Digital Commons Network^™

The Montana Travel Industry - 2024 Summary, Melissa Weddell

Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research Publications

2024 summary infographic of the Montana travel and recreation industry.

Older Adults' Experiences Of Emergency Department Admission Decisions: A Qualitative Study In A Public Safety Net Hospital, Anita N Chary, Annika Bhananker, Beatrice Torres, Victoria Sofia Martell, Manish N Shah, Aanand D Naik

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Background: Hospital admission is a significant event in the healthcare trajectory of older adults (age 60 +). Numerous harms such as delirium, falls, and adverse medication events can arise that outweigh the benefits of admission. Little is known about how older adults feel about being hospitalized or what they think admission will achieve for them. These issues are particularly important to understand in socioeconomically disadvantaged patients, who have poor access to outpatient care and higher hospitalization rates.

Methods: We performed semi-structured interviews with emergency department (ED) patients aged 60 and older who were being admitted. The study site was a …

Association Between Food Insecurity And Chronic Eye Disease In The National Institutes Of Health's All Of Us Research Program, Ramin Talebi, Fei Yu, Victoria L. Tseng, Anne L. Coleman

SKMC Student Presentations and Publications

Purpose

Design

Participants

Methods

Main Outcome Measure(s)

The 100-Year Life And The New Family Law, Naomi Cahn, Clare Huntington, Elizabeth S. Scott

Faculty Scholarship

This chapter reflects on the future of family law in an era of longer lives. Our analysis leads us to conclude that the 100-year life is indeed likely to have an impact on the nature, scope, and definition of family law, but that families will continue to function as the primary setting for intimacy and for caregiving and caretaking, whatever form those families take. Further, the importance to both individual and social welfare of family support throughout life points to a need for reform of current family law doctrine. The impact of longer life on doctrines regulating the relationship of …

Trump Attacks On Climate Science May Violate Numerous Federal Laws, Michael B. Gerrard

Faculty Scholarship

Starting on its first day on January 20, 2025, the second Trump administration has launched an unprecedented rollback of efforts to fight climate change. The Sabin Center for Climate Change Law’s Climate Backtracker already has 117 items.

Much of this is aimed at scientific research on climate change, or has the effect of inhibiting the conduct and dissemination of this research. Many of these actions may also violate federal laws.

This article discusses these actions, some of their legal implications, and the litigation challenges that have already been brought. It begins with actions that are specifically aimed at climate research, …

Administrative Law And The Pandemic, Gillian E. Metzger

Faculty Scholarship

American administrative law’s relationship to change is, as they say, compli­cated. On the one hand, continual evolution has been an endemic feature of American administrative law. Doctrines such as Chevron deference to agency statutory interpretations were born, grew, and declined in just the period from the 1980s to today. On the other, the United States (US) Supreme Court regularly rejects such common law development in administrative law as illegitimate and insists that federal judges must adhere to the original terms of the 1946 Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and other statutes, unless the Constitution requires otherwise. And to this day scholars …

Toward A Dynamic View Of Corporate Purpose, Dorothy S. Lund

Faculty Scholarship

Scholars debating the corporation’s role in society generally advance the view that there is only one desirable orientation for corporations and their management. Specifically, proponents of a stakeholder governance model contend that focusing management on a broad set of corporate constituents maximizes overall welfare, while advocates of a shareholder-centric directive counter that prioritizing shareholders creates social welfare by rendering the firm most profitable. This Article offers another view: It suggests that the welfare-maximizing purpose for corporations could change depending on external economic conditions, which both of these positions assume away. Specifically, shareholder primacy is likely to promote welfare in a …

Registration Of High Yield Conventional Soybean 'S17-2193' With Resistance To Multiple Diseases, Francia Seconde Ravelombola, Yi-Chen Lee, Donghun Lee, Caio C. Vieira, Alemu Mengistu, Lin Feng, Grover Shannon

Crop, Soil and Environmental Sciences Faculty Publications and Presentations

'S17-2193' (Reg. no. CV-565, PI 707954) is a high-yielding late maturity group IV (relative maturity of 4.7), conventional soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] cultivar developed and released in 2022 by the University of Missouri Fisher Delta Research, Extension, and Education Center. S17-2193 was tested in over 88 environments (40 environments for preliminary, advanced, cooperative and uniform tests; and 48 environments for soybean state variety tests) from 2018 to 2021 in 10 states: Alabama, Arkansas, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Results showed that S17-2193 was well adapted across the mid-South United States. This soybean cultivar has …

Promoting Increased Consumption Of Fruits And Vegetables In Older Adults Through Self-Efficacy And Social Cohesion, Ashley Lynn Nelson

