Digital Commons Network^™

Sarmiento: A Town, A Lake And A Glimpse Toward The Global Water Crisis, Victoria Traxler

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

No abstract provided.

Navigating Conservation Planning For A Small Land Trust, Megan Elise Euclide

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

In the face of ongoing biodiversity loss and limited resources, the urgency for effective conservation strategies and planning is vital. This paper explains key components and principles of effective conservation planning, applicable across various temporal and spatial scales, institutional contexts, and motivations for conservation. These components encompass framing the conservation planning problem, devising solutions, and implementing strategies. Effective planning efforts are supported by principles such as formulating a clear purpose statement, establishing objectives, addressing critical uncertainties, integrating knowledge into decision-making processes, and embracing flexibility and iteration. Incorporating these elements into conservation planning enhances decision-makers' ability to make informed decisions, ultimately …

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

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

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

Habitat Selection And Connectivity Of Mountain Lions (Puma Concolor) Across Anthropogenic Barriers On The Olympic Peninsula: A Multi-Method Comparison, Thomas R. Barbee

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Designing and maintaining effective wildlife corridors is an increasingly important conservation challenge in today’s fragmenting landscapes. GPS-based resource selection functions and camera-based occupancy models are both well-established staples of wildlife connectivity analyses and corridor planning, but each have notable trade-offs in cost and data resolution. Wildlife organizations worldwide rely heavily on camera-based occupancy modelling to plan wildlife corridors, especially where resource limitations or ethical concerns prohibit the use of GPS tags. If spatial connectivity maps from occupancy models could be shown to capture the essential elements of animal movement well enough to identify functionally equivalent corridors to those identified in …

Effects Of Mortality Risk And Ecological Conditions On Songbird Movement, Foraging, Parental Care, And Body Mass Management, Timothy Robert Forrester

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Examining why species vary in behavior and life history strategies is a fundamental part of ecology and evolution. Yet, due to the difficulties of quantifying behavior in the field, we know surprisingly little about how species spend their time and energy daily, why interspecific differences occur, and what are the physiological and demographic consequences of these differences. In this dissertation, I use songbirds to examine the influence of ultimate selection pressures (e.g., mortality risk) and proximate ecological conditions (e.g., temperature) on foraging and reproductive behavior. I also examine the influence of reproductive behaviors on fitness correlates (e.g., body mass, reproductive …

To Revise Or Not To Revise: How Feedback Type, Interpersonal Liking, And Messenger Credibility Influence Revision, Rachel Jane Jensen

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Revisions inevitably occur during project creation and curation; many of which are influenced by received feedback. Previous research has highlighted the role goals, perceptions of self, and task complexity play in revision, but little research has examined how feedback type and an individual’s feelings toward their feedback giver influence revision. A quasi-experimental design examined how feedback type (additive, subtractive, or none), interpersonal liking for a feedback-giver, and perceived credibility of a feedback-giver affected students’ (n = 155) willingness to revise, self-reports of revision, and calculated actual revision score. Results indicated that participants in a feedback-receiving condition reported higher levels of …

Peoples Of India: The Use Of Craniometric Data To Distinguish A Separate Ancestral Group, Stephanie A. Craig

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The Peoples of India come from an area with a long history of migrations into and out of the area. This area is considered the second most diverse genetically outside of Africa. Many would group these people as Asian due to the country’s location. However, when studies are done on the skeletal remains from this area, the remains tend to give results of mixed or indeterminate ancestry unless the analyst is familiar with identifying Peoples of India. This study aims to determine the Peoples of India as a separate ancestral group separated from Asians, Europeans, and Africans. To do this, …

Drought Conditioning Conifer Seedlings For Post-Fire Management And Climate Change Adaptation, Anna C. Ross

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Increased frequency, severity, and duration of drought and increased wildfire severity are together impacting forests of the western U.S. To encourage forest ecosystem resilience to these changing disturbance regimes, there is a need for novel silvicultural techniques that develop seedlings capable of establishing in hotter and drier climates. We evaluated the morphological and physiological effects of a drought conditioning treatment applied in a greenhouse on second- year ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), western white pine (Pinus monticola), and western larch (Larix occidentalis) seedlings. Treatments included a well-watered control (75% of container capacity) and a water-limited …

A Comparison Of Concurrent Training And Moderate Intensity Continuous Training In Patients With Coronary Artery Disease, Amanda Alfaro-Chaverri, John Quindry, Charles Dumke, Brian Loyd

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) is the most studied method in cardiac rehabilitation (CR) for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Traditionally, resistance training has been utilized as a secondary role in CR. Recent interest in the topic suggests that MICT and resistance training should be applied collectively, an approach termed concurrent training (CT). The collective understanding of the potential of CT in CR patients is currently lacking.

