose any recurrent configuration into a basic alive divisor, some amount of sand placed on the sink vertex, and a series of vertex firings. In this paper we begin to explore some of the dynamics of this system when the edges of the graph are allowed to alternate between two different edge sets. This system will be framed in a similar fashion as the classical model, and then some basic numerical simulations were used to observe the threshold behavior of the system. We lay some of the initial …

The Effect Of Loading Conditions And Specimen Size On The Tensile Strength Of Ring-Shaped Specimens, Kolby Scott Mcclure

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This study introduces a custom-built direct tension testing apparatus designed for ring-shaped rock specimens. The apparatus applies a uniform axial load to the inner surface of the ring and is compatible with standard geotechnical testing equipment. Using this device, 176 granite specimens sourced from Horseshoe Bend, Idaho, were tested under three configurations: Brazilian, indirect ring tension, and direct ring tension. Only specimens exhibiting valid diametrical splitting failure modes (126 out of 176) were included in the final analysis. Direct tension tests yielded the lowest tensile strengths, followed by Brazilian tests, with indirect tension tests producing the highest values. While scatter …

Feasibility Of Small-Modular Reactors In Hybrid Energy Systems, Taylor Reid

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

This thesis evaluates the feasibility of integrating next-generation nuclear technology into hybrid energy systems, framing the analysis within the guidelines suggested by the World Energy Council’s, Energy Trilemma. The trilemma seeks to balance energy security, economics/equity and sustainability. To this end, a computer model was created to illustrate how the limitations of intermittent renewables, like wind and solar (PV), can be addressed when they are combined with a baseload provided by a next-generation nuclear Small Modular Reactor (SMR). The baseload power provided by nuclear energy can smooth the variability of wind or solar power, while simultaneously offsetting the cost of …

Evaluation Of High Concentration Dissolved Oxygen Delivery On Wastewater Treatment Plant Performance, Gregor Ethan R. Posadas

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Microorganisms are used in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to transform constituents and depend on dissolved oxygen (DO) for growth. Limitations in traditional treatment methods pose inefficiencies in performance relative to constituent removal. This study involved monitoring the performance of a selected WWTP located in Greenleaf, Idaho that was retrofitted with a high concentration DO delivery system. The WWTP was selected due to its small scale (classified as a minor discharge facility with a design flow <1 MGD) and capability of being retrofitted with a high concentration DO delivery system proprietary to BioSolution Holdings Co., Ltd. This study aimed to monitor the effects of delivering higher DO concentrations in the WWTP in conjunction with validating the performance and function of the retrofitted high concentration DO delivery system. The performance of the selected WWTP was monitored over the course of one year to capture seasonal fluctuations.

Significant changes in WWTP constituent treatment induced by higher DO concentrations were observed at various points within the treatment processes. Monitored parameters included DO, temperature, …

Harnessing Bioscaffold-Coupled Stimulation Through Electroactive Graphene Foam For Enhanced Cellular And Mechanical Responses: Applications In Cartilage Tissue Engineering, Mone't Sawyer

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of joint degeneration, with limited treatment options that fail to restore native cartilage. Tissue engineering offers a promising strategy by combining cells, scaffolds, and bioactive cues to regenerate functional tissue, though challenges remain in developing systems that integrate and precisely control these signals in three-dimensional environments. This work establishes a scaffold-coupled electrical stimulation (ES) platform using electroactive graphene foam (GF) to modulate cellular and mechanical responses relevant to cartilage tissue engineering. Custom stereolithography-printed bioreactors were developed to deliver low-voltage biphasic square waves (20–60 mVpp, 1 kHz) directly to GF scaffolds under submerged culture, maintaining waveform …

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 …

Community Approaches To Digitally Documenting And Sharing Conjunto Music In The South Texas Borderlands, René Antonio Ballesteros

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis explores the rich tradition of conjunto music within the South Texas borderlands, examining how integrating community engagement and digital humanities methodologies can effectively enhance the documentation, conservation, and presentation of this place-based expressive culture. Recognizing existing archival gaps, the research employed community-engaged programming to gather and preserve valuable cultural data. A key methodology outcome involved creating digital maps utilizing place-based data related to conjunto music sites and activities, subsequently integrating these maps into an ArcGIS Online story map for public online access. The findings demonstrate the significant potential of community collaboration and digital humanities tools in amplifying cultural …