Digital Commons Network^™

Bilingual Language Distance Predicts Dementia Rating, Morgan Owens

Scholars Week

This study explored the differences in the languages spoken by bilingual people may lead to differences in cognitive reserve and the progression of AD. Individuals who speak distant languages (e.g., a Romance and a Germanic language) will have a different linguistic experience than individuals who speak two near languages (e.g., two Romance languages). Knowledge of distant languages may provide speakers with a large set of cognitive tools (e.g., linguistic constructs, concepts, schemas) that could increase cognitive reserve. We hypothesized that greater language distance would predict lower dementia scores in a clinical AD population.A subset of the data from the National …

Media Representations Of Offenders In Televison Series "Law And Order", Darcy L. Sullivan

Scholars Week

Media representations of offenders have varied over time; the rise of television media was an era in which offenders were depicted as active decision makers who committed deviant acts to attain their desires. Overtime, this image evolved into the current depiction of offenders as animalistic and inherently evil white males of upper socioeconomic status who are animalistic. Throughout the life of television media depictions of have ignored offender race, gender, and socioeconomic status, creating constructed realities that do not adequately reflect offenders in the United States. Thus, it is important to study how media depicts crime, criminals, and the criminal …

Where Is The Justice? A Critical View Of The Supreme Court, Christopher J. Mahan

Scholars Week

This study expands Segal and Spaeth's (2002) attitudinal model. This model is used to predict Supreme Court justices's decision making process when it decides on cases. However, there is no mention on the types of cases and those groups that have higher accessibility (such as trade organizations) compared to individuals. If the attitudinal model is true, then justices will vote according to their ideology. This study first defines their ideology when they first entered the court, then this study analyzed cases from 2010 -2015 and looked at each case according to five categories. Categories of civil rights, criminal, economic, union, …

Dressed To Impress (Or Is She?): Judgments Of Attraction Based On Attire, Emily C. Rohrer

Scholars Week

This study examined first impressions, perceptions, and social attributions individuals make based on another’s attire. The difference in viewers’ perceptions in regard to two photos of women (i.e., one that was casually dressed or one that was dressed scantily) was measured. The study examined the differences in judgments of the woman’s personality, and included assessments of six different traits: interpersonal skills, intellect, physical attractiveness, social status, interpersonal power, and family orientation. Results indicated that individuals perceive the casually dressed female to have better interpersonal skills as well as higher intelligence and better social status than the provocatively dressed female. Moreover, …

The Effects Of The Fungus Beauvaria Sp. On The Cave Cricket, Hadenoecus Subterraneus, Christina N. Walker, Derrick J. Jent, Claire A. Fuller

Scholars Week

The cave cricket, Hadenoecus subterraneus, is a keystone species in cave ecosystems within Mammoth Cave National Park (MCNP). Within MCNP, many cricket cadavers have been found

with a thick, white fungus growing on them; this fungus has previously been identified to be Beauveria bassiana. However, new molecular data suggests that this may actually be the species B. amorpha. Cricket cadavers with Beauveria sp. were collected from MCNP and cultured on potato dextrose agar. Cultures will be sent to the USDA for a genetic analysis and identification of the fungus. The purpose of this study is to examine if the relationship …

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot: Militaristic Video Games On Nationalistic Attitudes And Violence, David I. Crittendon

Scholars Week

From arcade rooms to individual gaming consoles, video gaming has gained in popularity over the past decade. As graphics have improved, the games have taken on life like characteristics, and have exposed the new age gamer into a world of virtual reality. Multiple studies have shown that priming (the exposure to a stimulus to activate attitudes/behaviors) using the media has been shown to increase feelings of National Identity, and priming in video games has been shown to increase violence in the individual. In addition to these priming studies, immersion into an avatar viewpoint tends to desensitizes individuals to real-life experiences …

Put Your Shirt On: An Examination Of Provocative Versus Casual Clothing On First Impressions, Katelyn Geilear

Scholars Week

It is astounding how much information someone can gather about a person from a quick glance. We form first impressions of others based on a number of things, such as their appearance, demeanor, and other characteristics we can gather from a glance or two, and form impressions of a person’s personality, character, intentions, and motivations based on these factors. This can happen in mere tenths of a second. My research looked at how people form first impressions based on a person’s attire and gender.

Insta-Argument: Argumentative Writing Through A New Literacies Approach, Devan A. Wiser

Scholars Week

Through the use of new literacies, participants will engage in the beginning process of teaching argumentative writing through an Instagram graphic organizer.

