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African American Suffering and Suicide Under Slavery: Author: Kneeland, Linda Kay; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: History; Abstract: While the suffering of slaves in the antebellum American South is common knowledge, what is not so commonly known is the suicide rate among those slaves. How did slaves respond to the suffering they were forced to undergo? While some slaves did choose suicide, the rates appear to be surprisingly low. This is consistent with suicide rates for Africa and for people of African descent living in other areas of the world, and further supports the theory that a low suicide rate is an element of African culture. The overwhelming majority of African-American slaves chose to deal with their suffering t...; Download File | View full details

Analysis and Design of MEMS Scan Mirrors Using Periodically Stiffened Silicon Nitride: Author: Lutzenberger, Bert Jeffrey; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Civil Engineering; Abstract: This research presents a novel fabrication method combining surface and bulk micromachining techniques to deposit mechanically stiffened silicon nitride films for use in MEMS fabrication. The stiffened silicon nitride film consists of a thin (~1.5 um) top sheet with stiffening fins molded to the back of the film. In the final configuration, the fins extend between 15 um and 40 um vertically from the back of the film. The molded fins are arranged into periodic square and hexagonal cell configurations ranging in size from 10 um to 250 um. The periodic cells significantly increase the bending sti...; Download File | View full details

Analysis and Design of the Mechanical Systems Onboard a Microsatellite in Low-Earth Orbit: An Assessment Study: Author: Solomon, Dylan Raymond; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Mechanical Engineering; Abstract: A study of the mechanical systems contributing to the design and performance of a picosatellite's mission in low-Earth orbit (LEO) was performed through design and analysis. The unique architecture of this satellite stems from a form factor established by the internationally recognized CubeSat Program. This CubeSat-Plus architecture limits the satellite's size to be no larger than a 10 x 10 x 15 cm cube with an overall mass not exceeding 2 kg. This satellite would then be launch into LEO and conduct on-orbit GPS measurements while remaining tethered to the second stage booster of a Boeing Delt...; Download File | View full details

Beyond the Image: Author: Bissell, Owen Edward; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Science and Natural History Filmmaking; Abstract: Documentaries with science and nature as their subject matter have a great, untapped potential for art virtually unexplored in the history of film. A look at the general trend of these films shows a steady progression attempting more subjective and reflexive treatments of material, but science documentaries today are generally stuck in the classical expository mode. This lack of progression in films with scientific subject (including nature and wildlife) subject matter is largely due to producers unwillingness to break from the conventions of genre. In their attempts to create art instead of c...; Download File | View full details

Bringing Medicine to the Masses: Exploring the Relationship Between the Medical Documentary and the Public: Author: Backus, Alison Lorraine; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Science and Natural History Filmmaking; Abstract: The medical documentary seeks to bridge the gap between the traditional imbalance of knowledge between the patient and her medical practitioner. This paper will examine the issue of the imbalance of the doctor and patient throughout the history of medicine, explore how the medical documentary seeks to solve this imbalance, and the methods by which it does so. By comparing three related medical documentaries and examining the strengths and weaknesses of each one in its attempt to educate and engage the viewer, I will seek to create a broad model for future medical documentaries and relate how m...; Download File | View full details

Chasing the Dream: Literature and Regional Construction in California's Great Central Valley: Author: Bryson, Rachel Welton; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: English; Abstract: As a region, California's Great Central Valley can be defined through the physical and cultural characteristics assigned to the space by its residents. Not unlike the larger regions of which it is part, the Valley's cultural landscapes have long been constructed as sites of wealth, fertile ground, and opportunity. Drawn to the region's myriad promises and possibilities, populations moving into and within the region often search for their part in a frequently elusive California Dream. Yet as with any place, the lived experience of the Valley's residents is often far removed from the constructio...; Download File | View full details

