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.
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Recent Submissions
THE APPLICATION OF AGILE TO LARGE-SCALE, SAFETY-CRITICAL, CYBER-PHYSICAL SYSTEMS
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Yeman, Robin, author; Malaiya, Yashwant, advisor; Adams, Jim, committee member; Simske, Steve, committee member; Herber, Daniel, committee member; Arneson, Erin, committee member
The increasing complexity of large-scale, safety-critical cyber-physical (LS/SC/CP) systems, characterized by interconnected physical and computational components that must meet stringent safety and regulatory requirements, presents significant challenges to traditional development approaches. Traditional development approaches, such as the waterfall methodology, often struggle to meet adaptability, speed, and continuous assurance demands. This dissertation explores the feasibility of applying and adapting Agile methodologies to LS/SC/CP systems, focusing on challenges like regulatory compliance and rigorous verification, while intending to prove benefits such as improved risk management and faster development cycles. Through case studies and simulations, this research provides empirical validation of Agile's effectiveness in this domain, contributing a framework for adapting Agile practices to meet the unique demands of LS/SC/CP systems. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research comprises five key components. First, a systematic literature review (SLR) was conducted to assess the current state of Agile adoption in LS/SC/CP environments. Second, a comparative analysis of the top 10 Agile scaling frameworks was performed to evaluate their suitability for LS/SC/CP system development. Third, a survey of 56 respondents provided both quantitative and qualitative insights into industry trends, adoption patterns, and Agile's impact on LS/SC/CPs. Fourth, 25 one-on-one interviews with industry practitioners further explored the challenges, benefits, and enablers of Agile adoption in these environments. Finally, lifecycle modeling (LML) using Innoslate was utilized to develop a fictional case study, modeling the development of a mid-size low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite using both NASA's Waterfall approach (Phase A-D) and an Agile approach with a series of Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). Findings reveal that Agile methodologies, when adapted for LS/SC/CP systems, enable accelerated development cycles, reducing development time by a factor of 2.5 compared to Waterfall while maintaining safety and regulatory compliance. A key contribution of this study is the introduction of a Continuous Assurance Plugin, which integrates continuous validation within Agile's iterative processes, effectively addressing compliance and safety requirements traditionally managed through phase-gated reviews in Waterfall. Additionally, this research provides: \begin{enumerate} \item Empirical validation of Agile Scaling Frameworks and their suitability for delivering LS/SC/CP systems. \item Quantitative and qualitative analysis of Agile's current state and impact in LS/SC/CP environments. \item Evaluation of key enabling technologies such as Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Digital Twins, and Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) that facilitate Agile adoption for LS/SC/CP systems. \end{enumerate} This dissertation advances the understanding of Agile's role in LS/SC/CP system development, providing actionable insights and practical adaptations for organizations seeking to implement Agile in complex, safety-critical domains.
CONTROLLED TESTING OF NEXT GENERATION LEAK DETECTION AND QUANTIFICATION SOLUTIONS TO EVALUATE PERFORMANCE AND DEVELOP CONSENSUS ASSESSMENT METRICS
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) ILONZE, CHIEMEZIE, author; Windom, Bret C., advisor; Zimmerle, Daniel, advisor; Olsen, Daniel B., committee member; Levin, Ezra, committee member; Pierce, Jeffrey, committee member
Reducing methane emissions, a potent short-term climate forcer, is critical for mitigating global warming. The oil and gas (O&G) industry is a major source of anthropogenic methane emissions, and regulations in the U.S. and Canada mandate leak detection and repair (LDAR) programs to mitigate these emissions. Traditional LDAR methods, which includes manually surveying O&G assets with handheld optical gas imaging (OGI) cameras or portable organic vapor analyzers, can be costly and labor-intensive given the vast spatial extent of O&G facilities. However, emerging, next-generation leak detection and quantification (LDAQ) solutions promise a more cost-effective alternative but must demonstrate equal or superior emissions mitigation potential to gain regulatory approval. Standardized controlled testing is essential for verifying this equivalence, yet no widely accepted framework currently exists to achieve this goal. This study evaluates and improves the first known standardized controlled testing protocols designed to address this gap. Two test protocols were developed for the two broad categories of LDAQ solutions: continuous monitors, which operate autonomously over extended durations, and survey solutions, which function over shorter durations with human supervision. These protocols, developed through multi-stakeholder collaboration, were