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Ecstatic [X]Reality: Mediating Altered States of Consciousness
No full textThe practice of ecstatic ritual is as ancient as human culture. With the rise of organized religion and the rational scientific revolutions, knowledge of practices and techniques faded into myth. Ecstasy can be described as a highly charged emotional state, that is both volatile and short-lived, presenting the conscious mind with inexplicable mental visions. Contemporary Western culture eschews the value of ecstatic ritual, in favor of rational problem-solving. The ecstatic experience is personal, unfathomable, and the only outward signs of its features are in the accounts of subjects relating their experiences. The ephemeral subjectivity of ecstasy presents numerous barriers for the formal investigation of the transformation of consciousness, in both scientific credo and societal acceptance. A person may use non-invasive mental techniques of meditation, prayer, trance, and the like, to achieve an ecstatic state of mind. Ingesting psychoactive compounds can also lead to ecstasy. Until the 20th century, these processes have been primarily held to be the domain of spiritual exploration. With parallel advances of both inorganic and organic chemistry, scientists discovered psychoactive chemicals inherent in plants reacted in the brain in unforeseen ways. Further exploration of natural compounds and fully human-made laboratory chemicals revealed the existence of neurotransmitters, demonstrating that the experience of consciousness can be directed by temporarily altering brain neurochemistry. The ecstatic experience relates to a state of perception of self in a world of sensation. It is conceivable that that deviation from ordinary frames of reference, as shown by the recordings in the stories of shamans, religious practitioners, yogis, and scientific experimentation, is central to the benefits inherited from an altered state of mind. Evidence has shown that ecstatic ritual well-conceived can have lasting therapeutic effects for mood disorders, assist in overcoming chemical addictions, and enhance overall peace of mind. Accepting that ecstasy is a personal voyage wherein the individual reimagines itself in an altered world, is it also possible to direct the development of strictly external sensations to assist in the development of similar outcomes? This paper will explore the use of Cross Reality (XR) to craft uniquely adapted multisensory experiences. Accessing ecstasy with Ecstatic Cross Reality (EXR) offers hitherto unreachable features of altered state consciousness. Chief among them is the opportunity to be observed by third parties—which is to say, empirical, and to some degree, reproducible. Ecstatic Cross Reality (EXR) can be simultaneously a door to spiritual discovery, and a research tool into the workings of the conscious mind.masters, M.S., Architecture -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2020-0
Finding Displacements Using Castigliano’s Theorem, LaGrange Multipliers, Heaviside Step Functions, and Numerical Integration
No full textEngineering fundamentals implemented in advanced computational programs drive innovative and precise engineering solutions in modern industrial systems. This thesis presents a practical design tool created for industrial implementation. The Generalized Form of Castigliano’s Theorem is utilized to perform an analysis determining the stress and deflection of flatbed semi-truck trailers. The solution is implemented into computer software, a graphical user interface allows design engineers to use the tool immediately after installation. The tool generates a 3-D model and a design report for assessment and documentation. The numerical solution is validated by comparing analysis results with experimental data collected in the field, concluding that the solution is indeed valid. In addition, this thesis presents a resource guide outlining examples of how to apply the theorem to essentially any mechanical problem. Castigliano’s Theorem is used to relate a point loads to displacements, it’s practical in determining the deflection in structures. The value in this thesis lies in the demonstrated practical application and the guide focused on making The Generalized Form of Castigliano’s Theorem more accessible to engineers around the world.masters, M.S., Mechanical Engineering -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2020-0
What Norms do Team-based Leadership Development Event Teams use to Create a Culture of Success?
