Intermountain West Region Research Articles

At home, in public, and in between: gender differences in public, private and transportation pro-environmental behaviors in the US Intermountain West

ABSTRACTResearch in environmental sociology finds differences between men and women in the performance of pro-environmental behaviors, but gender effects change over time, and vary by location and type of pro-environmental behavior. Thus, research needs to explore gender differences in various pro-environmental behaviors across different contexts, in order to contribute to better understanding of the connections between sustainability and gender equity. This paper analyzes the gendered differences in pro-environmental behaviors in the Intermountain West region of the United States using survey data collected in 2016 from five states: Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming. Results of ordinary least squares and ordered logistic regression analyses indicate women are more likely than men to engage in pro-environmental behaviors in the private sphere. Gendered differences are also evident in public pro-environmental behaviors, though results suggest those may be a consequence of higher levels of environmental concern among women. An analysis of transportation behaviors yields mixed results. All three types of behaviors have implications for gender equity.

606-P: Point-of-Care Retinal Photography Is Effective in Identifying Diabetic Retinopathy in Patients Not Routinely Followed by Ophthalmology in the Intermountain West

Early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR) can reduce blindness risk by >90%. Due to limitations in access to specialized eye care, the majority of people with diabetes (PWD) are not screened routinely. This project aims to determine if implementation of a point-of-care retinal screening program for PWD not routinely followed by ophthalmology would be effective in detecting DR in the Intermountain West region of the U.S. PWD who had not had a dilated eye exam within the last year underwent fundus photography during a regularly scheduled diabetes visit at the University of Utah Diabetes and Endocrinology Center. Non-mydriatic retinal images were classified by a vitreoretinal specialist as to DR severity based on the International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy and Macular Edema Severity Scale. Abnormal findings were present in 49% of 116 patients imaged: Mild-moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) in 16%, moderate-severe NPDR in 13%, proliferative retinopathy in 4% and hypertensive retinopathy in 13%. Point-of-care retinal imaging effectively identified DR and other retinal conditions in the Intermountain West. The finding of serious eye conditions in PWD not routinely followed by ophthalmologists supports the importance of improving ease of access for eye screening in diabetes care. Disclosure M. Wahl: None. A. Haynes: None. M.L. Litchman: None. A. Fagerlin: None. R.K. Delaney: None. J. Neuberger: None. G.S. Adjei-Poku: None. M. Serrato: None. M. Hartnett: None. S. Fisher: None.

Environmental, Structural, and Disturbance Influences over Forest Floor Components in Interior Douglas-Fir Forests of the Intermountain West, USA

Downed woody material (DWM) is a key component in forest ecosystems with age, structure, and disturbance described as primary factors that influence DWM dynamics. In particular, much emphasis is placed on large coarse woody debris (CWD). Fine woody debris (FWD) (less than 7.62 cm diameter), duff, and litter also contribute to carbon stocks, provide habitat, add to nutrient cycling, and are often the most available fuels for fire, yet are regularly overlooked in studies describing the forest floor. Throughout the middle montane zone within the Intermountain West region USA, interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca Mirb. Franco) is a predominant forest type, yet little is known about the forest floor complex in these forests. We used a chronosequence approach to compare DWM patterns over the course of stand development among stands with different disturbance histories. Using classification and regression trees, we also evaluated an assemblage of environmental, structural, and disturbance variables to determine factors of most importance for estimating loading for DWM, duff, and litter. We found CWD resembled a U-shaped pattern of buildup while FWD components remained stable over the course of stand development regardless of disturbance history. Our results indicate that large DWM components are most closely associated with the amount of standing dead material in a stand, primarily the density and basal area of snags. Fine woody material was more aligned with live stand components, while duff and litter were more influenced by disturbance.

