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Method for Mitigating Plug in Electric Vehicle Charge Cycling Observed in a Charging Control Strategy Developed for a Third-Party Aggregator
No full textThis thesis builds on and improves a Plugin Electric Vehicle (PEV) charging control strategy developed for a third-party aggregator. This charging control strategy was developed with an emphasis on shifting residential PEV charging load from peak to off-peak hours. When the initial control strategy was designed the most important design criteria was scalability and computational efficiency. It is very important to be able to control the charging of a very large number of PEVs, in a very small amount of time using an ordinary PC. After the control strategy was successfully implemented and demonstrated the author recognized the need for further refinement of the control strategy. The original control strategy is not able to limit or control the amount of PEV charge cycling. PEV charge cycling occurs when one PEV stops charging and another PEV starts charging in its place. Limited charge cycling can be a beneficial mechanism to start charging PEVs that need to start charging, but excessive charge cycling may contribute to grid problems. The amount of charge cycling that is allowed is a decision that must consider these tradeoffs. This thesis modifies the original control strategy to be able to limit, and control the amount of PEV charge cycling.masters, M.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0
Wear behavior of cheese as affected by varying fat contents
No full textCheese sliceability and shreddability are two main concerns for manufacturing palatable and functional cheese shreds and slices. However, processing behaviors may differ among cheeses with different fat contents because fat plays a crucial role in cheese texture. These differences may impact cheese processing behaviors. Wear testing and particularly mass loss measurements could be used as a quality control test to predict cheese processing behaviors as wear testing could imitate processing conditions which involve rubbing such as slicing and shredding. However, wear, a dimension of tribology, has been neglected in previous food tribology studies. Thus, the objectives of this project were to identify significant factors influencing cheese wear, determine the relationships among rheological, sensory, and wear behaviors, and develop a mathematical model to predict cheese mass loss. We started with preliminary work on two types of cheese: Monterey Jack and Cheddar. The two cheeses showed different wear and rheological behaviors, indicating cheese wear-rheology relationships. In the formal study, cheeses with 40, 50, 52, and 54% fat (dw) at different aging times (15, 30, 45, and 60 d) were evaluated. Wear measurements were performed using a rheometer equipped with a steel twin ball-on-disc system using a range of normal forces (0.5 and 0.7 N), sliding speeds (30 and 50 mm/s), and temperatures (5, 15, and 25°C). Penetration depth (mm) and friction coefficient were recorded, and mass loss was measured by calculating differences between sample weights before and after testing. A box plot model was created based on mass loss and expert classification of cheese processing abilities. Rheological tests, including large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS), strain sweeps at different temperatures (5, 15, and 25ºC) and frequencies (0.5, 5, and 50 rad/s), and large-strain compression at room temperature (22±2ºC), were used to measure cheese viscoelastic and fracture behaviors. Descriptive sensory analysis was used to evaluate cheese sensory texture attributes. To develop a wear model for cheese, mass loss and friction coefficient were used as the primary responses. Maximum strength derived from LAOS data was selected as a key rheological property for the model. Buckingham Pi theorem was used to find the relationship between the factors influencing wear behaviors and to construct the wear prediction model. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the impact of each independent variable on mass loss. Mass loss was significantly affected by temperature, normal force, sliding speed, fat content, and aging time. Higher normal force resulted in significantly lower mass loss in all cheeses but C40 at 25°C, while penetration depth was higher at higher normal force. Mass loss values were significantly impacted at different temperatures at constant sliding speed and normal force. The highest mass loss was at 15ºC except for C40, mass loss was significantly lower at 5ºC and 25°C. However, penetration depth was significantly lower at 5ºC and increased at higher temperatures. Mass loss and penetration depth were more significant (lower p-value) at higher sliding speed and also increased as cheeses aged up to 60 d. Fat content, temperature, and aging time also had significant impact on cheese viscoelastic parameters. Higher temperature, aging time, and fat content led to lower rigidity and a greater extent of nonlinear viscoelastic behaviors in the cheeses. Mass loss was negatively correlated with critical strain, critical stress, complex modulus, and fracture stress, but was positively correlated with phase angle and fracture strain. Sensory data showed that texture attributes were affected by cheese fat content and aging time and were significantly correlated to mass loss at high normal force and sliding speed. The developed model showed a mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.001g, which considered small compared to the average value of mass loss from the cheese samples (approximately 0.102 g for an approximately 30 g sample), indicating good fit. Sensitivity analysis showed that mass loss was most influenced by normal force, followed by sliding speed, friction coefficient, and maximum strength. The results of this study provided valuable information for understanding wear behavior of cheese and its relationship with rheology and sensory. The findings of this project can help manufacturers improve and predict processing behaviors of cheese or similar food products.doctoral, Ph.D., Food Science -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-1