A Mturk Facial Inference Study, Janine Swiney, Anthony Stahelski, Mary Radeke

Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE)

This survey is one in a series of studies utilizing Amazon.com’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) to investigate the facial inference process. Participants in this study were asked to infer the emotions and personality traits shown in three facial expressions (angry, sad, happy) of young white females and males in six photographs. Each picture was presented for 10 seconds followed by four questions about the individual in the picture. The first question asked participants to identify the emotion shown, from a list of six emotions (anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, surprise). The next three questions consist of condensed sets of the Big …

A Mturk Facial Inference Study, Janine Swiney, Anthony Stahelski, Mary Radeke

Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE)

This survey is one in a series of studies utilizing Amazon.com’s Mechanical Turk (MTurk) to investigate the facial inference process. Participants in this study were asked to infer the emotions and personality traits shown in three facial expressions (angry, sad, happy) of young white females and males in six photographs. Each picture was presented for 10 seconds followed by four questions about the individual in the picture. The first question asked participants to identify the emotion shown, from a list of six emotions (anger, disgust, fear, happiness, sadness, surprise). The next three questions consist of condensed sets of the Big …

Police Academy Recruits’ Academic Performance Predicted By Initial Education Obtainment Level, Donald Doutt

GS4 Student Scholars Symposium

This study made a statistical analysis of test scores, on three select written knowledge based tests given in the six Georgia Regional Police Academies, to detect significant influence from the prior formal educational obtainment levels of the police recruits. Two 10 week training cycles, provided 20 Graduating Classes with �=22.4 recruits. The purpose is to examine the validity of commonly assumed educational performance predictors, specifically college education, in determining a student’s likely success in a supplemental specialized training program. Prior Police training was also considered in a correlation analysis of exam scores. A Motivation Index was established to assess an …

Is Montana’S “24/7 Sobriety Program” Deterring Drunk Drivers?, Jessica C. Stevens

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Nationally and at the state level policy makers are continually seeking ways to effectively deter drunk drivers and lower the risk and social costs they impose on society. Alcohol related accidents account for nearly $60 billion in damages in the United States each year. Montana is no exception to this problem. In 2008, Montana was ranked the deadliest state based on per capita Driving under the Influence (DUI) fatalities. To combat this issue Montana piloted the “24/7 Sobriety Program.” The predominant goal of the program was to increase the likelihood and severity of punishment for repeat offenders as well as …

Fish Food: Characterizing Aquatic Invertebrate Communities On The Upper Clark Fork River, Nicholas S. Voss, Diana Six

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The 2015 RESPEC Clark Fork River Fishery Assessment identified a reach of the Clark Fork River between Rock Creek and Flint Creek with low trout densities relative to the rest of the river. While examining a variety of potential causes, researchers noted a lack of information on aquatic invertebrate communities, which are a critical food source for trout. To investigate whether benthic invertebrates might account for the difference in trout densities, I used a kick net, yard stick, and flow tracker to sample aquatic invertebrate communities in six locations (three in a low trout density reach and three in a …

Missoula’S Homeless Children: Effects Of Homelessness On Mental, Emotional And Social Health, Sarah L. Shapiro

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The mental, emotional, and social health of children are greatly affected by being homeless. Being homeless as a child could effect a person’s coping skills and lead to mental health issues that increase the likelihood of substance abuse , suicide attempts, or adult homelessness. The purpose of this research project is to explore the negative effects of homelessness on Missoula children, and to identify services that could be useful in combating those effects. Methods for this project, included two data collection strategies. First, a literature review was completed for the purpose of enhancing understanding about the effects of homeless on …

Effects Of Hydration On Physiological Indicators During Heat Acclimation, Nicole E. Mickelson

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Effects of hydration on physiological indicators during heat acclimation

N. Mickelson, M.Schleh, B. Ruby FACSM, C.L. Dumke FACSM

University of Montana, Missoula, MT.

