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Associations Between Collegiate Female Athletes' Energy Availability and Various Female Athlete Triad Components/Risk Factors When Using Three Different Criteria to Calculate Exercise Energy Expenditure
No full textThe Female Athlete Triad is a disorder that includes energy availability, menstrual function, and bone mineral density (BMD). Energy availability (EA) has been designated as the root cause for female athletes for athletes developing MD and/or low BMD. Energy availability is defined as energy intake minus exercise energy expenditure (EEE) divided by lean body mass (LBM). In a study conducted in laboratory or controlled setting, indirect calorimetry is the standardized method for quantifying EEE. But for free-living studies, researchers have calculated EA using a variety of different criteria for quantifying EEE. In this study 19 participants wore triaxial accelerometers to collect EEE data, they kept exercise logs, and a record of food intake for four days (3 weekday days and 1 weekend day). To compare methods for quantifying EEE, three EEE criteria were used to calculate the participants’ EA. These three EEE criteria included total activity EEE, structured planned EEE, and METs ≥ 3 EEE. Participants also completed the Low Energy Availability in Female Questionnaire (LEAF-Q), a body composition assessment using the Bod-Pod, and a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan. Using the three EEE criteria, low EA was the most prevalent Triad component among the participants (26-53%). Prevalence of MD was 26% (n=5) and low BMD prevalence was 15% (n=3). Prevalence for participants having at least one Triad component ranged from 53% to 68% and prevalence for participants with at least two Triad components ranged from 11-21%. No participants in this study qualified for all three components of the Triad. LEAF-Q results showed that this tool has the ability to predict if an athlete is at risk for at least one Triad component. However, the LEAF-Q is not able to identify which Triad component an athlete is at risk for. Overall, the three EEE criteria did not have perfect agreement. Results provide evidence that the total activity EEE criteria may best capture an athlete’s participation in not only their planned exercise but other physical activities that add to their daily energy expenditure.masters, M.S., Family and Consumer Sciences -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2018-0
Sensitivity of Past, Present, and Future Fire Regimes to Climate and Vegetation Variability in Boreal Forest and Tundra Ecosystems
No full textWildfire activity in North American boreal forest and tundra ecosystems is strongly controlled by climate, indicating the potential for widespread fire-regime shifts in response to ongoing and future climate change. This dissertation focuses on understanding how fire regimes in boreal forest and tundra ecosystems respond to variability in past, present, and future climate. Chapter 1 addresses how climate, vegetation, and topography control the spatial distribution of fire occurrence in Alaskan boreal forest and tundra ecosystems. Through statistical modelling, I found that climate was the primary control of historical fire activity. Informing these statistical models with 21st-century climate projections suggests tundra and forest-tundra ecosystems will be particularly vulnerable to fire-regime shifts, due to increasing summer temperatures. In some areas, fire may become four times more likely to occur by 2100, relative to the past 6,000-35,000 years. In Chapter 2, I studied the importance of vegetation as a control of fire activity across North American boreal forests, using continental-scale fire and vegetation datasets spanning the past several decades. After climate, fire activity was most strongly linked to landscape tree cover (%). The likelihood of burning was also not independent of past fire, suggesting negative fire-vegetation feedbacks exist across North American boreal forests. These feedbacks are estimated to have reduced total area burned by ≈ 2.7-3.6 ×10^6 ha (4-5%) from 1981-2016, relative to expectations if there were no feedbacks. While these negative fire-vegetation feedbacks may offset climatically driven increases in fire activity for several decades, continued warming and increasing aridity will likely overwhelm the mediating effects of vegetation by the mid- to late-21st century. In Chapter 3, I evaluate the ability of the statistical models from Chapter 1 to project fire regimes outside of the observational period (i.e., 1950-2009 CE). I informed these models with GCM data from 850-1850 CE, and compared these paleo-projections to independent fire histories derived from lake-sediment records. The accuracy of the paleo-projections varied regionally, with uncertainty highest in regions close to an observed temperature threshold to burning. These results highlight how threshold relationships can cause significant uncertainty in anticipating the timing, location, and magnitude of future ecosystem change.doctoral, Ph.D., Natural Resources -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2018-0
Population dynamics and movement of Smallmouth Bass in the Snake River, Idaho
