Digital Commons Network^™

The Future Of Food Production At Um: Learning From The Past & Envisioning The Future Of Campus Gardens, Elizabeth Todd

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The Future of Food Production at UM: Learning from the Past & Envisioning the Future of Campus Gardens

From 2010 to 2022, the Lommasson garden was a 3,600 square feet plot of land on the University of Montana’s campus in Missoula, Montana. The space produced mixed vegetables, herbs, native plants, a beehive, and seasonal duck occupants. It was used for educational purposes, internships, and employment, including 2-6 garden interns each year. In spring 2022, the garden was demolished to make room for a new campus dining hall and the start of a new student life center. Having a space centrally …

Per- And Polyfluoroalkyl Contamination From Ski Wax In Western Montana Snowpack, Justin Reid Hotaling

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are defined by the EPA as fluorinated synthetic chemicals that are commonly used in industry and household items. PFAS have been shown to cause a variety of health issues, ranging from decreased birth weights to an increased risk of cancer. PFAS have a persistent impact on the environment due to their decay rate of a few thousand years. PFAS are ideal substances for enhancing ski wax due to their hydrophobic properties and inherent ability to impregnate ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). PFAS-containing ski waxes are now banned from ski racing by the Federation of International …

The Effectiveness Of Spiritual Wellness In The Classroom To Promote Resilience, Tori Horton, Emma Normand, Ben Smoot

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The Effectiveness of Spiritual Wellness in the Classroom to Promote Resilience

*Tori Horton, Emma Normand, Ben Smoot

University of Montana, Missoula

Abstract

Spirituality is a crucial aspect of a child's development but is often overlooked and misinterpreted in school settings. The purpose of this research study is to examine teachers’ approaches and activities in the classroom to foster students’ spiritual wellness and mental health. The current study is part of a larger project examining educators’ perspectives of social-emotional learning (SEL) and spirituality in the public-school setting. SEL has been suggested to cultivate spirituality in children leading to overall wellness. Public …

Wildland Firefighter Off-Season Mental Health, Luke Santore

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Wildland firefighter suicide rates are ten times that of the general population and lower than only a handful of other occupations in the US. Comorbid mental and behavioral health issues are similarly disproportionately common. In this paper I interview fourteen current and former wildland firefighters about their mental health before, during and (when relevant) after their occupational exposure to wildland fire. My intent is to provide a qualitative assessment of commonly reported mental health issues, their causes and possible solutions. Starting with ex-coworkers I utilized snowball sampling to gather interview subjects. I utilized concept-driven coding supported by memo notes. I …

Firewise Landscaping: Homeowner Knowledge, Behaviors And Educational Preferences, Kendal Beauvais, Rowan Grassi, Frederick Gleasman

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Although wildfire is a natural process in fire-adapted forests, it poses growing socioeconomic and health threats. Urban development and expansion into the wildland-urban interface (WUI) has heightened wildfire exposure, putting thousands of homes at risk in Montana alone.The Firewise USA program was created in an effort to reduce the risk of home ignition and loss in the WUI. The program encourages homeowners within WUI communities to engage in mitigation efforts such as using Firewise landscaping strategies to create a defensible zone around their homes and promotes the use of building materials that decrease overall ignition risk. Despite a growing body …

Pulmonary Response To Exercise, Woodsmoke Smoke Inhalation, And Acute Sleep Deprivation, Aidan Daniel Anton Mccloy

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

As the prevalence of woodsmoke exposure from wildfires increases in the western US population, so does the need to understand the long-term deleterious effects of smoke exposure. In addition to strenuous physical activity while exposed to woodsmoke, populations such as wildland firefighters may operate under sleep-deprived conditions. To this end, our laboratory studied the combined effects of smoke exposure, exercise, and sleep deprivation by measuring vascular inflammation, differential gene expression, heart rate variability, pulse wave velocity, and pulmonary function both before and after a 45-minute stationary bike workout. The focus of this analysis was to evaluate forced vital capacity (FVC), …

Developing Quality Of Life Indicators For Open Space And Parks Management: A Three-Pronged Approach, Lane J. Arthur

