Digital Commons Network^™

People With Disabilities Still At Risk In Congregate Care Settings, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Health and Wellness

This report provides an analysis of data to better understand where cases and deaths are rising in nursing homes as of August 8 2021. We hope this analysis can help support local community planning and networking among rural partners to improve outcomes.

• COVID-19 cases among residents and staff are on the rise in nursing homes with the steepest increases in urban areas and in the South and Midwest.
• Disabled people are disproportionately overrepresented in the resident populations of unsafe congregate settings, such as nursing homes.
• Vaccination rates across both residents and staff in nursing homes have stagnated.
• Policy priorities should …

Statistics Education From The Perspective Of Statistical Literacy: Reflections Taken From Studies With Teachers, Carlos Eduardo Ferreira Monteiro, Liliane Maria Teixeira Lima De Carvalho

The Mathematics Enthusiast

The aim of this article is to discuss aspects of statistical literacy from research on statistics education conducted with teachers and developed by the Research Group on Mathematics and Statistics Education (GPEME) at the Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (UFPE). These investigations were influenced by international discussions on a perspective of statistical literacy that focuses not only on knowledge and technical procedures of curriculum content in statistics, but also on developing critical attitudes towards approaching data. The reflections are based on the analysis of research with teachers of different levels and teaching modalities, who engaged in problem-solving activities associated with various …

August 2021 News Releases, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

The Constitution Of Mathematical Knowledge With Augmented Reality, Rosa Monteiro Paulo, Anderson Luís Pereira, Elisangela Pavanelo

The Mathematics Enthusiast

Digital Technologies are increasingly present in our activities. Many things we do we are not even able to imagine how they would be done, if we did not have the technological resources at hand. However, perhaps in the opposite direction of this, in the school context, or in teaching and learning, the discussion about the potential and the viability of these resources is still subject of a non-consensual discussion. When this context is Higher Education, specifically in undergraduate courses, the situation is even worse, as stated by research that we bring in this text. In disciplines such as Differential and …

July 2021 News Releases, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

Montana Voices Amplified: My Perspective: Old Tv Static: Finding ‘My Way’ Through Medical Trauma, Bee Croyle, University Of Montana Rural Institute

Independent Living and Community Participation

“The summer between my freshman and sophomore year of high school, I went to camp in Oregon. Halfway through my week there, my legs stopped working. It happened slowly at first, the feeling of old TV static climbing up my legs till I was in a wheelchair. Then came the pain.” This issue of Montana Voices Amplified shares the author’s tips on managing medical trauma.

May 2021 News Releases, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

University Of Montana Commencement Program, Spring 2021, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of The Registrar

University of Montana Commencement Programs, 1898-2020

Commencement program from the University of Montana.

A Midwest Migration With Endangered Whooping Cranes, Katherine Anne Hill

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

In 1941, the world’s last migratory flock of whooping cranes was just 15 birds strong. Today, that flock has grown to over 500 birds and is increasing exponentially every year. But even as the flock continues to recover, their migratory corridor continues to shrink, due to the destruction of habitat by industrial agriculture, energy development, and other industries.

But throughout the most sparsely populated stretches of the Central Flyway, whooping cranes have some unlikely allies, too.

In Nebraska and Kansas, where wetlands and native prairie grasses have historically been drained, burned, and converted to cropland, some farmers are reversing that …

The Heated Fight Over One Of America's Newest National Scenic Trails, Kylie Foster Mohr

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Preview— Montana And Wyoming V. Washington: The Commerce Clause And The Clean Water Act Collide Over Coal Exports, Rachel L. Wagner

Public Land & Resources Law Review

The Supreme Court of the United States has not scheduled oral arguments for this matter. In October 2020, the Court asked for the federal government’s views on the case but has not yet decided whether it will exercise its jurisdiction over the challenge.

Good Mourning Mary, Maddelyn Black

The Oval

No abstract provided.

My Mother In The Mirror, Andrea Halland

The Oval

No abstract provided.

Comparing Preliminary Telehealth Outcomes To In-Person Delivery Of A Rehabilitation Program For Stroke Survivors With Aphasia, Kortney M. Sims, Claire Buehler

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Background. Aphasia is a language impairment, typically resulting from left hemisphere strokes. Aphasia impairs the neural networks that allow individuals to read, write/type, speak, and understand spoken information, negatively impacting daily communication and quality of life. Intensive Comprehensive Aphasia Programs (ICAPs) are stroke rehabilitation programs that help people living with aphasia improve their language function, communicative participation, and quality of life. In response to COVID-19, ICAPs could no longer take place in-person, necessitating a rapid move to telehealth models. No evidence has been provided in the literature to demonstrate the efficacy or effectiveness of telehealth ICAPs.