No full textThe Smallmouth Bass Micropterus dolomieu is one of the most socially, economically, and ecologically important species in North America. The Snake River, Idaho, supports a popular Smallmouth Bass sport fishery, but little is known about the population. Additionally, anglers and conservation officers in the area have expressed concern about the harvest of Smallmouth Bass associated with spawning congregations in and near the lower reaches of several major tributaries (i.e., Payette and Weiser rivers). This thesis described the population dynamics, demographics, and movement of Smallmouth Bass in the Snake River, Idaho between Swan Falls Dam and Brownlee Dam. Results of this study indicate fast growth, good size structure and body condition, low exploitation, and highly variable movement of Smallmouth Bass throughout the entire system. Under current conditions, management changes (e.g., minimum length limit increase, seasonal fishing restrictions) in the system do not seem warranted. Furthermore, this research provides guidance for managers in the western United States where information on the distribution and ecology of Smallmouth Bass in streams and rivers is limited.masters, M.S., Natural Resources -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2018-0
Improving Transitional Services for First Generation Students with Learning Disabilities: A Two-edged Sword
No full textThe purpose of this qualitative case study was to discover how state regional disability directors in the northwestern United States are creating successful transitional plans for students who have a learning disability and are the first in their families to attend postsecondary institutions. The targeted participants for the research study was 182 special education directors from a state in the Pacific Northwest’s Department of Education’s (SDE) six educational regions. Four themes were discovered concerning the responses given by the participants that related to relevant literature and to the National Technical Assistance Center on Transition (NTACT) 2.0 Taxonomy (2016), as well as to the ideas of John Rawls concerning cost and fairness. Themes included: student focused planning, student development, family engagement, and financial considerations. Several implications can be inferred concerning individual stakeholders in this case study. These implications are important because a presentation of implications of the work helps those same affected stakeholders improve their knowledge base and professional practice (Hancock & Algozzine, 2017; Spooner, Algozzine, Karvonen, & Lo, 2011). Included are implications for special education directors, students with learning disabilities, parents of students with learning disabilities—particularly those who have not gone to college—school districts, and other agencies that assist in providing student support. These implications provide a new resource for all the stakeholders for support and services which will better assist students with learning disabilities to complete a successful transition into a life after high school—including one focusing on achieving a postsecondary education.doctoral, D.Ed., Leadership and Counseling -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2018-0
Improving Mapping Accuracy of Wildland Fire Effects from Hyperspatial Imagery Using Machine Learning
No full textThis dissertation presents the potential of small unmanned aircrafts systems (sUAS) to provide affordable, on-demand monitoring of wildland fire effects at a much finer spatial resolution than is possible with the current approaches using satellites or manned aircraft. Wildfires burn 4-10 million acres across the United States with suppression costs approaching $2 billion annually. High intensity wildfires contribute to post fire erosion, flooding and loss of timber resources. Accurate assessment of the effects of wildland fire on the environment is critical to improving the management of wildland fire as a tool for restoring ecosystem resilience. Sensor miniaturization and sUAS offer a new paradigm, providing affordable, on-demand monitoring of wildland fire effects at a much finer spatial resolution than is possible with satellite or manned aircraft, providing finer detail at a much lower cost. This increased resolution contains post-fire effects information that has not been previously detectable, such as white ash and individual plants. The approaches examined for improving the extraction of post-fire effects knowledge from hyperspatial imagery acquired with a sUAS include: 1. Showing that burn severity classes of interest were mapped more accurately from hyperspatial than 30 meter color imagery. 2. When texture was added to color as a fourth hyperspatial input to machine learning algorithms, burn severity classes of interest were mapped more accurately. 3. Wildland fire effects were mapped with higher accuracy using Support Vector Machines than was achieved with k-Nearest Neighbor classifiers when mapping wildland burn severity classes using hyperspatial color imagery. Each of these three approaches resulted in an increase of accuracy by which post-fire effects were mapped from a set of orthomosaics acquired with a sUAS over a variety of wildland fires. Development of tools, methods and metrics which utilize hyperspatial sUAS multi-spectral imagery enable managers to monitor fire effects at a much finer resolution than is possible with current technology, providing new knowledge to assist with post-fire ecosystem management. This information will allow for the realization of optimized management and decreased associated costs leading to improved data-driven land management decisions resulting in fire resilient ecosystems.doctoral, Ph.D., Computer Science -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2018-0
Phase II Archaeological Survey and Test Excavation, Historic Pen d'Oreille City (10KA91), Kootenai County, Idaho