No full textThe purpose of this qualitative study was to identify norms and culture of team-based Leadership Development Events (LDEs) that qualified for competition in the 2020 Idaho State Virtual LDEs. Differences in team norms and culture from the Agricultural Issues Forum, Parliamentary Procedure, and Conduct of Chapter Meetings were extrapolated from interviews of the advisors of the teams. Interviews took place via phone, were voice recorded, and transcribed for analysis. Interviews were open coded in a meaning-making process. From the interview data, it was determined that teams whose norms were student-driven had more of a team development experience, had more buy-in, and experienced more elements of cooperation. Teams that had advisor-driven norms were more focused on the competition and winning; in addition, individual accountability was a common theme. This information can be used to assist FFA advisors in structuring team development plans.masters, M.S., Agricultural Education & 4H Youth Development -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2020-0
Improving the Resilience and Stability of the Power Grid through the Deployment of Remedial Action Schemes
No full textMaintaining the stability, reliability, and most importantly, the cyber-security of the power grid is becoming more complicated as the demands placed on the power system grows steadily as do cyber threats. As the demand placed on power system increases, a modern power system is more likely to operate near its secure limit. Due to the cost implications of building more plants and transmission lines to make the power system robust, the already installed infrastructure is usually operated closer to its secure operating limits. Deployment of Remedial Action Schemes (RAS) is a viable economical alternative to maintain operational security when the construction of new infrastructure is not desirable. It is also important to ensure that the deployed RAS scheme is protected from cyber-attacks intended to make it mis-operate, whereby it would make the power grid even more vulnerable to cascading failure. In this thesis, two RAS schemes were designed, modelled and deployed to improve the resilience, reliability and stability of the power system. The first RAS scheme is designed to improve the transient stability index of the system when critical events capable of driving the system to cascading failure occur. The second RAS scheme is designed to be immune to data measurement cyber threats. The second RAS scheme should operate correctly even in the presence of false data in the power grid. Both RAS models were deployed and tested on the WECC 179 bus test system.masters, M.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2020-0
Soil Health Testing and Management on Organic Farms in Northern Idaho
No full textIn order to build resilience to climate change, increase long-term sustainability of farming operations and decrease the impacts of our current food production system, the concept of soil health has received renewed attention in recent years. Soil is a vital natural resource with the ability to be degraded. Managing for soil health can not only create more sustainable and productive farming systems, but also increase profitability over longer time scales. Benefits of managing for soil health can include decreased soil erosion, more efficient fertilizer use and higher water holding capacity. Despite the benefits of managing for soil health, there is much confusion regarding how to measure it. Traditional soil tests allow farmers to chemically evaluate soils for nutrients, while newer, more integrative soil health testing combines chemical, biological and physical elements to make a more complete analysis. Farmers in northern Idaho and elsewhere are lacking knowledge of how to select appropriate soil health tests, how the results compare to traditional soil fertility tests, and how to interpret and apply the results. This may be especially true for organic growers, since soil health tests have largely been developed and researched on conventionally managed farmground. This project aims to further increase resources regarding testing for soil health and fertility by 1) assessing the relationships among results from traditional soil fertility tests and those of lesser known soil health tests, 2) conducting a survey to determine current soil testing practices in Idaho and barriers for adoption. The first chapter of this thesis includes research comparing traditional and lesser studied soil health tests including the Haney Soil Health Test (HSHT) and permanganate oxidizable carbon (POxC) at three organic farms in northern Idaho. Three fertilizer application rates were created utilizing plant available nitrogen (N) extracted with 2M KCl (standard fertility test) and H3A (a component of the HSHT). These treatments (KCl and H3A), were compared to a “farmer standard” which simulated how farmers would apply fertilizer without soil testing. Inorganic N extracted by KCl and H3A were comparable (R=0.90, p<0.001) and produced similar fertilizer recommendations and crop yields. Permanganate oxidizable carbon was more closely related to the total pool of carbon (C) and could be utilized as a measurement of long-term C storage. Comparisons of traditional soil fertility tests with newer soil health measurements were similar to results reported in previous studies on conventionally managed farms. The second chapter reports on an online survey focused on soil testing practices and barriers, which was distributed to small acreage farmers throughout the state of Idaho. We found that 63% of respondents are soil testing, which was surprising given that most soil testing research and outreach is conducted on conventionally managed farms. The main barriers for farmers who are not soil testing are cost and time. Both farmers who soil test and those who do not, are interested in learning about and performing soil health testing. While the relatively low response rate somewhat limits our ability to extrapolate to the larger population, these results suggest that both new and more experienced farmers have similar questions about soil health test interpretation and finding soil testing strategies that are catered to organically managed soils. Overall, while many of our test comparisons were similar to results in studies of conventionally managed farms, some were not, raising questions about certain soil health tests and their utility on organically managed farms. We now know there is a need and a desire from organic farmers for better soil health/testing resources which are specifically catered to their management styles.masters, M.S., Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2020-0