used to test 29 LDAQ solutions (some tested multiple times) at the Methane Emissions Technology Evaluation Center (METEC). METEC is an 8-acre outdoor controlled testing facility that simulates methane emissions from North American onshore O&G equipment. Each survey solution and continuous monitor was tested for a minimum of 3 days and 11 weeks, respectively. Tested controlled release rates were up to 7100 g CH4 /h for continuous monitors and 2100 g CH4 /h for survey solutions. Key performance metrics, including probability of detection (POD), localization accuracy and precision, quantification accuracy, and survey times, were assessed. Seven solutions were retested 3 to 13 months after their initial tests to examine performance changes over time. Results showed that no single LDAQ solution or solution category achieved optimal performance across all the metrics evaluated. For continuous monitors, only two solutions achieved 90% POD within the tested range, failed to detect ≤ 40% of the controlled releases, and had ≤ 40% of their reported detections classified as false alerts. Camera- and laser-based continuous monitors demonstrated the highest emissions source localization accuracy, with most of them attributing ≥49% of their detection reports to the correct emission source. Quantification uncertainty varied widely, with solutions underestimating and overestimating actual emission rates by factors up to 50 and 46, respectively. For survey solutions, handheld OGI cameras exhibited better accuracy and repeatability in detecting and localizing small fugitive emissions compared to mobile (automobile- /drone-based) survey solutions, although the latter completed emission surveys faster. Additionally, performance improvements were observed with repeated testing, emphasizing the likely importance of regular, independent, and comprehensive evaluations in advancing LDAQ solutions. Findings from these controlled tests, combined with stakeholders feedback and insights from parallel field testing, informed the revision of the protocols to better reflect the application of LDAQ solutions at real O&G facilities. Study findings demonstrates that integrating multiple solutions can complement the limitations of any individual or category of LDAQ solutions. Continuous monitors and automobile-/drone-based survey LDAQ solutions can rapidly detect and narrow-down sources of emissions, enabling targeted follow-up investigations with handheld LDAQ survey solutions. In general, this work contributes significantly to efforts aimed at accelerating regulatory approval and adoption of next-generation LDAQ solutions for methane emissions mitigation through transparent and rigorous controlled testing
RESPONSIBLE EXITS AND SOCIAL OUTCOMES OF CONSERVATION PHILANTHROPY
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Le Cornu, Elodie, author; Gruby, Rebecca L., advisor; Betsill, Michele M., committee member; Lavoie, Anna, committee member; Basurto, Xavier, committee member
Environmental philanthropy is witnessing unprecedented growth. In recent years, several foundations have invested billions of dollars to solve environmental issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change, and sustainable resource management (Betsill et al., 2021; Mufson, 2021; Greenfield, 2021). Ocean philanthropy has seen a particularly significant increase, with ocean conservation funding more than doubling over the past decade, exceeding USD 1 billion in 2022 (CEA, 2023). Within this landscape, small-scale fisheries are estimated to receive $10-$23 million annually (Rare, 2016). While philanthropic funding has contributed to significant progress in conservation, there is growing scrutiny regarding its efficiency, legitimacy, and the concentration of power in the hands of a few billionaires influencing public policies. This dissertation answers the growing calls for opening the black box of philanthropy (Rogers, 2015; Goss, 2016; Skocpol, 2016; Betsill et al., 2021; Gruby et al., 2021). Specifically, a critical aspect of conservation philanthropy that remains unexplored is the process of exiting and the consequences for grantees and communities. The impetus for the three manuscripts that make up this dissertation is the Packard Foundation’s exit from the Western Pacific region after twenty years of funding marine conservation. Through a multi-scalar approach, this dissertation explores responsible exits and the social outcomes of conservation philanthropy. Case studies across global, regional/national, and local governance scales contribute a comprehensive analysis that is theoretically informed and empirically grounded of the way foundations navigate exits and the social outcomes of the projects they fund. This dissertation moves beyond the binary critiques of foundations as “good” or “bad” and takes a solution-oriented approach while also engaging in critical and reflexive research. This dissertation is grounded in two important fields: environmental governance and environmental philanthropy. I argue for greater shared learning between these two fields to advance conservation philanthropy’s understanding and practice. Specifically, environmental philanthropy can benefit from the existing conceptual frameworks, empirical research and methodologies of environmental governance, while environmental governance should recognize philanthropic foundations as influential actors