Digital Commons Network^™

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 …

Metabolic Versatility In Melainabacteria, A Close Relative Of Cyanobacteria, Sophia Marie Miller, Kathryn Bick, Heidi E. Abresch

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

A New Member of Melainabacteria, the Closest Relatives of Cyanobacteria

Melainabacteria are the recently discovered, closest non-photosynthetic relatives of cyanobacteria, the organisms responsible for the oxygenation of Earth's atmosphere. Previous work has shown that Melainabacteria live in a wide range of environments, including deep groundwater, anoxic sediments, and the digestive tracts of termites and mammals. These bacteria have been suggested to play a significant role in the latter environments and may contribute to neurodegenerative and gastrointestinal disease in human populations. However, our knowledge of Melainabacteria diversity and metabolism is still very limited, principally because no member of this group has …

Inhibitory Signaling From A Critical Hub Neuron Drives Behavior Selection And Frequency, Wyatt T. Ploot

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Both animals and humans must constantly make decision in dynamic environments. Situational assessment and appropriate response selection are crucial processes that determine the ability of an organism to survive and thrive, or fail and die. Understanding how the signaling by neurons and circuits ultimately lead to behavioral decisions is a critical question that may lead to the identification of mechanisms that address out-of-context behaviors. To understand how neurons send important information that leads to a behavioral decision, I am using the powerful genetic model, Drosophila melanogaster, and the choice to engage in aggressive behavior between males. My focus is …

Effects Of Acute Sleep Deprivation On The Physiological Response To Woodsmoke And Exercise, Izaac Paul Sessums

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Chronic exposure to woodsmoke presents serious health detriments, yet the acute response to woodsmoke exposure is not well defined. While current literature reports on woodsmoke exposure and exercise, little work has been performed to understand the potential compounding effects of sleep deprivation during exposure. Sleep deprivation could modify physiologic responses to stressors such as exercise and smoke inhalation. Acute sleep deprivation has been shown to depress vagal tone, specifically depressed heart rate variability and stress recovery. The further identification of acute physiologic responses to woodsmoke would likely provide insight into the mechanism behind increased cancer and cardiovascular disease rates. Purpose: …

Effects Of Warming And Drying On The Survival And Performance Of Giant Salmonfly Nymphs (Pteronarcys Californica), Kailie Todd, Jackson Birrell

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

This study examines how warming and drying affect the performance and survival of giant salmonfly nymphs (Pteronarcys californica), which are important economically, ecologically, and culturally throughout the mountain west. My experiments were motivated by a dam malfunction that occurred in late November 2021 on the Madison River in Montana that caused the river to dry rapidly downstream of the dam and reduced flow by 70% for 50 hours. The effects of such events on aquatic insects are unknown, and my experiments were designed to assess how long salmonfly nymphs could survive in still water as well as in …

Cooking With A Conscience, Jonah Britton, Sonia Bornemann, Ashley Wilson, Mogran White, Brooke Deruwe, Hallee Olsen, Kennedy Delap, Aidan Potter

University of Montana Conference on Undergraduate Research (UMCUR)

Cooking with a Conscience is a local and sustainable cookbook designed to facilitate more sustainable decisions and discussions concerning food in our community. Regarding the initial steps of the creation of the cookbook, our group is conducting a survey and multiple interviews both abroad and in Montana to determine what sustainability means and how sustainability is related to food consumption and production. Our research is also built around finding out people’s current eating habits as well common restrictions that often prevent our community from eating sustainably. We acquired the recipes by both asking local food producers, and by conducting individual …

Compact Steam Generator Numerical Analysis And Mechanics Design, Parker Rockholm, Congshan Mao

NASA-Missouri Space Grant Consortium

A heat exchanger is a device that is used to transfer heat between two fluids that are at different temperatures and are separated by a solid wall. This system is used in many engineering applications such as air conditions, power production, waste heat recovery and chemical processing. Heat exchangers are commonly classified by their flow arrangement and type of construction. A special and important class of heat exchanger is termed compact heat exchangers, but ‘compact’ does not refer to its size. These heat exchangers are used to achieve higher performance by using very large surface densities (heat transfer surface area …

Progress In Optimization Of Electrostatic Sieve Concept For Transport Of Lunar Regolith Using A Genetic Algorithm, Easton Ingram

NASA-Missouri Space Grant Consortium

A method for optimizing electrostatic dust transport systems using a genetic algorithm is in development. Applications to electrostatic sieving are discussed for use on the lunar surface. This simulation will allow for rapid development, testing, and optimization of electrostatic particle transport designs with large search spaces. Current progress and ongoing work for the simulation is reviewed.