Digital Commons Network^™

Climate Education Course Proposal For School Of Sustainability, Evelyn Winebrenner, Abbey Y. Haynes, Charlotte Roos, Stephanie Udzielak, Rachel Maria

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Seeking to address the lack of eco-literacy, we developed a syllabus for a course at Loyola University Chicago with the intended purpose of instilling climate knowledge to others. Through our own experiences studying environmental sustainability, we shared the same issue of lacking inadequate communication skills about climate change for different audiences. To develop the course structure and content, we gathered knowledge from community experts in environmental education and researched what other schools have implemented in the environmental education field. Our product is a syllabus, learning outcomes, and rationale for a new course devoted to teaching Loyola undergraduates how to educate …

Fundamental Education In Video Games, Kaisha Meichell Gerhardt

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

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

Firewise Landscaping: Homeowner Knowledge, Behaviors And Educational Preferences, Kendal Beauvais, Rowan Grassi, Frederick Gleasman

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Although wildfire is a natural process in fire-adapted forests, it poses growing socioeconomic and health threats. Urban development and expansion into the wildland-urban interface (WUI) has heightened wildfire exposure, putting tens of thousands of homes at risk in Montana alone. The Firewise USA program was created to reduce the risk of home ignition and loss in the WUI. The program encourages WUI homeowners to engage in mitigation efforts such as using Firewise landscaping strategies to create a defensible zone around their homes and using building materials that decrease overall ignition risk. Despite strong evidence that Firewise mitigation strategies are effective, …

Depictions Of Strikes On Social Media, Zachary D. Mangels

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

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

Supporting Mental Health For Students Experiencing Climate Anxiety And Environmental Racism, Hunter Robbins, Hanan Abdillahi, Valeria Monreal, Stephanie Black, Selena Lynch

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

There has been growing discourse on climate anxiety and environmental racism. Minorities are disproportionately affected by climate change and we recognize the impacts that climate anxiety has on these populations. Our mission is to ensure every student feels supported in the advent of the climate crisis. We did so by inventorying resources at Loyola, building community engagement with these topics through surveys and interviews, and offering recommendations to faculty, staff, and administrators for how they can better support their students. We hope to persuade Loyola to offer more information and expand on resources for climate anxiety and environmental racism.

Investigating The Role Of Tank-Binding Kinase 1 (Tbk1) In Mll-Af9+ Acute Myeloid Leukemia., Allan Youmaran

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

Sustained remission of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is negated by the proliferation of leukemia stem cells (LSCs) that survive first-line chemotherapy. Thus, there is a dire need for additional, LSC-specific therapies that can help prevent relapse. TBK1, a serine/ threonine kinase, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of AML, possibly due to its ability to promote MYC activity and FLT3 expression. Additionally, high TBK1 mRNA expression has been associated with a reduced probability of AML survival. We hypothesize that TBK1 inhibition could antagonize the stem-like characteristics of LSCs, promoting their loss-of-function death and increasing the odds of achieving a cure.

Perinatal Mental Health In Community Social Work, Stefanie Cobb

Undergraduate Research and Engagement Symposium

An examination of perinatal mental health in community social work through the lens of intersectionality and reproductive justice.

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

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

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

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

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Assessing the Efficacy of Beaver Dam Analogues in Willow Restoration

Undergraduate Capstone, Ecosystem Science and Restoration Program

By Hannah Hill & Dylan Ritter

Abstract

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

Reviewer Acknowledgments, Randy Wykoff Md, Mph & Tm, Rachel E. Dixon Mphil

Journal of Appalachian Health

As we reach our fifth year, we are particularly thankful for the contributions of our peer reviewers. The knowledge, expertise, and guidance offered by the people listed below have ensured that we can continue to share timely research to effect health and well-being across Appalachia.

Review Of: Appalachian Health: Culture, Challenges, And Capacity, Danielle M. Davidov

Journal of Appalachian Health

The Journal of Appalachian Health is committed to reviewing published media that relates to contemporary concepts affecting the health of Appalachia. This is a review of the text Appalachian Health: Culture, Challenges, and Capacity. This book is an ideal starting point for anyone interested in Appalachian history, public health, and health disparities research.

