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20th Century Forest-Grassland Ecotone Shift and Effects of Livestock Herbivory: Author: Sankey, Temuulen Tsagaan; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Land Resources and Environmental Sciences; Abstract: I studied 20th Century lower forest-grassland ecotone shift in the Centennial Valley in southwestern Montana, USA and the Darhad Valley in northern Mongolia and investigated the effects of livestock herbivory on ecotone dynamics. A total of 525 aspen (Populus tremuloides) and 1,703 Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) trees were cored and 10,168 seedlings were counted at five sites along the ecotone in the Centennial Valley. A total of 2,968 Siberian larch (Larix sibirica) were cored and 4,709 seedlings were counted at five ecotones in the Darhad Valley. Tree-age distribution was constructed to...; Download File | View full details

Changes in Native and Nonnative Fish Assemblages and Habitat Following Wildfire in the Bitterroot River Basin, Montana: Author: Sestrich, Clint Michael; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Wildfire frequency and severity have increased over the past decade but few studies have assessed the effects of large, intense fires on native salmonids in the Intermountain West. I utilized a unique data set with 1-11 years of pre-fire population data in 24 small streams in the Bitterroot River basin in western Montana to determine if habitat changes caused by a large (1,108 km²) wildfire and associated debris flows favored nonnative brook trout Salvelinus fontinalis over native westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisii and bull trout S. confluentus. I used before-af...; Download File | View full details

Children with ADHD in a Rural Community: Author: Miller, Debra Joan; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Nursing; Abstract: Children with ADHD experience a myriad of chronic behavioral and academic difficulties. If attributes among rural children are similar to those described by studies conducted on the urban population, educators and health care professionals may have grossly underestimated the public health impact of ADHD Research does not provide adequate descriptive data of children with ADHD in rural communities and until more is known about actual attributes of these children, there will continue to be disparities in identification, access to treatment, and reports of the manifestations of ADHD and its co-ex...; Download File | View full details

Comparative Nitrogen Partitioning and Water use by Native and Introduced Grass Communities in Southern Alberta, Canada: Author: Porter, Shane Warren; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Land Resources and Environmental Sciences; Abstract: The objectives of this research were to evaluate 1) short-term changes in soil and plant N partitioning created by cultivating and re-seeding native grasslands with two cropping systems of wheat and perennial (crested wheatgrass and Russian wildrye) monocultures; 2) differences in the rate of soil water uptake between Mixed Prairie grasslands, crested wheatgrass and Russian wildrye after a dry-down period; and 3) differences in above ground water use efficiencies, root and crown masses between Mixed Prairie grasslands, crested wheatgrass and Russian wildrye under two different soil water conte...; Download File | View full details

Comprehensive Transcriptional Profiling of γδ T Cells: Author: Graff, Jill Christin; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Veterinary Molecular Biology; Abstract: γδ T cells have been conserved since the adaptive immune system arose, yet their importance is still unclear. In an attempt to compensate for the lack of a broad knowledge-base of γδ T cells across species, global analyses of γδ T cell transcriptomes have been performed using serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE). Twelve new SAGE libraries were generated from the following bovine lymphocyte populations: magnetic bead-sorted blood γδ T cells, spleen γδ T cells and enr...; Download File | View full details

A Critique of the Portrayal of Grizzly Bears in Contemporary Natural History Films: Author: Shier, John Walter; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Science and Natural History Filmmaking; Abstract: Natural History films and television programs are based on the perception that the grizzly bear is an animal that only lives, that only belongs in wilderness. These films and programs spread and strengthen this perception among audiences, compelling them to relegate grizzlies to the few parcels of land that still meet our society's definition of wilderness. The perception ensures that the grizzly's long-term survival in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is threatened; the regions wilderness areas simply don't provide enough habitat for the bears and many people are unwilling to tolerate the pr...; Download File | View full details

