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

Ultra-faint Milky Way Satellites Discovered in Carina, Phoenix, and Telescopium with DELVE Data Release 3
(American Astronomical Society, 2026-03)
Tan, Chin Yi
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Cerny, W.
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Pace, Andrew B.
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Sharp, J. M.
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Overdeck, K.
We report the discovery of three Milky Way satellite candidates: Carina IV, Phoenix III, and DELVE 7, in the third data release of the DECam Local Volume Exploration survey (DELVE). The candidate systems were identified by cross-matching results from two independent search algorithms. All three are extremely faint systems composed of old, metal-poor stellar populations (τ ≳ 10 Gyr, [Fe/H] ≲−1.4). Carina IV (MV = −2.8; r1/2 = 40 pc) and Phoenix III (MV = −1.2; r1/2 = 19 pc) have half-light radii that are consistent with the known population of dwarf galaxies, while DELVE 7 (MV = 1.2; r1/2 = 2 pc) is very compact and seems more likely to be a star cluster, though its nature remains ambiguous without spectroscopic follow-up. The Gaia proper motions of stars in Carina IV ({M}_{\star }=225{0}_{-830}^{+1180}\,{M}_{\odot }) indicate that it is unlikely to be associated with the LMC, while DECam CaHK photometry confirms that its member stars are metal poor. Phoenix III ({M}_{\star }=52{0}_{-290}^{+660}\,{M}_{\odot }) is the faintest known satellite in the extreme outer stellar halo (DGC > 100 kpc), while DELVE 7 ({M}_{\star }=6{0}_{-40}^{+120}\,{M}_{\odot }) is the faintest known satellite with DGC > 20 kpc.
Evaluating perceptions of STEM majors to explain diversity gaps in entomology and other sciences
(Oxford University Press, 2025-05)
Evangelista, Dominic A.
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Sánchez Herrera, Melissa
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Schwartz, Johanna
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Ware, Jessica
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Hughes, Bryce
Communities working in entomology, ecology, and other natural sciences are known for having shortfalls in racial and gender diversity. We aim to uncover drivers of this diversity gap. To achieve this, we distributed a survey to undergraduate students at large academic institutions in North America. The survey was designed to profile the perspectives people had about entomology, ecology, and agricultural science compared to other disciplines, and to see if these perspectives differed among demographics (race, gender, and sexual orientation). In addition to soliciting information about general perception relevant to recruitment and retention (approachability, hospitality/how welcoming a field is, fear, importance, interest, job availability), we also asked targeted questions about race-related issues (race motivated violence, racist authority figures, historical racism). In general, we found that race and sexual orientation did not often explain differences in perception of academic fields while gender did. Entomology was perceived the most negatively compared to all other disciplines, largely being driven by a high perception of fear, lack of knowledge about the importance of entomology, and the perception that jobs are lacking in the field. However, LGBTQ+ status predicted a significant increase in the perception of entomology as a “beautiful” science. Perception of race-related issues in ecology and biology differed by demographic, but the effect-size was small. We present several recommendations for higher education based on our results.
Asynchronous seasonal dynamics of nycteribiid bat flies and Bartonella spp. in Australian flying foxes (Pteropus spp.)
(Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2026-01)
Jones, Brent D.
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Falvo, Caylee
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Burwell, Chris
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Lunn, Tamika J.
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Jones-Slobodian, Devin N.