No full textHistoric Pen d’Oreille City is located at the south end of Lake Pend Oreille in Farragut State Park. The 1866 settlement was associated with (1) transportation and gold rush themes followed by (2) a homestead and settlement period in the late 1800s to early 1900s and the cement industry on Lake Pend Oreille, (3) themes of World War II and (4) Farragut State Park in modern times. The results of Phase II Pen d’Oreille City investigations are presented. The first phase of the project, a pedestrian surface survey and recording of the site, was completed in September 2015 by a University of Idaho archaeology team from the Alfred W. Bowers Laboratory of Anthropology for Kootenai County under a Certified Local Government (CLG) grant. The primary goals were to identify features and temporally associated artifacts, conduct historical research, and assess the site’s eligibility for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Phase I results concluded that the Pen d’Oreille City (10KA91) is eligible for nomination to the NRHP and that further survey was suggested in the form of shovel test probes, targeted test excavation units, and ground penetrating radar (GPR). Phase II of the CLG grant was to continue and expand intensive survey, resulting in expanded site boundaries and a larger artifact assemblage. Specific attention was given to cabins, public-use structure locations and features such as depressions, rock alignments, foundations, and roads/trails tentatively identified in 2015. Metal detection survey (MDS), two 50 x 50 cm sub-surface test units, feature recording, diagnostic artifact collection (451 collected and analyzed) and intensive survey, were completed in August 2017. The Phase II testing resulted in a clearer and expanded boundary based on artifact and feature distribution and historic maps. Artifact assemblages, surface findings and subsurface testing indicate that the site occupants at various time participated in hunting, recreational activities, homesteading, cement making, blacksmithing, military training, and possibly logging. Cultural themes were identified from each period of the site. Surface artifact and sediment disturbance in areas combined with development projects and evidence of intense looting has greatly impacted the site. The investigation clarifies the potential for intact subsurface remains, the processes that disturbed the remains of Pen d’Oreille City, and how to proceed with future archaeological investigation.masters, M.A., Anthropology -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2018-0
Seismic Tremor Reveals Spatial Organization and Temporal Changes of Subglacier Water System
No full textSubglacial water flow directly impacts glacier dynamics and shapes the subglacial environment. The subglacial water system changes in response to water that flows through conduits at the glacier’s bed, with a distributed, inefficient drainage system in the winter evolving into a channelized, efficient system during the melt season. Due to the challenges of observing glacier beds, the spatial organization of subglacial water systems and the time scales of conduit evolution and migration are unknown. To address these questions, I monitor seismic tremor produced by subglacial water flow, i.e. glaciohydraulic tremor, between 1.5 and 10 Hz throughout the 2016 melt season on Taku glacier. I use frequency dependent polarization analysis to estimate glaciohydraulic tremor propagation direction (which is a proxy for subglacial conduit location) and a degree day melt model to monitor trends of melt water input. This study reveals that conduit formation relies on sustained water input and that single conduit flow paths can be distinguished from multi-conduit flow paths. Seismic tremor from multi-conduit flow experiences multiday locational changes while tremor produced by single conduit flow remains more stationary. This study also provides insight into the frequency, propagation, and wave structure of glaciohydraulic tremor, with polarized glaciohydraulic tremor wave types potentially linked to the distance from source to station and multiple frequencies propagating from the same source direction with propagation constrained by a distance threshold. My findings clarify the development and spatial organization of subglacial water systems which may be applied in future studies to gain a better understanding of glacier sliding speeds and glacier dynamics.masters, M.S., Geography -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2018-0
The Effect of Maturity at Harvest of Eragrostis tef (“Moxie”) on Nutritive Value as a Forage for Beef Cattle
No full textTeff (Eragrostis tef ; ‘Moxie’), a warm-season annual grass, could be an excellent forage for beef cattle. However, there is limited information on its nutritive value to cattle when harvested at different stages of maturity. Thus, the objective of this research was to determine the effect of feeding teff hay harvested at the boot (BT), early-heading (EH), or late-heading (LH) stages of maturity on nutrient intake, ruminal fermentation characteristics, omasal nutrient flow, and N utilization in beef cattle. Six ruminally cannulated beef heifers were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with 28-d periods (18 d for adaptation and 10 d for measurements). Dietary treatments were BT, EH, or LH teff hay. Dry matter intake was measured daily. Indwelling pH loggers were used to measure ruminal pH from d 21 to 28. Ruminal fluid and omasal digesta were collected from d 26 to 28 to determine fermentation characteristics and omasal nutrient flow. Fecal and urine samples to quantify N excretion were also collected (d 26 to 28). Blood samples were collected 3 h post-feeding on d 28. There were no changes (P > 0.28) in the ADF or NDF content of teff with advancing maturity but iNDF increased (P NH3 -N concentration, feeding beef heifers EH and LH compared to BT teff hay did not compromise ruminal digestion and outflow of DM, OM, NDF, ADF, and CP, and microbial protein synthesis. Advancing maturity in teff hay also resulted in a decrease in the excretion of total N and urine N and UUN when fed to cattle. Therefore, beef producers could wait until the LH stage to harvest/graze ‘Moxie’ teff grass to maximize forage yield without severely compromising its nutrient value.masters, M.S., Animal and Veterinary Science -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2018-1
