Digital Commons Network^™

The Five Animals You Meet In Heaven, Josh Moyar

The Oval

No abstract provided.

Given, Stolen, Tossed To Sea, Orianna Zeiss

The Oval

No abstract provided.

Owl In The Night, Sean Staples

The Oval

No abstract provided.

Explaining The Disclosure Of Risky Secrets: A Test Of Two Models, Stephen M. Yoshimura, Annie Hickock, Haley Powell, Bryn Sokoloski, Brenna Spurling

Communication Studies Student Scholarship

The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that perceived partner responsiveness is a parsimonious theoretical predictor of secret disclosure in romantic relationships, and to compare the efficacy of the perceived partner responsiveness model against the revelation risk model. Using an online questionnaire, 95 respondents in an ongoing committed romantic relationship reported on a secret they had been keeping, responded to measures of the revelation risk model predictors and of perceived partner responsiveness, and indicated whether or not they have revealed the secret to a relationship partner. The results show that the revelation risk model was a better …

Environmental Education In Informal Learning Spaces: Integration, Design, And Access, Maya S. Gutierrez

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

In this portfolio, I will focus on using learning spaces to facilitate environmental education and promote environmental literacy. I will discuss the incorporation of the framework of environmental education into an experiential and informal learning environment; the creation of a curriculum that fuses formal and informal learning, providing upper elementary students opportunities to participate in hands-on experiential learning opportunities of environmental education; and the direct and indirect benefits nature-based experiences can provide when implemented into a therapeutic group home. Embedded throughout is an environmental education framework that has been adapted for the diverse setting and requirements of the respective organization …

Spinning A Yarn: Exploring Social Work And Artistry, Cal F. Erasmus Tronson

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

Community Food Security Strategies In Montana: Exploring Practices And Policies, Andrew T. Besser

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

No abstract provided.

May 2023 News Releases, University Of Montana--Missoula. Office Of University Relations

University of Montana News Releases, 1928, 1956-present

No abstract provided.

Montana Kaimin, April 27, 2023, Students Of The University Of Montana, Missoula

Montana Kaimin, 1898-present

Student newspaper of the University of Montana, Missoula.

Overlap Of Cognates In The Bilingual Mental Lexicon: A Cognate Continuum Model, Ashlynn Everett, Juhi Singh, Mila Tasseva-Kurkchieva

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Purpose: Cognates (i.e., words that share meanings and pronunciations in more than one language) are uniquely suited to provide insight into the bilingual mental lexicon due to their overlapping nature. Previous researchers have used a cognate/non-cognate distinction (Dijkstra & Van Heuven, 2002) or measurements of orthographic changes in words (Peeters et. al, 2013) to evaluate this overlap. By comparison, this study aimed to examine how phonological and syntactic differences between cognates impact language processing in bilinguals.

Methods: Researchers categorized cognates by level of phonological overlap as identified by listeners’ ratings of similarity. These categories were described as 1) true cognates …

How Does Midwinter Rain Affect Western Montana’S Mountain Snowpack?, Gus B. Kauffman

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

A high-confidence effect of anthropogenic climate change is an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. One type of these events which is important to western Montana is midwinter rain, or rain on snow. In coastal states, where the mountain snowpack sits near the melting point, rain on snow can cause massive melt and flooding and diminish the snowpack residents rely on for drinking water and hydroelectric power when it melts in the spring. In Montana, however, the snowpack is typically much colder and more resistant to the devastating effects of these events. The purpose of this …

Fundamental Education In Video Games, Kaisha Meichell Gerhardt

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Education in video games is a rapidly evolving field that offers exciting possibilities for the future of learning. With the increasing popularity of video games, educators and developers are discovering innovative ways to use games as a tool for teaching and learning. The collaborative components of making an educational game crucially involve representation, learning objectives, and enjoyment. It is essential for individuals to see themselves represented in the media they consume, and video games are no exception. Diversity in character design, storylines, and themes can have a significant impact on players, especially those from underrepresented communities. It can promote a …

