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Spatial Clustering of Fatal and Severe Automobile Crashes in Idaho and Analysis of Emergency Medical Service Response Times
No full textAutomobile crashes are a leading cause of death in the United States. The timely response of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to these events is critical for the survival of crash victims. Drawing upon fatal and severe crash data in Idaho, this research aims to measure the Accessibility of EMS to fatal and severe crashes using actual and predicted temporal response intervals. Geographical approaches are utilized to identify statistically significant differences among these intervals between Urban, Rural, and Roadway classifications and identify areas that could benefit from a more rapid EMS response in Idaho. This study investigates the spatial clustering of Fatal and Severe crashes in Idaho over a 6-year period and analyzes the Emergency Medical Service Response times for those crashes. Results demonstrate that while the number of crashes (49.7% and 50.3%) and the number of injuries (48.6% and 51.4%) were distributed relatively evenly between rural and urban areas, most fatalities occurred on rural roadways (76.0% and 24.0%). Both the Response Interval and Critical Interval in rural areas were more than double those in urban areas, with 72% of crashes on urban roadways in Idaho having a Critical Interval less than or equal to 8 minutes. In contrast, only 24% of crashes on rural roadways had a Critical Interval within this threshold. The results also show that the EMS response Interval is consistently underpredicted within the potential accessibility framework by 3.3 minutes in rural areas and 1.6 minutes in urban areas. Underprediction appears to be concentrated in areas adjacent to urban metropolitan regions.masters, M.S., Geography -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2021-0
Managing Fine Fuels Using Dormant Season Grazing: Improving Wyoming Big Sagebrush Communities in the Northern Great Basin
No full textThe invasive annual grass medusahead infests rangelands throughout the West, from the Columbia Plateau to the California Annual Grasslands and the Great Basin. Dominating secondary succession in the sagebrush steppe, it can create conditions for frequent wildfires that degrade habitat of threatened species, such as the greater sage-grouse. This research explores the potential of dormant season grazing as an applied management strategy to reduce the negative impacts of medusahead while promoting recovery of perennial vegetation at the landscape-scale from 2018-2020. In particular, it assessed grazing with four treatments: traditional grazing (May – October), dormant season grazing (October – February), traditional+dormant season grazing (May – February), and no grazing. After two years of grazing treatments, biomass, density, cover, and fuel continuity did not differ between treatments (p > 0.05). However, biomass measurements were significantly different between years which is likely due to greater than normal precipitation in 2019 and 2020. Between 2018-2019, annual grass biomass increased by 81% (666 – 1,212 kg ha-1) and perennial grass biomass increased by 165% (118 – 313 kg ha-1). Litter biomass decreased by approximately 15% in every year since 2018 (2,374, 2,012, and 1,678 kg ha-1 in 2018 – 2020). There were not significant differences in cover or density of annual and perennial grasses between treatments and years. Our results indicate that two years may not be adequate time for dormant season grazing treatments to be effective in reducing the abundance of medusahead, and that dormant season grazing after two years of treatments does not have a detrimental effect on perennial vegetation.masters, M.S., Natural Resources -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2021-0
High Throughput Phenotyping of Cross-sectional Morphology in Plant Stalks: Sample Preparation, Image Processing, and Feature Extraction
No full textStalk lodging (mechanical failure of plant stalks during windstorms) leads to global yield losses in cereal crops estimated to range from 5-25% annually. The cross-sectional morphology of plant stalks is a key determinant of stalk lodging resistance. However, previously developed techniques for quantifying cross-sectional morphology of plant stalks are low-throughput, expensive and require specialized equipment and expertise. There is need for a simple and cost-effective techniques to quantify plant traits related to stalk lodging resistance in a high-throughput manner. To this end a rapid, low-cost, and user-friendly phenotyping methodology was developed to quantify two-dimensional plant cross sections. The methodology offers reduced sample preparation time and cost as compared to previously developed techniques. The new methodology employs an inexpensive stereoscope and a semi-automated image processing algorithm. The algorithm can be used to produce specimen specific, dimensionally accurate computational models (including finite element models) of plant stalks.This new methodology was applied to a range of plant samples including, maize (Zea mays), sorghum (Sorghum bicolor), wheat (Triticum aestivum), poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), and Arabidopsis (Arabis thaliana). The major diameter, minor diameter, rind thickness and number of vascular bundles were quantified for each of these plant types. Linear correlation analyses demonstrated strong agreement between the newly developed method and more time-consuming manual techniques (R2>0.9). In addition, the new method was used to generate several specimen specific finite element models of plant stalks. All of the models compiled without issue and were successfully imported into finite element software. All the models demonstrated reasonable and stable solutions when subjected to realistic applied loads.masters, M.S., Mechanical Engineering -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2021-0
A Rabbit’s Tale: Genetic monitoring, genomic diversity, and habitat selection in the endangered Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis)
No full textLoss and fragmentation of habitat led to the near extirpation of the disjunct pygmy rabbit (Brachylagus idahoensis) population in the Columbia Basin of Washington state. In 2003, the Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits was listed as an endangered distinct population segment under the United Stated Endangered Species Act. In 2001, 16 Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits were taken from the last remaining population in Sagebrush Flat wildlife area and used to start a captive breeding program. To counteract the high levels of inbreeding among the rabbits, a genetic rescue was performed by adding 4? pygmy rabbits from Idaho. In 2011, with the main goal of reintroduction of rabbits back to the state of Washington, the captive breeding program transitioned to on-site breeding, where genetic and demographic rescue was performed by introducing an additional 100ish pygmy rabbits from regional populations across the species range. Since the first translocations in 2012, over 1900 mixed-ancestry rabbits have been translocated into the Sagebrush Flat wildlife area. Two additional populations were established later in Beezley Hills Preserve (2017) and Chester Butte wildlife area (2018). Monitoring of these translocated populations of endangered species rabbits is crucial for evaluating and informing conservation strategies to maximize the chances of a successful recovery. We used noninvasive invasive genetic sampling to evaluate demographic and population genetic parameters on three reintroduced populations of pygmy rabbits over 8 years (2012-2020). For each population, we evaluated spatial distribution, apparent survival rates, post-release dispersal distance, genetic diversity, reproduction, and the persistence of Columbia Basin ancestry. For five groups of pygmy rabbits maintained in large breeding enclosures within native habitat, we estimated genetic diversity and Columbia Basin ancestry from 2012-2020. Over the course of this study, 1479 rabbits (Sagebrush Flat), 461 rabbits (Beezley Hills), and 38 rabbits (Chester Butter) were reintroduced by a cooperation between state and federal agencies. Through winter and summer monitoring surveys, we identified 168 released rabbits and 420 wild-born rabbits in Sagebrush Flat, 13 released rabbits and 2 wild-born in Beezley Hills, and 16 released rabbits in Chester Butte. Survival differed across years and was positively influenced by release date, release weight, and heterozygosity (Chapter 1). To better understand the mixed-ancestry rabbits within Washington, we needed to evaluate the genomic diversity across the species’ range. We used restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RADseq) approach on 123 rabbit samples, including pure Columbia Basin pygmy rabbits, to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and determine population genetic structure across the pygmy rabbit range, assess the distinctiveness of the Washington population, and test for genomic signatures of adaptive divergence among populations. Using 12,084 SNPs, we identified four distinct genetic groups: (1) Washington, (2) Great Basin (California, Nevada, Idaho, Montana), (3) northern Utah/Wyoming and (4) southern Utah. The Washington population was most divergent compared to the other genetic groups, reinforcing its federal protected status as a distinct population segment. Identifying genetic markers for ancestry from the multiple pygmy rabbit populations will help monitor variation in the admixed Washington population and assess the consequences of genetic rescue efforts (Chapter 2). Through winter monitoring surveys performed between 2012 and 2020 on the wild population at Sagebrush Flat wildlife area, we observed a shift in spatial distribution of pygmy rabbit burrows from native shrub-steppe habitat (Sagebrush Flat) to Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) habitat that had been revegetated with native shrub-steppe flora in the mid-1990s. We compared vegetative and soil characteristics to test hypotheses about factors driving pygmy rabbit habitat selection. We identified that shrub canopy cover, living canopy cover, and composition of the canopy (living sagebrush) were higher in occupied sites and sagebrush was more nutritious in CRP habitat. These findings can help guide management strategies and provide the necessary tools to identify suitable habitat for future release efforts for the endangered Columbia Basin pygmy rabbit and have demonstrated the value of habitat restoration efforts like CRP (Chapter 3).doctoral, Ph.D., Natural Resources -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2021-0
