Digital Commons Network^™

The Value Of A Neighborhood School: The Story Of Paxson Elementary, Missoula, Montana, Tina K. Erickson

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The planning, management and administration of public schools in the United States has been largely ignored by professional planners. School siting issues rarely involve an urban planner’s perspective. In recent years there has been an increase in community participation in planning issues and planners have come to realize that people have valuable perspectives concerning issues of community design. Planners are beginning to take note of what has long been portrayed by environmental psychologists: people’s attachment to place is important to their engagement in their community. The complexity of community planning is such that the planners need to draw upon various …

Using Airborne Laser Altimetry To Characterize Surface Fuels In Western Montana, Tim E. Wallace

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Quantifying surface fuels in forests is problematic for land managers due to the difficulty in measuring fuels of different sizes and spatial variability. Estimating fuel loads is important for identifying departures from historical fire regimes, predicting fire behavior and effects, and prioritizing parcels for fuels reduction. Current field methods of estimation are not always cost-effective nor can they be practical for full coverage at landscape scales. Several studies have examined remote sensing techniques for estimating fuel loads. One of the most promising is Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR), which thus far has been applied primarily to forest canopies. Metrics derived …

Spatio-Temporal Optimization Of Tree Removal To Efficiently Minimize Crown Fire Potential, Marco A. Contreras

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

High-intensity wildfires have resulted in large financial, social, and environmental costs in the western U.S. This trend is not expected to decline soon, as there are millions of overstocked hectares at medium to high risk of catastrophic wildfires. Thinning is being widely used to restore different types of overstocked forest stands. Typically, thinning prescriptions are derived from average stand attributes and applied to landscapes containing a large number of stands. Stand-level thinning prescriptions have thus limitations when applied for reducing the risk of high-intensity wildfires. They use indicators of crown fire potential (e.g., canopy base height and canopy bulk density) …

What Is Orientation In Reality? A Philosophical Exploration Of Technology, Placement, Enchantment And Wonder, Patrick Maurice Burke

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This thesis gives an account of the ontological basis of the profound sense of disorientation in contemporary society and attempts to discover through a phenomenological account of orienting experience that which holds the possibility of authentic orientation in reality. Martin Heidegger’s understanding of “being-in-the-world,” the “there” of Dasein, and the epochal revealing of reality as resources in modern technological society is the philosophical backdrop for the thesis. This philosophical foundation is elaborated upon by showing that the challenging-revealing of the real as resources within the “framework” of technology results in the ontological “dis-traction” of reality. This dis-traction pulls apart the …

Why The Xwisten Crossed The River: Lithic Transport Strategies On The Canadian Plateau, Michael Todd Wanzenried

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

As has been the case for thousands of years a single kind of stone material, referred to by different researchers as arrowstone, basalt, vitreous trachydacite, and/or dacite, provided the majority (often more than 75%) of many lithic assemblages in the Mid- Fraser region of south-western British Columbia. Most explanations for this have largely been insufficient for explaining the differential transport of lithic materials; no one has addressed why, in a lithic rich environment where a variety of jaspers, chalcedonies, and pisolites can be found in relative close proximity to many winter villages, Mid-Fraser foragers would target resources located much further …

The Discipline Of Identity: Examining The Challenges Of Developing Interdisciplinary Identities Within The Science Disciplines, Nicholas Richard Burk

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Conducting scientific research that integrates multiple disciplines is an increasingly important, and yet challenging endeavor. This study employs the construct of identity to characterize and examine the obstacles to successful interdisciplinary work. It is argued that identity provides a useful lens into the process of scientific investigation, because as a construct, it has been shown to influence the way one sees oneself, others, and the practice of “good science.” It is therefore assumed that scientists’ identities may be an under-examined, mitigating factor in whether they develop an interest and aptitude for interdisciplinary collaboration. This study qualitatively examines 20 postgraduate students …

Do Traditional Sociological Variables Apply The Same In American Indian Communities? A Comparison Of The Effects Of Social Disorganization, Social Bond, And Social Learning Variables On Delinquency And Substance Use Among Merican Indian, White, And Other Race Youth, Wendy Linn Running Crane

