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Effects of Serum Total Protein on Health Measures, Average Daily Gain, and Metabolites in the Holstein Dairy Calf
No full textAn objective of this study was to determine the associations of passive transfer status, by assessment of serum total protein (TP), with serum metabolites, daily gain, morbidity, and mortality in neonatal male Holstein calves (n=1,631). Calves were purchased from dairy farms in the western United States and placed in a calf ranch as one day old. Calves were assigned an individual electronic identification and recorded in Feedlot Health Management Services proprietary software, iFHMS (Feedlot Health Management Services, Okotoks, Alberta). Cause-specific morbidity and mortality was recorded for each calf daily from entry to exiting or death. A 5-mL tube of blood was collected from each animal at 48 ± 6h post-arrival. Whole blood was centrifuged at 2000 g for 10 min and serum was stored at -20°C. Serum TP was measured using a digital refractometer. Calves were categorized based on proposed USDA serum TP guidelines into poor (TP 6.1 g/dL, n=751, 5.96 ± 0.11 g/dL). Samples were analyzed using a reverse-phase HPLC using a C18 column for vitamins and a colorimetric assay for glucose. Data were analyzed using generalized linear mixed models and logistic regression models with significance declared at P ≤0.05. Significant differences between poor and excellent were observed in mortality and otitis disease treatments (P masters, M.S., Animal and Veterinary Science -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2020-1
Invader-mediated Targeting of Chromosomal DNA
No full textInterest in developing probes capable of targeting chromosomal DNA in cells has grown to meet diagnostic and therapeutic needs. DNA has a stable, predicable double-stranded structure that has been the subject of study to identify agents that can specifically bind to the duplex (CHAPTER 1). Success stories from probe technologies such as triplex-forming oligonucleotides, peptide nucleic acids (PNAs), and minor-groove-binding polyamides have been well-characterized. However, they suffer limits of detection along with challenging experimental conditions requirements (homopurine targets; denaturing steps; low ionic strengths; short target sequences). The newly discovered CRISPR-Cas9 has garnered much attention. However, the approach requires transfection of plasmids encoding CRISPR-Cas9 components. To address these shortcomings, our laboratory has developed Invader probes. Placement of 2'-O-(pyren-1-yl)methyl RNA monomers in +1 interstrand zipper arrangements destabilizes the probe duplex as the intercalating pyrene moieties vie for the same space between two Watson-Crick base pairs. These ‘energetic hotspots’ activate the double-stranded probe and, in concert with the high affinity for complementary DNA (cDNA) displayed by individual probe strands, provide the driving force for recognition of mixed-sequence target sites. The capabilities and features of Invader probes for specific detection of chromosomal DNA in fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) assays at near physiological conditions were statistically analyzed. Based on these results, optimized Invader probes were synthesized and showed improved efficiency in chromosomal DNA detection (CHAPTER 2). Moreover, the combination of Invader FISH probes with the powerful detection properties of flow cytometry was used to quantify thousands of specifically labelled isolated nuclei, offering a potential advantage over the laborious microscope evaluation of detection (CHAPTER 3).masters, M.S., Chemistry -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2020-0
Survey of encrypted network traffic fingerprinting techniques
No full textInspecting network traffic has been a staple technique of Cybersecurity tools for many years. This ability to review packet contents as they traverse an organization’s network is hindered by the ever increasing use of encrypted communications. Without the visibility of deep-packet inspection, automated systems are unable to determine if network connections pose a threat to organizational interests or if they are supporting necessary day-to-day interactions. One solution is a man-in-the-middle configuration, where an organization decrypts all traffic traversing its borders, however, this is cumbersome and computationally expensive as network speeds increase. This thesis aims to survey the current landscape of “in the dark” network traffic fingerprinting, where encrypted payloads remain opaque to automated analysis leaving only network flow, packet header, and inferred metadata available for traffic classification.masters, M.S., Computer Science -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2020-0
Wide Bandgap Semiconductors: Thin Film Properties and Luminescence Efficiency Improvement