that need more research attention. Foundations often lack a clear framework to guide their exit strategies in a responsible way, sometimes leading to poorly executed exits which can leave grantees and the work they do struggling to sustain conservation efforts. The second chapter fills that gap by developing an exit typology and a set of best practices, offering guidance for funders who navigate exits. The key takeaway of this chapter is that exits should not be an afterthought but an integral part of the decision-making process, ideally planning from the very start to ensure long-term sustainability. But how are exits experienced on the receiving end? Chapter three explores the exit viewpoints of ocean conservation practitioners, including grantees, who experienced the Packard Foundation exit in Fiji and Palau. This Chapter reveals that viewpoints were diverse (i.e., optimistic, pessimistic, ambivalent, and apathetic) and shaped by a combination of rationales. While optimistic viewpoints were mostly linked to Packard implementing exit best practices that relate to the principles and administration and management categories of the responsible exit framework (Chapter 2), pessimistic viewpoints were linked to challenges related to the sustainability category of the framework, which are more systemic in nature. This Chapter reasserts that exit best practices are key to conducting a responsible exit and that some of these practices must be addressed by foundations at both the field and individual organizational levels. The fourth Chapter examines how philanthropic funding affects communities. This Chapter examines the social outcomes of conservation philanthropy through the case study of a Packard-funded small-scale fisheries project in Palau. Using Photovoice, a participatory research method that centers the voices and experiences of fishers, this Chapter reveals a mix of positive and negative outcomes. A key takeaway is the importance of strong community engagement in the design and implementation of philanthropic-supported conservation projects. Growing critiques of current models of giving must be taken seriously. Changes are needed to ensure that philanthropy operates in a responsible and just manner for both people and the environment by being more transparent, inclusive, and accountable to the communities it directly supports. This dissertation informs these conversations with an empirical analysis that centers the perspectives of grantees and communities affected by philanthropic-funded projects.
A Complex of Interactions in Rare-Earth Based Quantum Honeycomb Magnets
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Treglia, Andrew, author; Gelfand, Martin, advisor; Neilson, James, committee member; Chen, Hua, committee member; Prieto, Amy, committee member
Quantum spin liquids (QSLs) represent an exotic state of matter characterized by long-range quantum entanglement and fractionalized excitations. Although predicted theoretically by models such as the Kitaev honeycomb model, experimentally verifying these states in real materials remains a significant challenge in condensed matter physics. This dissertation investigates the magnetic interactions in rare-earth honeycomb materials as potential candidates for realizing QSLs, with a focus on the exchange mechanisms governing their magnetic properties. Through a combination of magnetization, heat capacity, and inelastic neutron scattering experiments, this work systematically explores the magnetic phase behavior of Yb2Si2O7 and ErCl3, two rare-earth compounds with effective spin-1/2 degrees of freedom on geometrically frustrated lattices. The first part of this dissertation examines Yb2Si2O7, which exhibits field-induced quantum phase transitions. Magnetization measurements reveal strong anisotropy consistent with spin-orbit coupled physics, while neutron diffraction and inelastic spectroscopy provide insight into the formation of a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) of triplons. However, the absence of staggered magnetization in field-dependent neutron scattering data challenges prior theoretical models and suggests a more complex underlying exchange mechanism. The second part of this work focuses on ErCl3, a material whose honeycomb lattice structure and strong single-ion anisotropy make it a promising candidate for realizing bond-dependent exchange interactions. Single-crystal neutron scattering experiments, performed in a controlled air-free environment, reveal deviations from conventional isotropic exchange, indicating the presence of anisotropic interactions. A systematic analysis of spin wave excitations enables the extraction of exchange parameters, offering experimental constraints for theoretical models describing Kitaev-like interactions in this system. By integrating experimental results with theoretical models, this dissertation advances the understanding of rare-earth-based quantum magnets. The findings underscore the importance of strong spin-orbit coupling and crystal field effects in stabilizing anisotropic exchange, while highlighting key challenges in the experimental verification of QSL behavior. These results provide critical insights for the ongoing search for materials that host quantum spin liquid states and topological excitations, paving the way for future investigations into the realization of quantum matter in real materials.
