Mountain Scholar

Mountain Scholar is an open access repository service that collects, preserves, and provides access to digitized library collections and other scholarly and creative works from Colorado State University and the University Press of Colorado. It also serves as a dark archive for the Open Textbook Library.

Communities in Mountain Scholar

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Colorado State University, Fort Collins 28083
Explore the Colorado State University community’s scholarly output as well as items from the University at large and the CSU Libraries.
Open Textbook Library Archive 25
A limited number of titles are available here. To see all OTL titles, please visit the Open Textbook Library at https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks. Only Open Textbook Library staff have access to all OTL Archive titles held in Mountain Scholar.
University Press of Colorado 1088
Access is limited to University Press of Colorado members. Non-members: to purchase books, please visit https://upcolorado.com/.

Recent Submissions

Access status: Open Access ,
Addressing Alzheimer's disease pathology through combinatorial therapeutic interventions
(2026-05) Kilfoyle, Chris L., author; Moreno, Julie, advisor; Montgomery, Tai, committee member
In recent years, neurodegenerative diseases have become a greater focus area of research due to their significant prevalence and complex pathophysiology. The neurodegenerative disease known as Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is characterized by its variable and progressive symptom expression, which may include memory loss, reduced cognitive function, abnormal behavior, and eventually neuronal cell death. The mechanisms underlying the expression of this disease are continuously being researched, and notable processes that have been implicated in both AD origination and progression include plaque accumulation and neuroinflammation. As a result, a multitude of therapeutic, disease-intervening drugs have been developed to address the different underlying causes of AD. Given the complex pathology of AD and the increasing number of developing therapeutics, combination therapy has become increasingly relevant in neurodegenerative disease research. In this thesis, I examine two neurodegenerative disease treatments with phase III trial data; an anti-amyloid-beta antibody called Lecanemab, and an anti-inflammatory tyrosine kinase inhibitor called Masitinib. I attempt to predict potential outcomes of drug mechanism interaction, as well as overall drug complementarity between these drugs. Furthermore, I outline a theoretical, alternating combinatorial approach for treatment using these drugs–including dosages and dosage periods for each drug. The conclusions drawn from this analysis identify potential synergistic effects between the two drugs, which may increase observable benefits in AD patients greatly, as well as potential areas of concern for antagonism. Additionally, I highlight the need for additional in vivo or clinical research into combination therapy, both for these drugs and also for the field as a whole within the context of neurodegenerative disease.
Access status: Open Access ,
Does agricultural worker density moderate the relationship between physician supply and low birth weight? Evidence from U.S. counties
(2026-05) Brousseau, Melanie A., author; Pena, Anita Alves, advisor; Basow, Benjamin, advisor
Migrant and seasonal farmworkers face disproportionate health risks due to occupational exposure, geographic isolation, and structural barriers to care, but the supply-side capacity of healthcare systems serving agricultural communities is understudied at the population level. This study addresses that gap by investigating whether primary care physician supply predicts low birth weight rates at the county level and whether agricultural worker density moderates that relationship across United States counties. Using a cross-sectional design, this study utilizes county-level data sourced from the 2025 County Health Rankings, the 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture, the Healthy Resources and Services Administration Federally Qualified Health Center site database, the 2021 American Community Survey, and Kaiser Family Foundation Medicaid expansion records. These datasets are linked through Federal Information Processing Standard codes and encompass approximately 2,700 counties. The primary analysis estimates a moderated linear regression model in which the percentage of low-birth-weight births serves as the outcome, primary care physicians per 100,000 population serves as the independent variable, and agricultural worker density serves as the moderating variable. Results indicate a statistically significant negative interaction between physician supply and agricultural worker density (B3 = -0.118, p < 0.01), indicating that as agricultural worker concentration increases, the association between physician supply and low birth weight rates becomes steeper. These findings suggest that county-level physician supply measures alone may not fully capture effective healthcare access in agricultural communities.
Access status: Open Access ,
TrueZoos: a guide to ethical zoos and fostering wildlife appreciation
(2026-05) Sapiro, Lexy, M., author; Vieira, Nicole, advisor; Dahl, Jamie, committee member