Competition Potential between Sauger and Walleye in Non-Native Sympatry: Historical Trends and Resource Overlap in the Middle Missouri River, Montana: Author: Bellgraph, Brian Joseph; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Sauger Sander canadensis populations throughout Montana and North America have exhibited declines over the past few decades. Sauger population abundance declined in the middle Missouri and Yellowstone rivers of Montana in the mid-1980s following a period of drought. Higher flows resulted in a rebound of the lower Yellowstone River population; however, the middle Missouri River population has remained at low abundance. Various factors may contribute to the reduced population abundance of sauger in the middle Missouri River, including interspecific competition with walleye Sander vitreus. Histor...; Download File | View full details

Computer Based Characterization of a Spatial-Spectral (s2) Material Signal Processor: Author: Khallaayoun, Ahmed; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Electrical Engineering; Abstract: The Spectrum Lab has developed a computer based model for a new generation processor where one of its applications promises improvement in current and future generation Radars. This processor is named the S2CHIP (Spatial Spectral Coherent Holographic Integrating Processor). The purpose of this work is to characterize the S2CHIP under different conditions in terms of signal strength, noise level and dynamic range. The characterization has been done using a new simulator developed at the Spectrum Lab based on the Maxwell-Bloch equations. This tool enabled us to simulate various effects based not...; Download File | View full details

The Consistency of Inflammatory Responses and Muscle Damage to High-Force Eccentric Exercise: Author: Andring, Jan Marie; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Health and Human Development; Abstract: High-force eccentric exercise causes muscle damage and leads to inflammation resulting in increased levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Indicators of muscle damage are creatine kinase (CK), decreased maximal isometric strength, muscle soreness (SOR) and swelling. This study investigated rank ordering of eccentric exercise of the non-dominant (ND) and dominant (D) elbow flexors. Rank ordering is determined by the magnitude and duration of the inflammatory response indicated by CRP, IL-6 and IL-10. Twelve subjects enrolled in the study, nine subjects performed high-force...; Download File | View full details

Continuous Real-Time Recovery of Optical Spectral Features Distorted by Fast-Chirped Readout: Author: Bekker, Scott Henry; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Electrical Engineering; Abstract: Optical signal processors can analyze the spectra of RF signals with bandwidths of hundreds of gigahertz and achieve spectral resolutions of tens of kilohertz, far exceeding the capabilities of conventional analyzers. Modulating a broadband RF signal onto a laser beam and exposing an optical memory material to the modulated light stores the power spectrum of the input signal in the material temporarily. The power spectrum contained within the material is then extracted by measuring the intensity of the light exiting the material while exposing it to a linear frequency chirped laser spanning th...; Download File | View full details

Creating the Old and New Wests: Landscape and Identity in Anaconda and Hamilton, Montana: Author: Bryson, Jeremy Glen; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Earth Sciences; Abstract: This research employs case studies of Anaconda and Hamilton, Montana to explore the creation of the Old and New Wests. For nearly a century, Anaconda functioned as a copper smelting city. However, since the smelter closed the community has witnessed withering population losses, economic contraction, and investment withdrawal. Alternatively, Hamilton has a long history of recreational and leisure amenity investment. Recently, Hamilton's rapid population growth, economic expansion and considerable investment have transformed the community. This research seeks to understand and interpret the chan...; Download File | View full details

Data Analysis for Space-Based Gravitational Wave Detectors: Author: Crowder, Jefferson Osborn; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Physics; Abstract: With the launch of the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) expected for the next decade, the nascent field of gravitational wave astronomy will be taking a giant leap forward. The data that will be gathered from space-borne gravitational wave detectors such as LISA will provide an expansive look through a new window on the Universe. This dissertation is presented to help open that window by exploring some of the techniques and methods that will be needed to understand the data from these detectors. The first original work presented here investigates the resolution of LISA and follow-on s...; Download File | View full details

The Demographics, Health Related Characteristics, and Primary Care Utilization of Assisted Living Facility Residents in Montana: Author: King, Wade Robert; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Nursing; Abstract: Despite the accelerated growth of assisted living facilities (ALF) as a housing option for elders, most research to date has focused on structural and organizational components of ALF and only a small number of studies related to health issues have been conducted. There is little information specific to the demographics and health related characteristics of ALF residents in Montana and no information regarding primary care utilization was found. This study provides information that is specific to the demographics and health related characteristics of ALF residents in Montana while delivering t...; Download File | View full details

