This journalistic and personal essay is about idiopathic toe-walking (ITW) and makes a case for more thoughtful communication between the scientific world and individual toe-walkers. ITW is the medical term describing when a person lands on the ball of the foot instead of the heel, usually occurring when learning to walk. While there have been many studies on effective ways to treat ITW, they tend to emphasize observational methods and behavioral and structural changes, neglecting to focus on the individual’s personal experiences and understandings of why they toe-walk. In fact, after treatment for tendon structure or foot gait, many toe-walkers resort back to toe-walking because the underlying reasons for toe-walking have not been addressed. This essay explores the personal perspectives of toe-walkers themselves, sharing how societal views and treatments affect their day-to-day lives. I reference my own experience with ITW and draw from 12 conversations I shared with people in and supporting the toe-walking community to highlight this gap in the current conversation. Without input from toe-walkers, the scientific community currently operates by treating muscular and structural symptoms of toe-walking, while I found in conversations that for many toe-walkers, sensory processing, overstimulation or balance are important factors for their toe-walking. It’s important for the voices of toe-walkers to reach those shaping decisions for adequate treatment and research and to focus on eliminating negative experiences for toe-walkers, especially in a group whose ability to reach out during the process of treatment is constrained by age and communication level.

Abstract: Ric8 is a chaperone protein for the Gα subunit of the G protein coupled receptor (GPCR), the most common and diverse membrane receptor group in eukaryotic cells. The GPCR initiates cellular response upon recognition of an extracellular ligand, by transducing the signal across the cellular membrane and activating the Gα subunit of the G protein heterotrimer on the interior of the membrane. When in the inactive state, GDP is bound to Gα in the heterotrimer. Upon ligand binding, the GPCR facilitates exchange of GDP for GTP, resulting in dissociation of Gα:GTP from the complex and continuation of the signaling cascade. The Gα subunit has an intrinsic ability to exchange GDP for GTP at a very slow rate, but the Ric8 chaperone protein greatly increases the rate of nucleotide exchange by over tenfold. The purpose of this project was to identify potential Gα binding sites on the Ric8 protein and assess the nucleotide exchange behavior of different Ric8 mutants. The mutants created for these assays targeted specific potentially catalytic amino acids based off the structure of Ric8 bound to Gα, and catalytic activity was measured for each using fluorescence spectroscopy. By comparing the reaction rate for each Ric8 mutant to the reaction rate of wild type Ric 8 and the intrinsic reaction rate of Gα, the effect of mutating each amino acid residue can be compared to normal function for both proteins.

Hildegard of Bingen (1098- 1179) was a twelfth century German Benedictine abbess, mystic, author, composer, and theologian. Despite the heavily patriarchal and restrictive culture of her day, Hildegard managed to gain autonomy and authority within her community. She benefited from a boom in popularity in the mid-1990s, which saw a broadening of research subjects, including focus on the gender dynamics at play in Hildegard’s life. This scholarship has died down significantly since. Given the breadth and depth of her work, Hildegard of Bingen’s work deserves to be revisited through more recent theoretical lenses that can provide significant insights into her relevance to understanding gender dynamics in the 21^st century.

Throughout her letters, Hildegard writes in several different registers to construct her public persona, depending on the identity of her recipient. Her letters to men of higher authority adopt a self-deprecating tone, while she is vastly more confident when writing to women or men seeking advice. It is when Hildegard’s authority is challenged that these carefully crafted rhetorical personas fall apart, revealing the vulnerable and real Hildegard of Bingen underneath. Contemporary linguistic research uses the term “code-switching” to describe the practice of altering your behavior, speech, or appearance based on context to access authority. Most research has focused on code switching in bilingual contexts or with racial minorities and has rarely been applied to medieval context. Hildegard’s register changes reveal that she understood the gender dynamics of the 12^th century and knew how to deploy “code-switching” to gain power and privilege.

In my essay, I will be diving into the controversial issue of Animal containment, focusing on zoos in the United States. I will be taking this opportunity to establish a new way of thinking about the argument which states the pros of zoos outweigh the negative effects they have on the animals who live there. Neither side of the argument has a malicious intention towards harming animals. Instead, each side shows a different approach to what it is to properly care, and respect for animal rights. Those arguing in support of zoos commonly reference arguments dating back to Aristotle. However, in my argument against zoos, I will reference instances such as Happy the Elephant who was noted as an autonomous being yet kept in confinement and visiting the case of Cecilia the Chimpanzee who was awarded person hood in Argentina. I will argue that zoos are not reasonable nor acceptable homes for the animals there and that they should be following the standards of sanctuaries. I will point out that zoos are detrimental to animals’ psychological health, which transfers into their physical health, while simultaneously diving into animal ethics in an attempt to clarify and connect the literature referenced in my essay.