Media reporting of conflict between wildlife and people spending time in nature

ABSTRACTThere is a great deal of investment in the United States by land management agencies and conservation organizations to promote visitation and experiencing of natural and wild places. Given the relationship between outdoor experiences and support for conservation and pro‐environmental behavior, such campaigns are critical. We examined 392 articles about conflict between wildlife and humans recreating in the natural world between 2010 and 2015 to address how the conflict was framed by news media and discuss implications of the frames on how people might think and feel about time spent in nature. Sampled articles were from newspapers in 7 states in the Intermountain West region of the United States. We studied how articles were framed, to whom articles most often assigned blame for the incident, and if articles included information for how to prevent or mitigate such situations. We found that a majority of articles were framed episodically; therefore, were more likely to evoke an emotional response by readers that were more likely to negatively influence attitudes and behaviors about spending time in nature. In addition, wildlife were most often blamed for the conflict, and safety tip information was typically not included. © 2018 The Wildlife Society.

EFFECT OF SITE CHARACTERISTICS ON JUVENILE WOOD TRANSITION IN LODGEPOLE PINE IN THE INLAND NORTHWEST

Juvenile wood (core wood) in softwood species is typically characterized as being less dimensionally stable and having lowermechanical properties thanmature wood.Determining the age of transition between juvenile wood and mature wood is important when making judgments about utilization options for naturally occurring stands of trees in the intermountain west region of the United States. Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta Dougl. ex. Loud.) trees were harvested from four different sites in the US Inland Northwest to include site variations that affect growth, such as elevation, precipitation, and length of growing season. Longitudinal shrinkage was measured in each sample as it dried fromgreen to oven-dry conditions. Later, averagemicrofibril angle was determined for the same samples. Although the two methods for estimating the juvenile wood transition period were not in agreement regarding the number of years to mature wood, there was agreement in a ranking of the four sites from shortest transition period to longest transition period. A significant difference in the juvenile wood transition period was found among sites; longer transition periods were attributed to stands in which trees exhibited persistent lower branches rather than to geographic influences. Thiswork illustrates that stand conditions for sources of lodgepole pine can have a substantial influence on physical characteristics of this material when it is used as structural roundwood or solid-sawn products.

A mixed-methods analysis of logging injuries in Montana and Idaho.

Despite advances in mechanization, logging continues to be one of the most dangerous occupations in the United States. Logging in the Intermountain West region (Montana and Idaho) is especially hazardous due to steep terrain, extreme weather, and remote work locations. We implemented a mixed-methods approach combining analyses of workers' compensation claims and focus groups to identify factors associated with injuries and fatalities in the logging industry. Inexperienced workers (>6 months experience) accounted for over 25% of claims. Sprain/strain injuries were the most common, accounting for 36% of claims, while fatalities had the highest median claim cost ($274 411). Focus groups identified job tasks involving felling trees, skidding, and truck driving as having highest risk. Injury prevention efforts should focus on training related to safe work methods (especially for inexperienced workers), the development of a safety culture and safety leadership, as well as implementation of engineering controls.

Cluster Management to Improve Berry Quality in Young ‘Alborz’ Table Grape in the Intermountain West Region, USA

ABSTRACTCluster management in table grapes is an essential cultural practice for production of high quality table grapes. This issue has not been studied in the Intermountain West region in the United States. Thus, the objective of this project was to study the effects of cluster removal, cluster shortening, and vine girdling on yield and quality attributes of ‘Alborz’ table grape during 2012–14 growing seasons. Vines that did not receive cluster removal and cluster cutting (NoClRemNoClCut) tended to have a higher yield but smaller berry weight than those with other cluster managements every year. Vines receiving cluster removal, cluster shortening, and a trunk girdling (ClRemShort&Gird) regime tended to have larger berries and cluster weight than those with other treatments. However, girdled vines were more susceptible to cold damage. Vines receiving cluster removal and cluster shortening had slightly larger berries, better appearance, and marketability than those without cluster removal and without cluster shortening.