Association Between Carcass Maturity Grade and Genes Involved in Bone Growth, in Young Heifers
No full textOver the last several decades, there has been an increase in the number of heifers, under 30 months of age chronologically, categorized as B and C-maturity based upon skeletal maturity at harvest. The hypothesis for this project is that heifers with advanced physiological maturity have differences within genes that encode proteins involved in bone ossification. Specifically, the genetic variance within genes that promote advanced rates of ossification relating to bone growth and extracellular matrix mineralization have resulted in young heifers reflecting maturity grades more representative of cattle over 30 months of age. This can result in substantial economic losses for producers since the value of an A-maturity carcass is as much as $350/head greater than when an animal is graded below a B-maturity. Despite the USDA change to allow use of dentition to assess maturity, there are still losses with deduction costs associated with advanced maturity in chronologically young beef cattle. In this study, we assessed eight candidate genes known to play an important role in osteogenesis, for sequence variation linkage to advanced maturity. We used targeted gene capture followed by sequencing for candidate genes, in commercial cattle graded as A, B, and C maturity groups (N=90 heifers) but confirmed to be under 30 months using records and dentition. We identified novel and significant genetic sequence variations in association with maturity score within the alkaline phosphatase (ALPL), estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), estrogen receptor 2 (ESR2), collagen type X alpha 1 (COL10A1), and parathyroid hormone like protein (PTHLH). This represents the first report of such associations with this phenotype and could lead to opportunities to genetically screen beef cattle for susceptibility for early skeletal maturity.masters, M.S., Animal and Veterinary Science -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0
Perceiving the Ecological, Cultural and Economic Significance of Pacific Lamprey in Nez Perce and Other Regions: From an Outsider’s Perspective
No full textThe Pacific Lamprey, Nez Perce people usually call them eel, are almost extinct in Nez Perce Reservation due to the dams that block their ways to traditional spawning areas. The Pacific Lamprey have their ecological significance in Colombia River Basin and cultural significance in Nez Perce society. However, its significance has not been fully recognized outside Native American societies. The extinction of Pacific Lamprey will surely bring negative ecological and cultural impacts, although we still have no idea what exactly they are. Through the research with Nez Perce people, this article will try to present the meanings of Pacific Lampreys to the local ecosystem and culture, as well as their potential economic values. As shown in the title, this research also includes “other regions”, and it is from an outsider’s (my) perspective. Therefore, this study is comparative: by the comparison, it is going to tell people that the sharp decrease of lamprey population is caused by a same main reason; lamprey is treated as good food resource in many regions around the world; and Nez Perce people’s attitude toward nature is very different from what I learned and experienced in the past. This article also want present how an outsider participates in Native American storytelling and build connection with Native American people and knowledge.masters, M.A., Anthropology -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0
Symbiotic of Ventenata dubia, Bromus tectorum, Boechera stricta, and Phoenix dactylifera L
No full textSymbiotic of Ventenata dubia, Bromus tectorum, Boechera stricta, and Phoenix dactylifera investigates the intricate nature of plant symbiosis as the relationship between specific plant species (four plant species V. dubia, B. tectorum, B. stricta, and P. dactylifera,) in specific contexts (northwest USA and Saudi Arabia), utilizing laboratory experimental design and literature review methodologies. Symbiosis is a relationship between organisms of different species, and the interaction may be beneficial or harmful. There are three types of symbiotic relationships: mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism. Mutualism is a relationship between organisms of different species with each benefiting. Commensalism is a relationship between organisms of different species without any harm but benefiting one organism and this relationship applies to chapter 3, A bottleneck for microbes in seeds of Ventenata dubia, Bromus tectorum, and Boechera stricta, as endophytes have benefit and no effects on the three-plant species V. dubia, B. tectorum, B. stricta. Endophytes are microorganisms that live in the interior of the plant and have no apparent of damage to their host. Endophytes play essential roles in plant protection, act against herbivores, insects, and pathogens of the host and may even increase plant resistance to pathogens, biotic, and abiotic stresses. Lastly, parasitism involves two organisms, for one benefit and the other, which is considered a host is harmed. For example, plant pathogens cause disease to plants. For example, P. dactylifera (date palm) is parasitized by Aspergillus tubingensis (Chapter 4), and we are setting the groundwork to search for a biological control agent for V. dubia (Chapter 2). The dissertation addresses four plant species that can be categorized as native, introduced, and invasive. Boechera stricta is native to North America and is widespread and has a great potential for studies involving symbiosis. The second category, introduced, is represented by date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), intentionally introduced by humans to a new area where it was not previously found. Date palm is native to the arid Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, and the Middle East however to date palm has been