The most common dance injuries are those that come from overuse usually in the ankle, leg, foot, and lower back (Common Dance Injuries and Prevention Tips, Johns Hopkins Medicine). Since dancers are very active, especially at the collegiate level, injury reduction is critical to have in a dancers training program. Collegiate dancers who undergo dance conditioning training at least twice a week specific in strengthening their joints and balance may experience significant increase in strength and a decrease in injuries over the course of a semester, compared to when they did not have dance conditioning. At the University of Montana, nine dance majors and minors are enrolled in a Dance Conditioning course this Spring 2025 semester, which includes exercises designed to enhance their strength and stability. Overall, we expect that the dancers will show improvements in both strength and stability, and that new or recurring injuries will decrease over the semester. Dancers who participate in a dance conditioning training at least twice a week will hopefully benefit in gaining strength and stability and will be better prevented from getting injuries compared to those who are not in the conditioning course. This oral presentation includes two dancers from the conditioning class who will demonstrate the exercises and techniques practiced. This research will serve as a foundation for a more hands-on, experimental, and observational project that I plan to pursue next year.

The impact of meltwater on the compaction of snow and firn is becoming increasingly important as surface melt increases across the Greenland Ice Sheet. However, our understanding of the effect meltwater infiltration has on firn densification is limited, complicating ice sheet mass estimates and sea level rise predictions. We hypothesize that meltwater infiltration alters firn densification regimes to the point where models developed for the dry snow zone are ineffective. This study evaluates the Herron and Langway (H&L) firn densification model by comparing model outputs to in situ measurements from multiple sites on the Greenland Ice Sheet, with a focus on the dry snow zone (little to no melt) and the percolation zone (consistent melt). Percolation zone data were analyzed with and without ice content to assess meltwater’s impact on densification. Characteristics of infiltration-based ice and its influence on the firn column were investigated. We recalculated the average density of infiltration-based ice to be 818 ± 110 based on 401 measurements, updating the previous calculation of 843 ± 46 (Harper et al., 2012). A linear correlation was found between ice content and cumulative water equivalent, indicating that cores with more ice content have greater bulk density. The Herron and Langway model performed better in the dry snow zone than in the percolation zone. At low-ice sites, combining data from multiple cores improved model performance, whereas at high-ice sites, analyzing only the firn fraction produced better results. Increased variability of density at high-ice sites suggests that meltwater infiltration introduces densification complexities beyond increased bulk density. These findings highlight the need for densification models that account for meltwater processes to improve volume-based estimates of Greenland’s contribution to sea level rise.

Optogenetics is a new field utilizing light to manipulate cells. The produced symptoms mimic those of classic hibernation performed by many mammalian species, supporting the term “artificial hibernation”. Hibernation experienced by animals allows the organisms to maintain cell latency. These tools can be developed by applying novel techniques to laboratory mammals. Introducing stem-cell derived model organs to these kinds of studies may provide more insight on how optogenetics could advance medical therapies for neurodegenerative disorders.

This literature review analyzes the research completed in the biochemical origin of microbial opsins and their function. The channelrhodopsins (ChRs) from the microorganism Chlamydomonas reinhardtii have been used to introduce optogenetics as a field of study. The biochemical functions can show how ChR-2 can be utilized in discovering new therapies and treatments for neurodegenerative disorders with the technique “deep brain stimulation” (DBS). The potential for using human brain organoids (HBOs) to further studies of optogenetic procedures is novel in terms of research ethics. It proposes that, before human trials with medical research, trials should be completed on non-human organoids produced in labs to see general responses of human organs to new treatments.

Research from the past century corroborates the biochemical functions of C. reinhardtii and how the metabolic changes in hibernation can support new medical treatments for neurodegenerative disorders.

