The Montana State University theatre of silence.
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Adolescent↗
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MSU Rurality Index: development and evaluation. Montana State University.
The construction and validation of a residence-based index of the degree of rurality are reported. The MSU Rurality Index is a locally normal index and assigns a quantitative measure of rurality to each participant in a study. Data required to compute the index are minimal; only two variables need be measured. Statistical analysis effort required to compute the index is somewhat more intensive than usual, but this tradeoff between data collection and data analysis seems sensible. Data collection is generally more expensive than data analysis. The two required variables, county population and distance to emergency care, are optimally transformed to achieve normality and weighted to achieve validity. A measure of departure from normality is automatically obtained while constructing the index. A positive score reflects a rural residence and a negative score reflects an urban residence relative to the group under study. A score of zero reflects average rurality. Reliability and construct validity were examined using two data sets. The MSU Rurality Index has high test-retest reliability, is appropriately related to a set of ordered categories concerning place of residence, and is as or more strongly related to these categories than alternative indices computed from distance or population alone. The validity of the MSU Rurality Index does not appear to be compromised by its parsimony. Even though the MSU Rurality Index is based on only two variables, it was found to be associated with various health care variables as strongly or more strongly than an 11 variable county-based index developed in Texas.
Adult↗
Career preferences of first- and second-year medical students: the WAMI experience.
Students admitted directly to the Seattle campus of the University of Washington School of Medicine are predominately from metropolitan areas. Students completing their first year at affiliated programs at Washington State University, University of Alaska, Montana State University, and the University of Idaho are predominately from nonmetropolitan areas. The authors compared these two groups of students with respect to preferred specialties and practice location; in addition, these preferences were examined on the basis of the size of students' home communities. Factor analysis of the preferences indicated by three entering classes at the end of their second year identified interpretable clusters of specialties and location types. Few differences were found in preferences for specialties, either between the groups or based on size of home community. Differences in attitudes toward location of practice indicated that students favor commmunities similar to those in which they were raised. The preferences indicated by second-year students were found to be significantly related to those expressed by the same students as they entered medical school, suggesting stability of student attitudes toward career choices. These results indicate that increased admissions from nonmetropolitan areas may affect the distribution of physicians by region but not by specialty.
Attitude of Health Personnel↗
Alteration of mood state after a single bout of noncompetitive and competitive exercise programs.
This study evaluated the effects of three popular physical activities on the psychological well-being of university students. 44 students in three physical activity classes enrolled in the Fitness for Life Program at Montana State University which included circuit training, weight training, and racquetball were administered the Profile of Mood States scale 5 min. before and 5 min. after one bout of physical activity. Two of the three activities appeared to be associated positively with scores on certain subscales. The results supported positive psychological well-being of students after physical activity. Implications for research are presented.
Affect↗
Nutrition components and assessment procedures of a university employee wellness program: a case study.
This article describes the various nutrition components and data collection tools developed and implemented within the Montana State University Employee Wellness Program. Nutrition components included a variety of classes, seminars, follow-up support groups, and individual consultations. Tools included surveys and computerized data input cards. It is important for dietetic professionals to initiate the development and implementation of a quality nutrition component within university employee wellness programs.
Data Collection↗
Effectiveness of a health course at influencing preservice teachers' attitudes toward teaching health.
Research has shown that effective school health education depends on the effectiveness of health training for prospective teachers. This research tested the effectiveness of a university course in preparing preservice teachers in the area of school health. Education majors enrolled in the course "Drug and Health Issues for Educators" at Montana State University were administered a pretest/posttest questionnaire at the beginning and end of spring semester 2000 to gather data for testing five hypotheses. Analyses were conducted on 119-paired samples. The course appeared effective at influencing how a preservice teacher values health education in the school, their intentions to include and confidence in including health in their teaching, and their ability to provide a student with information on personal health issues.
Adolescent↗
Telefacsimile from a user perspective.
A study conducted at Montana State University compared telefacsimile service with mail delivery. Recipients of telefax materials who answered questions about the purpose, timeliness, and quality of the materials were generally well pleased. Telefacsimile was found to be a cost-effective and efficient method of document delivery over long distances.
Interlibrary Loans↗
Promoting U.S. census data in an academic environment: opportunities and challenges.
"The library at Montana State University, Bozeman...has undertaken structured efforts to promote wider use of census data [in CD-ROM format] among the university community. Several workshops and instructional sessions are described...[and] handouts for some sessions are included. These...activities are described in the context of budgetary and service issues faced by libraries providing access to census data in electronic formats.... The success of these efforts is assessed, and libraries' response to new expectations for service is also discussed."
Americas↗
MINERVA-a multi-modal radiation treatment planning system.