Purpose: The aim of this professional paper is to analyze scientific evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of CT versus MICT. The analysis will focus on five primary measurements: exercise capacity, cardiovascular …

Big Sky Above, Big Space Below: Montana Is A Frontier For Deep Carbon Storage, Najifa Farhat

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The Snowy River Carbon Sequestration Project in southeastern Montana aims to store carbon dioxide emissions from two Wyoming power plants deep underground. This project aligns with new federal pollution regulations emphasizing carbon storage. Previously, carbon capture and storage (CCS) was mainly used to enhance oil production, but it's now transitioning to focus solely on emission reduction due to government incentives. The project represents Montana's first venture into using public lands for carbon storage, a trend expected to grow significantly with future federal mandates. Fossil fuel companies are investing heavily in CCS technology, with an eye on emission reduction rather than …

Happy Groups: An Evaluation Of A Brief Positive Psychology Intervention With Adolescents, Lillian Cheri Martz

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This manuscript style dissertation investigates the impact of a brief positive psychology group intervention on both wellbeing and academic achievement among adolescents. Two experimental research studies were conducted to address this. Participants from a local high school engaged in a brief small group positive psychology intervention in both studies. The first study focused on wellbeing outcomes. Wellbeing was assessed using self-report questionnaires measuring depression, anxiety, stress, hope, school connection, and overall wellbeing. Utilizing a multiple baseline design with each participant serving as their own control group, changes between baseline to intervention were measured. Results indicated significant reductions in anxiety and …

Wildfire-Specific Fine Particulate Matter Exposure Impacts On Influenza Across The Western United States, Ava Shulin Orr

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Background: In recent years, air pollution, particularly fine particulate matter (PM2.5) originating from wildfire smoke, has surged despite declining anthropogenic emissions. This trend has led to concerning adverse health effects across many different morbidity and mortality outcomes. Still, many gaps remain in understanding of how wildfire-specific smoke impacts our health, including how to isolate the contribution of wildfire-originating PM2.5 within the total ambient or background PM2.5, as well as how and when delayed wildfire smoke exposure will impact certain disease outcomes, and relevant to this dissertation, particularly for communicable respiratory infections, such as influenza.

Purpose: The purpose of this research …

A Soil-Plant-Atmosphere Continuum Model To Simulate Seedling Response To Water Stress, Michael Kurt Kendree Jr.

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Most current ecohydrologic models simplify the hydraulics that are at play in plant-water relationships by assuming that the water content within the plant is static. In reality, plants have a relative water content that varies with time in response to environmental stresses. To some extent, variations in plant relative water content are regulated by changes in the osmotic potential of water within plant cells, which contributes to the resilience of plants during periods of water shortage. We present a model that simulates plant water transport and storage within the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum. The model incorporates the role of osmotic regulation in …

A Sport Coach's Role In Motivating Athletes, Tarek Farouk

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Athlete motivation, sport psychology, and coaching are intricately connected through the purpose of increasing athletic performance, persistence, and overall success. As mentors, sport coaches play an integral role in affecting an athlete’s motivation by tending to their psychological needs to perform optimally. This paper explores how coaches can leverage visualization, verbal encouragement, mental imagery, and goal setting as ways to enhance athlete motivation and improve performance. By integrating these techniques, coaches can create a supportive and motivating environment that fosters both physical and psychological development in athletes. The paper also examines the principles of sport psychology, emphasizing the importance of …

Andrew Tate, Matt Walsh, And The Discursive Production And Policing Of Gender, Alan J. Bandyk, Alan J. Bandyk

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This thesis utilizes the works of Judith Butler, Simone de Beauvoir, Frederic Jameson, and Edward Said in a discourse analysis of influencers and writers in the right wing "manosphere." The figures analyzed herein are Andrew Tate and Matt Walsh. Their rhetoric aims to create a discursive woman who embodies traditional notions of gender and sex that de Beauvoir critiqued in 1949. The constant adherence and reference to a mythical past exhibits ways of thinking that coincide perfectly with Jameson's own theoretical work with the term and its inherent false nostalgia. Tate's and Walsh's efforts also fall into discursive attempts at …

Reimagining The Accuracy Of The Lovejoy Et Al. (1985) Age Estimation Method Of The Auricular Surface Of The Ilium Through Modern Color Photographs, Alyssa L. Edwards

