Digital Commons Network^™

A Closer Look At Denali’S Alpine Wildlife: Assessing The Influences Of Climate And Vegetation Changes On Species In Alaska, Jennifer Lynn Wall

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Climate change is amplified in polar regions and could have considerable consequences for biodiversity. Arctic and boreal regions, in particular, have warmed more than double the global average and are experiencing increasing precipitation, thawing permafrost, shrinking snow seasons, and increasing shrub- and tree-line encroachment. These changes are suspected to influence key alpine biodiversity, including species such as collared pikas (Ochotona collaris), hoary marmots (Marmota caligata), and Arctic ground squirrels (Urocitellus parryii). But, we have limited understanding of whether this is true and, if so, which factors drive distributional shifts in response to climate change. For this dissertation, I collected data …

Ambient Air Pollution, Hypertensive Disorders Of Pregnancy, And Geomasking In Montana, Elizabeth Rae Susanne Williams

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Background: Air pollution is the world’s largest single environmental health risk. Particulate matter air pollution with aerodynamic diameter ≤ 2.5 μm (PM2.5) poses significant health hazards and has been increasing in some parts of the United States in recent decades due to increased wildfire activity. Prenatal exposure to PM2.5 may increase risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDPs), though this has not been evaluated in a rural, wildfire-prone context. To develop recommendations to mitigate harmful health effects of PM2.5, more research is needed to understand the precise timing and dose of PM2.5 that is harmful to human health. Such research …

Embody, Lillian Luna Bennett

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

In this paper I will discuss my studio process, material, content and context as it relates to each piece or installation in my thesis exhibition, Embody. My work explores and reacts to the effects that the current political climate has on our physical bodies and identity. I investigate value systems that are embedded into America’s visual language. Often morphing into ruins and relics of an old world while simultaneously being grafted onto contemporary culture. Through large scale textile sculpture, I explore one of my main themes: melding classical architectural motifs that America has adopted, with contemporary textile techniques and material …

Fast-Track To The Frontline: Evaluating A Surgical Technology Program’S Response To A Workforce Shortage, Jill Theresa Davis

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

As the demand for Certified Surgical Technologists (CSTs) continues to grow, traditional educational pathways struggle to meet the urgent workforce needs within the healthcare sector. This paper presents a comprehensive evaluation of a pilot fast-track surgical technology program implemented at Missoula College, designed to expedite the training of surgical technologists while maintaining high educational standards. Employing a mixed-methods research approach, this study assesses both the quantitative outcomes and qualitative experiences of participants in the fast-track program compared to traditional pathways. Key findings indicate that the fast-track program not only reduces the time required for training but also adequately prepares students …

Converting Forest Activity Fuels Into Biochar: Costs And Logisitical Considerations Of Using An Air Curtain Burner And Flame Cap Kilns In Western Montana, Klemensas Krasaitis

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

From Creek To Ditch And Back Again: The History And Future Of Pattee Creek, Missoula, Montana, Carver Edward Butterfield

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Pattee Creek was once a free-flowing stream that meandered across the Missoula Valley, but has been channelized, piped, and degraded by logging, mining, agriculture, and urbanization. This thesis used a mixed-method approach to examine the impact of human activities on the Pattee Creek watershed. Beginning with a historical overview, the story of how the creek has been utilized and why it was buried was told. An analysis of historical photos from 1937 to 2019 revealed drastic changes in the land cover of the watershed and the channel of lower Pattee Creek. Developed land increased dramatically, while open land decreased and …

Wildfires Are Burning Less Frequently And More Severely Than Historically In The Western Us: A Novel Approach To Calculating Fire-Regime Departures, Jeffrey Ryan Chandler

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Changing climate, vegetation, and fire exclusion are altering and homogenizing fire-regime attributes compared to historic conditions. Fire-regime changes are commonly quantified using departure metrics, which are often based on measures of central tendency (i.e. changes in the mean). These metrics can mischaracterize complex changes to the distributional characteristics of fire-regime attributes. Here we develop a fire-regime departure metric that quantifies nonparametric distributional changes to fire-regime attributes over time. We use this metric to compare fire frequency and severity between historical (~1600-1880) and contemporary (1880- 2021) time periods in western US forests. Our analysis revealed that 89% of Western US forests …

Swimming Through Time: Ancient Dna Analysis Of Salmonid Remains At Housepit 54, Bridge River, British Columbia, Canada, Kara K. Fox