Climatological and case analyses of lower‐stratospheric fronts over North America

Recent case‐study analyses produced a conceptual model suggesting that lower‐stratospheric fronts, the lower‐stratospheric half of a tropopause jet–front system, develop preferentially in southwesterly flow in the presence of lower‐stratospheric geostrophic warm air advection and ascent within the jet core. This conceptual understanding is examined by performing climatological and case analyses of 185 objectively identified lower‐stratospheric fronts that occurred over North America during the winter seasons (December, January and February) of 2004–2012 in the 1.0°×1.0°NCEP/NCAR Global Forecast System analysis.The climatological analysis shows a preference for strong southwesterly flow lower‐stratospheric fronts to occur over the Intermountain West region and relatively weaker southwesterly flow lower‐stratospheric fronts to occur over eastern North America. The southwesterly flow lower‐stratospheric fronts were composited according to their geographical location and the analysis shows that the composite lower‐stratospheric and tropospheric structures in these two locations have statistical differences. The case‐study analyses of southwesterly flow lower‐stratospheric fronts in these two regions highlight different, geographically dependent, frontal evolutions. The strong lower‐stratospheric front identified in the Intermountain West region interacted with an orographic gravity wave and associated lower‐stratospheric ascent that rearranged the local thermal field. The lower‐stratospheric front in eastern North America developed parallel to a surface front and was associated with diabatically reduced static stability in the upper troposphere, geostrophic warm air advection, and enhanced ascent.

Identification of Pediatric Patients With Celiac Disease Based on Serology and a Classification and Regression Tree Analysis.

Celiac disease is detected using serology and endoscopy analyses. We used multiple statistical analyses of a geographically isolated population in the United States to determine whether a single serum screening can identify individuals with celiac disease. We performed a retrospective study of 3555 pediatric patients (18 years old or younger) in the intermountain West region of the United States from January 1, 2008, through September 30, 2013. All patients had undergone serologic analyses for celiac disease, including measurement of antibodies to tissue transglutaminase (TTG) and/or deamidated gliadin peptide (DGP), and had duodenal biopsies collected within the following year. Modified Marsh criteria were used to identify patients with celiac disease. We developed models to identify patients with celiac disease using logistic regression and classification and regression tree (CART) analysis. Single use of a test for serum level of IgA against TTG identified patients with celiac disease with 90% sensitivity, 90% specificity, a 61% positive predictive value (PPV), a 90% negative predictive value, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value of 0.91; these values were higher than those obtained from assays for IgA against DGP or IgG against TTG plus DGP. Not including the test for DGP antibody caused only 0.18% of celiac disease cases to be missed. Level of TTG IgA 7-fold the upper limit of normal (ULN) identified patients with celiac disease with a 96% PPV and 100% specificity. Using CART analysis, we found a level of TTG IgA 3.2-fold the ULN and higher to most accurately identify patients with celiac disease (PPV, 89%). Multivariable CART analysis showed that a level of TTG IgA 2.5-fold the ULN and higher was sufficient to identify celiac disease in patients with type 1 diabetes (PPV, 88%). Serum level of IgA against TTG in patients with versus those without trisomy 21 did not affect diagnosis predictability in CART analysis. In a population-based study, we found that serum level of IgA against TTG can identify patients with celiac disease with PPVs of about 90%. Predictive values increase greatly when levels are markedly above the ULN or when the assay is used in combination with other variables. Measurement of IgG against TTG or DGP does not increase the accuracy of detection of celiac disease based against TTG IgA levels. There is a low risk of false-positive results from serologic analysis in patients with type I diabetes or persistent increases in antibody against TTG on repeat testing.