Distribution and Population Characteristics of Lake Trout in Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park: Implications for Suppression: Author: Dux, Andrew Martin; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Bull trout Salvelinus confluentus have declined since the establishment of nonnative lake trout Salvelinus namaycush in Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park (GNP). In an attempt to prevent further decline of this population, GNP is considering implementing a lake trout suppression program. I used ultrasonic telemetry to examine the spatial and temporal distribution of lake trout and gill nets to evaluate population characteristics and diet. Model simulations were used to predict lake trout responses to varying levels of suppression. I relocated 36 lake trout (508-859 mm total length) 1,137 tim...; Download File | View full details

The Dual Process Model of Stereotyping: Using Social Cognitive Research to Reduce Bias in the Workplace with an Emphasis in Gender Stereotyping: Author: Betzen, Nathan John; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Applied Psychology; Abstract: As more women and minorities enter organizations, the issue of the glass ceiling fails to evaporate, due in part to the less favorable evaluations of women and minorities in the workplace. A likely cause for this is the lack of research and understanding in the business environment on stereotyping and its results. The following narrative review seeks to bridge the gap between social psychological and social cognitive research and business and Industrial/Organizational research on the topic through the introduction of a dual process model that identifies and attempts to correct for the harmful ...; Download File | View full details

Effect of Trace Mineral Supplementation and the use of an Experimental Escherichia coli O157:H7 Vaccine on Escherichia coli O157:H7 Fecal Shedding in Beef Calves: Author: Skinner, Kim David; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Animal and Range Sciences; Abstract: Two experiments were conducted to evaluate fecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 in newly-weaned calves. In the first experiment, twenty-four heifers were fed a basal diet composed of wheat middlings and corn grain (15% CP and 79% TDN). Twelve heifers were supplemented with trace minerals to provide an additional 399 mg Cu, 1001 mg Zn, and 707 mg Mn/d. The control diet had no supplemental trace minerals added. All heifers were inoculated with an oral dose of 1010 CFU of E. coli O157:H7. Fecal samples were collected every 18 h for the first three days after dosing and then every three d until d 21 ...; Download File | View full details

The Effects of Acute Muscular Fatigue on the Functional Ability of the Knee Joint: Author: Brown, Tyler Nolan; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Health and Human Development; Abstract: Results of preliminary data collection indicate an increase of electromyography (EMG) amplitude in fatiguing isokinetic contractions of the knee extensors. The primary purpose of this study was to determine if the EMG/Torque relationship of vastus lateralis changes as a result of fatigue. The second purpose of this study was to determine if tests of functional ability are affected by fatigue. Twenty-two subjects (13 males and 9 females) were sampled from two populations with different types of training (strength versus endurance) experience. The procedures included a five-minute self-selected ...; Download File | View full details

Effects of Manufacturing Conditions, Stresses, Temperature and Humidity on the Performance of an Innovative Fractional Order Control Device: Author: Kulkarni, Nachiket Ashok; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Mechanical Engineering; Abstract: An innovative fractional order control device (Fractor) has been developed. The principal characteristic of the Fractor is a non-integer order power law relationship between the impedance and frequency. The exponent or the order in this power law is the Constant Phase Element (CPE). Warburg impedance is the ideal goal for the optimal performance of the Fractor which is intended for applications in feedback control systems. The Fractor is based on a specially developed material system which involves a synthesized polymer gel interfaced with metal electrodes. The roughness of the electrode is in...; Download File | View full details

Effects of Varying Habitats on Competition between Endangered San Joaquin Kit Foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica) and Coyotes (Canis latrans): Author: Nelson, Julia Lynn; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Biological Sciences; Abstract: Coyotes (Canis latrans) are the primary predator of endangered San Joaquin kit foxes (Vulpes macrotis mutica). Coyotes often associate with coverrich habitats while kit foxes use grasslands, alkali shrublands, and urban environments. Effects of varying habitats on coyote and kit fox competition are relatively unknown. I assessed exploitation and interference competition between coyotes and kit foxes in grassland and shrubland habitats to determine if kit foxes are niche displaced by coyotes. I evaluated habitat and spatial partitioning, diet, and prey abundance of kit foxes and coyotes, as wel...; Download File | View full details