No full textModern technological applications require high performance materials that possess novel properties to efficiently operate in a wide range of conditions. In this work, the performance enhancement of ZnO thin films was studied, while basic research on the optical properties of Ga2O3 thin films was performed. Two approaches for the enhancement of the UV band edge photoluminescence (PL) in sputtered ZnO films were studied. One that used surface coating, and another that employed annealing in a non-oxidizing environment. It was found that by combining both methods, annealing at an optimal temperature followed by the deposition of a coating, a significant enhancement of the luminescence can be achieved. Three types of coatings were investigated, Al2O3, SiO2, and MgO. It was found that MgO, due to its strong bond energy, is an effective coating material for the passivation of the surfaces of the ZnO films. The UV-PL intensity of MgO coated ZnO was found to increase by a factor of ~ 52 relative to an uncoated film. The effectiveness of the coating layer was discussed in terms of competing mechanisms to surface passivation, such as the adsorption of OH-groups, which can act as surface traps and diminish PL intensity. Moreover, annealing at 900 C prior to the deposition of the coating was found to be an important step in realizing the optimal performance of the coating material. A visible luminescence study indicated that the annealing process diminishes the presence of native defects that can act as bulk-like nonradiative centers that impact the UV luminescence. An initial study of gallium oxide (Ga2O3) thin films was performed to determine the optical properties of this ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor. β-Ga2O3 thin films were grown via RF sputtering in two growth environments with different oxygen concentrations. Prior to characterization, a post growth annealing step was accomplished. An oxygen-rich growth environment resulted in highly defective films that resulted in broad, intense photoluminescent (PL) emissions accompanied by a weak deep ultraviolet peak. Adjustment to a lower oxygen content during growth resulted in higher quality films that display five resolved PL peaks in the UV range, including band edge emissions of ~ 4.85 eV that match the band edge values obtained via transmission spectroscopy. Additional peaks at ~ 3.14 eV and ~ 3.56 eV were attributed to donor-acceptor recombination and self-trapped hole emissions, respectively. Designation of the self-trapped hole emissions at ~ 3.56 eV was verified by its absence in the PL spectra when sub-bandgap 3.8 eV excitation is used. Post-growth annealing in an oxygen environment instead of in air resulted in a blue shift of the PL spectra of ~ 120 meV and decreased the intensity of the ~3.56 eV STH related peak. These results indicate that the defect concentration in these films is highly sensitive to their oxygen content, which makes this material ideal for use in oxygen sensing devices.masters, M.S., Physics -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2020-0
Summer Mélange Stabilizes Rifting Terminus Ice at Rink Isbrae, West Greenland
No full textIce mélange is a densely packed, granular material consisting of icebergs bound together with sea ice in a rigid matrix at glacier termini. Ice mélange has been shown to affect glacier stability and terminus dynamics at some tidewater glaciers by influencing glacier advance and retreat, inhibiting calving, changing fjord circulation, and altering near surface ocean temperatures which can change iceberg melt rates. Prior studies have focused on extreme cases of mélange formation where mélange exists year-round or in winter. These studies indicate that mélange can provide significant back stress or a “buttressing” effect on the terminus through lateral resistance with fjord walls and dynamic jamming of mélange which creates large localized resistive stresses. For some Greenland glaciers, a short-lived mélange can develop following winter mélange disintegration and this mélange’s ability to impact terminus flow is undetermined. Here, I illustrate the capability of short-term, summer mélange at Rink Isbræ, West Greenland to compress and stabilize a rifting piece of terminus, that we term a loose ""ice tooth,"" torn open following three large calving events ranging in surface area from 0.22 km2 to 0.64 km2. Using terrestrial radar interferometry, I analyze variations in glacier and mélange velocities within 0.5 km of the terminus of Rink Isbrae during calving events, evaluate mélange rigidity, and determine the forces acting on a calving iceberg to estimate the shear strength of terminus ice at Rink Isbrae. While the mélange did not affect flow of fully attached glacier ice, mélange indirectly influences glacier dynamics by 1) compressing developing mélange on the ice tooth, which slowed down the ice tooth after calving, and 2) temporarily stabilizing the ice tooth as the mélange developed through ice-to-rock contact along the fjord walls. The