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

The purpose of this scholarly project was to design and offer a nutrition education program on fruit and vegetable consumption to a group of rural adults aged 65 and older. It was hypothesized that the nutrition program would directly motivate older adults to increase dietary consumption of fruits and vegetables. The project utilized the Health Promotion Model as the theoretical framework. To incorporate this project into a quantitative design, the methodological design that was applied is a non-experimental or observational design. This project included a four-week educational program in the Spring of 2023 that provided information on the importance of …

Improving Breast Cancer Modifiable Risk Factor Knowledge Among Patients In A High Risk Breast Cancer Prevention Clinic In The Midwest, Bailee Torneden

Doctor of Nursing Practice Scholarly Project

Preventative health care is the best choice in moving forward to reduce disease incidence. In the case of breast cancer, prevention clinics have been set up for those who have been determined as a high risk status for developing breast cancer over the course of their lifetime. There are many risk factors for breast cancer that are out of the patient’s control, but there are lifestyle health behaviors that could be implemented to lower the patient’s risk. The potential impact of these can not only lower the incidence of breast cancer, but can be linked with reduction of other disease …

The Effects Of Covid-19 On Educators In South Mississippi, Alexis Papp

Honors Theses

This study was focused on discovering what may have caused educators in kindergarten through 8^th grade classrooms in mid-south Mississippi to leave or consider leaving the profession as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic within different content areas. Participants identified issues within the system that diminished their abilities to educate their students effectively and this diminishment was related to the pandemic. Research from “Mississippi Teachers Are Eyeing the Exit” (Ballard, 2023) and “Teachers’ Dissatisfaction during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Factors Contributing to a Desire to Leave the Profession” (Gillani, 2022) showed that teachers were having strong difficulties during the pandemic …

Filipino Music In The Sphere Of Multicultural Music Education: A Survey Of Preservice Teachers, Lauren Johnson

Honors Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore how preservice music teachers (i.e., students who are preparing to become music teachers) viewed diversifying music curricula, specifically regarding music from the Philippines, an archipelagic nation in Southeast Asia. Additionally, this research explored preservice music teachers’ cultural identities and how those identities influenced their beliefs and opinions about teaching. “Culture” was defined by Merriam-Webster (n.d.) as “the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group.” Although there is a diverse population of students throughout schools in the United States, limited research has been conducted about incorporating …

Nostalgia, Economic Revitalization, And Community Relationships In Hattiesburg's Recent Historic Preservation Efforts, Jordan Jones

Honors Theses

This paper examines the reasons behind the modern interest in historic preservation in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and argues that its supporters are driven primarily by nostalgia towards what they envision as “Old Hattiesburg” and its aesthetics, interest in economic opportunities, and the strengthened sense of community made possible through historic preservation. From the foundation of Hattiesburg to today, there have been shifts in interest in Downtown and its historic districts, and they fluctuate based on changing political, economic, and social trends. In order to contextualize Hattiesburg’s historic preservation, this thesis draws upon secondary scholarship on historic preservation, economic revitalization, and historical …

Open-Label Randomized Controlled Trial And Feasibility Study Of An Oral Probiotic Intervention To Reduce Group B Streptococcus Colonization In Pregnant People By The Time Of Birth, Katrina Nardini, Lisa Hanson, Noelle Borders, Maharaj Singh, Anna Shields, Victoria Y. Trujillo, Robyn Lawton, Emily Malloy

College of Nursing Faculty Research and Publications

Introduction

The purpose of this midwife-led study was to determine the feasibility of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of probiotics to reduce group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization by the time of birth in healthy, GBS-positive, pregnant adults.

Methods

An open-label randomized clinical trial comparing Florajen Digestion, a commercially available combination oral probiotic, with usual care (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04721912) was conducted in a midwifery practice serving a racially and ethnically diverse population. Eligible patients who tested positive for GBS at routine third-trimester screening were offered informed consent and participation. The primary outcome was feasibility for a larger RCT, including feasibility of probiotic …

The Effectiveness Of Science Instruction With Digital Simulations In Elementary Settings For Quantitative Sensemaking, Joelle Prate

Education (PhD) Dissertations

The importance of elementary science education is well-documented, but many challenges persist, including a lack of time, space, and materials needed for students to have hands-on lab experiences. As a result, many students in California are falling behind, with less than one-third of all fifth graders meeting or exceeding standards in standardized test reporting. This study sought to employ single-case design methods and combine the best practices in sensemaking approaches with virtual simulations to determine whether these practices would provide effective intervention and improve students’ blended math and science sensemaking abilities at the qualitative and quantitative levels, as well as …

The Kids Aren’T Alright: Changes In The Mental Health Of Adolescents Post-Covid-19, Tanya Belom

