Myofascial abdominal wall pain (AWP) is a well-recognized presentation of chronic abdominal pain which can be diagnosed solely based on history and a focused physical exam in the out-patient setting. However, current clinical practices rely on diagnostic imaging studies and invasive procedures which can lead to incorrect or delayed diagnosis. We assessed the clinical implications of AWP misdiagnosis and associated healthcare costs in diagnosing AWP in a tertiary care medical practice. In this retrospective single center study, patients undergoing trigger point injections (TPI) for suspected AWP were selected based on the current procedural terminology code 20552. AWP was defined based on a history of localized abdominal pain and a positive Carnett’s sign on physical exam with immediate relief on trigger point injection. The following procedures are most commonly performed exclusively for the diagnosis of abdominal pain: EGD with biopsy, endoscopic ultrasound, CT of the abdomen w/contrast, MRI of abdomen, and TPI. Healthcare costs were estimated based on data from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid claims database. A paired t-test was used to compare means and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 36 patients (32 women, 49 ± 3 years) diagnosed with AWP underwent 40 TPI from January 2023 through January 2024. All patients had immediate pain relief with TPI, confirming clinical and technical success. The associated total healthcare cost of unnecessary diagnostic studies alone was $155,307 (an average cost of $4,198 per patient). As healthcare costs continue to increase, an emphasis on clinically appropriate history and physical exam may decrease healthcare costs and reliance on invasive procedures and imaging studies.

Grizzly bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) generally den in rugged, remote terrain during winter months. Females give birth to cubs in the den in mid to late winter and emerge in spring with highly vulnerable cubs. Detection of cub presence to date has generally relied on aerial surveys, which are costly and challenging, particularly in denning terrain. An understanding of the presence and survival of grizzly bear cubs after den emergence is thus generally limited. This information gap impedes an accurate assessment of reproductive rates, an understanding of which is particularly important in the Cabinet-Yaak and Selkirk Recovery Ecosystems, where small populations can be particularly impacted by cub recruitment. Using post-den location data from 39 GPS-collared female grizzly bears in these populations, we aim to compare movement patterns using cumulative net displacement in an effort to differentiate females with newborn cubs, older young (1–2 years of age), and no offspring. We hypothesize that females with cubs will exhibit lower cumulative net displacement (a metric to quantify the total distance moved over a period of time) and reduced movements compared to females with older young or no offspring, because more females who localize their space use can conserve energy and improve survival of their cubs. This ongoing research will improve an understanding of grizzly bear ecology in the Cabinet-Yaak and Selkirk Recovery Ecosystems.

Spirituality encompasses diverse beliefs and practices that help individuals develop meaning and connection in their lives. As participation in organized religion declines, spiritual practices are growing in popularity. I aim to analyze the core values of spirituality and how they are expressed in the state of Montana.

In order to accomplish this analysis, I am conducting ten interviews with spiritual practitioners across the state. I developed a standardized set of interview questions to ensure consistency across all participants. Interviewees are chosen based on their spiritual practice, location within Montana, and the level of experience they have in their field. Each interview is recorded and posted to public platforms. Once the data collection is complete, I will analyze key themes emerging from each discussion, common phrases and words across the interviewees.

As I continue through the collection period, I anticipate that the core values of spirituality will center around holistic wellbeing, deeper connections with the world, and cultivating mindfulness and intentional living. By sharing these findings, I hope to deepen the understanding of spirituality and support individuals across Montana in integrating these values into their lives.

As a Blackfeet senior student in the University of Montana/Missoula, I am research assistant to Mizuki Miyashita who is a linguistic professor who prioritizes the importance of the Blackfeet language revitalization at the university. Our work is surrounded on vowel changes and dialects because most of the language we use in our work is Blackfoot, which is the sister tribe in Canada, to show our work to people like myself that want to learn if not more about the Blackfeet language. My main interest in the abstract is to focus on what other native or non-native students would like to know more about or the reason to keep the Blackfeet language alive for future generations to come. With most native languages in Montana, every tribe prioritizes the importance of their language because it’s what gives us identity, culture and a sense of belonging for Native American heritage. On the university campus, there are a lot of native students and non-native students willing to learn the language like the Blackfeet or Amspaki Pikanii. The language itself is very hard to learn due to the authenticity and pronunciation of the words that are spoken by first language speakers, such as the older generations of the tribe. Yet what has helped with speaking the language are the recordings that had been approved by the Blackfeet elders. This is where my research helps with students that have taken interest in the language and they can help pass on the Blackfeet language to future generations.

