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Planetary obliquity evolution: excited retrograde rotators and tidal resonant encounters
No full textThe search for extraterrestrial life along with our desire to understand the necessary conditions for the development of life are large motivators in the field of astronomy. Although the Earth remains as our sole data point, it seems overwhelmingly likely that either other Solar System bodies or distant exoplanets had, have, or will have the capacity to host life of their own. Nonetheless, the assessment of a world's potential for habitability is a complex problem that requires thorough study of many contributing aspects. One key aspect is the value and evolution of a planet's obliquity, or axial tilt, which sets the nature of its seasons and long-term climate by governing the distribution of solar flux across its surface. Although we enjoy a pleasant climate thanks to the Earth's stable moderate obliquity, other planetary bodies may be either even better off or severely challenged in comparison. In dissertation, I help build toward a more complete picture of habitability by studying planetary obliquity evolution with the use of numerical simulations of planetary systems. Beginning with Chapter 1, I provide a brief background of the dynamics that drive obliquity evolution and describe previous work that establishes our current understanding moving forward. In Chapter 2, I discuss a threatening secular spin-orbit resonance that can destabilize the obliquities of retrograde rotators (planets with obliquities greater than 90 degrees). Next, in Chapter 3 I introduce SMERCURY-T, a tool that allows for the study of planetary obliquity evolution under the influence of tidal forces. Finally, in Chapter 4 I apply SMERCURY-T to study the tidal obliquity evolution of a moonless Earth and a potentially habitable early Venus. Each of these chapters provides wider contributions past their individual results by urging direction to future studies, releasing publicly available software, or identifying trends and process that may be important to the obliquity evolution of extrasolar planets. These findings can ideally be applied to such exoplanet systems in the future once further our capability to detect and characterize their spin states.doctoral, Ph.D., Physics -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2022-1
Enhancing the Resiliency and Cybersecurity of Power System State Estimation with High Breakdown Point Robust Estimators
No full textAs the power system grows in complexity, so does the need for accurate real-time information. The real-time information allows operators to evaluate a system state to control, plan, automate, and operate the power system. Many of the existing state-estimation methods are based on a Gaussian noise assumption on the error in the measurement data used in the model. The weighted least squares (WLS) estimator, Kalman filters such as the Extended Kalman filter (EKF), and Unscented Kalman filter (UKF), which produce optimal results with this assumption, are popular. However, recent research has shown that measurements errors in phasor measurement units within the power system trend toward non-gaussian probability distributions. Due to the non-gaussian noise, the increased model complexity, and the possible occurrence of cyberattacks, the need for robust estimators has grown significantly. In this work, two robust high-breakdown regression estimators, namely S- and MM-estimators, are adapted and implemented to provide resistance to modeling errors, non-Gaussian noise, and false data injection attacks (FDI). The proposed estimators are applied to two critical future applications. The first considered application is a poly-phase distribution static-state estimator (DSSE). The proposed DSSE estimators show better performance than estimators proposed in the literature, such as the WLS with bad data detection and the robust Huber M-based estimator. The proposed estimators offer more accurate state estimates and energy distribution locational marginal prices (DLMPS) as demonstrated on a modified IEEE 13-bus system in the presence of topology attacks. The second application is a robust distributed or decentralized dynamic state estimator for transmission systems. The distributed dynamic state estimator will be an essential tool for utilizing wide-area monitoring systems (WAMS) using phasor measurement units for control applications. The two robust estimators are implemented for comparison, one in a centralized and one in a distributed or decentralized fashion. The second approach permits the enhancement of resiliency and cyber-security at a reduced computational cost. The IEEE 14- and 118-bus model test cases are implemented to evaluate the proposed distributed dynamic state estimation (DSE) with a transient.doctoral, Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2022-0
Accounting for Measurement Error in Covariates in the Context of ANCOVA Using Maximum Likelihood Estimation
No full textAnalysis of covariance (ANCOVA) is a common statistical model. An implicit assumption of ANCOVA is that the covariate is measured without error. However, in many applications, there is covariate measurement error. In this case, the estimates produced by classic ANCOVA methods can include bias, causing predictions and inferences to be inaccurate. This thesis uses monte carlo simulation to examine the effectiveness of an alternative model in estimating the parameters associated with ANCOVA. This model is shown to be effective in accounting for covariate measurement error in the case where there aretwo treatment groups.masters, M.S., Mathematics & Statistical Sci -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2022-0