Education (PhD) Dissertations

Mental health is an increasing concern for today’s youth, with one in six U.S. children and adolescents aged 6-17 experiencing a mental health disorder each year, and 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14. The COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in lockdowns, social isolation, school closures, and ultimately a disruption in everyday life, is believed to have adversely impacted the mental health of children and adolescents. There is limited research available on the impacts of the pandemic on adults, and even less research is available on the impact of the pandemic on youth, specifically as we navigate the …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Workplace Experiences To Inform Transition Services For Neurodivergent Youth, Rachel M. Torres

Education (PhD) Dissertations

Individuals with disabilities, including neurodivergent individuals, are employed are significantly lower rates than individuals without disabilities (Bureau of Labor Statistics [BLS], 2023). Although secondary schools are responsible for engaging in transition planning for students with disabilities (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 2004), research indicates these plans are often lacking in efficacy (Greene, 2015) and in their alignment with students’ interests and needs (Hughes et al., 2023). Simultaneously, modern work and the skills students need succeed in today’s workforce are changing (Griffiths et al., 2020). The goal of the present study is to improve transition planning and interventions by better understanding …

Pláticas, Reflexiones, Y Resistencia: Exploring How First-Generation Latino Males Leverage Community Cultural Wealth In Education-Based Doctoral Programs, Daniel Noriega

Education (PhD) Dissertations

The Latino/a community is the largest ethnic minority group in the United States and continues to grow. Although enrollment in higher education is on the rise, Latino/a students complete their degrees at lower rates than their white counterparts. This disparity is further magnified when accounting for gender, with Latina women outpacing Latino men at every educational milestone. Disparities in doctorate attainment lead to the underrepresentation of Latino men in student support or leadership positions, which may negatively impact the success of Latino students. This qualitative study examines how First-Generation Latino males leverage Community Cultural Wealth (CCW) to navigate systemic barriers …

Exploring The Impact Of Inclusive Education Knowledge On School Administrators' Attitudes: A Quantitative Analysis Of Influencing Factors And Leadership Preparedness, Michelle Everitt

Education (PhD) Dissertations

Federal laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) establish the legal foundation for inclusive education and mandate that students with disabilities (SWD) receive access to education in the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE). To achieve the high-stakes accountability standards of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), schools are also responsible for ensuring academic progress for all students, including those with disabilities. However, simply complying with these policies does not guarantee meaningful participation for SWD. School administrators play a central role in advancing inclusive education, yet …

Narratives Of Resistance: Undergraduate Chicanas Navigating The World With Critical Literacy And A Mestiza Praxis, Elena Marquez

Education (PhD) Dissertations

Against a backdrop of rising fascism in the racial-capitalist patriarchy of the U.S., this dissertation study explores the questions, “How do Chicanas in undergraduate programs develop criticality to take action against systems of oppression, and how do they make sense of their social positioning, and what leads them to activism?” This narrative study utilized the theoretical frameworks of critical pedagogy and Chicana feminist epistemology. Guided by decolonizing methodologies, the findings include the narratives of five Chicanas devised from one-on-one research conversations, as well as cross-case data from small group discussions. The themes that emerged from the data led to the …

Reducing Stigma Around Neurodiversity Through The Use Of Celebratory Technology Ice Breakers In First-Year Undergraduate Classrooms, Briana Craig

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (MS) Theses

Celebratory technology for Neurodiversity is a new paradigm in the field of human computer interaction; it focuses on reducing stigma surrounding neurodivergent labels and behaviors. Celebratory technology aims to highlight the strengths of neurodiversity rather than fixing socially undesired traits, shifting the responsibility for change from neurodivergent individuals to society's attitudes. Stigma reduction can be accomplished through providing high quality interactions, where anyone can meet and learn about positive traits in others as well as learn of interests' others have in common, thus reframing neurodivergence as inclusion in human diversity rather than a condition to be stigmatized or objectified. This …

Connecting The Montessori Philosophy Through Edtech, Olivia Chilvers

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (MS) Theses

This thesis explores the evolving landscape of Educational Technology (EdTech) and examines how the Montessori educational philosophy is translated into digital learning environments. The study aims to identify design implications for children’s educational applications (apps) that seek to align with Montessori principles and what aspects of a Montessori-based application excel over a non-Montessori-based application. A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted using a custom-developed codebook to analyze user reviews posted by guardians of children on the Apple App Store. These reviews pertained to apps identified as Montessori-based, either through explicit labeling or meta-data. In addition to this review analysis, a user …

An Analysis Of Bias Towards Women In Large Language Models Using Likert Scale Evaluations, Sarah T. Fieck

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (MS) Theses

Closed-source large language models (LLMs) developed by large technology companies continue to grow in popularity. However, ethical conversations surrounding the safety of model outputs have been a prominent topic of discussion. This project aims to assess three leading closed-source LLMs: OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Anthropic’s Claude, to analyze how their outputs perform when treated as a subject of several psychological evaluation scales measuring biased behaviors against women. The Ambivalent Sexism Index, Modern Sexism Scale, and Belief in Sexism Shift evaluations were used to get descriptions of how the LLMs respond to traditional and modern prompts involving sexism and gender …