Piloting An Oral History Approach To Investigate Cancer Perspectives Among Residents Of Appalachian Kentucky, Courtney Martin, Lauren Hudson, Nathan L. Vanderford

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Kentucky ranks first in the U.S. in overall cancer incidence and mortality rates. Areas of the state that fall within the Appalachian Region, along Kentucky’s eastern border, experience disproportionately high rates of cancer compared to non-Appalachian counties.

Purpose: This pilot study investigates whether oral history interviews can be used to understand perspectives on cancer among residents of Appalachian Kentucky.

Methods: In 2020, participants (n = 5) who identified as being from and/or having strong connections to Appalachian Kentucky were recruited to participate in this pilot study. Participants included individuals working in cancer-related fields, oncology professionals, and those with personal …

A Better Life: Factors That Help And Hinder Entry And Retention In Mat From The Perspective Of People In Recovery, Adam D. Baus, Martha Carter, Jennifer Boyd, Erin Mcmullen, Trey Bennett, Alexandra Persily, Danielle M. Davidov, Christa Lilly

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Opioid addiction and opioid-related overdoses and deaths are serious public health problems nationally and in West Virginia, in particular. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is an effective yet underutilized treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD).

Purpose: Research examining factors that help individuals succeed in MAT has been conducted from provider and program perspectives, but little research has been conducted from the perspective of those in recovery.

Methods: This study, co-developed with individuals in recovery, took place in West Virginia-based MAT programs using an exploratory sequential mixed methods approach. The survey was open February through August 2021. Data were analyzed late 2021 …

Prevalence And Factors Of Self-Medication With Antibiotics In Claiborne County, Tennessee, Kimberly A. Carney, Lauren Wisnieski, Tristan Lackey, Donald Noah

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious concern to public health, causing an estimated 35,000 deaths annually in the U.S. Misuse of antimicrobials increases the rate of AMR. Self-medication with antibiotics (SMA) is a primary contributor to AMR that can be addressed through education. SMA has been reported at rates of 3% to 66% in the U.S. but has not been evaluated in Appalachia.¹ Low health literacy and barriers to accessing care have been correlated with SMA and are common in many areas of Appalachia.

Purpose: This study aims to assess factors associated with SMA, demographic differences in knowledge …

Factors Associated With Physical Activity Increases And Decreases Among A Sample Of Appalachian Residents During The Covid-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study, Christiaan G. Abildso, Angela M. Dyer, Shay M. Daily, Christa Lilly, Emily A. Sarkees, Samantha I. Moyers, Thomas K. Bias

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) can prevent and reduce the deleterious physical and mental health effects of COVID-19 and associated lockdowns. Research conducted early in the pandemic demonstrates that a greater proportion of adults in the U.S. have decreased than increased PA, and the effects vary by sociodemographic factors. Ongoing evidence is important to identify patterns in PA changes during the pandemic.

Purpose: This study aims to identify factors associated with increases and decreases in PA during the COVID-19 pandemic in a convenience sample of adults residing in Appalachia.

Methods: Surveys were collected from a convenience sample of adults from eight …

Cancer Screening Behaviors And Associations With Childhood Trauma, Resiliency, And Patient–Provider Relationships: Findings From An Exploratory Study Of Appalachian Cervical Cancer Survivors, Dannell Boatman, Stephenie Kennedy-Rea, Lesley Cottrell, Hannah Hazard-Jenkins

Journal of Appalachian Health

Introduction: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with increased cancer risk. ACEs may affect this risk in a variety of ways, including cancer screening compliance. ACEs can contribute to mistrust in the medical profession, inhibit patient­–provider relationships and cause at-risk individuals to miss critical access points to preventive services. Protective factors may play an important role in mitigating ACE-related consequences by supporting resiliency.

Purpose: This study assesses the associations between ACEs, protective factors, patient–provider relationships, stage of cancer at diagnosis, and cancer screening behaviors for West Virginia (WV) cervical cancer survivors.

Methods: WV cervical cancer survivors diagnosed between 2000 and …

Rural Appalachian Women Will Suffer Disproportionately If Attempts To Further Restrict Emergency Contraception Are Successful, Amie M. Ashcraft, Sarah Dotson, Sara Farjo, Courtney S. Pilkerton, Pamela J. Murray

Journal of Appalachian Health

The removal of federal abortion protection has incited fear that restrictions on contraception may be next. Many states now imposing abortion restrictions and bans are in the South and Appalachian Regions of the U.S., where rates of unplanned pregnancy and poor health outcomes are already disproportionately high. Numerous studies have documented variable access to levonorgestrel EC (LNG EC) in community pharmacies, with particularly low rates of access at independent pharmacies that are more likely to be located in rural communities than chain pharmacies. Since the overturn of Roe v. Wade, some large chain pharmacies and online retailers are restricting …

We Welcome Findings From Further Afield, Randy Wykoff Md, Mph & Tm, Rachel E. Dixon Mphil

Journal of Appalachian Health

For the past five years, the Journal of Appalachian Health has published timely, high-quality research from within Appalachia. We also welcome submissions from those working outside of Appalachia who produce quality research of direct relevance to our region.