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The history and current situations of American Indians are unique and important arenas to forward the study of crime and delinquency. There may be no better group available to study the combined effects of concentrated disadvantage, social disorganization, and abrupt societal change than the modern day American Indian community. But do traditional variables constructed to test sociological theories fit the study of this population? Findings from hypotheses testing the differences in overall effects of social control, social disorganization, social bonding, and social learning variables on delinquency and substance use suggest that there are differences in their ability to account for …

Development Of Metal-Based Luminescent Probes For Applications In Biomolecular Structure And Dynamics, Ayesha Sharmin

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

New transition-metal complexes containing luminescent properties have been designed and synthesized for application as structural probes for biomolecules. Potential DNA intercalators, 2- amino-anthracene substituted triosmium clusters, were synthesized by the reactions of 2-aminoanthracene with [Os3(CO)10(CH3CN)2]. The products [Os3(CO)10(μ-η2-(N-C(1))-NH2C14H8)(μ- H)], [Os3(CO)10(μ-η2-(N-C(3))-NHC14H9)(μ-H)], [Os3(CO)9(μ-η2-(N-C(3))-NHC14H8)(μ-H)2] and [Os3(CO)9(μ3-η2-(N-C(3))-NHC10H9)(μ-H)] obtained from this reaction have been structurally characterized by spectroscopic, photophysical and electrochemical techniques. Solid state structures are also reported for the complexes [Os3(CO)10(μ-η2-(N-C(3))-NHC14H9)(μ-H)] and [Os3(CO)9(μ-η2-(N-C(3))-NHC14H8)(μ-H)2]. To investigate bio-macromolecular dynamics on the sub-microsecond-to-microsecond timescale, a series of ruthenium based mono-nuclear metalligand charge-transfer complexes (MLCs) of formula [XRu(CO)(L–L)(L′)2][PF6] (X = H, TFA, Cl; L–L = 2,2′-bipyridyl, 1,10-phenanthroline, 5-amino-1,10-phenanthroline …

Mathematical Reasoning In Service Courses: Why Students Need Mathematical Modeling Problems, Kris H. Green, Allen Emerson

The Mathematics Enthusiast

In this paper we argue that conventional mathematics word problems are not aligned with the typical learning goals and expectations partner disciplines, especially business, have in requiring that their students take mathematics courses. Using the taxonomy of educational objectives presented by Anderson and Krathwohl (2001) we show how mathematical modeling problems can be used to promote the needed alignment and contrast two examples to illustrate the differences. We then demonstrate how the more conventional word problem can be rewritten as a modeling problem. Sample assessment materials and instructional activities are included to support teachers in making the transition to the …

Apparent Seasonal Cycle In Isotopic Discrimination Of Carbon In The Atmosphere And Biosphere Due To Vapor Pressure Deficit, Ashley P. Ballantyne, J. B. Miller, P. P. Tans

Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences Faculty Publications

We explore seasonal variability in isotopic fractionation by analyzing observational data from the atmosphere and the biosphere, as well as simulated data from a global model. Using simulated values of atmospheric CO₂ and its carbon isotopic composition, we evaluated different methods for specifying background concentrations when calculating the isotopic signature of source CO₂ (δ_s) to the atmosphere. Based on this evaluation, we determined that free troposphere measurements should be used when available as a background reference when calculating δ_s from boundary layer observations. We then estimate the seasonal distribution of δ_s from monthly …

Building A Mechanistic Understanding Of Predation With Gps-Based Movement Data, Evelyn Merrill, Ha˚Kan Sand, Barbara Zimmermann, Heather Mcphee, Nathan Webb, Mark Hebblewhite, Peter Wabakken, Jacqueline L. Frair

Biological Sciences Faculty Publications

Quantifying kill rates and sources of variation in kill rates remains an important challenge in linking predators to their prey. We address current approaches to using global positioning system (GPS)-based movement data for quantifying key predation components of large carnivores. We review approaches to identify kill sites from GPS movement data as a means to estimate kill rates and address advantages of using GPS-based data over past approaches. Despite considerable progress, modelling the probability that a cluster of GPS points is a kill site is no substitute for field visits, but can guide our field efforts. Once kill sites are …