Enhanced Step Mode FTIR Position Control: Author: Inberg, R. Brandon; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Electrical Engineering; Abstract: This thesis presents a modification to a typical Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer to achieve finer spatial sampling and increased frequency range for step-scan experiments with little modification to the existing hardware. Commercially available step-scan FTIR spectrometers currently have the ability to measure spectra up to 15798 cm-1, which is limited by a HeNe reference laser used for controlling the mirror's position. The proposed technique involves using a digital signal processor (DSP) to measure the HeNe reference signal and estimate the mirror position. The DSP then outpu...; Download File | View full details

Experimental Investigation of the Thermal Effects of Frost Susceptible Soils: Author: Newell, Zachary Allen; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Civil Engineering; Abstract: Damages to engineering structures attributed to frost action of subgrade soils amounts to millions of dollars annually. Theoretical research has been conducted to examine the details of the frost action phenomenon since the 1940's. However, a reliable and practical approach for evaluating the frost susceptibility of soils is nonetheless a goal that has eluded engineers and scientists alike. The research presented herein focuses on the procedures necessary to obtain a numerical model capable of predicting the thermal response of frost susceptible soils. A field facility was designed and constr...; Download File | View full details

Ferromagnetism in Cobalt-Doped Titanium Dioxide: Author: Lussier, Alexandre Francois; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Physics; Abstract: Semiconductor spintronics is a promising new field of study in the ongoing quest to make electronic devices faster, cheaper, and more efficient. While current spintronics utilizes the spin property of electrons to achieve greater functionality, the integration of spintronics into conventional semiconductor electronics will lead to advances in opto-electronics, quantum computing, and other emerging fields of technology. This integration relies on effective generation, injection, transport, and detection of spin polarized electron currents. To these ends, the successful synthesis of room tempera...; Download File | View full details

General Chemistry Laboratory for Engineers: A Research-Based Approach: Author: Sorey, Timothy Lowell; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Chemistry; Abstract: Changes made in requirements to the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology in 2000 have made it possible for several engineering curricula to take one semester of a two part general chemistry series. At Montana State University - Bozeman engineering majors constitute just over 37% of the total 850 students per year in the first term general chemistry population. The single-semester engineering curricula enroll 88% of the engineering students. These students receive an incomplete survey of general chemistry, missing important topics such as equilibrium and kinetics, acids and bases,...; Download File | View full details

Graduates, Employers and the Academy: Perceptions of the Quality and Utility of External Degrees over Twenty Five Years: Author: Puffer, Glenn Robert; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Education; Abstract: In 1975 the Bureau of Social Science Research (BSSR) commissioned a study to examine the education- and work-related experiences of graduates from external degree programs to gather information "on how well such degrees served their holders, especially with respect to their usefulness in the world of work and the extent to which they provide access to higher-level programs." The study findings published in 1978 revealed that many of the perceptions of the "quality and validity" of external degrees held by graduates, employers, and educators in 1976-77 are similar to tho...; Download File | View full details

Habitat Use, Diet, and Growth of Hatchery-Reared Juvenile Pallid Sturgeon and Indigenous Shovelnose Sturgeon in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir: Author: Gerrity, Paul Christopher; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Natural recruitment of pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus has not been observed in the Missouri River above Fort Peck Reservoir, Montana, for at least 20 years. To augment the population, 732 hatchery-reared juvenile pallid sturgeon (HRJPS) were released as yearlings in 1998. Evaluation of these HRJPS was necessary to determine their performance in a natural lotic environment. Habitat variables were measured at 666 locations obtained from 29 HRJPS (mean length = 511 mm, 90% confidence interval + 17 mm; mean weight = 434 + 37 g) and 21 indigenous shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchu...; Download File | View full details

Idact Transformation Manager: Author: Hay, Brian; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Computer Science; Abstract: As scientific models and analysis tools become increasingly complex, they allow researchers to manipulate larger, richer, and more finely-grained datasets, often gathered from diverse sources. These complex models provide scientists with the opportunity to investigate phenomena in much greater depth, but this additional power is not without cost. Often this cost is expressed in the time required on the part of the researcher to find, gather, and transform the data necessary to satisfy the appetites of their data-hungry computation tools, and this is time that could clearly be better spent anal...; Download File | View full details