Identify The Individuals Status During Crowds Movement
No full textCrowds form for a variety of reasons and crowd control must be considered in order to provide a safe and enjoyable experience when a massive gathering of people forms a moving crowd. Providing for public safety is an important matter for authorities in order to provide civilians with the ability to proceed with their routine life and work. However, authorities face complex and costly processes when controlling large events, especially when crowds start moving. Authorities face many challenges when organizing a crowd in order to provide successful crowd management to prevent an unwanted catastrophe. We examine the two major types of crowd behavior, the movement of a structured crowd where people head in one direction with the same goal or destination, and the movement of unstructured crowds where people head in different directions with different goals or destinations. This proposal develops an alert system for crowd control to keep the crowd away from dangerous situations. The main idea of behind the alert system is monitoring the individuals’ locations by scrutinizing the position status of the individuals in the crowd at a particular moment in order to inform the authorities about unusual individuals’ behavior. A Fuzzy Logic algorithm was developed for the alert system; it makes decisions regarding the critical density spots that might obstruct smooth crowd motion. We created a system of crowd monitoring that analyzes every individual in the crowd by scrutinizing their position’s status to allow the fuzzy logic system to identify the critical density spots in order to point out these potentially obstructive locations to authorities who would then be able to intervene.doctoral, Ph.D., Computer Science -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2022-0
Accelerated Convergence of Gradient Descent Using Adaptive Parameters
No full textThe Nesterov gradient descent algorithm serves as a performance benchmark forconvex optimization problems. Like many other gradient-based methods, the Nesterov algorithm requires choosing a constant step size before optimization begins, and the performance of the algorithm heavily depends on the step size. Here, we propose three novel adaptive algorithms which adaptively determine the step size based on the searching history. The new adaptive methods were tested alongside the original Nesterov algorithm on a list of commonly-used optimization test functions in a range of dimensions. The experimental results showed that they consistently outperformed the Nesterov algorithm by a wide margin. We also discuss ways that the adaptive methods could be improved.masters, M.S., Mathematics & Statistical Sci -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2022-0
Tell Me Your Story- Exploring Rural Latinx/e Students’ Educational Journeys Through Personal Statements
No full textUsing a qualitative approach, this study sought to describe the educational experiences of Latinx/e youth in a rural setting. Research questions focused on two areas: 1. How will reflection by rural Latinx/e students on their lived experiences as marginalized youth unearth information about struggle, survival, resistance, and hope in hegemonic K-12 educational systems? 2. How can the lived educational experiences of rural Latinx/e youth inform educational practice? Data was sourced from thirty-four student written personal statements and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings indicate that rural Latinx/e students are their own diaspora who face unique challenges, but also have motivations and ambitions that differ from traditional narratives about people from rural places. Participants proudly shared across the data set that although they came from tough circumstances, they were highly motivated to achieve stability and status in the form of a college education and professional careers. Their motivation to succeed primarily stemmed from a deep love of their parents, most of whom immigrated to the United States to work in the agricultural industry as field laborers. They were also strongly influenced by a desire to avoid agricultural work as a career. For the most part, participants identified college going paths that would lead to stable, financially lucrative careers of service in sectors like health care. However, some chose careers of resistance in athletics, politics, and the arts. Finally, even though students named a strong motivation and desire to serve their families and communities by attending college, substantial financial barriers existed for rural Latinx/e students in this study as they approached the realities of paying for higher education. Implications for policy and practice at the teacher, school, and national level are provided.doctoral, D.Ed., Education -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2022-0
Defied Expectations but Satisfactory Results: How Recording Industry Contributions Influenced the Reception of Popular Music during WWII
