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Design Rules, Metaroutines, and Boundary Objects - A Framework for Improving Healthcare Delivery Systems: Author: Ghosh, Manimay; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Engineering; Abstract: The healthcare industry in the United States has been fraught with medical errors, rising costs, and wastes for many years. Despite widespread adoption of Total Quality Management and Six Sigma programs, healthcare's woes continue unabated. The Toyota Production System (TPS), progenitor of lean manufacturing, is widely regarded as the most effective production system ever devised. It has been successfully adopted by manufacturing firms worldwide resulting in significant gains in efficiency and quality in companies of all sizes. The goal of this research is to determine whether principles from ...; Download File | View full details

Effects of a Primary Influenza Infection on Susceptibility to a Secondary Streptococcus pneumoniae Infection: Author: McNamee, Lynnelle Ann; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Veterinary Molecular Biology; Abstract: Influenza infections result in increased susceptibility to a secondary Streptococcus pneumoniae infection. The aim of the present studies was to determine the mechanism(s) responsible for this increase in susceptibility. Using an in vivo co-infection model, we found that susceptibility to S. pneumoniae was significantly increased at 6 days but not 3 days after an influenza infection. We depleted mice of neutrophils and found that neutrophils were important in the response to S. pneumoniae in mice infected with bacteria only or those infected with influenza for 3 days prior to a S. pneumoniae i...; Download File | View full details

The Romantic Genius of Einstein and the Science Essay Film: Author: Radcliff, Matthew Robert; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Science and Natural History Filmmaking; Abstract: The image of Einstein as a scientific genius, a talent so elevated it can spill over the boundaries between science and art, requires the assumption that art and science are not simply different fields of knowledge, but are polar opposites. Despite two centuries of effort, the debate on the relationship of art and science is far from resolved; the notion that they are exclusive of each other is even less established. However, there remains a tendency to treat art and science as the two extremes of a linear scale of talent. Only an exceptional person, therefore, can straddle the line between th...; Download File | View full details

The Search for Archaeal Viruses in High Temperature Acidic Environments and Characterization of Sulfolobus Turreted Icosahedral Virus (STIV): Author: Rice, George Ernest; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Microbiology; Abstract: Viruses of extreme thermophiles are of great interest because they can serve as model systems for understanding biochemical molecular nuances required for life at high temperatures. This two part body of work first reports the discovery and isolation of viruses and virus-like particles from extreme thermal acidic environments (70-92°C, pH 1.0-4.5) in Yellowstone National Park (YNP), and secondly details the characterization of one of these viruses that possesses a capsid structural motif that is found in at least two other families of viruses inhabiting the other two domains of life...; Download File | View full details

Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy for the Characterization of Calcareous Glacial Till Soils from North Central Montana: Author: Steward, Genevieve Christine; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Land Resources and Environmental Sciences; Abstract: Diffuse reflective spectroscopy (DRS) is a method of soil carbon (C) quantification. In this study, the Vis-NIR (350-2500 nm) and MIR (2500-25000 nm) regions were evaluated to determine respective predictive accuracies of soil organic and inorganic carbon (SOC and SIC, respectively). The dataset included 315 soil samples of glacial till origin, obtained from six independent farm sites within the Golden Triangle region of Montana, with depths ranging from 0-100 cm. For Vis-NIR analysis, Local vs. Regional vs. Global calibration sets were compared by six-fold cross validation by site of C predic...; Download File | View full details

Biogeochemical Gradients and Energetics in Geothermal Systems of Yellowstone National Park: Author: Ackerman, Galena Gene; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Land Rehabilitation; Abstract: The fate and behavior of redox-active chemical species in geothermal systems is linked with the metabolic processes of chemotrophic thermophilic microorganisms. The major goal of the current work was to perform a thorough geochemical analysis of redox active species in geothermal outflow channels, and utilize these measurements to quantify the Gibbs free energy (Grxn) values for numerous oxidation-reduction reactions that represent potential chemolithotrophic metabolisms. Insights gained from energetic analyses can be used to structure hypotheses regarding novel microbial metabolisms and to gu...; Download File | View full details