Queer X Trans Memoir: In Sight Of An Embodied History, Rhyan Warmerdam

English (MA) Theses

Are queer and trans identities innate or constructed? What constitutes a queer or trans identity? What prompts a person to identify with a particular queer or trans identity category? Prominent queer theorist Judith Butler contends that “There is no gender identity behind the expressions of gender; that identity is performatively constituted” (Butler, Gender Trouble 34). However, many scholars have claimed that Butler’s theory is “not compatible with lived experience” (McCann & Monaghan 134). This project utilizes the genre of memoir to gain insight into lived experiences to put this theory to the test. Through a mini historical archive of twelve …

"Homesick For You:" An Archival Analysis Of Love Letters From World War Ii, Cambria B. Acheson

English (MA) Theses

In this project, I cherish and explore a collection of correspondence exchanged between a married couple during World War II. Applying an embodied research approach that incorporates archival, historical, and cultural studies, I analyze key elements of these letters with special attention for themes of love and family, valuing their insights to touching personal stories that nuance the dominant narratives of history. I contend for the preservation and discussion of these letters and similar artifacts, advocating for their lasting significance within both past and present contexts and their irreplaceable contributions to the cultivation of collective memory and empathy across generations.

Navacaprant, A Novel And Highly Selective Kappa Opioid Receptor Antagonist, In Adults With Major Depressive Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind Phase 2 Clinical Trial, Sanjay J Mathew, Andrew J Cutler, Nicole C Visitacion, Michael Gold, Jason Yuan, Bill Aurora

Staff and Researcher Publications

PURPOSE/BACKGROUND: This phase 2a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 8-week trial assessed the efficacy and safety of navacaprant, a highly selective kappa opioid receptor antagonist, in adults with major depressive disorder (MDD).

METHODS/PROCEDURES: Participants with 17-Item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17) scores of 14 to 30 were randomized 1:1 to once-daily navacaprant 80 mg or placebo (n = 102 each). The primary endpoint was HAMD-17 change from baseline (CFB) to week 8. Secondary endpoints included CFB in Snaith-Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS). No adjustment for multiple comparisons was made.

FINDINGS/RESULTS: At week 8, HAMD-17 CFB was not statistically significantly improved with navacaprant vs …

Does Privacy Have Any Impact On Self-Disclosure? A Systematic Review Of Relevant Studies, Ashraf Sharif, Khalid Mahmood, Shafiq Ur Rehman

Libraries

The study aims to collect and review (systematically) literature that investigates the impact of privacy on self-disclosure using Facebook. Another purpose of the review is to identify the theories/ models applied/tested, the software used for data analysis in the reviewed research, the quality of the reviewed studies, and the countries leading in terms of publishing on the topic. The research also intends to shed light on the privacy-related aspects covered in the published studies. The researchers searched four databases: Scopus, Web of Science, Library, Information Science and Technology Abstracts (LISTA), and Google Scholar to collect and review the literature on …

Hypercoagulable And Autoimmune Factors In Patients With Moyamoya Syndrome, Justin F. Fraser, Min Jian Hou Ma, Christopher Mclouth, Laura Whitnel, Jessica Lasslo, David Dornbos Iii, Jill Roberts

Neuroscience Research Data

Moyamoya is a progressive cerebrovascular condition leading to stenosis of the internal carotid arteries (ICA) and formation of abnormal vasculature at the base of the brain. Patients ultimately suffer from ischemic and/or hemorrhagic stroke. In Kentucky, patients often present with comorbidities, which classifies them as having moyamoya syndrome (MMS). In this prospective observational study, we measured coagulable- and autoimmune-related factors in MMS subjects to identify possible therapeutic targets and help inform clinical care. Venous blood samples were collected from adult subjects diagnosed with MMS and analyzed by the UK Healthcare Clinical Laboratory. Blood samples, demographics, and medical records were obtained …

Beyond The Legislature’S Website: Strategies And Tools For State Legislative Research That Informs Advocacy Work, Jennifer Horne

Library Faculty and Staff Publications

As the nation’s state legislatures increasingly decide the issues that affect citizens most directly, the ability to identify, track, and understand state legislation is key to successful advocacy efforts. While all state legislative websites provide the status and authoritative text of the bill, this may be insufficient to understand what the bill seeks to do and why the change is being proposed. To find plain English summaries and necessary context and background information on proposed bills, advocates may also need to find appropriate news sources and identify key stakeholders—those who care the most about the bill or are the most …

Incentivizing Lower Drug Prices Through Patent Extension, Meyke A. Kang

North Carolina Law Review

No abstract provided.