Confidence is a salient factor when determining an individual’s depth and breadth of knowledge. However, confidence alone can be an unreliable predictor of someone’s knowledge, and does not always indicate accuracy. For my project, I will analyze a study investigating whether children prefer to learn from a confident or hesitant individual, and if their preference differs when the information is factual or moral in nature. Participants (N=128) aged 5-8 were recruited through the UM Living Lab, with half assigned to a moral condition and the other half to a factual condition. Participants were presented with stimuli videos portraying two human models (one confident, one hesitant), followed by a series of questions related to the videos. A training phase familiarized participants with the two models and assessed children’s ability to differentiate between confidence and hesitancy. After the training phase, a test phase consisting of four trials using a forced-choice design assessed children’s learning preference for the confident or hesitant model. In addition, participants rated the models’ confidence, likability, and smartness. Based on previous research, we predict that in the factual domain, children will prefer to learn from the confident model, rating them higher in confidence, likability, and smartness than the hesitant model. However, in the moral domain, we predict that children’s ratings and preference to learn from the confident model will decrease. The question remains up to chance regarding whether children will prefer to learn from the hesitant model over the confident model in the moral domain.

This research project aims to study the effectiveness of the Kless Sustainability-funded project to bring composting to the University of Montana’s Lewis and Clark Villages (LCV) apartment complex. Data collection focuses on compost volume, weight, and contamination levels, as well as student participation and engagement in the program. According to the USDA, about 40% of food in the U.S. ends up in landfills. The World Wildlife Fund reports that “In the US alone, the production of lost or wasted food generates the equivalent of 37 million cars’ worth of greenhouse gas emissions.”

The Lewis and Clark Villages Composting Pilot Project has plausible resource conservation, because residents at LCV currently discard their expired food and food scraps. This study aims to quantify that impact. Prior research, in the form of outreach and compost bin distribution, has demonstrated that providing accessible and convenient opportunities for climate action increases participation.This study incorporates a survey assessing climate efficacy and composting perceptions, alongside weekly compost data collection and monitoring. Findings from this research could support the continuation of composting at LCV and the introduction of more student-driven climate initiatives at the University of Montana. It has the potential to benefit students, the University, and the environment.

The physical nature of ice hockey often results in head contact with players of all ages and the ramifications of repeated head trauma may lead to deficits in social and cognitive skills development, as well as the potential for long-term concerns related to academic, neurological, physical, and mental health. The purpose of this study was to better understand how head contact occurs while playing ice hockey, how frequently head contacts occur, and what player behaviors frequently result in head contact. Adolescent female ice hockey players participating on either the 14 and under (14U) girls team or the 19 and under (19U) girls team. Ten practices and 9 games were observed, resulting in a total of 443 athlete exposures. A total of 35 head contacts were observed. The most common mechanism of head contact occurred with the head hitting the boards/glass (29%) followed by the players head hitting the ice (20%). A majority of head contact occurred while defending the puck (69%) in zone 5 (in front of the net) (49%), and zone 1 (behind the net and in the corners) (29%). Player position did not seem to influence head contacts as they occurred similarly amongst forwards, defensemen, and goalies. Based on our findings, it is essential to develop strategies to promote safe play and reduce the risk of head contact around the net and in the corners, particularly when defending the puck.

Geology can provide solutions to energy security and climate change issues by promoting informed practices within the fossil fuel industry, supporting efficient extraction strategies that minimize overall environmental impact. Efficient drilling techniques begin with a thorough understanding of the reservoir, which can be characterized through various methods, including provenance analysis to identify the sediment origins and depositional environments. Interpreting sediment provenance is crucial for refining paleogeography and revealing Earth’s past environments, climates, and tectonics.

My research focuses on reconstructing the provenance and paleogeography of the Late Cretaceous Turner Sandstone, a significant hydrocarbon reservoir in the Powder River Basin (PRB), WY. The hypothesis is that the Black Hills, located along the eastern margin of the PRB, particularly the earlier Cretaceous Newcastle Sandstone, served as the sediment source for the Turner Sandstone. To test this, samples were collected from outcrops in the Black Hills for petrographic analysis. I utilized a Panochromatic Cathodoluminescence detector attached to a Scanning Electron Microscope and conducted traditional point counting to identify grain composition. Additionally, quartz-typing techniques were used to distinguish three distinct groups of quartz, each linked to different source areas around the Black Hills.

My research findings show a strong correlation between Turner and Newcastle composition and quartz type, indicating that the Black Hills were at a structural high during the deposition of the Turner Sandstone(~93.9-89.8 ma). This suggests that the PRB sediments originated from the east, challenging the current view that sediment transport during this period was from the west.