No full textWithin recent scholarship on wartime propaganda, music’s position as a device remains examined and debated. Along with uncovering new domains, this critical academic conversation also invites musicology to continue exploring the lesser-known areas within the pre-existing scholarship. It remains understood that many aspects of the relationship between war and music have yet to be discovered and shared. This thesis holds to this idea and examines the reception of World War II war music and joins in a body of work dedicated to understanding the cultural trends and social tendencies of the United States during this significant conflict. While previous research has explored the exchange of WWII war music in relation to the musical artists themselves and the expectations of governmental institutions, the relationship between the technology and the production of war music still has much to offer. The rise of the recording industry in the early part of the twentieth century establishes a dialogue between the serious needs of war and the lighter side of popular entertainment. Recognizing this call and need for further investigation into technology’s role in producing satisfactory WWII music, it is through the provided information and examples, along with supporting reflection and interpretations, that this thesis offers a finer tuned perspective on the overlooked area of the recording industry’s role in facilitating the United States’ needs of war and entertainment.masters, M.A., Music -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2022-0
Neurodiversity and Extended Reality: Community Growth Through Virtual Worlds
No full textWhen I started working with the Autism Mixed Reality Institute (AXRI) I wanted to find and create opportunities for young adults to develop individual skills that would contribute to improving their quality of life. I found that, like myself, individuals who have Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) share a common community identity with individuals with Autism. This encouraged me to explore what organizations are doing to engage with neurodiverse community capital growth. The community capitals framework is typically applied to analyzing the seven areas of social value in a geographic community. This helps identify gap and growth areas in social infrastructure. If the framework were to be applied to a virtually connected community via interactive virtual environments, then community driven solutions would have higher probability of growing, sustaining, and thriving.By establishing the foundational social infrastructure that has led-to and developed meaningful community growth, leaders in immersive technology and mental health advocacy at the Autism Mixed Reality Institute (AXRI) are driven to focus on adapting service models for the Autism community in Idaho and the wider Neurodiverse community. Extended reality (XR) technology that emphasizes the value in visual learning and high user engagement can lead to developing community growth across the internet; From encouraging Idaho communities through the Surel’s Place Art Gallery to Neurodivergent and Indigenous community members sharing their stories on a web-based immersive platform. Web-based meeting platforms like Spatial.io are allowing communities to develop virtually built capital. Through collaboration, advocacy, and accountability AXRI is developing the tools necessary to develop sustainable social infrastructure on extended reality platforms. Through advocacy we gain perspective, through accountability we can hold others and ourselves to the standards of human equality. With the guidance from community members, specialists, mentors, peers, advisors, community leaders will continue connecting people with people by combining virtual technology with necessary social infrastructure to meet the challenges of today.masters, M.S., Art and Architecture -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2022-0
Development of a Watershed Health Index for Washington State
No full textThe health of freshwater systems has been in decline and human activities have been known to be the cause of the degradation of freshwater quality. To maintain our freshwater resources, watershed health assessment efforts are needed. To retain consistency and comparability between watersheds health assessments, construction of a Watershed Health Index (WHI) is an effective method to assess and compare watershed health. Several state agencies around the U.S. have developed WHIs to assess watershed health within their state. In this study, we aimed to develop a WHI for Washington State with past watershed data through data-based approaches. We used the metrics B-IBI as response variables and the watershed health indicators as the predictor variables in Partial Least Square (PLS) regression and Boosted Regression Tree (BRT) to generate relative influences of each indicator on the variability of B-IBI, and compiled the relative influences into weight factors to calculate the final WHI. The results showed low R2 (between 0.05 to 0.30) for the PLS regressions, and the two methods (BRT and PLS) resulted in different weight factors in the WHI. We suspect that the data structure and sample size may have contributed to the low R2, since most samples were non-continuous measurements of watershed indicators, or “snapshots”, which may capture extreme events that may not represent the actual health condition of the watersheds.masters, M.S., Environmental Science -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2022-0
Women's Center Conciliation Agreement signers
No full textA list of Women's Center Conciliation signers