Intergranular Water and Permeability of the Lake Vostok Accretion Ice, Eastern Antarctica: Author: Jepsen, Steven Michael; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Engineering; Abstract: The relative importance of nonhydrostatic stress and lattice-rejected impurities on the phase equilibrium of intergranular liquid water in the Vostok accretion ice, Eastern Antarctica, was examined in this study. In addition, experiments were conducted to examine the influence of intergranular water in ice on the permeability of a Light Non-Aqueous Phase Liquid (LNAPL) hydrocarbon. Sub-grain scale stresses in the Vostok accretion ice were simulated with anisotropic elastic and elastocreep finite element (FE) models and compared to X-ray dislocation topographs. The phase equilibrium conditions ...; Download File | View full details

Mems 3-D Scan Mirror for an Endoscopic Confocal Microscope: Author: Shao, Yuhe; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Engineering; Abstract: Optical MEMS is at a very exciting stage and has become an enabling technology for a variety of applications in telecommunications and high-resolution display and imaging. Among many novel MEMS devices, MEMS scanners and deformable membrane mirrors are especially useful for scanned-beam imaging systems. MEMS scanners are usually used for laser beam scanning. Deformable mirrors provide an approach to modify the optical wavefront adaptively. In optical microsystems, packaging is often a critical part of the system design. Combining functionalities at a single device can reduce complexity of the ...; Download File | View full details

Microwave Planer-Probe Traveling-Wave Power Dividing-Combining: Author: Dickman, Edward John; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Electrical Engineering; Abstract: TAs the millimeterwave and sub-millimeterwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum are increasingly utilized, the need for greater power at those frequencies also increases. Unfortunately, as frequency is increased, the power available from a single solid-state device decreases. Thus, in many applications, the combining of power from several solid-state devices becomes necessary to have usable signal power levels. This thesis presents two such power combining approaches, whose designs are compatible with existing microfabrication techniques that may be used to produce devices operating at ...; Download File | View full details

Modeling Soil Water Content for Precision Range Management: Author: Sankey, Joel Brown; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: I developed site-specific empirical models to predict spring soil water content for two Montana ranches. The models used publicly available Landsat TM 5, USGS DEM, and soil survey-derived data as predictor variables. The goal of the project was to test whether ranchers could collect a limited size soil water content data set, build sitespecific regression models based on the data set, and construct soil water content maps based on the models. The response variable for models consisted of 100 and 82 average soil profile mass water content samples for each ranch, respectively. Half the samples w...; Download File | View full details

Molecular Analysis of Diversity, Gene Expression and Activity of Mineral-Associated Bacteria: Author: Reardon, Catherine Leona; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Microbiology; Abstract: This dissertation investigated the diversity and hydrogenase activity and gene expression of mineral-associated microorganisms. Surface-associated microbes have been shown to dominate diversity and activity in the environment, however molecular analysis of sediment-associated communities is hindered by both inaccessibility to the subsurface and co-extraction of inhibitory compounds. In order to analyze microbial communities in which the environmental conditions previously had precluded the use of traditional sediment extraction techniques, biofilm coupons (metal, mesh cylinders containing surr...; Download File | View full details

Molecular and Biochemical Characterization of Wheat (Triticum aestivum. L) Polyphenol Oxidases (PPOs): Author: Jukanti, Aravind Kumar; Date: 2005-12-15; Program: Plant Sciences; Abstract: Polyphenol oxidases (PPOs) from several plant species, including wheat, have been implicated in the undesirable brown discoloration of food products. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) represents an interesting system to advance our understanding of plant PPO function for two important reasons, namely (1) the large size an complexity of its (allohexaploid) genome, and (2) its economic importance. Prior to this study, the molecular and biochemical properties of wheat PPOs were largely unknown. To remedy this situation, we have performed several BLAST searches of expressed sequence tag (EST) databases...; Download File | View full details

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