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The application of ancient DNA (aDNA) analysis on archaeological faunal remains has proven successful in a variety of studies that have resulted in species identification and subsistence use at ancient village sites. Fisher-hunter-gatherer societies of the Pacific Northwest have depended heavily on seasonal salmon runs as a primary staple for foodstuffs and winter storage essentials. Determining which salmonid species were chosen provides a better understanding of ancient socio-economic strategies that impact food procurement and varying preferences of food items that can lead to resource access limitations. Ultimately, this thesis is a preliminary research project to establish the groundwork for successfully …

Gaba Transporter Loss-Of-Function Mutations In Pediatric Epilepsy: Neural Mechanisms And A Novel Fatty Acid Based Therapeutic Approach, Alessandra G. Jester

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

An increasing number of spontaneous mutations in the GABA transporter gene SLC6A1 (GAT-1) have been associated with pediatric epilepsy and neurodevelopmental disorders. The molecular mechanisms and impact of mutations on GABA homeostasis and neuronal circuit function are poorly understood. Furthermore, there are currently no validated therapeutic approaches to treat patients. A de novo mutation (S295L) in the GABA transporter gene SLC6A1 that was identified in a pediatric patient was introduced into a human cDNA construct, and mutant and wild-type transporters were expressed and studied in Xenopus oocytes by voltage clamp and radiolabeled GABA flux measurement. In addition, the effect of …

Impact Of Emotion Regulation On Prospective Memory, Hannes Heppner

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Prospective memory necessitates the deliberate formation and timely execution of preplanned intentions. The degree of cognitive demand required is thought to be lower for focal compared to non-focal prospective memory cues. While negatively evocative focal cues have been shown to improve prospective memory performance, it is unclear if and to what extent the cognitive reappraisal of negative emotion impacts prospective memory performance. Cognitive reappraisal is often utilized to help individuals effortfully attenuate negative emotions and reduces the chronic burden on cognitive resources. In the present study, we hypothesized that more effective cognitive reappraisal is associated with better prospective memory performance. …

Niipáitapiiyssin: How Blackfeet Ways Of Knowing Impact Identity And Well-Being, Mikalen Running Fisher

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This thesis explores the vital role of history, traditional knowledge, traditional ecological knowledge, artifacts, and language in shaping the identity and well-being of Indigenous communities. It emphasizes how these components are vital for the survival and growth of Indigenous cultures. Using the Blackfoot Confederacy as a case study, the research highlights the significance of these elements in maintaining cultural continuity and resilience. The analysis is grounded in literature authored from an Indigenous perspective, ensuring an authentic representation of the values and insights inherent in these communities. This work aims to bridge existing gaps in the literature by demonstrating the profound …

Ai-Powered Educational Tools And Their Effect On Student Motivation In Online Learning Environments: A Preliminary Study, Caitlin M. Byers

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This thesis investigates the impact of an AI-powered educational tool on high school student motivation in asynchronous online courses using Self-Determination Theory (SDT) to examine perceived competence, autonomy, and relatedness. A pilot study involving 129 students utilized an AI-powered automated feedback (AF) writing review tool. Data was collected using the Autonomy and Competence in Technology Adoption (ACTA) Questionnaire and teacher communications. Findings indicate that AI tools can enhance perceived competence through immediate, personalized feedback. Still, the effectiveness is significantly influenced by the level of teacher communication, underscoring the need for a blended approach in online learning environments. Limitations include a …

Iguanaland, Joshua Michael Moyar

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The green iguana was introduced to the state of Florida in the 1960s. Since then, their populations have exploded, confounding scientists, animal control workers and private citizens in their attempts to eradicate them. While they’ve proven themselves to be nuisance animals — destroying yards and collapsing sidewalks — iguanas still have not conclusively caused ecological damage, meaning researchers can’t be sure that they’re truly invasive. Through this reptilian crisis, private iguana hunting services, like Harold Rondan’s Iguana Lifestyles, LLC, have taken off as a way to capitalize off of iguana carnage. Whether they’re shot, euthanized or even fried and eaten, …

Sequence Similarity Search Optimization: Prefiltering Strategies And Exact Matching Techniques For Biological Sequence Data, Tim Anderson

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Sequence similarity search is one of the most important tasks in the field of bioinformatics. The identification of regions of similarity between one protein or DNA sequence and a separate collection of sequences or models of sequence families has wide-ranging applications. These range from mapping of RNA sequence reads to a given genome to the annotation of gene-encoding regions and the reconstruction of evolutionary relationships of species. As genetic sequencing technologies have improved over the last few decades, the size of genetic sequence databases has grown exponentially. With this growth of sequence databases, more efficient algorithmic approaches are needed to …

Leaving Them In Stitches: Novel Methods For Splice-Aware Sequence Annotation, Alexander Nord

