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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Scholarship & Research

Recent Submissions

Quantum Education and Workforce Development: Action Steps for Montana
(Montana State University, 2025-10)
Chipps, Jeannie
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Craig, Mark
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Haskins, Judi
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Iverson, Molly
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Moser, Jordan
On Oct. 11, 2024, participants from across the state and nation gathered in Bozeman, Montana for a statewide convening called New Frontiers: Education and Workforce Development in Quantum and Emerging Technologies. Attendees learned how quantum, optics, photonics and other emerging technologies have put Montana on the map and explored the current role that Montana State University and its partners play in advancing the quantum ecosystem. This report recaps the speakers, panels and – most importantly – conversations, ideas and brainstorms that took place. The findings have implications for K-12 and higher education; workforce development programs; industry representatives and policy makers.
Chromosome-level assembly and analysis of three hydroxy fatty acid-producing Physaria species
(Nature Portfolio, 2025-12)
Wang, Shuo
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Fan, Ruyi
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Zhang, Mengling
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Zhou, Zhi-Wei
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Xie, Weibo
Several Physaria species (Brassicaceae) produce abundant hydroxy fatty acids in their seeds, with industrial applications. Here, we report three chromosome-level genomes of Physaria species: P. lindheimeri, P. pallida and P. fendleri, with sizes of 344 Mb, 329 Mb and 452 Mb, respectively. Comparative genome analysis reveals that these three Physaria species diverged from Arabidopsis thaliana approximately 14.10-14.46 million years ago and underwent two consecutive Physaria-specific whole-genome duplication events. Their centromeres harbor an 111-bp satellite repeat and two retrotransposon classes (Gypsy/CRM, Copia/Ale). Transcriptomic analysis identifies seed-highly expressed lipid synthesis genes potentially underlying unique fatty acid profiles. Furthermore, we pinpoint the two residues in FAH12 variants that cause the disparity in hydroxylation activity among the three Physaria species. Taken together, this study provides important genomic resources for investigating the evolution of Physaria species and developing industrial oil crops for sustainable production of hydroxy fatty acids.
Assessing heat-related health risk in Ghana using bioclimatic indices
(Elsevier BV, 2025-09)
Adjei, Mary J.
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Yamba, Edmund I.
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Tuholske, Cascade
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Wemegah, Cosmos S.
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Amekudzi, Leonard K.
Climate change is driving rising temperatures worldwide, intensifying the risk of heat-related illnesses such as heat stress, heat stroke, and exhaustion. In Ghana, however, the health risks associated with extreme heat are often underestimated, as most existing assessments rely on subjective perceptions rather than scientifically validated indices. This study addresses this gap by assessing heat-related health risks across Ghana using the Universal Thermal Climate Index and Humidex. Hourly temperature and relative humidity data were extracted from the ERA5 reanalysis dataset to compute bioclimatic indices across all agroclimatic zones. The results show widespread warming across the country, with minimum temperatures increasing more rapidly than maximum temperatures. The Sudan and Guinea Savannah zones experience the highest levels of thermal stress, while declining humidity in the Forest zone further exacerbates discomfort. Seasonally, the greatest risks occur between November and May, peaking in March and April, and diurnally, exposures are most severe between 11:00 and 17:00 h. These findings demonstrate that extreme heat is an escalating public health threat in Ghana, particularly in the Sudan and Guinea Savannah zones. The study highlights the urgent need for adaptation measures such as public awareness campaigns, heat early-warning systems, and climate-resilient cooling infrastructure. By providing robust, index-based evidence, this work contributes valuable insights for policymakers, urban planners, and public health authorities to design effective strategies that protect vulnerable populations from the growing health impacts of climate change.
J3ExoA: A Novel Anti-HIV Immunotoxin Fusion of Anti-Gp120 J3VHH and PE38 Fragment of Pseudomonas Exotoxin A
(MDPI AG, 2025-08)
Pincus, Seth H.
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Luo, Kun
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Peters, Tami
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Gordy, James T.
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Cole, Frances M.
Background. We are developing cytotoxic anti-HIV immunoconjugates to attack the reservoir of infected cells that persist after years of fully suppressive anti-retroviral therapy. Methods. We have produced a chimeric fusion protein, J3ExoA, consisting of J3VHH, a broadly reactive anti-gp120 camelid nanobody, joined to the de-immunized PE38 fragment of Pseudomonas exotoxin A. The efficacy of J3ExoA was compared to that of a well-studied anti-gp41 immunotoxin (IT), 7B2-dgA, in cytotoxicity assays and for inhibition of infectivity. Immunogenicity of the ITs was tested in mice. Results. J3ExoA killed cells expressing the HIV envelope with specificity in concentrations in the ng/mL range. Of all anti-HIV ITs we have tested, only J3ExoA compared to 7B2-dgA in cytotoxic efficacy, although there were differences between the two ITs on different target cells. J3ExoA suppressed the spread of HIV infection in tissue culture. J3ExoA was less immunogenic than 7B2-dgA, but mice made antibodies to both portions of the fusion protein. Conclusions. J3ExoA represents a novel IT that may be used to eliminate infected cells in the persistent HIV reservoir of infection, the barrier to an HIV “cure.” Additional approaches for addressing IT immunogenicity are discussed.
A Sudden Fine-scale Bright Kernel Captured by Hi-C Flare in 11 MK Emission during an M1.6-class Solar Flare’s Postmaximum Phase
(IOP Publishing, 2025-12)
Tiwari, Sanjiv K.
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Panesar, Navdeep K.
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Moore, Ronald L.
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Savage, Sabrina L.
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Winebarger, Amy R.
On 2024 April 17, the third successful Hi-C sounding rocket flight, Hi-C Flare, recorded coronal images in Fe XXI 129 Å emission from 11 MK plasma during the postmaximum phase of an M1.6-class solar flare, achieving unprecedented spatial (∼300 km) and temporal (1.3 s) resolutions. The flare started at 21:55 UT, peaked at 22:08 UT, and lasted ∼40 minutes. Hi-C observed for over 5 minutes (22:15:45–22:21:25), starting roughly 8 minutes after flare maximum. A sudden compact bright burst—875 ± 25 km wide, lasting 90 ± 1.3 s, exhibiting a proper motion of ∼ 50 km s−1, and splitting into two toward the end—occurs near the foot of some postflare loops. Its size and brightness are reminiscent of flare-ribbon kernels during a flare’s rapid rise phase, kernels marking sites of sudden heating and hot plasma upflow, making its occurrence during the late phase surprising. Such isolated brightenings in a flare’s postmaximum phase are rare and have not been previously reported. The kernel was detected in all Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly channels. Its 1600 Å light curve peaked ∼50 s earlier than its 131 Å light curve, similar to that of flare-ribbon kernels, albeit with a smaller delay of ∼25 s, during the impulsive phase of the flare. In SDO/Helioseismic Magnetic Imager magnetograms, the kernel sits in unipolar positive magnetic flux near an embedded clump of negative flux. Although localized magnetic reconnection within the kernel (a microflare) cannot be ruled out for its cause, the observations favor the localized brightening being an isolated, exceptionally late flare-ribbon kernel, resulting from an exceptionally late burst of the flare’s coronal reconnection.