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Genomic And Phenotypic Insights Into The Mechanisms Of Adaptation In High-Elevation Deer Mice, Keely R. Corder

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The study of adaptation to extreme environments offers a lens to explore the fundamental processes of evolution. Organisms living in challenging conditions, such as high elevation, must evolve a suite of physiological and genetic adaptations to survive and thrive. However, our understanding of the mechanisms underlying such adaptations and the processes driving their evolution remains incomplete. This dissertation aims to expand our knowledge of adaptive evolution in extreme environments by integrating genomic, phenotypic, and demographic data in the North American deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus), a model system for high-altitude adaptation. The dissertation addresses three main gaps in knowledge: (1) the …

Understanding Cellular Dynamics: Investigating A Yeast-Two Hybrid Protein-Protein Interaction, Riok3:Cse1l; Also By Investigating Trogocytosis Of Cd4+ T Cells From Rhog-/- Mice, Brittnee N. Crane

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a negative-sense virus that was first described in 1930 when it was isolated from sheep during an outbreak. In the last 25 years there has been a spread in the geographical range into the Middle East. The most susceptible animals are cattle, goats, sheep, and camels. The most overt symptom of livestock infection is that infected pregnant animals experience spontaneous abortion. Humans are susceptible as well and symptoms range from mild febrile illness to liver necrosis, blindness, hemorrhagic fever, and death. An important player in the cellular innate response to RVFV infections is the …

Seeing, Thinking, Doing – A Multifaceted Model To Embrace Uncertainty In Mine Planning, Christopher James Roos

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This dissertation summarizes a multifaceted model for embracing uncertainty within the modern mine planning process. This model – Seeing, Thinking, Doing – aims to introduce technical staff within the mining industry to modern visualization and quantification tools that can aid with understanding and communicating the impact of uncertainty on the optimization of their mine plans.

The dissertation follows the “three-paper” format with the first paper, Modern Visualization to Aid in Communication of Mine Planning Uncertainty, presenting the first aspect of the multifaceted model – seeing. With complex, spatial data, such as the geologic estimate of a mineral deposit, …

A Social-Ecological Approach To Evaluating Short-Term Water Leasing For Streamflow Conservation In Montana, Usa, Logan A. Brauer

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Streams throughout Montana are increasingly caught between increasing temperatures, decreasing summer precipitation, and heavy water demand for irrigated agriculture. Amid rapidly growing urban populations and uncertain climatic futures, many watersheds in Montana may face water shortages that impact aquatic species and habitat in the upcoming years. Conservation efforts around the state are working to mitigate water stress in these streams especially during the late summer season, when streamflow is naturally lower, and/or in times of drought. One policy solution to address low flows is a concept known as temporary leasing or split season leasing programs (SSLP), whereby an entity (e.g., …

Water And Hornets And Bears – Oh My: When Nature Disregards Human-Made Boundaries, Bonnie M. Pace

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

Nurture Through Nature – The Impact Of The Environment On Prospective Memory, Emily Catherine Hicks

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

There is a need for brief, accessible interventions to improve cognitive functioning, including prospective memory. Previous research has found that exposure to nature is linked to benefits for cognition and mood, including improved executive function, working memory, creativity, attention, and mood. However, there is a dearth of literature exploring the relationship between nature exposure and prospective memory. Additionally, benefits for cognition and mood have been observed with direct nature exposure and indirect exposure through videos and images. The present study sought to evaluate the impact of natural setting versus urban setting video exposure on prospective memory, creativity, hope, and affect. …

Unlocking The West: A Critique Of Previous Statutory Attempts And A Proposed Statutory Solution To Allow Access To Corner-Locked Public Land, Sawyer J. Connelly

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Across the American West, 9.52 million acres of federal and state public lands are inaccessible to the public. The legality of accessing much of those public lands through corner-crossing is unclear in the law because, in the infinitesimal space where four corners of land meet in a checkerboard pattern, there is ambiguity; neither private landowners nor the public can assert an exclusive right or absolute control without infringing upon the rights of the other. This paper discusses the origins of landlocked public land, common law doctrines that inform legal actors in this space, and analyzes federal statute and state legislative …