Hydration of wildland firefighters (WLFF) during heat acclimation trials may impact performance by reducing physiological strain. By inducing dehydration in a controlled setting, physiological adaptations such as increased sweat rate and cardiovascular strain may be enhanced. PURPOSE: To investigate the impact hydration status (dehydrated/ euhydrated) has, through mitigated fluid delivery, on levels of hydration (% dehydration), sweat rate (SR), heart rate (HR), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). METHODS: Ten aerobically fit male subjects (age=23.0±0.9, weight=82.1±4.6kg) underwent …

Umove: A Mobile Sub-Maximal Fitness Test Application For Wheelchair Users, Stefan Riemens, Lisa Morgan

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Determining human fitness can easily be accomplished through numerous examinations and testing methods. A majority of such tests are produced exclusively for individuals capable of free and unhindered movement. Limited attention has been paid to the evaluation and determination of fitness of wheelchair-bound individuals with various degrees of paraplegia. Professor James J. Laskin published an article in the Journal of Exercise Physiology concerning a cadence-based sub-maximal field test for predicting maximal oxygen consumption in wheelchair basketball athletes. Our goal is to employ his research in the development of a portable fitness application that promotes healthcare accessibility. The program is an …

Hip Flexor Extensibility And Its Correlation To Hip Hyperextension And Lower Back Pain In Dancers, Tessa Richards

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

In the world of ballet, flexibility and strength are the keys to success. A leg extended to extraordinary heights is equated with beauty and expertise, whereas a lower height is seen as lesser quality. Dancers are trained from their first ballet lesson to reach their toes to the utmost end of their range of motion, and push themselves beyond the regular restrictions of the human body. Despite the pressure put on dancers to be extremely flexible, tight hip flexor muscles (the rectus femoris and the iliopsoas group) are a common complaint, restricting hip hyperextension (called an arabesque). To compensate for …

Effectiveness And Parent Acceptability Of Yeti For Children With Autism, Phillip A. Thomas, Mackinzie Tilleman, Emelyn Falley, Ana Fernandez-Prieto

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) experience social communication deficits that have been associated with loneliness, fewer friendships, and less satisfaction with friendships (Bauminger & Kasari, 2000). One in four children also have symptoms such as irritability, arguing, and defiance (Kaat & Lecavalier, 2013). Research studies have shown that social skills group interventions significantly improved youth’s social interactions, such as an increase in communication with peers and greater use of greetings (Barry, Klinger, Lee, Palardy, Gilmore & Bodin, 2003). Further, parents’ acceptability of social skills groups is also important to ensure that the intervention is meeting their child’s needs. Few …

Studying Structure And Function Of Ybgl – An E. Coli Protein Of Unknown Function, Savannah Whitfield

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Endonuclease VIII (nei) is a DNA repair enzyme that cuts single damaged bases out of DNA. In Escherichia coli (E. coli), it is made along with four other genes (in the nei operon), but the functions of the other genes are unknown. Chromate is an environmental toxicant that creates the kind of DNA damage that is recognized by the repair protein encoded by the nei gene. In this study, we wanted to see if we could use chromate to investigate the function of the other four genes that are made at the same time.

To test this, single gene deletion …

Corrective Feedback Improves Long-Term Retention, Elaine Marshall

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Final exams at the university level are regarded with high importance because they can determine a grade in a class. Because final exams encompass information that students have been previously exposed to and tested on, retaining the correct material from intervening tests throughout the semester is ideal. Butler, Karpicke and Roediger (2008) showed that receiving feedback after tests improves retention of correct answers and allows for the correction of initially incorrect answers on a later test. However, it is unclear what feedback is best for long-term retention intervals. This study investigates the effectiveness of different types of feedback on long-term …

Strengthening Early Mathematical Foundations: Number Recognition, Mary C. Burns

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Children enter elementary school with a diverse range of mathematical understanding, and students’ preliminary mathematical experiences can have a lasting effect on their self efficacy and attitudes towards school. Number recognition is an essential skill of early numeracy that allows for students to develop a strong mathematical foundation to build upon, and instructing these skills early is vital for children to view education with a positive outlook. Unfortunately, many students struggle with this facet of early numeracy.

This study focuses on how one ‘intensive’ kindergarten student’s number recognition skills were affected by individualized interventions. It explores where the student struggled …

Lessons Learned From The Iran Nuclear Deal, Julian F. Adler

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The recent negotiation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (The Iran Nuke Deal) represents a shift in the paradigm of United States’ foreign policy toward Iran. In this presentation I analyze the historical events leading up to this shift and use them to typify US Foreign Policy toward Iran before the Nuclear deal. To do this, I touch on the 1953 overthrow of Iranian Prime Minister Mossadeq, and provide a brief analysis of US foreign policy with Iran after the 1979 revolution which put theocrat Ayatollah Khomeini in power.