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The City of Boulder Outdoor Space and Mountain Parks manages open space land for its “recreational value and its contribution to the quality of life of the community”–amongst other values (Boulder, Colorado Charter art. XII, sec. 176). Resulting, OSMP is currently utilizing an outcomes-focused management (OFM) approach to understand how OSMP lands affect quality of life and well-being in the community. However, little guidance has been provided in the literature on how to identify which outcomes are most relevant to park and protected area users (Driver & Bruns, 2008). Since 2008, efforts have been made to understand outcome relevancy and …

An Improved Method To Study Viral Entry Of Human Cytomegalovirus, Lars Ponsness

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) causes significant disease in immunocompromised adults and congenital infections are a leading cause of hearing loss and cognitive delays. Development of a broadly effective vaccine has been limited by the lack of a method to study receptor-engagement and membrane fusion mediated by HCMV glycoproteins. Additionally, these methods have lacked a convenient way to account for the genetic diversity of the HCMV glycoproteins. Transient expression of the viral glycoproteins in human cells can induce cell-cell fusion. The induction of cell-cell fusion can be used as a surrogate measure of virus entry and is known as a cell-cell fusion …

Mindful Youth: Empowering Adolescents To Own Their Mental Health Through An Interactive Online Platform, Rachel Gebhardt, Jesse Jewel, Jewel Wicks, Serena Gardner, Kate Hess, Diana Urey

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Depression and anxiety are prevalent issues with rates that continue to increase each year for adolescents within our society. This project focuses on creating a website that will engage adolescents to own their mental health and reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety by equipping them with self-help tools. The website includes situational videos, journaling prompts, and other interactive resources based in Positive Psychology and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The online toolkit is designed to be available to people who use online accessibility functions. We created a pilot version of the website using the platforms Toonly and Wix, and then hosted …

Assessing The Accuracy And Deficits Of Popular Drug-Interaction Software Programs In Detecting Interactions Between Cannabis And Pharmaceutical Drugs, Nathan C. Ramsbacher

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

- Purpose – The management of drug interactions in healthcare is a large concern for pharmacists and other healthcare professionals, especially for patients requiring large amounts of medications. Healthcare professionals and patients alike utilize drug-interaction software programs (DISPs) frequently to manage medications and make clinical decisions. There is a large discrepancy between DISPs in terms of detecting clinically significant drug interactions. Notably, cannabis does not flag as an interaction as reliably as pharmaceutical drugs on many DISPs. With rising cannabis use in the United States, patients deserve to make decisions on how to safely use cannabis with their prescription drugs …

Combating Loneliness: An Intergenerational Pen Pal Program, Hailey Powell, Addie Slanger, Maria Goheen, Brenna Spurling, Mazana Boerboom

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

In an effort to both analyze how COVID-19 has impacted traditionally isolated communities and prevent loneliness, we have created a pen-pal program between UM students and senior adults. We have implemented a pilot pen-pal program to create lasting social bonds without exposing seniors to COVID-19. The program is currently running through the Davidson Honors College “Intro to Honors” course, with plans to leave the program self-sustaining in future semesters. To pair partners, we distributed interest surveys and matched relevant interests. To inform people of how loneliness affects seniors, we created a brochure that highlights our research, with plans to distribute …

Investigations Of Personalized Medicine In Mesothelioma, Abigail Harmon, Mark Pershouse, Cooper Parsons, Caitlin Peaslee

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Malignant mesothelioma is a neoplasm that involves lesions on the pleural linings of the lung or the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity. Current standard of care involves a multi-targeted antifolate drug Pemetrexid and an alylating agent, Cisplatin. This regimen results in regression of tumors in 25% of patients. As the genetics lesions that cause mesothelioma have been elucidated, our understanding of possible targets of therapeutics has grown. Rational drug design (personalized medicine) would dictate that we consider genetic alterations specific to mesothelioma tumor cells and use those to target our therapy. The most common genetic alterations in human mesotheliomas …

Fostering Resilience In Youth Through Positive Youth-Adult Relationships, Amanda Swiech

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Research examining adolescents has found that close, healthy relationships with supportive and caring adults can help foster resilience in youth. Resilience, as defined by Ann Masten (2001), is the “phenomena characterized as good outcomes in spite of serious threats to adaptation or development.” Promoting resilience in a school setting can help decrease at-risk behaviors such as truancy, substance use, and suicidal ideation/attempts. Kaleidoscope Connect is a program focusing on establishing social-emotional skills and resilience in youth and specifically targets youth-adult relationships.