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Pre-mRNA intron splicing is essential to the production of many eukaryotic proteins, but it is relatively uncommon for sequence analysis tools to account for this process in their methods. In this dissertation I present three tools for biological sequence analysis, demonstrating the benefits that they derive from their explicit awareness of intron splicing. First, I present Mirage2, an updated implementation of the Mirage multiple sequence alignment program, which produces alignments of protein isoforms according to spliced genome mapping coordinates. I then present Diviner, which synthesizes the output data produced by Mirage2 to locate novel coding regions on eukaryotic …

Defining Lgbtqia2+ Specialized Substance Use Treatment Services From A Client-Informed Approach, Chonghui (Gabriella) Ji

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Background: This study explored the concept of specialized substance use treatment services among a sample of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and/or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, and Two-Spirit (LGBTQIA2+) individuals: their definition, perceived barriers to receiving these services, and ways of improving such services. Having direct input from past and potential treatment-seeking LGBTQIA2+ individuals could help to deepen our understanding of how to meet the unique treatment needs of these populations.

Method: Data were collected from 219 LGBTQIA2+ individuals within the United States through an online and anonymous survey. Inclusion criteria for participation were self-identifying as LGBTQIA2+, being 18 years of …

The Negative Experience Of Involution As Perceived By College Instructors In Inner Mongolia In China, Guanqun Zhang

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Under the backdrop of high-quality development in China, college instructors are crucial for higher education institutions to achieve their high-quality goals. To motivate college instructors, these institutions have increased the requirements for professional titles. However, how instructors experience their workplace directly influences the outcomes. The proposal of this research was based on the reality that college instructors are considered difficult to motivate. Some are even referred to as lying flat, a term describing those who are unmotivated or disengaged.

Using a qualitative approach, this research explored how the increased perception of involution affects college instructors, with the central question: How …

Comprehensive Case Report Umfc#140, Marymargaret C. Pratt

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

University of Montana Forensic Collections (UMFC) Case #140 was observed and recorded fall 2024. The information included are a complete biological profile, any taphonomic features or pathological conditions present, and a literature review on forensic odontology due to the severe nature of the teeth. This individual is consistent with a 5'2"-5'6" adult male ranging between the ages of 35-50 of ambiguous population affinity. Evidence of osteoarthritis and bone spurs are present along the vertebral spine, clavicle, and articulation points throughout the post-cranial skeleton. There is severe dental attrition found along the buccal view of the maxillary and mandibular molars. The …

Flyway Bottlenecks: Migratory Waterbirds Confront Diminishing Wetland Networks In Western North America, J. Patrick Donnelly

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

In the arid and semi-arid western U.S., migratory waterbirds (e.g., shorebirds, wading birds, and waterfowl) rely on wetland landscapes that function as nodes in broader continental habitat networks (e.g., flyways). Here, I integrate citizen science and GPS animal tracking technologies with satellite imagery and cloud computing to quantify the effects of climate and land use change on wetland ecosystems that sustain migratory waterbirds in the western U.S. Four decades of wetland surface water hydrology were first reconstructed from over 150,000 individual satellite images covering 3.1 million ha to track monthly changes in the extent and duration of wetland inundation. Results …

Moose Abundance And Calf:Cow Ratios On The Blackfeet Indian Reservation And Glacier National Park, Landon Joel Magee

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Many moose (Alces alces; Sikihtsisoo) populations across North America, especially along their southern range, are declining due to factors such as climate change, parasites and disease, predation, habitat loss and degradation, and overharvest. These declines highlight broader ecological concerns, as moose play a critical role as prey within their ecosystems. Despite their importance, data on crucial demographic parameters like abundance and age ratios are sparse for moose, complicating management efforts. Conventional monitoring methods, including radio-collaring, harvest data, public surveys, and aerial surveys, face significant logistical and financial challenges, and often fail to provide a comprehensive understanding of …

A Narrative Map Of Fort Missoula: Silence, Stillness And Death In Living Cultural Memory, Daniel A. Goldhamer

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Fort Missoula is a rare site of history, memory, and narrative. This project seeks to trace the complex web of identities and relationalities at the Fort through a narrative map: a method that combines site-based ethnography and qualitative storytelling relying on first-person perspective. This methodological framework reveals that Fort Missoula’s distinct character lies in its role as a living archive of cultural memory, accessible through the past, present, and future narratives of its places and spaces. Engaging with the theories of Foucault (1972), de Certeau (1984), and Low (2017), the narrative map of Fort Missoula is a work that investigates …

“Real Collaboration Is Empowering:” Facilitators, Barriers, And Benefits Of A Community-School Partnership In An Indigenous Community, Amy Elizabeth Violante