A Descriptive Analysis of Montana Nurse Volunteers for the Montana Nurse Alert System: Author: Danielson, Lianna Mary; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Nursing; Abstract: While nurse volunteers have long been an integral part of disaster response nationwide, their specific characteristics are not well understood. By understanding these characteristics, future recruiting efforts will enhance volunteerism and local disaster response capabilities. In an attempt to recruit nurse volunteers for all hazard emergency events in Montana, and register these volunteers into a Nurse Alert System (NAS) database which could then be utilized by appropriate disaster relief agencies (i.e. American Red Cross, public health departments), a "Montana Nurse Alert System Volunte...; Download File | View full details

Design of Model Reactor Systems for Evaluating Disinfectants Against Biofilm Bacteria: Author: Goeres, Darla Marie; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Engineering; Abstract: Laboratory reactors are devices which grow biofilms under controlled and/or field relevant conditions for the purpose of developing biofilm control strategies. In disinfectant efficacy testing, as well as in research, choosing the best reactor to use is important because different laboratory reactors impart unique characteristics in the biofilm that influence everything form biofilm architecture and protein regulation to the response of biofilm bacteria to disinfection. In this dissertation, three laboratory reactors and associated standard operating protocols were developed to provide a relia...; Download File | View full details

Development of Palladium L-Edge X-Ray Absorption Spectroscopy and its Application on Chloro Palladium Complexes: Author: Boysen, Ryan Bradley; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Chemistry; Abstract: X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS) is a synchrotron-based experimental technique that can provide information about geometric and electronic structures of transition metal complexes with unoccupied d orbitals. Combination of metal L-edge and ligand K-edge XAS has the potential to define the experimental ground state electronic structure. We developed a quantitative treatment for Pd L-edge spectroscopy based on the already established Cl K-edge XAS for a series of chloro palladium complexes, which are precatalysts in numerous organic transformations. We found that Pd-Cl bonds are highly covale...; Download File | View full details

Drug Education for Rural Middle School Students in a Resilience Format: Author: Granger, Jamie Sue; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Nursing; Abstract: Montana has the nation's youngest average age for first use of alcohol and marijuana. Montana also ranks among the top five states in the highest rates of alcohol use among youth. In one Montana county, 31% of eighth grade students report having had five or more drinks in a 30-day period, 14% were current cigarette smokers, and 12% smoked marijuana. The principal of a rural Montana middle school, in this same county, requested a drug education program for his sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students. The goal of the program was resilience education. Resilience education allows for the develop...; Download File | View full details

Ectomycorrhizal Fungi of Whitebark Pine (Pinus albicaulis) in the Northern Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem: Author: Mohatt, Katherine Rose; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Plant Sciences; Abstract: Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) is an integral component of subalpine ecosystems in the Western United States where it is considered a keystone species. The mature forests which colonize harsh treeline terrain provide habitat for flora and fauna an essential food source to grizzly bears, and are also important in watershed dynamics. Threats which have led to the decline of this tree species, up to 40-90% in parts of its range, include blister rust, mountain pine beetle, fire suppression, and climate change. Pines are obligate ectomycorrhizal symbionts, and host mutualistic fungi on their roo...; Download File | View full details

The Effects of a Framework for Procedural Understanding on College Algebra Students' Procedural Skill and Understanding: Author: Hasenbank, Jon Fredrick; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Mathematics; Abstract: This dissertation examined the effectiveness of an instructional treatment consisting of lecture content, homework tasks, and quiz assessments built around a common Framework for Procedural Understanding. The study addressed concerns about increasing numbers of students enrolling in remedial mathematics courses because they did not develop sufficient understanding in previous courses. The Framework-oriented instruction was designed to help students develop deep and well-connected knowledge of procedures, which has been shown to facilitate recall and promote future learning. Data collection spa...; Download File | View full details