Application of Generative Adversarial Networks for Generation and Classification of Human Movements
No full textThis thesis proposes a method for mathematical modeling of human movements by using deep artificial neural networks, with application in modeling patient exercise episodes performed during physical therapy and rehabilitation sessions. The generative adversarial network (GAN) structure is adopted, whereby a discriminative and a generative model are trained concurrently in an adversarial manner. The capacity of GAN models for generating synthetic data offers a potential to artificially augment the size of datasets for biomedical applications, where collecting large datasets is notoriously challenging, due to the need for access to patients, as well as due to privacy, safety, and ethics concerns. Synthetically augmented datasets have demonstrated improved robustness and overall performance of machine learning models across various data formats and modalities. The thesis examines different network architectures, with the discriminative and generative models structured as deep subnetworks of hidden layers comprised of convolutional or recurrent computational units. The models are validated on a dataset of physical rehabilitation movements recorded with an optical motion tracker. The results demonstrate an ability of GAN network architectures for generation of movement examples that resemble the recorded rehabilitation movement sequences, and for classification of unseen instances of the movements.masters, M.S., Computer Science -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2020-0
What is Negentropy? A Manuscript Dissertation on “Negentropic Leadership” for Innovation and Change in Higher Education
No full textInnovation in higher education is often seen as coming through outside-in or top-down sources rather than from actors within the institution. However, faculty-led innovation and leadership holds promise for addressing a range of contemporary issues in higher education while increasing faculty commitment and satisfaction at their institutions. Effective faculty innovation and change depend on supportive academic leaders. Yet, leaders are often unprepared or unable to provide this support. This dissertation uses the principles of negentropy from thermodynamics applied to higher education to explore how academic leaders can build and sustain a faculty of negentropic actors who release energy for innovation and change into their institutions through new ideas, programs, and initiatives. I use a manuscript dissertation format to examine three phases of the faculty lifecycle in individual chapter manuscripts. I explore the role of the leader in supporting established faculty as innovators to their institutions. Then I examine leaders’ roles in the hiring and the early-career socialization process in building a faculty of negentropic actors. Finally, I study the role of doctoral education—particularly the shift to online doctoral education—in preparing and socializing future faculty members. The first two studies use a pragmatic qualitative study with interviews of high-performing higher education leaders. The third study employs an autoethnographic approach to understand my experience as a doctoral student given my choice for online doctoral education and the impacts of COVID-19.doctoral, D.Ed., Leadership and Counseling -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2020-0
An Optimization Tool Developed for Fluted Tube Heat Exchangers
No full textAs the nuclear industry is moving towards smaller compact reactors and power plants through the designs of small modular reactors (SMRs) and microreactors, compact heat exchangers will minimize the size of the reactor designs. Replacing straight tubes with the fluted tube in a vertical shell and tube heat exchanger will significantly decrease its size. Fluted tubes enhance heat transfer through passive techniques and increasing the surface area but at the cost of increased pressure drop. An optimization code has been developed to find ideal design parameters that maximize heat transfer per pressure drop. The code compares 50 different standard sizes of fluted tubes through varying a key non-dimensional parameter that relates to tube to tube pitch and flow area. The non-dimensional parameter was developed to allow scaling of flow areas to a direct comparison of different size tubes.masters, M.S., Mechanical Engineering -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2020-0
Determining Phenotypic Traits Associated with Variability in Dietary Preferences in Grazing Sheep
No full textSheep have the potential to be used globally as a grazing tool on rangelands for wildlife habitat improvement. Dietary preferences within sheep, especially preferences for consuming sagebrush, vary greatly. This thesis explores driving factors that could help explain variation in dietary preferences in sheep. We first examined bitterness avoidance in sheep by administering a gradient of concentrations of phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) dissolved in drinking water and quantifying individual intake in rams. We observed that sheep could detect PTC and that there was considerable variation in the concentrations at which PTC was avoided among sheep. These observations were similar to PTC avoidance described in humans, which has been attributed to genetic variations within type two taste receptors (Tas2r). Sheep have Tas2r genes, but due to the incomplete annotation of sheep Tas2r gene repertoire, extensive research studies correlating sheep Tas2r genes with phenotypic traits cannot be conducted. Using comparative genomic strategies, we proposed annotations for each of the non-annotated Tas2r genes in sheep, cattle and goat in order to complete the annotation of grazing livestock Tas2r repertoires. With the completed Tas2r repertoire of sheep, we will be able to continue our research with an extensive genetic study that may later be associated with dietary preferences in sheep. Taken altogether, the data from this research suggests that sheep can detect bitterness, which is likely a function of Tas2r genetic makeup and may be linked to sagebrush consumption. Better understanding of factors that contribute to dietary preferences in sheep could lead to selection for individuals that are uniquely suited for targeted grazing strategies that allow for sustainable grazing and dynamic wildlife habitat in sagebrush-steppe ecosystems.masters, M.S., Animal and Veterinary Science -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2020-0