The Neuroinflammatory Nexus: Glial Dysfunction in the Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Targeting of Neurodegenerative and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
(Colorado State University. Libraries, 2025) Risen, Sydney Jane, author; Moreno, Julie, advisor; Tjalkens, Ronald, committee member; LaRocca, Tom, committee member; Nordgren, Tara, committee member
Chronic neuroinflammation is increasingly recognized as a fundamental driver of both neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, linking immune dysregulation, glial dysfunction, and disease progression. In neurodegenerative protein misfolding disorders (NPMDs), including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and prion diseases, sustained microglial and astrocytic activation exacerbates protein aggregation, synaptic dysfunction, and neuronal loss, accelerating cognitive decline. Similarly, in neurodevelopment, aberrant inflammatory signaling during critical windows of brain maturation impairs synaptic formation, alters neurotransmitter systems, and predisposes individuals to long-term cognitive and behavioral deficits. Despite distinct manifestations, both disease categories share a pathological feature: a maladaptive neuroimmune response disrupting neural homeostasis. While neuroinflammation is widely implicated in these disorders, defining its molecular mechanisms, identifying therapeutic targets, and understanding environmental contributions remain critical research needs. This dissertation begins to address these gaps by investigating neuroinflammation as both a therapeutic target in NPMDs and a mechanistic link between environmental exposures and neurodevelopmental disruption.The first investigation evaluates SB_NI_112, a novel brain-penetrant RNA-based therapeutic designed to selectively inhibit NF-κB and NLRP3 inflammasome pathways, key regulators of glial activation and chronic neuroinflammation. Pharmacokinetic and biodistribution studies in small- and large-animal models were first conducted to assess SB_NI_112’s CNS penetration and safety. These studies confirmed robust brain bioavailability (~30%) and a favorable safety profile, supporting its viability for therapeutic application. Following these findings, SB_NI_112 was tested in a murine prion disease model, where treatment significantly reduced microglial and astrocytic activation in disease-relevant brain regions, preserved hippocampal neurons, and mitigated neurodegeneration. These neuroprotective effects corresponded with improved cognitive performance in novel object recognition tasks, indicating functional preservation despite ongoing prion pathology. Notably, SB_NI_112 treatment extended survival, reinforcing inflammasome inhibition as a viable therapeutic strategy for NPMDs. These findings provide strong proof-of-concept for targeting neuroinflammatory pathways to slow disease progression and preserve cognitive function in neurodegenerative protein misfolding disorders. The second investigation examines the role of environmental neurotoxicants in triggering neuroinflammation and impairing neurodevelopment. Using a juvenile mouse model, this study demonstrates that chronic low-dose manganese (Mn) exposure (50 mg/kg via drinking water) first alters gut microbiome composition, depleting the relative abundance of beneficial Lactobacillaceae, and increasing the relative abundance of pro-inflammatory Erysipelotrichaceae, contributing to gut-brain axis dysfunction. These microbial shifts coincide with significant gliosis in the enteric nervous system, suggesting early neuroimmune activation at the gut interface. This inflammatory response extends to the brain, where widespread microglial and astrocytic activation is observed alongside disruptions in neurotransmitter production and metabolism, including altered dopamine and serotonin homeostasis. Functionally, these neuroimmune and neurochemical disruptions correspond with changes in behavior, indicating impaired neural processing. The presence of inflammatory lesions in the intestinal lining further implicates gut inflammation as a mediator of Mn-induced neurodevelopmental deficits. These findings highlight the systemic impact of Mn exposure, reinforcing the link between environmental toxins, neuroinflammation, and behavioral dysregulation. Together, these studies further support the growing body of evidence that neuroinflammation is a primary driver of neurological disease rather than a secondary consequence, reinforcing the need for targeted neuroimmune interventions. By examining shared inflammatory features across NPMDs and environmentally induced neurodevelopmental disruptions, this work provides additional insight into how glial dysfunction contributes to neurological pathology. These findings support the continued development of neuroimmune-modulating therapeutics, emphasize early intervention, and highlight the importance of environmental risk mitigation. By bridging molecular, pharmacological, and environmental perspectives, this dissertation contributes to the broader understanding of neuroinflammation in disease progression, challenging traditional distinctions between neurological disorders and providing a foundation for future studies. The implications extend beyond basic science, offering translational potential for clinical intervention, public health strategies, and regulatory policies to reduce the burden of neuroinflammatory disease.