Researchers at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory and Montana State University have undertaken development of MINERVA, a patient-centric, multi-modal, radiation treatment planning system. This system can be used for planning and analyzing several radiotherapy modalities, either singly or combined, using common modality independent image and geometry construction and dose reporting and guiding. It employs an integrated, lightweight plugin architecture to accommodate multi-modal treatment planning using standard interface components. The MINERVA design also facilitates the future integration of improved planning technologies. The code is being developed with the Java Virtual Machine for interoperability. A full computation path has been established for molecular targeted radiotherapy treatment planning, with the associated transport plugin developed by researchers at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. Development of the neutron transport plugin module is proceeding rapidly, with completion expected later this year. Future development efforts will include development of deformable registration methods, improved segmentation methods for patient model definition, and three-dimensional visualization of the patient images, geometry, and dose data. Transport and source plugins will be created for additional treatment modalities, including brachytherapy, external beam proton radiotherapy, and the EGSnrc/BEAMnrc codes for external beam photon and electron radiotherapy.
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy↗
Temperature, plants, and oxygen: how does season affect constructed wetland performance?
The influence of temperature and plant-mediated oxygen transfer continues to draw attention from researchers, practitioners and regulators interested in the use of constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment. Because the vast majority of research on constructed wetland performance has been conducted during periods of active plant growth, the true influence of temperature, season, and plant species selection on constructed wetlands performance has not yet been evaluated adequately. In this article, we briefly summarize changes in the understanding of these influences on wetland performance, and suggest that effects of temperature and oxygen transfer are not readily separable because both factors respond to seasonal cycles and because effects of one can offset the other. We further speculate that the net effect of seasonal variation in these factors is such that plant-mediated oxygen transfer affects water treatment most in winter. Results of controlled-environment experiments conducted at Montana State University support these perspectives. Different plant species' capacities to oxidize the root zone responded differently to seasonal cycles of growth and dormancy, and species' effects on wastewater treatment were most pronounced in winter.
Adaptation, Physiological↗
Monte Carlo treatment planning for molecular targeted radiotherapy within the MINERVA system.
The aim of this project is to extend accurate and patient-specific treatment planning to new treatment modalities, such as molecular targeted radiation therapy, incorporating previously crafted and proven Monte Carlo and deterministic computation methods. A flexible software environment is being created that allows planning radiation treatment for these new modalities and combining different forms of radiation treatment with consideration of biological effects. The system uses common input interfaces, medical image sets for definition of patient geometry and dose reporting protocols. Previously, the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL), Montana State University (MSU) and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) had accrued experience in the development and application of Monte Carlo based, three-dimensional, computational dosimetry and treatment planning tools for radiotherapy in several specialized areas. In particular, INEEL and MSU have developed computational dosimetry systems for neutron radiotherapy and neutron capture therapy, while LLNL has developed the PEREGRINE computational system for external beam photon-electron therapy. Building on that experience, the INEEL and MSU are developing the MINERVA (modality inclusive environment for radiotherapeutic variable analysis) software system as a general framework for computational dosimetry and treatment planning for a variety of emerging forms of radiotherapy. In collaboration with this development, LLNL has extended its PEREGRINE code to accommodate internal sources for molecular targeted radiotherapy (MTR), and has interfaced it with the plugin architecture of MINERVA. Results from the extended PEREGRINE code have been compared to published data from other codes, and found to be in general agreement (EGS4-2%, MCNP-10%) (Descalle et al 2003 Cancer Biother. Radiopharm. 18 71-9). The code is currently being benchmarked against experimental data. The interpatient variability of the drug pharmacokinetics in MTR can only be properly accounted for by image-based, patient-specific treatment planning, as has been common in external beam radiation therapy for many years. MINERVA offers 3D Monte Carlo-based MTR treatment planning as its first integrated operational capability. The new MINERVA system will ultimately incorporate capabilities for a comprehensive list of radiation therapies. In progress are modules for external beam photon-electron therapy and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). Brachytherapy and proton therapy are planned. Through the open application programming interface (API), other groups can add their own modules and share them with the community.
Boron Neutron Capture Therapy↗
An improved protocol for the production of AFLP markers in complex genomes by means of capillary electrophoresis.
The amplified fragment-length polymorphism (AFLP) technology is a recently introduced method to investigate genomes of different complexity, from microbial to higher organisms. It is applied to purposes as diverse as identification of species, strain and varieties, investigation of genetic diversity within and between populations, simple and complex trait mapping, and construction of linkage and physical maps. This technology has been designed on the use of primers labelled with radioactivity and on AFLP fragment separation on sequencing gel. We show that the original EcoRI/TaqI AFLP protocol does not perform appropriately when transferred to fluorescent labelling and capillary electrophoresis (CE), and propose an improved protocol for the production of high-quality AFLP markers in fish, rodents and artiodactyles by means of the Beckman-Coulter CEQ2000 automatic DNA sequencer. In addition, we describe the procedure routinely used in our laboratory to obtain binary matrices from AFLP profiles with the aid of Genographer free-share software (vers. 1.6.0, J.J. Benham, Montana State University), able to elaborate original fragment data and convert them to standard graphical formats for phylogenetic analyses. Comparison with radioactive AFLPs in goats confirmed the reliability of the protocol developed for CE. In fact, 107 fragments generated by two primer combinations and identified by both techniques were attributed the same scoring. Compared with traditional methods, the use of capillary systems and automated analysis increases data throughput and scoring reliability, decreasing the overall experimental error.
