Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://scholarworks.montana.edu/handle/1/733
Browse
14 results
Filters
Settings
Search Results
Item Effects of time, cultivar, and storage environment on winter squash in semiarid Montana(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2023) Sheild, Victoria Marie; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Mac BurgessWinter squash can be stored for months after harvest while taste, texture, and color attributes improve. The potential for producers to attain greater storage longevity and produce better squash would benefit farmers, consumers, and economies. Due to variation in local climates and the respective vendors' needs, understanding how to control a storage environment can be challenging. This research looks at how storage environment and storage period affect biochemical and physical attributes of ten varieties of winter squash in a semiarid climate. The varieties include three Cucurbita pepo, one Cucurbita moschata, one Cucurbita maxima x moschata hybrid, and five Cucurbita maxima cultivars. Two storage environments were used for analysis. One was located indoors and cooled to 53 degrees F while the other was built into an existing barn with a heating unit and insulation to keep the temperature above freezing. A total of 240 winter squash were placed in each storage space. A completely randomized design was used to assign categorical treatments of storage time to each winter squash, with six levels of treatment being implemented. Each variety of squash (n=4) was analyzed monthly in each storage environment for changes in soluble solids, dry matter, starch content, interior color and exterior color (using CIELAB color values L*, a*, b*), and mass. The temperature and relative humidity of each storage environment were also monitored and recorded hourly during the same period. Cultivar was always the most significant factor. There was no simple effect of the storage environment on dry matter, soluble solids, starch content, or mass. There was a strong significant interaction observed between time and cultivar for each response variable, which shows us that the type of squash and how long it should be stored for are important when discussing quality. Storage did have a significant effect on the a* value of interior color, which is an indicator of quality and nutritional value. The biochemical and physical attributes of each cultivar analyzed varied greatly in its response to the amount of time in storage which in turn influences the taste, texture, and sensory quality of each cultivar uniquely.Item Predicting and modeling the material properties of fused deposition modeling elements leading to more efficient structural designs(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Engineering, 2021) Murray, Flynn Rae; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Michael BerryThe current construction industry has a significant negative impact on the climate, and this impact is expected to increase as the world's population continues to grow and urbanization expands. This impact may be reduced by implementing more sustainable building materials and practices. The primary objective of this research is to develop a methodology to estimate and model the material/structural response of elements made with fused deposition modeling. This will ultimately lead to an increased use of FDM in structural applications, and open the door to combining FDM with topology optimization to design and build optimized structural elements, resulting in a more sustainable infrastructure. In this research, tensile and flexural specimens printed in a variety of orientations were tested to evaluate/quantify the effects that print orientation have on elastic properties, ultimate stresses, and failure mechanisms of FDM parts. These elastic properties were then implemented into an orthotropic formulation of the Generalized Hooke's Law, and successfully used in finite element models to predict the elastic response of FDM specimens. Based on this analysis, it was determined that, while the Generalized Hooke's Law provided some advantages, the elastic material response of FDM parts could be estimated with a simpler isotropic model with little loss of accuracy. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was then successfully used to further evaluate/quantify the effects that print orientation and scale have on the behavior of FDM parts, and to develop equations to predict the stiffness and strength of FDM parts given these print parameters. Finally, the feasibility of using topology optimization combined with additive manufacturing is briefly investigated.Item Diverse approaches in agriculture and education enhance problem-solving capacity(Montana State University - Bozeman, The Graduate School, 2022) Watt, Charles Robert; Co-chairs, Graduate Committee: Carrie B. Myers and Mac Burgess; This is a manuscript style paper that includes co-authored chapters.As humanity faces challenges to feeding itself amidst increasing rates of environmental degradation and disconnection from our food growing ways, we have a responsibility to not only work towards transforming our agricultural systems to be more sustainable, but to prepare the future generation of leaders with the skills, knowledge, and problem-solving approaches that are necessary to handle these challenges. This interdisciplinary dissertation utilizes mixed methods including quantitative and qualitative methodologies to examine problems that range from management of small-scale vegetable systems to pedagogical and systemic approaches in our post-secondary educational systems. An overarching theme emerges that calls on diversifying the way we manage soils and classrooms alike. Chapter One discusses philosophical assumptions and interpretive frameworks that underlie our institutional inquiry apparatus. It also discusses my positionality as a researcher working in this problem space. Chapter Two outlines the foundation of literature that supports the three primary research chapters. Chapter Three reports on research on soil fertility in organic high tunnel vegetable production and concludes that utilizing organic amendments that provide rapid short term Nitrogen release are important to crop yield. Chapter four investigates the effect of an active learning intervention