The National Football League's Problem, Marley R. Merchen

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The National Football League has a decades-long problem addressing within its highest coaching levels. has long been negotiated within the sports community through gender and race. This paper provides insights into what equality means in sports by analyzing the use of the ideograph in the NFL's discourse. The author examines the NFL's problem and how it is negotiated within hiring practices. The lack of within the league is seen through three different problems: the “pipeline problem,” the “Black problem,” and the “competency problem.” The NFL and its critics use these problems to address the significant disparity between

Black players and …

Complexities Of Companionship: Exploring The Human-Dog Relationship Through Mtdna Analysis Of Bridge River Canine Remains, Seth Warnick

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) hold an unquantifiable level of cultural influence and companionship across swathes of societies all over the globe. While dogs are genetically very distinct from Homo sapiens, throughout human history the two organisms have spread across the world together and have biologically gone through similar selective, social, and environmental constraints. Today the biological makeup of dog breeds is incredibly diverse, however, the archaeological record and genetic research has provided insight into the humble beginnings of a relationship between humans and dogs that has transcended the fabric of emerging civilization itself. Located on the Northwest interior plateau, Bridge …

Repatriation And A Biological Profile Of Indigenous Remains Of West Texas, Haley P. Rebardi

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) was created in response to the injustice, mishandling, looting, and trafficking of Native American remains and cultural artifacts. However, even with the latest amendment in December of 2023, there are still gray areas in the context and language. Notably, an issue with NAGPRA is the act only includes institutions and organizations that receive and are supported by Federal funding. Consequently, the act does not cover private collections. The main concern in these contexts is the lack of communication, awareness, and/or permission with and from descendant tribes or potential descendants when it …

Siksikaitsitapi Returning The Gaze On Human & Wildlife Interactions, Celina C. Gray

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

In Niitawahsii–our home territory, the ecoregion of the Siksikaitsitapi–Blackfoot Confederacy, a Traditional Ecological Knowledge Application (TEKA) for socio-ecological research was developed. Aawaaahsskataiks–elders and extant literature identified a need to develop shared understanding regarding strong connections to wildlife niksokowaiks–relatives, through Siksikaitsitapi Traditional Ecological Knowledge (S-TEK). Multistage chain referral sampling, semi-structured interviews and grounded theory coding & analysis from Western science, i.e. Napikowaiks–non-natives’ research methods, were adjusted like to align with kipaitapiwahsinnooni–the Blackfoot paradigm of traditional knowledge; and more generally, Indigenous Research Methods. The result was a rigorous qualitative human-dimension of wildlife research TEKA; for use by Siksikaitsitapi and others interested in …

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. …

Temporal And Spatial Connectivity And The Impacts Of Hydropower In The Magdalena River Basin, Colombia, Serena Lynn Butler

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Tropical regions hold untapped hydropower potential, but dam construction often adversely impacts multiple dimensions of connectivity in river systems, rigorous evaluation of which is often lacking. This study investigates temporal and spatial dimensions of longitudinal and lateral connectivity in the Magdalena River Basin, Colombia, a region with ongoing and planned hydropower projects. Limited in-situ monitoring data is a common challenge in tropical rivers. To address this, we utilized satellite imagery from Landsat (via Google Earth Engine) and Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) data. We examined alterations in the flow regime over time and relative to dam construction. We also …

Integrating Western Science And Indigenous Knowledge For Just Practices In Conservation, Cierra Lea Keith

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

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 …

Genetic And Environmental Factors Shaping Precision Medicine With Rural And Tribal Populations In Montana, Jack William Staples

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Precision medicine aims to optimize healthcare based on individual genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, offering the potential to reduce health disparities. However, rural and Tribal communities remain underrepresented in precision medicine research, which threatens to exacerbate existing health inequities. My dissertation research aims to reduce health disparities in rural and Tribal communities in Montana through community-based participatory research (CBPR) and genetic studies. We partnered with research participants of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT) on the Flathead Reservation and Shodair Children’s Hospital (Shodair) to conduct two primary studies.

