Digital Commons Network^™

Behavioral Responses Of Blue-Winged Teal And Northern Shoveler To Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Surveys, Mason D. Ryckman, Kaylan Kemink, Christopher J. Felege, Brian J. Darby, Gregory S. Vandeberg, Susan N. Ellis-Felege

Biology Faculty Publications

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have become a popular wildlife survey tool. Most research has focused on detecting wildlife using UAVs with less known about behavioral responses. We compared the behavioral responses of breeding blue-winged teal (Spatula discors) (n = 151) and northern shovelers (Spatula clypeata) (n = 46) on wetlands flown over with a rotary DJI Matrice 200 quadcopter and control wetlands without flights. Using a GoPro camera affixed to a spotting scope, we conducted focal individual surveys and recorded duck behaviors for 30 minutes before, during, and 30 minutes after UAV flights to determine if …

Data-Driven Modeling Predicts Gene Regulatory Network Dynamics During The Differentiation Of Multipotential Hematopoietic Progenitors, Joanna Handzlik, Manu

Biology Faculty Publications

Cellular differentiation during hematopoiesis is guided by gene regulatory networks (GRNs) comprising transcription factors (TFs) and the effectors of cytokine signaling. Based largely on analyses conducted at steady state, these GRNs are thought to be organized as a hierarchy of bistable switches, with antagonism between Gata1 and PU.1 driving red- and white-blood cell differentiation. Here, we utilize transient gene expression patterns to infer the genetic architecture—the type and strength of regulatory interconnections—and dynamics of a twelve-gene GRN including key TFs and cytokine receptors. We trained gene circuits, dynamical models that learn genetic architecture, on high temporal-resolution gene-expression data from the …

Software For A Conformally Invariant Yang-Mills Type Energy And Equation On 6-Manifolds, Lawrence Peterson

Datasets

The author has developed some new computer software and has used it, together with Mathematica and John M. Lee's Ricci software package, to verify many of the results in the article "A Conformally Invariant Yang-Mills Type Energy and Equation on 6-Manifolds" (arXiv:2107.08515). The author's new software is posted here, along with the Ricci package and a special guidelines file. One should read this guidelines file before studying or using the software.

Examining Factors Associated With The Use Of Face Coverings During Covid-19: A Survey Of Shoppers In Greater Grand Forks, Minnesota And North Dakota, Isaac Karikari, Tanis J. Walch, Ashley Evenson, Carenlee Bardull, Bret Weber, Stephanie Scallon, Delton Gabe, Mikale Kuntz, Gabriel Wavra, Emily Possis, Courtney Leben, Hailer Boushee, Madeline Comeau

Social Work Faculty Publications

Despite the availability of COVID-19 vaccines, the pandemic’s persistence and recent spikes in cases have heightened the need for the promotion of protective behaviors notably, the continued use of face coverings (or ‘masks’ in the common parlance for COVID-related face coverings). Effective messaging on mask use is essential to more fully resonate with individuals and their shared communities. Studies covering rural or mostly-urban regions in the U.S. are sparse. Accordingly, an interdisciplinary team of social work and public health researchers explored mask wearing behaviors in a small, urban metro community consisting of two cities spanning North Dakota and Minnesota that …

Effectiveness And Availability Of Occupational Therapy Interventions For Improving Quality Of Life For Families Dealing With Virtual Learning During The Covid-19 Pandemic And Substance Use Issues, Madison Christian, Alexis Lehmann, Hannah Steckler

Critically Appraised Topics

Currently, there is an overall lack of evidence examining the effects of occupational therapy interventions to enhance families’ quality of life while dealing with virtual learning in school-aged children and the impacts of substance use on parents. The purpose of this critically appraised topic is to determine the availability for immediate use and the quality of occupational therapy interventions for improving the quality of life for families with school-age children dealing with school issues and virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically with parents who are also experiencing substance use issues

Case Report: Pre- And Post-Surgical Physical Therapy Management Of A Lateral Meniscus Tear, Michael Duginski