Purpose. The purpose of …

Outdoor Recreation In The Winter Of A Pandemic, Joshua Christopher Cobb

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

A pandemic has the ability to affect lives from many different perspectives. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the way people live, learn, and interact with one another; and it will create new social patterns reaching across virtually all platforms. One of the unforeseen problems with a pandemic includes the adaption needed to partake in social and recreational activities. Using a Qualtrics online survey posted on a popular forum for outdoor recreationists, this research study looked to investigate the varying trends due to COVID-19 on the winter outdoor sports community. The results demonstrate that the pandemic affected how people recreate, including …

Caregivers Of Gbm Need Support From Family And Friends, Dishanna Lynn Miller

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Caregivers of GBM Need Support from Family and Friends

Abstract

Purpose Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer, both to the patient and the caregiver of the patient. GBM has a dismal medical prognosis for patients that area diagnosed with it. Caregivers struggle to maintain appropriate care to their patients due to the high stress job and often rely on the help of family and friends. Previous studies suggest longer life expectancy in GBM patients correlates with better caregiver mastery. This study aims to find ways and ideas for family members and friends to offer …

Female Caregivers Of Male Glioblastoma Patients Experience Ptsd, Emily E. Burke

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Female Caregivers of Male Glioblastoma Patients Experience PTSD

Authors: Burke, Emily E.; Minns, Laurie A.

Abstract

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is most frequent among women, but perhaps even more so in female caregivers of male Glioblastoma patients. Glioblastoma itself is a seriously neuro-debilitating disease; an invasive brain cancer that offers poor prognosis and a lifetime’s worth of trauma for not only the patient, but caregiver as well. Due to the patient’s inability to function, the caregiver takes on the pressure of standing in for the mental processes of their loved ones, while juggling their own health. Most prominent among …

Psychological Disparities Contribute To Emotional Burden For Caregivers Of Glioblastoma Patients, Markus R. Hirschfelder

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive brain cancer that weakens brain function to the point where patients usually rely heavily on a caregiver. Oftentimes, the caregiver is a female spouse who is caring for her husband with GBM. However, few studies are specific to this caregiver’s emotional burden—in fact, they are typically adapted from studies of slower-progressing diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. GBM has a much shorter median survival time. The stress on caregivers in that generally shorter period is high. Mitigating the emotional burden may significantly contribute to longer, better survival outcomes for the GBM patient. For content analysis, …

Glioblastoma Multiforme Caregiver Burden With Family And Friends Present, Molly Christine Massman

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Purpose: Female caregivers of patients with Glioblastoma Multiform suffer significant emotional, physical and financial burden. Additionally, these caregivers are not well educated or equipped to care for the high demands of a brain cancer patient whose condition declines rapidly and have inadequate support systems. In this study, solutions for particular caregiver burden issues are discussed and highlighted specifically to inform family members and friends ways to which they could provide better support systems for caregivers of GBM patients. Methods: Within this study, 102 letters were analyzed from female caregivers regarding their experiences with the various hardships associated with …

Brain Cancer Caregivers Experience High Emotional Distress, Sunny Mathaun

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Sunny Mathaun, Dr. Laurie Minns

Brain Cancer Caregivers Experience High Emotional Distress

Glioblastoma multiforme grade 4 is a type of highly malignant tumor that has an extremely poor prognosis, which leads to major emotional challenges such as heavy and unhealthy burden on caregivers. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most severe types of cancer with an average prognosis of 15 months. Due to its high mortality rate, GBM creates major health challenges for patients in a fast rate, but also significantly impacts the caregivers who are caring for these patients. Caregivers can be categorized in a formal and informal …

Caregivers Of Gbm Patients Express High Financial Burden, Madison Rose Cutaia

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Abstract:

Glioblastoma is described as one of the most pugnacious forms of brain cancer that is an uncurable diagnosis and entails a journey of adversity for the female caregivers. Female caregivers encounter high amounts of medical bills, job-loss for those diagnosed that leave families in a financial crisis with no safety net. 102 letters were written by female caregivers that express the challenges they experienced and were analyzed for data collection. These letter writers gave consent to viewing the information for data collection. Specific words and phrases were chosen throughout the letters that created a narrow focus of the study …

An Investigation Into The Natural Mineral Lick At Lick Creek, Toby Dunn

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The natural mineral lick at Lick Creek in the Bitterroot National Forest was studied to determine the types and concentrations of minerals found in the licks and what the potential source for the minerals may be. Soil samples were taken from seven different “lick pits” that were formed by elk and deer, as well as three different dig sites. Samples were also collected from the two proposed sources of the minerals, Mazama and Challis volcanic ash. An experiment was performed on the soil and ash samples to determine the amount of dissolved electrolytes in the solution and how that amount …

Assessing Shrimp Farm Activity In The Gulf Of California And Modeling Potential For Restoration, Miles Scheuering