In the first study, we investigated genetic and seasonal determinants of …

Application And Development Of Conjugation Technology To Enhance Therapeutic Index Of Tlr7/8 Agonists For Vaccines, Noah Robert Powers

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Toll-like receptor 7/8 (TLR7/8) agonists represent a promising vaccine adjuvant target as they directly activate innate Th1-type proinflammatory responses inducing both humoral and cell mediated immunity. However, co-delivery of the small molecule agonists with subunit antigens to the target dendritic cells (DCs) is difficult due to their highly divergent physical and chemical properties resulting in rapid dissociation of the two components. Conjugation of adjuvant to antigen can co-deliver to DCs, mimicking the natural infection these cells have evolved to detect though successful formulation can be difficult due to poor aqueously soluble adjuvants and antigen instability. We have previously shown and …

Parent And Guardian: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Of Sexual And Gender Minority-Affirming Caregivers, Kelly Marie Davis

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Studies consistently demonstrate that sexual and gender minority (SGM) youth experience mental health disparities when compared to their heterosexual, cisgender peers due to identity-based stressors (Meyer, 2003). Given the startling rates at which this population experiences mental health challenges, there has been an ever-increasing focus on prevention and intervention efforts to promote resilience and well-being among SGM youth. Over the past several decades, scholars studying resilience in development have identified the importance of effective caregiving in buffering against adversity. However, little is known about the specific practices that caregivers of SGM youth might employ to strengthen their relationships and 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 …

Quantifying Mass And Heat Fluxes On The Western Greenland Ice Sheet With Observational Data And Modeling, Jun Saito

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

In this dissertation, I use in situ and satellite based observational data combined with numerical model output to examine various problems which are important to the surface mass balance of the Greenland Ice Sheet. In Chapter 1, I present the research background relevant to Chapters 2, 3 and 4, highlighting the contribution of ice mass loss from the Greenland Ice Sheet to sea level rise and examining shifts in its mass loss mechanisms. In Chapter 2, I conducted a comprehensive assessment of multi-decadal elevation changes on land-terminating glaciers in West Greenland, utilizing diverse remote sensing data sources. While previous regional …

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 …

Weaving The Web: Faculty’S Multilayered Approach To Problems Of Professional Competence (Ppc), Sabina Ramilievna Sabyrkulova

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

In Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) programs, doctoral students assume five primary professional roles: counseling, teaching, supervision, research, and leadership/advocacy. Counselor educators bear the responsibility of assessing doctoral students’ professional development in these roles, encompassing professional dispositions and competence. This study explores how counselor educators in CES programs experience and address problems of professional competence (PPC) among doctoral students. Given the limited research on this topic, a constructivist grounded theory approach was employed. The study involved eight counselor educators from CACREP-accredited CES doctoral programs. Data collection included semi-structured interviews conducted in two rounds, followed by member checks. Data analysis followed …

Cultural Matching And Identity Safety In K-12 Schools: An Indigenous Research Paradigm, Ashton T. Smith

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Native American and Alaska Native (NA/AN) persons are resilient and have learned to overcome the intergenerational effects of colonization and find new ways to be Native American and Alaska Native in this contemporary life. Learning and well-being are integral values for Native American and Alaska Native people, but finding an appropriate way to approach education and learning can be difficult for Native American and Alaska Native people, especially when historically, the colonial-based systems have been created for them to fail. Because cultural matching and identity safety (CM/IS) for Native American and Alaska Native people in other environments (e.g., psychotherapy, child-welfare …

Turbulence Resistant Schools: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of Educational Leadership In Central And Eastern Europe, Sofia Reis

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The expanding complexity and increasing disruptions of our world affects schools. During both stable and unstable times, successful educational leaders support their schools’ ability to accomplish their core mission: student learning and development. Using a qualitative approach, this research explored experiences of educational leaders who established schools in Central and Eastern Europe during the post-Soviet era and continue leading them to this day. The central question was: What is the lived experience of successful assertive educational leaders as they navigate extreme turbulence? In this study, leadership is understood as a collegial activity determined by the context where it is embedded, …