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. Meniscus surgeries comprise roughly 10% to 20% of all orthopedic surgeries, or roughly 850,000 surgeries annually. This case was the evaluation of a male with a torn right lateral meniscus who started physical therapy prior to undergoing a surgical repair of his right lateral meniscus. It will be determined if physical therapy interventions can improve meniscus injury symptoms and post-surgical recovery

Case Description. The patient was a 21-year-old male with a right lateral meniscus tear. The patient presented with the classic presentation of the diagnosis: knee clicking, difficulty on deep knee bending, pain, locking in knee joint …

Effective Occupational Therapy Interventions For Reducing Parental Stress In The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Ann Landreville, Annah Greenmyer, Makayla Murden

Critically Appraised Topics

John et al.’s (2018) study found that over half of the mothers in the NICU suffer from moderate to severe anxiety. This anxiety negatively impacts parents’ abilities to engage in the occupation of caring for their child, which can have long-term consequences. Currently, there is a lack of research on occupational therapy-specific interventions that focus on reducing parental stress in the NICU setting. The purpose of this critically appraised topic (CAT) is to discover which stress-reducing occupational therapy interventions have a positive impact on the abilities of parents to successfully care for their infants in the NICU.

Generalized Weakness From Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome And Liver Failure: A Case Study, Kelly Dawn Bosch

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a condition that occurs when an individual stops drinking alcohol or significantly decreases his or her alcohol intake after long-term dependence. The symptoms that develop vary in severity. Out of the 2 million people who experience alcohol withdrawal in the United States, 500,000 of them require treatment for their symptoms which can include physical therapy. The purpose of this case study is to describe and examine the treatment of a 48-year-old male who presented to the hospital with severe alcohol withdrawal symptoms, liver failure, and generalized weakness to determine the most effective …

Myasthenia Gravis, Briton Bussman

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a neurological condition involving dysfunction at the neuromuscular junction. There are very few clinical studies and limited research on patients with myasthenia gravis and the effect of exercise. The purpose of this case study was to add to the current research in treatment of myasthenia gravis with physical therapy.

Case Description: The patient was a 73 year old male coming to therapy reporting decreases in functional mobility as well as a decrease in balance. He had been diagnosed with MG at age 62. He also reported that he feels that his strength has …

Case Report: Physical Therapy Management Of Cerbrovascular Accident Of The Middle Cerebral Artery, Devin Douvier

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose. A cerebrovascular accident, CVA, is one of the largest causes of disability to Americans every year. Over 800,000 people experience a CVA every year with 600,000 of those people experiencing their first CVA. The purpose of this case study is to discuss and review the role of rehabilitation services, specifically physical therapy, in the care of an acute cerebrovascular accident.

Case Description. The patient was a 55-year-old man presenting to the transitional care unit after a middle cerebral artery CVA. He was an active power lifter and was taking performance enhancing drugs recently before his stroke.

Intervention. …

Physical Therapy Management Of A Patient With Rotator Cuff Pathology, Hailey Lynn Braegelman

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Background and Purpose: Rotator cuff pathology includes dysfunction of at least one of the rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder. This case report assesses the effectiveness of conservative physical therapy treatment with a patient who has pathology of the rotator cuff musculature and the result of the patient’s function following the treatment. Case Description: The patient was a female in her mid-60s who had fallen and landed on her elbow, resulting in pain of the shoulder. This patient was seen in the outpatient orthopedic physical therapy clinic for a total of 10 treatments. Interventions: The patient underwent conservative physical therapy …

The Discovery And Investigation Of Jig (Cg14850): A Previously Uncharacterized Novel Drosophila Melanogaster Protein, Sayem Hoque Bhuiyan

Theses and Dissertations

Despite Drosophila being one of the most studied model organisms in the world of research, one-third of 14,000 protein-encoding genes that the Drosophila genome possesses code for proteins that are yet uncharacterized. While investigating some of these uncharacterized Drosophila proteins, we identified a scarce protein type–a protein localized in both mitochondria and nucleus. Proteins, dual-localized in mitochondria and nucleus, establish communication between these organelles. This type of dual-localized protein is among the rarest of proteins, which limits us from fully understanding the mito-nuclear communication mechanism. Here, we tell the story of Jig, which we discovered to be one of those …