on the capacity for upper-level cropping systems students to quantitatively reason and critically think about complex soil health concepts situated in real-world contexts. The evidence in support of active learning to compliment didactic instruction is clear. Chapter Five explores undergraduate student perceptions of sustainability using a grounded theory study approach. The emergent conceptual model describes one's background knowledge, life and educational experiences, point of view, and existing interest as the primary factors affecting how they evaluate sustainability in any given context. These findings support the use of campus farms for deep learning. Chapter Six includes personal reflection and ties together themes that identify the importance of using diverse approaches in our agricultural management, pedagogical and curricular development, and systemic models of knowledge construction in order to advance society towards a more sustainable future on this planet.Item Education For Sustainability (EFS) as a lived experience at a land grant university (MSU): a case study of MSU teaching faculty(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 2022) Short, Daniel Owen; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Michael BrodySustainability is a contentious and awkward topic to teach. Increasing concern and awareness of sustainability issues drives a need to study sustainability through an education lens. Education, specifically Higher Education (HE), is a vital source in understanding and ultimately addressing sustainability issues. However, HE institutions continue to promote unsustainable patterns on a local, regional, and global scale. There is an alignment between MSU's mission as a land grant institution and that of Educations for Sustainability (EfS). The shared mission is to serve local regions and citizens by addressing local, regional, and global issues through education, research, and service. This exploratory qualitative study aims to examine and describe the lived experiences of educators at MSU who teach 'fundamental' EfS courses. Data collected is from Interviews, course artifacts, a survey, and observations from the sample of four (n=4) MSU faculty and their courses. The research used a collective case study methodology. A central finding of this study is the faculty's dedication to accurately representing the complexities of sustainability to their students. The faculty's beliefs and experiences manifest in their courses by promoting inclusive scholarship and adaptable course design. This study offers a reflection of a small sample of MSU faculty teaching EfS to promote further research into EfS at MSU.Item Integrating livestock into small-scale vegetable farming systems(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2021) Benson-Feagler, Trestin Thea; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Megan Van Emon; D.L. Regan, M.L. Van Emon and C.J. Yeoman were co-authors of the article, 'Effects of integrating livestock into small-scale vegetable farming systems' submitted to the journal 'Sustainable agriculture research' which is contained within this thesis.Since World War II, modern agriculture systems have shifted to low-diversity monoculture crops, specializing in a singular species and generally separating those crops from livestock. Such systems require high inputs including fertilizers, herbicides and tillage, all of which may reduce ecological potential of farmland. Small-scale farms are becoming more popular due to recent interest in local eating and sustainability. To improve their environmental sustainability, some small-scale farms have incorporated livestock back into cropping systems. Soil health measurements can be valuable in understanding the impacts livestock have on small- scale farming systems as soil is the growth medium for vegetation. The objectives of this study were to evaluate nutrient cycling, microbial communities and compaction in response to grazed versus un-grazed vegetable cropping systems and use this information to understand the interaction between soil biology, nutrient cycling and livestock when integrated in a variety of vegetable production systems. Soil and biomass samples were collected over three years (2017- 2020) before and after sheep grazing occurred on three farm locations in the Northern Great Plains. Soil samples were analyzed for soil microbial diversity, bulk density and soil nutrients. While I found no consistent differences in soil nutrients, bulk density or soil microbial diversity, my results indicate that integrating livestock into small-scale vegetable farming systems did not negatively impact soil quality. Results from this study may help demonstrate to farmers and livestock operators the importance of an integrated approach, for those that already practice this approach there is affirmation that integration is feasible and purposeful and also become the starting point for further research into a little studied topic.Item Geographies of mobility and belonging: critical plant studies and hopeful worldviews(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2020) Rasile, Alayna May; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Josh DeWeeseThis paper makes a case for the miraculous nature of vegetal life and subverts the cultural failings of western civilization that have omitted ecological literacy and replaced it with ecosystem manipulation. Through examining the resiliency, adaptability, and mobility of plants, this thesis proposes a reconsideration of the idea of vegetal life being 'rooted' or immobile by choosing a posthuman lens that challenges the linear, human-scaled time and the Cartesian split of mind and body. Through my research on textile technology and my conviction for mutualistic co-species relationships, I explore opportunities for humans to use the implicit structure of capitalism with a methodology that is regenerative for landscapes and supportive of diverse vegetal life. These market-based solutions allow for positive material relationships with all aspects of an ecosystem.Item Science communication and the advantages of the contextual model in documentaries(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2020) Portuondo, Jessica; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Cindy StillwellDocumentaries can be an