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 tens of thousands of homes at risk in Montana alone. The Firewise USA program was created to reduce the risk of home ignition and loss in the WUI. The program encourages WUI homeowners to engage in mitigation efforts such as using Firewise landscaping strategies to create a defensible zone around their homes and using building materials that decrease overall ignition risk. Despite strong evidence that Firewise mitigation strategies are effective, …

Depictions Of Strikes On Social Media, Zachary D. Mangels

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Social media provides a rich source for the study of social movements. Not only do movement organizations use social media as a platform to spread their message and organize, but users can also share their thoughts about a particular movement with ease. This project seeks to understand how the socioeconomic status and gender of a social movement’s participants affect the public’s reaction to their activities. This is done by studying how these movements are described on Twitter, and if these descriptions differ among different striking professions. The types of social movement I intend to study are all strikes which were …

An Exploration Of Hatchery And Wild Chum Salmon Returns In Southeast Alaska, Kelsey L. Stansberry

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Salmon enhancement programs are a common restoration practice to maintaining a sustainable commercial fishery, but there is concern on how hatchery straying impacts the overall fitness of wild salmon stocks. Several organizations in Prince William Sound and SE Alaska developed a partnership to cohesively research and analyze the impacts of hatchery chum and pink salmon stray rates on wild populations. The goals of this partnership are to (1) understand the regional genetic stock structure of pink and chum salmon, (2) examine the extent and annual variability in straying of hatchery pink salmon in Prince William Sound and chum salmon in …

Assessing The Efficacy Of Beaver Dam Analogues In Willow Restoration, Dylan Ritter, Hannah Hill

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Assessing the Efficacy of Beaver Dam Analogues in Willow Restoration

Undergraduate Capstone, Ecosystem Science and Restoration Program

By Hannah Hill & Dylan Ritter

Abstract

Willow establishment is a necessary objective of stream restoration due to their role in bank stabilization, stream shading, and enhancement of biodiversity across the riparian zone. However, anecdotal observation indicated that establishment on restored streams may be lacking. For example, we observed no natural willow recruitment at a beaver dam analogs (BDAs) restoration project in Lolo National Forest (Montana). BDA’s mimic the pooling effects of natural beaver structures and are intended to help recreate historic conditions …

Optimizing Whole Genome Sequencing From Fecal Samples In Snowshoe Hares, Jessica J. Powell, Cynthia K.S. Ulbing, Tim B. Wheeler, L. Scott Mills

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Genomic analyses can provide powerful insights into important issues in conservation biology, including rapid estimates of overall genetic diversity and related population genetic parameters. Noninvasive DNA sampling, such as from fecal samples, is an affordable, efficient, and broadly applicable field collection method that has been utilized in many genetic analyses. However, the efficacy of whole genome sequencing from fecal samples collected under field conditions is relatively unexplored. Here, I will present initial results from an experiment designed to test the quantity and quality of genomic material obtained from snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) fecal pellets. A collaborative research program at the …

Behavior Prioritization In Drosophila, Erin Szalda-Petree, Ellis Mckean

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Animals must prioritize their needs to decide how to act in a way that meets their physiological needs and matches their environmental context. Since behaviors are often carried out at the expense of others, it is important to understand how these binary options are evaluated and prioritized in an animal’s nervous system. We aim to understand how internal states such as hunger are signaled to the brain. Further, we ask, how does an organism integrate multiple signals and ultimately decide how to respond? When a pair of Drosophila melanogaster males are placed in a small chamber with a high-quality food …

