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Using Grammar Extracted from Sample Input to Generate Effective Fuzzing Files
No full textSoftware testing is an important step in the software development life cycle. It focuses on testing software functionalities, finding vulnerabilities, and assuring the software is executing as expected. Fuzzing is a software testing technique which feeds random input to programs and monitors for abnormal behaviors such as a program crash. Fuzzing can be automated and does not require access to the source code compared to manually reviewing the source code which requires a huge amount of time and cost. It can trigger vulnerabilities that the programmers overlooked while programming, such as buffer overflow, off by one error, etc. One of the limitations of fuzzing is that most programs require highly structured input or certain input patterns and therefore the fuzz testing may be terminated at an early stage of program execution because of not meeting the input format requirements. Some previous studies resolve this problem by manually creating program specific input grammars to help guide fuzzing, which is tedious, error prone, and time consuming. However, this solution cannot work efficiently when testing multiple programs which require different input patterns. To solve this problem, a general grammar-based fuzzing technique is proposed and developed in this dissertation. The new fuzzer can extract grammar from the sample input files of a program, and then generate effective fuzzing files based on the grammar. This fuzzing tool is able to work with different programs by extracting grammars from them automatically and hence generating program specific fuzzing files. The goal of this research includes developing an algorithm to extract grammars from sample input files, generating effective fuzzing files to test the programs, and implementing a fuzzing tool using Python programming language. The main contribution of this research is helping software developers and security experts in revealing vulnerabilities in various programs automatically by using the developed fuzzing tool.doctoral, Ph.D., Computer Science -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2021-1
PERFORMANCE OF COMPOSITE MATERIAL AND COMPOSITE STRUCTURES TO ATTENUATE DYNAMIC LOADS
No full textProtecting structures against accidental or intentional blast events is a sophisticated task in structural engineering. If vital civilian critical structures (buildings, bridges, embassies, etc.) are threatened, the main concern lies in developing an effective rescue plan and rapid intervention. The integrity of the structure itself is rarely considered. However, explosion events devasting civilian buildings and structures have been increased during the last few decades (bomb attacks World Trade Centre (1993), Oklahoma (1995), US embassy Kenya (1998), sugar factory explosion in Georgia (2008), Beirut (2020)), to name a few. Consequently, shielding structures against blast hazards has become an active area for research for many years. Numerous efforts were devoted to suggesting appropriate solutions to this problem. Among these solutions, sandwich panels providing a quite promising approach for blast mitigation techniques for their high strength, lightweight, and superb energy absorption capabilities compared with single metallic plates with equivalent weight. Sandwich panels typically have three layers; two outer plates made of metals or composite materials and a core layer in-between. The plate facing blast wave distributes the blast pressure uniformly among the core layer, which progressively deforms and absorbs a large amount of blast energy, thus the pressure transferred to the structure is attenuated. The efficiency of these sacrificial layers depends mainly on the quantity of energy absorbed by their core. This research aimed to improve the blast performance of sandwich structures by introducing novel core layers that can absorb an enormous amount of energy. This research presents an innovative energy absorbing component applicable to energy absorption applications. The developed structure comprises a superposition of two different energy absorption techniques to enhance the energy absorption capacity of a novel core structure. The proposed core structure can be applied to extensive blast-resistant and crash-worthiness applications. Thus, experimental and numerical investigations have been conducted to investigate the influence of applying internal stiffeners and staking composite layers on the behavior of aluminum (AL) thin-walled tubes. Single, double, and quadruple thin-walled metallic and hybrid tubes were tested under axial quasi-static compression test. The specimens were fabricated from unidirectional CFRP, epoxy resin, and aluminum alloy T6061-T6. Various crashworthiness parameters were assessed, such as the absorbed crash energy, specific energy absorption, crush force efficiency, average crushing load, and peak load absorbed to highlight the effectiveness of the novel configurations. The hybrid quadrable multi-cell structure showed the highest energy absorption capabilities between the other proposed configurations. Its energy absorption improved by 116% compared to the solo hollow AL tube. In addition, nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) using the commercial ANSYS/LS-DYNA Workbench software was utilized to verify the experimental results. Numerical simulations show a proper verification with the experimental results as the discrepancy percentage for the energy absorption varied between 4.14 to 10.69 and 3.41 to 8.30 for the peak crushing force. The hybrid multi-cell tubes were adopted in a sacrificial cladding structure to enhance the blast performance of reinforced concrete panels. This research also presents a new core topology for sandwich structures named ribbon core configuration. The purpose of this configuration is to provide a sandwich structure with the following advantages: very light, less expensive, simple to manufacture, great flexibility, and the curvature could be constructed in the two directions. The dynamic performing of the new shape numerically investigated for metallic sandwich structure panels exposed to blast loading. The FE models’ accuracy was verified using experimental results that can be accessed in the literature that used trapezoidal corrugated core configurations. Results express that the conducted finite element models are dependably utilized to simulate the dynamic behavior of the sandwich structure under the impact of the blast loading. The ribbon-core sandwich panel (RCSP) blast behavior and trapezoidal corrugated-core sandwich panel (TCCSP) were compared. The results imply that RCSP experienced superior blast resistance than the TCCSP. Findings were used as a guideline for designing sandwich structures under the impact of blast loading.doctoral, Ph.D., Civil Engineering -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2021-0
