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Item Multi- and many-objective factored evolutionary algorithms(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Engineering, 2023) Peerlinck, Amy; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: John SheppardMulti-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.Item 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. LaskowskiMany 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.Item 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.Item Ewe undernutrition alters cotyledon development and function(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2023) Welter, Francesca Marie; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Sarah R. McCoskiUndernutrition 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.Item 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 RunningBackground: 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.Item Going beyond the voice of God: unconventional voiceover narration and the importance of point of view in documentary films(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2023) Lobao, Ashley Irene; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Hugo R. SindelarDocumentary film narration styles have evolved over the years adjusting to the changes in the medium's trends. An unconventional narration style, one that is more personal and intimate, has evolved and become the newest narration trend. This paper evaluates four films: Conservation International's 'Nature is Speaking' (2014), Raoul Peck's 'I Am Not Your Negro' (2016), Chris Marker's 'Sans Soleil' (1983), and finally, Ashley Lobao's 'Vineas Salutis: Vineyards of Salvation' (2023) to explore how an unconventional narration can establish a films point of view and deliver a deeper meaning to the viewer.Item Late gestation maternal overnutrition alters gene expression and histomorphology in neonatal foal testes(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Agriculture, 2023) Trauner, Alexis Maria; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Amanda N. BradberyWhile obesity has deleterious effects on metabolism, performance, lameness, and health in mature horses, little is known about the impacts to reproductive health in foals from overfed dams. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of maternal overnutrition on neonatal foal testicular development. To test this, 16 Quarter horse mares were used in a completely randomized design and stratified by expected foaling date, body weight, and body condition score into one of two dietary treatments offered twice daily beginning on gestational d 235: control (CON; n = 8) fed to meet nutrient requirements and overfed (HIGH; n = 8) fed 40% above CON. At 5 h postpartum, foals were humanely euthanized, and testes were harvested, weighed, and stored for analyses. RNA was extracted and submitted for RNA sequencing. Histomorphometric evaluations were performed using a hematoxylin & eosin stain. ImageJ software was used to evaluate individual seminiferous tubule (ST) area, ST number, and % area of STs relative to interstitial tissue, as well as Sertoli cell numbers per ST. Data were analyzed using the MIXED procedure in SAS. Testes from HIGH male foals (n = 4) were 61% larger than testes from CON male foals (n = 4; P < 0.01). RNA sequencing revealed 56 differentially expressed genes between HIGH and CON groups (P-adjusted < 0.05). These genes represent biochemical pathways involved in oxidative phosphorylation, fatty acid metabolism, and thermogenesis, which are integral for testicular development and function. Gene ontology analyses revealed differential gene expression was associated with biological processes relevant to reproductive function and spermatogenesis, including cellular respiration and mitochondrial function. Histological analyses revealed no difference in individual ST area (P = 0.76) or Sertoli cell number within STs (P = 0.57); however, testes from CON foals had 2.3x more STs per 10X field than HIGH foals (P = 0.01) along with STs representing a greater percentage of the image area relative to interstitial tissue (P = 0.05). These data from the neonatal foal indicate that late- gestation maternal overnutrition alters fetal testicular development with potential long-term implications.Item Forecasting vertebrate species habitat suitability and ecoregion types under future climate change scenarios using Species Distribution Modeling (SDM)(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2023) Veneros Guevara, Jaris Emmanuel; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Andrew J. Hansen; This is a manuscript style paper that includes co-authored chapters.Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia have identified a total of 23 threatened species, including mammals, birds, and plants, which are also a part of their reports for SDG 15. These countries are keen to monitor the risk of extinction of these species and ensure their protection. As part of the Life on Land Project, we aim to assist these countries in approximating the IUCN Red List index using species occurrence data, climatic data, and variables such as Human Footprint (HFP) in different climate change scenario. To achieve this, we conducted a general review of climate drivers and climate change for the three countries and explored climate data to estimate the variation of temperature (°C) and annual precipitation (mm) change under current climate conditions and in RCPs-2050 climate change scenarios (2.6, 4.5, and 8.5). Our results indicated that the average annual temperature for 2050, using a baseline of 1970-2000, is expected to increase by over 1 °C in some areas and over 4 °C in others. For annual precipitation, an increase is also predicted, although few global circulation models show a reduction. We also conducted a median comparison to see the differences between the baseline and the RCPs