Suitability Analysis Of Snow And Ice Changes For Ice Patch Archaeology: A Case Study In The Crazy Mountains, Montana, Christine Kay Lidenberg

Theses and Dissertations

As technology advances over the years there has been a growing interest in the application of using remote sensing for conveying the detection of alpine archaeological sites. As climate changes and global temperatures rise across the globe perennial snow/ ice patches are melting and disappearing in alpine areas. These alpine archaeological sites are being immensely affected and, in some cases, destroyed. The research was conducted to determine if using both remote sensing imagery and suitability models could detect the extent of perennial snow/ice patch loss and determine the ice patches most vulnerable to melting in the Crazy Mountains of Montana. …

Higher Education Faculty Members’ Experiences In Designing A Quality Syllabus For Online Education, Yusuf Adam Marafa

Theses and Dissertations

Higher education is rapidly changing, and instructors are striving to match the needs of 21st-century digital learners. There is a growing demand and shift from traditional classes to the online mode of instruction for most post-secondary learning institutions. Additionally, with the recent pandemic (COVID-19), post-secondary institutions had to transform and revise their courses to online and hybrid models. Higher education institutions struggled with limited knowledge, skills, and resources to design syllabi and implement online education courses to meet the needs of their students to attain quality education.

The purpose of this study was to explore higher education faculty members' experiences …

Landscape Ecology Influence On Population Dynamics And Gene Flow: A Muskrat’S Tale, Ayla A. Morehouse

Theses and Dissertations

Understanding movement patterns across a landscape is an essential tool for wildlife managers to understand and predict population dynamics, interactions, and susceptibility to disease and environmental changes. Part of this is due to population spatial synchrony being driven by three primary factors: dispersal, the “Moran Effect”, and trophic interactions. We seek to understand if dispersal may play a larger role in population synchrony and, if so, what landscape features may hinder the movement of muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus), a small semiaquatic mammal that relies on ditches and shallow wetlands for habitat and local movement. In this study we genotyped eleven microsatellite …

An Examination Of The Effects Of Body Mapping Instruction On Singers’ Static Standing Posture And Posture While Singing, Amanda Moreno

Theses and Dissertations

Physical posture is one of the fundamental aspects of vocal technique, and voice pedagogues suggest that effective alignment is necessary for healthy vocal production. Body Mapping (BMG) is a somatic method that focuses on the understanding and correction of errors in a person’s body map to facilitate effective movement for musical activity. Because this method has balance, physical alignment, and posture as foundational, it may be an effective way to begin to instruct students. This study investigated whether the use of the BMG method, which teaches posture through movement, scientific pictures, and anatomical models, would result in a significant difference …

Greek Life Membership As A Predictor Of Exercise Dependency, Taylor Novak Nygaard

Theses and Dissertations

Exercise is often regarded as a staple of a healthy lifestyle. Working out in excess, though, can easily become detrimental to an individual’s mental and physical wellbeing. Physical activity that is carried out in a compulsive and regimented manner, even when it may interfere with daily life or physical health, is referred to as exercise dependency. While not it’s own mental disorder, it has often been described as a secondary disorder in tandem with an eating disorder, and can be identified using the same criteria as one would use to diagnose Substance Use Disorder. The paradoxical nature of an addiction …

Phylogenetic Relationships Of Noctuoid Moths With An Examination Of Complex Characteristics, Melissa Sisson

Theses and Dissertations

The tribe Noctuini comprise over 520 species; many are economically important species that impact human agriculture. Despite their diversity and relevance, relationships of the Noctuini have been difficult to resolve. There are extensive morphological revisions of these taxa (e.g., Agrotis, Euxoa); however, there are no studies that focus exclusively on the phylogenetic relationships of the Noctuini. Currently, the Noctuini are separated into two subtribes, the Agrotina and Noctuina, which each are further subdivided into two subgenera. In this study, we tested previous classification schemes using three loci. We sampled three outgroup taxa and 54 noctuine species that represent the majority …

The Key Actions Of School Leaders That Contribute To Effective Implementation Of Restorative Practice, Amy L. Starzecki