Role Of Riok3 In Innate Immunity, Hope Smelser

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

The cellular innate immune response is the first line of defense against viral infection. A robust response is necessary to fight infection, but an overblown response can kill the cell and damage surrounding tissue. Understanding how the innate response is regulated can elucidate better means of preventing and ending viral infections. Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), an RNA virus, is a pathogen of particular importance due to its deadly effects on domestic livestock and humans. Our lab investigates RVFV's effects on proteins involved in the cell's innate antiviral response. Although the precise roles of RIOK3 remain controversial, it has been …

Assessing Lipid Composition Of Cell Membranes In Escherichia Coli Under Aerobic And Anaerobic Conditions, Isabelle N. Johnson, Brynne Miller, Brett Sather

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Although Escherichia coli is a well-studied bacteria in the world of microbiology, there are still unknowns about its metabolism. For example, global changes during the transition from aerobic to anaerobic respiration with respect to pathways outside central carbon metabolism are poorly documented. In this research, I investigated the change in cell membrane lipid composition when aerobic cultures of Escherichia coli were put under anaerobic conditions.

To set a baseline, my co-author and I incubated Escherichia coli in batches of 18, dividing the groups into 3 and taking UV-Vis measurements of colony growth at timepoints 3hrs, 4.5hrs, and 5hrs+. Half of …

Perceived Post-Graduate Job Prospects Of University Of Montana Wildlife Biology Students, Andrew C. Marriner

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Perceived Post-Graduate Job Prospects of University of Montana Wildlife Biology Students.

The wildlife biology job growth over the next decade is projected to be 1% (US Bureau of Labor Statistics 2022). In courses and through personal experiences students are made aware of the challenges of pursuing a career in this field. I want to determine the perceived post-graduate job prospects current UM Wildlife Biology students hold. Do current students have a positive or negative perception of their job outlook? Further, I want to determine how well students think they have been prepared for a career in this field by our …

Out Of The Frying Pan And Into The Fire: How The Presence Of Hunters Affects The Diel Activity Patterns Of Ungulates In Lubrecht Experimental Forest., Shawn M. Parsons

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Diel activity patterns of large mammals are shaped by predator-prey dynamics but can also be adapted to the species’ environment. The avoidance of predation risk by prey in both space and time can affect predator-prey overlap and reduce risk of mortality. Here, I examine if rifle hunting affected the diel activity patterns of ungulates in Lubrecht Experimental Forest, Montana. I deployed 30 infrared wildlife remote cameras across 29 different sites using a stratified random design over three months before, during, and after the Fall 2022 Montana rifle hunting season. Using timestamps from these photos, daily activity patterns were tracked for …

Comparing Differences For Non-Introgressing Genes In Chickadees, Eliana Lowe, Scott A. Taylor, Georgy Semenov, Rena Schweizer

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Hybridization between species plays a very important role in the overall evolutionary history of many taxa. The study of hybrid zones can also provide insight into how species are responding to environmental factors such as climate change and changes in species interactions. The hybrid zone between the northern black-capped chickadee (Poecile atricapillus) and the southern Carolina chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) provides an insight into how hybridization is affecting two distinct species. As climate change worsens and Carolina chickadees are pushed more north to avoid sweltering temperatures, the hybrid zone is actively moving with them about 1 kilometer …

Metabolic Versatility In Melainabacteria, A Close Relative Of Cyanobacteria, Sophia Marie Miller, Kathryn Bick, Heidi E. Abresch

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

A New Member of Melainabacteria, the Closest Relatives of Cyanobacteria

Melainabacteria are the recently discovered, closest non-photosynthetic relatives of cyanobacteria, the organisms responsible for the oxygenation of Earth's atmosphere. Previous work has shown that Melainabacteria live in a wide range of environments, including deep groundwater, anoxic sediments, and the digestive tracts of termites and mammals. These bacteria have been suggested to play a significant role in the latter environments and may contribute to neurodegenerative and gastrointestinal disease in human populations. However, our knowledge of Melainabacteria diversity and metabolism is still very limited, principally because no member of this group has …