Studies investigating intraspecific variation in morphological traits within endemic species often determine the geographic range that a species can occupy. We quantified intraspecific variationin floral morphology and leaf traits in anendemic wildflower, Phlox missoulensis, which is only found in the North Hills of the Missoula Valley in Western Montana. We collected floral, leaf, and pistil samples from over 100 Phlox missoulensis individuals across two populations in the Missoula North Hills. We used ImageJ software to measure 7 morphological traits: floral color, floral diameter, petal length and width, corolla tube length, pistil length, leaf length, and specific leaf area. We selected these floral traits because of their potential role in pollinator attraction and the leaf traits because of their potential correlation with growth rates and water use. Our preliminary results show significant trait variation for floral color, floral diameter, petal size, corolla tube length, and specific leaf area. Future work will investigate whether trait variation is correlated with the different soil types, vegetation, and microclimate at each population’s location. We hope this data will inform conservation management strategies for Phlox missoulensis.

Gone is the era of academic neutrality as American culture continues to grow and ride the turbulent waters of its political societal pillars. The saying “leave your baggage at the door” is not only incredibly outdated, but for anthropology students at UM it is impossible. The worries and curiosities of our students do not inexplicably stop when they open the doors to the social science building. Their concerns follow them not only into the classroom, but into their career prospects as well. Anthropology classes do not have the luxury of neutrality that other disciplines like mathematics, chemistry, and physics are allowed. Through the method of participant observation, I discovered that the lack of acknowledgement for academic reliance on politics, creates distinct rifts within the classroom regardless of whoever sits in the Oval Office. As the different aspects of the political world become darker and more restrictive, anthropology students are becoming increasingly disengaged with their lectures. Instead of the usual frantic completing of homework for other classes, many students are searching the web for answers to current events. Can anthropology truly claim “academic neutrality” when its very foundations of study can be on the chopping block every four years?

Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis), a keystone species of high-elevation ecosystems of western North America, is threatened with extinction due to disease (Blister rust), pests (Mountain pine beetle), and climate change. Regeneration of the species depends nearly exclusively on the seed-caching behavior of Clark’s nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana, Family Corvidae). Because of this, conservation of whitebark ecosystems requires restoring stand structures that favor nutcrackers. Although there are increasing numbers of studies on the relationship between nutcrackers and whitebark pine, findings have not yet been synthesized, limiting knowledge for application to management. I did a systematic literature review to answer the following questions: 1) How do stand conditions affect nutcracker visitation; 2) over what distances do nutcrackers disperse seed; 3) in what types of microsites do nutcrackers most frequently cache seeds. I also assessed 4) whether responses to these questions varied by geographic region. For each of the 96 articles I found in a Web of Science search, I collected information on the geographic location of the study, what kind of forest stands were studied, how often nutcrackers visited, how far they dispersed seeds, and what types of stands they used for caching. There were a total of 18 articles that addressed the relationship between stand structure and nutcracker visitation. Nutcracker visitation was higher in southern latitude forests, such as Montana and Wyoming, without blister rust. I expect to find that nutcrackers prefer more open stands with healthy cone-producing trees, and that they cache seeds across a mix of open areas, burned forests, and mixed conifer stands. Understanding drivers of nutcracker visitation and seed dispersal can help land managers restore whitebark pine forests in ways that support both the trees and nutcrackers. This work matters because whitebark pine is critical for wildlife and water systems, and its survival depends on this unique bird-tree partnership.

This ethnography examines the deeper cultural and environmental aspects of skiing, focusing on the dynamic between experienced and new skiers at Lookout Pass, a ski resort found on the border of Idaho and Montana. My core focus that was explored is how skiing fosters a sense of community and environmental stewardship, which transcends material aspects such as equipment and gear. My guiding question for this study is “How do interactions between experienced and newer skiers at Lookout Pass shape their relationship with themselves and their environment?” To carry out this project, I employed participant observation and detailed field notes in key areas of the resort to capture natural interactions. My preliminary findings suggest that while new skiers tend to focus on the thrill and social aspects of the sport, experienced skiers have a stronger, more enduring connection to the environment that is their mountain. The divide has an impact on the community at Lookout Pass, as both groups learn from and influence each others' behaviors. Ultimately, advocating for preservation of their home mountain. The significance of this research rests in its potential to contribute to understanding how ski communities develop and adapt to generational changes, placing emphasis on environmental stewardship, sustainability, and community-building. This work is relevant to both the ski industry and environmental management, as it highlights the need for resorts to cultivate inclusive, and environmentally conscious cultures. This is what makes Life in the Pow.