Theses and Dissertations

A growing number of students are faced with significant social, emotional, and behavioral needs that translate into a variety of problem behaviors in schools. These behaviors often result in suspension or expulsion. Exclusionary discipline practices such as suspension and expulsion negatively impact student outcomes and achievement. Additionally, these practices are often disproportionately applied to specific student populations (i.e., students of color, students with disabilities, and boys). Schools across the United States are looking for alternatives to exclusionary discipline practices that remove students from classroom instruction. Restorative practice can be an alternative to traditional punitive discipline approaches by promoting strong interpersonal …

An Evaluation Of The Relationships Between Safety Management Systems (Sms), Transformational Safety Leadership, Self-Efficacy, And Safety Performance Metrics In A 14 Code Of Federal Regulation (Cfr) Part 121 Airline: A Mediation Analysis, Robert John Waltz

Theses and Dissertations

A concurrent-embedded mixed-method triangulation design evaluated observed safety outcomes at a U.S. 14 Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) Part 121 air carrier. A previously validated model that measures Safety Management Systems (SMS process engagement and SMS policy implementation), transformational safety leadership, self-efficacy, safety motivation (mediator), and safety behaviors (safety compliance and safety participation) was assessed using structural equation modeling/path analysis. Semi-structured interviews of SMS subject-matter experts and safety leaders were used to explore the impact of SMS implementation. Factual data from the carrier was examined to provide convergent or divergent information regarding the other portions of the study. The results …

Voice Of The Voiceless: Alumni Of A Rural North Dakota School Respond To Traditional Urban Solutions For Rural Education, Thomas Warman

Theses and Dissertations

Equitable school district funding is a constant challenge for state legislatures. When budgets must be trimmed, the panacea for state legislatures has traditionally been approached strictly through the lens of economic efficiency. Since small rural schools typically have a greater per pupil cost, they are often forced into consolidating with nearby districts based on size alone. This research looked at how North Dakota should approach any changes to N.D. Cent. Code § 15.1-12 (n.d.), dealing with mandatory consolidation. Two theoretical frameworks were used in this research. The first, isomorphism, examined definitions of proper school district size and have been defined …

Nursing Home Decision Satisfaction For Family Caregivers Of Older Adults, Kara Bauer

Theses and Dissertations

Nursing Home Decision Satisfaction for family caregivers who have made nursing home decisions with and on behalf of older adults was examined through Self Determination Theory. Participants (n = 297) completed the study via Amazon Mechanical Turk during March 2021. Structural equation modeling was used to assess relationships between Autonomy Support, Multicultural Inclusiveness, Perceived Competence, COVID-19, and Nursing Home Decision Satisfaction. Specifically, the relationship between the exogenous variable of Autonomy Support and the endogenous variable of Nursing Home Decision Satisfaction was partially mediated by Perceived Competence and demonstrated acceptable fit. Results suggest that Self Determination Theory is a compelling and …

Thermal Deposition Of Tin Onto Molybdenum Disulfide, Robert Boyd

Theses and Dissertations

Since the discovery of graphene and its various unique mechanical and electrical properties, the study of 2D materials has been at the forefront of material research. Transition Metal Dichalcogenides (TMDs) are often at the epicenter of research due to their chemically inert nature. In addition, their lack of dangling bonds and reliance on van der Walls interactions ease cleaning/exfoliation. Making them ideal candidates for various applications ranging from electronics to energy storage and lubrication. Sn has two allotropes α-Sn and β-Sn. α-Sn is a low-temperature phase, a semiconductor with sp hybridized covalent bonds. On the other hand, β-Sn is metallic …

Factors Associated With New Hospital Nurses' Self-Efficacy In Providing Palliative End-Of-Life Care, Penny Marie Brriese

Theses and Dissertations

Introduction: Self-efficacy is defined as confidence in one’s competence; the ability to successfully accomplish tasks and achieve favorable outcomes (Bandura, 1997). Many nurses today say they feel their undergraduate education was inadequate for them to feel competent to provide palliative and EOL patient care. (Chiplaskey, 2016; Scherlin & Quinn, 2016; Zheng et al., 2018).). Inadequate EOL preparation also results in nurses experiencing distress, death anxiety, burnout, feeling overwhelmed and leaving practice within just a few years (Friedman et al., 2011; Gaw, 2012; Kovner et al., 2006; Parry, 2008; Silverstein, 2017, November 28; Suzuki et al., 2008; Wilson & Kirshbaum, 2013). …