After I have used these historic instances to describe a …

Faunal Analysis Of Togiak Archaeological And Paleoecological Project: How Ecology Affects Indigenous Subsistence Practices In The Arctic Wetlands, Dougless Skinner

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The Togiak Archeological and Paleoecological Project (TAPP) is an initiative to learn about the ancient life-ways of the Yup'ik indigenous peoples of Togiak, Alaska. TAPP is a collaborative project driven by the Togiak community and their interests in understanding and documenting their own past lifeways at the Old Togiak Village. Thirty-five core samples were collected from a series of pre-colonial house structures at the Old Togiak Site in the summer of 2015 and analyzed at the University of Montana. Faunal remains recovered from the cores were examined during this time along with stone tools, botanical remains, pollen, and a variety …

Iran Nuclear Agreement: Good Choice Or Bad Deal?, Mikaela J. Koski

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The nuclear deal between Iran and the US, along with other western nations, that came to fruition in the summer of 2015 has been characterized both as a positive change in US foreign relations and as an ill-conceived decision that could produce deadly consequences. Regardless of differing opinions on the content, the Iran nuclear deal will yield outcomes with international ramifications. This project analyzes the potential of the deal through the lens of the historical relationship between Iran and the United States to give much needed context to future interactions. Past US-Iranian relations will provide an indication of undertones that …

Stock Splits: An Analysis Of Firms Based On Pre And Post-Split Nominal Share Price, Cody A. Sevier

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

In the field of Finance, one topic of interest is the nominal share price price puzzle, or why the average nominal share price of common stock has remained around $35 per share since the Great Depression. Stock splits are one tool that firm managers have at their disposal in order to regulate the nominal share price of stocks. In this study, I examine the U.S. stock splits that occurred between the years 2010 and 2015 and try to understand the reasoning behind why a firm partakes in a stock split by analyzing the pre-split and post-split nominal share prices. A …

We're All Stressed, It's College: An Exploration Into The Perceptions Of Stress Among College Students, Shelby Lambdin

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Between jobs, clubs, classes, families, roommates, social expectations and the transition into adulthood, the traditional aged college student faces a great deal of stress in their day-to-day lives. Adding to the perplexities of this topic, each individual experiences different perceptions of stress. Physical activity is often recommended to reduce stress, but little research has been done in the context of the benefits of physical activity and stress reduction in college students. This research compares two specific groups of college students that fall within specific criteria. The comparison will be made between any differences in perceptions of stress between students who …

You Better Wise Up, Janet Weiss: Reclaiming The Queerness Of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Dac A. Cederberg

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

One could hardly imagine anything queerer than the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Four decades after its release, Rocky remains a primary method of introduction into the queer community, and to the idea that not everyone expresses sexuality and gender in the same way. Yet, a disturbingly large portion of academic work on the film aims to reduce it to a merely Saturnalian ritual, erasing its queer impact and dubbing it instead some kind of coming-of-age story for heterosexual teenagers. This is a strange misreading. Rocky Horror is not merely queer in its means; it is deeply queer in its ends …

Documenting The Sedimentology Of An Unusual Set Of Gravel Deposits Exposed Along Snowbowl Road, Kyle Brangers

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This study focuses on documenting and interpreting the sedimentology of a set of gravel deposits presently exposed along Snowbowl Road approximately 1.5 kilometers above the intersection of Snowbowl Road with the Grant Creek Road. The gravel deposit is exposed on the north side of the road in a series of artificial exposures which were cut in the 1950’s when the Snowbowl Road was constructed. The deposit consists of a set of discontinuous exposures along ~100 meters of the road, and roughly 6 meters of stratigraphy is exposed. The main gravel deposit is dominated by pebble-sized clasts that are typically angular …

Productive Classroom Literacy Instruction, Melanie Goeddel

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Productive Classroom Literacy Instruction is a research project designed to help both students and educators better understand what literacy means, and that it is more than just the ability to read and write. This project took three high school students in Missoula and had them photograph what they thought of as literacy over a two-week period, at home, in school, and in extracurricular activities or free time. Students were interviewed about why they chose these subjects for their photographs and what they think literacy means, what they think other people think literacy means, and what they wish their teachers knew …

The Role Of Glycerol Metabolism In The Lyme Disease Agent, Bethany Crouse

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium that causes Lyme disease, is maintained in nature through an enzootic cycle, transiting between a mammalian host and tick vector. Following acquisition by a tick, B. burgdorferi uses the sugar glucose from the blood meal to survive. When this source of carbon runs out, the bacterium undergoes a state of nutrient stress. During this time, it uses the sugar glycerol as an alternate carbon and energy source. The glp operon is composed of three annotated genes that enable B. burgdorferi to import and metabolize glycerol. glpD, the last gene in the operon, encodes the enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate …