MSU Student Research Celebration
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/405
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Item The Irish Experience of War(2013-03) Chambers, Katherine; de Onis, AnnMy research project will consist of investigating the differences and similarities between the Irish and American experiences of war. Having been raised in a society that has been fighting a war in another country for almost my entire life, I want to explore the other side of invasion by investigating how the Irish fought against English imperialism. I also wish to research how this imperialism eventually led to the Irish Civil War, and compare it with the experiences of the American Civil War. I wish to see the places and artifacts of the battles, witness the effects the war had on the Irish people, and understand how it must feel to be oppressed, a feeling that cannot me communicated through the pages of a book. Therefore I will conduct preparatory research throughout the spring semester of 2012, and finish my project by actually traveling to Ireland in May upon conclusion of the spring semester. During weekly meetings with my mentor, Dr. Ann de Onis, we will discuss texts and I will complete assignments to complement my research. This ongoing focus will help prepare me for my trip to Ireland. As an Irish-American myself, there would be no greater educational experience than to visit the country where my ancestors fought for the basic freedoms I enjoy today. I hope that after completing my project, I will have gained a greater understanding of the deleterious effects war has on every individual involved; furthermore, I hope to be able to share this message with others and do my small part to be an ambassador for peace.Item Understanding Emerging Stressors and Adaptations in Generational Ranching Operations through Participant Visual Ethnography(2013-07) Carter, Christopher; Bertagnolli, AnnDrawing on two years of ethnographic fieldwork with sheep ranching families in Sweet Grass county Montana this research explores emerging stressors and adaptations influencing the decision making process of rural emigration. While this research focuses on a uniquely Montana way of life, urbanization, migration and subsequent loss of rural identity are phenomena that are beginning to be recognized and studied through qualitative methodologies. Through this research I have sought to collaboratively understand, why people choose to stay, why some leave, and the forces at play influencing this process. In doing so I utilize a combination of unique methodologies including Photovoice, Community Based Participatory Research and Participatory Visual Ethnography, as they emerged as the most appropriate means of understanding this community. During fieldwork issues of generational property and social capital transfer, new skilled migrant labor, land management and agricultural subsidy for small scale ranches surfaced as themes that speak directly to debates of food security, urbanization and agrarian identity in the American West. As rural emigration affects societies and economies beyond this Montana community, this USP funded research suggests an integration of participatory and qualitative research methods into the understanding, planning and policy making of sustainable futures in agriculture and society.Item Microbial Diversity Associated with Bioherms Inhabiting the Hypersaline Environment of the Great Salt Lake(2013-03) Murter, Emma; Boyd, EricGreat Salt Lake (GSL) is the fourth largest terminal lake in the world and harbors a diverse biological community, owing to the unique combination of minerals and chemicals resulting from evaporative processes. Bioherms, or layered formations of calcareous minerals typically formed by cyanobacteria, have been identified in the deeper part of the GSL and have been estimated to ~170 mi2. Moreover, bioherm structures have been observed in both the North arm (NA) and South arms (SA) of GSL where chemical and salinity differences exist. Pyrotag-based sequencing of archaeal, bacterial, and eukaryl rRNA genes was used to compare the composition and structure of the microbial communities associated with bioherms from the NA and SA, as well as the community inhabiting the water column present at both environments. The results indicate that the bioherm-associated communities are distinct, with that of the NA exhibiting less diversity than that from the SA. This finding is consistent with elevated salinity associated with the NA, which would presumably select for a lower diversity. Moreover, neither the water column communities or the bioherms from NA or SA harbored significant populations of cyanobacteria, suggesting that other taxa are likely responsible for the formation of bioherms in GSL ecosystem.Item Asthma and Air Quality in Northern Thailand(2013-03) Huleatt, Rachel; Hill, WadeBackground: The prevalence of asthma is rising worldwide. Common environmental triggers of asthma include dust, chemicals in the air, and tobacco smoke. Because environmental factors play a large part in triggering asthma symptoms the quality of air is important. Northern Thailand contains both agricultural and urban areas and Thailand is considered a developing country. The specific aims of