This research project examines 28 7^th and 8^th grade students who participated in the Kaleidoscope Connect program …

Caregiver Outcomes In The Context Of Telehealth And In-Person Applications Of An Intensive Comprehension Aphasia Program, Kaelyn D. Kaftan, Laiken N. Harris, Rylee J. Kremer

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Title: Caregiver Outcomes in the Context of Telehealth and In-Person Applications of an Intensive Comprehension Aphasia Program.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore perceived stress for caregivers of stroke survivors with aphasia who participated in telehealth and in-person delivery models of a high-intensity, short duration stroke rehabilitation program, as measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS; Cohen et al., 1983).

Method: During in-person Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Programs (ICAPs; Rose et al., 2013; 2021) in 2017 and 2018, and a tele-health ICAP in 2020, caregiver-reported outcomes were assessed using the PSS, a measure of perceived stress across life …

The Integration Of Student Understanding: Exploring Competition In The Classroom, Alexandra A. Berna

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Over the past 50 years, extensive research has been conducted on the mechanistic and consequential roles of competition in the classroom. Much of this research is framed around the perspectives of educators, often in terms of the impacts of their grading methods and the presence or absence of team-based learning in their classrooms. However, dialogue about the potential benefits and drawbacks of competitive classrooms is not inclusive of student perspective, especially when considering the long-term academic and social impacts of competitive classroom environments. The purpose of this qualitative study is to explore how to best define competition for students enrolled …

Assessing The Role Of Time And Beavers In Driving Recovery Following Restoration, Daylen Egger, Claire Shady, Shawnalee Voyles, Kory Shoja-Chaghorvand

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The role of time as an important factor in restoration of riparian ecosystems toward a reference state is well known. Ecosystem engineers, such as beaver, can have substantial influences on ecosystem characteristics, and thus they may play a large role in ecosystem recovery, however the role of beavers in altering the rate of ecosystem recovery is not well described. In this study, we monitored the recovery of vegetation and soil characteristics at Ninemile Creek in western Montana. This site has been highly degraded by historic placer mining, which resulted in a stream channel bounded by ten-meter-high gravel piles, eliminating the …

Differences In Childhood Bullying Experiences And Self-Harm And Suicidality Across Subgroups Of Sexual Minorities, Jesse Jewell

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Sexual minorities (e.g. lesbian, gay, bisexual, queer) are at greater risk for childhood bullying, self-harm, and suicidality than the heterosexual population. Research has also shown that bullying victimization is related to increased negative mental health outcomes. Additionally, some subgroups of sexual minorities, such as bisexuals, have been reported to experience higher rates of adverse mental health than their gay and lesbian peers. However, less is understood about how the relationship between childhood bullying and deleterious mental health may impact different subgroups of sexual minorities.

The current study examined responses from 1,507 sexual minority participants in the Generations: A Study of …

Rethinking Trust, Reconnecting Us - Website And Campaign To Combat Misinformation, Jacob Owens, Connor Dunlap, Ben Brodhead, Reed Lindsey, Colin Mclean, Elle Wilgus

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Advancements in online platforms can lead to a more widely informed public, but they also create room for false information. Misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccine has become a public safety issue. Our team created a project that contributes to solving this global problem. Our project’s mission is to tackle vaccine related misinformation. The project utilizes a human-centered method to design a solution.