Effects of Emotional Intelligence on Principals' Leadership Performance: Author: Cook, Charles Roy; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Education; Abstract: A study of school principals in Montana was conducted to determine the effects of emotional intelligence on elementary principals' leadership performance. The problem addressed in this study was that the effect of emotional intelligence on leadership performance is not known. This study measured the emotional intelligence of elementary principals in Montana using the Emotional Intelligence Appraisal: There Is More Than IQ (Bradberry, & Greaves, 2003), which measures the following five categories of emotional intelligence: (1) self-awareness, (2) self-management, (3) social awareness, (4) ...; Download File | View full details

The Effects of Music Therapy on Comfort in the Mechanically Ventilated Patient in the Intensive Care Unit: Author: Besel, Jamie Marie; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Nursing; Abstract: The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the effects of music therapy on comfort in acute mechanically ventilated patients in the Intensive Care Unit. Mechanical ventilation leads to decreased comfort. Pain and anxiety may increase during this treatment modality, and the literature suggests this may directly affect patient comfort levels. Music therapy as a nursing intervention within the context of comfort, pain, and anxiety of mechanically ventilated patients was investigated. This quasi-experiemental study used a pre-test and post-test design with subjects serving as their own control....; Download File | View full details

Effects of Native Ectomycorrhizal Fungi on Aspen Seedlings in Greenhouse Studies: Inoculation Methods, Fertilizer Regimes, and Plant Uptake of Selected Elements in Smelter-Impacted Soils: Author: Mahony, Christopher Paul; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Plant Sciences; Abstract: In southwestern Montana, areas near Butte and Anaconda support little or no vegetation mainly because of impacts from copper mining. Aspen (Populus tremuloides) stands occur naturally in these areas and rely heavily on native mycorrhizal fungi to moderate below ground conditions. Aspen associates with over 60 species of mycorrhizal fungi, but only a subset occurs on acidic, low nutrient soils. For these reasons, and the fact that aspen is an important colonizing tree on disturbed landscapes, a study was undertaken to examine aspen and its native ectomycorrhizal fungi in pot studies for future ...; Download File | View full details

The Emerging Hispanic Homeland of the Pacific Northwest: A Case Study of Yakima Valley, Washington: Author: Darian, Laurie; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Earth Sciences; Abstract: The transition of spaces and places by the increasing number of Hispanics in the United States is a topic of growing importance in cultural geography. The degree to which Hispanics integrate, or assimilate, into Anglo culture plays a vital role in such transformations. This research examines the different avenues of Hispanic assimilation and non-assimilation in the Lower Yakima Valley in Washington State. These avenues consist of economic, structural, cultural, and spatial assimilation, as well as the Hispanic representation in the cultural landscape. Fieldwork in the Valley, combined with cen...; Download File | View full details

Empirical Velocity Predictions at Culvert Inlets: Author: Patton, Jesse Earl; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Civil Engineering; Abstract: The velocity distribution at the entrance cross section of a culvert is typically diverse, reflecting the nuances of the bed material, debris and other hydraulic factors just upstream of the culvert. These diverse inlet velocity fields have been observed to perpetuate some distance into the culvert, impacting the ability of fish to travel upstream in the culvert barrel. It is important to be able to quantitatively describe the inlet velocity field, especially as this serves as a necessary boundary condition for three-dimensional modeling of fluid flow in culverts. While there are various theor...; Download File | View full details

An Exploration of the Relationship of Explanatory Style to Academic Achievement, College Student Persistence, ACT/SAT Composite Scores, and College Student Inventory Measures: Author: Fox, Leann Alicia; Date: 2006-05-15; Program: Agricultural Education; Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of explanatory style to academic performance, SAT or ACT composite scores, College Student Inventory (CSI) data, and retention or attrition of Montana State University College of Agriculture students. The predictive capability of measured independent variables to anticipate first to second year attrition of freshmen in the College of Agriculture (COA) at Montana State University (MSU) was tested. The potential for using the Academic Attributional Style Questionnaire (AASQ) to identify COA students most susceptible to attrition during ...; Download File | View full details

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