The Performance and Quality of Three Alternative Fruits in the Intermountain West Region of the United States

Adaptability and feasibility of table grape (Vitis vinifera or Vitis labrusca), asian pear (Pyrus pyrifolia), and quince (Cydonia oblonga) production under the high desert conditions of southwest Idaho in the Intermountain West region of the United States were studied. ‘Alborz’ table grape was harvested between 1 and 15 Sept. and with proper thinning, this cultivar had outstanding clusters and berries and could be a successful table grape for planting at commercial scales in warmer spots under conditions of this study. ‘Kashishi’ and ‘Autumn Royal’ were late-season cultivars and had large berries with excellent quality. ‘Ralli’, also called ‘Anahita’ in the Intermountain West, had attractive clusters and berry color, but was sensitive to frost and had poor production. ‘Princess’ grape was harvested between 5 and 30 Sept. and had poor fruit set, but berries had outstanding flavor. ‘Niitaka’ asian pear had the largest and firmest fruit with the lowest soluble solids concentration (SSC) among all tested asian pears. ‘Semi Dwarf Shinko’ asian pear had larger fruit than ‘Kikusui’ and ‘20th Century’ but smaller than ‘Niitaka’. However, ‘Kikusui’ and ‘20th Century’ had excellent fruit flavor and quality. Thus, ‘Kikusui’, ‘20th Century’, and ‘Niitaka’ asian pears can be chosen for planting under condition of this study. ‘Aromantnaya’ and ‘Rich’ quinces matured earlier and had lower fruit firmness than other cultivars. These cultivars can be planted for early market. Based on this study, ‘Van Deman’ can be chosen for fresh consumption if sweet cultivars are in demand by the market. However, ‘Rich’ and ‘Smyrna’ quinces can be chosen if fruit with large size and bright yellow color is preferred.

Student-led health education programmes in the waiting room of a free clinic for uninsured patients

Objective: Free clinics provide free or reduced fee healthcare to individuals who lack access to primary care and are socio-economically disadvantaged in the USA. Free clinic patients may have health education needs, but experience barriers to attending health education programmes. In an attempt to reach out to free clinic patients who might not otherwise attend health education classes, this project examined the efficacy of student-led health education classes conducted in the waiting room prior to a patient’s appointment with a provider. Design: The classes had two areas of focus: women’s health and health information. Health educators and Spanish interpreters were graduate and undergraduate students. Setting: This study was conducted in the waiting room of a free clinic in the Intermountain West region of the USA. Method: The health education classes were held 22 times in total from late August to early December 2014. Results: While the survey-based assessment of the programme did not show a difference in levels of health consciousness, health information seeking and health attitudes, the programme potentially increased interest in attending the health education classes. Conclusion: There were some challenges associated with the implementation of a health education class in the waiting room setting, particularly in regards to environments, evaluation and interpretation services. Future projects are needed to address challenges associated with conducting a health education class in a waiting room setting. In addition, a variety of health topics, evidence-based evaluation and interpreter services are key for future success.

Impact of Assimilating Dropsonde Observations from MPEX on Ensemble Forecasts of Severe Weather Events

AbstractOver the central Great Plains, mid- to upper-tropospheric weather disturbances often modulate severe storm development. These disturbances frequently pass over the Intermountain West region of the United States during the early morning hours preceding severe weather events. This region has fewer in situ observations of the atmospheric state compared with most other areas of the United States, contributing toward greater uncertainty in forecast initial conditions. Assimilation of supplemental observations is hypothesized to reduce initial condition uncertainty and improve forecasts of high-impact weather.During the spring of 2013, the Mesoscale Predictability Experiment (MPEX) leveraged ensemble-based targeting methods to key in on regions where enhanced observations might reduce mesoscale forecast uncertainty. Observations were obtained with dropsondes released from the NSF/NCAR Gulfstream-V aircraft during the early morning hours preceding 15 severe weather events over areas upstream from anticipated convection. Retrospective data-denial experiments are conducted to evaluate the value of dropsonde observations in improving convection-permitting ensemble forecasts. Results show considerable variation in forecast performance from assimilating dropsonde observations, with a modest but statistically significant improvement, akin to prior targeted observation studies that focused on synoptic-scale prediction. The change in forecast skill with dropsonde information was not sensitive to the skill of the control forecast. Events with large positive impact sampled both the disturbance and adjacent flow, akin to results from past synoptic-scale targeting studies, suggesting that sampling both the disturbance and adjacent flow is necessary regardless of the horizontal scale of the feature of interest.