Feasability of Using a Gyratory Compactor to Determine Compaction Characteristics of Soil: Author: Browne, Michael John; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Civil Engineering; Abstract: Proctor impact compaction tests represent the most commonly used laboratory method to determine the maximum dry unit weight and optimum moisture content of soils in the United States. Soil compaction methods in the field have changed dramatically over the last 50 years, though the Proctor tests have remained relatively unchanged. One shortcoming of the Proctor tests is that it uses impact loads to compact the soil in a stiff non-yielding mold. This technique may not accurately simulate modern field compaction methods, which rely on a combination of kneading, vibration, and increased normal pre...; Download File | View full details

Otherwise: Author: Carpenter, Julia Lauren; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Fine Arts; Abstract: The nine, largescale paintings of my MFA Thesis show, "Otherwise," are artifacts from a year long exorcism of grief and anger over my young sister's terrible, yet merciful death. I painted my sister's image through the filter of my own emotion exploring scale, color, and the gestural mark. In addition I painted her son, whose image links the past to the future....; Download File | View full details

Effect of Supplemental Safflower Seed and Vitamin E to Late Gestating Ewes on Lamb Growth and Thermogenesis: Author: Dafoe, Julia Mae; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Animal and Range Sciences; Abstract: Fifty-one twin bearing Targhee ewes (Trial 1) and 1182 single and twin bearing white face range ewes (Trial 2) were used in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of treatments to determine the effect of supplemental energy source and level of vitamin E on lamb serum metabolites and thermogenesis (Trial 1), and lamb growth (Trial 2). During the last 30 d of gestation, ewes were individually (Trial 1) or group (Trial 2) fed a daily supplement. Supplements were: 226 g safflower seeds (SS) and either 350 (VE) or 0 (VC) IU vitamin E or 340 g of a grain-based supplement (GC) and either VE or VC. One h postp...; Download File | View full details

Photosynthetic and Glycoalkaloid Responses of Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) to Colorado Potato Beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) Defoliation: Author: Dinkins, Courtney Louise Pariera; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Entomology; Abstract: Photosynthetic and glycoalkaloid responses of potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) to varying levels of Colorado potato beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say) and manual defoliation were measured on 'Cal Red' and 'Russet Burbank' plants. No alteration in photosynthesis was observed on the remaining tissue of an injured leaf for Cal Red and Russet Burbank leaves defoliated by larval Colorado potato beetles nor for Russet Burbank leaves defoliated by adult Colorado potato beetles. No significant differences were observed between actual Colorado potato beetle and manual defoliation for both varieties....; Download File | View full details

The Role of Conservation Films within the Environmental Debate: Author: Duke, Tyler Norman; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Science and Natural History Filmmaking; Abstract: In the environmental debate there is little middle ground. Many environmental issues become highly polarized, with neither side willing to compromise. Conservation films work as a catalyst fueling the fire. They create plot lines based on good and evil without fleshing out the grey area. Two different philosophies exist on the environment. One, ecocentrism, feels that the environment has value by itself . The other, anthropocentrism, believes that the environment's only value is what it provides humans. Conservation films fail to recognize the later belief. The Endangered Species Act has led t...; Download File | View full details

Effectiveness of Modifying Existing Fences to Deter Deer and Elk from Crops and High-Value Pastures: Author: Fenster, Randy Lee; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Animal and Range Sciences; Abstract: Big game can damage crops and compete with livestock for valuable forage. Ranchers have reported their tolerance for big game would increase if the animals could be prevented from using key areas critical for livestock use. Likewise, some farmers have high value areas and crops that must be protected. Fences provide the most consistent long term control compared to other deterrent methods, but are costly to erect. Traditional complete construction of game fences cost more than $9,000 per kilometer for materials. Costs of erecting deer proof fencing can be greatly reduced if an existing fence i...; Download File | View full details