This presentation will summarize findings from six oral histories of LGBTQ+ people who lived in Montana, but have left or are leaving in the near future. This presentation will explore the questions: Why are queer and transgender people leaving Montana? What are common experiences for LGBTQ+ people living in Montana? The answer to these questions will be derived from the stories of the Narrators who provided their oral histories. The questions utilized in the oral histories covered topics of identity, “coming out,” living history, cultural observations, community experiences and perceptions, well-being, healthcare, laws, and reasons for leaving. Thematic Analysis was derived from an inductive coding process. Themes explored throughout these six oral histories include the importance of community, importance of representation, pride in identity, concern for safety, political rhetoric, and the intersection of Montana culture with queerness. It is predicted that healthcare access, resource opportunity, and queer community will be factors that pull queer and transgender people out of Montana, while state level laws and hostile environments will be factors that push LGBTQ+ people out of Montana. This presentation will share stories that are often untold, creating new avenues of representation for LGBTQ+ Montanans. Additionally, it will be explored the impacts on the individual leaving Montana has, and the despondent loss Montana faces when queer and transgender people leave. Overall, this presentation will document and discuss a historical phenomena occurring among LGBTQ+ people in Montana.

Challenges related to transboundary water governance are becoming increasingly prevalent as climate change and shifting resource use continue to drive water scarcity around the world. The Cubango-Okavango River Basin (CORB) is a dynamic transboundary watershed that has a complex history of governance and actors. This analysis examines the socio-hydrologic dynamics of the CORB, exploring historical and contemporary water governance throughout the basin, and evaluating the potential for conflict and collaboration among riparian states. Through a comprehensive review of scientific literature, digital resources, and field observations, this study integrates information on governance structures, indicators of stress, and ecological factors to assess stress in the CORB. This paper follows the theory that rapid, unforeseen shifts—rather than static factors—are the primary sources of stress and potential conflict. Key pressures included in this analysis are population growth, land use change, infrastructure development, and climate variability, all of which challenge the basin's governance capacity. This analysis emphasizes the Okavango Delta to underscore the necessity of cooperative water management to preserve biodiversity and community wellbeing amidst growing environmental pressures. By applying information from the past 20 years to the frameworks outlined in the ‘Basins at Risk Model’ (Wolf et al., 2003 and Yoffe et al., 2003) and comparing the forecast from their research to the outlook derived from the recent data, a prediction is made about the state of stress in the basin going forward. Overall, this study provides a account of the CORB’s socio-hydrologic system, offer insights for enhancing collaboration and preventing conflict over shared water resources, and finds the CORB to be a positive example of collaborative transboundary management.

Social engagement is crucial to elders' well-being. Prior research suggests that social interaction, community engagement, and support networks improve quality of life for older LGBTQ adults (Reyes et al., 2024). Additionally, social connectedness, particularly diverse networks and strong support systems, has been linked to better health outcomes in this population (Kim et al., 2024). However, gaps remain in understanding how minority stress relates to social engagement in older LGBTQ adults. This study examines these connections through a secondary analysis of data from a parent study on support networks and mental health in elders. Participants (N = 153, aged 55+) completed measures of social engagement, distal minority stress, and proximal minority stress.

Contrary to our hypothesis, LGBTQ elders did not differ from cisgender, heterosexual elders in social engagement, t(143) = .16, p = .85. However, social engagement (M = 78.27, SD = 19.68) negatively correlated with distal (M = 39.15, SD = 25.65), r(58) = -.45, p < .001, and proximal minority stress (M = 3.60, SD = 5.10), r(68) = -.30, p = .014. These findings suggest that greater social engagement is linked to lower minority stress, though causality remains unclear. Future research should explore whether social engagement helps reduce minority stress or if experiencing less minority stress makes social engagement easier. Regardless of direction, this study reinforces the importance of social connection for older LGBTQ adults’ well-being (Kim et al., 2024) and highlights the need for interventions that create inclusive, affirming social spaces.

The artist's work draws inspiration from the biology and behavior of Sandhill Cranes, focusing on themes of crane-like movement through ballet vocabulary, large migrations, and a deep reverence for these ancient birds. Recognized as the one of the oldest living bird species, Sandhill Cranes evoke a sense of timelessness, which inspired the creation of this piece. Combining ballet and modern dance, the choreography evolves through sections symbolizing the birds' life cycle and behaviors. Heavily influenced by the cast’s artistic input, the piece integrates wildlife behavior into dance, reflecting the artist's ongoing exploration of connections between choreography and wildlife biology.

Feral horses (Equus ferus caballus) are a prolific species in western North America. Due to their history of domestication, it is believed they have an extended foaling period compared to native ungulates, such as elk (Cervus canadensis) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), yet there are few (or no) studies examining this assumption. I am examining this assumption by comparing the observed foaling seasons of different regional herds throughout North America to identify if foaling seasons are uniform across latitudes. My dataset consists of various research studies and unpublished observations of different feral horse herds throughout North America. The result is a graph comparing the foaling seasons of the different horse herds. Depending on the difference of foaling seasons, I will be able to generate hypotheses regarding the phenology of the herds and their relation to latitude. This will help inform future studies and add to our understanding of feral horses in North America.