Interest in zoos continues to be strong, but increasing issues regarding animal welfare, ethics, and zoo involvement in wildlife conservation have indicated a gap in the availability of information that could enable average citizens to analyze these facilities. Even when there are institutions like the Association of Zoos and Aquariums that offer accreditation for facilities, the criteria used may not always be clear or easy to understand by the layperson, particularly the youth. This project introduces TrueZoos, a digital platform and future business model designed to examine and promote ethical zoos through public education, interactive experiences, and clearly defined evaluation criteria. This project aims to analyze how the integration of online tools and practical experience may help to increase public awareness about ethical issues related to zoos. Methods that would be used include development of a website structure, elaboration of the criteria of an ethical zoo based on the principles of animal welfare and conservation, and development of a program that would allow organizing summer camps for middle school and high school students, together with trips to different places for individuals of any age. This would involve practical participation in zoo visits and various activities aimed at learning about animals. Other elements would include the production of various media materials and the use of funding sources sponsored by communities. Based on the predicted results, integration of online access with practical experience may lead to increased awareness of ethical issues regarding zoos and a more critical attitude to their work.
Access status: Open Access ,
Woodward: on-highway transportation efficiency gains | electronic turbocharger wastegate actuator
(2026-05) Carlson, Brooke, author; Stansloski, Mitchell, advisor; Cowden, Kari, committee member
On-highway transportation remains a major contributor to global petroleum consumption, yet the engines convert only a small fraction of fuel energy into useful motion, with the majority lost as waste. While prior research has demonstrated that turbocharging can significantly improve engine performance and efficiency, limitations—such as the wastegate being controlled pneumatically—continue to constrain its full potential. In response, this project investigates opportunities to enhance turbocharger performance through improves wastegate control within Woodward's on-highway engines. Specifically, the objective is to evaluate if replacing the conventional pneumatic actuator with a more precise and responsive electronic actuator would show improvement in the engine’s efficiency. To support this effort, a comprehensive trade study was conducted to determine the optimal way to approach operating within the harsh engine conditions, tight space parameters, and high force specifications. After designing and manufacturing an actuator to mount to the engine, steady and transient tests were conducted to determine the overall performance of the product. Results indicate that by having control of where and when the wastegate was positioned, the engine had better boost pressure control than when the engine was equipped with a pneumatic actuator. With better boost control, the combustion process wastes less fuel which in turn makes the engine more efficient. If the design and implementation were to be matured further, these improvements have the potential to increase overall engine efficiency over all of the transportation sector. This work contributes to ongoing efforts to advance transportation efficiency by demonstrating how targeted innovations can yield meaningful gains, supporting both industry goals and initiatives toward more sustainable energy use.
Access status: Open Access ,
Subsystem integration and reliability in a high-power rocket payload
(2026-05) Benson, Alex, author; Cowden, Kari, advisor; Krips, Lucy, committee member
This thesis investigates subsystem integration and its impact on reliability in a high-power rocket payload developed for NASA's Undergraduate Student Launch Initiative (USLI). High-power student rockets operate under severe mechanical, thermal, and electrical constraints, where failures frequently emerge at subsystem interfaces rather than with individual components. As part of a multidisciplinary USLI team, an electrical payload subsystem was designed, integrated, and tested within a full-scale competition rocket. The work focuses on the interaction between electrical, mechanical, and software subsystems, with particular attention to power distribution, sensing, communication, and structural interfaces. A system-level integration and verification methodology was applied, including iterative design, environmental testing, and failure analysis. Observed failure modes were documented and traced to interface-level design decisions, motivating targeted redesigns and integration improvements. Results demonstrate that subsystem integration quality is the dominant factor governing payload reliability in USLI-class rockets. The findings highlight the importance of interface definition, verification-driven design, and cross-disciplinary coordination in small-scale aerospace systems. In addition to technical outcomes, this project contributed to the development of professional engineering competencies in systems thinking, documentation, and reliability-focused design practices.