At first glance it seems as though the history of aphasia, a neurological deficit in language, is teaming with thorough, well characterized research using lesions to determine the language centers of the brain. A brain lesion is classified as tissue in the brain that is damaged due to disease or injury. The location of these lesions is a fundamental part of understanding how the structures of the brain affect the way humans think and behave; lesion mapping is the process used by researchers to identify this relationship. Exploring the history of this process reveals an epidemic of poorly described methodologies. Iconic names in aphasic study including Carl Wernicke, Ludwig Lichtheim, and Henry Head, credited with major aphasic discoveries, produced literature with a markedly limited, sometimes nonexistent descriptions of methodology. Thanks to the work of Broca, Dejerne, Montier and a few almost unheard-of anatomists, we retain some small insight into the development of lesion localization methodology. Still, there has been a consistent prioritization of the clinical pathology of these disorders over autopsy and detailed lesion topography, a practice which continued into the technological age neurological imaging. Today, as the complexity of these methods increases, details of the most up-to-date lesion mapping methods can still only be found by compiling the methods sections of lesion-based localization studies. This project emphasizes the need for literature dedicated to methodology and the fundamental principles of quality research standards to create more effective functional understanding of the human brain.

Older adults experience unique isolation, such as living alone and losing loved ones, which correlates with worse mental health. Few studies have examined how the number of close relationships impacts perceived isolation in older adults. I hypothesize the number of close relationships in an older adult’s life may predict perceived isolation; further, I will assess if depression moderates this relationship. This secondary analysis is based on a study of 153 older adults in the northeastern part of the United States (average age = 67.51, SD = 8.3180). The participants completed a measure of perceived isolation (UCLA Loneliness Scale, ULS-3), a measure of depression (Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS), and answered the question “How many friends do you have?”, as well as indicated if they were in a relationship. In the current analysis, the number of relationships was significantly predictive of perceived isolation (M = 4.75, SD = 1.8), R2 = .14, F(2, 117) = 9.67, p < .001. Depression (M = 4.03, SD = 1.93) significantly increased the variance accounted for by the model, change in R2 = .30, F(4, 114) = 22.78, p < .001. However, it did not significantly moderate the relationship between the number of relationships and perceptions of isolation, t = -1.26, p = .21. Results indicate older adults with fewer close relationships experience greater perceived isolation. Depression may play a larger role in isolation perceptions, which warrants further study. Supporting older adults with fewer close relationships may reduce feelings of isolation.

Invasive species can significantly impact the distribution and richness of native plants, resulting in competitive exclusion. This study investigates the spatial variation in species richness of native cushion plants in relation to invasive species along Waterworks Trail in Missoula, Montana. This study assessed how elevation, distance from trail, and upslope (above the gate) vs downslope (below the gate) direction (east vs west) influenced the distribution of both the cushion plants and the invasive species. Species richness of cushion plants was higher on the west side of the trail, particularly at lower elevations. In contrast, the east side exhibited lower richness of cushion plants, and was characterized by a higher density of invasives. Invasive species were found in higher concentrations farther from the trail, with a higher presence of cheatgrass on the east side. These findings suggest that invasive species, particularly cheatgrass, may inhibit the growth of cushion plants, especially on the east side of the trail where a steep slope may promote wetter conditions than cushion plants prefer. Our study illustrates that native cushion plants and invasive species are not likely to coexist in the same space, potentially due to use of different niches. Future work should investigate whether removal of invasive species would allow native cushions plants to spread.

Economic energy resource development is dependent on the intrinsic understanding of the geologic evolution of a sedimentary basin. This geologic evolution is recorded by changes to the sedimentary rock during burial (i.e. diagenesis) and often can only be identified on a microscopic scale.

This study analyzes diagenetic changes of the Late Cretaceous Turner Sandstone, a major hydrocarbon reservoir in the Powder River Basin, WY, USA. Samples were collected from outcrops along the Black Hills, WY, to be compared with the burial history of the central Powder River Basin. These samples were thin-sectioned and analyzed with a petrographic microscope and a scanning electron microscope.

Results from this analysis show the formation of quartz overgrowths, calcite cements, kaolinite, and albitization, which is the change from potassium to sodium in feldspars. Ordering these observations based on cross-cutting relationships resulted in a relative time series (i.e. paragenetic sequence). This paragenetic sequence indicates that the Black Hills underwent deep burial after the deposition of the Turner Sandstone to a depth similar to the current basin center. This work contributes to a better understanding of the microscopic features of the Turner Sandstone and therefore helps define the basin evolution of the Powder River Basin. These results can be used to improve basin modeling and reservoir characterization. Improvements on this scale can have implications on the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and energy security.