effective method for informing the public on agricultural trends and policies. Incorporating the contextual model of science communication into these films is one way to improve public awareness and to explain the complexities of sustainable agricultural practices. A comparison of Food Inc. and the 'Dan Barber' episode of Chef's Table demonstrates how a reliance on the deficit model inhibits the propagation of knowledge about sustainable agriculture. This critique also highlights how a character-based story can function as an educational tool to teach audiences about the value of regenerative food production practices by emotionally connecting with the protagonist.Item Green museums waking up the world: indigenous and mainstream approaches to exploring sustainability(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2018) Medicine Horse, Jennifer Neso'eoo'e; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Robert RydellMainstream and Indigenous Museums are ideally situated, both geographically and culturally, to educate the public about complex twenty-first century environmental issues. The most effective approaches to understanding, addressing, and adapting to these climate changes can be conveyed by museums, incorporating a holistic methodology utilizing the knowledge, observations and ideas of both Western and Indigenous peoples, and directed toward the young people of the world most impacted by climate disruption. This qualitative research was conceptualized iteratively within an Indigenous research methodology, using a combination of Western and Indigenous research approaches to create a hybrid methodology that would satisfy academic requirements, yet foster the community required to successfully answer the research question. Although a formal list of interview questions was developed, the qualitative interviews were primarily conducted in an informal conversational manner, allowing the respondents to tell their stories and include what they felt was relevant. A snowball strategy was employed to generate the potential interviews, as well as scouting potential interviews at the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and Association of Tribal Archives Libraries and Museums (ATALM) annual conferences during the years 2011-2015. One hundred and three interviews were conducted at ten institutions; all interviews were conducted in-person on-site at the home institutions. Approximately half of the interviews were conducted at the Smithsonian Institution as the result of a Smithsonian Research Fellowship. The interview respondents were forthcoming about their experiences and observations regarding sustainability initiatives at their institutions. The interviews suggest that it is indeed possible for museums to address issues of climate disruption and sustainability efficaciously, utilizing both Western and Indigenous scientific knowledges to educate and engage the public. However, few American museums are currently attempting this task fraught with challenges, although museums are uniquely able to undertake this crucial work. The collaborative work catalyzed by the Cosmic Serpent and Native Universe NSF-funded research projects serves as a tested model to inspire museums to design their own initiatives. Citizen Science initiatives, engaging museums with their constituent youth, provide a promising way of conveying complex environmental information in a palatable manner to youth of various ages and cultural backgrounds.Item Y ECO: Yellowstone Ecological Center for Observation(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2008) Kahler, Bradley Scott; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Bill Rea; Ralph Johnson (co-chair)The Yellowstone Ecological Center for Observation (Y Eco) is designed to function as an educational facility that employs sustainable and ecological methods. Y Eco incorporates a living machine (an all-natural water purification system utilizing micro-organisms, various plants, etc.), various alternative energy resources (i.e. photovoltaic arrays, vertical wind turbines, hydro-electric in-stream turbines), as well as other passive and active sustainable and ecological design methods. An elevated pedestrian bridge forms Y Eco's "spine" and provides direct access to over 700 acres of public land on the opposing shore of the Yellowstone River. Y Eco is to be the means to better educate a public predominantly rooted in oil refinement and coal fed power production industries. The need is dire to begin a transformation of habit, an awareness and respect for one's own contributions to a society enveloped in its currently fragile nature.Item Westernization in sub-Saharan Africa : facing loss of culture, knowledge, and environment(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2007) Scott, Meghan Marie; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Ralph JohnsonSub-Saharan Africa faces many challenges; among them is the struggle to westernize. But is westernization really the answer for this large 'third world' population? Westernization has stripped many of the cultures that make up sub-Saharan Africa of their knowledge bases, knowledge of tradition, and pride in culture. The principles behind International architecture indicate to this part of the world that the way they are living (with sensitivity to earth, season, and hardship) is uncivilized. That instead of grass huts that can be rebuilt if a drought causes a family to move, they must build multi-story buildings in town centers, out of concrete in order to be considered civilized. Instead, the loss of this pride in culture can be reversed. This thesis investigated whether or not architecture can be created in this third world region that gives thought to aesthetics, environment, culture and socio-economic situation; Can a building in sub-Saharan Africa be constructed for more than just the function of shelter, no matter what the aesthetic costs? Can it be functional, affordable, easily constructed and take into account design aesthetic? A new generation of architecture can emerge in Africa: a generation of sustainable, aesthetically sensitive buildings that educate inhabitants about their heritage and environment; a generation of architecture that begins to return pride in culture and heritage to populations in grave danger of losing knowledge of both.