Energy Availability and Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S) in Division I Athletes
No full textCollegiate athletes practice year-round and must alter intake to compensate for changes in energy expenditure during high and low-volume training. Although adequate intake is needed to optimize performance, pressures in the sporting environment regarding body image may lead to low energy availability (LEA). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine relationships between energy availability (EA) and eating disorder (ED) risk, body composition, and stress in Division I athletes. One hundred current student-athletes, 18-25 years of age, were recruited for the study. Daily energy intake (DI) and exercise energy expenditure (ExEE) were assessed over three days (two weekdays and one weekend day) using accelerometer (ActiGraphGT3X+) and physical activity logs, while DI was recorded using an online dietary recall (ASA24®). Bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition (fat mass, FM; lean body mass, LBM) were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). EA was calculated using the following equation: (DI - ExEE) kcal/kg of LBM/day and categorized into low (30 kcal/kg of LBM/day), reduced (30-45 kcal/kg of LBM/day), and adequate EA (45 kcal/kg of LBM/day). Descriptive statistics were performed on dependent variables using measures of central tendency, variability, and frequencies. A Chi-square test of independence was performed to examine the interaction between EA category and sex. A Fisher’s exact test was used to determine differences in ED risk by sex. Independent t-tests were used to compare differences in EA, body composition, and stress by sex. Pearson correlations were performed to assess relationships between EA and ED risk, body composition, and stress in male and female athletes. Significance was accepted at pmasters, M.S., Movement & Leisure Sciences -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2018-0
Variation in the Nutritional Landscape Modulates Sublethal Effects of Competitors and Predators on Herbivore Fitness
No full textIn heterogeneous landscapes large herbivores employ plastic behavioral strategies to cope with tradeoffs among environmental variables that influence fitness (e.g., forage availability, predation, and competition). Yet how individual responses to such tradeoffs scale up to influence population performance remains uncertain. Similarly, the degree to which sublethal effects of competitors and predators on herbivore fitness are modulated by variation in the nutritional landscape has not been addressed. Over the past several decades, mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) populations have declined precipitously throughout their historic range in western North America. Competition with elk (Cervus canadensis) and predation by mountain lions (Puma concolor) are thought to have contributed both directly and indirectly to the decline of mule deer, but the mechanisms underpinning those effects have not been clearly established. We sought to understand (a) whether the risk of encountering competitors (elk) or predators (mountain lions) displaced mule deer from the most favorable parts of the nutritional landscape, (b) whether that displacement translated into effects on early winter body condition (and thus, ostensibly, fitness) of mule deer, and (c) whether the indirect effects of interference competition and predation risk on mule deer condition were modulated by plastic behavioral responses to those risks among individual deer.. At the population level mule deer strongly avoided habitats with a high risk of predation, and this behavior was more pronounced during summer than spring. Avoidance of risky habitats also was coincident with either avoidance or indifference to the nutritional landscape during both seasons. Moreover, as risk of predation increased mule deer showed progressively stronger avoidance of the most favorable parts of the nutritional landscape, suggesting that they were forced to make tradeoffs between forage and predation risk. The influence of competition on mule deer behavior was similar in nature but attenuated relative to the effect of predation risk. One apparent consequence of suboptimal use of the nutritional landscape by mule deer was that nutritional condition (measured as percent ingesta-free body fat) was below reported thresholds for maintaining positive population growth. At the individual level, stronger selection for the nutritional landscape during spring, when forage resources were more evenly distributed and the effects of predation risk on behavior were less pronounced, significantly improved nutritional condition in early winter. Our study is among the first to elucidate the nutritional mechanisms underpinning indirect effects of predation risk and competition on a large herbivore, and our results provide important insights into the drivers of mule deer decline in western North America.masters, M.S., Natural Resources -- University of Idaho - College of Graduate Studies, 2018-0