Bat flies are ubiquitous ectoparasites of bats, recognised as potential vectors for viral and bacterial transmission between individual bats within a roost. Despite this, little is known about the seasonal dynamics of bat flies. Here, we present the results of a longitudinal study that compares seasonal prevalence and host risk factors for bat fly (Diptera: Nycteribiidae) parasitism with that of Bartonella and Borrelia spp. detected in Pteropus alecto and P. poliocephalus in eastern Australia. Methods. Flying foxes were sampled at nine different roosts in south-east Queensland and northern New South Wales between February 2018 and September 2022 using mist nets. Host and ectoparasite data were recorded, and bat fly specimens were collected for identification. Blood samples collected from the flying foxes were screened for the presence of Bartonella and Borrelia DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results. Ectoparasite data were recorded from 2235 flying foxes and 840 had blood samples screened for Bartonella and Borrelia DNA. Cyclopodia albertisii was the predominate nycteribiid species identified, with few detections of C. australis. Nycteribiid prevalence had a consistent annual cycle (ranging from 8.6% to 100%) that depended on local climatic factors, increasing with increased temperature and humidity during summer and decreasing in winter. Bartonella spp. prevalence exhibited less variation seasonally (ranging from 50% to 100%) with a peak in winter that was driven by host age, with juvenile bats having a reduced probability of infection compared with subadults and adults. Borrelia spp. were rare and showed no clear seasonality. Conclusions. This study reports the longitudinal occurrence of the blood-borne bacteria Bartonella spp. and their likely ectoparasite vectors in Australian flying foxes. The findings contribute to knowledge of nycteribiid ecology critical for understanding their vector potential within flying fox roosts and provide direction for future research into nycteribiid-mediated transmission dynamics.
Observation and Modeling of Shear Evolution of Post-reconnection Flare Loops
(American Astronomical Society, 2025-12)
Osaben, Drake
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Qiu, Jiong
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Longcope, Dana W.
A solar flare releases magnetic energy by reconnecting field lines across a current sheet, thereby allowing their relaxation to a lower-energy state. The maximum possible energy is released if all field lines relax to a current-free (potential) state. The progress of a flare’s reconnection is often measured as the angle-complement between the observed post-reconnection flare loops and the polarity inversion line of the photospheric magnetic field: shear angle. Many observations have shown strong-to-weak shear evolution over the course of a flare. A field line’s shear angle is, however, an imperfect measure of its relaxation. We develop a new technique for observationally inferring the 3D structure of post-reconnection field lines, including their local twist, α , which will vanish for potential fields. Our method fits loops in extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) images to extrapolations subject to constraints such as matching the feet of model field lines to observed flare ribbons. We apply the new method to an eruptive two-ribbon flare (SOL2014-12-18T22), which exhibits strong-to-weak shear-angle evolution. We find that, as the flare progresses, α decreases in post reconnection loops anchored to newly brightened ribbons. Our study demonstrates that post-reconnection magnetic field is neither potential nor linear force-free. The method quantifies, for the first time, the time-history of a flare’s energetic relaxation. It also quantifies the increasing height of the subsequently reconnected field, and the time delay between reconnection forming a flare loop and its appearance in EUV passbands. These results promise to enable improvements in both magnetic modeling and hydrodynamic modeling of flares.
Analyzing flow characteristics and convective transport phenomenon of nanofluid flow inside a square cavity
(Informa UK Limited, 2025-11)
Munir, Shahzad
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Amin, Yasar
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Nawaz, Rab
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Malik, Kishwat Ijaz
Efficient thermal management in confined spaces is a critical requirement in various fields, including biomedical applications like ureteroscopy, where precise temperature regulation is essential for patient safety and procedural efficacy. This study investigates the flow and heat transfer characteristics of copper-water nanofluids within a two-dimensional channel cavity, emphasizing the combined effects of convection and nanoparticle dynamics. Using the finite element method, the research systematically evaluates the influence of key parameters, including Reynolds number (Re), Grashof number (Gr), and nanoparticle volume fraction (ϕ), on thermal and flow behaviours. Quantitative analysis revealed that as Gr increased, isotherms aligned more horizontally due to enhanced buoyancy-driven convection, with a corresponding increase in the Nusselt number on heated walls by up to 85%. Conversely, an increase in ϕ reduced the Nusselt number by approximately 12%, highlighting the trade-off between nanoparticle-induced viscosity and thermal conductivity. The study also found that kinetic energy increased linearly with both Re and Gr, demonstrating intensified fluid motion and turbulence within the cavity. These findings are significant for optimizing fluid dynamics and thermal efficiency in medical procedures like ureteroscopy, where effective cooling and irrigation systems are critical. The insights into nanoparticle effects and convection mechanisms provide a foundation for designing energy-efficient and thermally optimized systems in biomedical devices and beyond. Future work should focus on experimental validation and exploring hybrid nanoparticle formulations to further enhance system performance.