An Economic Anyalysis Of Montana Products Liability, Daniel Jones

Montana Law Review

Montana Products Liability

Gender And Mathematics Education In Pakistan: A Situation Analysis, Anjum Halai

The Mathematics Enthusiast

This paper reports from a situation analysis of gender issues in mathematics education in Pakistan. It was undertaken at the initiation of a large scale project which aimed to understand how curriculum change in mathematics and science education may be implemented in ways that contribute to poverty alleviation and promote gender equity in disadvantaged rural settings. The paper posits that issues of access, achievement and quality of mathematics education are integrally linked with questions of equity, in this case gender equity. It identifies several questions and arenas for further research and makes recommendations for policy and practice in mathematics education.

High School Teachers Use Of Dynamic Software To Generate Serendipitous Mathematical Relations, Manuel Santos-Trigo, Hugo Espinosa-Pérez

The Mathematics Enthusiast

In this study, we document and analyse problem-solving approaches that high school teachers exhibited as a result of using dynamic software (Cabri-Geometry) to construct and examine geometric configurations. What type of questions do teachers pose and pursue while representing and exploring mathematical tasks or objects dynamically? To what extent their initial problem solving strategies are enhanced with the use of the tools? Results indicate that the use of the tool offered the participants the opportunity of constructing geometric configuration (formed by simple mathematical objects) that led them to identify and explore key mathematical relations.

“What Was Really Accomplished Today?” Mathematics Content Specialists Observe A Class For Prospective K–8 Teachers, Andrew M. Tyminksi, Sarah Ledford, Dennis Hembree

The Mathematics Enthusiast

One of the important activities mathematics teacher educators engage in is the development of teachers at both the in-service and pre-service levels. Also of importance is the professional development of these professional developers. In the summer of 2004, a summer institute was held that allowed mathematics teacher educators watch the teaching of a mathematics content course for prospective K–8 teachers. This paper examines the manner in which a specific group of mathematics content specialists experienced this professional development.

Randomness: Developing An Understanding Of Mathematical Order, Steve Humble

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Is randomness merely the human inability to recognise a pattern that may in fact exist?

The three activities described show how order can be found in seemly random activities. The author has found that by using these activities on randomness, his students have developed a greater understanding of mathematical pattern and sequence. The teaching mathematical concepts in this way, engages and reinforces learning. It puts the ideas learnt into a setting and allows time for those ideas to be developed without any of the maths hang-ups which can sometimes occur in the classroom. By taking the maths beyond the classroom, …

The Constructs Of Phd Students About Infinity: An Application Of Repertory Grids, Serdar Aztekin, Ahmet Arikan, Bharath Sriraman

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Infinity has been one of the more difficult concepts for humanity to grasp. A major component of the research on mathematics education related to infinity has been the study of student’s conceptions and reasoning about calculus subjects, particularly limits and series. Some related studies are about Cantor’s ordinal and cardinal infinity. However since most students at the high school and college level are unfamiliar with symbolic representations and terminology, such as a set theoretic approach, a context (generally geometric) is used for investigating notions of infinity indirectly. In this paper we report on a study on the constructs of PhD …

When Is .999... Less Than 1?, Karin Usadi Katz, Mikhail G. Katz

The Mathematics Enthusiast

We examine alternative interpretations of the symbol described as nought, point, nine recurring. Is "an infinite number of 9s" merely a figure of speech? How are such alternative interpretations related to infinite cardinalities? How are they expressed in Lightstone's "semicolon" notation? Is it possible to choose a canonical alternative interpretation? Should unital evaluation of the symbol .999... be inculcated in a pre-limit teaching environment? The problem of the unital evaluation is hereby examined from the pre-R, pre-lim viewpoint of the student.