Testosterone Administration In Premenopausal Women, Kaeli Nichol Shockley

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Testosterone administration is a relatively uncommon practice in the United States. Women are at risk of having health issues that could be remedied by low-dose testosterone administration via transdermal patch or topical cream. This paper explores the potential health and wellness benefits of administering low-dose testosterone to premenopausal women. Low-dose Testosterone may improve depression scores as well as upregulate markers of bone formation in women with anorexia nervosa. Higher testosterone was associated with increased muscle mass and muscular strength in collegiate female athletes. Testosterone given at lower doses increases muscle mass and exercise performance in college-age women. Overall, testosterone supplementation …

Transforming 3rd-Grade Instruction: Six Practical Lesson Plans Framed Around Ai And Udl To Promote Inclusive Learning Spaces, Ailsa J. Gilbert

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This paper examines how Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and artificial intelligence (AI) can be combined to support diverse learners in third-grade classrooms. The paper begins with a literature review, including sections on inclusive education, multicultural education, teacher burnout, and the current use of AI in educational settings. Building off of this foundation, readers are presented with six UDL-framed lesson plans designed for a hypothetical third-grade class of 25 students. Using children’s literature such as Charlotte’s Web, Jim Thorpe’s Bright Path, and Just Ask: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You, these lessons incorporate AI-generated accommodations from platforms …

The Relationship Between Teacher Agency And Occupational Well-Being Among Primary School Teachers, Hongbo Yu

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Primary school teachers’ occupational well-being has been highly discussed in recent years. Improving professional ability, teaching achievement, teaching seminars, teacher-student relations, and colleague relations make teachers busy and unfulfilled. Teachers, reporting decreases in their overall well-being, are experiencing higher burnout rates, increased workloads, higher levels of negative emotions, and negative internalization symptoms.

This study addressed the relationship between agency and occupational well-being among primary school teachers in Hongshan District. Teacher agency, defined as the capacity of teachers to act purposefully and constructively to direct their professional growth and influence their work environment, is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in …

The Relationship Between Perceived Transformational Leadership Of Leaders And Job Satisfaction Among Public University Teachers In Jinzhou, Benfeng Yu

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Teachers’ job satisfaction(JS) is one of the key factors in university development and is regarded as the main variable in evaluating the effectiveness of human resources. Transformational leaders can effectively involve and motivate teachers to generate new visions and teaching practices. However, few studies have been conducted in China to examine the effects of transformational leadership on teachers’ JS. Thus, this paper showcased a quantitative study that explored the relationship between the perceived Chinese transformational leadership(CTL) of leaders and teachers’ JS. The theoretical framework was built on teachers’ JS and CTL theory in the Chinese context.

A non-experimental correlational-comparative methodology …

Effectiveness Of An Evolution-Based Serious Game On Motivation And Achievement Of Secondary-Level Science Students, Bradford John Fruechte

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Getting students to engage with schoolwork is not always an easy task. Lessons that have elements of games (gamified lessons) and serious games (those created for education) have the potential to increase motivation, which may also improve learning outcomes. But research has found mixed results on the achievement effects of educational games, and not enough research has shown the effectiveness of educational games on evolution-related topics specifically (Bjoerner & Hansen, 2010). This study aimed to implement a game that revolves around the mechanisms of evolution and evaluated that game’s effects on secondary-level students’ motivation and learning. Four middle school life …

A Study On The Relationship Between College Teachers’ Perception Of Professional Learning Communities And Self-Efficacy, Hongli Jia

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The purpose of this quantitative survey study was to investigate the relationship between college teachers’ perceptions of the professional learning community and teacher self-efficacy. Drawing on quantitative data from a sample of 367 college teachers in Inner Mongolia in China during the 2023-2024 school year, the research investigated the impact of PLC participation on self-efficacy across different career stages and majors.

The findings revealed a medium positive correlation between college teachers’ perception in PLCs and teacher self-efficacy. The regression model indicated that collective learning and application and shared personal practice significantly influenced the overall teacher self-efficacy, but shared and supportive …