Scholarworks
ScholarWorks is an open access repository for the capture of the intellectual work of Montana State University (MSU) in support of its teaching, research and service missions. MSU ScholarWorks is a central point of discovery for accessing, collecting, sharing, preserving, and distributing knowledge to the Montana State University community and the world.
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Multi- and many-objective factored evolutionary algorithms
(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Engineering, 2023) Peerlinck, Amy; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: John Sheppard
Multi-Objective Optimization (MOO) is the problem of optimizing two or more competing objectives, where problems dealing with more than three competing objectives are termed as Many-Objective (MaOO). Such problems occur naturally in the real world. For example, many engineering design problems have to deal with competing objectives, such as cost versus quality in product design. How do we handle these competing objectives? To answer this question, population-based meta-heuristic algorithms that find a set of Pareto optimal solutions have become a popular approach. However, with the increase in complexity of problems, a single population approach may not be the most efficient to solve MOO problems. For this reason, co-operative co-evolutionary algorithms (CCEA) are used, which split the population into subpopulations optimizing over subsets of variables that can now be optimized simultaneously. Factored Evolutionary Algorithms (FEA) extends CCEA by including overlap in the subpopulations. This dissertation extends FEA to MOO, thus creating the Multi-Objective FEA (MOFEA). We apply MOFEA to different problems in the MOO family with positive results; these problems include combinatorial and continuous benchmarks as well as problems in the real-world domain of Precision Agriculture. Furthermore, we investigate the influence of different grouping techniques on continuous large-scale, MOO, and MaOO problems to help guide research to use the appropriate techniques for specific problems. Based on these results, we find that some MaOO problems lead to large sets of non-dominated solutions. From this, an Objective Archive Management (OAM) strategy is presented that creates separate archives for each objective based on performance and diversity criteria. OAM successfully reduces large solution sets to a more manageable size to help end-users make more informed decisions. The presented research makes four main contributions to the field of Computer Science: the creation of a new Multi-Objective framework to create and use subpopulation in a co-operative manner including the ability to use overlapping populations, the analysis of different grouping strategies and their influence on continuous optimization in both large- scale and multi-objective optimization, the introduction of a post-optimization solution set reduction approach, and the inclusion of an environmental objective into a real-world Precision Agriculture application.
Structural control of the Norris Hot Springs and associated geothermal system
(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2023) Wafer, Mia Peyton; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Andrew K. Laskowski
Many active and productive geothermal systems are structurally controlled, suggesting that certain structural configurations have higher potentials for geothermal energy. Analyzing potential productive geothermal wells is known as geothermal play fairway analysis (PFA). Identifying these high potential structural configurations is another way to locate geothermal systems without surface expressions, which represent an unquantified natural resource for geothermal energy. By studying geothermal systems with surface expressions, I move closer to being able to locate additional natural resources. The Norris Hot Springs, located in the foothills of the Tobacco Root Mountains, Southwestern Montana, presents a novel study area to test structural control on geothermal system development. I combine geologic mapping, UAV-based photogrammetry, zircon U-Pb geochronology, seismic data, and 3D geologic modeling to date and interpret the multistage development of local structures and their influence on the geothermal system beneath the Norris Hot Springs. A comprehensive structural model suggests the geothermal system associated with the Norris Hot Springs is hosted by a deep network of faults and fractures in Precambrian gneiss basement. A nearby fault system primarily comprised of high angle NNW-SSE trending normal faults, which often display pervasive alteration and polymetallic vein mineralization, likely connects surficial features with deeper reactivated Laramide-era structures. A primary goal of this study was to investigate the benefits of supplementing traditional field work with novel methods. Results from this study demonstrate the utility of combining geologic mapping, 3D modeling, structural analysis, 3D modeling and UAV surveys for geothermal exploration and constrain the timing and influence of local faulting on geothermal activity at the Norris Hot Springs.
Ichnology and sedimentology of the non-marine Frontier Formation (upper Cretaceous) of southwestern Montana
(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2023) Panasci, Giulio; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: David J. Varricchio; This is a manuscript style paper that includes co-authored chapters.