Perceptions of University Policies to Prevent Sexual Assault on Campus Among College Students in the USA

The purpose of this study is to assess correlations between attitude, opinions, and perceptions of sexual assault on campus and perceptions of university policies related to sexual assault among college students. Students (N = 507) at a large public university in the intermountain west region of the USA completed a survey in February and March 2015. Multivariable multiple regression was conducted to test the association between perceptions of students regarding university polices on sexual assault and individual factors. The factors that were predictive for student perceptions of sexual assault policy importance included student gender, affiliation with a campus organization, previous report of sexual assault to university officials, and adherence to particular anti-rape attitudes. Attitudes and perceptions of sexual assault may be very important for successful implementation of university policies related to sexual assault.

Water stress, nano silica, and digoxin effects on minerals, chlorophyll index, and growth in ryegrass

Water shortages worldwide mandate minimum use of irrigation water with maximum efficiency and productivity in all agricultural crops, landscape plants and turf. The objective of this experiment was to study the effect of two levels of evapotranspiration-based (ETc) drought in combination with two levels of nano silicon dioxide (SiO2; NanSi1 = 1 mM and NanSi2 = 2 mM), two levels of digoxin (Dig1 = 0.25 mg.l -1 and Dig2 = 0.5 mg.l -1 ) and Dig1 plus NanSi1 on mineral nutrient concentration, chlorophyll index and visual performance of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) under climatic conditions of southwest Idaho in the Intermountain West Region of the United States. Clippings with 50% ETc had higher percentage dry weight but lower chlorophyll index and visual rating than those with 75%. Clippings of 75%ETc treatment had significantly higher concentrations of nitrogen (N), potassium (K), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) but lower sodium (Na), than those receiving the 50%ETc treatment. Considering all mineral nutrient values, chlorophyll indices and visual performance ratings, we conclude that application of 75%ETc is sufficient for maintaining a healthy lawn with satisfactory appearance while we can saving 25% water as compared to application of water at 100%. Root growth was un affected by any of these treatments. Based on the results of this study, applications of NanSi1 or Dig1, either individually or simultaneously, can slow the process of quality decline in perennial ryegrass turf under extremely severe drought conditions.

NAPE Expo to take the Intermountain West Region by storm once again

Whether in an up or down market, the North American Petroleum Exposition (NAPE) continues to be the only place that brings together the upstream oil and gas industry with the intent to “get business done.” As the United States continues to find stability in the ever-changing operating environment, the industry faces new opportunities, challenges, and risks. With this in mind, oil and gas professionals from around the country will gather in the Mile High City when NAPE will host its third annual Denver NAPE in December. The Denver, Colorado, expo offers exhibitors and attendees a marketplace for networking and deal making in a setting more intimate than NAPE's Houston-based expos, while still bringing together the people and players who have firsthand knowledge of the opportunities and prospects throughout the area.

Cross-immunity between strains explains the dynamical pattern of paramyxoviruses

Viral respiratory tract diseases pose serious public health problems. Our ability to predict and thus, be able to prepare for outbreaks is strained by the complex factors driving the prevalence and severity of these diseases. The abundance of diseases and transmission dynamics of strains are not only affected by external factors, such as weather, but also driven by interactions among viruses mediated by human behavior and immunity. To untangle the complex out-of-phase annual and biennial pattern of three common paramyxoviruses, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), Human Parainfluenza Virus (HPIV), and Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV), we adopt a theoretical approach that integrates ecological and immunological mechanisms of disease interactions. By estimating parameters from multiyear time series of laboratory-confirmed cases from the intermountain west region of the United States and using statistical inference, we show that models of immune-mediated interactions better explain the data than those based on ecological competition by convalescence. The strength of cross-protective immunity among viruses is correlated with their genetic distance in the phylogenetic tree of the paramyxovirus family.

