Digital Commons Network^™

Conflict Or Collaboration? An Analysis Of Water Governance In The Cubango-Okavango River Basin, Hope E. Sampson

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Challenges related to transboundary water governance are becoming increasingly prevalent as climate change and shifting resource use continue to drive water scarcity around the world. The Cubango-Okavango River Basin (CORB) is a dynamic transboundary watershed that has a complex history of governance and actors. This analysis examines the socio-hydrologic dynamics of the CORB, exploring historical and contemporary water governance throughout the basin, and evaluating the potential for conflict and collaboration among riparian states. Through a comprehensive review of scientific literature, digital resources, and field observations, this study integrates information on governance structures, indicators of stress, and ecological factors to assess …

Cervid Breakage Patterns In Western Montana, Tanner D. Liermann

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Sexual weapons are expected to withstand intense combat as weapon failure can directly impact an individual's reproductive success. Most weapons are permanent and a broken weapon costs that animal for the rest of its life. However, a few species regrow their weapons. The consequences of structural failure are lower in these animals, and they may invest less in their production as a result—leading to increased rates of breakage in the wild. Cervids (true deer) regenerate antlers each year, yet their rates of weapon failure remain unclear. In our study, we recorded breakage rates, antler point symmetry, harvest location, and age …

Meltwater Percolation's Impact On Firn Densification, Hayden S. Brimberry

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The impact of meltwater on the compaction of snow and firn is becoming increasingly important as surface melt increases across the Greenland Ice Sheet. However, our understanding of the effect meltwater infiltration has on firn densification is limited, complicating ice sheet mass estimates and sea level rise predictions. We hypothesize that meltwater infiltration alters firn densification regimes to the point where models developed for the dry snow zone are ineffective. This study evaluates the Herron and Langway (H&L) firn densification model by comparing model outputs to in situ measurements from multiple sites on the Greenland Ice Sheet, with a focus …

Queer In & Out Of Montana: Oral Histories Of The Lgbtq+ Exodus From Montana, Erin Heaton

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This presentation will summarize findings from six oral histories of LGBTQ+ people who lived in Montana, but have left or are leaving in the near future. This presentation will explore the questions: Why are queer and transgender people leaving Montana? What are common experiences for LGBTQ+ people living in Montana? The answer to these questions will be derived from the stories of the Narrators who provided their oral histories. The questions utilized in the oral histories covered topics of identity, “coming out,” living history, cultural observations, community experiences and perceptions, well-being, healthcare, laws, and reasons for leaving. Thematic Analysis was …

Consuming The Tropics In The 'Age Of The Insect': Imperial Imaginaries Of Frontier Ecologies In Spectacular Expositions, Adria Capozzoli

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

By surveying representations of 'exotic' landscapes and 'monstrous' other-than-human creatures of the tropics featured in exhibits of the fin de siecle and early interwar period, including visual displays and descriptive language at the World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago (1893) and the Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) in San Francisco (1915), this project examines tropical frontiers as conceived in the geographical imaginaries of the United States to explore how metropolitan audiences related to those environments encountered at the imperial periphery. Between 1890 and 1920, were the infamously exaggerated characterizations of nineteenth-century spectacle tempered by the advent of twentieth-century cultural and scientific discourses, …

Montana Assault Resource Index, Storytelling & Education (Mt A.R.I.S.E.): Breaking Barriers To Disclosure Of Sexual Violence In The Lgbtq+ Community, Olivia G. Donohue, Kate Bick, Cana Odegaard, Emma Hixson

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This project aims to address the unique needs of LEGBTQ+ survivors of sexual violence, through the enhancement of social support and resource accessibility for this marginalized group, particularly reaching those in rural settings like Montana. Existing literature highlights significant failures to understand the intersectional vulnerabilities and resilience factors impacting recovery and outcomes among LGBTQ+ individuals. Often, studies neglect specific subgroups, including transgender individuals, bisexual persons, and nonbinary survivors, and do not implement comprehensive, intersectional frameworks that capture the diverse experiences within the LGBTQ+ community. In rural areas, LGBTQ+ individuals face systemic issues, such as restricted access to supportive healthcare, social …

Investigation Of Ric8-Gαi Nucleotide Exchange Activity, Fiona Morrow

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Abstract: Ric8 is a chaperone protein for the Gα subunit of the G protein coupled receptor (GPCR), the most common and diverse membrane receptor group in eukaryotic cells. The GPCR initiates cellular response upon recognition of an extracellular ligand, by transducing the signal across the cellular membrane and activating the Gα subunit of the G protein heterotrimer on the interior of the membrane. When in the inactive state, GDP is bound to Gα in the heterotrimer. Upon ligand binding, the GPCR facilitates exchange of GDP for GTP, resulting in dissociation of Gα:GTP from the complex and continuation of the signaling …