Habitat Selection and Physiological Condition of Female Greater Sage-grouse in Relation to Western Juniper
No full textGreater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus, hereafter, sage-grouse) in the Great Basin have experienced loss of habitat due to expansion of western juniper (Juniperus occidentalis; hereafter, juniper) woodlands into sagebrush steppe. Juniper expansion can alter the sagebrush understory by reducing cover and species richness of herbaceous plants and shrubs, which may influence the availability of resources required by sage-grouse. On average, sage-grouse avoid juniper, especially when cover is > 10%, and avoidance of juniper can increase survival rates. However, there is significant variation in habitat selection among sage-grouse individuals when juniper cover is 10–20% juniper cover) and III (> 20% juniper cover) but selected for cover class I (> 0–10% juniper cover), woody wetlands, and herbaceous wetlands with high perimeter to area ratios. Brooding hens may select for taller vegetation because these areas provide more concealment cover for chicks, thereby providing more protection from predators. In contrast, non-brooding hens may use grouping behavior as an anti-predator strategy and may not have to rely on areas with taller vegetation for protection. Hens avoided cover class II and III because resources that support demographic processes are less available in these areas. Both reproductive groups selected cover class I, possibly because food resources and concealment cover are not yet reduced to levels that result in habitat unsuitable for sage-grouse. Furthermore, brooding and non-brooding hens selected for wetland habitats because these areas may provide high amounts of food sources (i.e., forbs and insects) than the surrounding uplands. In chapter 3, I investigated relationships between concentrations of stress hormones among hens and ecological factors. Along with possibly reducing the availability of food and concealment cover, juniper trees may create suitable habitat for avian predators, potentially increasing the risk of predation for sage-grouse. In several avian species, habitat characteristics can influence concentrations of stress hormones, and elevated levels of stress hormones can have negative influences on factors related to survival and reproductive success (e.g., suppress immune function, probability of nest and brood abandonment, and slower growth rates in offspring). Hormone concentrations in sage-grouse may be positively associated with juniper cover through decreased resource availability or increased pressure from predators. I collected fecal samples at nighttime roost locations of radio-collared hens during the lekking (4 March–8 May) and brood-rearing period (24 May–26 July) to estimate corticosterone concentrations (i.e., stress hormones; hereafter, FCORTm). I evaluated relationships between vegetation cover (hereafter, ecological variables) and FCORTm in hens. I used remotely-sensed layers to estimate ecological variables within multiple spatial extents centered at breeding grounds (i.e., leks) and within separate, minimum convex polygons (MCP) that surrounded use locations of each hen. I used values from ecological variables estimated within leks and MCPs to evaluate relationships with FCORTm during the lekking and brood-rearing period, respectively. Prior to evaluating relationships with ecological variables, I accounted for factors previously shown to influence FCORTm in other vertebrate species, such as age, temperature, and sample mass. I collected 37 fecal samples from 34 hens during the lekking period (4 March–8 May) and 36 fecal samples from 22 hens during the brood-rearing period (24 May–26 July). During the lekking period, FCORTm had a negative relationship with dry mass of the fecal sample and there was no relationship with ecological variables. During the brood-rearing period, FCORTm had a positive relationship with total area of MCP but a negative relationship with the number of days of reproductive activity, maximum daily temperature (°F), and proportion of cover class I (> 0–10% juniper cover) within MCP. I may not have observed relationships between ecological variables and FCORTm during the lekking period because hens arrive on breeding grounds at different times and could vary temporally and spatially in their use of habitat surrounding each lek. During the brood-rearing period, FCORTm may decrease with greater proportions of cover class I because of density dependent factors and high productivity of shrubs and herbaceous plants in areas with young stands of juniper. Because interpretation of relationships between stress and ecological factors can be influenced by sampling and extraction procedures, my results lay the groundwork for additional studies that employ the same laboratory methods to evaluate FCORTm in sage-grouse. Although hens preferred cover class I, previous research has demonstrated lower survival among sage-grouse that occupy areas with low levels of juniper cover, and removal of cover class I would likely benefit sage-grouse. My results do suggest lower stress levels among hens that use habitats with cover class I, but this benefit likely does not outweigh the cost to survival. Given the avoidance of cover class II and III, I also suggest targeted removal of juniper around wetlands dominated by woody vegetation, patchy, herbaceous wetlands with high edge ratios, and mesic habitats with taller non-sagebrush shrubs may be the most beneficial because these habitats were preferred by hens. Wetlands and mesic habitats with tall shrubs likely benefit sage-grouse, perhaps by positively influencing survival of chicks and adults. However, additional monitoring is needed to assess benefits and costs to demographic processes among sage-grouse that select woody wetlands and tall shrubs.masters, M.S., Natural Resources -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2020-0