Understanding thermoregulatory acclimation during work challenges in both females and males remains an active area of environmental physiology research. Myriad body-wide adaptive responses are frequently influenced by a milieu of circulating factors, including blood markers of vascular inflammation. How these markers respond to variations in acute and repeated challenges of exercise+heat may influence heat acclimation outcomes. PURPOSE: To quantify circulating markers of vascular inflammation following either sustained (1x 90 minutes) or intermittent (3x 30 Minutes) exercise+heat exposure protocols. METHODS: Females and males (n=30 each) were randomized to receive a week of low intensity exercise performed during one of two identically timed (90 minute) heat exposures. Gender-based groups (n=15 each) performed either sustained (90 minutes) or intermittent (3x 30 minutes, 3-hour separation) heat exposure (38°C, 60% RH) while walking on a treadmill (1.6 m·s^-1, 5% grade). Blood samples drawn Pre and Post the first 30 minutes of exercise on days 1 and 7 were examined for vascular inflammation markers, including bFGF, Fit-1, ICAM, INF-y, IL-10, 1L-12p40, IL-15, IL-16, IL-17b, IL-17c, IL1Ra, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, PIGF, Tie-2, VEGF, VEGFa, VEGFc, VEGFd, and CRP. RESULTS: Pre-Post increases were present on day 1 and day 7 for 12/20 markers (bFGF, Fit-1, ICAM, IL-16, IL-17b, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, PIGF, VEGFa, VEGFc, VEGFd; CONCLUSION: Low intensity exercise results in a comparable elevation of circulating markers of vascular inflammation for sustained and intermittent heating protocols. Moreover, females – but not males - expressed an increase in several VEGF isoforms, a finding that suggests that heat acclimation differences between males and females may be linked to circulating factors associated with vascular inflammation.

Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States and about 1/3 of strokes result in aphasia. Aphasia is a language disorder that impairs the ability to comprehend or formulate language. One beneficial rehabilitative treatment for aphasia is group therapy. Group therapy for people with aphasia (PWA) has been reported by clinicians and clients as having an aspect of “magic”. This “magic” has been described as a feeling, atmosphere, energy, or a vibe. Although these group characteristics have yet to be fully identified, they are reported to be an essential part of the success of group therapy.

To identify the seemingly secret ingredients to “magic”, we will observe the University of Montana’s Community Aphasia Group (CAG), that is implemented by graduate student clinicians in speech-language pathology. The CAG meets weekly for 1 hour and includes 3-10 PWA across a range of aphasia types and severities. The CAG provides social opportunities and enhances language skills for PWA. We will observe CAG sessions and document clinician behaviors and patient engagement behaviors during moments that feel positive, motivating, and sincere to create a comprehensive list of identified “magic” features.

Communication barriers associated with aphasia often decrease quality of life, increase emotional distress, and cause social isolation. This study will investigate the moments of magic that occur during group therapy. Ultimately, these findings will help researchers and clinicians implement high-quality, meaningful group therapy for PWA.

Dementia, particularly vascular dementia, is increasingly recognized as a complication of type II diabetes. The goal of this review is to determine whether a healthy diet and adequate physical activity can effectively manage common comorbidities of diabetes that lead to the development of dementia. This review pulls from a variety of sources examining the shared risk factors between type II diabetes and dementia, and the effectiveness of evidence-based lifestyle modifications focused on prevention.

A comprehensive review of twenty peer-reviewed medical studies, articles, and journals was conducted to investigate the link between Diabetes Mellitus and Dementia. The review aimed to identify key risk factors linking diabetes to cognitive decline. Additionally, this review examines the efficacy of various diet and exercise regimens focused on mitigating the risk of cognitive degeneration commonly associated with diabetes.

Based on the reviewed medical databases it is indicated that diabetes-related factors such as hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, insulin resistance, and vascular dysfunction significantly contribute to dementia development. These metabolic issues are linked to neurodegeneration, particularly in the hippocampus. Research suggests that the management of diabetes through diet and exercise may be the most effective strategy to reduce the risk of developing dementia.

This review highlights the strong connection between Diabetes Mellitus and Dementia. The metabolic and vascular complications of diabetes accelerate neurodegeneration, reinforcing the need for proactive management. While dementia has no known cure presently, its strong connection to diabetes may be indicative that healthy lifestyle choices may be the best option concerning dementia prevention.