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

The ability to accurately estimate the age at time-of-death of an individual is crucial in numerous fields, particularly in a biological or forensic context. There are various methods, features, and bones that are utilized for determining the estimated age of an individual. This study dives into the Lovejoy et al. (1985) age estimation method of the auricular surface of the ilium by using the current age phase descriptions against different reference photos. The study tests whether updated color photos, when working collaboratively with the current age phase descriptions, increases the age estimation accuracy when estimating age based on the auricular …

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

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

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

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

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

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

Quantifying Coarse Sediment Connectivity In Mountain Watersheds, Jordan Thomas Gilbert

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Sediment connectivity is a framework for conceptualizing how sediment moves from source to sink across landscapes. Quantifying connectivity is challenging due to variation in sediment detachment and transport processes and their rates across different process domains. Within the Bitterroot River basin of Western Montana, process domains differ based on glaciation history, and resulting morphological differences; the Bitterroot Mountains were glaciated during the Pleistocene, and the Sapphires/Southern Bitterroots were not. Quantifying longitudinal connectivity requires estimating sediment transport from reach to reach throughout drainage basins. Previously, transport equations suitable for application in mountain rivers have been limited. I present a new transport …

Perspectives On Using Pharmacogenomics To Guide Tobacco Cessation: Survey Results From An American Indian Community, Daniela Mariana Wall

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Pharmacogenomics research has predominantly focused on populations of European ancestry, limiting the application for diverse populations such as American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) communities. Our community-centric study aims to understand perspectives of utilizing pharmacogenomics to guide tobacco cessation in an AIAN community using a survey with qualitative and quantitative components. We assessed participant (n=273) tobacco usage and cessation history, pharmacogenomics knowledge, and perceptions of utilizing pharmacogenomics in the context of tobacco cessation. We found that the majority of participants (92%) were aware of risks associated with tobacco usage and believe it to be a problem within their community (76%). …

Perspectives Of Utilizing Pharmacogenomics To Inform Tobacco Cessation: Survey Results From An American Indian Community, Madeline Lousie Davies

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Pharmacogenomics research has predominantly focused on populations of European ancestry, limiting the application for diverse populations such as American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) communities. Our community-centric study aims to understand perspectives of utilizing pharmacogenomics to guide tobacco cessation in an AIAN community using a survey with qualitative and quantitative components. We assessed participant (n=273) tobacco usage and cessation history, pharmacogenomics knowledge, and perceptions of utilizing pharmacogenomics in the context of tobacco cessation. We found that the majority of participants (92%) were aware of risks associated with tobacco usage and believe it to be a problem within their community (76%). …

Drivers And Fates Of Primary Production In A Dammed, Eutrophic River, Laurel Genzoli

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Algae, cyanobacteria, and aquatic plants are essential components of river ecosystems, providing the basis for aquatic food webs, determining water quality, and controlling carbon and nutrient cycling in rivers. Despite their importance to river ecosystems, growth and accumulation of river photoautotrophs beyond historic levels cause ecological and social harm. The drivers of riverine primary production are poorly understood relative to algae blooms in lakes due to a paucity of studies in rivers, challenges with quantifying periphyton, and interacting and co-varying controls associated with river flows. In my dissertation, I quantified photoautotrophs and aquatic primary productivity in a dammed, eutrophic river …

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 …

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

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

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

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, …

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.

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 …

Assessing Algebra Readiness: A Three-Year Study Of The Orleans-Hanna Prognosis Test And Middle School Math Placements, Tabitha Nicole Ringler

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

This study investigates the viability of the Orleans-Hanna Algebra Prognosis Test (Hanna and Orleans, 1982) as a modern predictor of algebra readiness among eighth grade students. At over 40 years old, the Orleans-Hanna Algebra Prognosis Test (1982) is still commonly utilized by schools as the main source of mathematical ability grouping. The guiding question for this research is whether the test is outdated and should be retired, or is it still a valid predictor of algebra readiness.

Utilizing a longitudinal study spanning three years, the research examines the performance of math students placed in an advanced class versus students who …

Iguanaland, Joshua Michael Moyar

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

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

Integrating Individual And Species Traits To Better Identify Risks To Persistence And Survival In Amphibian Populations, Ross Kenneth Hinderer

Graduate Student Theses, Dissertations, & Professional Papers

Amphibians have experienced major declines and are highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Yet we still lack sufficient information to understand where amphibians are most vulnerable to changes in climate and how effects might manifest. In this dissertation, I worked to understand risks due to climate change and investigate effective indicators of survival in amphibians. To predict which species might be most affected by increasingly dry conditions, in Chapter 1, I extended the climate change vulnerability assessment framework to rank amphibian vulnerability based on projected climate change and species life history traits. Traits including clutch size, daily activity …