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The estuaries of Sonora and Sinaloa on the Gulf of California in Mexico provide critical wintering and stopover sites for migratory waterbirds in the Pacific Flyway. Shrimp farms are the greatest threat to these areas and their full impact is not well understood. Once shrimp production has stopped, they are often abandoned. A significant portion of existing farms may be abandoned based on a disparity between active area reported by the Sonora and Sinaloa state commissions and observed area based on remote sensing. To quantify the area of shrimp farms I digitized and classified them by wetland characteristics using recent …

Understanding Caribou Population Cycles, Jack St. John

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The complex population dynamics of caribou (Rangifer tarandus) are being studied to determine the patterns and processes driving their population cycles. It is well established, via previous archaeological research and indigenous knowledge, that large migrating caribou herds found in around the tundra at northern latitudes experience population boom and busts roughly every several decades. However, the processes driving the dynamics of these cycles are relatively unknown, which makes managing caribou herds for recreational and subsistence harvests difficult. It has been hypothesized that a combination of intrinsic and extrinsic factors shape these cycles, with birth rates, density-dependence, and climate …

Anatomy Students Perceptions Towards The Transition To Online Due To Covid 19., Drake C. Leonard

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Anatomy students perceptions towards the transition to online due to COVID 19.

In the spring of 2020, the way students were presented information changed completely. As COVID spread around the world, students’ academic experiences were being shifted to an online platform. Although there have been some studies that have addressed this transition, the majority of the results from these studies showed a negative perception towards the transition and looked into what did and did not work. In this study we are looking anatomy students' perceptions of the transition from in-person classes to online classes due to COVID for students in …

Cuticular Hydrocarbon Profiles In A Population Of Taiwanese Rhinoceros Beetles, Devin J. Hunt, Chelsey N. Caldwell, Romain P. Boisseau, Patrick Krebs, Douglas J. Emlen

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Insects communicate using diverse mechanisms. From the classic chirping of crickets to the singing of beetles, the world of insect signaling is almost as diverse as the class itself. In addition to acoustic signaling, insects rely on communication through chemical signals embedded within their waxy cuticles. These signals, often long-chain hydrocarbons and alcohols, serve as chemical signals of body size, mate quality, and sex. Our group has previously reported evidence of sex differences in cuticular hydrocarbon (CHC) profiles in a population of the Japanese rhinoceros beetle, Trypoxylus dichotomus. Based on these analyses, we hypothesized that CHC profiles conveyed meaningful …

Peer-Leader Activities In The Biology Classroom: Effects On Student Confidence In The Course And Knowledge Of Discussion Topics, Jadyn Aliyah Peterson

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Peer-Leader Activities in the Biology Classroom: Effects on Student Confidence in the Course and Knowledge of Discussion Topics

College students in STEM majors often report experiencing feelings that their courses are overly competitive, unsupportive, and that the professors seem apathic or unwelcoming. A promising approach to creating a more comfortable and supportive environment within the biology classroom is the utilization of peer-led activities. This study aims to investigate whether the student-reported confidence in the learning topic and in the overall course were affected by the completion of the peer activity, and additionally, whether the students who indicated positive post-activity perceptions …

Covid-19 Team Based Learning In Cellular And Molecular Biology Enhances Student Engagement And Enthusiasm In Learning, Raegan B. Hauschildt

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

COVID-19 Team Based Learning In Cellular and Molecular Biology Enhances Student Engagement and Enthusiasm In Learning

Student perceptions of learning outcomes in team-based learning (TBL) situations were explored in the summer offering of BIOB 260: Cellular and Molecular Biology at the University of Montana. The TBL methods employed in this course were three active participation small group exercises with pre- and post-activity assignments and a final group project. This study looks to test how TBL is received by students and if these activities would lead to an increase in students’ perception of learning. To better understand team-based learning in Cell …

Enhancing The Public’S General Vaccine Knowledge Through A Comprehensive And User-Friendly Website., Bonnie Long

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Less than a year since the World Health Organization first declared Covid-19 to be a global pandemic, The United States Food and Drug Administration has given authorization for the emergency use of three live-saving Covid-19 vaccines. With several vaccine candidates entering phase three clinical trials all over the world and more receiving approval for emergency use, questions continue to arise about how each vaccine works and what their effectiveness is at preventing Covid-19 illness. In fact, the pandemic has revealed a significant gap in the general public’s knowledge about the importance of all vaccines, not just the vaccines made to …

Effect Of Weather On Flight Speed Of California Condors, Sky Mae Gennette

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Birds respond to variable environmental conditions by modulating aspects of their movement. Soaring birds use updrafts associated with surface terrain (i.e., orographic updrafts) and differential heating of the surface (thermal updrafts) to subsidize their flight, and they respond to other meteorological factors such as wind speed and air pressure. I evaluated how environmental factors influence one aspect of flight performance, flight speed, of a large obligate-soaring species, the California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus). Based on previous research, I expected that condors would fly faster in conditions conducive to formation of updrafts. I calculated flight speeds using GPS data collected …