Animals↗
The ecological significance of biofilm formation by plant-associated bacteria.
Bacteria associated with plants have been observed frequently to form assemblages referred to as aggregates, microcolonies, symplasmata, or biofilms on leaves and on root surfaces and within intercellular spaces of plant tissues. In a wide range of habitats, biofilms are purported to be microniches of conditions markedly different from those of the ambient environment and drive microbial cells to effect functions not possible alone or outside of biofilms. This review constructs a portrait of how biofilms associated with leaves, roots and within intercellular spaces influence the ecology of the bacteria they harbor and the relationship of bacteria with plants. We also consider how biofilms may enhance airborne dissemination, ubiquity and diversification of plant-associated bacteria and may influence strategies for biological control of plant disease and for assuring food safety. Trapped by a nexus, coordinates uncertain Ever expanding or contracting Cannibalistic and scavenging sorties Excavations through signs of past alliances Consensus signals sound revelry Then time warped by viscosity Genomes showing codependence A virtual microbial beach party With no curfew and no time-out A few estranged cells seeking exit options, Looking for another menagerie. David Sands, Montana State University, Bozeman, February 2003
Bacterial Physiological Phenomena↗
Project IDEA: International Deaf Education Association.
This paper addresses some of the difficulties of educating the deaf in third world countries. Project IDEA (International Deaf Education Association) is an exemplary program started by the Peace Corps in Bohol, Philippines. The author made an on-sight visit to this project in 1986. Additionally, two Montana State University students completed internships there in early 1988 and their detailed accounts help form the basis for this descriptive report on the newly formed Bohol deaf community and their special educational/vocational program.
Adolescent↗
Simulation of cow-calf production systems in a range environment: I. Model development.
A mathematical computer model of beef cattle production systems was developed at Montana State University. The objective of this report was to describe the rationale and procedures used to simulate animal and system performance. The model was designed to simulate the dynamic relationships among cattle genotype, physiological state, forage quality, and management in range environments. Forage intake, energy and protein metabolism, growth, reproduction, lactation, and changes in chemical body composition are simulated for individual animals over complete life cycles. Expenses driven by animal performance, management decisions, and land resources are tabulated. Several biological and economic measures of system performance can be computed, including ratios of inputs (e.g., DM, CP, ME, dollars) to outputs (e.g., weight, lean), break even prices, and annual gross margin per cow or ranch. Primary uses of the model include the evaluation of system responses to changes in breeding strategies and management in range production/marketing systems.
Animal Feed↗
Advanced education for the role of rural nurse generalist.
The Montana State University College of Nursing has developed a master's degree program which prepares nurses as generalists with advanced knowledge for understanding and addressing rural health care needs. The programs is clear about its goals and objectives and does not attempt to be "all things for all people." The emphasis is on rural nursing, and this emphasis is present in recruiting, teaching, research and publication at the College. Classroom and clinical experiences challenge students to develop a broad range of skills, and most importantly to enhance critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Since delivering high quality health care in rural areas requires the ability to understand health care from the consumer's perspective, both data collection and clinical experience in rural communities are required. The enthusiasm for rural nursing--practice, teaching and research--displayed by faculty members, alumnae and students is both a major factor in, and an indication of, the program's success.
Clinical Competence↗
The relationship between the stages of exercise adoption and other health behaviors.
PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between stage of exercise adoption and the practice of other health behaviors. DESIGN: Demographic, socioeconomic, and health behavior data were collected using a cross-sectional mail survey. Data were collected as part of a larger employee benefits research study. SETTING: Montana State University-Bozeman, Bozeman, Montana. SUBJECTS: University employees (n = 1269) comprised of 46% men with a mean age of 44 years. MEASURES: Demographic and socioeconomic data included age, sex, marital status, level of income and education, dependent status, and job classification. Stage of exercise adoption classifications were based on self-reported responses to four exercise statements. The health behaviors included in this study were cigarette and smokeless tobacco use, seat belt use, alcohol use, and use of stress management practices. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine if stage of exercise predicted the presence of each of the health behaviors while controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, and other health behavior variables. RESULTS: The survey response rate was 68%. Respondents in action exercise stage (p = .0367) were less likely to smoke cigarettes than respondents in precontemplation stage of exercise. Respondents in contemplation (p = .0419), preparation (p = .0060), action (p = .0432), and maintenance (p = .0006) were more likely to use seat belts than respondents in precontemplation. Respondents in maintenance (p = .0059) were more likely to use regular stress reduction techniques than respondents in precontemplation. CONCLUSIONS: Although longitudinal research is needed to determine any causal relationships, this research suggests that encouraging individuals to become more involved in exercise could indirectly influence other health behaviors. Hence, exercise could be a possible "gateway" behavior toward healthier lifestyle practices.
Adult↗
Gene scientist freed germs in 1984 tests.
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DNA, Recombinant↗