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Culturally responsive community-school partnerships can help support students' well-being, and the facilitators, barriers, and benefits of community-school partnerships in Indigenous communities may be unique due to historic and contemporary sociopolitical influences. The aims of the current study were to explore facilitators, barriers, and benefits of community-school partnerships in Indigenous communities in order to better support student well-being. Project SELA is an existing partnership between a community and school on a reservation, and individuals who have been part of this project participated in the current study. Ten participants shared their experiences and perspectives of community-school partnerships in Indigenous communities through semi-structured …

Traditional Chinese Medicine And The Argument For Future Application In The United States, Kylie Nicole Frohlich

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Silk Fibroin And Hylauronic Acid As Otic Drug Delivery System Additives; Investigation Of Silk Fibroins Responses To Enviromental Stimulii, Kolton Charles Sandau

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The Serban lab has previously developed and reported on a single application drug delivery system for the treatment of otitis externa. Otitis externa also known as outer ear infections is a very common ailment that impacts large portions of both human and domestic animal populations. Typical treatment for otitis externa typically requires an extended dosing regimen over several days that is inconvenient and can lead to poor clinical outcomes due to poor patient compliance. Our delivery system employs a thixotropic gel to deliver a steady dose of medication over the duration of the infection.

Here we evaluated the reproducibility and …

Density Anomaly Leads To Rift Initiation: Quantifying Active Rifting And Comparison To The East African Rift Zone, Chloe Boucher

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Active rifting, elastic failure in the lithosphere from rising density anomalies in the mantle, is fundamental to the Wilson Cycle which describes the cycle of tectonic plates. Active rift zones are common in the oceanic lithosphere but are less common in the thicker continental lithosphere. The current largest active continental rift zone is the East African Rift Zone (EARZ). Although active rifting is fundamental to plate tectonic theory, the mechanics and parameters needed for a density anomaly to initiate a rift have not been undertaken. This model aims to solve the problem of a density anomaly initiating a continental rift …

Assessing Data Analytics Readiness: Comparative Analytics Of The Isec And Non-Isec Faculty In Isec Member Universities In China, Han Yu

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This study was aimed to investigate differences and predictors of Big Data Analytics (BDA) readiness among teachers in Chinese ISEC member universities participating in internationalization programs (ISEC) and those not. The research highlighted the global demand for data analytics skills and the uneven distribution of talents, noting the understudied nature of data analytics research in education compared to fields like business, medicine, and engineering based on Web of Science data. Emphasis was placed on BDA's crucial role in improving teaching quality and decision-making processes in education. Addressing challenges in implementing data analytics in higher education, the study emphasized factors such …

Characterizing Mountainous Bedrock Groundwater Systems Across Gradients In Topography And Lithology In Western Montana, David L. Baude

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Mountain aquifer groundwater systems remain one of the least understood hydrologic systems in upland hydrology. In this study, we aim to characterize bedrock groundwater system dynamics and bedrock-saprolite interactions across a variety of landscape positions and lithology. We investigate groundwater hydraulics, recharge temperature and elevation, residence times, and bedrock recharge rates across two mountainous headwater catchments in west central Montana. We used a suite of environmental tracers (³H, CFCs, SF₆, and ⁴He) and residence time distribution models to estimate groundwater mean residence times over a range of timescales from decades to millennia. Tracers were sampled …

A Tale Of Two Working Landscapes, Sage C. Sutcliffe

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

Where The Framework Ends: Equity Considerations And Limitations During Agency River Permit Allocation Decision Making Processes, Kelsey Ellen Phillips

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

River recreation in the U.S. increased dramatically in the 1970s as boating technology and recreational skill level shifted, thus a number of federally- and state-managed river areas instituted use limits over the years to prevent the environmental and social impacts perceived to have stemmed from increased use. These river managers were then faced with the task of allocating this use between private and commercial users (allotment) and within these groups (rationing), complicated by the fact that members of the public perceive equity differently. Early recreation use allocation research explored how different rationing techniques favor different groups, for example those with …

“We’Re Left Picking Up The Pieces:” Use Of Grief Interventions In Rural Schools Since Covid-19 Pandemic, Jennifer Lynn Rotzal

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Research has indicated that individuals who have died from the COVID-19 virus will likely leave behind several grieving family members. For every person who dies of COVID-19, it was estimated that they would leave behind 2.2 children and 4.1 grandchildren (Albuquerque & Santos, 2021). The death of a parent or other loved one is often noted as one of the most potentially traumatic experiences for a child. During the COVID-19 pandemic, death became more prominent in hundreds of thousands of children’s lives, having a profound effect on the child, as well as on their family and surrounding community (Griese et …