introduced to many countries including Australia, India, Pakistan, Mexico, South Africa, and the United States. Dates have been a staple food in the Middle East region for years. Dates are the primary source of income and basic food for the local population in many countries where they are grown and have played essential roles in the economy, society, and environment of those countries. The final relationship involves Ventenata dubia and Bromus tectorum and these two species are invasive. Invasive is defined as a non-native species that changes how an ecosystem functions. Invasive plant species are one of the main and most rapidly developing threats to food security, animal, human health, and biodiversity. The transportation of these invader plants can be through global travel, transport, tourism, and trade, timber products, and ornamental flora. When a new and aggressive species is brought into an ecosystem, it might be in a stage of enemy release leaving all its enemies in their native range, and this helps the invader to spread quickly and to take over an area from the native plants. They can change the plant community by competing with native species in the light, water, or nutrient resources. Invasive plants are threats to native wildlife. Prevention, eradication, and management of invasive species are a costly challenge. For example, in this dissertation V. dubia and B. tectorum are choosen because they are especially damaging the native plants. These two are threatening many of the plant communities in the Pacific Northwest, and they are creating economic and ecosystem losses. The reason to be concerned about losing any native species is that loss of a single species can affect the interconnected in life on earth. If enough ""living connections"" are broken, entire ecosystems in the earth could fail, and balance of nature be forever changed. Additionally, the diversity of animals and plants could change as well, and when species were lost humans would lose the benefits of them as food and medicines forever. European settlers introduced many plants to North America from their homelands, for food, medicinal, ornamental, and other purposes. Introductions of non-native plants continue today, and are even increasing due to elevated worldwide travel and expanded worldwide trade. Many introduced plants have become naturalized over the continent, and a few are replacing North American native plant species. Parallel to overpopulation and global immigration, we also contend with impact from climate change on invasive plant species and an overall change of ecosystems. It is hard to know the immediate measurable effects of climate change because we are uncertain about how the invasive species will respond to diverse parameters of climate change, such as temperature and precipitation. However, there is more than one reason to believe that most climate change will have an impact by increasing the frequency and severity of invasive species in any given geographic region. Invasive species will increase in abundance and emergence because the changing climate becomes unsuitable for the native species. With high nutrition resources, invasive species are well suited to succeed in new environments. Climate change leads to warmer temperatures, and higher CO2 concentration. Severe storms become more common due to climate change and may disperse invasive plant seeds more widely. Presented are four chapters: all chapters are related to the concept of plant symbiosis. All of the four plant species, V. dubia, B. tectorum, B. stricta, and P. dactylifera, have symbiotic relationships with microorganisms. However, each chapter has a different experimental design, and the objectives for each are not the same. The first and second chapters focus on V. dubia, an invasive plant in PNW that is affecting ecosystems by reducing native species abundance and diversity and causing an economic loss in the area infected by V. dubia. The species likely is in a state of enemy release, and thus a biological control would assist in its management. The native range of V. dubia had to be specified so that biological control discovery could be carried out within the native range, and we can look for a control agent. The third and fourth chapters involve symbiosis of the four plants species mentioned above. The third chapter tests a hypothesis of a bottleneck and exclusionary interactions for microbes in seeds of invasive plant species V. dubia, B. tectorum, and native plant species B. stricta and builds on prior research. Experimental design in this chapter was different than Newcombe et al. (2018) to see if this could make any difference. In this experiment, different factors were used: varied age of seed, surface-sterilization protocol, and isolation medium, inoculated versus uninoculated during flowering stage and plant genotypes. The fourth chapter is about date palm seeds and the hypothesis that Aspergillus tubingensis affects the emergence of date palm seedlings. In the beginning, we examined the seeds' endophytes, and we noted that there is an effect of Aspergillus to the seedlings of the date palm and no impact to the seedlings by the other endophytes that were found in the seeds of the date palm. This dissertation’s style is each chapter follow by its references, tables, and figures for better organization. Full credit is given to the dissertation author for tables in chapter 2 synthesizing literature review around V. dubia as all tables were compiled by her.doctoral, Ph.D., Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0
FEASIBILITY OF A SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTED WETLAND TO TREAT WASTEWATER FOR THE CITY OF JULIAETTA, IDAHO