Evaluating GPS-Derived Estimates of Livestock Use and their Value in Assessing Impacts of Spring Cattle Grazing on Greater Sage-Grouse Demographics
No full textDomestic livestock grazing has been suggested as one of several factors contributing to the range-wide decline of the Greater Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus; GRSG). However, inclusion of livestock grazing as one of the main causes of GRSG declines remains controversial because the short- and long-term effects of this land use on GRSG demographics are still not well understood. This is due to the fact that livestock utilization measures may be limited by observer bias and the plot-level scale at which data is often collected. Utilization measurements on a limited spatial and temporal scale may not lend well to informing large scale management decisions or assessing livestock-wildlife interactions. However, the advancement of Global Positioning Systems (GPS) has introduced new opportunities to efficiently and accurately collect livestock use and behavior data. I developed a metric of estimating the intensity of livestock use at pasture-scales based on location data obtained from low-cost GPS collars. I also evaluated how the estimates of livestock use and distribution changed with the number of GPS collars that were analyzed and the influence of extent and grain the livestock use and distribution metrics. I then used a bivariate version of the Ripley’s cross-K function to assess any co-occurrence or separation between the livestock GPS locations and confirmed GRSG nest locations. The results of the cross-K function produced differing results between the two study pastures. However, characterization of the vegetation structure around livestock hot spots and GRSG nests identified similarities between the portions of the landscape that each species used. This suggests that livestock and GRSG nests may occur in similar portions of the landscape. Thus improperly managed grazing may have negative consequences for GSRG populations. Further research is needed to determine if GRSG hens and livestock occur in similar areas irrespective of the presence of the other or if GRSG hens are preferentially selecting areas where livestock are actively grazing or have recently visited.masters, M.S., Natural Resources -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2021-0
the Impact of Noise in Estimating Interactions of Microbial Communities
No full textRecent advances in DNA sequencing have led to a boom in microbiome analyses to determinecommunity composition. Fitting such community composition data to mathematical models allows for the estimation of interspecies interactions within a microbial community. In this thesis, we explore the extent to which noise inherent to time-series microbiome data interferes with the inference of interspecies interactions. We first create a small synthetic test community with structure mimicking real microbial communities based on the generalized Lotka-Volterra (gLV) model, incorporating di↵ering levels of two types of noise, process and measurement noise. We then establish a method of parameter estimation for both the gLV and multivariate autoregressive (MAR) models, and apply the method to our synthetic dataset with varying levels of noise. We find that interspecies interactions can be well estimated even with moderate levels of process noise, but even modest amounts of measurement noise lead to poor estimates of interactions.masters, M.S., Bioinformatics & Computational Biology -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2021-0
Quantifying Aquatic Microhabitat at the Riverscape
No full textAnalyzing morphologic, hydrologic, and biologic conditions that impact aquatic habitat conditions is vital for river management. With increasing anthropogenic pressures on natural systems, it has become more important to quantify the impacts of alterations to topography, water supply and biological characteristics such as temperature on riverine ecosystems. While most studies focus on reach-scale analyses of morphologic and habitat conditions, in this work we leverage high-resolution topobathymetric data to perform analyses along the entire length of rivers. This dissertation focuses on large-scale analysis of the morphology and aquatic habitat available in rivers with varying levels of human alterations. In the first research chapter, we used continuous wavelet analysis to identify scales of topographic variability present along three rivers. We found three wavelet scales of topographic variability: a small scale, representing the pools and riffles along the rivers; a mid-wavelet scale, detecting larger pools/bars and compound pools; and a large wavelet scale, linked to changes in reach morphology from valley-scale controls. Using the small wavelet scale, we developed a novel methodology to identify pools and riffles along entire lengths of rivers. We also found that redds (salmon nests) were not randomly located, but rather placed in areas of higher, small-scale, wavelet power showing the importance of well-developed pool-riffle morphology for spawning habitat selection. The second research chapter focuses on the effects of flow regulation on topography and physical habitat in two morphologically distinct reaches. We developed reach-scale morphodynamic models to address the impacts of regulated and unregulated flows on the morphology and resulting rearing and spawning habitat for salmonids. Our findings show that years of regulated flows have created subdued topography in the river, while unregulated flows can increase the frequency, area, depth, and volume of pools and bars in the meandering reaches of the river, but not in the