The Frontier Formation of southwestern Montana (USA) is comprised of rocks assigned to the early Upper Cretaceous (Cenomanian- Santonian), and has recently yielded a notable fossil record, mostly comprised of dinosaur tracks and invertebrate trace fossils. This fossil record lays within a poorly understood period of the Upper Cretaceous, also known as the middle Cretaceous, valued as critical to understand the evolution of terrestrial ecosystems in North America at the end of the Mesozoic Era. This study aims to describe and analyze preservation and distribution of the Frontier trace fossils record. Twelve stratigraphic sections are measured and sedimentology, taphonomy, and stratigraphic framework described for the main fossiliferous sites. Sixty-five dinosaur tracks and associated invertebrate traces are described. Three tracks are further analyzed by combining anatomical characters and track morphological features to infer a more specific producer. Photogrammetry, tridimensional models, and color elevation maps are generated to document significant specimens and to map two excavated track sites. A concise description and classification of a freshwater turtle is also included to enhance paleoecological and paleodepositional reconstructions. A Coniacian age is provided for the Frontier Formation, main fossiliferous sites. Sedimentology and fossil record suggest the establishment of a rich ecosystem in alluvial plains and wetlands extending between the offshoots of the uplifting Rocky Mountains to the east and the Cody Sea to the east. Facies distribution across the southwest-northeast transect suggests that fossil distribution and preservation is mainly controlled by autogenic and allogenic processes seen in foreland basin systems. Tracks and invertebrate trace fossils preservation was likely favored by high sedimentation rates and variations of the ground water table. Dinosaur track assemblage is comparable to those reported in other middle Cretaceous formations of western North America and include derived hadrosauriform ornithopods, ankylosaurians, and theropods. The integration of body fossil data would suggest the presence of a fauna that included elements (i.e. Neurankylus sp.) shared with Campanian and Maastrichtian formations, suggesting that the Coniacian ecosystems across southwestern Montana was likely undergoing a process of provincialisms as seen in North America at the end of the Cretaceous.
Ewe undernutrition alters cotyledon development and function
(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2023) Welter, Francesca Marie; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Sarah R. McCoski
Undernutrition is common for animals maintained on rangelands, particularly during periods of drought. Undernutrition during gestation can be detrimental to offspring development. The placenta is a known mediator for maternal-fetal nutrient exchange, and developmental impacts to the placenta during nutritional stress contribute to poor offspring outcomes. The objective of this study was to determine the impacts of maternal nutrient restriction on the development and function of placental cotyledons. Targhee ewes were allocated into two dietary treatment groups for the entirety of gestation. The control group (CON; n = 10) was fed to meet 100% of NRC requirements and the nutrient restricted group (NR; n = 11) was fed to meet 60% of NRC requirements, to mimic the nutritional stress experienced by range ewes during drought. At the time of lambing total placental weight, total cotyledon number, and lamb birth weight was recorded. Cotyledons (n = 3 / placenta) were removed from multiple locations, weighed, and processed for RNA-sequencing. Total placental weight, total cotyledon number, and lamb birth weight were not affected by maternal diet restriction (P > 0.05). Average cotyledon weight was greater in the CON group compared to the NR group (P < 0.05). Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathways (KEGG) analyses were performed to identify biological pathways involved in placental function and nutrient transfer. Cotyledons from NR singletons vs CON singletons expressed 470 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; P < 0.05; 187 up-regulated, 283 down-regulated). Gene ontology terms represented by DEGs include hormone activity (P = 0.0003) and antigen processing and presentation (P = 0.0004 ). KEGG pathways of interest include pyruvate metabolism, estrogen signaling, extracellular matrix receptor interaction, and antigen processing and presentation. There were also 426 DEGs (P < 0.05; 195 up-regulated, 231 down-regulated) in cotyledons of NR twins vs CON twins. Represented GO categories include heme binding (P = 0.003) and oxidoreductase activity (P = 0.03). These data show that prolonged nutrient restriction alters cotyledon development and gene expression indicating impacts to placental function. These changes in placental function likely mediate poor offspring developmental outcomes observed following gestational under nutrition.
Improving detection and treatment of anxiety and depression in a southwest Montana women's clinic: a quality improvement project
(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2023) Waldeisen, Hillary Joi; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Alice Running
Background: Depression and anxiety are the most prevalent mental health disorders affecting women. Primary care providers predominantly screen for and manage depression and anxiety, improving detection and treatment when adequate systems are in place. As many as 30% of women utilize an OBGYN provider for primary care yet are not typically screened for either diagnosis. Local problem: Rates of anxiety and depression in Montana are higher than the national average. Women utilizing the clinic's OBGYN providers for primary care were not being screened for these disorders. Methods: Over five weeks, Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were completed weekly. Participants included women utilizing the clinic for annual wellness exams. Data gathered during the project included documented PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores, and management metrics including behavioral health or psychiatry referrals, prescribed medications, immediate evaluations, and monitored patients. Interventions: Staff education occurred before the implementation date. PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scores were entered into the EHR during wellness exams. Staff surveys were emailed weekly to elicit feedback. PDSA cycles were performed utilizing data from chart audits and survey results. Results: The implementation was well received by both staff and patients. In the first five weeks following the implementation, chart audits demonstrated an average of 86 % of PHQ-9 and 81% of GAD-7 scores entered into the EHR. In addition, management metrics showed improvement in the last week of data collection. Conclusions: Implementation of screening for anxiety and depression during annual wellness exams allowed for early identification and treatment after shared decision-making. Screening was considered a valuable addition to the care provided by the clinic.