Poor Little Woman And Sybil Of The Rhine: Code Switching In Hildegard Of Bingen’S Writing, Bridgett Meskis

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Hildegard of Bingen (1098- 1179) was a twelfth century German Benedictine abbess, mystic, author, composer, and theologian. Despite the heavily patriarchal and restrictive culture of her day, Hildegard managed to gain autonomy and authority within her community. She benefited from a boom in popularity in the mid-1990s, which saw a broadening of research subjects, including focus on the gender dynamics at play in Hildegard’s life. This scholarship has died down significantly since. Given the breadth and depth of her work, Hildegard of Bingen’s work deserves to be revisited through more recent theoretical lenses that can provide significant insights into her …

Modernism’S Mythic Mothers: Queering Motherhood Through Classical Matrilineage, Laura Wilcox

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Samantha Lepak's dissertation Modernism's Mythic Mothers: Queering Motherhood Through Classical Matrilineage focuses on the Modernist poet H.D. (Hilda Doolittle) and her rewritings of Greek mythology that center women, particularly mothers. By writing on this mythology’s women, and by being a woman writer herself, H.D. marks a significant deviation from the male-dominated literary traditions surrounding her which designated the classical world as reserved for men. A classical patrilineage is replaced by matrilineage, with this dissertation arguing H.D.’s role as a mythical mother herself while additionally exploring H.D. in relation to queer theory and concepts of temporality.

Exploring The Effects Of Biocide Exposure On Non-Target Organisms: How Glyphosate And Imidacloprid Affect Daphnia Vital Rates, Logan Granger

Academic Festival

Abstract

The use of herbicides and pesticides is ubiquitous in the United States, yet the effects that exposure to these biocides has on non-target organisms, particularly in aquatic systems, remains under-emphasized. The unintended consequences of single and concomitant biocide exposures could include changes in vital rates (survival, growth, reproduction), as well as behavioral, morphological, or physiological characteristics. Daphnia is a key species in most lakes and ponds, consuming phytoplankton and regulating algal densities while also being a valuable prey for planktivorous fish. We tested the independent and combined effects of two common biocides (the pesticide Imidacloprid and the herbicide Glyphosate) …

Chronic Stress Effects On Anxiety And Spatial Memory Is Altered By Adolescent Bisphenol-A Exposure In Female Rats, Elizabeth A. Brennan, Liam T. Connelly, Joseph R. Giegerich, Julianna J. Mondella, Kristina M. Rybak

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Should We Be ‘Calling-In’ Or ‘Calling-Out’? Student Perspectives On Bias Intervention Strategies, Ava Bjelka, Raegan Doyle, Christina Poirier, Dorainne J. Green, Kathryn M. Kroeper

Academic Festival

When people encounter prejudiced comments about marginalized social groups, many feel compelled to confront them. In this study, we aim to better understand two confrontation approaches: “call-ins” and “call-outs." Call-ins are educational conversations aimed at explaining why a comment or behavior is offensive, while call-outs call attention to offensive comments or behaviors, often to provoke guilt or shame. Despite a growing emphasis on “calling people in” over “calling them out,” little research has examined how these approaches are perceived and experienced. In the present study, a sample of college students (N = 600) imagined that a friend made an …

Lesson Sequence: Teaching Author's Craft And Structure, Lauren Casale

Academic Festival

My poster revolved around my capstone lesson sequence that was taught to the 5th grade class I am student teaching in. In this sequence of three lessons I built students knowledge on visualization, point of view, and dialogue in a play. I assessed students on their learning during the lessons and analyzed the class data.

Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (Eras) Protocol Impact, Maeve Hamling

Academic Festival

The Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Model works to improve post-operative care for patients in all hospital settings. This presentation will identify the impacts this model can provide with a select set of pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative interventions. Evidence-based protocols are utilized in the ERAS model to offer better quality, patient-centered care. Healthcare systems are always looking to refine cost reduction strategies and limit complication outcomes. This model defines an intervention to change current standards and improve these care efforts for all patients undergoing surgery.

Reinforcing Nurse Leadership Rounding In Pediatric Float Pool Through Use Of A Checklist Tool, Erika Yourous

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Missing The Mark: Uncovering Gaps In Young Adults Investment Knowledge, Sophia Mayo

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Correlation Of Mental Health Of College Students And Academic Performance, Makenzie Manning

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Socioeconomic Status On Depression Rates In Adults, Jennifer Gramstorff

Academic Festival

Previous literature has concluded that low socioeconomic status and income inequality are linked to increased psychological stress levels and impaired mental health. This research study aims to explore the relationship between socioeconomic income status and depression rates among middle aged adults in America specifically. The hypothesis is that low economic status is related to increased depression rates among adults aged 30-60 years. The exposure variable is socioeconomic status. The outcome variable is depression rates. An observational study design was selected in addition to using cross sectional data. Data used was collected in 2019 by the National Health Interview Survey. The …