Using the Hospital Nutrition Environment Scan to Evaluate Health Initiative in Hospital Cafeterias

BackgroundHealth-promoting environments advance health and prevent chronic disease. Hospitals have been charged to promote health and wellness to patients, communities, and 5.3 million adults employed in United States health care environments. MethodsIn this cross-sectional observational study, the Hospital Nutrition Environment Scan (HNES) was used to measure the nutrition environment of hospital cafeterias and evaluate the influence of the LiVe Well Plate health initiative. Twenty-one hospitals in the Intermountain West region were surveyed between October 2013 and May 2014. Six hospitals participated in the LiVe Well Plate health initiative and were compared with 15 hospitals not participating. The LiVe Well Plate health initiative identified and promoted a healthy meal defined as <600 kcal, <700 mg sodium, and <30% fat. Signage with nutrition information and health initiative branding were also posted at point of purchase. Hospital cafeterias were scored on four subcategories: facilitators and barriers, grab-and-go items, menu offerings, and selection options at point of purchase. ResultsOverall, hospitals scored 35.3±13.7 (range=7 to 63) points of 86 total possible points. Cafeterias in health initiative hospitals had significantly higher mean nutrition composite scores compared with non–health initiative hospitals (49.2 vs 29.7; P<0.001). ConclusionsPromoting healthy entrées with nutrition information and branding has a positive influence on the nutrition environment of hospital cafeterias. Additional research is needed to quantify and strategize ways to improve nutrition environments within hospital cafeterias and assess the influence on healthy lifestyle behaviors.

First Report of the Invasive Crane Fly, Tipula oleracea, Associated with Turfgrass in Utah

This is the first report of Tipula oleracea L. (the common crane fly, also marsh crane fly) in Utah. Tipulid larvae were collected from a putting green in Tooele County in fall 2012. Pupal exuvia and adult crane flies were seen flying on golf courses in Salt Lake, Davis, and Utah counties in 2013, but adults were not captured or identified as the exotic species until fall 2014. The detection of T. oleracea in Utah is somewhat surprising, given the species’ association with moist environments. A statewide survey is needed to better understand the spread and potential impact of T. oleracea on the turfgrass industry in Utah and the surrounding Intermountain West region.

Seed production and field establishment of hoary tansyaster (Machaeranthera canescens)

The USDA NRCS Aberdeen Plant Materials Center (PMC) produces certified early generation seed of hoary tansyaster ( Machaeranthera canescens (Pursh) A. Gray [Asteraceae]), a late summer and fall blooming forb native to the Intermountain West region. Hoary tansyaster is an excellent forb candidate for restoration efforts in arid to semiarid sites. It is relatively easy to manage in a seed production system, establishes quickly in a rangeland situation, and provides blooms in late summer during the establishment year. Propagation methodologies including establishment, weed control, harvest, and seed processing are herein discussed. We have grown seed production fields of hoary tansyaster in 2 different field systems, one using weed barrier fabric and the other in open drill-seeded fields. Seed can be collected by hand, combine, Flail-Vac, or vacuum-type harvester and can be processed with brush machine and air-screen type cleaning equipment. Seed yields at Aberdeen, Idaho, range between 2 and 8 kg pure live seed (PLS)/ha (2–7 lb/ac).

Transdisciplinary research on environmental governance: A view from the inside

Abstract Working effectively across boundaries is a critical skill for researchers focused on environmental governance in complex social–ecological systems, but challenges remain in the acquisition of such skills given the current structure of traditional disciplinary training. In an effort to contribute to improved coordination of research across disciplinary boundaries, we provide an insiders’ view based on our experience participating in a two-year transdisciplinary research initiative designed to address the changing nature of environmental governance in the Intermountain West region of the United States. We discuss transdisciplinary research as a promising approach for addressing complex, real-world problems and identify several challenges. We analyze our transdisciplinary research process using the ideas of boundary setting, boundary concepts, and boundary objects. We conclude with reflections and lessons learned, emphasizing the importance of our external boundary setting, the role of funding, and the inexorable link between individual commitment and project success.