this research were to describe the epidemiological characteristics of asthma in northern Thailand and to describe the state of air quality in northern Thailand. Methods: This project used a multi-method approach to address project aims beginning with an interview from the perspective of descriptive phenomenology to identify trends of asthma, air quality in northern Thailand, and available data sources, followed by library research and inquiry into available surveillance data. Findings: In northern Thailand three contribution factors effect air quality: source, meteorological, and geographical. Air quality in northern Thailand appears to be influenced by open burnings, traffic, and industry. Traffic and industry’s contribution to poor air quality appear least significant, but air quality does seem to vary by season. Data in Thailand appears to be lacking regarding asthma treatment, surveillance, and the potential linkages between disease and air quality. Implications: Comprehensive surveillance data on the epidemiology of asthma in northern Thailand is currently lacking because data is not collected yearly. In order to draw better conclusions on the current prevalence of asthma in northern Thailand further information is required. Future work includes collecting yearly data on asthma and other health problems in Thailand as well as studying the impact environmental factors have on such illnesses.Item Partnership for Pediatric Environmental Health on the Flathead Reservation(2013-03) Gilkerson, Whitney Ann; Kuntz, SandraBackground: This project contributes to work underway by the Partnership for Pediatric Environmental Health (PPEH), a research team investigating potential exposure to environmental toxins and the disproportionately high infant mortality rates among Montana Native communities. Purpose: This project will bring previously identified environmental themes from focus groups, conducted by Milissa Grandchamp, a recent MSU graduate student, back to community members for further analysis and insight. Methods: A literature review was conducted to examine project methods and themes identified within the Grandchamp thesis. Then, using a community-based participatory research approach, interviews will be conducted through an expert elicitation interview process. Lastly, a qualitative approach will then be used to assess the results of these interviews. Results: The literature review revealed several ways of adapting the community-based participatory research process to better fit within Native American communities as well as describing various benefits of this approach. Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke, drugs/alcohol and methylmercury, as identified themes, were explored to reveal proposed interventions from several indigenous focus groups. Conclusion: Community-based participatory research is an effective method for addressing environmental health needs in Native American populations. The results from the literature review will continue to guide the project as it moves forward.Item An Evaluative Approach to Strengthening the Nursing Workforce(2013-03) Donahue, Larissa; Bertagnolli, Ann; Juliar, Krin; Harris, ReneeWork focused on assisting nurse leaders in Montana to implement the recommendations of the landmark IOM “Future of Nursing” report. Two of the seven IOM goals were the focus of this research: first that nurses be equipped to lead change and second, that barriers to full scope of practice for nursing professionals be removed. A literature survey of the years 2002 to 2012 was performed on CINAHL, PubMed, and MedLine databases with the search terms “nursing,” “leadership,” and “barrier.” The goal was to assess current impediments to nurses performing and thriving in leadership roles both on and off unit floors. Additionally, a survey was distributed to the directors of nursing in Montana asking for greatest concerns pertaining to nurses transitioning into their facilities. Initial results from both surveys indicate that nurses need more training in skills such as time management, prioritizing, delegation, and organization before they can begin to advance leadership matters. Allowing full scope of practice for nurses requires reform in national and local law and change in the mindset about nursing. Both the literature review and the survey indicated that managerial and legal obstacles must be removed before clear vision for nursing change can be implemented and effected.Item A Screening Method of Hydrophobic Binding Capacity for Human Serum Albumin(2013-03) Baker, Annelise; Dratz, Edward; Bowden, JaredThe objective of the research is to assess the binding capacity of human serum albumin (HSA) in people with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes (T2D), compared to healthy controls. The initial method uses the ability of the fluorescent compound 1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid (ANS) to be taken up on binding sites on HSA, where its fluorescence increases greatly when it is bound. The initial finding is that the plasma from a person with metabolic syndrome or T2D, when normalized for concentrations of HSA and ANS, will fluorescence significantly less than when compared to that of a person considered healthy. This is hypothesized to