Dynamic Stream Permanence Estimates at Regional and Local Extents
No full textIn the United States (US), the frequency and duration of surface water in a stream channel (i.e. stream permanence) determines if a stream is subject to regulation under the Clean Water Act. While stream permanence is important for policy implementation, quantifying streamflow and water quantity through observation and modeling has been the primary focus of water resource managers. The most comprehensive dataset of stream permanence classifications for the US is the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD), which gives classifications of perennial, intermittent, or ephemeral for most stream reaches. NHD stream permanence classifications were made during topographic map field surveys that occurred from approximately 1920-2000 and have been shown to exhibit high rates of disagreement with more recent stream permanence observations. Thus, there is currently not an available stream permanence dataset with sufficient accuracy for regulatory determinations. I present three studies to assess the influence of climate in NHD stream permanence disagreements, implement a monthly water balance model (MWBM) to create dynamic stream permanence estimates for headwater streams in the NHD network, and apply the Watershed Erosion Prediction Project (WEPP) hydrologic model to simulate stream permanence in gauged and ungauged watersheds.Analysis of NHD stream permanence disagreements with other stream permanence observations indicates that differences in climate conditions between the years observations were made contributes to the probability of disagreement. This finding supports the need for dynamic simulation of stream permanence based on climate conditions. Dynamic stream permanence estimates for NHD headwater reaches are then calculated using the MWBM, which incorporates climate inputs and hydrological processes to simulate runoff and streamflow permanence. Results from application of the MWBM indicate that more stream permanence data are needed to properly assess process-based models at regional extents. On 40% of headwater streams no MWBM parameter sets were greater than 65% accurate when compared to observations. However, on other headwaters streams MWBM simulations did show some promise for simulating stream permanence. Additional data would encourage and inform further model development. WEPP simulations produced daily stream permanence accuracies up to 93% and annual stream permanence accuracies up to 87% but different parameter sets performed better for daily and annual time steps. These results indicate that, when implemented for stream permanence simulation, assessment of physically-based models should include both daily and annual accuracies. Additionally, future stream permanence data collection methods and methodologies should be strategically planned to capture the spatiotemporal dynamics of stream permanence that are required to effectively develop and evaluate models.doctoral, Ph.D., Water Resources -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2021-0
Crosslinking poly-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate with dicumyl peroxide for properties modification
No full textPHAs are new generation bioplastics. Production from cheaper carbon sources by using mixed microbial cultures, accompanied with various bio-compatible characteristics has heightened research interest in PHA-based polymers. PHBV is the copolymer of PHB and PHV, tailored to overcome the drawbacks like brittleness, low melt strength of PHB homopolymer. Using DCP as a crosslinking agent was found effective in improving PHB and PHBV properties in laboratory scale experiments. Therefore, PHBV-L (laboratory), extracted from MMC fed fermented dairy manure in pilot scale production was tested to see the effect in thermal and mechanical properties due to crosslinking. The shorter reaction time of 3-min and 1% DCP improved melt strength, thermal and mechanical properties for PHBV-C (commercial). Material characterization, molecular weight calculation, rheological characterization, tensile properties, dynamic mechanical analysis, and DSC analysis were done. PHBV-L with 21% HV and Mw, 8.9 ×105 g/mol was extracted with chloroform. Double melting points (Tm1 at 126 ºC and Tm2 at 150 ºC), crystallization temperature (Tc) (85 ºC), and cold crystallization temperature (Tcc at 65 ºC) and % crystallinity (%Xc at 25%) as obtained from DSC analysis. Gel content measurement was done after Soxhlet extraction show that crosslinked gel network was not initiated by DCP addition for PHBV-L0-0.5 and negligible (masters, M.S., Natural Resources -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2021-0