highly-altered straightened reaches. Although changes to the topography between regulated and unregulated flows did not greatly affect the modeled habitat suitability for salmonids, the increase in pool characteristics greatly increased overwintering habitat for juvenile salmonids. In the final chapter, we use a bioenergetics model to quantify the juvenile salmonid carrying capacity along the entire length of a river. By varying the inputs of food availability, stream temperature, and juvenile fish size, we can address how juvenile carrying capacity varies throughout the river and the potential to increase or reduce carrying capacity. We found that increasing food and decreasing stream temperature generally increased the juvenile carrying capacity of the river, but the territorial nature of juvenile salmonids and the local hydraulics modulated how temperature, food and fish size affected carrying capacity. We also found that redd site selection was dependent, not only on spawning habitat quality, but also on the presence of good juvenile habitat. These analyses efficiently provide information on existing morphology in rivers and potential changes to the morphology and aquatic habitat through hydrologic, topographic, and biological alterations. The analyses are completed using high-resolution topographic data and modeling, providing information at a scale relevant to a fish, but are completed, or can be extrapolated, to entire lengths of rivers, which provides an important riverscape view for managers.doctoral, Ph.D., Water Resources -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2021-1
54th Annual Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival Poster
No full text24"x18" limited edition poster, number 109/15
A Model for Engaging Psalms in Liturgical and Recreational Settings: A History-Based Account in Support of Transcribing Claude Goudimel’s Homorhythmic Harmonization of Genevan Psalter Melodies
No full textIn this thesis, I will offer three transcriptions from Claude Goudimel’s (1514-1572) Les pseaumes mis en rime Françoise par Clement Marot et Theodore de Beza, mis en musique à quarte parties par Claude Goudimel (The Psalms Set in French Meter by Clement Marot and Theodore Beza, Put in Four Part Harmony by Claude Goudimel) alongside a historically informed account of the work in order to address a gap within the scholarship dedicated to Protestant Christian music. I have designed this study to expand the field of Protestant sacred music by providing a new approach to the modern transcriptions of Claude Goudimel’s aforementioned work, also known as the Genevan or Huguenot Psalter. I offer these transcriptions in the spirit of inspiring further present-day appreciation for this masterwork. Along with providing a new approach to the transcription of the harmonizations, this thesis demonstrates how an historical interpretation of Goudimel’s rendering of the Geneva Psalter provides further meaning to liturgical and recreational performers and audiences. This thesis stands as guiding example for future efforts in transcribing and a source for liturgical musical directors to follow.masters, M.A., Music -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2021-0
The Relationship Between Nutrient Metabolism and Health Measures During the Periparturient Period in Pacific Northwest Dairy Herds
No full textDuring the periparturient period, dairy cows reduce their energy consumption, and this induces mobilization of stored nutrients to support fetal development and milk production. Some infectious diseases and metabolic disorders may occur during the periparturient period. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between serum metabolites of dairy cows and calves with the health status of the periparturient cows. Blood samples from periparturient cows were obtained (Farm A, n = 645; Farm B, n = 559, respectively) on d-21, d-7, d+1, d+7 and d+14 relative to calving. Blood samples of calves were obtained within the first 4 days of life (Farm A, n =429; Farm B, n = 428, respectively). Sera were analyzed for α-tocopherol, β-carotene, retinol, haptoglobin (HP), β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), and glucose (calves only). Additionally, 115 healthy and mastitic or lame cows were randomly selected for milk fatty acid composition and serum type1/type 2 immunity balance analysis. The type 1/type 2 immune balance was evaluated by measuring the relative quantity ratio of immunoglobulin G1 and G2 subclasses (IgG1/IgG2) using a rapid D2Dx immunity test. Health records were categorized based on the occurrence of postpartum diseases. Data were analyzed using linear mixed models in SAS with significance declared at P ≤ 0.05. Results showed that cows with mastitis had significantly greater serum retinol concentration compared with that of healthy cows during postpartum, as well as serum α-tocopherol was affected by time, seasons, and mastitis interaction (farm A). Furthermore, cows with pneumonia and lameness had lower serum α-tocopherol and retinol compared with that of healthy cows at postpartum. Cows with mastitis had lower serum α-tocopherol and β-carotene (farm B). Retained placenta (RP) cows had lower serum retinol, and RP cows tended to decrease serum retinol in their calves (Farm B). Serum HP was lower when cows had pneumonia at d+1, and higher at d+14 (Farm A). Greater HP was observed with RP cows at d+1 and pneumonia (Farm B). Serum BHB was greater at d+7 and +14 for cows with lameness and RP, as well as greater in pneumonia cows (Farm B). The D2Dx immunity test score was greater at d+14 for diseased cows corresponding to a decreased relative quantity ratio of IgG1/IgG2. Serum glucose in calves was greater when the calves were born from the RP dams. No significant difference in milk fatty acid composition between diseased and healthy cows was observed. In summary, diseases affected the lipid-soluble vitamins status and serum metabolites of periparturient cows, and consequently, calves may experience health issues. Future study should focus on the disease effect in the milk lipid-soluble vitamins and obtain blood samples from Oregon commercial dairy farms to gain diseases in nutrients metabolites in the Pacific Northwestern region.doctoral, Ph.D., Animal and Veterinary Science -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2021-0