The Influence Of An Outer Jupiter-Like Planet On The In Situ Formation Of Near Resonant Inner Super Earths, Mateo Emiliano Guerra Toro

NASA-Missouri Space Grant Consortium

We investigated the formation of planets near resonances in the context of histories in which systems contain an outer giant planet that forms early, and inner planets form via oligarchic growth in situ. We conducted N-body dynamical simulations with a Jupiter-like planet and initial inner planet planetesimal conditions that led to the establishment of chains of resonant and near-resonant planets in situ if the giant planet were not present. Systems with the giant planet tended to produce lower mass and more numerous planets than systems without the giant planet. The systems with the giant planet tended to be more compact …

Comparison Of Injection Molded Abs Using Conventional Steel And Novel Composite-Based Additively Manufactured Mold Plates, John Mitchell

NASA-Missouri Space Grant Consortium

Polymer injection molding processes have been used for over 100 years to create high-volume parts quickly and efficiently. Injection molding uses mold plates that are traditionally made of very hard tool steels, such as P20 steel, which is extremely heavy and has very long lead times to build new molds. In this study, composite-based additive manufacturing (CBAM) was used to create mold plates using long-fiber carbon fiber and polyether ether ketone (PEEK). These mold plates were installed in an injection molding machine, and rectangular flat plates were produced using Lustran 348 acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). Tensile testing was performed on …

Exploratory Growths Of The Ternary 14-1-11 Family Of Thermoelectric Zintl Phases Using A Self-Flux Method, Jared Shortt

NASA-Missouri Space Grant Consortium

Thermoelectric Zintl phases have the ability to convert waste heat into useful electrical energy, making them valuable in various energy harvesting applications. In these Zintl phases, a high zT (thermoelectric Figure of Merit) indicates more efficient thermoelectric properties. The technique used, a self-flux method, is implemented as a relatively simple way of synthesizing Zintl phases with a higher thermoelectric Figure of Merit. This method uses an excess of reactive flux element, which acts as both a component of the Zintl phase and a reaction medium, and two other elements that are incorporated into the material. The materials with higher melting …

Computational Analysis Of The Hifire-1 Hypersonic Test Model In Ansys Fluent, Aidan Robert Murphy

NASA-Missouri Space Grant Consortium

The Hypersonic International Flight Research Experimentation (HIFiRE) program explores and advances hypersonic aerospace systems by developing a multitude of test flight geometries and conducting experimental test flights to obtain data for use in validation of computational models and results. This study focuses on computational validation of heat flux, and calculation of static pressure profiles, skin friction coefficient profiles, and flow contours. The flow field studied is for Mach number 7.18 and an angle of attack (α) of 2°. The flow field include many compressible flow features such as an expansion wave at the intersection of the cone and flat cylindrical …

Multi-Disciplinary Analysis Surrogate Based On Twin-Generator Generative Adversarial Networks For Electric Drone, Samuel Sisk

NASA-Missouri Space Grant Consortium

Multi-Disciplinary Analysis and Optimization (MDAO) plays an important role in the future of aviation, especially relating to Urban Air Mobility (UAM). MDAO for UAM effectively quantifies and maximizes system performance and safety while minimizing cost or consumption. Electric drone takeoff trajectory design aims to minimize energy consumption while fulfilling acceleration and other constraints to keep passengers comfortable. Conventional simulation-based MDAO is computationally expensive due to repeatedly evaluating physics-based models while naïvely constructing machine learning predictive models, also known as surrogate models, do not scale well with large-scale problems due to the “curse of dimensionality”. A twin-generator generative adversarial networks (Twin-GAN) …

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

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

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

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

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

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

Role Of Riok3 In Innate Immunity, Hope Smelser

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

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

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

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

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

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

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

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

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

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

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

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

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

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

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

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