be due to some other molecule being bound to the HSA where ANS would normally bind. Metabolic syndrome is a precursor of T2D; searching samples from individuals in this pre-diabetic state should allow discovery of accurate predictive markers for T2D. This screening process could give a good indication of possible T2D and therefore the necessity of changing lifestyle or diet to prevent development of T2D and will help identify the currently unknown compounds that are partially filling the binding sites in HSA in the subjects.Item Statistical Methods for Measuring the Impact of Mastery Learning in College Algebra(2013-03) Zou, Linjie; Greenwood, Mark; Yopp, DavidAn intervention involving a unique modification of mastery learning was implemented in Fall 2011 in College Algebra at Montana State University-Bozeman. It was expected that the mastery learning would increase student ability on a variety topics taught in the course. Item Response Theory Models can be used to estimate ability scores from tests made up of items from final exams from Fall 20ll and Fall 2010 (the comparison semester). Graded Partial Credit Models (GPCM) are an extension of IRT used when partial credit is given when scoring items. The application of GPCM to the College Algebra final is discussed. The ability scores from the GPCM are then analyzed using a Mixed Model to account for differences between sections. Results suggest higher ability in the semester after implementation of mastery learning and minimal differences between sections.Item Treatment of Foot Disease in Captive Asian Elephants in Northern Thailand(2013-03) Zellar, Amanda; Mattix, RebeccaFoot disease is a major concern in captive elephants in the United States and a significant cause of disability and death. It is estimated that half of all captive elephants in North America and Europe have had foot disease at some time in their lives (Csuti 9). The causes of many foot ailments are not well understood, but the most common etiologies cited for foot disease include lack of exercise, improper nutrition, inadequate trimming and grooming of feet or hard, rough or damp enclosure substrates (Csuti 1). Though many traditional Western medical and surgical treatments are used to manage different forms of foot disease, mahouts in Thailand and other native range countries, have used traditional Eastern medicine consisting local plants for centuries (Csuti 81-4). There has been a lack of detailed published information on current elephant foot veterinary medicine treatments in Thailand or other countries in the region (Fowler 447). The aim of this study was to document methods of preventing and treating foot disease in captive Asian elephants currently being employed in northern Thailand to inform future research. A qualitative approach was taken using the standpoint of descriptive phenomenology and direct observation to examine current methods of prevention and treatment of foot disease in captive Asian elephants in Northern Thailand. Three veterinarians experienced in elephant health care were interviewed to determine current standards of elephant foot disease management in Northern Thailand. Direct observation of elephant care by veterinarians, mahouts, and keepers was carried out at two elephant facilities in Chiang Mai province, and focused on specific quantitative and qualitative variables implicated in elephant foot health including: diet nutritional composition, total housing area, and housing substrate. From the responses of veterinarians in this study, foot disease is not a major health concern, there appears to be a difference in the prevalence of foot disease in captive Asian elephants in northern Thailand and those previously reported in the United States and Europe (Csuti 9), there is not an emphasis on prevention of foot disease, and when foot diseases are seen by veterinarians, there is a strong presence of both traditional and herbal medicine in elephant health care.Item Perceptions of Digital Signage among Health Department Clients(2013-03) Yoon, Esther; Larsson, LauraTraditionally, education interventions have been delivered by healthcare personnel. In the Montana Radon Study, digital signage technology (DST) is being evaluated for its effectiveness in delivering health information while clients wait for their appointment. The objective is to make better use of the client’s time in the waiting room and un-burden the client-provider relationship. The purpose of this nested, cross-sectional study was to measure the attitudes and perceptions of waiting room clients to the DST. Survey data was collected over nine-weeks in the winter of 2011-2012 from three health department waiting rooms in Gallatin and Flathead Counties. Participants (n = 110) voluntarily responded to eight questions and were given a pack of sugar-free gum as a token of appreciation. The study was approved by the Montana State University Institutional Review Board. Out of 110 surveys, 92 replied that the system was moderately informative, very informative, or extremely informative. Also, 65 said that they would prefer a mixture of entertainment and health care information. Through this study, the opinion of the public of DST was heard and more can be done to inform clients of health related topics.