Based on our literature review the main problem is skepticism about getting vaccinated. Our solution is to create an online portal targeted at college students, highlighting the benefits of vaccination, examining examples of misinformation, providing trusted sources for …

An Analysis Of Community And Stakeholder Participation In An Environmental Conflict: The Controversial Proposed Black Butte Copper Project, Smith River Basin, Eliza A. Maleski

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This paper presents an analysis of a current social-environmental conflict regarding a proposed copper mining project in Montana’s Smith River Basin. The research presented seeks to assess the involvement of the Meagher County Stewardship Council in the conflict and their role as a community group comprised of many stakeholders. The proximity of the Black Butte Copper Project to the widely cherished Smith River has raised concerns from a wide variety of environmental and social groups and has brought attention to the plans and actions of Sandfire Resources and their impact as a mining company on the rural community of Meagher …

Montana Kaimin, April 21, 2022, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

Montana Kaimin, April 14, 2022, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

Documents From The April 13, 2022 Meeting Of The Associated Students Of The University Of Montana (Asum), University Of Montana--Missoula. Associated Students

Senate Meeting Agendas and Minutes, 2007-Present

Agenda and minutes from the April 13, 2022 meeting of the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM). The following resolutions were discussed:

SB95-21/22: Resolution Amending ASUM Governing Documents to Improve Efficiency of Resolution Processes

SB102-21/22: Resolution Authorizing the Withdrawal of Funds from Zero Base Carryover for a Contracted Service

SB103-21/22: Resolution Encouraging the Native American Studies Department to Add More Indigenous Language Courses

Montana Kaimin, April 7, 2022, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

Upper Missouri Waterkeeper V. Epa, Clare Ols

Public Land & Resources Law Review

State water quality standards developed under the Clean Water Act play a key role in curtailing the negative environmental, economic, and human health impacts of water pollution. Under the state water quality regulatory framework, EPA may grant variances to state standards should the state demonstrate the compliance with its standards is infeasible for a certain pollutant discharger or waterbody. Montana DEQ developed a variance for nutrients based on evidence that compliance with those standards would cause economic harm. EPA approved Montana's nutrient pollutant variance, and Upper Missouri Waterkeeper challenged EPA's approval on the grounds that the variance violates the Clean …

Sb101-21/22-Resolution Encouraging University Of Montana Academic Departments To Implement Content Warnings In Classes, Amelia Hawes, Madison Mckenzie

Senate Resolutions, 2007-Present

SB101-21/22-Resolution Encouraging University of Montana Academic Departments to Implement Content Warnings in Classes. This resolution passed unanimously during the April 6, 2022 meeting of the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM).

Documents From The April 6, 2022 Meeting Of The Associated Students Of The University Of Montana (Asum), University Of Montana--Missoula. Associated Students

Senate Meeting Agendas and Minutes, 2007-Present

Agenda and minutes from the April 6, 2022 meeting of the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM). The following resolutions were discussed:

SB98-21/22: Resolution Formally Requesting Funding for Title IX Tribute Tree from the University of Montana President’s Office

SB99-21/22: Resolution Endorsing Denim Day 2022

SB100-21/22: Resolution Establishing an Antiracism Audit of ASUM

SB101-21/22: Resolution Encouraging University of Montana Academic Departments to Implement Content Warnings in Classes

Sb99-21/22-Resolution Endorsing Denim Day 2022, Mary Melissa Glueckert

Senate Resolutions, 2007-Present

SB99-21/22-Resolution Endorsing Denim Day 2022. This resolution passed unanimously during the April 6, 2022 meeting of the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM).

Sb101_21-22_Resolution Encouraging The University Of Montana Academic Departments To Implement Content Warnings In Classes, Amelia Hawes, Mary Madison Mckenzie

Senate Resolutions, 2007-Present

SB101_21-22_Resolution Encouraging the University of Montana Academic Departments to Implement Content Warnings in Classes. This resolution passed unanimously during the April 6, 2022 meeting of the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM).

Sb99_21-22_Resolution Endorsing Denim Day 2022, Mary Melissa Glueckert

Senate Resolutions, 2007-Present

SB99_21-22_Resolution Endorsing Denim Day 2022. This resolution passed unanimously during the April 6, 2022 meeting of the Associated Students of the University of Montana (ASUM).

Friends Of The Philip L. Wright Zoological Museum, No. 39, University Of Montana--Missoula. Philip L. Wright Zoological Museum

Philip L. Wright Zoological Museum (UMZM) Newsletters

From the Curator: 2022 Brings Two Major Anniversaries -- Our Students Are Going Places! -- Catching Up with the Wright Children -- Parasites: The Hidden World of Specimens -- Worms on the Web -- Spring 2022 Graslie Curiosity Interns -- Who's in the Museum -- Miscellany