How The Lack Of Sleep Affects The Academic Performance Of College Students, Jillian Angeramo

Academic Festival

This poster explores the relationship between sleep quality and academic performance among college students, addressing the widespread belief that insufficient sleep negatively impacts GPA. Using data from the 2021 Pioneer Student Health and Well-being Survey, we conducted a cross-sectional observational analysis of 211 students aged 18–40. Sleep quality was measured using the Groningen Sleep Quality Scale, and academic performance was assessed by self-reported GPA. Results revealed a very weak negative correlation (r = –0.064) between sleep quality and GPA, with a p-value of 0.355, indicating no statistically significant relationship. These findings challenge previous literature suggesting a direct link between poor …

Influence Of Poverty Status On Prevalence Of Coronary Heart Disease Among U.S. Adults 50 And Older, Skyla Contarino, Nicole Lapointe, Rebecca Chernik, Alyssa Brady

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Off-Season Strength And Conditioning Program For A Collegiate Rugby Athlete Post-Rehabilitation From Tibia-Fibula Fracture, John F. Campbell Iii

Academic Festival

This project examines the off-season strength and conditioning program for a sophomore Division I rugby athlete transitioning from rehabilitation to full recovery following a compound tibia-fibula fracture. After completing surgical intervention and physical therapy, the athlete's primary goals now center on improving ankle stability for cutting movements, minimizing discomfort during running, and restoring lower-body strength and power to support optimal on-field performance. Initial assessments identified asymmetries in unilateral mobility and power, alongside movement inefficiencies related to landing mechanics and joint stability. This program prioritizes progressive strength training and low level plyometrics to address the strength needs and optimal mechanics to …

Burnout Rates In School Versus Medical Settings For Speech-Language Pathologists, Nicole Ramundo

Academic Festival

Burnout among Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) is an increasingly recognized concern, characterized by emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion stemming from overwhelming work demands and stress. This literature review aims to investigate and compare burnout rates among SLPs in school and medical settings, focusing on factors such as job satisfaction, caseload size, and resilience strategies. A systematic literature review was performed using the Sacred Heart University library databases. Studies were analyzed based on their design, methodology, and findings, using the PEDro scale for quality assessment. Findings indicate that SLPs in medical settings generally experience higher burnout rates due to larger caseloads and …

Effects Of Emst On Improving Swallow Function In Individuals With Neurodegenerative Disease, Fiona Katz

Academic Festival

Dysphagia, or swallow dysfunction, poses significant challenges for individuals with neurodegenerative diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s Disease (PD), and Huntington’s Disease (HD). This literature review evaluates the effectiveness of Expiratory Muscle Strength Training (EMST) devices as a therapeutic intervention to enhance swallow function in this population. A comprehensive review of five articles employing the PEDro scale indicates that EMST leads to notable improvements in swallow safety and quality of life. Notably, randomized studies demonstrated a consistent positive correlation between EMST training and enhancements in Maximum Expiratory Pressure (MEP), which is integral for safe swallowing. Furthermore, self-report questionnaires used …

Effective Communication For Intubated Spanish-Speaking Patients In The Intensive Care Unit, Renee Dooley

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Evidence-Based Interventions For Prevention Of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (Vap), Jessica Serravillo, Mackenzie Graham

Academic Festival

Ventilator associated pneumonia is an hospital acquired infection that can cause severe illness in critically ill patients who are susceptible to complications. Ventilator associated pneumonia or VAP, is defined as an infection in the lungs that develops after 48 hours of intubation in patients receiving mechanical ventilation (Yesilbag & Seker 2020). Specific interventions, such as the use of antibiotics, can be vital in preventing the development of VAP for patients following intubation. Furthermore, the use of endotracheal suctioning in mechanically ventilated patients, to remove secretions containing bacteria, has proven to be effective in reducing the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (Ardehali …

Malignant Hyperthermia In The Ambulatory Surgical Unit, Bridget Cullinan

Academic Festival

provided education for malignant hyperthermia in an ambulatory surgery unit.

Naloxone Education: Supporting Patients With Substance Abuse, Jenna Fitzgerald

Academic Festival

In this poster presentation, I discuss the need for accessibility to naloxone, an opioid antagonist that prevents fatal overdoses following consumption of opioids.

Patient Handoff Made Easy With Sbar, Emma Taylor, Abigail Marsh

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Reducing Nurse Stress And Burnout Through Mindfulness, Ellajane Mahon, Siobhan Reidy

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.

Evidence-Based Interventions For Prevention Of Falls, Abby Lauer, Kayleigh Sanchez, Abigail Nenna

Academic Festival

No abstract provided.