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Social and Moral Reasoning in Sport of Secondary School Administrators
No full textSocial and Moral Reasoning were examined in secondary school administrators using the RSBH Values Judgement Inventory. There was no significant difference by gender concerning social reasoning of secondary school administrators. Similarly, no significant difference was found by gender on moral reasoning. Both genders scored low in moral reasoning comparatively. The results of this study are noteworthy in that the males scored higher than the females in moral reasoning.doctoral, Ph.D., Movement & Leisure Sciences -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0
Dielectrophoretic characterization of living cells real-time on a point-and-planar microwell (PPM) platform
No full textElectrical, dielectric, or electrophysiological properties of bioparticles, i.e. cells in particular, define their response to the external electric fields. They provide important information that aids in the prediction of bioparticle pathways, discernment of infections, phenotypic and genotypic variations, as well as pneumographic analysis, and biosensing. These dielectric properties are also essential in the development of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. A review of the current state-of-the-art techniques for obtaining these properties was compiled and significant shortcomings ranging from cost and fabrication challenges for sub-micron bioparticles to the limitation of real-time exploration of electrode spacing were found. To address these shortcomings, a point-and-planar microwell (PPM) platform is developed. This device platform, which was fabricated with poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) polymer and assembled through a novel and economical in-house microwave plasma generator (compared and validated with commercial Harrick Plasma cleaner), is validated with O-type human erythrocytes or red blood cells (RBCs). Following validation, it was utilized for characterizing bioparticles related to applications in 1) medical diagnostics and 2) environmental biotechnology i.e. synergy of biosorption and dielectrophoresis. In medical diagnostics, the device was used to explore the properties of early stage infiltrating ductal adenocarcinoma cells (ADCs) i.e. breast cancer from peripheral blood and numerically quantifying their isolation in a microdevice using particle tracking module. This revealed the potential solution to the problem of device instability currently been experienced in the bioseparations field. The device also revealed the variations in the electrophysiological properties of human red blood cells as they age and when they are stressed. Furthermore, with the environmental challenges associated with recovering rare earth elements (REEs) and the subsequent utilization of biosorption to alleviate these challenges, this work introduces, for the first time, the utilization of dielectrophoretic crossover frequency (measured through the point-and-planar device platform) as a potential complementary quantification methodology to spectroscopy and a unique method of identifying organisms (C. Necator) that can hyperaccumulate metals (Samarium, Neodymium, and Europium).doctoral, Ph.D., Chemical and Materials Science Engineering -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0
An Expanding Meso-Carnivore: Fisher (Pekania pennanti) Occupancy and Coexistence with Native Mustelids in Southeast Alaska
No full textAround the world, species’ distributions are shifting in response to climate change, with many species exhibiting range expansion toward the poles. These range expansions often create new species interactions that are not well understood. The fisher (Pekania pennanti) is a mammalian carnivore that has recently expanded its range into the coastal temperate rainforest of Southeast Alaska (SEAK). Little is known about its occupancy and effects on native species in SEAK. The goal of this project was to examine fisher occupancy, density, and co-occurrence with American marten (Martes americana) and ermine (Mustela erminea) in SEAK. Twenty-five paired camera and hair snag stations (50 unique sites) were deployed north of Juneau, Alaska from January−April 2018, resulting in detection of 15 species and collection of 204 hair samples. Polymerase chain reactions conducted on DNA extracted from hair samples showed that 16 of those hair samples were from fisher. From the fisher DNA samples, only one individual fisher was identifiable (a female), making a fisher density analysis unfeasible. However, camera trap data allowed us to conduct single species occupancy analyses at both local and broad scales, which showed that fisher detection was negatively impacted by snow density, but positively affected by whether a fisher had been detected at the previous occasion (average site scale p = 0.24 (95% CI = 0.12, 0.40); average grid scale p = 0.15 (95% CI = 0.07, 0.30)). Fisher occupancy was positively impacted by snow density at the local scale and positively associated with vegetation height at a broader scale (average site scale psi = 0.30 (95% CI = 0.08, 0.72); average grid scale psi = 0.40 (95% CI = 0.003, 0.83)). Although high snow density has the potential to decrease the impact of a fisher’s high foot-load by making it easier to travel on top of the snow, the effect may not be powerful enough to overcome the high energetic costs associated with movement in deep snow and therefore not positively contribute to detectability on a day-to-day basis. The slight positive correlation between snow depth and snow density in our analysis may corroborate this (r = 0.43). Among mustelid species, top models from two-species occupancy analyses indicated that fisher have no effect on marten or ermine occupancy, although there was slight support for the model indicating that fisher may negatively impact marten occupancy. Analysis of diel activity patterns and temporal overlap indicated that marten and ermine adjust their activity patterns