The ideas, thoughts, and plans around suicide are often treated with hospitalization and psychotherapy. However, connection is often glossed over in the conversation on treatment. Research suggests having a sense of belonging within our human and natural communities is crucial for human health. Globally, young men are the most likely to report high degrees of loneliness and are more likely to live alone, strong risk factors for suicidal ideation and suicide attempt and men in both Frankfurt and Missoula show higher suicide risk than women. In contrast, according to research by ecopsychologists, Integration of Nature into Self (one's perceived relationship to the natural world) is highly associated with maintaining positive mental health.

In this study, English-speaking men aged 19-30 years will be recruited by posters placed in randomized places in both locations. They will be asked questions from two Likert scales to measure Connection to Community (PCSQ) (Herrero & Gracia, 2007) and Connection to the Environment (Ecospirituality Scale) (Suganthi, 2019) interspersed with questions from a four-item measure (SBQ-R)(Osman et al., 1999) to assess experience with suicidality. This study hypothesizes a strong negative correlation between suicidality and high perceived community support and predicts another strong negative correlation between suicidality and high connection to nature in both Frankfurt and Missoula. It also hypothesizes that Missoula will likely have higher average Connection to Nature while Frankfurt will have higher Community Connection. This data has the potential to support further research on incorporating ecotherapy and community therapy options into treatment for suicidality in men.

Rattlesnake Creek north of Missoula lacks significant in-stream structure in the form of large wood downstream of the National Recreation Area. The natural introduction of large wood from the “derecho” wind event in July of 2024 has the potential to provide much needed aquatic habitat and stream complexity.

The focus of this project is monitoring the process of “rewilding” on Rattlesnake Creek through surveys of large wood and pool habitat. The Rattlesnake has historically been subject to various forms of degradation. It was dammed in 1904, with the dam being removed 116 years later in 2020 as part of stream restoration efforts. The creek has also been heavily channelized, diverted for irrigation, and development of the riparian buffer surrounding the creek has eliminated its natural side channels. The primary goal of this project is to survey the creek post-windstorm to develop baseline data highlighting the significance of the windstorm and the contribution of fallen trees toward stream complexity and structure.

Despite such degradation, large trees that fall into the creek during events like the 2024 windstorm have the potential to positively influence the streambed morphology and create critical habitat in the form of pools utilized by fish, aquatic insects, and various mammals and birds. Monitoring the benefits of large woody structure within a stream has important implications for the future as Montana and the Intermountain West continue to search for ways to adapt to changes in climate and effects of past habitat degradation.

This project focuses on the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) in the state of Montana, specifically in the geographic and spatial context.

In the United States, Indigenous people have long faced discrimination that exposes them to higher rates of violence and a greater likelihood of going missing (Department of Justice, 2016). This study builds upon scholarship within geography and allied social sciences to better understand the geography of missing and murdered Indigenous People in Montana. This study in particular draws on the theoretical underpinnings of ‘cultural cycles’ by linking this concept with

relationships to physical environment, culture, colonial history, and systemic violence.

The goal of this project is to identify trends in missing and murdered Indigenous persons in Montana, create visualizations to represent people who are actively missing, and identify areas of need for Montana communities.

The Missoula Atmospheric Chemistry Mobile Lab (MAC Lab) is a modular array of chemical and particulate matter (PM) quantification instruments networked to a central data logger and two computers. It is designed for prolonged field deployment in the challenging environmental and terrain conditions of wildfire research as part of the NSF EPSCoR SMART FIRES project. Our contribution to the many thrusts of this collaborative work is to elucidate the efficacy of prescribed burns in reducing wildfire emissions, quantify constituents of fire emissions, and provide scientific evidence to carry out prescribed burns efficiently and effectively to reduce smoke emissions. Much of the current literature on PBs focuses on beneficial retention of biomass and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. There is a need for data of other emissions including Volatile Organic Compounds, Nitrogen Oxides, Particulate Matter < 2.5µm, Carbon Monoxide, Black Carbon, Brown Carbon, Methane, and Ozone to make meaningful comparisons to uncontrolled burns and improve the practice of conducting controlled burns.

These objectives will be accomplished through the collection and analysis of a large emission data set on a series of prescribed burns to be conducted over the next 4 years in the Luberect Experimental Forest as part of the NSF EPSCoR Smart Fires project. Goal 2 will be accomplished over a series of ground and airborne field campaigns to gather air-quality data in the Salt Lake City region of Utah over the next two years and subsequent data analysis.