in-situ terminus shear strength I find, 50 kPa to 540 kPa, falls on the low end of shear strengths of ice proposed by prior field and theoretical experiments, which have been observed to fall between 200 kPa and 1000 kPa. The shear strength of ice is not well constrained due to lack of observational data, and this measurement may be more representative of a material property at actual tidewater glaciers than measurements developed from models in prior research. Additionally, slab capsize calving creates a domino effect where more calving is triggered through rifting of ice laterally connected to the calving iceberg. In Greenland, other tidewater glaciers that display slab capsize calving and have semi-confined to confined fjords have analogous mélange occurrences which suggests that summer mélange is important when considering short-term calving behavior and long-term glacier evolution.masters, M.S., Geology -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2020-0
Drought Preparedness in Large Landscape Management: Using Adaptation Pathways and Decision-Support Tools to Increase Resilience
No full textClimate projections suggest the United States (US) Northern Rockies region of Idaho and Montana may experience future drought severity and frequency trends, with implications for the sustainable management of rangeland systems. Efforts to increase drought resilience across this large landscape must include multiple stakeholder groups because of the region’s diverse mosaic of land ownership and priorities for land management, including sustaining ranching livelihoods and protecting wildlife connectivity. In partnership with a regional landscape collaborative, we conducted research in the High Divide region of the Northern Rockies of Idaho and Montana, a semi-arid sagebrush steppe rangeland system with similar ecological functions and socioeconomic context as many other US rangelands. This research looks to further understand drought preparedness and resilience in the High Divide region. Our study objectives were first to conduct focus groups to 1) understand past experiences of drought across diverse stakeholder groups, 2) determine characteristics of drought resilient landscape management, and 3) conceptualize adaptation pathways for increased resilience. Adaptation pathways are realistic trajectories created to inform potential futures of a system. Our findings suggest that shared conceptions of how to manage a resilient landscape, such as an emphasis on building social capital, while also acknowledging vulnerabilities, offer opportunity for collaboration towards drought adaptation. Secondly, we conducted interviews with landscape management organization employees in the High Divide region in order to, 1) identify which drought decision-support tools are being used, 2) describe tool-supported management actions across different types of organizations, and 3) understand barriers to decision-support tool adoption. Findings suggest a wide variety of tools are being used in this region by landscape management organizations to meet management objectives. However, use of decision-support tools for drought planning is limited and several barriers currently exist to increased adoption and use of tools, including lack of capacity and lack of management direction. This combined research informs future drought resilience collaborative action and specifically aims to inform regional tool development and decrease research – knowledge gaps.masters, M.S., Natural Resources -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2020-0
Simulation of the Effect of False Data Injection Attacks on SCADA Using Offline EMT Simulation
No full textTransient simulation is a critical task of validating the dynamic model of the power grid. We propose an off-line method for validating dynamic grid models and assessing the dynamic security of the grid in the presence of cyberattacks. Simulations are executed in PowerWorld and PSCAD/EMTDC to compare the impact on the grid of cyber-attacks. Generator set points in the IEEE 14-bus system have been modified to mimic modern power system operation. To get effective measurements for state estimation, SCADA polling model is reproduced in the electromagnetic transient (EMT) simulation by providing controlled sampling frequency. The results of a tripped line case and injecting false data to the loads caused by cyberattacks is presented and analyzed. The approach can be used for preliminary research studies prior to used closed loop test beds and in courses for exploring power system SCADA and control systems, especially for distance education systems. This thesis also explores developing and validating testbed with communication and control system model to use for resilient metric development.masters, M.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2020-0
Troy Deary Gun Club
No full textPhotograph of the Troy Deary Gun Club (builing formally owned by the Potlatch Lumber Company)