Enhancing the Antibiotic Susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms by Quorum Sensing Inhibition: Author: Huff, Caol Philipp; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Chemistry; Abstract: Biofilm forming bacteria are industrially and medically relevant organisms that are exceptionally resistant to garden variety antimicrobial treatments. This resistance is due in part to a biofilm forming bacteria's ability to sense and communicate with neighboring bacteria. As a result of this intercellular communication, bacteria are able to cooperate as a complex community. This communication system is used to modulate important facets of biofilm behavior and thus is an attractive target for biofilm control and potential antimicrobial agents. Inhibition of the molecular signaling system used...; Download File | View full details

X-Ray Crystallographic Studies of Sulfolobus Turetted Icosahedral Virus (STIV): A Hyperthermophilic Virus from Yellowstone National Park: Author: Larson, Eric Thomas; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Biochemistry; Abstract: Sulfolobus turreted icosahedral virus (STIV) was isolated from acidic hot springs of Yellowstone National Park and was the first hyperthermophilic virus described with icosahedral capsid architecture. Structural analysis of the STIV particle and its major capsid protein suggests that it belongs to a lineage of viruses that predates the division of the three domains of life. Functional predictions of the viral proteins are hindered because they lack similarity to sequences of known function. Protein structure, however, may suggest functional relationships that are not apparent from the sequence...; Download File | View full details

On-Chip Automatic Tuning of CMOS Active Inductors for Use in Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC) Applications: Author: Lyson, Kyle Joshua; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Electrical Engineering; Abstract: The lack of high quality factor integrated inductors is a significant impediment to realizing high performance Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits (RFICs) within conventional digital CMOS. While passive spiral inductors continue to improve with different approaches and fabrication techniques, they tend to be large and lossy. Therefore, an accurate inductance with high quality factor and small chip area would be an extremely useful component for RFIC designers. The focus of this thesis is realizing accurate, high-quality factor inductance using an active circuit approach for implementation in R...; Download File | View full details

Developing a Professional Learning Community among Mathematics Teachers on Two Montana Indian Reservations: Author: Nelson, Karma Grace; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Education; Abstract: This study documents the development of a professional learning community [Math Inquiry Group] of mathematics teachers from schools on or near the Crow and Northern Cheyenne reservations in Southeast Montana (referred to in this study as the bounded system) using an approach referred to as ALRR (Ask, Listen, Respond and Reflect). It adds to the current body of literature identifying professional learning communities as a recommended method to improve classroom practice and close achievement gaps in mathematics. Although much has been written about professional learning communities within a giv...; Download File | View full details

The Nursing Student Experience: Student Perceptions Concerning Factors Leading to Success in an Associate of Science in Nursing Program at Montana State University-Northern: Author: Pappas, Mary Weber; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Education; Abstract: Retention of nursing students in nursing programs throughout the country is a concern in this time of serious nursing shortages. Educating nursing students is expensive, and when students do not persist in a nursing program, valuable resources are taken from other students who may be successful. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to discover and understand the program and personal factors that current students, graduates, and previous nonpersistent students reported as helping students in the associate of science in nursing program at Montana State University-Northern persist to gradu...; Download File | View full details

The Effects of Carbohydrate on Inflammation following an Acute Bout of Resistance Exercise: Author: Pearson, Sherri Diane; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Health and Human Development; Abstract: The immune response to inflammation involves the release of cytokines, which determine the intensity and duration of the immune response (Kuby, 1997). The cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), functions as a negative feedback signal that turns off pro-inflammatory mediators during the immune response. IL-6 also initiates the release of CRP, which induces inflammation. Therefore, IL-6 is known as both a pro and anti-inflammatory mediator of the immune response. IL-6 is released during the immune response to inflammation. IL-6 peaks about 8 hours after an eccentric exercise session that induces muscle...; Download File | View full details

Design and Application of the Kentucky Microarray Analysis Suite: Author: Raghavan, Vijay Anand; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Computer Science; Abstract: In recent years, microarrays have become the most widely used standard in the study of gene expression. The biggest problem in microarray data analysis is the dimensionality of the data, compared to other more traditional biomedical research methods. The inherent nature of the data, and the problems associated with the microarray data analysis, has led to the development of many methods for microarray data analysis. Microarray data analysis methods are commonly classified into Class Discovery methods e.g. clustering, Class Comparison methods e.g. predicting differentially expressed genes, and ...; Download File | View full details