Research View, Winter 2010

Research View

Contents of this issue include:

From Mice to Men: Damage-reducing stroke drug moving to human trials

Voluntary Kin: Researcher studies friends who become like family

Hot Topics: Native American Research Lab hunts answers at the edge of life

Protein Picture: Research offers magic carpet ride to the atomic level

Campus to host major undergraduate research conference

2010-2011 Course Catalog, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of The Registrar

University of Montana Course Catalogs, 1895-2024

An annual catalog of courses and course descriptions offered at the University of Montana.

Mathematical And Computational Applications In Disease And Landscape Ecology, Erin Landguth

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The Individualized Interdisciplinary Program (IIP) at the University of Montana allows students to work with faculty in the design of a graduate curriculum tailored to their unique academic, creative, and professional needs. The principal goal of the National Science Foundation's IGERT: Montana - Ecology of Infectious Diseases (MEID) program is to produce graduates with expertise to lead the collaborative, cross-, and inter-disciplinary efforts in education and research needed to address complex problems as exemplified by the ecology of endemic, epidemic, and emergent infectious diseases. Under the envelope of these two programs, I have developed a Ph.D. program in which I …

Scale And Source Of Geospatial Data For Wildfire Risk Assessments: Comparing National Data With Local Data In The Deschutes National Forest, Julie Marie Gilbertson-Day

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Widespread use of geospatial data in environmental decision-making tools such as wildfire risk models has called attention to questions of availability, quality, and currency of input data layers. As wildfires are modeled with growing confidence and knowledge of how resources respond to fire is increasing, challenges must be addressed before geospatial data are acquired and used to represent resources of high value in wildfire risk assessments. Researchers at the Rocky Mountain Research Station and the Western Wildland Environmental Threat Assessment Center of the USDA Forest Service employ a framework for assessing wildfire risk to a range of human and ecological …

Climate Change, Gene Flow, And The Legendary Synchrony Of Snowshoe Hares, Ellen Cheng

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

In recent decades, climate change has been invoked in the apparent collapse of some of the best-known examples of cyclic and synchronous population dynamics among boreal species. Simultaneously, some studies have predicted that as species' ranges shift poleward and southern habitats fragment in response to climate change, we will lose the southern glacial refugial populations that have historically harbored species' highest genetic diversity and uniqueness. I investigated how climate change and habitat fragmentation may impact genetic and population dynamic processes for the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus), a species historically recognized as a key driver of North American boreal community dynamics. …

Trade-Offs Between Predation Risk And Forage Differ Between Migrant Strategies In A Migratory Ungulate, Mark Hebblewhite, Evelyn Merrill

Wildlife Biology Faculty Publications

Trade-offs between predation risk and forage fundamentally drive resource selection by animals. Among migratory ungulates, trade-offs can occur at large spatial scales through migration, which allows an "escape'' from predation, but trade-offs can also occur at finer spatial scales. Previous authors suggest that ungulates will avoid predation risk at the largest scale, although few studies have examined multi-scale trade-offs to test for the relative benefits of risk avoidance across scales. Building on previously developed spatial models of forage and wolf predation risk, we tested for trade-offs at the broad landscape scale and at a finer, within-home-range scale for migratory and …

Um Hires Office For Student Success Executive Director, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

Montana Kaimin, November 10, 2009, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

Biologist To Speak About Wildlife Management, Conservation, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

Teaching Online Courses For High School Mathematics Teachers, Maurice Burke

Colloquia of the Department of Mathematical Sciences

Burke will present data concerning online courses at MSU and elsewhere in the Montana University System. He will discuss the problems with interpreting the data as well as some special issues related to teaching mathematics in the online environment. He will share information about the online components of the Masters in Mathematics - Mathematics Education Option (MSMME) offered at MSU. This talk will be informal and time for questions and discussions will be allowed.

Montana Kaimin, October 23, 2009, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

Current Unrestricted Operating Budgets, Fiscal Year 2010, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of Administration And Finance

University of Montana Current Unrestricted Operating Budgets, 1993-2017

The unrestricted operating budget of the University of Montana, issued by the Office of University Planning, Budgeting and Analysis under the Office of Administration and Finance.