in 2050, indicating that the medians are different. Density plots were used to illustrate the shift to the right for the temperature case, confirming the anticipated temperature increase by 2050 in the three RCPs. Finally, we used the R package (SDM) to estimate habitat suitability probability for the spectacled bear and the paramo ecoregion. Our findings indicated that climate change impacts their areas with high probability of occurrence to a great extent, and their habitats are also affected by HFP. These methods for exploring climate data and assessing habitat suitability are replicable and can be used with other environmental variables.Item First digital forelimb reconstruction and range of motion assessment of the late Cretaceous dinosaur Troodon formosus(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2023) Serio, Michael Anthony; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: David J. VarricchioTroodon formosus (Troodon) is a theropod dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of North America primarily known from fragmentary fossil material. Hypothesized to hunt small game, Troodon, like many theropods, may have actively engaged its forelimbs to aid hunting behavior. Furthermore, the complexity of preserved nests associated with Troodon suggest it had sufficient range of motion and dexterity to use its forelimbs to manipulate its eggs. Additionally, Troodon's evolutionary position as one of the closest groups to living birds could indicate important information about the evolution of the avian wing. However, no complete forelimb material has yet been found for Troodon, and as such a complete reconstruction and range of motion (ROM) estimate of its forelimbs has yet to be attempted. This study aims to address these hypotheses and shortcomings by leveraging recent digital modelling technology to create the first forelimb reconstruction and ROM for Troodon. To overcome preservation limitations, surface scans from multiple Troodon fossils housed in the Museum of the Rockies (Bozeman, Montana) were digitally combined to reconstruct most of a forelimb. From this model, digital articulation in the software package Maya was compared with physical articulation ROM methods using 3D printed copies of the forelimb. The maximum angle of allowed motion for each forelimb joint until bone-on-bone contact was assessed. Results show increased flexion over extension in Troodon's joints, consistent with closely related species. However, Troodon also shows higher manual extension than close relatives. The humerus is also shorter and stockier, showing mechanical specialization for strength vs speed, and convergent features with primitive theropod species. These ROM and morphological differences imply a deviation in hunting strategy or forelimb utility and a deviation from avian forelimb morphology. Total manual ROM results cannot confirm whether Troodon was able to grasp its eggs and small prey single-handed, but two-handed apprehension remains feasible. This study utilized digital and physical ROM methods, analyzing for the first-time specimens that would have been previously overlooked. These results shed light on both the foraging and reproductive behavior of Troodon and have implications for understanding the evolution of modern avian reproductive behavior and the dinosaur-bird transition.Item The kinematics and dynamics of rifting in south-central Tibet(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2023) Reynolds, Elizabeth Aislin Nicole; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Andrew K. Laskowski; This is a manuscript style paper that includes co-authored chapters.Southern Tibet is a unique location to study complex interactions between continental collision and extension, or stretching, of the Earth's crust which forms linear structures called rifts. The study of rifts is important because the rocks they expose can record thermal changes in the Earth's crust related to large-scale processes such as shifts in tectonic plates which occur over long timescales and are difficult to observe. Rifts also interact with topography, can influence river systems, and cause changes in rainfall distribution across a landscape by forming topographic drainage divides. Despite their importance, the kinematics and dynamics of rifting, or processes that occur during rift formation and evolution, are not well understood. This study uses field and radiometric dating techniques to investigate the shape, orientation, and timing of extension in southern Tibet by testing kinematic models for two classes of rifts: (1) Tibetan rifts which are defined as rifts that are >150 km in length and crosscut the Lhasa Terrane, and (2) Gangdese rifts that are defined as rifts <50 km long that are isolated within the high topography of the Gangdese Range. Evaluation of rift age across the Tangra Yumco rift and three Gangdese rifts suggests the TYC rift formed through the linkage of smaller normal fault segments into larger and longer structures over time, while Gangdese rifts may have relatively constant lengths. Additionally, interactions between rifts and contractional structures have likely influenced the evolution of topography and drainage patterns in southern Tibet for at least the past sixteen million years. To further investigate structural interactions, a broader compilation of thermochronology ages expands results to include another Tibetan rift, the Lunggar rift. Trends in the data reveal all samples from Gangdese rifts and Tibetan rifts that spatially overlap the Gangdese Range yield ages between ~28-16 Ma, whereas samples north of the Gangdese Range yield ages between ~12-4 Ma. I interpret these results to reflect Gangdese rift initiation at ~28 Ma in conjunction with, and perhaps balancing, uplift driven by the India-Asia collision, while young ages North of the Gangdese Range (~12-4 Ma) reflect extension along Tibetan rifts.