The Associations Between Testosterone and Bone Mineral Density in Male Collegiate Athletes
No full textTestosterone (T) deficiency and low bone mineral density (BMD) are common symptoms among those experiencing Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport. However, a lack of research exists on the associations between T concentration and BMD in various male athletes. The purpose of this study was to assess the associations between T concentration and low BMD in male collegiate athletes. Male collegiate cross-country (CC) runners, club rugby (R) athletes, and collegiate track and field (TF) sprinters/jumpers, completed one lab visit at the end of their sports off-season. Participants arrived fasted (8 hours), abstained from exercise (12 hours), and arrived within 60 minutes of waking. Testing included completing an eating disorder risk questionnaire, a 24-hour dietary food recall, anthropometrics, 3 dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans (whole-body, left femur, and lumbar spine), and collection of a saliva sample. Descriptive statistics were performed on dependent variables using measures of central tendency, variability, and frequencies. The statistical hypotheses were examined using analysis of variance (ANOVA), in order to compare the three athletic groups. A post hoc tukey test was then used to determine where the significant differences occurred. Pearson correlations were utilized to assess the associations between T and BMD at whole-body, left femur, left femoral neck, and lumbar spine among all the male athletes and for each sport. Significance was accepted at p≤0.05. Seven of the ten R athletes were considered to have a high risk of eating disorders because of their affirmative answer to extreme weight control behaviors. CC had a higher caloric intake than R but not TF (CC: 3,813±1,239 kcal; R: 2,402±589 kcal; TF: 3,117±647 kcal, p=0.005, p=0.278 respectively). CC had lower whole-body BMD when compared to R but not TF (CC: 1.21±0.03g/cm2; R: 1.32±0.07g/cm2; TF: 1.28±0.09g/cm2, p=0.007, p=0.365, respectively). There were no significant differences in T concentration between groups. There were no significant associations between T concentration and BMD in CC and TF but R had significant associations between T concentration and whole-body (r=0.635, p=0.049), Left femur (r=0.671, p=0.034), and left femoral neck BMD (r=0.686, p=0.028). Our findings support previous research findings demonstrating low BMD in endurance runners compared to other athletes. However, no associations were observed between T and BMD except for in R athletes. T may not be a great predictor of BMD in male collegiate athletes.masters, M.S., Movement & Leisure Sciences -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2021-0
Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis of Phosphorus in the Magic Valley, Idaho using Food-Energy-Water Systems (FEWs)
No full textThe effects of phosphorus in the Snake River Water Basin are under-studied and there is risk for future issues in water quality. In part, this is due to a lack of a framework to study water quality from publicly available sources. This thesis used an Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis (ESDA) framework to explore the relationship between impaired stream locations and various point and non-point sources of phosphorus. ESDA tools utilized are histograms to highlight distributions, Global Moran’s I to understand spatial autocorrelation, and principal component-based clustering to highlight patterns in data. Based on the findings of the analysis, spatial econometric modeling will establish if there is a need for further investigations into water quality, what questions the data might produce, and who needs to answer these questions. More specifically, hydric soils, waste holding capacity, aquaculture, manure application, hydroelectric dams, confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs), food processors, crop type, septic systems, synthetic fertilizer, and surface flow accumulation were tested for spatial correlation against EPA designated stream impairments of phosphorus. My analysis shows the strongest support for a Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) regression to appropriately visualize spillover effects of phosphorus sources. Insights gained by this study discover previously unknown associations and form hypotheses that can provide future policy makers a starting point for further investigation into managing phosphorus in southern Idaho.masters, M.S., Environmental Science -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2021-1