in the presence of fisher, potentially to reduce overlap. Furthermore, ermine displayed temporal avoidance of marten, whereas marten activity was unaffected by ermine presence. A small fisher sample size made it unfeasible to examine shifts in fisher activity patterns in the presence of marten and ermine. These results show that mustelids in SEAK currently co-exist through temporal partitioning, with smaller-bodied mustelids avoiding larger, more dominant mustelids. However, if the fisher population continues to expand, these species interactions may shift and increase the potential for competition between fisher, marten, and ermine in SEAK. Overall, this research indicates that fisher, including a female, currently occupy the study area and prefer areas with taller trees and higher snow density, indicating that other areas of Southeast Alaska may be suitable fisher habitat. This study’s methodology was unable to measure fisher density, but was able to identify important predictive covariates associated with fisher occupancy in SEAK, and illustrate temporal partitioning patterns among mustelid species in the area. Future research to increase sample size and detect species’ trends in SEAK over time will be beneficial, but this pilot research was an important first step in developing a monitoring protocol and management plan for fisher in SEAK.masters, M.S., Natural Resources -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0
Energy Methods and Finite Element Analysis in Orthodontic Applications
No full textThe purpose of this research was to verify a proposed closed-form solution which solved for the reaction forces on a patient’s teeth during orthodontic treatment using finite element analysis. The results were verified by constructing a progressive series of models in Abaqus and comparing the calculated displacements to their closed form solutions. The final orthodontic model featured a Nickel Titanium archwire subjected to the fourteen reaction forces obtained from the proposed closed form solution. Elastic and plastic behavior was considered through use of a bi-linear model. The displacements obtained from the FEA model were compared to the actual displacements measured between the start and end positions of the patients teeth. The error between the analytical and numerical solution in the elastic regime was miniscule. The graphs of displacement obtained from the closed form and FEA solutions overlapped each other. The error between the analytical and numerical solution in the plastic regime was found to be approximately 25%. The results of this research is the validation of the closed form solution using a modified form of Castigliano’s Theorem, as well as the establishment and visual representation of the relationship between applied force and orthodontic displacement.masters, M.S., Mechanical Engineering -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0
Life History Characteristics, Distribution, and Habitat Use of Westslope Cutthroat Trout in the St. Maries River Basin, Idaho
No full textThe distribution and abundance of Westslope Cutthroat Trout Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi (WCT) in relation to habitat characteristics remains unknown across large portions of its distribution, which includes the St. Maries River basin in northern Idaho. Furthermore, the population structure of WCT in the St. Maries River basin, and whether adfluvial WCT use the St. Maries River basin and contribute to the Coeur d’Alene Lake WCT population is unknown. The goals of this research were multifaceted. One goal was to provide a foundational understanding of WCT distribution and abundance in tributaries of the St. Maries River, Idaho, and to evaluate how WCT were related to habitat characteristics. The second goal of this research was to use strontium isotopes (i.e., 87Sr/86Sr) derived from ambient water and sagittal otoliths to assess spatial variability throughout the Coeur d’Alene Lake watershed and its sub-basins and describe the population structure of WCT in the St. Maries River basin using otolith microchemistry. Westslope Cutthroat Trout were abundant where there was suitable habitat and they were absent in locations with poor habitat or in the presence of Brook Trout Salvelinus fontinalis. Additionally, migratory (i.e., fluvial, adfluvial) and nonmigratory (i.e., resident) life history strategies were detected throughout the watershed. Results of this research suggest that WCT are widely distributed throughout the St. Maries River basin at multiple spatial scales due to life history diversity and connectivity to habitat that supports all life stages.masters, M.S., Natural Resources -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0
Assessing the Adaptive Capacity of Idaho's Magic Valley as a Complex Social-Ecological System
No full textSimilar to a majority of the Western United States, Idaho’s Magic Valley region is predicted to experience future climate uncertainties, including a warming climate, variable precipitation events, and a decrease in water availability during prime irrigation months, as well as demographic and land use changes. With water users already encountering conflict in this water scarce region, the ability for the Magic Valley and its encompassing Upper Snake River Basin to adapt to future climate uncertainties is vital for ensuring the region can sustain its agribusiness economy. This research assesses the region as a complex social-ecological system and takes an explorative view into the evolution of the Magic Valley’s institutions in charge of water administration and management to understand how they have increased their adaptive capacity over time in response to system disturbance. Observations from this research can help to highlight both the adaptive capacity of this region to respond to future disturbances as well as its vulnerabilities to inform future planning initiatives toward resiliency and sustainability for the region’s water supply.masters, M.S., Water Resources -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0
