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
Select a community to browse its collections.
- Explore the Colorado State University community’s scholarly output as well as items from the University at large and the CSU Libraries.
- 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.
- Access is limited to University Press of Colorado members. Non-members: to purchase books, please visit https://upcolorado.com/.
Recent Submissions
Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access , The role of complement activation in immune thrombocytopenia: mechanisms, biomarkers, and targeted therapies(2026-05) Tasa, Reece, E. S., author; Jeckel, Kimberly, advisor; Popichak, Katriana, committee memberOne of the many innate immune defenses, the complement system, functions to opsonize, or "tag" threats to the host’s body for destruction, mediate inflammation, and lyse pathogens (eliminate threats). The complement system is a complicated array of proteins that must undergo various cleavages and binding steps to become functional within a host’s immune system. Although this system is tightly regulated by proteins and factors, it can be involved in certain pathologies of the immune system. Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) is a disease characterized by autoimmune destruction of host platelets, whose destruction is heavily assisted by involvement of the various complement pathways. There are primary (pITP) and secondary (sITP) classifications of ITP determined by their pathogenesis, which vary in their responsivity to treatment. Low count of platelets that typically function in clot formation results in various symptoms, ranging from minor (petechiae) to life-threatening (intracerebral hemorrhage). In this review of the literature, an analysis of existing research and gaps in knowledge will summarize what areas of the complement system and pITP remain understudied. Sources used for this review of the literature include many recent (2022-present) and older peer reviewed articles, gathered and filtered primarily using the National Institutes of Health (NIH) database. More extensive treatment options and diagnostic techniques will provide a better quality of life for those with pITP, crucial in allowing those with thrombocytopenias to function normally and maintain active lifestyles. A better understanding of how the complement system is involved with autoimmune diseases will lead to the development of inhibitory therapies targeted towards the complement cascade.Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access , Women in motion: a proposed intervention strategy to prevent sexual harassment of women on public transportation(2026) de St. Simon, Sophia, author; Holz, Leah, advisor; Goar, Allison, committee memberSexual harassment on public transportation is a persistent and underreported issue, with existing research documenting behaviors such as unwanted comments, non-consensual photography, staring, and physical contact that disproportionately affect women. These experiences can significantly impact individuals’ sense of safety, alter commuting patterns, and contribute to heightened stress and discomfort in daily life. Despite growing attention to harassment in public spaces, there remains a need for accessible, prevention-focused educational resources. The purpose of this project is to examine and raise awareness of sexual harassment on public transit through an educational intervention. Specifically, this project discusses how increased access to clear, researched information and resources may influence individuals’ awareness, bystander responses, and likelihood of reporting incidents. A review-based methodological approach was used to synthesize existing literature, publicly available statistics, and support resources related to sexual harassment in transit environments. These findings helped develop an educational presentation and an accompanying informational poster designed to present key information in an accessible and engaging format. Findings from the reviewed literature indicate that sexual harassment in public transit settings is widespread yet frequently underreported, with meaningful consequences for women’s mobility, autonomy, and psychological well-being. Educational tools that increase awareness of harassment behaviors and available resources have the potential to improve bystander intervention and empower individuals to respond more effectively. This project contributes to the field by bridging the gap between research and practice, transforming empirical findings into practical, user-friendly materials. By emphasizing awareness, accessibility, and prevention, the project supports broader efforts to promote safer and more inclusive public transit environments.Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access , Nourishing in phases: a guide to nutrition throughout the menstrual cycle(2026) Richardson, Claire, author; Clark, Alena, advisor; Glycenfer, Frances, committee memberThe menstrual cycle is a monthly process in which hormonal changes occur across four distinct phases with the purpose of preparing the female body for potential pregnancy. As a result of fluctuating hormone levels, females experience various physiological, psychological, and behavioral changes across each cycle, impacting nutrition needs. However, although some research and education exists on the menstrual cycle, it is still limited, often leading females to feel at a loss for understanding how to support their bodies. This thesis aims to investigate the link between nutrition and menstrual health, helping to provide females with a guideline for utilizing nutrition for enhanced health, performance, and well-being during all phases of the menstrual cycle. In order to do so, this paper reviews existing literature to identify effective nutrition interventions for supporting the female body through the menstrual cycle. The findings reflect that, to support hormonal fluctuations and associated symptoms during each phase, helpful nutrients to focus on include: iron, vitamin C, and magnesium in the menses phase; higher complex carbohydrate intake, fiber, and zinc during the follicular phase; calcium, vitamin D, and selenium during the ovulatory phase; and vitamin B6, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamin E during the luteal phase. An important consideration to note is that several of the nutrients have crossover between phases, serving important functions throughout the entire menstrual cycle; however, for the purpose of this paper, the nutrients were considered separately and are to be used to accommodate specific hormone fluctuations. The goal of this thesis is to support increased awareness and understanding about how the menstrual cycle impacts health and nutrition, which, although it is a field starting to gain attention, is still under-researched and undereducated on.Item type:Item, Access status: Open Access , CSU audio data dictionary: version 1(2012-12) Oehlerts, Beth, authorItem type:Item, Access status: Open Access , CSU university historical photographs collection data dictionary: version 1(2008-02) Hunter, Nancy Chaffin, author