Inhibitory Signaling From A Critical Hub Neuron Drives Behavior Selection And Frequency, Wyatt T. Ploot

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Both animals and humans must constantly make decision in dynamic environments. Situational assessment and appropriate response selection are crucial processes that determine the ability of an organism to survive and thrive, or fail and die. Understanding how the signaling by neurons and circuits ultimately lead to behavioral decisions is a critical question that may lead to the identification of mechanisms that address out-of-context behaviors. To understand how neurons send important information that leads to a behavioral decision, I am using the powerful genetic model, Drosophila melanogaster, and the choice to engage in aggressive behavior between males. My focus is …

Effects Of Acute Sleep Deprivation On The Physiological Response To Woodsmoke And Exercise, Izaac Paul Sessums

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Chronic exposure to woodsmoke presents serious health detriments, yet the acute response to woodsmoke exposure is not well defined. While current literature reports on woodsmoke exposure and exercise, little work has been performed to understand the potential compounding effects of sleep deprivation during exposure. Sleep deprivation could modify physiologic responses to stressors such as exercise and smoke inhalation. Acute sleep deprivation has been shown to depress vagal tone, specifically depressed heart rate variability and stress recovery. The further identification of acute physiologic responses to woodsmoke would likely provide insight into the mechanism behind increased cancer and cardiovascular disease rates. Purpose: …

Effects Of Warming And Drying On The Survival And Performance Of Giant Salmonfly Nymphs (Pteronarcys Californica), Kailie Todd, Jackson Birrell

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This study examines how warming and drying affect the performance and survival of giant salmonfly nymphs (Pteronarcys californica), which are important economically, ecologically, and culturally throughout the mountain west. My experiments were motivated by a dam malfunction that occurred in late November 2021 on the Madison River in Montana that caused the river to dry rapidly downstream of the dam and reduced flow by 70% for 50 hours. The effects of such events on aquatic insects are unknown, and my experiments were designed to assess how long salmonfly nymphs could survive in still water as well as in …

Cooking With A Conscience, Jonah Britton, Sonia Bornemann, Ashley Wilson, Mogran White, Brooke Deruwe, Hallee Olsen, Kennedy Delap, Aidan Potter

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Cooking with a Conscience is a local and sustainable cookbook designed to facilitate more sustainable decisions and discussions concerning food in our community. Regarding the initial steps of the creation of the cookbook, our group is conducting a survey and multiple interviews both abroad and in Montana to determine what sustainability means and how sustainability is related to food consumption and production. Our research is also built around finding out people’s current eating habits as well common restrictions that often prevent our community from eating sustainably. We acquired the recipes by both asking local food producers, and by conducting individual …

Student-Athlete Mental Health: University Of Montana Case Study, Abigail M. Sherwood

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Student-athletes at the collegiate level experience high levels of pressure that can impact their mental health. When athletes crack under this pressure, many wonder where to draw the line between healthy and excessive pressures. Despite international examples (e.g. Naomi Osaka withdrawing from the French Open in 2021, Simone Biles withdrawing from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and many collegiate athletes taking their own lives), some backlash still remains towards athletes prioritizing their mental health. The athletic department at the University of Montana currently offers counseling sessions free to student-athletes. However, student-athletes have expressed mental health concerns; yet many of the sessions …

How Do Zooplankton Communities In Gravel Pit Ponds Respond To Restoration?, Meredith Claire Eiden

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Zooplankton are microscopic organisms that are integral to food webs in aquatic environments, and their diversity and composition can serve as biological indicators of ecosystem condition and function. Studying zooplankton assemblages can provide a useful tool for practitioners working in restored ponds, yet they are often overlooked in restoration assessments. To examine zooplankton community recovery in gravel pit ponds, I first compared zooplankton communities in two gravel pit ponds near Fort Missoula while they were still owned by Knife River Construction (2015) and then after initial restoration actions were completed (2022). Second, I compared current zooplankton communities in these actively …