Learning-Based Communication Systems
No full textConnecting people offers opportunities to build communities of any size and consequently, brings the world closer together. Conventionally, the connectivity has happened through traditional radio-frequency communication methods. However, the ever-increasing demand for higher data-rate communications and the explosion of advanced wireless applications such as virtual reality, augmented reality, and internet of things, reduce the effectiveness of these method. Therefore, developing next-generation technologies, such as learning-based communication systems, that can satisfy the large data and ultra-high rate communication requirements would be of interest. To address the challenging problem of connectivity, our research focuses on developing a learning-based framework for the next-generation communication systems. These systems can proactively adapt their communication and networking strategies to the dynamic of the environment, thereby maximizing their end-to-end performance in terms of data-rates, energy-efficiency, and link-reliability. Toward this goal, first information-theoretical tools are used to establish the fundamental limits (including bounds on the end-to-end performance). These performance limits are the keys for building reliable and efficient systems. Then, powerful machine learning techniques, such as deep learning, are employed for the implementation of such systems. In particular, a simple and cost-effective system with near-optimal performance can be implemented by merely taking off-the-shelf deep learning models, applying them to communication design problems, and tuning them based on the training data.masters, M.S., Electrical and Computer Engineering -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-0
Effects of Microstructural Changes on Mechanical Properties in Ferritic-Martensitic Alloys
No full textAs an important part of the design and development of advanced nuclear fission and fusion reactors, nuclear materials research is focused on finding materials that will perform under the high temperatures, high radiation doses, and corrosive environments predicted for these reactors. Highly alloyed ferritic-martensitic steel alloys show promise as fuel cladding and reactor core structural materials for their high-temperature performance, resistance to swelling, embrittlement, and oxidation, and relatively low nuclear radioactivation. Microstructural damage due to irradiation, including dislocation loop and cluster formation, can affect the mechanical properties. The objective of this study is to correlate irradiation-induced damage in the microstructure of two ferritic-martensitic steel alloys to a change in yield strength. Two candidate materials for use in advanced Gen IV reactors, HCM12A and HT-9, were previously irradiated with Fe2+ ions to 3 displacements per atom (dpa) at 500°C, and a sample of the HCM12A was also irradiated with to 2.4 dpa with protons. Prior published microstructural data from a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study of the samples was used, including changes in the number density and diameter of dislocation loops and nanoclusters, and changes in the atomic concentration of various solutes in the matrix. Nanoindentation was performed on all samples to determine the change in hardness as a result of the irradiation. A quasi-static indentation technique with a Berkovich indenter tip was used, and the hardness was measured to a depth of 600 nm in each sample. A two-feature dispersed barrier hardening (DBH) model was implemented in conjunction with solid solution hardening to mathematically correlate the changes in microstructure to the changes in hardness and yield strength by solving for the strengthening coefficients of the DBH model. In the Fe2+-irradiated HT-9, no nanoclusters were observed and thus no change in solid solution composition took place; only loops were detected, which caused an increase in yield strength of 9.3%. Loops and nanoclusters were observed in both the Fe2+- and proton-irradiated HCM12A; both linear and RSS superposition methods were used to combine the effects of loops and nanoclusters. The Fe2+-irradiated HCM12A sample experienced an increase in yield strength of 23%, and the proton-irradiated sample strength increased by 11%.masters, M.S., Mechanical Engineering -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-1
Effects of a 12-Week Dairy-Based Probiotic Dietary Intervention on Cognitive Outcomes in Older Adults
No full textThere is increasing evidence of an association between the gut microbiome and brain behavior, which has come to be known as the gut-brain axis (Gareau, 2016; Beilharz, Kaakoush, Maniam, & Morris, 2017). The gut microbiome may be a key determinant of cognitive function, encompassing processes such as memory, attention, language, problem-solving, planning, and perception (Okon-Singer, et al., 2015). Dysbiosis and alterations of the gut microbiome may contribute to the development of diseases in humans and is evident in those with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) (Jiang, et al., 2017). Consistent probiotic consumption through fermented food sources may alter the gut microbiome, potentially improving cognitive outcomes and reducing cognitive decline. This pilot study aimed to determine the effect of dairy-based probiotic consumption on cognitive outcomes among 47 older adults (ages 50-98 years old) over a twelve-week period. Participants were randomized to consume one six-ounce yogurt containing probiotics each day (treatment, n=24), or to avoid yogurt and other fermented food over the course of the study (control, n=23). Tests to assess cognitive outcomes were administered at baseline and at the end of the 12-week intervention. Analysis of variance indicated no clear evidence that daily dairy-based probiotic consumption over 12-weeks influenced cognitive outcomes in older adults.masters, M.S., Family and Consumer Sciences -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2019-1