Climate Variability and Treeline Dynamics in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks: Author: Schrag, Anne Michelle; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Land Resources and Environmental Sciences; Abstract: Understanding the impacts of climate variability on high-elevation forests is of great importance due to the interest in upper treeline as an indicator of future change in protected mountain systems. While the location of upper treeline is primarily controlled by temperature, investigation of local treeline processes reveals considerable complexity in the spatial and temporal responses of species to various climatic parameters. The focus of the work presented in this thesis is to increase the understanding of the bioclimatic drivers of upper treeline species distribution and abundance in Yello...; Download File | View full details

Plant Species Diversity in the Sagebrush Steppe of Montana: Author: Seipel, Timothy Fridolin; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Plant Sciences; Abstract: Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) is abundant in Montana and is an obvious part of an assemblage of plant species.This community of plants; the sagebrush steppe contains a mixture of grasses, early and late season forbs and shrubs. It is found in semi-arid valleys and plains of Montana and the intermountain western United States, and has received much research attention regarding increasing livestock forage, or of wildlife's dependence on the sagebrush steppe plant communities.Yet, little information on plant species diversity exists. This thesis was undertaken to describe the plant species div...; Download File | View full details

Risk Assessment of Plant-Based Pharmaceuticals and Biologics: Author: Shama, Leslie Marie; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Plant Sciences; Abstract: Biotechnology is evolving to produce pharmaceutical proteins in plants. Plantbased pharmaceutical production creates concerns of exposure in an open environment and contamination of the food supply. Consequently, quantitative human health and ecological risk assessments were conducted for aprotinin, gastric lipase, and LT-B expressed in maize. A comparative, qualitative risk assessment was conducted for conventionally derived and plant-cell derived Newcastle disease virus vaccine. Effect and exposure scenarios were modeled for each quantitative risk assessment and each scenario was based on a ...; Download File | View full details

A New DC-DC Converter for Fuel Cell Powered Residential Power Generation Systems: Author: Sharma, Rahul Rajiv; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Electrical Engineering; Abstract: This thesis presents a new topology for an isolated DC-DC converter for low voltage to high voltage conversions at high power. The proposed converter is targeted for use in fuel cell powered residential power generation systems, where low voltage to high voltage conversion at high power (>5KW) and isolation between input and output are required. Conventional DC-DC converters like forward, half bridge and full bridge for such applications need to have high turn ratio in their power transformers, to enable the high voltage boosting. This high turns ratio of the transformers results in high le...; Download File | View full details

The Depiction of Indigenous African Cultures as Other in Contemporary, Western Natural History Film: Author: Shier, Sara Ann; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Science and Natural History Filmmaking; Abstract: Images of the indigenous other have always been used in accord with the imperialistic movements of the Western world. Filmmakers continue to use the basic model of depicting people of indigenous cultures as exotic and more primitive than people of Western cultures with the effect of validating Western values and reinforcing the perceived superiority/authority of Western values over other value systems. This form is readily apparent in the treatment of the indigenous people of Africa in natural history films from the inception of the medium to present day. I will examine films from the 1920s th...; Download File | View full details

Breeding Ecology, Survival Rates, and Causes of Mortality of Hunted and Nonhunted Greater Sage-Grouse in Central Montana: Author: Sika, Jenny Lyn; Date: 2006-12-15; Program: Fish and Wildlife Management; Abstract: Declines in productivity have been implicated in population declines for greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) in several areas, but there is considerable variation in reproductive effort, reproductive success and female survival, both temporally and spatially, and more data are needed. Despite declining populations, sage grouse are still legally harvested in most of their current range, including Montana, and uncertainty about how harvest impacts sage grouse vital rates remains. The reproductive activity, survival rates, and causes of mortality of hunted and nonhunted sage grouse fe...; Download File | View full details

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