Transformational And Executive Coaching Framework: Perceptions Of Elementary Principals, Clayton Dodson

Theses and Dissertations

Many successful Fortune 500 corporations have hired executive and transformational coaches to help their employees maximize their potential. This coaching framework has helped business executives explore the obstacles that are preventing their institutional growth. In many cases, workplace culture has become more positive, employee mental health has improved, retention has increased, and collaboration and stakeholder partnerships have flourished. This qualitative study’s intent was to explore the implementation of a coaching framework inspired by executive and transformational coaching in public elementary schools. Novice principals of three North Dakota elementary schools were selected as participants for this study. These principals had a …

Development Of The Share Your Story Program: Understanding How Self-Stigma And Mental Health Storytelling Influence Mental Health Experiences On College Campuses, Kyle Cromer Elliott

Theses and Dissertations

Mental health is a growing concern faced by college administrators. Self-stigma is a major barrier preventing mental health utilization and recovery on college campuses. The purpose of this research study is to understand how self-stigma influences the mental health experiences of college students.

The research study builds upon narrative inquiry—Honest, Open, Proud (HOP)—and the author’s lived experiences with mental health conditions to answer the research question: “How does self-stigma influence students’ mental health experiences on college campuses?”

Findings indicate that self-stigma and self-acceptance impacted if, how, and with whom research study participants shared their mental health conditions. Findings also show …

Comparative Analysis Of Instructional Strategies To Improve Student Engagement In An Online Introductory Undergraduate French Course, Rachel Beth Dwyer

Theses and Dissertations

In the past decades, online course enrollment has steadily increased in popularity. In 2020, the Covid-19 global pandemic suddenly shifted most teaching and learning into the virtual world. The entire education system tried to quickly learn how to cope in this environment. Given the clear benefits of online learning, such as flexibility and versatility, coupled with instructors being more capable because of the pandemic, it is projected that online learning will continue to remain a popular option for students. Knowing how to best engage students in an online environment is crucial to student success. Their engagement in the course positively …

Is United States (U.S.) Policy Sufficient To Develop Earth-Moon Economic Zone Infrastructures By 2049?, Terry Jaggers

Theses and Dissertations

The nation first-to-develop infrastructures in the future Earth-Moon Economic Zone will set the standards that shape and govern use by others, increasing both economic and national power. Current U.S. economic and national power is built upon a legacy of infrastructure leadership on Earth and in Earth orbit. However, China has a goal to supplant U.S. infrastructure leadership on Earth and establish leadership before the U.S. in the Earth-Moon Economic Zone by 2049. While the U.S. acknowledges China’s terrestrial infrastructure goals as an economic challenge, China’s space infrastructure goals appear to be met as either a military challenge in Earth orbit, …

The Importance Of Inclusive Classrooms For Students With Disabilities: Research Leading To The Creation Of A Needs Assessment To Support Inclusive Classrooms, Tara Jensen

Theses and Dissertations

Inclusion of students with disabilities in the general classroom has many benefits for all students in the classroom, not just students with disabilities. Including students teaches all students kindness, compassion, and patience. For special education students, inclusion increases confidence, social skills, helps to create a sense of belonging, and makes learning more enjoyable. The purpose of this study was to see if students with disabilities make more progress being included in the general classroom with their peers or pulled into the resource room and placed on an alternate curriculum. Data was collected using progress monitoring scores and IEP goals. Results …

The Moral Foundations Of Attitudes Toward Mask Wearing, Kristen N. Leighton

Theses and Dissertations

As COVID-19 becomes endemic it is important to understand individual differences in motivation and adherence to mask wearing policies and recommendations. Mask wearing appears to be one way to protect communities, slow the spread, and save lives when COVID-19 rates spike in communities The main study aim was to examine how Moral Foundations Theory and Theory of Planned Behavior, specifically subjective norms, may explain individual differences in mask wearing to slow the spread of COVID-19. Understanding the psychological correlates of why and how often individuals wear a mask to slow the spread of COVID-19 can help community leaders, public health …