No full textSmall communities have a small tax base, limited funding, limited staffing, and must still meet all federal and state requirements for the treatment of wastewater. Many small communities in the United States are facing the challenging problem of how to replace aging rural infrastructure like wastewater treatment systems with limited resources. This is compounded by increasingly stringent water quality standards for treated effluent. Constructed wetlands provide a cost-effective solution for wastewater treatment that can be applied to small communities and provide sustainable benefits that traditional engineered systems cannot, such as wildlife habitat, energy savings, irrigation water, and recreation area. Case studies of effective wastewater treatment wetlands are presented. Cost, effectiveness, and benefits of constructed wastewater treatment wetlands are compared to traditional systems to demonstrate the value and feasibility of constructed wastewater treatment wetlands. Permitting and funding logistics are discussed, with specific examples from a rural community in Idaho.masters, M.L.A., Landscape Architecture -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0
Respiratory Viral Coinfection Ameliorates Disease Severity in Mice
No full textImprovements to viral diagnostic techniques led to increased detection of multiple respiratory viral pathogens from single samples. These co-detections of multiple viruses are known as viral coinfections. Viral coinfections are reported to lessen, increase, or not affect disease severity compared to individual virus infections. The literature is unclear as to what infection parameters or immune responses drive the disease severity aberrations. Clinical data cannot determine the timing of virus infections concerning each virus or the initial severity of each infection. We developed a mouse model of respiratory viral coinfection that allows us to control infection parameters. We can control for the timing, order, severity, and pairing of each virus. Using this model, we have determined that a less pathogenic virus can attenuate the disease severity of a more pathogenic virus. We used a minor group rhinovirus (RV) to attenuate the disease severity of influenza A virus (IAV), pneumonia virus of mice (PVM), and mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) when viruses were inoculated two days apart. We then determined that coinfection-mediated disease attenuation was not unique to RV, but MHV could also attenuate IAV and PVM disease severity. Further research found coinfection-mediated disease attenuation was dependent upon timing between virus infections and the severity of infections. Coinfection induced an early interferon response in mice, but the level of induction was dependent upon the specific viral pairing. Early type I interferon signaling was blocked in coinfected mice by intranasal administration of an antibody specific to the type I interferon receptor. We determined type I interferon was not a required mechanism for coinfection-mediated disease attenuation during RV and PVM coinfection. We then depleted neutrophils by intraperitoneal injection of an antibody specific to Ly6G high neutrophils. Depletion of neutrophils early during coinfection did not affect coinfection-mediated disease attenuation during coinfection with RV and PR8. Further experiments targeting other components of the innate immune system will be required to elucidate the critical mechanisms of respiratory viral coinfection-mediated disease attenuation.doctoral, Ph.D., Biology -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0
CRISPR/Cas9-Based Editing of Alpha-Amylase 3 (Amy3) Genes in Wheat
No full textWheat is the second largest cereal crop in the United States. Unseasonal activation of α-amylase genes in developing kernels may lead to low falling numbers in wheat, which can compromise the end-use quality and causes substantial profit losses to wheat growers. In wheat, there are four subfamilies of α-amylases; each subfamily has multiple α-amylase genes. The Amy3.1 and Amy3.2 of α-amylase III (Amy3) are mainly expressed in developing kernels. The goal of the present study was to test whether these two genes affect wheat falling numbers by creating mutants in each of these two groups of genes. First, the Clustered Regularly-Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) system was used to edit these two groups of genes in tetraploid wheat ‘Kronos’ and hexaploid wheat ‘CB037’. The preliminary sequencing results showed a gene editing efficiency of 33.3%. In the preliminary tests, fourteen plants with edited versions of Amy3.1 and/or Amy3.2 genes were obtained. Second, using the Targeting Induced Local Lesions IN Genomes (TILLING), 21 mutants of Amy3.1 and Amy3.2 were identified in the tetraploid wheat ‘Kronos’. The identified CRISPR and TILLING mutants of Amy3 will be used to understand the gene’s role in regulating falling numbers and other essential traits in wheat.masters, M.S., Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0
Instream Flows as Evolving Institutions
No full textAll states west of the one hundredth meridian have decided to adopt prior appropriation as a means by which to organize and manage their hydrologic systems. The structure of prior appropriation imposes certain biases toward resource development that have catalyzed changing cultural expectation of water resource management over time. In particular, instream flow laws have been implemented in response to the degradation of salmon in the Pacific Northwest. Through a comparative case study of instream flow laws in Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska, this study seeks to understand what elements of institutional structure effectively achieve pacific salmon conservation objectives. To better understand the impacts of water management institutions as they evolve, my study employs a modified version of grounded theory that incorporates a state water rights database analysis and a series of expert interviews. Through the use of this methodology, I have concluded that a nested governance regime that incorporates flexibility, collaboration, and consensus leads to institutions that effectively achieve salmon conservation objectives. Furthermore, this study has identified institutional evolution of prior appropriation as a cyclical and iterative process based on the relationship between specific local entities, administrators, and legislators.masters, M.S., Water Resources -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0